NOVEL NEXT Chapter 52
Two days later.
In the late night, the sky was enveloped in pitch-black darkness, with even the moonlight failing to twinkle.
On the top floor of an inn, a hidden room not far from the Mo Yong Family, a figure slowly revealed itself.
Someone cloaked entirely in black.
As the figure raised their head, the lantern attached to the ceiling illuminated their face.
A mask.
A mask one would expect to see in a play or a magical performance, perhaps used by performers who change their masks.
The masked figure, clearly without intent to reveal their identity, stood before two men seated beyond a round chair, pausing in front of the chair prepared for them.
[Well, well. To meet the hottest names in the Martial World here.]
A voice that was indiscernible as male or female.
Their tone made it impossible to distinguish whether the speaker was an elder or a youth, but among the two sitting opposite, a middle-aged man stood up, adopting a stance of respect.
“I greet the premier master of the schism, Jolly King. I am Mo Yong-san, the deputy head of the Mo Yong Family.”
[Ah, I see. You sent my unnamed disciple straight to the grave, didn’t you? Hehe.]
The masked figure, Jolly King, turned to the woman following behind him, who blushed and looked away.
It wasn’t embarrassment over being referred to as “unnamed disciple”—someone who had inherited martial arts but wasn’t officially recognized—but rather—
“I can say whatever I want. If I face him again, I can win.”
It was the shame of having lost to Mo Yong-san.
[Really? You came to me, defeated, to learn how to win against that man?]
“Th-that’s…!”
[While I’m indeed curious about that… With such an unexpected face here, we should have a chat.]
Jolly King turned his face towards the young man seated beside Mo Yong-san.
[Should I just reply with “Nice to meet you”? Hehe. I am called Jolly King in the world. Who are you, who emerges from the fortified castle of the Mo Yong Family to face me?]
“I pay my respects to Jolly King.”
The young man stood and performed a respectful bow.
“I am the physician, Seok Muwol.”
* * *
Jolly King made his appearance at the agreed-upon location.
While I couldn’t gauge the level of his martial arts, according to the signal sent by Mo Yong-san, I could somewhat grasp how formidable he was.
‘Indeed, there are so many masters in the world.’
Above the level of Yeocheong, or perhaps even more.
To the naked eye, he appeared merely as an ordinary(?) person in a mask, and when he removed the mask, his original features would reveal the demeanor of a great eunuch closest to power.
However, the level of martial arts he possessed was, as Mo Yong-san’s signal indicated, “transcendent.”
‘What’s known in the world must be flawed or perhaps he’s hiding his power.’
The premier master of the schism.
If we regard the Demon Cult separately from the schism, to be blunt, the true premier of the imperial court could very well be this Jolly King, [Tai Hwan-gong].
[Oh dear, oh dear. Your gaze seems to be evaluating me already.]
Beneath the mask, Tai Hwan-gong’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“I apologize, Jolly King. Being in the habit of examining patients…”
[Patients?]
“Yes.”
[What do you see that makes me a patient?]
Jolly King spread his arms wide and chuckled softly.
[Hehe. It seems the main point is on this side. Alright. Seeing how my unnamed disciple came to me, bowing low and asking to teach him how to win against that man, I’ll grant your wishes.]
Jolly King glanced at Mo Yong-san and waved his hand behind him.
[Set apart the man and the woman so they can engage in a secondary match. This time, it won’t be easy.]
“……!”
[Although he secretly learned my experiences and knowledge, the fact he ‘lost’ is an issue of my pride. Surely, you aren’t going to run away?]
“…If.”
Mo Yong-san stood up and asked.
“If our head once again claims victory, what will happen?”
[Things will go well. If you lose, the story will spread throughout the world. The beautiful flower has finally defeated the mountain. That’s what.]
“……Very well.”
With a stoic expression, Mo Yong-san patted my shoulder and headed outside.
“Follow me. I’ll clearly let you know that even if you try again, the outcome will remain the same.”
“Hmph! This time, it will be different!”
The demoness, Hong Yo-hwa, followed Mo Yong-san outside.
Before leaving, she cast a quick glance at me, revealing a fleeting complex expression, but I simply nodded in acknowledgment.
[Did you perhaps fall for that kid too?]
“I treated the flowers harvested by my disciple to ensure they don’t wither. To speak a bit romantically, I could be said to be the physician who allowed the daughters to thrive and spread in the world without dying.”
[Interesting. You’re insisting you’re still a physician until the end?]
“I appeared as a physician, and I will treat you as such.”
