The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 180

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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 Undefeated, Episode 180

Chapter 180 — The Fourth Prince Is Dead

Crown Prince Palace.
An Official came seeking Yi So. He was a relative of the Empress by marriage, a man of modest rank who nevertheless wielded considerable influence among the court through the Empress’s formidable backing.
“What brings such a busy man to call on me?”
“I have a matter to report. But first—what is that scent?”
The chamber was thick with the fragrance commonly burned during memorial rites, incense rarely used at any other time.
“State your business.”
The Official drew a breath and continued.
“A proposal has come before the Six Ministries Council to elevate the authority and jurisdiction of the Gold Guard and the Gold Robed Guard. I sought your thoughts on the matter.”
The Six Ministries Council was a deliberative body convened regularly by the heads of the Six Ministries. Though it primarily examined the soundness and efficiency of new policies, the Emperor might attend, depending on the agenda.
Yi So leaned back in his chair. “This proposal—it comes from the Six Ministries council, not from Manhwa Palace?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And what does the Empress say?”
“She said she would not oppose a matter brought before the council.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I confirmed it with Her Majesty myself. Thus, should Your Highness the Crown Prince consent, the council will move to a formal vote and proceed at once.”
“Before that, permit me one question. What sudden reason calls for elevating the Gold Guard’s role and authority?”
“Her Majesty the Empress wishes the Gold Guard to expand its strength and reach, so that the people of the Imperial Capital and neighboring cities may enjoy greater safety. She also suggests that the law be amended, so that in times of crisis the Gold Guard might support not merely the capital’s order, but the military itself.”
“I asked the will of the Six Ministries, not Her Majesty’s.”
“The Six Ministries share this view. In truth, is it not a waste of military strength for over a hundred thousand Gold Guard to concern themselves solely with the security of the Imperial Capital and its surrounds? The consensus among the officials is that legal reform should allow the Gold Guard to be deployed more efficiently.”
In fact, this very matter had been debated in court not long ago—until Yi Hwan became Guard Commander, whereupon the Empress’s faction unilaterally suspended it.
“So convenient to halt it whenever they pleased. And now…”
Clink.
Yi So’s expression darkened as he raised his tea cup to his lips. The Official watched, inwardly smiling.
‘The Fourth Prince is dead. He must wish to oppose this. And even if he holds appointment authority, there is no guarantee he can seat a man of the Crown Prince’s faction as the next Guard Commander. He must be seething. Heh heh heh.’
In truth, even if Yi Hwan had died, Yi So could simply appoint another confidant as Guard Commander. But the Imperial Palace of Yen Kingdom had grown so tangled in law and precedent that Yi So could not guarantee this himself.
That was why the Empress’s faction moved with such confidence to push through the elevation of the Gold Guard’s role and authority—a double-edged sword that might cut either way.
‘A dilemma with no escape—they call it precisely this. Heh heh heh.’
As the Official savored his inward triumph, Yi So fell silent for a long time, his jaw set firm. The Official gazed quietly at him, waiting for his answer.
Thud.
“I shall deliberate for a day and give you my answer. For now, you may return.”
“This is a matter vital to the security of the Palace and the Capital. I trust you shall make a wise choice. I shall call again tomorrow.”
As the Official moved toward the door, Yi So stopped him. “Is a date set for the military reorganization?”
“The Empress and I are still coordinating the timing. A decision should come soon. Is there a particular date you would prefer?”
“No. Simply inform me once it is settled.”
The Official departed, and Gwan Ji-baek approached.
Yi So tilted his head back, a bitter smile crossing his face.
“This is beneath me.”
“On the contrary—you performed admirably. Now they will believe you have learned of the Grand Prince’s death.”
“The incense will have to convince them.”
“When he asked about it, there was something genuinely unsettling in his eyes. This commander is certain he swallowed the deception entirely.”
It had been Yi So’s own idea to burn the incense.
When the body of the deceased could not be found, burning such incense to comfort the soul of the departed was an ancient custom of Yen Kingdom. Yi So had lit it to plant conviction in the Empress’s faction—to make them believe that Yi Hwan was truly dead.
Yi So brought the tea cup to his lips.
Clink.
“I am curious what the youngest, now holding greater power in his hands, shall accomplish in the days to come.”
“As am I, sir.”
Yi So walked to the window and opened it. Beyond the Crown Prince Palace, early summer’s warmth had given the world a deep green; birds of every kind nested and sang in the verdant branches.
Just then, a bird with yellow plumage alighted on a nearby bough. At once, chicks in a nest erupted in cries, clamoring for food.
As the morsel in the bird’s beak fell, another swept down to take its place, its mouth heavy with more abundant scraps.
Chirp, chirp, chirp!
After all the chicks had been fed in turn, as the birds nuzzled their heads together, Yi So’s gaze grew dark and distant.
‘Even mindless creatures know a mother’s love for her young—fierce and aching. Yet here stands a mother who would harm her son, and a son who would harm his mother. How sorrowful is this life of mine.’

