CRS Chapter 35

A gatekeeper holding a long spear blocked Eunho with a dry expression.

“Where are you from?”

Eunho silently showed the gatekeeper his alliance token.

“Ah, you’re from the Martial Alliance.”

The massive gate of the Imperial Palace opened.

It was so well-maintained that not even the slightest sound came from the enormous door.

Eunho and Hwa-yeon were immediately guided to the quarters assigned to the Martial Alliance personnel.

“What? They sent more reinforcements?”

As expected, the expressions of those already deployed were not good.

It was as if they weren’t trusted enough, so more were sent.

And a young brat at that.

“That’s right.”

“Huh, perhaps you weren’t taught respect? If you’re from the Martial Alliance, you should know who I am?”

The speaker was about thirty years old.

He was a man who had been recognized for his exceptional martial talent and had become the vice captain of the Azure Sky Squad at a quite young age.

“I don’t know.”

He wasn’t teasing; he really didn’t know.

How could he know?

Seeing Eunho’s genuinely clueless expression, the man spoke with displeasure.

“Are you new? If so, I suppose it’s understandable. I am In-cheol, vice captain of the Azure Sky Squad.”

Eunho nodded compliantly.

It wasn’t difficult to remember, after all.

“I am Eunho, Alliance Branch Leader.”

Instantly, the eyes of the Martial Alliance martial artists widened like saucers.

“Br-Branch Leader? No, sir?”

No one here had a higher position than Eunho.

And what surprised them even more was:

“Eunho? Could it be the Bloody Heavens Renewing Sword?”

Eunho’s expression frowned.

What was that supposed to mean?

Seeing his frown, they quietly lowered their eyes.

Just as Eunho was about to say something.

Clack, thud.

With a soft sound, the door opened, and a man with a slender build entered.

His eyes were quite sharp, and one could tell at a glance that he was trained in martial arts.

Even more noticeable was the small golden badge at his waist.

It symbolized the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Emperor’s personal guard.

Everyone’s attention focused on him.

“Are you the people from the Martial Alliance?”

In-cheol stepped forward to perform a cupped-hand salute as representative, but hesitated after glancing at Eunho.

He felt somewhat indignant.

If only the Azure Sky Squad captain, who was temporarily away, had been here, this situation wouldn’t have occurred.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard martial artist observed this without missing a beat.

As if he had instantly confirmed the hierarchy, he spoke to Eunho.

“Let’s go. His Majesty wishes to see you all.”

Eunho nodded, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard led the way.

One of the Martial Alliance martial artists whispered softly.

“Vice Captain, I’m feeling nervous about actually meeting His Majesty.”

“So am I. But don’t forget that we’re here representing the Martial Alliance. Be careful not to make any mistakes.”

In truth, ordinary citizens never have a chance to see the Emperor in their lifetime.

This wasn’t much different for martial artists.

The Emperor was truly a figure who could be said to have the world at his feet, without exaggeration.

Anyone in the Central Plains would tremble standing before the Emperor.

There were dozens of gates in the Imperial Palace, each with its own gatekeeper.

They let the group pass without question upon seeing the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

That’s what the Embroidered Uniform Guard meant.

They received orders directly from the Emperor, moved directly, and their very existence was for the Emperor’s protection.

Blocking their path was tantamount to opposing the Emperor’s will.

However, there was one exception.

As they entered deep into the Imperial Palace, they saw a hall so massive it was on a different scale from anything they had seen before.

The one guarding its entrance stopped the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

“What’s the matter?”

Judging by his attire, he seemed to be a eunuch.

His sharp eyes slowly scanned the group.

“These are the people His Majesty personally ordered to be brought.”

“The ones from the Martial Alliance?”

“Yes.”

His gaze, which had been scanning the group, paused when it met Eunho’s.

“May I check?”

Eunho took out the token he had received from the Martial Alliance.

The eunuch who received it looked at it carefully and said.

“A Branch Leader at such a young age. You must be quite capable.”

Eunho shrugged as usual.

It would be a bit embarrassing to say “I am” with his own mouth, wouldn’t it?

The eunuch’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

“His Majesty and the Director of the Palace Domestic Service are inside. It would be better to refrain from such behavior in front of them.”

Saying this, he gently pushed open the massive door.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard gave him a slight nod before leading the way.

