Chapter 236: Crown Prince’s Teacher Yi-gang (2)

The twin siblings were so alike that it was hard to tell them apart.

Their similarity wasn’t just a superficial issue.

Their voices and speech patterns were similar, and even their mannerisms were identical.

The way they smiled, the way they moved their fingers, even the way they ate—it was all the same.

Because of this, even someone as perceptive as Yi-gang had difficulty distinguishing between them at first.

However, the Crown Prince and the Honorable County Princess hadn’t always been so similar.

It started at a certain point.

They began to mimic each other, making it nearly impossible to tell them apart.

Thus, when Yi-gang finally managed to distinguish between them, the Crown Prince was shocked.

Later, swallowing his pride, he asked how Yi-gang had figured it out.

Yi-gang gave him an answer.

“It might have been presumptuous of me, but I checked your pulse when I held your hand.”

“Is that so… I see, that’s why.”

“It wasn’t just that…”

Yi-gang informed the relieved Crown Prince with a cold gaze.

“The Crown Prince’s Adam’s apple has started to develop. His hands are also larger than Her Highness the County Princess’s.”

“…!”

“It’s a natural occurrence. You’re getting older, and the signs of growth differ by gender.”

Yi-gang’s abilities went beyond mere observation.

He utilized his quick thinking and rapid judgment without hesitation.

A chill ran down the Crown Prince’s spine.

It was because of fear.

It wasn’t fear of Yi-gang himself, but rather the implications of his words.

He realized that what he and the Honorable County Princess had been doing was becoming pointless.

The obsessive behavior they had started out of concern for one another.

Mimicking each other in an attempt to protect each other’s lives was now becoming a futile struggle.

In truth, he might have already suspected this on some level.

“Sniff… sob… hnnng…”

As the Crown Prince comforted the trembling and weeping Honorable County Princess, he thought.

Even if they acted as one person, could they really stop the approaching threat?

But past experiences had already etched fear into their hearts.

“Sister, look at my face.”

The Crown Prince held the Honorable County Princess’s cheeks with both hands.

Traces of that memory remained on the twin siblings’ faces.

There was a reason why they started wearing heavy makeup from a young age.

A long scar remained on the Honorable County Princess’s cheek.

A vivid scar left by a blade, so prominent that it was unimaginable for royalty to bear.

“Don’t cry. It’s okay, right?”

“Uh-huh, yeah.”

The Honorable County Princess stopped crying.

When they were young, while staying at a manor outside the Forbidden City, assassins came after them.

The assassins were likely sent by King Gye-yeong’s political rivals.

To threaten King Gye-yeong, they chose to kidnap his children.

It was only natural that the Crown Prince was targeted first.

“Today’s thunderstorm is particularly fierce. Such days are rare.”

“Yes, it surprised me…”

That night, too, a thunderstorm raged.

Despite being injured, the Honorable County Princess hid the trembling Crown Prince in the rafters of the ceiling.

Then, after changing clothes, she allowed herself to be captured.

Even though she was his sister, a twin of the same age, how could she have done such a daring thing?

It was a world of difference from the Crown Prince, who clung to the rafters and cried.

‘I am the Crown Prince. Who are you people!?’

The young older sister, who had fiercely commanded the assassins, was helplessly kidnapped.

It was only after a long time that the Crown Prince descended from the rafters and stared blankly at the open window.

The fierce wind and rain shook the window as if it would shatter, making an eerie sound.

Fortunately, the Honorable County Princess returned alive.

What price King Gye-yeong paid for that was unknown.

However, the sister that their dark-faced father brought back had a large scar on her face.

It took a long time for the Honorable County Princess to regain her smile.

“I will protect you.”

At that moment, the Crown Prince made a vow.

Having been saved by his sister’s life once, he decided that this time, he would protect her.

He lived with that thought in mind. Although he grew into a distrustful boy who doubted everyone around him, at least he cherished the Honorable County Princess deeply.

“Mm… thank you.”

The Crown Prince stayed by the Honorable County Princess’s side until she finally fell asleep again.

He, too, was exhausted.

The trouble caused by Baek Yi-gang, the Crown Prince’s teacher, was nothing short of exhausting.

‘Is this the right choice…?’

In truth, if he really wanted to separate Baek Yi-gang from him, the Crown Prince could have done so.

