Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Entwining Bad Fates
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Yu Woosung had been suddenly promoted.
But he felt no excitement at all.
‘The Golden Army has been rotting from the inside for a long time now. Most of the generals have colluded with the Second Prince, muddying even the army’s very identity. The generals loyal to the Crown Prince’s Palace aren’t much different. If things continue like this a little longer, the Golden Army will forever become a plaything of those in power.’
It was a conviction he had held for a long time.
Yet no one in the Golden Army—not even the commander—had paid it any mind. On the contrary, the commander’s own collusion with the Second Prince had only increased the number of generals siding with him.
“Are you sure you’ll be all right?”
The deputy general asked.
He was thrilled that Yu Woosung, whom he trusted and followed, had been promoted, but at the same time, he deeply regretted their parting.
Yu Woosung smiled and replied.
“The Great Prince wants me, so I have no choice but to go.”
“There are bad rumors about the Great Prince...”
“I don’t judge people by rumors. You know that.”
Clap!
Yu Woosung placed a hand on the deputy general’s shoulder.
“I believe you can handle it well. Just do as you’ve always done. You’ll lead the unit even better than I could.”
“How could I ever match a general like you?”
“You can. Believe in yourself.”
“......”
After reassuring the deputy general once more, Yu Woosung continued.
“I’ll send word through the messengers once I settle in. Have them pass along my farewell as well.”
“Yes, General.”
The deputy general’s eyes finally reddened.
Partings were sad for everyone. Even battle-hardened generals were no exception.
“You can see me anytime, so why the tears? Pull yourself together and head back to the unit.”
“Yes. Then I’ll see you next time!”
It was just as the deputy general bowed his head and turned to leave. Yi Hwan’s deputy general, Son Yeong, opened the door and entered.
The two men smiled at each other. They had always gotten along well, their thoughts aligned.
“It seems the Great Prince has a good eye for people. In any case, it’s an honor to serve alongside you, General.”
“The honor is mine to serve with you, Deputy General. Please bear with my shortcomings.”
“Shall we go? I’ll show you to your quarters.”
“One question first.”
Yu Woosung hardened his expression and asked directly.
“What kind of man is the Great Prince, in your eyes?”
Son Yeong asked in return.
“Do you believe the rumors?”
“I don’t judge people by rumors.”
Son Yeong smiled faintly at Yu Woosung’s words.
“I haven’t served the Great Prince for long myself. But one thing I can say is that he’s someone worth trusting and following.”
It was a somewhat vague answer.
“I, Son Yeong, have staked my life on the Great Prince.”
‘If even General Son speaks this highly...’
Yu Woosung felt inwardly relieved. If Son Yeong said as much, perhaps he could give Yi Hwan a chance.
Soon after, the deputy general departed, and Yu Woosung headed to his new quarters with Son Yeong.
Yu Woosung asked.
“Why did the Great Prince choose this place as headquarters?”
“I’m not entirely sure myself. But he seemed to greatly dislike staying in the imperial capital.”
“That’s strange. Anyone would prefer the capital.”
Yu Woosung felt a spark of fondness here as well. For those aiming for advancement, the capital was like a dream stage—easy to catch the eye of the highest powers and build connections.
Yet Yi Hwan had chosen this place over the capital as his new command post.
This time, Son Yeong asked.
“Have you heard the news about the Southern Legion?”
“Yes. I heard the Great Prince led it to repel the Zhao Kingdom. It must be true, right?”
“I’ve only heard rumors myself, but I believe it’s true.”
“You have strong faith in the Great Prince, General.”
Son Yeong smiled faintly again.
“You’ll understand why once you spend some time with him.”
Moments later, they entered the main hall.
The first people Yu Woosung saw were Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae. His gaze toward them grew a bit heavier.
‘Murim warriors... and strong ones at that...’
He didn’t care much for murim folk. Most he had encountered were the type to flaunt their strength and dominate others. That tendency often led to clashes with fellow generals.
Yu Woosung had experienced it several times himself.
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae gave a slight bow to the approaching Yu Woosung.
“Here about your quarters?”
“Yes.”
“They told you to use the room over there.”
Ju Tae pointed to the left side of the corridor.
“You can keep your weapons on you, but get permission before anyone else enters.”
“Understood.”
