The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 79

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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 – Chapter 79

Chapter 79 – The Variable

In the Training Grounds behind the Peng Residence barracks.
Peng Wu-wei had forced those sent by Mun Chi-yong and the commanders of the Imperial Guard Unit to their knees.
The senior generals, led by Jeong Cheon, awaited Yi Hwan’s arrival.
Jeong Cheon grasped Peng Wu-wei’s hand.
“Thank you, General-in-Chief.”
“You must have thought me a villain all this time, haven’t you?”
“Honestly, yes.”
A harsh, rasping laugh escaped Peng Wu-wei’s lips. Jeong Cheon couldn’t help but smile.
That was when it happened.

“The prince arrives.”
Yi Hwan entered.
Behind him came everyone else, including Cheol Mu-ok, and with them a messenger from the Crown Prince Palace who had been staying at Yi Hwan’s quarters.
Yi Hwan walked through the midst of those kneeling with their heads bowed, making his way toward Peng Wu-wei.
Clack-clack-clack.
Peng Wu-wei and the generals rendered the military salute.
“We’ve captured every last one of them, my lord!”
“Are you hurt?”
“This blood isn’t mine!”
Yi Hwan patted Peng Wu-wei’s shoulder and slowly surveyed everyone present.
“These men came to kill me. However, I will not speak of who ordered my death.”
The Training Grounds fell into a silence so suffocating that no one dared even to breathe properly. In truth, this incident could be said to be the greatest event in the history of the Southern Military Corps, save for the battle with Zhao Kingdom.
“General-in-Chief.”
“Yes, my lord!”
“What punishment should be meted out to those who attempted to harm an imperial prince?”
“They should be beheaded at once!”
Yi Hwan turned his gaze toward the senior generals led by Jeong Cheon.
Jeong Cheon spoke out.
“We are of the same mind, my lord!”
“They must be executed to demonstrate the majesty of the Imperial House!”
“Strike down these men at once and make them an example to all, my lord!”
Every general cried out in unison.
Yi Hwan turned his gaze to regard those kneeling. Some wore expressions of resignation; others trembled and wept, gripped by fear of the death that awaited them.
“General-in-Chief, carry out the sentence.”
“Yes, my lord!”
At Peng Wu-wei’s gesture, the Peng clan’s warriors stepped forward in precise number.
Clack-clack-clack.
“Behead them!”
As Peng Wu-wei’s command fell, dozens of heads dropped to the ground at once.
Thud-thud-thud.
From Yi Hwan’s entrance to the execution of the sentence, less than a quarter hour had elapsed.
Yi Hwan spoke once to Peng Wu-wei and the senior generals.
“From this moment forward, bar all Entry to Military Camp except those from the Crown Prince Palace—no one from anywhere else in the Imperial Palace. Should anyone violate this order, they shall be deemed complicit and punished accordingly.”
“Yes, my lord!”
“Understood!”

* * *

Peng Wu-wei’s quarters.
Jeong Cheon and two other generals gathered in one place.
One of the generals spoke with barely contained excitement.
“Does this mean the Southern Military Corps no longer needs to be wary of Yi Huang-ja’s eye?”
“The prince has forbidden anyone from the Imperial Palace to enter. For the time being, incidents like this shouldn’t occur again. Still, Yi Huang-ja is unlikely to sit idly by. I confess I worry whether some greater trouble might arise from this.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it!”
“Very well.”
Meanwhile, Jeong Cheon watched Peng Wu-wei in silence, tilting glass after glass, and ventured a question.
“Are you worried about your daughter?”
“She’s more precious to me than life itself. Truth be told, joining the military was an unavoidable choice—all for her future. If her father holds a public position, perhaps she can escape the stigma of being a Martial Artist’s daughter.”
“Please, don’t trouble yourself further. The General-in-Chief has given his word—she’ll be brought to safety. Allow me to pour you another cup.”
Splash.
Peng Wu-wei drained three cups in succession.
Jeong Cheon refilled the empty glass each time. One of the commanders suddenly rose and bowed deeply toward Peng Wu-wei.
“Until now, I’ve treated you with nothing but prejudice and bias. I beg your forgiveness for my discourtesy.”
“And I have done the same. I apologize, General-in-Chief.”
“Well, I was indeed a villain in this, so there’s no use dwelling on forgiveness and grudges. Let’s forget the past and move forward together.”
“Thank you, General-in-Chief.”
“Yes, General-in-Chief!”
That night, the commanders drank through till dawn.
Of course, only with Yi Hwan’s permission.

