The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 190

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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 Warrior Emperor, Chapter 190

Chapter 190 — Buy Me Something Tasty

When the Empress halted her movements for reasons unknown, the fierce political strife settled into stalemate.
Yet Yi Hwan continued to move swiftly beneath the surface, methodically achieving his aims one by one.
Then, as the months turned, Go-mi appeared at Yi Hwan’s office.
“We’ve nearly caught up with all of them.”
Go-mi produced a register from her sleeve and handed it to Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan unrolled the register. It was crammed with information on ministers and officials who held voting power.
“We have solid evidence on at least six. If fortune favors us, another three might be possible.”
“So nine at most is within reach.”
“Yes.”
Snap.
Yi Hwan closed the register and spoke.
“The Empress has been far too quiet. By now, her move should have come.”
“Isn’t it fortunate that we’ve gained time? Thanks to that, haven’t we secured considerable evidence?”
“Do you truly think the Empress doesn’t know we’re moving? She may not grasp the details, but she certainly expects that I won’t sit idle.”
“Could she be searching for another avenue? Though a vote is not something that can be manipulated by falsifying imperial command.”
“Access to the Forbidden Palace itself is impossible, so we must wait. In any case, how do the preparations for the royal ancestral rites stand?”
“The Crown Prince Palace is overseeing them. And by tomorrow, all the imperial family should enter the palace. Perhaps the Empress will reveal herself around then?”
“Two days remain, then.”
“Will you truly venture into the Forbidden Palace?”
“Dangerous or not, it’s an attempt I must make.”
Yi Hwan turned to another matter.
“Still no word from Hwa Ryeong?”
“No.”
Yi Hwan’s brow furrowed slightly.
This silence was unprecedented, and it troubled him. She had become an indispensable asset.
Then it happened.
“My lord.”
Cheol Mu-ok entered.
Yi Hwan’s eyes widened noticeably. Behind him, Hwa Ryeong stepped through with a smile.
“I’ve arrived!”
“What on earth has happened?”
“Were you worried about me?”
“I’m in no mood for games. Speak.”
Hwa Ryeong settled beside Go-mi and began her account.
“I had no chance to leave while gathering intelligence on the Forbidden Palace. Since you intend to enter it, I thought I should at least know what lies within.”
“So what did you learn?”
Hwa Ryeong’s eyes gleamed as she continued.
“I confirmed that ginseng tea from Haedong, dried abalone, white fish, and ox tongue have been steadily brought into the Forbidden Palace.”
“Is that all?”
“Do you know what those things I just mentioned are?”
Yi Hwan’s brow furrowed slightly. To him, the items Hwa Ryeong had listed seemed unremarkable.
“They are the tea and provisions His Majesty favors most. The court ladies have worn the scent of that Haedong ginseng tea so often it clings to their robes. Do you grasp the significance now?”
“Could it not be that the Empress has ordered them for her own consumption?”
“No. That woman detests the smell of fish and won’t even let it touch her lips.”
“Hmm…….”
Then this was decidedly strange.
The Emperor’s preferred tea and provisions were being steadily conveyed into the Forbidden Palace?
