《Unstoppable King - Rebirth Of The Valiant Prince》 Unstoppable King - Chapter 1 Eomeoni Voice As I sat down, my breath felt heavy. My heart beat faster as memories from the past flooded in. Everyone I loved had died. What was there left for me to live for? Darkness crept in as I faded into it. I stared down at my lifeless body¡ªand in that moment, I was swallowed by complete darkness. ¡°Congratulations, Pyeha. Jungjeon Ma-Ma has delivered a healthy young Hyeon Daegun.¡± When I opened my eyes, a man stood before me in a royal Gonryongpo robe, smiling proudly as he looked down. ¡°Why isn¡¯t the baby crying?¡± asked the King. ¡°Nothing is wrong, my King. The baby is healthy,¡± said the doctor. It was in that moment I realized¡ªI had been reborn into the past. I tried to laugh, but instead, all that came out was a baby¡¯s giggle. ¡°Hey, the baby is laughing, my dear,¡± said the woman. ¡°I wonder what¡¯s going on inside that little mind,¡± said the King. I had been granted a new beginning. A new mother. A new father. And in this life, I would protect the ones I love¡ªno matter what. ¡°I will return soon, my dear Jungjeon. I must attend the court meeting,¡± said the King. He kissed the Queen on the forehead, then looked at me and gave me a soft kiss as well. He turned and left the room. ¡°Guard the royal baby and the Queen,¡± he commanded before the doors shut. ¡°Keep your eyes sharp. Report to me if anything happens.¡± A warmth came from my mother as her gentle, soft-spoken voice whispered: ¡°Your name will be Jinseo. You will be thunder and mercy¡ªa force that shakes the ground your enemies stand on, yet shields the innocent and the ones you love.¡± I responded with a happy baby noise. ¡°You like the name I gave you, my dear little Jinseo?¡± she said, snuggling up to me. Her soft face touched mine, and she smelled like peach blossoms. ¡°It¡¯s time to feed you milk,¡± said my mother. Aaaah! Noooo! I¡¯m not a baby! I¡¯m a man! Get that thing away from me¡ª My stomach growled. ¡­I gave in and started drinking. ¡°There, there, my little handsome Jinseo¡­ my lovely boy,¡± she cooed. A voice called from outside the chamber door. ¡°Ma-Ma, there are three children sent by the King to be royal and loyal servants to the newborn prince,¡± said the guard. ¡°Let them in,¡± said my mother. The three entered together and bowed deeply. ¡°Jungjeon Ma-Ma, we have been sent by Jeonha to present ourselves to the newborn prince,¡± they said in unison. Behind the white curtains, my mother¡¯s voice answered, ¡°What are your names?¡± ¡°My name is Baekho,¡± said the first, his voice sharp and determined. ¡°I am to be trained as Wangja Mama¡¯s personal guard, Jungjeong Ma-ma.¡± ¡°My name is Eunchae,¡± said the second, calm and composed. ¡°I am a eunuch, trained to serve and protect Wangja Mama.¡± ¡°My name is Sohwa,¡± said the third with a soft, quiet voice. ¡°I am a maid. My duty is to serve Jungjeong Ma-ma and Wangja Mama.¡± With a seal of approval, I let out a loud, giggly baby noise. ¡°Hee-hee!¡± ¡°It looks like little Jinseo likes you all,¡± my mother said with a warm smile. These short limbs were troublesome, if you ask me. I couldn¡¯t do anything adults could¡ªI could only roll around, cry, poop, and pee. By the age of three, while my father was busy with court officials and my mother managed palace matters, I began secretly training my body. I lifted small weights¡ªbaby-sized ones, of course. I ran, stretched, and pushed myself every night. Anything to become strong again. My three servants often watched me with confusion. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. By the age of five, I had grown more curious. I snuck out of the palace with Baekho, Eunchae, and Sohwa to see what the outside world was like. With a pouch full of coins, I walked the streets, helping the poor where I could. Baekho wore his usual serious look, while Eunchae and Sohwa had worried expressions glued to their faces. I knew they were afraid we¡¯d get in trouble. Hehehe¡­ I laughed to myself, amused. For the record, Baekho is the oldest, Eunchae the second, and Sohwa the youngest of the three. We strolled along the quiet trail, my servants close behind, when I saw them¡ªfive children, laughing near the bushes. A moment of peace. Then the leaves shook. A low growl crawled out of the earth. The children froze. So did my servants. Baekho stepped forward, hand on his sword. ¡°Your Highness, we should go¡ª¡± The words died in his throat as the beast lunged from the brush. A young bear, but massive. Foam clung to its teeth. Wild eyes locked on the children. ¡°RUN!