The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 67

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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 Emperor Episode 67

Chapter 67 – Martial Masters Reveal Themselves

Clang! Clang! Clang!
“Enemy attack!”
“The Zhao army is coming down!”
The alarm bells rang out violently, announcing the enemy’s assault. Namgung Jang-cheon gazed toward the northwest, a faint smile playing at his lips.
“The enemy has begun their attack, just as expected.”
“You must be weary. Leave this battle to us.”
“I’m fine. Let me come with you.”
Namgung Jang-cheon headed northwest alongside the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince’s demeanor toward him was remarkably cautious.
It was only natural—Namgung Jang-cheon might yet become the Emperor’s son-in-law.
“Hold the line!”
Crack!
Crash!
“Argh!”
“Kyyaah!”
The northwestern section of the Military Encampment was already ablaze with combat. The Zhao army’s approach route ran through this sector, which was why the heaviest defensive forces had been stationed here.
As Namgung Jang-cheon walked through the encampment, his eyes scanning the grounds, he suddenly seized the Crown Prince’s arm.
“Wait.”
“What is it?”
“I believe we should head in a different direction.”
The Crown Prince turned to see where Namgung Jang-cheon was pointing—the southwest corner, which they had considered the encampment’s safest position.
“You think the enemy will circle around and attack from there?”
“If I were the enemy, that’s what I would do. Of course, I’d send Martial Artists in first. We’ll speak again later.”
Namgung Jang-cheon pushed off the ground and soared upward. The masters of the Namgung Clan immediately followed, launching themselves through the air in pursuit. The Crown Prince watched as Namgung Jang-cheon crossed an enormous distance in an instant, unable to hide his astonishment.
‘Such extraordinary Lightness Technique!’

* * *

Namgung Jang-cheon’s prediction proved correct.
The terrain to the south of the encampment was steep and cramped, offering little space for troop movements, so guards rarely patrolled the area.
And it was precisely through this weakness that figures came surging into the encampment—about a hundred Blood Ghost members, identifiable by their garb, which differed markedly from that of ordinary Zhao soldiers.
They were the Blood Ghost.
“Just as I thought—they’ve left this place unguarded. Hehehehe.”
“Should we strike the enemy command center immediately?”
“Of course.”
Shring!
The leader-like figure drew his blade, and the others instantly followed suit, drawing their weapons as an ominous aura swirled around them.
That was when it happened.
“Look! Over there!”
Someone cried out urgently.
All eyes turned toward the direction he pointed. Through the downpour came rushing figures.
“Martial Artists from Jin Kingdom!”
“They’re coming straight here? Then they predicted we would use this very route to infiltrate?”
“It appears so!”
The Blood Ghost members stirred with unease. No matter how fierce they were, finding themselves face-to-face with enemy Martial Artists in the heart of the enemy encampment left them with no choice but to tense.
“Their numbers aren’t many! Everyone, form ranks!”
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As the Blood Ghost members rapidly assumed their formation, Namgung Jang-cheon and the masters of the Namgung Clan descended from above.
Whish!
Namgung Jang-cheon’s eyes, sunk deep with intensity, slowly swept across the Blood Ghost members.
“Are you the Blood Ghost?”
“It’s customary to introduce yourself first if you’re curious, but it seems Jin Kingdom’s etiquette differs. How typical of Zhao.”
Smirk.
“And yet you speak of courtesy while invading another’s territory. How very Zhao of you.”
“It was Jin Kingdom who struck the first blow.”
“I’m not sure.”
Shink.
Namgung Jang-cheon drew his blade. As the steel emerged slowly from its sheath, two characters—Namgung—were etched in sharp relief along the fuller.
‘The Namgung Clan!’
“It’s the Namgung Clan!”
A cold smile spread across Namgung Jang-cheon’s lips.
“I hear your Blood Ghost leader was quartered and hung at the gates. I’m afraid you’ll need to prepare yourself for something far worse than that. We of Jin Kingdom detest losing to Yen, you see.”

* * *

Gurgle.
A wet rattle escaped from the throat of the man who led the Blood Ghost.
Splatter!
Blood fell from the gaping wound in his chest, blooming into crimson flowers on the earth before the rain washed them away.
“This cannot be….”
He stared up at Namgung Jang-cheon with eyes full of disbelief. The man who had annihilated him and his followers stood there still smiling, as if nothing had happened.
“How many martial artists does the Zhao Military Encampment have, I wonder?”
“Stop your nonsense and kill me!”
“If you speak freely, you may yet live and return. Come now—this is your last chance!”
Hiss.
The Blood Ghost leader suddenly laughed. In the next instant, as Namgung Jang-cheon’s eyes wavered slightly, the man coughed blood and collapsed. He had severed his own blood meridians.
Thud.
“Hm….”
Namgung Jang-cheon gazed down at the corpse, his expression one of mild bewilderment.
Behind him lay the bodies of the Blood Ghost, strewn about. All of the Namgung Clan watched him in silence.
After a moment, Namgung Jang-cheon turned his gaze toward the battlefield. A fierce engagement was still underway to the northwest of the Military Encampment.
“Well then, shall we go collect the enemy commander’s head?”

