The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 118

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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 118

Chapter 118 — Meeting with the Empress

Yi Hwan and Jo Gwang sat across from each other.
Yi Hwan cut straight to the matter at hand.
“The Southwest King has asked that you be sent to him. He says he will not hesitate to wage war if you are not.”
……!
Jo Gwang’s face hardened like stone.
He had anticipated that such a thing might come to pass, but hearing it spoken aloud made his chest lurch.
Papa exhaled a long breath and bowed his head.
Jo Gwang spoke.
“Have you decided to send me back?”
“No decision has been made yet. I merely wished to ascertain the Crown Prince’s will first.”
“There is no chance I will go. If your side attempts to force me, I would sooner bite my own tongue and die.”
“I understand the Crown Prince’s position well.”
……Is that all?
“I told you — I came to confirm the Crown Prince’s will. Now make ready to depart. The court ministers wish to meet with you.”
After Yi Hwan stepped outside, Papa offered Jo Gwang reassurance.
“Do not worry overmuch. Throughout history, no political defector has ever been forcibly returned. All will be well.”
“I know that much already. Don’t fret. Bring me fresh clothes.”
Yes.
Shortly after, Jo Gwang changed into new attire and stepped outside. A carriage and escort of Gold Guards already awaited him, prepared by Yi Hwan.
Jo Gwang felt a sudden wave of sorrow and exhaled a long, heavy breath.
Haa……
“When you stand before the ministers, it would be wise not to show such weakness as you do now. As I have said before, there are quite a few who do not welcome the Crown Prince’s asylum.”
“I understand.”
“Board the carriage.”
“Will the fourth prince also come with us?”
“Of course.”
Jo Gwang felt somewhat reassured.
Shortly after, the procession began to move, with Yi Hwan leading from the front.
A secretary from the Prime Minister’s Office followed at Yi Hwan’s side.
Yi Hwan asked casually.
“Why does the Prime Minister’s Office receive no guard support whatsoever?”
“It seems the Prime Minister’s Office has reinforced its own protective forces independently.”
“Martial artists?”
“Yes.”
The Prime Minister’s Office must be flush with funds. I hear it costs a considerable sum to employ martial artists.
……I am not privy to such details.
Yi Hwan asked nothing further.
The secretary’s hand moved to his chest. Unease began to coil within him.
‘Surely he hasn’t been investigating the Prime Minister’s Office?’
There had never been an instance of the Gold Guard investigating the Prime Minister’s Office. History showed that the administrators of the Prime Minister’s Office and the commanders of the Gold Guard, who oversaw public security, had always maintained excellent relations due to political interests — so much so that in times past, their families had occasionally intermarried.
Boom!
Thunder suddenly cracked across the sky.
Yi Hwan called out quietly to all of them.
“Full speed ahead.”
“Full speed!”
Thud-thud-thud!

* * *

Whoooosh!
Rain was already falling on the Imperial Palace.
Gwan Ji-baek stood at the city gate with two martial artists, waiting for Yi Hwan to arrive.
Shortly after, as Yi Hwan’s procession became visible in the distance, Gwan Ji-baek straightened his robes.
“The fourth prince is coming. Stand at attention.”
“Yes!”
Gwan Ji-baek watched Yi Hwan approach through the rain, leading the charge at the head of his column. Somehow, just looking at him now made his mood lift.
When Yi Hwan crossed through the city gate moments later, Gwan Ji-baek bowed his head.
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
“Have all the ministers assembled?”
“Yes. They await only your arrival. Shall I escort you there at once?”
“Quick to see them, quick to leave—wouldn’t you say?”
“Then I shall show you the way.”

