The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 139

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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 Undefeated — Episode 139

Chapter 139 — The Battle Begins (4)

“How aggravating.”
Zhao Jeong-mu’s face twisted slightly.
Though he had lost one commander, his expression showed no great regret.
“This has become absurd.”
He had drawn out an ancient stratagem to suppress the enemy’s momentum, only to end up bolstering the Yen Military’s morale instead.
“Remarkable. I severed a Martial World master in two with a single blade stroke — someone who had cultivated Qi. So that one must be a martial artist as well?”
“That would appear to be the case, sir.”
Zhao Jeong-mu lifted his gaze toward Yi Hwan, who stood above the Gorge.
“Is that man perhaps Bang Hyo, the fierce general of Yen?”
“No, sir. Bang Hyo is the one standing beside him.”
“Then who is he? I recognize Gwan Ji-baek’s face, after all.”
“Even I am seeing him for the first time, sir.”
No one in Zhao Jeong-mu’s unit knew Yi Hwan’s identity. They were aware through intelligence that Yi Hwan had arrived at the Northern Military Unit, but none of them had ever seen his face.
“I don’t know what ditch he crawled out of, but his tactics and strategy seem utterly inept. To choose a frontal assault instead of an ambush in terrain this naturally advantageous — that’s folly.”
“Indeed, sir. Had they attempted an ambush through concealment, it would have been most troublesome.”
“What they want is to drag this out as long as possible. But time favors us, so this war is ours to win. Hehehehe.”
“Yes, sir.”
Zhao Jeong-mu’s eyes shifted back to Cheol Mu-ok.
Mounted on his war horse, the Crescent Moon Blade hanging at his side, Cheol Mu-ok stood with calm composure — a striking figure, even in an enemy’s eyes.
“Enemy though he is, the man pleases me greatly.”
“Surely there are stronger martial artists at the main camp? If you summoned them, dispatching one like that would be simple.”
“No. If I send more and lose again, I’ll have gained nothing. Better to withdraw here.”
“Then shall we attack immediately, sir?”
“Of course.”
“Understood.”
Zhao Jeong-mu was renowned for his fiery temperament. Yet when he turned cold, no one could match his chill. As he was now.
He smiled toward Cheol Mu-ok.
“I shall remember your face.”
“Are you the son of a traitor?”
“What?”
A muscle twitched.
The smile vanished from Zhao Jeong-mu’s face. Cheol Mu-ok continued.
“Don’t hope to meet me on the battlefield. I despise traitors with a burning passion.”
Cheol Mu-ok, having struck a nerve, promptly ascended the Gorge. The soldiers greeted him with a roaring cheer.
Roaaaaar!
“I have returned.”
“Well done.”
Then Bang Hyo spoke.
“The enemy appears ready to launch a full assault.”
The Zhao Military’s movements were accelerating. Yi Hwan watched those moving about Zhao Jeong-mu — hundreds of martial artists.
Their garments differed entirely from those of ordinary soldiers.
Normally such fighters wore soldiers’ uniforms to confuse the enemy, but such easy identification meant they possessed considerable confidence.
“Mu-ok, Ju-tae.”
“Yes?”
When the battle begins, target the enemy commanders. But don’t penetrate too deeply into their lines.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan turned his gaze to Hwa-ryeong.
“Help as well.”
“Of course.”
“Bow.”
A soldier handed Yi Hwan a bow and arrows. He nocked an arrow and drew the string back slowly.
Creak… creak… creak.
Everyone watched Yi Hwan with puzzled eyes.
The Zhao Military was still beyond effective bow range.
‘What on earth could he be thinking, drawing a bow at this distance?’
The thought ran through all their minds alike.
Twang! A piercing whistle.
The arrow left the bowstring and flew like a Flash Step. All eyes tracked its path.
“Impossible!”
“Incredible!”
Gasps erupted from every corner.
The arrow had struck true—Zhao Jeong-mu’s war horse, grazing far beyond effective range, crumpled beneath the impact.
The beast’s anguished shriek carried all the way up to the rim of the Gorge, followed by Zhao Jeong-mu’s furious roar.
Yi Hwan returned the bow to the archer and turned to address his commanders.
“Take your positions.”
“Yes, sir!”
The generals moved to their assigned places.
Moments later, the Zhao Military began surging forward like a tide.
A deafening war cry erupted.
Yi Hwan watched Zhao Jeong-mu, who remained seated rather than launching an assault.
‘Is this a test? Seeing if we’ll break formation?’
Nearly twenty thousand troops still ringed Zhao Jeong-mu—a far cry from the overwhelming assault Yi Hwan had anticipated.
Go-mi spoke up.
“Do you think he’s noticed our tactic? That we’re stalling for time?”
“Seems that way.”
“Then shouldn’t we adjust our approach?”
Yi Hwan shook his head.
“Thirty thousand elite have just joined the main force. Besides, we hold the high ground—this is our territory. There’s no need to take unnecessary risks. We simply hold our position, leverage the terrain, and meet whatever changes he throws at us as they come.”
Go-mi had started to say something else but stopped herself.
There was no point in speaking—Yi Hwan wouldn’t change his mind anyway. And more than that, the conviction burning in his eyes was unmistakable.
She didn’t want to shake that certainty.
“Don’t leave my side.”
“…Yes.”
War cries thundered again.
The Zhao Military began clawing up the Gorge from all sides, their assault relentless.
Yi Hwan’s gaze never left Zhao Jeong-mu. Remarkably, the general sat at ease in his chair, calmly drinking something.
‘He’s as certain of victory as I am. To win, I have to shatter that confidence first.’

