I Prayed for a Murim Reincarnation, But I Was Born as the Youngest Imperial Prince - Chapter 118

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 118
Seonwu received the Emperor’s reply in short order.
[You have achieved a difficult task. You are not yet at an age where you should be carrying such burdens, yet you already accomplish great things. I am proud, but I cannot help but worry.]
‘It certainly is a big enough deal to worry Father.’
Come to think of it, he had subjugated one of the Eight Hidden Demons.
He had never imagined Mandok Mazon would die by his hand.
Perhaps he might have considered it someday, after reaching the same cultivation realm as his older brothers.
But they had crossed paths by chance, and he had fought to survive.
It was a worthy victory.
‘With the Demon-Subduing Divine Dragon Sword, the As-You-Wish Treasure Clothing, the Brahma Bell from the West, the Golden Needles of Life and Death, the World-Saving Medicine and Poison Horn, and myself.’
As a prince and a king, there was no law saying he would never encounter a Master of the Realm of Creation, so he hadn’t gone out unprepared.
He had traveled incognito precisely because he knew he could hold his own against a Master of the Realm of Creation if he mobilized every divine artifact at his disposal.
On top of that, there was the formation made possible when Lee Jun joined him.
This victory proved that if he gave it everything he had, he truly could take down even a demonic practitioner of the Realm of Creation.
However, the Emperor’s anxiety did not stem from the mere fact that he had fought such a monster.
[Subjugating one of the Eight Dark Devil Sovereigns is well within your capabilities, but sealing the core of one of the Eight Great Demonic Beasts is a feat difficult even for the Ten Great Masters of Wulin. Yet, because it is you, I know it is possible. Since you have already begun, see it through to the end.]
‘Because it is me, huh.’
Seonwu gently stroked the Yeouiju through his clothes.
This artifact truly was extraordinary.
[As you heard in your dream, learning the Vatality Restoring Poison Medical Art is an excellent idea. Having gained experience through several trials, your vessel must have grown larger. It is the perfect time to add a fifth Divine Art, and that internal power is well-suited to suppress the Zhen Niao trapped inside you.]
Receiving the Emperor’s confirmation, Seonwu nodded to himself.
[While you reside at the Medical Pavilion, learn what you can from Yaxian. Do not spare the spiritual medicine. I am sending a few items to assist you.]
‘Thank you, Father.’
[Furthermore, do not disregard Shennong’s counsel. It will be the absolute antithesis of the Zhen Niao. If you sense anything amiss, return to the Imperial Palace immediately to consult with me.]
Seonwu realized he had indeed succeeded in sealing the Zhen Niao.
‘Good. It might be precarious, but it means the seal is holding properly, right? Then instead of mending the barn after losing the cow, I should reinforce it while the cow is still inside.’
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a cow, but a horrific, vicious Zhen Niao.
Regardless, the sturdier the cage, the better.
* * *
Seonwu wasted no time making his request to Yaxian.
‘There is no point in hesitating with these things; I need to act decisively.’
A private audience with Yaxian.
After dismissing the attendants, closing the doors, and raising an isolation barrier, Yaxian’s posture shifted, and Seonwu’s tone changed as well.
“I wish to learn the Vatality Restoring Poison Medical Art. It is not that the secret manual you submitted is missing from the Imperial Court’s collection, but learning it directly from the master will not be the same.”
“That Your Highness would deign to learn your humble servant’s insignificant martial arts is an absolute honor.”
“It is far from insignificant. As they say, excessive politeness is discourtesy, so you may take some pride in your work.”
Yaxian, Gal U-ryang, bowed repeatedly.
“Not at all. How could your humble servant’s shallow learning ever compare to the Cheonlyongjeseeshingong? Even so, if Your Highness looks upon me with favor and accepts it, it will bring nothing but joy to this Medical Pavilion.”
“In return, I intend to throw the support of the Imperial Family behind the Yige.”
At Seonwu’s words, Yaxian’s eyes gleamed brightly.
‘Oh.’
As expected of the Imperial Court.
When they commanded a task and it was performed flawlessly, the reward was just as magnificent.
‘This means he intends to expand the influence of my Medical Pavilion.’
He had been feeling incredibly anxious despite Mandok Mazon’s defeat.
To be taken under the protection and sponsorship of the Imperial Family offered immense peace of mind.
‘I can raise more disciples and hire more guards.’
This was the opportunity of a lifetime.
Ordinarily, why would he willingly hand over the Vatality Restoring Poison Medical Art, the secret tradition of the Medical Pavilion? But when the recipient was a dragon of the heavens, the rules changed.
