The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 178

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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 178

Chapter 178 — The Political Struggle Begins Anew

Rumors began to spread through the Imperial Palace of Yen Kingdom that Yi Hwan was dead.
The whispers soon hardened into certainty, and before long all manner of sinister speculation arose about who had killed him.

The Empress had murdered Yi Hwan, that thorn in her side.

As this unconfirmed claim circulated among the ministers, the atmosphere within the Imperial Palace descended into chaos far deeper than before.

* * *

Since her return, the Empress had not set foot outside Manhwa Palace, nor would she receive even the ministers who came calling.
Save for one person.
Only Yi Hwang-ja Yi Tae-ji could meet with her.
The two sat facing each other in a pavilion at the center of the garden in the auxiliary quarters.
“Rumors are spreading among the ministers that Your Majesty murdered the Fourth Prince. Is it true?”
“Have you come seeking a direct answer from your mother?”
“I merely wish to confirm that his death has occurred.”
The Empress brought the teacup to her lips and spoke.
“This mother did not move against him.”
“Then it was the Southwest King who killed him?”
“This mother sees it that way.”
At the Empress’s vague reply, Yi Tae-ji furrowed his brow in confusion.
“When you met with the Southwest King, did you not confirm it with him directly?”
“If I asked him, do you think he would confess to murdering the boy with his own hands? However intertwined we are in strategic alliance, I am Empress of Yen, and he is the heir to Zhao’s throne. In circumstances where we might return to outright enmity at any moment, he is not fool enough to reveal a weakness that might later be used against him.”
……
The Empress drank her tea again, then regarded Yi Tae-ji quietly and asked.
“You didn’t do anything reckless while I was away, did you?”
“How could I do anything when Your Majesty commanded me to refrain? I simply remained confined within the palace and kept quiet. So why bind only the Crown Prince Palace when you could have—”
At Yi Tae-ji’s lukewarm response, the Empress smiled faintly.
“It was not that I doubted you, but to prevent unforeseen circumstances I had not anticipated. You will come to understand my intentions later. For now, you should return.”
“I would like to hear what your plans are going forward.”
“I will arrange a time and inform you in detail. Until then, devote yourself to cultivating your Martial Arts and building your strength. You must remember that a day will surely come when force decides all things.”
“I am training diligently, so do not worry. But it has been so long since I’ve seen you—surely you can spare time for a meal together? That much you can allow me, can’t you?”
“Tae-ji.”
The Empress’s eyes changed. Yi Tae-ji had no choice but to rise and bow his head.
“I will take my leave.”
“Tell the Chief Eunuch that I wish to see him.”
“Why the Chief Eunuch—”
“There is work he must do for me.”
Yi Tae-ji was curious what that might be, but he dared not ask further lest an order be issued against him, so he held his tongue.
Soon after leaving Manhwa Palace, Yi Tae-ji crossed the bridge and headed for his quarters. After taking only a few steps, a woman appeared on the far side of the bridge.
Yi Tae-ji stopped and regarded her. The woman was none other than Hwa-ryeong.
‘She grows more beautiful with each passing day.’
With the Face Mask removed to reveal her true face, Hwa-ryeong’s beauty was enough to stir a man’s deepest longings. Thus it was perhaps inevitable that the eyes of Yi Tae-ji, who had harbored hidden desires for her, should change.
The two stood face to face in the center of the bridge.
Hwa-ryeong lowered her head slightly.
“I greet you, Your Highness.”
“It has been a while. Tell me, have you been well?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You seemed to have been absent for some time. Have you just returned from somewhere outside the palace?”
“Yes. The Empress gave me a task, and I was forced to be away from the palace for a long while on account of it.”
“A task? What sort of task would require you to leave the palace for so long? As far as I know, you never venture beyond Manhwa Palace unless it is urgent?”
Yi Tae-ji did not know what command the Empress had given to Hwa-ryeong.
‘Get out of my way, damn it.’
Hwa-ryeong concealed her true feelings behind an expression of difficulty.
“I beg your forgiveness, Your Highness. Your Majesty’s command forbids me from speaking freely on such matters.”
Hwa-ryeong bowed once more and walked past Yi Tae-ji.
With each step she took, Yi Tae-ji’s gaze clung to the subtle curves of her figure.
His eyes darkened with desire.
‘Once I ascend the throne, I’ll make you my first concubine.’

