The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 59

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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 59

Chapter 59 — Gomi Becomes an Imperial Censor at the Crown Prince’s Residence

Gomi came to find Yi Hwan.
It was no great difficulty for her to slip in and out of Wang Ji-gyeong’s estate undetected.
“I’ve uncovered what you asked me to investigate.”
Gomi handed over several sheets of paper. They contained detailed accounts of the collusion between the Hwang Yong Trading Company and Yi Hwang-ja.
Once Yi Hwan reviewed the contents, the situation proved far more dire than he’d known.
“At this rate, I’d say the Song Family’s distribution channels have nearly all slipped into the Hwang Yong Trading Company’s hands.”
“Yes. The process of seizing commercial rights and trade routes has been meticulous, and there was official involvement as well. It appears most of the City’s administrators have been bought by the Hwang Yong Trading Company.”
“What has the Crown Prince been doing all this time?”
“I’ve confirmed that he never sought assistance from the Crown Prince’s Residence. The Princess apparently refused outright.”
Yi Hwan thought of Yi Young.
Remembering her as he’d observed her all this while, he found it entirely believable.
‘She ought to know when to ask for help.’
Yet on the other hand, he understood.
Until now, the Crown Prince’s Residence had maintained a strict indifference toward the Song Family. No matter what one felt, if it went unexpressed, the other could never know.
Perhaps the Crown Prince in Yi Young’s memory was no different from this one. That would explain why she couldn’t bring herself to reach out for aid.
“Is your arm fully healed?”
“I told you already. I took that blow intentionally.”
“And did you gain what you wanted?”
“Quite a bit, actually.”
“……That’s fortunate.”
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea and asked about something else.
“How stand matters between Zhao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom?”
“Contrary to expectations, the board seems to be expanding steadily. There’s talk that both sides have mobilized significant Martial World forces.”
“Then we have more than enough time.”
“Yes. If this situation persists, you needn’t concern yourself with the Southern garrison for a while yet.”
Yi Hwan nodded quietly and settled deeper into his chair.
“Wang Ji-gyeong is nearly within my grasp, so now I must bring down the Hwang Yong Trading Company.”
“You’ll manage it.”
A soft laugh.
“You can say such things?”
……
Yi Hwan fell briefly silent. Gomi watched him quietly.
‘Truly an inscrutable man. To have bent that notoriously stubborn Wang Ji-gyeong to his will in mere days.’
“Gomi.”
“Yes.”
“You’ll need to come with me to the Crown Prince’s Residence.”
“When, sir?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“But why must I……”
“Do you not wish to go?”
“That’s not it at all.”
“Then I’ll see you in the morning.”
……

* * *

The next morning.
Yi Hwan left the estate, telling Wang Ji-gyeong he had a personal errand to attend to.
Gomi waited for him at Market Street.
Yi Hwan mounted the horse she’d prepared and rode toward the Imperial Palace.
“When we enter the palace, tell them I’m a warrior from Biweol.”
“Understood.”
Only then did Gomi understand why Yi Hwan wanted her to accompany him. He was concealing his meeting with Yi So — concealing his identity as a prince.
Yi Hwan moved at an unhurried pace, scrutinizing every corner of the City. Gomi found this curious and asked about it.
“What are you studying so intently?”
“It may well become a future battlefield. Best to scout it now while I can.”
“I see? But what do you mean by—”
“I’ll explain later.”
…….
It was always this way. Yi Hwan never laid his cards on the table before acting; he kept his thoughts to himself. Gomi found it somewhat frustrating, but there was nothing to be done about it, so she kept her displeasure hidden.
Wheeeee!
The wind burned hot. Humidity hung thick in the air, and both their bodies were already drenched with sweat.
How long had they been traveling like this?
Thud-thud-thud!
A carriage and several mounted riders came galloping rapidly from behind, so Yi Hwan and Gomi stepped to the side of the road. Yi Hwan’s eyes gleamed with interest the moment he saw the banner of the Hwang Yong Trading Company fluttering from the carriage roof.
Thud-thud-thud!
Yi Hwan watched the dust-shrouded procession thunder past, his brow narrowing slightly.
“They’re headed for the Imperial Palace?”
“It appears so.”
“A mere trading company permitted to enter the palace?”
“The Hwang Yong Trading Company can. I’ve heard that Yi Hwang-ja granted them a privilege exempting them from inspection and search. It’s been several years now.”
‘So openly colluding, and the Crown Prince’s Residence merely watches? When the Hwang Yong Trading Company is the very sinew that funds Yi Hwang-ja—the greatest weapon that could be turned against me.’
Yi Hwan meant to ask Gomi about this but held his tongue. He would meet the Crown Prince Yi So soon enough; he could ask him directly then.
Pshew!
A wisp of vapor rose suddenly from Gomi’s body.
It was the result of using Gongryeok to dry the sweat from her skin.
“Build the habit of conserving your Gongryeok. There are moments when a handful of it means the difference between life and death.”
“…Yes.”

