The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 179

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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, Chapter 179

Chapter 179—Why He Answered the Southwest King’s Invitation

Crown Prince Palace.
Crown Prince Yi So attended to his duties with the same unflagging focus as always.
The portion of imperial power the Emperor had delegated to him could sometimes prove a tremendous gift, but most days it brought only exhaustion from an excessive workload.
One might argue that such labors awaited him anyway once he ascended the throne, yet managing them without aid from the Six Ministries was undeniably burdensome.
Still, he could not neglect them—they formed the very measure by which his fitness as Crown Prince would be judged.
“Phew…….”
Yi So stretched with a long, deliberate motion.
The volume of work that had piled up since dawn was already enough to wear through five brushes.
Gwan Ji-baek, who had been assisting him, spoke with concern etched across his face.
“Perhaps Your Highness ought to rest a moment.”
“You think so?”
“I shall have tea prepared.”
Yi So rose from the desk and settled into a plush chair, rolling his head in slow circles. Each movement brought the soft crack of joints.
Crack.
Gwan Ji-baek returned bearing a tray with teacups, and soon the two of them sipped their tea while exchanging idle conversation.
How much time had passed in this manner?
“Your Highness, the Fourth Prince’s bodyguard has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
The door opened and Ju-tae entered.
But instead of approaching respectfully, he sat directly across from Yi So.
Gwan Ji-baek immediately objected.
“Mind your courtesy!”
“It’s me.”
“……!”
Both Yi So and Gwan Ji-baek’s eyes widened in shock. When Ju-tae lifted his hand and removed the Face Mask, the face beneath it was Yi Hwan.
“A dead man walking the streets draws too much attention—I had no choice.”
“Welcome back, brother. Ha!”
Yi So broke into delighted laughter. Gwan Ji-baek smiled as well.
“I have been anxious to see you again, Fourth Prince.”
“I could use some tea myself.”
“Please wait a moment, sir.”
Gwan Ji-baek stepped out again.
Yi So regarded him with genuine warmth in his eyes.
“The Gold Guard Headquarters has many eyes, so that must be difficult. Where have you been staying?”
“Somewhere safe from discovery. But tell me—what of the Empress’s movements?”
“Nothing remarkable thus far. I suppose she, like us, needs time to win over the court officials. However, I have heard whispers among her faction about expanding the role and authority of the Gold Robed Guard…….”
“To check the East Guard, no doubt.”
“Indeed. That must be her intent.”
“Have you heard anything regarding the Gold Guard?”
“Not yet. Why do you ask?”
At that moment, Gwan Ji-baek returned with tea. Yi Hwan took a sip before answering his question.
“The Empress will not relinquish control of the Gold Guard. Holding the Gold Guard is tantamount to holding the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Capital, and all the cities nearby. She will stop at nothing to seize it.”
“If she believes you dead, she will make her move soon—one way or another.”
“Which is precisely why I mention it…….”
Yi Hwan let his words trail before continuing.
“The Empress may attempt not only to expand the authority of the Gold Robed Guard, but also to extend the scope and power of the Gold Guard itself. She will lay the groundwork now, in preparation for the day she brings the Gold Guard fully under her control. When that time comes, simply feign moderate resistance—but take great care not to let the Empress grow suspicious.”
“Ah!”
Gwan Ji-baek’s eyes lit up as he grasped Yi Hwan’s intent.
“So once the Gold Guard’s authority has been expanded, the Fourth Prince will reappear!”
“You might say the Empress herself hands us a magnificent gift.”
“Truly masterful, Fourth Prince!”
Gwan Ji-baek struck his knee in admiration. A subtle smile spread across Yi So’s face as well.
“Was that your aim from the very start—to accept the Southwest King’s invitation?”
“You might say it was a pleasant coincidence.”
“Ha ha ha!”
Yi So finally broke into genuine laughter. It was something he had never dared imagine, and the exhaustion seemed to drain from him all at once. If Yi Hwan’s calculations played out as intended, he would gain formidable power simply by sitting idle.
“How fortunate to have you at my side. Come now—since you’ve made the trip, let’s share a cup of strong liquor.”
“A mere bodyguard to the Fourth Prince lingering too long in the Crown Prince Palace invites suspicion. Besides, there are other matters I must attend to.”
Yi Hwan rose at once.
Yi So’s disappointment showed plainly.
“You cannot know where their eyes might be watching you. Be vigilant.”
“Yes.”
Shortly after, Yi Hwan donned the Face Mask once more and departed the Crown Prince Palace.
He was making his way toward the city gate when it happened.
“Stop a moment!”
A low call came from behind. Yi Hwan halted and turned.
‘Convenient timing.’
Moon Yi-jong was approaching.
Yi Hwan gave him a slight bow.
“Are you not the bodyguard of the Fourth Prince?”
“I am.”
Moon Yi-jong had seen Ju-tae once in the Imperial Palace, and he remembered the face clearly.
“Has the Fourth Prince also returned?”
“No. I was separated from him in Zhao Kingdom during an attack by brigands. I stopped by the Crown Prince Palace merely to inquire whether he might have returned first.”
In that instant, Yi Hwan glimpsed it—a flash of delight deep within Moon Yi-jong’s pupils.
But it lasted only a moment. Moon Yi-jong’s expression shifted, and his voice rose sharply.
“Is it not the bodyguard’s duty to shield his master even at the cost of his own life? You worthless fool!”
“……My apologies. I shall find the Fourth Prince and see him safely home.”
Yi Hwan bowed his head deeply, as if words had abandoned him.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
Had it been a perfect performance?
Moon Yi-jong watched Yi Hwan’s retreating figure toward the city gate, his teeth bared in a grin.
‘Heh heh. That glint in his eye was no deception.’
Unlike Yi Tae-ji, who had been certain of Yi Hwan’s death, Moon Yi-jong had harbored a sliver of doubt. Now, at last, he was convinced, and relief washed over him.
Meanwhile, Yi Hwan also smiled as he passed through the city gate.
He had worn Ju-tae’s Face Mask precisely for such a scenario.
‘Now I need only wait to see what gift the Empress bestows.’
After passing through the city gate, Yi Hwan soon entered an inn in the marketplace. Before that, he had stopped at a privy to remove Ju-tae’s Face Mask and exchange it for another face.
The inn was crowded with patrons.
Yi Hwan, as always, headed for the top floor. Jeom So-yi blocked his path.
“The top floor requires separate advance reservation.”
“Even for the Imperial household’s bodyguards?”
“……!”
“Why do you not answer?”
“Forgive my rudeness! Please, come up at once!”
Yi Hwan climbed to the top floor and entered a room. He pressed a single silver coin into Jeom So-yi’s hand and spoke.
“If a woman comes seeking the bodyguard of the Fourth Prince, show her to my room.”
“Yes, understood!”
“Bring liquor first.”
“Just a moment, please!”
That single silver coin transformed Jeom So-yi into motion as swift as a master’s technique.
Yi Hwan closed the door and opened the window.
The marketplace district hummed with people as always, though armed warriors were considerably more numerous than usual, stationed throughout the streets.

