◈Episode 728.
Invisible Eyes (3)
It was dark inside the oxbow.
The lights were on in ornate candlesticks, but apart from the small windows near the ceiling, there wasn’t much sunlight coming in.
Tsutsutsu.
It was a strange sight.
Smoke that was almost invisible to the eye surrounded the entire ox palace. It seemed as if an unknown incense was burning. The subtle, non-overwhelming scent made me feel relaxed both mentally and physically.
Three people walked to the center of the red carpet and knelt politely.
And in front of them.
There was a vague shape of a woman behind dark colored feet. Even if it wasn’t, the shadows seemed to sway according to the flickering candlelight inside the dark interior.
Doban, standing at the entrance, said with all his might.
“Doban, the head of the Northern Army belonging to the General Military Department, be careful in front of the noble person who looks down on the world with his heavenly eyes, which is supreme, loving, and wise….” “
Stop.”
Doban’s words trailed off.
A languid yet clear voice came from behind my feet.
“Even though the imperial palace’s etiquette is strict, this is not an official occasion. Rest in peace, Bukcheonjang.”
“I accept the orders of Her Majesty the Empress.”
Doban got up and stood politely next to the pillar.
Peng Wugang’s eyes lit up.
‘That’s amazing.’
I was embarrassed because I felt a strange tinge in the voice of the empress, who was called the mother of the empire.
But now the voice coming from behind my feet was different from before. The rich base remained the same, but the intense majesty within it was weighing down on the shoulders of the audience with the elegance of a hostess of a country.
‘It would be natural since she is the emperor’s royal family and the head of one of the groups that divides the power of the imperial palace….’
Empress Tang Jin was much younger than the emperor, who was over 1,000 years old. This was because he was his new wife after his previous wife died of illness.
Twenty years ago, she ascended to the throne of empress at the age of seventeen.
At such a young age, he began to build his own power in the imperial palace, and proudly divided the imperial palace power, so it was clear that he was a man who was difficult to find. Whatever the situation, he is definitely not someone to be taken lightly.
“It’s you.”
“….”
“Baekdo, a political sect who takes on the role of a weakened government official in the martial arts world where robbers run amok. “He is the head of one of the countless martial arts families, so of course he is not an ordinary person.”
Peng Wugang and Zhuge Zhenyan could not help but be embarrassed.
Has the power of the government weakened? That is clear.
However, the Empress herself acknowledged it. Whatever the intention, it was not something that would come out easily.
“One was said to be the head of the Peng family in Hebei, which was close to the imperial palace, and the other was said to be the head of the Yan family, called the Hyeop family in Jiangdong, far away.”
“….”
“And the remaining one is a descendant of the Zhuge clan, the lucky dragon of Yongzhong.”
There was a hint of laughter in the Empress’s voice.
“I guess you could say it had its own excuse. “It took a lot of hard work to get here.”
The three people bowed their heads even more deeply.
The Empress said with a smile.
“It seems like the provincial government said not to open your mouth until given orders.”
“….”
“Even if you are the hostess of a country, what is the meaning of such courtesy when you are summoned to express your regrets to the leaders of a powerful country? “Look at it comfortably and speak at your convenience.”
“Here comes the Emperor.”
The three people straightened their backs.
There was a moment of silence.
“That’s amazing.”
The smile disappeared from the Empress’s voice.
“They say everyone’s eyes are different. But I thought it was just a feeling, but you are different. They all have an extraordinary glow in their eyes. So much so that anyone can see it clearly.”
“….”
“I have never seen such intense eyes from any military officer or civil servant in the palace. I’m really curious. “What great people you are.”
Peng Wugang lowered his head and said.
“We are just penmen who live with both feet on a single blade.”
“It is said that rituals are proportional. “It’s okay to not be so humble.”
Peng Wugang’s face became awkward.
The Empress spoke in a slightly calm voice.
“I heard that some of the palace’s civil servants have deep ties to the Murim Alliance.”
“….”
“I’m sure you already know why he called you.”
“That’s right.”
“If you already know something about the situation here, there’s no need to waste time talking nonsense.”
The Empress sighed softly.
The hazy smoke seemed to subtly sway along with her sighs.
“We want you to help us.”
There were countless emotions and meanings contained in short and concise words.
After those words, the Empress did not open her mouth. Waiting for the three people’s answers.
There was a bit of silence.
Doban’s eyes, standing next to him, became increasingly cold.
‘These guys.’
The hostess of Ilguk was asking for help. In fact, the words are a request for help, but if they are spoken directly by a noble person, it is no exaggeration to say that they are an order.
No matter how weakened the power of the country is, the orders of the emperor and empress are absolute. If I asked for help, it would have been right to bow my head and say I would.
‘Words are only partisan and white, but the martial people ignore the authority of the imperial palace. ‘What a bunch of ruthless people!’
At that time, Yeonwi opened her mouth.
“Since you told me to speak comfortably, I would like to open my mouth openly.”
“Misunderstandings between each other should not be allowed to arise due to useless etiquette. “You can do it Kang-ho’s way, so speak comfortably.”
“From what I have heard, power in the imperial palace is currently divided between Her Majesty’s maternal relatives and the eunuch forces centered around the Crown Prince Wuheon.”
For a moment, a light of anger appeared in Doban’s eyes.
“Look!”
