Chapter 115
Chapter 115
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Those Who Mentioned Daye Fortress
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Ghost Valley Lord had entered the Yeon Kingdom in search of traces of the Soul Separation Technique. Now, he found himself plunged into grave worry.
He had learned of Crown Prince Jo Gwang's exile.
"The Crown Prince in exile? What in the world could have happened to cause such an absurd turn of events?"
His close aide spoke in a grave tone.
"The Southwest King mobilized his forces to kill the Crown Prince. In the process, most of the martial artists who followed him were slain, and only Pa Pa managed to escape alongside him. The real issue is the massive purge underway against those who sided with the Crown Prince."
"Purge?"
"Yes. Many have already vanished into the morning dew on the execution grounds, and the rest have scattered across the kingdom to evade pursuit."
The Ghost Valley Lord's face hardened like stone.
"Does that mean our main headquarters could be in danger too?"
"Precisely. On the surface, Ghost Valley professed support for the Crown Prince, after all."
Crack!
The teacup in his grip shattered into pieces. It was true. Just as his aide said, Ghost Valley had publicly backed Crown Prince Jo Gwang.
Of course, the Ghost Valley Lord had been playing both sides, but the Southwest King had no way of knowing that—he would inevitably become a target of the purge.
"We should return to headquarters first, shouldn't we, Lord? If we lose our base, we'll have nowhere left to go."
Tremble...
The Ghost Valley Lord's aged eyes twitched.
His aide pressed him.
"Hesitate too long, and we'll leave regrets for a thousand years."
A moment of silence passed. The Ghost Valley Lord's flickering gaze hardened with resolve, only to sigh deeply soon after.
"With things as they are, we have no choice but to head back to headquarters. But we can't return empty-handed."
"Then..."
"We must secure Yi Hwan's head—or the Crown Prince Jo Gwang's. We'll use it to escape the Southwest King's blade."
"......!"
"Fortunately, they're gathered in one place, so opportunities abound. Call in everyone out in the field right away."
"Understood."
Once the aide departed, the Ghost Valley Lord walked to the window and flung it open.
Clunk!
Whoosh!
The Ghost Valley Lord gazed toward Yi Hwan's official residence.
'I must win the Southwest King's favor somehow. Once he knows what Ghost Valley is capable of, he won't cast us aside. A head from Yi Hwan or Jo Gwang should absolve our past sins.'
Irritation flickered in his eyes for a moment.
He had thought of Jo Gwang.
'Had I known the Crown Prince would crumble this quickly, I would've sided with the Southwest King long ago...'
* * *
The lake, heavy with morning dew and mist, resembled a masterpiece painting. Anyone beholding such a sight would feel their heart grow serene.
That was why Third Prince Yi Seong-ji loved the lake.
Today, as always, he was lost in a game of Go with the old man he called Master.
Clack.
"Have you met the Fourth Prince yet?"
"I saw him briefly at the appointment ceremony. He'd changed quite a bit, just as the rumors said."
"For the better?"
"Who can say."
Clack!
"The big dragon is in peril—focus on the game, Master."
"Didn't I say the big dragon cannot die?"
Clack!
The old man's move opened a path for the endangered big dragon.
A faint crease formed between Yi Seong-ji's brows. His own aggressive stones now felt burdensome in the face of that exquisite counterattack.
"We can't stay holed up here forever. It's time you stepped out into the world, don't you think?"
"Do you believe the moment has come?"
"An unexpected figure's emergence forces us to advance the timeline. Let this continue, and we'll have one more foe to face."
"You mean my younger brother?"
"Yes."
Clack.
Yi Seong-ji placed his stone.
He then quietly regarded the old man and continued.
"What do you make of my brother, Master?"
The old man placed his own stone and straightened his back.
"He's still just a wolf for now. But once those fangs grow longer, he might devour a tiger. We can't underestimate the Golden Army's potential."
A strange smile tugged at Yi Seong-ji's lips.
"You're not saying this to push me out into the world, are you?"
"It'd be a lie to say I don't hope for that. But the Fourth Prince I saw is more than capable of becoming a tiger. Now he's taken command of the hundred thousand Golden Army and forged close ties with the Crown Prince's Palace. It's cause enough for concern."
Yi Seong-ji slowly sipped his long-cold tea.
Clink.
The old man pressed on.
"A few days ago, Her Majesty the Empress visited the forbidden zone."
"I heard."
"It might mean she's preparing to play the card everyone fears. Of course, that card's edge will first turn toward the Crown Prince's Palace—but after that, it will point at Your Highness. That's why I urge you to make haste."
The old man's tone grew firmer, but Yi Seong-ji merely smiled calmly.
Just then, a pair of birds with vibrant feathers alighted on a tree branch.
Yi Seong-ji lifted his gaze to watch them.
What was he thinking? He fell silent for a long while.
The old man waited wordlessly for him to speak. How much time passed like that?
Yi Seong-ji finally broke the silence with a question.
"What card do you predict Her Majesty will play?"
"Applying the imperial house law established by the Founding Emperor to the Crown Prince's Palace. That's the card I'd play if I were Her Majesty. It would be the most legitimate and certain method."
"Then I couldn't escape that card either, could I?"
"No. The one-versus-two dynamic will free Your Highness from it."
"You think Her Majesty will win me over."
"She'd do anything for the Second Prince. Besides, Your Highness is Her Majesty's own flesh and blood—no need to worry on that front."
At those words, a faint smile returned to Yi Seong-ji's lips. Though it carried a slightly different nuance from before.
"I've heard your counsel loud and clear, Master—so let's end it here for today."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The old man departed shortly after.
Left alone in the pavilion, Yi Seong-ji gazed down at the lake, faintly furrowing his brow.
