The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 123

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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 123

Chapter 123 — Entering the Northern Military Unit

Gwan Ji-baek and the senior generals of the Northern Military Unit had gathered before the City Gate.
All of them waited for Yi Hwan to arrive.
Whoooosh!
The snow fell in heavy gusts.
Flakes had settled on Gwan Ji-baek’s white beard, making it appear even whiter. How long had it been like this?
“There, sir. They’re coming.”
Yi Hwan and his retinue began to emerge from beyond the snow squall.
Gwan Ji-baek stepped forward, and the generals followed in his wake. His eyes narrowed gradually as he looked on.
‘That’s all of them?’
Fifty soldiers at most?
Having not yet received a report on their numbers, he found himself taken aback.
Moments later, Gwan Ji-baek bowed deeply to Yi Hwan.
“General-in-Chief Gwan Ji-baek of the Northern Military Unit pays respects to the Great General.”
“Understood!”
The generals raised their voices in a resounding Military Salute.

* * *

Yi Hwan met Gwan Ji-baek’s gaze directly.
One could see at a glance why he was called the Tiger of the North.
“I’m grateful for your aid before.”
He was referring to the reinforcement of twenty thousand troops Gwan Ji-baek had sent during the campaign against the Zhao Kingdom.
“I merely did what was fitting. If you’ll allow me, I shall show you to the quarters. Come this way.”
Yi Hwan and Gwan Ji-baek crossed through the City Gate together. The war cry of the soldiers assembled beyond echoed through the mountains and valleys.
Understood!
“Did you encounter any difficulties on your journey, sir?”
“Nothing save a touch of boredom, I’m afraid.”
Gwan Ji-baek was inwardly astonished.
‘How can he be so composed?’
Yi Hwan surveyed the military encampment. The aura emanating from the warriors bearing banners, spears, and swords was extraordinary. The fortifications erected in preparation for enemy assault, and the massive weapons positioned throughout, evoked an image of an iron bulwark.
“I heard the permanent garrison here numbers one hundred thousand.”
“Yes, sir, that is correct.”
“Facing barbarians to the north and the Zhao army to the west must have been quite a burden.”
“I have never, even for a moment, deemed it burdensome. What grieves me is that, under His Majesty’s strict command, I have been unable to strike at the enemy first for all these long years.”
Gwan Ji-baek was called the Fiercest General Under Heaven, even before he was known as a brilliant commander. This response laid bare his nature.
‘It’s the Crown Prince’s fortune that such a man didn’t side with Yi Hwang-ja.’
Yi Hwan found himself taking a liking to Gwan Ji-baek.
Yet he kept his heart guarded. For that, he needed to observe a little longer.
Presently, Yi Hwan entered a barracks constructed with considerable strength. Unlike its appearance from without, the interior was spacious, clean, and warm.
“Though modest, you may use this as your quarters. I have arranged separate lodgings for your troops in the rear.”
“Where is the highest point in this encampment?”
“It is where I maintain my own quarters.”
“Rather than here, have a simple shelter prepared there — something that merely shields from wind and snow will suffice. Nothing grand is necessary.”
……
Yi Hwan turned to regard Go-mi.
“Let the Bi-wol Organization and the rest of my people use this place. They have a mission more important than anyone else’s, so they need proper rest.”
“We require no special consideration, sir.”
“There will be plenty of work. Do as I command.”
…
Yi Hwan turned to Gwan Ji-baek.
“Let us visit your quarters, General. First, I need to understand how everything is being conducted here.”

