The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 70

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Red Dragon Martial Emperor, Episode 70

Chapter 70 — The Sword King Il-myeok Heads to the Southern Corps

Go Mi’s first report, having disguised himself as an utterly ordinary warrior of Bi-wol, concerned events that had unfolded in the Imperial Capital.
When he reached the part about an imperial clansman’s death followed by an attack on Yi Young, Yi Hwan’s eyes grew cold.
“The Royal Guard, the Imperial Secretariat, and the Imperial Army were all mobilized for the search, but they’ve reported no substantial progress.”
“My sister is unharmed, at least?”
“Yes. She is safe. The bodyguards His Excellency left behind played a crucial role, it seems.”
“Any of my friends among the wounded?”
“All are safe, though the extent of injuries remains unconfirmed.”
Yi Hwan recalled the warriors of the Sword King Il-myeok.
Having kept them at Yi Young’s residence turned out, in the end, to be a stroke of providence.
“Have there been similar incidents before?”
“Yes. Officials have been attacked in the capital several times in recent months. However, this is the first time the imperial clan itself has been targeted. Moreover, a proclamation was left at the scene stating an intention to continue executing imperial clansmen going forward.”
“Was the dead clansman close to the Eastern Prince?”
“Yes.”
“Then this wasn’t the Eastern Prince’s doing.”
“That’s correct.”
Click.
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea and fixed his gaze on Go Mi. “Why do you think such an incident has occurred?”

“If I may speak freely, resentment among the people toward the ministers grows by the day. Of late, the ministers’ children have caused quite numerous incidents and scandals, yet not one of them has faced punishment—all have been released. Particularly notable is the First Minister’s eldest son, who killed a man, yet was released on grounds of insufficient evidence. It seems possible that discontent over such matters has shifted toward His Majesty and the imperial clan.”
“You said six out of ten court ministers support the Empress and the Eastern Prince?”
“If we count conservatively, it could be as many as seven.”
“It’s become entirely their game. What has the Emperor been doing all this time to let it reach such a state?”
……
Click.
Yi Hwan finished the last of his tea.
“Keep a close watch on the mood in Gui Province alongside the Imperial Capital. If possible, ascertain what martial techniques the practitioners of each faction employ. And most critically—if anyone using poison appears, report it immediately.”
“Understood.”
“Now go and rest.”
Go Mi withdrew.
Yi Hwan walked to the window and opened it.
Outside, the world was sweltering in summer heat, but here at night a cool wind circulated.
Clang-clang!
“Hah!”
In the back courtyard, Song Cheon-mu and Cha Jung-gyeong were training intensely. Sparks erupted where blade met blade, flickering and fading repeatedly in Yi Hwan’s gaze.
Yi Hwan fell into thought.
‘I wonder if I should even be here.’
When he brought down the Yellow Dragon Guild in the Imperial Capital, he felt the situation within the palace was far graver than any report or observation had suggested. One misstep, and the Crown Prince could find himself in peril—that sort of situation.
And now an unidentified force had emerged, targeting the imperial clan itself.
‘Who am I even worried about right now…….’
Yi Hwan shook off his reverie and reached to close the window when he noticed something streaking through the air. He twisted his body smoothly to one side.
Thunk!
Twang……
A sword buried itself in the window frame, quivering.
“Oh!”
A gasp of dismay escaped Cha Jung-gyeong’s lips. It was his sword—he’d simply lost his grip during training.
Yi Hwan stared at him and clicked his tongue.
“A warrior dropping his sword? If Cheon-mu were your enemy, you’d be a dead man already.”
“My apologies. My palms were sweating too much…….”
“Does your enemy wait while you work out your nerves?”
……
Yi Hwan gazed at a mountain rising like a screen before the camp’s entrance.
“There’s a solitary red pine at the summit of that mountain. Fetch a branch from it right now. And I’m telling you in advance—there’s only one red pine there.”
“Your Excellency, that’s…….”
“Do it.”
“Tch!”
Thud-thud-thud!
Cha Jung-gyeong bolted into the darkness.
Behind him, Song Cheon-mu’s mocking laughter rang out.
“Watch out for the wild boar!”
“Roooaaarrr!”
Cha Jung-gyeong’s furious roar tore through the silence of the night.

