### Chapter 371 – Room 205, The Cursed Room – ‘The Absolute Master’ (20)
—
– Lee Eunsol
The third attempt in Room 205.
As soon as I pulled myself together in the palace, I reviewed the plan.
As mentioned in yesterday’s meeting, there wasn’t a significant issue with the Imperial Party’s progress, so we could proceed as before.
The first thing we needed to do was apologize for the longstanding grudge between the royal family and the Cheonui Alliance, requesting their cooperation for the greater good.
Last time, Sanghyun, who is Ijasung’s disciple, went directly, but this time, we decided to add one more element.
It was none other than a personal apology from the Emperor himself.
“Your Majesty, let’s tweak this part of the apology letter.”
As I made edits to the ‘apology letter’ or ‘letter of reflection’ that the Emperor was composing, I heard some complaints.
“This is kind of annoying. I haven’t done anything wrong! Isn’t this a collective punishment?”
Sanghyun, who was next to me, replied.
“Your Majesty, collective punishment is actually legal in Room 205.”
“Well…”
“If you sit on the Emperor’s throne thanks to your father’s legacy, it stands to reason you can apologize on his behalf.”
“Pfft! Oh, I’m sorry.”
Listening to that made me chuckle for a moment.
While the Emperor was writing the apology letter, I recalled one of the bits of information I gathered from Kain’s advice yesterday.
“‘Remember that Ijasung’s mindset differs from yours.’ What do you think about that?”
Sanghyun replied.
“Isn’t that obvious? Ijasung is, quite literally, an ancient figure.”
“That comment was probably made for a reason.”
“Isn’t this it? The situation where a child apologizes for their father’s wrongdoing feels quite archaic…”
While he wasn’t wrong, I sensed there was more to it.
At that moment, the Emperor, engrossed in writing the lengthy apology, responded.
“I just had a great idea!”
“Idea?”
…
Both Sanghyun and I stood there, mouths agape at what the Emperor suggested.
Sanghyun, typically so composed, stuttered in his response.
“Y-Y-Your Majesty. That’s a bit too much. If you do that, people might think you’re just messing around.”
I quickly added my own comment.
“The officials will surely revolt!”
The Emperor replied gruffly.
“With the nation on the brink of collapse, we can completely ignore the court officials.”
“What do you mean—”
“And when I saw it during the first try, all those officials were useless. When they thought the nation was on the verge of collapse, they fled before me, the Emperor.”
“…”
“I’m telling you; this will work! An instinct that is anything but ordinary is shouting that this is the answer.”
When Seungyub spoke like that, I had no further argument.
‘Instinct.’
Sure, for an average person, it could easily be dismissed as nonsense, but not for someone blessed by luck.
A little while later, the Emperor’s handwritten apology was finally complete.
*
– Kim Sanghyun
I pondered it all the way until I stepped off the carriage and into the Cheonui Alliance headquarters.
Is this really right? Does this make any sense?
No matter how I thought about it, Seungyub’s sudden, impulsive decision seemed questionable.
“Phhh…”
I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself.
The situation was similar to before. The Cheonui Alliance warriors were lined up all around, glaring at us as if they were about to devour us.
Soon enough, Ijasung was supposed to sneak in, instructing Chagunk to test my skills—
… But things felt different.
Ijasung appeared without a word and began approaching me.
“Long time no see, Leader—”
“Cut the chit-chat. Explain this ridiculous stunt.”
“…”
“The carriage outside.”
“That’s the carriage I rode in.”
“Stop joking. I know there are more people inside.”
“… First, please read this letter.”
Cautiously, I handed over the Emperor’s handwritten apology with utmost respect.
I was worried he might toss the letter aside, but thankfully, he didn’t do that.
“Did the Emperor write this himself?”
“Yes.”
The mention of it being the Emperor’s handwritten letter caused a stir around us.
I was reminded just how heavy the term ‘Emperor’ could be in an archaic monarchy.
As Ijasung read the letter carefully, I noticed his eyebrows twitching.
Finally, he reached the part that the Emperor had spontaneously added.
“What on earth does this mean?”
“Le-Leader?”
“Sanghyun, do you truly mean to toy with me?”
He was so agitated that he slipped and used my name instead of my title.
