Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Emergency Dispatch
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A fierce blue glint shot from the Empress's eyes. It wasn't the rationality of imperial law and order. It was the primal killing intent of a mother beast whose cub was threatened.
Cheonwi's expression had also chilled to ice. His usual playful smile was gone, replaced by a hellfire rage flickering in his eyes.
"That old fox has crossed the line."
Cheonwi muttered lowly.
"Time she learned what happens when she messes with my seed. Looks like she needs some family education."
Cheonwi strode forward and snatched the fleeing Senior Palace Maid by the scruff of her neck.
"Eek! P-Please spare me! I was just following orders..."
"Shh. Save your excuses for King Yama in the afterlife."
Cheonwi tucked the Senior Palace Maid under his arm like a sack of trash.
"Let's go. Take me to your boss. I'll deliver you nice and politely."
The path to the Dowager's Palace was fraught with menace.
Behind Cheonwi followed the Sword Queen, radiating razor-sharp sword aura. Trailing her were Dark Heaven's elite agents, shadowing like ghosts. Palace maids and eunuchs shrank from their presence, not daring to meet their eyes as they cleared the way.
Bang!
The heavy doors of the Dowager's Palace shattered with a single kick. The flying door panels crashed into a corner of the garden.
"You bastard! Do you even know where you are, causing this ruckus?!"
The Dowager, standing in the inner courtyard, cried out in shock. Her escort warriors reached for their swords, but a single flash from the Sword Queen's eyes froze them solid. Their levels were worlds apart.
Cheonwi sauntered inside leisurely.
"Where? The soon-to-be funeral parlor."
The smile on Cheonwi's lips was chilling. He hurled the Senior Palace Maid under his arm at the Dowager's feet like beast fodder.
"Urk!"
The Senior Palace Maid rolled on the ground with a pained groan. The Dowager's eyes widened in fury.
"What is the meaning of this outrage! To me, a senior of the inner palace..."
"If you wanted respect as an elder, you should've acted like one, you hag."
"H-Hag...?"
The Dowager clutched her chest as if choking. Calling the mighty Dowager a hag to her face.
Cheonwi took another step forward. The overwhelming pressure radiating from him crushed down on the entire Dowager's Palace.
"Want to live long? Stay quiet as a dead mouse. Touch a single hair on my child's head, and I'll ship you express to the afterlife. First-class seat for seniors—nice and comfy."
"You mad bastard! Do you know who I am? I'm the Emperor's mother! Hyeonjong's birth mother!"
The Dowager shrieked and thrashed in rage. Her only lifeline was her bloodline. But Cheonwi just snorted.
"Emperor? Oh, Big Brother?"
Cheonwi picked at his ear and replied indifferently.
"That brother's off dreaming and suckling new moms right now. So pipe down. Don't wake your dutiful son from his nap."
"Wh-What?! You unfilial wretch... Mmph! Mmph!"
At Cheonwi's glance, a Dark Heaven agent darted forward and gagged the Dowager. She flailed in fury and terror, tears and snot streaming, but couldn't break free from the agent's iron grip.
As the Dowager collapsed in terror, Cheonwi scanned the surroundings and declared,
"From today, the Dowager's Palace is under 'quarantine.' Her Ladyship's senility requires rest—no ants allowed in."
At Cheonwi's command, all the Dowager's maids and eunuchs paled and were dragged out. Their places were filled by Dark Heaven agents in black attire.
"Listen up. Give Her Ladyship 24/7 close protection so she's never bored. Eyes on her even in the bathroom or bed. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!"
The Dark Heaven agents' response boomed. The Dowager looked up at Cheonwi with eyes of utter despair. It was perfect isolation—imprisonment. Within the palace, her reach was severed.
Cheonwi leaned to her ear and whispered softly,
"Miss your grandkids? Stay healthy. Of course, you'll just watch from your windowless cell."
Cheonwi left the Dowager's Palace without a backward glance. Her muffled screams echoed behind him, but to him, they rang like a victory fanfare.
With all threats eliminated, Cheonwi returned to the Empress's Palace.
The room still bore traces of the burned poison, but the air had calmed. Yeonhwa sat on the bed, staring blankly out the window.
"Yeonhwa."
Cheonwi called softly. Yeonhwa startled and turned. Her eyes still glistened with moisture.
"Cheonwi... I was so scared... our baby..."
Yeonhwa threw herself into Cheonwi's arms. He gently patted her back. Her hands clutching his robes trembled faintly.
"Don't worry. No enemies left in the palace now."
Cheonwi lifted her chin and kissed her.
