This was a messy situation.
One of the three princes, Princes Young, approached me when I arrived here.
Even if I didn’t want to be involved, I had no other option due to this. Go Jo-taek then gave me a glance.
It felt like he was silently repeating his previous request.
-What will you do now?
What could I do?
Nothing was good about becoming involved negatively with this man, so I needed things to happen smoothly.
Firstly, since my greetings got cut off, I needed to repeat them.
“I greet Your Highness, Prince Young.”
And then, a loud voice yelled at me from another place.
“How dare you not kneel in front of the Prince!”
It was a voice that had strength and force. I glanced over and saw a middle-aged man in a gray uniform.
The qi I could feel from him was that of a master level. This was the first time I’d seen this man, so I didn’t even know this was.
“How can you show such arrogance in front of His Highness, a Prince of the Great Yeon Empir-”
But before he could finish, the prince had already raised his hand.
It was a sign to not speak further.
“Your Highness!”
“Who gave you permission to speak, Escort Ga?”
An escort?
The man who had come forward was an escort to guard the prince. Seeing that his escort warriors had excellent martial arts, I could feel that this man was really interested in martial arts.
The man called Escort Ga strode forward and opened his mouth.
“Your Highness, this is for the royal family…”
“Huh. I already said it is alright, so why are you stepping up? The Murim have their own loyalty and rules. How can you enforce ours onto them?”
“… I have made a mistake.”
The escort bowed his head and apologized. All of this was shocking to me.
While the government and the Murim had signed a treaty, many did not approve. Contrary to this concern, however, the prince seemed to have an open mindset.
Or was it because of his interest in martial arts?
Prince Young then said to me.
“Please be understanding of the rudeness of my escort. He was originally part of the royal family.”
“Of course. How can I be offended by someone’s loyalty?”
Hearing this, the prince looked at me strangely.
“So different from what I have heard.”
“What do you mean?”
“Military Head Sima from the Murim Alliance advised me to stay away from warriors of the Blood Sect and Evil Faction. He claimed they were ferocious, arrogant, and lacked basic manners.”
Sima?
I thought those words would have come from Baek Wei-hyang, the Third Military Head, but they turned out to have been from someone else.
However, it was clear what kind of plan they had already laid out. It was clear how they communicated with the princes.
Hearing his, I smiled and said,
“It is said that many people are more free-spirited and honest about their greed on our side. Yet this doesn’t mean they are ignorant or lacking in manners.”
“Looking at you, that seems to be the case.”
“I would appreciate it if you looked at us favorably.”
“Hahaha. I was curious about what kind of person you would be since you were from the Blood Sect. It turned out to be quite fortuitous since you could communicate well.”
It felt like something was happening. However, Go Jo-taek’s expression as he looked up at me wasn’t happy.
What was it?
Then, Prince Young said something that I did not expect.
“Now that we have made contact like this, this prince wants to give you aid.”
“Help how?”
His eyes were shining, which bothered me. Contrary to what he had shown until now, there was greed in those eyes.
Was this what made Go Jo-taek anxious?
“I heard that you were summoned for violating a national law?”
“… yes.”
“I will cover up your charges using the prince’s authority.”
He wanted to remove the charges?
It wasn’t a simple matter of covering up allegations anymore since it was clear that news had got out.
For now, I needed to draw a clear line. There was a feeling that getting involved with him would only exhaust me.
Prince Young smiled at me and said,
“I know you responded to the summons in order to not fight with the government.”
“….”
If someone as young as Go Jo-taek already realized it, then this man knowing about it wasn’t all that strange. However, why was he bringing it up now?
“This prince who has noticed this will get rid of your anxiety.”
I bowed lightly to this declaration and said,
“I appreciate Your Highness’ generosity. However, as you said, I will accept the trial since I have already responded to the summons. All of this is to ensure we do not clash with the government.”
“Huhuhu, if that happens, then things will be colorless, though?”
“What do you mean?”
He then replied silently.
[Aside from me, my brothers have also come.]
Since he was communicating using internal qi, it indicated that he didn’t want others to overhear as he continued.
[When the trial commences, all of them will be present.]
I have also been informed of this.
Even Go Jo-take had said the three princes were interested in this case.
[I have heard that as well.]
[Then you should also understand. Right now, Military Head Sima of the Murim Alliance and Sect Leader Man Jong of the Jeonjin Sect are also here.]
