Myst, Might, Mayhem

Chapter 244 – Prince Gyeongjin (1)

“Ah, this is why quick-witted people are troublesome.”

‘!?’

The young voice coming from the mouth of Eunuch Beom, an eunuch of the Western Depot.

As soon as they heard it, vigilance filled the eyes of Prince Gyeongjin and the Chief Eunuch of the Western Depot, Eunuch Ho.

Having been with Eunuch Beom for a long time, they could naturally distinguish him by his voice alone.

Chief Eunuch Ho spoke while pointing his soft sword.

“You… Who the hell are you?”

“There are definitely limitations with just the face.”

“What?”

“Seems like you were lucky back there.”

The corners of Eunuch Beom’s mouth twitched.

Eunuch Beom, or rather the true identity behind that face, was Mok Gyeong-un.

From the moment he entered Prince Gyeongjin’s palace, Mok Gyeong-un had no intention of avoiding being discovered at all costs, and through them, he realized the weaknesses of the Human Skin Mask.

It was difficult to deceive the energy of a master with keen senses like Eunuch Ho, even if he could fool them with just the face.

‘Without internal energy, it would be difficult with just deception.’

If he could manipulate the yang energy of internal energy, he would have imitated the unique energy emitted by Eunuch Beom.

However, Mok Gyeong-un’s energy was different from others, so he couldn’t do that.

Moreover, if the voice was distinctly different or if he tried to deceive those who had known the face of this human skin for a long time, it was virtually impossible.

Considering this, it could be said that he was lucky at the Yeon Mok Sword Manor.

That’s because the real Mok Gyeong-un had such a bad reputation that he didn’t interact with his half-siblings, let alone his servants.

In conclusion,

‘The Human Skin Mask is not a card to be used in this way.’

It was difficult to deceive those who knew the face or were close to him.

However, that didn’t mean this was a useless card.

If he changed his approach, he could create amusing situations like before.

‘It depends on how you think about it…’

Right then,

-Swish!

The soft sword of the Chief Eunuch Ho aimed at the space between his eyebrows.

In an instant, Mok Gyeong-un slightly tilted his head back and narrowly dodged the tip of the soft sword.

-Swish!

‘He dodged it?’

It may have looked like a light strike, but it was an extremely fast thrust that even masters at the pinnacle-stage of Transcendent Realm would find difficult to avoid.

Yet, when Mok Gyeong-un lightly dodged it, Eunuch Ho couldn’t help but be inwardly surprised.

‘This bastard is no ordinary person.’

It was a single thrust he had made with the intention of quickly subduing him, as it was in the presence of His Highness Prince Gyeongjin.

It was difficult to ascertain his level based on his energy, which was barely detectable, but with this one move, it became clear.

‘He’s a master on par with me.’

If he was such a supreme master, he could assess the opponent’s skill with just a single move.

Eunuch Ho slightly bent and then straightened the wrist holding the soft sword.

The soft sword wriggled like a living snake and aimed at Mok Gyeong-un in a peculiar direction.

-Swish!

However, Mok Gyeong-un dodged the trajectory of the soft sword by simply taking half a step back.

As if he had anticipated that he would dodge it, Eunuch Ho shouted.

“Look here! An enemy has infiltrated!”

It was a cry infused with inner force.

Outside, there were Embroidered Uniform Guards and eunuchs from the Western Depot.

Calling for their help was not to repel this person but to evacuate His Highness.

However,

-An enemy has infiltrated! An enemy has infiltrated! An enemy has infiltrated!

At that moment, Eunuch Ho’s voice resonated in the room like an echo.

It wasn’t just a voice but one infused with inner force, so it was so resounding that Prince Gyeongjin frowned and hastily covered his ears.

“Ugh.”

‘Damn it!’

Eunuch Ho’s complexion darkened.

The echo in this confined space was because the shout had bounced off and rebounded.

Through this, Eunuch Ho could tell.

‘He has surrounded the entire room with true energy.’

Even a master at the pinnacle-stage of Transcendent Realm could cover a certain space with their true energy to block sound.

Naturally, a master of this caliber wouldn’t be unable to do so.

-Tap tap tap!

Eunuch Ho displayed a peculiar footwork with quick, tottering movements, distancing himself from Mok Gyeong-un, and then stood in front of Prince Gyeongjin.

It was to protect him.

Eunuch Ho sent a secret message to convey his thoughts.

