The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 107

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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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Red Dragon Sovereign Episode 107

Chapter 107 – Ju-tae’s Judgment

Before the residence of Grand Commander of the Left Yang Chun-hong.
Dozens of martial warriors lined the space around a single carriage.
And yet, improbably, Ju-tae was among them.
He had arrived here half a watch ago with two other warriors and was now waiting for Yang Chun-hong to emerge. After Yi Hwan had sent out the official dispatch, Yang Chun-hong was the first to request protection.
Since the man held considerable weight within the faction supporting Yi Hwang-ja, Yi Hwan had sent Ju-tae himself.
‘What’s taking so long?’
Ju-tae fixed his gaze beyond the front gate. Then it happened—figures emerged from the main residence.
Doubt flickered in Ju-tae’s eyes as he watched.
‘Wasn’t the Grand Commander supposed to enter the Palace?’
The man stepping out appeared to be in his early thirties at most—someone who radiated the unmistakable arrogance of a power-holder, his expression and eyes brimming with self-importance.
As he crossed the threshold, the warriors all bowed their heads in unison.
He turned to Ju-tae with a question.
“You’re from the Imperial Guard Bureau?”
“Yes.”
“But why did you send only three men?”
“We simply followed the Commander’s orders.”
“Hmph! To send just three men after all that fanfare with an official dispatch—his intentions are most intriguing indeed!”
At the way the man spoke of Yi Hwan, irritation flared in Ju-tae’s chest, though his face remained impassive.
‘If an assassin shows up, I’ll make him regret it.’
Shortly after, the procession began moving.
Ju-tae and the two warriors fell in at the rear. Ju-tae wrinkled his nose as he watched the warriors encircling the carriage with iron-tight formation.
‘He’s thrown money at this.’
Every single one of his bodyguards carried an atmosphere that was decidedly unusual. Several of them, in fact, radiated the unmistakable presence of true Masters.
It was obvious that employing a force of this caliber would have required considerable expense.
Then one of the warriors sent a Sound Transmission.
[With this many guards, even assassins wouldn’t dare rush in carelessly. So why request our protection at all?]
[Don’t concern yourself with that. Stop wasting thought on such matters and focus your attention on the perimeter.]
[…….]
Ju-tae leisurely took in the surrounding scenery.
Being the neighborhood where a Grand Commander lived, the landscape was remarkably beautiful. Moreover, armed forces were stationed throughout, making it an environment where outsiders could scarcely gain entry.
‘If he stays holed up in here, he won’t need to worry about assassins.’
Presently, the carriage crested onto the Official Road and began to accelerate.
Boom-boom-boom!
With so many riders thundering forward, the pedestrians in the street startled and hastily pressed themselves against the roadside. Those slow to move found themselves cursed by the escort warriors.
Ju-tae was utterly exasperated.
‘This is absurd. A man like this should simply be left to die.’
After riding for some time—
The man leading at the front raised his hand to slow the pace. The escort warriors immediately drew their weapons in perfect unison.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
“Maintain alertness as we advance!”
“Yes!”
Ju-tae surveyed the surroundings.
Dense forest rose on both sides of the Official Road about twenty paces ahead. The road itself wound sharply at several points, creating ideal terrain for an ambush if assassins were indeed waiting.
Ju-tae sent a Sound Transmission to the two warriors.
[Stay alert.]
[Yes!]
[Yes!]
Boom-boom-boom!

The Grand Commander is a major figure in Yi Hwang-ja’s faction, and since he’s entering the Palace for nearly the first time in months, the likelihood of assassins appearing is extremely high. Go yourself and assist with his protection.

