The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 115

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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 115

Chapter 115 — Those Who Speak of Dae-ya Fortress

The Yuryeong Valley Master had entered Yen seeking traces of the Soul Transfer Technique. Now he found himself trapped in profound deliberation.
He had just learned that Crown Prince Zhao Guang was in exile.
“The Crown Prince in exile? What in heaven’s name could have transpired to allow such an impossibility?”
His aide spoke with grave urgency.
“The Western South King mobilized troops to assassinate the Crown Prince. Most of the Martial Artists who followed him were killed in the process, and it appears only Papa succeeded in escaping with him. The greater concern is the massive purge now sweeping through all those who served the Crown Prince.”
“A purge?”
“Yes. Many have already fallen on the executioner’s block, while others have scattered across the realm to avoid the hunters.”
The Yuryeong Valley Master’s face hardened like stone.
“Then our valley itself might be in danger, might it not?”
“Indeed. On the surface, Yuryeong Valley has openly supported the Crown Prince.”
Crack!
The tea cup in his hand shattered to pieces. It was true. Just as his aide said, Yuryeong Valley had publicly backed Crown Prince Zhao Guang.
Though the Valley Master had played both sides behind the scenes, the Western South King would never know that—and so the valley would inevitably become a target for purge.
“Should we not return to the valley at once? If we lose our foundation, there will be nowhere left to return to, Master.”
Twitch… twitch…
The Valley Master’s weathered face convulsed.
His aide pressed further.
“Delay may leave us with regrets that haunt us for eternity.”
A moment of silence stretched between them. The Valley Master’s eyes, flickering with constant calculation, suddenly hardened with resolve before he released a heavy sigh.
“If circumstances are as you say, we must return to the valley. But I cannot go empty-handed.”
“Then…?”
“I must take at least one head—either Yi Hwan’s or Crown Prince Zhao Guang’s. With that, I can appease the Western South King’s wrath.”
“…!”
“Fortunately, both are gathered in one place, so opportunities will present themselves aplenty. Gather all our people who are outside at once.”
“Understood.”
As the aide departed, the Valley Master walked to the window and opened it.
Creak!
Whistle…
The Yuryeong Valley Master gazed toward the direction of Yi Hwan’s official residence.
‘I must obtain the Western South King’s favor by any means. Once he understands what Yuryeong Valley is capable of, he cannot possibly reject us. A head or two—Yi Hwan’s or Zhao Guang’s—will be enough to earn his forgiveness for our past.’
An edge of irritation flickered across his features.
He had thought of Zhao Guang.
‘Had I known the Crown Prince would crumble so swiftly, I would have switched sides to the Western South King long ago…’

