The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 167

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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 167

Chapter 167 – Zhao Yun’s Purpose

Yang Chan entered the marketplace district of a nearby city to purchase necessary supplies on his way to the Imperial Capital.
The cloth shop was his first stop. He had carried the blood-soaked village headman all this way, leaving his clothes stained and matted with dried blood in countless places.
A short while later, Yang Chan stepped into the cloth shop.
“Welcome, sir.”
“I’d like to see some clothes.”
“Please wait just a moment. I’ll attend to you presently.”
There were already other customers present—an ordinary-looking middle-aged man and woman. Yang Chan cast a glance at them, then turned his attention to the street beyond.
Military officials moved through the crowd, stopping passersby for inspection. There was no doubt—they were looking for him.
Just then, a conversation between people passing the cloth shop caught Yang Chan’s ear.
“Have you heard the rumors?”
“What rumors?”
“They say the recent murders were carried out by conspirators plotting treason. Word is they’re converging on the Imperial Capital to disrupt the Heavenly Martial Arts Tournament. Heavens! I worry this won’t end well for all of us.”
“If the rumors are true, this could be catastrophic, couldn’t it? The world is already in such turmoil, and now talk of rebellion? I fear the common people will suffer again.”
Yang Chan found himself at a loss.
‘Conspirators plotting treason…….’
Then the man and woman left. Only now did the cloth shop owner approach Yang Chan.
“What kind of clothes are you looking for, sir?”
“Just something the same size as what I’m wearing now. White, if you please.”
“Yes, sir. One moment.”
As the owner went to fetch clothes, Yang Chan stepped out of the shop and quietly observed the figures of the man and woman as they disappeared into the marketplace crowd.
In that instant, a cold gleam flashed in his eyes.
‘Those with concealed faces…….’
As they passed nearby, he had noticed a slight difference in skin tone between their faces and necks. This confirmed to Yang Chan that they were wearing face masks.
Then the middle-aged man turned to look at him.
Their gazes clashed in mid-air and tangled together. But that moment lasted only a heartbeat, and the couple soon vanished from Yang Chan’s view.
Yang Chan turned back to the owner and asked, “They say conspirators plotting treason have appeared. Is that true?”
“So it seems, sir?”
“That’s right.”
“Well then, forgive me. Several days ago, murders began occurring, and the people grew uneasy. But then—wouldn’t you know it—the crimes were revealed to be the work of treason plotters. The entire area near the Imperial Capital has been thrown into chaos.”
“There seem to be quite a few of these rebels, then?”
“I’ve heard that hundreds are pouring into the Imperial Capital as we speak.”
Yang Chan found himself at a loss again.
‘Just who is spreading these rumors, and to what end?’
Such tales could never have circulated unless someone had deliberately inflated the incident.
Yang Chan’s suspicion fell on Zhao Yun.
It took no ordinary hand to transform murders into an act of treason. His suspicion hardened into certainty.
‘Do as you please, then.’
As cold clarity settled in his eyes, the owner’s voice rang out.
“Would you like to try something on, sir?”
Yang Chan brushed aside his thoughts and stepped back inside.

‘This feeling is entirely new to me.’
The moment he first saw Yang Chan step into the cloth shop, he had felt a strange, indescribable sensation.
“What troubles you, sir?”
“What was your impression of that man, Papa?”
“Nothing particularly unusual, sir. Was he someone you recognized?”
“Not exactly…….”
Yi Hwan turned away.
His unease was real enough, but there was no way to approach a stranger and inquire.
“Papa.”

