The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 6

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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 Martial Emperor, Episode 6

Chapter 6 — Emotional Immersion

“Wouldn’t it do you good to get some fresh air?”
“Fresh air?”
“Yes. Didn’t you enjoy going out to Market Street and browsing about? You always returned with armfuls of gifts for the guards.”
Song Hoe was right. The body’s master had always loved venturing into the city near the military encampment and wandering through Market Street. He made it a point to shower the guards with presents on his return.
‘A decent cup of wine wouldn’t go amiss right now, if I’m honest.’
Yi Hwan was a drunkard at heart.
Even after unifying the Martial World, he left Dae Ya Castle in the hands of his trusted advisors and spent his days touring the realm, savoring and collecting fine wines.
‘There’s nothing pressing to do while my Martial Power recovers anyway. Might as well.’
“Make the arrangements.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Am I coming with you, sir?”
Cha Jung-gyeong looked up with hopeful eyes.
Song Hoe glared at him.
“Can’t you keep that mouth of yours shut?”
Yi Hwan cut in.
“Bring him.”
“Sir?”
“That outfit of his is an eyesore. We can’t exactly put him in our military garb, so let’s take him along and buy him some proper clothes while we’re at it.”
“…Yes, understood.”

* * *

General Peng Wuwei was born into the Haebok Peng Family and had risen through the military ranks long ago, having entered official service in his youth.
He was a man of ambition as fierce as his martial prowess, with appetites to match — a figure who divided opinion sharply among the military establishment.
Clink.
A sneer played across Peng Wuwei’s face as he set down his teacup.
“He refused again, then?”
“Yes. The other generals haven’t managed to meet with the Crown Prince either.”
“Afraid of me, is he? Knows I’m tied to the First Prince and doesn’t want to risk it. Smart enough for that much, anyway. Ha, ha, ha.”
“But General — the Crown Prince has changed completely since he woke from his severe wound. He volunteered for operations himself, charged into the Heo Ho Squad alone, killed several men, and even brought one back alive. Apparently his martial skill proved exceptional.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. It seems his martial technique at the time was no ordinary thing.”
“Then he’s been hiding his strength all this while, has he?”
Peng Wuwei’s eyes narrowed.
“Concealing his true abilities, no less.”
“Shouldn’t we report this to the First Prince immediately? Didn’t he order us to report even the smallest details?”
“What we need to watch is the Emperor. The Crown Prince is insignificant — he can die or live, makes no difference. Let’s observe him a while longer. What’s so remarkable about killing a few members of the Heo Ho Squad?”
“Understood, sir.”
Peng Wuwei took another sip of tea, then asked something else.
“Have all the requested information arrived?”
“Yes. The warriors of the three families are examining it closely now. We’ll prepare an optimal strategy so that our operation yields certain results.”
“Preparation must be flawless. We need decisive success in this single operation to secure military support. Once we have the military’s backing, the Emperor will have no choice but to step aside without complaint. Do you understand?”
“Yes, General.”
Once his subordinate had withdrawn, Peng Wuwei walked to the window and threw it open.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he found himself facing Yi Hwan’s quarters directly across the way.
He caught sight of Yi Hwan just then, stepping into a carriage.
In that instant, their gazes met across the distance and locked together.
“…!”
Peng Wuwei found himself stepping back involuntarily. It was as if a hidden blade had pierced straight through his pupils.
‘What was that?’
The carriage began to move.
Peng Wuwei could not tear his eyes away from the retreating vehicle.
‘It must have been my imagination.’

* * *

The city was quite large and prosperous.
The Southern Military Unit had roughly fifty thousand troops stationed here, and most of their families lived in this city.
“My, quite splendid, isn’t it?”
Cha Jung-gyeong let out an exclamation of wonder at the bustle of Market Street.
Yi Hwan led them into the largest and most elegant inn on Market Street.
The owner and servants greeted him, and everyone inside the inn scrambled to their feet, bowing deeply.
Even cast out from the imperial court, Yi Hwan remained to these common folk a being so far above them they scarcely dared to look upon his face.
“We’ll prepare everything you prefer, as always.”
Yi Hwan climbed to the highest floor.
The fourth floor, where he—that fellow—favored spending time, was beyond the reach of most; the price alone kept ordinary people from ascending that high.
‘So this is where he found his refuge?’
Yi Hwan entered his room, then caught a glimpse through the slightly ajar door of the adjacent chamber—a man seated within.
For an instant, Yi Hwan’s eyes flashed with sharp recognition.
But he turned his gaze away and stepped inside.
Moments later, the servants brought wine and simple fare.
Yi Hwan asked quietly,
“The man in the next room—is he a regular here?”
“No, sir. He’s a guest we’re seeing for the first time today.”
Once the servant had withdrawn, Yi Hwan turned to Cha Jung-gyeong.
“Do you have any acquaintances in this city?”
“None, sir. As I’ve mentioned before, I was essentially alone in the Heo Ho Squad. But why do you—”
“He was looking at you.”
“The man next door?”
“Yes.”
“Could it be they’ve sent pursuers, thinking I’ve deserted?”
As Cha Jung-gyeong tilted his head in thought, Song Hoe spoke up in a worried tone.
“It’s possible. If so, we could be in danger. I’d recommend we leave for another location as soon as possible.”
“Stop the fussing and pour the wine.”
Song Hoe had started to protest, then thought better of it. From Yi Hwan’s recent conduct, Song Hoe had learned that whatever he said would go unheeded anyway.
The wine flowed with a soft splash.
Yi Hwan raised the cup to his lips, his gaze growing distant and measured.
‘A Martial Master, appearing in a place like this……’
Yi Hwan had recognized at once that the man in the adjacent room was a master—one who had risen to such a level that he could perfectly conceal his Martial Power.
‘His eyes changed when he looked at that one.’
Yi Hwan had not missed the flash in the man’s gaze as he looked at Cha Jung-gyeong—a gleam entirely different from how his eyes had regarded Yi Hwan himself.
‘If he harbored ill intent, could I match him with my current ability?’
Yi Hwan considered the worst possibility.
The answer remained unknown.
‘There’s no need to flee from him.’
His pride would not permit it.

