Emperor’s Sword [EN]: Chapter 0

From Emperor to Jianghu Wanderer

For Ming Taizu, Zhu Yuanzhang, there were 26 imperial sons and 16 princesses. In April of the 25th year of the Hongwu era, the Crown Prince, Biao, son of Empress Ma, passed away due to illness. Zhu Yuanzhang had been considering Zhu Tai, the son of a concubine from Goryeo [ancient Korean kingdom], since the Crown Prince was alive. He was a rare talent, an outstanding strategist, and a decisive general. Perhaps, if there had been no other variables, Yan Prince Zhu Tai might have succeeded to the throne.

However, that year, Hanlin Academician [a high-ranking scholar] Liu Sanwu petitioned, “The stability of the nation lies in respecting the legitimacy of succession. Therefore, it is appropriate to make the imperial grandson the successor to the Crown Prince.” At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang was 65 years old, and the imperial grandson Yunwen was only ten years old.

In September of that year, imperial grandson Zhu Yunwen was eventually appointed as the Crown Prince. His nature was described in historical records as intelligent, wise, gentle, and harmonious. How would Zhu Yuanzhang feel looking at the ten-year-old imperial grandson? However, human destiny cannot be controlled by power. Eventually, Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang passed away due to old age in the fifth intercalary month of the 31st year of the Hongwu era, at the age of 71. Zhu Yunwen was 16 years old. According to the will, the imperial grandson Yunwen ascended to the throne and became Emperor Jianwen.

However, this was the beginning of a tragedy. The month after Taizu’s death, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhuo Jing, submitted a memorial, stating, “It is necessary to suppress the power of the princes to eliminate future troubles.” At that time, rumors were rampant that secret envoys were traveling among the princes, centered around the Yan Prince. Eventually, led by Huang Zizheng and Qi Tai, the policy of reducing the power of the princes was implemented, and the first victim was Zhu Su, the Prince of Zhou, the half-brother of Yan Prince Zhu Tai.

Subsequently, several princes, including Zhu Bian, the Prince of Min, and Zhu Bai, the Prince of Xiang, were exiled or removed. Eventually, the world’s attention turned to Yan Prince Zhu Tai of Beiping, who had the strongest power among the princes. The Nanjing government immediately organized a Northern Expeditionary Force led by General Geng Bingwen, but the situation was not favorable. Later, a 600,000-strong army was organized under the command of Li Jinglong, but he was also unsuccessful. After several years of fierce battles starting from the Baigou River, the Beiping army eventually seized Nanjing after many twists and turns.

In July of 1402, during a sweltering summer, the Yan Prince finally ascended to the throne and became Emperor Yongle. Meanwhile, Emperor Jianwen was twenty years old, a truly unfortunate event. With the help of his ministers and Song Lian, who had been the teacher of his father, Biao, he managed to escape through a secret passage. The Yan Prince’s side was led to believe that Emperor Jianwen had set fire to the palace and taken his own life. Emperor Jianwen, Yunwen, carrying a pre-prepared monk’s certificate, robe, monk’s hat, straw sandals, and some cash, went to find two eccentric Jianghu [martial arts world] figures who had once been Zhu Yuanzhang’s secret guards.

“Hah… hah…”

What sins have I committed to endure such hardship? It’s too hard. I wish I could just fall asleep here. But… for me… for the people who died to save me…

Their tragic screams prevent me from stopping.

The young monk’s appearance was terrible. Blood was flowing from the torn monk’s robe, and his face was so dirty that it was hard to recognize him. His straw sandals were tattered, and his fingertips were cracked and bleeding. He was crying. The blood and dirt made it hard for the tears to flow. He swallowed what entered his mouth. It tasted salty.

He was still alive. He couldn’t give up. He would go on, even if he died on the way. He would show that his life was not in vain.

He had already given up all hope. The world was being ruled by his uncle, Emperor Yongle, as if nothing had happened, and it was gradually stabilizing. During his journey to Mount Tai, he had heard many rumors. Who had died, what Emperor Yongle was like. He realized that everything was decided and could not be reversed. But his path was absurd. Having escaped from his uncle’s grasp in Nanjing, instead of going west or south, he came to Mount Tai in Tai’an County, Shandong Province. Wasn’t this direction towards his uncle’s base in Beiping?

