The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 75

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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 Sovereign 75

Chapter 75 – Binding Ghost Valley’s Feet

When the full moon rises, the mist dissolves.
When the mist dissolves, Jeok-su cradles the moon and stars.
Namgung Jang-cheon gazed at Jeok-su, now transformed into a painting of perfect beauty, his eyes dimming. In that heavy stare lay mingled disbelief and bewilderment.
‘He never fought at full strength. He deliberately prolonged it—as though commanding me to lay bare every technique in my arsenal.’
His clash with the Ghost Valley Lord.
The result was a draw, yet Namgung Jang-cheon acknowledged his defeat. Worse still was the bitter truth: his opponent had never truly committed, never unleashed his lethal killing techniques.
‘He carried killing intent at first. So why did he not try to kill me?’
Beneath the humiliation and fury lay a gnawing, insistent question. But almost at once, Namgung Jang-cheon trembled with a rage he could not contain.
He had lived his entire life unchecked, invulnerable. Today would leave a scar that could never be washed clean—a shame that would haunt him forever. No matter how formidable the Ghost Valley Lord, that truth offered no comfort.
“Hah!”
A sound neither laughter nor sigh escaped his lips—something strange and strangled.
Then he reclined on his back, eyes fixed on the night sky.
“If he had unleashed it… would mutual destruction have been possible?”
Namgung Jang-cheon whispered words that made no sense to anyone listening.
A shadow fell long across his face, yet he did not stir.
“Why have you come outside, my lord?”
“My anger will not settle.”
“Please, set it aside. Everyone commits a mistake now and then, Crown Prince.”
“It was no mistake. I was simply outmatched. By an opponent who was not even trying.”
“Had you deployed the Clan Secret Technique, the outcome would have been different. You are not defeated.”
“You offer no comfort. Leave me be. I’ll rest a while longer before returning.”
…….
The figure regarded him in silence, then withdrew. Namgung Jang-cheon spoke to the night sky as though in confession.
“I was afraid to unleash it. Afraid that I might lose control, might spiral into chaos. That lack of certainty—that inability to be sure of perfect mastery—that itself was my defeat. Because uncertainty is a failure of strength.”
Whoooosh!

* * *

At that same moment, the Ghost Valley Lord stood beneath the night sky overlooking Jeok-su, sipping from a wine cup.
A figure standing behind him spoke.
“Why did you let him live?”
“The boy had one final hidden move—a secret technique. But he hesitated, so I waited for him to deploy it. Then our enemies began pressing in, and I lost the chance.”
“You thought it might be the martial art we’ve been searching for?”
“If not, there’d be no reason to spare him.”
“He is a formidable opponent. You should have killed him regardless, even if you couldn’t confirm it.”
“Are you reproaching me for sparing him?”
“I would never presume. I merely… regret the missed opportunity.”
“We’re not leaving this place until this war ends anyway. So there’s no harm in keeping a worthy rival around. It will at least keep us from growing bored.”
…….
Glug.
The fragrance of wine drifted on the cool night air. The Ghost Valley Lord emptied his cup and rose.
“Will you retire for the night?”
“I’ll take a walk first. Don’t wait for my return.”
“Permit me to accompany you.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
The Ghost Valley Lord walked alone along the lakeside.
From the countless tents arrayed along the sandy shore came the din of thousands of men.
His steps halted before the largest of the barracks—the quarters of Hwangbo Tae-jin, Lord of the Hwangbo Clan.
A quiet laugh.
“So he’ll insist it wasn’t mercy but simple inability to kill.”
Hwangbo Tae-jin was exactly that sort of man.
The Ghost Valley Lord resumed his walk.
It was not until dawn that he returned to the barracks. He was, all in Ghost Valley knew it, a man devoted to his evening walks.

* * *

The next morning.
Yi Hwan rose as dawn broke. The others were already awake.
Cheol Mu-ok asked him.
“Are we returning now?”
“There’s something I need to do first.”
“Give us your orders.”
“It’s something we must do together.”
“We’re listening.”
Yi Hwan drank the cold water Go Mi handed him and continued.
“Until we’ve built up our real strength, I want to keep Ghost Valley from finding us. To do that, we need to use the Soul-Splitting Technique to turn their attention elsewhere.”
“You mean we should leave a trail deliberately?”
Yi Hwan nodded silently, then rose to his feet.
“We’re heading down to the Zhao Military Encampment.”
Go Mi asked, “Should I wait here?”
“You come with us.”
“Understood.”
They all left the cave and made their way north toward Jeok-su, where the Zhao Military Encampment lay.
‘It looks like we’ll be returning sooner than expected.’
Now that he understood Ghost Valley’s intentions, there was no reason to linger. Still, on the way back through Jin Kingdom, he intended to gather proper intelligence on major facilities. Of course, mapping was essential too.
That’s why he’d brought Go Mi along.
Meanwhile, Go Mi watched Yi Hwan’s back intently. Ever since yesterday, his demeanor seemed to have shifted slightly. What was it? Not the easy-going air from before, but something heavier?
‘There’s definitely something between him and Ghost Valley. He didn’t show the slightest interest in anything else. And he’s going to prevent Ghost Valley from finding us? That means there’s definitely something going on with them.’
If it had been earlier, she would have asked outright. But she’d already snapped at him once in his presence, so despite her curiosity, Go Mi held her tongue.
Shortly after, the group reached the outskirts of the Zhao Military Encampment. Leaving traces of the Soul-Splitting Technique wasn’t difficult. The sacrifice wasn’t Ghost Valley’s followers—it was the Hwangbo Clan’s warriors.

