From Emperor to the Jianghu Person
Ming Taizu (Ming Dynasty's founding emperor), Zhu Yuanzhang, had 26 princes and 16 princesses. In the 25th year of Hongwu (the era name of Zhu Yuanzhang's reign), in April, the crown prince, Zhu Biao, born of Empress Ma, passed away due to illness. Zhu Yuanzhang had been secretly considering Zhu Biao's half-brother, Zhu Di, the son of the consort who came from Goryeo, even while Zhu Biao was still alive. Zhu Di was an extraordinary talent for kingship, an outstanding strategist, and also a decisive general. Perhaps, had there been no other unusual events, Prince Yan, Zhu Di, could have succeeded to the throne.
However, that year, Hanlin Scholar Liu Sam-o stated, "The stability of the state is primarily based on respecting the legitimacy of the law. Therefore, it is appropriate to have the imperial grandson succeed the Crown Prince, and I believe it is proper to make him the Crown Prince." At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang was 65 years old, and the imperial grandson Zhu Yunwen was only ten years old.
In September of that year, the imperial grandson Zhu Yunwen was ultimately made Crown Prince. His temperament, according to historical records, was described as intelligent, gentle, and warm. He was clever and mild-mannered. What must Zhu Yuanzhang have felt when he looked at his ten-year-old grandson? However, human fate is beyond the control of power; ultimately, the founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang passed away from illness in the 31st year of the Hongwu era in May, at the age of 71, while Zhu Yunwen was 16 years old. According to the will, the Crown Prince Yunwen ascended to the throne, becoming Emperor Jianwen.
However, this marked the beginning of a tragedy. The month after the founding emperor's death, Minister of Revenue Tak Gyeong submitted a petition stating, "We must suppress the powers of the kings and cut off the roots of future calamity." At that time, rumors were rampant about clandestine dealings among the princes centered around the Prince of Yan. Ultimately, with Zhu Zizheng and Qi Tai as the center, measures were taken to suppress the powers of the princes, and the first victim was the Prince of Zhou, Zhu Xu, who was a half-brother of Zhu Tai, the Prince of Yan.
One after another, King Min (岷王) Zhu Pian (朱 ), King Shang (湘王) Zhu Bai (朱柏), and several other kings are exiled or removed from power. Ultimately, the world's attention turns to the most powerful among the kings, the Prince of Beiping, Zhu Tai. The Nanjing government promptly organizes a northern expeditionary army, led by Geng Bingwen (耿炳文) as the Grand General, to advance north. However, the situation does not improve, and they later attempt to mobilize a massive army of 600,000 under the command of Li Jinglong (李景隆), but that too proves ineffective. The war that began at Baigou River (白溝河) undergoes several years of fierce battles and complications until the Beiping army eventually seizes control of Nanjing.
In July 1402, during a hot summer, Zhu Tai finally ascends to the throne, becoming the Yongle Emperor (永樂帝). Meanwhile, the young Jianwen Emperor (建文帝), who was only twenty at the time, faced a truly unfortunate fate. He is forced to flee through secret passages, aided by his ministers and Song Lian (宋濂), who was a mentor to his father. It is reported that, during this time, the Jianwen Emperor set fire to the palace and took his own life. The Jianwen Emperor prepares a travel document, a monk's robe, a monk's hat, straw sandals, and some cash, then seeks out two skilled protectors from the secret guards of Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋).
"Pant, pant."
What sin do I carry that I must suffer like this? It's so hard. I would rather just fall asleep here. But... for my sake... for the sake of those who died for me... their tragic screams prevent me from stopping.
The appearance of the young monk was nothing short of pitiful. Blood was trickling through the tattered monk robes, and his face was so filthy it was hard to distinguish his features. His feet, in ragged straw sandals, dragged along the ground like a mop, and his hands were split and torn, looking utterly wretched. He was crying. Covered in blood and dust, he could barely swallow what he had in his mouth. It felt suffocating.
He was still alive. He couldn't just sit down like this. Even if he died along the way, he would carry on. He would show that his life was not in vain.