¡± Eunchae shouted. But I didn¡¯t move. Not away. Toward. I tore the sword from Baekho¡¯s belt with all the strength my small body had. It was too big, too heavy¡ªbut it was enough. I didn¡¯t swing it. I aimed. One breath. One step. I hurled it like a spear. The air split. The blade flew true. And with a wet, sickening sound¡ªit struck. The bear dropped, its last growl fading in its throat. Silence. The children stared. My servants did too¡ªeyes wide, mouths slightly open. Then the oldest boy stepped forward and dropped to his knees. ¡°Wangja Mama!¡± they cried. ¡°You have saved our lives¡ªwe will be forever grateful!¡± Behind me, my three servants stood frozen, mouths open, eyes twitching. It was as if they had never seen anyone slay a bear before. ¡°It¡¯s time for us to return to the palace, Agissi,¡± Baekho said, still in disbelief. ¡°Okay,¡± I replied calmly. We snuck back into the palace as quietly as we could¡ªbut it didn¡¯t matter. My mother caught me. That evening, I was properly lectured. ¡°Jinseo, why did you go out without permission?¡± Eomeoni scolded me. ¡°Do you know how worried I was?¡± I snuggled up to her with the cutest voice and expression I could muster. ¡°Eomeoni, I just wanted to see what it¡¯s like outside the palace¡­ I want to help people¡­¡± My voice softened into a gentle, innocent plea as I leaned against her. Her angry expression shifted. She sighed¡­ then grabbed my ear and tugged. ¡°Are you trying to soften my heart, young man?¡± ¡°Gaahhhh!¡± I let out a dramatic yelp of pain. Behind me, my three servants giggled as I was punished. Urgh¡­ I¡¯ll get my revenge on these three one day, I muttered in my thoughts, serious as ever. The morning sun rose over the palace. ¡°Wangja Mama, your food has arrived,¡± Sohwa said. As I reached for the tray, Eunchae suddenly grabbed a spoon and started eating before I could touch it. His mouth full, he muttered, ¡°The food is safe to eat.¡± I stared at the plate. Most of the food was already gone. Eunchae had eaten half of it. I sighed. ¡°Hhhh¡­¡± ¡°Wangja Mama,¡± Baekho said, stepping forward. ¡°Jeonha has requested your presence.¡± I stood up and made my way toward my father¡¯s chamber, my three servants trailing behind. My father greeted me with a soft gaze. ¡°It¡¯s time for you to begin attending royal classes,¡± he said. Get yourself ready my son, I''m sure you well like it. ¡°I heard you snuck out of the palace.¡± I gave a quiet, guilty laugh. ¡°Hee-hehe¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t make your mother worry again,¡± he said. ¡°If you want to leave, ask her first.¡± ¡°Yes, Nae Wangnim,¡± I replied respectfully. ¡°Now go, and keep your servants with you at all times.¡± ¡°Yes, Nae Wangnim,¡± I repeated. I hugged my father and took my leave. ¡°I¡¯ll be heading to my secret training ground,¡± I told my servants. ¡°Are you doing those weird workouts again?¡± Eunchae asked. Baekho slapped the back of his head. ¡°Do not question Agissi.¡± ¡°Ouch!¡± Eunchae cried. Sohwa giggled. For the rest of the day, I trained, while my servants stood guard to make sure no one caught At age ten, my body felt strong¡ªstronger than most grown men. I could do things others only dreamed of. Some even said I could crush coal into a diamond with my bare hands. It was my birthday. I had turned ten, and my loyal servants had grown alongside me. ¡°Happy birthday, my dear boy Jinseo. I wish you a happy and long life,¡± said my mother with her soft voice. ¡°Happy birthday,¡± said my father with warmth. ¡°May your life be long and full of greatness.¡± ¡°Happy birthday, Wangja Mama!