The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 161

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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 161

Chapter 161 — The Invitation Arrives from Zhao Kingdom

“I pay my respects to the Grand Prince.”
The man bowing before Yi Hwan had been sent by the Empress. It was a face Yi Hwan had glimpsed once in passing.
“What brings you here?”
“Something has arrived from Zhao Kingdom.”
Yi Hwan took the cylinder letter case the middle-aged envoy offered and withdrew the invitation letter nested inside. It was a lavishly decorated invitation, its edges trimmed with gold leaf.
“The All-Under-Heaven Martial Arts Tournament?”
“What does it say?”
Yi Hwan passed the letter to Cheol Mu-ok. Ju-tae and Go-mi leaned in to read it as well, their eyes widening in surprise.
It was an invitation from the Emperor of Zhao Kingdom, inviting Yi Hwan to the All-Under-Heaven Martial Arts Tournament.
Ju-tae spoke with an expression of exasperation.
“The Emperor is clearly just a figurehead, and this reeks of Seo Nam Wang Zhao Yun’s tired scheming. Simply ignore it.”
Yi Hwan turned to the envoy with a question.
“Besides myself, who else has received an invitation?”
“The Empress has also been sent an invitation. She asked that I inquire into the Grand Prince’s intentions.”
“Has the Empress made her decision?”
“Yes. She says that as it is an invitation from the Emperor of Zhao Kingdom, propriety demands she must attend. She awaits the Grand Prince’s answer.”
“Tell her I need time to consider.”
“An answer must be sent soon, so I would appreciate a swift decision. Then I shall take my leave.”
The envoy departed.
Go-mi spoke.
“There is a very high likelihood this is a conspiracy between the Empress and Zhao Yun to eliminate the Grand Prince.”
“I share that assessment.”
“Simply ignore it.”
Everyone’s opinion aligned.
Yi Hwan looked at Go-mi and asked a question.
“Has something like this happened before?”
“In the past, when the Emperors of Zhao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom found themselves in political difficulties, they would open martial tournaments to break through the deadlock.”
“What of Yen Kingdom?”
“The intent differs somewhat, but during the late Emperor’s reign, such tournaments were held on several occasions. At those times, invitations were sent to members of the royal families and key figures from both Zhao and Jin Kingdoms.”
“Is it customary to attend if invited?”
“It has been, thus far. But there is no need to be bound by custom. Is this not an obvious scheme to anyone who looks at it?”
“Indeed. Simply ignore it.”
Yi Hwan’s gaze grew distant.
“If I refuse, I become the first to break the precedent of the Three Kingdoms and the first to commit such discourtesy.”
“We were at war only recently. No one would fault you for declining. Moreover, if the Empress departs, would that not present us with an excellent opportunity?”
It was a valid point, but Yi Hwan shook his head.
“Does the Empress not understand this? She will surely have prepared some safeguard for her absence. So what might that be?”
When no one could answer, Yi Hwan’s eyes flashed with insight.
“It can only be hiding behind the Imperial Decree.”
All nodded in agreement.
The reality was that if she invoked the Imperial Decree, there would be no choice but obedience. Even the Crown Prince could not defy an Imperial Decree without risking a loss of legitimacy in that moment.
“For now, I need to think this through.”
Go-mi stepped forward.
“You should discuss this with the Crown Prince.”
“That is my intention.”
Yi Hwan drained the last of his tea and stood.
“I’m heading to the Palace.”

