Chapter 244.1Prince Gyeongjin (2)

‘Sigh…’

Despite his courteous offer, which befit his status as royalty and a prince, the reason for stabbing his eye was simply because he talked too much?

Prince Gyeongjin was so dumbfounded that he was momentarily at a loss for words.

However, that was short-lived.

Immense pain rushed in, from his pierced eye to a severe headache.

“Ugh!”

“Your Highness!”

The Chief Eunuch of the Western Depot, Eunuch Ho, called out to him in a worried voice.

Eunuch Ho was extremely furious.

If it weren’t for Prince Gyeongjin, he would have wanted to unleash killing techniques on that insolent scoundrel right away.

But if he wasn’t calm, His Highness might really lose his life.

Suppressing his anger, Chief Eunuch Ho carefully spoke.

“Please, I beg you to calm down. If you release His Highness unharmed, I promise not only to let you go safely but also to grant you anything you desire.”

“Anything I desire?”

“That’s right. If you release His Highness unharmed.”

At his words, Mok Gyeong-un smiled and said,

“Ah. Then you can do anything for His Highness, right?”

That wasn’t even worth mentioning.

“Of course!”

Chief Eunuch Ho answered with emphasis in his voice.

As the right-hand man who had served Prince Gyeongjin for a long time, he was willing to do anything for him.

Mok Gyeong-un curled his lips and said,

“Then, if you take your own life, I will release His Highness.”

“What?”

At those words, Chief Eunuch Ho’s expression froze for a moment.

He had expected the fellow to demand something that would benefit him in some way, as he was human, but he never thought he would tell him to end his own life.

Unable to suppress the anger he had been holding back, Eunuch Ho raised his voice.

“Are you even calling that a proper request?”

“Oh? Are you getting angry now?”

“What?”

“You said you could do anything for His Highness, but are you suddenly reluctant to give up your life?”

At those words, Chief Eunuch Ho’s face contorted.

This cunning bastard was toying with him by creating a dilemma.

This was clearly the fellow’s scheme.

If he were to die, the fellow would become even more unrestrained.

However, if he said he couldn’t die here, His Highness Prince Gyeongjin might doubt his loyalty.

It was literally a dilemma where he couldn’t do either.

At that moment, Prince Gyeongjin, who had been holding his pierced eye in pain, opened his mouth.

“Ugh… Eunuch Ho. Don’t fall for this person’s scheme while worrying about me.”

“Your Highness!”

“I won’t doubt your loyalty over such a thing.”

At Prince Gyeongjin’s words, Mok Gyeong-un laughed and said,

“You may talk a lot, but you’re pretty good at assessing the situation.”

“Haa… Haa… The fact that you asked Eunuch Ho to take his own life means you can’t easily subdue him, right?”

“Well, you’re not wrong.”

Chief Eunuch Ho was not someone who could be killed in an instant.

Therefore, if he were to take his own life, things could become much easier.

“Then, could Your Highness tell Chief Eunuch to take his life on my behalf? If you do that, I’m willing to release you right away.”

“Don’t say things you don’t mean.”

“Things I don’t mean?”

“Even though I treated you with courtesy, you ended up like this. Do you think I would believe those words?”

“Ah, I suppose that’s true.”

“I would never utter such words. Rather, there is only one command I would give Eunuch Ho.”

“What?”

“Eunuch Ho. Don’t worry about my safety and immediately break the window and go alert others of the enemy’s infiltration.”

At those words, Mok Gyeong-un raised an eyebrow.

Then, despite the pain, Prince Gyeongjin curled his lips and said,

“You may be able to kill me here, but you won’t be able to leave the palace alive.”

“You’re making it interesting.”

“Does this situation seem amusing to you? Then, can you really stop him if the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, Southern Pacification Commissioner, arrives?”

‘Southern Pacification Commissioner?’

At Prince Gyeongjin’s words, Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes narrowed.

This was because, according to the information he had heard beforehand, one of the three people he should be most wary of in the palace was Southern Pacification Commissioner, known as the pinnacle of the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

He wasn’t simply the pinnacle of the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

Southern Pacification Commissioner Gu Seong-baek.

His other title as the protector of the emperor was the Blade King of the Northern Faction, the current pinnacle of the martial arts world and one of the Six Heavens.

There were many famous anecdotes about him, one of which was the story of him splitting three large ships led by the Changjiang Water Route Stronghold on the Yangtze River with a single blade.

