Chapter 118: Gaining a Guest (1)

Yong Hwarin, unaware that the three sisters were having a heated discussion about him, was engaged in a conversation with Princess Gyeongseon about Shi Seohwa.

“But unni, does Young Master Yong still have the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm?”

“Yes, he asked to borrow it for a while, saying he realized something. It seemed like he had a breakthrough in martial arts.”

“What? Are you saying the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm had a martial art embedded in it?”

“Not exactly. It seemed more like he gained insight into the mysteries of martial arts.”

“Tch! That’s the treasured item of our hall, yet someone else is benefitting from it.”

Jeong Daji grumbled, clearly feeling envious.

“Also, it’s safer in his hands, so I entrusted it to him.”

“As expected, I still can’t accept it. Even if he’s the rightful owner of the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm, if he can’t defeat me, I won’t acknowledge him.”

Jeong Daji wanted to preserve at least a shred of her pride.

Jeong Suji responded to her comment.

“If we remove our restrictions, don’t you think we could take him on?”

Jeong Minji, too, didn’t want to lose to anyone when it came to martial arts.

“Our restraints can only be lifted if the rightful owner of the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm appears. If he truly is the owner, then it should be possible. You’re right. Once our restrictions are gone, could he really withstand the attacks of the three of us?”

As Jeong Minji spoke confidently, her two younger sisters nodded vigorously.

Yong Hwarin finally managed to free himself from Princess Gyeongseon only after arriving at the local administrative office in Seopyeong Prefecture.

It was because King Namcheon had summoned him upon his arrival.

“If not for you, I would have suffered great calamity at the hands of those villains. Therefore, I deeply appreciate your efforts and wish to reward your merit. Speak, and you shall have what you desire.”

By that time, the Three Chivalrous Sisters and the junior disciples of Mount Hua Sect had already met with King Namcheon and departed.

What they had asked for remained unknown.

In a way, Yong Hwarin had come to this place reluctantly. Though invited by the king, the results had turned out well, and he stood to receive a valuable reward—one could say he was fortunate.

He was very curious about what the Three Chivalrous Sisters had requested.

The reason King Namcheon had called Yong Hwarin last was because his contribution had been the greatest.

Not only had he saved Princess Gyeongseon, but he had also almost singlehandedly held off the powerful masked attackers who appeared later.

“Your Majesty, I have no requests.”

At those words, King Namcheon gave a small smile.

He knew Yong Hwarin was declining out of politeness.

‘Despite his young age, he understands the ways of the world.’

The others had all hesitated, wondering what to ask for.

But this young martial artist seemed to understand royal protocol and declined immediately.

“No, I wish to give you a gift, so speak your desire.”

Yong Hwarin’s Sky Ocean Merchant Union occasionally supplied goods to the royal palace. During those times, he had met high-ranking eunuchs and learned proper court etiquette.

“There is something I would like, Your Majesty.”

King Namcheon calmly encouraged him.

“If it’s within reason, I will grant it. Tell me.”

Yong Hwarin spoke quietly.

“Your Majesty, there are too many suspicious points for this to be dismissed as a mere assassination attempt. Just the fact that they targeted Your Majesty suggests this may not solely be a matter of the martial world.”

“I too have thought long and hard about that during my return. What do you think?”

“Even if I were to speak now, I have no definite proof. Therefore, I believe we must use your Majesty’s intelligence network to track down those behind the attack.”

King Namcheon stroked his beard with a troubled expression.

“Hahaha, I have no intelligence network. All I have are the dozens of martial artists who’ve taken refuge in my royal manor.”

King Namcheon had disbanded his private soldiers to clear himself of any suspicion of treason.

All that remained were about fifty palace guards assigned by the palace and a few dozen martial artists residing as guests in his manor.

That number wasn’t enough to be considered a real threat to the palace—it was barely the size of a merchant caravan’s escort unit.

It was practically a declaration that he had voluntarily stepped back from power.

However, King Namcheon had not disbanded his secret intelligence network.

Private soldiers could be assembled with money, but a proper intelligence network took time and effort to cultivate—he couldn’t bring himself to destroy it.

Moreover, that network was essential to keep an eye on other feudal lords and even the central palace’s movements.

“Ah, I overstepped thinking that, if such a network existed, it could be used to track down those behind this incident and root out the villains. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”

Yong Hwarin didn’t want to provoke the king by openly bringing up a hidden intelligence organization.

Just mentioning it was enough—King Namcheon would surely move to track down the culprits using his own secret means.

King Namcheon was a man of strong pride and intense desire for revenge.

There was no way such a man would let this matter go lightly.

Especially since the attackers had even targeted Princess Gyeongseon, whom he had raised like a precious jewel.

It simply wasn’t in his nature to sit idly by.

“If there is information in the royal manor, I will share it with you. However, that pertains to my affairs, so ask for something else.”

“That alone is more than enough, Your Majesty.”

“Are you truly content?”

King Namcheon teased, pretending to withdraw his offer, prompting Yong Hwarin to raise his head.

“There is one thing I would like to request—if Your Majesty would permit it.”