Jeojin’s Sect representative swordsman, Man Jong.
He was the 6th Elder of the Murim Alliance and a high-ranking swordsman. I saw him several times before my regression. Unlike his normal big-hearted personality, he was unforgiving to those he saw as evil.
In fact, the Taoist was the more difficult person.
Go Jo-taek said that Prince Jin was involved with Taoism.
Perhaps he might interfere in the trial by using this.
[Prince Jin is very involved with Taoism and is seriously lobbying His Majesty to ban other religions within the nation. In particular, places like the Blood Sect are considered heretics.]
[We are closer to a martial arts sect.]
[Doesn’t your sect have its own set of teachings?]
That I couldn’t deny.
[My brother will likely try to bring up other charges to intervene with the trial and try to convict you. If that happens, what you wished for will not come true.]
This was so tiresome.
It would already not be easy even if the princes weren’t involved. From the involvement of the Murim Alliance until this moment, things had become complicated.
I sighed and then said,
[What do you want?]
[It’s nothing bad.]
[Please say it.]
[I will never let go of anyone with talent. This is why I would like to have a man with ties with the Blood Sect.]
‘…?!’
This was an unexpected request. I never thought that he would want me for a connection of blood.
It wasn’t a bad request.
[You never know, but the empire might plunge into chaos in the future.]
He seemed to be speaking of the ill emperor. He must think I didn’t know, so that was why he was speaking like this.
But what kind of relationship was this?
[Since the Imperial Family, Government, and Murim have signed a treaty, I will leave you alone as long as you do not exceed the treaty’s limitations.]
[This situation is a bit hard to understand.]
[It is simple. Father and all the other princes have maintained the treaty as their priority. Prince Jin, however, has other ideas.]
[What do you mean?]
[He wants to clean up any Murim people who will do harm to the nation.]
‘…!!’
In other words, he meant to oppress any sects not seen favorably by the Imperial Family. It was quite scary that the prince had such thoughts.
[That is why I am proposing to you another option.]
[You wish for us to come under you?]
[Yes. The Murim Alliance seems to have high expectations of my brother and continues to support him.]
High expectations.
I could infer what this meant.
The Murim Alliance seemed to think that Prince Jin would ascend the throne. It was natural since he was the preferred child of the Empress Dowager.
Having a favorable relationship with the government didn’t just provide one benefit but was also preparing for the future.
-Then, will Prince Jin be the emperor?
Unfortunately, no.
The Murim Alliance made a mistake. He was preferred, but that man did not become emperor.
-Uh? Then…
Short Sword tried to ask further, but Prince Young continued his pitch.
[If you and the Blood Sect fall under my shade, I will give you a promise.]
[What do you mean?]
[Didn’t I already say it? If Prince Jin protects the Justice Faction and the Murim Alliance, I will support the Blood Sect.]
[… you will support us?]
[Yes. All you have to do is to stop the Murim Alliance from actively supporting Prince Jin. If you do this, the Murim Alliance will disappear forever when I rise to the throne.]
This man was clearly speaking of his ambitions. In the end, he was showing his greed.
It wouldn’t be a bad thing if everything worked as he suggested.
-What he suggested?
I explained to Short Sword in reply to her question.
-You mean that it isn’t that bad? Then, if you have a problem with the government, this man will protect you. Since the Murim Alliance is also using Prince Jin, you can do the same.
If this was your thoughts, then it would all be easy. However, it was absolutely not the case.
-Why?
No matter which side took the throne, Murim would change.
-What are you talking about?
Do you think that you will be able to go away easily after colluding with the government?
This wasn’t something that could be taken easily.
Even if Prince Jin became emperor, the Murim Alliance would need to continue its relationship with the government. If Prince Young ascended instead, then we would need to do it.
The treaty signed after the Golden Prize Festival would become void, and the Murim would be influenced by the Imperial Throne.
-You mean no more freedom?
Just as you said.
Prince Young had asked me to become his subordinate.
His words are sweet, but there was no escape once I became his subordinate.
Ultimately, no matter the prince, they will trample on everything.
-And the Murim Alliance is fine with this?
I don’t know.
Prince Young said this seemed to be the case, but was the Murim Alliance so nonchalant?
Perhaps they had made an agreement with Prince Jin to avoid losing certain things. If that wasn’t it, Prince Young could also be deceiving me.
