The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 119

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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 119

Chapter 119 — The Imperial Edict Falls

Yi Hwan left Manhwa Palace and headed straight for the Crown Prince Palace. Yi So, who had been briefed on the situation by Gwan Ji-baek, posed a question.
“Did you meet with her?”
“Are you certain she’s the real Empress?”
“Where’s that coming from all of a sudden?”
“She appeared far too young. Even mastering the Zhu’an Art shouldn’t allow for such a transformation. Unless……”
As Yi Hwan trailed off, Yi So’s expression turned bitter.
“Your suspicion is correct.”
“The Empress’s inner strength is profound enough to make her appear that young?”
“I have no information to confirm it with certainty. However, it’s undeniable that the Empress has mastered Internal Alchemy.”
“There were Martial Artists stationed throughout Manhwa Palace. Did you know about that?”
“The Empress has been gathering Martial Artists for quite some time. No one knows the full extent of her network. That said, you must have heard the report that the Empress has been in contact with the Southwest King of the Zhao Kingdom?”
“Go-mi told me about it. Which is why I’m thinking—the Empress might actually be hoping for war.”
“What makes you think so?”
“If she’d made some bargain with the Southwest King, she would have insisted on sending the Crown Prince back unconditionally. But just moments ago, she refused to send him back, spouting talk about national pride.”
“If the Southwest King refuses to abandon Jo Gwang, the likelihood of war becomes very high indeed. The Empress may well have spoken that way deliberately, knowing as much.”
“That’s what I thought.”
Yi So’s expression grew heavy.
Jo Gwang, who had been listening, felt the same weight descend upon him.
Yi Hwan asked a question.
“If war does break out, do we have any chance of victory against Zhao?”
“That’s difficult to say.”
Yi So deferred his answer, then turned to Jo Gwang. “What’s your assessment of Zhao?”
“……”

“This concerns your safety as well, so please speak your mind.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Jo Gwang opened his mouth.
“Zhao’s military leadership has long been confident of victory. They’ve merely delayed their invasion because Jin’s response remains unpredictable.”
At Jo Gwang’s candid answer, Yi So spoke with a rueful expression.
“By the measure of our openly displayed forces, we are undeniably at a disadvantage. Zhao throws more money into military spending than any of the Three Kingdoms.”
“Surely the Empress knows this much?”
“She must. No one takes more interest in this nation’s military than she does.”
Yi Hwan narrowed his eyes.
“So she would not shy away from war even knowing we’re at a disadvantage? That means she’s not planning to pin all responsibility on the Crown Prince Palace when war breaks out……”
“Correct. And that’s precisely what troubles me.”
Jo Gwang, listening from the side, felt deeply uneasy. He was becoming the pretext for war.
“I’m sorry. This is all because of me……”
At that moment, Papa spoke up.
“If you can guarantee the safety of the Crown Prince, I will enter Zhao myself and gather intelligence.”
“Does the Southwest King know of your existence?”
“Yes. He’s seen me many times, so he certainly knows.”
“Then the moment you cross into Zhao, you’re a dead man. If I were the Southwest King, I’d worry most about Papa’s retaliation. So let me simply thank you for the offer.”
“……”
Yi Hwan rose from his seat.
“For now, each of us should try to uncover what the Empress’s true intentions are. As soon as you have concrete information, report to me at once.”
“Understood.”
Shortly after, Yi Hwan left the Crown Prince Palace.
As he went, he gave Go-mi an instruction.
“I need you to dig deeper into the backgrounds of the Six Ministries officials. If we can get even the Ministry of Justice’s minister, Song Young-ki, on our side, that would be ideal.”
“Understood.”
“Do it with full speed.”
“Full speed it is!”
Thump-thump-thump!

