The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 54

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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 Sovereign 54

Chapter 54 – Everything as One Desires

Wang Ji-gyeong set out once more toward the Song Family Residence.
Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok moved as before, lingering at the rear.
[So the author will give up the principal after all?]
[A day has passed and he returns to visit again — I’d say so. But let’s keep watching, just to be safe.]
[If things go that way, it’ll look as though the Hwang-ryong Merchant Group helped the Great Prince.]
[That’s life. That’s what makes it worth living.]
Yi Hwan was certain of it.
The greedy Wang Ji-gyeong would surrender both the principal and the interest owed to the Song Family.
‘Someone from the Crown Prince’s Palace should be here by now……’
The remaining question was whether the Crown Prince’s Palace had sent someone to the Song Family Residence. Ideally, they would arrive before Wang Ji-gyeong did.
That was when it happened.
[His Highness the Crown Prince says he will do as the Great Prince wishes.]
A sudden stream of Sound Transmission flowed into Yi Hwan’s ear.
Yi Hwan turned to look back.
A figure in the crowd wore a broad-brimmed hat pulled low over their face. As Yi Hwan spotted them, they tilted the hat slightly upward and bowed.
It was Go Mi.
‘A woman who never disappoints.’
Yi Hwan smiled slightly and sent Sound Transmission back to Go Mi.
[Well done.]
[Are there further instructions you wish to give?]
[There’s someone in the Hwang-ryong Merchant Group named Sang San Hyeol-do. I need you to look into him.]
[Understood.]
With that, Go Mi vanished into the throng. Yi Hwan gazed at the Carriage carrying Wang Ji-gyeong and smiled faintly to himself.
‘I’ll soon see the face of a man happy to give up one hundred thousand silver currency.’
Could there truly be a man happy after surrendering one hundred thousand silver currency? It would certainly be a rare sight.
Yi Hwan was certain he would witness that rare moment very soon.

* * *

Yi Young and Song Cheon-ho stood in the courtyard.
Wang Ji-gyeong bowed deeply to Yi Young. She received him with the same cold expression as before.
“If you’ve come about yesterday’s matter, you should simply leave.”
“No, madam. I have come again because there is an urgent matter I wish to discuss with you.”
“Come inside.”
“Thank you, madam.”
Wang Ji-gyeong glanced back at Yi Hwan.
“Come along.”
Yi Hwan handed his sword to Cheol Mu-ok and entered with Wang Ji-gyeong.
Shortly after, the three of them sat facing one another across a table. Unlike yesterday, Yi Hwan took a seat at a table in one corner of the room.
Wang Ji-gyeong cleared his throat once and broached the subject.
“Forgive me, but what I wish to say is not different from yesterday. However, I would like to offer one additional proposal.”
“Look here, Wang Ji-gyeong!”
Yi Young’s voice turned sharp as frost. Then Song Cheon-ho stepped forward.
“It would be best to hear what he means to say first, madam.”
Once Song Cheon-ho intervened, Yi Young relented visibly. Song Cheon-ho turned to Wang Ji-gyeong and asked.
“Well then, what is this new proposal?”
“It is……”
Wang Ji-gyeong was about to speak when—
Song Cheon-mu’s voice came from outside.
“Madam, someone from the Crown Prince’s Palace has arrived.”
A faint smile bloomed at the corner of Yi Hwan’s mouth.

