Chapter 195: Chapter 193

Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors

I reluctantly decided to at least gather Miyamoto Musashi‘s remains. All he had left was a single sword and a book on military strategy. I raised an eyebrow at the title of the book.

“Book of Five Relationships?”

It seemed to be his own compilation of military principles. After stashing the Book of Five Relationships, I turned to the Lord of Shadowless Gate, Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong.

“I’m sorry, but I would like to bury his remains in his hometown. I hope you understand.”

“Hmph, it can’t be helped. Such a tragedy.”

“I shall take my leave now.”

I shoved what was left of Musashi—his bloodied corpse—into the mok gap after the Lord of Shadowless Gate’s men cleaned up the mess. Riding the boiling currents towards Jinrang Valley, I couldn’t help but let various thoughts swirl in my mind.

‘Is it really possible for things to go awry this early?’

Who would’ve thought Miho would say the strongest warrior of Dongyoung would be slain by the Sword Demon?

I felt my motivation plummet in an instant but quickly shook it off. It wasn’t over yet, and I hadn’t even had a chance to do anything. I went to Mangnyang and showed him Miyamoto Musashi’s body and the Book of Five Relationships, explaining what had happened.

To my surprise, he appeared unfazed. He calmly stated,

“I see. What lesson have you learned from this?”

“Uh?”

“Do you understand Musashi’s personality and skill?”

“……!!”

“While it is unfortunate that things turned out this way, let’s try to think positively.”

“Right.”

I felt Mangnyang was reminding me that he always kept my identity as a Reborn Person in mind.

Given the current situation, losing Musashi was a painful blow. However, considering my rebirth, I could view it as a gain. Now that I understood what kind of person Musashi was, I wouldn’t make the same mistake again, and it would be easier to utilize him effectively in the future.

“I understand.”

“Don’t think too deeply about it.”

With that, Mangnyang continued,

“Since this has happened, let’s briefly discuss future plans. It might help to clear your confusion.”

“I’m ready to listen.”

“I will establish the Bancheon Alliance again as before. However, this time I plan to bring Hwang Yeon into the light rather than blindly helping him.”

What does that mean?

I felt puzzled for a moment, so Mangnyang explained further.

“Up until now, I’ve rescued Hwang Yeon and his clan, instigating resentment toward the current Huang Dynasty to incite rebellion. But, without proper preparation, the time for confrontation will come sooner, and we’ll face the powerful forces of the Imperial Palace before we’re ready. Therefore, we will avoid rebellion and plan to tackle Dongchang and the Golden Eagle Guards head-on.”

“Is that even possible? Dongchang and the Golden Eagle Guards are operating under the emperor’s orders.”

I expressed my concerns. Ignoring the will of Dongchang and the Golden Eagle Guards could lead to chaos. Though they acted in self-interest, the emperor was undeniably their master. Politically targeting such powerhouses within the Imperial Palace seemed extremely treacherous.

Mangnyang replied,

“It’s not impossible. No emperor can suppress every political faction through oppression. It might be easier to confront the emperor directly with a righteous cause.”

“What do you mean?”

“I need to explain the political landscape of the Great Ming Empire.”

Mangnyang took a sip of water as if his throat was dry before continuing.

“The emperor is an absolute monarch, a figure of unparalleled power. Below him are the Golden Eagle Guards and Dongchang, serving as his eyes and ears, monitoring powerful ministers and eliminating any threats to his rule. This part you should know.”

“Of course.”

I once worked as a diplomat for the Golden Eagle Guards. I was familiar with the basics. Mangnyang nodded, continuing,

“Do you also know why the Golden Eagle Guards and Dongchang exist?”

“Well, it’s for the sake of maintaining power…”

“That’s the general reason, but digging deeper, it’s because the emperor doesn’t trust his ministers.”

“Hmm…”

Mangnyang leaned forward slightly.

“The Hongwu Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, came from a commoner background and had a fierce hatred for the ministers and the privileged class. Thus, he treated the existing aristocracy harshly and purged anyone who could challenge his authority. For instance, you might recall the notorious death by Lingchi (death by a thousand cuts)—he was infamous for that. While these actions were to strengthen the imperial authority, they also had side effects.”

“Side effects?”

“On the surface, it appears that eradicating powerful ministers would aid in preserving the imperial power. However, those ministers are crucial for governing this vast land. Without them, the Great Ming Empire would not be sustainable. Therefore, there are limits to how many ministers can be purged, and doing so stifles the emergence of capable, independent, and outstanding officials.”