-What are you going to do? Whatever the case, if you refuse here, won’t this guy turn into our enemy?
Probably.
Prince Young was laughing. It seemed that he thought that I could not get away from him.
As Go Jo-taek’s concerns became real, the prince asked me further.
[What do you plan to do?]
I smiled and said,
[I thank you for your concern. It is such a mouth-watering proposal.]
[Then become loyal….]
[Please give me a day to think about it.]
At those words, his eyebrows raised.
[A day? The trial begins at noon tomorrow. Is that alright?]
[Didn’t Your Highness say that if you used your strength, you could get rid of the charges?]
The prince nodded at my words and told me.
“Fine. I will give you till the end of the day. By all means, please come to a good conclusion to bring good results for you and the Blood Sect.”
With those words, the prince walked away from us. Once he disappeared from sight, Go Jo-taek stood up and said,
“Oh my, so many things happened. The prince is a stubborn man. What were you two talking about?”
It seemed that he was curious about what we were talking about. I smiled at him and said.
“A worthless conversation.”
“Worthless?”
I then asked him.
“Brother Go, where is Prince Jin?”
“Why?”
“Just curious.”
Go Jo-taek sighed and warned me.
“You were summoned here under suspicion of a crime. You won’t be able to leave the premises until the trial tomorrow, be respectful.”
“Let us do that.”
I said this, but I didn’t think the same.
If you only sat still, you would never know what would happen tomorrow.
Later that night.
At the end of a time when even drinkers would go home.
I headed over when I heard that Prince Kyung had returned to his place in the office complex.
He differed from Prince Jin, who spent his time in his residence just reading Taoist books with Man Jong, and Prince Young, who spent all day learning martial arts in the training hall.
He was rumored to head out during the day and stay out drinking, only to return stinking of alcohol and with women in tow.
-Wonderful.
I thought so as well.
He was the most unique of the three princes.
For this reason, Go Jo-take had asked me not to cross paths with this prince. He said it was better to not deal with a man who acted in such immoral manners.
But I had to meet him.
Because…
-Is it really that idiot who becomes the emperor? Aren’t you remembering this wrong or something?
I am definitely right.
This was why I was trying to find him.
Prince Kyung’s residence was noisy. It seemed that the drinking was still continuing inside.
There were guards at the entrance.
It would be difficult to get in with them there.
Shh.
I climbed over the wall using the Wind Shadow Steps and headed towards the place with the most noise.
With legs spread wide, women and alcohol were visible in the middle of the garden.
Those who seemed to be the prince’s subordinates were drinking there as well.
“Your Highness Prince Kyung.”
Hearing my call, a handsome man with a pale face and tied-back long hair turned to me with a bottle of alcohol in his hand.
I noted that this face looked drunk, but he still asked me.
“You are?”
This man was Prince Kyung?
He was more handsome than I thought. It looked like he was carved into perfection, with even the chest showing under his loose shirt looking muscular.
I stared at him and said,
“I am the Sect Leader of the Blood Sect.”
“What?”
My answer made him frown.
He must have never thought I would appear here, so he sipped from his bottle and said.
“A person facing a trial tomorrow for violating national law is now visiting a prince’s residence this late? You sure have guts.”
“I came to meet the prince alone.”
“Alone?”
“It wouldn’t be much. Please give me a moment.”
My words made him laugh as he picked up another bottle and gulped it down before throwing it onto the ground.
Clank!
“As you can see, I have nothing to say since I am too drunk. So head back. Be grateful that I am in a good mood today and let you go.”
At that, I smiled and said,
“I think it will be difficult because the trial is tomorrow.”
With those words, I took a step towards him and…
Swish
Like shadows, ten men in black clothes and masks appeared and blocked the path with their swords and blades pointed at me.
They were people quite skillful with stealth.
Prince Kyung then spoke from behind them.
“Do not cross the line. This is the final warning. You wouldn’t want to offend me, right?”
I then glanced at the masked people and noted that they all had their eyes on me.
“You are in my way. Go get some sleep.”
“What is this guy say…”
Thud!
One of the masked men tried to say something but instead fell to the ground.
But it wasn’t just one person.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The other nine masked people also tried running in with their weapons, but they all followed suit, collapsing to the ground.
Prince Kyung, sitting in front of his table, then frowned.
“… what did you do?”
