The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 162

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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 162

Chapter 162 – Toward Zhao Kingdom

One month later.
Yi Hwan had begun the journey toward Zhao Kingdom. Cheol Mu-ok, Ju-tae, Go-mi, and Papa traveled with him. And there was one more.
It was the Female Warrior of the Bi-wol Organization, skilled in the craft of masks.
‘She really did invoke an imperial order…….’
The Empress had departed for Zhao Kingdom two days ahead of Yi Hwan. Before leaving, she had invoked an imperial order to completely seal off any room for the Crown Prince Palace to maneuver.
Moreover, by postponing military reorganization through council decision, she had rendered Yi Hwan’s and the Crown Prince Palace’s plans utterly useless.
‘She’s certainly not an opponent to take lightly.’
Yi Hwan could not deny the Empress’s thorough nature. The greatest advantage he recognized in her was her freedom from the constraints of time.
Because she never rushed, she made almost no mistakes; and because she made no mistakes, both the Crown Prince Palace and Yi Hwan had no choice but to give their utmost effort in all things.
‘Eventually, the tide will turn. When it does, I’ll run forward so fast she can never catch up. I’ll make sure of it.’
Whissh!
The warming weather had made even the wind soft and gentle.
Yi Hwan rode at an unhurried pace, neither fast nor slow, surrendering to the movement of his horse as he traveled westward. How long had they been riding?
Thud-thud-thud!
A single rider came galloping from behind like a whirlwind. Go-mi glanced back, her eyes widening slightly.
“Can I come with you?”
The one galloping toward them like a whirlwind was Hwa Ryeong. Yi Hwan watched her approach with a broad smile, then his brow furrowed slightly.
Thud-thud-thud!
Shortly after, Hwa Ryeong drew in her reins.
Neigh!
“It’s all right if I come along, isn’t it?”
“Don’t you have tasks to oversee?”
“Don’t worry. You know how much keener the desire grows when one is out of sight?”
“You mean you’ve already won his heart?”
“Of course. I’ve made sure everything is arranged so we can begin as soon as we return from Zhao Kingdom. Have no concerns.”
Confidence flowed from Hwa Ryeong’s tone and expression. Whatever she had done, her thoroughness was reassuring enough to trust.
Go-mi spoke up.
“You should wear the Face Mask to begin with, shouldn’t you?”
“I already brought one with me.”
Hwa Ryeong drew a mask from her sleeve and fitted it to her face. At once, Cheol Mu-ok and Ju-tae burst into laughter.
Yi Hwan stifled a smile.
The mask, which covered her face entirely with freckles and round eyes, made her look like a girl fresh from the countryside. Her clothes, too, matched perfectly with this rustic appearance.
“You came well-prepared.”
“Of course. This much preparation is necessary, isn’t it? So I can come along, then?”
“Would you go if I told you to?”
“No.”
Smirk.
“Then I’ll allow it if you promise not to act recklessly on your own.”
“I promise!”
And so Hwa Ryeong became part of the traveling party.
Go-mi, who would normally have shown her displeasure openly, was oddly composed today.
Yi Hwan caught sight of Go-mi’s reaction and smiled faintly.
‘Have they become close through their quarrels?’

* * *

Imperial Capital of Jin Kingdom.
A procession emerged from the Imperial Palace and began moving northward.
Among one carriage and dozens of riders following behind were Namgung Jang-cheon and Dan Ri-mok.
Their expressions were quite bright.
In truth, witnessing the Martial Arts Grand Tournament was a source of great joy for them. Moreover, since they had thus far only accompanied envoys to formal and weighty occasions, their delight was doubled.
“I wish we could do things like this more often.”
“Do you have any idea how much money it costs to hold one?”
“But it brings people such great joy. Look at how excited we are—imagine how the people of Zhao Kingdom must feel. I do hope Jin Kingdom will host one someday.”

