Chapter 461: Became a Sword Controlling Technique

Read more at Nineheavens.org

Several people carrying large bundles quietly advanced along the side paths within the palace.

Bai Chu was among that group.

He had entered the imperial palace disguised as a porter, intending to reunite with his lover Cho-hui.

Everyone currently walking this path together had risked their lives to help him.

In particular, the person at the front of the group had led the matter, and he was ranked among the highest of the meritorious ministers who had contributed to the founding.

An eighty-year-old elder distinguished by his long white hair and white beard.

It was Code of Law, a high official of military advisor origin who had once made a great name by displaying brilliant military strategy.

With the end of the war, his heyday as a military strategist had essentially concluded, and he had effectively retired.

That’s why when Bai Chu had departed west to carry out the final expedition, he hadn’t joined the campaign.

At that time, he had already been appointed to the honorary position of Grand Secretary, symbolizing retirement, and stepped back from major palace affairs.

Before as now, Code of Law always maintained a neutral stance.

Because of that, he had barely survived the tyranny of Emperor Huan Hou that had ignited at some point.

But he could no longer just stand by and watch.

At this rate, even the fate of the founding vassals remaining in the palace would be in jeopardy.

In the midst of that, the moment former Grand Marshal Bai Chu returned as if by miracle, Code of Law himself also solidified his resolve.

To secretly plot a great undertaking……

Though he had maintained a neutral stance until now, he too inwardly respected Bai Chu’s character.

Hence, after witnessing the scene at the banquet ten days ago, he made up his mind to help Bai Chu.

Because he thought he was the only person who could stop the rampaging Emperor Huan Hou.

Soon, when the group arrived at the rear garden of the separate hall in the southeast of the imperial palace.

“What brings you here?”

A soldier guarding the main gate asked courteously while looking at Code of Law.

Just then, Cho-hui came out and appropriately made up an excuse.

“Ah, it seems the special goods I ordered separately have arrived. I specially made a request to the Grand Secretary a few days ago. Since they’re difficult to obtain……”

At those words, Code of Law smoothly played along.

“Hu-hut, I procured them as a pastime. Still, they arrived faster than I thought.”

Following that, he said to the soldier.

“They’re ornaments from the Western regions.”

Thereupon the soldier moved aside from the gate without much suspicion.

He failed to recognize Bai Chu, who had pushed down his bamboo hat low.

Immediately after the group of porters entered through the gate.

“I’ll wait here, so Please check carefully.”

With those words, Code of Law stood close to the soldier.

“Let me chat with you while waiting. Isn’t it boring standing there for so long?”

“No. It’s fine. I can handle it easily for several sicheon.”

“Well, I too had overflowing energy When I was young like you. Well, as you see, now I’ve become a worthless old man in the back room. A-ha-hut.”

“Oh my, why would you say such things……”

Thus Code of Law engaged the soldier in conversation, drawing his attention.

Meanwhile.

Bai Chu, who had entered the garden, suddenly felt sentimental.

Cho-hui immediately grasped his hand firmly and headed toward the inner chamber.

In the meantime, the rest of the people deliberately made noise while moving the luggage so the soldier outside wouldn’t become suspicious.

The chamber door closed quietly.

“Chu……!”

“Hui……”

Cho-hui and Bai Chu, without one leading the other, passionately embraced.

A hot kiss followed.

Thus, for a while, only silence filled the inner chamber.

At last, their lips parted.

“I’m sorry.”

When Bai Chu spoke with dark eyes, Cho-hui shook her head firmly.

“What are you saying? Just the fact that you’re alive like this, I……”

Trailing off, she wiped away her tears for a moment, then spoke again.

“Everything…… It was Huo’s doing, wasn’t it?”

At that question, Bai Chu’s eyes deepened.

“Did you hear something from him?”

Thereupon Cho-hui told him about the conversation she had with Huan Hou.

-I plan to soon carry out a purge and place new people in all key positions of the palace. All those demoted, all those remaining here, beheaded…… Must be sent to Bai Chu’s side.

-……!

-Why, do you think I deliberately drove him to his death?

-Did…… You?

Then she quietly added.

“To that question, he smiled.”

“I see.”

Bai Chu’s entire face, murmuring as if reciting, was thickly shadowed by gloomy emotion.

He sighed and then looked at Cho-hui as he continued.

“I too, and all those who followed me on the Road…… Were all deceived by him. The final expedition was a trap for disposing of those who had served their purpose.”

“Ah…… You realized it, even if belatedly?”

“Huo was cunning and used two barbarian tribes. Then as he died, one barbarian king who realized he had been discarded told me. The ugly truth hidden in the expedition mission.”

Bai Chu briefly explained what happened at that time.

Having heard that story, Cho-hui gently took his hand and said.

“Now you must not believe anything he says. The promise from before can easily be broken……”

“Yes, I know well. Last night I was ambushed by a mysterious group. I suspect they’re assassins Huo sent.”

“Ah, that…… Such things! Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Of course not. It’s difficult to subdue me with just that. But…… As time passes, it’ll get worse. The number of people attempting assassinations on my life will increase more and more.”

“Please leave the capital quickly. You absolutely must do so.”

Cho-hui said those words while tearing up with anxiety.

“Not yet…… The time isn’t right.”

“Sob…… If this continues, everyone will die. So from now on, consider me a dead person……”

Though Cho-hui spoke while shedding tears, Bai Chu did not yield.

“No, I must stop him. The tyranny has reached its peak.”

“But how……”

Bai Chu soon wiped Cho-hui’s tears with a gentle hand.