Ju-tae recalled Yi Hwan’s words as his gaze swept across the landscape with keen intensity.
‘For my lord’s dispatch to bear fruit, assassins must certainly appear.’
Boom-boom-boom!
As the carriage rounded a sharp bend, its pace slowed further. Yet nothing occurred as they passed through those two curves.
When the road straightened again, the driver began to accelerate.
Thud-thud-thud!
‘If I were leading this ambush, I’d strike right here.’
It was precisely as Ju-tae formed that thought.
Whistle!
Dozens of throwing blades came hurtling through the air with a piercing cry, but they weren’t aimed at the passengers—they concentrated entirely on the horses pulling the carriage.
Thwack-thwack-thwack!
Neigh-neigh-neigh!
The horses shrieked pitifully and collapsed.
Had the driver not yanked hard on the reins, the entire carriage would have toppled over.
“Form a protective formation!”
At Cheong Po-in’s command, all the bodyguards encircled the carriage and drew their blades toward the woods on both sides.
Ju-tae’s gaze fixed on the carriage itself.
Through the half-open door, he glimpsed a figure trembling with fear—a far cry from the arrogance that had marked him before they departed, when he’d spoken so dismissively of Yi Hwan.
‘Is this wretch truly the Grand Commander of the Left’s son? If so, the man has failed spectacularly at raising his offspring.’
Whisper.
Ju-tae clicked his tongue inwardly and slowly unsheathed his blade.
The two martial masters also drew their swords, positioning themselves to guard both flanks of the forest.
Ju-tae approached Cheong Po-in’s side.
“Hold your position!”
Cheong Po-in shouted, but Ju-tae ignored the command and stepped closer.
“This terrain favors the assassins far too much. I think we should move to more open ground, however slowly.”
“I told you to hold your position!”
‘This bastard.’
Ju-tae’s eyebrows twitched. But he couldn’t afford to cause a commotion, so he simply withdrew back to his post.
‘Once a few of them fall, he’ll come to his senses.’
Whoosh!
The wind suddenly picked up, but no second attack followed the one that had felled the horses.
“Let someone ride at once and summon the garrison troops!”
The figure inside the carriage shouted.
Cheong Po-in stepped forward.
“The garrison will be of little use, sir. Please, trust in us.”
“How long do you intend to drag this out? What if the assassins come in greater numbers?”
“We shall handle it, sir. Please, just remain silent.”
‘Hmm?’
Ju-tae’s eyes narrowed with sudden suspicion as he watched.
‘Is he not the Grand Commander’s son? If he were, a mere bodyguard wouldn’t dare show such arrogance.’
Cheong Po-in’s demeanor was plainly odd. Had the figure in the carriage truly been the Grand Commander’s son, he could never have acted in such a manner.
‘Perhaps…’
As a thread of doubt crossed Ju-tae’s mind, figures suddenly burst from the woods on both sides.
Ju-tae swiftly sent a Sound Transmission to the two martial masters.
[Give it your all.]
[Sir?]
[The plan has changed. No need to hide your strength—sweep them away with overwhelming force.]
[Understood!]
Crack-crack-crack!
“Argh!”
“Ugh!”
A Life and Death Battle erupted between the bodyguards and assassins. Scarcely had it begun when two warriors from each side sprayed blood and fell.
‘These are no ordinary men.’
Ju-tae was inwardly struck by the assassins’ skill—higher than he’d anticipated. Yet that was precisely what he’d hoped for.
With a single stroke, Ju-tae’s blade cleaved clean through the head of the nearest assassin locked in combat.
Thud!
“Argh!”
The two martial masters of the Sword King’s line surged toward the remaining assassins. Ju-tae leaped high above them and brought his blade down once more.
Crunch!
“Gasp!”
One assassin split clean in two along with his sword.
Ju-tae made no move to dodge the blood spraying across his face—he simply let it fall upon him.
Crack!
Flash!
“Aaargh!”
Another assassin crumpled to the ground.
It was nothing but One Sword One Kill, one after another. The bodyguards of the Grand Commander’s household could only stare in awe at such overwhelming martial power.
“Hey, stop blocking. Move aside.”
The two bodyguards who had been barring Ju-tae’s path quickly scrambled out of the way.
Ju-tae cut through the gap and threw himself into the midst of the assassins. Two soldiers rushed after him.
[Listen, you two. Kill them without mercy!]
[Understood!]

