The Evil Martial God Chronicles - Chapter 99

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Legend of the Evil Martial God

Chapter 99

 

 

 

Since they could die if they supported the Emperor, they cowered and comforted themselves by supporting the Empress instead of the Emperor.

 

“Shouldn’t we be loyal to His Majesty and work for His Majesty?”

“His Majesty is unwell and cannot attend to state affairs. That’s why we’re discussing succession, so what’s so wrong with that?”

“It’s about establishing the foundation of the nation. There’s nothing more important than this!”

“Your personal greed isn’t more important, is it?”

“You bastard! Are you trying to humiliate us now?”

“Do you think you’ll be safe after humiliating us?”

“You’re getting cocky just because you placed first!”

 

Seeing them clench their fists and tremble with rage, Jeok Wigang chuckled and said.

 

“You’ll hit me if I do well? What is this, a gathering of thugs instead of scholars?”

“Don’t speak carelessly just because you have a mouth! We can expel you right now!”

“A mere official would expel me, whom His Majesty personally appointed?”

“That’s the power of our Hanlin Academy!”

“I have no intention of leaving. And His Majesty has no intention of expelling me either.”

“Fine! Let’s see how long you can keep your neck held so high!”

 

Speaking with angry voices, they all left the room at once.

The only person who remained was Guyang Hu.

Guyang Hu didn’t know what to do.

Among those who had fought fiercely with Jeok Wigang was his own older brother.

 

“Don’t worry. I won’t kill him.”

 

Those words were even more frightening.

 

“Please go easy on him. Older Brother.”

“I told you not to worry. I’ll handle everything myself. You should be grateful though. Since they only talked, I only responded with words. It would have been great if they had thrown a punch, but they didn’t throw any punches until the end, did they? Their patience was impressive though?”

 

Jeok Wigang’s appearance as he said this with a sinister smile was frightening.

 

“My identity is a secret from your brother. You know what happens if you tell, right?”

“Yes.”

 

After answering, Guyang Hu hurriedly chased after his brother.

 

 

 

A chilling atmosphere hung over Gyeong-yeon Hall in the Imperial Palace.

The Emperor sat on a silk-covered chair, looking down at the Hanlin Academy Scholars.

 

“What’s the matter? You all seem displeased.”

“Your Majesty! We dare to report!”

“Speak.”

“Please immediately expel Jeok Wigang, who placed first this time!”

“What do you mean? Isn’t Jeok Wigang the one I personally awarded first place to?”

“His writing may be excellent, but his conduct is improper and he shows no respect for his superiors! To govern a nation, one must first set one’s house in order. Please expel the one who disrupts the household and set things right!”

“What did he do to cause this?”

“He spoke words to us that we cannot even bear to repeat!”

“So what are these words you cannot bear to repeat?”

“That, that is…”

 

How could they say such things before the Emperor?

 

“It’s improper and private talk, so it would be right not to listen!”

“It doesn’t matter. Try saying it once. I’ll listen and judge.”

“Your Majesty!”

“It’s an imperial command.”

 

The Hanlin Academy Scholars were flustered by Ju Seo-gi’s resolute appearance.

They were even more bewildered because he had never shown such an attitude before.

 

“Why are you like this? Didn’t you always tell me? To always be confident. I think I’ll try living that way from now on. Come, tell me quickly. I must hear exactly what he said and how he said it to make you all come rushing here like this.”

 

How could they say it?

What Jeok Wigang had told them was that they should be loyal to the Emperor.

If they said they wanted to expel him because they didn’t like that, what would the Emperor think?

He would protect and support him even more.

 

“He spoke ill of Your Majesty.”

 

At someone’s words, the scholars looked at him in surprise.

Because that was a lie.

 

“He said that since you have no power, are dragged around by ministers, and are even sickly, the Crown Prince investiture should be decided quickly to stabilize the nation. This is absolutely unforgivable. His position should be stripped and he should be punished for the crime of humiliating Your Majesty.”