At that time, the Empress spoke in a sharp voice.
“If you interfere one more time, the provincial government will kick you out of here.”
“Your Majesty!”
“It was Jim who wanted an honest and honest conversation. Also, what I said about breaking away from etiquette was only for our conversation. How can you get involved in my conversation?”
Doban’s complexion turned pale.
“Lord, I have committed a mortal sin!”
Doban’s body was trembling slightly as he lay down on the spot and bowed his head.
Doban was also a military officer with extensive experience on the battlefield. He was terrified by every word the Empress said. This must be proof of how great the empress’s power is.
“right. As the Lord Yeonga said, power in the palace is currently divided between maternal relatives and eunuchs.”
“Let me ask you directly. “To what extent is the power of the maternal relatives, chaired by Her Majesty the Empress, inferior to that of the eunuchs?”
Flash!
The empress’s shadow was cast behind her feet, and a beautiful radiance emanated from her eyes.
“Did the civil servants tell you something like that?”
“Even if you think about it a hundred times, if you are not inferior, there is no reason to bring in strong warriors like us.”
“…I see.”
“But if the pendulum of power had been tilted noticeably, you wouldn’t have even paid attention to us. “This is why martial arts may be an unexpected move in the power struggle of the imperial palace, but they cannot be a decisive move.”
“….”
“Even if you had somehow invited us even though it wasn’t the situation, you wouldn’t have thought of moving His Majesty’s organization to test it.”
“…!”
Peng Wugang and Zhuge Yan looked at Yan Wei in confusion. Although he said he wanted an honest conversation that would put aside unnecessary etiquette, he thought his words were too direct.
What was surprising was the empress’ reaction.
“Your insight is truly amazing. “Did you already know that it was us who called for the cleaning service?”
“It was a close guess.”
“If you had known that we were testing your strength through the washing ceremony, I don’t know if you would have reached a greater truth than that.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I clearly realize that His Majesty the Emperor has no power to calm this crisis.”
Peng Wugang’s eyes wavered.
“Yeongaju!”
He mentioned the emperor and no one else. Yan Wei is now saying in front of the Empress that the Emperor has no power.
There is a level of honesty. The committee’s remarks had the potential to be problematic in many ways.
It was then.
Churrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Thick, soft feet rose.
An empress who suddenly appears. Peng Wugang, Zhuge Yan, and even Yan Wei lowered their heads in embarrassment.
“Raise your head.”
The three people who paused for a moment raised their heads and looked up at the Empress.
At that moment, the three people felt dazzled.
The empress’s clothes, made of the highest quality silk dyed red and heavily decorated with golden thread, looked so noble and elegant that it was truly jaw-dropping.
But even those clothes seemed to pale in comparison to the empress’ beauty.
Although she was almost 40 years old, she was as youthful as a widowed woman. Even though she wore light-colored makeup, she was showing off her gorgeous beauty.
At this level, it could be said that the face was a weapon. It was truly an overwhelming beauty.
Not only Peng Wugang, but even Zhuge Zhenyan was mesmerized for a moment.
On the other hand, Yeonwi’s eyes were calm. He too was surprised by the empress’ appearance, but his eyes were always focused on the other person’s true feelings.
The empress’s eyes fell on Yeonwi.
Even though their eyes met, Yeonwi’s face was calm and her eyes were just as deep as before.
A strange glow appeared on the empress’s face.
“You have great sincerity. “I heard that they have a reputation as the best cooperative family in the world, and that reputation is not wrong.”
“I apologize.”
“Honest and honest conversation… Yes, Jim wanted that kind of conversation. However, judging from the fact that he was briefly moved by Yeon Ga-joo’s remarks, it seems that Jim was not properly prepared either.”
“….”
“How bad you must have looked because you couldn’t keep what you just said. “Please forgive me.”
Yeonwi bowed her head.
“This is a very unfair statement.”
“Ho Ho.”
The Empress’s short, soft laugh.
It felt like the dark palace was suddenly brightened by that smile.
Her beauty alone was a weapon to captivate others, and her laughter was also very captivating.
This was an innate charm. Her natural appearance is full of overwhelming beauty. You can tell just by looking at her face how the emperor, the pinnacle of power in the world, made this person his empress.
“What you say is right. Your Majesty, Emperor Tang Jin, is no better than a scarecrow with no power whatsoever. And…”
There was a cool feeling around the Empress’s eyes.
“It is self-employed. “If you don’t have the ability, you have to have some sense, and if you don’t have any sense, you have to do at least the bare minimum, but he couldn’t do either of these and just indulged in debauchery.”
It was a fierce criticism. It could be said that it was a rant that shocked all three people who heard it.
“Jim has ambition. But that ambition is small and comfortable compared to others. But to achieve that ambition, you need a minimum foundation.”
“What do you mean by the background?”
“Stabilization of the Imperial Palace.”
“…!”
The empress’ face was solemn.
“Even if you grant my request, you cannot bring the Murim Alliance troops to the palace. An armed occupation of Yangji (陽地) is the worst move that will sink the dignity of the imperial family.”
“….”
“There is only one thing I want from you.”
“Please speak.”
“The death of Taegam Wooheon.”
“…!”
“I want you to kill that eunuch who is harming the dignity of the imperial palace with the power he gained by fawning over the emperor.”