* * *

Days later.
Yi Hwan summoned Peng Wu-wei to his quarters.
In the span of those few days, Peng Wu-wei had grown noticeably gaunt—worry for his daughter, no doubt.
“Have you found something?”
“Sit.”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan poured wine into a cup and pushed it toward him.
“Have a drink.”
“Thank you!”
Yi Hwan watched with a smile as Peng Wu-wei drained the cup in one gulp. Then he produced a letter case.
“What is this?”
“Read it.”
Peng Wu-wei opened the letter case and withdrew the letter, unfolding it with trembling hands. At once, tears began streaming down his face—fat, soundless drops.
“Thank you. Thank you, General-in-Chief.”
“The Imperial Palace is no place for a child. So she’ll be staying at my sister’s residence near the Imperial Capital. I’ve asked her to care for her well, so have no further worries. Simply devote yourself fully to your duties.”
“Yes! I swear it—I, Peng Wu-wei, shall dedicate myself to the Southern Military Corps and to you, General-in-Chief! Ugh!”
He laughed even as the tears continued to flow.
Yi Hwan gazed at him and smiled faintly.
‘Perhaps he’ll make a good comrade after all.’
Shortly after, Yi Hwan shared an evening meal with Peng Wu-wei. As they ate, Peng Wu-wei ventured a careful question.
“Will you accept the position of commander of the Imperial Guard?”
“I’m still considering it.”
Yi Hwan turned the question back on him.
“And what do you think, General-in-Chief?”
“In my heart of hearts, I would prefer you to remain here. But the command of the Imperial Guard is no post for just anyone—you should accept it.”
“Hmm…”
“Truthfully, where you belong is not the battlefield, but the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Capital. I believe it would be wise for you to return to your rightful place now.”
“I need to think on it a bit longer. Let’s set aside these tedious matters and finish our meal.”
“Yes.”

* * *

Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae cleaned their swords and blades while exchanging idle conversation.
Ju Tae posed a question.
“About the General-in-Chief’s daughter—he hasn’t taken her hostage, has he?”
Cough!
Cheol Mu-ok choked.
Ju Tae furrowed his brow and continued.
“No matter how I think about it, that’s the feeling I get.”
“Do you take your lord for some devil sect matriarch?”
“Not quite—but he’s so meticulous that I can’t shake the suspicion. Honestly, I’d do the same thing. There’s no surer guarantee of safety than that.”
Cheol Mu-ok let out a quiet laugh.
“You should have seen the Crown Prince’s eyes before you even thought of that.”
“What were his eyes like?”
“Completely devoted to his lord. Even a woman couldn’t love like that.”
“Is that so?”
“Eyes like that never betray. Now stop talking nonsense, and if you’re done, let’s go eat.”
“Isn’t this already a betrayal of the Peng Residence?”
“It’s not betrayal—it’s fidelity. Don’t dishonor the Crown Prince’s noble choice. Get up.”
The two stepped outside.
Fresh food was being laid out where Yi Hwan had finished his meal. Normally they would dine together, but today, on account of Peng Wu-wei, the others had been asked to wait.
“Has he gone for a walk?”
“Yes. He said he had something to think about and asked that no one follow him.”