¡± my three servants shouted in unison, bowing low. As I made my way back to my room, my gaze met with three palace maids standing in front of my mother¡¯s quarters. My head throbbed with a familiar ache. Their faces¡­ they looked just like the women I once loved. They bowed as our eyes met. I walked past them¡ªbut then stopped and turned back. I entered my mother¡¯s room. ¡°Eomeoni, who were the three maids outside your quarters?¡± ¡°Hana, Yura, and Mirae,¡± she replied. ¡°They¡¯re training to be my personal maids.¡± Their names. Their faces. It was them. With a shy but firm voice, I said, ¡°Eomeoni¡­ I want them to be my maids.¡± She smiled gently. ¡°I thought you might. I¡¯ll send them to your quarters this evening.¡± I hugged her tightly. ¡°Thank you, Eomeoni.¡± A wide smile spread across my face. That very evening, the three girls arrived. ¡°Wangja Mama,¡± they greeted in unison. ¡°Come in,¡± I replied. My three servants stood nearby, silently analyzing them. ¡°Let¡¯s go for a walk,¡± I told the maids. I took them to the flower fields¡ªI knew they loved flowers. Hana loved roses. Yura loved daisies. Mirae loved orchids. I picked their favorite flowers and gently tucked them behind their ears. They blushed. ¡°Thank you, Wangja Mama,¡± they whispered in unison. We played together in the fields, laughing and smiling. It was the happiest I had felt in a long time. We were walking back from the flower field. Laughter still echoed behind us. Hana wore her rose. Yura had a daisy tucked behind her ear. Mirae held her orchid gently, like it was alive. Then we heard it. A rumble. The ground trembled beneath our feet. Birds scattered from the trees. And then¡ª ¡°Get back!¡± I shouted. A wild elephant burst through the treeline¡ªmassive, dust-covered, wild-eyed. Its tusks glinted in the sun. Its roar shook the forest. The girls froze. Baekho stepped forward, but I raised a hand. ¡°Stay back.¡± I dropped to one knee, grabbing the thickest broken tree limb I could find. My fingers moved fast¡ªshaving the wood to a jagged, lethal point with the dagger tucked at my side. The elephant was already charging. I breathed. Once. My hand tightened. And with all my strength¡ªI hurled the makeshift spear. It spun through the air, screaming. Then¡ªimpact. A sickening crack rang out as the spear drove into the elephant¡¯s skull. Its legs buckled. The beast crumbled into the earth with a final, thunderous groan. Silence. Dust floated through the air. When I turned, they were all staring¡ªBaekho, Eunchae, Sohwa¡­ and the three girls. There face said it all!.. They stood there, Shocked and in awe. Unable to speak. Death couldn''t keep me. Fate bent to grief. and in this life... I will rise. As thunder to my enemies. As Jinseo -- the name they will never Forget. My legend begins here. Unstoppable King - Chapter 2 - A Prince Among Ashes Morning arrived with the sweet sound of birds... and the loud snoring of my servant echoing across the chamber. It was Saturday morning¡ªthe perfect time to sneak out again. But not before¡ª ¡°Jungjeong Ma-ma!!¡± A chorus of voices rang from outside my chamber just as the doors opened. I quickly shut my eyes and pretended to be asleep. Then came a voice¡ªsweet, warm, and impossible to resist. ¡°Jinseo-ya, have you woken up yet, my precious boy?¡± I leapt up and wrapped my arms around my beautiful Eomeoni. ¡°Aigoo, my cute boy¡ªyou¡¯re already awake,¡± she chuckled. ¡°Eomma,¡± I said with wide, pleading eyes, ¡°I want to go outside the palace today.¡± ¡°Of course you can,¡± she smiled, ¡°but first, you have writing lessons this morning.¡± ¡°Eomma, can¡¯t I do it later?¡± I asked, eyes glowing with my most innocent look. She sighed with a smile. ¡°Of course, my precious Jinseo-ya.¡± ¡°It worked like a charm.¡± ¡°Thank you, Eomeoni,¡± I murmured, snuggling close. ¡°But you must come back this afternoon for your lesson,¡± she added gently. ¡°Jungjeong Ma-ma, I brought some tea,¡± said Sohwa as she entered quietly. As always, Eunchae was three steps ahead. He took a cup, sipped it quickly, and nodded. ¡°It is safe to drink, Jungjeong Ma-ma,¡± Eunchae said with a bow. Just then, a guard called from outside, ¡°Jungjeong Ma-ma, five boys request an audience with the young prince.