Chapter 419 – Heavenly Silk Robe (4)

The Crown Prince commanded silence among the assembled ministers.

It was conduct difficult to attribute to someone so revered, but immediately many ceased their criticisms.

Not all of them, however.

A group gathered on one side of the red carpet bisecting the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The scholars of the Hanlin Academy were like this.

“Please reconsider, Your Highness.”

An elderly scholar opened his mouth as if he hadn’t heard the Crown Prince’s words. From the beginning, they only maintained silence beneath the Emperor’s golden throne.

The metal chair below it, painted red and serving as the Crown Prince’s seat, did not command great authority among the ministers.

Because it was the seat of someone who would die without ever succeeding to the imperial throne.

Other scholars continued speaking.

“How can the Crown Prince, as a son, privately unseal a memorial addressed to his father, the Emperor?”

“This violates proper conduct!”

“Whatever its contents may be, we cannot hear it. This must not happen.”

The Hanlin Academy was an institution where the Emperor sought counsel on propriety, law, and governance, and the Hanlin scholars were universally recognized as the finest talents in every imperial dynasty.

And regardless of age or rank, they frequently offered remarkably bold remonstrations, which were tolerated due to the atmosphere that only a righteous imperial court would permit such behavior.

They could not be rashly suppressed by force. No ordinary authority could silence them.

“I humbly submit…”

The elderly scholar who had spoken earlier bowed his head again. He was a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, a position close to that of a prime minister.

“With famine causing unrest throughout the realm, this is a time when we must carefully consider public sentiment. In this regard, we have long advocated for the importance of Taoist sects like Wudang and Mount Hua, which, as Your Highness knows, was not an easy position to take as scholars. There are times when the greater cause must take precedence over fundamentals.”

“And so?”

“As the Crown Prince of the nation, Your Highness should be concerned with the present rather than the future. I mean to say that you should not covet the Emperor’s authority beyond this.”

“The Grand Secretary oversteps his bounds. I have never advocated for abdication. I have maintained this position my entire life.”

“If you reseal the letter here, we will consider your private perusal of the memorial as if it never happened.”

“You have a talent for inflating minor matters. The Grand Secretary’s view of the Divine Sword Group is similar. What do you think would have happened to Beijing’s streets if the Radiant Demon Wing Leader had not leaped out from before me?”

“The purple promotion of Desolate Fortress’ Radiant Demon Wing Leader should proceed naturally according to public opinion… Please reconsider, Your Highness.”

“I feel like I’m talking to a wall. Did Bodhidharma feel this way during his wall-gazing meditation?”

The Crown Prince’s lips twisted as if mocking the Grand Secretary.

“Following public opinion? Such stubborn creatures. You don’t even know where these memorials came from.”

“They are memorials addressed to His Majesty. We will not listen to any of their contents.”

Woong—

Gentle energy waves flowed from beneath the ears of the scholars, including the elderly one.

They had pressed their own Yifeng acupoints below their ears. To ensure they would hear nothing, even if briefly.

This is a world where martial arts flourish. Among the children of Beijing’s powerful families, none had failed to learn at least one decent mental cultivation technique.

The same was true even for those of scholar status. They were skilled not only in archery but also in internal energy cultivation.

“How difficult. When it’s merely a matter of time.”

The Crown Prince reclined diagonally against his backrest.

And then he shook his head.

He knew why they were taking such a stubborn stance. It was because of an incident long ago.

When Martial Hero Ma Yeon-jeok had left the previous Chief Eunuch half-paralyzed yet received no particular punishment.

A very small number of officials had been extremely wary of Desolate Fortress’ tyrannical purple-rank martial arts for decades.

Amid this, the major incident of the Divine Sword Group leadership’s gathering had occurred. There could not help but be attempts to preemptively block the birth of a new purple rank.

“Your behavior proves the position of purple.”

The Crown Prince tossed out these words.

But his words did not reach the scholars. Like the Crown Prince’s authority, which had withered and lost its power long ago.

It was then.

A stream of leisurely whistling descended through the open ceiling of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Immediately, dust rose from various parts of the palace.