The Cheonui Alliance warriors surrounding us began to sense Ijasung’s anger and started simmering with fury as well.
“N-No, I’m not!”
The atmosphere turned extremely tense.
I recalled the moment the Emperor had proposed that ridiculous idea earlier.
*
In truth, the Emperor’s initial idea had been absurdly ludicrous.
“Uh, can I just start calling myself Ijasung’s grandson from now on?”
“??? What kind of joke—”
“No, think about it. In ancient times, princes referred to not only their birth mothers but also concubines as mothers, right?”
“…”
“So, by that logic, the late Ijasung’s daughter could technically be considered my mother. So, if I write ‘grandfather’ in the letter of apology, it would make me a tad cuter—”
“Please…”
Eunsol groaned, cradling her face with both hands.
“Your Majesty, I mean Seungyub, that only makes sense if your relationship with Ijasung’s daughter was good!”
“What?”
“Does it even matter that you became Emperor at a young age? You’re essentially saying your mother was the ultimate victor of palace intrigues!”
“Is—is that so?”
“It implies your mother likely killed Ijasung’s daughter, and how do you think Ijasung will take that from you?”
He could end up with a brutal nickname like ‘One Sword to Cut the Emperor’ or something.
Despite Eunsol’s valid points, the Emperor was undeterred and proposed another idea.
“Then how about starting to refer to myself as Ijasung’s disciple?”
“Please, just focus on the apology letter—”
“No, think about it. Every Emperor has a master, right? And if someone considers themselves the best swordsman, don’t you think they’re worthy of being the Emperor’s master?”
What on earth is going through his mind?
“Are you trying to strengthen your ties with Ijasung?”
“That’s part of it. And…”
“And?”
“Um, also!”
“Also?”
“… Wouldn’t it be nice to learn some martial arts?”
“…”
That’s probably the Emperor’s true intention.
He must have realized how weak he is and thought he might be able to learn a thing or two from Ijasung. I could understand that, as martial arts are skills that can be learned, unlike superpowers.
The real question was whether Ijasung would accept it.
*
Hundreds of sharp needles pricked at my skin.
The intangible aura exuding from Ijasung overwhelmed the surroundings.
“I’m serious, so let me ask you this: Are you suggesting the Emperor should become my disciple?”
“Indeed. After all, even an Emperor should have a master.”
Finally, the warriors of the Cheonui Alliance began to open their mouths in shock.
“Are you talking about the Taesa? I’ve never heard of that position being granted to someone in the martial arts world.”
“Now he’ll be the first to take on that role.”
“…”
“What does having a master mean for Taesa? It would mark the beginning of healing the conflict between the royal family and the Cheonui Alliance—”
“Isn’t there an easier way to resolve that conflict?”
“Excuse me?”
Ijasung’s icy gaze turned towards me.
“Let the royal family crumble. Even if Jo Won-hong were to take the kingdom, would he really kill everyone in the capital? Would he seek to annihilate the alliance?”
“Th-that’s not—”
“I know Jo Won-hong well. He’ll tell me: in the new empire, the position of the Cheonui Alliance will be secured, so just stay put.”
I was left breathless.
*
– Park Seungyub
While waiting in the carriage, my conversation tab flickered.
Kim Sanghyun: We’re doomed!
The teacher’s message was concise, yet it was enough.
The expressions of the grandfather, who had just joined me earlier, and Eunsol, who sat in front of him, turned ashen.
“Ugh! Did he go ahead and put some unnecessary stuff in the apology letter?”
“What should we do? It could’ve just been a matter of Sanghyun going and sparring like last time!”
“It was a bad idea from the beginning… Nullifying ‘disciple’? How does that make sense when they were sworn enemies just yesterday?”
“I specifically said that dealing with Ijasung should be done with a sword! It was foolish to resort to political tricks—”
In the noise of their bickering, I thought.
Now’s the moment.
Now, I was given a ‘choice.’
If this situation ended with Ijasung believing he had been mocked, the attempt would be considered a failure.
I’d have to return to the palace and prepare to flee to the Western Empire.
I didn’t want things to end this way.
— Clank!
“Uh? Your Majesty— Seungyub?”
“You both stay in the carriage!”