¡± ¡°Let them in,¡± said my mother. As the boys entered, their faces struck a familiar chord. I remembered them well. One of them stepped forward and handed my mother a coin pouch. ¡°Jungjeong Ma-ma, I¡¯ve brought this coin pouch back for Wangja Ma-ma,¡± he said. ¡°What are your names?¡± my mother asked. ¡°With a courageous voice, the first said, ¡°My name is Daeyoung.¡± ¡°Minjae,¡± said the second with a calm voice. ¡°Sungho!¡± shouted the third, energetic and bright. ¡°Jisoo,¡± said the fourth, his voice soft. And finally, ¡°Harin,¡± said the youngest, composed but warm. Daeyoung then turned back to my mother. ¡°Jungjeong Ma-ma, I want to tell you something. The prince¡ªhe saved us fro¡ª¡± I cut him off. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m going to head out now. My servant and I will be going with Daeyoung and his friends.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t come home late, my dear Jinseo-ya. You still have writing lessons.¡± ¡°Yes, Eomeoni,¡± I replied. ¡°Would you like to take the horse carriage, Agissi?¡± Baekho asked. ¡°No, we¡¯ll walk.¡± Just as we stepped out, the three maids¡ªmy ¡°soon-to-be wives,¡± hehe¡ªappeared. ¡°Wangja Ma-ma! We brought you some breakfast!¡± ¡°We made this miyeokguk soup just for you,¡± Yura said brightly. We made our way to the picnic area, accompanied by the soft rustle of the breeze and the distant call of birds. I sat down ready to eat. Eunchae, ever vigilant, stepped forward. ¡°Agissi, I must taste the soup first.¡± Before he could stop me, I grabbed the bowl and began eating. ¡°Nooo¡ª!¡± Eunchae lunged toward me. ¡°Ahhh! If something happens to you, Agissi, I¡¯ll be guilty for the rest of my life!¡± He threw himself dramatically to the ground, tears in his eyes. I smiled and thanked my maids, then finally made my way out of the palace with my servants and the five boys. Once we passed through the palace gates, I took a deep breath, stretched my limbs to get the blood flowing, and made Baekho and Eunchae do the same. They grumbled¡ªEunchae the loudest, of course. We strolled down into the commoner district. I saw many elderly and sickly people, and pain twisted in my chest. As we passed through the market, I noticed the crowd was thin. The air was filled with a mixture of unfamiliar scents¡ªsweet, salty, sour. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. I turned to Daeyoung. ¡°Show me where the rice fields are.¡± ¡°Yes, Wangja Ma-ma,¡± he replied. When we arrived, I saw many struggling farmers¡ªthin, shaking, weary. One old man caught my attention. His clothes were ragged, his hands rough with calluses, his voice trembling like leaves. ¡°What is your name?¡± I asked. ¡°Kim Dalsu, Wangja Ma-ma,¡± he replied. I gazed out over the rice field. It was dry and stunted. The growth was poor. ¡°Gather the farmers,¡± I ordered Kim Dalsu. ¡°I will share what I know.¡± Once they assembled, I stood before them and began. ¡°Land selection and leveling are key. Rice grows best in flat, low-lying areas. You must have reliable access to water. Proper leveling ensures water is distributed evenly, preventing floods or dry patches.¡± I paused and looked around. ¡°Any questions?¡± Kim Dalsu raised his shaking hand. ¡°Wangja Ma-ma¡­ what should we farmers do¡ª¡± ¡°To maintain a flat, low-lying area,¡± I explained, ¡°if you have a cow, attach a wooden or metal plow to it. Use large, flat wooden boards to smooth the muddy surface.¡± ¡°How do we find such items?¡± asked one of the farmers. ¡°I will help you build everything you need for the rice fields,¡± I said firmly. ¡°The people here are starving. I must do everything in my power to keep you healthy and strong. You are the foundation of this kingdom.¡± The farmers lowered their heads and thanked me, tears slipping down their weathered faces. I turned back to kim dalsu. ¡°Do you know any blacksmiths?¡± He straightened with pride. ¡°Yes, Wangja Ma-ma,¡± he said with a big smile. ¡°I¡¯ll lead the way, Wangja-Mama!¡± Daeyoung replied without hesitation. As we made our way toward the blacksmith, we passed more people¡ªthin, hunched, hungry. My heart ached with every step. The market thinned as we neared the edge of the district. The calls of merchants and laughter of children faded behind us, replaced by the crackle of fire and the faint, rhythmic ring of steel on steel. Daeyoung walked a step ahead, eyes scanning the path. ¡°You¡¯re sure he¡¯s here?