This was because the energy imbued in the monotonous whistling was incredibly dense.

“Hurrk…!”

“What… stop…!”

The Hanlin scholars and the Grand Secretary clutched their ears with pained expressions. They seemed on the verge of kneeling.

A single phrase of whistling had completely undone the scholars’ acupoint sealing.

“…!”

The faces of the ministers who had been maintaining silence changed. As high officials, they could not fail to recognize the identity of the whistling that had just sounded.

“Group Leader Yong?”

“I heard he had left Beijing…!”

The current Divine Sword Group Leader was an extremely flamboyant figure. It was said that even when rushing into battle, he enjoyed using melodious whistling as his sound technique.

“I’ve personally cleared the old folks’ ears for you.”

Thud.

Along with these words tinged with laughter, a figure stood beside the Crown Prince. He had just descended from the open ceiling, dressed like a scholar in a purple robe.

The tall man made a martial salute toward the Crown Prince.

“I apologize for coming without notice.”

“Dispense with the formalities. Aren’t you someone who can bear weapons in the Forbidden City? Have you found His Majesty?”

The Crown Prince asked while gesturing with the memorial documents. Immediately, Divine Sword Group Leader Yong Hui-myeong, who had released his salute, nodded toward those scrolls.

“That’s why I’ve come. In any case, I didn’t expect Wudang Sect to support Lightning Genius’s purple promotion. The calligraphy is quite elegant; it seems the High Sword elder was quite a skilled writer. Well… perhaps he took special care in writing it.”

“…!”

The ministers inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony stirred. Astonishment spread subtly. The wave of reaction extended even to the Hanlin Academy and the Grand Secretary.

Those who had been seeking public opinion and natural progression until the end, including some powerful figures, now had to hear the Divine Sword Group Leader’s next words.

“There’s also a letter from the Poison King. Well, the Tang family of Sichuan owes Lightning Genius several debts. The sect leaders of Emei and Qingcheng have also… hmm? Even the lofty Mount Hua Sect’s Lu Xian? What is this letter from the Shaolin Abbot? And the Peng family is unexpected too.”

“They all seem to follow a similar thread. Otherwise, memorials from such major factions couldn’t pile up like this. It seems the Radiant Demon Wing Leader has traveled the martial world with a gentleman’s character.”

The Crown Prince said.

Yong Hui-myeong, who had been stroking his chin, smiled.

“He even drinks like a gentleman.”

“Is that so? I’m curious about the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s way of drinking. Perhaps we’ll have a chance to drink together someday.”

“I’m not sure about that. In any case, His Majesty will soon arrive, so it would be good to prepare.”

While this conversation was taking place, the Hall of Supreme Harmony gradually grew more chaotic.

With the successive revelations and now the Emperor’s return, the scholars and some ministers in the bustling palace interior could not easily speak.

They could only stare intently at the letters and memorial scrolls held by the Crown Prince. With somewhat dejected expressions.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

It was a fine day.

Under the blue expanse of sky, the cries of cicadas and owls sounded unusually clear.

The noon of summer. The golden roofs characteristic of the Forbidden City were shining more brightly than ever.

It was called the Hall of Martial Splendor.

This was where the Emperor practiced martial arts.

As befitting the Forbidden City, the front courtyard was vast. Almost like a training ground or plaza.

But it was roughly pitted in many places, as if a war had been fought there. Even the renowned iron-footed blacksmiths of the world could not smooth it out.

In contrast, the path leading to the center of the hall was smooth.

Perhaps symbolizing the Emperor’s future path? It was filled with unusually white marble, giving it an elegant appearance.

Swish.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been adjusting his attire, released the white swallow from his bosom into the air above his head. And then he added a word.

“Come back on time. Don’t play too much.”

The Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s White Swallow chirped briefly before fluttering its wings and flying away.

It was then.

“How bold. Someone might shoot it down.”

An extremely clear voice vibrated the air.

It was a voice that rang out from behind him. Jeong Yeon-shin turned around slowly without surprise. This was because he had already sensed someone approaching from a distance.

