Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Meeting Jo Gwang Again
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Three requests for protection arrived simultaneously.
Two of those locations came under attack by brigands. Fortunately, since Ju Tae and Cheol Mu-ok had personally stepped in, the brigands suffered heavy casualties and fled.
"Convey my thanks to the Great Prince."
The two ministers were essentially the core of the neutral faction. In truth, the power struggle between the Empress and the Crown Prince's Palace hadn't tipped to either side precisely because they refused to side with anyone.
Be that as it may.
As word spread, requests for protection poured in. Thanks to that, the warriors of the two factions spent the busiest days of their lives.
After several days had passed, the total number of protection missions undertaken reached thirty-two, with not a single failure. Meanwhile, two ministers aligned with the Second Prince—who hadn't requested protection—lost their lives to brigands.
The contrasting outcomes produced perfect results.
People's evaluations of Yi Hwan began to shift little by little.
That, in turn, led to positive reassessments of Yi So's decision to appoint him as commander of the Golden Army.
* * *
A smile never left Yi So's lips.
Gwan Ji-baek, watching him, grinned as well.
"Evaluations of the Great Prince are definitely changing. The protection detail was truly a masterstroke."
"The brigands haven't made any moves lately?"
"Yes. It's been quiet for days now. Oh! A few ministers who stuck to neutrality seem to have changed their minds. Two days ago, the Second Prince held a banquet, but they received invitations and still didn't attend."
Yi So smiled in satisfaction.
"At this point, shouldn't we bestow a major reward on my youngest brother?"
"Indeed."
"What would be good?"
"The Imperial Palace Treasury would make the grandest gift."
"That's too soon."
"Then how about visiting the barracks in person? If you go and encourage the warriors, the Great Prince's prestige will naturally rise, serving as a great reward in itself."
"Hmm. That sounds good."
"When would you like to go?"
Yi Hwan was about to reply when a warrior opened the door and entered.
"Your Highness, the Prime Minister requests an audience."
"Bring him in."
As the warrior left, Yi So furrowed his brow slightly and muttered.
"Why would the Prime Minister come without prior notice?"
"There's no major issue in the court."
Gwan Ji-baek looked puzzled as well.
Moments later, a white-haired, white-bearded elder entered. Yi So rose to greet him.
"Come in, Prime Minister."
"I apologize for arriving unannounced, Your Highness."
"No, it's fine."
Tea was served shortly after, and the Prime Minister got to the point.
"I met with Her Majesty the Empress this morning. She said she wishes to entrust the matter of Zhao Kingdom's Crown Prince Jo Gwang's asylum to Your Highness..."
"Understood. If that's Her Majesty's will, then so be it."
Did he think Yi So accepted too readily? The Prime Minister's expression shifted slightly.
He asked,
"Will you accept Jo Gwang's request for asylum?"
"I need to give it some thought."
Yi So concealed his true feelings.
Though the Prime Minister had helped appoint Yi Hwan as Golden Army commander, he wasn't someone Yi So could trust absolutely.
The man always sided with whatever brought him personal gain in each matter. Yi So had to remain ever vigilant against the possibility of him switching to the Empress's side at any moment.
"What are your thoughts, Prime Minister?"
"I will simply follow Your Highness's will."
The Prime Minister deftly evaded the question. Of course, Yi So had anticipated as much.
"Then I shall take my leave."
The Prime Minister departed.
Gwan Ji-baek brought in another cup of tea.
Clink.
"It took longer than expected."
"He must have agonized over what would benefit him most. In the end, he decided staying neutral was best and passed it to me."
"Surely they harbor no other malicious intent?"
"What else could they want besides pushing me aside? They might try to scheme politically using Zhao's Crown Prince, of course. Whatever it is, time will reveal it. We'll prepare, but I won't worry prematurely."
"Then whom should we send? He's a crown prince of Zhao in name, at least—we need to match his status minimally."
