The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 157

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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 157

Chapter 157 — The Road to Palace Entry (2)

Whoosh!
Splash!
Through the downpour, figures moved with deliberate silence.
What began as a handful swelled with each ridge they crossed, until their number reached nearly a hundred.
All masked, they moved with precision toward the north—the direction Yi Hwan and Yi Seong-ji were traveling.
How far had they gone?
A black-robed figure emerged from the forward positions and approached the Leader, reporting.
“The Third Prince and Fourth Prince are moving separately.”
“Fortunate. If they’d stayed together, this would be far more difficult.”
The Leader’s eyes flashed, and he issued his final orders left and right.
“Once we enter the middle of the Shrubland District, we attack. Prepare the Signal Flares for release.”
“Yes.”
Crack!
Snap!
Lightning Strike crackled overhead like a spider’s web, then fell. The Leader’s eyes blazed white as the electricity reflected in them.
“This must succeed, no matter what. If we fail again, the organization itself may crumble.”
The Leader muttered incomprehensible words and smiled coldly. His teeth jutted forward with an eerie, demonic sharpness.

* * *

“Your Highness, there is a Guan Di Temple ahead. Let us seek shelter from the rain there.”
Yi Seong-ji looked toward where the Warrior pointed.
In the vast expanse of the Shrubland District, a single Guan Di Temple stood incongruously.
Gong Ya-un spoke up.
“No one would dare fault Your Highness for arriving late. It is the wise choice, Your Highness.”
“It would be an ideal place if someone were hunting us—completely isolated.”
“The terrain opens on all sides, so an ambush seems unlikely.”
“Very well. We shall rest briefly and continue.”
“Attend to His Highness!”
Yi Seong-ji’s group headed toward the temple.
As they walked, Yi Seong-ji surveyed the forward path. Yi Hwan’s group was moving further ahead, well past the temple.
Gong Ya-un asked, his eyes laden with meaning.
“How much longer will you wait?”
“Are you suggesting we eliminate him here?”
“It is a task that must be done eventually. The sooner you act, the greater your advantage, Your Highness.”
“That time, at the very least, is not today. Let us go inside, Master.”
“…….”
Gong Ya-un watched Yi Seong-ji’s retreating form disappear into the temple, then exhaled heavily.
‘To turn away from such an opportunity…….’
He then turned to address the Warriors.
“Do not grow careless simply because the ground is open. Keep a strict watch around us.”
“Yes!”
Inside the temple, Gong Ya-un ordered a fire lit, then retrieved a bottle of spirits from a Warrior’s pack and offered it to Yi Seong-ji.
“Warm yourself from within.”
“Have some with me, Master.”
“I shall.”
How many cups passed between them before the firelight began to warm the temple’s interior? Two loud reports suddenly rang out.
Bang! Bang!
A Warrior burst through the door.
“Armed fighters are approaching!”
“Those explosions—were they Signal Flares?”
“It appears so.”
Fury kindled in Gong Ya-un’s eyes.
He seized the sword leaning against the wall and strode outside. Yi Seong-ji, however, remained unmoved, and calmly continued to drink.
Gong Ya-un, who had stepped out, returned.
“Your Highness, we must move at once.”
“The situation appears dire.”
“Their numbers are overwhelming. Moreover, seeing them fire signal flares as they advance, I’m certain they’ve been targeting us from the start.”
Yi Seong-ji drained the last of his wine and rose to his feet.
Moments later, all three surged northward at full speed.
‘You again?’
As Yi Seong-ji tore through the downpour, his eyes flickered with a low, simmering rage.
Black-robed pursuers closing in.
Yi Seong-ji harbored no doubt—he was certain who had sent them: Yi Tae-ji, the Second Prince, the one who coveted sole dominion over the Empress’s influence.
Crack!
Sizzle!
Lightning streaked overhead like a spider’s web, and the reflection blazed white across Yi Seong-ji’s eyes.
Gong Ya-un kept pace at his side, his gaze cutting keenly behind them.
From three directions save forward, a growing tide of pursuers bore down relentlessly—their number easily exceeding two hundred.
“With so many converging on us, it seems they’re determined to make up for their last failure.”
“It is not yet the moment to be certain of anything, Your Highness.”
“No. I am certain. I know who sent them.”
Whissh.
From Yi Seong-ji’s hands rose an aura akin to lightning; the rain that touched it hissed and turned to vapor.