The dead were his own clan’s warriors. But they weren’t the only ones. Several other warriors lay bleeding from their wounds.
A commander approached with a grim expression and reported.
“Two enemies suddenly appeared and rained down attacks indiscriminately, then vanished. We tried to pursue, but their Lightness Technique was so extraordinary that we lost them almost immediately. We apologize.”
“So Jin Kingdom’s dogs are resorting to anything now.”
“Shouldn’t we return the favor in kind?”
“If you give the order, sir, tonight we’ll pay them back double and return by dawn!”
The Hwangbo Clan’s warriors were consumed with rage at the brutal death of their comrades.
Then it happened.
Whoosh!
On a gust of wind, the Ghost Valley Lord dropped down before Hwangbo Tae-jin. Without even greeting him, he turned to those around them and asked.
“I heard three-colored light flashed when the enemies attacked. Is that true?”
“It is.”
“Were you certain it was three-colored light?”
“I saw it clearly with my own eyes.”
Blood-red light flickered in the Ghost Valley Lord’s eyes. Hwangbo Tae-jin frowned and asked.
“Do you know them?”
“Are you familiar with the Soul-Splitting Technique?”
“Isn’t that the martial art of the Three Kings from ages past?”
Hwangbo Tae-jin’s complexion changed in an instant as he answered almost absently.
“Then you’re saying the descendants of the Three Kings exist in Jin Kingdom?”
“If your men’s eyes didn’t deceive them, the Soul-Splitting Technique is certain. But I wouldn’t be hasty in concluding they must be the Three Kings’ descendants.”
“What do you mean? If they used the Three Kings’ martial art, they must be their descendants, mustn’t they?”
The Ghost Valley Lord shook his head.
“For reasons unknown, the Soul-Splitting Technique was leaked to outsiders. However, judging by the injuries your warriors sustained, the likelihood they are the Three Kings’ descendants seems quite high.”
Hwangbo Tae-jin’s expression darkened.
If the Ghost Valley Lord’s words were true, it meant there was a formidable enemy on this battlefield besides the Namgung Clan.
‘The Three Kings’ descendants in Jin Kingdom, and they’ve joined this war?’
The Ghost Valley Lord asked the witnesses a few more questions, then returned to where his subordinates were stationed.
One of his men asked him.

“Did you have a particular reason for revealing the nature of the Soul-Splitting Technique to the head of the Hwangbo Clan?”
“Whether I like it or not, he stands with us. The more allies who know of it, the easier it becomes to seek out the descendants of the Three Kings, does it not?”
“I confess I had not considered that angle.”
The Ghost Valley Lord’s eyes kindled with a blood-red gleam once more.
“From what the eyewitnesses have said, these masters operated on an entirely different level from the one we faced. If so, the likelihood that they are descendants of the Three Kings seems quite high.”
“Still, if a descendant of the Three Kings has joined the Jin Military Encampment, this conflict will become far more difficult.”
The Ghost Valley Lord gazed southward toward Jeok-su, his eyes flashing with fierce intent.
“Then we have no choice but to give our all from this moment forward. Summon more of our people.”
“Understood!”

* * *

The Yen Capital.
Another member of the imperial family had been murdered. This time, a distant royal relative of the Emperor himself.
Though the victim held no political faction, the fact that royal blood had been spilled was shock enough to reverberate through the imperial house.
Of course, word of it reached Yi Young as well.
Truth be told, these days Young had been busier than ever. Even as evildoers stirred, she placed her faith in the abilities of the Dae-wang faction and, grounded in that confidence, threw all her strength into reviving the Song Family’s fortunes, which had languished for some time.
She devoted herself first to mending relations with merchants whose dealings had been severed by the Yellow Dragon Guild, and in doing so acquired two additional inns in prime locations.
At this rate, it seemed only a matter of time before the family reclaimed its former glory.