* * *

When Yi Hwan failed to appear promptly, the Prime Minister and the Six Ministers grew restless.
“This is unacceptably late, is it not? No matter that he is a prince—one does not keep the Six Ministers of State waiting in such a manner!”
“Quite right. They say that once the Fourth Prince became Commander of the Gold Guard, he grew arrogant and overbearing. It seems the rumors are true after all.”
“Hmph. Well, well.”
These Six Ministers—men who could bend even the Emperor to their will if they so chose—still saw Yi Hwan as the boy from old rumors and gossip.
So they could not stomach such treatment.
Then it happened.
Gwan Ji-baek entered first.
“The Fourth Prince has arrived.”
“Ahem!”
“Hem-hem!”
The Six Ministers erupted in a chorus of forced coughs and rose to their feet. Even so, there was a minimum of propriety one owed in the presence of an imperial prince.
Yi Hwan entered.
He did not so much as glance at the Six Ministers; instead, he walked to his seat and sat, with Jo Gwang taking the place beside him.
“The rain delayed us somewhat.”
Yi Hwan immediately introduced Jo Gwang.
“The Crown Prince of Zhao Kingdom.”
Jo Gwang clasped his hands together toward all present and bowed slightly.
“Jo Gwang.”
Before the introductions had finished, one minister pressed forward with a question.
“The Southwest King of Zhao Kingdom claims the Crown Prince did not flee of his own volition, but was abducted. We must first hear a detailed account of this matter.”
“I went myself to the Southern Military Unit and requested asylum. This is fact. If you do not believe me, you may verify it with the General-in-Chief of the Southern Military Unit.”
“Then why does your nation’s Southwest King insist it was an abduction?”
“Only because he can then make a fuss about my return and demand my repatriation, can he not?”
Jo Gwang answered with unwavering composure.
His expression was filled with resolve.
Another minister spoke up.
“The Southwest King of your nation has even threatened war should the Crown Prince not be returned. Therefore, we Six Ministers shall conduct a thorough investigation into the matter of the Crown Prince’s asylum. Until that investigation concludes, you are to remain in the Imperial Palace!”
“…….”
Jo Gwang’s eyes widened in confusion as he turned to Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan spoke to the minister with perfect indifference.
“When do you intend to begin this investigation?”
“Given the gravity of the matter, we must commence tomorrow without delay. You should consent to this as well, Your Highness.”
“I consent. On one condition: the investigation will be conducted at the Gold Army Headquarters. The Crown Prince finds the Imperial Palace somewhat inconvenient.”
“……Pardon?”
Another minister shot to his feet, his voice rising sharply.
“Fourth Prince! This is an investigation conducted directly by the Six Ministers! It must properly take place in the Imperial Palace! The Gold Army Headquarters is entirely out of the question!”
Yi Hwan regarded the minister slowly.
His face had reddened—it was clear his anger was rising dangerously.
“I will say this once more: the investigation shall take place at the Gold Army Headquarters, and it shall occur in the presence of the Gold Guard’s commanders.”
“Fourth Prince!”
Crack!
The minister brought both palms down hard upon the table.
In that same instant, coldness crystallized in Yi Hwan’s eyes.
“How am I to interpret that gesture?”
“……!”
Yi Hwan rose from his seat and walked toward the minister.
Was the aura he radiated ordinary?
In a heartbeat, the entire room froze. The minister who had struck the table felt the soft flesh of his heavy face trembling as Yi Hwan approached.
Yi Hwan stepped before the minister.
[Minister of Justice Song Young-gi, if you show disrespect before me even once more, I’ll make sure every common person knows how you raped girls like daughters and sold them into brothels.]
“……!”
[Or perhaps I should tell your tiger of a wife and your children who revere you like heaven first?]
Song Young-gi’s eyes widened as if torn open. His shock was so complete that the muscles around his mouth twitched.
Yi Hwan turned to the trembling minister and asked quietly.
“I merely hope you might find it in yourself to understand the anxiety of an exiled Crown Prince. Surely that’s not too much to ask?”
“Ah, yes! If that is what you wish, Your Highness, then it shall be done.”
“I’m grateful, Minister.”
Yi Hwan swept his gaze slowly across the other ministers. All bore expressions of shock, yet none ventured to object.
“Then let us meet at headquarters tomorrow.”
Yi Hwan spoke to Jo Gwang.
“Let’s be done with this.”
Jo Gwang descended to walk beside Yi Hwan.
The Six Ministers watched in alternating wonder and confusion as Yi Hwan’s figure withdrew with unhurried grace, while Song Young-gi’s face drained of all color.

Minister of Justice Song Young-gi is the true power among the Six Ministers. Even the Prime Minister and the Grand Commander tend to defer to him.

Yi Hwan recalled Go-mi’s words and smiled faintly.
‘Throwing a tantrum at just the right moment. How perfectly timed.’

