The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 114

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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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The Red Dragon Martial Emperor, Chapter 114

Chapter 114 — Jo Gwang Enters the Gold Guard Command Center

The Imperial Palace.
A middle-aged man stepped into Mun I-jong’s office.
“The Grand Prince has returned. Zhao Kingdom’s Crown Prince Jo Gwang has also entered the palace.”
“What?”
Snap!
Mun I-jong shut the book he’d been reading and looked up at his aide, whose face had gone pale.
“And both of the men you assigned to the task have not returned.”
The color drained from Mun I-jong’s face. If his subordinates hadn’t come back but Jo Gwang had still made it safely into the palace, it could only mean one thing: failure. Complete failure.
Yi Tae-ji’s face flashed through his mind at once.
‘He’s going to foam at the mouth.’
“There were quite a few wounded among the Gold Guard. If the assassins heard the information we leaked and pursued them, I don’t understand why they failed.”
“Either the Zhao Crown Prince’s bodyguards were masters, or there was some other reason.”
Mun I-jong drained a cup of cold tea in one gulp and asked something else.
“Have you checked on the Grand Prince and the leader of the Bi-wol Organization?”
“Both appeared to be in perfect health. The Bi-wol leader was even smiling brightly.”
……
Twitch.
Mun I-jong’s eyebrows twitched like caterpillars.
“Useless fools. They manage to kill worthless royals and officials well enough, but…….”
“Perhaps, since the information didn’t come through proper channels, they didn’t feel confident enough. They may have sent only a small force to pursue the Grand Prince.”
“That could be.”
“But there’s a rumor spreading that Zhao’s Crown Prince will be staying at the Gold Guard Command Center, not the Imperial Palace.”
“What?”
“The rumor started circulating right after news of Zhao’s Crown Prince’s exile broke. Didn’t you know?”
“Why are you only reporting this now?”
“My apologies. I didn’t think it was particularly important…….”
Mun I-jong tilted his head back and pressed his temples with both hands.
“Fine. You can go.”
“Yes, sir.”
As the middle-aged man left, Mun I-jong continued pressing his temples hard for a long while.
Thump, thump!
“At least one of them should have been eliminated…….”
Mun I-jong pushed himself out of his chair and stood. He grabbed his outer robe from the wall and left his office.
He had to report to Yi Tae-ji. Thinking of that man’s irritable reaction made his head throb again, but there was no putting it off.
As Mun I-jong stepped outside, guards flanked him on both sides—warriors from Hongwol.
He crossed the plaza toward Yi Tae-ji’s quarters. As he walked, he glanced toward the Crown Prince Palace and spotted Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae standing in front of it. His eyes gleamed.
Both of them wore clothes still caked with dried blood.
‘Traces of a fierce battle…….’
Then why hadn’t his assassins managed to kill Jo Gwang? If the Grand Prince’s group had fought the assassins, there would have been opportunities.
That was when—
Go-mi stepped out from inside the Crown Prince Palace. Mun I-jong’s eyes turned cold in an instant.
‘The wench has quite a long thread of fate, doesn’t she.’
Go-mi was a target he had to eliminate as surely as Yi Hwan himself. If he removed her—Yi Hwan’s eyes and ears—he could severely limit Yi Hwan’s sphere of action.
Mun I-jong fixed his gaze on Go-mi as she walked straight toward him. She spoke without preamble.
“You must be quite disappointed about the failure?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Surely the Grand Administrator understands what I mean?”
“Ha. I never realized the organization’s leader was someone who spoke in such riddles. I’m on my way to see His Highness now, but if you have something to say, visit my office anytime.”
“I’m sure we’ll meet elsewhere soon enough.”
Having spoken these pregnant words, Go-mi took Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae back inside the Crown Prince Palace.
As Mun I-jong watched her receding figure, a flash of killing intent flickered through his eyes.
‘You know better than anyone that without evidence, there’s nothing I can do. Let’s see how much longer you can keep your life, you wench.’
Already irritable over the failure, Mun I-jong felt his temper flare at Go-mi’s insolent attitude.
“Have more men assigned to watch that woman.”
“Understood.”

