The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 81

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

Red Dragon Warrior 81

Chapter 81 — The Storm Winds of the Southern Military Unit

Namgung Jang-cheon had opposed the ceasefire more fiercely than anyone.
Yet it came to pass regardless, and the war came to an end. For him, it was something he could never accept.
Was that the reason?
Five days had passed, and still he had not left Gui-ju.
Splash.
Clink.
“Isn’t it absurd? How many warriors died—and yet the moment Zhao Kingdom asks for it, we simply bow and accept a ceasefire?”
Namgung Jang-cheon, who seldom drank, would not set down his cup. Dan Ri-mok, seated across from him, replied with a flat expression.
“What can we do? Those above made the decision. We have no choice but to follow it. So put it aside.”
“Is it the Emperor’s will?”
“Of course. Who else could dare decide on a ceasefire but His Majesty?”
Hmph.
Namgung Jang-cheon snorted and drained his cup. Dan Ri-mok silently refilled the empty vessel.
Splash.
“I hear the Zhao King of the Southwest is about to attack Yen Kingdom’s Southern Military Unit. That place where they’ve been trading blows for so long—right after the trouble erupted here in Gui-ju, they shamefully withdrew their forces beyond the neutral ground. Yen Kingdom made good use of our collision with them, turning it to their advantage.”
“Is that rumor reliable?”
“You know yourself that the Zhao King of the Southwest has harbored an extreme hatred for Yen Kingdom for ages. Now that he’s seized full authority, naturally he’ll make his move one way or another. The Southern Military Unit is also the place with the clearest justification.”
“Then the Martial Artists from Zhao Kingdom who came here might also go there.”
“Very likely, I’d say. It would be wasteful to deploy fresh men when you already have warriors with blood on their blades. Besides, the Martial Artists from Zhao who participated here were quite formidable.”
It was from this moment.
That something subtle shifted in Namgung Jang-cheon’s eyes. Yet Dan Ri-mok failed to notice it.
“Shouldn’t you be heading home soon?”
“You go. I have somewhere to visit.”
“Somewhere to visit? Where?”
“You don’t need to know.”
Namgung Jang-cheon rose from his seat.
Stepping outside, he made straight for the military encampment’s intelligence office. Dan Ri-mok followed at his side and asked.
“Why are you going to the intelligence office?”
“I need to look into something.”
A moment later, as Namgung Jang-cheon entered the intelligence office, he questioned its commander directly.
“Has the movement of Zhao Kingdom’s forces been tracked?”
“According to the intelligence we’ve gathered so far, they’re leaving only half their forces behind and moving most of them northward.”
“Is it possible their destination is Yen Kingdom’s Southern Military Unit?”
“Based on their trajectory so far, that seems highly probable. Ah—we’ve also confirmed that Martial Artists are moving with them.”
At that moment, Namgung Jang-cheon’s eyes blazed with light.
“Both Youling Valley and the Hwangbo Clan?”
“Yes, that’s correct. But why are you asking?”
“It’s nothing. Thank you for your work.”
Namgung Jang-cheon stepped out immediately.
Dan Ri-mok followed, his brow furrowing slightly.
“I hope my suspicion is wrong.”
“What suspicion?”
“That place you said you’d visit—it isn’t Yen Kingdom’s Southern Military Unit, is it?”
“That’s exactly where.”
Dan Ri-mok’s eyes widened slightly.
“Is it because of the Master of Youling Valley?”
“That’s enough on the matter.”
……

That evening.
Namgung Jang-cheon left the military encampment alone. Dan Ri-mok did not speak a word to anyone about Namgung Jang-cheon’s departure for Yen Kingdom’s Southern Military Unit.

That’s what friends do—keep secrets.

It was because of a request Namgung Jang-cheon had made before his departure.

* * *

Crown Prince’s Palace.
Gwan Ji-baek arrived to find Yi So early that morning.
“The General-in-Chief has sent a dispatch.”
Yi So immediately unfolded the letter.
The message was spare and direct.

For the time being, I shall take command of the Southern Military Unit. Inform the court of this matter, and I would be grateful if you would handle any issues that arise thereafter.

