The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 32

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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 Warlord, Chapter 32

Chapter 32 — Reunion

Byeol’s Palace.
Several papers were pressed into the hands of Gomi, the Moon District Lord.
A young man sat before her—the Deputy Moon District Lord.
“I’ve written down everything you instructed. But are you truly going to the Southern Army Corps?”
“The Crown Prince has commanded it. I have no choice but to obey.”
Gomi examined the contents written on the papers.
Remarkably, they contained detailed information about the key figures of the Southern Army Corps—not only Peng Wuwei, but also details about Ying Hozhong.
“Well done.”
Gomi tucked the papers into her robes and rose to her feet. Each movement caused the armor to ring with metallic notes that only heightened her magnetism.
The Deputy Moon District Lord followed behind her.
A moment later, as they stepped into the courtyard, the warriors waiting there bowed their heads.
Gomi’s brow furrowed slightly when she saw the carriage standing before the main gate.
“I’ll ride a horse, so have the carriage taken away.”
“It is a long journey. You should travel by carriage.”
“If I want to arrive as quickly as possible, horseback is best.”
“Very well.”
A moment later, a warrior brought her beloved horse. Gomi mounted it and turned to regard those who had come to see her off.
“While I’m away, see that the Deputy Moon District Lord leads well.”
“Yes, Moon District Lord. Please travel safely and return in good health.”
That was all the farewell consisted of.
With Gomi crossing the main gate first, the warriors departing with her for the Southern Army Corps began to move.
How far had they traveled?
Gomi pulled the reins of her horse.
A general was approaching from ahead—the chief escort of the Crown Prince’s Palace.
“Departing already?”
“Yes. I’ve received my orders, so I must move as swiftly as possible. But General, what brings you here?”
The general offered her a small bundle.
“His Highness wishes you to deliver this to the great general. It is perishable, so please travel as quickly as you can.”
“I understand.”
As Gomi handed the bundle to her subordinate, the general’s telepathic voice flowed into her ears.
[The Gold Cloaked Guard departed for the Southern Army Corps first. Be cautious on your journey, just in case.]
……!
At the mention of the Gold Cloaked Guard, Gomi’s eyes turned cold.
She quickly bowed slightly to the general, then kicked her horse’s flank.
The general watched Gomi’s receding figure and quietly furrowed his brow.
‘The Southern Army Corps is about to become turbulent.’

* * *

To the ordinary warriors, Yi Hwan remained much the same as before.
Rather, Cheol Muok and Gongsun Tae had risen as objects of awe. The formidable martial prowess they had displayed in the chase was that impressive.
Yet among the generals led by Huang Ho, Yi Hwan was being perceived as an entirely different man than he had been. In particular, Huang Ho and Jeong Cheon, who knew that Yi Hwan had killed Zhao’s Chief Assassin, held him in genuine respect.
In the series of events since the battle began, Yi Hwan’s exceptional judgment had played no small part in their transformation.

* * *

The Southern Army Corps, having weathered a tumultuous storm, had enjoyed peaceful days. Zhao, occupied with the Chief Assassin’s funeral rites, showed no further movement.
Today too, Yi Hwan was absorbed in his Inner Cultivation Method. Though he had recovered a considerable amount of Internal Power through the Spirit Pill that Yi So had given him, he could never be satisfied with that alone.
A long breath escaped him.
Having finished his cultivation, Yi Hwan stepped outside to cool his heated body.
Cha Junggyeong was sitting outside. Though still bearing the pallor of illness, he had recovered enough to move about gradually.
Yi Hwan sat beside him and asked.
“Feeling better now?”
“I’m alive, barely. Especially when I strain in the latrine—my belly skin tightens and…….”
Cha Junggyeong had no talent for evasion. He asked bluntly.
“Why do you treat me so well, sir?”
“That’s sudden.”
“The wanderer has Dragon Pattern Tracking, so he can find them without me, can’t he?”
“What are you driving at?”
“I’m no master swordsman capable of helping you, and until not long ago I was a Black Tiger Corps member of Zhao — the very force the Southern Army Corps despised most. If your purpose isn’t finding the wanderer, there’s no reason you should treat me well at all, I think.”
“Then work hard to become a master swordsman and be useful to me.”
…….
Thwack!
Yi Hwan placed a hand on Cha Junggyeong’s shoulder.
“Thanks to you I’ve become rich, and I’ve helped my sister’s family considerably. That seems reason enough to take you in, doesn’t it?”
As Cha Junggyeong was about to protest, Song Hui stepped into the barracks. His entire body glistened with sweat — he’d come straight from training.
“Troops that arrived from the Imperial Capital just now have made camp. But this time, too, they were sent by Yi Hwangja.”
“How many?”
“Just over a hundred, it seems.”
“All sent by Yi Hwangja?”
“Yes. That’s what General Jeong Cheon said.”
Fine creases appeared between Yi Hwan’s brows.
‘People sent by the Crown Prince should be arriving soon too. And the board keeps getting bigger.’
It was then.
“Whoa! A woman!”
Cha Junggyeong’s eyes went wide with amazement. The bright, gleaming eyes held nothing of a wounded man’s dullness.
Yi Hwan’s gaze naturally turned toward a group of riders entering the camp grounds. Gomi was at their head.
“It is a woman, isn’t it?”
“Get your mind straight.”
Crack!
“Ugh!”
Song Hui cracked Cha Junggyeong across the head.
Yi Hwan kept his gaze fixed on the space behind Gomi. But no one else appeared.
‘He said he’d send more people, but surely Byeol isn’t all of them?’
Crown Prince Yi So had said it clearly. He would send people to help soon.
Just then Gomi turned her head toward him. Across the great distance, their eyes locked.
Gomi picked up her pace and rode toward him.
Thump-thump-thump!
“Oh? Isn’t that the woman we saw in the Imperial Capital?”
Smack!
“Ow!”
“Mind your own business, you fool. You’re lucky you still have a mouth after taking a blade.”
“Ow, come on! You’re making me stupid!”
“Your stupidity’s past saving.”
“What’s wrong with my head? Even in Zhao’s forces, they knew I could manage a trick or two.”
Smack!
“That’s boasting, you fool.”