¡± I asked. He nodded. ¡°Yes, Wangja Ma-ma. Not many know about him.¡± We turned a corner and stopped in front of an old forge wedged between two stone buildings. The roof sagged, and smoke drifted lazily from a bent chimney. An old wooden sign hung crooked above the entrance¡ªetched with a single character: Fire. ¡°His name?¡± I asked. ¡°Jang Hyukseon,¡± Daeyoung said quietly. ¡°He only speaks when he wants to.¡± I pushed the door open. The heat struck me first¡ªfollowed by the sound. Clang. Clang. Clang. The forge glowed like the heart of a beast. Steel lined the walls¡ªblades, chisels, hammers, and tools I couldn¡¯t even name. The air smelled of iron and smoke. At the center stood a man. Broad-backed. Slow-breathing. Covered in soot. His silver-streaked hair was tied in a knot, and when his eyes lifted, they were as sharp as the blades he forged. ¡°Hey, old man Jang!¡± Daeyoung called out. Jang Hyukseon turned, startled. Then he saw me. ¡°Wangja Ma-ma,¡± he said, quickly bowing low. ¡°How may this old man be of service to you?¡± My gaze wandered around the forge, taking in the craftsmanship¡ªthe balance, the weight, the precision of every blade. ¡°You can speak to me informally,¡± I said. ¡°I¡¯m here for something simple.¡± He looked up, surprised. ¡°I want you to forge me a plow. Something sturdy. A tool that a cow can pull through the mud.¡± ¡°¡­and forge me a fine spear,¡± I added. ¡°Ten feet long. Fifteen inches thick. Take your time¡ª¡± I paused, then smirked. ¡°¡ªbut make it quick.¡± ¡°Yes, Wangja Ma-ma,¡± Jang Hyukseon replied with a respectful bow. I turned to Daeyoung. ¡°Do you know any carpenters?¡± ¡°Yes, Wangja Ma-ma. I¡¯ll lead the way.¡± We weaved through narrow alleys, past weavers, potters, and fishmongers. The sharp scent of brine mixed with fresh wood shavings. Eventually, I heard it¡ªthe sound of hammering. Not sharp and ringing like a blacksmith¡¯s, but steady and warm. Rhythmic. Almost like a song being tapped into wood grain. We turned a corner and found him. A man in his late forties, sleeves rolled to the elbow, sandals worn thin. He crouched beneath a crumbling roof, tapping a beam into place with slow, deliberate care. Behind him stood a half-finished cart¡ªperfectly balanced on uneven ground. A child sat nearby, cradling a plank in their lap, watching the man work as if it were magic. ¡°That¡¯s him,¡± Daeyoung whispered. ¡°Han Seokjin.¡± The man looked up as we approached. His face was weathered, his eyes kind but sharp with focus. ¡°Wangja Ma-ma,¡± he said, standing and bowing with rough, calloused hands. ¡°Forgive my appearance. I wasn¡¯t expecting royalty.¡± I stepped closer. ¡°Royalty isn¡¯t why I¡¯m here,¡± I said quietly. ¡°I need someone who can build things that last¡ªnot just walls¡­ but hope.¡± He blinked, taken aback. Then a small smile formed on his lips. ¡°Then you¡¯ve come to the right place.¡± Han Seokjin studied me for a moment¡ªsilently. Not with fear, but with understanding. I reached into my robe and pulled out a folded sketch I¡¯d drawn the night before. ¡°I need this,¡± I said. ¡°A cow-pulled plow. Strong enough to cut through wet, uneven soil. Light enough that even the elderly can guide it.¡± He took the paper carefully, unfolding it with reverence. ¡°Hm¡­ dual handles, iron-plated edge¡­ a rotating axle for balance¡­¡± he murmured, reading the drawing like scripture. His brow furrowed as he examined the angles, the joints, the depth. ¡°I can build it,¡± he finally said. ¡°But it¡¯ll take a few days to find the right wood.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll have it delivered,¡± I replied. He looked up at me, a hint of surprise in his eyes. ¡°You think of everything, don¡¯t you, Wangja Ma-ma?¡± I met Han Seokjin¡¯s gaze. ¡°I have to,¡± I said. ¡°My people deserve nothing less.¡± He smiled¡ªslow and proud. ¡°Then let this carpenter serve your dream,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ll craft it not just with my hands¡­ but with purpose.¡± ¡°Well then, old man Han Seokjin,¡± I smirked, turning away, ¡°I¡¯ll be seeing you around.