“Hah, hah, hah.”
A smile played at the corners of Yi So’s mouth.
“Good news?”
Instead of answering, Yi So handed the dispatch to Gwan Ji-baek. The official’s expression shifted to one of surprise as he read it.
“What on earth does this mean?”
“That he intends to take command of the Imperial Guard, would you not say?”
“Your Highness?”
Gwan Ji-baek’s face showed only confusion. Yi So continued, smiling.
“To inform the court is to say, ‘Pay attention to me.’ Is it not? It means he has confidence enough to hold back the Zhao assault, and when he rises to command the Imperial Guard, he intends to silence those who would judge and oppose him based on rumor alone.”
‘Is that what he meant?’
Gwan Ji-baek was astonished.
Yi Hwan’s boundless confidence was remarkable enough, but that Yi So could discern his brother’s intention from merely two sentences was equally remarkable.
“Ha, ha, ha!”
Yi So suddenly burst into full laughter.
“My youngest keeps finding new ways to astound me.”
Gwan Ji-baek felt uneasy.
He trusted Yi Hwan, but should he fail, the backlash would be severe beyond measure.
There was a risk that even Yi So could be damaged by it. Yet Yi So was laughing like this, surely aware of that danger.
‘Your Highness has come to trust the General-in-Chief completely.’
Yi So let his laughter fade and looked directly at Gwan Ji-baek as he spoke.
“Go to the Prime Minister’s Office and tell them this: I shall attend court tomorrow.”
“Are you quite certain this is wise?”
“Do you fear I might be harmed?”
“To be frank, yes.”
“Trust in me.”
“I trust you naturally, Your Highness.”
“No, I mean trust in my youngest. Have you not seen it yourself all this while? His remarkable ability. Do not question what he does—believe in him.”
…….
Then, at that moment:
“Your Highness, a messenger from the Habuk Peng Clan has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
Shortly after, the door opened and an elderly man of imposing stature stepped inside.
It was Peng Wen, the current patriarch of the Habuk Peng Clan. An absolute master who had unified Habuk with a single Great Sword, he was a man whom the Imperial Palace knew little of because he disliked appearing in public.
“I am Peng Wen, and I bow before Your Highness.”
Peng Wen made his obeisance.
“Are you the head of the Habuk Peng Clan?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Please, be seated.”
“I shall prepare tea.”
Gwan Ji-baek departed, and Yi So spoke at once.
“Has there been any word from the Prince?”
“Until I left the Habuk house, no message had come.”
Yi So regarded Peng Wen for a moment.
His Tiger Eyes, sharp-angled jaw, and the prominent Solar Plexus rising above the surface—all spoke of the classic bearing of a Warrior’s Bone. Combined with his reputation, it was only natural to feel drawn to him.
“Have there been separate discussions regarding the matter of the Left General?”
…….
Peng Wen did not answer at once.
The anguish evident in his two eyes spoke volumes about how gravely the Habuk Peng Clan regarded the present crisis.
Gwan Ji-baek stepped forward and spoke in a grave tone.
“His Majesty has posed a question. Answer promptly.”
Peng Wen bit his lip gently before opening his mouth.
“As a mere martial artist, I scarcely dare contemplate how to accept this turn of events. Thus I venture to ask.”
“Speak.”
“If our house were to align itself with the General-in-Chief, would you be able to protect us?”
“How dare you!”
Yi So raised a hand to stop Gwan Ji-baek’s advance. Then he spoke with calm deliberation.
“I can promise to do my utmost.”
Peng Wen lifted his head and fixed his gaze upon Yi So. His eyes burned with resolve.
“Then please show us what we must do.”
“To be frank, I do not yet trust the Peng house.”
……
“For that reason, I wish to propose something.”
Yi So fell silent for a moment before continuing.
“Go to the Southern Military Unit. There, aid my brother and the General-in-Chief. If you prove your sincerity in that place, then I give you my word—so long as you do not first release my hand, I shall never cast the Peng house aside.”

