The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 25

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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 Ruler, Chapter 25

Chapter 25 — Departing the Imperial Palace

‘I heard His Highness laugh. A man whose resolve had shattered ten times, a hundred times over—and yet he laughed so brightly.’
Jang Su stepped outside, his mind turning to Yi Hwan.
Since Yi Hwan had visited, Yi So’s eyes had changed entirely.
‘If the Crown Prince has taken such a liking to him, why not simply keep him near? But what favor could he have asked that would move even his closest companions?’
Jang Su made his way toward where Yi Hwan was staying.
But Yi Hwan was not there.
“Where has the Crown Prince gone?”
“He departed immediately upon returning, sir.”
“Did he perhaps go to see the Crown Prince’s mother?”
“He left no word, sir.”
Jang Su hurried out of the Crown Prince’s Palace.
‘Did he leave without even seeing the Empress?’
But Yi Hwan was nowhere to be found. Just then, as Jang Su glanced about, a figure approached him.
A man dressed in white linen with pale, sallow skin. Jang Su’s gaze upon him turned cold—frigid as ice.
“I hear the Fourth Prince has returned. Is he currently at the Crown Prince’s Palace?”
“He has left.”
“Already?”
“Why do you seek the Crown Prince?”
“Since he has come, it is only proper that I pay my respects, is it not?”
“I was unaware of your deep regard for him. Then I shall take my leave.”
Jang Su turned away coldly.
Baek Po-in had been the Fourth Prince’s strategist. He watched Jang Su’s departing figure with a chill smile.
‘Wait. The heavens and earth themselves shall soon turn upside down. Hehehehe.’

* * *

The residence of Yi Tae-ji.
Baek Po-in bowed low.
“The Fourth Prince has departed the palace, it is reported.”
“He leaves already? How long has it even been since he entered?”
“The circumstances remain unclear.”
“He shows no face and simply departs? I suppose I am frightening to him as well.”
Yi Tae-ji raised his teacup to his lips and smiled coldly.
Clink!
“And how is our brother’s condition?”
“Given that the Fourth Prince was able to meet with him, his condition appears better than expected. I have kept a watch in place, but as long as he remains in the Crown Prince’s Palace, gathering further intelligence will prove difficult.”
“Once he recovers, he will inevitably leave. There is no need to strain ourselves. Speaking of which, have there been any reports from the Southern Military Corps?”
“The Left General departed not long ago. Let us wait a little longer—good news shall soon arrive.”
“The more I think on it, the Left General alone will not suffice. Send additional men to aid him at once.”
“Understood. But what of the Fourth Prince, my lord?”
“Leave him be. What difference does it make whether he exists or does not?”
“And yet, the Crown Prince has met with the Fourth Prince. He was the first soul to greet him upon waking, and afterward His Highness gave strict orders that no one else be admitted.”
“Waste no mental energy on trivialities. Focus on what must be done.”
“Understood.”
As Baek Po-in withdrew, Yi Tae-ji sank deeper into his chair and let out a soft laugh.
“Why should I concern myself with that wretch?”

* * *

Having left the Imperial Capital, Yi Hwan made his way toward the place where Cheol Mu-ok and the others waited.
His heart was light, and so his body felt light as well.
He had obtained Spirit Pills to aid in the recovery of his Qi, but he had gained something far greater still.
‘If the Crown Prince desires Gwan-mu Bulga-chim, then our aims align. In the end, aiding him is aiding myself.’
When he had learned that the Gwan-mu Bulga-chim he had achieved through the Hwa-san-ji-yeon technique had been broken, how hollow he had felt. How consumed by rage.
But if the Crown Prince, whom he’d never expected to see again, was now considering restoring Gwan-mu Bulga-chim, there was no reason not to help.
Song Hoe asked a question.
“Has something good happened, sir?”
“I’ve just come from seeing my brother, who nearly fell victim to assassination. How could I be in a good mood?”
“Did you say assassination, sir?”
“I’m speaking figuratively.”
Yi Hwan glanced back at the messenger who had come with him and added a word.
“You understand it’s a joke, yes?”
“……Yes.”
Song Hoe stepped forward.
“Still, sir, you mustn’t speak so carelessly. What if someone were to hear such words?”
“Are you going to keep fussing over me like a mother-in-law?”
“I speak only for the sake of the great lord. Truthfully, ever since you’ve awakened, you’ve been behaving like a completely different person, and I haven’t gone a moment without my heart in my throat.”
“I should’ve stayed asleep.”
……
We’ll stop at the Tavern and then head straight back to the Southern Military Corps. I’m going to rest, so wake me when we arrive.
Very good, sir.
Yi Hwan stepped into the carriage.
Clop-clop-clop!

