I returned to the imperial palace. And as soon as I took off my formal attire, I darted towards Hyeok Gi-rin.
“What’s going on here?!”
“Well, I wonder if someone will come and explain it soon. I’m just a mere martial artist, so I can’t really say much.”
Seeing Hyeok Gi-rin’s beaming smile gave me a slight sense of betrayal, but he was right. Today, I confirmed that Emperor Yoo Gyeong was Dujak. So I had clearly shown that I knew Hyeok Gi-rin was Dujak’s sibling…
Hyeok Gi-rin surely realized that I had figured out his identity.
While it’s crucial to deny our shared knowledge, he still ought to explain.
Carrying my frustration, I was sipping tea at the pavilion while waiting to meet Dujak and Sa Ma Hwi-gyeong when Sa Ma Hwi-gyeong appeared.
“Sir Hwi-gyeong! What’s happening here?”
“Ha ha. I’ll explain, so calm down.”
Sa Ma Hwi-gyeong dismissed the court ladies and poured tea, slowly beginning to speak.
“First… yes, we need to address this. Dujak resembles Emperor Yoo Gyeong quite a lot, doesn’t he? Even if he’s from a branch clan, his resemblance to His Majesty is striking.”
“…Yes. I was surprised, too.”
“You might have guessed it, but Hyeok Gi-rin is actually a member of the imperial family. Naturally, it’s not something you can casually talk about outside.”
So that’s the setup. Dujak is not the Emperor but merely a member of a branch clan, and Hyeok Gi-rin is also a branch family royal, is that it?
“And I, too, am not just an ordinary eunuch. I’m one of the disguised classmates assigned to protect Dujak. That’s how I’ve come to know some things about you… and it seems you’re in quite a predicament.”
“What do you mean?”
I still didn’t understand Yoo Gyeong and Hyeok Gi-rin’s intentions. For now, it seemed like Sa Ma Hwi-gyeong was about to explain everything, so I listened closely.
“You’ve been entwined with Miss Yeo Il-ye and the ‘Realization,’ haven’t you? Recently, there are rumors circulating in the martial world about a new Peak Expert from the Jeomchang Faction. And it happens to coincide with the time you were teaching the Masters. Additionally, during a martial arts match in the imperial palace, you triggered Hyeok Gi-rin’s awakening…”
“…That’s…”
I was thinking of providing a decent excuse, but Sa Ma Hwi-gyeong nodded as if he knew everything.
“Right, it’s just a baseless rumor. The idea that you could grant realization to other martial artists… ha ha, even if your name is Ho Cheon-an, can you truly see through someone’s enlightenment like a tale from a storybook?”
I licked my lips. It’s embarrassing to even deny it at this point.
“Anyhow, you’re likely going to face a lot of trouble because of this rumor. You’ve just become a consultant for the Commander of the Golden Guards, and you’ll be driven out soon… I apologize in advance.”
“…Huh?”
Sa Ma Hwi-gyeong dramatically looked around before calling me closer. As our faces neared, he softly spoke.
“In fact, your rumors have even reached the imperial family. It seems that Commander Song Chang-sik and Emperor Yoo Gyeong are quite hopeful regarding your ‘rumor.’ However… can you really produce results without the abilities you supposedly possess? I mean no offense, but with your realm and experience, it’d be impossible for you to facilitate monumental progress for the Golden Guards…”
I began to see the threads of Yoo Gyeong’s intention.
“If this gets out, it could severely harm the imperial family’s reputation… Oh dear…”
Starting with the Yeo Il-ye incident, I had already become too intertwined with the idea of enlightenment.
Even if the Jeomchang Faction keeps it quiet, the event where the Peak Expert was born cannot be concealed. The Qi that resonated throughout the mountain during the process of realization was far too volatile to hide perfectly.
However, it isn’t a verified rumor. There are countless tales in the martial world about extraordinary individuals who suddenly impart peerless skills, elixirs, or cryptic insights.
Even I, who holds a database on realizations, have heard such stories hundreds of times.
My situation could easily be just one of these random tales. But if the rumor of Master Un-jong being associated with the Peak Expert gets tangled with me, it won’t just be brushed off as a rumor anymore.
So it seems the imperial family is planning on testing my abilities first under the pretense of engaging with my ‘rumor.’ After testing me, they can easily strip me of my role as an external consultant for the Golden Guards if I lack such abilities.
A failure on the royal family’s part would also be quite the stimulating bit of news, drawing significant public attention.
The power of the rumor regarding my inability to provide enlightenment might even be enough to cover things up.
“…Is it really alright?”
“What can we do? The Emperor’s mind is made up.”
Yoo Gyeong has prepared quite the present. Accepting it feels somewhat burdensome.
He’s willing to sacrifice his reputation to cover up my rumors… for someone like Yoo Gyeong, whose goal is to strengthen the royal power, this must be quite a small cost.
“And… it’s not entirely a loss for him. This might sound irreverent, but enduring this much damage isn’t such a big deal. It could be seen as gaining a reliable ally.”
“Hmm?”
“Heh, it seems it’s nearly time for the eunuchs appointed to enforce the decisions made during the audience to arrive. I must be going now.”
Sa Ma Hwi-gyeong stood up from his seat.
“I’ll personally remember what you’ve done… You’ve helped fulfill that person’s wish, so in that sense, you are my benefactor.”
“Well, I believe I have received enough in return.”
