The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 63

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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 63

Chapter 63 — Pruning (2)

After examining Yi Hwan’s letter, Yi So turned to Go Mi with a question.
“This information is solid enough to use as evidence, yes?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You’ve accomplished something remarkable. Even those from our same school couldn’t have done it.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Jang Su entered at that moment, carrying tea.
“Both of you, sit.”
“Yes.”
Go Mi, who had wanted to leave quickly, found herself reluctantly taking a seat.
Yi So addressed her again.
“Did my younger brother say anything else to you?”
“Only that I should think of it as pruning, Your Highness.”
Yi So smiled faintly.
“Pruning. How perfectly it fits this moment. The Yellow Dragon Guild is undoubtedly a major branch that the second prince depends upon.”
Yi So took a sip of tea, then fixed his gaze on Jang Su as he continued.
“Beginning tomorrow, I will be resuming my duties in state affairs. Make preparations accordingly.”
“Already, Your Highness?”
“My younger brother believes that if the Yellow Dragon Guild’s corruption is brought before the court for public disclosure, the second prince won’t dare make rash moves. I share that assessment.”
“But the Yellow Dragon Guild is the second prince’s financial lifeline. Surely they’ll resist in every way possible.”
“Half the court ministers still support me. Among them are many who have stood beside the throne throughout their lives. Even if the Queen Consort herself intervenes, there are limits to what she can do against them.”
“Even so……”
Jang Su and Go Mi were eager to hear what Yi So would say next. He took another sip of tea before continuing.
Click.
“Uncover the corruption between the Yellow Dragon Guild and Tae-su, then arrest the Guild. That is my younger brother’s plan—to cut off the second prince’s financial support without directly provoking him. Public disclosure serves only to prevent the Queen Consort and the second prince from acting rashly. The court ministers will be watching that scandal closely, and should they carelessly shield such a matter, they’ll face serious backlash.”
“Ah!”
Jang Su exclaimed in understanding, and Go Mi too finally grasped the true meaning of the word “pruning.”
She found her thoughts turning to Yi Hwan.
‘A man whose depths I cannot fathom.’
Even while orchestrating something of this magnitude, Yi Hwan had never worn a grave expression. That was precisely why she harbored a lingering unease—the fear that he was not fully appreciating the gravity of the situation.
“Inspector.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Do you need additional personnel?”
“What we have now is sufficient, Your Highness.”
“If you find you lack anything at all, you must ask for my assistance without hesitation. Understood?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Yi So continued, his eyes fixed on Jang Su.
“At first light, you are to set out with the Inspector to bring in witnesses—but ensure those on the other side remain unaware.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Yi So rose from his seat and retrieved something from a cabinet. It was a bottle of wine with gilt edging.
“This is the Haedong Fine Wine that His Majesty gifted me. At last, the time has come to open it.”
“I shall have a table prepared.”
“No.”
Yi So shook his head and extended the bottle toward Go Mi.
“This is for my younger brother. Tell him that I am deeply grateful.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Now go, all of you, and rest.”
Moments later, Jang Su and Go Mi stepped outside.
“I will escort you to your quarters.”
“Very well.”
The two walked side by side toward the southern reaches of the Palace. As they went, Jang Su posed a question.
“What manner of man is the Crown Prince, in the Inspector’s estimation?”
……
Go Mi could not answer at once. No words came readily to mind when she tried to describe Yi Hwan.
‘A man whose heart cannot be read? Far more formidable than one might first believe?’
Many words came to mind, but there were things she simply could not say. In the end, Go Mi gave the same answer she had given to Yi So before.
“I wouldn’t presume to judge someone of his standing.”
Jang Su merely smiled.
After a moment, Go Mi withdrew into her room.
Lost in thought as he returned to his quarters, Jang Su suddenly noticed something odd.
‘Come to think of it, today he kept calling the Crown Prince the youngest all along.’