* * *

“My lord.”
Gomi bowed deeply toward Yi Hwan. The Byeol warriors who followed her also bowed in unison.
“We meet again so soon.”
“I hope you’ve been well.”
“Only a few days have passed. In any case, I’m glad to see you again. Let’s work well together from now on.”
“Yes. If I may, I’ll return to pay my respects again.”
Gomi bowed once more and headed toward where the command tent stood.
Song Hui furrowed his brow and spoke as if to himself.
“Why would he send Byeol? They’re a secret service.”
“The Crown Prince’s Palace will have its reasons.”
Aside from the senior generals, no one yet knew that Byeol had arrived. Yi Hwan had told no one in his inner circle.
“How’s the training progressing?”
“Well. Everyone shows great dedication. Though they must be exhausted, they push themselves to learn more and stay until the end. It’s truly admirable. Especially the junior officers — their discipline has become even fiercer than the new recruits’.”
“It can’t be helped. The power that Cheol Muok displayed was quite formidable. In any case, keep up the good work.”
“Yes. Once I do, I’ll head back to the training ground.”
Song Hui drove his knuckles into Cha Junggyeong’s head one more time before leaving the barracks.
Crack!
“Ugh!”
Cha Junggyeong’s eyes flashed with curses.
‘Ah, let it go.’

* * *

That evening, Gomi came to find Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan welcomed her with choice cuts of meat and wine.
Before she’d even picked up her chopsticks, Gomi spoke.
“Yi Hwangja has sent numerous Gold Cloaked Guard officers here.”
“I know.”
“…… Yes?”
“The Crown Prince’s Palace sent word ahead. That’s why Byeol came here as well.”
“Ah, yes.”
Gomi drew out a bundle of papers from her sleeve.
“What’s this?”
“Information about the key commanders of the Southern Army Corps. General Huang Ho told me to bring it to you, my lord.”
When unfolded, the paper was covered nearly edge to edge with tiny, precise script.
Yi Hwan felt genuine admiration stirring within him.
‘So while operating mainly in the Imperial Capital, she’s kept track of matters all the way out here.’
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
Yi Hwan tucked the papers away and poured wine into Gomi’s cup.
Splash.
“Have you ever seen actual combat?”
“Not military battles, but I’ve participated in bandit suppression operations several times.”
“Your companions as well?”
“Yes. They’re all seasoned veterans, so they won’t be a burden. Oh!”
Gomi suddenly remembered something and gestured to the soldier standing at the door. The man came forward carrying a bundle.
“The Crown Prince instructed me to present this to you, my lord.”
‘How considerate.’
Yi Hwan unwrapped the bundle with a faint smile.
Inside was an elegant container, and when he opened the lid, it held something unexpected.
‘Dragon Well Tea?’
It was the Dragon Well Tea that Yi So favored. Along with a folded note.
Yi Hwan unfolded the note, but its contents were nothing but words of encouragement.
‘Surely this doesn’t enhance Internal Power too, does it?’
“Do you care for tea?”
“Just… a little, yes.”
“Take it and drink it.”
Gomi was startled.
“I cannot possibly accept a gift the Crown Prince has given to you, my lord.”
“I don’t care much for Dragon Well Tea. The aftertaste doesn’t suit my palate. So don’t refuse—take it.”
……
Dragon Well Tea, which had become scarcer than gold these past years of poor harvests, was a significant burden for Gomi. Yet she could hardly refuse if Yi Hwan was offering it.
“Thank you, my lord.”
“Enough of heavy talk. Let’s eat.”
“Yes.”

