Chapter 122

The assassination attempt at the Yi Royal Residence couldn’t be quietly buried like the Martial Alliance elder’s assassination. The political repercussions were too significant, and Namgung Woo had stirred up too much trouble.

“With all the thunder and lightning in the middle of the night… everyone south of Naksu saw it,” said Woo Myeon, the Martial Alliance’s chief administrator, with a troubled expression.

“Ah, I’m not complaining. As the Martial Alliance’s chief administrator, I’m grateful you stopped this. If that Heavenly Rain Sword guy had actually assassinated the Yi King… it would’ve been a disaster.”

Woo Myeon, despite being the son of a rebel who dethroned the emperor, had never considered killing the emperor himself. If Seomun Pyo had succeeded, both the Martial Alliance and the Imperial Family might have been sent hurtling off a cliff with no way to stop it.

But since it failed, the Alliance Leader and the Yi King could now sit down and discuss how to handle the situation. Woo Myeon let out a deep sigh of relief.

Namgung Woo, momentarily ignoring the private meeting between the Alliance Leader and the Yi King upstairs, asked, “What about Seomun Pyo’s autopsy?”

“I was just about to report that. A more detailed examination will take time, even with skilled coroners and sorcerers, but we’ve figured out how he committed suicide.”

Namgung Woo had gone to great lengths to subdue Seomun Pyo to prevent him from killing himself. Yet, Seomun Pyo still managed to do it, using a method even Namgung Woo, with his Azure Tranquility Eyes, couldn’t comprehend.

“The coroners couldn’t find a clear cause, but the sorcerers suspect it might’ve been soul separation using his primordial spirit,” Woo Myeon explained.

“Soul separation? So Seomun Pyo might still be alive?”

“No, the opposite. It’s more likely that the already dead Seomun Pyo was being controlled by someone else’s primordial spirit.”

“A soul swap…”

“That’s the current theory. The Alliance Leader didn’t notice anything off about Seomun Pyo because he didn’t know the original Seomun Pyo well enough to spot the differences.”

Gakwon, the Martial Alliance Leader, had been somewhat distant from the martial world recently. Seomun Pyo had made a name for himself during that time.

‘Why couldn’t Azure Tranquility Eyes see it? Is the primordial spirit beyond its scope? Or was it protected by some means?’ Namgung Woo pondered, deciding to discuss this further with the sorcerers handling the autopsy.

“What about the Seomun Family?” Namgung Woo asked.

“The Martial Alliance and the government will jointly investigate. If Seomun Pyo was indeed used, we might let it slide. But if evidence shows the Seomun Family actively cooperated…”

It would mean their annihilation.

The Imperial Family, already sensitive due to their recent weakening, might use this to assert their dominance, possibly even framing them for treason.

“For now, it’s best to stay quiet about the Seomun Family,” Woo Myeon advised.

As the Martial Alliance’s chief administrator, Woo Myeon was closer to the White Path Martial World than the Imperial Family. He hoped the Seomun Family could prove their innocence and remain under the Martial Alliance’s protection.

“Ah, the private meeting seems to be over. I can hear voices,” Woo Myeon noted.

Soon after, a Whispering Transmission reached Namgung Woo’s eardrum.

[Please come up.]

“I should go now.”

“Alone?”

“Seems so.”

§

When Namgung Woo entered the 5th-floor Alliance Leader’s room, the atmosphere between Gakwon and Ju Si-yeol had relaxed somewhat. It seemed their discussion had gone smoothly.

“I called you, Changcheon Daeju, to discuss compensation for this incident and future matters,” Ju Si-yeol said.

The position of Martial Alliance Leader held significant power, but Gakwon, who respected the Imperial Family’s authority, let Ju Si-yeol speak first.

“Honestly, the compensation I can offer might not be of much use to you,” Ju Si-yeol said, his tone somewhat somber.

“I can’t grant power without the Emperor’s approval, and at your level, my personal martial arts manuals or elixirs might not be of much use. Offering money would be too insincere.”

Namgung Woo thought that would be more than enough. He could extract useful parts from the manuals or use the elixirs for other purposes.

Instead, Ju Si-yeol decided to offer something of great value.

“I’ve been thinking about how to repay this life debt… How about raising a Spirit Beast?”

“A Spirit Beast?”

“Yes. With the Ghost Gate open and demons appearing everywhere, Spirit Beasts have also started to show themselves. They’re rare, but I can offer you one.”

Namgung Woo had heard of Spirit Beasts but never seen one. He’d seen the even rarer Black Ghost Gate, but rumors of Spirit Beasts were scarce.

Ju Si-yeol was offering such a rare creature as a reward.