He had already lost all hope. The world was governed as if nothing had happened, under his uncle, the Yongle Emperor, and gradually it was settling into place. During his journey to Mount Tai, he heard many rumors; who had died, what the new emperor, Yongle, was like. He realized that everything had already been decided and that there was no turning back. Yet, his path was truly absurd. If he had fled from Nanjing to escape his uncle's grasp, he should have gone west or south, yet he ended up at Mount Tai, in Taian County in Shandong Province. Wasn't this direction towards Beiping, where his uncle's base was?
"If I rise again, another storm of blood will sweep through the world. I cannot sacrifice people for my own greed... I would rather retreat to the mountains and live a life of seclusion."
He recalled the last words of Song Lian to him:
[Your Majesty, if you go to Mount Tai, there is a small stone monument at the peak of Bihai Peak. Please hang the plaque of Huangjue (皇覺) left by the Founder. Behind Bihai Peak, at a place called Mangjua, there are two protectors who once served the Founder. If you hang this plaque, they will watch over you. An unfaithful minister has already departed, so please, Your Majesty, stay safe.]
The plaque of Huangjue was something Zhu Yuanzhang had carried when he sought a path to survival after separating from his brothers when he entered a temple called Huangjue Temple. He had taken it out to remember the lessons of the hard times he had faced. Tears welled up in his eyes again. In some ways, he was a weak emperor! But his heart was broad and kind.
His hands and feet were growing weak, and his legs were trembling. He was nearly crawling, his vision blurring, and his mind drifting. He bit his tongue, drawing blood. He fell several times and rolled over, yet he still did not stop.
Was that it? He forced his weary eyes open to see a stone monument ahead. The small stone monument, barely three characters tall, was intricately inscribed with verses:
The world is vast, and people are as numerous as grains of sand, Yet not all of them know the ways of Heaven. If one understands the times, rises to act, establishes purpose, and governs the mind, One will know when to retreat and when to advance. Understanding the ways of Heaven, one will respond and gather the will of the people to establish the nation. Under Heaven, there is only one precious thing, And that is the common people. I will cut my flesh to feed them And break my bones to provide a foundation for them. I will dedicate my will to Heaven and step forward to act, And there will be no obstacles.
Was this written by my grandfather, the Founder?
He crawled forward, using his worn-out elbows to push against the ground. He felt no pain. His whole body trembled, but it wasn't from pain. There, he could feel his grandfather's breath. For a moment, he recalled the time spent rolling joyfully in the palace garden with his father. He felt the rough texture of the stones with his hands. Whether it was the moss or his grandfather's breath, it felt warm.
—Hang the plaque of Huangjue—
Song Lian's words urged him on. He struggled to pull out the plaque with trembling hands and hung it on the stone monument. Then, as if he had finished his task, he fell back, saying, "I have done all I could. Why is the sky so blue? I shouldn't sleep... Father..."
"Is this the Jianwen Emperor?"
Before his eyes, two faces appeared and faded. He was slipping back into slumber.
"It's already been three days, and there are no signs of awakening. What's wrong with the physician?"
The person called the physician was watching the fire in front of a medicine pot and responded to his words.
"The shock to his spirit is enormous, and his physical strength has diminished significantly. On top of that, he has suffered injuries to his vital energy and spirit, so it's only natural."
He skillfully adjusted the intensity of the fire.
"Is there any danger? If anything happens to the Emperor, I will execute you."
"Do as you wish!"
"It should be fine. Who's grandson is he..."
"Just getting this far is a miracle... The Emperor's will is so firm that we will take care of everything from here on."
"You're finally making sense. Just wait and see. I will definitely place that person back on the throne."
"But who could it be? Could it be His Royal Highness Zhu Tai or perhaps Zhu Wang? Or maybe Min Wang or Shang Wang... I can't be sure. Nine times out of ten, it's His Royal Highness Zhu Tai, though."
"Call him whatever you want, that withered prince Zhu Tai."
"Oh, but he is still the late emperor's son... with that way of speaking."
"Didn't I tell you? That one day such things would happen?"
"Hmm..."
"Ah? It seems His Majesty is awakening."
The two hurriedly approached the Jianwen Emperor. Their expressions were filled with tension. The elder called the physician felt his pulse. Closing his eyes tightly, he must have felt anxious beside him.
