Chapter 131
"You can use this place, Young Master Emotionless Guest."
The Embroidered Uniform Guard warrior who had guided Cheon Woojin opened the door to the residence and said. It was very awkward to add the word 'Young Master' after the Heaven Beyond Heaven nickname of 'Emotionless Guest', but there was no other way to address him.
"Ah, if you need anything, you can just grab any passing Embroidered Uniform Guard warrior and tell them."
He was consistently polite to Cheon Woojin, who looked much younger than him. Basically, the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors were people close to martial artists, and it was only natural since Cheon Woojin was a martial artist who had reached Heaven Beyond Heaven, and the emperor had personally ordered to give him a residence.
Cheon Woojin, who had entered, looked around the room for a moment.
It was crude for a place used by the martial artists of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, one of the highest power institutions in the imperial palace. It rather felt similar to the residences used by the martial artists of the Martial Alliance.
The character of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was clearly revealed even in the room.
"Are they twins? Or a human-skin mask?"
Or, it could be a type of bone-shrinking art that changes one's face or physique.
"Then why the emperor of all people?"
Cheon Woojin was immediately captivated by the thought of the silver-haired man who looked exactly like the emperor. He had been feeling a growing frustration as he had recently experienced matters related to the Dark Heavenly Son.
Cheon Woojin's personality was to immediately go to the source of the problem with his staff and fan when a problem arose. But he was frustrated because questions that were not revealed on the surface kept popping up.
While he was sitting still in the room like that.
Suddenly, the voices of the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors training in the training ground in front of the residence were heard.
"Why is that Peng Myeongseok guy here again?"
"I heard the Commander called him. I guess it was to be more careful when having an audience with His Majesty, since Young Master Emotionless Guest's martial prowess is what it is."
Peng Myeongseok was the name of the Hebei Peng family head.
For some reason, the hostility towards the Peng family head was clearly revealed in the conversation of the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors.
Of course, they had lowered their voices as much as possible, but they could not deceive Cheon Woojin's five senses.
Cheon Woojin, who had gotten up from his seat, went to the window.
The training of the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors was in full swing in the training ground visible outside. Unlike martial artists, the warriors of the imperial palace did not mind showing their training to others.
It was because basically all the martial artists in the imperial palace learned the same martial arts.
Their martial arts did not particularly arouse Cheon Woojin's interest.
The martial arts of the Eastern Depot were at least interesting, as they seemed to have subtly mixed the martial arts of an assassin and a bodyguard, but that of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was too standard and honest.
However, it was not their martial arts, but their conversation that caught Cheon Woojin's interest.
In any case, since he had decided to come to the imperial palace under the pretext of inspecting the Peng family, he became curious about what the Peng family would be like in the eyes of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, not the Martial Alliance.
Cheon Woojin, who had opened the door and stepped out, held his Crescent Moon Staff instead of his Crane Feather Fan after a moment of contemplation. Considering the martial arts of the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors, the Crane Feather Fan would not have caught their interest much.
As expected, the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors were already glancing this way.
Officially, there were no martial artists of Heaven Beyond Heaven in the imperial palace.
There were only rumors that the Grand General, the Commander, or the Commander-in-Chief might have reached the realm of Heaven Beyond Heaven.
Cheon Woojin, feeling the gazes of the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors, lightly swung his Crescent Moon Staff.
"Ooh..."
Even though it was a trivial movement, the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors let out a low exclamation.
It was partly because the Black Master's martial arts basically scattered a fierce prayer around even just by breathing, and the nickname of Emotionless Guest somehow made even a trivial action seem special.
Cheon Woojin silently swung his staff. Since it was his usual training, he just continued the natural movements as if breathing.
Had it been about a quarter of an hour?
Before he knew it, a lot of Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors had gathered around Cheon Woojin. They were each pretending to train and watching Cheon Woojin.
Cheon Woojin, who felt this, suddenly asked them.
"Would you like to train together? It's lonely doing it alone."
"Ahem, then I'll help a little..."
"I'll do it."
As soon as Cheon Woojin's words fell, the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors gathered and stepped forward, saying they would help with the training.
Of course, since it was an act to buy their favor, Cheon Woojin said to train together with everyone.
Among those who had learned martial arts, it was this easy for a master to buy the favor of a subordinate.
.
.
.
Had it been about an hour?
Even those who had been wary were all smiling and gathered around Cheon Woojin.
To the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors who had polished their martial arts all their lives, all of Cheon Woojin's trivial words and actions felt special.
