The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 73

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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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Enemy Dragon Undefeated, Episode 73

Chapter 73 — The Truth of Ghost Valley

He was a man wrapped in malice and shadow.
The eyes visible beyond his Gray Robe gleamed with the chilling emptiness of the dead, and his toneless voice stirred an instinctive dread in all who heard it.
“Have you confirmed his martial skills?”
“I sent two men to probe him and attempted verification, but it was not the technique we sought.”
“You’re certain?”
“Yes, Ghost Valley Master. We confirmed it without doubt.”
The robed figure was the Ghost Valley Master, who held power over life and death for every member of Ghost Valley. He was now receiving word that two of his subordinates had fallen to Namgung Jang-cheon.
The Ghost Valley Master spoke with a chill in his voice.
“We ought to be hunting for the one who used the Soul Extraction Technique in Yen Kingdom, yet here we are playing at war.”
“Surely we can disregard the Crown Prince’s orders even now?”
“That we cannot. The Crown Prince commands the Emperor’s trust. Should we clash with him before our preparations are complete, the Emperor—who already sees us as a thorn in his side—will move first to crush us. We cannot afford to find ourselves in peril before our ancestors’ great work is finished.”
“Why not eliminate the Emperor first, then? He must be removed eventually, does he not?”
“The time is not yet ripe.”
“But——”
Flinch.
The Ghost Valley Master’s brows bent like blades.
“Enough.”
“My apologies!”
Whoosh——
Bitter cold swept through the chamber, and frost crystallized instantly across the eyebrows and beard of the man who had been speaking.
“For now, we focus on this war and identify the martial artists of Jin Kingdom. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Ghost Valley Master!”
Then came a sound.
A dark voice drifted in from outside.
“Ghost Valley Master, Hwangbo Tae-jin, patriarch of the Hwangbo Clan, has come to see you.”
“Show him in.”
Creak.
The door opened and Hwangbo Tae-jin stepped through.
Blood Light gleamed in the Ghost Valley Master’s eyes as they fixed on Hwangbo Tae-jin. Hwangbo Tae-jin’s brow furrowed subtly at the suffocating cold permeating the chamber, and he addressed the Ghost Valley Master.
“Tonight the Crown Prince wishes to launch a surprise attack on the Enemy Camp. He hopes Ghost Valley will commit directly.”
“Is this the Crown Prince’s wish, or the patriarch’s own design?”
“Does it matter whose will it is when the decision has already been made? We need only obey.”
Crackle——
The cold intensified, and the walls frosted white. Rime settled on the Iron Gauntlets, yet Hwangbo Tae-jin did not even blink.
Their gazes locked in the air between them, fierce and unyielding.
Hwangbo Tae-jin spoke again.
“Do you need more time to answer?”
“I hear you’ve crossed hands with that whelp Namgung Jang-cheon. Have you nothing to say about him?”
“Nothing.”
A smile played at the corner of the Ghost Valley Master’s mouth.
“Pride, then?”
Flinch.
This time it was Hwangbo Tae-jin’s brows that bent like blades. The Ghost Valley Master’s words were a clear provocation.
Yet Hwangbo Tae-jin did not escalate. Such moments were routine between the two of them.
The Ghost Valley Master laughed coldly.
“Hehehehe. I shall comply with the Crown Prince’s wish, so take your leave.”
Hwangbo Tae-jin, who had been glaring at the Ghost Valley Master, turned and departed without a word. The Ghost Valley Master sank deep into his chair, and Blood Light flashed in his eyes.
“Such presumption from a trivial thing.”
He fell silent for a moment.
The others in the chamber held their breath, waiting for his command. As they did, the bitter cold that had ravaged the room began to subside gradually.
After a pause, the Ghost Valley Master spoke.
“Tonight, I shall go myself. Make preparations.”
“As you command!”
Once all had departed, the Ghost Valley Master raised to his lips a cup containing a Blood-Red Liquid of unknown nature.
Crack!
“Through that fool Namgung Jang-cheon, I’ll make you understand once and for all that we inhabit different planes of existence, Hwangbo Tae-jin.”