[……Is that confidence coming from your medical skills, or do you know the imperial palace is targeting you? No, it’s not. Indeed, it’s the Sword Saint, isn’t it?]
“It could be said to be all three.”
I promptly pulled out a box.
“I’ll cut to the chase. I present you with an Extreme Yang Reversal. Please collaborate with the Mo Yong Family.”
[…….]
“As you said, wouldn’t it be better if things went smoothly?”
[How cheeky. Do you think someone merely twenty years old is in a position to say such things?]
“Yes. Because I am the cherished son-in-law of Sword Saint Mo Yongcheon and the husband of the First Flower of the Martial World, Mo Yongseol.”
[Ha!]
Jolly King scoffed.
[Is that the source of your arrogance?]
“I am loved by the world’s number one beauty. As a man, where would I find such overflowing confidence other than this?”
[Talking to me like that means you’re aware that the worst situation could arise, right?]
“Yes.”
Unlike others, Jolly King was not one to be trifled with.
Neither the Sword Mistress nor Yeocheong, nor the high-ranking court officials were friendly to our side.
Thus, I could state more definitively.
“Do you, Tai Hwan-gong, have a strong desire for something?”
[…….]
“You must have an inkling about the potential of the Extreme Yang Reversal. No, you probably already know. General Yeocheong must have reported to Tai Hwan-gong.”
[…You’re an interesting brat.]
Clink.
“Even though you came wearing this mask, if you’re trying actively to reveal your identity, it means the situation is about to escalate even further.”
When the mask was removed, an elderly man with a stern expression, as if frost had settled on his eyebrows, revealed his face.
“Well, to be honest, I already knew. If it were another person’s gathering, I wouldn’t have taken it off for anything, but it’s a gathering summoned through the national hero, so how could I hide my identity?”
The elder, Tai Hwan-gong, chuckled and straightened his back.
“Son-in-law of the Sword Saint. Should I take a guess? The substance behind the Extreme Yang Reversal.”
“Please tell me.”
“It’s a concoction made by mixing appropriate herbs with your blood. It’s the ultimate remedy unlike the great elixir of the Shaolin.”
“Correct. And this Extreme Yang Reversal can also ‘regenerate from nothing.'”
“…….”
Tai Hwan-gong closed his eyes.
“General Yeocheong has become capable of conceiving. Tai Hwan-gong, I will give you the Extreme Yang Reversal….”
“Wrong.”
Tai Hwan-gong shook his head slowly.
“While the Sword Saint may be so, you have a huge misunderstanding.”
“…….”
“Does it seem I could easily be swayed by this Extreme Yang Reversal?”
“…… Frankly speaking, it’s disconcerting to hear someone who is at the core of power and closer to the color black than gray say that.”
It wasn’t something I was ignorant of.
Even General Yeocheong wished to cure her infertility, but had become more maternal, which wasn’t exactly a side effect.
“Let me tell you. What I desire is the peace of this country.”
“……Excuse me?”
“Is it funny that a great court official, often deemed obsessed with wealth and power, suddenly speaks like a loyal minister?”
“Oh, no, it’s not that….”
“You’re right. But I mean it sincerely. The reason I ascended to the position of grand court official is that I grew disgusted watching how eunuchs rattle the imperial family and harm the country from within. So, out of frustration, I took matters into my own hands, and here I am.”
Tai Hwan-gong shrugged.
“If you wish to heal a patient’s affliction as a physician, I am someone wanting to eliminate the tumor of the imperial family as a bureaucrat. It’s just… I had merely stepped in when I had made up my mind.”
“…….”
“However, your assumption isn’t entirely wrong. If I don’t wish it, it’s possible to bestow this ‘miracle’ onto another.”
Tai Hwan-gong leaned forward seriously, extending the box holding the Extreme Yang Reversal towards me.
“The moment you hand this to me, great chaos will ensue across the entire country. Are you alright with that?”
“What kind of chaos?”
“First.”
Tai Hwan-gong looked at me seriously as he continued.
“The Emperor will suddenly pass away, and a new emperor will rise to the throne.”
“……?”
“It’s not through assassination or anything like that. From now on, it’s a secret. You mustn’t speak of it even to your wife; it’s a secret between men.”
Tai Hwan-gong murmured softly with his lips.
-The Emperor wishes to step down and live a new life.
“…….”
-I bear a responsibility.
Tai Hwan-gong said with a wry smile.
-For forcibly putting a boy who simply liked to draw flowers onto the throne.