novelraw Chapter 196 : Imperial Palace Garden Banquet
Chapter 196 : Imperial Palace Garden Banquet
Chapter 196: Imperial Palace Garden Banquet
The Pavilion Master of the Mysterious Pavilion, Il Hyehyang, hugged a stack of documents thick with the scent of ink and headed toward the residence of the Sect Leader of the Hao Sect.
Once, this place—the Sect Leader’s chamber of the Hao Sect—had been soaked in the bloody stench of betrayal.
Now, the center of power in this underworld was occupied by a snake-like man known as Black Diagnosis Bird.
Unlike the previous Sect Leader, he ruled the Hao Sect with cold and ruthless efficiency.
However, his legitimacy and support base were thin, so whenever problems arose in the various branches, he had no choice but to move personally.
Even though he had seized power, he had not completely gained the hearts of the sect members.
This time as well, a certain Troubleshooter from the Tang Clan had caused chaos, resulting in a major restructuring of power.
As a result, many of his informants had been cut off, and suspicious activity had even been detected in the Sichuan branch. He had only just returned from personally visiting that distant place.
“Sect Leader, the measures you mentioned last time to counter the Beggars’ Union are progressing smoothly. Especially this time, with the Imperial Household……”
But perhaps something had happened there.
While listening to Il Hyehyang’s report about the events that had taken place in Beijing, Black Diagnosis Bird stared blankly into empty space like a man whose soul had wandered away.
It felt as though he could not focus on the report at all—his thoughts seemed to be somewhere else entirely.
Il Hyehyang could no longer hold back and spoke.
“Sect Leader Black Diagnosis Bird, is something wrong?”
Il Hyehyang, who had been secretly plotting to stab the traitor before her in the back, waited for an answer, puzzled by his strange reaction.
Black Diagnosis Bird finally spoke, his face visibly shaken.
“In Sichuan… I think I found the daughter of the previous Sect Leader… Hong Geum.”
“…!”
Il Hyehyang’s eyes widened for a moment before she quickly regained her composure.
But regardless of whether she suppressed her agitation with all her might, Black Diagnosis Bird continued speaking while staring into the air.
“That carefree smile… those eyes and features. It was definitely Young Sect Leader Hong Geum.”
A breathtaking beauty who could capture the gaze of countless men in an instant. The only direct blood relative of Hong Gakjan, who had fled with the sacred relic of the Hao Sect.
Seeing her on the street had been purely by chance. As if proving that, disbelief still lingered in Black Diagnosis Bird’s expression.
“Th-that can’t be.”
Il Hyehyang swallowed hard, her fingertips trembling slightly as she denied it.
“Perhaps you were mistaken. A lot of time has passed, and her appearance may have changed……”
To think that he had encountered her in Sichuan when she was now stuck right beside a man named Dan Mujin.
What on earth were those two doing while roaming across the Central Plains?
“No, it was Geumhong. Others might not know, but I do. I served her since she was young, calling her ‘Young Miss.’”
Black Diagnosis Bird’s voice was filled with certainty.
The face and voice of the little girl who had once followed him around while calling him “Uncle Black Diagnosis Bird.”
And the memories of how he had acted like a tongue within the mouth to her family in order to plunge a blade into the back of the previous Sect Leader were still vivid in his mind.
‘Damn it… what exactly is going on?’
Upon hearing this, Il Hyehyang bit her lip as if things had just become troublesome.
Had Hong Geum briefly removed her male disguise for some reason during a request? If so, it would be a stroke of terrible luck.
“However, when I tried to track her afterward, she vanished like the wind. She must have disguised herself again and disappeared.”
Black Diagnosis Bird recalled Hong Geum’s extraordinary intellect. She had memorized all the knowledge meant for the heir and learned trap formations and miscellaneous martial skills of the Murim with ease.
She was also extremely skillful with her hands, and her disguise techniques had once startled members of the Hao Sect. Black Diagnosis Bird knew those skills all too well.
“But the man who was beside her wouldn’t be such a master of disguise.”
Scratch. Scratch.
Black Diagnosis Bird picked up a brush and, on the back of a document, slowly sketched the facial portrait of the man he had seen in Sichuan, relying on his fading memory.
As the face gradually took shape under the dazzling strokes of the brush, Il Hyehyang’s expression stiffened more and more.
The face on the paper was clumsy, but if one tried hard enough, it could be guessed to resemble Dan Mujin.