* * *

There were eyes watching Yi Hwan and his party as they slipped from the Imperial Palace like a gust of wind.
It was an old man—the one Yi Seong-ji called his master.
He had entered the palace just moments before, and now his gaze fixed on Yi Hwan’s retreating figure, his expression growing contemplative.
“Remarkable momentum, truly. How long has he been here—mere days?—and already he commands the attention of everyone.”
“Your Highness didn’t seem particularly concerned, from what I observed.”
“You misread the situation.”
“Sir?”
“His Highness is already aware of the Crown Prince’s significance. A man of deep discernment can gauge an opponent’s true measure even in passing—and His Highness has surpassed even that level of perception.”
The old man turned away.
“We should return. His Highness will be waiting.”
“Yes.”
The old man walked toward the palace gates.
As he went, he glanced about and caught sight of someone, his expression sharpening with interest.
It was Yi Tae-ji.
He was heading toward the Empress’s Manhwa Palace, flanked by his bodyguards.
‘If he were deliberately concealing his strength, it would be one thing—but if what we’ve seen is all there is, Yi Hwang-ja could never stand against His Highness. The day the Empress realizes this…the master of all under heaven will be…’
A meaningful light kindled in the old man’s eyes.

* * *

Back at the Military Headquarters, Yi Hwan finished his Mental Cultivation and climbed onto the Palace Hall roof to cool his fevered body.
Whoosh!
The wind was biting as it raced toward early winter, and it quickly chilled the heat from his skin.
‘What is the Empress scheming?’
That question consumed him these days.
Clearly she was plotting something to ensnare the Crown Prince Palace, yet he couldn’t pin down what it was.
He had abandoned his earlier assumption—that she meant to blame the Crown Prince if Zhao Kingdom declared war.
Had that been her aim, she would never have spoken against the surrender of Jo Gwang.
‘If war comes, she’ll share the blame too. The Empress is no fool—so why would she act this way? I need to understand her true motive…’
Thump!
An owl descended onto a branch that stretched toward the roof.
Pulled from his brooding, Yi Hwan settled into a cross-legged seat and raised both hands to his chest. Seven points of light bloomed like fireflies.
But they were larger and more vivid than before.
The lights shot toward the owl, which startled and flew up in alarm.
Thump!
The lights chased it, and then—with a soft snap—they vanished.
‘Only the most powerful techniques remain unusable now.’
His strength was returning swiftly, yet some techniques still lay beyond his reach.
The supreme techniques that had once made him a Martial Emperor. But deploying them in his current state would shatter his bones or inflict grave Internal Injury.
‘Soon. I’ll master them soon enough.’
Yi Hwan rose and brushed off his robes, then moved to the roof’s edge to survey the Military Headquarters below.
He noticed Jo Gwang’s room was brightly lit, and his brow creased slightly.

I’m sorry. It’s because of me…

In the Crown Prince Palace, Jo Gwang’s face was drawn and sorrowful—so much so that even Yi Hwan, who had brought him there for his own purposes, felt a tremor in his heart.
Yi So came to mind unbidden. If he fell to the Empress and Yi Tae-ji, he might face the same fate as Jo Gwang.
‘The spirit of the Huashan Alliance must endure. That cannot be allowed to happen.’
That was why he helped Yi So.
Yi Hwan descended quietly into the rear courtyard, and there he found Go-mi waiting.
“You’ve been waiting for me?”
“I’ve identified the men we killed at the Manor.”
“They weren’t followers of the Prophet’s teachings, then.”
“No. They were from Zhao Kingdom—likely scouts who had been gathering intelligence in this region. But there’s something odd.”
Go-mi paused, collecting herself before continuing.
“For some time now, they’ve been searching for someone who wields the Talhon-gi technique.”
It was a statement that instantly transformed Yi Hwan’s eyes.
‘If Zhao men know of the Talhon-gi technique, could they have been tracking Cha Jung-gyeong?’
That was his first suspicion.
But he shook his head.
‘Cha Jung-gyeong made it look like he’d returned to Sichuan… so it seems he’s come looking for Ju-tae.’
“What thoughts occupy your mind, my lord?”
“Nothing of consequence. Is there nothing else?”
“That is all for today.”
“Shall we have a drink for once?”
“I’m far too exhausted today, I’m afraid. Please, rest well.”
…….
Once again, Go-mi turned and left without hesitation.