* * *

The following morning.
Go Mi and Jang Su left the Imperial Palace. Of course, Jang Su was dressed in disguise and wearing a Face Mask.
With Go Mi’s Inspector’s Credentials, there was no trouble leaving. Once outside the palace, they headed straight for the Song Family Residence to meet with Yi Hwan.
Moments later, as they entered the residence, Cheol Mu-ok, who had arrived earlier with Yi Hwan, greeted them.
“He’s waiting in the Separate Hall.”
The two made their way there at once.
Upon reaching the Separate Hall, Jang Su bowed deeply to Yi Hwan.
“Your Highness.”
“Please, sit.”
Go Mi and Jang Su took their seats across from Yi Hwan.
“How did it go?”
“His Majesty has decided to begin attending to state affairs starting today. He said that once you give the signal, he will immediately bring the matter of the Yellow Dragon Guild and Tae-su into public disclosure.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently and lifted his teacup.
Clink.
“When the witness is brought into the palace, I intend to go in as well. For that, I’ll need to assume some suitable station. What would you suggest?”
Jang Su fell into thought.
Then Go Mi spoke up.
“What of an assistant inspector from the Censorate? Since I’ll need to escort Tae-su’s messenger anyway, that would be the safest arrangement.”
“Not a bad idea.”
“I agree, sir. Any connection to the Crown Prince’s household would inevitably draw unwanted attention.”
“Very well. I’ll take on the role of assistant inspector from the Censorate.”
As Yi Hwan brought the teacup to his lips again, Go Mi presented the wine that Yi So had given him.
“His Majesty said to give it to you.”
“Wine?”
“Yes. He conveyed that he is always grateful.”
Though a gift from the Crown Prince might have been cause for a family’s pride, Yi Hwan opened it at once.
Pop.
With a crisp sound, a subtle fragrance wafted out. Jang Su’s eyes widened in surprise—he had never imagined Yi Hwan would unseal it immediately.
Go Mi, by contrast, remained unmoved.
She had expected this of him. From all she had observed, Yi Hwan was not the sort to be moved by the Crown Prince’s gifts.
“It’s wine meant to be drunk, so drink it we shall. Mu-ok, fetch some side dishes.”
“Of course.”
Pour.
Yi Hwan emptied the teacup and filled it to the brim with wine, then drained it in one breath.
Thud.
A look of genuine appreciation crossed Yi Hwan’s face.
“This is unlike any wine I’ve had before. It must be expensive?”
“It’s the Haedong Fine Wine that His Majesty gifted to the Crown Prince.”
“Quite rare indeed. I should try to procure a few more bottles if the opportunity arises.”
“…….”
Jang Su started to say something, then thought better of it.
No matter how generous the Crown Prince, the Emperor’s gifts could not be plentiful.
Moments later, Cheol Mu-ok entered carrying a small table laden with food. Yi Hwan offered cups to the two of them.
Go Mi’s response was entirely predictable.
“I am on duty and cannot drink.”
“Will you spurn the Crown Prince’s gesture of goodwill?”
“But this was given to you, Your Highness…….”
“Just one cup.”
“……Very well.”
In the end, Go Mi accepted the cup.

* * *

Yi Young’s hands moved with infinite care as she pressed the fabric. The White Silk Robe, sewn from silk as white as snow, was something she had made herself to give to Yi Hwan.
Throughout her work, a smile never left her face.
Song Cheon-ho, watching from nearby, smiled gently.
“You’re that pleased with it?”
“Yes. I’m so happy I could cry. Ever since I was small, it’s been my wish to sew a robe for my brother with my own hands.”
“I’ve set aside plenty of Haedong silk as my gift to the Prince. Feel free to use as much as you’d like, and if you need more, I’ll procure it.”
Song Cheon-ho felt a fresh wave of gratitude toward Yi Hwan.
Since he’d arrived, not a single day had passed without a smile on Yi Young’s face. Yi Hwan had done for her what Song Cheon-ho himself had never managed.
‘I’m sorry. You’ve gone through so much trouble meeting someone as inadequate as me.’
That was when it happened.
“My lady, the Prince is asking for you.”