* * *

Manhwa Palace.
The official who had sought out Yi Hwan bowed his head before the Empress.
“I have returned, Your Majesty.”
“Well? What did he say?”
“He said he would take a day or so to consider the matter. Though from my observation, he seemed quite reluctant about it.”
“Humph! Of course he’d resist—he knows he can’t simply install the next Guard Commander by his own whim.”
“But Your Majesty, there was incense burning in the Crown Prince’s chambers.”
“Incense?”
“Yes. The scent was so thick it drifted even beyond the walls—it appears to have been burning for quite some time. Could it be that the Crown Prince already knows of the Fourth Prince’s death?”
The Empress’s lips curved upward slightly.
“Is that so?”
If the Fourth Prince’s death is true, might it not be wise to elevate the Guard’s role and authority beyond the original plan? With your power, Your Majesty, you could place them even above that thorn of the East Guard.”
“That is something I shall have to think on.”
The Empress interlaced her fingers and sank deeper into her chair. In truth, even as she had been plotting to elevate the Guard’s authority and influence, she had kept the scale deliberately modest—out of caution that Yi Hwan might somehow return alive.
After all, it would be laughable if Yi Hwan returned only for her to have thrown away her advantage.
‘The Crown Prince burned incense in his chambers? Could it be someone’s death anniversary?’
The Empress searched her memory. But it was not the death date of Yi So’s birth mother—the former Empress.
Then she recalled Mun I-jong’s report.
‘That fool’s bodyguard visited the Crown Prince Palace… perhaps she informed him of his death at that time.’
The Empress’s lips curved higher still.
“Ha!”
The official and the guard stared at her in confusion.
“Go and fetch the Second Prince. And the Grand Chamberlain as well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
One of the guards hurried from Manhwa Palace. The Empress drained her teacup and rose, her robes sweeping around her.
“Tomorrow, let all of our people gather here together. You may go now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Then I shall take my leave.”
The Empress watched the official depart, then turned her gaze toward where the Crown Prince Palace lay.
Smirk.
Her lips curved upward again, and ivory-white teeth flashed briefly.
“Your fate draws to a close soon enough. When death claims you, curse your father for choosing me as his Empress.”
From the Empress’s lips as she turned away came another strange, exultant sound.
“Ha!”