Mangnyang sighed.

“What can the emperor lean on to govern without excellent ministers? Can he operate the country merely based on his own fallible judgment? After Zhu Yuanzhang, subsequent emperors had to create groups to serve as their eyes and ears and their potential allies in times of need. Whether they liked it or not, the Great Ming Emperor had to make peace with Dongchang and the Golden Eagle Guards.”

“I understand that the Golden Eagle Guards and Dongchang have deteriorated.”

“It’s not just that. To overcome the political pitfalls created by Zhu Yuanzhang, later emperors tried to balance the power between Dongchang and the ministers.”

As a result, the previous emperor granted considerable power to individuals capable of restraining him, including the Clear Stream Faction, even allowing local lordships significant military power. This rendered the Golden Eagle Guards and Dongchang reluctant to abuse their authority, ultimately leading to the enhancement of the emperor’s power. This was because, by that time, the commanders of the Golden Eagle Guards and Dongchang exploited the emperor’s reliance on them for unchecked power.

I was quite surprised by Mangnyang’s explanation.

“Wait, you mean they handed over military power to local lords? That surely opens the door for rebellion!”

“Yet, there were no rebellions. Why? Because rebellion doesn’t merely stem from military might; it requires the right time, talented individuals, public sentiment—the right conditions must all align for a rebellion to be attempted. The lands ruled by the former emperor were relatively peaceful and harmonious, so a rebellion was out of the question.”

“Hmm…”

“But the current emperor governs amidst chaos and turmoil. He’s strengthened his imperial authority again, centralizing power while also promoting Dongchang and the Golden Eagle Guards. Prominent members of the Clear Stream Faction feel a sense of urgency and see the need for checks on the emperor’s power. Moreover, Hwang Yeon, the general, finds himself at the center of this ticking bomb, especially considering the incident at the Talismans of the Great System…”

Mangnyang concluded with a confident tone.

“If I can help restore Hwang Yeon and unite the Clear Stream Faction and the opposition, it will be possible to inhibit the emperor and his loyal forces from acting recklessly. This battle has a fair chance of success.”

Feeling a sliver of hope, I asked hesitantly,

“Hmm, everywhere I traveled, I’ve noticed the stark divide between rich and poor while countless commoners suffer. Could this too be a result of the emperor’s skewed reign?”

“It can be considered half true.”

“Half true?”

Mangnyang chuckled softly and shrugged.

“Unfortunately, even if the current emperor were as virtuous as Yao or Shun, he wouldn’t be able to eliminate all misfortunes in the world. No matter how outstanding the emperor and the honest officials might be, villains and corrupt individuals are ubiquitous. What politicians can realistically do is minimize the suffering of the realm and put a stop to what they can.”

“Sounds difficult.”

“But allowing tyrants to run rampant will exacerbate the chaos and suffering manifold. It’s merely that kind of issue.”

Hearing Mangnyang’s words opened my eyes to a new perspective on politics. It was refreshing, differing significantly from the vague intuitions or knowledge I previously held—knowledge that could never have been derived merely from my experience in the Golden Eagle Guards

.

After that explanation, Mangnyang said,

“Thus, I would like to enlist your help in rescuing Hwang Yeon‘s family. It seems I won’t have enough time to cultivate the expert I need for the Bancheon Alliance.”

“You want to infiltrate a place guarded by at least three units of the Golden Eagle Guards?” n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Indeed. Without the assistance of Nae Sin Ryu masters.”

“Hmmm…”

I mulled it over. It wasn’t impossible, but it sure would be challenging. It seemed Mangnyang was set on abandoning the Nae Sin Ryu route but opting instead for recruiting Jin So Cheong. I decided to ask my question.

“By the way, how do you plan to bring over Jin So Cheong?”

“I have my own schemes. Don’t worry about that now.”

“Hmm…”

“Let’s first deal with the urgent matters at hand. Hurry and act.”

“Understood.”

Taking Mangnyang‘s advice, I made my way back to Miho. Arriving at the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, I found Miho waiting for me.

“Welcome back! I’m still waiting for a response from the Shogun.”

“……”

“You seem unwell. What happened?”

