The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 127

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Red Dragon Emperor 127

Chapter 127 — Battle

General-in-Chief Gwal Chung-mu watched the troops departing from the Military Encampment, then exhaled softly.
His gaze remained fixed on Yi Hwan’s receding form.
“Sigh…”

I came here to fight.

He wanted to stop him.
But the Yi Hwan of that moment carried an atmosphere that could not be dissuaded.
‘I cannot allow the Great General to become a sacrificial pawn in the Empress’s scheme. This transcends factional loyalty—it is a matter of principle and righteousness.’
A flash of determination kindled in Gwal Chung-mu’s eyes.
He turned to the Vice Commander and called out one last time.
“I will go with the Great General. While I am gone, Vice Commander, see that you maintain order in the Military Encampment.”
“General-in-Chief!”
“I shall return.”
Thump!
Gwal Chung-mu launched himself from the ground, crossing the empty air like a bird in flight.
The assembled commanders made no effort to hide their astonishment.
“Why on earth is he doing this all of a sudden?”
“It seems the Great General has become a source of concern for him.”
One commander let his displeasure show.
“If he just stayed quiet, there’d be no problem. Why does he have to carry on like this?”
“How dare you speak of the Great General in such a manner!”
“Surely even the Great General must answer to the General-in-Chief’s judgment? If this continues, it could become a serious problem when it truly matters.”
“The General-in-Chief has accepted the Great General’s intention. We follow his lead, and that is all. Speak no more of this!”
The Vice Commander’s stern rebuke finally bowed the commander’s head.
“Yes, sir.”

* * *

“Great General, the General-in-Chief approaches.”
At Cheol Mu-ok’s words, Yi Hwan turned to look behind him.
Gwal Chung-mu was rushing toward them, white snow swirling in his wake.
It was Lightness Technique beyond the Tread Snow Without Trace.
‘A true master indeed.’
“The General-in-Chief comes!”
“The General-in-Chief arrives!”
The warriors stirred with anticipation. General Bang Hyo, entrusted with the Surprise Attack operation, raised his hand to halt their advance.
Gwal Chung-mu descended beside him.
“I will command this operation. General Bang, assume the role of deputy commander.”
“Will it be safe to leave the Military Encampment unattended?”
“The enemy cannot launch a Surprise Attack. And if they attempt one, we will discover them first. There is no cause for concern.”
“Understood.”
As Bang Hyo stepped back, Gwal Chung-mu moved at once to Yi Hwan’s side.
Yi Hwan regarded him calmly.
“You will join me in this operation.”
“Did you come because you were anxious I might falter?”
“I cannot deny it entirely.”
At Gwal Chung-mu’s candid reply, Yi Hwan smiled faintly and stepped aside.
Gwal Chung-mu moved forward and raised his voice.
“Resume the advance!”

* * *

Hwa Ryeong moved behind Yi Hwan.
Ever since she’d left the Military Encampment, she hadn’t taken her eyes off Yi Hwan.
‘Not a trace of tension anywhere—he moves like a veteran who’s spent his entire life rolling through battlefields. Truly a man like an onion, revealing something new with each layer.’
She had gathered considerable information about Yi Hwan.
From his past to his present. But the Yi Hwan she observed here was altogether different from the man who had emerged through reports and intelligence.
‘So the Empress had good reason to concern herself with him.’
Hwa Ryeong lifted her head and drew in the cold air. Her eyes flickered when Go-mi, moving beside Yi Hwan, turned back and their gazes met. For an instant their eyes locked, tangling together before finally breaking apart.
The corner of Hwa Ryeong’s mouth curved slightly.
‘The Moon-Lord of the Bi-wol Organization.’
Go-mi was concealing her identity. But Hwa Ryeong had known before arriving—that she was moving alongside Yi Hwan.
In truth, after Gwal Chung-mu and Yi Hwan, Go-mi was her next target.
‘You’re pretty, and that’s precisely why I dislike you.’
Whisk!
Snowflakes caught in the wind swept across Hwa Ryeong’s face. She left the snow clinging to her skin. She savored the chill the flakes carried, her eyes returning once more to Yi Hwan’s back.
‘Could it be that those two are… intimate?’