* * *

Days later, the feared blow fell.
One might have said it was inevitable—it was the Zhao Kingdom’s ultimatum.
Word reached Yi Hwan immediately.
“They’ve given us a month, is that right?”
“Yes. Already, movements by the Zhao forces are being detected across the battlefront.”
“What is the court doing?”
“Beginning today, all ministers and officials are being summoned to the palace to establish emergency measures, and they mean to observe the situation.”
“Surely many ministers are still advocating to send Jo Gwang back? Is the Empress holding them in check?”
“Yes. She’s even issued a warning that those who dissent will face punishment.”
“So she’s prepared to go to war if necessary…….”
Yi Hwan had not yet discerned the Empress’s true intentions. There were several possibilities, but which was most likely required further observation.
Go-mi ventured a question.
“Now that all officials and ministers, including the heads of each ministry, have been ordered to enter the palace—shouldn’t Your Highness also present yourself?”
“Enter the palace…….”
Yi Hwan trailed off, leaning back against his chair at an angle.
‘Should I go?’
It was then.
Cheol Mu-ok opened the door and entered.
“Someone has arrived from the palace.”
Yi Hwan fixed his gaze on the officer standing beyond the open door.
“What is it?”
“You are commanded to enter the palace with all speed.”
“Is it by the Empress’s order?”
“It is by His Majesty’s edict.”
“What? You mean the Emperor has taken his place in the Grand Hall?”
“I am not privy to such details. Only that this same edict has been issued to the Crown Prince and all the imperial princes.”
Yi Hwan’s eyes grew sharp and cold.
‘The Emperor has finally emerged from his seclusion?’
Something felt wrong about this. Yet to refuse an imperial edict was impossible.
“We go to the Imperial Palace.”
“Yes.”

* * *

Though they hastened, countless officials had already arrived and were waiting.
Yi Hwan first surveyed the imperial throne.
But the Emperor was not there.
“You’ve come.”
Yi Hwan took a seat beside Yi So. To the left sat Yi Tae-ji and Yi Seong-ji.
Yi Hwan spoke to Yi So through telepathic transmission.
[Is His Majesty going to appear?]
[This edict came from the Empress.]
[But I was told it was an imperial edict?]
[The Jade Seal and His Majesty’s Imperial Seal are in the Empress’s possession—she has used them to counterfeit an edict bearing his name.]
‘I had no idea…….’
Then the ministers rose to their feet. The officials followed, lowering their heads in obeisance.
The Empress was entering.
Yi So and the other imperial princes all rose from their seats and bowed their heads.
Yet Yi Hwan stood motionless, meeting the Empress’s gaze directly. Their eyes locked for a moment before she let out a cold laugh and turned away.
‘So the old fox reveals her scheme at last.’
Once the Empress was seated, the ministers and officials followed suit. After a perfunctory exchange of greetings, she addressed them all in a grave tone.
“The barbarous Southwest King of Zhao Kingdom has issued his ultimatum at last. I, as Empress, shall now relay His Majesty’s imperial edict.”
The Grand Hall fell silent.
An imperial edict held dominion over life and death for every soul in the realm. It was a command from heaven itself, one that no one dared defy.
The Empress conveyed the Emperor’s words.
“The Late Emperor desired that the descendants of the imperial house lead by example, guiding the people of this nation. Many princes have thus marched to the battlefield and demonstrated valor against the enemy, becoming models for all. I too shall honor the will of my predecessors and hereby command that the Crown Prince and all princes march to the front and take up arms for the homeland!”
Bang!
The suffocating silence shattered.
The ministers stirred with unease.
Yi So and Yi Tae-ji both wore expressions of shock. Yi Seong-ji alone remained unmoved, his eyes shut tight. Yi Hwan felt as though he’d taken a blow to the back of his head.
‘So that was it. What the old fox wanted all along.’
Now everything became clear.
The Empress’s aim was to send Crown Prince Yi So to the battlefield. Dispatching the other three princes was merely a means to silence criticism.
‘She intends to eliminate the Crown Prince on the battlefield.’
Yi Hwan fixed his gaze upon the Empress.
Just then, as she swept her eyes across the Crown Prince and the princes, her gaze locked with Yi Hwan’s. Seeing the faint smile playing at her lips, he sent a telepathic transmission her way.
[Things won’t go as you wish, stepmother.]
[What did you just say?]
[I said stepmother. Surely that’s not inaccurate?]
[How dare you…….]
Yi Hwan ignored the Empress’s reddening face and turned to look at Yi So. He bore the unmistakable expression of one struck by profound shock.
‘Has the greatest crisis arrived?’

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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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