The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 158

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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, Episode 158

Chapter 158 — The Beginning of Another War

After finishing his meal with Yi So, Yi Hwan headed straight for the Gold Guard Command Center.
‘I wonder how it went.’
He was curious whether Yi Seong-ji had survived.
‘It would be troublesome if he died too easily.’
Yi Hwan hoped he had lived. That way, he could wage a fiercer struggle against Yi Tae-ji.
A moment later, when he reached the city gate of the Imperial Palace, it happened.
“My lord, look there.”
Cheol Mu-ok pointed to the left side of the plaza leading to the city gate. Yi Seong-ji and his party were walking toward them.
Everyone passing by recoiled in alarm.
Yi Seong-ji and all those with him were drenched in blood.
A faint smile crossed Yi Hwan’s lips.
‘I’m curious how his face will change.’
Moments later, Yi Hwan came face to face with Yi Seong-ji.
“Did something happen on your way back?”
“You avoided me so deliberately, and now that I see you like this, suddenly you feel like talking as brothers?”
“I only asked out of concern as your brother.”
In that instant, Yi Hwan saw it—a cruel, icy light blooming in the depths of Yi Seong-ji’s eyes.
“Are you hurt?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
Yi Seong-ji replied coldly and passed Yi Hwan without breaking stride. Where he was headed was not the main palace, but westward toward Manhwa Palace.
Yi Hwan watched the retreating figure of Gong Ya-un, who followed Yi Seong-ji.
An expert recognizes another expert.
Yi Hwan was certain that he was a master whose level could not be measured by the eye.
“The Third Prince’s forces have been reduced to nearly half. It must have been quite fierce.”
“However many died, what matters is that the ones who needed to live did. Let’s go.”
After leaving the Imperial Palace, Yi Hwan threw himself in the direction he had come when ascending, once he reached a secluded area.
When he entered the mountain terrain, corpses began to appear.
At first there were only a few, but as he descended further, the number of bodies increased.
‘Was it this many?’
“It looks like roughly one hundred fifty in total. Excluding the fifteen from the Third Prince’s side…… it seems fair to say the other side took a proper beating.”
“The martial artists around the Third Prince appear to be quite skilled. This is nearly five times the number, and they utterly devastated them.”
Ju-tae let out a low whistle.
Yi Hwan nodded silently and recalled Gong Ya-un. And those who had guarded Yi Seong-ji alongside him.
‘I’ll need to be very careful with that lot.’
It was then.
“Uhhh…….”
Some distance away, there was something stirring. A deep wound ran from the shoulder to the chest, but it seemed the breath had not yet left the body.
“He’s one of the Third Prince’s men.”
His clothes confirmed it.
Yi Hwan approached the gasping figure.
The man looked up at him.
His eyes, already draining of vitality, were clouded and dim as if shrouded in mist.
Had he mistaken Yi Hwan for a comrade?
“Your Highness…… are you unharmed?”
‘He worries for Yi Seong-ji’s safety even as he dies? That’s remarkable loyalty.’
“Thanks to your brave fighting, he entered the palace safely.”
“Kugh!”
Drip, drip.
Watching the dark blood spill from the man’s lips, Yi Hwan turned to Cheol Mu-ok.
“Take away his pain.”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan surveyed the surroundings once more.
More corpses lay scattered about in places he had not seen before.
“A ruthless one indeed. To kill brothers born of the same womb in order to monopolize the Empress’s favor.”
“Power has always been this way. Fathers kill sons, sons kill fathers—all to seize it. Let’s go.”
“Yes.”

