Chapter 11
There are two secret repositories in the imperial palace.
One is the Imperial Palace Library.
The Imperial Palace Library houses countless rare books that exist in the world. However, it is a place where not just anyone can enter, and only those who are permitted can enter.
The other is the Imperial Palace Armory.
It stores martial arts manuals and weapons, as well as elixirs and various rare items.
This place is also not accessible to just anyone. Only those who are permitted can enter the designated areas according to their rank.
"I'll have to ask the Emperor."
[Ask? No matter how much of a Samwon you are, do you think the Emperor will grant such a request? And it's not a problem that can be solved by simply entering the Imperial Palace Armory. You'll need to receive permission to view up to the highest rank to be able to see a proper manual.]
"It should be possible. When I first entered the court, the Emperor said he would grant me one wish."
When Cheongun passed the Jinshi examination and had an audience with the Emperor, the Emperor was greatly pleased to see Cheongun. He praised him lavishly, saying he was a pillar of the nation, to the point of spitting.
At that time, the Emperor had said he would grant Cheongun one wish.
[That's great. Then let's not waste any more time on the streets and go to the imperial palace quickly.]
"Yes. I understand."
A new goal was set. The two of them set off for the imperial capital without delay.
◈ ◈ ◈
Hundreds of thousands of people live in the imperial capital of the empire.
Centered on the imperial palace, it is divided into an outer city and an inner city, and the main roads connected to the nine city gates lead to all parts of the empire.
Largely divided into east, west, south, and north, the imperial palace is located in the northern part of the imperial capital.
Cheongun and the Blood Emperor entered through the south gate of the imperial capital.
Even if they had played around, they could have arrived in a month, but it took them over three months to finally arrive.
It was all delayed for Cheongun's martial arts training.
During that time, Cheongun was able to realize a little of what martial arts was through actual combat. Although in the Blood Emperor's eyes, it was only to the extent of a three-year-old walking.
"Let's rest over there."
Cheongun entered an inn on the south gate main road. A plaque that said "Dadam Inn" was hung handsomely.
The three-story inn had a structure with an open center. Two staircases were connected to each floor.
Cheongun was guided by a waiter and took a seat by the window on the second floor.
"I don't think I should go straight to the imperial palace."
At Cheongun's words, the Blood Emperor made a puzzled expression.
[Why?]
"I have a feeling that the imperial palace might not be safe either."
The Blood Emperor nodded in agreement.
They were people who ignored and killed even the Jinyiwei. There was no guarantee that their power would not reach inside the imperial palace.
[Then what do you plan to do?]
"First, it would be best to secretly meet the Emperor through a messenger. I'll also send news to the Jinyiwei."
It wasn't something that would be good for many people to know. Since his life was on the line, he needed to be careful.
"I'll have to find a way to secretly contact the Emperor."
At that moment, a strange light flashed in the Blood Emperor's eyes.
[Look over there.]
Cheongun turned his head to where the Blood Emperor was pointing.
He saw a eunuch taking a seat at the entrance of the stairs leading to the second floor. He seemed to be still young, only thirteen or fourteen years old.
'A eunuch.'
Eunuchs are those who serve the Emperor. But not all eunuchs work closely with the Emperor.
But it was clear that they were connected to each other.
[How about meeting the Emperor through a eunuch?]
"It's a good idea, but... I don't know any eunuchs."
[Don't worry. It seems you'll have one soon.]
As soon as the Blood Emperor's words ended, he saw one of the drunken men sitting near the eunuch who was ordering stand up.
He approached the eunuch with glazed eyes.
"Oh my, Lord Eunuch. Have you come for a meal?"
The man put his hand on the eunuch's shoulder and pushed his large face towards the eunuch.
The young eunuch flinched in surprise and pulled his upper body back.
"Oh, you're so pretty."
The man put his arm around the eunuch's shoulder and tried to stroke his face with his other hand.
Thwack.
The eunuch slapped away the hand that was approaching his face.
"How rude."
"Whoa, whoa. It's just because you're pretty."
The man giggled as if he were teasing a woman. The other men watching from behind also laughed at whatever was so funny.
"Hey, don't go too far with Lord Eunuch, or you'll get punished."
"If you don't get out of the way right now, you'll be in trouble."
"Hahaha. This, this, you're pretty even when you're feisty. Don't be like that and play with us."
The man stroked the eunuch's chest with the hand that was around his shoulder, as if he were stroking a woman's chest.
"Kyaak. W-what are you doing!"
"Kehehe. I told you it's because you're pretty."
The man giggled and fiddled with the eunuch's body here and there. The other men also flocked to where the eunuch was.
"Wow, your skin is so smooth."
"This, isn't this a girl, not a eunuch?"
They each said a word and stroked the eunuch's body here and there. The eunuch screamed and trembled.
"H-help me. Please don't do this. Kyaak!"
The more the eunuch struggled and screamed, the more the men's mischief intensified.
They were not unaware that if they messed with a eunuch, their heads would be on the line.
But they were not from here. If they played a little prank and ran away, who would know who they were and come after them?
Even if their identities were revealed, their backers could sufficiently block a prank on a young eunuch.
The inn's attention was focused on what was happening on the second floor. They whispered to each other and watched.
The owner and the waiter were also fidgeting but couldn't step in to stop it.
The men seemed to be rough warriors from the underworld. They might get caught in the crossfire.
When no one stopped them, the men became even bolder and tormented the eunuch even more severely.
"Let's see... if you really don't have a p*nis."
One of the men reached for the eunuch's lower body.
The eunuch, whose face had turned pale, screamed.
"Kyaaaak!"
It was at that moment.
Thwack.
"Hey."
Someone grabbed the hand of the man who was reaching for the eunuch's lower body.
