The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 4

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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 — Chapter 4

Chapter 4 — Traces Left Behind by the Wanderer

Inside the cave.
Yi Hwan and the captured Black Tiger Unit member sat facing each other. The soldier had already accepted his fate, understanding that he was hopelessly outmatched.
“Do you remember me?”
“Of course. But I clearly struck your vital point — how are you even alive?”
“I ask the questions.”
Crack!
Yi Hwan boxed the soldier’s head and asked again.
“Did you attack me simply because I’m the Crown Prince?”
“I didn’t know who you were. I saw the brilliant armor and assumed you held a high position, so I decided on impulse to attack and claim credit for a capture, nothing more.”
Looking into his eyes, he didn’t seem to be lying.
“Then who taught you the Talhon-gi?”
“Talhon-gi? What’s that?”
‘He doesn’t know the Talhon-gi?’
Again, his gaze betrayed no deception. Yi Hwan felt a flicker of confusion. A man who wielded the Talhon-gi, yet claimed ignorance of it.
“Who taught you martial arts?”
“My master sect is the Cheongseong Sect.”
Two centuries ago, when Dae-ya Fortress unified the Martial World, the Cheongseong Sect had stood as one of the Nine Great Sects, renowned and commanding. In those days it produced truly exceptional masters, a prestigious lineage.
‘The Cheongseong Sect couldn’t possibly know the Talhon-gi.’
Yi Hwan’s eyes turned cold as he spoke.
“I don’t enjoy repeating myself. So while I’m still asking nicely, tell me who taught you the Talhon-gi.”
Part of him wanted to extract the answer through torture, force a confession. Yet he couldn’t do such a thing to someone who might be an heir of the Sword King.
“I truly have no idea what you’re talking about. I really don’t know what the Talhon-gi is.”
“When you attacked me, you used a technique that summoned three streaks of blood-light — that’s the Talhon-gi. And you’re claiming you don’t know it?”
“…!”
The soldier’s eyes flickered, trembling visibly. Then, to Yi Hwan’s surprise, he began to speak.
“That martial art wasn’t taught by the Cheongseong Sect, but by a wanderer I happened to meet years ago.”
This was the beginning.
In essence, his story was this: years ago, he had helped a wanderer in dire straits, and in return, the man had taught him a martial art.
“At first, I scoffed when he said he’d teach me — I didn’t take him seriously. But after seeing the power of the technique he demonstrated before my eyes, I had no choice but to change my mind. Since that day, I’ve trained ruthlessly to master the Gugyeol he taught me.”
As Yi Hwan listened to this account, his brow narrowed. It was the mention of learning the art through Gugyeol that troubled him.
‘Even someone with exceptional Martial Talent can barely master it after a lifetime of training, yet he learned it quickly from a brief instruction?’
“Recite the Gugyeol you learned from that wanderer back then.”
The soldier immediately began to recite it.
Yi Hwan’s eyes shifted gradually.
‘The Gugyeol has changed in parts. But it’s a Gugyeol that could never have been created without mastering the very essence of the Talhon-gi!’
The difference in the Talhon-gi’s power from what he remembered seemed to stem partly from this.
“Where is that wanderer now!”
“That’s why he’s a wanderer.”
“….”
“He said he wanders Heaven and Earth searching for someone. When I asked who, he wouldn’t tell me — just departed northward. Since I met him in the north of Jo Kingdom, he’s likely already entered Yeon Kingdom by now.”
“Do you remember the wanderer’s face?”
“I remember it so clearly that even if he wore a mask, I could recognize him. His eyes were so distinctive that no one who saw them could ever forget.”
‘That’s fortunate.’
Yi Hwan asked something else.
“Do you want to live?”
“…Who wouldn’t want to live?”
“Do you have family in Jo Kingdom?”
“Only my master and brother disciples from the Cheongseong Sect are my family. Of course, they probably wouldn’t think of me that way….”
“Then leaving Jo Kingdom would leave you with no regrets.”

