Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 1

001. The Forbidden City for the First Time

‘…Therefore, to pass the five civil service examinations and become a *Jinshi* [进士, a successful candidate in the highest-level imperial examination], one must memorize over 430,000 characters of the Confucian classics.

One must be well-versed in numerous commentaries, classics, history, poetry, and literature, and be able to discuss national policies based on these classics.

Moreover, one must also be able to create poetry. Thus, it is fortunate to pass the civil service examination and become a *Jinshi* in one’s early twenties; it is by no means late even if one is over thirty.’

***

The Forbidden City (紫禁城) is the heart of the continent.

A majestic city surrounded by high, thick walls and deep moats, with palaces (宮) and halls (殿) of golden double roofs forming a vast, symmetrical structure.

The Forbidden City was, in itself, another city within a city.

However, the Forbidden City isn’t called the heart of the continent solely because of its magnificent scale and beauty.

The Forbidden City is the center of power that governs the continent and the place where all the wealth and honor of the world gather.

Power and wealth throb within its walls, a splendid and noble city of forbidden [禁] red [紫] that exists on this land but feels separate from it [城].

That was the Forbidden City.

In contrast to the simple yet imposing arrangement of the large palaces forming the central axis, the Forbidden City soon turns into a vast maze as one ventures further inside.

Therefore, almost without exception, those who set foot here for the first time are bound to get lost.

Perhaps it was because the beauty and splendor of the vast Forbidden City completely captivated the eyes of first-time visitors.

“This is a problem. At this rate, I won’t be able to make it on time.”

A young scholar in official robes muttered, wiping away sweat.

It wasn’t even midsummer yet, but sweat was already forming on his forehead. It seemed to be due to more than just his oversized official robes that didn’t quite fit.

The young scholar looked around anxiously, not hiding his impatient expression. But the splendid and vast Forbidden City was as silent as if no one lived there.

Even the Embroidered Uniform Guards, who had been glaring just a moment ago, were nowhere to be seen now.

“This is… really.”

The young scholar wiped the sweat from his forehead again.

‘Was it too much to try and find a place I don’t even know the location of by myself in the first place?’

But he couldn’t admit defeat. He wanted to save face and impress the administrator who had looked down on him.

He nodded as if there were no problem, thinking that he surely wouldn’t fail to find a single path, but that was the beginning of the problem.

“I don’t even know where I am. If I accidentally step into a forbidden area (禁域), the consequences will be more than serious…”

The Forbidden City is the emperor’s residence.

As the entire city is a forbidden area, one might not be able to save their life if they recklessly move around.

However, if he is late at this rate, that would also be a big problem. He would be branded as insincere from the very first day.

“Sigh…”

The young scholar sighed once more with a dismayed expression.

However, the splendid and beautiful buildings gave no answer, and there was no one to lend a helping hand to his sigh.

It was then.

A small human figure moving busily among the splendid red buildings caught the scholar’s eye.

Although he couldn’t recognize it right away because it was an unfamiliar sight, it was definitely a human figure.

The young scholar’s face lit up instantly.

“That’s it.”

It was just the figure of a passerby, but for the young scholar in trouble, there was nothing more welcome than that.

The young scholar looked at the person approaching him and breathed a sigh of relief. The way he moved unhesitatingly through the wide palace was surely someone familiar with the geography of this place.

However, after a while, a shadow fell over the face of the scholar, who had been wearing a bright expression.

‘Oh no, isn’t that a eunuch!’

The soft brown silk clothes with black edges on both sides, that long coat that comes down to the tips of the feet, was definitely a eunuch’s robe (太監衣).

There were many eunuchs in the palace who were in charge of various tasks, sometimes numbering as many as ten thousand, and at other times, no less than three thousand. So it was not unusual for the young scholar to encounter a eunuch in the Forbidden City.

However, for a scholar who prided himself on his noble spirit, a eunuch was definitely an unsavory figure. Even more so as someone to ask for help.