* * *

‘What was that look?’
Go-mi’s eyebrows shot up at Hwa Ryeong’s peculiar gaze.
She’d turned back by accident and their eyes had locked. In that moment, struck by a strange sensation like needles boring into her pupils, she’d quickly looked away.
But the feeling of surrender afterward stirred up a sudden irritation.
‘Infuriating wench. Strutting about with nothing but those cow-sized breasts.’
Go-mi scooped a handful of snow into her mouth. Ju-tae spoke up.
“Something weighing on your mind?”
“Mind your own business.”
“Yikes!”
Ju-tae turned away with an embarrassed expression. Cheol Mu-ok, watching the exchange, tilted his head back and laughed.
“Ha-ha-ha!”
Whoooosh!
The wind blew with considerable force. But the snow was beginning to lighten.
Go-mi fixed her gaze on Yi Hwan.
‘Why did he bring those women? Surely not to dispose of them on the battlefield?’
She wondered, but had not dared to ask.
‘He must have summoned them for that purpose.’
The advance proceeded at remarkable speed. Most of the Northern Military Unit’s warriors were accustomed to mountainous terrain, so even snow piled to the waist posed no obstacle whatsoever.
If anything, they moved with practiced ease across the steep inclines, displaying a veteran’s grace.
How much time had passed?
A scout returned from the front.
“The enemy has no awareness that our forces are ascending.”
Gwal Chung-mu gazed upward at the sky.
“It will soon be time to prepare the midday meal.”
“Indeed.”
“We strike then.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently in assent.
‘Not a bad plan.’
Gwal Chung-mu turned to face him and spoke.
“When battle begins, it would be prudent to engage from the rear if at all possible.”
“I understand.”
Of course, he harbored no such intention. But he also saw no reason to foster Gwal Chung-mu’s anxieties beforehand.
Yi Hwan recalled Hwang Ho, the Crown Prince of the Southern Military Unit.
He too had once been no different from Gwal Chung-mu. The concern that Yi Hwan might come to harm likely weighed more heavily than the thought of protecting him.
“Wine.”
Yi Hwan turned to Cheol Mu-ok and extended his hand.
Cheol Mu-ok withdrew a wine gourd from his breast and offered it.
Yi Hwan drained the entire gourd in one breath. It was fierce, searing liquor.
The potent aroma drifted back to Hwa Ryeong, who followed behind, flowing into her nostrils.
‘Growing nervous, is he?’
Hwa Ryeong was mistaken.

* * *

Yi Hwan watched the figures moving like shadows around Gwal Chung-mu.
Though all wore armor, they were Martial Artists.
Several of them carried themselves with such an unmistakable air of mastery that their prowess was evident at a glance. The same caliber surrounded Bang Hyo.
It left a bitter taste.
If the Government-Martial Separation Principle had held fast after the Hwasan Incident, the Martial Artists would never have become the government’s blades like this. Perhaps they didn’t even know such a thing had ever occurred?
Two hundred years had swallowed everything whole.
‘I’ll set it right again. I will.’
Whiiiing!
Whoooosh!
The wind grew fiercer by the moment. Swirling snow obscured the view, yet the Northern Military Unit’s warriors pressed forward without pause.
After roughly half an hour had passed, the enemy position finally came into sight.
Cheol Mu-ok sent a Sound Transmission.
[The scouts appear to have dealt with all the enemy sentries.]
True to his word, bodies lay scattered across the snow—enemy warriors who had been stationed far to the east of the Military Encampment to guard against precisely this kind of surprise attack.
Gwal Chung-mu turned to Yi Hwan.
“We’re beginning the assault.”
“Understood.”
Schring.
Gwal Chung-mu drew his sword and raised it high toward the sky.
It was the signal to commence the attack.