* * *

Boom! Boom!
“Look there.”
Yi Hwan glanced back.
Two enormous bursts of flame blossomed in the sky before the rain extinguished them.
“It’s begun again, it seems.”
“Not us.”
“Sir?”
“If those chasing us fired signal flares, they wouldn’t shoot them there.”
“Then they must be after the Third Prince.”
“Likely so.”
Yi Hwan’s mind conjured the image of Yi Tae-ji’s face—contemptible yet endlessly cunning.
‘He wants to monopolize the Empress’s shadow.’
That, surely, was his aim.
“Do we leave him?”
“…….”
Yi Hwan felt not the slightest inclination to aid Yi Seong-ji. He saw neither reason nor necessity to entangle himself in their internal strife.
And there was one more thing.
‘Something about him rubs me the wrong way.’
From the first, Yi Seong-ji had grated on him.
Unlike Yi Tae-ji, his temperate nature and refined bearing seemed distant from greed, yet something about Yi Seong-ji struck Yi Hwan as instinctively off-putting.
“We go on.”
“Understood.”
Whoosh!
The three sped onward toward the north, ignoring the chase.

* * *

As they reached the Imperial Palace, the savage downpour ceased as if it had never been.
From the blackened sky, the clouds rolled back and the sun emerged.
“Make haste. It grows quite late.”
Yi Hwan headed straight for the Side Hall.
Moments after arriving there, two generals stepped forward to meet him.
“Welcome, Grand Prince.”
“Has everyone assembled?”
“The meeting has been moved to the Great Hall. Proceed there at once.”
Yi Hwan turned his steps toward the Great Hall immediately.
And upon arriving there moments later, the generals moved to block the path of Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae.
“Only the Grand Prince may enter.”
“Wait here.”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae stepped back.
Yi Hwan strode through the threshold.
The Great Hall was already filled with the Crown Prince Yi So, Second Prince Yi Tae-ji, and the key officials.
The Empress was nowhere to be seen, nor was Third Prince Yi Seong-ji.
‘As if he’d show up on time.’
Yi Hwan took a seat beside Yi So. Yi So greeted him with a smile.
“Welcome.”
“What’s this gathering about?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
Yi Hwan studied Yi Tae-ji, who sat across the way in an arrogant posture. When their eyes met, Yi Tae-ji snorted and turned his head away.
It was then.
“The Empress enters!”
Everyone rose from their seats.
Yi Hwan glanced at the Empress as she stepped into the Great Hall, then slowly stood.
The Empress’s gaze swept across Yi So and Yi Hwan in turn. Then her icy Telepathic Voice flowed into Yi Hwan’s ear.
[Your complexion is quite transparent.]
[All thanks to you, madam.]
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
Once the Empress took her seat, everyone who had risen sat back down.
“I am grateful for your attendance despite your pressing duties.”
The Empress who offered the greeting moved at once to the substance of the matter.
“I have gathered you here today to hear frank and candid opinions on the military’s inefficient organizational structure that came to light during our recent war with Zhao Kingdom.”
One official asked.
“Do you mean to restructure the military, madam?”
“Such is my inclination, but I wish first to gather your consensus. Hence I have arranged this assembly—let no one hesitate to offer their counsel.”
All hesitated. But once one minister ventured forward, the atmosphere gradually warmed.
Yi Hwan, arms folded, observed who among the officials sided with the Empress and who did not.
‘Nearly seventy percent…’
That was roughly the proportion of ministers supporting the Empress’s position. Yi Hwan had expected it might be even or slightly less, so he turned to Yi So at once.
[Did you anticipate it would be this much?]
[To be honest, no. I thought it would be different than before, but since you became Guard Commander, the atmosphere has shifted considerably.]
Yi So’s expression was deeply grave.
Now that he thought of it, Yi So had said nothing of his own position all this while—and Yi Hwan had done likewise.
Then the Empress looked in their direction.
“Why does the Crown Prince not speak?”
[I shall, madam.]
Yi Hwan met the Empress’s gaze directly, then slowly swept the assembled officials before speaking.
“In our war against Zhao Kingdom, the Central Military abandoned its fundamental duty. Had they moved with greater speed to provide support, our losses would have been far lighter. What do you all make of this point?”
Yi Tae-ji rose at once.
“Everyone knows the blizzard made it impossible to move troops then. And now you claim they abandoned their duty? What exactly are you trying to say?”
