The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 145

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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 145

Chapter 145 — The War Clouds Lift

An official dispatch lay folded in the Crown Prince Yi So’s hand.
As he read its contents, his expression grew steadily brighter—the letter contained everything he had been longing for so desperately.
“Well done, Ji-baek.”
Yi So called out softly toward the door.
“Is anyone there?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
A commander entered.
“Send a dispatch to the Northern Military Unit and have them assess the situation. Use my official seal—it will speed their response.”
“Yes, sir!”
Yi So walked to the window and threw it open.
Wheeeee!
A biting wind rushed in, but it felt as warm as the spring breeze itself.
‘Once word spreads that the Jin Kingdom has become involved, the King of Southwest won’t be able to hold out.’
Crack!
Yi So clenched both fists tight.
‘May this war end here…’

* * *

On a night when the full moon rose.
Yi Hwan finished his Inner Method cultivation as he always did and immersed himself in cold water in the courtyard behind his barracks.
‘Is the Crown Prince all right?’
No dispatch had arrived for several days.
It could be the harsh weather, but he couldn’t help feeling uneasy—what if something had gone wrong?
That was when Cheol Mu-ok emerged into the back courtyard.
He carried a basket with a chicken and a bottle of liquor.
“The General-in-Chief brought these himself.”
“Set them down.”
“He said he didn’t want to intrude and left.”
“Intrude, nothing. Pour me a cup.”
“At once.”
Splash.
Cheol Mu-ok filled a cup and handed it over.
“You’re truly going alone?”
“You seem worried.”
“Your opponent isn’t exactly an ordinary man.”
“Do I look ordinary?”
“That’s not what I meant…”
Just then Ju-tae burst into the back courtyard, his face strangely agitated.
And rightly so.
“The Zhao Kingdom forces are withdrawing! Their entire army is pulling out westward—it’s not a tactical maneuver, it’s a full retreat!”
“…!”
Whoosh!
Yi Hwan surged from the water, threw on his clothes, and dashed outside. Steam rose from his body in thick clouds with every step.
The three of them raced toward where the Zhao forces had been encamped.
Shortly after, Yi Hwan raced westward past the now-empty Zhao camp. An hour’s hard riding later, the rear guard of the Zhao army came into view.
“Most of them are traveling light. They couldn’t even take time to pack their provisions properly—something urgent must have happened,” Cheol Mu-ok observed.
Yi Hwan simply nodded in silence.
“Shall we pursue further?”
“No. We’ll find out what happened soon enough.”
His tone was calm, but regret gnawed at him.
‘I’d hoped to learn something more.’
His chance to meet with Zhao Yun—the only one who knew of Dae-ya Fortress’s existence—had slipped away. That meeting was as crucial to him as the outcome of the war itself.
“Are you sorry you didn’t meet Zhao Yun?”
“You know of Dae-ya Fortress. Of course you’d regret not securing it.”
“Could it be that he suspected our true identity and asked to meet the Grand Prince instead of the Crown Prince?”
“If he recognized our martial techniques, that’s certainly possible.”
“Based on what we’ve seen, I’d say there’s a strong chance he’s connected to the Blood Demon or Mad Demon. Surely you don’t think one of our own descendants has committed treason?”
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
“We should return now.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan shook off his regret. For now, the Northern Military Unit had weathered the crisis—that would have to suffice.
‘That was no easy war.’

* * *

Manwha Palace.
The Empress’s eyes narrowed as she read the official letter, her tightly pressed lips pale as ash—a mirror of the fury seething beneath.
“Why would Jin attack Zhao? Why?”
The letter contained word that Jin had launched an offensive against Zhao, forcing the King of Southwest to withdraw his forces. For the Empress, it was the moment all her careful planning crumbled to dust.
Whoosh!
The letter scattered into ash.
Those gathered in the great hall held their breath. The cold radiating from the Empress’s body made their skin prickle, yet no one dared move a finger.
“Send word at once to our operatives in the Jin Imperial Capital and find out what’s happened. As quickly as possible!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
As though released, everyone rushed from the hall. The Empress drank cold water with jerky, agitated movements.
Crack!
Her trembling hand shattered the cup, its fragments staining her robes.
“They were supposed to sit idle and reap the fisherman’s profit—and now they’ve suddenly attacked Zhao and thrown themselves into war? The Jin Emperor would have to be mad to do such a thing…….”
The Empress’s face flushed deeper with each word.
She, who had invested such considerable effort in this scheme, found herself utterly unable to comprehend what had transpired.
And on top of everything, that absurd business of the Crown Prince Yi So taking command of the Western Military Unit had actually occurred.
Her rage turned toward Zhao Yun.
“How could he withdraw so easily? Utterly worthless!”

