The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 30

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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 30

Chapter 30 — Yi Hwan’s Stratagem

North of the Narrow Valley.
Yi Hwan had chosen the retreat position at the high, steep Ridge where the Narrow Valley ended.
He had passed through this area once during a walk and had examined the surrounding terrain in detail at that time, which was why he had selected it as the retreat position.
Warriors began ascending the Ridge in succession.
Yi Hwan stood beside Hwang Ho, gazing southwest. Behind the retreating allied forces, the Zhao Kingdom army was pouring forward like a dark tide.
“It seems to me we’ve stepped beyond the bounds of a localized conflict.”
“Indeed. I cannot fathom what they intend. Until now, Zhao has been more reluctant to escalate than we have.”
The events at the Imperial Palace surfaced in Yi Hwan’s mind.
‘If Zhao is aware of the chaos in the Yeon Kingdom’s Imperial Palace, they may well be revealing their true colors.’
It was still a stage where nothing could be certain. For now, he needed to find a way to repel the enemy while minimizing losses to his forces.
That was when it happened.
“What is that?”
The warriors stirred.
Flashes of light erupted in succession from the rear of the retreating allied forces. Each time a flash appeared, enemies without fail scattered blood and crumpled to the ground.
Hwang Ho muttered in astonishment.
“The martial prowess of the Peng Family is truly extraordinary.”
“It is not the Peng Family, but my guards.”
“……What?”
The architects of the commotion were Cheol Mu-ok and Gongsun Tae. The two were felling the aggressively pursuing Zhao Kingdom forces one after another, protecting the lagging allied soldiers.
‘If they are of the Dak Wang’s lineage, they ought naturally to be capable of this much.’
For Yi Hwan, who knew the martial prowess of Dak Wang Cheol Mu-gwang, it was hardly cause for surprise.
But the others were different. Even the warriors of the Peng Family and Young Ho Family who had just reached the top of the Ridge could not conceal their shock.
“Run!”
“Keep going!”
The warriors shouted encouragement to the allied soldiers who had not yet reached the summit.
Peng Mu-wi turned to Young Ho-chung.
“We should go down to help them.”
“Is there truly a need to go so far?”
“A need? This is not the time to calculate political advantage. They are warriors of our Yeon Kingdom—we cannot stand by and watch them perish like this.”
Whoosh!
Peng Mu-wi leaped forward. In his wake, the Peng Family warriors launched themselves down the slope.
‘Suddenly solicitous? When has he ever cared for soldiers like this?’
Young Ho-chung watched Peng Mu-wi depart with a shaking head. Then he called softly to the Young Ho Family warriors.
“Aid the retreating allies!”

* * *

With the aid of the Peng Family and Young Ho Family, the warriors managed to shake off the enemy pursuit and regroup.
But the Zhao Kingdom army continued to surge forward like a dark tide.
Cheol Mu-ok and Gongsun Tae alighted at Yi Hwan’s side.
“Forgive us. We were delayed running an errand in the marketplace.”
“Well done.”
Hwang Ho expressed his gratitude to them.
“We owe you our thanks. Because of you, many warriors have been spared.”
“We merely did what was necessary, General.”
Cheol Mu-ok and Gongsun Tae withdrew to the rear. Yi Hwan gazed down at the Zhao Kingdom army that had climbed to the foot of the Ridge.
“Encircle them!”
“Move out!”
As expected, the Zhao Kingdom army began constructing an encirclement. In response, the Yeon Kingdom army swiftly formed a defensive perimeter.
Yi Hwan turned to Hwang Ho and spoke with steady composure.
“They will find it difficult to climb hastily due to the terrain’s disadvantage, so there is no need to expend strength unnecessarily. Watch and wait, and when they begin to waver, respond to each move as it comes.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I shall rest for a while.”
Yi Hwan climbed onto a boulder behind the Ridge. Then he called for Cheol Mu-ok.
“Let me have a look.”
Cheol Mu-ok rose to his feet.
“There’s somewhere we need to go together tonight.”
“The enemy’s main camp?”
“As I thought—you’ve already guessed. Then you must know who needs to be dealt with, and how.”
“To kill a serpent most swiftly, one cuts off its head, doesn’t one?”
Cheol Mu-ok saw straight through Yi Hwan’s thinking.
And he was right. Yi Hwan had made up his mind to kill the Supreme Commander at Zhao Kingdom’s main camp. For now, it seemed the surest way to end this war.
Gongsun Tae ventured carefully, “I’ve heard the Zhao Kingdom’s Supreme Commander is deeply connected to the Zhao royal house. If we kill him, won’t we risk escalating this into full-scale war?”

“If it escalates, it escalates.”
“……Yes. If it escalates, it escalates.”
“We have time enough. Get some rest.”
“Understood.”
Gongsun Tae walked a short distance away, tilting his head in thought.

If it escalates, it escalates.

‘That’s rather magnificent, actually.’