¡± I faced my servants and Daeyoung with his four friends. ¡°Today, we help the farmers¡ªwith our bare hands, and anything we can use.¡± We returned to the fields, sleeves rolled, feet in the mud. The farmers worked beside us, shoulder to shoulder. My servants joined in¡ªreluctantly at first, but soon even Eunchae was on his knees, pulling weeds and hauling water. ¡°Wangja Ma-ma, I¡¯m tired,¡± Eunchae groaned dramatically, wiping his forehead. I raised a brow. ¡°I guess that means you¡¯re not eating today.¡± He froze. Then, as if possessed by the spirit of ten warriors, he sprang up with renewed fury. ¡°I-I was only resting my eyes, Agissi!¡± he cried, shoveling faster than ever. As the afternoon sun dipped low, it was time for me to return. ¡°Daeyoung,¡± I said, wiping my hands clean, ¡°stay behind. Help old man Kim. I need to get back to the palace.¡± ¡°Yes, Wangja Ma-ma,¡± he replied with a firm nod. With Baekho, Eunchae, and Sohwa beside me, we started our walk back. We were halfway through a narrow alley when Baekho suddenly stopped. His hand moved slowly to the hilt of his blade. ¡°¡­Something is wrong.¡± Unstoppable King - Chopter 3 Eomeoni teaching. The air shifted. No wind. No birds. No sound. Thud. A tile slipped off the rooftop behind us. I turned. From the shadows, five figures emerged. Black robes. Hidden faces. Eyes like ice¡ªcold and calculating. Each held a blade curved like a fang. Assassins. ¡°Stay back,¡± Baekho growled, stepping forward, body tense. ¡°No.¡± I stepped ahead of him, calm. ¡°This is meant for me.¡± One of them lunged¡ªfast. Too fast for most to follow. But I wasn¡¯t most. I dropped low, caught his wrist mid-swing, and twisted. Crack. His blade hit the ground. I drove my elbow into his throat. Collapse. He didn¡¯t get back up. Another came from behind. I spun, grabbing the first man¡¯s body and twisting it into the path of the next strike. Steel met flesh. The second masked man hesitated. That was all I needed. A swift kick to his chest¡ªhe flew backward and slammed into the wall. ¡°Eunchae, take cover!¡± Baekho shouted. ¡°Too late for that!¡± Eunchae yelped. He was already crouched behind a barrel, hands trembling. Sohwa ducked down beside him, her eyes wide, clutching her skirt. The remaining three circled me. One of them raised a hand¡ªa silent signal. Then they all charged. I closed my eyes for a single breath. Then moved. Spin. Step. Sweep. A leg broke with a crack. Another blade was torn from its owner''s grasp. A third strike came¡ªI blocked it using a sword I¡¯d stolen mid-move, one of their own. Clang. Crack. Collapse. One by one, they fell¡ªunconscious, groaning, or choking on defeat. I stood in the center, still as stone, a stolen blade gleaming in my hand. Only one remained¡ªtheir leader. He stepped back, panic crawling across his face. I pointed the sword¡¯s tip at him. ¡°Run,¡± I said coldly. ¡°And tell whoever sent you¡­¡± My eyes narrowed. ¡°¡­I am not a boy to be hunted.¡± I stepped forward once, blade steady. ¡°I am a future king, you dull creature.¡± He bolted¡ªvanishing into the shadows. I let out a slow breath and dropped the sword. Baekho stared, stunned as always. Eunchae peeked out from behind the barrel, jaw on the floor. Even Sohwa¡¯s eyes shimmered with disbelief. I turned to them with a cheeky grin. ¡°I mean¡­ not many ten-year-olds can do what I just did.¡± I giggled.
We made our way to my mother¡¯s quarters. At the entrance, my three maids¡ªmy ¡°soon-to-be¡± wives, in five years, of course¡ªgreeted me with bright smiles. ¡°Good afternoon, Wangja Ma-ma,¡± they chimed in unison. I nodded like a proper prince, then pushed open the chamber doors. ¡°Good afternoon, Eomeoni,¡± I said in my baby voice. I mean¡ªtechnically¡ªI was still a kid. ¡°Jinseo-ya, my baby boy,¡± my mother beamed, arms open. ¡°Have you taken a shower yet?¡± she asked gently. ¡°I have not, Mother,¡± I replied. She smiled softly, stood up, and led me to the royal bathing chamber. As we arrived, her eyes caught something¡ªa faint stain. ¡°Jinseo-ya¡­ why is there blood on your shirt, my dear?¡± Her voice trembled. ¡°Aigo¡­ what am I going to do with you? You¡¯re all I have left, my dear¡­ Uri Aegi.