If he cried and begged his father, it would likely be granted. If he screamed and raged, King Gye-yeong and Queen Yuhye would respect the siblings’ wishes.

Yet, the Crown Prince remained silent because he felt something special about Yi-gang.

Not long ago, during a martial arts training session with Master Azure Sky, Yi-gang had said something.

‘Do you want to protect yourself as a member of the imperial family?’

The Crown Prince thought it was a redundant question.

He couldn’t trust the Embroidered Uniform Guard, nor the Eastern Depot.

In the treacherous labyrinth that was the imperial palace, the Crown Prince could only trust himself.

“If Your Highness is prepared, I will teach you how to protect yourself.”

‘…’

He wanted to scold him for speaking nonsense.

‘If you are willing, just nod your head.’

‘…’

However, the Crown Prince couldn’t ignore Yi-gang’s words.

And for good reason—Baek Yi-gang was clearly a peculiar person.

Even just by looking at his gaze towards the Crown Prince, it was evident.

Baek Yi-gang. The grandson of the Senior Grand Secretary. An outstanding martial artist.

Such backgrounds were originally as meaningless as a candle in the sun to royalty. That’s what he was taught, and that’s what he knew.

‘Very well. I shall see you next time.’

However, in Yi-gang’s eyes, as he looked at the Crown Prince and the Honorable County Princess, there wasn’t even a hint of reverence.

One was respected solely for possessing imperial blood.

But Yi-gang clearly saw the Crown Prince and the Honorable County Princess as nothing more than naive children—while making no effort to hide his annoyance.

‘…Alright.’

And yet, that made the Crown Prince want to trust him even more.

If he was someone who wouldn’t submit to the authority of royalty, perhaps he was someone trustworthy.

Thinking of his meeting with Yi-gang the next day, the Crown Prince slowly closed his eyes.

The Seven Great Immortals, these so-called Taoist sorcerers, were backed by the Emperor.

Upon hearing this, Yi-gang immediately drew a conclusion.

‘Dangerous guys.’

「Sorcerers are not exclusive to the Taoist sects. Have you heard of the term ‘White Lotus Thousand Sorcerers’?」

‘Yes, I have heard of it.’

「Ahem. That makes it easier to explain. The Demon Cult is also the White Lotus Sect, and the techniques of the White Lotus Sect are unfathomably profound and terrifying…」

‘Could the Seven Great Immortals be sorcerers from the Demon Cult?’

「It’s highly possible.」

If the hands of the Demon Cult had reached the imperial court, it was indeed a dangerous situation.

Perhaps the Demon Cult’s invasion of the Central Plains was not a sudden decision.

「If the Demon Cult is the enemy, you must first devise methods to break their demonic powers.」

The potential enemies Yi-gang might face could be the sorcerers of the Demon Cult.

What would be the most effective way to counter their dark arts?

Should he cut them down with sheer force? As a Supreme Peak master, Yi-gang could easily handle most sorcerers.

Or should he counter them with sorcery?

That wouldn’t be a bad option either. Thanks to the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, Yi-gang was now brimming with yokai energy.

There’s a reason why the Thunder Technique was called an immortal’s art.

One strike of lightning could shatter most dark sorcery.

「Do not be overconfident.」said Zhang Sanfeng.

Yi-gang sipped his tea and replied inwardly, ‘I am not overconfident.’

「Ahem… Yes, that’s right.」

Zhang Sanfeng scratched his chin and nodded.

He thought the same. Yi-gang would not easily become overconfident. Knowing the value of his own life, he would be even more meticulous and well-prepared.

‘What is the most efficient method for breaking demonic powers?’

「Your essence lies not in sorcery, but in martial arts. It would be wise to learn martial arts suited for breaking demonic powers.」

‘Would you be willing to help me?’

「I’ve been waiting for this day.」

The Immortal Divine Sword taught Yi-gang the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique and the Immortal Divine Art.

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon granted him yokai energy and the Thunder Technique.

But Zhang Sanfeng had yet to impart anything to Yi-gang.

While it’s not obligatory for each accompanying spirit to pass something on, this was Zhang Sanfeng, after all.

What would Zhang Sanfeng, likely the most skilled of those he had encountered so far, offer him?

「Learn the martial arts of the Buddha! Haha.」

Zhang Sanfeng crossed his arms, satisfied as if he had given grand advice.

