Ch.316Reincarnation (3)

I followed the palace interior guided by Court Eunuch Jang.

As I moved along with him, he explained various parts of the palace.

Of course, this was under the excuse that I couldn’t remember well due to the shock from that day.

“That is the Eastern Palace. It was originally the Crown Prince’s residence.”

“What do you mean by ‘was’?”

“The Crown Prince suffered an unfortunate fate.”

The current Emperor’s older brother had died from the Black Death.

The vicious disease that took the life of a royal family member had sadly claimed the Emperor’s son as well.

This left only the Crown Prince’s son, the infant Imperial Grandson.

Since a newborn child couldn’t become Crown Prince, naturally the Eastern Palace had to remain empty.

“So that place is currently vacant.”

I nodded at this.

As far as I knew, the Emperor had one more son.

Of course, with an Imperial Grandson in line, it was impossible to pass the Crown Prince position to the second son.

So they kept the Eastern Palace empty… but this would naturally make the second son’s eyes wander.

His father was aging.

And his nephew was just a newborn who couldn’t even walk.

This meant that if he set his mind to it, the grown man could usurp the throne from his nephew at any time.

In other words, the Goryeo-Liaodong imperial court, like Mongolia, was just one step away from a succession war, though it hadn’t yet surfaced.

While I was thinking about this, Court Eunuch Jang suddenly bowed.

I turned my head to look in that direction.

“What a coincidence! We were just heading that way.”

A man with a hearty appearance looked at me with a friendly smile.

Judging by the quality of his belt and ceremonial clothes, he appeared to be a prince—the Emperor’s second son.

“Are you speaking to me?”

Of course, I tilted my head as if I didn’t know him at all.

Court Eunuch Jang stepped forward and began to explain.

“Pardon the interruption. Prince Anchang. Tolui Khan suffered a great shock that day… and…”

“Ah! I see. What a regrettable incident… I never expected the Khan to do such a thing.”

It seemed he was indirectly expressing his disapproval of Mongke Khan’s violent behavior toward me.

I bowed to express my gratitude.

“Thank you for your concern.”

“No need for thanks. Even I could see it wasn’t right. Of course, I’d appreciate if this remained a secret between cousins.”

His mixed use of casual and formal speech suggested an open personality.

It was clearly impolite behavior, but it didn’t come across as offensive, so it was fine.

After all, he was a much older brother in his 30s.

It was already quite gracious for a man in his 30s to treat his 12-year-old nephew this way.

“More importantly, you probably haven’t fully recovered yet. May I ask where Your Highness is heading?”

“My body has recovered somewhat, and I wish to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”

Prince Anchang examined my ceremonial clothes and then smiled as if he’d found the answer.

“I see. So that’s why you’re wearing Goryeo-style ceremonial clothes.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Nothing. If it’s alright with you, would you come find me after you’ve seen His Majesty and Mongke Khan?”

“You mean visit you, Prince Anchang?”

“Yes. I know a good physician. His wound medicine is famous for its effectiveness.”

Cute fellow.

It seemed he wanted to conspire with me on something.

Well, building connections was important now, so there was no reason to refuse his invitation.

“Since you’re so thoughtful, I’ll definitely visit you.”

“Haha. I look forward to it.”

After saying this, I continued on my way.

After walking for some time, we arrived at Hamnyeong Palace, the Emperor’s bedchamber.

There was a reason for arriving at Hamnyeong Palace rather than the main palace.

It was because I wasn’t officially meeting the Emperor as Mongke Khan’s son.

I had no official right to meet the Emperor, nor did the Emperor have any official reason to meet me.

Since I was visiting to pay respects to a family elder, it was much better to meet directly in the Emperor’s private space.

Anyway, upon arriving at Hamnyeong Palace, I saw well-tended trees arranged in rows.

Among them were two archery targets along with various weapons on display.

From this, I could immediately tell that the Emperor valued martial arts.

While I was thinking this, a man in armor approached me and Court Eunuch Jang.

As they approached, Court Eunuch Jang bowed and spoke.

“We’ve come for an audience with His Majesty.”

“I’ve been informed, Court Eunuch Jang. So this is…?”

“Yes. This is Tolui Khan, son of Mongke Khan.”

The man with a bushy beard bowed.

Then he introduced himself.

“I am Im Kkeokjeong, Captain of the Kheshig-Dragon Guard who protects His Majesty the Emperor. It is an honor to meet you, Tolui Khan.”

Im Kkeokjeong, Captain of the Dragon Guard.

The Im Kkeokjeong I knew was one of the famous bandits of the Joseon Dynasty.