Thanks to that tremendous feat, Southern Pacification Commissioner Gu Seong-baek newly added his prestige to the pinnacle of the martial arts world, which was originally called the Five Heavens.

‘One of the Six Heavens.’

However, as the palace’s supreme master, he never leaves the emperor’s side even for a moment.

Therefore, some in the martial arts world call him a hidden dragon or a famous blade trapped in its sheath.

But the situation is different inside the palace.

“If the palace’s masters, including the Southern Pacification Commissioner, arrive, do you think you can easily escape after harming me, no matter how outstanding a master you are?”

The reason Prince Gyeongjin said this to Mok Gyeong-un was simple.

It was to let him know that if he was prepared to risk his life, revenge could be taken immediately.

“…I see.”

As if Mok Gyeong-un had grasped the situation to some extent, Prince Gyeongjin spoke in a slightly softer tone.

“Then how about we both take a step back?”

“Step back?”

“That’s right. I won’t force you to become my subordinate. But you should also stop trying to kill me and leave. If you do that, I will stake my honor and treat this matter as if it never happened.”

This was the best measure Prince Gyeongjin could think of.

It was a ploy to let him know that the situation was harmful to both of them and make him give up on his own.

At his words, Mok Gyeong-un smiled and said,

“Your current approach is much better than your earlier verbose talk.”

“…Then will you accept my proposal? You don’t even know my identity, so you have nothing to lose by retreating from here, right?”

“That’s true.”

“Then please release me.”

At those words, Mok Gyeong-un stroked his chin as if pondering.

Prince Gyeongjin was confident that if he wasn’t truly prepared to risk his life, he would accept his proposal this time.

At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un opened his mouth.

“I’ve thought about it, but I don’t think there’s any need for that.”

“You truly!”

“No matter how I think about it, Chief Eunuch over there doesn’t seem like he would let you die.”

“Ha!”

Prince Gyeongjin clicked his tongue as if dumbfounded and said,

“If I give the order, Chief Eunuch will unconditionally follow it. You seem to be underestimating both me and Eunuch Ho.”

“It’s not underestimating. As far as I know, the palace has strict laws and regulations, right?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“If you die, won’t they hold those responsible for your safety accountable as well?”

“…”

“And with death, no less.”

At those words, Prince Gyeongjin was rendered speechless.

This was an undeniable fact.

If he were to be assassinated by someone, according to the palace regulations, all the Embroidered Uniform Guards and eunuchs who had guarded him would also be held accountable and executed.

Prince Gyeongjin inwardly clicked his tongue.

Since the enemy threatened his safety, he had proposed a method that could be a way out for both of them, without being too offensive.

However, this cunning bastard had immediately found a flaw in his scheme that was hard to detect.

In the end, Prince Gyeongjin had no choice but to gamble.

“…Chief Eunuch. Can you give your life for me?”

With those words, Prince Gyeongjin stared intently at Chief Eunuch Ho.

He didn’t truly mean for him to sacrifice himself.

‘You just need to show the will to give your life.’

That way, this person might accept his proposal.

Eunuch Ho’s eyes were faintly trembling.

No matter how much he had pledged loyalty as a subject, it was a matter of his own life, so he seemed to hesitate even at the word of gambling.

However, as if he had understood the true intention in Prince Gyeongjin’s eyes, he was about to answer with determination.

“I…”

But right at that moment, Mok Gyeong-un spoke.

“Ah, since Your Highness is being so resolute, I should make some concessions as well.”

“Concessions?”

“Yes. Then order Eunuch Ho to destroy his own danjeon. If you do that, I’ll spare both your life and Eunuch Ho’s life.”

“What?”

At the words to destroy his danjeon, sparks flew from Eunuch Ho’s eyes.

For a martial artist, destroying one’s danjeon was not much different from giving up one’s life.

Because it meant the end of life as a martial artist.

Although he had not learned martial arts, Prince Gyeongjin was not unaware of this, so he also raised his voice, unable to suppress his anger.

“Eunuch Ho is no different from my right arm. Telling him to destroy his danjeon is like cutting off my right arm. Do you think I would fall for such a scheme?”

“That’s not for you to decide.”

“What?”

“It depends on Eunuch Ho’s choice. I’ll count to five. If he doesn’t destroy his own danjeon within that time, I’ll kill you.”

“You bastard!”

Eunuch Ho couldn’t hold back and snapped at him.

