novelraw Chapter 152 : Chapter 152
Chapter 152 : Chapter 152
Chapter 152 Counterattack (5)
─ KABOOOOM!
So Hui-bin, who was running forward, crossed the gate of the Inner Court without hesitation. A brilliant golden aura began to rise from his body, holding a golden sword in his left hand and a golden spear in his right.
As soon as he passed through the Inner Court gate, the vast space that unfolded before him was filled with hundreds of martial artists from the Eastern Depot, and in the center stood Prince Yeomseong with three men in black martial robes.
“All units, halt!”
Leaving a distance of about twenty Jang from the Eastern Depot martial artists, So Hui-bin slowly reduced his speed.
After a quick glance around, So Hui-bin slowly lowered his stance. The sword in his left hand was pulled back slightly, and the spear in his right hand was extended forward. A sharp, cutting aura emanated from So Hui-bin.
From among the ranks of the Eastern Depot martial artists, Prince Yeomseong slowly rose to his feet. As he began to walk forward, the Eastern Depot martial artists all stepped aside to make way.
─ THUD THUD
Prince Yeomseong, who had walked forward slowly, stepped one pace ahead of the Eastern Depot martial artists. Immediately after, Prince Yeomseong, who was looking around with his hands behind his back, opened his mouth.
“……You must have received the order to disband the Embroidered Uniform Guard. It seems my words sound like a joke to you.”
General So Hui-bin did not answer at all and simply gripped his sword tightly.
The three men in black martial robes standing around Prince Yeomseong dispelled So Hui-bin's fiercely pouring aura.
“I ascended to the throne of the Son of Heaven today, and I performed the ceremony at Kunning Palace. Do you dare to defy the Son of Heaven's command?”
The Embroidered Uniform Guard did not answer Prince Yeomseong’s question. Staring at the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who held their spears forward without the slightest stir, Prince Yeomseong tutted and clicked his tongue.
“Tsk tsk. You bastards have not a single hair of flexibility. I clearly promised you wealth and glory, yet you choose punishment to the very end.”
Just as Prince Yeomseong let out a small sigh and was about to open his mouth again, a small commotion arose from among the Embroidered Uniform Guard lined up behind him.
“Your Majesty. Your body is not yet fully recov—...!”
“It is fine. I have been conserving my strength all this time for this moment.”
Walking through the Embroidered Uniform Guard was the pale-faced Emperor Yeongmin. With a weary face, steadying his trembling body with difficulty, Emperor Yeongmin walked step by step toward Prince Yeomseong.
Watching Emperor Yeongmin walk out with difficulty, supported by the Commander, Prince Yeomseong gave a bitter smile.
“……I wanted to avoid taking your life with my own sword. But in the end, you stand in my way to the last.”
Emperor Yeongmin stood at the very front of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and arduously wiped the sweat from his brow. He even made the Commander who was supporting him step back, and though he staggered, he straightened his posture and raised his waist.
Catching his ragged breath, Emperor Yeomseong opened his mouth.
“……Brother, did you really have to choose such a lowly method?”
At Emperor Yeongmin's words, which were like a lament, Prince Yeomseong let out a chuckle.
“Jin-pyeong. Wouldn’t it have been better if you had just abdicated the throne when I asked nicely?”
“You were the one who said from the beginning that you had no interest in the throne!”
When Emperor Yeongmin frowned and shouted, Prince Yeomseong let out a small sigh.
“Yes, I did. But what can I do when the situation has changed? I must have the throne to obtain eternal life, so wouldn’t that be reason enough to change my mind….”
“Brother! Please, awaken from your delusion! How can such a thing as eternal life even exist? It is a dream that even Qin Shi Huang, who founded the Qin Dynasty, could not achieve. To be deluded by such nonsensical words….”
“Yes. Perhaps… eternal life is just a dream. But what if I could live for another hundred years? Or two hundred? I have seen with my own eyes someone become young again, and I have seen a man who had drawn his last breath rise to his feet once more.”
“That is absurd sorcery!”
Prince Yeomseong slowly shook his head.