* * *

Young Ho-chung stared at Cheol Mu-ok and Gongsun Tae.
He couldn’t erase from his mind the martial prowess both men had displayed in the pursuit.
‘The destructive force was so extraordinary I could barely believe my eyes. Who in the world are they?’
Just then Peng Mu-wi approached.
Young Ho-chung spoke up at once.
“Do you know anything about their identities?”
“Only that they serve as the Crown Prince’s bodyguards.”
“The Crown Prince’s bodyguards couldn’t possibly be that strong. By that measure, they must have reached the absolute pinnacle of martial skill.”
Peng Mu-wi’s brow furrowed.
“Still, the Crown Prince is who he is. He’s certainly capable of maintaining such a guard, isn’t he?”
“I mention it because the situation could become grave.”
“Grave?”
“If a Crown Prince wielding such masters takes General Hwang’s side, our objectives will become nearly impossible to achieve. Look at how the warriors regard them even now—as if beholding heroes of legend. Don’t you see it?”
“Then why did you have to wound the Crown Prince’s men!”
“Is that really the issue we should be discussing now?”
“How is it not an issue? You’ve damaged our relationship with the Crown Prince irreparably!”
“Sir, what are you—”
“Enough. Let’s leave it at that.”
Young Ho-chung watched Peng Mu-wi’s departing back in bewilderment.
‘What in the world is he thinking….’

* * *

Whiiing!
As the wind gusted fiercely, Hwang Ho and Jeong Cheon looked down at the Zhao forces, their expressions grave.
“I still don’t understand, General. Why did you choose this place as our fallback position? Surely you know it better than anyone.”
“To be honest, it felt like I was bewitched. At the time, I thought I had no choice but to follow the Crown Prince’s will.”
“…….”
“Why didn’t you object?”
“Truthfully, I was the same way.”
They looked at each other and let out quiet, rueful laughs. Jeong Cheon spoke again.
“The Crown Prince said he would find a way, didn’t he?”
Hwang Ho nodded silently.
Jeong Cheon’s eyes turned toward the boulder where Yi Hwan lay.
Was he sleeping? Yi Hwan remained motionless on the stone, not even the slightest movement.
“He was smiling.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Crown Prince, I mean. Even as the Zhao forces pressed down upon us like a black wave, he was smiling. In that moment—a situation that would drain the blood from even a seasoned commander like yourself—he looked like an entirely different person.”
“I find myself in the same position. That you could remain so composed and serene on the very brink of a battlefield where blood and flesh would fly—even now, the thought of it sends shivers down my spine.”
Just then Song Hoe arrived with tea. The two men took up their cups.
Jeong Cheon broached another subject.
“I don’t think we need harbor suspicion about the relationship between Yi Hwan and the Left General.”
“Have you learned something?”
“The warriors of the Young Ho Family wounded the Black Tiger Brigade that Yi Hwan had taken under his command. In response, Yi Hwan went to the Peng Family’s barracks and imposed a punishment so ruthlessly severe that it became the talk of the camp.”
“Such a thing occurred?”
“Yes. They say he severed the arms of those who caused the trouble. Had he shared some hidden understanding with the Left General, he would never have gone so far.”
“That’s a relief. Truth be told, I was hesitant about reporting the matter of Yi Hwan and the Left General to the Crown Prince Palace. We should watch for a while longer before deciding.”
“I think that would be the wiser course.”
As the two men conversed back and forth, the night grew steadily deeper. It was one of those moonless, starless nights—pitch black as coal.
Jeong Cheon spoke up.
“Perhaps you should eat something.”
“I’m fine.”
“Then I should go check on Yi Hwan.”

* * *

Most martial artists are most vulnerable when cultivating their Heart Method or circulating their Qi. Thus in dire circumstances, they keep a trusted companion nearby to stand guard.
But Yi Hwan’s Heart Method was different.
The remarkable thing about his method was that he could circulate his Qi whether sitting, lying down, or walking.
Click.
Having just finished his cultivation, Yi Hwan picked up the wine bottle he had set beside him and drank to quench his thirst.
“Did you cough, sir?”
Jeong Cheon rose to his feet.
“What of the enemy?”
“No unusual movements yet. But sir, why are you sweating so profusely?”
“It’s warm.”
“…….”
Jeong Cheon tilted his head in puzzlement.
True, the days in the mountains were warm enough, but the nights were quite chill. Yet Yi Hwan was sweating from the heat?
“Did you come up here because you wanted to tell me something?”
“There is something I wished to ask you.”
“You’re curious about the resolution method?”
“I am. If it pleases you, I would venture to ask for an answer here and now.”
“Bear with it for a few more days, even if it troubles you.”
“…….”
Yi Hwan brushed himself off and stood. The moment he rose, Cheol Mu-ok, who had been waiting below, immediately vaulted up onto the rock.
“General Jeong.”
“Yes, Yi Hwan.”
“Do not breathe a word to anyone that I am leaving. Of course, General Hwang is excepted.”
“Where… are you going?”
“I’m not fleeing, so have no fear.”
Yi Hwan glanced back at Cheol Mu-ok.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan launched himself behind the rock. Cheol Mu-ok pivoted and flew after him.
Jeong Cheon stared into the darkness after Yi Hwan’s vanishing form, his eyes wide, unable to hide his bewilderment.
Jeong Cheon immediately sought out Song Hoe. Song Hoe was just then climbing up toward him.
“Do you happen to know where Yi Hwan is going?”
“I am sorry. I know nothing of it either.”
“He didn’t inform even you?”
“He rarely tells me about matters unless they are of the utmost importance.”
Jeong Cheon found himself gripped by deep perplexity.
‘Where on earth could he be going at this hour?’