* * *

The Black Tiger Unit member’s name was Cha Jung-gyeong.
Born in Sichuan, orphaned in childhood, he had been taken as a disciple by a Cheongseong Sect master and raised by them. When he came of age, he left the sect to earn money and enlisted in the Jo Kingdom army.
After that, he earned recognition for his skills and became a member of the Black Tiger Unit, and through his entanglement with Yi Hwan, he has arrived at this present moment.
“……So if I just help you find that Wanderer, you’ll really reward me?”
“Fix your tone.”
“So if I help you find that Wanderer, you’ll really reward me enough to live comfortably for the rest of my life?”
“The promise of the Crown Prince of Yeon—believe it.”
At the mention of a prince’s promise, Cha Jung-gyeong grew only more skeptical.
“We’ve heard rumors about the Crown Prince even in our military camp……but can you really make good on such a reward?”
“What rumors?”
“Oh, you know—that you’re a crown prince in name only, or that you’re treated like cold rice even in the Yeon army. That sort of thing.”
“…….”
Yi Hwan nearly choked.
‘So even the enemy treats him like a pathetic wretch.’
Through the body’s memory, he’d thought he understood how Yi Hwan was perceived, but that seemed to be only a fragment of the full picture.
“Do you still believe those rumors now?”
“……No. I’m acutely aware it was complete nonsense. But tell me—why did you take such a beating back then?”
Crack!
“Ugh!”
“It’s none of your concern. Now get up.”
“Where are we going?”
“Where else? Back to camp.”
“Won’t that make me a prisoner?”
“To all appearances, yes. But don’t worry. No one will lay a hand on you.”
“……Can I trust that?”
“If you can’t, would you rather die here?”
“…….”

* * *

Yeon Military Camp.
Hwang Ho received Jung Cheon’s report and let out a heavy sigh.
“Ah…….”
“I’m sorry. I should have been more careful…….”
Jung Cheon could not lift his head.
Hwang Ho, too, could not find words.
From what he’d heard, Yi Hwan was almost certainly dead.
‘What am I to do about this?’
Hwang Ho dreaded the consequences that Yi Hwan’s death would bring.
Even a discarded prince was still a prince. If Yi Hwan had died under his command, the responsibility fell entirely on his shoulders.
Jung Cheon, who had planned the operation, need not be mentioned.
“I’ve done something terrible to you, whose future once stretched endless before him.”
“……!”
“Forgive me, General Jung.”
“……No, sir!”
At Hwang Ho’s words of concern for him, Jung Cheon’s eyes grew wet.
Crunch!
“I will find the Crown Prince’s body no matter what. Please allow me this.”
It was at that moment.
“General!”
A commander burst through the door, his voice trembling with urgency.
“The Crown Prince has returned!”

* * *

“Your Highness!”
Song Hoe came rushing forward like a madman.
His eyes, bloodshot and rimmed with red, looked ready to burst into tears at any moment.
“Are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?!”
“Stop that commotion and bring me hot water.”
“Your Highness!”
Commanders poured in from all directions.
Yi Hwan let a faint smile cross his lips.
‘So when did you start worrying about me? Though I suppose you were all fretting whether my death would complicate things ahead.’
At that moment, Hwang Ho and Jung Cheon emerged from behind the generals.
“Your Highness!”
“I found myself separated from the group through no one’s fault. General Jung bears no responsibility—don’t blame him for it. I’m exhausted, so I’ll take my leave now.”
Yi Hwan turned to go, then added one more thing as he gestured toward Cha Jung-gyeong.
“I’ve made up my mind to take this one under my wing. No one is to interfere.”
“But isn’t he from the Black Tiger Unit? That could be dangerous!”
“I’ve already made all the necessary arrangements. There’s nothing to worry about. Farewell.”
With that, Yi Hwan said what he needed to say and withdrew into the pavilion, bringing Cha Jung-gyeong with him.
The eyes of Hwang Ho and Jung Cheon, watching his retreating figure, were complicated with emotion. Yet relief at Yi Hwan’s safe return was written plainly across their faces.
Hwang Ho murmured to himself.
“He charged alone into the Black Tiger Unit’s stronghold and captured one of them with his bare strength?”