Even Son Yeong’s overly polite attitude toward them irked Yu Woosung.
‘Even as the Great Prince’s guards, mere murim wanderers acting this way toward an imperial general...’
It was then.
[Drop your prejudices against murim folk first. They may look the part, but they’re vastly different from others.]
At Son Yeong’s sound transmission, Yu Woosung stared at him.
Son Yeong smiled.
[They’re good people.]
“......”
* * *
That evening.
Yi Hwan sat face-to-face with Go Mi.
“The Second Prince’s side replaced the Golden Imperial Guards’ Grand Overseer.”
“Obviously with one of their own.”
“Yes. And they’ve reinforced with a large number of murim warriors.”
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair and asked.
“Did the Second Prince have the authority for that?”
“It was Her Majesty the Empress’s order. Of course, even she lacks the authority.”
“Yet they did it anyway, assuming the Crown Prince’s Palace wouldn’t object since I became head of the Golden Army? After all, it wasn’t a proper appointment.”
“That’s how I see it too.”
Go Mi placed a sheet of paper on the table.
“Information on the man who’s now Grand Overseer of the Golden Imperial Guards.”
As expected, she was fast.
Yi Hwan was no longer surprised. He smiled faintly.
“I’ll have to give you bigger tasks later.”
“Who do you mean?”
“The person sitting in front of me.”
“......!”
“You’ve been diligently practicing the mental technique?”
“Yes. I train whenever I get the chance.”
“Once it reaches a certain level, I’ll teach you new forms. Work harder.”
Go Mi’s eyes sparkled at his words.
“Couldn’t you teach me now?”
“Rushing leads to indigestion. Master the mental technique first. It’s the foundation of all martial arts.”
“......Yes.”
After Go Mi withdrew, Yi Hwan walked to the window and flung it open.
Darkness was settling over the surroundings.
‘Many ministers still doubt my abilities. To steer everything my way from here on, I need to change their perceptions first.’
Flutter.
The paper on the table flew into Yi Hwan’s hand on its own.
Mun I-jong.
Former head of Hongwol, the Emperor’s direct assassination unit disbanded years ago. Skilled in covert operations, powerful in martial arts... [text omitted].
‘Head of the assassination organization Hongwol...’
Yi Hwan had heard of Hongwol before. If Moon Pavilion handled intelligence, Hongwol specialized in assassination—eliminating the Emperor’s political enemies or key figures from enemy states.
Known for its pivotal role in Emperor Yeon Taejo’s founding of the nation, it had enjoyed treatment on par with the Three Dukes for generations. But years ago, it vanished into history for unknown reasons.
“Planning to assassinate anyone who gets in the way, are they?”
Whoosh!
The paper burst into flames.
Yi Hwan’s eyes reflected the fire, glowing red. The burning paper soon scattered as a handful of ash.
‘This is getting interesting.’
* * *
Mun I-jong’s quarters.
His gaunt, hollow cheeks twitched faintly. He was smiling.
“An unexpected gift. Heh heh heh.”
The Empress had appointed him head of the Golden Imperial Guards. Even he hadn’t anticipated it.
His close aide was even more delighted.
“Sincere congratulations on becoming Grand Overseer.”
“No need to be so thrilled. They’re using me to achieve our shared goal, since we want the same thing.”
Mun I-jong knew what Yi Tae-ji desired, and he intended the same.
Taking the life of Yi Hwan, the murderer of his son.
That was why he had broken his seclusion to join hands with Yi Tae-ji.
“The Crown Prince next?”
At his aide’s chilling question, Mun I-jong nodded silently.
“If that’s what the Second Prince wants most, we have no choice.”
Mun I-jong brought the teacup to his lips.
Clink.
“That man has begun his official duties. On his first day, he made remarks provoking the Second Prince’s generals, and it’s stirring talk within the Golden Army.”
“Naturally. The Fourth Prince is little more than a figurehead planted by the Crown Prince’s Palace, so he has no choice but to do their bidding.”
Mun I-jong’s eyes chilled colder than ice as he spoke of Yi Hwan.
The blood-sworn enemy he had never forgotten for a single moment.
Now, the time to end his life was approaching.
“You’re keeping a close watch?”
“It’s not easy. Tracking him outside his office is no issue, but once he holes up inside, approaching is impossible.”
