Myst, Might, Mayhem (Novel) - Chapter 233 - Imperial Guard Bureau Martial Examination (1)

Chapter 233 – Imperial Guard Bureau Martial Examination (1)

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Early morning. Office of the Training Hall Master, Imperial Guard Bureau training hall.

A middle-aged man in his late forties, with a blunt impression and a scar on his chin, clasped his hands and politely saw off a man in blue official robes as he left the office.

After the man went out, the middle-aged man dropped heavily into the chair behind the office desk. Then he let out a deep sigh. ‘Hoo. I truly cannot keep doing this sort of thing any longer.’

The middle-aged man’s name was Seok Jeon-ung. He was both the hall master responsible for the training of the Imperial Guard Bureau cadets and the commander of the Imperial Guard Bureau.

As Seok Jeon-ung recalled the official who had just left, a snort escaped him. ‘How to deal with this is truly troublesome.’

The official who had just come was a man named Jang Chan, who held the post of Reader-in-Attendance of the Hanlin Academy, an official rank of regular sixth grade.

The reason he had come here was to make a request regarding the Imperial Guard Bureau martial examination. Of course, cases like this were abundant.

One could say they had continued ever since he took the position of hall master. ‘It seems Prince Gyeong has grown impatient as well. Seeing him send one of his close faction men like this to make a separate request.’

Of the eight people originally meant to be selected in this Imperial Guard Bureau martial examination, fully four were already predetermined candidates. The real power of this nation was divided into four.

Prince Gyeong, the younger brother of His Majesty the Emperor, then Hang Yun-pa, the Grand Preceptor among the Three Excellencies and concurrently Supreme Commander of the Central Military Command, then Palm King, the Emperor’s second son, and lastly Imperial Noble Consort Seo, the mother of the current crown prince.

The predetermined candidates were divided among these four factions. For now, because the Emperor was somehow still enduring, that balance was barely being maintained, but the moment it broke would surely come.

‘His Majesty’s chronic illness has lasted quite a long time.’

If the Emperor were to collapse, ruin would begin. Because he had not appeared even at this morning’s court meal, all the greater and lesser officials had sensed that sign.

Thus Prince Gyeong must have sent a man like this. ‘It is trouble no matter how one looks at it.’ Regarding the half that had been filled as though by custom, there was no way around it.

But beginning last time, Prince Gyeong’s side had asked him to fill all four of the remaining seats, the ones not already set as predetermined candidates in this Imperial Guard Bureau martial examination, with their own chosen talents.

And they had not merely asked.

[Hall Master Seok, your age is forty-nine, so the term limit on your post as commander of the Imperial Guard Bureau is drawing near.

How regrettable.] Seok Jeon-ung was forty-nine years old. The age limit for remaining Imperial Guard Bureau Commander was fifty. After next year passed, he would have to finish his term and leave the imperial palace.

[I heard your son will sit for next year’s Spring Examination.

This year was his fourth attempt, so next year will be his fifth. Surely it is about time he finally passed and entered official service, is it not?

As it happens, the Hanlin Academy is in need of talented scholars of the junior eighth rank.] That was what shook him.

In other words, they were saying that if he accepted their request, they would make his son pass the examination. Because of that, Seok Jeon-ung had worried over it greatly.

Regarding his son, he had heard through an assistant instructor at the National Academy that the boy had enough ability to pass the state examination whenever he took it.

Yet because he was crushed between predetermined candidates and struggles for power, he had been unable to pass even as he neared thirty. How could that possibly make sense? ‘It is because this father has no power.’

Every official post was being filled by the sons of those already holding high office. Regardless of their ability or qualifications.

Seok Jeon-ung had not originally been a commoner, but because he distinguished himself in war, he had been able to enter the Imperial Guard Bureau and rise as far as commander. However, that was the limit.

No matter how outstanding he was or how many accomplishments he earned, he could not go higher.