* * *

Two days later.
Go Mi sought out Yi Hwan again.
“The Namgung Clan and the Hwangbo Clan have clashed. Casualties on both sides are considerable.”
“What became of that upstart Namgung Jang-cheon?”
“He fought one-on-one with the Hwangbo Clan’s patriarch, but neither side emerged victorious.”
Yi Hwan’s eyes gleamed with interest.
“So the boy truly is a prodigy. To stand against a clan patriarch at his age without decisive outcome—that’s worth noting.”
“The martial artist using the unusual technique you mentioned has yet to appear. Nor has anyone employing the Poison Technique surfaced.”
“We must watch the movements of other martial artists carefully as well. If this escalates into open conflict, more will inevitably emerge from the shadows.”
“You needn’t worry. I’ve already issued those orders. Though last night, there was a strange sound—something like an animal’s cry. Did you hear anything?”
“Ah, it’s nothing to concern yourself with.”
Yi Hwan dismissed it with a vague wave and set down his teacup, rising to his feet.
“I need to meet with the General-in-Chief.”
“I shall see you upon your return.”
Yi Hwan stepped outside and made his way toward Peng Wu-wei’s quarters, with Cheol Mu-ok trailing behind.
As they passed through the encampment, he noted the absence of any real sense of vigilance.
Cheol Mu-ok spoke with undisguised exasperation.
“At this rate, a surprise attack would simply sweep through them.”
“Intelligence gathering keeps them informed. The soldiers find comfort in that knowledge.”
“Still, this is supposed to be an army…….”
“Leave it be. Even soldiers need moments like this.”
Shortly after, Yi Hwan entered Peng Wu-wei’s quarters. The General-in-Chief, who had been seated taking tea with his aide, stood abruptly.
“Welcome, my lord.”
“What became of that matter we discussed before?”
“I made inquiries, but it seems the schedule changed and the shipment was not sent.”
Yi Hwan smiled inwardly.
‘So they plan to deny any connection to the dead men in our hands—prudent enough, especially now that Wol-ju is gone. Better to cover their tracks before anything unexpected happens.’
Yi Hwan settled into a seat and asked another question.
“And the one who fled?”
“He appears to have escaped far from here. My apologies, my lord.”
“Think nothing of it. How could anyone catch someone determined to run? Bring me tea as well.”
“At once! One moment, please!”
Peng Wu-wei’s aide hurried out. Yi Hwan fixed his gaze upon Peng Wu-wei and broached another subject.
“About supplementing our martial artist ranks that we spoke of earlier—I’ve given it more thought, and bringing in the Habuk Peng Clan seems ill-advised. If rumors spread, it would only complicate the General-in-Chief’s position, would it not?”
“That matters little to me.”
“Still, fulfilling the role of General-in-Chief is burden enough without adding unnecessary complications. So I’ve decided to bring in my own trusted men instead.”
“You have your own forces, my lord?”
“I wouldn’t call them that exactly, but they’re capable friends whose skills will prove useful.”
“Then proceed as you see fit. I shall follow your lead entirely.”
“Keep this from the Crown Prince if possible. If he misunderstands my intentions in trying to aid you, it could breed unnecessary friction between us.”
“I understand. This is well within the General-in-Chief’s discretion, so have no concerns.”
Watching from the side, Cheol Mu-ok was astounded.
Peng Wu-wei had become nothing more than an extension of Yi Hwan’s will. He accepted the summoning of Yi Hwan’s own men—not those from the Habuk Peng Clan—as though it required no thought at all.
‘Unbelievable. He’s done nothing visibly extraordinary, yet he’s bent this man so completely to his will.’
At this point, it would hardly be an exaggeration to call Peng Wu-wei more loyal a subordinate than Cheol Mu-ok himself.
“Your tea, my lord.”
The aide returned with the tea, and the conversation naturally ceased.
After sipping for a moment, Yi Hwan brought up a subject he hadn’t yet broached.
“Have you heard of Dae-ya Fortress?”
“Isn’t that a power that fell roughly two hundred years ago?”
“Do you happen to know why they were destroyed?”
“I’m afraid I don’t. All I know from hearsay is that the lord of Dae-ya Fortress was the strongest in his time, and the fortress itself was a power to match. But why do you ask so suddenly?”
“Ah, I happened across an old text with some mention of Dae-ya Fortress. It piqued my curiosity.”
Clink.
Yi Hwan drained his hot tea in one long draught and rose to his feet.
“You’re leaving already?”
“I wouldn’t dream of imposing further on a busy General-in-Chief.”
“It’s no trouble at all.”
“All the same. There will be time enough for tea later. I won’t keep you any longer.”
Peng Wu-wei saw Yi Hwan as far as the threshold of the command room.
Watching him go, Cheol Mu-ok suppressed a smile once more.

