Chapter 25
Leaving the Imperial Palace
‘I heard His Highness laugh. The kind of man whose heart should have collapsed ten, a hundred times over—yet he laughed so brightly.’
The general thought of Ihwan as he stepped outside.
Since Ihwan’s visit, Crown Prince Iso’s gaze had changed.
‘If His Highness liked the Grand Prince that much, he should have just kept him close. But what request did he make that he’s even thinking of moving the Eastern Bureau?’
The general headed to the place where Ihwan was staying.
But Ihwan wasn’t there.
“Where is the Grand Prince?”
“He left as soon as he returned.”
“Did he say he was going to the Audience Hall?”
“He didn’t say anything.”
The general hurried out of the Crown Prince’s palace.
‘Did he leave without seeing the Empress?’
But Ihwan was nowhere to be found. Just then, as the general was glancing around, someone approached him.
The man was dressed in white robes with skin the color of ochre. The general’s gaze turned so cold it was almost glacial.
“I heard the Fourth Prince has returned. Is he in the Crown Prince’s palace now?”
“He’s left.”
“Already?”
“Why are you looking for the Grand Prince?”
“Since His Highness has returned, of course I must pay my respects.”
“I wasn’t aware you held him in such esteem. Then, I’ll take my leave.”
The general turned away curtly.
That white-robed man was the strategist serving the Second Prince. Watching the general’s retreating back toward the Crown Prince’s palace, he smirked coldly.
‘Just wait. The heavens and earth will soon turn upside down. Heheheh…’
The Second Prince’s Residence
The white-robed man bowed.
“The Fourth Prince has left the palace.”
“He’s barely entered, and he’s already gone?”
“The details are unclear.”
“He left without even showing his face? Well, I suppose I can be intimidating.”
Second Prince Lee Taeji lifted a teacup to his lips, sneering coldly.
Clink!
“How is my elder brother’s condition?”
“Seeing as he met with the Fourth Prince, he seems in better shape than expected. He’s asleep for now, but as long as he remains in the Crown Prince’s palace, it’s difficult to gather more information.”
“He’ll have to come out once he recovers anyway. No need to push it. What about news from the Southern Army Corps?”
“It hasn’t been long since the Left General was sent there. We should wait a little longer—good news should arrive soon.”
“I doubt the Left General alone will be enough. Send more men to aid him immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness. And what of the Fourth Prince?”
“Leave him. Whether he’s around or not, it hardly matters.”
“But it’s concerning that the Crown Prince met him. They say the first person His Highness saw upon regaining consciousness was the Fourth Prince—and then he ordered that no one else be allowed in.”
“Don’t waste your energy on trivial matters. Focus on what we must do.”
“As you command.”
After the white-robed strategist withdrew, Lee Taeji leaned back in his chair, chuckling faintly.
“What’s that brat worth, anyway?”
Leaving the capital, Ihwan headed to where Cheol Muok and the others were waiting.
His heart felt light, and so did his body.
He had obtained a spiritual pill that would aid in restoring his inner power—but more than that, he had gained something greater.
‘If the Crown Prince desires noninterference between martial and government, then our wills are aligned. Helping him is the same as helping myself.’
He remembered how hollow and furious he had felt upon learning that the “Non-Interference Pact” established through Huashan’s mediation had been broken.
But if the Crown Prince now intended to restore it—something he had never expected—then there was no reason not to support him.
Song Hoe asked,
“Did something good happen, sir?”
“I just visited my brother, who was nearly poisoned to death. Think I’d be in good spirits?”
“Did you just say poisoned?”
“It’s just a way of speaking.”
Ihwan glanced at the courier accompanying them.
“You know I’m joking, right?”
“…Yes.”
Song Hoe stepped forward.
“Even so, you shouldn’t say such things carelessly. What if someone overhears?”
“Are you going to nag like a mother-in-law?”
