The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 56

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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 56

Chapter 56 — The Contract Sealed

“Why? Tell me why!”
Wang Ji-gyeong’s face had flushed crimson.
He couldn’t fathom it. The terms he’d offered were audacious enough to border on madness, yet the man wanted time to think. Time to think.
Yi Hwan watched him with perfect calm.
‘Those who make fortunes truly think differently.’
Wang Ji-gyeong—whom Yi Hwan had dismissed as a mere pebble in the path of his ambitions—he acknowledged today for the first time as something more. Interest forgiven, principal waived, and an unconditional investment of one million silver taels. Even the richest man couldn’t undertake such a move lightly. Only those who had touched something vast beyond the imagination of common folk could make such a decision.
‘Either way, he’s caught the hook. Now I prepare what comes next.’
Glug-glug!
Wang Ji-gyeong drained the bottle in one long pull.
Yi Hwan made a gentle suggestion. “Perhaps you should set the wine aside. The Princess could arrive any moment, and she needn’t catch the smell of drink on you.”
Wang Ji-gyeong froze.
He lowered the bottle at once.
And then she appeared.
Yi Young came back upstairs.
Wang Ji-gyeong quickly adjusted his expression and posture. Yi Young’s brows drew together with displeasure.
“You’ve been drinking.”
“Oh, just a cup or two, nothing more.”
Yi Young settled into the seat across from him. She looked him straight in the eye and spoke.
“I’ve decided to accept your terms.”
Wang Ji-gyeong’s eyes bulged wide as saucers.
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
“But there’s one thing I need to make absolutely clear first.”
“Please, speak.”
“I’ll connect you with the Crown Prince Palace, but you bear full responsibility for the results. That means don’t lay any blame at my feet. Do you understand?”
“There can be no disagreement! Your Highness need only lay the bridge to the Crown Prince Palace. That alone is all I ask for!”
“Very well. Shall we draw up the contract?”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly and brought his cup to his lips. Cheol Mu-ok stared at him, his expression one of pure bewilderment.
‘Making money really is simple.’
Shortly after, with seals affixed to the contract, the agreement was finalized. Despite spending an enormous sum, Wang Ji-gyeong couldn’t stop grinning. Yi Young’s face, by contrast, remained utterly unchanged.
“I’ll have the investment delivered to your residence myself, very soon.”
Yi Young rose to her feet.
“I hope it leads to good results. Rest well before you depart.”
Yi Young descended the stairs.
Wang Ji-gyeong lifted the bottle and drained it. He was giddy with the most intense excitement of his life.
Glug-glug!
“Hwang Long Trading Company—you dogs! Just wait a little longer!”

* * *

The contract trembled in Yi Young’s grip.

Song Cheon-ho was no different.
Yi Young spoke, her voice unsteady. “I did what my brother told me to do, but I still can’t tell if this is a dream or waking life.”
“Nor can I. Heavens, this is…”
Song Cheon-mu smiled broadly. “Congratulations to you.”
“I’m not sure I deserve congratulations. How on earth did the Great One know matters would unfold this way?”
“Perhaps he didn’t merely know—perhaps he orchestrated the entire affair from the shadows? That’s what I believe, at least. Either way, my sincere congratulations. Now I can return to the Southern Army with peace of mind.”
Yi Young asked,

“You’ll stop by before returning to the army, won’t you?”
“Of course. The Crown Prince has been wanting to see you as well.”
Yi Young’s eyes reddened at the rims.
Unlike when facing Wang Ji-gyeong, she was now the very picture of a frail woman—vulnerable, unguarded.
Meanwhile, Song Cheon-mu’s lips itched to speak; he felt he might burst. Yi Hwan was upstairs right now, and knowing that while forced to keep silent was its own kind of torture.
And yet gratitude swelled in his chest.
‘Thank you. I shall carry this debt until my dying breath, Crown Prince.’

