Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: The Golden Army's Metamorphosis
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As Yi Hwan made his way to his official residence, a group entered the city's bustling marketplace.
It was the Ghost Valley Lord and his minions.
They headed straight for a manor on the outskirts of the marketplace. It appeared utterly ordinary on the surface, but in truth, it served as the base for Zhao Kingdom spies operating in the Yeon Kingdom's capital.
The Ghost Valley Lord sat face-to-face with the man in charge.
"Why have you come all this way without any prior notice, Valley Lord?"
"There's someone I need to find."
"What kind of person would bring you to such a dangerous place?"
"We received intelligence that the thief who stole the Crown Prince's secret funds has slipped into the Yeon Kingdom. I've come straight here under orders to capture him."
The Ghost Valley Lord lied.
This was an organization under the Zhao Kingdom's military, so he couldn't request help for personal reasons. Instead, he exploited the Cha Jung-kyeong incident.
"Didn't he return to Sichuan Province? That's what I heard."
"You're right. But there was another accomplice. I'm here to catch him."
"Ah! I see. Then do you have a description sketch?"
At those words, the Ghost Valley Lord looked troubled.
"No sketch."
"Then how do you plan to find him?"
"The martial art he uses is extremely unique. The phenomenon it produces is..."
The Ghost Valley Lord described the characteristics of the Soul Separation Technique. He omitted the name, however.
Once the explanation ended, the man in charge looked perplexed.
"A wanderer who uses a technique that manifests three colors... I'm not sure we can track him down based on that alone."
"Try your best, even if it's difficult."
"Understood. We'll mobilize every available intelligence resource to investigate. By the way, how did you lose the battle against the Yeon Kingdom? I heard the Crown Prince led the army personally."
Pretending to be indignant, the Ghost Valley Lord replied,
"It wasn't a defeat. The Southwest King stole the Crown Prince's chance for glory. Fearing the Crown Prince would gain power by driving out the Yeon Kingdom forces and seizing the neutral zone, he issued a retreat order under the guise of an imperial edict."
Thud!
The man in charge showed his anger.
"The Southwest King is just the type to do that. The Crown Prince must have been deeply disheartened."
"He's a resilient man. He'll rise again soon. For that moment, we must recover those secret funds."
"Understood."
Just then, a warrior entered with tea.
The man in charge took a sip before changing the subject.
"Lately, the assassinations of Yeon Kingdom royals and high officials around the city have created a tense atmosphere. To avoid suspicion, be careful when moving about."
"Got it."
"Ah! And the Yeon Kingdom's Great Prince from the Southern Legion is in the city."
The Ghost Valley Lord's eyes flashed.
'If he's come this far, Pa Pa must have failed completely.'
Concealing his thoughts, the Ghost Valley Lord asked,
"Is he nearby?"
"About half a shichen on foot—not too far. But his guards are said to be exceptionally strong, so even if you spot him on the street, don't attack recklessly. If anything happens to you, Valley Lord, we could all be in danger."
"Understood. I'll be cautious."
"You must be tired from the long journey, so rest here today. We have two empty rooms available."
"Much obliged."
* * *
The Ghost Valley Lord gazed north through the window, his eyes darkening.
'That bastard is in this city.'
His purpose here was to find the user of the Soul Separation Technique. He hadn't paid much mind to whether Pa Pa succeeded or failed in killing Yi Hwan.
But now, hearing that Pa Pa had failed and Yi Hwan was nearby changed everything.
'Once I finish my business and head back, I could take the Great Prince's head too. That would let me push Pa Pa aside and become the leader of the martial artists. Then neither the Southwest King nor the Crown Prince would dare ignore me.'
A smirk crept across his lips.
It felt like an unexpected gift.
'Find the Sword King's heir and bring back the head of the Yeon Kingdom's Great Prince who wounded our forces? It seems great fortune favors me this year. Heh heh heh.'
* * *
Yi Hwan's official residence filled with generals.
It was the first official meeting since becoming the Golden Army's commander. These had traditionally been held at the Golden Army headquarters in the Imperial Palace, but Yi Hwan summoned them here instead.
The assembled generals awaited Yi Hwan. In the meantime, questions poured in on Deputy General Son Yeong.
"Why hold the meeting here instead of at headquarters?"
"We'll be doing it here from now on. It's the Great Prince's will."
"Does that mean they're shutting down the palace headquarters?"
"Ask the Great Prince directly later. I don't know that much."
"Aren't you the Great Prince's deputy? You should know at least that much!"
A shout rang out.
But Son Yeong replied calmly.
"I'm sorry. I haven't heard anything about it."
The generals murmured. Mostly, the Second Prince's faction grumbled. In contrast, the Crown Prince's Palace faction chatted lightly, maintaining a bright mood.
One general asked something else.
"I heard there was an incident on the way back from the palace. Is the Great Prince unharmed?"
"Yes. His guards are so formidable that they subdued the attackers without issue."
"Are the Great Prince's guards martial artists?"
"Yes. Terrifyingly strong ones, at that."
Son Yeong emphasized "terrifyingly" on purpose.
'So don't you dare act up in front of the Great Prince from now on, you lot.'
Creak.
The door opened, and Cheol Mu-ok, Ju Tae, and Go Mi entered one after another. Unexpectedly, they wore armor, unlike their usual attire.
Cheol Mu-ok addressed the generals in a stern tone.
"Stand at attention. The Great Prince arrives."
Clang! Clang!
The generals rose as one.
