Chapter 106
Chapter 106
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Go Mi Escapes the Crisis
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Crowded market street teeming with people.
The time Go Mi stepped into it was around evening, as darkness began to fall. She had come to the market street to meet an informant.
In fact, her sphere of operations was a top secret not even reported to Crown Prince Yi So or Yi Hwan. The informant was part of that secret, naturally.
Go Mi reached the front of an inn and turned to the Sword King lineage warriors who had accompanied her.
“I’ll be out soon, so wait here.”
“We received strict orders from our lord to escort the Moon Lord.”
“We can’t expose the informant’s identity, so wait here. I’ll be right out.”
The two warriors narrowed their brows, staring at Go Mi’s back as she entered the inn.
“Will she be okay?”
“What could happen? Let’s just wait here. If need be, we’ll head up right away.”
In the end, the two warriors stood at the inn’s entrance, scanning the passing crowds as they waited for Go Mi to emerge.
How much time had passed?
Two men in yellow robes entered the inn. The warriors’ sharp gazes swept over them from head to toe.
* * *
Go Mi sat facing a burly man with an ordinary face. No sooner had he taken his seat than he spoke.
“Two Crimson Moon warriors were found dead near Golden Army headquarters. Their target seems to be the Great Prince, as expected.”
“You’re certain?”
“No doubt about it. They were men I knew, so you can trust me.”
“Anything else?”
The burly man glanced around before speaking again.
“A few days ago, the Empress visited the Forbidden Zone.”
“You mean the one in the Palace of Illusory Flowers?”
“Yes.”
Go Mi’s eyes grew heavy.
‘Why would the Empress suddenly go there?’
The Forbidden Zone’s very existence was an absolute secret. Only a handful in the Imperial Palace even knew of it.
“It’ll be dangerous, but find out why the Empress went there.”
“That’s...”
Seeing the troubled look on the burly man’s face, Go Mi drew a money pouch from her bosom and held it out.
He shook his head.
“I’ve already been paid enough. It’s just too risky—I’m not sure my comrades will step up.”
“It concerns His Highness the Crown Prince’s safety, so I’m begging you. There’s no one else who can uncover it.”
“Hmm...”
At Go Mi’s earnest plea, the burly man soon nodded.
“Very well. But it’ll take time.”
“I’ll wait.”
It was then.
Two men in yellow robes stepped inside. The burly man clamped his mouth shut mid-sentence.
Go Mi casually shifted her gaze to observe them, feigning a glance away. Her eyes widened when she spotted the Sword King lineage warriors trailing behind. Their gazes met, and one warrior sent a sound transmission.
[Those men give off a bad vibe.]
Bewilderment flickered across Go Mi’s face as she smoothly looked away. The informant’s face—never to be exposed—had been revealed.
But the priority now was the identity of the two men in yellow robes.
‘Are they after me?’
It would be ideal if the warriors’ instincts proved wrong. Otherwise, for the informant’s safety, a fight was inevitable right here.
Go Mi subtly nudged her sword hilt upward.
She had left it unlocked precisely for moments like this, so the blade slid free without a sound.
The burly man did the same.
It was then.
The two men in yellow robes, who had seemed about to pass Go Mi’s table, lunged at her like thunderbolts.
Swords, drawn who-knows-when, slashed down toward her neck.
Go Mi and the burly man simultaneously kicked off the floor, recoiling backward.
Boom!
The blades struck the tabletop by a hair’s breadth.
Crash!
Before the airborne dishes and food could hit the ground, the heads of the two men in yellow robes flew into the air.
The Sword King lineage warriors had severed their necks in an instant.
“Aaack!”
“Gasp!”
The inn’s patrons fled in panic toward the entrance. The two warriors hurried to Go Mi’s side.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Amid the chaos, the burly man who had sat across from Go Mi had already vanished with the crowd. As one warrior started toward him, Go Mi held him back.
“Let him go—he’s my informant.”
“I see. Understood.”
Go Mi gazed down at the two severed heads on the floor, her eyes darkening. Yi Hwan’s face surfaced in her mind.
*If they finish investigating us, they’ll target the Moon Lord first.*
‘I saw it coming, but I didn’t expect them to move this quickly.’
It had been a razor-close call.
Without the warriors’ warning, the blade from behind would have claimed her. Go Mi expressed her gratitude.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“One favor.”
“If it’s keeping quiet about the man you met, rest assured.”
“Can you keep it from the Great Prince too?”
“...”
“Just until I tell him myself. For his sake, it needs to stay secret a while longer.”
The two warriors exchanged looks, then nodded.
“Understood. We’ll handle it that way.”
Moments later, Go Mi exited the inn.
The two warriors trailed her, vigilant of their surroundings.
[Do we really keep this from the lord?]
[She said for the lord’s sake, keep it secret for now. If it backfires, we’ll take the scolding later.]
[That woman’s reflexes were insane. The jianghu truly isn’t what it seems.]
[She leads a whole group, so she’d better be. Glad we made it through unscathed.]
* * *
‘My reaction speed has improved dramatically.’
Safe from the crisis, Go Mi’s heart raced. Even she had been stunned by how swiftly she’d dodged the men in yellow robes’ assault.
No doubt thanks to her increased inner power.
Yet another question arose.
‘Did the Great Prince truly devise this cultivation method himself?’
Doubts about Yi Hwan multiplied like links in a chain—one resolved, another emerged.
This one loomed large.