* * *

Yi Hwan watched the figure enter and felt a light start of surprise.
‘So he comes in person.’
The man stepping inside was none other than Jang Su, the Crown Prince Yi So’s trusted confidant.
Yi Hwan shifted his gaze deliberately, wary.
Even wearing a face veil, a master could read a person by the light in their eyes alone—one could not afford to be careless.
‘So the Crown Prince has decided to move openly. Well, given his connection to this royal daughter, there’s little choice.’
Otherwise, he would never have sent someone of Jang Su’s rank—equal to a commander of the left—directly in person.
Jang Su bowed toward Yi Young.
“Your Highness.”
“Welcome, General.”
“Welcome, sir.”
“I hope the general’s sudden arrival does not constitute an impropriety before our guest.”
Yi Young turned to Wang Ji-gyeong as she spoke.
“I’m afraid we must postpone our conversation. Please, return another time.”
……
Wang Ji-gyeong rose from his seat in confusion.
Then Song Cheon-mu stepped forward.
“Let us see you out.”
“Of course. I shall take my leave.”
Wang Ji-gyeong bowed and turned toward the gate, then suddenly froze.
Before the main entrance, soldiers and attendants had gathered, and it was the armor of one of them that gave him pause.
The armor he wore signified a rank high enough to command twenty thousand troops—a position of considerable authority.
If such a ranking officer stood as mere escort, what rank could the general waiting within the inner chamber possibly hold?
Just then, Yi Hwan’s murmur drifted into Wang Ji-gyeong’s ears.
“What brings the Crown Prince’s closest confidant to this place?”
“Did you just say that general is the Crown Prince’s trusted aide?”
“When the offer of recruitment came from the Crown Prince’s Palace some time ago, I saw him once from a distance. One of the officers there mentioned that he was the person the Crown Prince trusts most—said he’s almost like the Prince’s second self. I’m puzzled as to what brings him here.”
“Is that truly so?”
“Why would I lie?”
Thump-thump.
Wang Ji-gyeong’s heart began to race.
His fists clenched hard.
Crack.
‘So the Crown Prince holds the princess in such high regard as to send his own confidant. Then I must spare no expense—not merely one hundred thousand silver, but far more—to secure the Song Family’s favor! That is how I can stand against the Hwang-ryong Merchant Group!’
Yi Hwan watched Wang Ji-gyeong and smiled faintly.
‘Like a shaft of dawn breaking through.’

* * *

Yi Young pressed a hand to her chest.
Her face was flushed like peach blossoms, and seeing her thus, Song Cheon-ho laughed.
“You did beautifully. Your performance was so natural that even the Great Person Wang didn’t suspect a thing. Haha.”
“I’m too embarrassed to lift my face.”
In fact, the timing of Jang Su’s entrance had all been calculated beforehand. Of course, Jang Su had already arrived at the Song Family Residence half an hour earlier.
Jang Su asked.
“When will the Crown Prince arrive?”
“He sent word he’ll stop by shortly.”
Yi Young’s eyes grew misty.
“That the Crown Prince should concern himself with us to this degree… I scarcely know how to contain my gratitude.”
“His Highness has always been concerned for you. He regrets that circumstances prevented him from sending proper word sooner.”
“Thank you.”
Tears began to flow.
Tears traced down Yi Young’s cheeks.
Song Cheon-ho placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, and his own eyes too had grown damp.
The Crown Prince was a different existence entirely from Yi Hwan.
That he, destined to rule these lands, would step forward to aid their family—it was something that transcended gratitude.
Meanwhile, Jang Su gazed through the window at Yi Hwan’s retreating figure passing beyond the gate.
‘Why does that back seem so familiar?’
Song Cheon-ho approached.
“What do you see so intently?”
“Oh, it’s nothing, really. But who is that man?”
“A bodyguard in Wang Ji-gyeong’s service. He takes after his master—utterly lacking in manners. Though today he seemed to be making some effort to behave himself.”
“What happened?”
Song Cheon-ho answered with a smile.
“His conduct was abysmal yesterday, so my lady gave him a thorough scolding.”
While the two conversed, Yi Hwan had already slipped past the gate. Jang Su soon lost interest and turned to Yi Young with a question.
“What did the Prince instruct you to do next?”
“Refuse three times, and wait until Wang Ji-gyeong proposes terms himself.”
“Do you know where the Prince is now?”
“All I know is that he’s nearby. He said he’d stop by soon, but…….”
Yi Young’s voice trailed off.
Jang Su continued for her.
“It seems the Great Person is orchestrating Wang Ji-gyeong’s retreat. Which means he’s been observing this entire situation…….”
Jang Su’s words hung unfinished when his expression suddenly shifted, and he rushed outside. In the next instant, he threw himself toward the gate.
At the sight of it, Yi Young and Song Cheon-ho exchanged bewildered glances.
From the gate, Jang Su fixed his eyes on Wang Ji-gyeong’s party racing ahead in the distance, his gaze growing cold and sharp.
‘Could it be…….’