* * *

There were those who watched the blood-soaked battlefield from afar.
Men of imposing build, dressed in deep yellow robes and wearing steel gauntlets forged from iron.
They gazed down upon the corpses that filled the hills and valleys, their eyes growing dim.
“We arrived too late.”
“The Zhao forces appear to have already withdrawn. Based on the ratio of the dead, total defeat is certain.”
The uniforms of Zhao and Jin soldiers differed sharply in color, making it easy from a distance to tell which side had suffered greater losses.
“Let us return to the Military Encampment for now.”
“No. We wait until the scouts return.”
Whoooosh!
The rain still fell heavily.
The yellow-robed men stood waiting in the downpour for someone to return. After what seemed like two hours, figures emerged from the direction of the battlefield.
They too wore yellow robes.
“The Namgung Clan has joined forces with the Jin Military Encampment, sir. Crown Prince Namgung Jang-cheon arrived with martial masters, and the Blood Ghost who had launched the surprise attack has been completely annihilated by them.”
“You are certain it was Namgung Jang-cheon?”
“Yes, sir. We have eyewitnesses who saw him.”
“So Jin Kingdom, cornered as it was, has finally summoned him.”
“It is surprising. To call the future Imperial Consort to the battlefield—such desperation is evident.”
“It speaks to how dire the situation has become.”
The man who appeared to be their leader’s eyes blazed suddenly.
“If the Namgung Clan has arrived, this battle will be most entertaining. I have long wished to meet them someday, away from the eyes of the court. More than that, I wanted to show the whole world—that our Hwangbo Clan stands stronger than the Namgung.”
The Hwangbo Clan.
A distinguished martial house of Zhao Kingdom, renowned for centuries as one of the great families of the Martial World.
Their Fist Technique had long been called Unparalleled Under Heaven, and that reputation remained unblemished even in this age.
Rumble!
Crack!
Lightning turned the yellow-robed men’s faces white.
“Return to the Military Encampment for now.”
“Yes, sir!”

* * *

There were eyes watching the Hwangbo Clan members disappear into the distance.
They belonged to Namgung Jang-cheon.
His two eyes, lit white by lightning, narrowed slightly left and right.
Was he smiling? His lips parted, revealing teeth like chestnuts.
“Now that the Hwangbo Clan has arrived, things are about to become very entertaining.”
“We could catch them if we pursued now, my lord.”
“Don’t strain yourselves. They’re people we’ll meet on the battlefield soon enough. Patience will suffice.”
“Understood. Then shall we return?”
Before turning back, Namgung Jang-cheon gazed at the Hwangbo Clan members vanishing beyond the forest, his brows drawing together in a thin smile.
‘The clan head himself has stepped forward. It will be amusing, but I must be careful.’

* * *

It was a night when the full moon cast an unusually brilliant light.
Go Mi approached Yi Hwan, who sat in the courtyard of the Palace Hall enjoying tea.
Go Mi observed Yi Hwan’s seemingly carefree figure from a distance for a moment.
‘The prince showed no sign of tension even within the Imperial Palace. Touching the Yellow Dragon Guild was no different from touching the Imperial Prince himself, yet he moved without hesitation as though it were nothing. Is that truly the prince’s real nature?’
Even now, Go Mi found the series of events and outcomes Yi Hwan had orchestrated in the Imperial Capital unbelievable.
Then it happened.
Yi Hwan opened his eyes.
Go Mi quickly composed his expression and stepped forward.
“The fact that you’ve come at this hour suggests you have important news.”
“The Zhao Kingdom’s forces, which had pushed down to Geumsa, have been driven back north of Guizhou Fortress in a single battle, it is reported.”
“It seems the Jin Kingdom has exerted some strength.”
“The Namgung Clan’s heir has stepped forward personally. As a result, the Zhao Kingdom’s Martial Artists who have been troubling the Jin Army have suffered considerable losses.”
Yi Hwan’s eyes brightened with interest.
“Are you speaking of that fellow who might become the Jin Emperor’s son-in-law?”
“Yes. According to intelligence, he is stronger than his reputation suggests. Moreover, his methods are so ruthless that the Zhao side trembles at the mention of him.”
“Unexpected. Usually people fall short of their reputation. But then the Zhao side will certainly summon Masters or sects of comparable caliber.”
“The Hwangbo Clan has already joined the Zhao Military Encampment. The clan head has personally led warriors there, so it appears a most interesting development lies ahead.”
First the Namgung Clan, and now the Hwangbo Clan.
Yi Hwan suddenly understood that the Martial World of this age had completely collapsed from what it once was. In his time, these two clans had been allies without equal.
Clink.
Yi Hwan set down his teacup and continued.
“If the Zhao Kingdom has been pushed back, we must watch developments closely. If the Zhao Emperor fears an Escalation of War, he will surely seek a Ceasefire, and if matters flow that way, we might catch some of the backlash on our side.”
“Understood.”
“But how many members of Biweol are currently active?”
“Forgive me, but that is classified.”
Go Mi answered, then immediately felt a pang of regret.