I hesitated, finally admitting,

“Well… the thing is, Miyamoto Musashi is dead…”

“……”

Miho looked shocked. I went on to explain everything that happened after bringing Miyamoto Musashi to the Lord of Shadowless Gate. As I finished, Miho couldn’t suppress her disbelief and sat down heavily.

“What… how can we lose Musashi so easily? That caliber of warrior is equivalent to Kamiizumi Nobutsuna, yet he’s a pinnacle swordsman of Dongyoung who can’t be easily mustered.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Ugh… Well, it seems that guy was too reckless after all. It can’t be helped.”

Miho too seemed to come to terms with reality. I showed her Miyamoto Musashi’s possessions.

“This is the sword he left behind and the Book of Five Relationships. We need to bury these with him.”

“… Book of Five Relationships?”

“Yeah. That’s the title of the book.”

“Let me take a look.”

Miho took the Book of Five Relationships, flipping through it as she began to read. About half an hour later, she seemed puzzled as she spoke,

“What is this? It seems like a military strategy book, but is this some kind of secret martial arts manual?”

“Uh?”

“Looks like you didn’t read it carefully. It subtly hints at breathing techniques and swordsmanship here and there.”

Following Miho’s suggestion, I began to read the Book of Five Relationships. Sure enough, the deeper I delved into it, the more it appeared to be a detailed commentary on martial arts rather than just a military strategy manual. It seemed that the further I read, the more it was like a manual demonstrating extraordinary swordsmanship, with even breathing methods outlined in detail, and the pages bore signs of frequent handling.

Miho remarked,

“Well, you’ve essentially acquired a martial arts manual now. Keep it for yourself.”

“Sure.”

“Ugh, persuading Hattori Hanzo isn’t going to be easy…”

Miho‘s worries weren’t unfounded. Sure enough, a few days later, when Hattori Hanzo appeared at the Imperial Palace

, he was absolutely stunned to discover Miyamoto Musashi‘s corpse and belongings.

“M-Miyamoto Musashi is dead?!”

“……”

“How… how could this happen?!”

If a ninja should control his emotions, yet he appeared startled, it was clearly a monumental upheaval. Miho spoke calmly.

“He was slain by a master from the Central Plains, an incredibly powerful one.”

“N-No way… there was someone who could kill Musashi?”

Hattori Hanzo trembled in disbelief. Amid his shock, Miho added,

“They say he was a master of the White Lotus Sect…”

“The White Lotus Sect…”

Miho concocted a false narrative for him. She spun a tale about how Musashi, while journeying with me to search for the Seven Luminaries, unexpectedly encountered interference from the White Lotus Sect, bravely fighting to save me and beautifully perishing in battle. I nodded along with Miho‘s fabricated story.

After hearing all this, Hattori Hanzo cleared his throat and stated,

“Honestly, I find it hard to believe. Given this situation, I’m afraid I can’t accompany the Noble Consort on her journey to the Central Plains.”

“What was your original reason for coming?”

“I intended to accompany you in safeguarding the Noble Consort. However, it seems meaningless now. I’ll take my leave.”

Miho, arms crossed, replied confidently,

“I won’t see you off. Regardless, I intend to head to the Central Plains.”

“Do as you wish. The Shogun has instructed me not to involve myself further.”

“Much appreciated.”

Whoosh!

With that, Hattori Hanzo vanished using his ninja stealth. Miho mumbled in disappointment,

“I never expected it to end up like this. How frustrating.”

“It’s alright. We won’t face major issues without him.”

“Hattori Hanzo is the best ninja in Dongyoung. Having him would’ve made things easier…”

Miho licked her lips, contemplating,

“Let’s go to the Central Plains together then.”

Using boiling currents, we arrived in the Central Plains. As we reached Jinrang Valley, we were greeted warmly by Mangnyang.

“Welcome, Miho. I am Mangnyang.”

“Hmmm… So you’re Mangnyang.”

It seemed Miho had heard plenty about him from me, as she displayed a softer demeanor than usual toward Mangnyang. After the mutual introductions, Mangnyang got straight to the point.

“We need to rescue Hwang Yeon‘s dependents swiftly, ideally within a month.”

“Is there a particular urgency?”

Curiously, I asked, and Mangnyang nodded seriously.

“Yes, because afterward, you’ll need to rush to the second sealing of Maya.”

“Second sealing? You don’t mean…?!”

I felt my eyes widen. Mangnyang confirmed,

“The journey to the northernmost edge of this world!”

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