The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 135

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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 135

Chapter 135 — Storm Clouds Gather Over the Northern Military Unit

The following day, Go-mi and Ju-tae returned from their reconnaissance. But both of them were drenched in dried blood, their clothes blackened and stiff.
“Are you alright?”
“We chose the wrong target for surveillance and ran into some trouble, but we’re fine,” Go-mi replied.
Ju-tae continued at once.
“It appears the Crown Prince Zhao Guang’s presence here has been exposed. The Zhao Southwest King learned of this fact and issued orders to strengthen his forces. Isn’t that strange? How on earth did the Zhao Southwest King find out?”
Yi Hwan’s eyes flickered with sudden intensity.
How had the Zhao Southwest King discovered that Zhao Guang was here?
In Yen, only the attendants who had come with him knew this fact.
Yi Hwan’s expression darkened for a moment, then twisted into a bitter smile.
“That woman’s work.”
“Sir?”
“The Empress.”
“You think the Empress leaked false information to Zhao?”
“Who else could it be? Since the assassination failed, she’s decided to borrow Zhao’s blade instead.”
Go-mi spoke up.
“The Empress’s greatest objective is to eliminate the Crown Prince. To achieve that, wouldn’t it be advantageous to make Zhao concentrate more of its forces on the Western Front?”
“Who can fathom what that woman thinks?”
Yi Hwan shook his head and drained his cup.
Ju-tae poured more wine into the empty vessel.
Splash.
“Either she’s shifted her target to me, or there’s something else we don’t know about.”
“If Zhao decides to attack in force this time, it will be a truly difficult battle.”
“We’ll win. Somehow, we have to.”
“Their forces are nearly double ours. Shouldn’t we request reinforcements from the Central Army now?”
“They wouldn’t send anyone even if we asked. I’ve already called in about this many troops from the garrison in the Northernmost Region—we have to make do with what we have.”
“Has the Crown Prince agreed?”
“If this position falls, the Northernmost Region falls with it. He has no choice but to accept.”
Yi Hwan drained his cup again, and Ju-tae immediately refilled it.
Splash.
“Still, shouldn’t we formally request support from the Central Army? For later, when accounts are settled, we need evidence to show we asked.”
At Go-mi’s words, Yi Hwan stared at her and smiled faintly.
“You surprise people sometimes.”
“Sir?”
“Good thinking. Go tell the Crown Prince to send an official request for Central Army support, and inform him of the intelligence we’ve gathered.”
“Understood.”
Go-mi left the barracks at once.
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair, his gaze growing distant.
“The outcome will likely depend on how the martial artists on both sides fight. Make sure everyone understands the gravity of the situation.”
“Don’t worry. They’ll give their all whenever the moment comes.”
“Where’s Mu-ok? I don’t see him.”
“On the way, I saw him helping Young Master Song with his cultivation. The young master seems serious about it lately. Except for meals and sleep, he doesn’t put down his sword for a moment.”
It was true. Since arriving at the Northern Military Unit, Song Cheon-mu had devoted nearly all his time to training.
‘This battle could well become a crucial test for him.’
Song Cheon-mu could not avoid concern because of Yi Young, and so Yi Hwan occasionally helped with his training as well.
“You’ve worked hard. Go rest.”
“Yes.”
As Ju-tae withdrew, Yi Hwan walked to the window and threw it open.
Whistle!
A bitter cold slashed across his face mercilessly. Yi Hwan turned his gaze toward the northeast sky where the Imperial Palace lay.
‘Until now, I’ve merely responded to the problems the Empress created. But when this war ends, I’ll make sure she deeply regrets ever crossing me.’
The face of the Empress rose in Yi Hwan’s mind.
She was now the very source of all evil.
‘I wonder what expression she’ll wear when she realizes that every scheme directed at me and the Crown Prince has backfired.’
He was certain he could make that happen.
But for now, the urgent priority was to navigate this immediate crisis.
‘What am I to do?’