She swallowed hard again.
“Hm. It feels awkward drawing it by hand.”
Black Diagnosis Bird muttered as he set down the brush.
As he said, since he had only seen the man once in passing, the portrait was rather vague. It would be extremely difficult to find someone with this alone, especially when they did not even know where he was.
And if the interference of the Pavilion Master of the Mysterious Pavilion—herself—were added on top of that, they might never find him at all.
However, there was one problem.
“Still, that face is etched clearly into my mind. If I meet him just once more……”
Black Diagnosis Bird spoke in a cold voice, like a snake flicking its tongue.
It could become the chance to uncover the location of Hong Geum, who had been hiding so carefully all this time.
He pulled out a dagger from his robes and stabbed it straight into the center of the paper that bore the man’s portrait.
“It’s been a long, long time. But Hong Geum, I’ve finally caught your tail. The day you follow your father won’t be far away.”
Black Diagnosis Bird laughed, his shoulders trembling, his face filled with long-standing malice.
Watching that scene, Il Hyehyang made a silent vow.
She would have to pull strings from below to ensure that tail would never be stepped on again.
That was the only way for her—who had come to carry the parasite poison within her—to ever be freed.
As for how to turn this crisis into an opportunity, the mind of the double agent worked ceaselessly.
A thin human-skin mask covered my face.
Wearing a long blue official robe that dragged along the floor, I walked through the corridor of the Palace of Imperial Concubine Hwang, its walls filled with lotus patterns.
Each step made the long sleeves swing awkwardly, and a woman walking beside me chuckled before speaking.
“Mujin, what on earth is that strange outfit?”
The woman was the reinforcement I had brought just in case—Shinpungdo Jo Harang.
After all, the Imperial Palace was like a dragon’s lair and tiger’s den, filled with powerful masters.
“The official robe worn by the Eastern Depot.”
Today, I was planning to become one of the many underlings of Cheon Sugong.
“The Eastern Depot? You mean those eunuchs who act as the Imperial Household’s secret police?”
“Yeah. I’m perfectly disguised as one right now.”
Perhaps it was her first time entering the Imperial Palace. Jo Harang looked around repeatedly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity at everything.
After examining my thoroughly disguised appearance—complete with the Bone-Shrinking Technique to resemble a eunuch—she suddenly spoke with a worried face.
“You didn’t… go so far as to do that too, did you?”
“…I didn’t disguise myself that perfectly.”
Sometimes I really wondered what went on in her head.
In a different way from the Heaven-Slaying Star, this Purple Star seemed a little strange as well.
“Phew, that’s a relief……”
Jo Harang sighed in relief upon hearing that my “other self” was safe.
Honestly, for a grown woman, she was embarrassingly shameless.
Shaking my head, I continued walking down the corridor of the Palace of Imperial Concubine Hwang.
After walking for quite some time, we reached a building where blue pillars and red roof tiles blended harmoniously—Huayang Palace.
Masters of the Eastern Depot stood guard tightly at the entrance to the residence of Imperial Concubine Hwang.
Among them, Cheon Sugong stepped forward, glanced over my Eastern Depot attire, and smirked.
“Come in. Imperial Concubine Hwang, Mama, the Princess, and the Prince are waiting for you.”
I had met the Third Princess several times before, but this would be my first meeting with the Third Prince.
As the doors of Huayang Palace opened, a gentle fragrance tickled my nose, and the elegant Imperial Concubine greeted us warmly.
“Welcome, Troubleshooter. You are quite handsome—those Eastern Depot robes suit you rather well.”
Her eyes curved softly. Her face held a harmony between the maturity shaped by time and the lingering traces of youth.
No matter when I saw her, she was someone whose gentle nature and warmth could be felt.
And standing beside such a mother was a familiar face—Princess Peach Blossom.
“So it is as Cheon Sugong said. The way you look at my mother is rather… peculiar.”
It seemed Cheon Sugong had said something strange, because the princess—who never lost her dignity—made that remark with a curious expression.
“Ahem, I’m not sure what you mean……”
My gaze had been the same as always, yet somehow I felt a little flustered. I waved my hand as if to say it was a misunderstanding.
“Mujin… so that’s your taste? I don’t think I can match that kind of atmosphere……”
What nonsense are you talking about now?
I signaled for Jo Harang to keep quiet.