Now that it had come to this, Yong Hwarin thought he might as well ask for something significant.

“Please grant me the Royal Guardian Token.”

King Namcheon stared at him for a moment, surprised by the unexpected request.

‘How does a child like him even know about the existence of the Royal Guardian Token? Truly a mysterious one.’

For a moment, he was so impressed by Yong Hwarin’s insight that it sent a chill down his spine.

“Do you even know what the Royal Guardian Token is used for?”

“I beg your pardon, but I do know.”

“Then tell me—what is it?”

King Namcheon was genuinely curious whether this young boy truly understood its purpose.

Yong Hwarin glanced at him and replied quietly.

“The Royal Guardian Token is one of the authorities granted to kings, and it allows the bearer to exercise the powers of the royal manor.”

“And what would you use it for? If it’s power you seek, I can grant you a post. If it’s wealth, I can give you as much as you desire.”

King Namcheon was the hidden ruler of Henan’s administrative offices.

He certainly had the power to fulfill such promises.

“I wish to have the authority to command the martial artists of the royal manor.”

“Aha!”

Now King Namcheon understood the reason for Yong Hwarin’s request.

“All the retainers residing in my manor are old men—they will hardly be of much help to you.”

Yong Hwarin glanced at King Namcheon and spoke.

“I’ve heard that each of those old men once reigned over their respective eras as top masters. I also know that they have laid down their ambitions and now rest by Your Majesty’s side.”

King Namcheon looked at the audacious Yong Hwarin and asked,

“And what exactly do you plan to use them for?”

Yong Hwarin answered honestly.

“I may never get the chance to use them. But recently, the martial world of Henan has become deeply unstable. Not long ago, Iron Hawk Gate, a sect rooted in the demonic faction of Shaanxi, attacked Phoenix-Head Martial Hall and slaughtered innocent civilians. In my judgment, that was merely the prelude. I believe, when my clan steps forward to face the demonic path, I may need to borrow Your Majesty’s people.”

His words sounded like pure loyalty for the sake of the orthodox martial world of Henan.

Asking to borrow his people to protect the righteous path of Henan—King Namcheon, a man of noble spirit, would never refuse such a request.

In truth, that’s exactly what Yong Hwarin aimed for. He had mixed in just the right amount of falsehood to provoke the king.

“Very well! I shall bestow upon you the Royal Guardian Token!”

“I am infinitely honored, Your Majesty.”

Yong Hwarin performed a full kowtow, the formal obeisance of the imperial palace, offering a gesture of utmost respect.

For a moment, King Namcheon felt as if he were inside the imperial court itself.

Every gesture carried the weight of proper palace etiquette.

But King Namcheon brushed it off and spoke.

“Come closer.”

Yong Hwarin rose and walked over to him.

While his gesture of thanks followed palace custom, from here on he was presenting himself as a martial artist.

Sensing that intent, King Namcheon pulled out the Royal Guardian Token from his robe and said,

“This is a thing of great power, but it’s also extremely dangerous. With this one token, you’ll have no need to fear the scrutiny of officials not only in Henan, but anywhere across the continent.”

“I shall never use it for selfish purposes. I will use the Royal Guardian Token solely for justice and righteousness.”

As King Namcheon extended it to him, Yong Hwarin accepted the token with both hands. It was a palm-sized piece of jade-green stone.

However, the king did not let go of it just yet.

“I have one condition before I hand this over.”

“What is it? Please speak, Your Majesty.”

At that moment, despite speaking calmly, Yong Hwarin trembled inwardly.

If King Namcheon made an unreasonable demand, he wouldn’t be able to accept it.

He could only hope it would be something simple.

“I believe you will become an extraordinary master in the future. Even now, your level is exceptional—I can’t imagine what you’ll become in a few years.”

“You overpraise me, Your Majesty.”

“That’s why I want you to become my secret bodyguard. And not just mine—you must also become Princess Gyeongseon’s secret protector. This must be a fact known only to you, myself, and the princess. You must never reveal this to anyone else.”

King Namcheon believed Yong Hwarin would one day become the strongest martial artist in the world.

If he could make such a person his secret bodyguard, he would be the safest man in the world.

“If either I or Princess Gyeongseon summons you, you must come immediately, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. But I promise—this will only happen in times of absolute necessity.”

It was clear that unless Yong Hwarin agreed to this condition, the token would not be handed over. Yong Hwarin let out a bitter smile.

‘No wonder he was so quick to offer the Royal Guardian Token.’

He had felt uneasy about how easily the token was offered—now he knew why.

“Well? Will you accept my request? Even if you decline, I won’t blame you.”

Though he said it gently, there was no telling what might happen if Yong Hwarin refused.

“How could I possibly reject Your Majesty’s request?”

As soon as those words left his mouth, King Namcheon let out a hearty laugh.

“Hahaha, perhaps I’ve just gained the strongest bodyguard in the world!”

Pleased, King Namcheon released his grip on the Royal Guardian Token.

Yet Yong Hwarin, gripping the token in his hands, stood frozen like a statue, unable to shake the feeling that this was a deal in which he had lost more than he had gained.

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