fire and ice (6)
“… … is it.”
“That’s right.”
It was a spacious but dark secret room.
Although it was a closed room, the air was well-ventilated and humidity was maintained well. The scented candles lit here and there were subtle and put the mind and body at ease.
And in the center of the secret room, there was the emperor.
He looked even more gaunt than before. However, it was only the body, and the eyes, which were full of mysterious majesty, were reminiscent of an abyss with no end in sight.
Yeonwi’s eyes sparkled.
‘That’s amazing.’
How old was the emperor?
Princess Cheonghwa remained alone even as she grew older, but her other children soon married and had children, and those children had children.
An age that has entered the twilight of life. It is said that he has been practicing health techniques that only emperors can master for generations, but it is too late to learn new martial arts.
Nevertheless, a strong fire was felt in the emperor’s body. Although it was small in size, the density of the firearm was amazing. He couldn’t even believe what he was seeing.
The emperor smiled and said, as if he knew what Yeon Wei was thinking.
“Before the head of the Mythology Church left, he gave me a small amount of internal power using his physical strength. “It was only the size of millet, but when I followed that energy and awakened the art of fire purification, it instantly increased in size.”
“I see.”
As expected, there was a reason.
But even taking that into account, it was still great. A spark is just a spark. Whether it becomes a bonfire or a forest fire is entirely a matter of the caster’s abilities.
The emperor had already turned that small spark into a forest fire.
I couldn’t imagine how high I would have reached if I had learned martial arts from a young age with that talent and insight.
“You have become much stronger than before.”
It was not an easy thing to say in front of the emperor. That means it wasn’t strong before.
Even though he was just talking about his physical condition, anything he said could be rude to the Son of Heaven.
The emperor smiled and answered.
“Is that how you see it?”
“That’s right.”
“I guess I’m practicing well. “In fact, my body has become much lighter.”
“But you need to practice deeper.”
“Does it look like that?”
“I don’t know the mechanics of Hwajeongjutsu, but I can clearly see how it moves. Perhaps, once you reach a certain level, you will automatically increase in size without any need to practice.”
“amazing. Your insight is truly amazing. The head of the Shinhwa cult also said so.”
“However, since His Majesty is so outstanding, I think he will be able to enter within the next two or three years.”
“Your words are hard yet soft like honey. “It probably sounds that way because it’s truly for Jim’s sake.”
“I just apologize.”
Yeonwi was not a gentle person to the point of being rude to people even though no one was watching.
The reason such a conversation with the emperor was possible was entirely because the emperor allowed it.
Yan Wei could read the emperor’s loneliness from his words telling him to take it easy when no one is around. The emperor is also a person.
“Anyway, one of them showed up.”
“That’s right.”
The emperor’s eyes were colored with intense majesty, as when he sat on the throne.
“It was beyond my expectations, but I think it was worth it. “They said they were united and aiming for the midfield, but they weren’t truly united.”
“That’s right. “There is no representative among the three to lead all of them, so some people may be dissatisfied with the prolonged situation.”
“I don’t think it’s an evil religion. Looking at the three alone, the most likely one is Gwanghyeol. Because they said it was full of crazy demons. but… … .”
“… … .”
“From what I heard, Cheonghae’s work was completed successfully?”
“That’s right.”
“If they destroyed the Shinmarim tribe because they wanted something, it would mean that they also need their own time. “Then there is only one answer.”
Yeonwi’s eyes sparkled.
“yes. “It is extremely likely that it is a mythological religion.”
“I guess so.”
The emperor smiled.
“I heard it from the religious leader. “My son’s personality is quite eccentric.”
“yes.”
“He is as intelligent as others, but it is difficult to call him outstanding… … It is said that Mujae can discuss historical events, but his character is hot-headed and he cannot escape from a sense of privilege.”
I thought he spoke quite harshly even though he was his own child.
However, Yeonwi was sure that Ki Cheonwoong was not saying that because he hated his children.
Ki Cheon-woong is also a masterpiece. Since he is in a life-or-death situation with his son, he probably knows that it is best to provide accurate information.
“If the Shinhwa cult raised the troops, then it means that, contrary to what the Shinhwa cult leader says, the Saeum cult leader does not completely control the Shinhwa minor cult.”
“I think so too. In some ways, this can be seen as natural. “The Shinhwa Church is not small enough to be swallowed up in one bite by brainwashing even one leader.”
“They say personality is personality, so Shinhwa Sogyo must also have been dissatisfied with the leader of Saeum.”
The emperor stroked his beard.
“My expectations were wrong. “It’s the same with all people’s work.”
“I don’t think it moved just now. “There are parts that are too sudden to make a move without being able to endure the wait.”
“I guess so.”
The emperor stood up.
The series of actions that occurred while sitting cross-legged were as natural as flowing water. The body is moving ideally not because of practicing martial arts on the mother’s side, but because of curing techniques and Hwajeong.
“They must have moved on from the moment Jim’s death became known. “They must have moved it secretly, little by little, so that we wouldn’t notice.”
The emperor chuckled.