“I only speak for your sake, my lord. Truthfully, ever since you woke up, you’ve been acting like a different person. I’ve been worried sick every moment.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have woken up at all.”
“….”
“We’ll stop at an inn, then head straight back to the Southern Corps. I’ll nap—wake me when we arrive.”
“As you command.”
Ihwan entered the carriage.
Dudududu!
The carriage jolted along, but the shaking was no obstacle to sleep. Yet today, no matter how he tried, Ihwan couldn’t drift off.
He opened the golden case given by Iso and, without hesitation, swallowed the spiritual pill.
It dissolved instantly, and he could clearly feel its pure energy spreading throughout his body.
‘Normally the dantian should heat up first.’
The usual clash of powers didn’t appear.
And then—
“…!”
Clench!
Ihwan bit down on his lip.
The pure energy vanished, replaced by molten heat tearing through his body like flowing magma.
‘Damn it all…’
The Inn
Cheol Muok and Gong Son-tae were already drinking in broad daylight. Their second bottle was nearly empty.
Gong Son-tae grinned from ear to ear.
“To think such wine exists! I’ve never tasted anything like it in my life. Money truly opens the world.”
“It’s the lord who paid. Drink sparingly.”
“Come on, the lord gave us a hefty sum. Why hold back?”
Smack!
“Fine, fine. I’ll sip carefully.”
Cheol Muok drained his cup and muttered,
“I wonder what became of the descendants of the Poison King.”
“Probably wandering the world like us, searching for remnants of their lineage. Or maybe their bloodline was wiped out completely.”
“You really know how to talk.”
“Didn’t you always say we must consider the worst case?”
“Just drink.”
At that moment—
“May I come in?”
Cha Joong-gyeong’s voice came from outside. Gong Son-tae’s eyes flared.
“No! Stay out.”
Clatter!
But Cha Joong-gyeong opened the door anyway.
“I told you not to come in!”
“Isn’t that harsh? Ignore someone and you’ll be punished by heaven.”
“Better punished than have you here. Get out.”
“Sit down.”
“Yes, sir!”
Whoosh!
Like the wind, Cha Joong-gyeong plopped down beside Gong Son-tae.
“Bring a cup.”
“Yes, sir.”
He fetched one, and Cheol Muok poured as he asked,
“You remember the face of that wanderer clearly, don’t you?”
“Of course. He changed my life—how could I forget? Not even in death. Thank you for the drink.”
Gulp!
“Ah! This must be the drink of immortals.”
“We’ll need a skilled painter to sketch several portraits of him. Just in case we get separated.”
“I’ll look for one before sundown. But why are we searching for that wanderer, anyway?”
Gong Son-tae cut him off.
“You don’t need to know. Don’t even ask.”
“What grudge do you have against me, huh?”
“What’s with that attitude?”
“I should be asking you!”
“Quit bickering and go find the painter.”
Then—
“Ughhh!”
A dying scream rang outside.
Gong Son-tae and Cha Joong-gyeong jumped up, rushing to the window. Gong Son-tae’s eyes widened.
“It’s them again?”
Across the street, the Imperial Guards in golden robes stood over a man who lay bleeding, unmoving—clearly dead.
“What’s going on?”
“Who knows.”
“Still, to kill someone so openly in a crowded street—are they insane?”
“He must’ve been a criminal. Huh?”
Gong Son-tae’s eyes bulged further.
Ihwan’s carriage was pulling into the market street.
“He’s here!”
“Here we are.”
Song Hoe halted the carriage before the inn.
Ihwan stepped out.
“Look there, sir. It’s the same ones from before.”
At his words, Ihwan gazed ahead. A crowd had gathered, and in its center were the Imperial Guards.
“I’ll head up first.”
Disinterested, Ihwan started toward the inn.
Then—
“Stand back!”
A woman’s sharp voice rang out.
Ihwan paused and turned toward it.
A line of armored soldiers marched down the street, leading them was a striking woman clad in crimson armor, a long sword at her side. Her beauty, matched with the aura of her armor, drew every gaze.