* * *

Yi Tae-ji and Mun I-jong sat facing each other.
“The Empress is looking for the Chief Eunuch.”
“Why would Her Majesty seek me?”
“How should I know?”
Yi Tae-ji replied with indifference, then took a sip of tea before asking something else.
“What’s the situation with the Third Prince?”
“The Third Prince has confined himself to his quarters for some time now. As a result, no particular movements have been detected.”
“He suspects me as the architect of that attack on him. So you’ll need to redirect his suspicion toward the Crown Prince Palace instead.”
“I’m exploring various avenues to accomplish this. But tell me—what did Her Majesty say about the Fourth Prince?”
Yi Tae-ji leaned back in his chair, furrowing his brow.
“It appears the Empress didn’t move directly. I suspect the Southwest King was the one who killed him.”
“Until we confirm the body, we should not act with certainty. If we move rashly, convinced the Fourth Prince is dead, only to have him return alive and well, we’ll have accomplished nothing—or worse.”
“If the Southwest King did kill him, how could we possibly confirm the body? The man isn’t a fool—he wouldn’t leave behind evidence that he murdered the Fourth Prince of Yen.”
“Hmm…….”
Mun I-jong furrowed his brow.
Yi Tae-ji continued.
“Simply assume he’s dead and proceed.”
“It would be best to meet with the Empress first, then discuss this further. I shall take my leave.”
Mun I-jong rose to his feet.
“There’s one more thing I need you to do.”
“What is it?”
“There’s a woman named Hwa-ryeong at the Empress’s side. Find out what mission she’s been assigned to.”
“May I ask the reason?”
“Don’t ask questions—just do as I say.”
“Understood.”
Mun I-jong bowed and left. Yi Tae-ji settled deeper into his chair, his eyes gleaming with cold satisfaction.
‘If he hasn’t returned by now, he must be dead. Then the Empress will seize control of the Imperial Guard Bureau and methodically crush the Crown Prince Palace’s outer forces.’
A smile twisted across his face.
The corners of his mouth curled upward.
‘That thorn in my side is gone—how refreshing it feels. Hehehehe.’
Yi Tae-ji was certain of Yi Hwan’s death. There was one regret.
‘It would have been better if I’d killed him with my own hands.’

* * *

The Empress and Mun I-jong sat across from each other.
The Empress watched him in silence, then leaned back in her chair and spoke.
“The Gold Robed Guard must conduct a thorough investigation into the key commanders of the Gold Guard. Find every associate and follower of the Fourth Prince and expose them—manufacture dirt if necessary. I trust you understand the reason without my spelling it out.”
“Will you be bringing the Gold Guard under your direct command?”
“When I give an order, you simply obey it. Don’t be curious about reasons, and don’t ask questions.”
“I shall obey your command.”
Mun I-jong bowed quietly.
The Empress asked something else.
“Have you been keeping watch on the Third Prince’s circle?”
Mun I-jong tensed in that moment. Not knowing the Empress’s intent, a careless answer could bring her wrath upon him.
‘A lie won’t do.’
Understanding the Empress’s nature well, Mun I-jong answered truthfully without hesitation.
“It was under Your Highness’s command.”
“Tell me in detail what orders the Second Prince gave you.”
“Your Highness commanded…….”
Mun I-jong answered without reservation. He judged it wiser to reveal everything openly and honestly rather than conceal what ought not to be hidden.
When Mun I-jong finished his account, the Empress’s eyes grew noticeably colder.
“You’re telling me he hasn’t stepped outside his quarters since returning from the Southern Military Unit?”
“Yes. If our martial artists hadn’t lost track of him, that would be the case.”
“Even when I was away in Zhao Kingdom, there was nothing unusual?”
“Nothing at all.”
“What about his subordinates?”
“No suspicious movements worth noting. That man Gong Ya-un, whom the Third Prince has taken as his master, never once left the area around the lake.”
The Empress’s cold gaze softened. She held the abilities of Mun I-jong, who had once led the Red Moon, in absolute trust.
‘I was worrying over nothing.’
Clink.
The Empress reached out and took hold of her teacup. Then, looking down intently at Mun I-jong, she asked.
“Tell me if there is anything you desire.”
At the sudden question, Mun I-jong raised his head quietly and answered.
“I am already abundantly satisfied merely to serve Your Majesty and His Highness at your side.”
“Let me rephrase the question.”
Clink.
“What is the one thing you need most to better support me and the Second Prince?”
Mun I-jong bowed his head.
His eyes shifted with meaningful intent.
“If you were to elevate the authority of the Gold Robed Guard, I could thereafter dispose of anyone who becomes an obstacle to Your Majesty far more readily.”
“To what extent are you envisioning?”
“I believe authority on par with the East Guard would suffice.”
A glimmer of interest kindled in the Empress’s eyes. The East Guard’s Surveillance Authority was a level the Gold Robed Guard could never hope to match. It had never changed since Yen Kingdom was founded.
‘If she grants that, Her Majesty will obtain a tool that can cut down anything in this world.’
Mun I-jong swallowed the words that had risen to his throat and waited for the Empress’s answer.
“Very well. I shall grant it. But there is a condition.”
The Empress drank her tea slowly. To Mun I-jong, that moment stretched as long as an eternity.
Clink.
“From this hour forward, we shall begin the work of separating the Gold Guard from the Crown Prince Palace. For that to succeed, everything hinges on what information you bring me. Can I trust you?”
“I, Mun I-jong! Shall surely deliver far beyond what Your Majesty desires.”
“Then I shall place my faith in you.”
With those words, the Empress turned to the side. It was a signal for him to leave.
Mun I-jong bowed deeply and departed the Manhwa Palace. By the time he reached the bridge, his solemn countenance had bloomed into radiant laughter.
‘Authority on par with the East Guard—have I finally grown wings? Hehehehe.’
In that moment, Yi Hwan rose in his mind. To Mun I-jong, he was an enemy worth tearing to shreds.
But he was dead. And so Mun I-jong had resolved to redirect his vengeance.
‘In place of you, now dead, I shall thoroughly destroy the Crown Prince whom you trusted and followed so faithfully—watch it clearly from the grave.’