-Your Highness, this person is no ordinary master. Even I won’t be able to subdue him easily, so if an opportunity arises, you must leave this place, even if it means breaking the window.

At his words, a glint flashed in Prince Gyeongjin’s eyes.

As the Chief Eunuch of the Western Depot, Eunuch Ho was a master of martial arts whose match was hard to find throughout the entire palace.

This was the first time he had seen him show such vigilance.

That meant the unknown person wearing Eunuch Beom’s face was a dangerous individual and an outstanding master, right?

‘Then…’

Prince Gyeongjin spoke to Mok Gyeong-un, who was wearing Eunuch Beom’s face.

“Hey, you. Who sent you here?”

‘Your Highness?’

Seeing his behavior, Chief Eunuch Ho inwardly clicked his tongue.

It was no different from an assassin infiltrating the palace, yet in this situation, his master, whom he served, had the audacity to talk to such a person. He was truly bold.

But there was no way such a person would obediently answer His Highness’s question…

“Well, who could have sent me?”

‘!?’

Eunuch Ho frowned and looked at Mok Gyeong-un.

What the hell was he?

If he had come to assassinate His Highness, there was no way he would answer such a question one by one.

As he was puzzled, Prince Gyeongjin spoke calmly.

“For a master like you, whom even Eunuch Ho here is wary of, there are only three people who come to mind who could send you.”

They were the powerful figures of the palace, excluding himself.

He thought it would be one of the three: Hang Yoon, the Grand Preceptor who also served as the Admiral of the Central Navy; the Prince Jong, the emperor’s second prince; or Imperial Noble Consort Seo.

“Seeing that they even had you imitate the face of Eunuch Beom, who can be considered my close aide, they seem to have made up their mind.”

This was an excellent move, even in his own opinion.

If it was said that he had died at the hands of Eunuch Beom, it would ultimately be concluded as an internal conflict.

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guards would investigate whether it was someone’s instigation, it could be easily ended by eliminating the real Eunuch Beom.

Prince Gyeongjin clicked his tongue and said,

“You must have killed Eunuch Beom, right?”

“For a noble person, you’re quite smart.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

At his calm tone, Mok Gyeong-un was inwardly intrigued.

Although it was amusing to see him misunderstand and speculate based on partial circumstances, he was indeed different from ordinary people, befitting a clan that ruled a country.

It could be seen from how he tried to calmly unravel the situation while being tense.

Mok Gyeong-un smiled and said,

“Then you must know that further conversation is meaningless.”

With those words, Mok Gyeong-un clenched his sword fingers.

Sharp sword energy flowed out, and the air became heavy with murderous intent.

It was to the extent that even Prince Gyeongjin, who had not learned martial arts, could feel it.

‘It’s suffocating.’

Faced with Mok Gyeong-un’s sharp aura, Eunuch Ho gripped his soft sword and assumed a fighting stance.

-Your Highness, while I hold off this person, you must leave no matter what.

Chief Eunuch Ho, who repeated those words once more, tried to launch himself toward Mok Gyeong-un.

Right then, Prince Gyeongjin stopped him.

“Hold it!”

At his command, Eunuch Ho couldn’t hide his troubled expression.

If he were to release his fighting stance first in this situation, it would become difficult to protect Prince Gyeongjin.

Nevertheless, Prince Gyeongjin persisted.

“…Your Highness, that must not be done. This person is truly dangerous.”

“It’s fine, so stop.”

“Your Highness!”

“Didn’t I say it’s fine? I trust you. And if today is my last day, it would be my fate to go even if you don’t stop him.”

At Prince Gyeongjin’s words, Chief Eunuch Ho bit his lip and released his fighting stance.

Since the opponent was a master who couldn’t be let down his guard against, he didn’t want to easily release his vigilance, but he couldn’t disobey His Highness’s order.

Seeing this, Mok Gyeong-un spoke with puzzlement.

“Doesn’t seem like a good choice.”

At those words, Prince Gyeongjin clasped his hands together and showed courtesy toward Mok Gyeong-un.

Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes flickered at the sight.

What kind of behavior was this all of a sudden?

As he wondered, Prince Gyeongjin bowed his head and spoke.

“I am a person who values talent and respects the strong who deserve to be treated well.”

“You respect the strong?”

“That’s right. I need many heroes like you for what I want to do.”

‘Ah…’

At Prince Gyeongjin’s words, the Chief Eunuch of the Western Depot, Eunuch Ho, was troubled.

His Highness’s strong point, or rather his bad habit, had emerged.