Thus he had stopped at no more than commander of the Imperial Guard Bureau, and so had no way to help his son on the path to office.

[Let us do it this way.

If the five people His Highness recommends can be included, I shall report it so that you may be promoted to Head of the Imperial Guard Bureau.

Along with your son’s examination success, would this not be a fairly good condition?] From Prince Gyeong’s side, that proposal was sweet beyond measure.

If it were possible, he was almost tempted to accept it and take the reward. But the problem was that he could not do so easily. Seok Jeon-ung looked at the request list. ‘Ha…’ It was a spectacle too absurd for words.

To begin with, there was not a single one among them who was qualified for the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Only upper-rank cadets were qualified to take the Imperial Guard Bureau martial examination.

Yet the people on the request list were all mere youngsters of the lower rank who were barely keeping up with the training course.

There was only one person who was not.

‘Geum Jong-hyeon.’

From the beginning, Geum Jong-hyeon had been an upper-rank cadet and was the son of a fifth-rank Lecture Scholar of the Hanlin Academy.

Seok Jeon-ung had assumed he would be little different from the sons of other literary officials, but at some point he began showing talent great enough to rank among the top three in the entire Imperial Guard Bureau.

If it was someone like him, then even without a recommendation, the chances of passing were high.

However,

‘The rest are impossible.’

If lower-rank cadets were forcibly dragged up into the upper rank and given the chance to take the martial examination, not only would the cadets rebel, but the other factions would become enraged as well.

For that reason, Seok Jeon-ung gave no definite answer and merely put Prince Gyeong’s messenger off.

‘How am I to handle this?’

For the moment he had sent the man away, but since tomorrow was the Imperial Guard Bureau martial examination, he had to give a definite answer within the day.

It truly was a situation where he could neither advance nor retreat.

If he accepted Prince Gyeong’s request, the other factions would react against him, but if he rejected the proposal, it would surely affect him adversely in some way.

‘Ahhh.’

If only there were some suitable justification for refusing.

But there was no such thing.

At that moment, a voice came from outside.

“Hall Master, Junior Supervisor Jang of the Eastern Depot requests an audience.”

“Junior Supervisor Jang?”

If it was Junior Supervisor Jang of the Eastern Depot, then he was a close aide on Imperial Noble Consort Seo’s side.

He was already being tormented by the headache of Prince Gyeong’s man having come, so what was Junior Supervisor Jang doing here from early in the morning as well?

Wondering at that, Seok Jeon-ung opened the door and received him.

* * *

‘Hoh.

This is truly something.’

Hall Master Seok Jeon-ung could not hide the look that said he found this troublesome.

That was because Junior Supervisor Jang of the Eastern Depot had delivered an equally difficult request from Imperial Noble Consort Seo, just as Prince Gyeong’s side had.

‘No.

This side is even worse.’

Prince Gyeong’s side had at least recommended people who were already cadets of the Imperial Guard Bureau.

Their abilities being somewhat lacking was the problem.

But Imperial Noble Consort Seo’s side wanted him to place three outsiders, who were not even cadets, into the upper-rank cadet class so that they could take the Imperial Guard Bureau martial examination.

No matter how great her power was, this was difficult.

“It is a request from Her Imperial Noble Consort.

Will it be so difficult?”

At Junior Supervisor Jang’s words, Seok Jeon-ung let out a sigh and answered,

“I beg your pardon.

The young man from the Peng Clan of Hebei whom you recommended beforehand can, at the very least, provide enough grounds for the cadets and the examiners to accept it if he proves his skill, since he comes from a distinguished orthodox martial clan.

But even in such a situation it is difficult to suddenly replace him with a different person, and on top of that, to further accept two more unverified people as upper-rank cadets of the Imperial Guard Bureau is nonsense that cannot even be argued for.”

At those words, Junior Supervisor Jang rested his chin on the table and said,

“Hall Master, I shall ask you directly.