The two moved forward, exchanging talk about this and that, until Dan Ri-mok’s eyes widened with sudden interest.
“Ah! That gentleman is coming too, I hear.”
“You mean the Fourth Prince of Yen?”
“You already knew?”
“I heard about it a few days ago.”
Namgung Jang-cheon furrowed his brow and continued.
“To be honest, it’s surprising. It’s unexpected enough that Zhao invited him, but the fact that he accepted? I would have refused without hesitation.”
“Why is that?”
“Do you think the Empress will simply let him be?”
“She’d see it as an opportunity and try to eliminate him one way or another. But the fact that he accepted despite knowing that shows he’s certainly no fool. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Whether he’s wise or just lacks proper judgment—time will tell us that.”
“I’m betting on the former.”
“And how much do you claim to know to be so certain?”
“Just a feeling I have.”
A soft laugh escaped him.
Namgung Jang-cheon turned his gaze forward, his thoughts drifting to Yi Hwan.
‘I believe in the former as well. But this time, it was far too reckless a choice.’
The wind whistled softly past.

* * *

About a hundred li east of the Imperial Capital of Zhao Kingdom lay a city called Hoeyang.
Though not enormous in scale, it was renowned for its exceptional geomancy and was known to be home to many retired officials and wealthy merchants. A man entered the marketplace district of this city as the sun began its descent toward evening.
He appeared to be in his mid-twenties—not remarkably handsome, but striking for his pale, porcelain complexion and large, clear eyes that held an almost childlike innocence.
The youth made his way into the grandest and most ornate inn in the marketplace.
The inn was crowded with patrons, most of them bearing weapons—martial artists from across the realm drawn here by the approaching Martial Arts Grand Tournament, whether to compete or to watch. The youth claimed a seat in the most secluded corner.

“A bottle of Hwanyeong wine, a plate of seasoned beef, and a bowl of thin noodles. And bring the wine first, please.”
“Yes, guest.”
After ordering, the youth quenched his thirst with water and then leisurely surveyed the inn. Despite being nearly full, largely with martial artists, it was remarkably quiet. This was typical of such gatherings. When no one knew who anyone else was, careless words could spark conflict, so everyone exercised restraint.
Among them, those eating in particular silence were mostly people who had come from Jin or Yen Kingdoms.
“The Imperial Order should prevent any trouble from arising.”
The youth muttered these cryptic words before his gaze drifted toward the street outside.
The streets too were teeming with people.
Vendors one rarely saw in normal times lined the roads, a testament to just how grand an affair the Martial Arts Grand Tournament was.
A server returned with the wine and departed.
The youth filled his cup and drained two in succession.
As he was filling a third, figures entered the inn.
Constables from the magistrate’s office.
Bang!
The rough opening of the door caused everyone in the inn to stop their chopsticks mid-bite and stare toward the entrance.
“We are conducting an inspection! Everyone remain in your seats and do not move!”
The constables dispersed throughout the inn, beginning their inspections. Shortly after, one approached the youth’s table.
Before the constable could speak, the youth produced his identification pass and placed it on the table.
Tap.
The constable examined the pass, fixed the youth with an intimidating stare, then moved on to another table. Someone spoke up then.
“Has some crime occurred?”
“There was a murder in the neighboring city yesterday. We’re conducting an inspection on that account. Everyone, please remain at your seats.”
“Are you referring to that incident where the Heuk Ryong Bang members were slaughtered?”
“That’s the one.”
A ripple ran through the inn.
It seemed most present had not yet heard of it.
“A slaughter? How many were actually killed?”
“Nearly twenty, they say, poisoned assassinated. The toxin was so potent that some had their abdomens and chests eaten away, leaving gaping holes.”
“Heavens, how ghastly.”
“Silence!”
At the constable’s shout, the inn settled back into quiet. Even as the inspection continued, the youth drained his cups with perfect composure.
After two more followed.
Crash!
The sound of the window on this floor shattering was followed by someone leaping down into the street below. Constables tumbled after them moments later.
“Chase him!”
“Catch that bastard!”
The sudden commotion drew people rushing to the windows.
“Could that be the culprit?”
“The way he’s running, it looks like it. Still, to think there was a serial killer slaughtering people wholesale in a single inn….”
“Ugh….”
The constables who had been conducting inspections on the first floor bolted outside just as quickly. The youth watched them go, his smile vague and distant.
After a short while, his food arrived, and about an hour into his meal, the youth left the inn.
His destination lay in the direction of the Imperial Capital, where the Martial Arts Grand Tournament would be held.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here. Seems some odd fellow has turned the world upside down to suit himself.”
The youth muttered incomprehensibly as he strolled slowly through the street.
He must have walked about a hundred paces or so.
The youth’s eyes gleamed with sudden interest. Someone was being dragged through by constables up ahead—the very same person who had jumped from the window of the inn. Had there been a scuffle?
Both the constables and the man being dragged were soaked with blood.
“It wasn’t me, you bastards!”
“Shut your mouth! Why would an innocent man run?”
“Because you were looking at me like I was guilty! If I’d said I wasn’t guilty in that moment, would you have believed me? Would you? No, you wouldn’t, you fucking dogs!”
Jang Han spewed crude curses even as the constables dragged him along.
As he passed in front of the youth, their eyes met. Instantly, more profanities burst from his mouth.
“What are you staring at, you son of a bitch!”
The youth raised both his hands to his shoulders in a placating gesture and smiled slightly. Jang Han spat in response, and the spittle barely missed the youth’s face, passing it by.
He watched Jang Han disappear into the distance, bellowing curses, while he himself broke into a subtle smile.
“No need to feel guilty, then.”

