Chapter 24
Entering the Imperial Palace
No one except His Majesty the Emperor was permitted to visit.
That was the order Crown Prince Iso gave upon regaining consciousness. The royal physician relayed it to Ihwan, who actually felt relieved.
‘I’ve shown my courtesy. Now I can leave.’
There was nothing else he could do in the palace for now, so staying any longer would just be a waste of time. He also had no particular affection for his relatives, so there was no reason to remain.
Just as Ihwan was preparing to leave the palace at once, an unexpected situation arose.
“The Crown Prince requests your presence.”
A general entered and delivered the message.
Ihwan, who had been sampling an unfamiliar dish with curiosity, set down his chopsticks and fixed his gaze on the man.
“I heard His Highness forbade anyone’s visit. And yet, he asked for me?”
“Yes. As soon as he heard that Your Highness the Grand Prince had returned to the palace, he ordered me to escort you immediately.”
“Has anyone else been permitted to see him before me?”
“No, sir. Prince Ihuang came earlier this morning, but His Highness refused him.”
‘He turned Ihuang away, but he summons me?’
Reluctantly, Ihwan put on his outer robe and rose.
“Leave your sword behind, please,” the general said quietly.
Clink.
Ihwan handed the weapon to Songhoe.
Moments later, he followed the general deeper and deeper into the palace. From unseen corners, a chilling aura seemed to lurk.
“Isn’t this residence a little too secluded?” Ihwan asked.
“Since His Highness’s condition worsened, he moved further inside for security reasons.”
“Are there martial artists hidden here?”
“……!”
From behind, Ihwan couldn’t see the general’s face, but the man must have been startled. He probably hadn’t sensed the presences around them at all.
“I was only asking casually.”
“……Yes, sir.”
The path was long.
On the way, the general tried to make small talk.
“How is life in the military camp treating you?”
“So-so.”
“His Highness was deeply worried when he heard you were injured. Seeing you healthy will make him very glad.”
‘Glad? Not a chance.’
Soon, they arrived at an unusual-looking door.
“The Grand Prince is here. Open the door.”
Slide.
The panels parted, and two warriors in white robes appeared, bowing their heads to Ihwan.
“Please, enter.”
Ihwan strode in.
The pungent scent of medicine filled his nose.
“You’ve come?”
A frail voice drifted from within—it was Crown Prince Iso.
Ihwan looked at Iso. His body clearly bore signs of illness, but the aura he exuded was extraordinary.
When Ihwan awkwardly bowed his head, Iso smiled faintly from his sickbed.
“Have you recovered?”
“Yes.”
It was the first time Ihwan had ever answered someone so respectfully.
“That is a relief. Seeing you healthy finally eases my heart.”
“Was it poison that afflicted you?”
Iso chuckled faintly at the blunt question. He instantly noticed how different Ihwan’s demeanor was from before.
“They said your personality changed after brushing with death, and it’s true. You may speak so when it’s just the two of us. But in front of others, be careful with your words. Even the smallest flaw will be magnified like a mountain and used against you.”
“Yes, I understand.”
‘This feels awkward.’
Speaking so formally felt like holding a blade in his mouth. Yet Iso only smiled.
He gave a quiet order:
“Bring it here.”
The door opened, and the same general entered, holding a golden casket.
“Help me sit up.”
“Your Highness…”
“It’s fine. Do it.”
The general propped Iso up.
Iso opened the casket. A soft golden glow spilled forth.
“This is yours. I had intended to give it to you later, but circumstances have changed.”
Ihwan looked inside. A golden-coated pellet rested there.
“What is this?”
“An elixir made from Guji Immortal Leaf Grass. Since you’ve trained internal energy, this will aid you greatly.”
At the words Guji Immortal Leaf Grass (九指仙葉草), Ihwan’s eyes lit up.
‘Heaven itself favors me.’
“Take it without hesitation. I had this made for you from the start.”
“Then I gratefully accept.”
Ihwan tucked the casket away.
Iso then pulled out a thin, timeworn book from his bedside drawer and handed it over.
It had no title, and its cover was blackened with age.
“This is a secret manual containing the essence of Imperial Martial Arts. Only those of royal blood may learn it. As you are now, you cannot master a single technique. But with this elixir, combined with the medicine I sent you earlier, you’ll be able to master all its forms.”
‘The medicine he sent before?’
“That tonic increases internal power?”
“Have you not felt changes in your dantian?”
“I assumed it was just a supplement, so I didn’t take it.”
“You mean you wasted it?”
“I didn’t throw it away. I just left it in the barracks.”
Iso let out a bitter laugh.
“Take it as soon as you return. Divide the doses, or it may backfire.”
His tone suddenly grew firm.
“Become strong. Assist General Hwangho and prevent the Southern Army from falling into the hands of the Empress and the Second Prince. If it does, the entire southern border against Zhao will come under their control.”
“You mean they’re plotting rebellion?”
“I cannot say more now. But when the time comes, you will know. Until then, devote yourself to this manual.”
Ihwan glanced at the book.
‘I have no need of it.’
He was confident nothing in this world could surpass his martial arts. Still, out of courtesy, he would pretend to accept.
“Are you listening to me seriously?”
Instead of answering, Ihwan asked, “I have a request.”
“Speak. If it’s within my power, I will grant it.”
“Could I borrow the intelligence network of the Eastern Depot?”
