Chapter 277: Worse Than a Beast
After Jin Seong-un entered the Emperor’s chambers,
an awkward tension lingered outside.
The Imperial Guards who risked their lives to protect the chamber, and the Eastern Depot’s Admiral who found them displeasing.
Along with the heads of the three sects who rely watched the subtle standoff unfold.
‘Hmm.’
The Wudang Sword Immortal rolled his eyes, surveying the atmosphere. Feeling sowhat bored, he considered starting a conversation, but the others seed to have no such intention.
The two martial experts of the Imperial Palace were too busy tearing at each other with their gazes, while the Shaolin Abbot and Ei Sect Leader quietly embraced the silence befitting monks.
‘That brat… he’d better pull it off. Just what sche is he plotting, asking to block the Admiral of all people?’
The Sword Immortal sighed inwardly as he looked at the tightly shut doors.
If sothing went wrong inside, it would be nearly impossible to contain.
He reflected on Jin Seong-un’s past actions.
The results had usually been good—
but the process was always the problem.
The man never held back in words or actions, and things never passed quietly.
Still, this was the Imperial Palace. The Emperor himself.
Surely, even he would be careful this ti.
Just as he nodded to himself—
a scream echoed from inside.
* Kkeoaaaargh!
An old man’s resounding scream.
The color drained from the Sword Immortal’s face.
Surely that wasn’t the Emperor.
Maybe soone stubbed their toe on the threshold.
He tried to think that way—
but then the Admiral drew his silver dagger and strode toward the chamber.
His steps held no hesitation.
The Sword Immortal knew.
That scream… had co from the Emperor.
“Move aside.”
“You may not enter without the Commander’s order!”
A guard drew his sword in panic.
But the Admiral casually swung his dagger.
Slash!
The sword split cleanly in two like tofu.
The blade aura coating the dagger was terrifyingly sharp.
“His Majesty’s safety is at stake, yet you block citing orders? Move. Or I will treat you as a traitor and behead you.”
With the Emperor’s scream as justification, the Admiral held the advantage.
Even if he killed the guard, he could claim loyalty.
The Sword Immortal trembled anxiously.
Jin Seong-un had asked him to stop the Admiral.
Which ant—
he had to choose.
Stand against the Admiral?
Or pretend not to see?
Ideally, the guard would hold out—
The Sword Immortal silently cheered him on.
But the guard stepped aside.
‘Coward!’
The Sword Immortal cursed inwardly.
But it was impossible for a re guard to stop a Huajing master with justification.
The Admiral walked forward.
Unlike the calm sect leaders, the Sword Immortal was deeply anxious.
So anxious that even the monks beside him noticed.
“Sect Leader, why are your legs trembling—”
Before the Abbot finished—
the Sword Immortal moved.
His movent technique was as light as clouds.
In an instant, he stood before the Admiral.
“……”
The Admiral stared in disbelief.
“What are you doing?”
“Well… perhaps we should wait a bit longer…”
“Step aside.”
“…Hmm.”
The Sword Immortal stood his ground.
The Admiral sighed and swung his dagger without hesitation.
Surely, the Sword Immortal wouldn’t dare resist.
There were only two choices—
Move, or die.
But the Sword Immortal chose a third.
His hand moved in a soft arc—
Clang!
The dagger was deflected.
Softness overcoming hardness—true to Wudang.
But it was madness.
Using martial arts against the Admiral—
in the Imperial Palace.
“……”
“……”
They stared at each other.
Then the Admiral’s aura surged.
“Eastern Depot! Gather at the Qianqing Palace and arrest the traitors!”
Imdiately, dozens of presences rushed in.
The Sword Immortal broke into a cold sweat.
Unard, facing this—
there was no escape.
He looked to the Shaolin Abbot and Ei Leader—
but they simply chanted.
“Amitabha…”
‘…These bald monks.’
The Sword Immortal groaned inwardly.
Soon, eunuchs surrounded them.
The Admiral raised his dagger—
Just then—
the chamber doors opened.
And his strike halted midair.
“Who dares cause a disturbance in the Imperial Palace?”
A low voice—like thunder.
The Admiral withdrew his blade.
“Your Majesty, I heard a scream and sought to ensure your safety. But this traitor blocked .”
He pointed at the Sword Immortal.
The Emperor looked at him.
The other sect leaders subtly stepped away.
‘…Cowards.’
The Sword Immortal cursed inwardly.
“Why did you block him?”
“I sensed Your Majesty had awakened. And yet the Admiral rushed in with a blade… I acted on instinct.”
A lie.
“I admit it was excessive. I apologize.”
He bowed.
The Admiral clenched his teeth.
He couldn’t refute it.
Doing so would imply his senses were inferior.
So he lied as well.
“I also sensed it. I simply acted due to urgency.”
The Emperor ignored him.
“Your instinct overca reason… such loyalty from Wudang is reassuring.”
The Sword Immortal blinked.
He had beco a loyal subject.
“Serving the nation is only natural.”
“Hahaha!”
The Emperor laughed.
Then dismissed the crowd.
Soon, only the Admiral remained.
His expression was cold.
The Emperor had sided with a sect leader over him.
‘Does he know the truth?’
The Admiral touched his dagger.
It was ti to act.
---
Inside—
The Emperor sat at a table.
Jang Gyeong stood beside him.
Jin Seong-un and the Divine Physician faced him.
“Sit.”
Jin Seong-un imdiately sat.
The Divine Physician was shocked.
But then awkwardly followed.
They stared at each other.
Two n from entirely different worlds.
The Emperor spoke first.
“Do you believe soone tried to kill ?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know who?”
“……”
Silence.
“Was it the Princess?”
“….”
“Is my daughter truly so consud by greed… that she would kill her own father?”
The Emperor’s deep eyes fixed on him.
Jin Seong-un felt—
behind that strength,
those eyes trembled between doubt and certainty.
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