novelraw Chapter 204 : The Son of Heaven’s Gift
Chapter 204 : The Son of Heaven’s Gift
Chapter 204: The Son of Heaven’s Gift
The reception room of the Eunseong Trading Company was filled with the subtle fragrance of tea leaves brought over from the Western Regions.
Eun Hwaran gently traced the rim of the teacup on the table with her fingertips as she looked at Hwang Geolgae seated across from her.
“‘How is it, Elder Hwang? It’s a precious tea that came from across the sea.’”
With a faint smile, she pushed forward a new product candidate that carried a peculiar color and aroma.
The old beggar raised the expensive tea and gulped it down like barley water.
“‘Hm, it’s drinkable.’”
He downed it in one go and set the cup down with a clack, to the point it was doubtful he had even savored the taste or aroma.
Yet Eun Hwaran nodded as if she trusted his judgment.
“‘Then we can distribute this. I’ll speak with Chief Steward Jin later.’”
If the words “drinkable enough” came from that man’s mouth, it meant it passed. She smiled brightly, pleased to have found a new product.
“‘You don’t have to feed this old man first every time you find something new. Mooncakes alone are enough.’”
He spoke while chewing on the mooncakes and wheat cakes prepared in the reception room.
“‘But Elder Hwang, you like these things, don’t you?’”
“‘Heh heh, that’s true.’”
He stroked his beard with a satisfied grin and poured himself another cup of tea, slurping it down again.
Then, he casually pointed at the unfamiliar woman who had been sitting beside them.
“‘And this child?’”
“‘Ah, this is…’”
Eun Hwaran set down the approval documents and turned toward the woman.
She had failed to introduce her earlier because Hwang Geolgae had suddenly appeared in the room.
“‘She’s Joo Wolah from Heavenly Flower Pavilion. Have you perhaps heard of her?’”
A courtesan dressed in silk with a subtle sheen—one of the most sought-after beauties in Beijing these days.
As one of the famed Five Flowers of Beijing, she was widely known, so Eun Hwaran asked with a hint of expectation.
“‘Hm, I’ve seen that face before.’”
“‘Oh my, really? To think Elder Hwang would recognize a courtesan’s face…’”
She had assumed he was a man devoted to cultivation, far removed from such pleasures.
At his words, Eun Hwaran looked surprised, while Joo Wolah herself appeared flustered.
“‘Forgive me, but I don’t recall meeting you. How do you know me…?’”
Hwang Geolgae casually picked his ear and replied indifferently.
“‘I saw you in the beauty paintings distributed by Merchant Eun. You had strange beast ears in them—what exactly was that?’”
He was referring to the paintings by the artist Neung Jinsam, which were selling like wildfire.
They were praised for capturing the elegance and beauty of Beijing’s finest courtesan with soft, delicate brushwork and vibrant colors—another bestselling product of the Eunseong Trading Company.
“‘Ah, ngh…’”
Joo Wolah, who had come to see Eun Hwaran and Dan Mujin because of that very matter, lowered her head with a flushed face.
It seemed she recalled her alluring depiction in the paintings.
Eun Hwaran scratched her cheek before changing the subject.
“‘By the way, Elder Hwang. Where did Mujin go? I haven’t seen him at all lately.’”
At her question, Hwang Geolgae pointed outside toward the Imperial Palace while chewing.
“‘That brat crawled back into the Imperial Palace again.’”
“…Oh my.”
Eun Hwaran’s eyes widened slightly.
Even as the head of one of the Ten Great Trading Companies, it was not a place she could easily enter—yet her sworn younger brother seemed to be summoned there often.
“‘Did something happen again to Princess Dohwa?’”
Hwang Geolgae shook his head with a displeased expression.
“‘No, this time the Imperial Concubine summoned him.’”
“…….”
The teacup slipped from Eun Hwaran’s hand as her mouth fell open.
Princess Dohwa would at least be understandable due to prior ties—but the Imperial Concubine, the wife of the Son of Heaven?
Just what was happening around her sworn brother?
“‘…I hope he doesn’t cause trouble.’”
That was the first worry that came to her mind. Life in the Imperial Palace absolutely did not suit his temperament.
“‘Exactly.’”
Hwang Geolgae nodded in agreement, sipping his tea again.
Then—
KWA-ROOOOM—
The teacups and utensils trembled as a deep, thunderous roar echoed from afar.
It sounded like thunder, yet the sky was clear.
All three turned their gazes toward the Imperial Palace.
“‘Artillery…?’”
It resembled the lingering echo of an explosion—like the large cannons said to be used within the palace.
And this happened right after Dan Mujin had gone there.
“‘…It couldn’t be, right?’”
Eun Hwaran asked cautiously, her face filled with doubt.
“…Mm, surely not.”
Hwang Geolgae let out a deep sigh, clearly unable to trust that brat at all.
When I opened my eyes, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling.
In my hazy consciousness, the first thing I noticed was a finely crafted wooden ceiling. The layered grain resembled a flowing river.