* * *

‘She seems to be in quite a good mood.’
Hwa Ryeong, just entering Manhwa Palace, narrowed her eyes as she watched the Empress’s figure disappear beyond the wall.
Her gaze sharpened when she caught sight of something briefly visible beyond it.
‘So that was there all along.’
For just an instant, there appeared a passageway that looked like a demon opening its mouth.
It was the first time Hwa Ryeong had seen it. Of course—only the Empress could enter beyond that point.
“What are you staring at so intently?”
Then the Empress’s bodyguard approached Hwa Ryeong.
Hwa Ryeong turned her gaze to regard her.
“Did something fortunate happen to Her Majesty?”
“That’s none of your concern. And you have no right to ask.”
Hiss.
“How you’ve grown—now you hold your head high before me and speak like that. I hear you’ve been quite devoted in the bedchamber?”
As Hwa Ryeong mimed licking her lips, the guard’s eyebrows curved sharp as blades.
Writhe.
“Are you now insulting Her Majesty?”
“Insulting? I never even spoke your name—my lips never moved. Unless perhaps…”
“Shut your mouth!”
Bang!
The guard’s fist drove toward Hwa Ryeong’s chest—or would have, if she hadn’t blocked it with an open palm at the last instant.
Dirt sprayed up as Hwa Ryeong was driven backward.
Pop!
The Guard seized the hilt of her sword, her voice turning cold as steel.
“One more word out of line, and I’ll separate your head from your shoulders.”
“Easy, easy—what’s with all the hostility? My apologies. I should have been more discreet about your private affairs. Well then, until next time.”
Whoosh!
The Guard watched Hwa Ryeong vanish in a swirl of fabric, her killing intent flashing like lightning.
Her subordinates approached moments later.
“Are you unharmed?”
“Starting tomorrow, I want every movement of that damnable woman monitored. The instant she does anything that gives us leverage, report it to me directly. Understood?”
“Yes!”
“As you command.”

* * *

Hwa Ryeong made her way back to her quarters, rubbing her palms together.
‘Damn it all—that wretched girl’s gotten disgustingly strong. Ugh, it hurts.’
The impact had knocked the sensation clean out of her hands. A moment’s slower reaction and she’d have lost a rib or two.
“Swelling already?”
She grimaced at the sight of her puffy, distended hands.
When she stepped into her quarters moments later, a Female Warrior greeted her at the entrance.
“Welcome back, Hwa Ryeong.”
“Nothing happened while I was gone?”
“No, nothing at all.”
“Draw me a bath. And have wine brought—a bottle.”
“At once.”
Hwa Ryeong strode into her chamber and peeled off her clothes without ceremony, revealing the kind of figure that might have been sculpted by heaven’s finest craftsman.
‘Where does that passage lead?’
Her thoughts drifted back to what she’d glimpsed earlier. Before she’d known of its existence, there had been no curiosity; now that she had, a peculiar hunger burned in her chest.
Creak.
She opened the window and gazed toward the Empress’s quarters. The Empress’s chambers lay dark.
‘So it doesn’t lead to her chambers—it goes somewhere else.’
Hwa Ryeong stared longer at the Empress’s window. Still no light appeared.
Just then, the Female Warrior’s voice drifted in.
“Your bath is ready.”
“I’m coming.”
‘I’ll find a chance soon enough and slip inside to see for myself.’

* * *

The Marketplace District of the Imperial Capital of Yen Kingdom.
Yang Chan sat alone in an inn, nursing a cup of wine.
Three bottles of strong spirits already, yet his eyes remained clear of any trace of intoxication.
Though the hour was late, the inn held a fair number of patrons—most of them Martial Artists.
Among them were a handful who carried an unmistakable aura of danger: these were the new recruits Yi Hwang-ja had brought into his fold.
Glug.
Yang Chan drained cup after cup without pause.
Savory dishes sat untouched on platters before him; his chopsticks never once reached for them.
‘Dead? He’s dead?’
Yang Chan’s bewilderment knew no bounds.
Not long after arriving in the capital, he’d heard the rumors: the Fourth Prince was dead.
For Yang Chan, who had come all this way to find him, the shock ran deeper than mere surprise. Anger coiled beneath it.
He’d learned the Fourth Prince was a descendant of Dae-ya Fortress, had consciously walked back into the fate he’d once severed—only to have the man die before they could even meet.
It felt as though destiny itself was toying with him.
‘Damn it all.’
Glug.
Yang Chan finished his third bottle and uncorked a fourth.
That was when it happened.
Two figures in pale blue robes stepped into the inn. Yang Chan glanced at them absently—and then his eyes flickered with sudden, sharp awareness.

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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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