* * *

The sky above the Southern Military Unit darkened to black. Thunder cracked, and rain began to fall in sheets.
Splash!
As weather in the mountains always brought fierce winds alongside rain, the soldiers of the unit moved about busily, preparing for flooding.
Yi Hwan sat across from Peng Wu-wei and Jeong Cheon in the command post, sipping tea.
Jeong Cheon spoke with a grave expression.
“The movements of Zhao Kingdom are ominous. Troops are steadily gathering at the military encampments that have been left empty due to the ceasefire agreement.”
“Those damned wretches—how long has it been since we made the agreement!”
Peng Wu-wei growled.
Yi Hwan spoke calmly.
“A ceasefire agreement is merely a scrap of paper once one side changes its mind. Only a fool trusts it absolutely.”
Jeong Cheon picked up the thread.
“The Southwest King of Zhao is said to be notoriously cruel. He has harbored deep resentment toward Yen Kingdom for a long time. We may well face the worst we have ever encountered.”
“Are you afraid?”
“I fear only for the Commander. Should we suffer defeat, that responsibility would fall to him alone. Therefore, regarding the command authority—”
Yi Hwan cut him short.
“Then win. That’s all there is to it.”
……
“Have you no confidence?”
“No, sir!”
Yi Hwan turned to Peng Wu-wei and posed the same question.
“Have you no confidence?”
“I will trust and follow only the Commander!”
In moments like this, Peng Wu-wei’s steadfast simplicity proved more reassuring. Then it came.
Deputy Song Hoe entered.
“A dispatch has arrived from the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
Yi Hwan unrolled the dispatch at once.
As he read, a faint smile gradually bloomed at the corners of his mouth, and Jeong Cheon asked.
“Is it good news?”
“The Habuk Peng Clan is coming to aid us.”
At those words, Peng Wu-wei’s eyes widened completely.
“Coming to… aid us?”
“Read it yourself.”
Yi Hwan handed the dispatch to Peng Wu-wei. As he confirmed its contents, his eyes reddened.
“What’s gotten into that stubborn old fool.”
Perhaps his heart swelled too much—tears soon streamed down his cheeks. In truth, he had been anxious about whether his family might cast him out.
“I’ll step outside for a moment.”
Peng Wu-wei stood abruptly and left the room. A moment later, a sound like a tiger’s roar penetrated the walls.
“Roooaaarrr!”
“It’s fortunate the Peng house made the right choice. The Crown Prince was deeply concerned about it as well. Did the Commander orchestrate this?”
“I merely offered counsel.”
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea and leaned back in his chair.
“With the Habuk Peng Clan joining us, I don’t think we need worry further about reinforcing our martial artists. Given that their clan’s survival hangs in the balance, they’ll fight harder than anyone.”
“That is true, General. My mind is more at ease now. My only concern is that we cannot know precisely how many martial artists from the Zhao Kingdom will join their forces.”
Yi Hwan held Jeong Cheon’s gaze steadily, though the general’s expression remained grave.
“General Jeong.”
“Yes, General.”
“This Southern Military Unit is a place that General-in-Chief Hwang Ho has defended with everything he had. It will not fall to the enemy. And as I have declared before, I will also see to it that the Second Prince can extend his reach no further.”
A faint tremor ran through the air.
At the mention of Hwang Ho, Jeong Cheon’s eyes twitched slightly. He was still not entirely free from the sorrow of that loss.
Crack!
“I too will offer my life in service to you, General. I beg you—protect the Southern Military Unit.”
It was then.
“General, I have arrived.”
Go Mi’s voice drifted in from outside.
“Come in.”
Go Mi opened the door and entered. Peng Wu-wei followed behind her, wiping his eyes as he took a seat beside Jeong Cheon. Go Mi glanced at Peng Wu-wei, then spoke.
“It appears that most of the martial artists from the Zhao Kingdom who fought at Gui-ju will be joining the Zhao Military Encampment.”
“Youling Valley as well?”
“Yes. We spotted them moving alongside the Zhao forces in a city one day’s march from the Zhao Military Encampment. Additionally, we have confirmed that a force numbering nearly one hundred thousand is advancing from the Gansu Region.”
At Go Mi’s report, both Jeong Cheon’s and Peng Wu-wei’s faces hardened visibly.
But Yi Hwan remained unmoved.
“If they mean to target us while maintaining a ceasefire, they’d need at least that many.”
Yi Hwan rose from his seat.
“We still have time. Both of you should focus your efforts on formation battle training.”
“Yes, General!”
“Understood, General!”
Yi Hwan stepped outside with Go Mi.
As they walked toward his quarters, Go Mi asked carefully.
“Are you not considering reinforcements?”
“The Zhao Kingdom is the one attacking. We only need to defend, so our current forces are sufficient.”
‘Still, wouldn’t it be better to make certain preparations?’
The words rose to Go Mi’s throat, but she could not bring herself to speak them aloud.
‘How can he remain so composed even after hearing that report? What could he possibly be relying on?’
It was possible, of course, that it was mere bravado. But Go Mi could not bring herself to believe that Yi Hwan was bluffing.

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