‘…’

However, Yi-gang’s response was peculiar.

As the awkward silence continued, Zhang Sanfeng added an embarrassed explanation, 「Well, you see, exorcising demons is traditionally the specialty of Buddhist monks. That’s why the Demon Cult and Shaolin are such bitter enemies. Haha.」

‘…’

「…Hmm, learning something like the Lion’s Roar would be beneficial. A shout infused with righteous energy can scatter most dark sorcery.」

‘Do you know the formula for the Lion’s Roar?’

「Haha, how would I know that?」

Yi-gang frowned.

The idea was appealing. Shaolin’s Demon Subduing Palm and Lion’s Roar were renowned martial arts known for their demon-banishing power.

If he could learn them, the benefits would far outweigh the risks.

But could he really learn such exceptional martial arts just because he wanted to?

Of course, the secret techniques of Shaolin were never taught to outsiders. The same applied to other Buddhist martial arts that Yi-gang could not learn.

When Yi-gang expressed this, Zhang Sanfeng chuckled as if amused.

「You’re smart, but sometimes you miss the obvious. Well, that’s why I’m here to help.」

‘…’

「This is the imperial palace, and the palace has its own armory.」

With that single comment, Yi-gang realized.

The place where the Emperor’s most valuable possessions were stored was called the Imperial Treasury.

Among those, the place where weapons and secret techniques were stored was known as the armory.

The martial arts of the imperial palace were also never shared with the outside world, so they were only known through rumors. But legends said that the Shaolin’s Muscle-Tendon Change Marrow Cleanse Classic and Wudang’s Grand Purity Aura Qi were hidden in the imperial armory.

「Even if it’s not the Lion’s Roar, there must be equivalent supreme techniques there.」

Indeed, even a person like Yi-gang, who wasn’t particularly greedy for martial arts, would be tempted by the many divine arts likely stored there.

「There would also be many elixirs and treasured swords…」

At the mention of elixirs, Yi-gang’s Adam’s apple twitched reflexively.

However, the problem was that not just anyone could enter the imperial armory.

Even with the influence of the Senior Grand Secretary, it was the same.

Without an imperial decree, only members of the imperial family could enter the imperial armory and access the books within.

‘…I have a justification.’

「Exactly!」

So, Yi-gang approached the Crown Prince and the Honorable County Princess.

He offered to teach them how to protect themselves.

Yi-gang remembered the Crown Prince’s change in expression.

A look of disbelief, but beneath it, a small glimmer of hope.

‘I’m just using them.’

「Yes, that would be the case.」

‘…’

That’s what Yi-gang said to Zhang Sanfeng, but deep down, he couldn’t remain entirely cold-hearted.

‘…It’s also a good thing for them.’

「Indeed.」

‘Even if they learn some basic martial arts, they won’t become experts.’

He had not yet obtained a secret manual for sound-based martial arts like the Lion’s Roar.

But to train in such sound techniques, one must first prepare the basic physical condition. Specifically, the condition of the throat.

“Now, do you understand? Forget about dignity and formality.”

“…Ugh.”

The Crown Prince, who came out to the training ground this morning, listened to Yi-gang’s explanation.

When he heard about training in sound martial arts, he was overjoyed.

It felt like something out of a martial arts novel where one could kill enemies by playing a zither or a pipa.

But when he heard that this sound technique involved shouting with a strong voice, the Crown Prince was appalled.

And he cried out in refusal.

“If you’re serious, that is. If not, you can leave.”

“Ugh…”

In truth, it would be problematic for Yi-gang if the Crown Prince gave up, but at this age, a boy couldn’t resist a challenge.

“Fine, I’ll do it!”

“Alright, then… towards the front…” Yi-gang whispered softly, “Shout.”

The Honorable County Princess and the Crown Prince took a deep breath and screamed.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

“Kyaaaaaa!”

And in the blink of an eye…

“What’s going on, Your Highness!”

“Your Highness the County Princess!”

The Embroidered Uniform Guards stationed outside rushed in and surrounded the Honorable County Princess and the Crown Prince.

Searching for any potential enemies, they formed a protective barrier with their bodies.

Crushed under the sweaty bodies of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, the Crown Prince gritted his teeth.

“Damn it.”

There was no denying it.

The method Yi-gang taught was effective.

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