Chapter 935

“I heard Jin Taekyung came by.”

The Emperor sat alone in his vast bedchamber, lost in thought. The man’s sudden voice didn’t startle him.

Baek Yeon was one of the very few—perhaps the only person—who could come and go anywhere in Qianqing Palace without asking permission.

“You’re a step too late, Baek Yeon. He left half a shichen¹ ago.”

“That doesn’t matter. I came to see Your Majesty.”

At Commander Baek Yeon’s calm reply, the Emperor affected a frown.

“I’d rather you hadn’t. I’ve seen enough of your face already.”

“Then have you been well these past three days?”

“What kind of question is that? It’s been a relief not having a nag around.”

“I’m hurt.”

“Don’t sulk. Someone who used to watch me day and night is in much the same position as you.”

“No Shadow would be even more hurt if he heard that.”

“That’s why I’m saying it while he’s away. He’s no longer my bodyguard, so I can talk behind his back now and then.”

“Well. There’s no winning against Your Majesty.”

Baek Yeon shook his head in defeat, and the Emperor gave a quiet laugh.

“So, is Bao’er doing well?”

“Of course. He couldn’t be better.”

But the worry didn’t leave the Emperor’s face.

“He’s been through so much at such a young age. His mind and body must still be unsettled. Stay by his side.”

Baek Yeon heard the concern in his voice. He understood it, too.

The Emperor’s own flesh and blood had returned after more than a decade. Though it had been for the boy’s safety, his youngest brother had, in effect, been left on his own. No amount of love or worry could feel like enough now.

Why else would the Emperor have assigned both No Shadow, his hidden bodyguard, and Baek Yeon, his closest confidant, directly to the Imperial Younger Brother?

Look after the boy. I can trust you two with him.

Remembering the request the Emperor had made three days ago—a request, not an order—Baek Yeon spoke.

“His Highness isn’t even fifteen yet, but of everyone I’ve met, only one person has a stronger, more upright spirit. It’s hard to believe he’s so young.”

“Only one?”

“Your Majesty.”

The answer came without hesitation. For a moment, the Emperor was at a loss for words. Then he raised both hands.

“I concede. Flattery from you, of all people. You’ve changed, Baek Yeon.”

“That’s true. Much like how Your Majesty has started making jokes.”

“Come now. I said I conceded. Enough nonsense.”

“Did what I just said sound like flattery or nonsense?”

Baek Yeon smiled faintly.

“I meant it. I’ve always admired and respected Your Majesty. Others would have given up on that thorn-covered road many times over, but you kept going, even with your feet covered in blood.”

The sincerity in his words left the Emperor silent.

Something welled up and caught in his throat. For the moment, he could barely speak. He fought the feeling down and forced out a reply.

“If I’d had to walk that road alone, I would have given up along the way. I couldn’t have done it without you all.”

“I don’t believe that.”

Baek Yeon shook his head and continued slowly.

“We could trust and follow you because you were who you are. This day was only possible because Your Majesty bore the greatest responsibility and the greatest pain.”

“……!”

“Even while watching for traitors hiding their blades, did you ever neglect the affairs of state? I watched you sacrifice sleep to practice martial arts, handle petitions, and fight your illness—all at once.”

A jumble of emotions crossed the Emperor’s face.

Yes. That was how it had been. There had been days when it could be no other way.

“It was only natural. Sleep was a luxury.”

For more than ten years, he had never slept more than one shichen¹ a day.

No—even that sleep had never been peaceful. He had to keep his mind alert while he felt his body slowly dying.

That was what it meant to be the Son of Heaven. From the highest position under heaven, he had to face the fiercest storms before anyone else, while watching over and caring for all that lay beneath him.

That was how the Emperor saw his duty. And it was why Baek Yeon respected him so deeply.

“Deciding to do something is as easy as turning over your hand. Following through is as hard as moving a mountain.”

At first, Baek Yeon hadn’t been certain either.

Could the Great Nation’s fourth prince, their last remaining choice, join them in their great undertaking? Was he fit to hold the Son of Heaven’s absolute power?

But he had proved himself. Better than anyone.

Though the Imperial treasury was piled high with mountains of gold and silver, he had always lived frugally. Though peerlessly beautiful women had been presented before him, he had never indulged in women. He had even chosen not to produce an heir, for fear of putting his youngest brother in danger.

That way, Dark Heaven couldn’t harm Zhu Bao. They couldn’t recklessly kill a child with the legitimacy to replace the Emperor, nor could they inject him with Blood Soul Gu, which would swiftly kill its host.

“Every one of the things Your Majesty considered only natural was anything but.”

“……!”

The Emperor’s eyelids trembled at Baek Yeon’s quiet words.

He hadn’t known. He hadn’t known Baek Yeon thought of him that way.

Looking back over the road he’d traveled, the Emperor realized he wasn’t the only one who had kept his true feelings hidden. Baek Yeon had, too.

“I…… don’t know what to say.”

At the strain in the Emperor’s voice, Baek Yeon let out a hearty laugh.

“You don’t have to say anything.”

“Shouldn’t I say something?”

