Book 2: Chapter 83: I'm weak! (3)
Truly, did gramps truly say that?
Yes, Your Majesty.
The Empress Dowager fell deep into thought as she watched Mok Hee nod her head.
Mok Hyeon. The Fist King is suspected of being at least in the latter stages of the Unrestrained Realm.
The stages of the Martial Arts world were Third Rank, Second Rank, and First Rank, with the Peak Realm and the Transcendent Realm beyond that. Above that was the Unrestrained Realm. Once someone got past the Unrestrained Realm, they would reach the Profound Realm.
Anybody who managed to get into the Peak Realm was called an expert.
Anybody who reaches the Transcendent Realm is treated as a great expert anywhere they go in the Martial Arts world.
As for the Unrestrained Realm which was above that, that was something only a handful of people in the respective sects, cults, or factions reached.
The Imperial family believes gramps Mok Hyeon might be in the Profound Realm.
At least in the latter stages of the Unrestrained Realm. At max at the early stages of the Profound Realm.
That was the conclusion that the Imperial family had stealthily reached about Mok Hyeon.
Then does that mean that the guy from earlier is at least in the latter stages of the Unrestrained Realm and at max at the early stages of the Profound Realm as well?
The Empress Dowager could not believe that.
However, she clenched her eyes shut, thought about what she had just experienced, and bit down on her lips.
Such an aura-
The Empress Dowager had experienced all sorts of hardships.
Whether it was the Emperor from two generations ago And even when she met the former Emperor and had a confrontation with him The Empress Dowager had not been afraid.
However, the moment she faced that guy's aura It felt as if she was going to suffocate.
She probably would have plopped down on the ground if it had not been for all of the experiences she had faced in her life.
However, all I felt was an aura.
All she felt was this feeling as if he controlled the air.
She had not felt any murderous intent coming from him.
He did not even have a weapon in his hand.
Mok Hee.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I've heard that in the Martial Arts world, the stronger you get the more average you look. Is that true?
.
Mok Hee was silent for a moment before she responded.
Your Majesty, it is said that once you get past a certain stage, a Martial Artist does not look very different from a regular person.
Yes. Just like gramps.
The grim reaper looked even more like a regular person than gramps.
No, honestly speaking, he looked even weaker than the Empress Dowager herself. He was skinny and his face looked extremely tired. And-
He looked young. Someone that strong cant truly be that young, right?
It is difficult to answer that question, your Majesty. However-
Mok Hee hesitated for a moment before continuing to speak.
There is a process called Rejuvenation where an expert who reaches a certain stage will have their body and bones go through a metamorphosis that makes them look young once again. Unfortunately, I am unable to say for sure because I have never seen it before.
I see.
The Empress Dowager nodded her head before looking up again after hearing a noise.
Your Majesty.
She heard a court ladys voice from outside the door.
His Majesty requests an audience.
The Empress Dowager looked out the window.
It was dark.
Her son wanted to see her despite it being the middle of the night.
His Majesty must have heard the information.
There was no way that her son, who had let her take Mok Hyeon with her, did not know about the grim reapers visit. A smile formed on the Empress Dowager's face.
His Majesty has ears even in the Moonflower Palace.
Mok Hees shoulders shook a bit after hearing that comment.
The Empress Dowager was saying that her son, the current Emperor, had planted an informant in her residence. However, her voice did not sound displeased at all.
In fact, she sounded happy.
How wonderful. There will be nowhere in the Imperial Palace that His Majestys ears cannot reach since he has even infiltrated my palace.
She was truly praising her son's abilities.
The Emperor knew that Empress Dowager would feel this way, which was why he was openly showing that he had informants in the Moonflower Palace and requesting an audience.
It would be difficult to sleep tonight anyway, so please inform His Majesty to please come.
The Empress Dowager gave an order to the court lady outside before commenting to Mok Hee.
Stay here with me. You will be able to explain his strength better than I can.
Yes, your Majesty.
The Empress Dowager looked out into the darkness beyond the window and mumbled to herself.
Maybe I'll be able to see them together with His Majesty.
Her gaze moved to one of the guesthouses attached to the Moonflower Palace.
It currently had torches lit up.
The torches would not turn off in that guesthouse since someone was staying there starting today.
* * *
What is going on?
Cale suddenly felt iffy.
Why is there no reaction?
