The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 109

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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 Undefeated — Episode 109

Chapter 109 — Zhao Guang’s Flight

The key commanders of the Southern Military Unit had gathered in the headquarters.
Song Hoe, who had rushed over after hearing the news late, spotted Zhao Guang seated across from Peng Wu-wei and could not hide his shock.
‘Political asylum? What in the world is happening?’
The Southern Military Unit already knew that Zhao Guang had lost ground in the power struggle against Seo Nam Wang. But no matter how grave the circumstances, the fact that the Crown Prince himself was seeking asylum was a staggering turn of events.
Peng Wu-wei turned to face Song Hoe.
“The Crown Prince has nowhere suitable to lodge. For now, we’ll need to use the Palace Hall quarters here. Will that be acceptable?”
“Ah, yes. Let’s proceed that way.”
“I’ll arrange it.”
“Understood.”
Zhao Guang rose to his feet.
Shortly after, Song Hoe moved with Zhao Guang and Papa toward the Palace Hall.
Meanwhile, upon learning of Zhao Guang’s flight, Cha Jung-gyeong felt a leaden weight settle in his chest and mounting dread.
‘Surely he hasn’t recognized me?’
The Secret Treasury Records — where the Crown Prince had hidden his private funds — he had stolen those records himself. He could hardly expect his mind to be at ease.
Not that the fear was grave enough to send him into hiding.
‘The Crown Prince couldn’t possibly know of someone as worthless as me. Still, I shouldn’t show my face anywhere near the headquarters until he leaves this place.’
Cha Jung-gyeong drew a deep breath and glanced outside. He caught sight of Zhao Guang and Papa walking alongside Song Hoe. His eyes widened.
‘Why are they coming this way? Don’t tell me he’s staying here?’
Seeing Jeong Cheon trailing behind them, it seemed he had guessed correctly.
Cha Jung-gyeong’s face twisted in dismay.
‘Damn.’
He steadied himself with a deep breath and arranged his expression.
Moments later, Zhao Guang and Papa entered. Since there was no real need for pleasantries, Cha Jung-gyeong merely bowed slightly and quickly slipped out to the back courtyard.
Song Hoe followed him into the back courtyard.
“I need to heat some water.”
“Is that man going to be staying here?”
“There’s nowhere suitable at the moment, so for now, yes. But why do you look like that?”
“You really don’t know?”
“Are you worried the Crown Prince will recognize you?”
“There’s no chance someone like me would catch his attention, but I can’t help the unease. I mean, why here specifically? Couldn’t you just give him a barracks of his own?”
Smack!
Song Hoe struck Cha Jung-gyeong hard on the head.
“Go take it up with the General-in-Chief, you fool.”
“Ugh—”
“Stop your pointless worrying and get that water heating in the cauldron.”

* * *

Zhao Guang surveyed the interior of the quarters.
The fact that this was Yi Hwan’s residence — the man he had longed to kill — stirred something strange within him.
Jeong Cheon took a seat before him.
“For now, remain here and wait for word from the Imperial Capital to come. That will suffice.”
“Will the general also stay here with us?”
“The General-in-Chief has ordered it.”
Jeong Cheon was a figure whom the Zhao Kingdom forces feared most and ranked first on their list of those they wished to eliminate. However justified such courtesies might be, Zhao Guang could not help but feel uncomfortable in his presence.
Jeong Cheon asked him a question.
“Why here, of all places?”
……
Zhao Guang offered no answer. Jeong Cheon pressed no further.
“I would advise you to refrain from leaving the quarters. Many warriors have lost comrades in the fighting against Zhao Kingdom, and feelings run deep.”
……
“Rest now.”
After Jeong Cheon departed with cold efficiency, Zhao Guang closed his eyes tightly. He fought back the surge of sorrow that threatened to overwhelm him.
Papa gazed upon Zhao Guang with eyes full of anguish.
“Papa.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“We are caged birds with no choice in the matter, so mind your tone and bearing. Even if someone shows me discourtesy, I must endure it. Do you understand?”
“I shall keep that close to heart. Then, if I may, I’ll see to dinner preparations and return.”
Papa withdrew, and Zhao Guang made for the window.
Creak.
The window opened onto a sprawl of the Southern Military Unit — every corner visible at once. The fact that he stood here now as a political asylum seeker, in what had been enemy territory mere weeks ago, weighed on him like a stone.
‘Ah……’

* * *

Yi Hwan read the official document Song Hoe had sent.