“Ha ha ha! Then let’s consider it settled… Until we meet again.”
Was this his way of saying goodbye?
Sa Ma Hwi-gyeong extended his hand for a parting gesture and said,
“Well then, I look forward to the day we meet again, Ho Cheon-an Great Hero.”
“…Yes. Someday.”
We exchanged bows, and with a mysterious smile, Sa Ma Hwi-gyeong vanished without looking back.
In the end, who was he really? Was he truly a commander from my past? Sa Ma Hwi-gyeong seems like an alias, but I don’t think anyone would dare disguise themselves as him.
I wondered if I could ask Sa Ma Yeom for answers. But did I really need to?
Yeah. Let’s leave it for the joy of meeting Sa Ma Hwi-gyeong again next time.
While sorting through my thoughts, a court lady appeared to inform me that the eunuchs had arrived.
“Yes, let’s go.”
I stood up to put an end to my stay at the imperial palace.
*
In Nangyang Fortress, there exists the royal palace.
The Imperial Palace.
The palace can be broadly divided into three parts.
Firstly, there’s the Inner Court and the Outer Court.
The Inner Court is, quite literally, the residence of the royal family. The Outer Court caters to the royal family’s convenience and houses important institutions.
The Hall of Decrees or the audience chambers where the Emperor and ministers discuss state affairs are also part of the Outer Court.
The Inner Court is a sacred area where even high officials cannot enter without a special purpose and permission – it is the private chamber for royals, whereas the Outer Court consists of places for royals to meet ministers or guests, or offices for official duties.
Usually, the term “Imperial Palace” encompasses these Inner and Outer Courts, and in many ways, that’s accurate, as these are indeed the living spaces of the royal family.
However, the official realm of the Imperial Palace is much wider.
The Royal Guard.
This is a space filled with national institutions that help run the Huang Nation. While the hosts of the imperial palace are royals, it’s not solely made up of the royals residing within. The Royal Guard serves as the palace space for officials.
Although it’s termed as a space for officials, considering that these officials are high-ranking figures like the Commander of the Golden Guards, Dong-chang, ministers, central administrative officers, and the Imperial Army, it’s certainly not a trivial area. To put it mildly, it’s quite an impressive place.
This is the heart of the Huang Nation, where institutions gather to handle state affairs and issue directives.
The Palace Archives and Palace Security are located here, along with the training ground where I’ll be serving as an external consultant for the Golden Guards. I might end up staying at the inn where the Black Cat was and commute to work.
Clatter, clatter.
Hyeok Gi-rin and I were en route in a royal cart from the Outer Court to the Royal Guard. It was nearly time to reclaim the health elixirs I had kept close and the sword that had been around my waist.
“I hear you’re going to enter seclusion. Was it because of me that you made that decision…?”
Since awakening, Hyeok Gi-rin had been more reserved in his speech. It felt less like a shift in personality and more like a mischievous child holding back to pull off a prank.
His pure eyes and refreshing smile remained, but… seeing him quietly smile at me felt a bit unsettling.
If it were the Hyeok Gi-rin I knew, he would have a sorry expression, apologizing for hiding my identity as a princess all along. “Apologies, I’m actually the princess of the Huang Nation.”
And I would have exaggeratedly jumped in surprise like, “Oh no, your Highness! Please don’t execute me!”
Then Hyeok Gi-rin would have a troubled look, unsure of what to do, and witnessing my wild display while shouting would leave him flustered, and I would laugh internally seeing his crimson face. But here we are.
How unfortunate.
It seems growth isn’t always a good thing.
“Heh heh. No, it’s nothing. As you now know, there are matters regarding my family that need attention. I’ve decided to tackle these family issues that I’ve long ignored. Since I’ve achieved realization, I could buy some time to set things right.”
“Ha ha. Then that’s a relief.”
“Yes, it’s all thanks to you.”
Still, Hyeok Gi-rin’s smile resembled the usual demeanor I found comforting.
Just in time, the royal cart came to a stop at the entrance of the Outer Court. I had my sword back at my waist, my arm around the Qichae, and the health elixirs and other paraphernalia returned.
Regardless of anything else, the elixir is indeed like a second heart, and being without it during my time at the royal palace felt empty, akin to having a part of my liver removed, but now, putting the elixir back on made me feel like I had returned from a dream to reality.
My arms grew pleasantly crowded. Tokens for entering the Palace Archives. Tokens for entering the Palace Security. Various tokens to extract gold from battlefields. And a badge proving my position as an external consultant for the Golden Guards.
“When do you plan to enter seclusion?”
“I wish I could jump right in, but… there is a prior agreement, right?”
Prior agreement. Is that the promise to explore the Black Cat and Nangyang before entering the palace?
Speaking of which, it’s been a while since I last saw the Black Cat. I wonder if it has been well without causing any trouble.
“I wonder how the Black Cat is doing on her own?”
“Hmm… I imagine there hasn’t been anything particularly serious. Maybe she’s happily gorging on fried rice cakes and has plumped up a bit.”
“Haha… A near Peak Expert wouldn’t easily gain weight, but somehow, I can relate to that statement.”
Expecting the bored Black Cat would welcome us as we arrived at the Yong Sang Inn, but what greeted us instead was not the near Peak Expert Black Cat.
“Welcome back!”
Crisply dressed and vigorously waving her hand was the Black Cat, the Peak Expert.
