The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 108

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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 Martial Emperor, Chapter 108

Chapter 108 – Zhao Guang’s Choice

Go-mi returned to her quarters.
Her face was flushed with exhilaration.
The usual coldness that marked her eyes had vanished as she gazed down at the thin manuscript — no more than a handful of pages bound together.

It’s a martial technique tailored to your current inner strength. As your cultivation deepens through the Mental Cultivation method, the technique’s power will grow with it. Practice diligently.

The pages were covered in diagrams and numerical notations of every conceivable form, written in such chaotic profusion that one might wonder how such scrawl could ever become a martial technique. Yet for Go-mi, this posed no difficulty whatsoever.
It was the manifestation of a genius she had never known she possessed.
Now that she had grasped the essence and principle, all that remained was to train her body to execute it. That meant a race against time.
“Haah……”
Go-mi bowed her head and exhaled a deep sigh — one suffused with joy rather than despair.
She could not yet gauge the full power of this technique. But she trusted Yi Hwan.
Having glimpsed the wondrous efficacy of the Mental Cultivation method he had imparted, she had no reason to doubt.
Glug-glug!
Go-mi drank cold water and immediately sat cross-legged on the floor.
‘I must commit this to memory first.’
Simply grasping the essence did not mean she could begin training at once.
For now, she needed to memorize the application method of the technique, its sequence, and the transformations that would occur as she linked the movements together. Memorization came easily to her.
Yet because this opportunity was so precious, she wanted to carve it into her mind permanently through her own special method, preserving it as if etched in stone.
‘Thank you, my lord.’

* * *

The Imperial Palace of Zhao Kingdom.
Zhao Guang, the Crown Prince, had returned unable to refuse the Southwest King’s command issued under the Imperial Decree, and was now spending his days consumed by resentment.
Even the comfort he had hoped might come from Mujeong Geomni had proven hollow — she too had returned having failed her mission — and Zhao Guang’s bitterness was beginning to manifest as rage illness.
Glug-glug-glug!
Splash!
Strong liquor poured continuously down Zhao Guang’s throat. Even after emptying two bottles, his mind only grew clearer rather than dulled.
Mujeong Geomni watched him with eyes full of anguish, her own heart burning black. To her, Zhao Guang was something far greater than merely a crown prince.
She had projected her entire being onto him, sharing both laughter and tears.
“Your Highness, I fear for your health. Please set down the cup.”
“Come here and drink with me, Mujeong Geomni.”
His voice was hollow, stripped of strength, yet laden with sorrow.
Mujeong Geomni’s eyes grew wet. For her, simply witnessing Zhao Guang like this felt like standing in hell itself.
Then it happened.
“Mujeong Geomni.”
A voice drifted in from outside.
When Mujeong Geomni opened the door, the Blue-robed Official entered.
“What brings you here at this late hour?”
“The Southwest King’s movements are peculiar. The Prime Minister, the Inspector General, and the Commander of Gold Cloaks have been in private talks at the Southwest King’s Residence since early evening.”
“Those men have always been in league with each other. Why should their gathering for secret talks seem unusual?”
“Because they’ve brought numerous martial artists with them. This appears to be no ordinary assembly.”
Mujeong Geomni’s eyes narrowed.
“Numerous martial artists gathered together?”
“Yes. Confirmed numbers alone reach roughly a hundred.”
Mujeong Geomni turned back to Zhao Guang. He set down his cup and smiled with hollow resignation.
“They’re probably just scheming to capture me, nothing more.”
“I have a bad feeling about this. It would be wise to flee to a safe place, Your Highness.”
“Nonsense. Surely you don’t think those bastards would dare lay hands on me within the Imperial Palace!”
“The Southwest King is capable of anything. The fact that he’s suddenly assembled so many martial artists might well be because of me and my subordinates.”
“Hmph! Let him try if he dares!”
Glug-glug-glug!
Zhao Guang drank directly from the bottle.
It was at that moment.
Another Blue-robed Official rushed in urgently.
“Your Highness! The Martial Artists who were gathering at the Southwest King’s Residence are now rushing toward the Crown Prince Palace!”
“……!”
Zhao Guang’s face finally hardened like stone.
His wavering eyes had already filled with deep regret.
“How dare they approach the Imperial Palace where the Emperor resides…….”
“The Emperor has already abandoned you, Your Highness! You must flee at once!”
Mujeong Geomni’s voice trembled violently.
Crunch!
Blood dripped steadily from Zhao Guang’s lip where his teeth had bitten through.
“Where could I go? As the Crown Prince, is there truly any place safer than the Imperial Palace?”
“I shall attend you, Your Highness!”
Mujeong Geomni helped Zhao Guang to his feet.
She turned to the Blue-robed Officials and gave them her command.
“You must buy time until His Highness can leave the Palace. Can you do it?”
“Trust us and take His Highness away swiftly.”
“Go now, Mujeong Geomni!”
A spasm crossed Mujeong Geomni’s eyes.
She would see them no more after this. Not for Zhao Guang’s sake alone—for their own sake as well, they were men willing to lay down their lives gladly.
“Forgive me.”
“It has been an honor to serve you!”
“Your Highness! When you return to power, please strike down that treacherous Southwest King and his conspirators!”
“Go now, Your Highness!”
Thud-thud!
The two Blue-robed Officials prostrated themselves and cried out. Zhao Guang’s face convulsed.
Tremor…….
“I shall never forget you.”
“You must go, Your Highness.”
Moments later, Zhao Guang and Mujeong Geomni slipped out of the Crown Prince Palace through a secret passage.
The two Blue-robed Officials slowly drew their swords.
Shing.
“So what now? You’ll die without ever taking a wife, looks like.”
“In the underworld there’ll be at least one girl who likes me. I’ll pick one prettier than your wife, boy.”
“Wake up, will you.”
Clang-clang!
“Argh!”
“Krrgh!”
Anguished death cries began to echo from outside.
The two Blue-robed Officials looked at each other and laughed—though could that bitter expression truly be called a laugh?
“They say the road to the underworld is dark, so keep close behind me.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve always had a knack for finding my way through dark places.”
Bang!
The door flew open violently and Black-robed Officials poured in. One of them pointed his sword at the two Blue-robed Officials and spoke coldly.
“Drop your swords. Do so and we’ll spare your lives!”
“Shut your mouth and come at us, you bastards!”
“Don’t be foolish. Put down your swords. Our lord admires your skill and wishes to employ you!”
“Go to hell. And take your offers with you.”
A twitch.
“If you truly wish to die, then so be it. Attack!”

