The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

Those called royalty.

There was nothing externally special about them despite inheriting the great imperial blood.

At the very least, they didn’t have a unique appearance or extraordinary eyes.

Perhaps someone might feel a sense of nobility, but that was cultivated through upbringing.

So, what was the biggest criterion that distinguished royalty from the common people of the Great Ming Empire?

An innate characteristic.

The feature given from the moment of birth to royalty was their surname.

Royalty was of the Zhu family.

In other words, only those of the Zhu family could dare use the surname Zhu.

In units of currency like silver yuanbao and gold yuanbao, the character ‘yuan’ overlaps with that of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. Because of that single overlapping character, the national unit ‘yuanbao’ was abolished.

The importance of a name was not limited to that. Yi-gang was born into the Baek family and belonged to the Baek Noble Clan, while Seong Ji-an was born into the Seong family and became the legitimate daughter of the Senior Grand Secretary.

However, although they were not far removed from royalty in bloodline, they were never royalty.

In front of a member of the imperial family, any powerful person was merely a commoner.

Seong Ji-an and Baek Yi-gang bowed respectfully.

“We greet Their Highnesses the County Princess and the Crown Prince.”

“We greet Their Highnesses the County Princess and the Crown Prince.”

The Honorable County Princess and the Crown Prince stood side by side, looking down at Yi-gang.

During this, Yi-gang asked Seong Ji-an via telepathy.

-So, who is the County Princess and who is the Crown Prince?

But there was no answer.

As Yi-gang was getting confused because they looked identical enough that even gender was indistinguishable, one of them asked, “So, who is the person next to you?”

Despite being at an age where their voice had not yet fully changed, it was truly an androgynous voice, whether it was a boy or a girl.

Seong Ji-an quickly responded, “I have brought the guard who will escort Their Highnesses the County Princess and the Crown Prince. He is the warrior I mentioned before.”

“Did you?”

“Yes, indeed.”

As Seong Ji-an gave a slight signal, Yi-gang raised his head and introduced himself, “I am Baek Yi-gang. I will protect both of you with all my loyalty.”

As he raised his head, Yi-gang examined the two royals.

Even though they were twins, they looked too identical.

If so, they must be identical twins, but wasn’t it usually impossible for identical twins to be of different genders?

‘They must have put on makeup.’

On closer inspection, they weren’t completely identical, and there were subtle differences that could be discerned.

However, he still couldn’t tell their genders.

“He doesn’t look very reliable.”

“Indeed. He seems weak.”

Their exchange was so quick that it felt like one person was speaking.

“He seems unnecessary.”

“Right, we have the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

They were correct.

Next to them was the Embroidered Uniform Guard, glaring with piercing eyes.

From their solid builds to their closed stances, ready to draw their swords at any moment, they were clearly experts.

As they were tasked with guarding the imperial family, they were no ordinary guards.

In particular, the one dressed in a slightly more elaborate uniform of a colonel seemed exceptional.

“Seong Ji-an, do you not trust His Majesty’s Embroidered Uniform Guard?”

“How could I not trust the Imperial military? However, the sages have emphasized the importance of being prepared. In protecting Her Highness the Honorable County Princess, how can we consider it excessive? If anyone with malicious intent were to harm them…”

“What do you mean by that!”

One of them seemed particularly timid.

When one shouted with anxious eyes, the other giggled as if amused.

“That’s right. But I don’t want to entrust our protection to some idiot. And he’s just one person. How can one person protect two?”

“Do not worry. This warrior is young but highly skilled…”

“Hmm…”

Whether it was the Crown Prince or the County Princess, the person seemed to lose interest and tapped the floor with their toe.

Seong Ji-an’s expression became anxious.

The top priority was to attach Yi-gang to these royals.

“It seems unnecessary…”

“I am good at footwork, so I can easily go back and forth even if Their Highnesses the County Princess and the Crown Prince are in different places.”

It was Yi-gang who showed the boldness to interrupt the royal’s words.

Fortunately, his words sparked curiosity instead of anger.

“Footwork? Are you talking about running around with some kind of light-foot technique?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard can do that.”

“My light-foot technique is on a different level.”

The expression of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Colonel twitched.

“Hmph, I hate people who just talk big!”

“How can I show you…”

“Can you show me?”

The royal’s eyes sparkled.

It seemed their curiosity was piqued.

“How could I disobey your order?”

“Then, show me your footwork.”

Yi-gang raised his head.

“If you command me…”

The moment their eyes met, Yi-gang smiled faintly.

And then he immediately rushed towards the royal in front of him.

The Colonel instantly drew his sword, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard moved as well.

But they couldn’t swing their swords.

Because the image of Yi-gang rushing disappeared like a phantom.

The initial rush was actually a feint.

The Colonel was the first to realize this and turned his body.