¡± Tears welled in her eyes. Of course, I couldn¡¯t tell her I fought five masked assassins in an alley. ¡°Eomma¡­ Baekho accidentally spilled some blood on my robe while he was hunting,¡± I lied quickly. ¡°Baekho, you¡¯re in big trouble,¡± Eunchae whispered from behind, barely suppressing his giggles. I hugged my mother tightly. ¡°Everything¡¯s okay, Eomeoni. I¡¯m fine.¡± She looked down at me, her face filled with worry. ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to go out anymore¡­¡± Still, she gently helped me bathe, washing the mud and dried blood from my skin with care. Then she led me back to her quarters for my writing lesson. The quiet study room smelled of ink and aged parchment. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! A window stood open, the breeze rustling the sheer curtains. Birds soared past, their wings slicing through the afternoon sun as it painted the garden below. Eomeoni sat beside me in her elegant hanbok, her sleeves draping like silk clouds as she guided my hand over the brush. ¡°Hold it like this, Jinseo-ya. With patience. Let the ink breathe.¡± I watched closely. Her fingers were gentle, her movements precise¡ªlike everything she did. Together, we wrote a single word: Benevolence. ¡°To be a king, my son,¡± she said softly, ¡°you must first learn to Fear and obey God and practice kindness¡ªbefore you ever command others.¡± I looked down at the character we had written. Kindness. It looked gentle¡ªbut I saw strength in it too. My grip tightened slightly on the brush. In the distance, I heard Eunchae trip over a teacup¡ªagain. I stifled a giggle. After our lesson, Eomeoni took my hand, and we walked outside. She explained the roles of court maids as we strolled. My three servants followed quietly behind us, and my soon-to-be wives trailed close, whispering and giggling. The wind was soft. The trees swayed. Birds chirped overhead. The rustling leaves filled the silence like a lullaby. My mother pointed toward the horizon. ¡°Can you see to the end of it?¡± she asked. ¡°No,¡± I said. ¡°Nor can you see beyond the future,¡± she whispered. ¡°My dear Nae Adeul, my sweet boy¡­ one day, you will be a great king. This nation will rest under your protection and your rule. And I¡ªyour mother¡ªwill stand behind you. I¡¯ll support every decision you make.¡± I turned to her, voice soft. ¡°Eomeoni¡­ what was your life like before you became Queen?¡± She smiled gently. ¡°Of course, my dear Uri Aegi.¡± ¡°I was born in a quiet home. My father was a scholar. My mother was gifted in herbal medicine. Together, they taught me everything they knew. ¡°My Abeonim taught me the scholar¡¯s path. We read¡ªendlessly. He told me memory was a scholar¡¯s blade. I studied alone, reciting texts until I could recall them word for word. ¡°He also said a scholar must understand all walks of life¡ªwhat farmers do, how carpenters build, what merchants trade. A true scholar never stops seeking knowledge.¡± She paused, brushing a stray hair from my face. ¡°My Eomeoni was a healer. She knew every herb, every root, every remedy. From her, I inherited my understanding of medicine. I can still remember her teachings as if they were whispered just yesterday.¡± She looked out toward the garden. ¡°I was brought to the palace not for marriage¡ªbut because of my knowledge. My skill in medicine. My ability to read and interpret poetry, and classical texts.¡± Another pause. ¡°At first¡­ I hated it. I was alone. Watched constantly. Trapped by rules and tradition. ¡°But then¡­¡± Her voice softened. ¡°I met your father.¡± I looked up at her. ¡°Did you love him?¡± She smiled. ¡°Yes. Deeply. ¡°He was fierce¡­ but not unkind. He saw past the silk, the titles, the quiet mask I wore. He saw me. He once told me my mind was sharper than any blade in his court.¡± I fell quiet. Just listening. Watching her eyes shimmer faintly in the fading light. She looked at me, her voice calmer than ever. ¡°I¡¯ve lost friends¡­ and family. But you¡ª¡± Her voice broke just slightly, then steadied. ¡°You gave me purpose when all hope had drowned. You gave me something to hold on to. Something to fight for.