Chapter 110

In the corridors of the Deng Empire’s imperial palace.

After calming down Huaxian, Baekho, who had just left the bedchamber, let out a quiet sigh.

“Haa…”

Regardless of Huaxian’s fear of the martial world, it was true that the martial world had grown larger compared to the past.

…But even so.

They couldn’t suppress the martial world as boldly as the young, hot-blooded official had written in his petition.

It wasn’t that the imperial family lacked power.

Even though the righteous faction of the martial world was strong, if the state decided to suppress them, they could be sufficiently weakened.

They could abolish the law of non-interference in martial affairs.

If that happened, Huaxian, the precious disciple and crown prince, wouldn’t have to suffer nightmares and tremble in fear.

A shadow of fatigue crossed Baekho’s eyes.

…But that couldn’t be done.

The corridor, lit only by the occasional flickering candle, swayed with the darkness and the unease in his heart, taking on a human form.

An attitude that even ignored and mocked the heavens.

An arrogance that was almost insane, backed by martial prowess.

Eighteen years had passed, but it was a presence he could never forget.

“Heavenly Demon.”

He muttered the ominous name to himself.

“When the lips are gone, the teeth will feel the cold.”

If the righteous faction weakened, who would keep the Demon Sect in check?

To be honest.

Regardless of the Emperor’s fear, the martial world growing stronger was an uncomfortable matter, but it wasn’t a significant threat to the survival of the imperial family.

The Five Great Families and the Nine Sects, which formed the core of the righteous faction, were closely tied to the imperial family.

The Wudang and Shaolin sects, among others, were both martial artists and religious figures.

The high authority of the Nine Sects was due to the Deng Empire’s recognition of Buddhism and Taoism as state religions.

They knew well how unrecognized religions were treated by the state.

The Five Great Families held territories and enjoyed rights almost akin to feudal lords because they were descendants of the founding heroes of the Deng Empire.

The authority and rights of the righteous martial world were legitimate because they were recognized by the Deng imperial family.

…Thus, while they grew their power, they still acknowledged the authority of the imperial family.

When the lawless Wuji Wudi brutally killed Crown Prince Huafeng, not only the imperial family but also the Martial Alliance foamed at the mouth to declare Wuji Wudi a public enemy and hunt him down.

They knew that the legitimacy of their power came from the imperial family behind them.

…And this was the same for the evil faction of the martial world.

There were families descended from notorious traitors like the Sapa Sajungju, but true to their pragmatic nature, they didn’t harbor delusional plans to overthrow the state and establish a new dynasty.

Like most evil faction organizations, their goals were simple.

To make a lot of money, eat well, and live well. Organizations that crossed the line too severely were directly suppressed by the imperial family.

But that didn’t mean they were at odds with the imperial family.

Also, since they were motivated by money, when righteous faction figures threatened local officials, they could be hired with money to keep the righteous faction in check.

Anyway, they were sneaky little rats doing bad things, but even the evil faction acknowledged the authority of the imperial family.

…But the Demon Sect was different.

They didn’t acknowledge the authority of the imperial family at all.

“……”

Just thinking about it made his head hurt, and Baekho’s eyes narrowed. He slowly massaged his temples with his index and middle fingers.

The four major forces threatening the martial world of the Central Plains.

The Heavenly Demon God Sect, Baehwa Church, Blood Church, and Ilwol God Sect.

Excluding the quiet Baehwa Church, which mainly operated in the desert, these were the troublemakers.

Each was different, but they had one thing in common.

Only the goals and aspirations of their sects mattered most.

If they thought the Deng imperial family was hindering their goals, they would seriously prepare for rebellion.

…And against such a Demon Sect, the righteous martial world fought under the banner of “honor” without the support of the imperial family.

It would be a lie to say there were no conflicts of interest, but still.

They believed it was their duty and right to protect the peace of the world against the evil Demon Sect.

In such a situation, if the righteous martial world was suppressed and their authority seized.

The imperial family would have to deal with all the Demon Sects infiltrating and causing trouble in the Central Plains.