“Pardon?”
“Make sure your neck isn’t exposed. The skin tone difference between your face and neck could arouse suspicion immediately.”
“Understood.”
Papa quickly adjusted the collar of her robe.
The two of them soon made their way toward the Imperial Capital. As they emerged from the marketplace onto the Official Road, the crowd grew just as dense as it had been in the streets. People had flooded in from across the realm to witness the Heavenly Martial Arts Tournament. Naturally, there were many martial artists among them, and wanderers bearing their distinctive air were scattered throughout, impossible to miss.
Papa spoke in a low voice.
“Did you happen to hear what those people were saying as we passed the cloth shop?”
“You mean the talk of treason?”
“Yes. If the rumors are true, I fear the Heavenly Martial Arts Tournament will not end well.”
“The rumors might not be true.”
“Sir?”
“The poison assassination suddenly became the work of those plotting treason. If it were genuine, those who chased us all the way to the Gorge wouldn’t have simply backed away.”
“Then you believe someone deliberately fabricated the incident to involve it with treason?”
“Perhaps. But if someone intentionally inflated the matter with a specific purpose in mind, then Seo Nam Wang must stand to gain something from using this incident as a pretext.”
Papa’s expression shifted abruptly.
She had grasped something.
“Could it be an attempt to eliminate the factions loyal to you?”
“If I were Seo Nam Wang, that’s precisely what I would do.”
…….
“But it might not be, so let’s observe for now.”
That was when it happened.
“My lord, look ahead.”
Papa pointed toward something. Yi Hwan turned his gaze to where she indicated.
In the distance, two elaborate carriages and several hundred bodyguards moved forward, their grand and ornate banners unfurling in the wind.
‘Arrived sooner than expected.’
It was the Empress’s procession.
Yi Hwan had departed later than she had, but having traveled with a smaller party, he’d expected to have gained at least several days on her. Yet here she was. He studied the Empress’s bodyguards carefully.
From behind, he couldn’t discern who was who, but those moving near the carriage unmistakably carried an extraordinary air about them.
‘I have to give her credit for sheer audacity. Even if she and Seo Nam Wang have exchanged favors through their dealings, bringing only this many soldiers into enemy territory shows remarkable nerve.’
Yi Hwan turned to Papa and spoke.
“Let’s keep our distance.”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan maintained a careful distance.
Though there was little risk of being recognized in his disguise, he saw no reason to draw closer.
How much further had they traveled?
“Ahhh!”
“Aaaah!”
Suddenly, screams erupted from ahead.
Yi Hwan, whose mind had wandered, looked toward the source of the cries.
Masked assailants were pouring out from the forest to the right of the road, attacking people indiscriminately.
The warriors guarding the Empress quickly formed a defensive line.
‘What is this now?’
In that moment of confusion, the masked attackers surged toward the Empress’s carriage. Simultaneously, a sharp “Pop!” sounded from the air, followed by crimson smoke billowing thick and heavy.
“Aaaah!”
“Aaaaah!”
Those engulfed in the crimson smoke shrieked in agony and collapsed.
“They appear to be using poison.”
Papa’s final cry had barely left her lips before the Empress’s guards and the masked attackers clashed together in chaos.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
“Gaaah!”
“Aaaaah!”
Yi Hwan pushed through the panicked crowd rushing toward him and pressed forward a bit more. But by the time he drew near, all the masked assailants had been subdued.
Yi Hwan examined the Empress’s guards.
Some were staggering about, clutching their throats, while others lay motionless on the road.
Thud-thud-thud!
The carriage carrying the Empress began to move. Behind it, a merciless scene unfolded—the guards abandoned even those of their comrades still clinging to life, instead racing after the Empress’s carriage.
“I’ll extract information from those who remain.”
“No need.”
Yi Hwan gripped Papa’s shoulder as she moved forward and shook his head. Then, with a gesture of his chin, he pointed behind them. From the rear of the road, dozens of warriors came rushing like wind.
Soldiers of the Zhao Kingdom.
Yi Hwan and Papa quietly withdrew a few steps back.
Yi Hwan watched as the Zhao Kingdom’s warriors began to cordon off the scene, a thin smile crossing his face.
“Curious.”
“Sir?”
“They move as though they knew this would happen beforehand.”
“Now that you mention it, their arrival time does seem remarkably swift.”
Yi Hwan’s gaze grew cold.
‘Zhao Yun is certainly plotting something, but what……’