* * *

Yi Hwan and his party had made a cave not far from the lake their base. Dense forest shrouded the area around it—so thoroughly concealed that no one would ever discover it unless they deliberately ventured in to search.
The elevated terrain also offered an advantage: stepping outside for even a moment gave them a clear view of the entire lake’s perimeter.
Everyone arranged their sleeping quarters.
Though “sleeping quarters” was a generous term for what amounted to dried branches laid out with a blanket spread over them.
Go Mi settled herself on the inner side, some distance from Yi Hwan and the others. Her inferior inner strength made it an unavoidable precaution against unforeseen trouble.
They all settled in to rest.
Cheol Mu-ok turned to Yi Hwan with a question.
“If we want to learn anything, I can’t see another way besides capturing one of them and wringing the information out.”
“I’m thinking on it.”
Go Mi spoke up.
“What exactly do we need to confirm from them?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
‘There he goes again.’
Go Mi turned her head away without pressing further. Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae exchanged wry smiles at the sight of her.
[Why not just tell us everything?]
[The lord will handle it his own way.]
Ju Tae soon furrowed his brow and muttered.
“The humidity in here is stifling. We’d need a fire…”
“Can’t. The smoke.”
“Right enough.”
True to his words, the cave interior was considerably cooler than outside, but the proximity to the lake made the humidity oppressively high. A campfire would have solved the problem, yet smoke made it impossible.
Ju Tae glanced back at Go Mi with a question.
“You’ll manage?”
“I’ll be fine.”
That was when Yi Hwan lay down on his sleeping place.
“I’m going to rest for a bit. Wake me when it gets dark.”
“We’ll keep watch, so the lord should close your eyes too. You haven’t had proper rest since we left.”
“I’ll take care of myself.”
Go Mi leaned back against the cave wall at an angle and watched Yi Hwan. The irritation that had flared once refused to fade entirely.

To regard a younger brother as her lord…

Yi So’s words echoed in her mind.
‘If it weren’t for the Prince, I would have stayed in the Imperial Palace.’
Go Mi exhaled softly and closed her eyes.
That was when it happened.
Ju Tae, who had been sitting at the entrance, rose quietly. Go Mi opened her eyes and gazed at Cheol Mu-ok.
[What is it?]
[Someone’s approaching.]
Go Mi pushed her senses to their limit. Yet all she could detect was the sound of wind.
‘I’ve never once thought myself weak, but the gap between me and these people is just too vast.’
Go Mi turned her attention back to Yi Hwan.
Was he asleep?
He remained perfectly still, eyes closed, without the slightest movement.
‘Perfectly at peace.’
Ju Tae stepped outside.
Go Mi moved to the entrance to peer out. But the dense forest obscured everything from view.
Then she felt a presence brush faintly across her awareness.
Rustling foliage mingled with faint, uncertain footfalls.
‘The stride’s uneven, and the breathing’s ragged.’
Go Mi turned toward Yi Hwan and transmitted her voice to him.
[It seems to be someone who doesn’t know martial arts.]
Yi Hwan shook his head without opening his eyes.
[Have you considered that it might be an injured martial artist?]
“…!”
In a situation like this, the most dangerous thing is making rash judgments the way you’re doing now. Wait a little longer.
‘Why didn’t I think of that?’
Go Mi felt as though she’d been struck on the head. This wasn’t a matter of martial skill—it was about experience, focus, and perspective.
It was then.
A faint rustling.
Ju Tae had returned. Go Mi examined his sword first, but it was sheathed, so she couldn’t tell anything from its condition.
“A wounded warrior from Zhao Kingdom. Through him, I’ve confirmed that the Hwangbo Clan and Ghost Valley masters have indeed joined the Zhao Military Encampment.”
This part had already been reported to Go Mi.
“What’s the situation?”
“They’re in a standoff with an enemy force. It seems they’re exchanging advances and retreats, but I couldn’t learn more details before he died.”
“You disposed of the body properly?”
“Yes. I moved it somewhere it won’t be found.”
Yi Hwan leaned back against the cave wall again and closed his eyes.
“There will be much to do ahead. Rest well.”
“Understood.”
Go Mi closed her eyes as well. She wanted to sleep, but the irritation that Yi Hwan had kindled refused to fade, so sleep would not come.
She stared at Cheol Mu-ok sitting across from her and asked.
[Is there something the three of you aren’t telling me? Or are you hiding something from me?]
[What makes you think that?]
[You’re always dodging answers. But the two of them seem to know something. So just tell me the truth, will you?]
[There’s nothing like that.]
…!
Cheol Mu-ok smiled faintly as he watched Go Mi’s eyebrows rise.
[Truly. And we dodge answers just as much as you do, so don’t dwell on it. Accept it as the way things are.]
‘What’s the use of saying more.’
Go Mi turned away.
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae exchanged looks and smiled bitterly.
A high-pitched whistle.
The wind occasionally swept into the cave. Laden with moisture, it only fueled Go Mi’s irritation.
Go Mi took a deep breath and steadied herself.
That was when Yi Hwan opened his eyes and muttered.
“The battle has begun. Everyone, get up.”
“Yes.”
Go Mi’s eyes opened slightly.
‘The battle has started?’
She heard nothing at all.