* * *

“Welcome.”
Yi So greeted Yi Hwan with a bright expression.
Jang Su, standing beside him, bowed his head.
“Welcome, sir.”
“You labored greatly on my behalf.”
“Not at all. I merely did as you commanded.”
Shortly after, Yi Hwan and Yi So sat facing each other.
Gomi joined them. Though it was an uncomfortable position for her, Yi Hwan had insisted she be present, so she had no choice.
Yi So spoke first.
“I was quite surprised to hear you’d come here. Tell me—did everything proceed as intended?”
“Wang Ji-gyeong is now within my grasp. From here on, I intend to sever the Hwang Yong Trading Company’s influence, but first I must ask you one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Did you knowingly allow Yi Hwang-ja’s collusion with the Hwang Yong Trading Company to go unchecked while they gathered funds?”
Yi So’s brow furrowed.
“Not so much allowed as I was unable to act. By the time I became aware of their connections, it was already too late.”
“Even if you learned of it late, you should have moved to contain it before the situation grew worse. By letting it fester, you’ve only allowed the Hwang Yong Trading Company to swell in power. Now they’re giving wings to Yi Hwang-ja.”
At Yi Hwan’s somewhat cool tone, Yi So smiled faintly.
“There were circumstances beyond my control.”
Meanwhile, Gomi could not hide her inner astonishment.
The way Yi Hwan addressed the Crown Prince, his manner and tone—it startled her. But what startled her even more was how Yi So met his reproach with nothing but warmth and boundless patience.
“But what brings you to seek me out?”
“Would it be possible for you to grant Gomi the authority to investigate Regional Administrators?”
At Yi Hwan’s words, Gomi was most startled of all.
‘Why would he ask for such authority for me…?’
“The authority to investigate Regional Administrators is not mine to grant. Only His Majesty has that power. But why do you need such authority?”
“Most officials, including the Regional Administrators, have been bought by the Hwang Yong Trading Company—doubtless with Yi Hwang-ja’s influence at work. To handle smaller matters, I must first cut off their interference. But I cannot reveal my identity, can I?”
“Hmm……”
Then Jang Su stepped forward.
“A solution may present itself, I think.”
All eyes turned toward Jang Su.
Jang Su continued.
“What if you appointed Gomi as an Imperial Censor of the Crown Prince? A censor of the Crown Prince’s office has authority to investigate even Regional Administrators and Fortress Lords.”
“Ah!”
Yi So struck his knee.
“Yes, that will do nicely.”
“Do the Imperial Palace and Crown Prince’s Residence each have their own Imperial Censor?”
“It’s a law His Majesty created to strengthen the Crown Prince’s authority. There was quite a stir when it was established after I became Crown Prince. Now that I think of it, I’ve never actually put it to use. Very well. I shall appoint you as my Imperial Censor.”
Gomi stared at Yi Hwan with astonished eyes.
Yi Hwan turned to meet her gaze at that same moment.
“Why would you entrust me with such a weighty position……?”
“It’s not just anyone we’re cutting off—it’s the Empress and Yi Hwang-ja’s sources of funds. Once we proceed, the Crown Prince’s Residence will need to cooperate closely with you afterward. And for that, who better than you, who can move freely through the Crown Prince’s Residence?”
……
“Do you lack confidence?”
“It’s not that. I’m simply afraid I might somehow interfere with what you’re trying to accomplish.”
“Just continue doing as you have been. There’s no reason to feel burdened.”
……Yes.
Yi So asked a question.
“Is there anything else?”
Yi Hwan asked abruptly.
“Why have you been so neglectful of your sister?”
……
Yi So found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
“From now on, please give her more attention. She’s not any less pitiful than I am.”
“Very well, I shall. Anything else?”
“If anything comes to mind, I’ll ask you then.”