* * *

The Empress held the letter Gwal Chung-mu had sent, her eyes trailing downward until they narrowed, her lips curling into a smile.
“Hm! Even the great Gwal Chung-mu proves no more than an ordinary man before his own son.”
“Have you achieved the result you desired?”
“Read it yourself.”
Rather than answer, the Empress handed the letter to the Middle-aged Man. After confirming its contents, he gazed at her with a satisfied smile playing at his lips.
“It seems the righteous ones crumble all the more easily under such schemes. But tell me, how will you now drive a wedge between Gwal Chung-mu and the Fourth Prince?”
“We must begin with a thorough investigation of all who traveled north with him to the Northern Military Unit. Among them, surely, will be the Crown Prince of Zhao. And once the General-in-Chief launches the investigation himself, their relationship will naturally fracture beyond repair. Bring me the writing instruments.”
“At once.”
Moments later, the Empress penned a lengthy letter and placed it in a message container, which she handed to the Middle-aged Man.
“I shall see it dispatched immediately.”
The Middle-aged Man withdrew from the Main Hall.
“Bring tea again.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Empress sank deep into her chair, her lips curving with satisfaction.
‘That Gwal Chung-mu shakes so easily. Resolved far more simply than I’d anticipated. Hehehehe.’
It was then that a Blue-robed Person entered the Main Hall.
As he bowed his head, the Empress immediately demanded, “Have you brought them?”
“Have you brought them?”
“Gwal Chung-mu’s family has departed for a city near the Northern Military Unit, Your Majesty.”
“What?”
“I made inquiries in the surrounding areas and confirmed it as fact. So I’ve sent the children ahead to the city nearest the Northern Military Unit.”
The Empress’s lustrous face twisted slightly. But she let out a hollow laugh.
“Ha! What is family affection, that they would rush to such a brutal battlefield to see their husband and father?”
“Their family ties have always been uncommonly close, it seems.”
At that moment, the Female Warrior entered carrying a teapot from which steam rose in gentle wisps.
The Empress brought the cup to her lips as she issued her orders.
“Tell the children that if they are found, they are not to be harmed—bring them gently.”
“Understood.”
The Empress let out another hollow laugh.
“The lives of such pitiful creatures, ha!”

* * *

Yi Hwan and Gwal Chung-mu sat facing each other.
“I believe there is something you should see.”
Yi Hwan read the letter Gwal Chung-mu had presented. It had been sent by the Empress.
‘A comprehensive investigation to drive a wedge between myself and General Gwal? Clever indeed.’
Gwal Chung-mu asked, his expression bewildered.
“Why would the Empress mention a thorough investigation of those who came here with Your Highness?”
Yi Hwan set down the letter and took a slow sip of tea.
Tap.
“There is something I have not yet told you.”
“Is it of great importance?”
Yi Hwan spoke without hesitation.
“The Crown Prince of Zhao is here in this place—disguised, of course, as someone else.”
“……What?”
Gwal Chung-mu’s eyes flew wide open.
“The one the Empress and the Southwest King of Zhao desire most of all is the Crown Prince of Zhao. Should he be delivered back to Zhao, Yen will bear an indelible shame in history.”
Gwal Chung-mu’s face grew heavy. Surrendering a political refugee was unthinkable.
Yet when one considered what had sparked this war in the first place, it was far from a simple matter to judge.
“Of course, if we surrender the Crown Prince of Zhao, this war might well end. But it would leave a wound deeper than war itself. Should that come to pass, Yen will be eternally recorded as an unprincipled state that surrendered a political refugee to an enemy nation—and Jin will certainly never overlook such an act.”
“You speak the truth.”
Gwal Chung-mu nodded solemnly.
He too could not help but agree with Yi Hwan’s words, though shock still clung to him.
He had never imagined that the very figure at the heart of this conflict might be here, in the Northern Military Unit itself. Yi Hwan leaned back and continued.
“The Empress won’t be certain that the Crown Prince is here either. She’s only acting on suspicion, so if you simply let this matter pass, there will be no problem at all.”
“Should I report that a full investigation was conducted and the Crown Prince was not found?”
“Can you do that for me?”
“As I have already said, I will follow the Grand General’s wishes. Moreover, I have not the slightest inclination to yield to injustice.”
Had he made his decision? Gwal Chung-mu’s expression appeared noticeably lighter.
Yi Hwan spoke.
“You don’t think I moved your family to safety as some kind of threat, do you?”
At that, Gwal Chung-mu broke into hearty laughter.
“Ha ha ha! Surely you wouldn’t take my family hostage, Grand General!”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
‘If necessary, I could do far worse than that. Of course, your family doesn’t fall into that category. You’re a man worthy of trust, just as General Hwang Ho is.’
Gwal Chung-mu nodded with admiration and continued.
“The Empress’s scheme is truly ingenious. To confirm the Crown Prince’s movements through a full investigation while naturally driving a wedge between you and the Grand General—remarkable indeed. But what astonishes me most is the Grand General himself. Everything unfolds exactly as you predicted, and I am left in awe.”
“It was only possible because you trusted me. Now, I’ll take my leave.”
Yi Hwan left the Command Center and headed toward where Zhao Guang was. Cheol Mu-ok, who had been waiting outside, fell into step beside him.
“Where is Ju-tae?”
“He got a small scratch during an operation with Go-mi a few days ago and he’s making an absolute fuss about it. He’s lounging about at the barracks now, lazy as can be.”
“The Sword King used to do the same.”
“Sir? What do you mean by that……?”
‘Slip!’
Yi Hwan quickly recovered.
“I think I read somewhere in a book that the Sword King was prone to exaggerating his ailments. Just something that came to mind. Let’s hurry on.”
Yi Hwan quickened his pace.