Yi-gang was behind the royal boy and girl.

“Fast, aren’t I?”

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was greatly disturbed by Yi-gang’s movement technique.

As their protectors, it was a precarious situation. If Yi-gang had harbored ill intentions, they would have failed in their duty.

Yi-gang’s movement technique exceeded the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s expectations.

They couldn’t recognize that it was the Radiant Shadowless Art, a technique more advanced than the Kunlun’s Cloud Dragon Great Eight Forms, which changed direction in midair.

“Hahahaha!”

“Wow!”

Fortunately, the two royals were not angry; rather, they were excited.

They clapped their hands in joy.

“Much better than the Embroidered Uniform Guard!”

“I have to tell Father.”

The Colonel’s heart sank at these words.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard quickly knelt and apologized, “We showed incompetence! Please punish us!”

The royals didn’t even look at the Colonel.

Unexpectedly, it was Yi-gang who saved the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

“I was not an assassin attacking with killing intent, so it’s natural that their reactions were delayed.”

“Does that really matter?”

“Yes. There is a saying, ‘A third-rate martial artist looks at the hands, a second-rate martial artist looks at the feet, and a first-rate martial artist looks at the eyes.’”

“What do eyes have to do with it?”

“There is a saying that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Since I had no intention of harming His Highness and Your Highness, it is natural that the first-rate Embroidered Uniform Guard didn’t react.”

The two royals laughed joyfully.

Seong Ji-an was surprised by Yi-gang’s eloquence.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard Colonel felt both relief and frustration as he silently endured.

However, the royal siblings were more mischievous than Yi-gang had imagined.

“So, if your skills are good, your eyes should be good too?”

The more assertive of the royals’ eyes sparkled.

“Eyes should be good. They must be.”

“Then you should be able to tell who we are, right?”

“Guess.”

The words came out as if they had been waiting for this moment.

As if they were eager to show off their skills, they asked Yi-gang to guess who they were.

It seemed they often posed such questions.

Yi-gang glanced subtly at Seong Ji-an.

It was a look asking for the answer.

But at that moment, one of the two blocked the way between Yi-gang and Seong Ji-an.

“Don’t even think about deceiving us. That’s an order.”

“How could I have such a disgraceful thought?”

Seong Ji-an also bowed his head.

Voice transmission had surprisingly strict conditions for use. If the distance was too far or if they couldn’t see each other, it was difficult to transmit their voices through Qi.

“Hurry up and choose, who is your Highness the County Princess.”

“And who is your Crown Prince?”

“If you can’t even distinguish that.”

“It’s ridiculous to say you can protect us.”

Yi-gang remained silent.

For a moment, a cold tension lingered.

The two looked so alike that it was really hard to tell them apart, and they were still at an age where physical features hadn’t fully developed.

“Answer.”

It was a command from the royals.

Yi-gang didn’t know the answer.

He glanced sideways at Zhang Sanfeng.

「Wh-why are you looking at me…」

‘Can’t you do something?’

「H-huh?」

Zhang Sanfeng pondered for a moment what Yi-gang wanted.

Then he shouted in shock.

「No way!」

He glared at Yi-gang as if he had made an outrageous request.

‘…Why are you acting like this?’

「You want me to check by revealing it!」

‘…’

Zhang Sanfeng, being in a spirit state, could easily pass through people’s bodies and clothes.

But Yi-gang had no intention of making such a request, so he remained silent in shock.

Zhang Sanfeng, about to lose his temper, also coughed violently.

「Cough, ahem. If it was a misunderstanding, I apologize…」

Yi-gang just said nothing.

“Can’t you answer? I’ll count to three. One…”

The royal boy and girl seemed to mistake Yi-gang’s stunned silence for uncertainty.

“Two…”

“If it would not be impolite, may I touch Your Highnesses’ bodies?”

“What? Um… okay.”

“If you permit.”

And then Yi-gang moved like the wind.

Standing right in front of the royal siblings, he grasped their hands with both of his.

Even though he had permission, there was an excessive lack of hesitation.

As he interlaced their fingers, they instinctively tried to pull their hands away.

However, despite not applying much force, their fingers didn’t untangle.

“What are you…!”

Yi-gang brought his face close to the royal on the left.

They were close enough to feel each other’s breath.

The royals’ pupils dilated, and their sweat glands opened due to the tension.

In contrast, Yi-gang’s eyes were extremely cold.

Due to the Great Yin Meridian Blockage, his pale skin revealed blue veins on his neck when seen up close. His eyelashes were longer than a woman’s. Yet, his jawline displayed masculine features.

The Honorable County Princess felt a fresh shock seeing Yi-gang up close.

“You are Her Highness the County Princess.”

Yi-gang muttered this and then looked at her twin brother, the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince’s pupils trembled slightly.