‘Well… as a royal, especially one with a princely title, getting a Spirit Beast or two wouldn’t be a big deal.’

A genuine Spirit Beast guaranteed by a prince. No need to doubt it. Even if it were fake, Ju Si-yeol would likely offer even greater compensation to save face.

Namgung Woo’s curiosity was piqued.

“What kind of Spirit Beast is it? Something famous like a Saryeong?”

“Haha, I’m glad you’re interested. I’ll keep it a surprise for when you see it.”

“Very well…”

Namgung Woo nodded, feeling a bit awkward for showing too much excitement.

Ju Si-yeol, reassured by Namgung Woo’s reaction, felt more at ease. Han Gyeran’s initial vetting aside, his niece’s marriage was still a significant matter.

“Ahem, have you contacted the Grand Elder?”

“Grand Elder?”

“Ah, you might not know the term. In the Imperial Family, we refer to the Empress Dowager as the Grand Elder.”

“You mean Haedong Mubi.”

“Some call her that.”

Namgung Woo understood who he meant but didn’t see why Ju Si-yeol was asking him.

Recalling the past, Namgung Woo briefly considered if something had happened between him and Han Gyeran but quickly dismissed the thought.

‘No way.’

The Imperial Family had already wiped the slate clean with the Netherworld Horn. They wouldn’t offer him a royal marriage now.

“I haven’t contacted her separately…”

“You should. I heard you met Jihyang. How was she? Not just because she’s my niece…”

“Yi King, please let this old monk speak.”

“Ah… Master. My apologies. I got carried away. If you’re discussing Alliance matters, I’ll take my leave.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Changcheon Daeju, I’ll send someone later. Or perhaps we can watch the next Martial Duel together.”

With that, Ju Si-yeol left.

As Namgung Woo prepared for his private meeting with Gakwon, the atmosphere in the room grew tense.

“Nam Si-ju.”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember what I said before?”

“About what?”

“The letter from the Jegal Family head, where I said I’d deny you three times. One was disbelief at your martial achievements at such a young age. The other two, I still don’t know. Do you remember?”

“Ah, yes. I remember now.”

“I think I’ve figured out one more.”

Gakwon’s eyes were filled with melancholy.

It was a longing for an old friend and self-reproach for failing to protect that friend.

The emotions he felt upon seeing Namgung Sol weighed heavily on him.

“When I saw the changes in Sol’s martial arts, I initially thought she learned them from you. After all, I have no expertise in martial arts for women.”

Shaolin was a male-only sect.

Despite its reputation, Shaolin had no martial arts tailored for women.

So Gakwon hadn’t recognized the exact nature of Namgung Sol’s martial arts.

“But I do know sword techniques that manipulate Thunder Qi. My old friend used them occasionally. That made me see Sol’s new martial arts differently. They resembled my friend’s techniques.”

This realization filled Gakwon with guilt.

Guilt for forgetting the techniques of a once-close friend.

“Did you take Sol in out of pity? Or because, like some say, you fell for her? Or was it because you, too, are hiding a name like hers?”

§

Upon returning to the Yi Royal Residence, Ju Si-yeol was immediately ambushed by Princess Jihyang, who had been eagerly awaiting his return.

“Uncle! How could you go alone? That’s so mean!”

“I had no choice. I couldn’t be sure the Martial Alliance was safe. I couldn’t take you there.”

“Then you could’ve gone with that… person.”

“That’s also difficult. I’ve already relied heavily on Changcheon Daeju’s power. Reaching out further would harm the Yi Royal Residence’s reputation. If the Martial Alliance truly harbors ill intentions, going alone was the best way to uncover their true motives.”

As a prince, Ju Si-yeol was prepared to die to uncover the Martial Alliance’s true intentions.

Princess Jihyang, seeing a side of Ju Si-yeol she’d never seen before, stiffened.

The weight of being a royal.

It was something Princess Jihyang, who had grown up loved by all, still struggled to fully understand.

“And I met him.”

“Huh? Who?”

“Don’t play dumb. That person. Changcheon Daeju. I decided to give him the Cheongdangon. It’s a cheap price for a life.”

“What?! You promised that to me!”

Princess Jihyang jumped up and down, recalling the adorable creature she’d seen at the Yi Royal Residence.

“I had no choice. It was the only thing I could offer Changcheon Daeju. And what does it matter? In time, what’s his will be yours, and what’s yours will be his.”

From what he’d seen today, Ju Si-yeol wasn’t too concerned.

What did it matter?

What mattered was the Imperial Family’s will.

If the Imperial Family wanted it, it would happen.

Even if not now, eventually, it would.