* * *

Crown Prince Palace.
Yi So sat across from Gwan Ji-baek.
As Yi So listened to Gwan Ji-baek’s report, doubt stirred within him.
“What could Seo Nam Wang’s true intention be?”
“Holding the Martial Arts Tournament is likely a means to soothe the people’s hearts, which have turned away due to the relentless war. The emperors of old have often used such methods to break through difficult situations.”
“It explains why Seo Nam Wang would bother to invite the youngest. The Empress, of course, would naturally extend an invitation after waging war as a precondition to her bargain, but the youngest…”
“I’m not certain. That is…”
“Hmm.”
Yi So leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. Gwan Ji-baek fell into thought as well, but finding nothing that came to mind, he furrowed his brow.
“For now, it seems best not to accept the invitation. Neither the Empress nor Seo Nam Wang would leave the Grand Prince to his own devices. It’s possible they’ve struck another bargain, just as before, with the intention of eliminating him.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
Yi So was certain of it. If that weren’t the case, there would be no reason for Seo Nam Wang Zhao Yun to invite Yi Hwan at all.
It was then.
“Your Highness, the Grand Prince has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
The door opened and Yi Hwan stepped inside.
Yi So greeted him warmly.
“Welcome. I was just speaking of you, in fact.”
“Is it about Seo Nam Wang’s invitation, perhaps?”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan took the seat across from Yi So.
“I gave it thought on the way here. I believe I should accept the invitation.”
“That won’t do! How could you accept knowing what they might attempt?”
To Yi So, who had sprung up from his seat, Yi Hwan replied with measured calm.
“If we break the precedent of the Three Kingdoms, the Empress will seize upon it as a pretext to sway the court officials. Those supporting us will remain unmoved, but the neutral ones are vulnerable to wavering. After that, events will unfold exactly as the Empress wishes.”
“…”
“And there’s little harm in visiting Zhao Kingdom at this juncture. It’s a place we’ll have to go eventually anyway.”
“Manhwa Palace will hardly sit idle. They may have struck yet another bargain with Seo Nam Wang Zhao Yun. And yet you would still accept?”
Yi Hwan smiled thinly.
“I said I would accept the invitation, not that I would meet Seo Nam Wang.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Yi Hwan fixed his gaze upon Gwan Ji-baek.
“Keep the bodyguards in the corridor at a distance.”
“As you wish, Grand Prince.”
After a moment, Gwan Ji-baek, having dismissed the guards to a distance, took the seat beside Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan laid out his plan.
As the explanation unfolded, the expressions of Yi So and Gwan Ji-baek shifted subtly. When it was done, Yi Hwan posed a question to Yi So.
“The Empress will surely use the imperial decree as a pretext to constrain the Crown Prince Palace’s movements—what will you do?”
“What choice is there? To defy an imperial decree would compromise our legitimacy, so we must comply.”
“If you refused, it would be an ideal opportunity?”
“Even so, an imperial decree cannot be defied.”
‘This is why I favor you, young one.’
Of course, if he were Yi So, he would take advantage of the Empress’s absence to sweep aside Yi Hwang-ja and the decree alike, but somehow it would be disappointing if Yi So proved capable of such ruthlessness.
Yi So spoke.
“Will you truly go?”
“I’m not one to reverse a decision once made…”
“Then take as many bodyguards as you can. I’ll assign several from the Crown Prince Palace to accompany you.”
“No, thank you. Moving with a smaller force will serve better—I’ll take only my own guards. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
As Yi Hwan rose, Yi So caught hold of his wrist.
“You’ve come all this way—at least stay for a meal. If you leave like this, it’ll be months before we see each other again.”
“…”
Gwan Ji-baek stepped forward.
“Please do so, Grand Prince.”
“Well, is there anything good to eat?”
“I’ll see that plenty is prepared, Grand Prince.”

* * *

After finishing his meal with Yi So, Yi Hwan set out from the Imperial Palace at once. On the way, he informed Cheol Mu-ok, Ju-tae, and Go-mi of his decision to accept Seo Nam Wang’s invitation.
“Really? You’re truly going?”
“Truly, sir?”
All three widened their eyes in shock.
“It won’t be amiss to take this opportunity to survey the various regions of Zhao Kingdom. Think of it as a reconnaissance mission into enemy territory.”
Cheol Mu-ok asked,
“You accepted the invitation, yet you said you wouldn’t meet Seo Nam Wang. What do you mean by that?”
“We’ll disappear on the way there.”
“……Pardon?”
“Let’s head to the Marketplace. I need to buy some silk for my sister. I’ll explain everything once we’re back at the Military Command Center.”
“Understood.”
They all made their way toward the Marketplace. Along the road, Yi Hwan glanced back at Go-mi and asked.
“The champion’s prize money — they said it was two hundred thousand silver, didn’t they?”
“There are two options. One is to receive the prize of two hundred thousand silver, and the other is to become Seo Nam Wang Zhao Yun’s bodyguard.”
“For martial artists from Yen and Jin, the second option might as well not exist.”
“Not necessarily. If someone who believes himself cast aside by his own kingdom were to win, he might accept the second condition. There have been cases like that in the past.”
“So Seo Nam Wang stands to lose nothing at all?”
“Precisely. He soothes the people’s restless hearts, and if he gains a master in the bargain, it’s a win on all fronts.”
“Clever thinking indeed.”
Yi Hwan pictured Seo Nam Wang in his mind.
‘If he eliminates me as well, he’d consider it a triple victory. But what’s this? His scheming might just end up helping me instead. Heh heh heh.’