* * *

Not far from the scene of the attack, Yang Chan stood watching. He had arrived on the Official Road late, quickening his pace when he heard the screams ahead, only to retreat toward the edge when he saw Zhao Kingdom’s warriors rushing past from behind.
‘Poison Gas mixed with crushed red flowers to maximize visual impact. Crude, really—it looks stronger this way but actually loses potency.’
He studied the crimson smoke drifting into the forest on the wind, his eyes narrowing. A bitter smile played at his lips.
Something had occurred to him.
‘Poisoning the Empress of Yen? This frame-up will collapse under its own weight.’
What surfaced in his mind first was a conversation he’d overheard from passersby outside the cloth shop. He felt certain the connection between their words and this incident was no coincidence.
Yang Chan resumed walking.
Though the Zhao Kingdom’s warriors had cordoned off the scene, they hadn’t barred pedestrians from passing through.
As he went past, Yang Chan seized the moment to observe the fallen figures. The warriors stood in such tight formation he could see little, but he distinctly made out the face of a corpse—blood streaming from eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
“Stay back!”
A warrior barked the command.
Yang Chan stepped aside, turning his gaze forward.
In the distance, dark clouds rolled in. His heart grew as heavy as the sky itself.
‘A world rotting from within……’

* * *

Zhao Kingdom Imperial Palace.
Officials gathered in the Grand Hall awaited someone. The dragon throne stood empty.
Were they waiting for the Emperor?
No. The one they awaited was Zhao Yun.
An official spoke up.
“Does anyone know what this concerns?”
As all shook their heads, Zhao Yun entered the Grand Hall. The officials rose as one and bowed deeply toward him.
Zhao Yun took a chair placed separately beside the dragon throne. Though he was the Zhao Kingdom’s true ruler in practice, he could not sit upon the throne itself without formal abdication—it would be improper.
An official asked:
“What matter brings us before you, Your Highness?”
Zhao Yun opened his mouth, his tone grave.
“Shortly ago, the Empress of Yen came under attack by assassins.”
“What?”
“It cannot be!”
All the officials gasped at his words.
“Fortunately, Her Majesty escaped unharmed, though several of her bodyguards fell to the assassins’ poison. I therefore regard this act as the work of those plotting treason, and I mean to declare an Emergency Decree.”
“An Emergency Decree may only be invoked during wartime. To declare one at this juncture, with the Heavenly Martial Arts Tournament looming, risks irreversible chaos and confusion. We must proceed with utmost caution, Your Highness.”
At those words, Zhao Yun’s eyes turned cold.
“You suggest the sight of traitors marching upon the Imperial Capital poses less danger than actual war?”
As his gaze changed, so too did his tone.
“Interpretation may vary, but an Emergency Decree must never be issued rashly. Even our predecessors, when faced with far graver circumstances, refrained from such action. I must therefore urge you again to reconsider, Your Highness.”
The official stood his ground. He was the moral center of the faction supporting Jo Gwang, known for his unyielding rectitude, and had clashed with Zhao Yun many times before.
Then another official stepped forward and spoke:
“The machinations of traitors constitute a crisis graver than war itself. Let us follow Your Highness’s will, and we shall obey!”
“We shall obey!”
As Zhao Yun’s supporters cried out in unison, he fixed his gaze upon the official who had opposed him and continued:
“If you have an alternative method to the Emergency Decree, speak it now. I will hear you and decide accordingly.”
“.…”
“You have no alternative, yet you object?”
“Grant me a day’s grace, Your Highness. In that time, I shall endeavor to find the wisest course. Should I nonetheless conclude that the Emergency Decree is necessary, then let Your Highness’s will be done.”
“Very well. I shall honor that.”
Shortly after, Zhao Yun rose and departed the Grand Hall. An aide at his side ventured to ask:
“A mere notification would have sufficed. Why, then, did you grant them a full day’s grace?”
“First, they must understand the limits of their own strength. To accomplish that, it won’t hurt to let them feel the direct threat of death.”
Zhao Yun’s words shifted the attendant’s expression. He grasped the meaning beneath them.
“How many men will be needed, Your Majesty?”
“Leave those of high rank untouched. Two will suffice — choose those whose absence would go unnoticed. Act at once.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”

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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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