“If I rise again, there will be another bloodbath in the world. I cannot sacrifice people for my ambition… I’d rather live in the mountains and cultivate myself.”

He remembered the last words Song Lian had said to him.

[Your Majesty, if you go to Mount Tai, there is a small stone stele on the summit of Bixia Peak. Hang the plaque of Huangjue left by Taizu there. Behind Bixia Peak, at a place called Wangzhuaiai, there are two eccentrics who served Taizu. Perhaps if you hang it there, they will take care of you. This disloyal subject will go first, so please take care, Your Majesty.]

The plaque of Huangjue was a plaque that Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang had made and carried with him when he left his brothers and went to Huangjue Temple to find a way to live. He would take it out and use it as a lesson from his difficult times. Tears welled up in his eyes again. How weak and gentle the Emperor was! But his heart was broad and kind.

His hands and feet were losing strength, and his legs were trembling. He was almost crawling. His vision was blurring, and his mind was wandering. He bit his tongue to draw blood. He fell and rolled several times. But he still didn’t stop.

Whoosh…

Was that it? He forced his closing eyes open and saw the stone stele in front of him. The small stele, with only three characters, was densely covered with poems.

The world is vast, and there are as many people as grains of sand, but not all of them know the will of heaven. When the time is right, rise up, set your goals, and manage your heart, and you will know when to retreat and when to advance. Understand the will of heaven, respond to it, gather the will of the people, and build a nation. There is only one precious thing under heaven, and that is the people. I will cut my flesh to feed them and break my bones to build their foundation. I declare my will to heaven and now take my first step into the world, and there will be no obstacles.

Was that so? Was this what his grandfather Taizu had written?

He crawled. He pushed the ground with his already tattered elbows. He couldn’t feel any pain. His whole body was trembling, but it wasn’t from pain. His grandfather’s breath was there. He briefly recalled the time when he and his father had played in the palace garden. He felt the rough texture of the stone with his hand. It felt warm, whether it was because of the moss or his grandfather’s breath.

-Hang the plaque of Huangjue-

Song Lian’s words urged him on. With trembling hands, he struggled to remove the plaque. He hung it on the stele. Then, as if he had finished his task, he fell backward. He had done his part. Why was the sky so blue? He shouldn’t fall asleep…

Father…

“Is this Emperor Jianwen?”

Two faces appeared faintly before his eyes and then disappeared. He was falling asleep again.

“It’s been three days, and he still hasn’t shown any signs of waking up. What’s going on, Doctor Yi?”

The man called Doctor Yi was tending to a medicine pot. He casually replied to the question.

“He’s suffered too much mental shock and is physically exhausted. His primordial energy is also damaged, so it’s only natural.”

He skillfully adjusted the intensity of the fire.

“Will he be alright? If anything happens to the Emperor, I’ll tear you apart.”

“Do whatever you want!”

“He’ll be fine. After all, whose grandson is he…”

“It’s a miracle that he even made it here… The Emperor’s will is so strong. We must take care of the rest.”

“You’re actually making sense for once. Just watch, I’ll definitely put him back on the throne.”

“But who could it be? Is it Prince Yan? Or Prince Zhou? Or Prince Min, Prince Xiang… I don’t know. It’s most likely Prince Yan.”

“What prince? Just call him Zhu Tai, that dried-up prune.”

“Hey, he’s still the son of the late Emperor… Watch your mouth.”

“Didn’t I tell you? That something like this would happen someday.”

“Uh… um…”

“Huh? It seems like His Majesty is waking up.”

The two hurried to Jianwen’s side. Their faces were full of tension. The old man called Doctor Yi took his pulse. He closed his eyes tightly, and the other man, frustrated, asked,

“How is he? Does it seem like he’ll wake up?”

“Hmm! He’s much better. He’ll wake up in a few hours, or maybe a little later. Huan Lao! You stay here. I need to give him the medicine as soon as he wakes up.”

“Okay, I understand. Move aside.”

