Chapter 171

“From now on, just trust me!”

Princess Jihyang pounded her chest proudly, brimming with confidence.

Beijing. And the Forbidden City.

For Jihyang, it was the place where she had lived for nearly 20 years, her home and front yard.

Though she didn’t know every nook and cranny of Beijing, she knew secret places that ordinary people would never know about.

Like the hidden spots where the imperial family sneaked out for leisure or their secret contacts.

However, Jegal Seon-a poured cold water on Jihyang’s excitement.

“Um… Wouldn’t Lady Man Gwibi also know about the places you know, Your Highness? The Imperial Guards have already crossed over…”

“Since we came in the imperial carriage, it’s impossible to hide anyway.”

When Paeng Ha-ryeong added her piece, Jihyang had no room to argue and sank into silence.

But by Jihyang’s side was her sharp friend and maid, Yang Se-rim.

“Regardless, the princess’s presence is significant. No matter how powerful Seochang is, the fact that the princess is here will limit their range of activities.”

Even if Seochang’s power seems invincible, there are still people they have to be cautious of.

The Seonghwa Emperor. Messing with his sister would be a gamble that could risk the very existence of Seochang.

Jihyang is essentially a walking anti-corruption totem.

“Isn’t it the Inviolability of Officials and Martial Artists? Since the Ghost Gate incident, the Prohibition of Crossing Boundaries has been strengthened, hasn’t it?”

“Of course, man. This is Beijing. Beijing.”

Yang Kwae, usually the sharp younger brother, took this moment to scold his occasionally clueless sibling.

Beijing is the imperial family’s backyard.

No matter how skilled martial artists are, they can’t even utter the word “Inviolability” within Beijing.

Especially after the chaos caused by Yi Ja-ryong, the Imperial Guards conduct random inspections at the slightest suspicion.

“But is it okay for our identities to be exposed like this?”

Changcheon Pavilion’s goal is to track Dongbang Hwa. If their location is exposed, Dongbang Hwa might hide deeper or flee, as Geumshin pointed out.

“That’s unavoidable. Our reputation has already grown immensely, and with over thirty people moving, it’s extremely difficult to hide our location.”

With six people, maybe. But with Jegal Seon-a, Jihyang, and Yang Se-rim added, nearly forty people are moving around. Hiding is impossible.

Knowing this, Ju Si-yeol simply gave them the imperial carriage. And being exposed isn’t entirely disadvantageous.

“Perhaps the Yi Royal Residence wanted to pressure Lady Man Gwibi by announcing the arrival of the Great Master. A Peerless Master is a deterrent in themselves.”

A Peerless Master is the pinnacle of irrationality.

Beings who far surpass the limits of human strength. The pressure they exert naturally makes others cautious.

Yang Kwae, slightly annoyed, asked Jegal Seon-a, “If they know the danger of a Peerless Master so well, why did they try to brush off the captain last time?”

“They trust their status.”

As a daughter of the Paeng Family, who had been subjected to imperial interference, Paeng Ha-ryeong understood their mindset.

“No matter how dangerous someone is, they can’t harm us. That’s their arrogance. They know martial artists are strong, but they’re just martial artists, after all.”

Paeng Ha-ryeong’s blatant disdain for the officials made Jegal Seon-a nervous.

“Ha-ryeong… The princess is here…”

“Oh, was that unpleasant for the precious princess of the Forbidden City?”

A blatantly provocative remark.

Though many think Paeng Ha-ryeong is gentle because she’s with Namgung Woo, never forget she’s from the Paeng Family.

The Paeng Family doesn’t shy away from challenges. They’re the embodiment of boldness. Even Paeng Ha-ryeong, raised relatively refined by the family’s black sheep Paeng Ja-ryeong, inherited that spirit.

But her opponent was no less formidable.

“No. In fact, I quite like what you said.”

Descendants of the Hongwu Emperor, who ended the chaotic era, and the Yongle Emperor, who overturned extreme adversity to seize the throne.

Jihyang stood tall, unflinching, and responded to Paeng Ha-ryeong.

“There’s a saying, isn’t there? Scholars can be ruder than martial artists because their heads won’t split open.”

Paeng Ha-ryeong’s eyes widened as if she’d been hit by a direct blow.

Jihyang smiled slyly and said, “We might have more in common than we think, sister.”

“Sister…?”

As Paeng Ha-ryeong faltered, Namgung Woo, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

“Anyway, we don’t have the luxury to leisurely wander around Beijing. I’ll probably be summoned into the Forbidden City soon.”