“Had precautions been taken before the snow fell, support would have been entirely feasible. In the same conditions, Zhao Kingdom’s Eastern Military mustered twice the force of our Northern Unit—did they grow wings?”
“…!”
Yi Hwan continued, his eyes fixed on the Empress.
“Before we concern ourselves with restructuring the military, I believe we must first address the incompetent commanders. I should like to hear your thoughts on this matter first, madam.”
Was it unexpected?
A flicker of bewilderment crossed the Empress’s eyes. But she soon opened her mouth, her gaze taking on that distinctive chill.
“I have considered that matter as well. Fourth Prince, mind your courtesy. What is this arrogance of yours, speaking thus before the ministers and officials who guide this realm?”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly and swept the officials once more with his gaze.
“Forgive me. As you all know, I’ve been allowed to run wild since childhood, so my manners are somewhat lacking.”
Not a single official or minister challenged Yi Hwan’s words.
The Empress, who had regarded Yi Hwan with sharp eyes for a moment, now spoke to all in a grave tone.
“If there are no further opinions, shall we close today’s discussion? However, the ministers of the Six Ministries must reach a decision promptly. I shall set the date of vote based on your determination.”
As the Empress left the Great Hall, the discussion came to an end.
The officials who shared her views soon departed as well. But Yi Tae-ji approached Yi Hwan directly.
“I hear the Yellow Dragon Guild’s Guild Master Yeom was taken by the Gold Guard. Did you lock him away?”
“I’m not sure what you’re referring to. He walked out of headquarters of his own accord.”
“The man who left on his own feet has not appeared since!”
“Why are you questioning me about it?”
Yi So stepped forward.
“I have urgent matters to discuss with the youngest. Second, you may go.”
“……!”
“Does my tone amuse you?”
Yi Tae-ji, who had glared at Yi Hwan at Yi So’s abstract manner, spun around sharply.
Yi Hwan did not let him leave so easily.
“Do you happen to know why the Third Prince is late?”
“How would I know such a thing?”
Yi Tae-ji left the Great Hall as he was. Yi Hwan finished the now-cold tea and turned to face Yi So.
“The way you suddenly speak of Military Restructuring suggests you’re trying to seize control of the army outright. Do you have a proper countermeasure?”
“We must devise one now. To be honest, I never anticipated anyone would raise the issue of military organization. If that’s truly what they want, then we’ve been dealt a genuine blow.”
“Even the Empress cannot push through without restraint. Is it decided by majority vote, then?”
“Yes. If a majority of officials qualified to enter the Great Hall approve it, the measure passes. Since His Majesty withdrew from state affairs until now, nearly every law has been decided that way.”
“Did the Empress devise that system as well?”
Yi So smiled bitterly.
“To those ignorant of the reality, it would seem the most rational method. Which is precisely why even knowing the truth, I cannot oppose it. To do so would brand me at once as hidebound and archaic. It would appear that I, as Crown Prince, betray the people’s yearning for change.”
‘She ensured the Crown Prince Palace could not object, while she herself grasps the panacea.’
Yi Hwan suddenly understood that the Empress was a formidable adversary.
“If a coup were to occur, would it be possible to call in troops from the front lines?”
“That is absolutely impossible.”
Yi So shook his head firmly and continued.
“Under no circumstances can the troops at the front lines abandon their posts. The moment they do, they hand the enemy an opportunity to invade.”
“It seems the Empress knows this well and acts so brazenly because of it.”
“Yes, that must be it.”
Yi Hwan narrowed his brow.
“In that case, all our efforts to align the Southern, Northern, and Western Military Units with our interests become meaningless…….”
Clink.
Yi So’s expression grew heavier and darker than ever as he set down the cold teacup.
He had believed he had read the situation well when he drew the Western Military Unit to his side during the war with Zhao Kingdom.
“You seem quite disconcerted?”
“I never saw this coming.”
“But we cannot afford to lose confidence now. The moment you reveal a weakness, the other side will press harder.”
“Let us find a way. One way or another.”
Yi Hwan rose first.
“I should take my leave now.”
“Let us share a meal while we’re here.”
Yi Hwan started to refuse, then changed his mind.
“Very well.”

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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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