If there was a desirable talent, regardless of whether they were an enemy or an obstacle, he would first reach out to them.

This could be used in a good way, but there were also cases where it wasn’t.

Especially if they were an enemy targeting his life.

At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un spoke.

“You’re quite a unique person.”

At his tone, which sounded intrigued, Prince Gyeongjin couldn’t help but feel inwardly relieved.

If he were someone who showed no reaction at all despite his utmost courtesy, there would be no room for negotiation.

However, showing such a reaction meant that he was someone who could be persuaded.

“I may be unique or foolish, but I have a great desire for talented individuals.”

“It seems that way.”

“Since the situation is like this, I’ll be straightforward. I don’t know whose request or order you received, but using an excellent talent like you for such a dirty job like assassination is no different from misusing resources.”

Misusing resources.

It meant using the resources of one state in another state, implying that they were being used in a place where their true value was not recognized.

“So, with a heart that earnestly desires talent, I want to invite you to become my person. I don’t know what compensation you receive from them, but I am willing to treat you even better, so please become a pillar of support for me.”

Pillar of support.

It referred to a person who could be entrusted with important tasks of a household or a country, meaning someone who could handle the most critical matters.

Prince Gyeongjin’s persuasive abilities and eloquence were close to being unrivaled.

With his profound learning, he had made numerous talents his own people through such eloquence.

‘It is said that people bow their heads to those who recognize their worth. I don’t know whose person he is, but no one will be able to treat him as well as I can.’

Whether it was Imperial Noble Consort Seo, who only had her body as a weapon, the arrogant and unmatched influential official Hang Yoon, or the cruel Second Prince, who believed his position had been stolen.

Which one of them could match his magnanimity?

-Tremble tremble!

At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un lowered his head, covered his mouth with his palm, and slightly shook his face.

It seemed as if he was emotionally overwhelmed.

Seeing this, the corners of Prince Gyeongjin’s mouth slightly rose.

It appeared that this gamble, born from his desire for talent, had paid off.

Prince Gyeongjin approached Mok Gyeong-un.

“Your Highness!”

Prince Gyeongjin shook his head.

“It’s alright. This person has understood my intention.”

With those words, Prince Gyeongjin approached Mok Gyeong-un again and placed his hand on his right shoulder, laughing heartily.

“Hahaha! It seems that I have virtue. To gain such an outstanding warrior with the capacity of a fortress…”

Suddenly, Prince Gyeongjin couldn’t finish his sentence.

That’s because Mok Gyeong-un’s face, as he lifted his head, was closer to boredom, as if he was forcibly holding back a yawn, rather than being overwhelmed by his eloquence.

“You…”

“Ah, I apologize. It seemed too obvious that I was trying to hold back a yawn, as it’s not polite to yawn while you’re delivering an impassioned speech.”

At those words, Prince Gyeongjin was dumbfounded.

He had shown such courtesy and praised him, yet the only reaction he showed was holding back a yawn?

This was equivalent to insulting him, a royal and a prince.

Prince Gyeongjin was inwardly very displeased, but since he was too close to Mok Gyeong-un, he suppressed it and spoke in a gentle voice.

“Perhaps my words were too long. Then let me put it simply. Please become my person.”

With those words, he clasped his hands together and bowed his head once more, showing courtesy.

As a prince, he had lowered himself to this extent and praised him.

If he had done this much, even this bastard should show sufficient sincerity…

-Stab!

At that moment, something sharp pierced Prince Gyeongjin’s left eyeball.

Rather than the pain from the needle that suddenly pierced his eye, Prince Gyeongjin was startled and tried to push Mok Gyeong-un away.

-Grab!

However, Mok Gyeong-un grabbed his wrist, making it impossible to push him away.

“You bastard!”

Seeing this scene, the enraged Chief Eunuch Ho hurriedly tried to save Prince Gyeongjin.

However,

“If you don’t want to see His Highness die, it’s best to stay still.”

“You scoundrel!”

Chief Eunuch Ho hesitated on the spot.

He gritted his teeth.

Even if His Highness had said it was alright, he should have somehow prevented him from getting close.

Meanwhile, Prince Gyeongjin, who was squinting his left eye, spoke to Mok Gyeong-un in an incomprehensible tone.

“Wh-Why are you doing this? I even showed courtesy and said I would treat you even better…”

“Ah. You’re asking why I suddenly did that?”

“…Yes.”

“Because you talk too much.”

‘!?’