If the pressure is enough to act as a deterrent, some might act rashly.

Empress Dowager Ju would want to summon Namgung Woo as soon as possible.

The pretext could be as simple as escorting Jihyang, who had gone on a “trip” to the Yi Royal Residence.

If that doesn’t work, they could bring up the recent Beijing chaos.

No matter what tricks Lady Man Gwibi and Seochang try, it’s useless. Empress Dowager Ju and Han Gyeran are the only ones who could bend even the emperor’s will.

Empress Dowager Ju, the emperor’s mother, and Han Gyeran, who protected the emperor during the bloody struggle for the throne. Their names alone could make the Seonghwa Emperor yield. A mere official’s opposition wouldn’t stand a chance.

Though the Beijing officials might believe even a Peerless Master couldn’t touch them, if that Peerless Master has solid backing and justification, the situation reverses.

Empress Dowager Ju and Han Gyeran have that justification. As the elders of the imperial family, even those who arrogantly looked down on martial artists would have to acknowledge Namgung Woo’s presence.

This would make those trying to curry favor with Lady Man Gwibi or her allies hesitate.

“But Changcheon Pavilion can’t all go. At most, three or four. I’ll decide who goes.”

Namgung Woo’s announcement was unilateral.

“Geumshin, Yang Jeong, So Un-pyeong. These three will come with me. If limited to three, Yang Jeong will stay.”

These were the ones Namgung Woo and Namgung Baek had carefully selected.

With Namgung Woo’s sheer power, including another top master would be a waste of manpower.

So Un-pyeong, the fastest in Changcheon Pavilion, and Geumshin, a former monk, were chosen.

Paeng Ha-ryeong and Jegal Seon-a didn’t insist on going this time.

“Elder, please take charge of Changcheon Pavilion with the other captains.”

“As you wish.”

“Nam Pungjo, investigate Dongbang Hwa separately, but avoid friction.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Finally, Namgung Woo’s gaze turned to Myorin.

Specifically, to Myorin and Heo Ryeo-mun, who were researching spells together.

“Senior, I have a separate request for you.”

The safe houses Myorin knew about Yi Ja-ryong.

Though the imperial family likely investigated after the chaos, and it’s uncertain if the sites were preserved, Heo Ryeo-mun might find something.

The problem is that Yi Ja-ryong and Dongbang Hwa have no direct connection.

If Dongbang Hwa is connected to the Beonse Sect as Namgung Woo suspects, it’s a two-step relationship: Yi Ja-ryong – Beonse Sect – Dongbang Hwa.

But Heo Ryeo-mun joined them solely to eliminate Dongbang Hwa.

Namgung Woo worried Heo Ryeo-mun might not be interested in investigating Yi Ja-ryong, but Heo Ryeo-mun nodded readily.

“I’ve been wanting to see what kind of man this Yi Ja-ryong is. The Wudang Sect couldn’t catch him for decades. Taking a detour now won’t hurt.”

“Thank you.”

This was the last meeting before entering Beijing.

And just as Namgung Woo expected, someone from the imperial family came that very day.

§

Entering the Forbidden City was Namgung Woo’s second time. The first was more towards the rear mountain, Manse Mountain, but Manse Mountain is still part of the Forbidden City.

However, for Geumshin and So Un-pyeong, who were entering the Forbidden City for the first time, the strange sensation it gave was hard to adjust to.

For those who haven’t trained in martial arts, it might not be noticeable. But for those who’ve trained their Lower and Middle Dantians to the peak, the unnatural energy flow within the Forbidden City was strongly felt.

If they were at the Transcendent Peak, they could adapt to this alien sensation, but for the two of them, it was still difficult.

“This… I can understand why the Forbidden City is called a fortress.”

“…Great Master, I apologize, but choosing me might have been a mistake. Here, even if I run, I’ll only manage half of what I can outside.”

Their voices were drowned out by the energy waves Namgung Woo emitted.

Contrary to Namgung Woo’s expectation of meeting the emperor upon entering the Forbidden City, they were immediately guided to Empress Dowager Ju’s residence.

There, three people awaited them.

The only familiar face to Namgung Woo, Han Gyeran, and beside her, a woman who looked older but was actually younger, Empress Dowager Ju.

Lastly, a boy sitting next to Empress Dowager Ju.

Surprisingly, it was the boy who spoke first.

“Are you the new guards who’ve arrived this time?”