“There’s no need for such concern. Since it’s a child that only plays within the range of my energy sense…”

He said slowly.

And then he took in the person before him.

He appeared to be about thirty. At least, that’s how his outward appearance seemed.

His eye level was similar to Jeong Yeon-shin’s.

His features were striking, making it difficult to distinguish whether he was male or female. Rather than beautiful, the impression was more mystical.

Sunlight flowing from his small, round forehead down to his high nose bridge. He wore a crown with twelve strands of luminous beads hanging down, and the surrounding sunlight seemed to be tilting toward him.

Because of this, the sun and moon embroidered on both shoulders of his dragon robe stood out clearly.

This was the Emperor.

The peerless master Emperor Qianling.

His deep blue eyes, like a dense forest condensed into one place, were transparently taking in Jeong Yeon-shin.

“Is it safe wherever your energy sense reaches?”

The Emperor asked quietly. Without imposing any particular etiquette or propriety.

From the beginning, it was a place where such things did not come to mind. At least for Jeong Yeon-shin.

He felt tension for the first time in a very long while. A feeling of coolness running through the marrow of his spine. He could not gauge the figure before him.

Though clearly taking human form, the human-faced spider he had seen earlier almost seemed more human by comparison.

Belatedly, the Emperor’s appearance came into proper view.

He was smoking a long, rolled-up leaf with its tip lit, held to his mouth.

The burning smell was extremely fragrant, suggesting it wasn’t opium. Behind him, a court recorder carrying a brush and book was following the Emperor.

Hoo—

“Did you not hear my question?”

The Emperor, who had exhaled a hazy smoke, tilted his head slightly to the side. Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips.

“…I thought it was safe, but now I’m not so sure.”

“You’re more humble than I expected. I heard the Tyrant Hero’s blood flows in you.”

“The Analects, in the Ji Shi chapter, states that a gentleman should fear three things. Among them, what a lesser man should observe are those with deep learning and virtue, and the mandate of heaven…”

Jeong Yeon-shin couldn’t finish his words. Suddenly, the Emperor exhaled a thick cloud of smoke from his rolled leaf.

Perhaps due to his transcendently deep internal energy breathing, his exhalation extended extremely far.

“There’s value in returning from Shaolin. You’re giving me a new topic of contemplation.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“There was still a weakness in my breathing technique. It should flow endlessly like the ocean.”

Crack.

In that moment, the leaf in the Emperor’s hand scattered without a trace.

“Let’s walk for a bit.”

When he gestured with his chin toward the main gate of the Hall of Martial Splendor, the beads of his crown swayed, covering his tall ears.

The Emperor possessed ears as long as Liu Bei of Shu Han’s incarnation.

The three people, including the court recorder, slowly headed toward the hall.

No particular conversation took place during this time. Not even until they entered the hall and closed the door.

Clunk.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s brow narrowed slightly.

This place was like the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The energy sense that had been extending in all directions was suddenly cut off. It became difficult to gauge the inside from the outside, and the outside from the inside.

‘They say the imperial family’s secret formations rival the Transcendent Martial Art of the Tiamo Mountain Fortress Leader…’

Words he had once heard from Yong Hui-myeong crossed his mind.

Thud.

“When the Fortress Lord took a disciple outside the Zhu family, I personally wanted to come see you.”

The Emperor said as he walked through the hall.

He was referring to the Desolate Fortress Lord. Jeong Yeon-shin glanced at his back.

“But the Fortress Lord told me not to come. There was no particular explanation, but… now I understand what she was concerned about. If I had seen you then, you would not be the Radiant Demon Wing Leader at this moment.”

“…?”

“You would have been part of the northern campaign army. As one of the Three Flank Generals.”

“I have no interest in the military.”

“I know your origins. Did you have an interest in the martial world?”

“I have an interest in life.”

Having spoken calmly, Jeong Yeon-shin glanced down at his sleeve.

There was not a single lantern light in the Hall of Martial Splendor, making it difficult to distinguish between his black robe and the air.

It must have been due to the palace formation that disrupted the five senses and energy perception.

