Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered

Episode 1: First Time in the Forbidden City

“…Therefore, by the time one passes the five rounds of the civil service exam to become a *Jinshi* (a successful candidate), they would have memorized over 430,000 characters of classical texts.

Not only must they be well-versed in numerous commentaries, scriptures, history, poetry, and literature, but they must also be able to discuss national policies based on these classics.

Moreover, they must be capable of creating poetry. Thus, passing the exam and becoming a *Jinshi* in one’s early twenties is a stroke of luck, but even if one succeeds after thirty, it is by no means too late.”

***

The Forbidden City is the heart of the continent.

Surrounded by high, thick walls and deep moats on all sides, its palaces and halls with golden double-layered roofs form a grand, symmetrical structure.

The Forbidden City was a city within a city.

However, it is called the heart of the continent not only because of its majestic scale and beauty.

The Forbidden City is the center of power that rules the continent and the place where all wealth and glory converge.

Power and wealth pulsate within it, a splendid and noble crimson [*zi*], a forbidden [*jin*] city [*cheng*]—a world in itself yet not of this world.

This was the Forbidden City.

In contrast to the simple yet imposing arrangement of the large palaces along the central axis, the Forbidden City quickly turns into a vast maze as one moves further inward.

Thus, almost without exception, those who set foot here for the first time would lose their way.

Perhaps this was because the immense beauty and splendor of the Forbidden City completely captivated the eyes of first-time visitors.

“This is bad. If I’m not careful, I won’t make it on time.”

A young scholar in official robes muttered to himself, wiping away sweat.

It wasn’t even midsummer yet, but beads of sweat were already forming on his forehead. It seemed it wasn’t just due to his oversized official robes, which didn’t quite fit him.

The young scholar looked around anxiously, unable to hide his nervousness. But the magnificent and vast Forbidden City was eerily quiet, as if no one lived there.

Even the imperial guards, who had been glaring at him just a moment ago, were nowhere to be seen.

“This is… troublesome…”

The young scholar wiped the sweat from his brow again.

‘Was it too much of a stretch to find my way to a place I wasn’t familiar with by myself?’

But he couldn’t admit defeat.

He wanted to show the official who had looked down on him that he could handle it.

He had nodded confidently, thinking there was no way he couldn’t find his way, but that was where the problem began.

“I don’t even know where I am. If I accidentally step into a restricted area, it would be a disaster…”

The Forbidden City is the emperor’s residence.

In this place, where the entire fortress is a forbidden area, moving around recklessly could cost him his life.

But if he was late, that would be a disaster too. He would be branded as uncommitted from the very first day.

“Hah…”

The young scholar sighed in frustration once more.

But the splendid, beautiful buildings offered no answer, and there was no one around to hear his sighs and lend a helping hand.

Just then…

**Among the splendid red pavilions, the young scholar noticed a small shadow of a person moving swiftly.**

It wasn’t immediately clear who it was since the figure was unfamiliar, but it was undoubtedly a person.

A look of relief quickly spread across the young scholar’s face.

“Ah, finally.”

Though it was just a passerby, nothing could have been more welcome to the young scholar, who was in distress.

He sighed with relief as he watched the figure approach. The way this person moved so confidently through the vast palace meant they must be familiar with the layout of the place.

However, moments later, the young scholar’s face darkened.

“Wait, isn’t that a eunuch?”

The soft brown silk garment with black trim at the edges, and the long robe that reached down to the feet, were unmistakably the attire of a eunuch.

It wasn’t surprising that the young scholar encountered a eunuch in the Forbidden City, where as many as ten thousand eunuchs could be found during peak times and no fewer than three thousand during quieter periods.

But for a scholar, who prided himself on his lofty ideals, a eunuch was undoubtedly an undesirable encounter—certainly not someone he’d seek help from.

“But I don’t have a choice, do I? I’m in trouble here…”

Yet, the young scholar had no other option. If this eunuch was familiar with the palace grounds, he might be exactly the help he needed.

By then, the eunuch in the brown robe was swiftly passing by the young scholar.

The scholar didn’t know much about the eunuch’s attire, but judging by the lack of red in the outfit, he assumed the eunuch wasn’t of particularly high status.

“Ahem. Excuse me, you there.”

The young scholar called out in an awkward voice.

He didn’t particularly like how his voice sounded so inexperienced, but fortunately, the eunuch stopped and turned around.

“Yes, how may I assist you?”

The eunuch’s voice was strange, neither male nor female.

The young scholar nearly shuddered.

It was the first time he’d looked directly at a eunuch, and the face was unfamiliar and unsettling.

There wasn’t even a trace of a beard, and though the eunuch appeared old, his glossy, smooth face also had an oddly youthful quality to it.

Did the young scholar’s thoughts show on his face? The eunuch’s eyes briefly flashed with a peculiar light.

“Ahem, ahem.”

The young scholar cleared his throat, subtly averting his gaze.

“Apologies. I’m looking for the Changryong Hall, you see…”

His voice trailed off, but the eunuch immediately grasped the situation.

“Ah, so you’ve lost your way.”

He had suspected that the young scholar was a newcomer to the palace the moment he saw him. The awkward way he wore his official robes and his distressed expression had already given it away.

He just hadn’t known why the young scholar was in such a difficult situation in this place.

“If you’re looking for Changryong Hall… Ah, you must be on your way to see the Crown Prince, yes?”

The eunuch’s words instantly brightened the young scholar’s face.

“Yes, that’s correct. I am Yunhyun, the top graduate of the recent imperial exams. I am here to serve the Crown Prince, hahaha.”

Despite the awkward, somewhat forced laughter that didn’t quite suit his age, the young scholar’s face was filled with pride that he couldn’t hide.

The eunuch bowed deeply to the young scholar who had introduced himself as Yunhyun.

“Ah, so you are Scholar Yun. It’s truly remarkable to be the top graduate at such a young age. Impressive indeed.”

The eunuch echoed Yunhyun’s words in a drawn-out tone. However, Yunhyun failed to notice the strange smile that played on the eunuch’s lips.

Raising his head, the eunuch addressed him in a respectful manner.

“It is an honor to meet someone of such high scholarly achievement. Changryong Hall isn’t far, so please follow me this way.”

“Thank you, I’d appreciate that, hahaha.”

Feeling flattered by the eunuch’s exaggerated response, the young scholar, Yunhyun, replied with a somewhat affected air of dignity.

The eunuch turned on his heel and began walking briskly ahead.

***

“That gate leads to the inner palace, the Geoncheong Gate. Beyond it is the Geoncheong Palace, where the Emperor resides, and further beyond is the Gyotae Hall, where the Empress lives.”

Tap, tap, tap.

The eunuch continued to speak quickly, his words almost a chatter as he walked. He seemed so at ease that he even covered his mouth with his sleeve and chuckled.

“The roofs you see to the left of Gyotae Hall are the Seoyuk Palace, where the Emperor’s concubines live, so it would be best to avoid going near there. Hohoho.”

However, Yunhyun, who was following behind, had no time to look around at the buildings. He was struggling just to keep up with the eunuch’s footsteps.

Even now, the eunuch’s small feet moved silently but swiftly along the colorful gravel paths.

“Ah, excuse me, could you slow down a bit…”

Despite Yunhyun’s plea, the eunuch didn’t slow his pace at all.

Without looking back, the eunuch responded in a clear, resonant voice.

“It would be wise to hurry since you are heading to Changryong Hall. Aren’t you already late for your appointed time? Hohoho.”