Chapter 23
The Road to the Imperial Palace
Three days later, Ihwan’s group entered a city a day’s journey from the capital.
As befitting the most prosperous city near the imperial capital, its size was unmatched—grand, splendid, and clean compared to other cities.
Cha Jung-kyung clicked his tongue in amazement.
“Wow! This is like a whole different world.”
Song Cheon-mu’s expression was bright. His home was right here in this city.
Cha Jung-kyung asked,
“Didn’t you say your hometown was near here?”
“Yes. I was born and raised in this city.”
“No wonder you seem refined. You lived in such a good place. I envy you.”
Song Cheon-mu smiled bitterly.
“On the surface it looks splendid, but the brighter the light, the darker the shadows. This city has plenty of both.”
“Even so, I bet it’s a hundred, no, a thousand times better than my hometown. Compared to here, mine is just…”
Cha Jung-kyung trailed off with a bitter expression.
“Big and fancy doesn’t always mean good.”
“Well, true enough. But still, this place is amazing.”
While the two chatted, the carriage came to a stop. Looking up, they found themselves in front of a massive inn.
Cha Jung-kyung’s eyes widened again.
“I’ve got nothing to say… This is really an inn?”
“It’s called the Golden Dragon Inn, the largest and most famous establishment in the city.”
“And what sort of people come here?”
“Mostly high officials and nobles. Occasionally even royals visit.”
As if to prove his point, rows of ornate carriages stood neatly lined up in a large area beside the inn—clearly a designated space for them.
Then it happened.
“Clear the way!”
With a sharp cry, three mounted riders charged down the street. The crowd hastily scattered aside.
Cha Jung-kyung scowled.
“Crazy bastards. Charging through such a crowded place—what are they thinking?”
“Keep your voice down. They’re the Imperial Guards.”
“…!”
Even the usually unflappable Cha Jung-kyung widened his eyes.
In Yan, the Imperial Guards had gained a notorious reputation.
Originally a subordinate branch of the Eastern Depot, they had somehow risen to equal standing, and now, wielding overwhelming unchecked power, they were said to have even surpassed the Depot itself.
Backing these Guards were none other than the Empress and the Second Prince.
“Move that carriage aside at once!”
One of the Guards bellowed with inner force, his voice booming.
The warning was directed at the carriage carrying Ihwan. It bore not a royal standard, but a military one.
Cha Jung-kyung, still shaken, frowned deeply.
“Those fools are about to get a beating.”
Song Cheon-mu fixed his gaze on the carriage.
‘But even so… surely they wouldn’t dare touch the Imperial Guards?’
Just then, Song Hoe stepped forward and shouted,
“The Grand Prince rides within! Halt your steeds!”
The charging Guards yanked hard on their reins.
Whinny!
Dust rose sharply as the horses skidded to a halt—just as Ihwan opened the door and stepped out.
Dust billowed toward him. Ihwan glanced coolly at the mounted men. Recognizing him, one of the Guards quickly lowered his head from atop his horse.
“We were hurrying to an urgent matter and acted rudely. Forgive us, Grand Prince.”
Ihwan silently fixed his gaze on him.
“You greet even the Second Prince from horseback?”
“In moments of urgent duty, such liberties are permitted.”
“Is that so?”
“May we take our leave now?”
“Go.”
“As you command.”
“Wait.”
“…”
“How is the Second Prince doing?”
“Grand Prince, please observe propriety.”
“How is my second brother’s health?”
“He is well.”
“Then go.”
Thundering hooves carried the Guards away.
Song Cheon-mu and Cha Jung-kyung both looked disappointed. They had been curious to see how Ihwan—who had once made even an imperial messenger freeze—would deal with those arrogant Guards.
“Let’s head in.”
Ihwan’s group entered a private room. The imperial messenger joined them this time.
After downing a cup of wine, Ihwan spoke.
“Only Bu-jang and I will enter the palace. The rest of you stay here until I return.”
Cheol Mu-ok asked,
“Will that be alright?”
“Even if it isn’t, there’s no choice. You can’t enter the palace anyway.”
“Then we’ll at least escort you to the capital gates.”
“No need. It’s only a few steps more. Just rest.”
Ihwan pulled a pouch from his robes and handed it to Song Cheon-mu.
“Since we’ve come this far, go visit your home.”
“Thank you. But what is this?”
“I put in a few Myoanseok stones. Add them to your household funds. Guard them well.”
“…!”
“Cough!”
Cha Jung-kyung choked violently.
Myoanseok were unimaginably rare and priceless gems. Who simply handed out several of them for household expenses? And so casually, at that.
Ihwan also gave a pouch to Cheol Mu-ok.
Thud!
“There’s a gold ingot inside. Exchange it for silver and use it until I return. And don’t just laze around—look into those vagabonds too.”
“Understood.”
At that moment, the inn staff brought in food, pausing the conversation. Soon, a full meal began. Not long after, Ihwan asked the messenger:
“How many guards are stationed at the Crown Prince’s palace?”
“Altogether about five hundred within the palace.”
“Any martial artists among them?”
“Yes. But their identities are top secret, so even I do not know.”
“And the Second Prince—he has martial artists guarding him too?”
“Yes, quite a large number, I’ve heard. Again, no details are known.”
