Chapter 284: The Divinity of the Jiangshi (1)

These grotesque beings, whose skin mixed hues of bronze and silver, were undoubtedly made from human corpses.

The black blood they spilled reeked of rot, as if it were from corpses, and not a single pulse beat within them—not even in their hearts.

"Do you know what these bizarre things are?"

As the last one's head and body were severed by my hand, Prince Gyeong approached, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I can't be sure, but I believe they might be jiangshi."

"Jiangshi?"

The character "僵" in jiangshi means "stiff." It refers to corpses that stand and move.

Prince Gyeong looked at the fallen creatures with disbelief.

"Jiangshi? I thought they were mere rumors."

Rumors in the world don't just arise without reason.

I too had grown somewhat numb to such things after experiencing so much.

Ordinary people would be terrified to see dead bodies move.

"But you are truly remarkable. Even these jiangshi were no match for you. The real monster here is you."

I responded to the prince's praise with a faint smile.

In truth, the jiangshi I had faced just now had bodies hardened to a nearly indestructible degree.

Their monstrous strength rivaled that of top-tier masters.

Without pain and driven purely to kill, they were dangerous enough to overwhelm even seasoned warriors if caught off guard.

— They were that strong? I didn't even notice while fighting them so easily.

Thanks to my past experiences, I had managed to deal with them smoothly.

From the beginning, I had amplified my energy by harmonizing my middle and lower dantians, then struck their weak point: the head.

— So all that training wasn't in vain after all.

Exactly.

Still, hiding these jiangshi inside the stone coffin—

It was clearly meant to prevent anyone from casually accessing the elixir of immortality.

"Are you feeling any better, Your Highness?"

In response to my question, Prince Gyeong looked at me in amazement.

"What exactly did you do? The pain in my limbs has lessened so much that my mind feels clearer."

"I cleared the blockages in about half of your major meridians that were obstructed by excessive yang energy."

Hearing that, Prince Gyeong could not hide his surprise.

"Is that really true?"

"Yes. Even partial restoration of flow should have significantly reduced your pain."

"You're right. The pain hasn't fully gone away, but this much I can bear even without alcohol."

"I wished to clear all your meridians, but I feared your body couldn't endure it, so I had to stop halfway."

My honest words stirred him deeply.

"Then… if you cleared all the meridians, could I be fully healed?"

Though I hated to crush his hopeful gaze, I had to tell the truth.

"I'm afraid not."

"What do you mean? Even the one they called a divine healer couldn't ease my pain like this. If all the meridians were opened..."

"Your illness is congenital."

"And what does that mean?"

"Even if the meridians are opened and your yang energy reaches normal levels, your body doesn't maintain that balance naturally."

"...So it will return?"

"Yes."

At that, the prince's earlier excitement faded into disappointment.

It seemed he had been harboring hope—not for immortality, but for his body to recover.

Since I'd given him the bad news, I owed him the good as well.

"But please don't be disheartened."

"What?"

"As long as we manage your condition regularly and prevent yang energy from building up again, Your Highness can live a full life—free from the short lifespan dictated by your 'Sun Pulse' disorder."

"Truly?"

"I can't guarantee it absolutely—I'm no divine healer. But based on my own examination, it seems likely."

"Ahh…"

Moved by the revived hope, Prince Gyeong's face flushed and his eyes welled up.

Indeed, humans find deep emotion in even a single ray of hope amidst despair.

I myself had felt something similar when I recovered the ability to practice martial arts after losing it once.

Prince Gyeong, his heart full, bowed politely with a formal hand gesture.

"Your Highness?"

"Thank you. This is not a prince or emperor thanking you, but one person showing gratitude to another."

He's a good man—regardless of status or title.

The more I got to know him, the more I felt that way.

Smiling, he continued.

"I have thanked you as a man; now I wish to reward you as a king—and a future emperor. Is there nothing you desire?"

"You've not yet fully recovered, Your Highness."

"Even just this progress is worthy of thanks. Besides, if not for you, Yeonsaeng, I would've lost my life to these rebels here today."

He truly wished to reward me, but I had no desire for anything at the moment.