* * *

Throughout history, the most perilous moment for any dynasty comes when power passes to the next generation.
Countless times, coups have erupted in such periods, shaking the very foundations of kingdoms to their core.
The Yen Kingdom was no exception.
What made Yen’s situation peculiar, however, was that the Emperor had ceased to involve himself in state affairs immediately after naming Yi So as Crown Prince.
Perhaps it was precisely this withdrawal that had plunged the realm into deeper chaos.
“The information you requested.”
Go-mi extended a thick sheaf of documents.
“How many in total?”
“Fifty high-ranking officials, including the Three Excellencies. We’ve added new intelligence on the Six Ministries and the Prime Minister’s office, which you already knew of. And as you instructed, we’ve included investigations into officials who support His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“You’ve done well.”
Yi Hwan pushed the documents aside and brought the teacup to his lips.
Clink.
Go-mi spoke.
“May I ask how you intend to use this information?”
“I plan to separate those officials who serve as the Empress’s puppets from her influence. She’s clearly scheming to monopolize military command, so I’ll need to threaten them into blocking whatever legislation she pushes through.”
“But we still have the Southern, Western, and Northern Military Units under our control, don’t we?”
“They must defend the borders. I’m opposed to dragging them into political conflict. Of course, if circumstances change, I may reconsider—but for now, I’m proceeding as if they don’t exist as a force.”
“…Yes.”
“By the way, did you say the Empress ordered Hwa Ryeong to use seduction to win over the Prime Minister?”
“Yes.”
“She must be quite angry about it.”
“On the contrary, she seemed amused by the prospect.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. She even said if you wished it, she could kill the Prime Minister with her own hands.”
“If someone of her temperament finds this amusing, there’s something more to it. I should meet with her.”
Yi Hwan finished the last of his tea and spoke again.
“From now on, instead of acting as the head of the Bi-wol organization, use your authority as Censor to the fullest. Bring officials to the command center—all except the Prime Minister and the Three Excellencies. Start with those whose corruption is certain.”
“Some may resist strongly. May I employ force?”
“Of course.”
Yi Hwan issued orders to Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae.
“Assign martial artists to assist the Censor.”
“Yes.”
“This matter takes priority over even the war with the Zhao Kingdom, so give it your complete effort.”
“Understood.”
“Yes, Grand Prince.”
Yi Hwan stepped outside.
Shortly after, he arrived at a palace hall behind the command center. There he found Yeom Yu-gwang, the Yellow Dragon Guild Leader.
Though not imprisoned in a cell, Yeom Yu-gwang’s confinement was little different, and his complexion bore the pallor and exhaustion of a captive.
As Yi Hwan entered, Yeom Yu-gwang rose hastily and bowed his head.
“Are you managing?”
“Thanks to you, I am quite comfortable.”
“Have you still not made your decision?”
“……”
“Let me warn you once more—abandon any hope of relying on Yi Hwang-ja and the Empress to see you through. And remind yourself why I’ve kept you alive all this time.”
Tremor……
Yeom Yu-gwang bit his lip gently, his eyes quivering. Then he met Yi Hwan’s gaze and asked.
“Do you truly believe His Highness the Crown Prince can defeat the Empress and Yi Hwang-ja?”
“Sufficiently.”
“Grand Prince, you do not understand them. They possess far greater power and influence than the world knows!”
“That’s not your concern, Yeom Yu-gwang.”
Yi Hwan turned immediately to leave. At the door, he glanced back at Yeom Yu-gwang and spoke once more.
“Once more: if you wish to live, think carefully about which side to join and decide. Miss this moment, and even if you later choose my side, I’ll have your head severed.”
Bang!
The door closed.
Yeom Yu-gwang clenched both fists, his entire body trembling.

Stand with me. If you do, I promise to preserve both your life and everything you possess.

Yi Hwan’s voice from when he’d confined him here echoed in Yeom Yu-gwang’s mind like a phantom sound. Now and then, Yeom Yu-gwang’s thoughts remained unchanged.
‘How dare he claim he can win against them. The man must be thoroughly, profoundly mad.’
Bang!
Yeom Yu-gwang brought both fists down upon the table.
His eyes, blazing with fury, soon began to tremble. To save his life, he had to follow Yi Hwan’s will. But if he did, he would meet a cruel death at the hands of the Empress and Yi Hwang-ja.
Yeom Yu-gwang knew them better than anyone else, and there was no doubt in his mind about who would emerge victorious from this war. That was precisely what drove him to madness.
For now, he had surrendered his neck to Yi Hwan—trapped between impossible choices.
‘Damn it…….’
Crack!