An enormous amount of money and manpower would be consumed.

…Moreover, some sects dissatisfied with the suppression of the martial world might join the Demon Sect.

Just imagining it made his head ring, and Baekho stopped, letting out a worried sigh.

“Grand Tutor, I have something to report.”

A eunuch cautiously approached, eyeing him, and took out a letter from his robe.

“It seems I must inform you. A man named Unmu Yong, the Tenth Elder of the Ilwol God Sect, has sent a letter to you, Grand Tutor.”

“The Demon Sect… how…?”

Baekho’s eyes widened. He stared straight at the eunuch before him.

It was a familiar face. But without hesitation, Baekho took a needle from his sleeve and swung it at the eunuch’s neck.

Because he couldn’t feel any breath. What stood before him was a well-made Jiangshi.

Evil-Slaying Sword Technique – A sword technique to repel evil.

In an instant, a cold blue aura enveloped the needle, turning it into a swift blade that cleanly severed the Jiangshi’s neck.

Since he had entered and exited the Emperor’s bedchamber, he didn’t carry a sword. But that wasn’t a problem.

The head of the Jiangshi, disguised as a eunuch without shedding a drop of blood, rolled away from its body.

Not stopping there, Baekho continued to swing the needle, cutting the Jiangshi into pieces, then frowned as he looked at the letter the Jiangshi had delivered.

It was surprising that they had made a Jiangshi resembling a eunuch working in the inner palace, but how on earth had they infiltrated this far?

Normally, such an unidentified letter should be burned immediately.

But to uncover the identity of the traitor who had sent the Jiangshi into the palace, he read the letter with anger.

“……?!”

And after finishing the letter, Baekho’s pupils shook with shock.

“How far… do you plan to insult the imperial family…!!”

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The one remotely controlling the Jiangshi.

The criminal who insulted the imperial family, the Tenth Elder of the Ilwol God Sect, Unmu Yong, blinked and regained his senses.

Another major criminal, the lawless Wuji Wudi, who was guarding the defenseless Unmu Yong, asked with a curious expression.

“Did it succeed?”

“…Succeeded in drawing attention.”

“Infiltration into the imperial palace. Impressive.”

“The current security of the imperial palace is arranged with the Great Martial Tournament in mind. That’s why a Jiangshi, which doesn’t emit much energy, could find a way in.”

At Wuming’s admiration, Unmu Yong rubbed his temples and got up from the bed with a nonchalant attitude.

“Well, the art of controlling Jiangshi has declined in the martial world, so information is scarce… Anyway, it’s a method that won’t work again.”

Wuming noticed one thing during the conversation. Unmu Yong tended to talk more when praised.

Since the body he was using was a Jiangshi, it wasn’t very noticeable.

But when his skills were praised or acknowledged, he seemed to feel both pleased and embarrassed.

If pointed out, he would deny it, though.

“…But will Baekho, the Emperor’s sword and Grand Tutor, really come to the meeting place?”

The situation was different from Namgung Cheon, who had shown interest in the Ilwol God Sect from the beginning.

Common sense dictated that someone like the Emperor’s mentor wouldn’t meet with a Demon Sect elder. But to this question, Unmu Yong smiled mysteriously and confidently replied.

“He will definitely come. I wrote that you would be there too.”

At such a bold answer, Wuming’s face momentarily froze, then burst into an unresisting laugh.

“Haha~ Then he’ll surely come.”

Whether he intends to negotiate or not, he will definitely come to the meeting place to kill the traitor Wuji Wudi who insulted the imperial family.

Thought to be a guard, but he was the bait.

***

Near the Martial Alliance, at the Namgung Family estate.

Sososo, her face flushed, returned to the estate, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart.

She had confessed her feelings to Mantian and even…

Gently touching her lips as if handling a treasure.

‘Lord Sima.’

Just thinking about it made her heart swell with warmth.

But unfortunately, Sososo’s girlish happiness didn’t last long.

A storm swept through the estate.

