The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 136

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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 136

Chapter 136 — The Battle Begins (1)

Clang! Clang! Clang!
The bell rang out.
Warriors burst forth from every corner, moving swiftly to their assigned positions.
Yi Hwan entered the barracks, donned his armor, and made for the command center. The key commanders were already assembled there.
When Yi Hwan stepped inside, all of them rose from their seats and bowed their heads.
Yi Hwan fixed his gaze on Gwak Chung-mu.
“Who have we assigned to lead the vanguard?”
“Colonel Bang, sir!”
The fierce Bang Hyo stepped forward.
“I’ll go with you.”
In the past, everyone would have protested. But they had already witnessed Yi Hwan’s martial skill and capability once before, so no one spoke up.
Gwak Chung-mu spoke.
“This engagement will unfold differently than before, High Prince.”
“I’m prepared. Don’t worry yourself.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently, then turned to face the commanders. He surveyed each face slowly and spoke.
“Are you all prepared to die?”
“Yes!”
The commanders’ cry was even more robust and resonant than that of new recruits.
“Who oversees provisions?”
“Colonel, sir!”
A commander stepped forward.
“If we’re to raise a cup of victory, we’ll need a great deal of wine. Prepare as much quick-ferment liquor as you can manage.”
“Yes, High Prince! I’ll work through the night and prepare as much as possible!”
Everyone laughed at what seemed like an excessive command from Yi Hwan. This was precisely the moment when such confidence was needed.
Yi Hwan’s eyes turned back to Gwak Chung-mu.
Their gazes locked, clashing and tangling in the empty space between them.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Be careful, High Prince.”

* * *

As Yi Hwan stepped outside, Gwak Chung-mu and the other commanders followed behind him.
Waiting outside were Cheol Mu-ok, Ju-tae, Go-mi, and the warriors of the Second King’s Lineage.
Hwa-ryeong was there too.
Thanks to the Spirit Pill, her complexion showed no trace of the internal injury she had sustained. It wasn’t a complete recovery, but she had volunteered to go along.
Yi Hwan turned his gaze toward where Bang Hyo’s brigade was positioned. Thirty thousand elite soldiers stood ready with flags and spears, waiting for him and Bang Hyo to arrive.
Off to one side were some two hundred martial artists as well.
‘No matter what happens, I must repel the enemy vanguard and bolster the army’s morale. If I fail… this war could be lost.’
Yi Hwan exhaled slowly through his nose.
Now he was more resolute than ever before.
‘This feeling is strange.’
Since his reincarnation, he had fought the Zhao Kingdom several times, but never before had something this blazing surged up from deep within his chest.
Yi Hwan turned to Bang Hyo.
“Are you confident?”
“Of course, High Prince!”
“Then let’s go.”
“Yes, High Prince!”

* * *

Through a window, Jo Gwang watched Yi Hwan depart from the military encampment.
His gaze was heavy and melancholic, wavering slightly. Then a murmur close to a sigh escaped his lips.
“Is it right for me to stay here like this? This war began because of me.”
……
Papa could not bring herself to answer.
“What if I stepped forward?”
“The troops are under the command of the Southwest King’s closest advisors and their retinue. If Your Highness were to act, they would only become more savage in their assault. For now, we must wait for the Northern Military Unit of Yen to gain the upper hand.”
“And yet I wonder—what meaning is there in merely surviving like this? Here I crouch, supposedly the Crown Prince of a nation, clinging to my own life…….”
“Your Highness.”
A sorrowful smile appeared at the corners of Jo Gwang’s lips.
He had endured this long by sheer force of will—to survive somehow, to drive out the Southwest King, to return to Zhao Kingdom. But since the war had begun, the depths of his heart had been shaken violently.
Was it pangs of conscience?
Or perhaps the weight of his gratitude toward Yi Hwan?
Certainly Yi Hwan had his own purpose in keeping him alive, but setting that aside, the man had done everything in his power to protect him all this time.
That was what tormented him most.
Whishhhhh!
A biting wind swept across Jo Gwang’s face as he stood by the window. His cheeks had already flushed crimson from the cold after standing there so long.
It was then.
Yi Hwan glanced toward Jo Gwang’s barracks.
Without thinking, Jo Gwang raised his hand.
‘Thank you, my lord. And forgive me.’
Swish!
Snow whirled up by the wind obscured Jo Gwang’s vision. When the flurry cleared, Yi Hwan had already left the camp and vanished from sight.
Crunch.
Jo Gwang bit his lip firmly.
“Papa.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Go and aid the Grand General. This is an order from the Crown Prince—obey it.”
Papa cried out in alarm.
“My place is at Your Highness’s side! Please withdraw this command!”
Jo Gwang turned to face her.
In that moment, Papa saw the resolute light burning in his eyes and nearly fell to her knees.
‘……Your Highness!’