"To play the Founding Emperor's imperial house law as a card... war would have to break out..."
Snap!
Yi Seong-ji flicked his fingers, and a man in green robes materialized like a ghost from empty air.
"Keep watch on Her Majesty the Empress and the Southwest King of Zhao. I'll speak to Master later myself, so stay silent for now."
"Understood."
The green-robed man vanished like a ghost.
Yi Seong-ji murmured softly as he gazed back at the lake.
"The exile of Zhao's Crown Prince Jo Gwang could spark a war. Perhaps that's why Her Majesty entrusted the matter of his exile to the Crown Prince's Palace."
Flutter flutter!
The bird on the tree took flight.
Yi Seong-ji watched it soar into the sky, murmuring softly as he faintly furrowed his brow.
Yi Hwan's face from the Imperial Palace came to mind.
"A look that could well become a tiger..."
* * *
"It seems I've gathered quite a few enemies."
Yi Hwan scratched his ear with an ear pick. Lately, his ears had itched often.
"Great Prince, it's me."
"Come in."
Go Mi opened the door and entered.
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair with a hazy smile.
"Whenever the Moon Lord visits, it's always a thrill."
"There's a suspicious manor on the outskirts of the capital."
"A suspicious manor?"
"Yes. One of our agents spotted it while passing by. Martial artists are seen coming and going frequently."
"So they disguised it as an ordinary manor on purpose."
"That's the impression."
Yi Hwan nodded silently, then called out softly toward the outside.
"You two, come in."
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae entered.
"The Moon Lord found a suspicious manor. Once the sun sets, you two go check it out."
"Understood."
"Take a few more just in case."
"The two of us are enough."
"Do as I say."
"......Yes."
Yi Hwan turned to Go Mi.
"Anything else?"
"The Southwest King of Zhao is purging the martial artists who followed the Crown Prince on a massive scale. Some escapees have crossed into our territory in droves."
"That's hardly urgent. What else?"
"......Nothing."
Yi Hwan straightened up and asked something different.
"Any movements from the Second Prince?"
"Yes. Nothing unusual so far. We've also confirmed Her Majesty hasn't stepped foot outside Manwa Palace."
"She's no doubt plotting the Crown Prince's Palace's downfall."
Clink.
Yi Hwan drained the last of his tea and stood.
Cheol Mu-ok asked.
"Heading out?"
"I need to see Zhao's Crown Prince."
* * *
Yi Hwan sat face-to-face with Jo Gwang.
Jo Gwang looked far more gaunt than a few days prior.
"You said you'd make a comeback—given up already?"
"As if."
"Then force some food down. Your face says you've skipped a few meals."
"I'll take care of my own body."
Yi Hwan glanced at Pa Pa, seated to the side, then continued.
"The Southwest King is purging the Crown Prince's martial artist followers on a grand scale. Some escapees seem to have crossed into our territory. If any show up looking for you, report to me immediately."
Jo Gwang's expression changed instantly.
Pa Pa's did too.
"Is that... true?"
"Word from a reliable source, so it checks out. If I were the Southwest King, I'd start with those who followed you first. Leave them be, and they'd be the biggest threats."
"Haa..."
Jo Gwang bowed his head and squeezed his eyes shut. Pa Pa let out a sigh.
Yi Hwan fell silent for a moment.
Jo Gwang lifted his head and asked.
"If any martial artists come looking for me, could you protect them too?"
"Obey quietly without foolish thoughts, and I might let you stay here."
"Can I have your word?"
"What if I say no?"
"......"
"When you're desperate, just trust. Don't haggle over promises. I hate being bound by such things."
"Got it. I'll trust you, Great Prince."
Yi Hwan reached for his teacup but pulled back. He turned to Pa Pa and said.
"Mind if I ask one thing?"
"Please, go ahead."
"Do you know of Daye Fortress by chance?"
"How could a martial artist not know of Daye Fortress?"
"Good. Then you know why they fell?"
"That much, I don't. All I know from tales and books is that they were the strongest faction in history."
"Were there no records in those books about the Lord of Daye Fortress or the Three Kings?"
"None."
Yi Hwan, who had hoped otherwise, wore a bitter expression.
"Why do you ask?"
"I'm a bit of a history buff when it comes to the martial world, but no one around me knows much. Thought you might, Heaven's Impartial Sword..."
Jo Gwang, who had been staring at the wistful Yi Hwan, dropped words that perked up his ears.
"The Southwest King often spoke of martial history too. If memory serves, he mentioned Daye Fortress as well."
Yi Hwan's eyes sharpened at once.
"The Southwest King mentioned Daye Fortress?"
"It's old memory, hazy now, but I clearly recall the name Daye Fortress."
"Nothing more you remember?"
"It was during drinks with Father... Ah! Come to think of it, Father seemed to know of Daye Fortress too. The mood was quite serious, so it stuck. But beyond that..."
Jo Gwang furrowed his brow in thought, then shook his head.
"Nothing else comes to mind."
'If Zhao's Emperor and the Southwest King mentioned Daye Fortress in such a grave atmosphere, they must know something.'
It was the first time. For the first time, he felt like he'd found a lead.
But it chafed that those who might know were Zhao's Emperor and the Southwest King.
'No choice but to find a way.'
Yi Hwan brushed off his robes and stood.
As he moved to open the door, he turned back to Pa Pa.
"I need info on the martial artists under the Southwest King. How much time do you need?"
"......"
Pa Pa glanced at Jo Gwang in bewilderment. Jo Gwang nodded.
"Two days will suffice."
"Then two days from now."
Thud!
Once Yi Hwan left, Pa Pa asked.
"Is it alright to hand over that information?"
"They're the Southwest King's martial artists, aren't they? We'd have to kill them ourselves anyway, so write down every detail you can."
"Understood."