Is it because of the question of verifying their skill?

Or is it because you are concerned about the resistance of the other factions?”

“…Both.”

Seok Jeon-ung answered honestly.

It was already hard enough to find a justification for rejecting Prince Gyeong’s side, and if he accepted Imperial Noble Consort Seo’s request as well, finding that justification would become even more difficult.

To him, Junior Supervisor Jang said with a smile,

“There is no need to make an issue of verifying their skill.

They are junior generation fighters sent by the Heaven and Earth Society.”

“The Heaven and Earth Society?”

At those words, Seok Jeon-ung’s eyes widened.

If one spoke of the Heaven and Earth Society, it was one of the three great powers of the present martial world, was it not?

For some time, the imperial palace had repeatedly asked the Heaven and Earth Society to send talented people, in the name of maintaining friendly ties with the martial world.

However, every time the Heaven and Earth Society had responded only with silence.

Yet now they had sent talents through Imperial Noble Consort Seo?

This was quite astonishing.

‘If this is true, then skill may not be a problem.’

This was the Heaven and Earth Society.

If these were the junior generation figures they were putting forward openly for the first time, there was no way they would have sent weak people.

But while he himself could be persuaded by that, unless the cadets, and Prince Gyeong’s side as well, saw it for themselves, they would not easily…

‘Ah.’

At that instant, something flashed through Seok Jeon-ung’s mind.

A clever plan had occurred to him, one that could resolve both problems at once.

‘Use one barbarian to control another.’

Using one barbarian to control another.

There was no longer any need to worry separately about how to solve these unreasonable demands from Imperial Noble Consort Seo’s side and Prince Gyeong’s side.

All he had to do was set the two sides against each other.

* * *

One shichen later.

Inside a room at the inn where the Heaven and Earth Society side was staying.

After finishing his report, Junior Supervisor Jang of the Eastern Depot covertly looked at someone while watching his reaction.

That person was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.

Since he was a close aide to Imperial Noble Consort Seo, one of the four great powers of the imperial palace, he had never feared anyone, but after what happened yesterday, he had changed.

To him as well, Mok Gyeong-un was a being like a nightmare.

As he carefully watched him, Mok Gyeong-un stroked his chin and said,

“So in conclusion, if we want to take the Imperial Guard Bureau martial examination, we have to be promoted directly into the upper-rank cadet class.”

“That is so.

We requested that you be promoted to the upper rank in one move, but according to the hall master of the Imperial Guard Bureau training hall, if that were done, the other factions and the cadets would resist.”

“Is that so?

There are many things that cannot be done, even with Her Imperial Noble Consort’s power.”

“…I am ashamed.”

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was a special organization directly under the Emperor.

Therefore, in its selection process, even Imperial Noble Consort Seo, who possessed one of the five greatest powers in the imperial palace, could not interfere greatly.

Of course, this was equally true for the other power factions as well.

Since the Embroidered Uniform Guard existed in a neutral position that made direct pressure difficult as an organization under the Emperor alone, at best the factions could only check one another.

“Then what is the condition for promotion?”

“Prince Gyeong’s side apparently also has cadets it recommended and requested be moved up to the upper rank.

You only need to face them under the notarization of an examiner.”

“The side that wins will be promoted?”

“That is correct.”

“Well, that does not sound especially troublesome.”

It seemed one could think of it as a kind of sparring contest.

At that moment, Seop Chun said,

“Since one seat is said to have already been set aside as a predetermined one, it seems there is no need for you personally to step forward, my lord.

Mong Mu-yak and I will handle the promotion sparring.”

“No, I will spar as well.

Let Mong Mu-yak take the predetermined seat.”

“What?”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s decision, Mong Mu-yak asked back in surprise.

If one held a predetermined seat, selection into the Embroidered Uniform Guard was almost guaranteed, so he could not understand why Mok Gyeong-un would make such a decision.