"I appreciate the sentiment, but there is nothing I seek."

"Nothing?"

Prince Gyeong laughed heartily at my answer.

"Never met anyone like you. Or… is it because you already stand before the secret of immortality that you have no desires?"

"To be honest, I'm not that attached to the idea of immortality."

What joy is there in living endlessly?

Besides, I myself am already in a half-immortal state.

My only reason to seek the technique is to keep it out of dangerous hands.

"Then why pursue the technique at all?"

"To prevent it from falling into the hands of someone with twisted ideals."

No need to tell him everything.

But then, he said something I didn't expect.

"You mean to block someone twisted… those corpses called that person 'His Majesty.' Was that… the Late Emperor?"

"How do you know that?"

"Did you forget I wasn't unconscious earlier?"

— Ah…

I had overlooked that.

So he must've heard me questioning Pa-gung-gwi Cho-sa.

And inadvertently learned the "Late Emperor" was involved.

That could be a problem.

— Why?

Because the Late Emperor, though a known tyrant, was still an emperor of Yeon.

Meaning he was an ancestor of Prince Gyeong.

I wasn't sure how he'd react to learning such a villain was part of his bloodline.

— Right. They share blood.

While I was hesitating, he asked me seriously.

"The Late Emperor you spoke of—was he truly the Sixth Emperor of Yeon?"

I couldn't just brush it off as a coincidence in title.

There was no way to explain away the use of "Emperor (제)."

— So what now?

What else? I had to explain things in a way he could accept.

In the end, I nodded.

"Yes."

Prince Gyeong spoke in disbelief.

"How can that be? The Sixth Emperor died of illness three hundred years ago."

"He did not die. He simply hid himself all this time."

"Hid? The emperor, hiding…?"

"The tyrant known as the Late Emperor sought to annihilate all martial artists in the Central Plains. You're likely aware of this."

"...Yes, I am."

It's recorded in the royal chronicles of Yeon, after all.

I had to keep it brief and to the point.

"But the massacre wasn't his only goal."

"What else was there?"

"Though different in character from you, he too sought immortality."

Prince Gyeong clicked his tongue.

"Believe it or not, but none of our emperors were ever not obsessed with immortality."

"Indeed. But he was a tyrant who slaughtered countless warriors and civilians."

"...I cannot deny that."

"Even so, an opportunity for immortality came to him."

Startled, Prince Gyeong asked:

"An opportunity? Then did he succeed?"

"No. He came close—but fate was not on his side. A descendant of the Sword Sage appeared and stopped him."

"The Sword Sage? The one called the greatest swordsman in history?"

"Yes."

"But there's no such account in the records."

"Of course not. That incident would have been his greatest humiliation and fear."

Even saying this myself felt rather embarrassing,

even if I spoke of it as though it were someone else's tale.

"If it's not recorded, how do you know of it?"

"I have ties with the Sword Sage's descendant. I heard it from them."

"Hmph."

I'm honestly impressed with how smoothly the lies come out.

At my words, Prince Gyeong sighed, then asked:

"So you say the Sword Sage's heir stopped him… but why do you speak as though he's still alive?"

"Because he is. In a state of incomplete immortality."

"Incomplete immortality?"

Pointing to the pentagonal stone chamber, I replied to his question.

"Think of it as half of the secret art hidden inside there."

At my words, King Gyeong spoke with a grave face.

"Then are you saying His Majesty the Golden Emperor tried to use me and even kill me to obtain the complete secret art of immortality?"

"To be blunt—yes. Oh, and since it also seems related to Prince Jin, it looks like he also intends to place him on the throne."

"What?"

"Prince Jin, although not as much as the Golden Emperor, also desires to suppress the martial world and eliminate the unorthodox sects. So, he's probably seen as the most suitable candidate."

At those last words, King Gyeong's expression turned fierce.

Whatever the reason, he is aiming to become Emperor.

I had intended to provoke a reaction—what would he do if the Golden Emperor, his predecessor, stood in his way?

As expected, he responded accordingly.

"How could one who abdicated long ago do such a thing!"

"Once someone holds power, it's not so easy to let go."