* * *

The Enemy Camp was always shrouded in thick mist and thus called Ghost Lake or Dragon Pool. That neither Zhao Kingdom nor Jin Kingdom stationed forces here in peacetime was entirely because of the mist.
When the mist was heavy, humidity rose accordingly. So both kingdoms feared the natural order that brought forth every manner of disease come summer. Yet when war actually broke out, the Enemy Camp became the most crucial defensive line for both realms.
The geographical terrain made neither side eager to launch attacks, and it was for this reason that Jin Kingdom, which had shown remarkable momentum in recent times, found itself unable to push further north.
Crash-bang!
A flash of light!
“Ugh!”
“Ahhhhh!”
Within the mist, agonized screams erupted without end. The occasional flashes of brilliance spoke of masters of considerable skill locked in fierce combat.
Namgung Jang-cheon was there.
A flash!
A streak of Blood Light shot toward Namgung Jang-cheon. But a senior of the Namgung Clan deflected it and dove into the mist.
Bang-crash!
A sharp crack!
“Gah!”
A muffled cry, and the mist rippled as someone collapsed limply.
Namgung Jang-cheon stared through the mist.
Then the senior of the Namgung Clan emerged, parting the fog. Namgung Jang-cheon’s eyes twisted in shock—the head that had been firmly attached to the senior’s shoulders suddenly fell away.
…!
Another flash!
Two more streaks of Blood Light rose.
Namgung Jang-cheon spun his body and raised a Sword Barrier. The Blood Light could not pierce it and bounced away.
Crash!
Namgung Jang-cheon, barely staggered by the blow, raised his sword overhead and unleashed the One Blade Two Halves technique.
Flash!
A surge of powerful Sword Force pierced through the mist. Beyond it, flames erupted.
Boom!
A sharp metallic whine.
Namgung Jang-cheon’s wrist absorbed the tremendous shock traveling up his arm. He clenched his teeth and retreated two steps.
‘Who on earth….’
The figure in the mist refused to reveal itself. Namgung Jang-cheon felt as though he were fighting a ghost.
Then it happened.
A rustling sound.
Without a breath of wind, the mist parted left and right, and a figure in a Gray Robe emerged from within.
It was the Ghost Valley Master.
Shrouded in mist, his two eyes blazed with Blood Light—eerie as ghostfire. But Namgung Jang-cheon’s gaze fixed not on the eyes, but on the blade.
From the blood-stained sword, wisps of blood-red mist curled upward. It was an energy fundamentally different from Sword Force or Sword Qi.
‘Demonic Energy this powerful.’
Namgung Jang-cheon, who had seemed unshaken before anyone in this world, felt his eyes grow heavy.
“Remarkable. Such skill at your age.”
“I accept the compliment gratefully.”
His eyes had grown grave, but his characteristic tone remained unchanged.
He had already suspected it.
That the figure before him was the Ghost Valley Master.
Shrouded in absolute mystery—yet the martial artist every master in the realm feared stood before him now.
“Your father should have come.”
“Was that necessary?”
“You are enough?”
“Of course.”
Pop!
Blood Light flashed from the Ghost Valley Master’s eyes. Then his lips curled back, and he laughed wickedly.
“That boldness of yours—I shall teach you it is mere bluster without the strength to back it. And that end, boy, shall be death.”
“Whenever you wish.”
A sharp ring.
Namgung Jang-cheon’s blade flared with radiance—Blue Light as mesmerizing to the eye as the Blood Light itself.

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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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