* * *

“You let the Crown Prince escape?”
If a tiger took human form, would it look like this?
A middle-aged man who resembled Zhao Guang in feature but carried an entirely different presence—the Southwest King of Zhao Kingdom himself.
The man before him, head bowed, continued his report.
“We reached the Crown Prince Palace faster than expected, but he and Mujeong Geomni had already fled. It appears information was leaked beforehand.”
The Southwest King’s eyes blazed with predatory light. Everyone in the chamber tensed, including the man delivering the report, yet no rebuke came.
“What measures have been taken to pursue them?”
“Yes. I have already positioned troops at every passage leading to the Jin Kingdom.”
“Mujeong Geomni is a dangerous old woman. Deploy every available martial artist we can muster—now!”
“Understood!”
Those who had been standing in tense readiness hurried from the chamber. Yet one figure lingered at the Southwest King’s side, speaking carefully.
“Do you truly believe the Crown Prince will make for the Jin Kingdom?”
“We crossed blades with Yen only recently. Where else could the fool possibly go?”
“Could he not hide somewhere and bide his time for a future opportunity?”
At this, the Southwest King smiled thinly.
“By now he has surely grasped that he can do nothing more in this realm. Once he flees into exile in Jin, he will seek to rebuild his strength there. That is the only path left open to him.”
The Southwest King rose from his seat and moved toward the window, speaking with finality.
Clack.
His gaze fell upon the Imperial Palace. In eyes that had blazed with wild ambition, avarice and hunger began to settle like sediment.
An aide approached quietly.
“The hour has come, Your Highness.”
“Not yet.”
The Southwest King shook his head and continued.
“First I must win the hearts of the people. Though the former Emperor’s tyranny has turned them away, many still support him. Only when I have claimed even those hearts will I ascend the Jade Throne.”
“With such caution, all you desire shall surely come to pass. I will have my men depart at once.”
“The moment you capture the Crown Prince, send word immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Once the aide had withdrawn, the Southwest King stood alone in the chamber.
“Do not curse this uncle of yours. All of this springs from your father’s tyranny and the cruelty you have inherited from him.”
Was it an illusion?
For a moment, a flicker of anguish crossed the Southwest King’s eyes.