* * *

Yen Kingdom Central Army Headquarters.
Dispatches arrived in steady succession at the command center where all major and minor military decisions were made and executed.
Yi Tae-ji, who happened to be visiting, personally reviewed the documents. Most came from the Northern Military Unit requesting reinforcements.
The final dispatch confirmed that the Zhao Kingdom’s assault had begun.
A faint smile crossed Yi Tae-ji’s lips.
‘Mother’s stratagem is working beautifully, it seems.’
A commander approached.
“You must decide on reinforcements at once, Your Highness.”
“With the enemy’s elite converging on the Western Front, I can’t spare troops for the north. I’m afraid we’ll have to trust in their fighting spirit.”
“This may create problems later.”
“That’s my concern to manage. Just send the reply.”
“Very well, Your Highness. I’ll send it immediately.”
“Add a note—tell them to hold the line at all costs.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Yi Tae-ji smiled and turned to leave. He walked straight out of the headquarters and made his way to his quarters, where Mun Yi-jong was waiting.
The moment Yi Tae-ji entered, he asked:
“How did it go?”
“We failed, Your Highness. My apologies.”
Mun Yi-jong lowered his head.
Yi Tae-ji’s eyes turned sharp as steel.
“Both operations failed?”
“No. The ones sent to the Northern Military Unit haven’t reported back yet. And I’m told the Third Prince suffered serious injuries—we should wait a little longer to see.”
“But you just said you failed.”
“I refrained from calling it a success only because we couldn’t confirm death at the scene.”
Yi Tae-ji’s expression finally eased. He settled into his chair, propping both feet on the table, and fixed Mun Yi-jong with an unwavering gaze.
“The secret has been kept absolutely, hasn’t it?”
“Rest assured. I confirmed that both took their own lives before capture could occur.”
Yi Tae-ji chewed on dried meat, studying Mun Yi-jong with an enigmatic look.
“Seems Red Moon isn’t what it used to be.”
……
“I need rest. You’re dismissed.”
“Sleep well.”
A moment later, Mun Yi-jong stepped outside and headed toward the barracks with his attendants.
“Have we heard anything from the ones sent to the Northern Military Unit?”
“No.”
“Find out exactly what’s happening there. And determine whether there’s been any attack on the Fourth Prince.”
“Understood.”
Mun Yi-jong exhaled slowly.