* * *

A cool breeze swept across the night air.
Yi Hwan felt the evening wind grow sharper still.
Setting out on his walk, Yi Hwan crossed the Training Grounds where the brutal execution had taken place and climbed toward the mountain.
Snap.
The sentries on watch performed a military salute as he passed. Now the undisputed leader of the Southern Military Corps, Yi Hwan saw reverence gleaming in the eyes of every soldier who beheld him.
In truth, the greatest grievance among all the soldiers of the Southern Military Corps was the Imperial Palace’s excessive interference.
Especially Yi Huang-ja, who would constantly send people to sow confusion in the chain of command—the resentment toward him ran deep. Peng Wu-wei was one such man.
When the Imperial Guard Unit began monitoring their every move, the discontent nearly reached a breaking point. But Yi Hwan swept it all away. And when he declared that he would no longer tolerate Yi Huang-ja’s interference, the soldiers had no choice but to cheer.
It was a feat that even the former Crown Prince Hwang Ho, whom all revered, had never managed.
One general bowed respectfully.
“Welcome, my lord.”
“Anything to report?”
“No, sir. But have you come out for a walk?”
“My mind is unsettled. Carry on, then.”
Yi Hwan took the mountain path toward the watchtower. From its height, the city where the soldiers’ families lived spread out in full view.
Yi Hwan would occasionally climb there to admire the night lights of the city, blooming like flame in the heart of the mountains. How much farther did he walk?
Footsteps sounded from behind, and someone approached. It was Go Mi.
Yi Hwan stopped and fixed his gaze upon her.
“I have something to report and a matter to ask of you.”
“Which is more urgent?”
“Have you decided?”
“The position of Imperial Guard commander?”
“Yes.”
“It seems my decision matters greatly to you. If I accept, are you planning to return to the Imperial Palace with me?”
“As I have told you, I received orders from the Crown Prince to serve you as my lord. If you do not cast me aside, I will go wherever you go.”
“So it’s the Crown Prince’s orders, not me?”
“Not only that.”
Yi Hwan let slip a slight smile.
“What do you have to report?”
“The Crown Prince of Zhao Kingdom has fallen from power. It appears that Seo Nam Wang, with whom he quarreled over the succession, has seized control of the Imperial Palace and Capital.”
“They must be in quite some turmoil over there.”
“Seo Nam Wang is known to be extremely aggressive by nature. The problem is that he harbors deep resentment toward our Yen Kingdom. Therefore, I must warn you—there is a real possibility that the Southern Military Corps could be drawn into war once more.”
“Go on.”
“Seo Nam Wang may have made an armistice agreement with Jin Kingdom and could turn his blade toward the Southern Military Corps. You must keep this in mind.”
“Are you saying I shouldn’t accept the Crown Prince Palace’s offer?”
“Perhaps it would be better to delay for now?”
Yi Hwan’s brow furrowed.
If matters unfolded as Go Mi predicted, the Southern Military Corps could face a crisis unlike any they had yet endured. Those newly seized with power often resort to war as a means of suppressing internal chaos.
There was no reason to think Seo Nam Wang of Zhao would be an exception.
‘A man who harbors such antipathy toward Yen becomes master of Zhao? The threat could indeed grow severe.’
Yi Hwan turned back toward the camp.
“Let’s return.”
“Very well.”
As they walked back, Yi Hwan spoke.
“Do you no longer doubt my abilities?”
“I have never doubted your abilities. I was simply confused because events differed from the information I had.”
At Go Mi’s candid reply, Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
“Very well. I’ll accept Wol-ju’s counsel.”
“But——”
“We’ll postpone the matter of Imperial Guard commander for now. I need to watch the Zhao Kingdom situation more carefully first.”
Go Mi’s eyes widened with surprise.
‘He’s deciding this quickly?’
“Might it not be wise to deliberate a while longer?”
“Didn’t you just ask me to defer it?”
“Yes, but the decision came so swiftly that——”
“I trust your judgment. Since I’ve made this decision on that basis, you bear some responsibility if it goes wrong, yes?”
“.……”
“I’m only joking. Now go.”

* * *

Crown Prince Yi So held a letter in his hand. It had been sent by Yi Hwan.
“Hmm.”
As Yi So frowned silently, Gwan Ji-baek ventured carefully, “What does he say?”
“He says he cannot leave the Southern Military Corps for some time because of the Zhao matter. He seems concerned about how Seo Nam Wang—who bears such ill will toward our Yen Kingdom—might move.”
“Truly remarkable foresight. Isn’t the Imperial Palace itself keeping close watch on that very problem?”
“If Seo Nam Wang concludes an Armistice Agreement with Zhao, the Southern Military Corps will almost certainly become his next target. It’s the region where both sides are currently in sharpest conflict. I imagine my brother thinks much the same.”
“Precisely so.”
Yi So’s brow furrowed again.
“This means we’ll have to place someone else in the Imperial Guard commander position.”
“We have several months yet. Let us wait and see.”
“I thought that once the Left General severed ties with my brother and swore loyalty to us, I needn’t worry about the Southern Military Corps anymore. And now this unforeseen matter with Zhao catches me by the heel.”
“It seems the Crown Prince felt uneasy about leaving his post. Might that not testify to his deep attachment to the Southern Military Corps?”
“Yes, I suppose so. It was my first posting, and I’ve never left it since.”
Clink.
Yi So drained the last of his tea.
He fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. Then, presently, he spoke again.
“There’s nothing for it. If his will inclines thus, I can only wait.”
A shadow of regret settled across Yi So’s face. Truth be told, he longed to summon Yi Hwan to his side as soon as possible, to observe firsthand the full measure of his abilities.
“How fares the Habuk Peng Clan?”
“They cannot escape turmoil for some time yet, because of the Left General. If we exploit this moment to drive them toward rupture with Yi Huang-ja, it will serve Your Highness considerably. Did the Crown Prince not instruct us to do precisely that?”
It was true.
Days before, Yi Hwan had touched upon such matters in a letter.
“I should meet with the Peng clan’s patriarch. Arrange it carefully, in secret, so they don’t suspect anything.”
“Understood.”
After Gwan Ji-baek withdrew, Yi So opened the window. Distant flags rippled in the wind, but his quarters lay so deep within the palace compounds that not even a breeze reached him.
Yi So gazed toward the southwest sky.
The direction where the Southern Military Corps stood. Yi Hwan’s composed face drifted into his mind’s eye.
A smile spread slowly across Yi So’s lips.
‘Perhaps that one possesses abilities beyond even my expectation.’

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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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