* * *

The Heuk Ryong Bang.
The sect was renowned in the vicinity of Hoeyang, but its atmosphere was not merely murderous—it trembled as if about to explode at any moment.
The sect master Jeon Yang-hwa’s face had flushed crimson.
“You still haven’t found him!”
“We are working in cooperation with the constables and conducting thorough searches throughout the city. He will be apprehended soon!”
“Money is no object—send more men and search even the remotest corners of this place!”
“Yes, Sect Master!”
Jeon Yang-hwa raised a bottle of wine to his lips.
Glug-glug!
Crash!
“Once I have that bastard in my hands, I’ll tear him limb from limb! Grrrgh!”
There was reason for his fury.
The day before, subordinates of his who had gathered for drinks in a nearby city had been slaughtered en masse—and among them was his nephew.
The death of his nephew, whom he had cherished like a son, had driven him to madness.
Glug-glug!
“Bring me more wine!”
As Jeon Yang-hwa, having drained one bottle, brought a second to his lips, the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness descended.
“Sect Master, the night grows cold. Won’t you retire indoors?”
“Bring stronger wine to my quarters!”
“…Very well.”
Jeon Yang-hwa withdrew into his chambers.
His quarters were spacious and opulent enough to rival the inner sanctum of any great merchant’s estate. Several pieces of Haedong Porcelain—each worth a fortune—adorned the space.
Jeon Yang-hwa threw open the windows.
Creak!
His eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
“What kind of child did his mother raise….”
The image of his nephew, who had shared a meal with him and smiled just two days prior, would not leave his mind, tormenting him relentlessly.
Whiiiish!
A thin gust of wind swept across Jeon Yang-hwa’s face. Then, a clear, ringing voice flowed into his ears.
“That lovely nephew of yours raped and killed an innocent girl. How do you feel about that?”
“…!”
At the unexpected voice, Jeon Yang-hwa cried out demanding to know who it was, his hand moving to his sword hilt.
But then?
‘My voice……’
No sound came. Not a single finger would obey.
“I asked around. You’re no lightweight yourself. So it’s no wonder your nephew grew up like a demon, following in your footsteps.”
Jeon Yang-hwa’s eyes widened slowly. Through the window, he saw a figure suspended in the empty air.
Impossibly, it was the same youth who had walked out of the inn after eating.
Green Smoke shimmered at the youth’s fingertips. It drifted away from his hand and began to drift slowly toward Jeon Yang-hwa.
“In your next life, I hope you’re born as a good person. Actually, no. Just stay trapped in hell forever. A demon like you deserves nothing better.”
“……!”
The Green Smoke engulfed Jeon Yang-hwa’s face.
Then a horrific scene unfolded. Jeon Yang-hwa’s face began to melt away.
His flesh dissolved, bone laid bare, yet he died without even a scream, fading slowly into silence.
The youth watched in quiet. When Jeon Yang-hwa collapsed limply, he vanished into the darkness.

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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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