They put all their strength into their eyes so as not to miss a single word, a single small hand gesture, and if he threw out a word of advice in passing, they were as happy as if they had obtained a great opportunity.
"Young Master Cheon! Please take a look at this! I've been feeling some frustration in extending my sword recently, and no matter how much I try to lighten my body, there's no sign of improvement."
The Embroidered Uniform Guard warrior who had said so swung his sword.
The title had long since become more familiar, from Young Master Emotionless Guest to Young Master Cheon.
Cheon Woojin, who had looked at him, answered nonchalantly.
"I haven't learned that sword technique, so I'm not sure, but it's probably a problem of balance. Try to gather your center of gravity more heavily on the soles of your feet. If it's difficult, you'll get a feel for it if you think of curling your toes and gripping the ground."
"Ah! I've only been trying to make it lighter all this time...!"
The Embroidered Uniform Guard warrior, who had let out an exclamation, put more weight on his lower body as Cheon Woojin had advised. In any case, since only the most elite among the millions of martial artists in the imperial palace could become an Embroidered Uniform Guard warrior, the talent of each of them was by no means low.
The sword of the Embroidered Uniform Guard warrior, who had quickly embodied Cheon Woojin's advice with his body, extended without frustration, unlike before.
"Th-this can't be!"
Not only the person himself, but also those who were watching from the side could not hide their surprise. To gain enlightenment in martial arts with just a few words. Does its depth not truly reside in Heaven Beyond Heaven!
At this point, the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors were feeling not just a simple liking for Cheon Woojin, but something of a sense of awe.
"Young Master Cheon! Please take a look at me just once!"
"Hey! I was waiting first!"
The Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors poured out questions as if they had been waiting.
Cheon Woojin, who was instantly engulfed in a wave of questions, gave appropriate advice or help to each person.
At first, it was a planned act to gain the favor of the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors, but seeing the rather deep level of contemplation in their questions, he realized.
How deeply they usually contemplated martial arts and tried to advance.
The passion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors for strength was no less than any martial artist Cheon Woojin knew.
And so, Cheon Woojin, who had answered all the storm-like questions with a slightly more serious attitude, asked in passing.
"It seems the Peng family head often visits the imperial palace?"
"Hah, don't even mention it. Anyone would think he's an official, not a martial artist."
The bright expressions of the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors darkened a little.
They clearly had a hostility towards the Peng family.
As Cheon Woojin made a curious expression, testimonies about the Peng family poured out from here and there.
To summarize, it was like this.
Recently, there have been frequent invasions by Japanese pirates in the Shandong region.
But, since a great master was mixed among them, the military had difficulty dealing with it and asked for the Peng family's help.
The Peng family had always had a deep connection with the military.
But, when the Grand General, who was his uncle, personally asked for help, the Peng family sent all their elites, including the family head, to the battlefield.
Nevertheless, since it was not easily resolved, the war dragged on, and the Peng family head, as if he had taken a key position in the military, often visited the imperial palace and acted with a stiff neck.
Cheon Woojin, who had heard the explanation, tilted his head.
He had definitely heard from his masters that the martial arts of the Eastern Sea were insignificant, so there were no notable masters.
But, it was a bit strange that it had not yet been resolved even though all the elites of the Five Great Families, led by the family head, had stepped in.
Of course, there was a possibility that an unparalleled genius had appeared in the Eastern Sea, but...
It was true that it was very fishy.
"Strange."
"That's right. He's a very strange guy. But, His Majesty seems to look very favorably on a martial artist being so diligent in the affairs of the country."
It was natural, since he was an emperor who was originally favorable to the martial world.
And the decisive complaint came out with a thud only at the end of the explanation.
"Thanks to that, the military budget is leaking to the military side. Well, since the war is dragging on, it can't be helped. But because of that, it's true that the share allocated to our Embroidered Uniform Guard has also decreased a lot..."
The Embroidered Uniform Guard warrior who was continuing the explanation trailed off.
Soon, those who were next to him also started to be cautious, and then they scattered, spouting words like, 'If you rest too much, you get lazy. I should continue my training.'
Cheon Woojin turned his head.
The Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was approaching, rebuking his subordinates who were quickly scattering with his eyes.
"Emotionless Guest, don't even think of getting involved in the affairs of the imperial palace. The Peng family head is a martial artist, but he is not an ordinary person. It won't do you any good to touch someone who is related by blood to the Grand General."
There was a concern in the Commander's words.
In any case, the fact that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had a favorable view of a martial artist, especially an outstanding martial artist who had reached Heaven Beyond Heaven, was a statement that also applied to the Commander.