"Still, to fake his death and now interfere with the royal court like this—it's no different from treason."

If I think about it, perhaps what the Golden Emperor truly wants is the throne again.

Once he achieves immortality and eliminates me—his sworn enemy—there will be nothing left for him to fear.

Then he may try to rule as the eternal Emperor.

King Gyeong, clearly disturbed, said to me:

"If what you say is true, then we must never allow that secret art to fall into his hands."

"It's best that it falls into no one's hands."

Immortality itself is essentially cheating.

Giving such power to a tyrant would not only disrupt the world—it would endanger it.

King Gyeong asked:

"Then what will you do with the secret art?"

"Destroy it. So that no one can have it."

That was my objective.

I was never interested in living forever.

At my words, King Gyeong chuckled.

"That's the right answer. It's right that someone like you holds the secret art."

"We've already delayed long enough—if the Golden Emperor sends reinforcements, I must destroy it quickly."

"Then do it."

I entered the blood-stained pentagonal chamber.

With the Jiangshi inside the sarcophagus now dead, I could only hope there were no more traps.

As I approached the sarcophagus, I was taken aback.

'...What is this?'

The open sarcophagus was completely empty.

Nothing inside—did that mean the secret art of immortality wasn't here?

Or perhaps it was related to the now-dead Jiangshi?

While I stood puzzled, something on the stone wall caught my eye.

'What's this?'

On the inside wall of the sarcophagus, an engraving had been carved in a peculiar shape.

It clearly formed the shape of a sword.

'Blood Demon Sword?'

It was identical to the Blood Demon Sword, even down to the engravings.

It looked like the sword could be inserted to fit perfectly into the indentation.

'No way…'

I went to another sarcophagus.

This one also had an engraving in the shape of a sword—but a different one.

The third sarcophagus had a pattern matching the Soul Lotus Sword, and it too had an indentation shaped to fit the blade.

I returned to the one shaped like the Blood Demon Sword.

'…Let's try it.'

I took out the Blood Demon Sword from the pouch that could hold anything.

As soon as it emerged, it grumbled:

—Damn it! You cursed human, it was suffocating in there.

Sorry, but I didn't have anywhere else to hide you.

I drew the sword from its scabbard and brought it to the indentation.

Suddenly, a strong suction force emerged from the carving.

I let go of the hilt.

—Clunk!

—Agh!

The sword slid perfectly into the groove.

Then the whole chamber began to tremble, as if an earthquake had hit, and I heard mechanical sounds from within.

'What now?'

I expected something to change with those mechanical sounds.

But that was it.

Nothing else happened.

I stepped away from the sarcophagus and stood at the center of the room.

I carefully examined the surroundings.

—Did anything come out?

A black liquid began to seep across the floor.

It looked like it was trying to form a shape—but it didn't appear to be text or a symbol.

More like the outline of a map.

—Try the Soul Lotus Sword too.

That makes sense.

I took out the Soul Lotus Sword and inserted it into the matching indentation.

—Clunk!

—Ugh! It got stuck!

…Don't say weird things in that voice.

Anyway, once the sword was fitted into the groove, another mechanical sound came, and more liquid surfaced, forming another line.

This time, the outline became clearer.

Based on the shape…

'Sichuan Province?'

It definitely resembled Sichuan.

Since inserting the two swords resulted in this map, then inserting all five must reveal the full map.

—What a letdown. So, we gained nothing?

Not true.

At least now we know the Golden Emperor must collect all five swords—including the two I have and the one held by the Wudai Evil's Jeolshim, wielder of the Killing Heart Sword—to obtain the secret.

Knowing this is a big achievement.

As long as he doesn't take the swords from me, he'll never get his hands on immortality.

—Clunk!

I retrieved the Blood Demon Sword and the Soul Lotus Sword from the walls.

Strangely, once I removed them, the black liquid seeped back into the ground and vanished.

—Unhui. Why not just destroy this place?

'Destroy it?'

—Yeah. You said you'd destroy the secret art. If you break this place, the map disappears too, right?

No, I need to leave it.

Because I want to lure him here.