It seemed to be a cave. The fact that there was such a place on Mount Tai was not known to people. It was a deep cave, and the interior was warm. The natural cave had been carved into stone chambers. There was a bed, bookshelves, a table, and chairs. It was at least thirty feet in all directions. Huan Lao was looking down at the Emperor with a worried expression.

“Umm…”

Am I dead? I can’t see anything. Huh? I don’t feel any pain either. Am I really dead? Huh? Those people I saw in my dream. It wasn’t a dream?

“Your Majesty, we are here to see you.”

They prostrated themselves on the floor in unison. Your Majesty? Where am I?

I was in front of the stone stele… So this is where the two secret guards of my grandfather live… He tried to focus his eyes. Only then did he clearly see the two men.

“Who are you?”

The way he spoke was still familiar. He didn’t realize that he was no longer the Emperor and spoke unconsciously.

“We are Huan Lao and Doctor Yi, the secret guards of the late Emperor Taizu.”

“Hmm, is that so? Did you… save me?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I don’t even know why I had to come here. I only knew that I had to find you.”

“Your Majesty! There is only one Emperor. Only the one whom the late Emperor passed the throne to is the Emperor of this land. We will help you regain your position. Please trust us.”

…

“The late Emperor prepared for this and left us behind. We have also made many preparations. No matter how long it takes, the Great Ming Empire will surely be yours.”

“No, it’s not mine. It was… my delusion. This land belongs to the people… I was only temporarily leading them… Now that my role is over, I must step down. It is the natural order, the order that heaven and the times desire! I know your loyalty, but we cannot go against history. I must forget everything. It will be difficult, but I must learn the life of the common people.”

Why did those words sound so lonely? The two old men were kneeling and shedding tears. How would the old ministers feel, shedding tears in front of the young Emperor?

“I must live a different life, an ordinary life! Perhaps there is a true human fragrance in it. Hahaha.”

He was laughing! The Emperor!… The Emperor, who should be shedding tears of blood, was laughing.

The three were sitting facing each other. It was because Jianwen, or rather Yunwen, had insisted. They had no choice but to sit facing the Emperor and have a conversation.

“What do you think? I’d like to just stay here…”

“That is not possible. How can Your Majesty stay in such a humble place?”

“Hey, I told you not to call me Your Majesty… Just call me ‘Gongzi’ [young master] instead. If you really want to be my servants, then calling me that is what’s best for me. Do you understand?”

“How… Yes, Your… Gongzi!”

“Haha, how good does that sound? I wish I could change my name too… How wonderful would it be if everything could change? Even these useless memories…”

“Gongzi!”

Huan Lao called Yunwen with a serious face.

“What is it?”

“Do you really want to forget all of your past?”

“Haha, I was just saying. How wonderful would it be if I could… It’s just a dream. This is also my karma. It seems that heaven is giving me a chance to atone for my sins throughout my life. Hahahaha.”

Yunwen was laughing heartily, but what was in his heart? It must have been torn to shreds, leaving no trace.

“Your Majesty, that is… not entirely impossible… If Your Majesty wishes, it can be done.”

Jianwen was surprised by these words! But there was someone else who was even more surprised.

“No, Huan Lao, you can’t possibly… That’s not possible.”

“You be quiet… If the Emperor wishes, what can’t we do? I would do anything for the Emperor, even if it meant turning this land upside down.”

“But… that is…”

“Your Majesty, do you really wish it?”

His words were filled with a sense of determination. Both men were staring at Jianwen’s mouth. Jianwen, Yunwen, was confused, but if it was really possible? He asked himself again. Would he really do it?

“Is it really possible?”

“Yes.”

“Then… do it.”

Thud.

His words had fallen. The Emperor’s command had been given. At least to them, the young man in front of them was still the Emperor. They were the kind of people who would jump into the fires of hell if he commanded them to.

“Very well. We will change everything for you. Not only your appearance but also your memories, personality, and habits.”

Doctor Yi, who had been listening to Huan Lao’s words, said,

“Hoo… Is this also the will of heaven?”

“Your Majesty, what kind of person do you want to be?”

“????? What do you mean?”