* * *

Whoosh!
Rain suddenly began to pour down in sheets.
Having reached the city outskirts, there was no shelter to be found.
Yi Hwan, who hadn’t thought to prepare a canopy, was drenched through.
Thud-thud-thud!
The carriage gradually slowed its pace.
If the carriage skidded on the wet road, they risked a dangerous accident.
Rumble!
Crack!
Following the thunder, lightning spider-webbed across the sky not far overhead and struck down.
How long had they been traveling like this?
“The Official Road ahead is completely blocked by an earth slide!”
The forward guard rushed back, shouting the warning.
The sudden downpour had caused earth and debris to tumble across the road, completely obstructing the path.
Neigh!
The carriage came to a halt, and the driver cried out toward Wang Ji-gyeong.
“Great Person! We must turn the carriage back toward the city!”
Tap!
Wang Ji-gyeong opened the window and thrust his head out.
“The road is too narrow—can we even turn the carriage around?!”
“With respect, Great Person, you’ll need to ride horseback as well.”
“We can’t ride through this downpour—simply clear away the earth and we can proceed!”
“There’s too much debris, Great Person. It will take at least half a day to move it all. Returning to the city would be wisest!”
“This is most troublesome!”
In the sudden chaos, Yi Hwan surveyed his surroundings carefully. Then, in an instant, his eyes gleamed with sharp awareness.
Cheol Mu-ok sent a Sound Transmission to him.
[Did you see it?]
[Yes.]
For a mere moment, he had glimpsed shadows moving beyond the forest.
[Are they aiming for Wang Ji-gyeong?]
[I hope so.]
[Sir?]
[If we remind him once more that death can come at any time, his faith in us will only deepen. If an attack comes, show overwhelming strength.]
[Understood.]
Yi Hwan watched Wang Ji-gyeong intently, hoping these were indeed assassins sent for him. Wang Ji-gyeong remained indecisive, wrestling with whether to return through the rain or press on.
Yi Hwan walked slowly toward the carriage.
“In weather like this, caution is wise. Were I to move against the Great Person, I would choose precisely such weather, precisely such circumstances.”
He then pointed toward the right side of the road and continued.
“If turning back proves too difficult, it would be best to shelter there until the rain passes. It offers better cover than the open road, and more defensible ground.”
Where Yi Hwan pointed stood a manor house. From the vines that choked its walls, it appeared to be abandoned.
“Understood. Then we’ll head there.”
Wang Ji-gyeong was reaching for the carriage door when it happened.
Whistle!
Arrows streaked through the air, splitting the silence.
In that instant, Cheol Mu-ok drew his sword and raised a Sword Barrier.
Clang-clang-clang!
The arrows trapped by the barrier scattered in all directions, while those that pierced through embedded themselves throughout the carriage.
Thunk-thunk-thunk!
Yi Hwan shouted urgently.
“Ambush! Formation now!”
The guards swiftly surrounded the carriage.
At that moment, figures erupted from behind the trees. Watching them appear, Wang Ji-gyeong went rigid as stone.
Whoosh!
Yi Hwan slowly drew his sword.
About twenty attackers came rushing forward, their faces concealed beneath cloth masks.
‘The Hwang-ryong Merchant Group sent them. If so, I should thank them.’
Yi Hwan pressed himself against the carriage window.
Wang Ji-gyeong spoke in a trembling voice.
“Shouldn’t your strongest man step forward?!”
“My duty is to guard the Great Person’s side. The rest, he’ll handle on his own.”
Crash!
“Argh!”
“Ugh!”
The battle erupted.
The first two who charged were butchered ruthlessly by Cheol Mu-ok.
He was a tiger loosed among sheep.
None could stand against him, and those who rushed to avoid him clashed instead with the other guards.
‘They hired capable men, at least.’
Then it came.
“Argh!”
A guard fell, blood spraying from his body.
The masked assailant who’d killed him bolted toward Yi Hwan like lightning.
“Gasp!”
Wang Ji-gyeong, watching through the window, gasped in alarm. Yi Hwan swatted at the side of the incoming blade.
Bang!
As the masked man staggered off-balance, Yi Hwan seized his throat and drove his head straight into the carriage.
Crack!
The skull caved in like a melon, blood and brains spattering across Wang Ji-gyeong’s face. Yi Hwan folded his arms and settled back into an unhurried stance.
“Are you alright?”
“Don’t worry. No matter who charges, I won’t let a hair on the Great Person be disturbed.”

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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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