¡± I didn¡¯t know what to say. I didn¡¯t have the words. So I did what felt right. I reached out and took Eomeoni¡¯s hand¡ªheld it tightly. ¡°You¡¯ve lost so much, Eomeoni,¡± I said softly. ¡°But even if the world turns against you¡­ I¡¯ll always stand by your side. And your enemies?¡± I looked into her eyes. ¡°They will become my footstool.¡± She touched my cheek with her cool fingers¡ªtender, quiet. We sat in silence. Behind us, my three servants and my soon-to-be wives stood still, tears glistening in their eyes, listening to everything Eomeoni and I had shared. As the sun dipped low and the golden light stretched across the earth, I walked my mother back to her quarters. My servants and future wives followed silently. Inside, her personal maids greeted her and tended to her needs. ¡°Eomeoni, I¡¯ll be going back to my quarter now,¡± I said. I leaned into her embrace, snuggled against her, and held her tightly. She kissed my forehead with warmth. I kissed her back and gave a soft smile before I left.
¡°It¡¯s time to lock in,¡± I whispered to myself. ¡°Follow me,¡± I told my three servants. The sun still hung in the sky. Birds still chirped. There was no time to waste. No room for weakness. I had trained every single day since I was three. I was in the best shape of my life. Pain didn¡¯t matter. Only the gain mattered. We headed toward my secret training ground. The breeze swept through the trees like a warning. The rattling leaves sounded like the prelude to battle. The world was alive¡ªand I could hear everything. The thud of baboon feet in the distance. The whisper of branches swaying. Every step¡ªanimal or human¡ªI could tell the difference. Even the air told me stories. I could smell scents¡ªdistinct, sharp. Whether beast or man, nothing escaped my ears, eyes, or instincts. Baekho followed silently behind me, carrying a sword wrapped in white cloth. Most boys my age would be napping. But I wasn¡¯t most boys. When we reached the secret ground, Baekho handed me the sword. I unwrapped it slowly. The blade gleamed, but this was just one part of my arsenal. I trained in everything¡ªhand-to-hand, swordsmanship, martial arts from the future, and disciplines from the past. I had trained my body to the very edge. Even a simple blade would bend if it struck my skin. I wasn¡¯t called a genius in my past life for no reason. I wasn¡¯t called the strongest for no reason. I wasn¡¯t called unmatched because it sounded nice. I trained¡­ Because I had a reason. I warmed up my joints and tendons to get the blood flowing. I wrapped weights around my ankles, my arms, my torso. Then I moved¡ªslashes, footwork, spins, strikes, kicks. Each form flowed into the next like water becoming wind. Martial wisdom surged through me¡ªnot because I read it in scrolls, but because it lived inside me. Strength. Precision. Memory. Every technique, every instinct¡­ came with me when I was reborn. My young body was lean, but shredded to the bone. I could outrun a cheetah. My agility was inhuman. I could lift weights heavier than an elephant without breaking stride. Then¡ª ¡°Agissi¡­ you¡¯re going to pass out,¡± Eunchae¡¯s voice groaned from behind a pillar. I glanced back. Eunchae was holding a cold cloth to his forehead like it might stop him from witnessing my insanity. Sohwa arrived moments later, worry etched on her face and a towel in hand. ¡°You¡¯ll overwork yourself again, Wangja Ma-ma.¡± With my strongest grip, I raised the sword. One slash. The tree split clean in half, crashing to the ground with a thunderous crack. My servants, as always, stood frozen¡ªstaring at me with their usual shocked expressions. I turned to Baekho. ¡°Let¡¯s go hunting.¡± He nodded, already prepared. ¡°Eunchae and Sohwa will stay behind,¡± I added before he could ask. ¡°No Eunchae,¡± I mimicked Baekho¡¯s voice playfully, ¡°he¡¯d just complain the whole time. And Sohwa¡­¡± I chuckled, ¡°she¡¯d follow us like a worried duck.¡± Baekho allowed himself the faintest smile. We left through the palace gates. The guards didn¡¯t stop us. Baekho had made sure of that. ¡°Whatever creature crosses our path today¡­¡± I muttered, adjusting the weight on my shoulders, ¡°is unlucky.¡±