The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 137

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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, Episode 137

Chapter 137 — The Battle Begins (2)

A single small error can ruin everything. When the opponent is a master, it may cost one’s life. The Martial Artists of Zhao Kingdom, now moving to assassinate Yi Hwan, had no idea what mistake they had made.
‘Raptors never abandon prey once caught.’
An eagle took flight.
Yi Hwan watched something fall from the branch where the eagle had been perched.
In that instant, he identified it as a rabbit. His eyes brightened when he realized the creature was nearly intact.
Yi Hwan spoke quietly to the Martial Artists following Bang Hyo.
“Strengthen the protection around General Bang.”
Bang Hyo fixed Yi Hwan with a bewildered stare.
Yi Hwan tilted his chin toward the curved bend in the road ahead.
“Someone is concealed there. Most likely a Martial Artist from Zhao Kingdom targeting either myself or the General.”
“……!”
Bang Hyo’s eyes widened.
The spot Yi Hwan indicated was still over a hundred paces away. It should have been impossible to detect a hidden person from this distance.
Yet because it was Yi Hwan’s instruction, Bang Hyo readied his blade, loosening the lock on the hilt.
Click.
The Martial Artists tightened their formation around Bang Hyo.
Bang Hyo gave them his orders.
“Guard the High Prince.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“High Prince.”
“Pay them no mind. These people are sufficient.”
Yi Hwan raised his hand, gesturing to those behind. There were only three: Go-mi, Hwa-ryeong, and Papa.
Hwa-ryeong’s expression turned awkward.
‘So I’ve become the High Prince’s bodyguard, have I.’
Papa and Go-mi also freed their blade locks. Yet both wore the same puzzlement as Bang Hyo.
‘What could he have seen?’
No matter how carefully they studied the spot Yi Hwan had indicated, they could not imagine anyone was there.
Bang Hyo asked, “Would it not be better to send the Martial Artists ahead first?”
“Then they would flee. It’s best to cut their numbers down by one before battle is joined. Act as though nothing is amiss.”
“Understood.”

The distance grew steadily shorter.
When they had closed to within twenty paces, Yi Hwan opened his Qi Detection and probed his surroundings.
But no presence registered.
‘These are strong ones, it seems.’
The distance narrowed to ten paces.
Then the faintest flicker of Qi caught his awareness—so dim that without prior knowledge of the ambush, it would have been utterly imperceptible.
‘Now would be a good moment to instill absolute confidence in my companions.’
Yi Hwan sent Soul Transmission to Go-mi and the others.
[When I move, deal with anyone who tries to flee. Finish them.]
[Understood, High Prince.]
[Of course.]
[Yes, understood.]
All three answered at once.
Yi Hwan turned to Bang Hyo.
[When I move, stop your advance.]
Before Bang Hyo could even ask, Yi Hwan leapt from his war horse and hurled himself into the forest.
At the same moment, seven orbs of light rose above his head and moved with him.
“Astounding!”
Several Officers gasped in admiration.
Yi Hwan’s motion, the distance of his leap, and its height transcended their imagination.

* * *

“Ah!”
One of those targeting Yi Hwan let out a sharp cry.
They had seen Yi Hwan spring upward.
The leader’s face twisted.
“We’re exposed!”
“Do you yield?”
“Yield? He comes alone without fear—we can’t just let him leave. Attack!”
Crack! Crack! Crack!
All five of them leaped up at once.
But one fell almost immediately.
Thunk!
“Ahhh!”
Light falling from above bent sharply and pierced through the heart of one of the black-robed assassins.
The leader rushed straight at Yi Hwan.
His blade, infused with an Empowered Qi Strike, cut through the air toward Yi Hwan’s ribs.
‘Too easy.’
A satisfied smile played at the leader’s lips. His sword was already heading for Yi Hwan’s side.
But then.
Bang!
“……!”
The leader’s eyes went wide as saucers.