Zhao Guang requesting political asylum…… rest omitted.

Even Yi Hwan, who seemed like he wouldn’t blink even if the heavens fell, could not conceal his shock at the letter’s contents.
‘Zhao Guang requesting asylum……?’
He couldn’t believe it.
A crown prince of an entire kingdom seeking political asylum. There was no precedent for such a thing in the annals of the Middle Kingdom.
“Your Highness, what is the matter?”
Go-mi, who had come to make her report, asked with obvious bewilderment.
Yi Hwan set down the document and answered.
“Zhao Guang has arrived at the Southern Military Unit and requested political asylum.”
“Pardon?”
Go-mi’s eyes widened fully. Who wouldn’t be startled?
“But why would he come to the Southern Military Unit? If he were going anywhere, surely he’d have gone to Jin.”
“The fact that he brought only a single attendant suggests he was in urgent flight — his very life threatened.”
Clink.
As Yi Hwan raised his teacup to his lips, Go-mi spoke.
“The Imperial Palace is going to become quite turbulent from here on.”
“What do you mean?”
“A figure of Zhao Guang’s stature — no matter how justified the political asylum claim — cannot be readily accepted. If the Seo Nam Wang of Zhao demands extradition, the court ministers will surely fracture in their opinions, and that will plunge everything into chaos.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
Now that she mentioned it, her reasoning held merit.
“The war-lover Seo Nam Wang might very well seize any refusal of his extradition demand as a pretext for war. Yet if we refuse to grant asylum, we’ll become a laughingstock before all under heaven.”
“Precisely.”
“If the Empress or the Crown Prince were in your position, what would you do?”
“That is not a question for me to contemplate, I think. So let me ask you instead: Your Highness, what would you do?”
“Of course I’d grant it.”
“Even if it meant war?”
“If Zhao moves that way, then all the more reason to grant it. It is a matter of Yen’s national prestige and honor.”
Go-mi smiled slightly.
“Why do you smile?”
“Because you gave the answer I expected.”
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair with a soft laugh.
“The Emperor has gone into seclusion, so the decision rests with the Empress and the Crown Prince Palace…… I wonder how the Crown Prince will respond. Will he truly risk war to accept Zhao Guang?”
“Perhaps it would be better to leave the decision to the Empress?”
“You mean there’s no need to grasp a hot potato if one doesn’t have to?”
“If it’s possible. The Empress and Yi Hwang-ja likely share that same thinking. They’ve always been careful to step back from matters that could turn against them.”
Yi Hwan drained the last of his tea.
Clink.
“I should pay the Imperial Palace a visit.”
“Will you call at the Crown Prince Palace?”
“Where else would I go at the Imperial Palace if not there?”
Yi Hwan stood and spoke.
“Come with me.”
“Yes.”