* * *

“What in heaven’s name—”
Song Hoe’s gaze as he looked at Cha Jung-gyeong was not merely sharp but positively murderous.
“You’ll stay with us until we leave this place, so make sure he’s well cared for.”
“……!”
“Is the warm water being prepared?”
“It’s being readied in the back courtyard, sir.”
Yi Hwan fixed Cha Jung-gyeong with his gaze.
“Are you hungry?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Bring him something to eat.”
“You mean to say he’ll actually be staying here with us?”
Song Hoe still couldn’t fathom it. The Black Tiger Unit were creatures fit only for execution. Everyone in the Southern Army would feel the same.
Yi Hwan regarded Song Hoe with cold indifference.
“Captain.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Does it sound to you like I’m asking?”
“…….”
Song Hoe bowed his head.
“I understand.”

* * *

“You seem to despise me quite intensely.”
“Of course I do. Do you know how many Yeon warriors the Black Tiger Unit has slain? If you hadn’t claimed ignorance of the Wanderer’s face, you’d have died by my hand first.”
“…….”
Cha Jung-gyeong scratched his head and asked something else.
“But why are you searching for that Wanderer anyway……?”
“You don’t need to know.”
“…….”
Yi Hwan removed his outer robe and made for the back courtyard. Warriors were heating water in a large cauldron.
“It will take a little longer to reach a comfortable warmth, Your Highness.”
“That’s fine. Leave now.”
“……Yes, sir.”
Once the warriors had withdrawn, Yi Hwan stepped into the still-lukewarm water.
Splash!
Soaking himself completely, he reflected on what had transpired on the battlefield.
‘I managed to consolidate the force that was scattered throughout my Danjeon, but it’s still woefully insufficient. At my current level, I cannot hope to match even a Peak Master of moderate standing.’
Though a royal bastard, he was still a prince—he had consumed every tonic since childhood. The problem was insufficient Martial Talent; he had never been able to draw it fully into his Danjeon. But Yi Hwan had succeeded in unifying it.
Yet it was only barely adequate.
‘For now, I must conceal my original martial techniques until I’ve fully recovered my strength. And I need to find a way to regain that strength as quickly as possible while I’m here.’
Now that all records of Dae-ya Fortress had been erased from the Martial World, perhaps no one would recognize his techniques.
But what if someone did?
And what if that person stood in hostile opposition to those responsible for the fall of Dae-ya Fortress?
At my current level, I could not guarantee my life. Therefore, he desperately wanted to find the Wanderer, presumed to be a descendant of the Sword King, and depart as soon as possible.
But good intentions alone wouldn’t get him anywhere.
‘If I could use an organization like the Beggar Clan, it would help…….’
But according to ‘that fellow’s’ memories, the Beggar Clan didn’t operate in Yeon Kingdom. They were only active in Jo Kingdom and Jin Kingdom.
‘Then there’s only one option.’
It was then that Song Hoe emerged into the Back Courtyard with fresh clothes.
Yi Hwan asked abruptly.
“Is there any way to contact the Dongchang?”
“Pardon? The Dongchang, why suddenly——”
Song Hoe’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I need their intelligence network.”
“My lord, it would be best to keep your distance from the Dongchang. All matters conducted through them are reported directly to His Majesty. That’s why even the Crown Prince, who maintains friendly relations with them, rarely uses the Dongchang, I’ve heard.”
Yi Hwan’s brow furrowed.
“Let me rephrase. Can I actually use the Dongchang?”
“……It would be difficult.”
In truth, Song Hoe wanted to say this outright. He’d only held back out of consideration for Yi Hwan’s pride.
Yi Hwan accepted the reality.
‘Right—the Dongchang wouldn’t cooperate with an incompetent prince.’
“Would it be possible if I asked the Crown Prince?”
“It might be possible, though I cannot say whether the Crown Prince would actually agree. But why the Dongchang so suddenly——”
“Never mind. You can go.”
“……Yes, sir.”
As Song Hoe retreated into the pavilion, Yi Hwan submerged himself up to his neck in the water, his legs draped over the edge of the large cauldron.
‘To use the Dongchang’s intelligence network, it seems I’d have to return to the Imperial Palace after all…….’
Yi Hwan’s brow creased as he closed his eyes slightly.
That’s when it happened.
“My lord!”
Song Hoe, who had just retreated into the pavilion moments before, came rushing back as if some great emergency had erupted.

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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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