* * *

As Yi Hwan approached the City Gate, a woman came toward him. She was a lady-in-waiting sent by the Empress.
“I pay my respects to Your Highness.”
“What is this about?”
“The Empress wishes to see Your Highness.”
Yi Hwan began to say he was too busy, then stopped.
‘Sooner or later I’ll have to face her anyway…….’
He changed his mind.
“Would it be proper to go now?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Yi Hwan gave orders to Gwan Ji-baek.
“See that the Crown Prince is taken to the Crown Prince Palace and waits for my return.”
“Are you certain it’s safe to go alone?”
“Surely she won’t eat me. Stop your worrying and look after the Crown Prince properly.”
Shortly after, Yi Hwan followed the lady-in-waiting toward the Empress’s chambers. Before long, he crossed a bridge leading to a palace of unparalleled magnificence.
Manhua Palace.
The Empress’s residence had borne that name for some time now.
True to its name, flowers filled every corner from the very entrance. In places, stone had been hollowed to create pockets of earth where blossoms were planted.
It was a landscape that revealed the taste of the Empress, known throughout the court for her particular love of flowers.
‘Whoever said people who love flowers can’t be wicked clearly never met an Empress.’
The lady-in-waiting ahead came to a halt and turned back.
“From here, you must walk alone, Your Highness.”
“The palace is this vast and I’m to find the Empress myself?”
“Beyond the bridge and through the gate, another guide awaits to escort you. Now, if you’ll permit me, I shall withdraw.”
The lady-in-waiting retraced her steps.
Yi Hwan climbed directly onto the second bridge. Below its graceful, crescent curve bloomed a profusion of exotic flowers and rare grasses.
‘Now I see it—a flower garden laced with poison.’
A subtle emanation of qi drifted from various points in the garden. If the Empress gave the command, assassins would descend upon him in an instant.
Yi Hwan paid no mind and crossed the bridge, walking straight toward the gate.
Two female warriors met him there.
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
“Open the gate.”
“Your blade, first, if you please.”
Yi Hwan surrendered his sword without protest.
Creak, creak, creak……
The heavy gate swung open slowly on both sides, and beyond it stood a woman.
From crown to sole she wore pure white, and her eyes—strikingly blue—marked her as no ordinary beauty.
The woman bowed deeply toward Yi Hwan.
“I shall escort you.”
Yi Hwan gazed forward.
As expected, a long, straight path carved from Zhao Kingdom stone stretched through the center of an enormous garden adorned with exotic flowers and rare grasses.
The Blue-Eyed Woman walked ahead.
Here too, he sensed the faint presence of those concealed in the shadows throughout the grounds.
‘They’ve turned the palace itself into a fortress.’
Clink, clink.
With each step the Blue-Eyed Woman took, a peculiar metallic sound drifted out, catching Yi Hwan’s attention.
“How long have you served the Empress?”
“Forgive me—I cannot answer that.”
‘The way she responds tells me her station here is quite high.’
Yi Hwan asked nothing more.
Shortly after, he stepped into the Grand Hall, ornate beyond measure.
It was a space vast enough to rival a training ground, and a red cloth was laid from the entrance all the way to the dais at the far end. And there, seated at its terminus, was the Empress.
Yi Hwan looked directly at her.
Their gazes crossed through the empty air and intertwined.
‘In his memory, the Empress appeared to be in her early fifties….’
She was unmistakably the Empress. Yet something was strange—she looked no more than her mid-thirties.
‘She must have mastered the Age Concealment Technique. Well, at her stage of life, maintaining the Emperor’s affection would require that sort of effort.’
Yi Hwan walked forward and stopped about ten paces away from the Empress. Then, without a word, he lowered his head slightly.
“Though I did not bear you myself, I am nonetheless your mother in every sense. What manner of greeting is this?”
“I’m sorry, but I’ve never once thought of you that way.”
A slight twitch.
“What did you say?”
“Since we both understand the same thing, why not move straight to the matter at hand, Your Majesty?”
Yi Hwan deliberately stressed the honorific, pouring weight into each syllable.
Cold light flickered in the Empress’s eyes.
“Why did you order the Crown Prince of Zhao Kingdom investigated at Gold Army Headquarters? Is this the Crown Prince Palace’s intention?”
“It could not be. It is my own decision.”
“And what is your reason for this?”
“The Crown Prince of Zhao Kingdom finds the Imperial Palace uncomfortable. In such circumstances, I thought an investigation at the Imperial Palace would yield poor results, so I chose Gold Army Headquarters instead.”
“Even if I, from the Imperial Palace itself, issue a command, you intend to defy it?”
“I understand this is not a matter for Your Majesty’s involvement.”
……!
A faint twitch.
The Empress’s brows bent like blades.
Rage surged through her at Yi Hwan’s arrogance, yet at the same time, she was deeply astonished.
‘So it’s true—he’s become an entirely different person. Not a trace of the weakness he once showed remains; looking at him now is like facing a wolf.’
“Forgive me, but I have matters that require my attention….”
“No matter what results the Six Ministers produce, the Crown Prince of Zhao Kingdom must never be released. Should we yield to the Southwest King of an enemy nation, we shall become the laughingstock of the realm. You shall obey your mother’s will.”
“I shall take note of it.”
Yi Hwan bowed his head slightly and turned to leave.
Before him stood the Blue-Eyed Woman who had guided him here. Yi Hwan discerned that her atmosphere had turned frigid.
Yi Hwan fixed his gaze on the Blue-Eyed Woman and spoke toward the Empress.
“What do you intend to do now?”
“Step aside.”
At the Empress’s word, the Blue-Eyed Woman withdrew to the side. Yi Hwan offered her a faint smile.
“If you presume to be insolent once more, I’ll pluck out both your eyes and string them into a necklace. Remember these words well.”

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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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