* * *

Yi Tae-ji and Mun I-jong sat across from each other.
Yi Tae-ji already knew that Jo Gwang had entered the palace. His anger was firmly in place.
“It seems our Grand Administrator has failed again?”
“I am ashamed, Your Highness.”
Mun I-jong offered no excuses.
In circumstances like these, simple acknowledgment was the best course.
“What do you intend to do now?”
“It was a mistake to involve men without proper foundation. Next time, I shall devise a plan that cannot possibly fail.”
“Your son used to make excuses like that often enough.”
Yi Tae-ji’s eyes hardened. He sank deep into his chair, speaking with bitter mockery.
“If you lack confidence, step aside now. There are plenty of others who can fill your place.”
“Grant me one more chance, Your Highness.”
“One more chance, one more chance! How much longer must I hear those words?”
Crash!
The teacup on the table fell to the floor.
Mun I-jong continued speaking, unbothered.
“The Grand Prince’s backing is the Crown Prince Palace—hardly an easy opponent, as you well know. This time too, it is likely that individuals outside our intelligence assisted the Grand Prince. I speak only of my determination to do my utmost, and to assure you that no matter how many times I fail, I shall accomplish the objective.”
“Your resolve troubles me. Are you harboring some other intention?”
“He is the man who killed my son—my enemy. How could I harbor any other thought? Therefore, I ask you not to doubt my will.”
Mun I-jong’s utterly calm demeanor only inflamed Yi Tae-ji’s anger further. Yet he could not afford to lose his composure here. If he severed ties with Mun I-jong, he might lose Hongwol entirely.
“Bring cold water!”
A warrior brought cold water. Yi Tae-ji drained a full bowl before speaking.
Clack!
“Forget Jo Gwang now. Focus all effort on eliminating the Fourth Prince.”
“Have you found a way to deal with the Crown Prince of Zhao Kingdom?”
“The Empress Dowager herself will move on it.”
At those words, Mun I-jong lifted his head and met Yi Tae-ji’s gaze directly.
“May I ask what method she intends to use?”
A faint smile.
A thin smile crossed Yi Tae-ji’s lips.
“Grand Administrator.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Do not forget your position now that you’ve joined hands with us. Should you overstep the line, you shall find yourself nothing but a common official once more.”
A warning not to presume too much.
Mun I-jong quietly bowed his head.
“I was merely curious; please do not misinterpret. Then I shall take my leave.”
As Mun I-jong turned to depart, Yi Tae-ji added one more remark at his back.
“Someone is attempting to access the Grand Administrator’s and Hongwol’s information. Until now, I have used my connections to block any dangerous approaches, but inevitably the day will come when our defenses are breached. You must do all you can to maintain secrecy.”
“I shall remember.”
Mun I-jong departed with a final bow.
Yi Tae-ji let slip the anger he had struggled to contain.
“No wonder the Emperor abandoned him. That senile old fool.”

* * *

Crown Prince Palace.
Yi Hwan and Yi So sat facing each other.
Behind them, Go-mi, Cheol Mu-ok, and Ju-tae gathered. For Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae, entering the Crown Prince’s quarters for the first time, there was a subtle tension in their bearing.
No matter how skilled a master of the Martial World might be, the weight of the Crown Prince’s presence was not easily borne.
The two sipped their tea while observing Yi Hwan and Yi So.
Yi Hwan and Yi So had already shared much conversation.
Toward the end, Yi Hwan suddenly asked a question.
“If the Empress were to demand that Jo Gwang be handed over, is there truly a way to refuse?”
“Explain yourself more clearly.”
“For instance, if the Empress, through some arrangement with the Southwest King of Zhao Kingdom, demanded that the Southwest King call for Jo Gwang’s extradition in return, I cannot see how we could refuse such a demand.”
“Are you suggesting that you anticipated such a scenario from the beginning, and that is why you brought Jo Gwang to the Gold Guard Command Center rather than keeping him in the Imperial Palace?”
“Well, I was already curious myself.”
Yi So asked.
“If that were to happen, what would you do?”
“I asked you first.”
Yi Hwan’s lukewarm response drew a faint smile from Yi So, but he soon narrowed his eyes, his expression growing troubled.
“I hadn’t considered that possibility. There should be no dealings between the Empress and the Southwest King of Zhao—there absolutely shouldn’t be. She’s the Empress of Yen, after all. Surely she wouldn’t go so far.”
“You suffered at her hands, yet you know less than I do? A person like that demands suspicion even in her breathing.”
Yi So laughed bitterly.
“You’re right.”
Gwan Ji-baek stepped forward.
“From this moment forward, we shall prepare contingencies for every conceivable scenario, Grand Prince.”
“We’ll need to move as quickly as possible.”
“Yes. I will make haste.”

