Ch. 18
In fact, the Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror was a manual that Cheongun had already memorized.
He still didn't know what was special about it. He had just memorized it.
For some reason, the Blood Emperor had not interpreted the martial arts of the Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror. Although Cheongun had interpreted it himself, he had not fully realized the essence.
Looking at Cheongun, the Blood Emperor said with a heavy expression.
[Umm... According to legend, the one who masters the Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror will conquer the world.]
"Huh? No, you're telling me to hand over such a manual?"
Cheongun was surprised.
But the Blood Emperor's expression was calm.
[When I was young, I knew that fact and wanted to surpass the Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror. So I researched countless martial arts in my own way.]
Cheongun became more and more interested in the Blood Emperor's words. It seemed there was some great secret.
"Since we're here, let's uncover it together. You know I'm an expert at analyzing and uncovering things, right?"
[The Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror is not one, but nine.]
"Huh? Then are you saying that the manual here is one of the nine?"
[That manual is the Black Demonic Dragon.]
At the Blood Emperor's words, Cheongun's expression changed.
"How do you know that?"
[At the bottom of the cover, it will be faintly written 'Black Demonic Dragon'. It's faint, so it's not easy to see.]
Cheongun immediately went to another bookshelf and pulled out a manual. Then he took off the cover.
An old, faded manual appeared from inside.
"Ah! That's right. It says 'Black Demonic Dragon' here."
At that moment, a red haze flickered around the Blood Emperor's body. It meant that he was extremely angry or excited.
[My Blood Emperor Divine Art is a martial art created solely to counter the Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror. Its foundation is the Blood Demonic Dragon of the Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror.]
Cheongun had already experienced the tremendous power of the Blood Emperor Divine Art.
To think that the tremendous Blood Emperor Divine Art had started from one of the Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror.
He couldn't help but be astonished.
"Then was there someone who had learned the Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror?"
[Yes. There were a few. The Heavenly Demon of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was the first, and the Asura Blood Demon of the Asura Blood Cult was the second. And I was the third. Besides them, there were those who were active for a short time, but they disappeared without fully learning the essence of the Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror.]
"The Heavenly Demon, you mean the legendary supreme being of the demonic path?"
[Yes. But there's a part you shouldn't misunderstand. Heavenly Demon is a title that refers to the leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. By no means were all Heavenly Demons strong. I don't know what kind of person the current Heavenly Demon is, but if he's still crouching in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, he's a nobody.]
The Demonic Cult was the only sect that could fight against the world. The fact that a single sect could face the world meant that they were that strong.
The Blood Emperor was talking about the master of such a sect as a nobody.
But Cheongun did not argue with the Blood Emperor's words.
"Then is the Heavenly Demon's martial art the martial art of the Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror?"
[That's not it. It was the opposite of me. He fused the Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror into the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. Because the Heavenly Demon Divine Art of that time was not enough to fight against the world.]
"Then who is stronger between the two of you?"
[Well. We'll have to fight to find out. Hehe]
Even in a soul state, the Blood Emperor still had a fighting spirit.
Cheongun smiled as he looked at such a Blood Emperor.
The Blood Emperor's smile felt good. He had always been blunt before, but he smiled often these days. The atmosphere was much better.
The Blood Emperor looked at Cheongun, who was smiling foolishly at him, and said in a heavy voice.
[If we have a chance, let's gather more of the Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror. And I will teach you the Blood Demonic Dragon and the Black Demonic Dragon.]
"Really? I'm curious too. What kind of martial art is it that it became the foundation of the Blood Emperor Divine Art?"
[But you have to be careful. If you learn the demonic mirror, you can fall into a demonic state and enter a state of qi deviation.]
* * *
If you leave the Shenwu Gate, the north gate of the imperial palace, there is a mountain called Jingshan. On the top of Jingshan, there is a large pavilion, and from this pavilion, you can look down on the imperial palace.
On the right, there is a large lake, and that was the Taiye Lake, which was called the West Garden.
Longevity Hill and Taiye Lake were two gardens belonging to the imperial palace, and since the emperor frequently used them, the security was tight.