* * *

News that the Zhao forces had withdrawn sent the Northern Military Unit into jubilation.
While everyone cheered, Yi Hwan read the official letter from Crown Prince Yi So.
As a smile spread across his face, Cheol Mu-ok asked him.
“Good news, sir?”
Yi Hwan handed him the letter instead of answering.
Everyone leaned in to read it, and a collective gasp rose from the group.
“So that’s why the Zhao forces withdrew.”
“Excellent! The Crown Prince has truly done well!”
Yi Hwan himself drank his tea with uncharacteristic brightness.
Clink.
“Once the full details come to light, the Crown Prince could find himself in difficulty. All of you must guard your tongues.”
At those words, Cheol Mu-ok glanced toward Hwa-ryeong.
Hwa-ryeong wore her characteristic smile.
“The Grand Prince trusts me, yet you seem not to. How strange.”
“What makes you so certain the Grand Prince trusts you?”
“If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have shown me this.”
…….
Cheol Mu-ok was left speechless.
Yi Hwan spoke up.
“Get along, both of you.”
“Yes, sir!”
Only Hwa-ryeong answered.
Yi Hwan stood.
“I’m going to see Zhao Guang.”

* * *

Zhao Guang’s face brightened considerably the moment he learned of Zhao Kingdom’s retreat.
In truth, since the war had begun, no one had been more anxious than he.
After all, the justification and outbreak of the war were his doing. When the wounded began returning in succession, he couldn’t bear to look at them—turning away instead.
“Why has he withdrawn?”
“It seems Jin Kingdom attacked Zhao’s forces.”
Zhao Guang’s eyes widened.
“Jin Kingdom has involved itself in the war?”
“I don’t know the full circumstances, but they certainly intervened—and because of it, the war has ended.”
“You believe there’s no chance Zhao Kingdom will return?”
“Moving an army of hundreds of thousands costs an astronomical sum. For the King of Southwest, who hasn’t yet claimed the throne officially, to mobilize troops again would be an enormous burden. Though, if that man has mountains of gold, the calculation changes entirely.”
Zhao Guang shook his head.
“The King of Southwest’s greatest weakness is finances. In plotting his rebellion, he spent enormous sums bribing key officials. In the process, he learned I possessed secret funds and pursued me relentlessly—but the vault was already empty. At first, I thought he’d taken them, but that wasn’t the case.”
Yi Hwan felt a slight pang.
He was the one who had stolen Zhao Guang’s secret funds.
“But isn’t this fortunate? If that money had fallen into the King of Southwest’s hands, circumstances would have been far worse.”
Zhao Guang raised his head and met Yi Hwan’s gaze directly.
“Did you truly kill Han Seom?”
“It happened that way, circumstances being what they were.”
“That’s remarkable indeed. He was a fierce general known throughout the realm. In any case, I’m grateful. I will never forget this debt, not until the day I die.”
“Then repay it with interest.”
“Understood. I will absolutely repay it with interest.”
Yi Hwan finished his tea and rose to his feet.
“I intend to return to the Imperial Capital shortly, so please take a moment to rest and recover. And Mujeong Geomni.”
“Yes, Grand Prince.”
“You fought exceptionally well. Because of you, many lives were saved.”
……
Was her throat tight?
Mujeong Geomni simply bowed her head deeply.
In truth, she had fought with unmatched valor on the battlefield.
It was the belief that if she fought well, Zhao Guang would be safer.
“Rest now.”
“Take care of yourself.”
Stepping outside, Yi Hwan headed toward the command tent.
Gwak Chung-mu and the other generals rose from their seats to greet him.
Gwak Chung-mu spoke.
“We’ve confirmed that Zhao Kingdom’s forces have withdrawn as far as Hoe-pyeong. Judging by their rapid retreat, it appears a serious internal problem has indeed arisen.”
“Zhao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom clashed. The King of Southwest withdrew because of that.”
……!
“Jin Kingdom truly intervened in this war? But how did that news reach…?”
“The Crown Prince informed us by official dispatch. The General-in-Chief will likely receive word soon as well.”
Everyone was astonished.
Jin Kingdom’s intervention was an event of significant magnitude.
“We should monitor the situation a while longer, but I believe the King of Southwest won’t send forces here again. Still, remain vigilant and correct the weaknesses exposed in this battle, transforming the Northern Military Unit into a more formidable force.”
“You’re returning to the Imperial Capital?”
“Is there reason to stay? I should return.”
Yi Hwan stood and added one more word to the assembled generals.
“You’ve all worked hard these past days.”
The generals expressed considerable regret.
Gwak Chung-mu felt it most keenly. Having shared the most conversations and thoughts with Yi Hwan, parting from him was especially difficult.
Yi Hwan turned to Gwak Chung-mu.
“Will you walk with me for a moment?”
“Of course.”
The two stepped outside and walked side by side toward the perimeter of the encampment.
As they walked, Yi Hwan asked.
“What is your assessment of the Imperial Palace at present?”
“I’ll speak frankly.”
Gwak Chung-mu steadied himself and continued without delay.
“His Majesty must break his seclusion soon. Otherwise, the political situation will spiral into greater turmoil than ever before.”
“Who does the General-in-Chief support?”
To Yi Hwan’s direct question, Gwak Chung-mu answered without the slightest hesitation.
“I merely follow the natural order. Therefore, I believe the Crown Prince should rightfully ascend to the throne. However, I am a soldier. Should the present circumstances require me to take sides, I would first need to remove my uniform. But I have no intention of doing so.”
“I won’t ask you to choose sides. Only that you remain true to your duty as a soldier, as you have said. I trust you will do so.”
“I shall. And I am grateful for your trust, Grand Prince.”
Yi Hwan spent considerable time in conversation with Gwak Chung-mu. The following morning, he departed the Northern Military Unit.
The soldiers of the Northern Military Unit gathered in timely fashion.
They lined the hillside of the military camp, a dark mass bearing witness as Yi Hwan rode toward the Imperial Capital.