* * *

Hwa Ryeong left the Imperial Palace alone.
“The Blood Seal has given me such freedom.”
She crossed the city gates, savoring the clear weather. Normally, there would have been attendants following her, but not today.
The Empress, convinced that Hwa Ryeong bore the Blood Seal, saw no need to assign watchers to her. As a result, Hwa Ryeong could move freely in and out of the Imperial Palace. Exactly as she did today.
“What perfect weather.”
Today Hwa Ryeong dressed more splendidly than usual. Her figure, adorned in elaborate palace robes and jewels, was so striking that even the phrase “beauty rivaling the moon itself” hardly did her justice.
Hwa Ryeong savored the cascade of stares as she made her way into the city. The Prime Minister’s Residence lay in that direction, but it was not her destination.
How much time had passed?
Hwa Ryeong entered the largest inn in the Imperial Capital.
“Welcome!”
“The top floor, please.”
“Follow me, lady.”
Hwa Ryeong followed the server up to the top floor. Even though a single meal there cost as much as an ordinary household’s monthly food expenses, the rooms were nearly full of patrons.
Just as a diner by the window rose to leave, Hwa Ryeong made her way to that table.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll have it cleaned for you.”
“Just clear it roughly and bring wine. Golden Wine.”
“Of course.”
Hwa Ryeong sat down and gazed out the window.
As befitted a city where high officials and the wealthy dwelt, the passersby below displayed refined and brilliant dress.
‘How lovely.’
Even a martial artist accustomed to death remained a woman. Hwa Ryeong found her eyes drawn to the women dressed in particularly radiant silks.
How long did she gaze thus?
Hwa Ryeong’s eyes suddenly gleamed. She had spotted Yi Hwan walking from the northern part of the marketplace district.
‘He’s grown even more impressive.’
A mysterious glimmer kindled in her eyes as she watched.
Just then the server approached with wine.
“I’ve brought the wine first. Please wait a bit longer for the dishes.”
“Thank you.”
Hwa Ryeong uncorked the bottle and took a long draught straight from it.
Clink!
It was at that moment.
“Haha! You do seem to enjoy your wine!”
A clear, melodious voice accompanied a young man approaching her table. He was quite handsome, and his expensive silk robes marked him unmistakably as a scion of wealth.
‘Where does this bastard get the nerve?’
Contrary to her thoughts, Hwa Ryeong smiled sweetly.
“My throat was a bit dry.”
Without waiting for permission, the young man sat across from her. Hwa Ryeong leaned back slightly in her chair and fixed him with a steady gaze.
To him, her posture appeared quite provocative.
“Wine tastes all the more delightful when shared, and if you’d have no objection, I’d love to join you. Ah, of course, I shall pay for both wine and food.”
“And you are?”
“Jin Chu-gwang.”
For a brief moment, a sharp light flashed in Hwa Ryeong’s eyes before vanishing. The change happened so fleetly that Jin Chu-gwang failed to catch it.
‘The Prime Minister’s worthless son, here of all places.’
Yesterday, Hwa Ryeong had received information about the Prime Minister’s household from the Empress’s strategist. Two pages of that report had been devoted to Jin Chu-gwang.
“I’m Hwa Ryeong.”
“Ah! So you’re Miss Hwa Ryeong. I’m truly delighted to meet you like this.”
“I’m happy to meet you too.”
“Would you honor me by allowing me to pour you a drink?”
“I’d be grateful to accept.”
Hwa Ryeong extended her cup.
Jin Chu-gwang filled the cup with wine, his eyes never leaving her face.
Hwa Ryeong smiled softly in return, meeting his gaze without flinching. With a provocative gesture that any man in the world might misconstrue, Jin Chu-gwang’s lips curled higher and higher.
‘It’s been a long time since I met a proper woman. Perhaps I’ll work up a good sweat today. Hehehehe.’

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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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