As Cheon Woojin did not seem to take his advice seriously, the Commander added.
"I have heard the news that there is a crack in the Martial Alliance recently. I'm sure the reason you followed me here so obediently is, of course, your loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor, but also to observe the Hebei Peng family."
"That's right."
Cheon Woojin readily admitted.
The Commander said as if he knew it.
"At least don't do it within the imperial palace. Also, it would be better to leave the imperial palace as soon as possible. If the Peng family is targeting you, they won't miss the opportunity when you are here in the imperial palace where their power is at play."
The Commander, Gam Jibyeok, was genuinely worried about Cheon Woojin.
He was a martial artist, but also an official who had spent his entire life in the imperial palace. He had seen countless times in his life how power made military force fade.
"Thank you for the advice."
Cheon Woojin expressed his gratitude dryly.
The Commander looked at the scene anxiously. Although he had not exchanged many words, he could easily grasp that the Emotionless Guest was a terribly stubborn guy.
Then...
"Ahem! If you're not going to leave the imperial palace right away, how about a spar with me to loosen up your body..."
It was then.
One of the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors guarding the outer court came running in a hurry.
"The friends of Young Master Emotionless Guest have arrived."
"Why now of all times...! No, let them in. Ahem."
It was a matter that His Majesty had already permitted.
But, it was so unfair.
His subordinates had trained to their heart's content with the Emotionless Guest, but just as he was about to join in, they had to arrive.
The Commander, who had managed to hide such feelings for the sake of his dignity, told Cheon Woojin to wait at his residence and that he would guide his friends, and then glared at his subordinates for no reason.
It seemed he had to establish the discipline of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for the first time in a long time today.
* * *
All the members of the Inspection Hall had already arrived in Beijing.
However, entry to the imperial palace was only permitted to the Hidden Dragon Unit. The reason was that any more military force would be classified not as Cheon Woojin's 'friends', but as a 'martial world faction'.
Cheon Woojin immediately told them the story of the Peng family that he had heard from the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors. Song Yiyeon, Jinun, and Namgung Jin were lost in deep thought without even having a chance to look around the imperial palace.
It was certainly strange even when they heard it. It seemed that if the Peng family were up to something, they would be doing it at that battlefield.
In the absence of Zhuge Lin, Song Yiyeon, who was the sharpest of the four, pressed his temples with his thumb.
He was imitating Zhuge Lin's habit when she was thinking about something deeply.
Soon, just as everyone's gaze was focused on Song Yiyeon.
Song Yiyeon spread his index finger in the air with a tak. He had an expression as if he had figured something out, so everyone's expectations rose.
"How about we eat first? On the way here, I got into a running competition with these two, so I skipped my meal and ran."
"..."
Jinun and Namgung Jin exchanged glances that said, "Let's beat up Song Yiyeon." However, Cheon Woojin stepped in faster than that.
"I don't think we'll get an answer by contemplating here. First, we have to go to the Shandong Peninsula where the battle is taking place."
"Is that possible? That area is the military's territory, so the Peng family will oppose it."
And if they recklessly charged into a battlefield, they would be framed for treason and punished.
Cheon Woojin nodded.
"There is a way, so all three of you, follow me."
Cheon Woojin, who had said so, got up from his seat.
Of course, as Song Yiyeon had said, since all three of them seemed to have skipped their meals and run, he said, as they looked very hungry.
"We should also have a meal while we're at it."
At that, the three shot up.
A meal in the imperial palace. Regardless of the high or low of their martial prowess, any commoner of this country would be full of expectation.
* * *
Contrary to their expectations, the three could not even swallow a single spoonful.
The food was by no means bad. Rather, the large dining table was filled with all sorts of delicacies.
However, the person sitting opposite the dining table was the problem.
"So, you want to go to the front lines of the Shandong Peninsula. That's great. I was very disappointed that I couldn't grant your request."
A meal with His Majesty the Emperor as soon as they arrived.
Song Yiyeon, Jinun, and Namgung Jin kept their mouths shut and just watched the situation.
The moment they put something in their mouths, they felt like they would get indigestion.
It was then.
"Why are you not eating? Is it because I am uncomfortable? If so, I will leave first..."
At the same time, the three, with the speed of a flash of light, stuffed whatever food they could grab into their mouths.
"Haha, don't get indigestion, eat slowly."
Upholding the imperial order, the three who were even using their internal energy to digest so as not to get indigestion.
The emperor, who was very happy to have a meal with his peers for the first time in his life.
And Cheon Woojin, who was eating without any particular thought, as the food was delicious.
(End of Chapter)