* * *

Several figures entered the first floor of the inn.
They ordered food and studied Yi Young’s group with peculiar intensity.
A moment later, two more arrived and joined their table. One of them whispered low.
“Wang Ji-gyeong is on the top floor.”
“And the guards—have you confirmed them?”
“Yes. The ones Sangsan Hyul-do warned us about are there with Wang Ji-gyeong. But why would he spend a night here, of all places? Isn’t this inn run by the Song Family, who are practically his sworn enemies?”
“I’ve been wondering the same. No matter how urgent his circumstances, there are larger, grander inns he could have chosen. Why come here deliberately?”
“Surely there’s no ulterior motive at play?”
Another figure leaned in.
“The princess came down from upstairs not long ago. Could she and Wang Ji-gyeong have been having a secret meeting?”
“Secret talks between people tangled in debt? Unlikely. Still, better to keep eyes on them—one can never be too careful.”
“Understood.”
“Your food is ready, sirs.”
The server arrived with the dishes just then, and the conversation broke off.
That was when it happened.
Wang Ji-gyeong descended the stairs.
The moment Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok appeared behind him, the watchers set down their chopsticks, their eyes alight with purpose.
[Looks like they’re heading home. Get word to them at once.]
[Yes.]
One of them rose and slipped out of the inn.
A pair of eyes watched him go—those of Go Mi, disguised beneath a Human Skin Mask.
She cast a Spirit Communication toward Yi Hwan.
[People from the Hwang Long Trading Company are watching us.]
Yi Hwan turned to look at Go Mi.
He followed the direction her eyes indicated, and when his gaze met those of the watchers, they quickly averted their faces.
[Why is he looking at us? Could he have seen through us?]
[Impossible. It was just chance.]
They all began moving their chopsticks again with practiced ease, though every nerve was fixed upon Yi Hwan.

* * *

Humming, humming.
Wang Ji-gyeong’s whistling never ceased. Now and then he added a little flourish of movement. Riding horseback rather than in a carriage, he was in unusually high spirits.
Yi Hwan sent a Spirit Communication to Cheol Mu-ok.
[From this point forward, we truly must protect Wang Ji-gyeong. Not a single hair on his head can come to harm—stay sharp.]
[Understood.]
They had gained far more than anticipated.
Though the task of reclaiming the sales channels lost to the Hwang Long Trading Company remained, Wang Ji-gyeong had transformed from an enemy to be eliminated into an ally to be protected at all costs.
[Will it be alright to keep the army post vacant for so long?]
[Don’t worry. Jin Kingdom is still keeping Zhao Kingdom on edge.]
The variable was how long the conflict between the two kingdoms would persist. Fortunately, they continued their standoff at Guizhu Fortress even now. So long as that held, Zhao Kingdom’s army, locked in confrontation with the Southern Army, would not launch an attack.
Whoosh.
The rain grew steadily lighter.
But so much water had fallen that roads were washed away in places and others lay flooded. Yi Hwan had foreseen this and arranged for Wang Ji-gyeong to travel by horse rather than carriage from the start.
He had also chosen a route through the city proper rather than the outskirts—the safest possible path from those who might wish Wang Ji-gyeong harm.
Then it happened.
Thud-thud-thud!
A single rider came galloping up from behind at speed. The guards quickly moved to encircle Wang Ji-gyeong.
Yi Hwan fixed his gaze on the approaching figure—and something in his eyes shifted.
‘Wol Ju… what is she doing here…?’
She wore the Bamboo Hat pulled low, but it was unmistakably Go Mi. As she drew near, the escort guards drew their blades.
Metallic scrape.
“She’s just passing through. Sheathe your swords.”
“How can you be certain?”
“Do as I command.”
……
Hoofbeats receding.
Go Mi simply passed by them all.
Though not without purpose.
[Sangsan Hyul-do has moved!]
The guards relaxed, resheathing their weapons, and Wang Ji-gyeong himself finally exhaled the tension he’d been holding.
Yi Hwan sent Spirit Communication to Cheol Mu-ok.
[Sangsan Hyul-do is moving. Stay sharp.]
[Understood, my lord.]
Sangsan Hyul-do himself wasn’t the concern. What troubled Yi Hwan was their numbers. If they attacked with overwhelming force, the situation could quickly spiral beyond control.
Yi Hwan gave orders to the escort guards.
“Keep our charge in the center. Move in formation.”
“Yes, sir!”
The procession resumed.
Then it happened.
Thundering hoofbeats.
Three more mounted figures came galloping from behind.
The group stopped again and closed ranks around Wang Ji-gyeong.
[We are of the Do Wang Lineage.]
Yi Hwan turned to look at Cheol Mu-ok.
[Did you summon them?]
[No, my lord. I instructed them to approach through Sangchun Inn as you commanded, but I don’t know why they’ve come so soon.]
Metallic scrape.
The guards drew their blades again.
Wang Ji-gyeong’s face tightened with alarm once more.
“They’re with us. Lower your swords.”
“With us? What do you mean?”
“Wait and see.”
Neigh!
The three riders pulled their horses to a halt before the group.
“The Crown Prince commanded us to escort you safely to your residence!”
“Ah! Is that so!”
Wang Ji-gyeong’s eyes lit up with genuine delight.
Yi Hwan asked through Spirit Communication.
[Did Yi Young truly send you?]
[Yes, my lord. There were suspicious persons at the inn, and she felt uneasy about them, so she sent us. Of course, she still doesn’t know you’re here.]
Yi Hwan thought of Yi Young and smiled faintly to himself.
‘Clever. Wang Ji-gyeong will be moved by this. Heh heh heh.’