“We can change your appearance, but we need to know what kind of person you want to be…”

“So you’re saying you can make me into the person I want to be?”

“Yes.”

Was such an absurd thing possible?

“Any historical figure is possible, but not someone who is still alive.”

“Can you make me into someone like Confucius or Sakyamuni [Buddha]?”

“Well, I don’t know about Confucius or Sakyamuni.”

“Then how about Qin Shi Huang [first emperor of China] or Genghis Khan [founder of the Mongol Empire]?”

“Of course.”

“Can you make me a woman? Like Yang Guifei [a famous concubine] or Xi Shi [one of the Four Beauties of ancient China]?”

“It’s possible to make you a woman, but it’s too complicated… Yes, it’s possible.”

“Haha, really?”

He was deep in thought. Who would be good? He didn’t want to be a king. Should he become a scholar? And leave behind a truth that everyone in this land could follow? Or a merchant? Yes, that would be good too. He could help those who were struggling! Or a general? A Taoist? Ah, it was so hard to decide. He wanted to wander freely in the Central Plains. Yes, Jianghu! Let’s become a Jianghu wanderer.

“Is it possible to become a Jianghu person? A martial artist? I’ve heard that they can fly like immortals and perform all sorts of strange feats. Can I become someone like that?”

Yunwen was excited. He remembered hearing about it from his father, Biao. How excited and thrilled he had been back then? He couldn’t believe that such a world existed.

“Huh? Yes, it’s possible, but who exactly…”

“I don’t know much about the history of Jianghu, but you two are Jianghu eccentrics, so you must know. Who would be good? It would be great if it was someone famous.”

“If it’s someone like that… it would be the founders of each sect, the legendary figures of the martial world…”

“Ah, yes, now that I think about it, there was someone I knew.”

His voice was excited.

“How about Bodhidharma [founder of Zen Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu]?”

“Huh? Um… You want to become a monk?”

“Huh? Is that so? Well… if I become Bodhidharma, I’ll probably run to the Shaolin Temple. Is there anyone else who is as strong? Who is the strongest person in martial history?”

“That’s not something that can be pinpointed. Bodhidharma is the standard, but if there is anyone comparable to him… it would be the Heavenly Demon.”

He was surprised even as he said it himself. The Heavenly Demon? Doctor Yi was glaring at Huan Lao.

“Heavenly Demon? The name is cool. Is he that strong? Okay, I’ve decided. Make me that person.”

Thud.

It was as if the cave was collapsing. No, it was as if the sky was collapsing. What he had said casually had sparked the Emperor’s curiosity.

“Your Majesty, the Heavenly Demon… is not possible.”

“Why not? Why can’t I be him? Is it impossible?”

“It’s not that it’s impossible, but he is too cruel and tyrannical…”

“Is that so? But sometimes, history can lie. In the future, the things about me and my uncle will not be the only things that are passed down. That’s how it is with human affairs… They are often exaggerated and distorted, obscuring the truth. No one knows the truth without experiencing it firsthand.”

“Um…”

“Hmm…”

The two could only sigh. They had no other response.

Who was the Heavenly Demon? He was more of a legendary figure than a historical one. But he was definitely a real person. It was impossible to say exactly what era he lived in or what he did, but based on the various theories about him, it was clear that he was more like a superhuman than a human. Wasn’t he the source of all demons? It was a clear fact that he was one of the strongest people in martial history.

“Very well. We will make you into the Heavenly Demon.”

“Ugh.”

“Hahahaha, great, great. Just thinking about it makes me excited. I can now freely travel the Jianghu! I thought I would never see the sky of the Central Plains again.”

The Emperor was so excited that they were able to forget their heavy hearts for a moment. What was it? They would do it for him. He was so happy. Could they not do it for him, even if it was his grandfather?

And so, a new Heavenly Demon was about to be born in this land. A Heavenly Demon with his abilities, personality, and memories!!!

Title: [Serial] Emperor’s Sword 2. Call the Heavenly Demon! Related Materials: None [58475]

Sender: Im Samyeol (logos333) 2000-12-17 22:24 Views: 2099

-Emperor’s Sword-