“I’m not sure. It might only make things more awkward.”

The Emperor shook his head, then clicked his tongue.

“Baek Yeon, are you really the man I’ve always known?”

“What on earth do you mean?”

“Do you have to ask? You’ve always been merciless.”

“Are you talking about when you were learning martial arts?”

“I am. You said, ‘Please forgive me for laying hands on Your Majesty’s precious body,’ then proceeded to beat me all over.”

“Why bring that up all of a sudden?”

Baek Yeon frowned at the unexpected reminder.

“And as I told you then, you improve at martial arts by getting hit. So Gyo…… I mean, the Bow Saint agreed with me, didn’t she?”

“She did. The two of you even teamed up to beat me later. It hurt so much I spent ages wondering whether to quit on the spot.”

“Did I threaten you with a sword? You were the one who asked me to teach you.”

“And there’s the way you speak to me. Whenever I struggled, you’d come by and lay into me without fail. You’d even use the familiar hao form, as if you’d forgotten how one addresses the Son of Heaven.”

“That was……”

Baek Yeon trailed off and glanced away at the empty air.

He could excuse laying hands on the Emperor during martial arts training as part of teaching him. This was different. Even if he had meant to encourage the Emperor, some of the things he’d said and done had been anything but proper conduct for a subject.

“Your Majesty, I—”

“Don’t pretend you’ve forgotten. You were doing it until quite recently. Only a few days after Bao’er entered the palace, you came to me and gave me a thorough tongue-lashing.”

“You were taking poppy with our great undertaking so close at hand. I was afraid it would ruin your mind and body.”

“What does that have to do with using the familiar form of address? I’d been bedridden and suffering for days, and had only just recovered some strength. I had to take poppy to ease the pain, even a little.”

“I know. I knew then, too, but I was worried about you, Your Majesty.”

Baek Yeon kept speaking while his eyes wandered over the empty space ahead of him. Then he fell silent.

At the edge of his vision, he’d caught the Emperor smiling.

“……Ah.”

“Do you concede defeat?”

Baek Yeon realized the Emperor had been teasing him all along and sighed.

“I do.”

“That makes one victory for you and two for me.”

“Are you keeping score?”

“I was once a general like you. What matters more to a general than victory or defeat?”

At the sight of the Emperor laughing with evident delight, Baek Yeon couldn’t help joining in with a hearty laugh.

What else mattered? If the Emperor was happy, that was enough.

Three days ago, his face had been shadowed by approaching death. Now it shone as brightly as the full moon. That was what mattered to Baek Yeon.

And yet part of him felt bitter.

The Emperor looked as though he had already accepted, deep down, the death awaiting him. Baek Yeon could do nothing but look at him and laugh along.

I know why you sent No Shadow and me to His Highness.

It wasn’t only to guard against some unforeseen danger and protect the Emperor’s only brother and heir.

The Emperor was preparing for what would come after his death. Before it was too late, he was handing his loyal retainers and his power base over to Imperial Younger Brother Zhu Bao.

Yet in the past three days, he hadn’t shown his face once to the brother he loved so dearly.

You don’t want him to see you like this.

For brothers reunited after more than a decade, the coming death would not be a parting for the Emperor alone.

Zhu Bao, the Great Nation’s new heir, would have to endure it too. Just when he had finally come to know the love and sincerity of family, he would have to let go of his only blood relative.

The Emperor must have known. He needed to tell his brother to prepare for their parting, but he was afraid to face the boy’s grief. So he stayed away.

……I see.

Baek Yeon forced the corners of his mouth back up. Not wanting to spoil the Emperor’s brief happiness, he spoke as brightly as he could.

“By the way, something good must have happened today. Did Jin Taekyung bring you some amusing news?”

“Amusing news? He did.”

“I’d like to hear it.”

“It’s nothing much.”

The Emperor smiled as he added the next words. Baek Yeon’s smile vanished.

“He said he’d save me. One way or another.”

“……!”

“It was amusing. He knows nothing about medicine, yet he made such a bold promise. But Baek Yeon, do you know what’s even more amusing?”

The Emperor didn’t wait for an answer.

“Those few absurd words made me feel hopeful.”

It was strange. How could Jin Taekyung promise such a thing with such certainty on his face, such a gleam in his eyes?

The Emperor had enjoyed seeing him like that. He was grateful, too. That irreverent martial artist was determined to save a life the Emperor himself had given up on.

But the reality as the Emperor knew it remained cold.

It’s probably impossible.

How cruel hope could be to someone facing a death already foretold.

He had folded that brief hope away and tucked it deep in his heart. For now, he simply wanted to speak to his loyal subject with a lighter heart.

“You look troubled. I’m fine, Baek Yeon. Don’t worry about me.”

“But if word of this gets out……”

The Emperor smiled at Baek Yeon’s worried look and waved a hand.

“He promised me he wouldn’t tell anyone else. Jin Taekyung is a man I can trust.”

“So……”

Jeok Cheongang’s voice was heavy when I finished telling him everything.

“The Emperor’s been poisoned with Blood Soul Gu?”

I nodded without hesitation.

“Yes.”

Promises are made to be broken.