* * *

There were eyes watching Mun I-jong cross the bridge. They belonged to Hwa-ryeong.
She had just changed into fresh clothes and was heading to see the Empress when she fixed her gaze on Mun I-jong crossing the bridge, her brow wrinkling slightly.
‘Why does that irritating wretch look so pleased with himself?’
Just then, a female sentinel who had been standing guard approached.
“Welcome, Hwa-ryeong.”
“That man—he’s returning after seeing Her Majesty?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Is she in?”
“Yes. However, there was an order that no one was to be admitted.”
It was then.
“Let her in.”
The Empress’s voice flowed clearly into Hwa-ryeong’s ears from a considerable distance away at the main gate.
‘Spooky old woman.’
“Thank you.”
Hwa-ryeong flashed a smile at the female sentinel and went inside.
The Empress sat with her legs crossed, looking down at Hwa-ryeong. Hwa-ryeong bowed her head toward her.
“I heard of your return home, but I delayed my greeting due to the task you assigned.”
“I hear you left the palace immediately after I departed for Zhao Kingdom. So now you’re on your way back?”
“The Prime Minister’s eldest son simply would not let me go…….”
Hwa-ryeong trailed off in her characteristic manner. In truth, before departing for Zhao Kingdom, she had fitted a Face Mask onto one of her subordinates and stationed them near Jin Chuo-gwang.
Thus, no one knew that she had made the journey to Zhao Kingdom.
“Have you slept with him?”
“Yes.”
“How far has it progressed?”
“Though he readily indulges his desires, his tongue is guarded. I have not yet drawn out the Prime Minister’s secrets. But grant me a little more time, and I shall deliver what you desire.”
“Quicken your pace.”
“Yes.”
The Empress turned away. Hwa-ryeong, who understood what that gesture meant, bowed her head and withdrew.
“Wait.”
“Is there another command, Your Majesty?”
“The Spirit Pill I gave you before—has it been of use?”
She was referring to the Spirit Pill that Blood Debt had consumed. Hwa-ryeong suppressed an inner smirk even as her outward expression remained perfectly composed.
“Thanks to your grace, my body has grown considerably lighter. I am merely grateful for Your Majesty’s kindness.”
After Hwa-ryeong withdrew, a faint crease appeared between the Empress’s brows.
‘She surrenders even her chastity to carry out my orders. Have I misjudged the child’s heart?’
The harsh punishment the Empress had imposed on Hwa-ryeong, doubting her loyalty—Blood Debt.
‘If she produces results that place the Prime Minister’s leash in my hands, then I shall forgive you.’

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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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