Splash.
Water filled the teacup, releasing a subtle fragrance into the air.
Today too, Yi Young was absorbed in studying her account ledger, calculating figures with unwavering focus, while Song Cheon-ho prepared tea at her side.
“Please, take things at a measured pace. You’ll ruin your health at this rate, madam.”
“Just let me finish this one thing.”
“The inns are showing steadily increasing revenue, you say?”
“Yes. One of them has nearly doubled compared to last month, and the other has grown by nearly forty percent. The newly acquired inn also has excellent staff, so prospects look promising.”
“My only concern is your wellbeing, madam.”
Yi Young set down the ledger and regarded Song Cheon-ho with thoughtful eyes.
“I understand. I’ll see that I take proper care of myself while handling all this—don’t worry so much.”
Just then—
A deep voice drifted in from outside.
“Madam, you have a visitor.”
“Who might it be?”
“I’ll have a look.”
Song Cheon-ho stepped outside.
Gwan Ji-baek stood waiting there.
“Welcome, General.”
“I apologize for arriving unannounced and unexpected.”
“Nonsense. Please, come in.”
Gwan Ji-baek entered and bowed deeply to Yi Young.
“Welcome, General.”
“I’ll prepare tea.”
Song Cheon-ho promptly stepped back outside. Yi Young and Gwan Ji-baek settled across from each other at the table.
“His Highness wishes to establish outposts around your residence, madam. If all goes well, sentries should be stationed here within a fortnight.”
“His Highness?”
“Yes. Of late, owing to the troubling incidents that have occurred, he has grown quite concerned for your safety.”
Yi Young was deeply moved. She had not realized Yi So worried for her to such a degree.
“I ought to thank him in person…….”
“Not at all. His Highness is well aware of how occupied you are. But I must urge you—do not overextend yourself. We cannot know when assassins might appear, so it would be wise to refrain from venturing out until the situation stabilizes.”
“Don’t worry. Thanks to my brother, I have excellent bodyguards who protect me at all times.”
“I’ve seen them myself. The very bearing of those companions is extraordinary. Which gives me some peace of mind, but you must still exercise caution in all things, madam.”
“Yes, I will.”
Song Cheon-ho returned with the tea.
The three conversed on various matters. Then Gwan Ji-baek broached a startling subject.
“It seems His Highness may be entrusting the Crown Prince with significant responsibility.”
“……!”
“There has been no formal announcement yet, but from what I gather, it appears he may be placing the security of the Imperial Capital under the Crown Prince’s purview.”
“The security of the Imperial Capital? You mean…… commander of the Imperial Guard?”
Yi Young’s eyes widened like those of a startled fawn. Song Cheon-ho, too, wore an expression of profound astonishment.
The Imperial Guard had originally begun as the Emperor’s personal bodyguard unit. But over time, it had evolved into a vast organization that encompassed not only the Imperial Palace itself, but the Imperial Capital and every city in the surrounding region.
And above all, because it answered directly and solely to the Emperor, it wielded tremendous power—so much so that even the Prime Minister could not treat it carelessly.
Yi Young asked a question.
“Did His Majesty grant his approval?”
“The authority to appoint the Imperial Guard’s commander rests with His Highness. Some years ago, His Majesty transferred a portion of that authority to His Highness—this falls under those delegated powers. In truth, His Highness’s appointment authority is the most formidable weapon he possesses against the Empress and Yi Hwang-ja.”
Yi Young’s eyes reddened.
Seeing Yi Hwan transformed into an entirely different man had eased her worries about him, but now learning that he might even ascend to command of the Imperial Guard—one of the highest posts in all the realm—her heart swelled with emotion. Song Cheon-ho spoke with unmistakable concern.
“Of course it would be an honor if the Prince took command of the Imperial Guard, but surely the Empress and Yi Hwang-ja won’t simply sit idle and accept it?”
“His Highness would be exercising his rightful authority. Not even the Empress can raise objections. However…….”
Gwan Ji-baek trailed off.
He took a sip of tea before continuing.
“The concern is whether the Imperial Guard will truly accept the Prince. Without their loyalty, no matter how capable a commander might be, he cannot fulfill his role.”
“Then His Highness intends to appoint the Prince with that very challenge in mind?”
Gwan Ji-baek smiled faintly.
“Precisely. His Highness holds absolute faith in the Prince. As do I, naturally.”
Yi Young’s tears finally fell.
Song Cheon-ho’s hand rested gently on her shoulder, and the corners of his own eyes had taken on a reddish hue.
Gwan Ji-baek spoke with a smile.
“The most important question, though, is what the Prince himself wishes. If he refuses, then I have wasted my words here today.”

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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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