* * *

“Forgive me. I was delayed—there was something I needed to inquire about.”
“Never mind. Sit.”
The man drank from his cup in silence.
He set it down with a sharp tap.
“In the second room, there is the one who bears the Portrait.”
“……Truly?”
“Without question. That must be him, unless the Portrait you provided was drawn incorrectly.”
“Then we should act at once.”
The man shook his head. His eyes grew dark and brooding.
“There’s someone strange with him.”
“Sir?”
“The feeling is not good. So we wait until an opportunity presents itself.”
……
Qing Poryin was curious about the person the man had mentioned.
‘This caution—I’ve never seen him like this before……’
If the man had spoken so far, he was undoubtedly a master of considerable skill.
“Did you find anything useful?”
“I made inquiries here and there. According to Yeon law, he’s an illegitimate prince sent to the front lines. His abilities are negligible, and he’s been thoroughly ignored even within Yeon. The Heo Ho Squad’s ambush wasn’t something they planned against him specifically from the start, so there’s likely nothing to worry about.”
“If such a man survived the Soul-Severing Strike, doesn’t that seem even more suspicious?”
“Perhaps it was simply chance?”
……
Glug-glug.
Tap!
Qing Poryin poured wine into his own cup, took a drink, and continued.
“Just to be safe, I’ve brought a portrait of the Yeon Crown Prince.”
Qing Poryin produced a portrait and laid it out.
In that instant, the man’s eyes flashed with light.
“Why is that?”
“He’s in the second room as well.”
“……What?”
The man’s eyes dimmed.
“Peculiar. Sharing an inn with the one who tried to kill him.”
“If it’s true, that’s certainly strange.”
Ask the innkeeper about the quantity of wine and food those men ordered. Find out if they’re staying at this inn tonight as well.
“Understood.”
And be generous with silver—make sure their lips stay sealed.”
“You needn’t worry. I’ll see to it thoroughly.”
After Qing Poryin left, the man poured wine into his cup, his eyes growing distant.
In his mind’s eye rose the face of Yi Hwan as he’d entered the second room.

—His abilities are negligible, and he’s ignored even within Yeon, they said.

‘He’s hiding something.’

* * *

‘That one’ always spent a single night here.
And until morning came, he’d lie awake, consumed by endless thoughts.
Most of those thoughts dwelt on regret for his station and worry for his sister.
They shared the same womb, so affection was natural enough, yet ‘that one’ worried over his sister with an intensity that bordered on excessive.
Yi Hwan recalled the sister of ‘that one’ weeping as she took her vows, and his brow furrowed slightly.
‘I’m becoming emotionally immersed in his feelings.’
The sensation resembled what he felt when contemplating the Crown Prince—as though these were trials he himself had endured.
‘I despise this sort of thing. Tch.’
Yi Hwan clicked his tongue and drained his cup.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing of consequence.”
“I’ve secured a room for you. Once you’ve finished eating, soak in hot water and ease your fatigue.”
Yi Hwan gazed out the window.
Darkness was already settling, yet Market Street remained crowded with people.
Cha Jung-gyeong rose to his feet.
“I’m going to use the privy.”
Song Hoe’s eyes flared.
“Try any nonsense, and you’ll regret it.”
“Y-yes.”
“You bastard!”
Cha Jung-gyeong shot Song Hoe a glare before leaving the room. Song Hoe spoke.
“Will you keep this hidden from the commander as well?”
“Hidden from whom?”
“The reason you haven’t killed him. Surely you could tell the commander?”
“I said I’d explain later. Just pour the wine.”
……
Glug-glug.
“Have some yourself. There’s no harm in enjoying a night like this.”
“Yes.”
The two of them passed the cup back and forth, drinking steadily. Yet even as considerable time slipped away, Cha Jung-gyeong had not returned.
“He’s taking an awfully long time, isn’t he?”
“Probably spotted something worth seeing.”
“There’s a chance he might have bolted. I think you should go check on him, Captain.”

* * *

Song Hoe left the room and headed toward the back courtyard where the privy stood. The moment he stepped outside, a foul stench assaulted his nose.
“If you’re done, shut the door behind you.”
Song Hoe strode toward the only privy with its door closed.
“Are you in there?”
No answer came.
“Hey! I’m asking if you’re in there!”
Still nothing.
Song Hoe’s face twisted into a grimace.
“I knew it. I knew this would happen.”
Bang!
Song Hoe wrenched the door open roughly. But the privy was empty.
“The damn bastard!”
Thud!
Furious, Song Hoe scrambled up onto the wall. Then, in a single moment, his brow furrowed as he spotted a ring lying in the dirt below the fence.
Song Hoe recalled a conversation he’d had with Cha Jung-gyeong.

—A prisoner with a ring, of all things.
—It means a great deal to me.
—Is it a keepsake from your parents?
—I received it from my master. While the others in my school treated me as refuse, he showed me genuine compassion. That’s why this ring is as precious to me as my master himself.

The ring unmistakably belonged to Cha Jung-gyeong.

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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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