The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 36

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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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The Crimson Dragon Sovereign, Chapter 36

Chapter 36 — Crossing Paths, Mixed Fortunes

Crown Prince Palace.
As Yi So recovered his health day by day, grave news reached him.
Hwang Ho was dead.
The shock that struck Yi So was profound.
Hwang Ho had been the person he trusted most in the military hierarchy, a Devoted Loyal Subject who had fought for him all this while. Moreover, he was the one figure essential to the grand design that lay ahead.
Clink.
Yi So fingered the teacup absently.
The tea had long gone cold, not even steam rising from its surface. Jang Su watched him with pitying eyes.
“The Empress and the Second Prince will soon move to appoint a new Commander-in-Chief for the Southern Military Corps. Without His Majesty’s approval, there is no way to prevent it now.”
Yi So said nothing, only continued to finger the teacup.
Was he lost in thought? Or wrestling with something else?
He kept his silence for quite some time.
Jang Su simply watched him. How much time passed in that stillness?
“How likely is it that the Grand Military Governor will turn to our side?”
“If the Empress moves directly, I fear we should expect no possibility of the Grand Military Governor coming to us. To pursue him hastily might only hand the Second Prince a weapon with which to strike at us, should matters go awry.”
“Then what if we kept the messenger from reaching the Southern Military Corps?”
“You would kill the messenger, Your Highness?”
“At present, it seems the only way to delay the appointment is by whatever means necessary. If we buy ourselves time, perhaps a miracle might yet occur.”
Both Yi So and Jang Su wore heavy expressions. It was nothing but a Last Resort Strategy — a bitter measure undertaken only when all else had failed.
Yi So spoke again.
“Currently, is General Jeong Cheon the only one in the Southern Military Corps who could replace General Hwang?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“What of that boy?”
He meant Yi Hwan. The guard commander’s reply was grave.
“With respect, I do not believe the Crown Prince could lead the Southern Military Corps directly. He lacks experience commanding troops, and the soldiers would not accept him. For soldiers, a Commander-in-Chief is as a guardian deity who shields their lives. General Hwang was able to hold his post against every pressure precisely because he possessed the soldiers’ absolute loyalty.”
Yi So closed his eyes slowly.
A shadow fell across his face, and an equally deep shadow settled upon Jang Su’s as he watched.
A sigh escaped Yi So’s lips.
“So in the end, all we can do is pray for a miracle?”

* * *

The Second Prince Yi Tae Ji’s face was radiant.
“Everything unfolds precisely as we hoped. The heavens favor us, it seems. Ah, excellent.”
“Indeed. Since this is an appointment due to the Commander-in-Chief’s death, not a replacement, there will be no obstacles. Once the Grand Military Governor returns, we need only inform him of our wish to appoint General Peng as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Military Corps.”
“When is the Grand Military Governor expected to return?”
“Inquiries at the Military Governor’s Office indicate he will return within ten days at the latest.”
Yi Tae Ji’s brow furrowed slightly.
“I should have transferred the appointment authority to someone on our side instead of the Grand Military Governor from the start.”
“Do not worry. The Grand Military Governor is a man who understands practical interests; he will not refuse our request. And even should he refuse, the Empress herself can resolve the matter without difficulty.”
At the strategist’s confident words, Yi Tae Ji assumed a troubled expression.
“Too many eyes are watching. I must settle this entirely on my own terms. If I rely on Mother’s power again, not only will the Crown Prince mock me, but those who maintain neutrality will lose respect for me as well.”
“I had not considered that angle. Then let it be done as you say.”
Yi Tae Ji lifted his teacup to his lips.
Clink!
“Once General Peng becomes Commander-in-Chief, the only obstacle would be General Jeong Cheon, would it not?”
“Once the appointment is finalized, removing Jeong Cheon will not be difficult. We cannot kill him, but we can promote him and transfer him to another unit, or recall him to the rear. It is a simple matter.”
“Then that settles it. Excellent.”
Yi Tae Ji grinned with satisfaction, then his brow suddenly creased.
“Should we leave him where he is?”
“The Third Prince, you mean?”
“Yes. Even though he is merely a figurehead, he is still a Crown Prince. He might yet become an obstacle to General Peng.”
A barely suppressed laugh.
The strategist’s shoulders trembled with restrained amusement.
“Touching the Crown Prince carelessly could invite needless misunderstanding. He’s merely a man who poses no threat whatsoever, even if he had ten or a hundred followers at his back. Best to leave him be.”
“I suppose that’s true, but…….”
“If it troubles you so much, you could always summon the Crown Prince to the Imperial Capital yourself. There’s no shortage of pretexts, and nothing would be amiss about it.”
“Fine. You’re right—he’s no threat at all. Let him be.”
Yi Tae Ji rose from his seat, brushing it off.
“Shall we have a drink? It’s been a while.”
“I’ll have the dancing girls brought in.”
“No, I’d prefer to drink quietly tonight.”
“As you wish, then.”
Yi Tae Ji left the chamber.
A smile never once left his face.