* * *

Bang!
Yi Hwan stepped on the incoming blade. Using the rebound, he drove his knee hard into the leader’s chest.
Thwack!
“Ahhh!”
Yi Hwan beheaded his collapsing opponent with a merciless stroke, then twisted through the air and brought his sword down hard on another man’s shoulder.
Thwack!
“Gah!”
The man staggered, blood spurting from the wound. The blade had not landed cleanly—his right arm hung half-severed, dangling uselessly.
“Damn it!”
“Run!”
The two survivors bolted from the grove, fleeing into the trees.
They had recognized an expert beyond their reach and chosen life.
But Papa stood in their way.
A faint, conflicted light wavered in Papa’s eyes. Yet it lasted only an instant before her blade fell upon the two heads without mercy.
Crack! Crack!
“Ahhh!”
“Urgh!”
Hwa-ryeong scratched her head.
“That was too quick. No challenge at all.”
Go-mi watched the grove where Yi Hwan had vanished. He emerged now, blood dripping from the severed head in his grip.
Go-mi examined Yi Hwan first.
His armor was splattered with blood in several places, but fortunately, Yi Hwan appeared unharmed.
“Grand General!”
Bang Hyo and the officers came running.
“Are you all right, Grand General!”
“They were weaker than I expected.”
Yi Hwan glanced toward the martial artists nearby.
“You two.”
Two martial artists rushed over.
“Take their heads and hang them along the road where the enemy will pass. Make sure they’re displayed in a place where everyone can see.”
“Understood!”
The two martial artists collected the other severed heads and hurried off. Yi Hwan wiped blood and brain matter from his armor, then mounted his war horse.
“Let’s move.”
The march resumed.

* * *

There were those watching the unfolding events.
Cloaked entirely in black robes from head to foot, they fixed their gaze upon Yi Hwan’s retreating figure, their eyes trembling with disbelief.
“It’s unbelievable. The Grand General was that powerful…….”
“I knew he was strong, but I never imagined he was this formidable.”
They were the assassins of Hongwol, sent by Mun I-jong. Two days prior, they had slipped into the Northern Military Unit to await their opportunity, and had pursued him to this very place.
“This is troublesome…….”
A silence settled over them for a moment.
Then one of the black-robed figures turned and spoke.
“We’re leaving.”
“Are you giving up?”
The two of us haven’t a chance. No—even if someone higher-ranking came, killing the Grand General would be impossible.”
“If we return like this, we’re dead anyway. The Grand Chamberlain won’t listen to our excuses.”
“We’ll go somewhere else.”
“……What?”
“Neither of us has family to care for. If we disappear to somewhere no one can find us, we can at least save our lives.”
“……!”
“If you’d rather not, you needn’t come with me.”
“No, I will! I’ll come with you!”
The Hongwol assassins had come to kill Yi Hwan. Without ever drawing their blades, they departed toward a place no one would ever find them.
Whoosh!