“The Eastern Depot cannot be moved for personal reasons. Why do you need it?”
“There is someone I must find. All I have is a description, but with their resources, it should be possible. If you help me, I’ll pledge my best efforts to support General Hwang.”
Iso smiled faintly.
“You really have changed. To propose a bargain like this without hesitation…”
“Nearly dying changes a man.”
“So you are fully healed?”
“Yes.”
“I worried much when I heard you were injured. But now, seeing you well, my heart is at ease. As for the Eastern Depot…”
He trailed off, thinking deeply. Ihwan waited in silence.
At last Iso spoke.
“Very well. I’ll make it happen.”
“I have one more request. Could you grant me entry to the Imperial Treasury?”
“That is impossible. Only His Majesty may enter—it is forbidden to all others. Why do you want to go there?”
“Just curiosity… Never mind. Then I’ll take my leave. I’ll send the description of the person I seek by courier.”
“You’re leaving already?”
“Had it not been for your illness, I would never have returned at all.”
Ihwan turned to go.
“Brother…”
He halted.
“I believe in you.”
Ihwan’s brows twitched. Slowly, he looked back.
“Recover quickly. How can the future master of this land be swayed by mere jackals?”
He meant the Empress and Prince Ihuang. Iso, of course, understood.
“Ha ha ha!”
Iso burst into laughter, then winced in pain, clutching his chest.
“It’s been so long since I laughed like this. I shouldn’t, yet I can’t stop. Ha ha ha!”
Watching him laugh through pain stirred a strange feeling in Ihwan.
‘This boy… he truly thinks of me as family.’
Soon after, Ihwan left the Crown Prince’s quarters.
He had obtained a precious elixir, yet his mood was oddly sour—because of Iso.
And there was something he had forgotten to ask.
‘I won’t return again. Better ask now before I go.’
So he re-entered Iso’s residence.
The general’s eyes widened.
“Why have you returned?”
“I have one more question.”
He walked inside.
“Do you still have a request?” Iso asked.
“I heard martial artists are gathering around Prince Ihuang. Is that true?”
“Of course.”
“Then why allow it?”
“It’s not that I allow it. I cannot stop it. My brother has already escaped my shadow. The only one he fears in this world is the Empress.”
Iso’s eyes wavered faintly.
Ihwan pressed further.
“If their numbers keep growing, it’ll be a serious problem—especially here in the palace.”
“I am waiting for the right time. When it comes, I will drive all martial artists out of the palace. Their place is not in politics, but in the vast martial world.”
“There seem to be quite a few in your service as well.”
“What choice do I have? To balance power, I must borrow their strength.”
Iso smiled faintly.
“Talking with you like this feels strange. I should have called for you sooner. Did you resent me all this time?”
‘He had no time to resent you. He was too busy just surviving in the hell you cast him into.’
Instead of answering, Ihwan asked again, “You said you’d drive them out eventually. What did you mean by that?”
“Until only a few decades ago, the court and the martial world coexisted under the principle laid down by the founder—‘Officials and martial artists must not encroach upon one another.’ Thanks to that, order was preserved and chaos was rare. I intend to restore that balance. If those with overwhelming martial might also seize political power, the world will be thrown into turmoil.”
At the words non-encroachment of officials and martial artists (官武不可侵), Ihwan’s eyes sharpened.
‘So he wishes to revive that principle…’
He realized Iso feared martial artists. And indeed, in the past, rulers viewed them as untamable beasts.
Officials were trained from birth to be loyal to the state. Martial artists, however, were loyal only to the Way of Martial Arts. If they held both might and power, who could restrain them?
“Even if you ascend the throne, will you hold to this belief?”
“The throne…”
A shadow crossed Iso’s face, but he quickly steadied himself.
“If I become Emperor, I will make it so. For the sake of the court and the imperial family’s peace.”
Ihwan’s expression shifted. His gaze on Iso changed.
‘So that’s how it is.’
Different reasons, but like him, Iso also wanted to uphold the principle of separation. That alone made the trip worthwhile.
“So all I must do is ensure the Southern Army doesn’t fall to the Empress and the Second Prince?”
“I’ll soon send men to support you. But brute force alone won’t solve everything. Your strength will be of immense help to General Hwang.”
“I understand. And again—do not let mere jackals sway a tiger.”
Iso smiled faintly.
“Yes, I promise.”
Ihwan turned and left.
Later, the general entered Iso’s quarters.
“Are you well?”
“Laughing so heartily eased my chest.”
“Because of the Grand Prince?”
“Yes. Thanks to him.”
“He has changed so much. What about him pleased you so, Your Highness?”
Iso only smiled softly, giving no reply.
The general carefully asked another question.
“Should we not keep watch over the Grand Prince?”
“If I don’t trust him first, how can he trust me? Instead, send word to General Hwang. Tell him to treat Ihwan as he would treat me.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I’ll rest now. Ah, and later, inform the Eastern Depot that I wish to see them.”
“Why summon them?”
“My brother requested something only they can do. I wish to help him.”
“But if your ties to the Depot are revealed, Prince Ihuang will surely act. You’ve saved them for a decisive moment…”
“To gain one thing, another must be given. Preventing the Southern Army from falling to the Second Prince takes precedence above all else. That’s enough—say no more.”
“Yes, understood.”
After the general left, Iso quickly drifted into sleep.