“This leaves me no choice but to go inside.”
Go-mi asked a question.
“Did you detect any traps or mechanisms?”
His safety was her paramount concern.
Hwa Ryeong shook her head.
“There was no way to confirm that. This took nearly a fortnight to verify…….”
“You’ve done well.”
“Then please buy me something good to eat. I’ve been living like a beggar for nearly two weeks tracking this down. I’ve lost so much weight…….”
Hwa Ryeong, whom he’d scarcely seen in weeks, was unchanged.
Go-mi asked.
“Shall we head to the Marketplace District?”
“When are you going back inside?”
“I’m not going back in.”
…….
“During the investigation, I drew a bit of suspicion. The Empress herself came looking for me just before I left, so I simply slipped away.”
“If there’s a limit to what you can uncover anyway, there’s no sense risking yourself further. You did well—truly, very well.”
Go-mi broke into genuine delight.
“I’m going to cry, you’re making me so happy. Thank you, Go-mi.”
Yi Hwan rose from his seat.
“Where are you going?”
“Didn’t you ask me to buy you something delicious?”
“What will you have us get?”
“Order whatever you want from the inn. Mu-ok, prepare the carriage.”
“Understood.”
Soon after, Yi Hwan set out toward the Marketplace District with the two women, Cheol Mu-ok, and Ju-tae.
Clop-clop! Clop-clop!
Go-mi asked.
“Shouldn’t we inform the Crown Prince first?”
“I’m still weighing it.”
……Yes?”
“If His Majesty is indeed there, I’d prefer to assess the situation before telling him. Something is clearly wrong, and to minimize the shock, it seems better to gather the full picture first.”
Go-mi nodded, seeing the wisdom in it.
‘If the Crown Prince were to panic, it could actually work against us in the struggle with the Empress.’
Just then, Hwa Ryeong’s eyes gleamed as she spoke.
“You don’t think the Empress is using a Blood Worm to control the Emperor, do you?”
“Did you just say Blood Worm?”
“What? Didn’t I tell you before? That woman—the Empress—she tried to plant a Blood Worm in my head. I’m sure I mentioned it…….”
Yi Hwan recalled the memory belatedly.
“It’s possible, I suppose.”
“Surely it couldn’t go that far…….”
Go-mi’s face hardened as the words trailed off. She, too, was beginning to accept that it might indeed be possible.
“Given that Manhwa Palace has been using the Emperor’s seal to issue false imperial edicts all this time, we cannot rule out that possibility.”
Go-mi’s voice trembled faintly.
Using a Blood Worm to control the Emperor? If true, it would be the worst breach of filial duty and treason in all recorded history.
Hwa Ryeong asked.
“We should find a way to kill the Blood Worm before entering the Forbidden Palace. Though I pray it won’t come to that.”
“I already know how.”
Yes?”
“Truly?!”
Both women’s eyes widened.
Blood Worms, once lodged in the mind, were said to be impossible to kill unless they died of their own accord. Yet he claimed to know a method.
“However did you come to know such a thing?”
“By chance.”
“By chance? You learned something of that magnitude by chance?!”
Hwa Ryeong’s excited voice took on an almost absurd pitch, and despite the gravity of the moment, Go-mi couldn’t help but laugh.
“I have things to think about. Don’t disturb me.”
Yi Hwan leaned his head against the carriage wall and closed his eyes.