* * *

The Southern Military Unit.
Unlike the other fronts where clashes had occurred multiple times already, this sector remained locked in a tense standoff state. Neither Yen nor Zhao made aggressive military movements—only watching each other warily.
“Intelligence reports that the enemy is massing forces toward the Western Front and the Northern Military Unit.”
“Hmm…….”
At Jeong Cheon’s words, Peng Wu-wei nodded slowly, his expression grave.
Jeong Cheon continued.
“The central forces won’t send reinforcements—that’s certain. The Western Military Unit can deploy reserves stationed in the rear if necessary, but the Northern Military Unit risks becoming completely cut off and isolated.”
“I know. It’s driving me to madness.”
Peng Wu-wei clenched both fists tightly.
How could he not understand? Yet there was no other choice. He wanted nothing more than to dispatch reinforcements, but to do so would place the Southern Military Unit in jeopardy—an option he could not afford.
“If you permit it, General-in-Chief, I shall lead ten thousand soldiers to the Northern Military Unit myself.”
“Your intentions are clear to me, General. But if you do so, word will reach the Imperial Palace at once, and you yourself may be removed from command. I myself fear no dismissal. What troubles me is this: if the Empress sends one of her trusted attendants as my replacement, the Southern Military Unit will turn against the Crown Prince and the Grand General.”
“…….”
Jeong Cheon slowly closed his eyes.
Peng Wu-wei drank directly from a bottle to ease the burning in his chest.
Glug, glug!
Thunk!
“Damn it all—how can the Mother of a Nation prove herself inferior to the enemy?”
Peng Wu-wei’s fury exploded.
At that moment, an officer entered.
“General-in-Chief! Reports confirm that the Zhao forces have begun their advance toward the Northern Military Unit!”
Tremble-tremble…….
Both Peng Wu-wei and Jeong Cheon’s eyes flickered as they trembled with tension. Knowing the Northern Military Unit was in danger yet powerless to aid them, their hearts burned black with frustration.
Bang!
Peng Wu-wei suddenly slammed his fist upon the table, his jaw clenched.
“This won’t do! General Jeong Cheon, take ten thousand elite soldiers to the Northern Military Unit at once. We’ll deal with whatever consequences come after we’ve helped the Grand General!”
“Understood.”
Jeong Cheon departed immediately, as though he had been waiting for these very words.
The Captain asked with concern.
“Are you certain about this?”
“The Third Prince is here with us. If the enemy attacks, the Empress will help in whatever way she can—she won’t want to see her own son die.”
“That may be true, but once the report reaches the capital, you will face severe consequences.”
“How can I sit idle when the Grand General is in danger? We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it—don’t trouble me with such worries!”
“……Yes.”
Glug, glug!
Peng Wu-wei finished the last of his drink, then reached for another bottle.
“Confound that woman! Why does she just leave the Third Prince here and march the whole damn force up to the Northern Military Unit?”
“Your Highness!”
“I’m frustrated, that’s all—frustrated!”
Gulp, gulp!

* * *

The Third Prince, Yi Seong-ji, was spending his time in perfect tranquility.
He was passing the hours playing Go with his master, just as he did every day.
Click.
“Word has come that the Zhao Kingdom forces are advancing toward the Northern Military Unit. With no reinforcements available, the situation has become quite dire.”
“The Zhao Kingdom moved faster than anticipated.”
Click.
Yi Seong-ji placed a stone at the edge of the board and leaned back in his seat.
“Are you conceding the game already?”
“There’s no point continuing—I’ve already lost. I’d rather preserve my energy for the next round.”
Yi Seong-ji took a sip of tea.
Then he turned to look at the officer and asked him a question.
“How are matters progressing on the Western front?”
“After the last engagement, we’ve maintained a standoff state, or so the reports indicate.”
“Any word from my brother?”
“Since he seized full command of the army, communications have broken down. We’ve sent dispatches several times, but haven’t received a single reply. It seems the Crown Prince has completely cut off all outgoing channels of information.”
A faint smile appeared at the corners of Yi Seong-ji’s mouth.
“I can’t blame him. To him, the Empress and I are no different from enemies of the Zhao Kingdom.”
Yi Seong-ji brought the teacup to his lips again.
Clink.
His master opened his mouth, his tone heavy.
“With the Crown Prince controlling the Western Military Unit, the Empress must be deeply troubled. Would it not be wise to send a letter of comfort to ease her mind?”
“Are you suggesting I flatter her, Master?”
“Consider it a strategy in service of the greater good.”
“Flattery in service of the greater good…”
Yi Seong-ji smiled thinly once more. Then he set down his teacup and rose to his feet.
“I need some air.”
“Shall I accompany you?”
“No, thank you. I have some things to think through alone. I’ll be going.”
Leaving the tent, Yi Seong-ji walked toward the southern edge of the Military Camp without a single attendant—the same path Yi Hwan used to walk often.
Meanwhile, the old man watched Yi Seong-ji’s retreating figure and let his frustration show.
“This is the perfect opportunity to eliminate the Second Prince, yet he remains so untroubled by it all.”

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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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