Rebirth of the Thunder God

"Are you the new inspector? It's a call from His Majesty the Emperor."

Namgung Hui, thinking that what was to come had come, nodded his head and answered.

"Should I go right now?"

"That's right. Follow me."

A person who seemed to be an official of the Censorate led Namgung Hui towards the Imperial Palace.

Since it was an audience with the emperor, Jang Hwang and the Sword Spirit were left at the inn.

In case he needed to take action, he had also called the First Senior Brother and told him to stay at the inn.

‘Even if they ambush me while I'm away, if it's the information network and formations of the Hao Mun, escape should be possible.’

Although Hae Wicheong was engrossed in martial arts, he was strictly the First Disciple of the Hao Mun.

The one who had learned the most about formations from the Hao Mun Sect Leader, who was a master of formations, was the First Senior Brother, Hae Wicheong.

That's why the Hao Mun branch he was guarding was more solid and reliable than any impregnable fortress.

Hadn't even the Heretic Faction Leader ultimately failed to catch that Hao Mun Sect Leader?

And so, the place he arrived at after following the official was the center of the Imperial Palace, where he had met the emperor before.

Perhaps because this was not a place where official events of the Imperial Palace were held, not only were there few officials, but it was also extremely quiet.

At that time, he had thought it was because it was the middle of the night, but it was still the same in the morning.

"My guidance ends here. You can go in alone."

"Yes. Thank you for your guidance."

The official of the Censorate, who was startled by Namgung Hui's greeting.

Seeing that he had not learned martial arts, he did not seem to be an inspector, but seeing his age, his rank did not seem to be that low.

That's why Namgung Hui had expressed his gratitude.

‘Why is he surprised? Ah. I heard that the officials of the Imperial Palace are generally arrogant.’

Especially if it were the Eastern Depot and the Inspectorate, whose personal power was immense, they would be so stiff that they would hardly bow to others.

Wasn't it so much so that they were compared to bamboo, saying that they would rather break than bend?

But since Namgung Hui was not a real inspector, he could at least bow to the official who had willingly taken the trouble.

Besides, since the official's age was also older than his, regardless of rank, it was natural to treat him with respect as an elder.

And so, after watching the back of the official who was leisurely disappearing, Namgung Hui opened the door and went inside.

This time too, the emperor greeted Namgung Hui alone.

Although a faint presence was felt behind him, if there had not been such an escort, the middle-aged man in front of him would not have been considered the emperor.

"The new inspector, Namgung Hui, greets His Majesty the Emperor."

For now, although it was just a pretense, since Namgung Hui had been appointed as an inspector, he fulfilled his duty not as a martial artist, but as a new inspector.

Although Namgung Hui was bowing a lot today, it was worth enduring to gain the other person's favor.

"A new inspector. Although I have bestowed upon you the nameplate of an inspector. I did not think you would really act like an inspector. Have you always been interested in official positions?"

If Namgung Hui had been interested in such official positions, he would have taken the key positions of the Martial Arts Alliance from his past life.

But since such positions usually brought trouble, he detested them.

Hadn't even his sworn brother of his past life suffered a lot because of such an official position?

"Since this subordinate knows his place, I am not interested in such positions."

"But, why did you interrogate the Empress and the princess like an inspector?"

"Because I thought there was a proper order to things."

The emperor, with a momentary eerie gaze, continued.

"You just have to deal with the Empress as I ordered. I didn't call you to conduct such an interrogation. There are many people who are more well-versed in such interrogations than you. You are not a person who did such things even in the martial world, so why are you going through the trouble?"

A questioning as if he had some other ulterior motive.

It was a tone full of conviction that he had heard some story from the Empress.

"She is not just anyone, but the mother of the Great Ming Empire. In assassinating such an empress, isn't it a matter that cannot be undertaken without knowing any of the circumstances? I am not an assassin."

"So what did you hear from the Empress? Did she say I was a fake?"

The emperor, who asked directly.

But in his tone, there was no sign of anxiety or nervousness.

Rather, should one say that a subtle confidence was glimpsed?

He was so confident that even Namgung Hui couldn't help but feel curious.

That's why Namgung Hui also answered honestly.

"Yes. Her Majesty the Empress said that Your Majesty is a ghost. Your Majesty. Are you really a ghost who has stolen someone else's body?"

"Hahaha! As expected of a bold martial artist. No. Even other martial artists would not be able to ask such a question in my presence. Well, if it's your realm, even a non-existent confidence would arise. Yes. From what you see, do I look like a fake?"

What Namgung Hui had felt even at their first meeting.

He had felt an invisible dignity from the emperor.

Since this was a quality that could by no means be imitated by others, hadn't he considered him the emperor?

Rather, the emperor, whose presence had become more intense than before, did not really look like a fake.

No, even if he were a fake, the middle-aged man in front of him now was the emperor himself.

‘Whatever the inside is, he is now fulfilling his duty as an emperor. Rather, the ones who are a hindrance are the Hoicheon Association.’

The Hoicheon Association that protected the water bandits and mountain bandits.

And the Heretic Faction that had taken over the entertainment district.

Moreover, until a short while ago, even the black market that had been engaged in drug and human trafficking was under their control.

That's why Namgung Hui had ostracized them as if he were pathologically disgusted.

Since that was a word that was still valid at this moment, even if the emperor were a fake, he did not feel much hostility.

However, if a ghost had really taken over the emperor's body and was hiding some other ulterior motive, the story would be different.

In order to find out that ulterior motive, he had willingly faced the emperor.