“Sorcery? Yes, call it sorcery or whatever you like. But if I can extend my life by at least ten years by sacrificing only a hundred lives, how could I….”
Emperor Yeongmin, who was listening to Prince Yeomseong's words, became stern and finally let out a great shout.
“How can a man who calls himself the Son of Heaven utter words that defy human decency!”
“……What do you know, you who were born with a healthy body?”
Prince Yeomseong glared at Emperor Yeongmin with blazing eyes.
“This constitution is like a Heavenly Punishment. You probably think that my energy just depletes quickly. But every physician who has examined me… has told me that I have only about five years left to live.”
At Prince Yeomseong's words, Emperor Yeongmin's eyes widened.
“W-What do you mean by that! I have not heard such a thing from the Royal Physician….”
“Huhu. I instructed them not to tell anyone. I must spend half of my life lying in bed, and even then, such a life will last ten years at most. This is the true reason I yielded the throne to you.”
Emperor Yeongmin looked at Prince Yeomseong with confused eyes.
His brother, who was born with a sturdier physique than anyone and a strength that could only be described as divine, yet for some reason, could not be active for more than half a day before heading straight to his bed.
To think that he, who always lay in bed with vacant eyes, watching him through the window, was actually living on borrowed time.
Emperor Yeongmin bit his lip hard.
‘I was too… lacking in concern.’
He felt that even if Prince Yeomseong had instructed the Royal Physician, he would have found out the truth somehow if only he had asked properly.
Even if there was a distance between them that could not be bridged because they were competing for the throne, that was only until one of them ascended. After he ascended the throne, there were plenty of opportunities to close that distance again.
‘To think that I… who could not even properly care for the brother born from the same womb, was worrying about the well-being of the people.’
Emperor Yeongmin’s hand trembled.
But soon, calming his chaotic heart, Emperor Yeongmin opened his mouth.
“……Brother, now that I know the situation, this unworthy younger brother will do his best to somehow restore your health. So… please stop. If you stop here, I will not question your crimes any further.”
“Keke. A crime. Is this truly a crime? That I am coming to reclaim my rightful place, that I am trying to extend my life somehow to live like others… how can this be called a crime!”
Prince Yeomseong’s great shout filled the surroundings. Emperor Yeongmin looked at Prince Yeomseong with sorrowful eyes and slowly opened his mouth.
“……I understand that sentiment completely, but your method is wrong, brother.”
“Method. I searched for a way to live for years in Tianjin, using every possible method, but this was the only answer. No other method exists for me.”
“The sorcery of taking another’s life to extend your own, do you truly think that is the right way?”
Prince Yeomseong stared blankly at Emperor Yeongmin.
“Hundreds of soldiers die on the battlefield every month. We can just use their blood.”
“Brother……”
Emperor Yeongmin tried to continue, but Prince Yeomseong spoke first.
“You will not understand me anyway. And to turn back… have we not already come too far?”
Prince Yeomseong looked at the Eastern Depot lined up behind him and the Embroidered Uniform Guard standing behind Emperor Yeongmin.
“In the end, the winner's words become the answer. Now, let us begin our postponed battle for the succession to the throne… albeit belatedly.”
At Prince Yeomseong's words, Emperor Yeongmin sighed.
“……Commander.”
“Your Majesty, give the order.”
“Retake the Imperial Palace. All those who have participated in the rebellion may be executed… but if possible, I would like you to send my brother to me safely.”
“I will obey your command, Your Majesty.”
The Commander bowed his head, then supported the Emperor and retreated to the rear. As if to replace him, So Hui-bin stepped forward and drew his spear.
“Admiral of the Eastern Depot, receive my command.”
“Your Majesty. Your humble servant is here.”
A bent-over old man slowly approached Prince Yeomseong's side. The old man, wearing blue clothes and a belt embroidered with gold thread, had his face adorned with white powder, just like the other members of the Eastern Depot.
The old man came forward and bowed deeply to Prince Yeomseong.
“Your life and my life. They all depend on this battle. Can you grant me life?”
“Of course, Your Majesty. Please trust in your humble servant.”