"What?"
Thwack!
Crash!
The man whose hand was grabbed saw stars flash in his eyes and at the same time rolled down the stairs.
The eunuch raised his head and looked at the newly appeared man.
It was a man with long, disheveled hair.
It was Cheongun.
Cheongun grabbed the young eunuch's arm, turned him behind him, and then kicked the stomach of another man in front of him.
Thwack!
The man was hit in the stomach without a chance to dodge and fell backward.
"Step back."
When Cheongun pushed the eunuch back, the remaining two men's faces contorted and they began to attack.
"You son of a b*tch! Do you know who we are!"
"Die!"
They threw punches from the left and right at the same time. Cheongun lightly deflected the punches and mercilessly slapped the men's cheeks.
"Whoever you are...!"
Slap, slap!
"If you did something wrong, you should be hit!"
He slapped them so hard that the two men's faces snapped back and forth, red blood spurted from between their lips, and their yellow teeth flew out like millet grains.
The men staggered and fell, then got up unsteadily.
Cheongun took a step forward and kicked fiercely to the left and right.
Thwack!
Crash!
At Cheongun's kick, the two men flew away and rolled on the floor.
Cheongun, leaving behind the men who couldn't even get up and were groaning and twisting their bodies, looked at the eunuch behind him and said.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. Thank you for saving me."
A smile automatically came out at the strange way of speaking.
"Hahaha. I'm glad you seem to be alright."
Cheongun looked back and pointed at the fallen men with his eyes.
"Those guys, what are you going to do with them? Should I break all their arms and legs? Or... slit their throats...?"
The eunuch, who had been glancing at the men, shook his head.
"No. Their mouths that spoke dirty words have burst, and all their teeth have fallen out, so that's enough."
Cheongun shouted at the men.
"Get lost! This person has a kind heart and has forgiven you, but if I see this kind of thing again, I won't forgive you!"
The men who had barely gotten up, staggering, hurried down the stairs.
Those who had only been watching cheered and said a word that he had done well.
Whatever they chattered about, Cheongun put a smile on his face and said to the eunuch.
"You seem to have come for a meal, so join me."
"Yes, I'm sorry."
Now that he had calmed down, the eunuch was not trembling.
Cheongun sat with the eunuch and started a conversation.
"Eat slowly. I'm Lee Samwon."
"Yes, I am Giljae."
"That's a good name. Gil for auspicious, and jae for two... does it mean to be auspicious again and again?"
"Yes, I'm surprised you guessed it right away. You must be a person of great learning."
The eunuch Giljae was surprised.
To interpret the meaning just by hearing his name was a difficult thing to do without considerable learning.
Moreover, Cheongun's current appearance was that of a country bumpkin, or a third-rate warrior. He looked far from academics.
"Haha. I'm in this state because of my circumstances, but I'm confident in my learning."
"Ah! You're a really cool person. If you were dressed neatly, you would be a handsome man."
Giljae clasped his hands together, bowed his head in a gesture of respect. His slightly revealed face was flushed.
"Haha. Thank you. I'm glad to have met such a wonderful young brother."
"Yes, I am also pleased to meet you."
Although he was still a young eunuch, they could communicate. It was as enjoyable as meeting an old friend. Since he also had considerable learning, they could continue a conversation without any blockages.
The Blood Emperor, who had been watching the two of them, opened his tightly closed mouth.
[As expected, eunuchs are excellent at the art of conversation that makes the other person feel good.]
Cheongun nodded at the Blood Emperor's words.
Eunuchs have to serve their masters and not hurt their feelings to live a peaceful life. That was why when they became eunuchs, they learned the art of dealing with their masters separately.
"Young brother, you still look young, but your eloquence is amazing."
"I'm sorry."
Giljae was also in a good mood.
He had almost been dragged away by ruffians and subjected to terrible things, but Cheongun had saved him. To him, it was as grateful as saving his life.
"But what's your business outside the palace?"
"Yes, I'm on my way back from visiting my family."
"Your family? Young eunuchs can't easily leave the palace... You must be favored by your superiors. That's really amazing."
Eunuchs did not only live in the palace. Some with positions had houses outside the palace.
But the eunuch in front of him was still young.
Usually, young eunuchs could not go outside the palace. The fact that he could leave the palace meant that there was something special.
"Yes. That's usually the case. But I can freely come and go outside the palace."
"Oh. Don't tell me you've already received a rank?"
He asked just in case at the confident words. But an unexpected answer came out.
"Yes. I am a Xiaojian."
"What? A Xiaojian!"
Cheongun was surprised. He had thought he was just on his way back from visiting his family outside the palace because he was favored by his superiors, but he had a position.
Eunuchs have the positions of Taijian, Zhongjian, and Xiaojian. There were many who ended their lives without ever reaching the rank of Xiaojian.
But for the still young-looking Giljae to be a Xiaojian, it was hard to believe.
"By any chance, how old are you?"
"Hohoho. It's a secret."
"Hmph, you must be older than you look."
Cheongun let out an exclamation of admiration. He had thought he was a child, but it seemed he was older than he looked.
It wasn't a common case, but there were people in the world who lived their entire lives in the body of a child.
"Then where do you work?"
"The third of the six western palaces."
"Ah, you must be serving the ladies."
"Yes. I am serving one of the noble consorts."
The imperial palace is largely divided into a place for political affairs and a place where the emperor and his family live. In the rear garden where the Qianqing Palace is located, there are several palaces where the emperor's women live.
Among them, there are six palaces in the west, and the noble consorts lived there together.
Cheongun diligently asked about various personal matters to win the favor of the eunuch Giljae.
"Does the Emperor visit often?"
(End of Chapter)