LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 57
[Moments Later, the Sacred Paradise.]
The Emperor has turned into a beautiful girl.
And we also heard the story about the being known as Mo Yongseol’s mother, ‘Yui Seol.’
She is a sore point.
No, she’s not just a sore point; she’s a significant issue in the Martial World.
Although discussing her may be uncomfortable in many ways, once mentioned, it cannot be ignored.
“Your mother was one of the late-degree martial artists who hid her identity as a princess and entered the Martial World.”
The Sword Saint slowly opened his mouth in front of the nameless tombstone.
“Many speculated where Yui Seol’s martial arts originated, theorizing that her skills came from ‘Dong Yi.'”
“Dong Yi, you say…?”
“Those from even further east than Liaodong. Fortunately, no one denied that she was from the Central Plains, but opinions sharply divided over the source of her martial arts.”
The Sword Saint took a stance with his sword.
“Hae Dong Sword Technique. Her publicly known martial arts were said to have been passed down from the mystical sect of Dong Yi. However, the truth is that it was the royal martial arts kept deep within the royal family.”
Not the swordsmanship of the Mo Yong Family or his own name-derived ‘Seven Star Sword,’ but entirely different techniques, he began to move with the sword himself.
“Huanglong Six Harmonies Sword. Her sword techniques had long been forgotten, are royal martial arts.”
“Mother…”
“If we were to assess purely in terms of abilities, she would rank among the top thirty martial artists in the world. A woman filled with a sense of justice, she took it upon herself to venture into the Martial World to repel the Demon Cult that was starting to gain influence over the royal family.”
The Sword Saint thrusts the sword forward.
That posture does not resemble the sword of Mo Yong, but looks somewhat akin to the ‘Emperor Sword Style’ of the Nangong.
No.
Just because the target direction is the same, one cannot say the martial arts are similar.
If Nangong’s martial arts boast themselves as ‘Kings of Swords’ as the rulers of the Martial World, then the Huanglong Six Harmonies Sword wielded by Mo Yongcheon was a sword meant for an ‘Emperor.’
“She met me, and I fell in love with her. Then, after defeating the Heavenly Demon, we had you. I thought our happiness would be eternal.”
“…Until the sickness of Absolute Meridians kicked in.”
“Right.”
Clang.
“In fact, I suspected from your birth that you would develop Absolute Meridian Sickness. However, I thought you would grow up normally until the day you turned seven, your hair turned white, and you started spitting blood.”
“…….”
“My wife became mad with guilt, believing she had made you contract the Absolute Meridian Sickness. She fell into madness, killing many and becoming a significant issue in the Martial World.”
“If that’s the case…”
Mo Yongseol slowly spoke up.
“Where is my mother’s body now?”
“I don’t know.”
“…I believe it was the last time you stabbed her.”
“Yes. I did stab her. It was a gift she gave me.”
Mo Yongcheon looked up at the sky as he answered.
“She fell from a cliff, and I searched below the cliff for her, but I could not find the body. I wanted to search, but there was no one other than me who could look, and at that time you kept collapsing and spitting blood.”
“…….”
“I had no choice. Should I infuse you with my energy to somehow suppress the bleeding, or should I find your mother’s body at all costs? I chose you.”
“…….”
“Regrettable as it may be, I do not regret it. My choice was not wrong, and I am satisfied that I saved you.”
After looking up at the sky for quite some time, Mo Yongcheon turned to look at us.
“I never expected to speak of the past like this, but so it has come to pass. She was a princess, yet she did not reveal her identity as such and did not make it public within the royal family. She even cited inviolability as a reason, not wanting to cause discomfort for the Mo Yong Family.”
“If the princess of the Empire becomes the mistress of the Mo Yong Family, then the Mo Yong Family would no longer be a family of the Martial World but rather…”
“The Empire.”
The Sword Saint shrugged his shoulders.
“As a member of the royal family, at the same time, a significant political enemy would emerge for the current Emperor.”
The number one in the world backing the princess.
No, it wouldn’t just stop at the number one in the world.
The Sword Saint is a hero of the nation, especially in places like Shanxi, which suffered direct damage from the Heavenly Demon; the public heralds the Sword Saint as a ‘God of War’ hero.
– Make the Sword Saint the Emperor!
This would have been particularly appealing for those within the imperial guard or previous internal traitors who suffered greatly.
Even before it became known that Mo Yongseol’s mother was of royal lineage, such a sentiment existed, albeit as a joke.
But what if such stories spread in reality?
“Well, for now, they would all probably hesitate.”
If it were ten years ago, it might have been different; now that Yui Seol has perished as a significant issue in the Martial World, the circumstances would have changed somewhat.
Of course, there will still be movements to recruit the Sword Saint into the administration.
“Let’s set aside the old tales and talk about the present and future. Physician Seok.”
“Yes, Head of the Family.”