* * *

It was a silent night where even the cry of insects and the song of birds had died away—and also a night suffocated by tension.
Though they had encircled the enemy, the soldiers of Zhao Kingdom were no less tense.
Since Yeon Kingdom had always excelled at surprise attacks, no one could predict when they might descend from the Ridge to strike, leaving them with no choice but to remain vigilant.
Thus the hours crept by.
When dawn broke, Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok returned.
Only after confirming that Yi Hwan had returned unharmed did Song Hoe release a breath of relief.
“Anything to report?”
“No, sir. All was quiet.”
“Give me some wine.”
“Here it is, sir.”
Yi Hwan drained an entire wine bottle in one breath. Blood stained his hands and cheeks. Cheol Mu-ok bore the same marks.
“You’re back safely, my lord.”
Hwang Ho and Jeong Cheon approached.
Both men’s faces showed relief at seeing Yi Hwan unharmed. Yi Hwan spoke before they could ask their questions.
“I need to rest.”
……

* * *

The next morning, after a tense night, both sides remained perfectly still.
Hwang Ho and Jeong Cheon came looking for Yi Hwan.
After finishing breakfast and sipping tea, Yi Hwan spoke words of staggering weight.
“I’ve killed the Supreme Commander of Zhao Kingdom.”
……!
At this statement that made their ears doubt what they had heard, Hwang Ho and Jeong Cheon’s eyes widened.
Yi Hwan spoke with utter composure.
“Don’t worry. I made it look like a natural death, so they won’t suspect us, and it won’t escalate into a wider conflict.”
Hwang Ho and Jeong Cheon still doubted their ears.
“Did you truly kill the Supreme Commander of Zhao Kingdom?”
“I judged it the only way to resolve this situation.”
“Did you perhaps choose this place as a fallback position with such a plan from the very beginning?”
“Yes. This terrain offered optimal conditions for buying time. As expected, the enemy didn’t overextend themselves, and that gave me the opportunity to eliminate their Supreme Commander.”
Hwang Ho’s expression grew complex.
Killing the enemy’s Supreme Commander was undoubtedly an extraordinary achievement. Yet he could not rejoice unreservedly. There was the danger it could escalate into a full conflict.
Jeong Cheon’s reaction, however, differed.
“If it looks like a natural death, the chance of escalation is nearly zero. As long as no complications arise, what you’ve accomplished is truly momentous.”
Jeong Cheon’s face flushed with excitement.
The Zhao Kingdom’s Supreme Commander now present here was a figure who could be called the arch-nemesis of the Southern Military Division.
Thousands of warriors had lost their lives to his cunning stratagems, and part of the neutral territories had even fallen to Zhao Kingdom.
And now Yi Hwan had killed him.
Were it not for the watching eyes around them, Jeong Cheon would have wanted to laugh aloud with unbridled joy.
“If I may ask one thing.”
“Please do.”
“If the Empress and the Crown Prince want the Southern Military Division, they could simply use their authority to replace the Supreme Commander with their own man. Why then send someone like Peng Mu-wi?”
“How did you……”
“I heard it from the Crown Prince Palace.”
Yi Hwan had wondered about this for some time.
Hwang Ho fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“No matter how powerful the Empress and Crown Prince are, they cannot arbitrarily reassign military officers. Especially not a Supreme Commander. Careless action could provoke resistance from the entire military.”
“Then what method would they use to remove General Hwang and take control of the Southern Military Division?”
“It would be possible if someone else gained greater trust from the soldiers than I. Alternatively, my death—but the former remains the most viable approach.”
“I think I’d prefer the latter.”
Hwang Ho smiled bitterly.
“That’s possible, certainly, but if an assassination were discovered, the fallout would be severe. Thus the most certain and safest method is the former.”
“Then I’ll have to make sure Peng Mu-wi doesn’t distinguish himself.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently and rose. As he stepped forward before the stone, Hwang Ho and Jeong Cheon naturally took positions at his flanks.
Song Hoe watched the scene, his eyes growing moist.
Though he had spent long years with Yi Hwan in the Southern Military Division, he had never seen Hwang Ho and Jeong Cheon treat anyone with such deference.
At least in this moment, Yi Hwan seemed like the true Supreme Commander of the Southern Military Division.
It was then.
“The enemy is withdrawing!”
“The enemy is pulling back!”
Soldiers throughout the encampment shouted in triumph. The Zhao Kingdom forces that had built the siege were withdrawing.
“Word travels fast.”
At Yi Hwan’s flat murmur, Jeong Cheon found himself laughing aloud without thinking.
“Ha ha ha!”

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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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