“Well, it’s not like I can’t understand. “I couldn’t stand my father’s reign and committed adultery under the influence of a strict man, so it must have been difficult to endure a bomb that would explode right in front of me if I complained.”
“… … .”
“What about the middle-class people?”
The middle class that the emperor was referring to was not only the high-ranking officials, but also the generals of the imperial palace as well as the high-ranking figures of the martial arts group gathered at the palace.
Among them, the ones with the strongest influence were, of course, the figures of Murim. In war, military officers may be better than the martial arts people, but individual martial arts skills cannot catch up with the martial arts people.
Moreover, since the opponents are also people who have honed their martial arts to the limit, the martial people and the imperial palace officers have no choice but to help each other and fight.
“We are gathering together and trying to find a way to deal with it.”
“What is groping? “If we fight, that’s enough.”
It’s a very simple statement, but as the emperor said, there was no reason to think about it in a complicated way in the current situation.
In the end, something exploded.
The war is about to begin.
The first battle in a war is a battle of momentum. People who know the importance of momentum will also know better than anyone else the importance of the first fight.
“The gathered high-ranking civil servants are not able to intervene easily. However, what is important in war is not only military force, but the importance of supply administration is also the center of military operation. “Civilians are thinking about it.”
“Call Taigong Ham.”
In the Tangjin imperial palace, Taegong meant prime minister, and only one person held that position and was silent.
Just as Yang Tian had a White Paper, the emperor had a Taegong. Ham Tae-gong was an old retainer who had assisted the emperor in silence for a long time, and even at the age of over 70, he was a seasoned politician with an intellect superior to that of any young man.
One of the very few people who know that the emperor’s crucian carp is a lie.
Yeonwi bowed and left the place.
How much time has passed?
“Soshin Hameop-oh, I salute your Majesty.”
It was a simplified greeting. The emperor nodded.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and a stooped old man approached at a quick pace.
“To put it bluntly, the Emperor will give the order of Baekgwanjieom (百官之嚴).”
“I accept Your Majesty’s orders.”
The emperor smiled.
“Aren’t you curious?”
“I’m curious.”
“Declare Baekgwanjieom and divert 70% of the palace finances to war funds.”
Ham Taegong’s eyes widened slightly.
But that too for a while.
“In addition, I will urge officials to collect private funds.”
“Can you handle it? “I don’t know how much I’ll pay, but I’m sure we could end up fighting over merit before and after.”
“After the war, I will issue my final decree to the public and dismiss all officials below the level of Jongsam among those who have invested their private money.”
It was a terrifying statement.
Taking action to dismiss all officials below the rank of Jongsam after the war was equivalent to not running the imperial palace properly.
However, the emperor liked Taegong’s decision. Taegong had been assisting him for a long time, so he was able to read the Emperor’s mind better than anyone else.
“It may be detrimental to the new era, but how can the new officials be loyal to the empire?”
“I will do my last duty so that you can step down on your own.”
“Is it possible?”
“It is the fault of our officials that the imperial palace has come to this state. In fact, he should have hung himself and died. “If they were to steal away their personal wealth for the sake of the country and make room for younger students, wouldn’t that be an ideal future for them as well?”
“Even the slightest lack of handling can lead to big trouble.”
“I will bet my luck on this war so that I can see great things with my own eyes.”
This means that a country can become noisy only if it wins the war. If you are defeated, your country will disappear.
The emperor had no doubt that Taegong could do better than anyone else.
Also, Tae-gong himself said that this incident would be the last time he would step down from his official position.
The emperor understood Taegong’s feelings.
“I will recommend you again when you sit on the throne again.”
“Luxin is weak and can no longer serve as your Majesty’s eyes. “Look for those who have more talent than conviction.”
“You can find talented people, but it’s hard to find friends at this age.”
“… … ?!”
“Let’s spend our lives chatting next to me in the tent.”
Moisture filled Ham Taegong’s wrinkled eyes.
The most noble being in the world called himself a friend. It was a moment that proved that I lived a life that had no end even if I died right away.
Taegong did not say such things, saying that he could not become the emperor’s friend when he was just a lowly old man.
“If Lu Xin’s health is still good after the war, I will rest comfortably next to the emperor of the new country.”
“I’m already looking forward to it.”
“Soshin, I’m leaving now.”
“Make it hard.”
A war cannot be won by one person’s heroic actions. Although the presence of one person can overwhelm the world, ultimately winning the war requires the wishes and actions of countless people.
The owner of the Black Emperor is leading a group of super experts and heading north. The Murim Alliance also realized the seriousness of the situation and dispatched thousands of troops, and each of the northern Murim factions completed their preparations for war.
The imperial palace, which was the core of them all, also lifted its financial restrictions, and the various tribes of the central plains became one at this moment.
Intelligence groups from various regions focused their attention on the north, and the various factions remaining in the rear were building barriers from the outside, not knowing where the enemy’s surprise attack would lead.
The midfielder is preparing for the first match step by step.
Across the blizzard-filled northern plains, a fierce enemy begins to burn red-hot flames.
That’s when the two groups started aiming their spear blades at each other’s hearts.
Yeon Ho-jeong entered the imperial palace.
