Chapter 15
"You want to enter the armory?"
The Emperor looked at Cheongun with a surprised expression.
The Imperial Palace Armory was one of the forbidden places where martial arts manuals and rare weapons managed by the imperial family were stored.
The best forbidden place, partially open to the direct bloodline of the Emperor and those who had made great contributions to the country.
The Emperor could not readily open his mouth at the request to enter such a place.
Cheongun once again told the Emperor his will.
"My martial arts are still lacking, so I cannot complete Your Majesty's strict order. However, if you allow me to stay in the Imperial Palace Armory for just one month, I will complete the mission perfectly."
"Ah. You want to gain the strength you lack in the armory?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The Emperor nodded his head.
But there was a problem.
"Hmm... a month."
No one had ever spent a month in the Imperial Palace Armory. Usually, they were allowed to spend three days in the Imperial Palace Armory and choose one martial art.
But a month.
At this time, Feng Tianhu, who had been listening to Cheongun's request, his eyes flashing, prostrated himself before the Emperor and pleaded.
"Your Majesty! Please do not dismiss Samwon Lee Cheongun's request."
"Are you saying I should grant the Samwon's request? You, who know better than anyone what kind of place the Imperial Palace Armory is, say so. I'm curious about the reason."
"Your Majesty. If it's a reward of bringing out a martial arts manual, three days is enough. But it takes a lot of time to choose and learn a martial arts manual."
"Hmm. Isn't that reason alone not enough?"
The Emperor could give Cheongun special treatment. Although it was not enough, there was a justification. But he was hesitant for some reason.
Feng Tianhu knew well the Emperor's usual indecisive personality, unable to make a decision with a single stroke.
Something else was needed as a justification. Feng Tianhu said what he had always thought but had not been able to say.
"Your Majesty. Countless manuals from all over the world are piled up in the Imperial Palace Armory. There are so many that the Samwon will not be able to find the martial art he wants in just three days."
The Emperor was silent for a while, looking at Cheongun and Feng Tianhu, lost in thought.
It was a matter that could not be easily granted. But it was also not a matter that could be dragged on.
"Samwon, listen."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Are you truly confident?"
"If you trust and entrust it to me, I will work until my bones turn to dust."
The Emperor smiled with satisfaction at Cheongun's answer.
"Good. But effort alone will not be enough."
"Of course."
"I accept the Samwon's request. From today, the Imperial Palace Armory will be open to the Samwon. I hope you do not betray my trust."
"Long live, long live, long live! Long live the Emperor!"
Cheongun and Feng Tianhu simultaneously performed a grand bow to the Emperor.
Thus, Cheongun's entry into the Imperial Palace Armory was decided.
But everything was kept secret. So that his enemies would not notice that Cheongun was alive.
* * *
In front of Longevity Hill, where the Summer Palace was located, there was a large lake called Kunming Lake, and on it floated a stone boat called the Marble Boat.
A bright moon shone brightly over the Marble Boat, which functioned like a pavilion.
"Sit here, Samwon."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Feng Tianhu and Cheongun, who had had an audience with the Emperor, moved to the Marble Boat.
The two looked at each other for a while without a word. The person who spoke first was Feng Tianhu.
"Thank you for returning here safely."
"The Jinyiwei lost their lives because of me. I am sorry."
No matter how much the Emperor's order was, they were people who had done their best to save him. To Cheongun, they were like benefactors.
"The children will be happy that the Samwon thinks so."
Feng Tianhu nodded his head. Then he revealed the reason why he had called Cheongun here.
"This is the first time His Majesty has opened the Imperial Palace Armory for a long time."
"It would have been impossible if the Da Yingban had not helped."
For a moment, Feng Tianhu's eyes flashed.
"If you think so, please grant me one request."
Cheongun looked into Feng Tianhu's eyes.
"Please speak. By any chance... is there something you are looking for?"
Feng Tianhu slapped his knee and nodded his head.
"As expected, they say you are a genius sent by heaven, and it's not wrong. That's right. There is a manual I am looking for."
To receive the Emperor's trust, strong military power was needed. If someone monopolized it, it was obvious that the other places would be pushed out of power.
"At one time, we had joined hands with the Eastern Depot or the Nine Gates Infantry Command."
At first, there was no problem. Because it was beneficial to each other.
"But the situation began to change when the Nine Gates Infantry Command obtained a manual from the Imperial Palace Armory."
"It must be an outstanding manual."
"It's a treasure that cannot be explained by the word outstanding."
"What kind of manual is it that you describe it as a treasure?"
Cheongun was curious. It was clearly a great manual. The Blood Emperor, who was next to him, also listened with interest.
But the Da Yingban shook his head.
"I can't tell you the details. Because it's a secret."
"If it's a secret, I won't try to find out."
Cheongun immediately drew a line.
Cheongun knew well that the imperial palace was a place that began with secrets and ended with secrets.
"Anyway, after that, we started to keep each other in check again. In fact, as the Nine Gates Infantry Command gained power, the power of our Jinyiwei decreased."
"I have heard that story from my master. You are talking about the imperial palace guards, right?"
"That's right. Those who took care of the city gate guards and the security of the imperial capital slowly began to covet the security of the imperial palace, and in the end, they took it."
The imperial palace was a place where you would be robbed if you had no power.
In the end, the Nine Gates Infantry Command took over the security of the entire imperial capital.
"After that, the agreement was broken."
Although it was an unavoidable thing due to the nature of the imperial palace, it was a bitter thing.
"Hmm..."
Feng Tianhu let out a low sigh and looked at Cheongun seriously.
"Memorize the manual we want and deliver it to us."