* * *

Zhao Guang’s face had grown considerably brighter.
Whether he had accepted his fate or steeled himself anew, he looked better than he had since his exile—at least in appearance.
Papa carefully steeped the tea.
As she brewed, she glanced at Yi Hwan from time to time. By now, he had become far more to her than merely the man who saved her life.
Zhao Guang asked.
“What news from Zhao Kingdom?”
“That’s precisely why I came.”
“Is the situation dire?”
“Zhao is reinforcing its forces—already twice our number. We’ve also confirmed that there are hundreds of martial artists among them.”
Zhao Guang’s expression hardened.
“Why so suddenly……?”
“It seems the Empress has spread false information to Zhao’s Imperial Palace—that the Crown Prince is here.”
“……!”
Zhao Guang’s eyes widened. Papa, who had been preparing tea, stopped and turned to look at Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan continued.
“A major offensive will begin soon. When it does, all my direct subordinates here will have no choice but to join the battle.”
Yi Hwan turned to look at Papa.
“In the end, Papa will have to protect the Crown Prince alone.”
“We will help as well!”
Zhao Guang’s eyes flashed with resolve.
But Yi Hwan shook his head.
“I appreciate the sentiment. But if they discover your martial power—or the old woman’s—the Southwest King will pour in far greater numbers.”
“……!”
Zhao Guang clenched his eyes shut and bowed his head. Yi Hwan watched quietly as Zhao Guang’s fists trembled.
After a moment, Zhao Guang spoke.
“If I surrender, the war ends, doesn’t it?”
“Is that what you want?”
“…….”
“Even if the Crown Prince were to return to Zhao of his own accord, Yen would bear an indelible shame. This means we have no intention of surrendering you—so there is nothing to fear, nothing to regret.”
Tremble…….
Zhao Guang’s eyes trembled.
Papa pressed her hand to her chest. She quietly rose and bowed deeply to Yi Hwan.
Every gesture of her body was laden with sorrow. Zhao Guang closed his eyes tightly once more, and Yi Hwan silently raised his teacup.
Then Go-mi’s voice drifted in from outside.
“Grand General.”
“Come in.”
Go-mi opened the door and entered.
“Zhao Kingdom has begun to move. A vanguard of nearly ten thousand departed the encampment first, and the main force appears ready to advance soon.”
“Snow still blankets the ground, and they’re moving already.”
……
“Understood. Go inform the Crown Prince.”
“Yes.”
After Go-mi left, Yi Hwan drained the last of his tea and rose to his feet.
“I should go as well.”
Zhao Guang stood and followed.
“Take care, Grand General.”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention whatsoever of losing this war.”

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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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