The old man had asked if he was strong so he had responded that he was weak.
The old man called gramps had stared at Cale before laughing and closing his mouth.
It feels a bit sus?
The old mans reaction was weighing heavily on his mind.
However, nobody said a thing as they continued to head to the residence the Empress Dowager had provided for them.
They are quiet but fast.
Cale was making sure to look around without others noticing as they walked in order to assess the situation.
There was a young boy, who seemed to be about six years old, twiddling his fingers looking scared.
Chief Eunuch Wi flinched before bowing.
That sir, no That child will be the one to mainly assist you, grim reaper-nim.
Hooo.
Cale's eyes clouded over. The only existence of the courtesans sticking out like a sore thumb The child who was looking at Cale as if he knew him
Someone that Chief Eunuch Wi was oddly being wary of
Yet the other courtesans seemed to have no idea about and were warily looking at the child and Chief Eunuch Wi
Cale felt as if he knew who this was.
The young boy looked scared after seeing his gaze and curled up some more, but he was trying his best to smile. He was also scratching his cheek.
It was at that moment.
That is unacceptable.
Cale's shoulders flinched.
The moment Cale looked unsettled, Chief Eunuch Wi saw someone walking toward him.
This man with half-white hair seemed about his age but a bit younger.
It is my duty to assist the young master-nim.
Ron spoke to Chief Eunuch Wi with a benign smile on his face before looking at Cale.
Isn't that right, young master-nim?
Cale slowly avoided Ron's gaze.
Its awkward.
Ron and Beacrox. Unlike the two of them, Cales appearance had changed quite a bit.
He currently looked like twenty-year-old Kim Rok Soo.
Of course, they would not be reminded of the White Star. Their hair color was different and, compared to the healthy White Star, the current Kim Rok Soo was so feeble that they looked like different people. Most importantly, they gave off completely different vibes.
However, the moment Cale noticed Ron observing him, he found it difficult to look at Ron for a long time.
This is complicated.
However, Cale had no plans on explaining this Kim Rok Soo appearance.
Yes, he had no intentions at all.
Young master-nim?
Cale quickly responded to Ron who asked again.
Of course!
He had subconsciously responded excessively. Cale couldnt help but be tense around Ron.
That is what he is saying.
Mm.
Chief Eunuch Wi couldnt hide the awkward look on his face despite having heard Cale and Rons conversation. Cale started speaking after seeing his reaction.
However, I will keep this child with me.
Chief Eunuch Wi had an odd look on his face before bowing.
Yes, Grim reaper-nim.
Cale watched him before nonchalantly commenting. The comment was for the gramps.
Sir, I guess you dont know?
Hmm?
Who that child is.
The eunuch boy and Chief Eunuch Wi flinched, but Cale just shrugged his shoulders.
I guess you are not very close to her Majesty, the Empress Dowager.
Instead, he had a dubious smile on his face as he left the gramps with that comment and headed toward the annex without any hesitation.
I would like to chat with Her Majesty as quickly as possible. It is urgent.
Cale said that to Chief Eunuch Wi before entering the Annex.
Of course, the sense of urgency is not from me, but your side who will be feeling it.
He watched Chief Eunuch Wi flinch before approaching the annex door.
The courtesans assigned here stepped aside and bowed.
Cale placed his hand on top of the head of the child who quickly tried to follow them.
He was planning on putting the hand on the boy's shoulder, but it ended up on the boy's head because he was so short.
Cale was about to pet the boy's head before he stopped.
Shhh.
The child's black hair slipped right off of his head.
It was a wig.
The child made eye contact with Cale and smiled awkwardly.
Hehe.
The child, whose head was as smooth as a chestnut, was dressed like a eunuch but looked more like a young monk.
Hehe.
Cale made a comment to the awkwardly laughing child.
Little Central Plains knows how to wear a wig I guess.
Hehe.
The child awkwardly scratched his cheeks and smiled.
However, Cales gaze was vicious.
I have a lot of things I want to say.
More of his powers had been sealed than he had expected.
It was especially true of the destructive powers that were useful for fighting.
The pupils of the boy who met his gaze were moving all around as he opened his mouth.
Hehe.
He just smiled while clutching his eunuch uniform.
Of course, his lips were shaking in fear.
Translator's Comments
Be scared Central Plains, be very scared.
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