* * *

Gwan Ji-baek’s Barracks.
There, Yi Hwan heard the broad strokes of the situation. It differed little from what the two generals who had come to greet him had told him.
“How many Martial Artists are stationed at the encampment?”
“Around two hundred, I would say.”
“I wish to meet with them tomorrow. Have everyone assembled—all except those currently on operations.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan turned to Go-mi and introduced her to the generals.
“This person will be assisting with intelligence matters going forward. I cannot reveal her identity, but her rank is not low, so see that she is treated with proper respect.”
One of the generals spoke.
“The military unit has a separate department that oversees intelligence, Great General.”
“Did I not just say she would be assisting?”
……
The general belatedly grasped his misstep and hastily bowed his head.
“I fear the colonel has misunderstood. My apologies, Great General.”
“I have not come here driven out by political infighting, but to fight alongside all of you. Moreover, being Great General does not mean I intend to alter the existing chain of command in the slightest. However, all intelligence transmitted to the General-in-Chief shall be shared with me.”
……!
A murmur rippled through those assembled.
But Gwan Ji-baek remained unruffled.
“If that is what the Great General wishes, it shall be so.”
“My thanks, General-in-Chief. I think we should rest for today.”
Gwan Ji-baek, troubled by the lack of a barracks for Yi Hwan, promptly ordered one of the generals to vacate his quarters.
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae stayed with Yi Hwan, while the others used Bi-wol’s barracks. Zhao Gwang and Papa did likewise.
The barracks, originally prepared for some two hundred people, had ample space for them all.
Whiiiing!
The blizzard grew fiercer by the moment.
Gwan Ji-baek set out toward the Western Front with the Deputy Commander.
The Deputy Commander spoke first, his tone cautious.
“The Great General seems rather eager. Will that not cause difficulties? No matter how much you told us to pay him no special mind, surely the generals cannot simply ignore such things? If this leads to problems in the chain of command…….”
“There is nothing to worry about. The Great General is absolutely not that sort of person, so do not entertain such odd notions.”
……
Gwan Ji-baek strode ahead.
Remarkably, though he walked across the snow, no footprints remained behind him.
The Deputy Commander was the same.
Both were masters who had properly mastered the essence of Imperial Palace Martial Arts. Moments later, Gwan Ji-baek reached the guard posts and received a situation report.
“It appears the Zhao Kingdom forces have dispatched Martial Artists on reconnaissance. Just recently, several came within sight before withdrawing.”
“What intelligence have we gathered?”
“Since two days ago, no additional forces have arrived to reinforce them.”
“That is fortunate.”
Gwan Ji-baek gazed westward.
Beyond the swirling blizzard, a vast mountainous expanse stretched out.
“Few days remain before the Final Ultimatum Day. They may move before then, so we must not lower our guard for a single moment.”
“Yes, General-in-Chief!”
Then it happened.
Whoosh!
Snow erupted from ahead. And from beyond it, figures emerged.
They were Martial Artists of the Northern Military Unit who had been out on reconnaissance. They approached Gwan Ji-baek and bowed.
“We have returned.”
“Did you learn anything of value?”
“A short while ago, we observed a force of roughly fifty thousand withdrawing southward. It did not appear to be a tactical movement—rather, it seemed as though they were abandoning the encampment entirely.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes. Each soldier was visibly laden with supplies.”
One does not carry heavy supplies when departing on a mere operation.
The Deputy Commander stepped forward to speak.
“This is strange. Why would they send fifty thousand troops southward when we stand virtually at their doorstep? And with so few days remaining before the Final Ultimatum Day?”
“If the destination is the Western Military Unit, where the Crown Prince resides…….”
Gwan Ji-baek’s words trailed off, his face hardening like stone. He issued orders at once.
“Go swiftly back and inform the Western, Southern, and Central Units of this intelligence.”
“Yes, General-in-Chief!”
At the Deputy Commander’s command, two warriors plunged into the blizzard.
Gwan Ji-baek continued to gaze westward.
His two eyes grew heavy with worry as they fixed upon Crown Prince Yi So.
‘He must come through this unscathed…….’

* * *

Word reached Yi Hwan that fifty thousand Zhao Kingdom troops had departed westward.
‘No question—they’ve gone where the Crown Prince is.’
Yi Hwan questioned the general who brought the report.
“Has the other units been notified?”
“Yes. Dispatches were sent at once to the Southern, Western, and Central Military Units.”
“Where is the General-in-Chief?”
“He’s gone to the forward outpost.”
“Tell him I wish to see him when he returns.”
“Understood.”
The general withdrew, and Yi Hwan sank deep into his chair, his gaze dimming with thought.
Seeing him absorbed in contemplation, Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae slipped quietly from the barracks.
Whisssh!
The fierce snow squall made it impossible to open one’s eyes properly.
“The martial artists accompanying the Crown Prince would need to be exceptionally skilled.”
“Of course there would be many masters. Take even Gwan Ji-baek alone—he seemed quite formidable.”
“But wouldn’t the Imperial Palace Martial Arts have its limits?”
“Don’t be absurd. Throughout the history of the Martial World, there have been countless absolute masters from the Imperial Palace. Why should this generation be any different?”
“That’s true, but I can’t help feeling uneasy.”
Ju-tae’s brow furrowed slightly as he glanced back at the barracks where Yi Hwan remained.
“He’ll find a way through, won’t he?”
“He’s never disappointed us yet. I suppose we can trust him again.”
Whisssh!