* * *

Yi Hwan and Jeong Cheon sat facing each other.
“There’s no way to stop the Grand Military Governor if he appoints Peng Wu Wei as Commander-in-Chief?”
“That’s correct. Aside from the Imperial Guard, all military appointments fall under the Grand Military Governor’s authority.”
“Is the Grand Military Governor siding with the Crown Prince?”
“No. But he’s a man who prizes practicality above all else. If the Crown Prince’s faction attempts to win him over through inducements or threats, there’s a high likelihood he’ll yield. The Grand Military Governor has many weaknesses, you understand.”
At this point, the question that pressed most heavily was the Emperor himself. Thus far, the Emperor had been so absent from notice as to be nearly invisible. Yi Hwan had never heard anyone from either side speak his name.
Had even Yi So not avoided the question?
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea and fixed his gaze on Jeong Cheon. “If they secure control of the Southern Military Corps, their first move will be to eliminate the General.”
“Most likely.”
Jeong Cheon nodded gravely.
“Do you have a countermeasure?”
“I do not.”
“So we simply accept it? Is that what you’re saying?”
“No one in this realm can defy the law of the land. All we can hope for now is that His Highness the Crown Prince can sway the Grand Military Governor’s heart.”
“Hmm…….”
“By now, word should have reached the Crown Prince Palace. They may have already begun their behind-the-scenes work.”
Yi Hwan fell silent for a moment. Jeong Cheon waited to hear what he would say next.
After a pause, Yi Hwan spoke. “I’ll find a way to make the General the Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Military Corps.”
“Sir?”
“We can’t rely solely on the Crown Prince Palace. We must find a way ourselves, one that works. Before that, though…….”
Yi Hwan lifted a hand and tapped his temple gently. “First, clear away the clutter in your head. I understand your feelings, but this downcast attitude doesn’t suit you. It’s difficult for me to watch.”
“My apologies.”
Jeong Cheon stood and bowed his head.
“I will have the quarters for the Crown Prince built as quickly as possible. If you’ll excuse me, sir.”
Yi Hwan spoke up abruptly as Jeong Cheon was turning to leave. “Do you trust me, General?”
“I do.”
“Setting aside my position as Crown Prince—do you trust my abilities?”
“I want to believe in them as well, now.”
A soft chuckle escaped him.
“‘Want to believe,’ not ‘do believe’? So you’re still uncertain of my true capabilities. Is that what you mean?”
“Honestly, yes. But I ask that you understand—my standards for you have risen considerably since the past. May I ask you something now, sir?”
“Go ahead.”
Jeong Cheon took a breath before asking. “Why have you been hiding your true strength?”
“There’s a damn annoying reason for it. The sort of thing I can’t tell anyone. For now, I hope you’ll understand that I cannot explain.”
“I understand.”
As Jeong Cheon turned to leave, Cheol Mu Ok stepped in.
“I’ve hung their severed limbs on the enemy’s gate, as you ordered.”
“Well done.”
Yi Hwan gazed out through the gap in the tent. He now stood in the new military camp on the north side of Narrow Valley. Outside, soldiers were busy erecting canvas tents for quarters, and a steady stream of carts and wagons carried supplies between the old encampment and the new one without pause.
In the distance ahead, Peng Wu Wei and Yeong Ho Chung passed by.
Cheol Mu Ok opened his mouth to speak.