* * *

The carriage’s jolting had never been an obstacle to sleep. Yet for some reason, today sleep would not come at all.
Yi Hwan opened the Golden Box he had received from Yi So. Without hesitation, he swallowed the Spirit Pill.
The pill dissolved immediately, and he felt a crystalline energy spreading throughout his body with perfect clarity.
‘Usually the Dantian grows hot, but——’
The phenomenon that appeared when force collided with force was absent.
Then it happened.
“……!”
Crack!
Yi Hwan bit his lip.
The crystalline energy vanished, and a burning sensation like molten lava began tearing through his body.
‘This cursed——’

* * *

The Tavern.
Cheol Mu-ok and Gongsun Tae had been drinking since midday.
Already on the second bottle.
Gongsun Tae’s mouth split wide in a grin.
“Such wine exists in this world? This is my first taste of anything like it. Money truly does bring opportunity.”
“The lord purchased it. Drink sparingly.”
“Ah, but the lord gave us such a generous sum—what’s the need for frugality?”
Snap!
“Yes. I shall drink with restraint.”
Cheol Mu-ok drained his cup and spoke as if to himself.
“Where are the descendants of the Poison King now, and how do they live?”
“Well, perhaps they’re wandering the land like us, searching for their bloodline. Or perhaps the lineage has been severed entirely.”
“You always have something to say.”
“Isn’t that what you taught me—to always consider the worst possibility?”
“Just drink.”
That was when it happened.
“May I enter?”
Cha Jung-kyung’s voice drifted in from outside. Gongsun Tae’s eyes narrowed as he spoke.
“No. Don’t come in.”
Creak!
Cha Jung-kyung opened the door and stepped inside.
“I said don’t come in, didn’t I?”
“Isn’t that too harsh? People who shun others meet punishment.”
“I’m fine with the punishment. Now get out.”
“Sit there.”
“Yes!”
Whoosh!
Cha Jung-kyung swept to the seat beside Gongsun Tae like wind itself.
“We’ll need drinking cups.”
“Of course.”
Cha Jung-kyung retrieved cups from a corner of the room and returned. Cheol Mu-ok poured wine as he asked, “You remember the wanderer’s face clearly, yes?”
“How could I forget? He changed my entire life. I’ll remember him until my dying breath. Thank you for the drink.”
He drained the cup.
“Ah! This is the sort of wine the immortals themselves would drink.”
“I’ll need to find a skilled painter and commission several copies of the Yong-mo-pa-gi. In case I lose track of this fellow.”
“I’ll go inquire before sunset. But… why are you searching for that wanderer in the first place?”
Gongsun Tae spoke up.
“You don’t need to know. Don’t even try to find out.”
“Why are you holding something against me?”
“What’s with that tone?”
“I’d like to ask you the same thing.”
“Stop bickering and finish your drink. Then get out and find that painter.”
Then it happened.
“Ahhhhh!”
A death cry suddenly tore from the street below.
Gongsun Tae and Cha Jung-kyung sprang to their feet and threw open the window. Gongsun Tae’s eyes widened.
“Those dogs again?”
Members of the Gold Embroidered Guard stood across from the inn. Before them lay a body, bleeding and motionless—the breath had already left it.
“What’s happening?”
“Who knows.”
“Even so, to kill someone so openly in a crowded place like this—are they mad?”
“Must be a serious criminal. Eh?”
Gongsun Tae’s eyes snapped wide.
He’d spotted Yi Hwan’s carriage entering Market Street.
“He’s here!”

Song Hoe brought the carriage to a halt before the inn.
Yi Hwan stepped out.
“Look there, sir. It’s those men from before.”
At Song Hoe’s words, Yi Hwan turned his gaze forward. A crowd had gathered, and among them stood members of the Gold Embroidered Guard.
“We’ll go up first.”
Yi Hwan, showing no interest, ascended directly into the inn.
That was when it happened.
“Step aside!”
A woman’s sharp command rang out.
Yi Hwan stopped and turned toward the voice. Armored warriors were crossing the main street, moving forward in formation.
At the head of these warriors stood a woman clad in Crimson Armor, a long sword at her side. Her striking beauty commanded the attention of everyone around her.
“Step aside!”
At the woman warrior’s command, the crowd scattered with a rush. But the expressions of the Gold Embroidered Guard members darkened noticeably.
‘That woman…’
The female warrior was a figure from within his—the other’s—memories.
‘Did she receive a promotion?’
Judging from the armor she wore, unlike what lingered in that other memory, she now held a rank of considerable standing.
The woman warrior approached the Gold Embroidered Guard and spoke coldly: “To harm someone in broad daylight, in a crowded Market Street no less—explain yourselves at once.”
“We will submit our explanation at court.”
“Now. Do it now.”
“Even if you are the Moon Master, you lack the authority to demand an explanation from the officers of the Gold Embroidered Guard, I believe.”
Clang!
The woman warrior drew her blade and pointed it at an officer’s throat.