* * *

The Southern Military Unit.
The military physician drew back the cloth that had covered Yi Seong-ji’s face. Terrible scars marred what had once been a flawless visage.
Wounds that would never fade in a lifetime.
Yet despite such disfigurement, Yi Seong-ji’s gaze remained as serene as always.
The old man spoke.
“The Zhao Kingdom’s forces have retreated on all fronts due to Jin Kingdom intervention. And I hear the Fourth Prince of the Northern Military Unit departed for the Imperial Palace yesterday morning.”
“Have you discovered why Jin suddenly intervened?”
“I am investigating the matter from all angles. Please, give me a little more time.”
“Are you also investigating those who attacked me?”
“I’m afraid it will take considerable time.”
“Stop.”
“…Yes?”
“They took their own lives, so finding physical evidence will be impossible. What remains is circumstantial suspicion, and I suspect you have already guessed who stands behind it.”
“But surely the investigation should continue, should it not?”
“It is unnecessary.”
“…I understand.”
The old man gazed at Yi Seong-ji’s reflection in the bronze mirror and released a quiet sigh.
Yi Seong-ji smiled faintly.
“Do you find my face unsightly?”
“…No, Your Highness.”
“Then never show such pity before me again.”
“Yes, I shall not.”
“We should return to the Imperial Palace as well. Prepare for departure.”
“Understood. I shall have everything ready so we may leave at once.”
Once the old man had gone, Yi Seong-ji ordered the military physician to gather medicinal salves, then walked out of the command tent.
Whoosh!
A wind laced with cold swept across his entire frame. Soldiers passing by bowed their heads, but Yi Seong-ji paid them no mind, his gaze fixed instead upon the northern sky.
‘That time held no meaning for me whatsoever. What, then, does Mother truly desire of me?’
His eyes grew colder. Within that coldness mingled anger and resentment.
‘Watch and see how I change hereafter. Perhaps these hands will one day seize what you hold most dear. Even should that day come, do not dare resent me for it.’
Whoosh!
A wind bearing harsh cold raked across Yi Seong-ji’s body once more. And the rain that had fallen intermittently began gradually to turn to sleet.
Yi Seong-ji stood motionless, letting the sleet strike his entire form. How long did he remain thus?
The old man returned with Peng Wu-wei.
Peng Wu-wei bowed toward Yi Seong-ji.
“I hear you are returning home, Your Highness.”
“Now that the war has ended, we must depart. Thank you for your service, General.”
“What do you say? I fear I have not done enough. I can only apologize.”
“Not at all. You have served admirably. Should fate allow, perhaps we shall meet again.”
“Please, travel safely, Your Highness.”
Shortly after, Yi Seong-ji departed the Southern Military Unit, accompanied by the Martial Artists he had brought.
Peng Wu-wei and the other commanders saw him to the gates.
Peng Wu-wei, who had watched with a stern expression, turned away and muttered a remark.
“Our Grand Prince bled fighting the King of Southwest, yet here’s this fellow—what is he doing? This isn’t a pleasure outing, damn it!”
“Yi Hwang-ja should not be underestimated either.”
“Speaking twice about it is nothing but nonsense!”

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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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