* * *

Yi Hwan accepted the White Silk Robe that Yi Young offered him.
“You made this yourself?”
“Yes, brother.”
“Then let me try it on.”
Yi Hwan removed his outer garment and put on the White Silk Robe. Despite having been sewn by eye, it fit as perfectly as if measured by ruler.
Jang Su spoke with a smile.
“It suits you beautifully, Your Highness.”
“Now do I look like a proper prince?”
“You always were a proper prince.”
Yi Hwan gazed at Yi Young and smiled warmly.
“I’ll wear it with gratitude.”
Yi Young’s eyes reddened once more. Since Yi Hwan’s arrival, she had wept as readily as she smiled. Though these were tears of joy.
“Bring it here.”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae entered.
Both of them carried large pouches.
Thud! Clink!
“Use this for the household expenses of these people’s families.”
“Brother, we already have more than enough money.”
“These are people who matter greatly to me and my companions. I want you to treat them more comfortably.”
When Yi Young hesitated to accept, Song Cheon-ho stepped forward.
“We accept with gratitude.”
“Then let’s be off.”
As Yi Hwan rose and removed the White Silk Robe, Cheol Mu-ok received it.
Yi Young, Song Cheon-ho, and the people of the Dao Wang Clan saw off Yi Hwan and his party.
“When will you visit again?”
“These next few days will be rather busy, I’m afraid. I’ll come once my affairs are settled somewhat.”
“Always be careful, brother. Watch yourself.”
“I shall. Take care of yourself as well.”

* * *

Yi Young and Song Cheon-ho could not take their eyes from Yi Hwan’s receding figure.
Song Cheon-ho spoke.
“That man Jang Su and Bi-wol’s Lord — they are people whom even high officials would not dare treat carelessly. Yet they conduct themselves toward the Prince as though he were their sovereign. It seems the Prince has become like a great mountain now. Or perhaps he always was that sort of man from the start.”
“He was brilliant from childhood. No one in the royal house could match him. If only the Prince were not born of a lesser mother…….”
Yi Young trailed off, turning to look at Song Cheon-ho.
“Let’s go inside.”
The two of them turned away, leaving their reluctance behind.
But there were eyes watching them.

* * *

Two men of utterly ordinary appearance and dress.
They watched as Yi Young and Song Cheon-ho entered the residence, their eyes gleaming with intent.
“We move tonight.”
“Are you truly certain? However justified, she is the Emperor’s daughter.”
“The target is not the princess—it is her husband. We are to remove the true pillar of the Song Family. Such are the orders from above.”
“Even so, the son-in-law troubles me.”
“She is a princess cast out by the Imperial House. What consequence comes from killing such a princess’s husband? And if we use a poison whose cause cannot be traced, no one will ever suspect.”
“…Yes.”
“For now, we remain at the inn until nightfall.”
The two masters moved to an inn positioned at a fair distance from the Song Family Residence.
Their companions were already there.
Two more masters, as expected.

* * *

Dark clouds hung heavy across the night sky.
As moon and stars vanished, the world became pitch-black.
Whisper, whisper.
Figures moved through the darkness toward the Song Family Residence, their steps cutting through shadow. They leaped lightly over the towering walls that rose like a fortress, landing upon the main building’s roof.
One of them signaled silently toward a specific location.
The quarters of Yi Young and her husband.
All other chambers lay dark, but here alone the lamp burned bright.
[Finish swiftly and depart. If the poison fails, the blade will suffice. But touch not a hair of the princess.]
[Understood.]
As the figures prepared to move, two shadows rose behind them like ghosts.
Two warriors of the Dao Wang Clan, stationed permanently at the residence. They drew their blades slowly as they advanced toward the masked intruders.
Shing.
At the sound of steel being drawn, the masked figures spun about in shock.
“…!”
“What—!”
“How dare you. Do you know where you are?”
Flash!
A brilliant blade descended. A severed head shot skyward before they could even react. The deed was done before defense or evasion became possible.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three remaining masked figures drew their swords in panic. But one never completed the motion—his head was already flying.
Thud!
“Gahhh!”
There was no prolonged struggle.
The two who managed to draw collapsed helplessly without landing a single blow. They had bitten down on the poison pills they carried to conceal their identities.
“It appears they crushed poison pills.”
“We should have discovered who sent them…”
At that moment, lights blazed throughout the residence and warriors rushed forth.
Yi Young and Song Cheon-ho opened a window.
Whoosh!
“Assassins have infiltrated the compound.”
“Did you say assassins?!”
“Yes. All have been neutralized, so please be at ease.”
The faces of Yi Young and Song Cheon-ho turned ashen. Never had assassins breached this residence before.
“Are the two of you unharmed?”
“We are quite well, Your Highness.”
In that moment, those two young men were more reassuring to Yi Young and Song Cheon-ho than anyone else in the world.

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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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