“Your Majesty, these are the people from the Martial Alliance.”

Eunho, who entered after, took in the interior of the hall.

There were only two people inside.

Given how vast the hall was, it should have felt empty, but instead, it felt full.

Was it because of the Emperor’s overwhelming presence?

No.

Rather, the Emperor seemed no different from an ordinary person.

The surprising point was how young he was.

He looked only slightly older than So-mi.

What truly filled this massive space with presence was the eunuch standing beside the Emperor.

He was a middle-aged man with a sharp countenance similar to the one they met at the door, but to a different degree.

It was a sharpness that seemed ready to cut at any moment.

So this was the Director of the Palace Domestic Service.

Along with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Palace Domestic Service was closest to protecting the Emperor.

Due to the nature of the Palace Domestic Service being composed of eunuchs, they always stayed closest to the Emperor, and their martial prowess was no less than the Embroidered Uniform Guard, boasting absolute power within the Imperial Palace.

And the head of this organization was the Director of the Palace Domestic Service.

Eunho observed him closely.

Transcendent Realm? He’s hit a wall.

He was at the Transcendent Realm close to the Transformation Realm, like Gu Hwi, the Shadow Guards Leader.

It was an astonishing level considering he wasn’t from the martial world.

As Eunho was internally finishing his assessment of the Emperor and the Director…

Thud.

Hwa-yeon elbowed Eunho’s side.

Looking around, he saw everyone prostrating themselves.

Only then did he say “Ah” and bury his head to the ground, paying respects to the Emperor.

“Raise your heads.”

The Emperor’s voice fell upon their heads.

“I’m grateful that the Martial Alliance is cooperating like this.”

“Your Majesty, it’s only natural for them to help. Aren’t they all subjects serving Your Majesty?”

“Ah, I see.”

It seemed like the Director was teaching the young Emperor about worldly affairs while assisting him at his side.

This was likely because the previous Emperor had passed away before he was fully prepared.

“Listen. Recently, the Blood Cult not only dared to intrude into the Imperial Palace with treasonous intent, but innocent and pitiful citizens are suffering catastrophes because of them. Therefore, I command you to eradicate the Blood Cult. Do your utmost not just for me, but for the people as well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Everyone bowed respectfully, and Eunho awkwardly followed suit.

The ways of the world are truly unpredictable.

He suddenly remembered causing a disturbance at one of the Central Plains’ emperors in his past life, demanding alcohol.

Ah, he might have even beaten him up a bit.

Unaware of Eunho’s thoughts, the Emperor looked at the group with a satisfied expression.

“Are you the leader of this group?”

“…Yes.”

He almost nodded casually as usual.

“The one who calls himself the master of the Blood Cult came to see me.”

Everyone was shocked at the Emperor’s words.

To think he would directly approach the Emperor.

Eunho tilted his head.

One way or another, the Blood Cult was also a force in the martial world.

There was no reason for them to seek out the Emperor.

“What did he say?”

“He said he too was chosen by Heaven as the Son of Heaven, and that he was my brother.”

Eunho showed a disgusted expression.

Not just a madman, but a severely insane one.

However, it was nothing compared to what came next.

“He said the Great Method would soon be completed. For a new world desired by Heaven, he told me to abdicate the throne to him.”

Eunho just nodded.

Well, what other reason would there be for visiting a king?

Seeing Eunho’s rather calm reaction, the Emperor smiled enigmatically, as if intrigued.

“The Blood Cult members are cruel and cunning. How do you plan to resolve this matter?”

All eyes focused on Eunho.

They were strangely expectant.

Rumors about the Bloody Heavens Renewing Sword had spread like wildfire in no time.

It was because his achievements were unbelievable.

Moreover, if he came all the way here, even joining the Martial Alliance, surely he must have some plan?

Only Hwa-yeon, who knew Eunho’s personality, trembled with anxiety.

‘Please, don’t let his head roll before even seeing the Blood Cult bastards.’

Unaware of Hwa-yeon’s thoughts, Eunho answered with a confident expression.

“I have a definite solution.”

“What is it?”

“I heard that if you don’t give up the throne, they said they’d take Your Majesty’s head. Is that correct?”

At this rather direct expression, the Director of the Palace Domestic Service raised his eyebrows, and Hwa-yeon felt like she was walking on thin ice.