* * *

The three members of the Do Wang Lineage moved at the front alongside Cheol Mu-ok.
Though unseen from behind, they exchanged words through Spirit Communication and occasionally chuckled.
Yi Hwan watched their surroundings from the rear.
His eyes sharpened when the road ahead began to curve gently.
It was ideal terrain for an Ambush Attack.
“Move close to the edge of the road.”
The group drew tight to the outer margin. Yi Hwan turned back to Wang Ji-gyeong with a quiet warning.
“Keep the horses calm.”
“Understood.”
“Everyone, draw your blades now.”
Metallic scrape, scrape, scrape.
Yi Hwan ordered Cheol Mu-ok to position himself in the center of the road.
Following the command, Cheol Mu-ok and his three comrades shifted to the middle. When the ambush came, they would be the first to engage.
Yi Hwan sent Spirit Communication to the three.
[Kill without hesitation. Put down anyone who stands in your way.]
[Yes, my lord.]
[Understood!]
The three exchanged glances and smiled coldly.

* * *

“It seems they’ve noticed something, sir.”
“Whether they’ve noticed or not changes nothing. But three men from that inn where the princess was staying have joined their ranks? So there was something between them after all.”
“If they’re connected to the Imperial Palace, wouldn’t the situation become far more serious?”
“Kill them all, and there’s no problem whatsoever.”
Sangsan Hyul-do watched Yi Hwan’s approaching party, his smile turning glacial.
“Emperor of Darkness? Soon I’ll send you and your pawns together into eternal darkness, Wang Ji-gyeong. Hehehehe.”
At his gesture, everyone around him pulled cloth over their faces.
Swish! Swish!
Sangsan Hyul-do took a sip from the cup of wine in his hand, then covered his face with cloth as well.
Behind him, some fifty men stood ready, prepared to burst forth at any moment.
Sangsan Hyul-do stepped forward.
He fixed his gaze not on Wang Ji-gyeong, but on Yi Hwan.
‘The world has placed me equal to the Black and White Swordsman, but that’s mere fantasy. I will prove to everyone here that I am far stronger than those fools.’
Crack.
Light streamed across the Blade Body, brilliant and trembling.
As raindrops striking that radiance crackled and sent up white steam, Sangsan Hyul-do spoke coldly to all gathered:
“Don’t let a single one escape alive. Is that clear?”
“Yes!”

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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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