Chapter 89: Gate Of Buckingham (2)
Slander about experts is the Tiger Balm Powder favored by third-rate individuals.
–Joseph Joubert
A shabby carriage, drawn by a pitiful horse, as though the person had hailed the nearest coachman they could find on the roadside and rode it all the way here.
The wheels looked so old and moldy that if a mediocre third-rate martial artist kicked them, the spokes might break and the carriage would collapse.
A sight unimaginable for someone invited to a court ball.
“Unbelievable. To think someone would dare to set foot in Buckingham Palace riding such a shabby carriage.”
“They might be a rogue from the dark path who forged an invitation.”
Immediately, a few visitors who witnessed this openly frowned and began to speak ill.
“If they really are a fraud who forged an invitation, shouldn’t we immediately make an example by taking their head?”
“Indeed! I shall go and behead them as a warning!” “Truly the spirit of a British gentleman! Executioner James!”
Even the ascetics of the clan who live by cultivating the Dao choose splendid carriages, so coming to Buckingham in a shabby wheeled box is certainly an irrational act.
However, this is the Forbidden Palace. A palace where a hundred rudenesses are forbidden.
As the words of the false gentleman suggest, it’s not a place where one can recklessly wield a sword against an unlikable opponent.
Thus, the onlookers interested in the shabby carriage watched the palace entrance, anticipating what embarrassment the bold intruder would face from the royal guards instead of drawing their swords.
What kind of face does the rogue who committed an unforgivable breach of etiquette in high society have?
How dare they.
Attempting to enter the Palace without an invitation bestowed by Her Majesty the Queen.
The moment it is discovered, it will be like tolling the bell of life’s end.
The offender will have the rare experience of being tied to the carriage they rode in and cleaning the Downtown streets with their whole body.
It’s a fitting punishment for breaking the stern laws of Buckingham.
Everyone was of that thought.
Until a remarkably elegant couple, dressed in exquisite attire, stepped out of the carriage.
-Click.
A dignified gentleman clad in clothing made from fabric never seen before, accompanied by a graceful lady draped in a shawl of the same material.
The two descended from the carriage with canes, the lady seeming to have trouble with her leg and receiving support from the gentleman.
It’s the Little Heavenly Demon.
It’s the Discharged Medical Maiden.
A few who recognized their faces quietly uttered that call sign.
“Little Heavenly Demon… Could it be, the detective who solved the murder case at the Debutante Ball…?!”
Only then did people realize who had just stepped out of the carriage.
Simultaneously, they also realized
how much favor this Little Heavenly Demon had with Her Majesty the Queen.
“We have verified the Seven Step Invitation. Please proceed inside.”
The royal attendant waiting near the entrance politely greeted Little Heavenly Demon and his partner before escorting them to the inner courtyard.
A personal greeting from a royal attendant
is reserved for the few guests granted the privilege to approach within ten steps of the Queen.
In other words, Little Heavenly Demon
is a martial artist personally acknowledged by the Queen.
The martial artists who had earlier hurled insults at the pair
now silently bowed their heads, resentful of their own invitations that kept them a hundred steps away from the Queen.
“The hidden Underwater Dragon has appeared.”
“I must find a way to build a connection with him.”
The quick-witted began to busy themselves, sensing the new turmoil that was about to sweep through the London Murim social scene.
The ride to the palace in the carriage was delightful.
The weather was clear, and the sunlight was warm.
The completed suit was light and fitted well, and Watson, who borrowed clothes from the tailor recommended by Savile Row, was dressed to the nines, exuding elegance.
And what about the visual feast?
In the royal gardens located in Buckingham, gardeners were performing Ascension Sword Techniques to create beautiful topiaries, and we watched in admiration.
The brilliant appearance of two Ancient Golden Carps swimming freely in the pond was also a sight to behold.
Buckingham is undoubtedly the place in London that best embodies the word “elegance”.
However, upon arriving in front of the palace, even before getting off the carriage, we were exposed to the rude shouts and vulgar gazes of ill-mannered people.
Even if they were part of the attendees,
I didn’t want to believe that the level of those who received Her Majesty’s invitation was so low.
It felt as if I had confirmed the bottom of the upper-class martial artists who support the roof of the London martial world, the Murim of the British Empire.
Even if they possess some meager Kung-Fu prowess, would they roll up their sleeves when London is in crisis,
and bravely fight against the groups of evil under the name of Her Majesty?
All corruption starts from the top.
Because those who claim to be the protectors of the common people, the major clans, and the martial artists of the Noblesse are caught up in vanity, all sorts of evil factions can rampage unchecked.
“…This is why I didn’t want to come.”
As the servant walking ahead couldn’t hear, Watson began to chuckle, unable to suppress her laughter.
“Don’t worry about it. After all, they are just hypocrites who judge people by the carriages they ride.”
“You misunderstand me, Watson. It’s not their judgement I fear. It’s just disheartening to see those who claim to be the backwash of the Thames fail to act like true gentlemen.”
“I never knew your patriotism ran so deep.”
“Not as much as yours after all you’ve endured in Afghanistan.”
“Haha. You’re not wrong.”
The topic of her leg injury came up, but Watson laughed as if it was nothing.
The positive impact of the treatment for her meridian blockage disorder on her leg seemed to also alleviate her mental trauma.