"Who would you send?"
"I believe the Great Prince would be ideal. Assuming he accepts, of course."
Yi So narrowed his brow.
"I hesitate because it feels like piling too much on my youngest brother."
"Evaluations of the Great Prince are starting to shift. We should push harder now that he's gaining momentum."
"It's an event drawing the world's attention, so it could be a fine chance for him to dispel prejudices."
"Exactly."
Yi So leaned back in his chair, his gaze steadying. It would certainly help Yi Hwan, yet he couldn't decide easily.
* * *
Yi Hwan received Go Mi's report.
It concerned how the Empress and Second Prince's side had entrusted Jo Gwang's asylum to Yi So.
"The Empress handing it to the Crown Prince's Palace means she doesn't want the hot potato. Or perhaps she concluded that Jo Gwang's asylum offers her no benefit."
"That's how it appears."
"Have they decided whom to send to Jo Gwang?"
"He's still deliberating. To match his status, they need a heavyweight, but drawing that line is proving difficult."
"Deliberating, my foot. Send a messenger to the Crown Prince's Palace right away. Tell them I'll go."
"You, Great Prince?"
"Why? Am I not of sufficient rank?"
"N-no! It's just... you decided so quickly..."
"The man's a crown prince of Zhao. To match ranks, we need royalty here, but the Crown Prince can't go personally, so who else is there?"
"He's barely a crown prince anymore. Sending a senior general would suffice."
"External perceptions matter. Do that, and we'll eat endless criticism."
"......"
Yi Hwan drained his tea.
Clink.
"I'll go."
* * *
Southern Legion.
Every day was hell for Jo Gwang. Sleep brought nightmares of the Southwest King tormenting him, and waking only filled him with lament over his plight—he could scarcely endure it.
Days had passed with no word from Yeon Kingdom's Imperial Palace. If asylum was denied, he'd truly have nowhere to go, making his days feel like no life at all.
Crunch!
'The one who deserves to fall into Avici Hell isn't me—why must I...'
Seething with rage, Jo Gwang clenched his fists and bowed his head.
Creak.
Pa Pa entered.
Jeong Cheon followed.
Jeong Cheon stared briefly at Jo Gwang's utterly haggard face before speaking.
"Your asylum has been approved."
"......!"
"Our Great Prince will come personally, so be prepared."
As Jo Gwang turned to leave, Jo Gwang called out.
"Do you mean the Great Prince who was here?"
"Yes."
"Why must it be him, of all people?"
Half-turned, Jeong Cheon fixed Jo Gwang with a stare. Fury flickered in his eyes.
"Watch your words. 'Of all people'?"
"......!"
Pa Pa quickly intervened.
"Considering he was our enemy until recently, it's natural to feel uneasy. Please forgive him generously, General."
"In the Southern Legion, the Great Prince is greater than anyone on this land. I may overlook it, but remember many others won't—mind your tongue."
"......"
"Prepare to depart soon."
Pa Pa asked,
"Where will you escort our lord?"
"You planned to greet the Great Prince here?"
"......"
"We'll meet him in the city two days' ride away. Hurry if you don't want to be late."
Jeong Cheon left, stirring a chill wind in his wake.
Jo Gwang downed a bowl of cold water, his anger plain.
Thud!
"Why him, of all people? To match status, the Second Prince should come at minimum."
"Your Highness, compose yourself. As the general said, until we leave, we must beware of watchful eyes."
Creak.
Song Hoe entered then, carrying dishes of food.
Thud!
"It'll be taxing to travel two days straight, so eat this beforehand."
Song Hoe pulled a bottle of liquor from his robe and set it on the table.
"If they find out I gave you liquor, I could be in trouble, so keep it from the others?"
"......!"
As Song Hoe turned to leave, Jo Gwang asked,
"What sort of man is the Great Prince?"
"Find out for yourself."
Once Song Hoe was gone, Pa Pa uncorked the bottle and poured a cup.
