Chapter 383: I Told You to Go Have Some Fun, Didn’t I? (13)

A sudden confession attack.

Qing replied.

“I don’t want to.”

“This is outrageous. Why not?”

At that, Unaram let out a shriek.

“Because!! Obviously!! You’re both women!! How utterly!!! Indeeeecent!!!”

Qing, whose hearing was sensitive, furrowed her brows.

It was a new personal best for Unaram’s max volume.

But Nayangyeol remained unfazed.

“Lady Ximen is a disciple of the Sect of Divine Maidens, isn’t she? You’re not unfamiliar with affection between women. Ah—could it be you already have a beloved? Oh my, don’t tell me—the two of you!”

“Eh?”

“What! Big Sister!? You—you were looking at me! Looking at me like that this whole time!? I—I, well!”

Unaram turned red and averted her gaze.

“Big Sister, if you could just give me a bit of time, then, um, of course I respect you as deeply as the mountains, but if you truly wish for it...”

Qing’s eyebrows arced sharply.

“Nope. You’re not even my type, Naram.”

“Is it because my skin isn’t pale—”

“Oh, come on. Why are you digging a hole all of a sudden? Don’t turn me into a Han supremacy nut out of nowhere. And anyway, Naram’s skin is beautiful.”

Han supremacy is a dangerous ideology that views Han Chinese as the rightful rulers of the Central Plains, deeming all others as barbarians or lesser apes.

Of course, since people have long lived together, intermarried, and embraced the idea of we are all the Central Plains, it’s a belief steadily losing traction.

Still, for some reason, Qing’s homeland was ruled by a cruel Han supremacist who clung to the throne for ages and conducted ethnic cleansing for a “pure” Central Plains.

That paranoid lunatic even erased the Manchu qipao from all stories, labeling it as “foreign garb” and replacing it with Han traditional clothing.

In any case, Unaram’s eyes grew moist.

“Big Sister! Of course! You possess such a weighty! Massive! Boundless bosom! That capacity! That generosity! Even for such indecent things! If it’s you, Big Sister!! Though I’m an unworthy body! Please take care of meeeee!!!”

SMAK!!

With a sound like chestnuts exploding in a brazier, Unaram clutched her head and rolled across the floor.

Qing had tried to hold back her nuclear strike out of respect for her elder. But that foolish Aunt Naram just had to summon disaster upon herself.

Qing sighed deeply as she watched Unaram roll on the floor, screaming, and then turned her eyes to Nayangyeol.

Despite witnessing the tragic aftermath of that nuclear warhead, Nayangyeol was all smiles, gazing fondly at Qing.

“Miss Na? Whether it’s a man or a woman, who would nod at a marriage proposal the first time they meet someone?”

“But I’ve already fallen for you.”

“You don’t even know what kind of person I am.”

“I used to think that too. But even just seeing Lady Ximen’s face makes me feel happy. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at you for a thousand years. Isn’t my face saying it all?”

It was. Nayangyeol’s expression was practically shouting, I’m happy.

Unlike the fanatics from Qing’s homeland who claimed happiness while seething with fury, this was the real deal—a genuine look of bliss.

“Then Lady Ximen, how about we take it slow and get to know each other?”

“Someone who says ‘let’s get married’ after seeing just a face? What happens when you see someone prettier than me? You’ll bolt.”

“No. That won’t happen.”

Nayangyeol firmly rejected Qing’s suggestion.

Then added:

“Because no woman in this world is more beautiful than Lady Ximen.”

Which, of course, did not actually deny the idea that she’d run off if someone prettier existed.

Qing just let out a heavy sigh and shook her head.

“Dear heavens, Lady Ximen, did you know? Even that look of yours—as if you’re staring at some pathetic beast—is beautiful. How is it that you only grow more captivating the more I see you?”

“...You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

****

If one enters another’s home, it is proper etiquette to greet the host.