* * *

On the way back to his quarters, Cheol Mu-ok posed a question.
“Seeing how Peng Wu-wei carries himself, this place is practically already in the Crown Prince’s grip. Is it truly necessary to bring in the Sword King Il-myeok?”
“They’re heading to the city where your Il-myeok already is.”
“Pardon? Then why did you say such a thing to Peng Wu-wei?”
“To preempt any move on his part to summon the Peng family. Since I’ve already told him I’m calling in my own men, he won’t give it another thought.”
Cheol Mu-ok scratched his head and asked something else.
“Have you found lodgings for them, then?”
“Wang Ji-gyeong mentioned some time ago that there’s an unused estate near the Imperial Capital. That should suffice.”
‘Truly, there is no oversight.’
Admiring him inwardly, Cheol Mu-ok asked out of the blue.
“Do you plan everything from the start? Or do you find your way as circumstances demand?”
“That’s an odd question.”
“I’m genuinely curious.”
“I’d say it’s more a matter of adapting to each situation as it comes. Improvisation, you might call it.”
……

* * *

Wang Ji-gyeong felt reborn.
With Yellow Dragon Guild Leader Yeom Yu-gwang—the man who had threatened his foundation—now locked away, there was nothing left to fear.
More encouraging still was the Crown Prince Palace’s response at last beginning to show.
‘It’s all thanks to that friend! Ha!’
Thinking of Yi Hwan, Wang Ji-gyeong hurried about issuing one instruction after another.
He stood now in a sizable estate—one he’d kept mainly staffed by a single steward and left unused until Yi Hwan’s letter arrived bidding him to prepare it.

I may need to borrow your unused estate for a time.

That was all the message said.
But it was enough for Wang Ji-gyeong. He set to work himself, overseeing a thorough cleaning and replacing the furnishings with new pieces.
“Master!”
The steward came running.
“What is it?”
“Her Highness has arrived!”
“Her Highness?!”
Wang Ji-gyeong hastily wiped his hands on cloth and rushed toward the main gate.
Yi Young and her bodyguards were just crossing the threshold.
“My goodness, Your Highness! With these brigands running wild, it’s terribly dangerous—what brings you to such a humble place?”
Yi Young smiled warmly.
“What a lovely estate this is.”
“My late wife took a fancy to it some years back, and I purchased it for her sake. After her passing, I’m ashamed to say I’ve let it fall into disuse. Though with some sweeping and care, it should prove serviceable enough.”
Wang Ji-gyeong’s wife had long since passed away.
He’d neither remarried nor taken a concubine since. The rumors of his fondness for pleasures of the flesh stood at odds with the truth.
“Ah! Do come inside at once. I’ll have tea prepared.”
“No, thank you. Someone is expected to arrive shortly—we’ll take tea together when they do.”
“Who is coming?”
“A representative from the Crown Prince Palace. I thought it would be good to discuss the joint venture we spoke of previously. Ah, and here they come now.”
“……!”
Wang Ji-gyeong’s head turned reflexively toward the main gate. Gwan Ji-baek was just dismounting from his horse.
‘So this is the man they call the Crown Prince’s shadow…….’
Wang Ji-gyeong recognized him. He quickly straightened his clothes and composed his expression.
Gwan Ji-baek approached and bowed deeply to Yi Young.
“Your Highness, I am honored to pay my respects.”
“Welcome, General.”
“I heard there was danger.”
“These trustworthy bodyguards saw us safely through it, I’m glad to say.”
Yi Young gestured toward the three young men of the Dou Wang Il-myeok standing slightly behind her. The youths clasped their fists in salute to Gwan Ji-baek, and Wang Ji-gyeong bowed his head in greeting as well.
“Welcome, General!”
“A pleasure to meet you again, Wang.”
Thump-thump!
Wang Ji-gyeong’s heart lurched in that moment.

* * *

Before leaving the Imperial Palace, Yi Hwan had said this to Gwan Ji-baek:
“Wait for the right moment, then visit Wang Ji-gyeong yourself. Merely pretend to grant what he desires, and you’ll gain far more than you ask for.”
“You speak of money, then?”
“What else would you extract from a man like that?”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan added this as well:
“Handle him well—he has sufficient worth as an ally. Treat him with genuine sincerity.”
“Understood.”
Today was that day.
Just as Yi Hwan had said, Gwan Ji-baek mentioned the Crown Prince Palace’s keen interest in the princess’s enterprise, and Wang Ji-gyeong’s eyes grew wet with tears. And the crowning moment of this visit came with these words:
“The New Sword begged me of this: treat Wang here as one of my own people. So let us work well together from this day forward.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————