* * *

Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae couldn’t make sense of what was happening.
[What exactly is going on here?]
[Your guess is as good as mine.]
[Watching this unfold, I can’t tell who’s the Crown Prince and who’s the Fourth Prince.]
Cheol Mu-ok glanced toward Go-mi.
Go-mi remained perfectly composed. Ju-tae sent a mental transmission.
[Do the two of them always converse like this?]
[Is there a problem?]
[No, but the way our lord addresses the Crown Prince doesn’t seem… normal?]
[His Highness is simply smiling at him.]
[…….]
Then Yi Hwan rose to his feet.
Yi So stood as well and spoke.
“I fear I’ve burdened you with too much.”
“I only need to fulfill what you promised before.”
“I’m already looking for a way to get you into the palace. Just wait a little longer.”
“Ah, that liquor you gifted me before—could I take a few bottles? The taste is quite remarkable.”
“Is that so? Very well.”
Yi So turned to Gwan Ji-baek, who smiled and spoke.
“I’ll bring it at once.”
Yi So’s gaze shifted to Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae.
“In time, I shall bestow upon you both official rank. Until then, assist my brother with even greater devotion than you have shown thus far.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Understood!”
Their voices rang out so loudly that Go-mi elbowed them in the ribs.
Moments later, Gwan Ji-baek returned not with a few bottles, but with an entire chest.
Yi Hwan’s eyes gleamed.
“Is that the liquor from before?”
“Yes.”
At Yi Hwan’s glance, Ju-tae hoisted the chest onto his shoulder.
“We should return and rest now.”
“Indeed. We’ll meet again soon.”
After Yi Hwan’s party departed, Yi So and Gwan Ji-baek sat facing each other. Yi So furrowed his brow slightly as he spoke.
“That possibility… I truly hadn’t considered it.”
“Nor had I, Your Highness. Yet I suspect the Grand Prince may have already devised countermeasures for such circumstances. That is how it appeared to me.”
“I came to the same conclusion. The boy could at least speak plainly about it.”
Clink.
Yi So set down his empty teacup and rose.
“I am entering seclusion for meditation. I shall receive no visitors until dawn.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The rear wall slid open on both sides, and Yi So disappeared within.
Gwan Ji-baek walked to the window and gazed upon Yi Hwan’s retreating form heading toward the city gates.
‘The Grand Prince’s trust in Your Highness grows ever deeper and more steadfast. May he never disappoint such faith—this is my sincere and fervent prayer, Grand Prince.’

* * *

Yi Hwan’s Official Residence.
What was now unmistakably, in both name and reality, the Gold Guard Command Center — this was where Jo Gwang stepped inside.
Yi Hwan guided Jo Gwang to the quarters.
“It falls short of the Imperial Palace, but it should be comfortable enough for your stay.”
As Jo Gwang looked around the quarters, he could not hide a certain heaviness of spirit. It was not a matter of whether the rooms pleased him or not. Only now did he truly feel the weight of his exile to Yen Kingdom.
Jo Gwang asked a question.
“Does the Empress really view my exile here with such displeasure — along with Yi Hwang-ja?”
“She does.”
Jo Gwang exhaled softly, a low sigh escaping him.
He knew it already. The Yen imperial court fought for power as fiercely as his own Zhao Kingdom did. And in that struggle, the Empress and Yi Hwang-ja held the advantage.
Yi Hwan gazed at Jo Gwang’s hardening face with apparent indifference and asked, “You seem anxious?”
“I’ve heard enough about the workings of this court to know the general picture.”
“Don’t worry. Our Crown Prince won’t fall from grace the way you did.”
“……!”
The words cut ruthlessly at Jo Gwang’s wound.
Papa showed signs of alarm, but Yi Hwan pressed on without regard.
“How you conduct yourself from now on will determine how I act. If you cooperate, neither the Empress nor Yi Hwang-ja will be able to touch you. But if you don’t……”
Yi Hwan let the sentence hang unfinished, and Jo Gwang asked, his tone edged with anger, “What is it you want from me?”
“We can speak of that later. For now, you must be tired — rest well. If you need anything, inform the warriors. That’s all.”
After Yi Hwan left, Jo Gwang sank into a chair without strength.
Papa offered him comfort.
“Still, the Grand Prince seems to be a trustworthy man. His words and manner are rough and plain-spoken, but there is sincerity in him — do not grieve too deeply.”
“You speak thus even after hearing him threaten me just now?”
“A man who hides nothing of his ill intent is more worthy of trust than one who smiles in your face. The Grand Prince appears to be such a man — do not worry overmuch, I beg you.”
Jo Gwang shook his head, speaking without energy.
“I wish to be alone.”
“Rest well, then.”
Papa, stepping out into the corridor, found a place to sit. He closed his eyes and remained perfectly still, waiting for Jo Gwang to call.

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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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