“That’s right. They dared to say so.”

“Then the matter can be resolved easily.”

Seeing Eunho’s confident expression, the Emperor asked, filled with expectation.

“Tell me quickly.”

“I’ll use Your Majesty as bait to lure them in and kill them all.”

“…”

A rather long silence fell.

The Emperor couldn’t grasp the situation, and the Director was looking around for his sword.

Hwa-yeon was mentally choosing her burial site, and the Martial Alliance martial artists tightly shut their eyes.

The first to react was the Director of the Palace Domestic Service.

In a way, it was natural. He was someone who prioritized the Emperor’s well-being above all else.

“How dare you! Your Majesty, I’ll behead this man immediately.”

Saying this, the Director reached out to one side.

Swoosh-!

With a sound of cutting wind, his sword flew to him from a corner.

It was Void Object Manipulation technique, using internal energy to move objects.

While it couldn’t compare to the swordless swordsmanship of the Transformation Realm, Void Object Manipulation technique was also considered an ascension principle exclusive to Transcendent Realm masters.

Eunho observed this closely.

No killing intent?

He speaks and acts as if he’s about to behead him immediately, but there’s no killing intent at all.

Whether it was an action purely out of loyalty or if there was some hidden agenda, he couldn’t tell yet.

“Stop.”

As the Emperor raised his hand to stop him, he bowed his head and stepped back. Seeing this, Eunho inwardly scoffed.

He never intended to step forward in the first place.

“Bait… Interesting. Can you take responsibility for those words?”

“Of course. If you wish, I’ll stake my head that this person wants so badly.”

The Director narrowed his eyes and glared at Eunho.

However, once the Emperor’s order was given, there was nothing he could do.

“Haha, what use would your head be if I die?”

“Then what do you want?”

The Emperor’s gaze settled heavily on Eunho.

It felt strangely out of place, not matching his age.

“I hear you’re the son of the Cheonha Merchant Guild?”

“Yes.”

“Can you stake the Cheonha Merchant Guild?”

Eunho tilted his head.

“No. I’m here as a Martial Alliance martial artist, not as the young master of the Cheonha Merchant Guild. It seems you requested the Martial Alliance because you weren’t confident in stopping them with just the Imperial Palace’s masters. Can you do without me?”

The Emperor opened his eyes wide, as if dumbfounded.

This was the first time he had met someone so arrogant, aside from his father, the previous Emperor.

“Director.”

“Yes.”

“What kind of person did you say the Blood Demon was?”

“According to the Palace Domestic Service’s information, he’s a master who has reached the Transformation Realm. Hmm, he’d be at a similar level to those arrogant bastards called the Twenty-four Martial Arts Masters in the current martial world.”

The vice captain of the Azure Sky Squad swallowed hard.

Two Transcendent Realm masters who weren’t present, four Peak Realm masters including himself, and four First-rate masters.

This was the current Martial Alliance force dispatched to the Imperial Palace.

‘One Transformation Realm master and the Blood Cult martial artists under him. Can we handle them?’

Even with the numerous soldiers in the Imperial Palace, it would be over if they critically lacked high-level masters.

Honestly, even though they had two Transcendent Realm masters, it didn’t seem like they could compete with a Transformation Realm master.

“Did you hear? They say he’s at a similar level to those Twenty-four Martial Arts Masters that you praise more than me. Are you still confident?”

“Yes.”

There wasn’t the slightest tremor in Eunho’s eyes.

“Kuhahaha! Good. But I too need at least some safety measure. Prove yourself to me.”

As soon as the words fell, the Director stepped forward with his sword.

As if he had been waiting for this moment.

Everyone’s gaze turned to Eunho and the Director.

Especially the Martial Alliance martial artists, who swallowed hard and tensed up.

Judging by his free use of Void Object Manipulation technique, the Director’s level was at least Transcendent Realm.

While Eunho’s level, called the Bloody Heavens Renewing Sword, was unknown, it was certain that it wasn’t low.

Witnessing a battle between two high-level masters up close was an opportunity no martial artist would pass up.

They would engrave every detail of this confrontation in their minds!

Of course, Eunho had no intention of allowing that.

As they say, overwhelming force is the fastest way to gain trust.

Eunho clenched his fist tightly.