“Don’t cry. There is one way to end everything.”

Cho-hui was startled by the unexpected words.

“Yes……?”

Bai Chu, who had thought about something for a moment, spoke solemnly.

“I need to make a Sword and put my Soul into it.”

For her, it was a statement that wasn’t readily understandable.

“What do you mean……?”

“The secret Art I acquired during the gap in my life When I was treated as having fallen in battle…… I intend to use it.”

“……”

“It’s the last resort to correct this series of situations.”

At the words ‘last resort,’ Cho-hui felt ominous.

“Wait! What do you mean by putting your Soul in?”

But Bai Chu hesitated to answer.

“……”

That amplified the ominous feeling even more.

“Please tell me! Hurry!”

Thereupon Bai Chu swallowed his hesitation and answered quietly.

“My…… Death.”

In that instant, vertigo assailed Cho-hui’s mind.

“Th-that can’t be……!”

She felt grateful that he had barely survived like this, so why did he speak of death again?

But Bai Chu’s pupils shone with determination.

“I’ve made up my mind.”

“……!”

“What you said earlier…… I think I should say it back. Now…… Consider me a dead person.”

No sooner had Bai Chu’s words ended than Cho-hui threw herself into his arms.

“Sob……! No. No, I won’t listen. If I’m left alone, how am I supposed to live……”

The sight of her unable to even wail loudly was pitiful.

Bai Chu stroked the hair of the woman in his arms and let out a low, heavy voice.

“I’m sorry. I gave my body and heart to protect the country, But…… I couldn’t protect you.”

At that sound, Cho-hui’s delicate body created a faint trembling.

Feeling that, Bai Chu’s throat was momentarily blocked.

But he barely suppressed the tears about to surge out and continued to speak quietly.

“But the Sword exchanged for my life…… Will be able to protect you.”

“Sob…… Please……”

Cho-hui sobbed while beating his chest, pouring out her sorrow.

A bitter smile spread on the lips of Bai Chu, who patted her back.

“My dream was to go with you to a quiet place and live there…… How did it come to this? Yes, cry. Cry your heart out just for today.”

“Sob, Sob…… Sob Sob……”

“And when day breaks…… Don’t show tears anymore. So that he won’t notice……”

Right then, someone’s voice was heard from beyond the door.

“General Bai. As you know, there’s no time to delay. Since we came as porters, we must leave Shortly.”

“Alright, I understand. I’ll come out soon.”

Bai Chu answered so and then looked down at Cho-hui in his arms.

“Hui…… Unless I die, he won’t stop. So I’m choosing death myself to eliminate him. The rest…… Military advisor Beop will explain in detail.”

“Sob…… I can’t just let you go like this. Knowing this is the last, how can I……”

“Still, being able to see your face one more time before I go…… Makes me happy.”

“Bai…… Bai…… Uh-huk……”

At Cho-hui’s mournful voice, Bai Chu too finally choked up.

“Hui……! Don’t forget. I will become a Sword…… And stay by your side. Huub…… Though you won’t be able to know it…… I…… Will be able to see and hear…… Everything about you.”

“Uh-huk……”

* * *

The next day.

News that Bai Chu had been attacked by mysterious assassins and died spread through the palace.

At that, Huan Hou expressed his joy.

It was an attitude that didn’t care at all about what Cho-hui might feel.

And three more days passed, around the time a bright moon rose in the night sky.

Code of Law secretly visited Cho-hui’s quarters.

Usually at that time, the Military Guard General Choi Oh-eop, head of the royal guard, personally stood watch at the main gate.

So free entry and exit was nearly impossible, but when Code of Law appeared, Cho-hui was surprised.

“How…… Did this happen?”

She spoke with disbelieving eyes.

Because the person standing beside Code of Law was too unexpected.

It was none other than Choi Oh-eop himself.

He spoke to Cho-hui with a grave expression.

“Please don’t be too surprised. I have originally lived as the Elder’s confidant. Also…… I have always respected the late General Bai. However, to survive the current Emperor’s tyranny, I hid my true self. When everything is over, I will safely escort you, so Please don’t worry. We’ve already completed preparations in cooperation with the founding vassals in the Palace. Now…… Only slaying that wretched Hu remains.”

“Ah……!”

The moment Cho-hui was impressed.

SWISH.

Code of Law placed a wooden case in front of her and spoke.

“It is a peerless Sword born through General Bai’s sacrifice.”

“How…… Was his end……?”

When Cho-hui asked while barely suppressing her sorrow, Code of Law told her of that day’s events.

“At night he slew all the assassins who rushed in…… Then went to a place I had secretly prepared. And he jumped into the crucible and sacrificed his life. This is…… No different from General Bai’s alter ego.”

Cho-hui opened the lid of the wooden case with trembling hands and caressed the sword while murmuring.

“So he became a Sword after all. When he wished for it so earnestly……”

* * *

Wang-ryu, who had screamed, soon convulsed violently.

PADULPADUL, PADULPADUL……

His head soon swelled as if pumped full of air.

The limit.

At last, the moment of death had arrived.

Right then, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke with an indifferent expression.

“Anyway, thanks. For letting me know various things.”

“No…… Om……”

“And one more thing, I’ll take care of the Black Tortoise’s Divine energy.”

“Wh…… What? K…… Wh-what do you……!”

“Get lost, enough.”

The moment Cheol Ryu-heun threw out a bored voice while gathering the divine energy, Wang-ryu’s entire body swelled greatly and then burst out.

TUTUTUTU…… TUTUTUTU……!

(Editor:Finally this arc is over. )