 

At his words, the Emperor smiled and said.

 

“Looking at the other scholars’ reactions, your words don’t seem to be true. I’ll ask the others. Is what that scholar said true?”

 

Everyone couldn’t answer easily and only watched each other’s reactions.

Then the scholar who had just spoken stood up from his seat and said confidently.

 

“Are you doubting your subjects now? It is said that a loyal subject withdraws if his advice is not accepted. If Your Majesty will not accept my advice, then I will withdraw.”

“It sounds exactly like you’re threatening me?”

“Those are utterly inappropriate words.”

“I’ll convey my will to you. I have no intention of stripping Jeok Wigang of his position. Rather, I will give him a higher position and keep him by my side, so know this.”

“Your Majesty! If you keep him by your side, we fear you’ll be deceived by his wicked three-inch tongue! Please accept your subjects’ request!”

“A wicked three-inch tongue… Then let me ask you all. Am I the Emperor right now?”

“Your Majesty?”

“As far as I know, the Hanlin Academy is a place that assists me and puts my will first, but I have never properly felt that until now. A few scholars did assist me, but now even they don’t remain.”

 

Ju Seo-gi stood up from his seat and spoke.

 

“Are you my subjects? Or are you subjects of the Empress or Noble Consort Man? Is there truly anyone here who genuinely serves me?”

“Your Majesty! What do you mean by that? We are all Your Majesty’s subjects!”

“Then I ask you to follow my will. I will not strip Jeok Wigang of his official position. I don’t want to hear any more, so let’s end today’s lecture here.”

“Your Majesty!”

 

Despite the scholars’ outcries, Ju Seo-gi ignored them and left the place.

The remaining Hanlin Academy Scholars looked at each other with serious expressions.

They were bewildered.

Never before had the Emperor gone against their wishes.

Weren’t they the only ones he relied on in the Imperial Palace?

But today was different.

 

“That Jeok Wigang must have bewitched His Majesty.”

“He seems to be completely under his spell. What should we do about this?”

“If His Majesty won’t dismiss him, we’ll have to make him leave on his own.”

“How do you mean?”

“Let’s assign all the unpleasant tasks to him. Before long, he’ll get exhausted and run out of the palace himself.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“His Majesty won’t be able to say anything since they’re necessary duties.”

“What kind of work should we assign him?”

“What do we find most difficult? Physical labor. What could be more humiliating than that?”

“Let’s make him work without even a moment’s rest.”

“First, let’s get rid of that Jeok Wigang, then continue discussing the Crown Prince’s investiture.”

“Good! Let’s do that!”

 

The Hanlin Academy Scholars united in their resolve to drive out Jeok Wigang.

Then one of the scholars tilted his head and said.

 

“But didn’t His Majesty seem somehow healthier?”

“Huh? Come to think of it, he didn’t cough or seem to struggle at all.”

“Could his illness have been cured?”

“That can’t be. His Majesty’s illness is one that even the Imperial Physicians shook their heads at.”

“Then what was that healthy appearance we saw today?”

“Hmm. Could he have been deceiving us all this time? If he bribed the Imperial Physicians to pretend he was ill, it would make sense.”

“Let’s investigate that matter thoroughly as well.”

“Let’s do that.”

 

 

 

Jeok Wigang visited the Imperial Audience Chamber to meet the Emperor.

Then, a loud voice could be heard from inside.

 

“Your Majesty! How many times must I petition before you properly handle the budget!”

“I’m sorry. I’m doing my best, but the Ministry of Revenue keeps delaying, saying the budget is insufficient.”

“You must take a strong stance for them to listen! It’s because you sit there looking so weak that everyone disrespects Your Majesty!”

“Minister of War! You yourself are being disrespectful to His Majesty right now!”

 

When Sigang Scholar Lee Jeongwoo stepped forward, unable to watch any longer, the displeased Minister of War frowned as much as possible and spoke in a cold voice.