"Samwon, welcome. It hasn't been long, but you've become such a handsome man. I am pleased."
"Your Majesty! I, your subject Lee Cheongun, have safely finished my studies thanks to Your Majesty's grace."
Cheongun met the Emperor while prostrating himself on the floor of the pavilion.
Two people were with the Emperor.
On the right was Da Yingban Feng Tianhu, and on the left was an old eunuch standing with a stooped posture.
"Yes, did you get everything you wanted?"
"That is correct. I have gained a lot thanks to Your Majesty's care."
"Hahaha. You must not forget that I gave you a special opportunity."
"Of course."
The Emperor was in a good mood.
Until yesterday, his head had been throbbing because of state affairs. But on his way to meet Cheongun, his headache had completely disappeared.
He felt good just by facing Cheongun.
To develop the empire, countless talented people were needed. Cheongun was a genius like a great roc that surpassed a crane in a flock of chickens among such talented people.
But since that genius was following him, he couldn't help but feel good.
"Samwon, raise your head."
At the Emperor's command, Cheongun sat up straight and lowered his gaze.
The Emperor looked at such a Cheongun and opened his mouth.
"Taiwei, tell Cheongun what you have investigated."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The eunuch on the left took a step forward.
He was the head of the eunuchs, the Grand Eunuch Jeongwon.
The Grand Eunuch Jeongwon was one of the twelve eunuchs and was a real powerhouse who also held the position of the head of the Eastern Depot.
The Eastern Depot was one of the Emperor's direct powers, and its main mission was intelligence and surveillance.
Although there were overlapping parts with other agencies, since it was directly under the Emperor, even the Nine Gates Infantry Command and the Five Army Governor's Office gave way.
The head of such an Eastern Depot was the Grand Eunuch Jeongwon. But the Grand Eunuch Jeongwon's gaze towards Cheongun was not good.
Cheongun calmly accepted the Grand Eunuch Jeongwon's gaze, which seemed to have a lot of complaints.
'Haa, it's because of Xiaojian Jeong.'
Although not many people knew, the misunderstanding of that day had not yet been resolved.
The Grand Eunuch Jeongwon unfolded a scroll and spoke.
"The one who attacked the Samwon is the eldest son of the Hyeokryeon Manor, which is located in Kaifeng, Henan Province. The Hyeokryeon Manor was established by Hyeokryeon Jongdo, a collateral branch of the martial arts sect, the Hyeokryeon family. They basically learn martial arts, operate an escort agency and an inn, and have three estates in Henan Province, so they have accumulated considerable wealth."
The Eastern Depot, which had received the Emperor's order, had moved. They had finished their investigation of Hyeokryeon Hui.
Cheongun also knew the contents well. But the part he really wanted to know was missing.
As if he knew Cheongun's heart, the head of the Jinyiwei, Da Yingban Feng Tianhu, stepped forward.
"Grand Eunuch Jeongwon, have you found out anything about the man called Hyeokryeon Hui's uncle?"
The Grand Eunuch Jeongwon could have been displeased at the Da Yingban's sudden interruption. But the Grand Eunuch Jeongwon didn't seem to care.
"We have investigated, but we have not yet found a decisive clue about the man. We did not conduct a high-intensity investigation because they might notice. So the investigation is insufficient."
It couldn't be helped. They hadn't even formed a punitive force yet, and if they stirred things up, the guys might run away.
It would have been better if a deeper investigation had been conducted, but they couldn't make the mistake of alerting the enemy by beating the grass.
The Grand Eunuch Jeongwon took a short breath and then reported again.
"The man called uncle is said to be someone who occasionally comes to the Hyeokryeon Manor and stays for a month or two. But we have not yet found anyone who knows who he is or what his name is. In my opinion, the best way is to catch him and interrogate him directly."
The Emperor nodded his head.
"You've worked hard. More importantly, Samwon, I hear you need a little more time. Is that true?"
The Emperor had already spoken with Feng Tianhu before coming to meet Cheongun.
Feng Tianhu had not refused Cheongun's request. He had handed over the Nine Dragon Demonic Mirror three days before Cheongun left the Imperial Palace Armory. Although he had slightly changed the incantation of the important part so that it wouldn't be noticeable.