How many in the world could ascend to the heights needed to invent martial arts? A power-building cultivation method, no less. As a martial artist herself, she knew all too well its profundity.
‘Should uncovering the Great Prince’s true face be my top priority?’
In truth, shortly after aligning with him, she had ordered a probe.
But it yielded only what she already knew, plus rumors—nothing more.
She halted it thereafter.
Under orders to serve him as lord, further investigation was impossible.
‘At least he’s on the Crown Prince’s side...’
A warrior called out then.
“Moon Lord.”
“...Yes?”
“Where to?”
“...!”
Go Mi’s eyes widened faintly. Lost in thought, she had veered toward someplace utterly unrelated to headquarters.
“I need to pick up a few things.”
Go Mi held her course. Soon after, she bought armfuls of liquor and jerky—unplanned—before heading to headquarters.
“You like liquor?”
“Just a sip when sleep won’t come.”
Go Mi deflected vaguely and proffered a bottle.
“Have some back at quarters.”
“No, thank you. We don’t drink.”
“...”
* * *
Crown Prince’s Palace.
Gwan Ji-baek sought Yi So.
“This is the official letter the Great Prince sent to the imperial kin and key figures.”
Yi So unfolded the paper handed to him.
It promised full support upon advance request if protection was needed.
“Somewhat unexpected for his first act after assuming office.”
“What do you mean? With villains rampant these days, isn’t this the perfect response?”
“True enough, but...”
A smile tugged at Yi So’s lips.
“Wonder how the Second Prince’s supporters will react. If even one accepts aid, opinion might shift.”
“No one will request it. The Second Prince’s side already supplied them with jianghu men, after all.”
“We’ll see. Human nature wavers when foes offer safeguard. Lately, the villains have gone quiet. Good, but the hush feels unsettling.”
“With royals and officials hiring droves of jianghu folk, they can’t act rashly, no?”
“They’re not so timid. Even the former Central Minister, with over ten escorts, fell. Must be troubles within their ranks.”
Gwan Ji-baek recalled something.
“Now that you mention it, their activity dropped after failing to hit the Princess. Perhaps a key figure died to her guards then.”
“Could be.”
Yi Yeong’s escape from the villains’ assault had been the talk of Chang’an. Far more assailants than before, yet all slain by her escorts.
“Youngest attached those guards, right?”
“Yes. So I heard.”
“Hahaha.”
Yi So burst into laughter.
“Why the sudden laugh?”
“Most recent fortunes tie back to the youngest. It’s so uncanny, the mirth just comes.”
“Hearing it now, it does seem so.”
Yi So rose and approached the window. Cool wind rushed in upon opening it, tousling his hair.
Gwan Ji-baek stood silently behind.
“Once the youngest grips the Golden Army, we move for real. Until then, funnel covert support without alerting them.”
“You said finances weren’t needed when I inquired.”
“Really? Winning hearts takes coin aplenty—yet he refused?”
“Yes. He said nothing direct, but acts as if money’s no concern.”
“That ‘Wang’ fellow must be backing him.”
“I figured the same. The Great Prince exceeds expectations—no worries at all. Ha ha ha.”
“As he should.”
Gazing skyward, Yi So’s eyes hardened with resolve.
It was then.
“Your Highness, Moon Pavilion’s Moon Lord is here.”
“Send her in.”
Go Mi entered shortly.
Yi So greeted her warmly.
She bowed and cut straight to it.
“The Empress visited the Forbidden Zone.”
“True?”
“Yes. My informant confirmed.”
Yi So’s expression shifted in an instant.
He returned to his chair, gaze sinking.
‘Why the Forbidden Zone, all of a sudden...’
After a silent pause, Yi So asked.
“Did you tell the youngest?”
“No.”
“Good work. Reveal nothing of the Forbidden Zone until I say.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Nothing more?”
“No.”
Yi So pressed on.
“Dangerous, but uncover the Empress’s purpose there.”
“I’ve already tasked it—await results.”
Trust filled Yi So’s gaze toward Go Mi. Yi Hwan esteemed her skills, amplifying it.
“When governance steadies, I’ll deploy you fully. Devote yourself to duties till then.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
* * *
Go Mi departed the Crown Prince’s Palace.
The two warriors, waiting outside, approached.
“Straight back?”
“Yes.”
Go Mi held out an item.
A gold-plated round token.
“Carry this on future visits here. No pesky searches.”
“Our thanks.”
Go Mi headed for the palace gate. Crowds parted around her, but none offered greetings.
“Even in the palace, many don’t know the Moon Lord. How can zero among them act familiar?”
“My very being is secret to most courtiers.”
“Then enter covertly, no?”
“No issue. Face known or not, ignorance of my Moon Pavilion Moon Lord role changes nothing.”
“Leaks from the Crown Prince’s Palace? That guard earlier recognized you.”
“If not the Crown Prince’s Palace, what’s trustworthy? No worries.”
“Ah, yes...”
It was then.
Mun I-jong appeared ahead with several aides. Closing distance, he fixed on Go Mi. She met his stare unflinchingly.
Both living secrets, yet aware of each other. Mun I-jong, now official Golden Imperial Guard chief, was secret no more.
They passed with locked eyes.
As distance grew, a sound transmission stabbed her ear like a dagger.
[You somehow survived.]
Twitch.
Go Mi’s brow arced sharply. But she sent no reply.
She couldn’t.
No skill or power to reach Mun I-jong at that range.
‘Trifling assassin scum.’