—Lure him?

If he learns the secret lies here, he'll come after my swords.

That will be the perfect opportunity to draw him out—and kill him.

—Oh, I see. That could work.

If he won't show himself, I'll force him out.

I left the chamber and returned to King Gyeong.

"Did you obtain the secret art?"

"Yes. I destroyed it immediately."

—What? You didn't even get it!

I said that on purpose.

It's not that I don't trust him—but just in case.

If he lingers here trying to counter Prince Jin, who competes for the throne, it'll only expose him to danger.

I can't stay with him constantly, so it's better he believes there's nothing left here.

King Gyeong looked impressed.

"Truly admirable. Most would hesitate before such a treasure, but you destroyed it without flinching."

"It was too dangerous to keep."

"Even so, impressive is impressive. If you ever desire a position in court, I'd gladly keep you by my side."

"Forgive me, but I am a martial artist."

At that, King Gyeong clicked his tongue in disappointment.

Then, remembering something, he asked:

"Oh, right. There's something I've been meaning to ask."

"Please do."

"Where is the real Yeonsaeng?"

"Sleeping beneath the bedding in her barracks at the camp. You needn't worry."

Did you really think I'd kill an innocent woman just for a disguise?

King Gyeong, visibly relieved, nodded.

Then, glancing at the unconscious government soldier nearby, he said:

"May I ask you one more favor?"

"What is it?"

With a mysterious smile, he said:

"Be Yeonsaeng one more time."

---

---

About ten li from King Pyeong's tomb.

In the plains there, a camp of over five thousand government troops had been established.

At the center of the camp flew a flag with the word "Wuhan" written on it.

These were the government troops of Wuhan.

Inside the central command tent sat an unexpected figure.

It was none other than Prince Jin.

Surrounding him were military commanders, eunuchs, and several court officials.

Seated at the head, Prince Jin asked a middle-aged general with a long beard:

"What is in that tomb that required you to send your entire five-thousand-man division?"

"Apologies, but I do not know."

"Then why send them?"

"I merely followed the orders given to me by that person."

Prince Jin clicked his tongue in frustration.

"I wonder if you're really mine—or that person's."

"I serve only to assist Your Highness."

"That again."

Prince Jin's irritation was clear.

Despite supposedly being his subordinate, General In Ocheon was full of secrets.

If not for the agreement with that person, he would've never kept him close.

'Only until I ascend the throne.'

Once that day comes, he will rid himself of all who try to use him.

Just then, footsteps approached rapidly outside.

"Your Highness! Urgent news!"

"What is it?"

One of the generals asked in his stead.

A voice replied from outside.

"Prince Gyeong is outside the camp requesting to meet with the commanding officer."

"Prince Gyeong?"

At that, Prince Jin narrowed his eyes and glanced at In Ocheon.

The general, clearly startled, frowned.

Prince Jin said gravely:

"So Prince Gyeong survived and came here."

"...It seems there was a mistake."

"You boasted that you could eliminate all of his planted agents. You sent your own troops—and now Prince Gyeong is here?"

"I will handle it. Your Highness should hurry and—"

Before he could finish, Prince Jin shot up and shouted:

"Enough. I'm sick of leaving things to someone who isn't even a proper commander. Guards!"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Did Prince Gyeong bring an army?"

"No, Your Highness. Just around a hundred guards and what appear to be courtesans."

At that, Prince Jin smirked.

"He brought courtesans? Ha! Truly like him. I was worried for nothing."

He had feared Gyeong might bring an army—that would mean war.

But this? With only a few guards and women, he could be easily sent away—or eliminated if necessary.

—Tat-tat-tat-tat!

Another set of footsteps came rushing toward the tent.

"Y-Your Highness! Urgent news!"

Prince Jin frowned.

"What is it now?"

"A courtesan in green just broke into the camp and is charging this way, bypassing our troops!"

"What? A courtesan?"

The report left everyone in the tent confused.

Prince Jin, incredulous, said:

"Are you mocking me? What nonsense are you—"

But then, shouting erupted outside the tent.

"Stop her!"

"Catch that courtesan!"

"!?"