“Just kill Peng Wu Wei.”
“And if I send someone else, you’ll kill them too?”
“…….”
“We need a more reliable method. Of course, that means I’ll have to buy us as much time as possible.”
“How do you mean, sir?”
“I’ll figure it out as we go.”
Yi Hwan stepped outside the command tent. Song Hoe and the others were too occupied setting up camp to notice.
“Commander.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Send a messenger to the Crown Prince Palace and ask how things are progressing with the matter I requested of him before.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan headed toward the northern edge of the encampment. Cheol Mu Ok followed, asking as they walked.
“How long will you be staying here?”
“I made a promise to the Crown Prince—that I would prevent this territory from falling into the hands of the Second Prince. I’ve already received my price: Dongjang will help me find the wanderers. I intend to honor that promise.”
Yi Hwan stopped and fixed his gaze on Cheol Mu Ok.
“I will find the Descendant of Three Kings no matter what it takes. I need it more desperately than you do. So don’t be impatient.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“My lord.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The two resumed walking, but had not gone far before they stopped.
Go Mi was descending the ridge ahead. Upon spotting Yi Hwan, she quickened her pace and bowed.
“Taking a walk?”
“No, my lord. I was inspecting the surroundings.”
“And what do you think? Is this place suitable as an encampment?”
“I heard it was you who chose it, my lord. We simply follow your decisions.”
“Smooth words, I see.”
“I was merely stating my duty.”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
That stiff, formal tone still seemed at odds with her delicate frame and beauty.
“We’ll talk later.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Cheol Mu Ok watched Go Mi descend the ridge, muttering softly.
“The more one observes her, the more impressive she becomes. It seems there’s good reason she became the head of the Secret Investigation Bureau at such a young age.”
“Do you fancy her?”
“I have no interest in women whatsoever.”
A soft chuckle escaped.
A hazy light settled in Yi Hwan’s eyes as he smiled quietly.

I find being at my lord’s side far more pleasant than being with any beauty under heaven.

The voice of King of Dao Cheol Mu Gwang echoed vividly in his mind, as if spoken from right beside him.
‘I hope your successor proves to be as fine a man as you. Though thus far, I’m quite pleased with him.’
“My lord.”
“What is it.”
“About those men belonging to the Second Prince, the ones staying in the Marketplace District. Why would they come all this way only to remain in the city?”
“Now that General Hwang is dead, they’ll either join us soon or return home.”
“But that doesn’t make sense……”
“Your point stands—there’s only one reason they’d come this far and remain in the city rather than join the encampment.”
“You believed their purpose was to assassinate General Hwang Ho?”
“That’s what I thought.”
As Yi Hwan nodded silently, Cheol Mu Ok pressed further.
“Then why did you let them be?”
“I wasn’t letting them be—I was waiting for them to make their move against General Hwang Ho. Once they attempted the assassination, we could capture them and seize the initiative ourselves rather than letting the Second Prince control the narrative. The Zhao dogs ruined that plan.”
“……!”
Cheol Mu Ok was inwardly astonished.
‘So this is what he was thinking all along.’
In truth, he had found it very strange that Yi Hwan had remained inactive even after learning the facts through Go Mi’s reports.
Cheol Mu Ok gazed at the back of Yi Hwan as he walked ahead. Though many questions about him remained, his faith in Yi Hwan grew ever stronger.
‘By the results alone it seems trivial, yet he accomplishes what no one else would think to do. He even predicted accurately that the assassins from Zhao would return.’
When they had set out to capture the leader of the Blood Ghosts, Yi Hwan had said this:

They left without confirming whether General Hwang was truly dead. But they would have to return—if only to verify whether he lived or died.

‘The positioning matched perfectly.’
In truth, Cheol Mu Ok found that even more remarkable. To predict with such precision where an assassin would appear in that sprawling military encampment was nearly impossible.
“What are you waiting for? Move.”
“Yes, I’m coming!”

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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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