* * *

The Zhao Kingdom forces had constructed a Forward Defensive Line several miles to the east of their Main Camp. Its purpose was to hold back Yen Kingdom’s surprise attacks at the Forward Defensive Line, buying time for the Main Camp to mobilize and send reinforcements.
The Yen Kingdom’s raiding party struck precisely at this Forward Defensive Line.
“Argh!”
“Ahhh!”
“Hold the line!”
“Hold what? Damn dogs!”
Clang! Crash!
“Gaaah!”
“Ahhhhh!”
Combat erupted simultaneously across multiple fronts.
Gwal Chung-mu and his bodyguard unit drove straight through the enemy’s center.
Yi Hwan moved directly behind them.
He glanced back at Go-mi with an order.
“Don’t stray from our side.”
“Yes.”
Behind them, Hwa Ryeong took her position. She surveyed the battlefield with an expression of unhurried calm.
Into her ears came Yi Hwan’s voice.
“Let’s see what you can do.”
Hwa Ryeong turned to Yi Hwan.
“What would you have us do, Commander?”
“Hunt the enemy generals.”
“Very well.”
Ching!
Hwa Ryeong drew her blade—less a sword than an ornament, its surface adorned with brilliant jewels that blazed with Blue Light.
‘Watch closely, Commander.’
Pop!
As Hwa Ryeong launched herself upward, four women surged after her into the air.
Yi Hwan watched them go, a faint smile crossing his lips.
“Quite impressive.”
Then it happened.
A group of enemies appeared from ahead, kicking up snow in their wake.
“Enemy Martial Artists approaching.”
Cheol Mu-ok shouted and transformed his sword into a Broadsword.
Click! Click!
Yi Hwan drew his own blade slowly.
Whoosh.
Martial artists from the Northern Military Unit closed in around him. It seemed Gwal Chung-mu had issued instructions beforehand—they formed a perfect encirclement as if they’d drilled it countless times, moving in practiced unison.
‘I can’t afford to be a burden.’
Yi Hwan assessed the enemy’s martial artists in a swift glance. Then he spotted one general, and his eyes sharpened.
He’d seen it—blood-light flowing along the general’s blade.
‘Demonic Qi.’
A telltale mark of someone who’d mastered extreme Demonic Cultivation.
“Cheol Mu-ok, Ju-tae.”
“Yes!”
“Right!”
“Target that one.”
“Understood.”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae advanced forward.
Yi Hwan followed in their wake, and the Northern Military Unit’s martial artists moved as one.
That was when it happened.
Crack!
A violent explosion erupted from the left. Through the swirling snow-dust came an enemy martial artist, spraying blood as he flew backward.
He’d been charging straight at Gwal Chung-mu.
“Commander! Don’t advance so far ahead!”
Yi Hwan merely laughed.
But his blade already gleamed with white light.
‘The Crown Prince and the generals fussing over my safety beyond necessity—that itself is a drain on our strength. I can’t allow that while bearing the title of Commander.’
So what should he do?
Seven Lights bloomed from Yi Hwan’s body.
Because the battle had just begun, only one person close by witnessed it—Go-mi.
The Seven Lights reflected in Go-mi’s pupils. An instant later, her eyes burned crimson.
Thud!
“Aaaagh!”
One enemy martial artist, unable to withstand the full force of the Seven Lights, collapsed spurting blood.
At the same moment, Yi Hwan surged forward.
The panicked martial artists scrambled to pursue him, hurling themselves into combat. That was when Gwal Chung-mu’s eyes widened in alarm.
“This…!”
In an instant, an opening appeared, and one of the enemy rushed at Gwal Chung-mu. But a martial artist shadowing him like a phantom took his head clean off.
Splat!
“Ngh!”

* * *

Whack!
“Urgh!”
Hwa Ryeong’s blade cleaved through a general’s head.
Remarkably, the severed head froze white in mid-air.
Crack-crackle!
Three Zhao Kingdom generals had already fallen to her sword. Hwa Ryeong glanced back, her eyes going wide.
She saw Yi Hwan breaking through the escort lines, driving forward.
‘I thought he was wound tight, but apparently not? So let’s see what he’s really made of.’
On a battlefield where life and death crossed paths, Hwa Ryeong folded her arms and smiled. Four women encircled her.
The enemies who’d targeted Hwa Ryeong’s openings lost their heads to the women.
Flash!
The light from Yi Hwan’s blade turned Hwa Ryeong’s pupils white. Then the smile at her lips deepened.
Two enemy martial artists collapsed in a spray of blood under Yi Hwan’s single stroke.
The smile vanished from Hwa Ryeong’s face in that instant.
‘He shattered a blade infused with Qi Infusion?’
Indeed.
Yi Hwan’s blade had cut cleanly through his opponent’s Qi-infused sword without hesitation. Any master versed in Qi Infusion understood exactly how extraordinary that was.
Twitch.
Hwa Ryeong’s eyebrows arched slightly. Then the smile that had vanished crept back across her lips.
‘This should be interesting. Hehe…’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————