“Right now, I’m not questioning you as an officer of the Gold Embroidered Guard—I’m questioning a murderer.”
“Your words go too far! A murderer?”
“Then you know what you need to do to avoid being treated like one.”
“……!”
At that moment, a figure standing a short distance back stepped forward and spoke.
“This person is a suspect who harmed innocent civilians. Resistance during the arrest left us no choice but to use force. There are many witnesses—why don’t you question them directly?”
At the officer’s confident gesture toward the crowd across the street, Go Mi’s eyes flashed with a razor-sharp gleam.
But that was as far as it went.
Click.
“Still, we ought to go through the proper procedure, shouldn’t we?”
“Of course.”
As Go Mi turned away, a sneer spread across the officers’ faces.
Yi Hwan stared directly at her face. It was plain she was furious that things hadn’t gone her way.
That was when their eyes met—she’d glanced back this way without thinking, and their gazes locked.
“……!”
The woman’s eyes widened, and she quickly bowed her head.
“Y-Your Highness! I pay my respects, my lord!”
“It’s been a long time. Since we’ve finally met, shall we share some tea?”
“I’m in the middle of official business…….”
“Come on.”
“…….”

* * *

The woman’s name was Go Mi.
Her position was Moon Master of Bi-yeol, the Imperial Palace’s covert intelligence bureau.
When he’d left the palace, she’d been nothing more than an ordinary agent.
“Remarkable. Rising to the position of Moon Master at such a young age.”
“Merely fortunate, my lord. But I heard you were gravely wounded—are you truly well?”
“As you can see, I’ve made a complete recovery.”
“I’m relieved to hear it.”
“Your parents—they’re in good health?”
“…….”
Go Mi hesitated before answering.
“Both of them passed away two years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s all right. I’m at peace with it.”
Glug.
Yi Hwan poured wine into Go Mi’s cup. Though she seemed reluctant to drink while on duty, she drained it in one breath. He refilled it immediately.
Glug.
“Is it because of the Crown Prince that you’ve come?”
“Just visiting before heading out.”
“How is His Highness faring?”
“His consciousness has returned, and his condition is stable. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Then you’ll be returning to the Southern Military Corps soon?”
“I’m still deciding when to leave.”
Glug.
“Drink.”
“Thank you.”
Go Mi didn’t refuse the wine. She seemed quite angry about what had happened just before.
“You don’t seem to get along well with the Gold Embroidered Guard.”
“Even sworn enemies would be better off than us. Those bastards strut about relying on their backers—I apologize! I got worked up without thinking…….”
“It’s fine. I’m not particularly fond of them either.”
“Did something happen between you and the Gold Embroidered Guard?”
“There was an incident, but it was trivial. The real reason is what stands behind them—the Empress and Yi Tae-ji.”
“My lord, there are ears listening.”
Hm.
“Let them listen if they want.”
Yi Hwan emptied his cup.
Go Mi poured wine into the empty cup.
Glug.
“Your family home was in this area too, wasn’t it?”
“…… You remembered that all this time?”
“I tend to remember favors owed.”
He had first become acquainted with Go Mi years ago, when he slipped out of the Imperial Palace but missed his window to return — and ended up spending a night at her family home.
At the time, Go Mi’s parents had shown him extraordinary hospitality, and after living so long within the barren confines of the Imperial Palace, he’d finally been able to sleep deeply.
The memory remained vivid enough that it must have been quite a meaningful experience.
“It must feel lonely, being alone in such a large house.”
“I’ve grown accustomed to it by now.”
“Hm…… If you don’t mind, could I impose on you for one night’s lodging?”
“At my home?”
“As you know, I’d rather not spend time in the Imperial Palace.”
Few people in the Imperial Capital were ignorant of Yi Hwan’s circumstances.
And Go Mi, who managed information, knew things others didn’t — including the rumors surrounding Yi Hwan himself.
After a moment’s consideration, Go Mi nodded.
“Very well. How many are in your party?”
“Six, including myself. Is that too many?”
“I have several vacant rooms. Though I must warn you, they’ve been unused for so long they’re quite shabby.”
“That’s fine.”
Yi Hwan’s purpose lay elsewhere—not merely in finding a place to rest.

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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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