* * *

The lake, heavy with morning mist and dew, was beautiful as a brushwork painting. Anyone witnessing such a sight would find their heart at peace.
This was why Third Prince Yi Seong-ji loved the lake.
Today, too, he sat absorbed in a game of Go with the old man he called Master.
Stone placed.
“Have you met with the Fourth Prince?”
“Briefly, at the Appointment Ceremony. He has changed considerably, just as the rumors suggested.”
“For the better?”
“That remains to be seen.”
Stone placed.
“Your great stone is in danger—focus on the game, Master.”
“Did I not say a great stone does not perish?”
Stone placed.
With the old man’s move, a path opened for the great stone that had appeared threatened.
A faint furrow creased Yi Seong-ji’s brow. The sharp counterattack had turned the aggressive stones he’d been pressing into a heavy burden.
“You cannot remain here forever. Is it not time you ventured into the world?”
“Do you believe the moment has come?”
“An unexpected presence has appeared. The timing may need to accelerate. If matters continue as they are, we may find ourselves with one more rival to reckon with.”
“You speak of your brother?”
“Yes.”
Snap.
Yi Seong-ji set down his stone.
Then he regarded the old man quietly and continued.
“Master, what is your assessment of my younger brother?”
The old man gathered his stones and straightened his back.
“For now, he is merely a wolf. But should his fangs grow sharper, he might well devour a tiger. The Gold Guard’s potential cannot be dismissed lightly.”
A subtle smile played across Yi Seong-ji’s lips.
“You’re not suggesting you’d like me to step out into the world with this encouragement, are you, Master?”
“If I said I harbored no such hope, I would be lying. Yet the Fourth Prince I have observed is more than capable of becoming a tiger. That Fourth Prince now commands ten thousand Gold Guards and maintains an intimate connection with the Crown Prince Palace. It is a situation worthy of concern.”
Yi Seong-ji slowly sipped his now-cold tea.
Clink.
The old man pressed on.
“The Empress visited the Gold Guard garrison a few days ago.”
“I heard as much.”
“It may well signal that she is prepared to play a hand that many fear. Of course, that hand’s blade will first turn toward the Crown Prince Palace, but afterward it will turn toward you. Thus I urge you to act with haste.”
Pressure mounted in the old man’s voice, yet Yi Seong-ji merely smiled serenely.
Just then, a pair of colorful birds alighted on a branch.
Yi Seong-ji lifted his gaze to watch them.
What occupied his thoughts? He remained silent for quite some time.
The old man too waited without speaking, hoping he would break his silence. How long did this stretch on?
Yi Seong-ji finally spoke.
“What hand do you believe the Empress will play?”
“The Imperial Family Law established by the Founder, applied to the Crown Prince Palace. Were I the Empress, that is the hand I would play—the most legitimate and the most certain method.”
“Then surely I too would be bound by that hand?”
“No. The one-versus-two structure will liberate you from that hand.”
“You believe the Empress will attempt to turn me.”
“She would do anything for the Second Prince. And besides, you are not her son, are you? This point alone should be no cause for concern.”
At the old man’s words, a faint smile rose again to Yi Seong-ji’s lips—though it carried a subtly different tenor than before.
“I understand your meaning well enough, Master. Let us end here for today.”
“Very well, Your Highness.”
Shortly after, the old man departed.
Yi Seong-ji remained alone in the pavilion, gazing down at the lake, his brow furrowing slightly.
“To play the Imperial Family Law as a hand, war would need to break out…”
Snap!
Yi Seong-ji flicked his fingers, and Nok Po-in materialized from empty air like a phantom.
“Watch the Empress and the Western South King of Zhao Kingdom. As for my master, keep silent for now—I will speak with him later.”
“Understood.”
Nok Po-in vanished like a ghost.
Yi Seong-ji gazed down at the lake once more, murmuring softly to himself.
“Zhao Crown Prince Zhao Guang’s exile could well become the spark of war. Perhaps the Empress entrusted the matter of his exile to the Crown Prince Palace precisely with that in mind.”
Whish-whish!
The bird on the branch took flight.
Yi Seong-ji watched it soar high into the sky, his brow furrowing again.
The face of Yi Hwan at the Imperial Palace came to mind.
“More than enough to become a tiger…”

* * *

“It seems I’ve been making enemies.”
Yi Hwan used an ear pick to scratch inside his ear. Lately it had been itching frequently.
“General, there’s a visitor.”
“Send them in.”
Go-mi entered, opening the door.
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair, smiling faintly.
“I always look forward to when you come calling.”
“There’s a suspicious manor on the city outskirts.”
“A suspicious manor?”
“Yes. One of our men happened upon it while passing through, and we’ve confirmed that martial artists are constantly coming and going.”
“So they’ve deliberately disguised it as an ordinary estate.”
“That appears to be the case.”
Yi Hwan nodded quietly and called out toward the door.
“Both of you, come in.”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae entered.
“Go-mi says she’s found a suspicious manor. Once the sun sets, I want you two to go investigate it.”
“Understood.”
“Take a few more people with you, just in case.”
“The two of us will be sufficient.”
“Do as I say.”
“……Yes.”
Yi Hwan fixed his gaze on Go-mi.
“Anything else?”
“The Western South King of Zhao Kingdom has been conducting a massive purge of the Martial Artists who followed the Crown Prince. In the process, many who escaped have crossed into our territory.”
“That’s nothing particularly urgent. What else?”
“……Nothing more.”
Yi Hwan straightened from his reclined posture and asked something different.
“Are you keeping watch on Yi Hwang-ja’s movements?”
“Yes. So far, nothing unusual has been reported. The Empress has not stepped foot outside Manhua Palace—we’ve confirmed it.”
“She’s almost certainly plotting something to bring down the Crown Prince Palace.”
Clink.
Yi Hwan drained the last of his tea and rose to his feet.
Cheol Mu-ok asked.
“Are you going out?”
“I need to meet with Zhao Guang.”