“So not only the Crown Prince’s men, but even the Second Prince’s are kept secret?”
“It was authorized by the Empress herself. None dare object.”
Ihwan thought of the Empress.
In his memories, she had tormented “that boy” no less than the Second Prince. She was the one who forced him to leave the palace on horseback, without even a guard.
Ihwan asked one more question.
“Has His Majesty granted audience recently?”
“Since the start of this year, His Majesty has not attended state affairs. The Empress has been ruling in his stead.”
‘The Crown Prince suddenly collapses, and the Emperor hasn’t appeared all year? Something feels wrong…’
But Ihwan shut his thoughts down.
‘Whatever power struggles are going on, as long as they don’t touch me, I won’t get involved.’
After finishing a bottle of wine alone, he rose.
“Rest here and eat at your leisure. I’m going up.”
“I’ll escort you, my lord.”
“No need.”
Ihwan went to his room on the top floor.
The chamber was lavish, every decoration bearing the mark of a master craftsman.
‘Money plastered everywhere.’
He removed his outer robe and opened the window. From the ninth floor, the city spread out beneath him.
‘Has Zhao invaded again?’
He thought of the Southern Army and smiled bitterly. Strange how he worried without realizing it.
‘It hasn’t been that long since I fought beside them.’
Whoosh!
The wind blew a hanging cloth across his face. Just as he lifted a hand to push it away, faint voices drifted from the next room.
“If His Highness the Crown Prince does not awaken, will the Second Prince be named heir?”
“That’s how things look. If the Empress strongly pushes him, who could oppose?”
“I heard the Crown Prince collapsed from poison. Do you know anything of it?”
“Watch your tongue! That’s dangerous talk!”
“Who’s listening? It’s just the two of us.”
“Walls have ears, even in daylight. If you don’t want trouble, keep quiet!”
Ihwan’s eyes hardened.
‘For rumors to spread this far, matters must be dire indeed…’
He recalled Crown Prince Yi So.
Though most in the palace had treated “that boy” harshly, Yi So was different. Mostly strict and cold, yes—but at times, he showed something else. Hadn’t he just recently sent medicine for his injuries?
Even in “that boy’s” memories, Yi So remained an ambiguous figure.
Just then, the arrogant Guards from earlier strode below his window.
Ihwan’s gaze sharpened.
‘Let’s see how skilled they really are.’
A glow gathered on his middle finger, then silently shot toward one Guard’s head.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
The Guard screamed, clutching his skull.
Ihwan slipped back out of sight.
“Who dares attack the Imperial Guards? Show yourself at once!”
Steel rang as swords were drawn.
Ihwan lay down on the bed.
‘I came because I had to, but I’ll leave the capital as soon as possible.’
Avoiding troublesome entanglements—
That was what Ihwan desired most.
The next day, Ihwan and Song Hoe entered the capital with the imperial messenger.
‘So it hasn’t changed.’
The capital looked exactly as it had in the boy’s memories, save for a few new palaces.
“To the Crown Prince’s palace.”
“Should we not greet the Empress first?”
“They wouldn’t see me anyway. Why bother?”
“…Yes.”
The messenger led him to the Crown Prince’s palace.
It stood out even from afar. The boy had entered it once as a child, but the memory was vague.
As they neared, sharp auras radiated from all directions.
Ihwan’s eyes narrowed.
‘This level of vigilance inside the palace?’
It was unusual.
He asked the messenger,
“Is it always this strict?”
“Since His Highness collapsed, the defenses were tightened.”
“Has the Second Prince visited?”
“Not until I left the palace, no.”
Just then, a familiar general approached.
“Welcome, Grand Prince.”
Ihwan recognized him—the man who had always stood like a shadow beside Crown Prince Yi So.
“It’s been a while, General.”
“To see you so well is a blessing. Please, come in.”
‘What’s this? Such warmth?’
In the past, he had treated “that boy” with cold indifference. Yet now, he showed genuine welcome.
Ihwan followed him inside. The atmosphere was so tense it was chilling.
He glanced at Song Hoe, who was breathing heavily with nerves.
“How is His Highness?”
“Fortunately, he regained consciousness this morning.”
‘I see.’
“And his condition?”
“The Imperial Physician has yet to speak.”
At that moment, an elderly man with clear features emerged, locking eyes with Ihwan.
His eyes widened, and he hurried over to bow.
“Welcome, Grand Prince.”
“It’s been a long time, Physician.”
He was indeed the Imperial Physician, who had tended to “that boy” in childhood.
“Let us speak.”
“Yes, my lord.”
As Ihwan and the physician went inside, the general turned to Song Hoe.
“Has the Grand Prince fully recovered?”
“Yes, though he suffers some minor aftereffects.”
“Aftereffects?”
“In the ordeal of life and death, his memory was somewhat affected. Because of that, his manner toward others may differ from before. I ask your understanding.”
“No other aftereffects?”
“None. He is in excellent health.”
The general nodded silently.
Song Hoe, seeing his acceptance, sighed with relief.
‘If only the lord would leave the palace quickly…’
Ihwan’s changed personality—
To Song Hoe, that was the greatest source of anxiety. And this was no battlefield, but the imperial palace. Who knew what disaster might occur if Ihwan acted as he did in the Southern Army?
‘I’ll lose years off my life at this rate. Haa…’