It wasn’t a matter of taste. I had simply grown up without parents all my life, so I was a little weak toward that type.
“Troubleshooter, would you not introduce this pure and beautiful young lady beside you as well?”
At Imperial Concubine Hwang’s question, I glanced at Jo Harang standing beside me and spoke.
“This woman is an employee of my office—Shinpungdo Jo Harang. She is a martial arts prodigy who reached the Transcendence Realm at a young age.”
At my introduction, the two royal women looked at Jo Harang with surprise.
Admiration shone in the eyes of Imperial Concubine Hwang, while curiosity flickered across the face of Princess Peach Blossom.
“To reach such a realm at such a young age… you must have endured tremendous hardship. How admirable and impressive, child.”
“…Hehehe.”
Embarrassed by the sincere praise, Jo Harang scratched her head awkwardly.
Imperial Concubine Hwang’s eyes curved even more warmly, seemingly pleased by her innocent smile.
Meanwhile, Princess Peach Blossom approached me quietly while her mother spoke with Jo Harang and whispered a question.
“What must one do to have a martial master like that as a subordinate?”
Martial masters valued their honor and pride above all. She must have been wondering how I could handle one like a tame lamb.
“…You just feed them delicious food and say nice things.”
“…?”
Princess Peach Blossom seemed genuinely curious about my business skills. Unlike her mother, she lived in the cold reality of imperial politics.
And even if she asked how to handle it, the truth was that it was simply the inevitable connection between the Heaven-Slaying Star and the Purple Star—something difficult to explain.
“Then Jo Harang, today I entrust my lovely daughter and son to you.”
“Yes! Leave it to me! I, Shinpungdo Jo Harang, will protect them all!”
Jo Harang replied enthusiastically, grinning like a fluffy dog pledging loyalty.
Imperial Concubine Hwang truly had a talent for taming people.
“Troubleshooter, I entrust my children to you as well. Please protect them.”
“Yes, you may leave it to me. But where is the Prince?”
Although this palace was normally restricted to women and eunuchs, I knew that princes, as blood relatives, could freely enter.
“Zhu Yugan. Stop hiding and come out to familiarize yourself with his face. Just as he saved me, he might one day save your life. He is the Beijing Troubleshooter.”
Princess Peach Blossom, Zhu Yeoyang, called out the name of the prince who seemed to be hiding somewhere.
Then, from afar, someone came running with the sound of quick footsteps and hid behind Imperial Concubine Hwang.
A young boy peeked his head out from behind his mother’s robes.
If compared to the place where I once lived, he looked like a first-year middle schooler.
Of course, in this world fifteen counted as adulthood, so he would be treated as a grown man in just a few years.
“W-what sort of people are you?”
It felt like a child imitating an adult’s speech. There was not a shred of imperial dignity about the boy.
He was probably the young Third Prince whom Imperial Concubine Hwang had given birth to—Prince Suan.
Because of the strange circumstances of the present era, he was still called by the title from his childhood rather than Prince of the Blood or Prince of the Commandery.
“I am Dan Mujin, the Beijing Troubleshooter dispatched today to protect Prince Suan at the Garden Banquet.”
And if I had to describe the Third Prince I was seeing for the first time today in a single word—
‘Weak.’
At his age, he still hid behind his mother’s robes and only peeked his head out to ask who we were.
And Imperial Concubine Hwang simply looked at him fondly instead of scolding him.
Was this why worry never left Princess Peach Blossom’s face?
It seemed that the true head of this household was none other than Princess Peach Blossom.
“Zhu Yugan. What disgrace is this? A member of the Imperial Family hiding instead of stepping forward proudly. Come out at once.”
“B-but……”
“Hmph.”
At his sister’s stern rebuke, the Third Prince finally shuffled forward toward me.
In modern society, this might have been something people laughed off as a cute boy’s behavior.
But this was the Imperial Court—filled with people who would latch onto the smallest flaw to drag others down.
If he behaved like this in front of everyone at the Garden Banquet, it would become a humiliating spectacle spoken of by all.
And the Emperor, who had arranged this gathering, would surely notice the weakness of the Third Prince—a possible candidate for Crown Prince.
No wonder Princess Peach Blossom looked so troubled.
‘You must have it hard.’
Realizing the weight of her role, I sent her a sympathetic glance.
But Princess Peach Blossom merely tilted her head as if she could not understand my expression, seemingly unaware of the pity in my gaze.