‘But what can I do? I’m in trouble right now…’

But the young scholar had no choice. Moreover, a eunuch familiar with the geography of the palace was exactly the person he needed most right now.

In the meantime, the eunuch in the brown eunuch’s robe passed by the young scholar with hurried steps.

The scholar didn’t know much about eunuch robes, but judging from the fact that it wasn’t red, he didn’t think he was of high status.

“Ahem. H, hey there.”

The young scholar called out to the eunuch in an awkward voice.

The scholar didn’t like his voice, which sounded like a rookie, but fortunately, the eunuch stopped and turned around.

“Yes. What is it?”

A strange voice that was neither male nor female.

The young scholar almost shuddered.

The face of the eunuch, whom he was looking at head-on for the first time, was unfamiliar and strange.

There wasn’t even a trace of a beard, and his smooth face, which seemed old yet somehow young, was even unfamiliar.

Perhaps the young scholar’s thoughts were reflected on his face as it was? The eunuch’s eyes took on a slightly strange light.

“Ahem, ahem.”

The young scholar cleared his throat and subtly avoided his gaze.

“Sorry. Actually, I’m looking for the Changryong Hall…”

The young scholar trailed off. However, the eunuch was able to grasp the situation quickly with just those words.

‘Ah, he’s lost.’

He had a hunch that he was a rookie scholar who had just entered the palace from the first time he saw him. He had already noticed his awkward appearance in official robes and his dismayed expression for a long time.

He just didn’t know why a young scholar was making such a difficult face in this place.

“Changryong Hall… Ah, you’re going to see His Highness the Crown Prince? Yes.”

The young scholar’s face brightened at the eunuch’s words.

“Y, yes. I am Yun-hyeon, a *Jinshi* [进士, a successful candidate in the highest-level imperial examination] who passed the recent state examination with the highest score. From now on, I will be serving His Highness the Crown Prince, haha.”

The young scholar’s face, who let out an awkward hearty laugh that didn’t suit his age, was full of undisguised pride.

The eunuch bowed deeply to the young scholar Yun-hyeon, who introduced himself.

“Ah, yes. So you’re *Jinshi* Yun. To have passed the state examination with the highest score at such a young age, you’re really amazing. Yes.”

The eunuch chimed in with young scholar Yun-hyeon’s words in a drawn-out voice. However, Yun-hyeon did not realize that a strange smile was lingering on the eunuch’s face.

The eunuch raised his head and said to him in a polite manner.

“It is an honor to meet someone as learned as you. Changryong Hall is not far from here, so please come this way. Yes.”

“Then I’ll ask for your help, haha.”

The young scholar Yun-hyeon, who was elated by the eunuch’s exaggerated reaction, answered with a pretense of dignity.

The eunuch turned around and began to walk ahead at a fast pace.

***

“That gate is the Geoncheong Gate, which leads to the inner palace of the imperial palace, and behind it, that tall roof is the Geoncheong Palace, where His Majesty resides, and behind that is the Gyotae Hall, where Her Majesty the Queen resides, yes.”

Tap, tap, tap.

The eunuch moved quickly and spoke as if chattering. As if he had plenty of time, he even covered his mouth with his sleeve and laughed in the meantime.

“Those roofs visible to the left of the Gyotae Hall are the Six Western Palaces, but it would be best not to get close to them as they are where His Majesty’s concubines reside. Hohoho.”

However, Yun-hyeon, who was following behind, was too busy looking at the eunuch’s heels to even look around at the buildings.

Even at this moment, the eunuch’s small feet were moving busily and silently on the sidewalk paved with colorful pebbles.

“Huk, huk. H, hey, a little slower…”

Despite Yun-hyeon’s words, the eunuch did not slow down at all.

The eunuch said in a clear voice without looking back.

“It’s the Changryong Hall where you’re going soon, so it’s better to move quickly. Aren’t you already late for the appointed time? Hehehe.”