Seems Red Moon isn’t what it used to be.

‘We’re not the ones who’ve declined—your rivals are simply stronger than you are. Yet you can’t take a single step beyond your mother’s skirts……’
Yi Tae-ji’s sneering expression lingered in Mun Yi-jong’s mind, refusing to fade.

* * *

Western Front, Western Military Unit.
Crown Prince Yi So’s expression was grave.
“The Zhao Kingdom forces on the Northern Front have already swelled to nearly three hundred thousand. That’s triple the strength of the Northern Military Unit.”
“Can we expect support from Central Army Headquarters?”
“It seems unlikely. At this moment, the only unit capable of reinforcing the Northern Military Unit is the Southern Military Unit. But they too won’t be able to move their forces easily. The Zhao Kingdom isn’t the type to sit idle while we do.”
“Ah……”
Yi So closed his eyes and bowed his head.
Gwan Ji-baek’s eyes flashed with anger.
“I suspect the Empress spread rumors that the Zhao Kingdom’s Crown Prince is with the Northern Military Unit. Otherwise, there’d be no reason for Zhao to send such vast numbers northward.”
Yi So’s eyes opened.
His gaze too burned with fury—but what infuriated him more was the helplessness of knowing the Northern Military Unit was in peril and being unable to do anything about it.
“Can the Northern Military Unit hold?”
……
Gwan Ji-baek gave no answer.
Ordinarily, he would have offered reassurance—claimed it was possible—but the unfolding situation stripped away even that consolation.
Hiss……
White vapor rose from the table where Yi So’s hand rested. The mist swallowed the pupils of his eyes, which trembled with rage.
“I swear by the heavens—when this war ends, though I be called a traitor who abandoned the bonds of blood, I will erase every evil rot in this kingdom without a trace.”
His voice carried the weight of killing intent.
Then it happened.
“Your Highness.”
A general entered.
He bowed deeply and reported at once.
“Central Army Headquarters has refused the Northern Military Unit’s request for reinforcement.”
Yi So closed his eyes again.
He had anticipated it, but hearing the confirmation made his breath catch.
Gwan Ji-baek questioned the general.
“Is this information reliable?”
“Yes. It has been confirmed by our general stationed at Central Army Headquarters.”
“Ah……”
Gwan Ji-baek released a heavy sigh.
Then another general strode in.
“Your Highness, the Zhao Military is beginning to move.”
“Have you detected signs of attack?”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Yi So opened his eyes and rose, donning his armor.
Clang!
Though his hands seized the heavy plating, he felt nothing—no sensation at all in his fingertips.
One day, quite suddenly, Yi Hwan had become a pillar of strength for her. Through him, she reclaimed the smile she’d lost, resolved countless troubles, and conquered obstacles that seemed insurmountable.
Yet now she faced the possibility of losing him forever.
Crack.
Her teeth pressed against her lip.
‘Hold on. Please, just hold on.’

* * *

The main encampment of the Zhao Kingdom’s Eastern Army on the Northern Front.
A contingent of soldiers entered the camp about half a day after Zhao Jeong-mu had departed with the vanguard.
Whoosh.
Everyone in the military camp turned to face them.
The Crown Prince and the other generals hurried outside and stood at attention.
The entire Eastern Army was seized by a suffocating, oppressive silence.
Who on earth was this?
It was because of one man.
If a tiger were to take human form, surely it would look like this—sharp eyebrows drawn to fierce points, eyes like molten fire, a jaw forged from steel, and a flowing black beard reminiscent of Guan Yu, the legendary general of ancient Shu Han.
And leading the contingent in Golden Armor embroidered with imperial dragons, a Crimson Battle Cloak billowing behind him.
It was none other than the Seo Nam Wang of Zhao Kingdom, Zhao Yun.

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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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