Go-mi had mentioned that during the Empress and Fourth Prince’s journey to Zhao Kingdom, Yi Hwang-ja’s faction had summoned numerous martial artists to the Imperial Capital.

Yi Hwan recalled Go-mi’s words and smiled faintly. The instant she returned, she was already moving—reporting several pieces of information to him.
At that moment, Yi Hwan’s eyes brightened.
Hwa-ryeong was walking up the northern stretch of the street. This visit to the inn was precisely to meet her.
Yi Hwan watched her approach with a gentle smile, then let out a bitter laugh.
‘It would be no surprise if she had died by my hand.’
Yet this same Hwa-ryeong had now stepped into his shadow. Against everyone’s fears, she was integrating fully into his circle.
Just then, Hwa-ryeong glanced upward toward him. But she did not recognize him—the Face Mask concealed his identity.
Yi Hwan simply remained still.
A moment later, Hwa-ryeong entered Yi Hwan’s room, guided by Jeom So-yi.
“Hm?”
It’s me.
Jeom So-yi set down the liquor and withdrew.
“Sit.”
“Why did you pretend not to recognize me?”
“Should I have announced myself?”
“Fair point.”
Hwa-ryeong settled across from him and immediately uncorked the bottle. She poured liquor into his cup.
Glug, glug.
Hwa-ryeong offered the cup and spoke in a rush.
“I found out what you wanted to know.”
“Is it worth hearing?”
Glug, glug.
“Drink first.”
Clink.
“Phew! You’re wealthy enough, yet why do you always drink this strong liquor?”
Hwa-ryeong made a face of exaggerated distaste, tossed a morsel of food into her mouth, and continued immediately.
“The Empress—that old fox is planning to expand the role and authority of the Gold Robed Guard. The Grand Chamberlain visited yesterday, and it struck me as odd, so I looked into it. Turns out orders have already gone out to the Empress’s officials.”
“How much of an expansion are we talking about?”
“They’re planning to elevate it to a level equal to the East Guard.”
‘Faster than I anticipated.’
Yi Hwan drained his cup.
Hwa-ryeong refilled it, her brow creasing slightly.
“I’m genuinely curious—why don’t you consider assassination? If it were me, I’d have tried it back in Zhao Kingdom.”
“Do you think it ends simply if the Empress dies suddenly?”
“Doesn’t it?”
Yi Hwan drained his cup again.
Clink.
“If the Empress vanishes, what will the Second Prince do? He’ll drop all pretense and bare his ambitions without restraint, freed from the one who controlled him. When that happens, the court—the entire kingdom—will plunge into chaos.”
“Doesn’t removing a rival require some degree of turmoil?”
“The Crown Prince seated on the Jade Throne with minimal chaos. That is the ideal, and it is what I desire. Remember that.”
“I suppose I don’t understand such things.”
Hwa-ryeong shook her head in mock bewilderment and finished her cup.
Yi Hwan refilled her empty cup and asked something else.
“Have you met Jin Chu-gwang?”
“I’m planning to tonight, actually. When I headed to Zhao Kingdom, I left a woman in disguise as me at his side, and from what I hear, she’s worked him over properly. If things go well, I might have what you want by tonight.”
“Don’t overexert yourself.”
“Are you worried about me?”
“Just drink.”
Once the business was finished, Hwa-ryeong talked without ceasing. If Jeom So-yi hadn’t brought food a short time later, Yi Hwan might have bled from his ears.
After they’d eaten at length and Yi Hwan had set down his chopsticks first, Hwa-ryeong asked a question.
“How much longer must I remain at the Empress’s side?”
“If you grow weary of it, finish what you can with the Prime Minister and leave.”
“Truly, I can?”
Yi Hwan nodded without speaking, and Hwa-ryeong broke into a broad smile.
“The Empress is no ordinary woman. Keep your focus sharp until the end.”
“Don’t worry. She believes she has my life in her grip, so she won’t suspect me.”
Yi Hwan drained his final cup.
Clink.
“Then until next time.”
“Already leaving? Stay a little longer.”
“I have much to do.”
Yi Hwan left the inn first, leaving a disappointed Hwa-ryeong behind. She stood at the window, watching his figure recede into the marketplace streets below.

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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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