* * *

Yi Hwan moved at the vanguard alongside Bang Hyo.
Behind them were arrayed Cheol Mu-ok, Ju-tae, Go-mi, and the warriors of the Second King’s Lineage.
Around Bang Hyo, too, numerous Martial Artists were positioned.
Whishhhhh!
The wind grew increasingly fierce, and snow swirled across all the earth.
Bang Hyo gazed at Yi Hwan’s emotionless profile beside him and found his mind turning toward another figure.
‘Your Majesty…….’
The Emperor.
In campaigns against the northern barbarians long ago, they had fought together. In those days, the Emperor had been a god-like presence to every commander in his army.
More valiant than any, more skilled than any, more powerful than any—an absolute sovereign.
A faint bitterness flickered in Bang Hyo’s eyes as he recalled the Emperor.
‘So it truly was because of the Empress…….’
It was then.
“Maintain your composure.”
“……!”
At Yi Hwan’s voice, Bang Hyo started and swiftly corrected his expression.
“Your breathing has grown rough.”
“I was lost in thought for a moment. My apologies, my lord.”
Bang Hyo took a deep breath and turned his gaze forward. A scout was galloping toward them from ahead.
Judging by the Taksul Muheun Lightness Technique with which he ran, he was likely a Martial Artist from the Northern Military Unit.
He came racing through the wind and made his report.
“The enemy’s vanguard has crossed Manghyang Valley! We estimate their force at fifty thousand, and we have confirmed that numerous Martial Artists are advancing with them!”
Bang Hyo turned to Yi Hwan.
“At this pace, we will meet them in half a time period.”
Manghyang Valley was not far from the enemy’s first line of defense that they had annihilated through a surprise assault days earlier.
Yi Hwan asked.
“What strategy have you devised?”
“After advancing about one time period more, we will enter terrain favorable for an ambush. There, I propose we divide our forces in two and strike at them from both left and right flanks.”
Yi Hwan shook his head.
“In terms of Martial Artists, the enemy outnumbers our forces. Dividing our troops now would be courting disaster. Rather, we should double our mobility, concentrate our strikes at a single point with a hit-and-run approach, and gradually lure them closer to our main encampment.”
…….
“General.”
“Yes, Grand General.”
“Why don’t you entrust this battle to me?”
……!
Bang Hyo couldn’t answer at once.
He had already witnessed Yi Hwan’s capabilities during the surprise assault, but that didn’t mean he could simply hand over command.
Thirty thousand soldiers in the vanguard. Was this not a battle where their very lives hung in the balance?
Yet Bang Hyo’s heart was already leaning toward one decision.
‘He’s the man who once routed the Zhao Kingdom’s forces in the Southern Military Unit. And if he shows this much confidence…….’
Crack.
Bang Hyo clenched his lip and cried out to the entire army, channeling his Inner Strength into his voice.
“From this moment, the Grand General takes command! All of you, follow with your whole hearts!”
His shout carried clearly to the rear ranks. Bang Hyo turned to face Yi Hwan.
“Colonel Bang Hyo will trust the Grand General and follow!”
“Much obliged.”
The sudden change in commanding officer drew mixed reactions from the troops. But Yi Hwan was not one to miss such subtleties.
“Cheol Mu-ok, Ju-tae.”
“Yes, Grand General.”
“Go ahead and secure positions advantageous for our assault.”
“Understood.”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae exchanged a meaningful glance, their eyes speaking volumes.
[We’ll have to turn their distrust into trust, won’t we?]
[That’s why he’s sending us ahead first. Come on—let’s run like dogs.]
The two of them called out softly to the warriors of the Second King’s Lineage.
“Let’s move.”
Whoosh!
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae shot upward first, and the warriors of the Second King’s Lineage surged after them.
“Wow!”
“Unbelievable!”
Gasps of astonishment erupted from all quarters.
The Martial Artists of the Northern Military Unit watched in shock as Cheol Mu-ok and the others vanished from sight in an instant.
For them, such a height of Lightness Technique was beyond even their wildest dreams.
Yi Hwan addressed the commanders calmly.
“When the battle begins, they will protect you, so fight with courage and peace of mind.”
“Yes!”
The mood among the commanders transformed in an instant.
Then it happened.
“Stop!”
“Who goes there?”
Sharp cries echoed from behind in succession.
Yi Hwan and Bang Hyo turned. In that moment, Yi Hwan’s brow furrowed.
‘Why is Papa…….’
Papa stood blocked by soldiers, staring at Yi Hwan. He called out softly to his men.
“She’s one of ours.”
Papa approached.
[Didn’t I warn you that revealing your identity would put you in greater danger?]
Yi Hwan’s Transmission of Voice carried a subtle note of irritation. At that, deep conflict settled over Papa’s features.
[It is the Crown Prince’s orders. I will aid the Grand General with techniques other than the Amipa Sect’s martial arts.]
Yi Hwan thought of Jo Gwang.
‘Was her heart so unsettled?’
He grasped the situation easily enough. Papa had not come of her own will—she who would lay down her life for Jo Gwang’s sake had been sent.
“I am grateful.”
“Yes, Grand General.”
Papa moved to Go-mi’s side. Go-mi greeted her with a nod.
Meanwhile, Hwa-ryeong tilted her head, studying Papa curiously. She had seen Papa before while searching the area around the Military Barracks for Jo Gwang.
At the time, she had paid it no particular mind.
‘What’s an old woman like her doing on the battlefield? Something feels off about this.’
He had that thought, but soon wore a bitter smile.
‘There’s no reason to care anymore…….’
Still, Hwa-ryeong was curious about Papa’s identity.
So she asked Go-mi through Soul Transmission.
[Who is this old woman?]
[Stop asking.]
At Go-mi’s cold dismissal, Hwa-ryeong’s nose twitched and she turned her gaze forward.
‘Her temperament really is something else.’