 

“You shut up. Where do you get off interfering when you can’t even properly assist His Majesty?”

 

The Minister of War was a Martial Artist who had roamed battlefields in the past.

When he glared at the Sigang Scholar and unleashed his aura, Lee Jeongwoo felt his blood freeze and his body stiffen.

 

“I’m having a conversation with His Majesty. If you act impudently one more time, I won’t let it slide.”

“Stop it. It’s all because of my lack of virtue.”

At Ju Seo-gi’s words, the Minister of War sneered and said.

“I’m glad you know. I was worried about what to do if you didn’t.”

 

At the Minister of War’s sarcasm, Ju Seo-gi trembled all over.

 

“If you lack power, I will help you.”

“How?”

“Please grant me an Imperial Edict and Military Tally to command the army. Then I will move the Million Imperial Army to protect Your Majesty.”

 

At the Minister of War’s words, Lee Jeongwoo urgently shouted.

 

“You must not! Your Majesty!”

 

The Minister of War glared at Lee Jeongwoo with a frightening expression.

 

“I clearly told you not to interfere…”

“Urgh!”

 

Lee Jeongwoo gasped and struggled under the sudden tremendous pressure.

Even while suffering, he didn’t stop his direct remonstrance.

 

“You, you must not… You absolutely must not hand it over!”

 

Watching the resisting Lee Jeongwoo, the Minister of War said.

 

“Your Majesty. It seems you’ll need to appoint a new Sigang Scholar.”

“Stop it.”

“Please grant me the Imperial Edict and Military Tally. Then I will stop and withdraw.”

“I, I am fine. You absolutely must not hand it over… Urk!”

 

With even stronger pressure, Lee Jeongwoo’s face began turning blue.

At this rate, Lee Jeongwoo would suffocate to death.

That’s when it happened.

The door to the Imperial Audience Chamber opened and Jeok Wigang entered.

 

“What are you supposed to be?”

 

Without answering the Minister of War’s question, he walked toward him.

Seeing Jeok Wigang approaching him, the Minister of War released Lee Jeongwoo.

 

“Didn’t I ask what you’re doing here?”

 

Jeok Wigang said with a wicked smile.

 

“The death god who came to catch you.”

“What? Gack!”

 

Before he knew it, the Minister of War was grabbed by the nape of his neck.

His heavy body was lifted straight into the air.

 

“Gack gack!”

 

He struggled to pry off Jeok Wigang’s hand, but it was useless.

 

“L-let, let go of me.”

“What kind of bastard are you? What kind of bastard are you to commit such acts without hesitation before His Majesty?”

“I, I am the M-Minister of War.”

“Ah, military affairs. I didn’t see you around, so I thought you weren’t interested in power, but I was wrong.”

“N-not interested. J-just trying to p-protect Imperial Majesty…”

“You know that’s nonsense, right?”

 

Jeok Wigang looked at Ju Seo-gi and asked.

 

“Your Majesty. May I personally educate this rude bastard?”

 

At Jeok Wigang’s question, Ju Seo-gi asked anxiously.

 

“W-would that be alright?”

“I’ll make it so he can’t even breathe loudly in front of Your Majesty.”

 

Ju Seo-gi, who trusted Jeok Wigang more than anyone, nodded as if he had made up his mind.

 

“Make him into a loyal subject.”

“Should I go outside and do it? It might not be pleasant to watch.”

“No. Do it before my eyes.”

“I obey your command.”

 

Then he looked at the Minister of War and said.

 

“Let’s start by relearning proper etiquette when having an audience with His Majesty.”

“Y-you bastard.”

“I noticed you were standing stiffly earlier.”

 

Jeok Wigang extended his foot toward the legs of the standing Minister of War.

 

Crack-.

 

“Aaaahhh!”

 

Both of the Minister of War’s knees shattered and he collapsed on the spot.

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