“No rush. We need time to fully seize the Golden Imperial Guards anyway, so keep a safe distance and monitor only unusual movements for now.”
“Understood.”
After sipping his tea again, Mun I-jong brought up another matter.
Clack.
“Did Moon Pavilion join that side?”
“Yes. It seems they’ve been aiding the Fourth Prince for a long time.”
“Then we start by removing the Fourth Prince’s eyes and ears.”
Crackle.
The still-warm tea froze white in an instant. A vicious chill then swept through the room.
“It’s time to remind them of the terror of Hongwol that even the Emperor feared. Our first target will be the life of Fourth Prince Yi Hwan.”
* * *
Yi Hwan had made his office the Golden Army’s new command post.
Key figures from within the Golden Army soon relocated their workplaces there, including those who liaised with the Imperial Palace.
Most of them, of course, were from the Crown Prince’s Palace.
Many saw it as natural, but Yu Woosung did not welcome the command post turning into a Crown Prince’s Palace enclave.
He sat face-to-face with Yi Hwan.
“May I speak freely?”
“Go ahead.”
Yu Woosung spoke deliberately.
“There seem to be too many here with deep ties to the Crown Prince’s Palace. Wasn’t this against the Great Prince’s intent as stated in the first meeting?”
“Have you forgotten who put me in this seat?”
“Well...”
Yi Hwan asked calmly.
“No one can deny that the Crown Prince becoming Emperor is the natural order. Can helping the Crown Prince’s Palace truly go against that order? What do you think, General?”
“......”
Yu Woosung was momentarily speechless.
It was a question impossible to refute or oppose. The Crown Prince ascending as the next Emperor was inevitable, and loyalty to him was the proper path.
Yi Hwan continued.
“No one in this land can defy it. I’m merely following the natural flow. That said, I have no intention whatsoever of operating the Golden Army solely for the Crown Prince’s Palace, so watch a bit longer.”
“What if the Crown Prince’s Palace strays from the righteous path?”
“Meaning tyranny?”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan smiled calmly and tilted his teacup.
Clink.
“That’s crossing the line.”
“My apologies. But I wanted to know the Great Prince’s will.”
Yi Hwan stared straight at Yu Woosung and asked.
“Is it so hard to wait and observe?”
As his tone and gaze shifted, Yu Woosung panicked inwardly. The current Yi Hwan felt like an entirely different man from the one he had seen over the past few days.
“I promise it won’t come to that.”
It was then.
“It’s me, Great Prince.”
Go Mi’s voice drifted in.
“Come in.”
As Go Mi opened the door and entered, Yu Woosung rose from his seat.
“No need, sit.”
Yu Woosung sat back down, and Go Mi took the seat beside him.
“New information on the Golden Imperial Guards has come in.”
“What is it?”
“A large group believed to be Hongwol’s main force has joined them. Since they specialize in assassination, the Crown Prince’s Palace is on high alert.”
Yu Woosung stared at Go Mi in shock.
“Did you say Hongwol just now?”
“Yes, General.”
“Why would those disbanded by imperial edict join the Golden Imperial Guards...”
Yu Woosung was unaware that the new Grand Overseer of the Golden Imperial Guards was Mun I-jong, former head of Hongwol.
Yi Hwan said calmly.
“Hongwol’s former head has become the Golden Imperial Guards’ Grand Overseer. It seems meant to check me as head of the Golden Army, but let’s watch the situation for now.”
“Though His Highness the Crown Prince appointed the Great Prince as head of the Golden Army, it can be seen as an imperial edict. For the Second Prince to summon Hongwol—disbanded by imperial edict—to the palace just to check you, isn’t that defying His Majesty?”
“The Second Prince lacks the guts or ability for that.”
“Then...”
“It’s the Empress’s will.”
“......!”
Yu Woosung’s gaze sank heavily.
Yi Hwan murmured with a faint smile.
“This is getting interesting.”
Yu Woosung’s gaze shifted once more.
‘Getting interesting?’
In this suffocating situation that made it hard to even breathe just thinking about it, Yi Hwan was smiling. What did he know about what might befall the Crown Prince?
Then Go Mi’s sound transmission burrowed into Yu Woosung’s ear.
[If you’re startled by this much, it’ll be hard to work together going forward.]
“......!”