* * *

Yi Hwan and Yi So sat facing each other.
As expected, Yi So also knew about Zhao Guang’s request for political asylum.
“What is the Empress’s reaction?”
“Nothing yet. It’s a matter with significant political ramifications, so she’s likely weighing what would be most advantageous to do.”
“What if she delegates this matter to the Crown Prince Palace?”
“What is there to calculate? Of course we must accept it. This is a matter of principle.”
Yi Hwan was pleased by Yi So’s firm attitude. Had he shown even a hint of hesitation, Yi Hwan would have been disappointed.
“I’ve heard that the King of Western Zhao is a war-monger. There’s a chance he might use this incident as justification for war. Would you still accept him?”
“Would a man who dreams of becoming emperor of a nation truly go that far? Even if he does, I will not shrink from it.”
‘Impressive.’
Yi Hwan smiled inwardly. Today, Yi So was pleasing him more than ever.
Gwan Ji-baek spoke up cautiously.
“Would it not be wise to wait and see how the Empress responds first?”
“Yes, that would be prudent.”
Yi So brought the teacup to his lips.
Yi Hwan also took a sip of tea.
Clink.
Yi So broached another subject.
“Your idea to offer bodyguard support first was quite clever. Because of it, the people’s regard for us has grown considerably. Have others come forward requesting protection?”
Yi Hwan glanced back at Go-mi. Go-mi answered in his place.
“Three requests have come in. All from moderate officials.”
Yi Hwan added a word.
“If we win their hearts, the Crown Prince Palace will gain considerable advantage going forward.”
“So you weren’t just dispelling prejudice against yourself—you were calculating even that?”
“Well, killing two birds with one stone.”
“Ha ha ha! Truly impressive. I never would have anticipated that far ahead!”
Gwan Ji-baek laughed aloud.
Yi So smiled with satisfaction. Growing somewhat embarrassed, Yi Hwan set down his teacup and brought up another matter.
“If the Crown Prince Palace takes on the responsibility of Zhao Guang’s asylum, I would prefer his quarters be at the Imperial Guard Headquarters.”
“You have something in mind, it seems?”
“It would be the safest place, would it not?”
“Is that truly all?”
“I have various thoughts on the matter, but they’re not yet clear enough to present. I’ll explain as things develop.”
“Very well. If the Crown Prince Palace assumes responsibility, we shall proceed that way. Is there anything else you need?”
Yi Hwan asked through mental transmission.
[How long will Your Majesty keep this secret?]
Yi So’s expression hardened immediately. Yet unlike in the past, a faint glimmer of inner conflict crossed his eyes.
[When the time comes, I will tell you. Until then, however curious you may be, wait patiently.]
[I hope that day comes as soon as possible.]
Yi Hwan drained his teacup and rose.
“I should be taking my leave now.”
Then Yi So’s mental transmission followed.
[Perhaps a way into the Secret Treasury Records might present itself soon.]
……!
Yi Hwan spun around as though struck by lightning.
[Before that, I wish to know what business you have with the Secret Treasury Records.]
Unable to mention searching for records about Dae-ya Fortress, Yi Hwan deflected with other words.
“I have various things I need to look into, but that too is difficult to discuss now. I will explain later. It brings no disadvantage to the Crown Prince Palace, so please do not worry. I will await your guidance.”
Yi Hwan left the Crown Prince Palace together with Go-mi.
The two headed toward where Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae were waiting. Since Go-mi had come with Yi Hwan today, the warriors of the Sword King Il-maek who normally provided her protection had not come.
How far had they walked?
“My lord, there.”
Go-mi gestured with her eyes to the left.
Mun Yi-jong was walking with a few attendants.
“That man is the head of the Red Moon, the assassination unit that has just become the commander-in-chief of the Gold Robed Guard.”
Yi Hwan studied Mun Yi-jong. Being a side profile, he couldn’t make out the face clearly, but something about the overall presence seemed oddly familiar.
Then it happened.
Mun Yi-jong looked toward them.
Their gazes met across the empty space and tangled together. In that instant, Yi Hwan could see it.
The cold, piercing killing intent gleaming in Mun Yi-jong’s eyes.
‘Why would he bare his killing intent at me, someone he’s never laid eyes on?’
Then a face surfaced in his mind.
Mun Chi-yong, the man he’d killed.
‘Could this be his family?’
Mun Yi-jong and Mun Chi-yong bore a striking resemblance to each other—so much so that Yi Hwan could picture exactly how Chi-yong would have looked in old age.
“Do you remember the strategist who served Yi Hwang-ja?”
“Yes, sir. The one Your Highness personally dealt with?”
“Investigate the relationship between that man and this one.”
“I already looked into it because they resembled each other so closely, but nothing came up. Though I have to ask—why now, sir?”
“Just now, when he looked at me, he showed his killing intent. If a complete stranger would dare bare his murderous aura toward a prince—without question, there’s a grudge. Find out the connection between them as quickly as you can.”
“Understood, sir.”
Yi Hwan’s brow furrowed slightly as he walked on.
‘If the two are blood relations, then their secrecy is thorough enough to slip past Bi-wol’s intelligence network. Which means the Red Moon’s reach could be far more extensive than what Go-mi realizes.’
The name “Red Moon” suddenly felt weighty in a way it hadn’t before.
The leader of that organization had bared his killing intent at him—a stranger—without hesitation. And brazenly, as if to make a show of it.
‘Showing such intent openly suggests confidence, but——’
A soft laugh escaped him.
‘You’ve made an irrevocable mistake. If you truly wanted me dead, you should have concealed your bloodlust.’

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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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