He was so famous that he was considered one of the three great bandits of the Joseon period.

The fact that Hong Gil-dong and Jang Gil-san were included in these three great bandits shows how influential he was.

Unlike the original history where Joseon never formed, Im Kkeokjeong had become the captain of the imperial guard rather than a butcher.

Even in actual history, despite his humble origins, he was evaluated as having exceptional abilities, so his success here was almost natural.

“I will escort Your Highness inside.”

After saying this, Im Kkeokjeong tried to take me inside.

Court Eunuch Jang naturally tried to follow, but the Kheshig behind Im Kkeokjeong blocked him.

“His Majesty wishes to see only Tolui Khan.”

At his firm words, Court Eunuch Jang looked at me with a worried expression.

I looked back at him as if to say not to worry, then followed Im Kkeokjeong inside.

After moving some distance, I heard rough breathing from a corner.

Approaching, I saw an old man exercising with his upper body bare.

He was thin but had a body made entirely of muscle, like an action movie actor.

“Your Majesty, Tolui Khan has come to see you.”

The Emperor didn’t move at Im Kkeokjeong’s words.

He just continued his exercise.

After about 10 minutes had passed,

Having finished his set, the Emperor put down the dumbbells he was holding and looked at me.

“Bring me buroktan.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Im Kkeokjeong gestured, and one of the Kheshig presented buroktan to the Emperor.

After drinking it without pause, the Emperor approached me.

The Emperor had eyes of indescribable depth.

To think that someone with such unfathomable eyes was my descendant and Belgutei’s descendant.

I felt proud in a way, but also wondered how I should interact with him.

“Captain of the Dragon Guard.”

“Command me, Your Majesty.”

“I wish to speak with my nephew alone.”

“But…”

“Do you think a 12-year-old child could harm me?”

The Emperor looked at Im Kkeokjeong as he said this.

It was nearly impossible for a 12-year-old to overpower an Emperor with such a physique.

Knowing this, Im Kkeokjeong had no choice but to bow and step back.

So only the Emperor and I remained.

“The reason I’ve come to see you is…”

“How is your body?”

“My body is fine, Your Majesty. It has improved thanks to the physician you sent.”

The Emperor nodded at this.

“That’s enough then. Your body must still be unwell, so go back and rest.”

The Emperor waved his hand as if uninterested.

It strongly felt like my walking here on my own feet was enough.

Anyone could see he was annoyed.

But if I left now, I would have no more chances.

“I have something I wish to tell Your Majesty.”

“To me?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor looked at me with an expression that seemed to say “let’s hear it.”

Though he still looked annoyed, he was willing to listen, so I couldn’t miss this opportunity.

“I dare to ask what Your Majesty desires.”

“I desire nothing from you. And I desire nothing from your Mongke Khan.”

“Then why did you receive us?”

The Emperor laughed loudly.

“How impudent. Do you think you’ve become something just because you’ve witnessed death once?”

An immense pressure emanated from the Emperor’s body.

Well, even I would be exasperated if a 12-year-old child spoke arrogantly as if they knew everything about the world.

“Of course not. If I have offended Your Majesty, I apologize.”

Now was the time to bow my head.

Knowing this, I immediately bowed, and the Emperor composed himself and looked at me.

It was a different look in his eyes.

It meant he had become interested in me.

“Very well. Since you have keen eyes unlike the dull ones I saw before, let me hear what you have to say.”

“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s boundless grace.”

This was practically winning him over.

It was time to get to the main point.

“I’ve heard that Your Majesty was born and has lived as a person of Goryeo.”

“That’s right. I am proud to be a person of Goryeo. Regardless of what my home country says.”

The Emperor was clearly of mixed Mongol and Goryeo blood.

But having lived his entire life in Goryeo, it was natural for him to take pride in this.

So his attachment to Goryeo would naturally be greater than his loyalty to his home country.

“I too understand Your Majesty’s intentions.”

“Do you understand what it means to say that, young as you are?”

“Of course.”

I adjusted my posture.

And continued speaking.

“The founder of the Yeke Mongol Ulus wanted all thrones to revert to the Yeke Mongol Ulus according to the principle of primogeniture. So he wanted all monarchs to spend their childhood in Mongolia and grow up as Mongols.”

I couldn’t not know this, as it was what I had done.

“I know that Your Majesty, born as a person of Goryeo, does not wish for Goryeo-Liaodong’s sovereignty to be absorbed by Mongolia.”

At my words, the Emperor’s eyes widened as if I had hit the mark.

Now that I had confirmed what he wanted, it was time to drive the point home.

“I will fulfill Your Majesty’s wish.”