“Stand back!”
The crowd scattered at her command. But the Guards’ expressions darkened.
‘That woman…’
She was someone the “previous self’s” memories recognized.
‘She’s been promoted?’
Judging by her armor, she now held a high rank.
She strode before the Guards, voice icy.
“To shed blood in broad daylight, in the busiest street no less—explain yourselves at once.”
“We will present our case within the palace.”
“Now.”
“As far as I know, even the Lord of Byul’s Division has no authority to demand explanations from the Guards.”
Clang!
She drew her blade, pressing it to a guard’s throat.
“I’m not asking as an officer—I’m asking as one confronting murderers.”
“Your words are excessive! Murderers?!”
“If you don’t wish to be treated like one, then you know what to do.”
“…!”
At that moment, another guard stepped forward.
“This man was a suspect in harming innocents. He resisted arrest, forcing us to use lethal force. There are plenty of witnesses—ask them yourself.”
He boldly gestured at the onlookers. Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
But that was as far as she could go.
Clink!
“You’ll still have to give a formal statement.”
“Gladly.”
As she turned away, the guards smirked.
Ihwan studied her face—clear signs of frustration.
And then, their eyes met.
“…!”
Her eyes widened before she quickly bowed.
“P-Prince! I-I greet the Grand Prince!”
“It’s been a while. Since we’ve met, shall we share some tea?”
“I am on duty right now…”
“Come inside.”
“….”
Her name was Go Mi (高美).
She was the Moon Lord of Biwol, the imperial secret intelligence bureau.
Back when “he” left the palace, she had been nothing more than a low-ranking officer.
“Impressive. To rise to Moon Lord at your age.”
“Only luck, my lord. But I heard you were gravely injured—are you well?”
“As you see, I’m completely healed.”
“That is fortunate.”
“And your parents?”
“….”
She hesitated before answering.
“They both passed away two years ago.”
“My condolences.”
“It’s fine, my lord.”
Pour.
Ihwan filled her cup. Though on duty, she downed it in one go. He refilled it again.
Pour.
“Were you here because of the Crown Prince?”
“I had just left after seeing him.”
“How is His Highness?”
“He’s regained consciousness and is recovering well. Nothing to worry about.”
“That’s a relief. Will you return to the Southern Corps soon, then?”
“I’m considering when to depart.”
Pour.
“Drink.”
“Thank you.”
Go Mi didn’t refuse. Clearly, the earlier incident had left her seething.
“It seems relations with the Guards are poor.”
“Even dogs and cats get along better than us. Those bastards flaunt their backing shamelessly—! Forgive me, I lost my temper.”
“It’s fine. I dislike them too.”
“Did something happen between you and the Guards?”
“Nothing major. But their backers are the Empress and the Second Prince—that’s reason enough.”
“My lord, ears are everywhere.”
He smirked.
“Let them listen if they dare.”
Ihwan emptied his cup.
Go Mi poured again.
Pour.
“By the way, wasn’t your home nearby?”
“…You remembered that?”
“I remember debts of kindness well.”
He had once missed his return to the palace and ended up spending a night at her family’s home. Her parents had treated him with utmost hospitality, and after years of the barren palace, he’d slept deeply for the first time in ages.
That memory remained vivid—proof of how meaningful it had been.
“It must be lonely in that big house alone.”
“I’ve grown used to it.”
“Hm… If it’s not too much trouble, could I impose for a night?”
“At my home?”
“You know I dislike staying in the palace.”
Hardly anyone in the capital was ignorant of Ihwan’s circumstances. Especially someone like Go Mi, who dealt in information—she even knew the rumors few dared speak aloud.
After a pause, she nodded.
“Very well. How many in your party?”
“Six, including myself. Is that too many?”
“There are plenty of empty rooms. They may be dusty, but will you mind?”
“That’s fine.”
For Ihwan, his goal wasn’t simply a good night’s rest.
