The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 126

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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 126

Chapter 126 — I Have Come to Fight

‘A whisper at this distance—how did it reach my ears?’
Hwa Ryeong, the blue-eyed woman, trembled at the sight.
Yi Hwan’s voice had just flowed distinctly into her ears. By the volume alone, it was barely more than a whisper.
The distance between her and Yi Hwan was over a hundred paces—without an astonishingly profound reserve of inner strength, such a thing would have been impossible.
‘I was right. That day was no mistake.’
When she first met Yi Hwan at Manhwa Palace, she could sense it then. That he was a master who had mastered internal cultivation.
But she had never anticipated it would be to this degree.
A slight smile played across her lips.
Hwa Ryeong’s mouth curved upward softly.
‘You are quite impressive. But such a thing is nowhere near enough for me, Commander.’
A general approached Hwa Ryeong.
“You may use this barracks for your quarters.”
“Thank you.”
Hwa Ryeong entered the barracks with her followers. Built of logs, the barracks housed a sizeable hearth inside, making it reasonably warm. The space was also ample enough for five people to use comfortably.
Hwa Ryeong sat on a woven bamboo bed and removed her outer robe. Beneath the form-fitting martial garment, her full bosom seemed ready to burst through at any moment, rising and falling with each breath—but fortunately, all of her attendants were women.
“Could someone prepare some tea?”
“Yes. I’ll have it ready at once.”
Hwa Ryeong lay back on the bed.
A musty smell assailed her nostrils, but Hwa Ryeong paid it no mind and stretched languidly.
“Get a good rest today. Starting tomorrow, things will be very busy.”
“Yes!”
Hwa Ryeong cradled her head in both hands and gazed at the ceiling. In her mind’s eye, she saw Yi Hwan’s smile directed at her from just moments before.
‘He said he would pluck out my eyes and make them into a necklace, didn’t he?’
A quiet laugh escaped her.
“Not funny at all.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. Never mind.”

* * *

“You saw?”
“I did.”
“Good heavens—in all my years, I’ve never seen a woman with breasts that size. It’s not just the size; the firmness, the way they—heavens.”
Cheol Mu-ok held back a quiet laugh at Ju-tae’s boldness.
Ju-tae exhaled and continued.
“Still, it’s a shame. Such a woman, and she’s the enemy.”
“You only looked at that?”
“Of course not. Her hips too—they didn’t sag, they sat up perfectly.”
“She’s no ordinary woman. When the time comes to cross blades, do not let your guard slip for an instant.”
“That day will be truly heartbreaking.”
Just then, Go-mi entered through the door. Ju-tae’s gaze drifted naturally toward her chest.
‘Go-mi doesn’t have small breasts either, but—the difference is just too stark.’
A flash of light!
“…!”
Ju-tae, sensing the streak of light, jerked his head to the side. The beam passed by the narrowest margin and embedded itself in the wall with a sharp thunk.
Ju-tae’s eyes widened as he turned to face Go-mi.
“What is this?”
“Will you throw another one?”
Cheol Mu-ok stepped forward with a smile.
“Just returned from the enemy fortress?”
“Yes. Is he available?”
“He’s in cultivation at the moment, so you’ll need to wait a bit.”
“Understood.”
Go-mi sat in a chair, her gaze sharp and piercing as she glared at Ju-tae. Ju-tae, belatedly realizing his mistake, quietly averted his eyes.
A woman’s piercing stare through one’s chest might mean nothing in ordinary circumstances, but in the Martial World, it was justification enough for a life-or-death decree.
Go-mi spoke up.
“Those women who just went into the barracks across the way—who are they?”
“Women sent by the Empress. I believe they’re the ones that fellow Chung-kyung spotted before. Do you know what they do?”
“Not at all. But I’ve seen their faces now, so we’ll need to find out starting now.”
“How are the enemy’s movements?”
“I should report to the General-in-Chief first, so hold your curiosity for now.”
“Very well.”
Go-mi folded her arms and closed her eyes.
Ju-tae made a gesture of wiping his chest as if ten years had been shaved from his life. Cheol Mu-ok clicked his tongue.
[The Sword King would be delighted to see you like this.]
[Why are you dragging up my ancestor all of a sudden?]
[Because it’s pathetic.]
[A passionate man might naturally be that way. Rather, it’s strange to see someone like you with a perfectly healthy body acting like a Buddhist monk.]
Then Yi Hwan’s voice drifted out.
“Come in.”
Go-mi sprang to her feet and entered the room, not forgetting to shoot a glare at Ju-tae as she went.