* * *

Manhwa Palace.
A smile played at the corners of the Empress’s lips.
“He accepted the invitation?”
“Yes. He sent his reply just now. However, he stated he would travel separately to the Zhao Kingdom Imperial Palace.”
“Ha!”
The Empress tilted her head back and laughed in a peculiar way.
“So the wretch who’s been scraping by in the borderlands wanted to strut about because the Zhao Emperor himself extended an invitation? I thought he’d refuse out of fear, at the very least.”
“What will you do?”
“Let him go to the Imperial Palace on his own. Seo Nam Wang has his reasons for inviting him. For now, we simply observe.”
“Isn’t this the perfect opportunity to eliminate the Fourth Prince? Since it’s Zhao territory, we needn’t concern ourselves with outside scrutiny.”
“Will you make me repeat myself?”
“My apologies!”
The Empress’s eyes, which had narrowed with annoyance, grew keen once more.
“Send out a notice seeking martial artists to participate in the martial arts tournament. Make sure to include details about the prize money and special privileges.”
“Understood.”
The Empress settled back into her chair, a smile of satisfaction spreading across her face.
‘The Crown Prince Palace can do nothing foolish so long as they’re bound by imperial decree. This time, I’ll borrow Seo Nam Wang’s blade to eliminate that thorn in my side once and for all.’
The Empress’s lips curved higher and higher, until a strange laugh burst from her throat.
“Ha!”

* * *

Yi Hwan found the annex of the Military Command Center.
Jo Gwang and Papa, disguised as different people, were staying there.
Jo Gwang looked noticeably brighter than before.
Even the way he gazed at Yi Hwan had grown gentler.
“Are you comfortable here?”
“That’s hardly a matter to concern ourselves with now, is it? Thanks to you, I’m doing better than I had any right to expect.”
Yi Hwan turned to look at Papa. She too wore an expression as serene as Jo Gwang’s.
Yi Hwan broached the main subject.
“Seo Nam Wang is hosting the All-Under-Heaven Martial Arts Tournament. He’s invited me to attend.”
“……!”
Both Jo Gwang and Papa’s faces showed shock. But soon a cold smile played across their features.
“So the penniless wretch is holding such an event? He must be cornered indeed.”
“He lost considerable resources in this war.”
Jo Gwang spoke in a firm tone.
“We don’t know what he might attempt. You must not accept his invitation under any circumstances.”
“I’ve already accepted.”
“Grand Prince!”
“As a prince of a nation, I cannot break the traditions and precedents of the Three Kingdoms. But don’t worry overmuch. I’m not one to be taken lightly.”
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea, then broached another matter.
“Is there anyone in Zhao you need to contact? If so, tell me. I’ll meet them on the way and convey the Crown Prince’s intentions.”
At those words, Jo Gwang’s face darkened visibly. Papa too lowered her head and released a quiet sigh.
After a moment, Jo Gwang spoke with difficulty.
“There is a woman to whom I made a promise of marriage. If you would only tell her that I still live, I would ask for nothing more.”
“Seo Nam Wang has hardly been idle all this time, has he?”
“We met in secret long before I became Crown Prince. That man could never discover who she is.”
“I understand. I will deliver your message.”
“Thank you. Thank you truly.”
Yi Hwan gazed at Jo Gwang’s reddening eyes and felt a wave of compassion.
‘The Crown Prince should never have come to this.’
Whenever he looked at Jo Gwang, Yi So inevitably came to mind. Two men in similar circumstances, yet one endured with unwavering resolve while the other was deposed and cast out to a foreign land—a cruel twist of fate.
It was then.
“Please, allow me to go.”
“……!”
Jo Gwang turned to look at her in surprise. Papa continued in a fervent tone.
“There will still be loyal servants waiting for Your Highness to return. I will go and bring them to you.”
Jo Gwang shook his head.
“Much time has passed since we left the Imperial Palace. By now they’ve surely scattered to the winds. How could you possibly find them?”
“I will find them, Your Highness, by whatever means necessary. Please grant me this permission.”
“…….”
Yi Hwan stepped forward.
“There can be no hope without companions to share the burden. When I depart, you may go with me. Let us do it that way.”
“…….”
Jo Gwang slowly closed both eyes. Papa regarded him with an earnest gaze.
After a moment, Jo Gwang’s eyes opened.
“If that is your wish, then so it shall be. But you must return alive—do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Thunk!
Papa’s forehead touched the floor.
Her heart now felt as though it might tear apart. She would go to Zhao Kingdom for Jo Gwang, yet the thought of their parting in the meantime cut through her so deeply that she could scarcely breathe. Jo Gwang, who could not fail to read her heart, closed his eyes again and exhaled a faint, broken sigh.
“Ahhh…….”

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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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