* * *

Peng Family Barracks.
Peng Wuwei and Ying Hozhong sat together with another general.
“I need a full report on the current situation—and I mean everything, down to the smallest detail.”
“How small is ‘smallest detail’?”
“Your relationship with General Huang Ho, for instance. The officers who follow him. Any unusual incidents from recent battles. That sort of thing.”
“So I must report on all of that?”
“Yes. Isn’t that exactly why I was sent here?”
The one in charge was Mo Jaehwang, deputy commander of the Gold Cloaked Guard.
The Gold Cloaked Guard of Yan was organized with the commander-in-chief at its head, supported by deputy commanders under him, and the guard officers beneath them.
He continued.
“Until now, we’ve sent our people under the pretext of replenishing depleted forces, but now even that pretext is exhausted. His Majesty says it rests entirely on your abilities as the Left General.”
Peng Wuwei’s expression hardened.
To him, it sounded like a warning of sorts.
“Hmm!”
Peng Wuwei cleared his throat and began to speak at length. Mo Jaehwang listened intently as the words continued flowing for some time.
Then, when Yi Hwan was mentioned near the end, his eyes sharpened.
“You’re saying there are such people around the prince?”
“As it happens, this is convenient. I’d like you to look into who these men are.”
“Understood. Since the roster includes birthplace and background information, I’ll begin the investigation immediately. However, I’ll need you to bring the roster.”
“Very well.”
“Is there anything else you wish to tell me?”
“That’s all for now. If I remember anything later, I’ll mention it then.”
“Understood. Then, if I may, I have one more question.”
Mo Jaehwang looked back and forth between Peng Wuwei and Ying Hozhong before asking.
“And how is the prince lately?”
“That’s rather vague, isn’t it?”
“Is it? Then let me rephrase. Has there been anything unusual about the prince recently? For instance, spending time frequently with General Huang Ho, or treating us strangely in some way?”
Ying Hozhong asked a question.
“Were you instructed to watch the prince?”
“Yes. Recently, the prince visited the Crown Prince’s Palace. And he didn’t even pay his respects to the Empress or the second prince — he left directly.”
“Then you believe there’s something going on between the Crown Prince’s Palace and the prince?”
“That is our conclusion.”
Peng Wuwei and Ying Hozhong exchanged glances.
They knew well that Yi Hwan had changed into an entirely different person, but when pressed to describe what was unusual, nothing specific came to mind.
Peng Wuwei furrowed his brow and muttered.
“Nothing except making a mockery of me, really…”
“How is that possible? The prince mocking the Left General?”
“Well…”
Peng Wuwei launched into an account of his encounters with Yi Hwan. As he spoke, his temper flared, and his face flushed crimson.
When he finished, Mo Jaehwang’s eyes narrowed.
“So at your first meeting, you shared tea together, and at the next battle, you suddenly came down with dysentery and was humiliated — is that correct?”
“I’m convinced the prince put poison in the tea. If possible, I’d like you to investigate that as well.”
“Understood. Is there anything else?”
“Nothing else comes to mind. How about you, Ying Hozhong?”
“Nothing in particular from me either.”
Mo Jaehwang rose to his feet.
“Understood. Should anything come to mind later, please let me know. I’ll take my leave then.”
After Mo Jaehwang departed, Ying Hozhong spoke with a somewhat grave expression.
“Honestly, I don’t understand why so many Gold Cloaked Guards were sent. What role could those guard officers, who normally catch criminals, possibly play on the battlefield?”
“It seems they’re watching us as well. It could be a kind of warning — that if necessary, they’ll replace us with someone else.”
“Hmm. That could be it. If so, you’ll need to be especially careful.”
Bang!
Peng Wuwei frowned and struck the table with his palm.
“If only the Empress would appoint me Chief Assassin by her own authority, it would be simple!”
“Even the Empress cannot go that far. Besides…”
Ying Hozhong trailed off, his brow furrowing.
“It seems the deputy commander hasn’t paid his respects to the prince yet?”

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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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