And if the city is governed by a prince of royal blood, then the entire city is essentially his home.

So Jayu did just that.

“Elder Su Si, it’s been a long time. It feels like just yesterday when you used to entertain me at the Eastern Palace. Isn’t this what they call the cruelty of time?”

“You were at least cute back then.”

“Yes. You doted on me quite a bit.”

A flicker of wistfulness crossed the prince’s face.

A timid and delicate man to one might be a warm presence to another.

Especially so to a little brother fourteen years his junior—which was part of why Jayu had grown lax in his duties as escort during undercover missions.

“There are too many ears for reminiscing about palace life.”

“Ah. Let me introduce someone. This is...”

Jayu gestured to the old servant on his right, then paused, a smile slowly spreading across his lips.

“The old man who waits on me. Incidentally, he’s a top-tier martial master.”

“Your Highness.”

“And this is the old woman who serves me. Also a peak-level martial artist.”

“This lowly one greets Your Highness.”

One ultra-level servant here, another ultra-level there, then a top-tier master attending, and another... and another...

“That’s enough. Why are your feet still on the ground? Why must you open your mouth to speak?”

In other words: why are you still standing upright when you’ve got so many people serving you? Why not just make them talk for you too?

“Originally, I meant to introduce about five more people, but we were ambushed by bandits on the way. Curiously, these bandits were clad in silk robes, some even in armor and equipped with repeating crossbows. Truly, what a terrifying world we live in.”

“Hm.”

“So naturally, in such dangerous times, isn’t it only right to prepare some means of self-defense? As they say, self-discipline is the foundation of all things. That’s why I plan to study martial arts.”

At that, Prince Su Si’s eyes widened in shock.

Imperial royalty must not learn martial arts.

To be exact, male royalty—aside from the Emperor—were forbidden from learning martial arts.

There wasn’t a deep reason. It was simply because they might pose a threat to the throne.

Royal women, not in line for succession, were sometimes taught things like the Divine Maiden Techniques for self-defense.

So when it came to combat, princesses always outmatched princes—one reason Jayu got beaten up by Yeonsul as a child.

In short, Jayu saying he would learn martial arts was basically a declaration of treason.

“Deokhyeon...”

“Elder Su Si. We can’t rely on someone’s mercy forever, can we? Isn’t it terrifying? One day, you wake up and think, ‘Hmm, should I kill my brother today?’ Or maybe, ‘I’m bored. Let’s strangle a brother for fun.’ That’s the life we live—where one whim takes your life.”

“Isn’t that the price of noble blood? This luxurious palace, this life of splendor others envy—it’s all a life lived with a blade hanging above your bed.”

“How long will you let that blade hang before you go to sleep?”

“So what are you saying? Are you really suggesting rebellion?”

Jayu let out a long sigh.

“I’m not saying we should change who sits on the throne. But if a sword dangles overhead, we should at least wear a helmet. If someone tries to kill us, we should at least have the thorns to bite back a finger.”

“Thoughts like that... That kind of self-preservation is what led to the chaos of the Spring and Autumn Period, the Three Kingdoms, the Sixteen Kingdoms of the Jin Dynasty, the Ten Kingdoms of the Tang’s end. It’s how wars that drowned the world in blood began. The heavens made the imperial bloodline to rule the world—should we be the ones to spill that blood?”

“Elder Brother, I never blamed you. Even though this younger brother was attacked by bandits, crossed the threshold of the underworld and returned, and even received an invitation to the banquet of Hongmun. I didn’t want to blame you for doing what you had to do to survive. Because I did the same.”

A clear look of guilt appeared on Prince Su Si’s face.

Trying to kill his own brother to survive—when they didn’t face each other, it might be forgotten, but facing Jayu now, the shame hit fresh.

“...I’m sorry.”

“When I think about it, you really did care for me when I was little, didn’t you?”

“It wasn’t much.”