Yun-hyeon felt a slight chill at the eunuch’s laughter.

From the first impression, the eunuch’s voice and laughter were not something he could listen to comfortably.

Moreover, he had been at a loss for where to look since the beginning because of the way he walked, swaying his hips from side to side like a woman.

“Ah, that big staircase visible over there leads to the back of the Bohwa Hall. That single stone with the dragon carved on it is a huge rock (巨石) with an enormous weight. And…”

The eunuch started explaining again as if chattering, but Yun-hyeon couldn’t hear anything.

Now, he just wanted to stop and rest, regardless of being late or anything else.

It was at that moment.

“That is the Changryong Hall that *Jinshi* Yun is looking for, hehe.”

Yun-hyeon’s eyes and ears perked up. He quickly raised his head.

‘Ah.’

When he raised his eyes, the face of the eunuch smiling at him and the appearance of a large hall visible beyond it came into view.

The letters on the signboard, which were splendidly carved as if they were about to fly, clearly spelled out Changryong Hall.

The moment he confirmed the signboard, Yun-hyeon’s face brightened again. The voice of the administrator telling him to go to Changryong Hall was vivid in his ears.

“Oh, that’s the Changryong Hall.”

Yun-hyeon’s voice also regained strength. As the destination he had been searching for so long appeared before his eyes, even his fatigue seemed to disappear.

Yun-hyeon, who was admiring the hall, turned to look at the eunuch standing next to him. A gentle smile was on the eunuch’s face.

“Th, thank you. If it weren’t for you…”

“You’re welcome, sir. It must be late, so please go inside quickly.”

The eunuch said, bowing his head.

“Y, yes. Then, goodbye…”

Yun-hyeon hurriedly moved his steps, barely returning the eunuch’s greeting.

Having escaped from the difficulty of wandering around without knowing the way, the fact that he was late was now a more urgent matter.

Yun-hyeon hurriedly moved towards the Changryong Hall without even having time to fix his clothes.

Looking at Yun-hyeon’s back, the eunuch clicked his tongue softly.

“Tsk, if it were someone else, I would have made them suffer so much that they would have woken up…”

The eunuch sighed slightly.

“How can I play tricks on someone going to the Changryong Hall? He passed the state examination with the highest score at a young age, so he must have had quite a bit of luck and skill, but it seems that his luck has run out now. Tsk, tsk.”

The eunuch shook his head from side to side and turned his steps.

“Scholars who can read are a dime a dozen. Without connections, no matter how high you score on the state examination, you’re bound to end up in that kind of situation.”

As if complaining, the eunuch quickened his pace again.

The morning sunlight was gently falling on the fluttering brown eunuch’s robe.

***

Tap.

A thick book made a sound as it was opened on the desk.

The administrator, who had a sharp impression at a glance, sat upright in front of the desk, squinting his eyes and silently scanning the contents of the book.

And opposite him, a little further away, the young scholar Yun-hyeon, who had been wandering around the palace until just now, was standing with an anxious expression.

Yun-hyeon was watching the administrator’s complexion in front of him and couldn’t hide his uneasy expression.

‘Being late from the first day, at this rate…’

Regret washed over him. But it was already too late.

The sight that Yun-hyeon, who had rushed into the Changryong Hall, saw was one administrator sitting in front of the desk.

Yun-hyeon bowed as politely as possible to the administrator, who clearly seemed to be his superior at first glance.

However, the administrator with a sharp impression only looked at Yun-hyeon once, without even greeting him or saying a word.

The silence felt like a rebuke to him, so Yun-hyeon bowed his head and couldn’t say anything.

How long did he wait in such an awkward and uncomfortable atmosphere?

“You don’t have a family.”

Yun-hyeon was surprised and raised his head at the sudden words.

Suddenly, it was definitely not a topic to ask about on the first meeting.

But the administrator sitting in front of him was silently looking at the book.