While stepping out, I reached for a hologram on the side of my vision.
[Activate the Heavenly Luck!]
[The energy of the universe is with you.]
I shoved past the crowd and dashed into the conversation space between the teacher and Ijasung.
I was hearing something ominously concerning.
“Do you have a reason to refuse Jo Won-hong’s proposal? Why would you deliberately tie yourself to the fallen royal family and plunge into the depths—”
Ijasung’s gaze turned toward me.
I prayed silently.
From here on, I fervently hoped my actions would resonate with him—
No. It wasn’t a prayer.
The principle of luck isn’t about wishing for something and having a benefactor make it happen.
It’s about believing that a roll of the dice will naturally come out as a six.
That unwavering conviction was the essence.
So, luck is a form of mental insanity.
I held no doubts.
I didn’t ponder over it.
Instead, I spoke with absolute certainty.
“Ijasung.”
“…”
“Become my Taesa.”
“Even if you come to tell me that directly, nothing will change.”
“What do you think I came here for?”
“Do you think I’d be naive enough to not see the royal family’s schemes?”
“The royal family and the Cheonui Alliance having harmonious ties? To draw you into a confrontation with the Baehwa? To intertwine the fate of the alliance with the empire?”
“…”
“None of that matters! I came here for a different reason! Frankly, I couldn’t care less if this empire collapses!”
I meant every word.
Whether this empire collapsed or not was irrelevant to me.
My true feeling, my purpose, was purely straightforward.
“I want to learn martial arts. I want to become a disciple of the world’s best swordsman!”
I genuinely wanted to become stronger by learning martial arts.
That desire was ten times more important than all this nonsense about the empire.
“I’ve always thought about it. Am I just not strong enough? Wouldn’t it be great if I could run just a little faster? Punch just a little harder?”
“…”
“Couldn’t I at least be proud in front of the enemies I face?”
“Proud, huh….”
Ijasung was looking down on me.
His gaze, sharp and seasoned from decades of mastery, dissected my very being.
Strangely, those eyes felt like they were delving deep into my innermost thoughts.
“So, Ijasung, no, Master! Please teach me just one move.”
What did martial arts literature say about how a disciple should serve a master? Bowing nine times, right?
Right then and there, I knelt and lowered my head—
But something, an intangible power, stopped me dead in my tracks.
“…”
“…”
Silence descended upon the Cheonui Alliance courtyard.
Everyone was flustered, unsure of what to do, when suddenly, an old voice broke through.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes?”
“Do you truly wish to learn martial arts?”
“Of course.”
“My teachings are extremely strict.”
“That’s just how it is.”
“I’ve made children your age cry at least a thousand times.”
Gah!
“…Is that okay?”
“It’s a curious feeling.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s quite amusing that the son of my enemy wishes to become my disciple….”
“…”
“It’s not so bad.”
With those words, the intangible power vanished.
Nine times of great respect.
When the bowing came to an end, the old man lightly nodded toward me.
At last, I became the disciple of the world’s best swordsman.
*
As the Emperor’s carriage left, having swept through the alliance like a storm, Ijasung silently began making preparations to depart for the royal palace.
“Master!”
“…”
“Master! Are you seriously going to ignore what I said?!”
“Gunhak, I hear you; go ahead and say it.”
“Is the Emperor a—”
“Disciple.”
“…The fact that the disciple laid a blatant trap, and you fell into it?”
“Trap?”
“Aren’t they trying to throw us out in front of the Baehwa? That girl, Jo Hwa-mun, must have something up her sleeve—”
“I don’t think so?”
“What?”
“I’ve witnessed my disciple’s demeanor.”
“…”
“It’s not a lie. The discussions about the empire, the Baehwa. He has no political inclinations whatsoever.”
“How can that be?”
“I’d call him quite immature for an Emperor. It’s astonishing to make such significant decisions without any political consideration. But…”
“…”
“As one martial artist, he seems sufficient.”
“Master….”
“Didn’t you hear him? He wishes to become proud before his enemies.”
“…”
“What’s the issue? A child seeking strength approached me for guidance, and I merely obliged. It’s the way of the world. So, look forward to it.”
“Look forward to it?”
“I’ll drench the entire imperial palace with the Emperor’s tears.”
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