* * *

Yi Hwan and Zhao Guang sat across from each other.
Zhao Guang looked far more gaunt than he had a few days before.
“You said you’d return with renewed strength—are you giving up?”
“How could I possibly do that?”
“Then you should be forcing yourself to eat something, shouldn’t you? Looking at your color, you seem like someone who’s skipped several meals.”
“I’ll take care of my own body.”
Yi Hwan glanced once at Papa, who was sitting to one side, and continued.
“The Western South King appears to be conducting a massive purge of the Martial Artists who followed you. It seems many who fled have crossed into our territory, and if any of them should find their way here, you’re to report it to me immediately.”
Zhao Guang’s face changed at once.
Papa’s did as well.
“Is that…… true?”
“The information came from a reliable source, so it must be accurate. Besides, if I were the Western South King, I’d be the first to eliminate the Martial Artists who followed you. Left alone, they’d become a greater threat than anyone else.”
“Ah…….”
Zhao Guang lowered his head and squeezed his eyes shut. Papa let out a sigh.
Yi Hwan fell silent for a moment.
Zhao Guang lifted his bowed head and asked.
“Could you protect any Martial Artists who come seeking me?”
“If they follow obediently without any foolish thoughts, I could allow them to stay here.”
“Can you give me your word on that?”
“What will you do if I refuse?”
“…….”
“When you’re desperate, simply believe. Don’t quibble over promises. I despise being bound by such things.”
“I understand. I’ll trust only you.”
Yi Hwan reached for the tea cup but withdrew his hand. Then he turned to Papa and spoke.
“I wanted to ask you one thing.”
“Please, ask away.”
“Have you ever heard of Dae-ya Fortress?”
“How could a Martial Artist not know of Dae-ya Fortress?”
“Really? Then do you know why they fell?”
“I’m afraid I don’t. All I know from oral tradition and books is that they were the strongest power of all ages.”
“Were there no records in those books about the Fortress Master or the Three Kings?”
“There were none.”
Yi Hwan, who had harbored a faint hope, wore a bitter expression.
“Why do you ask?”
“I’ve taken a considerable interest in Martial World history, but I don’t know anyone who might help. I thought perhaps the renowned Mujeong Geomni might know something about it…….”
Zhao Guang, who had been watching Yi Hwan’s bitter expression, said something that pricked his interest.
“The Western South King often spoke of Martial World history too. If my memory serves, he mentioned Dae-ya Fortress as well.”
Yi Hwan’s eyes shifted instantly.
“The Western South King mentioned Dae-ya Fortress?”
“It was so long ago that the details escape me, but I remember the name Dae-ya Fortress quite clearly.”
“Do you recall anything else?”
“It was during a drinking gathering with Father, I believe…… Ah! Now that I think about it, Father seemed to know about Dae-ya Fortress as well. The atmosphere was quite grave at the time, so I remember it distinctly. But beyond that…….”
Zhao Guang narrowed his brow in thought, then shook his head.
“I can’t recall anything more.”
‘If the Emperor of Zhao Kingdom and the Western South King mentioned Dae-ya Fortress in such a serious tone, surely they know something about it?’
This was the first time—the first time he felt as though he’d found a thread to pull.
Yet it troubled him greatly that those who might know were the Emperor of Zhao Kingdom and the Western South King themselves.
‘I’ll have to find another way somehow.’
Yi Hwan rose from his seat.
He turned to look back at Papa as he moved toward the door.
“I’ll need information on the Martial Artists under the Western South King’s command. How much time would you need?”
“…….”
Papa stared at Zhao Guang with a startled expression. Zhao Guang nodded.
“Two days will suffice.”
“Then come back in two days.”
Thud.
After Yi Hwan left, Papa asked a question.
“Is it safe to provide such information?”
“You said Martial Artists under the Western South King’s command, didn’t you? They’re people we’ll have to kill anyway, so provide the details as comprehensively as possible.”
“Understood.”

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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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