* * *

Shrieeek!
A signal horn pierced the air from somewhere.
The assassins bolted toward the forest.
“Who said you could run?”
Ju-tae kicked off the ground, leaping high, and split one assassin’s back clean in two from above.
Thud!
“Aaargh!”
The two soldiers were no different.
The Grand Commander’s bodyguards could only watch from behind, not daring even to attempt pursuit, as the three of them displayed overwhelming force.
Ju-tae stopped the chase.
There was no real need to continue.
“That’s enough.”
“Yes!”
As Ju-tae returned to his position, he opened the carriage door without so much as a glance at Cheong Po-in.
“It’s all finished now. Come on out.”
“Are all the assassins gone?”
“Yes.”
The figure inside the carriage finally stepped out. He gazed at the gruesome corpses scattered about him with trembling eyes.
Ju-tae spoke.
“From here on, we must travel on horseback. If we delay, the assassins may return in greater numbers. We should hurry.”
“Ah, understood.”
Ju-tae’s tone toward Cheong Po-in turned distinctly cold.
“From this point forward, I’m taking command. If I left things in your hands, I’m afraid you’d kill all of these men as well.”
“What?”
“Don’t speak carelessly to me.”
……!
“Don’t forget where I come from.”

* * *

The Imperial Palace.
The quarters of Yi Hwang-ja Yi Tae-ji.
Yi Tae-ji’s expression as he received his attendant’s report was far from pleased.
The attendant’s report continued.
“Their martial power was truly overwhelming, Your Highness. Thanks to them, the assassins were repelled, and the Grand Commander’s chief steward was able to enter the palace safely.”
Slam!
Yi Tae-ji irritably struck the table.
Clink.
The attendant quickly caught the teacup before it could spill. He seemed puzzled by Yi Tae-ji’s reaction, tilting his head with confusion.
“You may go now that you’ve reported.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
As the attendant withdrew, Yi Tae-ji leaned back in his seat and covered his face with both hands.
“Damn it…….”

* * *

Yi Hwan and Ju-tae sat facing each other.
Yi Hwan received Ju-tae’s report with a faint smile playing at his lips.
“The Grand Commander’s household, then? So it was as I thought.”
“It didn’t seem to be the Grand Commander’s son either. But you were already expecting this, weren’t you?”
“I was. That’s why I sent you directly.”
“Could it have been Yi Hwang-ja’s doing?”
“It must have been. If the bodyguard duty had failed, he’d have turned the arrows of blame toward me and shaken my footing.”
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea and praised Ju-tae.
“Your decision to fight with full force was an excellent judgment. Once word spreads of your overwhelming martial prowess, officials who’ve been testing the waters will come flooding with protection requests.”
“I’m fairly capable myself.”
Ju-tae laughed dryly, then posed a question.
“Is there some deeper intention behind the protection detail?”
“The first is to strengthen my position. The second is to win over the moderate faction. The third is to dispel prejudice against me. There are still far too many people questioning my abilities.”
“That much I’d anticipated.”
“That’s all there is to it.”
“…Yes.”
“You’ve earned it—go have a drink with those men. Don’t be stingy with the money.”
“Thank you.”
“On your way out, tell Go-mi I want to see her.”
“Yes.”
Ju-tae withdrew, and Go-mi entered moments later.
“I need something that’ll let me hold the Grand Commander by the throat. Can you manage it?”
“Of course.”
“Find something that’ll keep him completely paralyzed. Better still if it’s the kind of leverage that would make him reconsider cutting ties with Yi Hwang-ja once it’s exposed.”
“The Grand Commander’s greed is excessive—he can never be entirely free of corruption. If we dig, we’ll find what you’re looking for.”
“You seem to have already grasped the matter to some degree.”
“Yes. But since you desire it, I’ll search for something more decisive.”
Yi Hwan appreciated Go-mi’s approach. She never questioned orders, and her confidence in her ability to execute them was boundless. Moreover, she always delivered exceptional results.
“When will you teach me martial technique?”
“Didn’t I say once you’ve mastered the Inner Method perfectly?”
“Couldn’t I learn martial technique in parallel with the Inner Method?”
Yi Hwan’s brow tightened slightly.
“That’s unlike you. Have you grown impatient for some reason?”
“I want to grow stronger as quickly as possible. If I’m stronger, I can access more dangerous information more easily, can’t I?”
“Is that truly the only reason?”
……
Go-mi hesitated briefly, then answered while gently biting her lip.
“I just…want to grow stronger.”

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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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