The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family

Chapter 81 —

From the moment Chae So-ha was taken to the palace to meet the emperor, her daily life completely changed from when she lived with the Jin family in Luoyang.

She now woke up earlier than anyone else, prepared herbal medicine and acupuncture needles, checked on the emperor’s health, and treated him with acupuncture.

After that, she would return to her room, take off her mask, have a quick meal, and immediately begin preparing special elixirs (spiritual pills).

There were so many rare herbs and medicines in the palace that she didn’t even need much time to gather ingredients. Even if something was missing, it could be found in less than half a day.

She was so busy that she forgot to rest and put all her energy into making medicine. That’s why her room was always filled with the smell of herbs.

But the problem was…

Even though the emperor seemed to be getting better thanks to her treatment, she knew it wouldn’t last long.

The herbal medicine only helped his body temporarily, and the acupuncture only made his complexion better for a short time. If something went wrong, his condition could suddenly get worse and spiral out of control.

If that happened, he might not even be able to move or speak anymore.

So before that time came, she either had to escape the palace or create a perfect elixir to heal him completely.

However, even if she worked with all her strength, she knew she couldn’t make something as powerful as the pill Jin Cheon-woo once took. That kind of pill took years to make—some took decades.

The pill Jin Cheon-woo took had been created by his grandfather over 70 years of devotion. That’s why even famous sects like Shaolin struggled to make similar pills, even with all the ingredients.

So the talk about curing the emperor with an elixir was just a way to buy time.

Then why was she still making one?

Chae So-ha stared at the pill she just made. It didn’t take six months, a year, or ten years.

It took only two days.

Looking at the pill, she smiled with satisfaction.

“Good.”

She crushed the pill she had made and put part of it into a different bowl. Then, facing a mirror, she applied it to her face.

“If it’s for the emperor, they give me anything. How convenient.”

She had received rare ingredients to help the emperor—but since she couldn’t make a perfect pill anyway, she decided to use them to create something for herself.

It was Chae family’s Golden Skin Medicine—a very special beauty cream made with spiritual herbs.

She was sure no one in the whole land had anything as effective as this.

“Phew.”

She applied it all over her face, then covered it with a cloth and put on her mask again. The cloth was to keep the cream from dripping, and the mask was to hide her face from those watching her.

She looked around. There were still plenty of herbs and materials left.

If she needed more, all she had to do was ask.

She smiled slyly. In her mind, she thought of many ways to protect herself.

If anything happened, she would be ready.

Meanwhile…

At that same moment, the Crown Prince had returned to the palace and was sitting quietly in his room with his eyes closed.

Only one thing filled his mind:

Do-won-hyang (Peach Blossom Land).

He didn’t know all the details, but he could guess what kind of place it was.

A paradise for those with the special token (the “tiles”).

Those without one weren’t even treated as human.

People wore masks and showed their true, ugly sides without shame. Once someone got hooked, they couldn’t escape.

“No wonder those who disappeared and returned betrayed me.”

The Crown Prince now understood why his supporters had changed overnight. He remembered hearing familiar voices in the crowd.

Wearing a mask might hide your face, but it couldn’t hide your voice.

He looked at the bronze tile on the table.

The higher the rank of your tile, the closer you were to the emperor. That also meant more power.

“Cheong-ho, what do you think?”

“…It’s a place that shouldn’t exist.”

“Haha. Of course you’d say that—you’re from a righteous sect. But that’s not what I meant.”

“Then…?”

“I’m asking—wouldn’t it be easier to attack than the palace?”

“….”

He leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile.

There were fewer people guarding it than the palace. For someone like Cheong-ho, it would be an easy job.

Now the only question was manpower.

The Crown Prince looked at Cheong-ho with determined eyes.

“Would you give your life for me?”

“My life has belonged to Your Highness ever since that day.”

Cheong-ho was once the top disciple of the Wudang Sect, their next leader. But for some reason, he was exiled and almost lost all his martial power.

The one who saved him was the Crown Prince.

Even the mighty Wudang Sect couldn’t refuse the emperor’s order to hand him over. In the end, they let him go under certain conditions.

So Cheong-ho owed his life to the Crown Prince and would never forget that debt.

“I see. It feels good to have someone I can fully trust. Hahaha… So, are the preparations done?”

The Prince’s calm gaze and small smile made Cheong-ho nervous.

He had never seen the Prince look like this before. It was like looking at the Iron-Blooded Emperor himself.

Cheong-ho swallowed and lowered his head.

“They’ve already arrived in Beijing.”

Although he was no longer officially part of Wudang, many of his old allies still respected him. Some were rogue disciples who stayed loyal but also wanted their own success.

They were all waiting in Beijing for Cheong-ho’s signal.

The Crown Prince also had built his own secret force for this day. Not enough to storm the palace—but more than enough to take down Do-won-hyang.

“I trust you.”

Cheong-ho bowed deeply.

Once the emperor showed up at Do-won-hyang…

It would begin.

A new emperor would rise.

Back at Do-won-hyang…

There were many things to enjoy besides gambling.

Among them, the auction house was special—it even sold things the black market couldn’t get.

Here, you could buy anything:

Items, weapons, rare medicine, treasures… even people.

As long as you had enough money, everything was for sale.

“The Black Blood Sect’s secret technique! Starting bid: 2 silver!”

The auctioneer shouted loudly, and people quickly raised their hands. The price jumped from 2 silver to dozens in no time.

“Is the Black Blood Sect that famous?” asked Jang Chu-hyung, looking at me and Ak Gu-cheon.

Neither of us had heard of them.

Ak Gu-cheon smirked. “They were famous… for being rats. Selling info to both sides.”

“Then why is their secret scroll so expensive?”

“Who knows?”

“It’s simple,” I said. “If it’s being auctioned here, people think it’s valuable—even if it’s fake. Most buyers just want the thrill.”

I sneered at the crowd. Compared to the Jin family of Luoyang, these people were rich, but still careless.

Wasting silver like it was nothing.

Eventually, the scroll was sold, and a new item came up.

My eyes locked onto it.

“A rare find! The legendary Small Recovery Pill of Shaolin!”

Everyone turned toward it. Even those unfamiliar with martial arts knew the name.

“Starting price—!”

“10 gold.”

“…!”

Before the auctioneer could speak, I raised my hand. He looked shocked.

“Uh… 10 gold? Haha… Any other bids?”

“Thirteen!”

“Twenty!”

The price quickly shot up. This pill used to start at just 1 gold.

But since it was so rare, people were willing to pay.

Soon, fewer people raised their hands as the price became too high.

Then, I raised my hand again.

“One gold coin.”

“…We have a gold coin bid! Any other offers?”

A single gold coin was worth 50 gold or 10,000 silver.

Even the wealthy were hesitant now.

“…Gold coin and 2 gold!”

“I’ll offer two gold coins.”

“Gah?!”

Everyone stared at me. Just one coin was huge—two was ridiculous.

They wanted to fight back, but couldn’t go any higher. They sighed and gave up.

“Three… Two… One! Sold!”

The auctioneer shouted, and someone brought me the item.

I casually handed over the money.

I had earned plenty the day before.

And I still had more to collect.

I accepted the pill with a small smile. Ak Gu-cheon clicked his tongue.

“Watching you makes my money feel worthless.”

“Do you even have money?”

“I’ve got dust, you brat.”

“Then that’s good! At least you have something.”

I laughed and stood up.

I had gotten something valuable by chance.

I didn’t need it right now—but it would come in handy.

Now, it was time to shake Do-won-hyang.