He wanted to tear Mok Gyeong-un apart and kill him right away.

However, if he did that, Prince Gyeongjin would likely die at the hands of that person.

Meanwhile, Mok Gyeong-un sneered and said,

“I’m not even asking to kill him, just to give up martial arts to save you. If you can’t even do that, you don’t have any loyalty at all.”

“What! You…”

“Then why are you hesitating? I’m saying I’ll spare both your life and his. Is it that difficult? Is martial arts more important than His Highness?”

“…”

“Ah, I see. Well, if you’re someone who values your own life, of course, martial arts would be precious too. In the end, when you peel back a layer, what’s important to humans is their own selves.”

“You, you bastard…”

Under Mok Gyeong-un’s pressure, pushing Eunuch Ho like this, Prince Gyeongjin’s complexion darkened.

This person was extremely skilled at psychologically driving the opponent to the extreme, to the point of suffocation.

It could be seen from Eunuch Ho’s wavering appearance.

At this rate, it seemed like he would really give in.

“Ho Gong…”

-Grab!

“Ugh.”

At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un grabbed Prince Gyeongjin’s neck.

Prince Gyeongjin, whose throat was blocked, coughed with a red face.

“You!”

“One!”

As he was about to say something, Mok Gyeong-un started counting.

The moment he heard “one,” Eunuch Ho’s expression hardened, and he was at a loss, unable to do anything.

Was this fellow really trying to kill His Highness?

No, from the moment he appeared wearing something like Eunuch Beom’s human skin mask, it might have been a given.

“Two!”

Eunuch Ho bit his lip hard.

He had only two choices.

Either destroy his own danjeon as the fellow said, or break through the door as His Highness ordered, alert others of the enemy’s infiltration, and seek help.

However, if it was the latter, His Majesty the Emperor would certainly hold him accountable.

In that case, the death penalty was definitely set.

-Crunch!

Whichever he chose, it was the worst situation for him.

At that moment, he saw Prince Gyeongjin, whose neck was being held, gesturing something toward him with his hand.

It was,

‘Ah…’

He was pointing to his belly with his hand.

In other words, it meant to destroy his own danjeon.

Seeing this, Eunuch Ho’s eyes sank heavily.

In the end, when his life was in danger, Prince Gyeongjin chose his own safety over the aftermath.

“Three!”

As the word “three” came out of Mok Gyeong-un’s mouth, strength entered Eunuch Ho’s hand holding the soft sword.

In that fleeting moment, countless thoughts flashed through Eunuch Ho’s mind.

And finally, he made his choice.

It was none other than,

-Pak!

As Eunuch Ho threw the soft sword infused with strong energy toward Mok Gyeong-un, he immediately launched himself, smashed the window, and fled.

‘Chief Eunuch!’

At this sight, Prince Gyeongjin’s eyes widened as if they would tear apart from the sense of betrayal.

In the end, he had chosen his danjeon instead of saving him.

-Tap tap tap!

Eunuch Ho, who had broken through the window, bit his lip hard.

It was an unavoidable choice for him.

He had a way to escape the palace itself if worse came to worst regarding the palace’s laws and the responsibility that would follow, but there was no answer if his danjeon was destroyed.

What if that fellow changed his words and killed both him with a destroyed danjeon and His Highness?

Then it would become an even worse situation.

‘Your Highness, I apologize. In the end, you also thought of your own safety rather than mine, didn’t you?’

And even if the fellow kept his promise and spared His Highness’s life, he didn’t think Prince Gyeongjin would employ him again with a destroyed danjeon.

In that case, it was better to plan for the future.

However, as Eunuch Ho, who had gone outside to raise an alarm, frowned.

‘What’s this?’

The surroundings of the palace were too quiet.

Within the Bi-gyeong Palace alone, there were dozens of Embroidered Uniform Guards and palace guards.

Yet, he couldn’t feel their presence at all.

What is happened was going on?

Thinking something was strange, Eunuch Ho thought he should escape from the palace for now, considering that the fellow might chase after him.

So, as he was about to launch himself out of the palace,

-Tok tok!

The sound of footsteps came from the direction of the palace gate’s pavilion.

Eunuch Ho unconsciously looked in that direction.

There, he saw a stunningly beautiful woman in splendid red and gold clothes walking toward him, holding something in one hand.

At that moment, Eunuch Ho’s expression hardened.

Because the moment he saw the woman’s face, he immediately recognized who she was.

‘Consort Ho?’