"This is my perfect hunting ground—your nest. That old fox is now a toothless tiger. She won't come near again."
"Really... it's okay now?"
"Of course. Who am I? This kid's dad."
Yeonhwa let out a small laugh at Cheonwi's jest. He carefully kissed her belly.
"Baby, see? Dad punished the mean grandma. So just grow big and strong."
Cheonwi pressed his ear to Yeonhwa's belly and chatted playfully. Color returned to her face.
They spent a long time flirting, basking in peaceful harem life.
Days passed, and the palace became a tediously peaceful paradise.
"Ah, so boring."
In the rear garden pavilion, Cheonwi sprawled on a silk cushion, yawning lazily.
Sohee sat demurely beside him, feeding him pitted strawberries. Sweet juice burst in his mouth, but his face remained sour.
"Nothing tastier? I've plucked all the palace flowers... Need some rough, wild fruit."
Cheonwi grumbled as he ate another strawberry from Sohee. It was the ennui of a man at power's peak. The Emperor was a shut-in, the Empress a meek lamb with his child, the Sword Queen a loyal dog. Nothing left to conquer in this pen.
"Master, if you're bored, shall I dance for you?"
Sohee asked with worried eyes.
"Nah, your dances are for the bedroom only. Gotta save 'em."
Cheonwi chuckled, fondling Sohee's breast, when—
Thud thud!
A palace eunuch burst into the pavilion, breathless. He prostrated before Cheonwi.
"R-Regent, Your Highness! Emergency dispatch!"
"What? Someone trash-talk me again?"
"N-No! Western border! Barbarians invading in force! Border guards are struggling... General Iron Blood requests urgent reinforcements!"
Cheonwi's eyebrow twitched. Life sparked in his bored eyes.
"Iron Blood? That legendary 'Red She-Lion'?"
"Y-Yes! The Iron Blood General, empire's western bulwark!"
Cheonwi sat up. A playful smile curved his lips. Iron Blood. Unlike palace flowers, a wild bloom tempered by harsh winds. No—a beast.
"Found my rough fruit."
Cheonwi sprang to his feet.
Antechamber.
Ministers buzzed amid Cheonwi, seated at a small table beside the jade throne—the Emperor's seat, but Hyeonjong was 'logged off' again.
"Bring the mobilization order."
Cheonwi beckoned. The Prime Minister tremblingly offered the scroll. Cheonwi stamped it without reading—thunk, thunk, thunk!—like stamping at an amusement park.
"N-No, Your Highness!"
Ministers kowtowed in horror.
"The Regent heading to battle?! The court's safety is at risk! Just dispatch a general..."
"Quiet, you old fogeys."
Cheonwi tossed the seal on the table.
"Tired of playing househusband. Time for some fresh air. Oh, and snag some new family."
"N-New family...?"
"Going shopping. Heard western specialties are fresh."
Cheonwi saw war as mall shopping. His mind was on new toys, not bloodshed.
"Stock the army well. I hate looking cheap."
Departure day, palace front yard.
Yeonhwa and the Sword Queen stood side by side to see Cheonwi off.
Yeonhwa cradled her still-unshowing belly. Pride masked her worry.
"Come back safe. Get hurt in your hunting ground, and you're stripped of hunter status."
A cold tone for Empress dignity, but Cheonwi read the love beneath.
"No worries, Your Majesty. I'll catch a fierce beast and make it kneel before you. Wanted a pet, right?"
"Beast my foot... Take care of yourself."
Yeonhwa turned, blushing. Beside her, the Sword Queen knelt on one knee, bowing as if to kiss Cheonwi's shoe.
"Master... Call if you need a sword. My sheath... always empty, waiting for you."
Her words double-edged: loyalty as battlefield blade, lust as woman craving his 'sword.'
"Haha, guard the house. I'll fill you up when I return."
Cheonwi stroked her head and turned.
"Alright, let's roll?"
Soldiers' gazes followed his point. Jaws dropped.
"Wh-What's that?"
"War... or vacation?"
There loomed a structure too grand for 'carriage': a two-story mobile mansion pulled by dozens of elite steeds.
Gold-plated walls dazzled in sunlight, roof whirring with mana-stone AC. Open windows revealed plush beds, luxury tub, wine bar.
A ultra-lux RV—no, a moving castle.
"War needs style. Who sleeps in stinky tents? Eunuch or not, I keep class."
Cheonwi donned sunglasses and boarded.
"Depart! Oppa go!"
With majestic trumpets, the unprecedented lavish procession rolled west. Less war march, more imperial tour.