* * *

The Southern Military Unit.
The Third Prince, Yi Seong-ji, had made his residence in the palace hall where Yi Hwan once stayed.
An old man whom he called Master, along with several martial artists of considerable skill, lodged with him, and in the barracks across from where the Gold Robed Guard had once been quartered, roughly a hundred martial artists including Buddhist monks from Shaolin were stationed.
Even this arrangement did not set the old man’s mind at ease; he had additional barracks constructed around the palace hall and stationed martial artists within.
Should enemy assassins breach the defenses, the assembled forces would be able to respond simultaneously and in overwhelming numbers.
Meanwhile, Song Hoe and Cha Jung-gyeong, who had been lodging there, had relocated to barracks near the command center.

* * *

Cha Jung-gyeong’s expression was grave.
Song Hoe asked him.
“Your face has been strange since earlier—what’s wrong?”
“I’ve been thinking.”
“About what?”
“Whether I should remain here, or go to the Northern Military Unit where the Great General is stationed…… And if I do go, would you permit it?”
Song Hoe fell silent for a moment, staring at Cha Jung-gyeong intently. Then he smiled faintly.
“If your mind is made up, then go.”
“Truly?”
“You care for the Great General that much?”
“He was the first person to treat me with any kindness—even after I had sought to harm him. So, shall I really go?”
Song Hoe rose abruptly and took down a fur coat that hung upon the wall. It was made by layering beast hide in double thickness, making it ideal for protection against the cold.
“Wear this when you go.”
“It’s unnecessary. I can endure cold like this easily enough.”
“You were singing about the cold just days ago. Don’t miss this chance—take it quickly.”
“……Thank you.”
“It will take several days to climb northward, so make sure you pack plenty of dry rations and spirits.”
“Is there any message you wish me to convey to the Great General?”
“If he happens to worry, tell him I am well and he need not be concerned.”
“I shall.”
Cha Jung-gyeong rose to his feet.
“Leaving already?”
“Since I’ve made up my mind, I should depart right away. Let me gather my things.”
Song Hoe watched Cha Jung-gyeong’s retreating figure and smiled faintly. Though they’d spent time together trading barbs more often than not, the reality of parting struck him with an unexpected heaviness.
‘If it weren’t for the Dragon Tiger Army, I’d go with him.’
A moment later, Cha Jung-gyeong left the barracks.
Song Hoe walked out to see him off.
“When the fighting starts, don’t go showing off—be careful out there!”
“You be careful too, Deputy Commander!”
Song Hoe remained at his post until Cha Jung-gyeong’s figure vanished completely from sight.
Just when he thought the man had gone, Cha Jung-gyeong appeared again.
“Deputy Commander!”
“What is it?”
“Thank you!”
A grin spread across his face.
“Sentimental fool.”
Then he vanished once more.
Song Hoe lingered at that spot for a long while after.
A cool wind whistled past.

* * *

In the Empress’s residence, Manha Palace.
A subtle anger settled over the Empress’s face as she received a general’s report.
“What do you mean Zhao Gwang cannot be found? Explain yourself!”
“We inquired at the Imperial Guard Bureau, Your Majesty. They say the Great General personally moved the Crown Prince of Zhao Kingdom to a secret location.”
“So no one in the Imperial Guard Bureau knows where that place is?”
“That is correct. Only the Great General knows its whereabouts.”
The Empress’s jaw tightened. As she did, smoke began to rise from the armrest of her chair.
At that moment, the Blue-eyed Woman spoke softly.
“If you permit it, I will find him.”
“How do you propose to find a place known only to that man?”
“Leave it to me.”
The Empress fell silent for a moment. Then her eyes gleamed and she spoke again.
“You are forbidden from clashing with the Imperial Guard Bureau. Beyond that, I grant you all means at your disposal—find the Crown Prince of Zhao Kingdom and bring him before me!”
“Understood.”
The Blue-eyed Woman withdrew from the hall.
The Empress turned to the general.
“Are the bodyguard forces for the Second and Third Princes sufficient?”
“Fear not, Your Majesty. I personally confirmed that both of them departed with ample numbers of masters.”
“Still, to be safe, keep me regularly informed of conditions at the front lines where those two are stationed.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The general withdrew, and the Empress brought her now-cold tea to her lips, her brow furrowing.
‘Hiding Zhao Gwang away like this. Could it be that man has already seen through my intentions?’

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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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