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Join the ServerThe paper door that had seemed forever out of reach was surprisingly close.
It opened with little effort.
Gripping the doorframe, he forced himself to stand.
Before stepping outside, he glanced back into the room and spoke to the demon’s back as it tilted a bottle of liquor.
“Keep… your promise.”
His voice was cracked and hoarse.
It was not the sound of it that disgusted him.
It was himself.
After what had happened, he felt lower than a beast.
The Grand Hall of State was silent.
Although more than a dozen officials had gathered, not a single cough disturbed the stillness.
Everyone waited for the only person who could break the silence.
Seated upon the elevated Dragon Throne, His Majesty calmly read through a scroll.
Within the cold, oppressive quiet, I carefully surveyed the hall.
Below the Emperor’s throne sat the heads of the Five Great Clans, arranged in pairs upon a slightly lower platform.
Below them stood the Chancellor and the highest-ranking ministers in orderly rows on either side.
Unlike the officials, who waited with lowered heads, the clan leaders appeared perfectly at ease.
The Five Great Clans.
These were the five noble families that had helped the Founding Emperor establish the Xie Empire.
The first Emperor had rewarded the five loyal ministers who fought beside him with immense wealth and authority, privileges that had been passed down through generations until they became the most powerful houses in the Empire.
The Namgung Clan.
The Tang Clan of Sichuan.
The Murong Clan.
The Zhuge Clan.
The Hwangbo Clan.
The Red Demon might have risen to wealth and influence almost overnight, like a stone carried downstream.
The Five Great Clans, however, had grown alongside the Empire itself.
Their authority was rooted in history and legitimacy.
Their influence over state affairs was immense.
Under the current reign, however, the balance had shifted.
With the Red Demon firmly supporting His Majesty, imperial authority had grown stronger while the Five Great Clans had gradually lost influence.
Compared to previous reigns, their power had diminished considerably.
There was every reason for resentment to take root.
If a rebellion were to occur, one of the Five Great Clans would be the most likely culprit.
Perhaps even several acting together.
I studied each of their faces in turn.
Some were elderly men with snow-white beards.
Others were young, clean-shaven nobles.
Though they differed greatly in appearance, the same quiet arrogance rested upon every face.
“The river leading to the Eastern Sea has overflowed again, flooding the nearby villages.”
His Majesty rolled up the report and spoke in a calm, measured tone.
The state council had officially begun.
The relaxed atmosphere instantly became tense.
“Again this year.”
The gentle voice carried a sharper rebuke than any shouted command.
“I ordered the construction of dams and flood channels years ago.”
“And yet, after last year’s disaster, we face the same reports again.”
“Delays happen.”
“Plans do not always unfold as intended.”
“There are always unforeseen obstacles.”
…His Majesty was truly angry.
Though his words sounded understanding, a faint madness glimmered within his eyes.
“It seems we must discover where the rats have hidden themselves.”
Silence filled the chamber.
“Strange creatures, rats.”
“They usually steal from full granaries.”
“And yet these ones choose to prey upon the little food meant for the poor.”
Five years had passed since His Majesty ordered the construction of dams and drainage systems.
Yet little progress had been made.
Instead, reports of flood damage continued to arrive year after year.
He understood that such massive projects could not be completed quickly.
Still, seeing his people suffer again and again had exhausted his patience.
More than anything, he wanted someone held accountable.
There was a simple way to earn His Majesty’s wrath.
Harm the common people.
The poorer and more vulnerable they were, the greater his anger became.
Wealthy victims stirred little sympathy.
What enraged him was not merely embezzlement.
It was the theft of what he himself had bestowed upon his people.
The distinction mattered greatly to him.
Ordinary corruption was one matter.
Stealing relief meant for the people was another entirely.
To His Majesty, it was no different than robbing food from his own children.
The Chancellor, who understood the Emperor nearly as well as I did, stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, such insolence is unthinkable.”
“Who would dare oppose your will?”
“If such a person exists, then his granaries should rightfully belong to the people.”
The meaning behind those words was unmistakable.
The wealthy and powerful could afford to bear responsibility.
Families like the Five Great Clans.
Senior officials.
Great landowners.
If the flooding continued before the projects were completed, His Majesty would make certain that those responsible paid dearly.
Even if evidence had to be uncovered through relentless investigation.
Some officials standing within the hall visibly shivered at the thought.
After several matters had been discussed, the Minister of War finally presented his report.
“Barbarian forces have appeared along the western frontier.”
“They should be suppressed before they grow any stronger, Your Majesty.”
At those words, everyone in the hall turned toward the same man.
The Emperor.
The clan leaders.
Every minister.
All eyes settled upon the Red Demon.
He appeared completely uninterested.
His robes looked as though they had been thrown on moments before.
His posture was careless.
His expression openly insolent.
No one commented.
Instead, everyone seemed relieved that he had at least bothered to wear official clothing.
Expectations for him had long since become so low that simply arriving dressed counted as respectable.
“I refuse.”
Then he exceeded even those modest expectations.
If he intended to reject every request, why attend the council at all?
He looked thoroughly bored.
Several elderly officials nearly clutched their necks in frustration.
Yet none dared rebuke him openly.
Within the Xie Empire, only one person possessed that privilege.
“General Jeok.”
“I’m not going.”
Even when speaking to the Emperor, his words remained blunt and informal.
No one corrected him.
He had never once addressed His Majesty with proper court etiquette.
At this point, everyone simply accepted it.
More importantly, everyone knew that, in the end, the Red Demon would obey the Emperor.
It had been Crown Prince—now His Majesty—who brought the wandering warrior into the Empire years ago.
When the wild fighter quietly followed the Crown Prince back to the capital, the Prince’s political standing had strengthened overnight.
No one knew how His Majesty had persuaded such a man.
Even I had once asked him.
The Emperor merely smiled.
He never answered.
Even now, everyone waited with quiet anticipation, wondering what method His Majesty would use this time.
“You are all dismissed.”
Instead, the meeting ended without another word.
It seemed His Majesty intended to summon the Red Demon privately and convince him in his own way.
The slight curve at the Emperor’s lips carried the air of an unsolved riddle.
As we left the Grand Hall, the freezing dawn air had already begun to soften.
Warm sunlight poured across the broad ceremonial courtyard before the palace.
Court ladies and attendants moved busily through the open grounds, bringing life back to the quiet palace.
Beyond the stone steps lay the Sacred Hall, its raised platform standing nearly as tall as a person.
Servants were forced to walk around it, hurrying along the longer path.
It was not merely because of its height.
The Sacred Hall was a place where offerings were made to the gods.
No one except members of the imperial family could set foot upon it.
Strictly speaking, even the imperial family could only enter during sacred rites.
The Mysterious Hall was an altar dedicated to the gods.
Only the deities invited to receive the offerings were believed worthy to stand upon its platform.
Only the gods could stand there with dignity.
Naturally, I did not dare step onto those sacred grounds.
Instead, like the other officials, I descended the stone staircase beside the Grand Hall.
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, Jinho's Story is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : Jinho's Story
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