“In the worst-case scenario, you must take Seol Yi to the royal palace.”
“…….”
Literally, in the worst case.
“Even if everything is revealed, and everyone wishes for you, there will still be one place in the world that can suppress such desires.”
“If the Emperor has it, then he could suppress it.”
“Yes. Of course, it wouldn’t be like during the reign of the First Emperor; however… at least he could use his power to suppress it. If that’s not possible, he might have to mobilize the army.”
Even if everyone in the world knew of the true nature of ‘Extreme Yang Reversal,’ if the management were not by the Martial Families but the royal family, nine out of ten would abandon the idea of seizing it by force.
Here, the strength being referred to doesn’t just mean brute force.
Money, power, capital, resources, information, medicine, and a variety of other factors.
– Can they withstand against the royal palace?
If the conclusion is reached that it’s impossible, most people, even if they envy or resent the royal family, will eventually give up and return to their livelihoods.
“The Imperial Palace will be a proper fence that can protect you.”
“The reason you mentioned it being the worst case is that I’ll have to live as a member of the royal family rather than a member of Mo Yong Family.”
“Exactly. Like a phoenix that entered its own cage, you’ll have to live according to the rules set within the precious golden cage that the royal family cherishes. In a place where everyone is watching, losing your freedom and being trapped within the palace.”
In the Sacred Paradise, it differs from the case of the Mo Yong Family.
Here, although we may not be able to casually go outside, there is at least a minimal freedom that I and Mo Yongseol can enjoy as a couple.
“The royal palace might be nice, but… Seol Ah.”
“Yes, Father.”
“If you enter the palace, your… huh.”
The Sword Saint let out a sigh.
“There will always be eunuchs or palace maids waiting in your bedroom, and even if I tell them to leave, they will be standing outside with their ears perked up.”
He revealed the reality of the royal palace.
“That’s undesirable!”
Mo Yongseol rejected the notion.
Perhaps if a different topic had been brought up, Mo Yongseol might have been curious about the palace and could have asked once, but the Sword Saint clearly indicated the situation his daughter most wanted to avoid and thus distanced her from the palace.
“Physician Seok.”
“Yes, Head of the Family.”
“If the royal family has additional desires for ‘our Mo Yong Family’, it would probably be the princesses who will develop Absolute Meridian Sickness years from now. Can you treat them?”
“Of course, I will make sure to treat them.”
Not only the imperial Absolute Meridian patients but all patients suffering from Absolute Meridian Sickness throughout the Central Plains are targets for treatment.
“However, Head of the Family. If, in the worst case… if the Emperor were to, under the Empress’s counsel…”
“Do not worry about that.”
The Sword Saint turned his head toward Beijing.
“The Empress wouldn’t dislike the newly transformed Emperor; if anything, she would like him.”
Just now, it seemed he was about to say something strange.
* * *
[Days Later, Imperial Palace in the Capital. Empress’s Quarters.]
Clack, clack.
A woman with black hair lay sideways on the bed in the Empress’s quarters, rubbing together white gemstone ornaments, casting a cold gaze downward.
“Taehwan-gong.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Facing the beautiful woman, Taehwan-gong placed his hands together, straightened his back and neck, as the Empress raised one sharp eyebrow and gestured to her surroundings.
“If you have called all my palace maids away for a private meeting, then surely it must be important news to tell me. Since the Emperor has yet to show himself, what brings you here all of a sudden? Have we not been politically adversarial?”
“I wish to resolve that conflict.”
“Hah. Does that even make sense? You want to keep your current Majesty on the throne, whilst I want my son—”
“The Emperor wishes to step down and place the Crown Prince on the throne.”
Startled.
“…Hah. What on earth is the Emperor thinking?”
“He aims to sustain a relationship and continue the bond with a woman who does not love him.”
“What!?!?”
The Empress alarmingly exclaimed in sudden shock—
“Who, who is it!”
Startled by the girl’s voice, but soon realizing the direction of the voice, she was taken aback.
“Taehwan-gong, right now within you…!”
“Excuse my intrusion.”
As Taehwan-gong spread his eunuch robe to the sides, a black-haired beautiful girl jumped out.
“Madam.”
“Wha, what in the world…?!”
“You have endured much carrying a child from a man you do not love. Now, I will grant you the love you desire.”
“…….”
The girl swiftly approached the frozen Empress, lifted her chin with her hand.
“Against me.”
“…….”
The Empress placed her hand inside the girl’s skirt, eyes wide open in surprise, staring intently at her.
“Am I truly…?”
“I have come to fulfill your desires. You must have endured so long. Madam.”
“Oh, oh my….”
“Will you receive my love?”
“……That would be.”
Tears streaming down her face, the Empress embraced the girl who had become the Emperor towards her bed.
“…….”
Taehwan-gong wiped away his tears with his sleeve, leaving the couple to their intimate moments.