"How many will be enough?"
"Ten will be enough."
"Ten..."
It was not a very difficult task for Cheongun.
He rarely forgot what he had seen once. Memorizing ten books was enough in two days.
"Is it difficult? Well, you have to learn martial arts too, so it won't be easy to memorize ten books separately and tell me."
"No. I will memorize and deliver them to the best of my ability. If there are any manuals you want, please tell me."
Feng Tianhu told him about the ten manuals he wanted.
"...I roughly know the location of nine of them. But I can't find the location of one. So it won't be easy, but I hope you'll look into it as much as you can."
"I understand. I will do my best."
"Thank you."
Feng Tianhu was happy as he held Cheongun's hand. Cheongun also responded with a smile.
But at that moment, the Blood Emperor said urgently.
[Let go of his hand. He's trying to figure out your martial arts.]
Cheongun hurriedly tried to let go of Feng Tianhu's hand. But Feng Tianhu did not let go of his hand.
Seuk.
A strange energy entered through his arm.
Something deep seemed to be visible beyond Feng Tianhu's smiling face.
Cheongun did not forcibly shake off Feng Tianhu. Instead, he hurriedly said to him.
"Are you curious about my martial arts?"
"I'm sorry."
At Cheongun's words, Feng Tianhu casually let go of Cheongun's hand. Then he smiled awkwardly and said to Cheongun.
"It was His Majesty the Emperor's order, so I had no choice but to look into your martial arts."
Cheongun nodded his head in understanding.
The Emperor could also be curious about his martial arts. So it seemed he had ordered Feng Tianhu to find out.
"It was something done to find out whether you are from the righteous faction or the evil faction, so don't blame me too much."
"No. So, did you find out?"
"Hmm. Well, I don't know the details, but it seems there is an energy of exorcism in the Samwon's internal energy. Am I right?"
It seems he felt the lightning energy that contained the power of exorcism.
Cheongun smiled and said.
"That's right."
"Can you tell me your sect?"
"I'm sorry. It's difficult to reveal it yet."
Not revealing one's sect was not a problem unless it was a special situation, which was the nature of the martial world. Since Feng Tianhu also knew this well, he did not press the issue.
"If there are circumstances, I won't ask further."
Feng Tianhu stood up at that point.
"Let's go now."
"Where?"
"Where else? The Imperial Palace Armory."
Feng Tianhu, with a smile on his lips, led Cheongun to the back.
"Originally, a eunuch guides you. But this time, His Majesty ordered me to guide you directly."
* * *
After digging Kunming Lake, an underground structure was built first. And a mountain was made with the earth that came out from digging Kunming Lake. After that, trees were planted and buildings were built to hide the Imperial Palace Armory.
The Marble Boat was a two-story building built on a hull made by carving a large rock, and it had sixteen rooms, and each room had a mirror.
"This fourth room here is the secret passage to the Imperial Palace Armory."
"Huh? You enter the Imperial Palace Armory from here?"
"That's right. There is one more entrance besides this one, but I don't know where it is. Hahaha."
Feng Tianhu pressed the third bead from the left among the seven beads under the mirror.
The wall with the mirror turned to the side.
Geugeugeung.
A surprisingly loud sound was not heard.
"Follow me. From here, a formation is spread out. You have to follow my footsteps carefully."
"I understand."
Cheongun and Feng Tianhu went down the stairs that were revealed as the wall turned.
After the two of them disappeared, the wall with the mirror returned to its original state.
A large passage one zhang wide continued for a long time. In the middle of the passage, night-luminescent pearls that lit up the darkness were embedded.
"It's a night-luminescent pearl that can buy a whole city with one."
"That's right. But don't be greedy. There are mechanisms installed, so you could lose your life."
There were dozens of night-luminescent pearls embedded in the passage.
'Amazing.'
[Amazing, isn't it? The imperial family certainly has a lot of money.]
Cheongun and the Blood Emperor were amazed.
After advancing for a while, a stone gate that blocked the passage was seen.
The dragon carved in relief on the stone gate was so vivid that it seemed it would come alive at any moment.
Feng Tianhu first turned the dragon's wish-granting pearl and then pressed its right foot.
Geureureung.
The dragon's mouth opened slightly.
It really seemed like a dragon was growling.
Feng Tianhu took out a small scroll from his bosom. It was an imperial edict with the Emperor's order written on it.
Feng Tianhu immediately put the scroll into the dragon's open mouth.
The scroll was sucked into the dragon's mouth. It seemed someone from inside had taken it.
After a while,
Click.
The sound of a mechanism moving was heard, and with a roar, one wall slowly slid back.
A dark space was spread out inside, so nothing could be seen. But Cheongun knew that he had arrived at his destination.
A very familiar smell was felt. It was the musty smell of books.
"This is as far as I can guide you. You must never take out a manual or copy it. If you are caught, all the benefits given will be nullified, and you will be sentenced to death."
Feng Tianhu pointed to one wall with his eyes.
It seemed there was a guard warrior who was monitoring the Imperial Palace Armory inside.
"A eunuch will bring food here every evening, so come out and get it."
"I understand."
"I wish you good luck."
"Thank you."
* * *
Upon entering the Imperial Palace Armory, a large square appeared. On the four walls of the square, there were several doors.
The square was not as dark as he had thought. Faint night-luminescent pearls were replacing the torches on the walls.
And on one side, there were several stone tables.
There were also night-luminescent pearls on the ceiling above the tables.
There was no fire inside the Imperial Palace Armory for fear that the books would burn. It seemed to be saying that you should take them out here and read them.
"Then, since it's the first day, shall we take a light look?"