* * *

After conversing with Yi So for quite some time, Yi Hwan left the Crown Prince’s Residence.
Jang Su saw him off.
Before Yi Hwan departed the Imperial Palace, Jang Su spoke.
“His Highness has shown considerable concern for the Madam. He simply kept his true feelings hidden out of worry that she might come to harm from Yi Hwang-ja’s quarter.”
“If one doesn’t reveal one’s true feelings, how is anyone to know them?”
“That’s true enough.”
Jang Su offered a faint smile.
“Until we meet again.”
“Safe travels to you, my lord.”
Jang Su bowed deeply.
He watched the retreating figures of Yi Hwan and Gomi as they passed through the palace gates, and a subtle smile played across his lips once more.
‘To think his presence could grow so substantial in such a short time. What in the world has happened to him?’

* * *

“I suppose I should start calling you Imperial Censor now.”
“Please continue to call me as before.”
“I should make an effort to grow accustomed to it. You’ll have considerable work ahead with this title.”
“An Imperial Censor’s role is one of inspection—it’s better to remain inconspicuous in daily matters.”
“Is that so?”
“It is.”
“Then so it shall be.”
She was Gomi, after all.
* * *

Somewhere within the Imperial Palace.
A man in his early fifties, perhaps?
His features were utterly unremarkable. Yet his eyes, dark as a serpent’s gaze, were more than sufficient to stir unease in those who beheld them.
“You look a state.”
“I beg your pardon. I am ashamed to face you.”
The one bowing before him was, surprisingly, Sangsan Hyeol-do.
“What happened? I told you to handle it quietly. Instead, you’ve turned the entire neighborhood upside down.”
“Wang Ji-gyeong had masters of considerable skill at his side. I had no choice but to deploy significant numbers.”
“Were the Hekbaek Dual Swords masters you couldn’t overlook?”
“They are dead. However, there are others now serving as Wang Ji-gyeong’s guards, and…….”
The middle-aged man’s eyes flashed with interest.
“The Hekbaek Dual Swords are dead? How did that happen?”
“He was killed fighting against mysterious assailants, or so we’ve heard.”
“And then the men who replaced them not only left you in this state but slaughtered dozens of your guards?”
“……Yes, that is correct.”
Twitch.
The middle-aged man’s eyebrows arched slightly. The moment Sangsan Hyeol-do saw it, his face went rigid.
It was extraordinary.
There existed a man who could overwhelm Sangsan Hyeol-do with nothing but a glance.
“Have you learned their identities?”
“We are currently investigating through all available channels. The only information we have comes from the keeper of the Shangchun Inn, who arranged the meeting — they called themselves Shin Geom and Hyeol Geom respectively. Beyond that, there is nothing confirmed. Given how many masters in the Martial World use such titles as aliases these days……”
“Once their identities are confirmed, we have two choices: recruit them to our side, or eliminate them entirely. One or the other must be done. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Master.”
The middle-aged man was none other than the master of the Hwang Yong Trading Company.
Though his name was known throughout the realm, his face remained shrouded in mystery — few had ever laid eyes on him.
“Go now.”
Sangsan Hyeol-do retreated backward out of the chamber. Another figure stepped forward from where he had been standing in the shadows.
“The Song Family has acquired two large inns, I hear?”
“Yes. They began operations not long ago, and their revenues appear to be quite substantial.”
“Do they have access to that much capital?”
“That is precisely what troubled me, so I have already ordered an investigation into the source of their funds.”
“Once you’ve traced it, sever the connection immediately. If the Song Family rises again, we’ll have nothing but headaches.”
“Understood.”
It was then.
A yellow-robed servant entered the chamber.
“Yi Hwang-ja sends word that he cannot receive you today and asks that you call again another time.”
“What reason did he give?”
“He offered no explanation.”
Twitch.
The eyebrows curved again.
It was a habit that appeared whenever his mood soured.
“He refuses without even offering a reason, despite how much money we’ve been pouring into him?”
……
Slam!
The Hwang Yong Trading Company Master brought his hand down on the table with considerable force and rose to his feet.
“We’re leaving!”
The Hwang Yong Trading Company Master departed the Imperial Palace and headed straight into the city. Through the carriage window, his gaze swept across the capital, his expression betraying a quiet, simmering rage.
‘To make me return three times just for a single audience — does that boy actually believe he can domesticate me? This whelp doesn’t even understand what happens when one disregards the power of gold.’

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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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