"How is he? Do you think he'll awaken?"
"Hmm! He's much better now. What time is it? He should awaken shortly."
"Hwanro! You stay here. I need to give medicine to His Majesty as soon as he wakes up."
"Okay, I understand. Step aside."
This place seemed to be a cave. The fact that such a place existed in Mount Tai was unknown to people. It appeared to be a deep cave, the interior warm, with natural caves carved out and decorated as rooms. It was equipped with beds, bookshelves, tables, and chairs, and it seemed to be over thirty paces in size. Hwanro looked down at the emperor with worried eyes.
"Hmm."
Am I dead? I can see nothing. I can't feel any pain in my body. Am I really dead? Hmm? Those people I saw briefly in a dream. Could it be that it wasn't a dream?
"Your Majesty, we wish to see you."
They all prostrated themselves on the ground in unison, paying their respects. Your Majesty? Where is this? I was in front of the stone monument... Ah, then this must be the place where my grandfather's secret guards reside. He tried to focus his gaze, and only then could he clearly make out the two figures.
"Who are you?"
His words flowed out naturally, as if he was accustomed to speaking that way, not yet realizing he was no longer the emperor.
"We are the secret guards of the Founder, Hwanro (幻老) and Euno (醫老)."
"Hmm, is that so? Did you... save me?"
"Your Majesty, indeed."
"I do not even know why I must be here. I only know that I need to find you."
"Your Majesty! There is only one Emperor. The one whom the late Emperor entrusted the throne is the true Emperor of this land. We will help you find the throne, so please believe in us."
"His Majesty prepared for such matters and left us here. We have also made many preparations. No matter how long it takes, the Great Ming Empire will surely belong to the Emperor."
"No, it is not mine... it was my delusion. This land belongs to the people... I was merely playing a temporary role in leading them... Now that role has ended, I must step back. It is the natural order; it is what Heaven desires and what the times demand! I do not doubt your loyalty, but one cannot go against history. I must forget everything; it will be hard, but I must now learn the lives of the common people."
Why did those words sound so lonely? The two old men knelt and shed tears. What must the feelings of the elderly ministers be, showing tears in front of the young emperor?
"I will have to live a different life, a normal life! Perhaps within it, there is the true fragrance of humanity... Haha."
He is laughing; the emperor! Even if he were to shed blood tears, it would not be enough, yet the emperor is laughing.The three were sitting facing each other. It was not the choice of Geonmunje but rather Yunmun's insistence. They were inevitably having a friendly conversation with the emperor.
"What do you think we should do? I wish we could just stay here..."
"That cannot be. How can His Majesty stay in such a shabby place?"
"Oh, don't call me Your Majesty anymore... Just call me Gongja instead. If you truly wish to consider yourselves my subjects, then calling me that would be for my sake. Do you understand?"
"How... Yes, Your... Gongja!"
"Haha, how pleasant to hear! I would like to change my name too... Wouldn't it be nice if everything changed? Even these useless memories..."
"Gongja-nim!"
Hwanro called out to Yunmun with a serious face.
"Why do you say that?"
"Do you really want to forget all your past?"
"Haha, I was just saying that. If only it were possible... But that's just a dream. This is also my karma. Perhaps Heaven is giving me a chance to atone as I live my life... Hahaha."
Yunmun was laughing heartily, but how must his heart feel? It must be torn apart, leaving no trace behind.
"Your Majesty, that is... completely impossible... If Your Majesty wishes it, it can be done."
Geonmunje was astonished by this. But there was someone even more surprised.
"No, Hwanro, surely you can't... that can't happen."
"Just stay quiet... If the emperor wishes it, what is there that we cannot do? We could even do something more difficult; if possible, I would turn this land upside down to fulfill the emperor's desires."
"But... that..."
"Do you truly wish for it, Your Majesty?"
His words carried a certain gravitas. Both men were staring at Geonmunje's mouth. Geonmunje and Yunmun were perplexed, not understanding what was happening. But if it were truly possible? He questioned himself once more; would he really do it?
"Is that really possible?"
"Yes."
"Then let it be done..."