“Then let me repay that kindness now. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your adorable sons could rest and recuperate in the peaceful lands of Sichuan? Especially as one has become a lord—it’s good to train, but even generals need rest.”

“Deokhyeon...”

“And when I saw martial artists, I wondered: does such divine study truly exist? Men flying like birds, slicing boulders with a single sword... It’s like a sage’s art. I may have missed my chance, but your sons could have a shot at something even greater.”

Hand them over.

I’m going to teach your kids martial arts.

Prince Su Si’s face went pale.

“Deokhyeon, do you really have to go that far?”

“Brother, I have to survive. But I’m not just trying to save myself. I want us all to live. Let’s be honest. You really think that bastard’s going to let you live just because you’re stuck in this backwater?”

“If killing or sparing me makes no difference, maybe he’ll forget me. He never could focus on more than one thing at a time.”

“If you’re useful for that ‘one thing,’ he’ll kill you in a heartbeat. I sent a letter about what happened in Sichuan. The bastard tried to poison me just to make it look like a martial artist attacked. You think he won’t come for you next?”

Prince Su Si’s face darkened.

Eventually, he sighed deeply.

“Leave my sons alone. They’re your nephews too, aren’t they? If you still feel any affection, let them be. I’ll learn martial arts myself instead.”

“I still clearly remember all the good you did for me, Brother. And I’m still grateful. But between Sichuan and here, which place is safer?”

“But if I learn martial arts too, isn’t that outright treason?”

“Look at reality. Just because you’re royalty doesn’t mean you’re protected. The army’s far away. When the blades come swinging, you’ve got no way to guard yourself. And yes, I really do think martial arts are amazing. At the very least, you should have a way to escape with your life.”

Prince Su Si slowly shook his head.

“So... you’re saying you actually have a reliable way to protect yourself?”

“I’ve got a powder field. It’s had a good yield. Already over 80,000 geun (48 metric tons) harvested.”

At that, Prince Su Si looked utterly appalled.

“You... you really are a traitor.”

“Well, just leave the nephews to me, and you take care of yourself. Hmm... first, you should root out the spies in your palace and maybe bring in a few new retainers.”

Suddenly, Qing flashed in Jayu’s mind.

If someone has shown you kindness, you have to return the favor.

“Among martial artists, the ones called Righteous Sects seem fairly reliable. The Golden Guard or those damn eunuchs might try something, so raise a few and put them to good use. They value honor like it’s worth its weight in gold—they should be easy to handle.”

****

“What!? What did you say!? Say that again! SPEAK!”

The “Flying Tiger of Hyeju,” Sahun—cool nickname, sure, but Hyeju County wasn’t exactly some bustling metropolis.

She was the kind of martial artist the true masters liked to joke about, calling her the best in the village.

Of course, to real experts, she was just a laughingstock.

But to amateurs, she was untouchable. Which was why the Black Bear Battalion warrior was trembling.

“I-It was just a friendly get-together, but suddenly some woman launched a sneak attack—yes! An assassin! It had to be an assassin! There’s no way a lowly traveling performer could be that strong—”

Smack!

The warrior’s cheek snapped to the side.

You’re not a fool anymore at fifty-five.

The moment she heard that story, she immediately knew what had happened.

These idiot bastards must’ve tried to mess with a traveling performer. And of course, that performer turned out to be a top-class expert.

No matter how much you warn them—don’t mess with kids, women, or old-timers in the martial world—they never listen.

“Was it a theater troupe, or just a solo performer?”

“P-Performer, it was a performer—”

Smack!

Another slap. The warrior’s face jerked sideways again.

“So you got your ass handed to you by a single woman? And you’re the only one who made it back?”

“T-There were others!”

The warrior scrambled to explain himself, suddenly grasping for any excuse that might work.

“It—it was the Face Veiled Woman! Yes! It was the Heavenly Flower Sword! The Heavenly Flower Sword hired assassins to launch the attack and killed my comrades!”