* * *

Beyond the snow-laden forest, there were those watching the vanguard of the Northern Military Unit.
Five of them in all.
Every one of them radiated an aura sharp as a honed blade. One of them pointed toward Yi Hwan.
“That man is Grand General Yi Hwan.”
“Remarkable. A royal prince taking point in such a perilous battle. Those pampered royals of Zhao Kingdom lounging in their palatial halls ought to see this.”
“Yet surely the offspring of the Southwest King are all courageous? Two of them have volunteered for our unit, after all.”
“Courage alone does not suffice. I only hope they don’t create problems in the chain of command.”
At those words, all nodded gravely in agreement. In truth, two sons of the Southwest King were present in Zhao Kingdom’s army.
Since the Southwest King was virtually an emperor himself, the commanders had no choice but to treat them with special care, and already minor problems in the chain of command had begun to surface as a result.
“Will you simply let that man pass?”
“We might have if we hadn’t seen him, but now that we have, we cannot simply withdraw.”
The leader surveyed the terrain ahead with keen eyes. At one particular point, his gaze sharpened.
“That spot will do nicely.”
It was a gently curving passage. Moreover, dense forest flanked both sides, making it ideal terrain for an assassination attempt.
“We kill the Grand General of Yen Kingdom and raise our army’s morale. All of you must be prepared to die. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Move out.”
Rustle.

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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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