Glug.
Jo Gwang downed several cups in a row and asked,
"Will opportunity come for me?"
"It depends on Your Highness's resolve, sire. I believe—nay, I am certain—that day will come. So please steel your heart."
Glug.
"Pa Pa."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I'm sorry. I've disappointed you and so many others. If only I'd done right, none of this would have happened..."
Pa Pa said nothing.
She judged that letting him vent like this would help more than bottling it up.
Truth be told, she was deeply uneasy about Yi Hwan coming. They'd pursued him to kill him until just recently.
Not to mention witnessing his brutal handiwork up close.
'Please be a man of virtue and grace...'
* * *
'Who's cursing me?'
Snap!
Yi Hwan broke off a slender twig and scratched his ear. He was waiting at the outskirts of a city for Jo Gwang.
Dozens of Golden Army soldiers stood in formation behind him. Had he not considered Jo Gwang's dignity, he'd have brought only his closest aides.
Whooosh!
A strong wind blew.
Whirlwinds rose across the fields leading to the outskirts, sending dust devils soaring like dragons, drawing gasps from the watching Golden Army.
Go Mi gazed steadily at Yi Hwan's back.
'He turned all this into his own achievement.'
Less than a year had passed since they'd joined forces. In that short time, Yi Hwan had shed the stigma of being a puppet Great Prince and risen to a figure of universal attention.
What amazed Go Mi most—what she had to acknowledge—was that he'd done it through his own abilities, not the Crown Prince's halo.
'People say it's because the Crown Prince backs him, but that's wrong. The Great Prince has been leading the Crown Prince.'
She'd seen it clearly in their shared meetings—how Yi Hwan treated Yi So.
In nearly every matter, Yi Hwan took the lead, and Yi So followed. That dynamic had forged the current Yi Hwan, she was certain.
"Moon Lord."
"Yes, Great Prince."
"Any progress on what I asked you to look into?"
"Give the Grand Marshal a bit more time. As for the Golden Imperial Guards' Grand Overseer, further investigation seems impossible."
"Why is that?"
"We can't access beyond what we've already uncovered. It seems the Second Prince's side has sealed it tight."
"No helping it, then. Pushing further could be dangerous—pull back from that one."
"I'm sorry."
"What are you saying? I'm always grateful to you, Moon Lord."
"......"
It was then.
Dust clouds rose thickly from the southwest.
Cheol Mu-ok called out softly.
"They're coming."
* * *
'He must have suffered quite a bit mentally.'
Yi Hwan watched calmly as Jo Gwang dismounted. Though he feigned composure, exhaustion radiated from his eyes. Spotting Pa Pa beside him, Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
[Forget the past.]
"......!"
[You nearly got yourself in deep trouble charging then. Heh heh heh.]
Pa Pa's eyes trembled faintly.
'He knew it was me!'
Thump thump.
Pa Pa quelled her pounding heart and bowed her head.
[I will apologize separately for my rudeness. Please receive our lord warmly—we would be grateful.]
[Don't worry.]
Yi Hwan met Jo Gwang's gaze. Their eyes locked across the space.
"I am Yeon Kingdom's Great Prince Yi Hwan. I sincerely welcome the Crown Prince's asylum."
"I am Zhao Kingdom's Crown Prince Jo Gwang. I am simply grateful that the Great Prince has come personally to receive me."
Yi Hwan glanced behind him.
General Jeong Cheon bowed toward him. Yi Hwan smiled and asked,
"Is the legion running smoothly?"
"Everyone is giving their all. If you visit sometime, I'll show you even greater progress."
"How is the Commander?"
Jeong Cheon smiled in reply.
"He mentions the Great Prince at least ten times a day. You should come for the Commander's sake alone."
"That day will come soon."
Moments later, Jeong Cheon departed with his troops.
Yi Hwan mounted his warhorse and called out softly.
"Return to the palace."