Yi Hwan entered next. The generals clasped their fists and bowed their heads. Since they were indoors, they omitted the military salute.
"You all know the situation, so we'll skip formalities and get to the point."
Yi Hwan continued immediately.
"Send all the martial artists assigned to each unit here within two days. Not a single one left out."
One general asked,
"May I inquire as to the reason?"
"There's something to verify. I'll notify each unit later what it is. And..."
Yi Hwan turned to Go Mi.
"From this moment, this person will oversee all Golden Army intelligence. If they visit your unit to review records, comply without objection."
The room buzzed.
No such measure had ever been taken in the Golden Army's history.
"May I ask why you're implementing this?"
Yi Hwan fixed his gaze on the general who stepped forward with questions. Go Mi's voice transmission entered his ear.
[He's from the Second Prince's side.]
"Do I have to explain every detail?"
For a moment, Yi Hwan's tone and gaze turned icy. But the general didn't back down.
"It's unprecedented, so I'm curious about the purpose. We deserve at least that much."
"You're not trying to obstruct me for the Second Prince, are you?"
"...Pardon?"
"I'm kidding."
Yi Hwan relaxed his expression and addressed the generals.
"As you all know, royals and high officials near the capital have been murdered one after another. Yet the East Depot, Golden Imperial Guards, and even the Golden Army have wasted time and manpower without catching a single tail."
Yi Hwan stared at the Second Prince's general.
"What do you think is the reason, General?"
"Well..."
Caught off guard, the general couldn't answer. Yi Hwan asked the room.
"Anyone. Give me a reason."
As they exchanged glances and hesitated, a young general from the back stood.
"May I speak, sir?"
"Go ahead."
"I believe a lack of communication between agencies is one cause. Recently, a retired official was killed north of the city. The Golden Imperial Guards had tracked the assassins' movements beforehand but acted alone without informing others and let them escape. The problem is how common this is—and it hasn't improved."
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
It matched exactly the issues he'd identified in the Golden Army. Go Mi's transmission came.
[He's Yoo Woo-seong, in charge of western district security. A straightforward, upright soldier type, known for not leaning toward the Crown Prince's Palace or Second Prince.]
Yi Hwan was impressed.
'They've even investigated this.'
Yi Hwan looked straight at Yoo Woo-seong.
"To fix exactly that, I'm considering centralizing intelligence at headquarters and notifying units upon incidents. What do you think, General?"
"I agree."
Yi Hwan swept his gaze over the others.
"I'm not here to seek your agreement. This is my order: obey."
"This doesn't seem like something the Great Prince can decide unilaterally. Bear in mind it concerns the welfare of each unit."
It was that general again.
Yi Hwan stared at him once more.
"You're talking nonsense. As Golden Army commander, I need access to subordinate units' intelligence—how is that a welfare issue? Does that mean your unit isn't part of the Golden Army?"
"......!"
The general was speechless for a moment.
Only after Yi Hwan's retort did he realize his mistake. But words already spoken couldn't be retracted.
"My principle is to let anyone speak freely before me, so I'll let this slide. But spout nonsense again, and I won't overlook it."
The general sat without further argument.
Yi Hwan immediately warned the assembled generals.
"From now on, anyone caught hoarding unreported intelligence will be punished regardless of rank. Remember that."
The meeting soon ended.
As they dispersed, Yi Hwan called out to Yoo Woo-seong.
"Come see me."
"Yes, Great Prince."
Yoo Woo-seong sat across from Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan asked,
"You're in charge of western district security?"
"Yes."
"Does your unit have anyone reliable?"
"What do you mean...?"
"I'm asking if there's someone who can take over your unit."
Yoo Woo-seong's face subtly changed. Asking out of the blue about a replacement.
Though it could fluster anyone, he replied steadily.
"My deputy could lead the unit adequately."
"Is he here?"
"Yes. Waiting outside."
Yi Hwan glanced at Go Mi.
She nodded and stepped out, returning shortly with a general.
Yi Hwan eyed him. His gaze was as sharp as Yoo Woo-seong's.
"From today, you're in charge of western district security."
"...Pardon?"
The deputy gaped in surprise, while Yoo Woo-seong's expression grew grave, assuming demotion.
Yi Hwan continued to Yoo Woo-seong.
"General Yoo, you'll work with me from now on. It's an important role, so I'll request a promotion from the Crown Prince's Palace right away. Higher rank means the other generals won't look down on you."
"......!"
"Can you help me?"
"I'll obey your command."
Yoo Woo-seong was stunned.
Meanwhile, his deputy teared up. Yoo Woo-seong had just received the promotion every general dreamed of.
Regaining composure, Yoo Woo-seong cautiously asked,
"May I ask about the mission first?"
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea. He met Yoo Woo-seong's eyes and answered curtly.
"The Golden Army's metamorphosis."
"......"
"For now, I plan to cut out the rotten parts first. Political hacks who've abandoned their military duty will be the initial targets."
Yoo Woo-seong's gaze shifted.
In a tone markedly different from before, he asked,
"Do you mean that?"
"I do."
"The Golden Army has not just Second Prince loyalists, but also generals overly tied to the Crown Prince's Palace. Will you purge them too, Great Prince?"
A bold question. He knew full well who had appointed Yi Hwan.
But Yi Hwan was pleased inwardly.
'Eyes don't lie, after all.'
Yi Hwan replied calmly.
"You're worried I won't be impartial because the Crown Prince's Palace sent me here?"
"Forgive me, but yes."
'With that much guts...'
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
"If you ever think I'm unfair, you're free to leave anytime."