* * *

“We captured one man and interrogated him, but confirmed that Yu Yeong-gok-ju is not here.”
“An expert of that caliber would more likely have gone to the Western Front. Anything else?”
“The enemy appears to be reinforcing their defensive lines. We observed them expanding the wooden palisades and constructing fortifications using earth and stones at various points.”
Yi Hwan’s brow furrowed slightly.
“If they’re strengthening their defenses, it means they have no intention of launching a preemptive strike…….”
“Just as the General-in-Chief predicted, it seems they intend to concentrate on the Western Front where the Crown Prince is located.”
“So their calculation is that the forces here need only prevent us from reinforcing the Western Military Unit.”
“Precisely.”
Go-mi picked up a towel that lay in one corner of the room and handed it to Yi Hwan.
“You have sweat on your face…….”
“Never mind. I’ll wash up outside.”
Go-mi asked something else.
“What will you do about the women the Empress sent? If we merely identify those who came with the General-in-Chief, the Crown Prince’s identity will very likely be exposed.”
“I’ll pass them off as my private soldiers. If necessary, I suppose we’ll have to kill them to silence their tongues, but there’s no justification for that now, so we’ll have to wait for the right moment.”
Yi Hwan stood.
“I need to wash.”
Go-mi was rising to follow when—
“General-in-Chief!”
Song Cheon-mu burst through the door.
“Zhao Kingdom has begun its attack on the Western Military Unit!”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes. The Crown Prince commanded me to inform you at once!”
Creases deepened across Yi Hwan’s brow.
“The snow shouldn’t melt for several more days, yet they’re attacking already…….”
Yi Hwan snatched the towel Go-mi was holding.
“I need to get to the Command Center.”

* * *

The military camp grew frantic.
Commanders led their units out toward the defensive positions on the camp’s perimeter.
When Yi Hwan entered, Gwak Chung-mu bowed his head.
“Welcome, General-in-Chief.”
“Is it true that Zhao Kingdom has attacked the Western Military Unit?”
“Yes. We received word just now by dispatch.”
“How large are their forces?”
“Some twenty thousand launched a surprise attack and then withdrew immediately. It appears they were probing before the main engagement—and since then, a force of roughly a hundred thousand has moved close to the border and established a camp.”
“Any word of the Crown Prince?”
“None.”
Yi Hwan sat and fixed Gwak Chung-mu with a direct gaze.
“The enemy has launched a preemptive strike, so now we have justification to counterattack, do we not?”
“If we’re being precise about justification, yes. However, this is not a matter to decide hastily. I think we should summon the generals first and discuss it.”

* * *

The principal commanders gathered in the Command Center.
Yi Hwan remained seated at the head of the table, listening to the voices of the generals.
Opinions were divided.
The hardliners pushed for an immediate preemptive strike, while the moderates advocated for monitoring the enemy’s movements before responding.
Gwak Chung-mu turned to Yi Hwan and asked.
“What is your judgment, General?”
“I will defer to the Crown Prince’s decision.”
Of course, Yi Hwan agreed with the hardliners. But if he spoke up now, Gwak Chung-mu would be put in an awkward position, so he held his tongue.
In the end, the decision rested solely with Gwak Chung-mu, and it came swiftly.
“The weather here is colder than in the Western Military Unit, so it will take another two days for the snow to melt. The enemy, thinking as we do, will not move their forces until at least two days from now. Therefore, we strike one day ahead—tomorrow.”
“A full assault, then?”
At one general’s question, Gwak Chung-mu shook his head and turned to a commander who had a tiger-like appearance.
“I’ll need General Bang to lead this.”
“An ambush, then?”
Gwak Chung-mu nodded, and the general sprang to his feet, fisting his palm in salute.
“Understood!”
Yi Hwan, who had been watching silently, spoke up.
“How many martial artists will you take with you?”
“Since we’re striking at the enemy’s main camp, I intend to deploy all those capable of seeing action.”
“I’m going as well.”
……!
Everyone turned to stare at Yi Hwan in shock. He rose slowly from his seat and continued.
“I have several capable companions in my service. In our previous battle against Zhao Kingdom, my people dominated their martial artists, so we should be quite useful.”
“That would be far too dangerous. For this ambush operation, it would be better if you remained here and observed, General.”
At Gwak Chung-mu’s remonstration, Yi Hwan spoke with finality.
“I came here to fight, as I’ve said before. And I will move in a way that causes no interference, so there is no need for concern.”
…….
“Another matter—I’d like the Crown Prince to exercise his authority once, if you’re willing.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“There are people who would be of great help in the ambush operation, but only the Crown Prince’s authority can move them.”
Gwak Chung-mu’s mind immediately turned to Hwa Ryeong and her companions.
[Are you perhaps referring to the women sent by the Empress?]
[I am.]
[May I ask the reason?]
[Could you not ask me later?]
…….
After a moment’s thought, Gwak Chung-mu nodded.
[Very well. I will have them sent along as well.]