"It is difficult for this humble one to dare to guess that far. However, it seems you are hiding some other ulterior motive. What is the real reason for hiring me to assassinate Her Majesty the Empress? Even if she has found out your identity, there is no need for my hand, is there?"

That's right. Although Namgung Hui was a master, it was also true that he was not trustworthy enough to be entrusted with such a major task.

As the emperor had said, since martial artists tended to ignore the words of the imperial family.

Even right now, Namgung Hui, despite the emperor's edict, had kept the Empress alive.

If it had been another of the emperor's subordinates, whether the Empress was good or evil, he would have just killed her as ordered.

Since the emperor was not a person without such ability, Namgung Hui had seen through the fact that the emperor had a hidden ulterior motive here.

"You're not a complete fool. As you said, I do have a hidden ulterior motive. But, I can't tell you that, can I? Because it's a hidden ulterior motive, as the words say."

"Then, do you really wish for me to assassinate Her Majesty the Empress?"

"Yes. That is still an unchanging matter. Since the promised period of half a month still remains, I hope you will make a decision after careful consideration. The General will be here soon. He will return early because of what you have done."

If it was what Namgung Hui had done, was he talking about the matter of stealing the Sword Spirit's body?

Well, since a slight commotion had occurred in Beijing, it would not be strange for the emperor to know something vaguely.

In the first place, if such a commotion did not even reach the emperor's ears, it would mean that the Hoicheon Association had completely taken over the Imperial Palace.

Anyway, in order to keep the Hoicheon Association in check, it would not be good for the emperor to lose his real power right now.

"Your Majesty. But where on earth did the General go?"

"Shouldn't you know better than me? I know he went out because of you. Didn't you face General Yi before? Because of that, General Yi went out."

The matter he had faced before must be referring to the matter of the Mad Wind Group in the desert.

Hadn't even General Yi, while Namgung Hui was fighting, hastily slipped away, saying he had to go to see to some other business?

Perhaps because that matter was more important than Namgung Hui had guessed, even General Yi had left the Imperial Palace.

‘From what I saw, the direction General Yi ran in was the escape route of the lamas. But can he follow them, who are escaping while even performing soft arts? I had to perform the electric pole opening and even the Wind God Steps to be able to follow.’

Well, if it were General Yi, who did not have that, he might be able to run a little faster than Namgung Hui.

He would not have chased them to waste time, and he must have followed them because he had some really important business.

And even General Yi had personally gone to have a showdown with them.

‘And it would take about half a month to cover that much distance. And if it's a matter of recruiting the Potala Palace, it's also a major event.’

Still, since Namgung Hui had already stolen the Esoteric Sect's Great Hand Seal, it seemed their negotiations would not end very well.

But since it was a matter that could not be taken lightly, there was a need to devise a countermeasure from the perspective of the Righteous Heaven Alliance when he returned to his family.

And he would also have to drop a hint to the Martial Arts Alliance and the Iron Blood Fortress.

‘Rather, I might be able to have a good negotiation with the Fist King on this pretext.’

Still, the most important matter was the emperor in front of him.

Namgung Hui immediately shook off his idle thoughts and continued to speak while looking directly at the emperor.

"Your Majesty. Then may I think that I still have time and withdraw?"

"Yes. As long as it's before the General returns."

The emperor, who agreed more easily than he had thought.

Well, since he also had some other ulterior motive, he must have readily given his permission.

How much profit would he gain before the General returned?

It must be the common goal of the emperor and Namgung Hui.

Namgung Hui immediately bowed to the emperor and left the great hall.

The period of grace he had given.

Since there were only about ten days left, there were many things to investigate in that time.

And more than anything, Namgung Hui's biggest goal was.

‘To grasp the power of the Imperial Heaven that is lurking inside the Imperial Palace. And if there is a chance, it would be a good thing to reduce their power. Perhaps the emperor also gave me time for that.’

What was a threat to the Central Plains martial world right now was the power of the Hoicheon Association rather than the power of the emperor.

Although he had not yet grasped the emperor's inner thoughts, the intention of the Hoicheon Association was clear.

The annihilation of the martial world.

In order to crush their naked conspiracy, there was a need to move busily.

Namgung Hui, recalling his promise with the princess, headed to the Yeongsu Palace where she was staying.

Although it was still early in the morning, since martial arts was something that was trained from the morning.

Since the Qingcheng Sect was famous for being diligent, she too must be training in the Sword-Riding Art by now.

"Oh? You've come early."

"Is Her Highness the Princess inside?"

"By now, she would have finished her training and would be taking a bath. But you shouldn't have any strange thoughts!"

"...?"

Although Namgung Hui had not said anything.

He received a strange look and was rebuked.

The moment he was about to say something to the young court lady, who was being absurd.

"Instructor. You've come."

The princess, who had finished her bath, was walking over, shaking off her wet hair.

Perhaps because she intended to boast of her profound internal energy, she heated her internal energy and blew away the moisture from her hair all at once.

Swaaaa...

Steam rose, and her body became soft and fluffy.

"The inspector, Namgung Hui, greets Your Highness the Princess."

"An inspector of the Namgung family. It's a little awkward, but it suits you well. Because you will be as upright as the deep blue color that is the symbol of that family."

Namgung Hui also agreed with her words.

Although he didn't know about other families, if it were the Namgung family, they would faithfully carry out the duties of the inspectorate.

But Namgung Hui, rather than his work as an inspector.

‘It's time to act as a spy. Then shall I stir up the inside of the Imperial Palace?’

(End of Chapter)