“You are His Highness the Crown Prince. Please forgive my rudeness.”

Then Yi-gang knelt on one knee and bowed deeply.

The Honorable County Princess felt her heart pounding.

Her younger brother was probably just as flustered.

However, being more prideful than the Honorable County Princess, the Crown Prince, with a flushed face, shouted in embarrassment, “Stop this nonsense! If you’re to be a guard, you must have the skills. Embroidered Uniform Guard!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The Colonel stood up as if he had been waiting for this.

“Test him. You may use swords! The assassins who try to attack me will use swords too.”

“I will follow your command.”

Cha-chang—

The sound of swords being drawn rang out loudly.

Not one, but five Embroidered Uniform Guards drew their swords.

In contrast, Yi-gang didn’t even have a sword to draw.

Seong Ji-an quickly tried to intervene, but Yi-gang raised his hand to stop him.

“Be careful, as swords are blind!”

The Embroidered Uniform Guard felt uneasy about attacking an unarmed opponent, but they charged relentlessly.

「Finally, things are getting easier.」

However, this was exactly what Yi-gang had been waiting for.

Yi-gang’s blurry form slipped into the Colonel’s range.

The Colonel’s sword was enveloped with blue sword energy, a symbol of a Peak master.

However, that sword futilely cut through the empty space beside Yi-gang, and Yi-gang struck the Colonel’s chin from below.

It was a technique he naturally acquired from the Taiji Fist at Wudang.

Smack—!

The Colonel’s sword spun through the air.

As he lost consciousness, the sword slipped from his hand.

Yi-gang swiftly grabbed it.

To the Honorable County Princess and the Crown Prince, Yi-gang’s movements were so fast they couldn’t be properly observed.

The remaining guards charged at Yi-gang, who now held a sword.

It didn’t take long for all of them to be knocked down.

Except for the Colonel with the broken jaw, no one was seriously injured.

The Crown Prince, who had been acting spiteful, stood with his mouth agape, while the Honorable County Princess clapped her hands without realizing it.

Even though the royal family was said to be in a “dragon’s pool and tiger’s den,” how could they know the vastness of the Central Plains when they’d only lived in the Forbidden City?

Though still young, Yi-gang was a Supreme Peak master who would be respected by any major sect.

「Don’t be so smug.」

‘Is it obvious?’

Yi-gang composed his expression.

He ultimately was able to take on the role of guarding the Honorable County Princess and the Crown Prince.

When the royals resided inside the Forbidden City, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was in charge of their protection.

It wasn’t merely a matter of job assignment.

More importantly, it was about the existential significance and the hierarchical status of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Ming Empire, compared to previous empires that ruled the Central Plains, was a nation with powerful imperial authority.

The concentration of power in a single individual, the Emperor, attested to this.

The Grand Secretary essentially played the role of Prime Minister, as he conveyed the Emperor’s orders and managed memorials.

The fact that eunuchs who assisted the Emperor wielded the empire’s power, and that ministers feared the institution called the Eastern Depot, was due to the Emperor’s favoritism towards the eunuchs.

The reason the Embroidered Uniform Guard was powerful was that they embodied the Emperor’s will through force.

However, there was an incident that crushed the pride of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

“Tsk…”

Bu Yeong-hu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The powerful figure of the Forbidden City, who led the guards dressed in silk while carrying out the emperor’s orders, was frowning deeply.

As he walked with his chest out, the Colonel followed behind him.

“What on earth is Seong Yeok-ju thinking…”

He had heard a shocking piece of news.

Colonel Mun Chung, who had been assigned to guard the Honorable County Princess and the Crown Prince, was beaten by a rogue from the Jianghu.

The rogue was a very young man brought by the legitimate daughter of Seong Yeok-ju, which to Commander-in-Chief Bu Yeong-hu, felt like an invasion of his territory.

“Commander-in-Chief, please calm down,” his closest confidant, the Chief Colonel, cautiously suggested.

“Calm down? How can I be calm!”

“Even though the Senior Grand Secretary intervened, why are you going directly to the Eastern Depot?”

They were heading straight to the Eastern Depot.

They were walking into the very organization that was like an arch-nemesis to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

“The Admiral Grand Eunuch won’t stay idle. It’s like walking into the jaws of a snake…”

“Shut up!”

But Bu Yeong-hu shouted angrily, “If the Admiral Grand Eunuch were an idiot, he wouldn’t have made me suffer this much until now. And unless he’s a fool, he won’t harm someone who comes to see him.”

“…”

How serious must the situation be for the Commander-in-Chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to seek out the Admiral Grand Eunuch?

“If you don’t want to die together, shut up and listen.”

“My apologies.”

“Follow me.”

Knowing the reason, the Chief Colonel quietly followed the Commander-in-Chief’s orders.