In short—it was a luxurious interior.
“Ugh…”
A groan slipped from my lips. The last thing I remembered was the chest shattering in all directions and an explosion filling my vision.
A faint medicinal scent brushed past my nose. Judging by the soft bedding, this was likely an infirmary within the Imperial Palace.
Footsteps echoed from somewhere.
“‘You’re awake.’”
An aged voice.
As I slowly opened my eyes, I saw an elderly imperial physician with white hair.
“‘Where… is this…?’”
“‘The Imperial Palace infirmary. Rest easy.’”
The old man wore glasses—something incredibly rare in this era. Judging by his attire, he wasn’t just any physician, but likely the royal physician.
“‘I can’t feel my lower body… what happened?’”
“‘Ah, you lost a great deal of blood, so we tightly compressed your legs.’”
When he removed the binding tool, circulation returned and sensation gradually came back.
For a moment, I had unknowingly panicked.
Thinking I might have lost something important.
‘Men really are…’
Amid unfamiliar surroundings, something very familiar spoke to me.
The red palm, shaking as it giggled after watching me panic.
I ignored it as always.
Flames flickered—and the thin palm appeared again before my eyes.
‘Because of… who… you lived… and you ignore me…?’
According to the physician, I had been caught directly in the explosion.
Yet my body functioned perfectly.
As expected, Killing Star had saved me again.
‘Why… must I… keep saving… you…?’
That voice carried deep resentment.
What would it feel like—to constantly save someone you despise?
I couldn’t know.
Because I was the one being saved.
“‘Still, it’s fortunate. You recovered far faster than expected. To wake in just one day…’”
The royal physician praised my recovery.
So it had been a full day.
Then the aftermath of the explosion must already be under control.
“‘Don’t be alarmed. A fragment passed through a sensitive area, so movement will be difficult for a while. You should rest—’”
Before he could finish, I sprang up.
The physician stared at me wide-eyed.
“‘Impossible… your injuries were severe…’”
“‘I’ve trained in external arts and divine techniques that speed recovery. Thank you for the treatment.’”
Better not show too much and raise suspicion.
Leaving the stunned physician behind, I rushed out of the infirmary.
“Was it this way…?”
I retraced my steps and returned to the Imperial Concubine’s residence.
As soon as I reached Huayang Palace, Jo Harang rushed out to greet me.
“‘…You crazy bastard!’”
Now that’s a greeting.
“‘No matter how tough you are, how could you throw yourself in front of a Thunderburst Bomb?!’”
“‘I didn’t throw myself—I threw the chest. The timing was just bad.’”
I had waited until they were far enough away.
Who could’ve predicted it would explode instantly?
“‘Where’s Divine Thief Yangyang?’”
“‘She ran. Said she didn’t want to get caught up in something this dangerous in the Imperial Palace.’”
As expected.
Her escape instincts were unmatched.
“‘She also told me to pass a message. She’ll repay the debt somehow—and gave a way to contact her.’”
Good.
A skilled artisan secured.
“‘And you—apparently you knocked down all the guards and charged at Noble Consort Yang and the princess?’”
“…Well, that’s a bit misleading, but roughly, yes.”
“‘Your name’s spreading all over the Imperial Palace now.’”
Apparently, my antics had made me famous.
“‘The chest incident is under investigation by the Eastern Depot, Royal Guards, and Imperial Army. They suspect an external force.’”
External force?
It was obviously the Empress—but she must’ve erased the evidence cleanly.
“‘And you.’”
Her voice carried slight disappointment.
“‘What now?’”
“‘Why didn’t you call me? Why take only Yangyang?’”
I gestured at her massive Great Saber.
“Hey, Miss Great Saber. You’re slow.”
“‘I’m not that slow!’”
She stomped angrily.
I had to calm her down for quite a while.
After passing Jo Harang, I faced Cheon Sugong, who looked at me with a complicated expression.
“‘What is it?’”
“‘We told you to protect the Imperial Concubine, and you beat up Noble Consort Yang’s guards and set off a bomb?’”
“…I was saving them.”
They exchanged awkward glances.
“‘Well… it worked out. Noble Consort Yang now thinks you’re on our side—and owes you her life.’”
Everything here turned into politics.
“‘What’s with that look? You’re wondering why I’m scolding you, right?’”
He clicked his tongue.
“‘Anyway… you did better than expected.’”
Unlike him, the Imperial Concubine smiled warmly.
I scratched my head, slightly embarrassed.
“‘Then you deserve a reward.’”
She handed me a luxurious wooden case.
“‘What is this?’”
“‘Open it.’”
Inside was a black staff wrapped in silk.
Long, balanced, and clearly extraordinary.
“‘A treasure from the Heavenly Treasure Vault. A gift from the Son of Heaven.’”
“Whoa…”
I ran my hand along it.
Then noticed a subtle seam at the end.
“‘Twist it.’”
Click.
The end opened—revealing a hidden blade.
A staff sword.
The silver blade gleamed softly.
“‘Oh…!’”