You must regard the youngest as your lord and follow him.

Recalling the admonishment of Crown Prince Yi So, Go Mi quickly opened his mouth.
“Twenty in total are currently active in the conflict zone.”
“Why speak what you just declared classified?”
“Ah, I simply thought you should know… Then I shall take my leave.”
Yi Hwan watched Go Mi’s receding figure disappear into the darkness, his brows drawing together in a thin smile.
“He’s acting strange today.”

* * *

The next morning.
After finishing his meal, Yi Hwan went straight to find Peng Wu-wei. Peng Wu-wei greeted him with genuine warmth.
“Welcome, my lord!”
“Let’s share a cup of tea.”
“Of course! Just a moment, if you please! You there! Bring the tea!”
Peng Wu-wei remained as energetic as ever.

He had come calling several times while the prince was away, but I had refused to see him under the pretense of poor health.

‘So that’s why he’s even more pleased to see me.’
Yi Hwan no longer harbored any ill will toward Peng Wu-wei. Even though he had entered the service of the Crown Prince, there was no reason to resent him—he could command the man as he wished.
“You’re keeping close watch on the Zhao Kingdom, I trust?”
“Yes. They’re conducting reconnaissance at the same frequency as before they retreated to their rear positions. Fortunately, we haven’t detected any unusual movements thus far.”
Shortly after, Peng Wu-wei’s adjutant entered with tea and handed over a sealed letter.
“It just arrived.”
“I see.”
Peng Wu-wei immediately unfolded the letter.
The adjutant’s expression shifted with alarm. This was clearly a letter Yi Hwan wasn’t meant to see.
“Never mind—you can go.”
“……Yes.”
Sensing something odd, Yi Hwan examined the back of the letter. But there was nothing written on it to indicate who had sent it.
“Who sent it?”
“The Crown Prince. He says people will arrive from the Imperial Capital shortly.”
Peng Wu-wei answered readily. Watching his demeanor, Yi Hwan finally understood with absolute clarity.
‘His resistance to me has completely vanished.’
Yi Hwan ventured another question.
“We have sufficient forces already. Why is he sending more people?”
“I’m not entirely certain myself. The letter simply states that people will be coming and asks for our full cooperation. Would you care to read it?”
“No need. Why should I pry into another man’s correspondence?”
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea.
‘Why would he send reinforcements? We’re already drowning in trouble with the Yellow Dragon Guild.’
Clink.
“General-in-Chief.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve heard that the Zhao Kingdom and the Jin Kingdom have each brought the Hwangbo Clan and the Namgung Clan into the Military Encampment. Did you know of this?”
“Truly? This is the first I’ve heard of it.”
Peng Wu-wei furrowed his brow and continued.
“If that’s the case, perhaps we should also reinforce our martial forces beforehand. If the two kingdoms reach a ceasefire, couldn’t the Hwangbo Clan advance here as well?”
“That’s precisely why I came.”
“Is that so? Then should we summon our clan?”
“Would that be acceptable?”
“If you wish it, I’ll send word at once.”
“Don’t you need permission from the Crown Prince first?”
“No. Military deployment falls within my authority as General-in-Chief—there’s no need for that. You need only decide, and I will follow.”
“There’s no urgency, so let me think it over for now.”
Yi Hwan summoned Song Hoe.
“Song Hoe.”
“Sir!”
Song Hoe entered.
“Bring it out.”
“Yes.”
Song Hoe set a silk bundle on the table. Peng Wu-wei’s eyes widened at the sight.
“What is this?”
“Longjing Tea. An acquaintance sent it, and I thought of you—the General-in-Chief who bears such heavy burdens leading the encampment—and brought some along.”
“Thank you so much, sir!”
Longjing Tea was expensive and difficult to obtain; it was rare enough to be used as a bribe. It was only natural that Peng Wu-wei, who loved tea, would be delighted.
“I’ve kept you far longer than I should have. Let us meet again another time.”
Yi Hwan left Peng Wu-wei’s quarters. Song Hoe followed and asked.
“Will you truly summon the Habuk Peng Clan?”
“I’m still considering it. Which clan would be best to bring in.”
“Not the Habuk Peng Clan. If they come, the Left General might slip from your grasp.”
“That’s not necessarily true.”
“Sir?”
“I’ll explain later. Contain your curiosity for now.”
“Couldn’t you simply tell me now?”
“Contain it.”
…….

—————
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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