“My lord.

This much can be handled on our end…”

“No.

It is all right.

If I just stand around and watch, it will be boring.”

At that, Mong Mu-yak closed his mouth.

If that was the reason, there was no real ground for him to oppose it.

He only felt sorry for the person who would have to spar against his lord merely because his lord found it dull.

* * *

Around the Goat Hour in the afternoon.

Near the cadet training grounds of the Imperial Guard Bureau.

Jang Chan, the Reader-in-Attendance of the Hanlin Academy of regular sixth rank, respectfully greeted an old eunuch in red official robes with white face powder, whose arm was in a splint.

“I feel ashamed to trouble you like this when you are not even in good health because of your injury, Junior Supervisor Beom.”

The old eunuch’s name was Beom Jeung.

He held the post of junior supervisor in the Western Depot of the imperial palace.

“It is nothing.

Since His Highness Prince Gyeong also asked that I take a look, it is only natural that I assist.”

“Thank you.

As I am no more than a mere civil official, I cannot tell whether this promotion sparring is being conducted properly, so I ended up asking for help from a master such as Junior Supervisor Beom.”

“Heh heh heh.

This old man is still lacking as well.

That is why I suffered such an injury.”

“Please do not say that.

Did you not stake your life to protect the Princess? His Highness said he will absolutely not forget it.”

“To hear that he said such a thing leaves me with nothing but gratitude.”

“I, this old Jang, learn a lesson from your constant humility.

Then let us go.”

Reader-in-Attendance Jang Chan extended his hand and took the lead.

At that, Junior Supervisor Beom of the Western Depot limped after him.

In truth, because he was injured, he could have yielded this task to another eunuch of the Western Depot, but he had stepped forward out of curiosity.

‘The Heaven and Earth Society…’

He had heard that the opponent in this promotion sparring was from the Heaven and Earth Society.

Though he had met many martial artists both inside and outside the imperial palace, most of them had been orthodox faction people.

Therefore Junior Supervisor Beom had been curious about the level of those whom even heterodox martial artists feared, and so he had directly expressed his desire to observe.

‘If the Heaven and Earth Society is in league with Imperial Noble Consort Seo, then it will not be bad to use this chance to see what level they are.’

Before long, they might become a threatening enemy to His Highness Prince Gyeong.

Just what level would the martial ability of the Heaven and Earth Society’s junior generation fighters be?

“Ah.

They are waiting there.”

Reader-in-Attendance Jang Chan pointed toward the lower-rank training grounds.

“Oh.

That…”

Beom paused midway, startled out of his anticipation as he limped forward.

“Junior Supervisor Beom?”

Reader-in-Attendance Jang Chan turned back in puzzlement and looked at Beom.

The man’s complexion had suddenly become poor.

He was even stiff enough to tremble faintly, and Jang Chan had no idea why.

‘H, how is that man here?’

Even from far away, he could see a person whose beauty stood out.

The moment Junior Supervisor Beom saw him, he was so startled he nearly lost strength in his legs.

‘Did I see wrong?’

No.

Impossible.

The face was one he could never forget, even in dreams.

He was the one from whom he had barely survived in that hellish place by a stroke of heaven-sent luck, the one he had prayed never to encounter again.

So why in the world was that demon-like bastard here?

“Junior Supervisor Beom?”

Reader-in-Attendance Jang Chan called out to him.

Only then did Beom come to his senses and say in a lowered voice,

“…Are those people the junior generation fighters from the Heaven and Earth Society?”

“Since they are standing in opposition to the cadets from our side, does that not seem to be the case?

But is there perhaps a face you recognize among them, Junior Supervisor Beom?

Why are you acting like this?”

At that question, Junior Supervisor Beom swallowed dryly and said,

“Immediately…

Immediately make them give up the sparring.”

“What?

What do you mean by that?”

“It is a fight they can never win.”

‘!!!!!!!’