Cheongun reported to the Emperor.
"That is correct, Your Majesty. I have obtained martial arts from the Imperial Palace Armory, but the period was too short. I also want to punish the traitors right away, but my strength is still lacking, so please give me a little more time."
Cheongun prostrated himself again and pleaded with the Emperor.
Feng Tianhu, who was next to him, spoke at the same time.
"Your Majesty. It has already been revealed that the skills of those bastards are stronger than the existing Jinyiwei. Therefore, please give us, the Jinyiwei and the Samwon, another year's time."
The Emperor did not like to drag out the time.
There was no need to send a small elite force. He could just send a large number of people and wipe them out. But why were they trying to handle things so difficultly?
At that moment, the Grand Eunuch Jeongwon, who was reporting from the side, stepped forward.
"Your Majesty. May I say a word?"
"Ah, yes. What do you think? I just want to send a large-scale force and wipe them out at once."
"Your Majesty. That is a good idea. However, unfortunately, we have not yet identified all of their locations. If we move rashly and it gets into their ears, they might run away."
"Hmm. Then do you also think it's better to go with a small elite force?"
"What does my opinion matter? Please just do as Your Majesty wishes."
The Emperor did not insist any further.
"Alright. But this is the last time. Shouldn't the Samwon also finish that work quickly and do the work of the nation?"
The Emperor's complaint was simple.
If he had a genius sent by heaven by his side, he would be comfortable. He wanted to give Cheongun an official position as soon as possible and entrust him with troublesome work.
"Your grace is immeasurable. Long live, long live, long live, long live the Emperor!"
* * *
After parting with the Emperor, Cheongun suggested that the two of them have a separate meeting.
Cheongun followed the Grand Eunuch Jeongwon and Da Yingban Feng Tianhu and moved to another place.
The three of them, who had moved to a spacious room, sat around a large table.
Cheongun first raised his teacup and moistened his lips with the fragrant Longjing tea.
The two waited for Cheongun to speak, as it seemed he had something to say.
Finally, Cheongun put down his teacup and revealed the reason why he had arranged this meeting with them.
"I asked for a separate meeting because I have something to give to the two of you."
Seuk.
Cheongun took out two books from his bosom.
They were thin books, not thick.
Cheongun placed one book in front of each of them and said.
"There was a good manual in the armory, so I prepared it as a gift. I copied it myself."
At the word "gift," the two looked at each other.
There was no reason for Cheongun to give them a gift. That meant there was something he wanted.
Feng Tianhu looked at Cheongun and spoke first.
"Samwon, is there something you want from us?"
"There is nothing I particularly want. I just ask that you look after me well in the future."
Feng Tianhu did not let go of his suspicious gaze.
The Cheongun he had experienced always liked to give and take. He wanted a fair trade rather than a freebie. It was clear that there was something.
But the gift was too attractive to question or refuse.
"Really? You won't say something else later?"
"Of course. You've suffered because of me, so can't I do at least this much for you? It's enough if you just pay attention when you work in the future."
"Haha. Of course I will. Anyway, thank you."
Feng Tianhu nodded his head repeatedly as if he were satisfied. There was no reason to be on bad terms with Cheongun, who was receiving the Emperor's favor.
Moreover, since he was scratching his itchy spots like this, he looked lovely rather than hateful.
The problem was the Grand Eunuch Jeongwon. He still had a stiff expression on his face.
Cheongun smiled brightly as he looked at such a Grand Eunuch Jeongwon.
"Hahaha. Grand Eunuch, this is my small sincerity. Please accept it."
"Since the Samwon says so, I will accept it. But if there is something you want, please tell me one thing."
The Grand Eunuch did not like Cheongun. But he couldn't just let it go after receiving such a gift.
The gift Cheongun had given him was a manual from the Imperial Palace Armory. It would be a lie if he said he wasn't greedy.
Moreover, if Cheongun was giving it as a gift, it was clear that it contained a pretty good martial art.
Cheongun smiled awkwardly and said carefully.
"This is really... hahaha. Actually, I do have one request. Hahaha."