“By the way, the shawl you gave me is surprisingly warm. What on earth is it made of?”
She, wearing a dress that exposed her shoulders, kept marveling at the luxurious shawl as she walked down the corridor.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Seeing Watson satisfied with the gift made me feel content.
As we walked through the palace courtyard, many eyes were fixed on Watson’s shawl and my attire.
A mix of curiosity and envy. Quite a few had guessed what fabric was used to make the clothes and shawl.
“So you’re not going to tell me what it’s made of after all.”
Watson, still curious, glared with a pouty face, but I just smiled without answering.
Somehow, teasing this Watson seems more entertaining than with John.
“It seems best to take it slow for your delicate stomach and heart, which got queasy just from seeing a dismembered body.”
“Are you still mocking me over that incident?”
“You speak as if I’m some ruthless villain.”
“You, eek…!”
Hmm. The more I think about it, the more it seems right.
The gift for Watson was a shawl woven from the leftover fabric after tailoring my clothes, generously provided by the Home Secretary.
The fur of the Ancient Vicuña, which transforms any energy into intense Yang Qi, always retains a bit of warmth, helping Watson, whose body is always cold due to her constitution, maintain her condition.
Most importantly, by using this shawl in Breath Control to continuously convert the internal energy into Yang Qi, I anticipate being able to melt another of the Yin-Qi nails blocking Watson’s meridians.
Of course, this would only be possible once her meridians have adapted more to the Yang Qi.
“But you, ever since we arrived at the Royal Palace, your expression has been tense.”
Walking through the quiet courtyard, Watson, observing the people chatting around us, asked me in a concerned tone.
“It’s just your imagination.”
I said that, but Watson was right.
It wasn’t because I was worried about the eyes of others’ that I kept my mouth shut and my face stiff.
The reason I couldn’t chat cheerfully as I did earlier was because I was replaying the events of the past month in my mind.
‘Besides the chess training, it was quite a fruitful time…’
Over the past month, while handling small incidents, I also visited London’s old chess clubs to play matches with skilled players.
Just in case,
it was an effort to avoid a disgraceful defeat in a match against Her Majesty the Queen.
The remaining time was spent organizing the Kung-Fu knowledge and internal energy sealed in the form of books within my Mind Palace.
The more I merged with my other self who lived in this world, the more I could fully exert the power I originally possessed.
Previously, I had to leave the Mind Palace after completing Breath Control, unable to move the significant amount of books within, but this time was different.
It was thanks to the consistent intake of medicinal tea and other remedies to increase the total amount of True Qi, even after realizing the essence of the 1200 Inch Punch while treating Watson’s Nine Yin-Qi Nails in the training hall.
As a result, the number of books organized over the past month increased, allowing me to freely draw upon seventy-five percent of my original power.
As the gap between soul and body narrowed, various techniques and advanced Kung-Fu that had remained as mere knowledge in my mind could naturally unfold.
‘There were gains beyond Kung-Fu achievements.’
As promised by the Home Secretary, a servant was sent to deliver a large jar containing Pursuit Powder to my doorstep, and research on the properties of Phonograph Stones was completed, resulting in significant achievements beyond the advancement of Kung-Fu.
“Listen, Holmes.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m not used to saying things like this, but I always feel like I’m just taking from you, and I’m sorry for that.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve given me such a splendid shawl and even a self-defense weapon as a gift.”
Watson gently lifted the hem of her dress to reveal a dagger tucked into the holster on her calf.
Buckingham Palace was widely known for prohibiting a hundred kinds of rudeness, but as long as it wasn’t poisoned, it allowed the entry of registered personal weapons reported in advance through written notice.
For martial artists, weapons were like a part of their body, and they had to be worn regardless of the place.
It was possible because it was Her Majesty’s theory.
“I thought it suited you, so I got it without a second thought.”
“There’s nothing I dislike from the scabbard to the blade. It’s amazing how a weapon I’ve never seen before fits so well in my hand.”
Watson seemed quite satisfied.
For a martial artist, the best gift is always a good weapon. I’m glad it was worth the high price to have a custom scabbard made.
“Snow Halation Iron has the property of absorbing and storing excess Yin Qi, so it should help maintain your condition.”
“I won’t let it out of my sight for a moment.”
Amazingly, the dagger used by the thief to carve out the wall of the boarding house’s first floor was made of Snow Halation Iron.
At first, I couldn’t verify it properly due to the coating on the surface, but once I learned the true material, I couldn’t hide my satisfaction.
Since Snow Halation Iron is a metal that pairs well with warriors who wield Yin Qi rather than Yang, Watson succeeded in enveloping the dagger with a thin but sharp Sword aura after a month of my guidance.
Watson was delighted to have acquired another weapon besides the cane she used for Fingertips.
“I can only escort you to the inner courtyard.”
As we chatted and crossed the garden, we finally arrived in front of the old west wing of the palace.
“Please refrain from raising your voice inside the palace, and be mindful of your manners and conduct with dignity.”
The royal attendant bowed politely to us and then walked to the eastern main wing to guide another visitor.
‘…It’s starting.’
Ahead is the place where my worth will be tested in front of many people, including the Sword Queen.
I will not return until the name of Little Heavenly Demon Sherlock Holmes is engraved in their minds.