With that word, the emperor's command had been given. At least to them, the young man before their eyes was still the emperor. For his command, they would even leap into the fires of hell.
"Very well, I will change everything for you. Not only your appearance but also your memories, personality, and habits; everything will be changed."
Uinok, who was listening to Hwanro's words from the side, sighed."
Hoo... Is this also the will of Heaven?"
"Your Majesty, what kind of person do you wish to be?"
"????? What do you mean?"
"We can change your appearance as we see fit, but... we need to know what kind of person you want to be in advance..."
"So you mean you can make me into the person I want?"
"Yes."
Such an absurd thing?
"If it's a historical figure, anyone is possible. Just not a living person."
"Can it be someone like Confucius or Buddha?"
"Well, I'm not sure about Confucius or Buddha."
"What about Qin Shi Huang or Genghis Khan?"
"Of course."
"Can it be a woman? Can it be Yang Guifei or Xi Shi?"
"It can be a woman, but it's very complicated... It can be done."
"Haha, really?"
He was contemplating who would be good. He didn't want to be a king. Should he try to be a scholar? So he could leave behind a truth that everyone in this land could follow? Or perhaps a merchant? That would be nice too, helping those who are struggling and suffering! Or maybe a general? A master? Ah, how difficult it is to make such a decision! To roam freely in the Central Plains, yes! Let's become a Jianghu person!
"Can I perhaps be a Jianghu person? A Murim person? I've heard they fly in the sky like immortals and possess all sorts of strange skills. Can I become such a person?"
Yunmun was excited. He remembered something he had heard from his father, Pyo. How excited and thrilled he had been then! He couldn't believe there was such a world.
"Yes? Yes, you can, but who exactly...?"
"I don't know much about the history of Jianghu, but you are its talented people, so you must know well. Who would be good? I would prefer if it were someone famous."
"If it's that kind of person... it would be the founders of each sect, legendary figures of Murim..."
"Oh right, speaking of which, there is someone I know."
His voice was lively.
"What about the Great Master Damo?"
"Yes? Um... Are you saying you want to become a monk?"
"Huh? Is that so? If I were to become Damo, would I have to run to Shaolin Temple? But who is the strongest person in the history of Murim?"
"That cannot be precisely stated. Damo would qualify as a benchmark, but... if we consider someone comparable to him... perhaps Cheonma would fit."
He was surprised even as he spoke it himself. Cheonma, indeed? Uinok was chiding Hwanro with a glance.
"Cheonma? The name sounds impressive, but is he really that strong? Alright, I've decided; let's go with that person."
Kuwung
It felt as if a cave was collapsing; no, it was as if the heavens were falling. The casual remark had piqued the Emperor's curiosity.
"Your Majesty, Cheonma... is not possible."
"Why not? Why can't that person be allowed? Is it impossible?"
"That's not it; that person is too cruel and tyrannical..."
"Really? But you see, sometimes history can speak falsehoods. What will be passed down about me or my uncle will not only be the truth. That's how human affairs are... They often accumulate and distort, obscuring the truth. No one can know that person without experiencing them firsthand."
"Um..."
"Uh-huh."
The two of them could only emit sighs, having no substantial reactions.
Who is Cheonma? He was more of a legendary figure than a historical one. However, he was undoubtedly a real person. It's hard to specify what era he lived in or what he did, but when considering various accounts of him, a clear fact emerges: he was more akin to a superhuman than an ordinary man, and the origins of all demonic sects stemmed from him. It is a definite fact that he was one of the strongest people in the history of Murim.
"Very well, I will make him Cheonma."
"Ugh."
"Uhahaha! Good, good! Just thinking about it excites me! So, I can freely travel through the Murim world now! I thought I would never see the skies of the Central Plains again!"
The Emperor was so excited that they could momentarily forget their heavy hearts. If he is that happy, would it be too much to grant him not just Cheonma, but even his grandfather?
Thus, a new Cheonma was about to be born in this land, one who possessed his abilities, personality, and memories!!!
---
**Title:** [Serialized] The Emperor's Sword 2. Call the Cheonma!
**Sender:** Im Sam-yeol
**Date:** December 17, 2000, 22:24
- **The Emperor's Sword -**
---