“Young Master, your grandfather has arrived.”

“……!!”

At the dry announcement from a Namgung Family martial artist, Sososo’s eyes widened.

When had he arrived? Completely unexpected.

Tall, with sparse black hair mixed into his white hair, and a strong gaze despite his age.

“Sososo, it’s been a long time.”

At the appearance of Namgung Cheon, the absolute ruler of the Namgung Family and her grandfather, Sososo’s heart quickly calmed.

“Greetings, Grandfather.”

“Enough, enough. No need to be so formal. I just came to see your face after so long.”

Namgung Cheon reassured Sososo with the gentle expression of a doting grandfather, but.

In his eyes, there was an undeniable ambition, a faint current of electricity.

“…And it’s about time I told you the secret of our Namgung Family.”

“A secret…?”

“Yes, a very important secret.”

The kiss with Mantian, the sudden appearance of her grandfather, the family secret.

A series of events happening in an instant made Sososo’s head spin.

It felt like being swept up in a typhoon.

“Let’s talk while we walk.”

…And as if she had been destined to be a king since birth, this time too, Sososo’s opinion didn’t matter as the story progressed.

“Sososo, do you know why the Emperor’s Sword Form is called the Emperor’s Sword Form?”

“Because it’s the sword of a reigning emperor.”

“That’s half right.”

At Sososo’s answer, Namgung Cheon nodded with a mysterious smile.

“But- then it would just be called the Emperor’s Sword. Why add the ‘Form’ character?”

As they walked, Namgung Cheon’s questions continued, each more enigmatic than the last.

“Lightning falls from the sky, and controlling thunder power is the goal of Taoists. But- they can’t control it.”

As Namgung Cheon’s steps paused in the corridor, the Namgung Family martial artist accompanying them activated a hidden mechanism.

“Grandfather… what is this…?!”

A hidden room Sososo had never known appeared. But Namgung Cheon didn’t answer her question.

Instead, he only posed more cryptic questions, speaking of the family’s secret.

“But why can our Namgung Family so easily control lightning?”

Heavenly Thunder Qi

Crackle-! Crackle-!!

Blue lightning flashed from Namgung Cheon’s palm, illuminating the room’s secret as he returned to the initial question.

“The reason the Emperor’s Sword Form has the ‘Form’ character is… because it embodies the majesty of a certain emperor.”

Sososo looked at the large, historically significant scroll depicting an emperor, the bronze sword made for rituals, and the vajra placed neatly beneath the scroll.

She could guess who the emperor Namgung Cheon was referring to.

“Our Namgung Family was the priestly clan of the King of Gods, the Thunder God, Jeoseokcheon.”

The ruler of the world, the Son of Heaven, was originally a being who ruled the earth on behalf of heaven.

They were the ones who conducted the rituals offered to heaven.

“Sososo, don’t mind the ignorant fools. You are the heaven.”

Namgung’s daughter becomes king – the daughter of the Namgung Family becomes king.

“You are the true Son of Heaven, holding the right to conduct the Fengshan ritual, the ceremony where the Emperor offers sacrifices to heaven.”

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Boundless Sky Sword Technique – Flying Star of the Azure Sky

Like a meteor shower drawing arcs across the night sky, the blade drew a clean arc as it advanced.

“What… it really worked?”

Left alone in the garden, Mantian, who had been practicing the basics of the Boundless Sky Sword Technique taught by Sososo, was surprised as he looked at the form he had executed.

It felt like the sword technique suited him well, or perhaps he was in good condition.

He had tried to follow the form Sososo had demonstrated earlier. And succeeded on the first try.

Well… of course, I’m a genius who can even deceive the heavens.

I knew I would succeed, but… I didn’t expect it to be this easy.

It wasn’t just a matter of good compatibility.

When I just watched, I didn’t realize, but when I tried it myself.

Mantian’s amber eyes quietly gazed at the sword reflecting the moonlight.

It felt like… a martial art made for me.

It was like wearing clothes that fit me perfectly.