“You set your mind on life? How strange. Around me, there are only those who speak lightly of death, trying to prove themselves.”

A faint smile tinged the Emperor’s voice. And then the sound of a brush moving across paper tickled Jeong Yeon-shin’s ear.

The presence of the taciturn court recorder engaged in writing. Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly realized that he was deep within the imperial palace.

“…If one is faithful to life, death will prove it. The two are connected.”

Jeong Yeon-shin thought of the traces that would remain in this land if he failed to overcome his fate and died.

His niece Jeong Hye, Desolate Fortress, friends from the Nine Great Sects, the Lightning Genius martial lineage…

“The two are connected? Yes, that’s right. But perhaps because I’ve just returned from Shaolin, it sounds different.”

The Emperor seemed to enjoy Zen-like dialogues. This was evident even from his conduct, which made it difficult to distinguish whether he was addressing Jeong Yeon-shin or muttering to himself.

“They say the bodies of Shaolin monks who have endured extremely arduous training never decay. It’s called the realm of indestructible diamond. In life, they boast invincible external techniques that cannot be broken, and in death, they maintain their own dignity. I’ve been interested in both. As someone of a status that must not live or die ordinarily.”

Suddenly, the sound of the Emperor’s footsteps ceased. Instead, his voice continued.

“But you speak of indestructible diamond of life. Interesting. Very interesting. A strange insight is coming to me.”

“……”

“You said you set your mind on life. You are already a martial artist of Desolate Fortress, inseparable from the martial world, so what kind of legacy do you intend to leave in the martial world? What do you think is indestructible diamond that penetrates life and death?”

He was asking how to live as Desolate Fortress’ purple rank.

Jeong Yeon-shin sensed it. This was the final test. But it was a question that couldn’t be adorned with techniques, nor could he display skill by reverse-engineering the opponent’s martial arts principles like observing their techniques.

He simply had to speak what came naturally.

His lips parted slightly.

“It is to never compromise.”

It was a statement with many meanings. Fate, injustice, the Sima Evil Path, and any other forms of oppression…

The Emperor laughed.

“Perhaps it’s because you’re young. Your sense of chivalry is admirable.”

And suddenly, the doors of the Hall of Martial Splendor opened wide on their own.

Light poured into the dim palace interior.

The vast courtyard of the Hall of Martial Splendor was revealed in the sunlight, and soon Jeong Yeon-shin beheld the orderly crowd spread out before his eyes.

When had they arrived?

The term “civil and military officials” would be insufficient.

The hundreds of military officials in yellow martial attire with blue dragons embroidered on them must be the Imperial Guards. There were also eunuchs in blue official robes with black caps.

It was difficult to distinguish whether they were from the Eastern Depot, Western Depot, or Inner Palace Service, but judging by their numbers, easily exceeding three hundred, they might be from all three.

That wasn’t all. There were Imperial Guard commanders and high officials in formal attire, all sorts of official robes in blue and red visible at a glance.

All of them were looking up at the Hall of Martial Splendor as if trying to engrave Jeong Yeon-shin’s face in their eyes.

‘What is this?’

Just as Jeong Yeon-shin’s brow furrowed.

Flutter.

Where had it come from? The Emperor, who had somehow come to Jeong Yeon-shin’s side, suddenly pulled out a large garment from the empty air.

“Your insight on indestructible diamond was quite interesting.”

Jeong Yeon-shin felt a smooth sensation enveloping his shoulders. A single thought began to pound in his mind. Finally, at last.

The Emperor’s lips opened slowly.

“If that heart remains unbroken throughout the ages.”

The garment draped over Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulders.

It was a robe that now bore neither the character “Desolate” (荒) symbolizing Desolate Fortress, nor any other pattern.

At this moment, only the sunset light was smoothly rippling over the fabric. That was enough.

“You are this country’s sword.”

The Emperor said.

“……”

Silence spread like a tidal wave.

The seventy-second year of the Qianling era. The fifteenth day of the eighth month in the imperial palace.

On one side, the court recorder elegantly wielded his brush, recording this event.