The prince operated on an entirely different level; leaking the tradition to him wouldn’t suddenly create a rival.
Sharing a secret tradition within the Wulin was dangerous, but the Imperial Family already possessed the secret manual anyway. It was simply a matter of whether they unlocked its secrets a bit faster or slower.
“Your humble servant is overwhelmed with gratitude to have the chance to instruct Your Highness.”
“I count on your guidance. However, it would be best to keep this a secret from the outside world. Of course, I might use your martial arts somewhere down the line, and we can subtly reveal it then.”
“Then what pretext will you use for your extended stay here?”
“We will claim that while Mandok Mazon has been defeated, we remain concerned about how the other demonic practitioners might react, so we are staying at the Medical Pavilion to monitor the situation.”
“That is an excellent pretext.”
In truth, since the three of them had no fixed roots anywhere, no one could question them if they claimed it was their own decision.
“Additionally, the Imperial Court will soon bestow a reward upon you to commend the subjugation. What do you think about using a portion of those funds to commission a formation from the Zhuge Clan? I am not forcing you, but if the other Demons strike while we are away…”
Seonwu trailed off, but Yaxian understood perfectly.
Even without Seonwu’s command, he thought it was a brilliant proposal.
‘Indeed, one never knows what might happen.’
Of course, after what happened to Mandok Mazon, the other factions would fear the consequences of marching openly into the Medical Pavilion to slaughter everyone, but there was no guarantee some madman wouldn’t try it anyway.
Even if those monsters eventually paid the price, what good would that do after he and the Medical Pavilion were reduced to ashes?
‘I have already been targeted by Mandok Mazon.’
What if one of the remaining Seven Demonic Venerables openly targeted him and the Medical Pavilion next?
They might fear the Imperial Family, but he feared them just as much.
Having experienced that overwhelming power firsthand, the terror was even more acute now.
Since he couldn’t exactly invite one of the Ten Great Masters of Wulin to live here permanently, installing a formation during this window was the perfect solution.
“I shall follow Your Highness’s will.”
“Good. It will make things much smoother if we use Lee Jun as the intermediary to discuss and execute the project.”
On the surface, the Zhuge Clan would take on a formation commission through Lee Jun, while behind the scenes, Seonwu would remain at the pavilion to master the Vatality Restoring Poison Medical Art.
And once he learned it all?
‘Even if the formation is incomplete by then, Lee Jun can hand the work over to someone else from the Zhuge Clan, and then he can leave with me.’
The point was simply to stay here naturally until that time.
“I leave it in your hands.”
“The honor is entirely mine.”
* * *
The next day.
Yaxian summoned Lee Jun immediately, just as Seonwu had intended.
“I do not know the exact amount or specific details yet, but it seems a substantial reward will be granted for the subjugation of Mandok Mazon.”
“Shouldn’t that be expected? We have every reason to look forward to it.”
“Imperial Commissioners will likely arrive from the Imperial Court soon to verify the facts.”
“We actually defeated him, so we have absolutely nothing to hide.”
Of course, there had been a bit of manipulation regarding who exactly played what role in the battle.
Even so, Lee Jun genuinely felt no anxiety.
Why would he?
‘The guy sitting at the very top of the investigation team is that bastard Seonwu.’
They had already agreed that the commissioners would only verify whether Mandok Mazon was truly dead, without needing to dig into the exact minutiae.
Therefore, nothing would be exposed.
The left hand might not know what the right hand was doing, but they both answered to the commands of the head.
“So, once the reward arrives, I would like to commission your family to construct a protective formation for the Medical Pavilion.”
“If it is for the Medical Pavilion, the Main House will gladly welcome the request.”
Lee Jun smiled faintly.
‘Of course, normally they wouldn’t just accept any random commission.’
Accepting a request from the Medical Pavilion meant preparing to face the resentment of other physicians.
However, since Seonwu had chosen to back Yaxian, the balance between the medical factions was bound to crumble anyway.
Setting all that aside, they had already faced Mandok Mazon together.
‘Once my father realizes the Imperial Family is pushing the Medical Pavilion, and since he knows Seonwu’s identity, he will make a swift decision.’
It wasn’t something he needed to overthink.
“Even if you must eventually hand over the project, I would like you to stay and manage the initial phases.”
“I will certainly do so.”
The agreement was reached with ease.
* * *
Now, time moved forward for everyone.
First, as the rumors spread, the Wulin was thrown into absolute chaos.