* * *

At every checkpoint leading into the city, Gold Robed Guards stopped and questioned every passerby. They were hunting for Yang Chan.
In case of emergency, Martial Artists from both Manhwa Palace and Hongwol were stationed at each checkpoint, including those with exceptional skill in Face Mask identification.
Mun I-jong gazed sharply at the people passing through the checkpoint window.
An aide spoke.
“Do you think he’s already fled elsewhere? It’s been quite some time now.”
“I can only hope that’s not the case.”
Mun I-jong took a sip of tea and posed another question.
“Did you post men at the initial discovery site as well?”
“Yes. However, it’s near the Gold Guard Command Center, so we’re struggling with the false identities.”
After synthesizing the witnesses’ accounts, it became clear that the location where Yang Chan first revealed himself was precisely the area where the Gold Guard Command Center stood.
For that reason, Mun I-jong had stationed relatively strong experts there. Consequently, Yang Chan had yet to contact Yi Hwan about another meeting.
‘That day he was certainly trying to meet someone at the pavilion. If so, I must also discover who that person is.’
For this reason, Mun I-jong was gathering intelligence across the entire city with support from Manhwa Palace. But so far, nothing of real value had surfaced.
“Commander.”
A guard entered.
“What is it?”
“The Fourth Prince’s carriage is approaching.”
“Is that so?”
At the mention of Yi Hwan, Mun I-jong’s eyes turned cold as ice.
He finished the last of his tea and stepped outside. Sure enough, Yi Hwan’s carriage was slowly approaching from down the Official Road.
His only escort consisted of two men seated on the driver’s bench and the assistant’s seat, and a hunger for vengeance against Yi Hwan stirred quietly in his chest. But today was not the time.
“What will you do?”
“All are equal before the law. Inspect the carriage.”
“……Very well.”
Mun I-jong returned to the checkpoint. Instead, his attendant waited to inspect Yi Hwan’s carriage.
“Be thorough about it.”
“Yes, Commander.”
The meaning was clear: make it as irritating as possible.
Moments later, the carriage came to a halt. Mun I-jong watched Yi Hwan’s carriage through the window.
“Hey, would you mind clearing away that cumbersome obstruction?”
At Ju-tae’s words, Mun I-jong’s man stepped forward.
“By order of the Empress, we are inspecting all who pass this way. We ask for your understanding.”
“Do you even know who’s inside?”
“I’m well aware this is the Fourth Prince’s carriage. However, the Empress’s order takes precedence. Please allow the inspection.”
Just as Ju-tae was about to respond, the carriage door opened and Yi Hwan stepped out. He strode directly toward the checkpoint.
Mun I-jong, watching from within, let a flicker of surprise cross his face.
Creak!
Yi Hwan pushed the door open and entered.
Mun I-jong bowed slightly.
“I greet the Grand Prince.”
Yi Hwan pulled up a chair and sat. Mun I-jong remained standing, regarding him.
“You still haven’t found the murderer?”
“No. They’re moving so covertly… but we will find them soon.”
“But I have a question.”
“Please ask.”
Yi Hwan looked directly into Mun I-jong’s eyes and spoke.
“Last month, several innocent people died at a stable in the Marketplace District. Are you aware of it?”
‘Why is this man bringing up that incident?’
Mun I-jong answered calmly.
“I heard they were punished for the misconduct of an official.”
“Since when does a palace menial without even a formal rank receive the treatment of an official?”
“……!”
“I’ve been busy and haven’t properly looked into it until now. By two days hence, send everyone who was at the scene to the Command Center—not a single person left out.”
“Why should we of the Gold Robed Guard do such a thing?”
“Tell that to the Second Prince. And add that if you fail to comply or try to hide anyone, appropriate legal punishment will follow.”
“……!”
With that, Yi Hwan left the checkpoint.
The corners of Mun I-jong’s eyes twitched. His attendant looked back at him.
Mun I-jong gave him a look that said to stop.
He watched Yi Hwan’s receding figure as he entered the carriage, his brow furrowed.
‘Has the expanded authority of the Gold Guard come to include the power to investigate princes?’
He wasn’t certain. But watching Yi Hwan make such threats, it seemed possible.
Then Yi Hwan’s carriage began to move.
Mun I-jong bowed once more toward Yi Hwan, watching him through the carriage window.
‘What scheme is that bastard plotting now?’

* * *

Hwa Ryeong spoke with evident exasperation.
“Those fools are laughable. They actually had the audacity to inspect the Grand Prince’s carriage. But who did you meet inside the checkpoint?”
“The Commander of the Gold Robed Guard.”
“My goodness! He was there?”
Go-mi asked.
“Did you know he’d be there when you went in?”
“No. I found him there after entering. To be honest, if it had been someone of lower rank, I’d have taught them a lesson on the spot. For the Gold Guard’s pride, if nothing else.”
“What did you discuss?”
“Just a bit of posturing before I left. Though it was really with Yi Hwang-ja, not the Commander.”
“……I beg your pardon?”
Yi Hwan gave a brief account of his exchange with Mun I-jong. When he finished, both Go-mi and Hwa Ryeong laughed.
Go-mi asked again.
“So with your elevated authority, you could investigate a prince’s household?”
“The authority is written so it works however you need it to. Like a rope that becomes a nose ring or an earring depending on where you hang it. The Empress—the one I’m certain is dead—was trying to hand the other side of the blade to whoever would become Guard Commander under her close associate’s influence.”
“So it is possible?”
“Entirely. Which is why, when the time comes, I might just create that nose ring. Though now is not the moment.”
For Yi Hwan now, everything else was secondary to entering the Forbidden Palace.
The possibility that the Emperor was there had only grown stronger.
‘The Blood Worm……’

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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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