* * *

Leaving the Command Center, Yi Hwan made his way directly to Hwa Ryeong’s encampment. The female warriors greeted him with an awkward posture.
“If you’re going to bow, do it properly. Otherwise, stop wasting time with false courtesy.”
…….
Yi Hwan’s rebuke came sharp and cold. He called softly toward the interior of the encampment.
“Can I see you?”
Hwa Ryeong emerged.
She bowed deeply to Yi Hwan.
“I greet you, General.”
“Is this the full complement?”
“Yes, General. Though I wonder what brings you to seek us out?”
“A surprise attack has been decided for tomorrow morning. I’d like you and your people to participate.”
“Will the Crown Prince himself be going?”
“The Crown Prince will not be going.”
“Forgive me, but the Empress entrusted us with a specific duty—to protect the Crown Prince of the Northern Military Unit from the enemy’s martial artists. If the Crown Prince is not going, we cannot leave the encampment. I trust you understand.”
There was not a trace of fear in Hwa Ryeong’s measured tone and bearing, yet Yi Hwan had already anticipated this response.
He raised his right hand.
It was a Military Command Tablet, a hand’s breadth in length.
“A military order from the General-in-Chief. You know what happens when one disobeys such orders during wartime.”
“……!”
“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Hwa Ryeong watched Yi Hwan’s retreating figure as he turned and walked away, a subtle smile playing at her lips.
‘Does he mean to eliminate us on the battlefield? Or is he simply testing our strength first?’
“How amusing.”
Hwa Ryeong stepped inside and picked up the teacup she had been drinking from. A woman approached.
“Will you be departing, then?”
“What choice do I have? He flaunts the General-in-Chief’s tablet and issues threats—we have no choice but to go with him. But tell me, have you gathered any intelligence on the people who came with the Commander?”
“I’m still gathering it.”
“Still?”
“I’ll expedite matters.”
“You’d better. We’re not here on holiday.”
“Yes.”
Clink.
Hwa Ryeong drained her cup and rose. She removed her outer robe and lay down on the bed.
“I’m going to sleep. Don’t wake me.”
“Yes. Rest well.”
The woman took the cup and tray and left.
Hwa Ryeong gazed at the ceiling and exhaled slowly.
“Shhh…….”
The breath flowing from her lips froze in the empty air, crystallizing into frost that fell like snowflakes.
A smile bloomed once more at the corners of her mouth.
‘Since we’re now bound for the battlefield together, I suppose I should see just how capable you truly are, Commander. Do try not to disappoint me.’
Hwa Ryeong sought sleep at once.
And soon she drifted off. When her eyes opened again, it was not morning but the deep hours before dawn.
Having retired far too early, she woke considerably sooner than was her custom.
Hwa Ryeong drew on her outer robe and stepped out of the encampment. Snowflakes drifted gently from the sky.
She gazed toward Yi Hwan’s quarters.
They remained shrouded in darkness.
‘No sentries posted, not even a torch lit nearby—does such confidence stem from true strength?’
Hwa Ryeong’s eyes narrowed slowly.
‘How curious. This hunt is shaping up to be far more interesting than I expected. Ah-heh.’

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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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