“……Take care of it.”
As Prince Yeomseong took a step back, the Admiral of the Eastern Depot turned around and walked forward. Following him, the martial artists of the Eastern Depot came forward in a line and stood beside the Admiral.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot.
They faced each other and built up their energy.
‘The difference in strength… is not great.’
Jaun quickly scanned the two forces.
The Eastern Depot had more numbers, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard had more masters positioned.
‘In that case… those people are the variables.’
The three martial artists standing around Prince Yeomseong with languid expressions.
Jaun could feel a dense Demonic Energy from them.
[Miss, please lend your strength to the Embroidered Uniform Guard with the bearded man for now.]
At Jaun's telepathic message, the Ice Rakshasa nodded. Then, as Jaun's party took their positions, So Hui-bin spoke first.
“Let’s go. We will retake the Imperial Palace, staking our lives on it.”
“Sir!”
So Hui-bin shot forward first like an arrow. A golden energy, over a foot long, blazed on the golden sword and spear that So Hui-bin held.
“All units, charge!”
The Embroidered Uniform Guard, with their spears extended forward, followed So Hui-bin. Radiating a brilliant golden energy, hundreds of Embroidered Uniform Guard members charged toward the Eastern Depot.
“Hohoho. You foolish fools. Today, on this spot, the name of the Embroidered Uniform Guard will be erased. Show them the power the Eastern Depot has hidden until now!”
“For the Imperial Palace that will be completed through eternal life!”
The martial artists of the Eastern Depot all rose into the air. Blue martial robes fluttered, filling the sky, and soon, a dense Yin Energy, enough to give one goosebumps, began to spread in all directions.
Simultaneously, the golden energy and the sharp Yin Energy began to collide.
─ KABOOOOOM!
─ CLANG. SWOOOSH. THWACK!
In an instant, the sound of colliding weapons filled the surroundings.
The Ice Rakshasa, who was watching the situation from a little behind, grinned.
“……To think that Yin Energy is spread all around like this. This is a battlefield made for me, isn't it?”
The bearded man stood close behind the Ice Rakshasa and drew his hand axes.
“If the young lady makes the first move, we will support you.”
“Heeung. I don’t know if there will be a chance for that. I think I can handle the Yin Energy spread by those half-baked men just fine.”
The Ice Rakshasa looked around and took a deep breath.
─ CR-CR-CR-CRACKLE
As the Ice Rakshasa gathered her energy, brilliant ice flowers, the likes of which had never been seen before, began to fill the area around her.
“Hoo……. This feels so good.”
The Ice Rakshasa gave a large smile and raised both her hands. Soon, the Ice Rakshasa’s hands began to repeatedly draw beautiful semicircles in the air.
─ CRACK
─ SHATTER
─ CR-CR-CRACKLE
Each time the Ice Rakshasa’s hands moved, huge ice flowers bloomed in the air, and the ground she stood on was instantly covered in thick ice.
As the bearded man pulled his body back with surprised eyes, even the air around where the Ice Rakshasa stood began to freeze with a crackling sound.
Having gathered her energy like so, the Ice Rakshasa exhaled a white breath and extended her hands forward.
[Ice Snow Flower Chaos]
The Yin Energy that shot out from the Ice Rakshasa's hands moved brilliantly like a whip and shot towards the Eastern Depot.
─ CRUNCH
Wherever the Ice Rakshasa's energy grazed, brilliant ice flowers bloomed in full.
“B-Be careful!”
The faces of the Eastern Depot martial artists, who had noticed the Ice Rakshasa’s Yin Energy too late, turned pale.
The Ice Rakshasa’s Yin Energy, twisting here and there like an ice dragon flying through the sky, struck right where the Eastern Depot martial artists were gathered.
─ KABOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
With an ear-splitting explosion, a huge ice pillar was created where the Ice Rakshasa’s energy had struck.
At least several dozen Eastern Depot martial artists were trapped in that pillar.
“Hyaaaap!”
Then, with the bearded man's shout, dozens of sharply honed hand axes flew towards the ice pillar with the speed of lightning.