The Beggars’ Sect distributed the news across the land as a special bulletin, but even without their involvement, this was a massive story that everyone was bound to discuss.
“Mandok Mazon has been subjugated?”
“Is that true?”
“The source itself is reliable, but…”
“Additional testimonies from those who visited the battlefield are spreading one after another.”
“It appears to be absolutely true.”
Those who were skeptical at first finally began to believe it as reports from people who inspected the site began to surface.
In reality, no matter how much Yaxian of the Medical Pavilion was revered as the finest physician in the world, he couldn’t afford the backlash of spreading such a blatant lie.
The definitive proof, however, was the official movement of the Imperial Court, which announced it was sending an Imperial Commissioner to commend the deed.
There had even been a preliminary hint regarding the scale of the reward.
While the commissioner’s entourage traveled slowly, the news had arrived well in advance.
Upon learning the scale of the prize, Yaxian could only marvel at the grandeur of the Imperial Court.
‘The justification is the death of Mandok Mazon, and that is indeed a crucial reason, but…’
The Imperial Court knew very well that King Wuryong was the one who played the overwhelming role in taking down Mandok Mazon.
Yet they credited the bulk of the achievement to him and bestowed a massive reward accordingly.
‘His Highness has his reasons for wanting to conceal his own achievements. Furthermore, he wishes to use this opportunity to elevate the Medical Pavilion and foster more physicians in this country.’
It was an acknowledgment from the Imperial Court of everything he had done.
‘What a joy.’
His past efforts were recognized.
And his future endeavors would receive their full support.
Around that time, the Zhuge Clan also received the news along with a letter from Lee Jun.
The Patriarch of the Zhuge Clan read between the lines of what was left unwritten.
‘On the surface, it is claimed that a miracle was wrought when Yaxian’s secret arts met the formation of our Main House.’
But that couldn’t be true.
In reality, King Wuryong must have been the one responsible.
‘He is deflecting the martial fame to Yaxian and our clan to keep himself hidden.’
This was something an ordinary Wulin martial artist could never fathom.
This wasn’t just any achievement; it was the subjugation of Mandok Mazon.
What martial artist would throw away an opportunity to ring his name across the entire realm?
Even the Patriarch himself felt an urge to loudly proclaim the greatness of the Zhuge Clan’s formations to the world.
‘But His Highness has no need for such things.’
He already stood at the apex of the world as Imperial Royalty.
Why would he need another brick to step on beneath his feet?
He could give it away without a second thought.
“Still, this is a magnificent opportunity for our Main House.”
The formations of the Zhuge Clan held a peculiar position in the Wulin—respected, yet subtly dismissed.
While no fool would rashly charge into one because they underestimated its power, there remained a barrier because it wasn’t considered true martial arts.
‘In the end, what martial artists revere is powerful martial arts, not excellent formations.’
That perception couldn’t be changed overnight.
However, it could at least elevate the clan’s standing.
No matter how deeply rooted the belief that martial arts were the fundamental core of a warrior, seeing those martial arts defeated by a formation would force them to reconsider.
This wasn’t a victory over an ordinary warrior, but over one of the Eight Hidden Demons who vied for supremacy alongside the Ten Great Masters of Wulin.
‘And it seems His Highness’s intent is to protect and revitalize the Medical Pavilion.’
He could guess the reasoning.
The past actions of the Medical Pavilion aligned perfectly with the desires of a prince who prioritized the people’s livelihood.
Why had the Namgung Clan been crushed recently?
‘They earned His Highness’s ire in precisely those matters.’
Conversely, because his own clan had anticipated this and prostrated themselves early, they had emerged unscathed.
This situation was no different.
‘I must ensure we profit within reason.’
Too much of a good thing could turn sour.
They had to constantly watch His Highness’s expressions if their clan was to prosper under his shadow.
‘Hmm, it seems the time has also come to send the spiritual medicine to my boy.’
He had no idea how his son had managed it, but he was undeniably receiving the prince’s favor.
Not that his son was incompetent.
Still, he seemed to receive an excessive amount of favor relative to his abilities, which conversely made the Patriarch slightly anxious.
Regardless, now that his son had brought such immense prestige to the clan, granting him the spiritual medicine to ascend to the Peak Realm would provoke no complaints from the rest of the family.
‘Since he holds an absolute contribution in subduing Mandok Mazon…’
This, too, must be according to His Highness’s design.
He had only to follow it.
In the end, the currents of the world shifted exactly as Seonwu intended.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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