* * *

Zhao Guang and Mujeong Geomni, having escaped the Imperial Palace, fled northward into the Mountain Region.
After nearly two hours of relentless riding, Zhao Guang was utterly exhausted, whereas Mujeong Geomni, whose inner strength was vast and deep, showed no sign of fatigue.
“Rest a moment, I beg you.”
Zhao Guang collapsed into the forest as though his legs might give way.
Thirst gnawed at him, but in their desperate flight they had not even thought to bring a water pouch.
“There is nowhere left in this realm fit for Your Highness to remain. I humbly submit that exile is now your only path to safety.”
“Exile……”
Zhao Guang laughed, a sound hollow and despairing.
He fell silent for a time, head bowed. Mujeong Geomni said nothing further, merely watching him.
After a moment, Zhao Guang asked weakly:
“Will the Jin Kingdom accept me?”
“Go to Yen instead.”
“……!”
Zhao Guang’s brow furrowed as he looked up at her.
“Yen? Until so recently we thirsted to kill one another. What madness is this?”
“The Southwest King is a calculating man. He will have anticipated your thoughts and already stationed troops along every road leading to Jin.”
“……!”
Zhao Guang’s eyes widened in alarm.
The detail had not occurred to him. Mujeong Geomni pressed on:
“Clashes with the Southern Military Unit will prove manageable. We have waged localized warfare with them for years—Yen will not use that against you.”
“So I truly have no choice but Yen.”
Zhao Guang sighed deeply, his head sinking.
Silence returned. To Mujeong Geomni, these moments felt like eternities.
‘We must flee this realm swiftly. If all the Southwest King’s martial artists join the pursuit……’
At the thought of what might come, her heart felt torn to shreds.
Then:
Zhao Guang rose to his feet.
“I will follow your counsel.”
Mujeong Geomni’s eyes glistened as she bowed low.
Zhao Guang stared toward the Imperial Palace, barely visible through the darkness, and bit his lip.
“I swear I shall return to this realm and bring down those treacherous conspirators, restoring all to its proper place.”
Crack.
“I will stand with you in that hour, Your Highness. Now—let us make haste!”
Zhao Guang turned away.
Tears, scarlet as blood, traced down his cheeks.

* * *

Southern Military Unit.
In the backyard of the palace hall that had been Yi Hwan’s residence, Cha Jung-gyeong was drenched in sweat as he drilled his sword technique.
Since Yi Hwan’s departure, Cha Jung-gyeong had thrown himself into training with every waking moment, even sacrificing time for food and sleep.
The martial technique he was mastering was the Tal-hon Technique.
With Ju-tae’s help reinforcing what had been an incomplete form, its power had grown far beyond what it once was, and alongside it, the martial arts he had learned from the Zhao Kingdom army had reached new levels of refinement.
“Huff, huff, huff!”
Cha Jung-gyeong lay on his back, gazing up at the sky, breathing hard.
“Already giving up?”
Song Hoe emerged into the backyard with his deep voice. Cha Jung-gyeong, still lying down, merely turned his head.
“Already? The sun’s about to set. Huff, huff, huff!”
Song Hoe stripped off his clothes and waded into a barrel of water that had been set out.
Splash!
“You could just wash in the river, you know.”
“Don’t have the strength to get there, fool.”
Come to think of it, Song Hoe was just as exhausted. These days he spent all his time immersed in Tiger-Tiger Army training, yet he pursued his own cultivation with the same fervor as Cha Jung-gyeong.
Song Hoe gazed northward, his expression wistful.
“I trust he’s doing well?”
“He became the Guard Commander—the most crucial position there is—so of course he must be doing well.”
Cha Jung-gyeong had started to say something else when he suddenly stopped. He had caught the aching melancholy that had swept across Song Hoe’s face.
‘……’
How could he not understand what Song Hoe felt?
Even he, who had spent incomparably less time with Song Hoe than the other way around, found himself missing Yi Hwan and the others every single day.
‘Now he’s got me feeling strange too. Damn it.’
Cha Jung-gyeong, who had half-risen, lay back down.
That was when it happened.
“General!”
A warrior burst through the door.
“What’s all this commotion about?”
“The, the Crown Prince of Zhao Kingdom has arrived! And he’s asking the General-in-Chief for asylum!”

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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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