Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: The Empress's Objective
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The Empress's first envoy returned drenched in blood. And two days later, this time a general arrived with dozens of escort soldiers to see Yi Hwan.
Upon reaching Yi Hwan's office, the general glared at Cheol Mu-ok, who stood guarding the entrance.
"Are you there?"
"Who are you?"
"What?"
"If you wish to see the Great Prince, state your identity first."
Flames sparked in the general's eyes at Cheol Mu-ok's arrogant demeanor.
It was then.
"Let him in."
"Yes, Great Prince."
Cheol Mu-ok subtly turned and gestured for him to enter. The general shot Cheol Mu-ok a murderous glare before opening the door and stepping inside.
The general gave a slight bow toward Yi Hwan, who sat with his feet propped up on the desk.
"I've come to convey Her Majesty the Empress's will, so please correct your posture, Great Prince."
"Go out and come back in."
"…Pardon?"
"Are your ears clogged? I said go out and come back in."
"Great Prince, what is the meaning of—"
The general cut off mid-sentence and hurriedly bowed. Something whistled just over his head and shattered against the wall.
Crack!
It was an inkstone.
The general's eyes bulged as he stared at Yi Hwan. Yi Hwan looked back at him impassively and spoke.
"If the same words come out of my mouth once more, it won't end as pleasantly as it did for the last one who came."
"…!"
At that moment, Deputy General Son Yeong, who had been watching from one side of the office, stepped forward.
"Please go out and come back in."
The general trembled with barely contained rage but stormed outside. He didn't re-enter right away and paused to think.
'What did I do wrong? What the hell did I do to deserve this shit?'
No matter how hard he racked his brain, nothing came to mind, so he turned to the deputy general.
The deputy general looked equally baffled.
Then one of the escort soldiers cautiously spoke up.
"You didn't salute."
"Even an imperial prince doesn't salute a general of the army."
"The Great Prince is both an imperial prince and the commander of the Golden Army. You must naturally adhere to military protocol."
"…!"
The general's face twisted at those words.
'All this over that?'
Wearing an incredulous expression, the general locked eyes with Cheol Mu-ok. He glared daggers at him again before striding back inside.
"At attention!"
"Again."
"At attention!"
"Is that all the volume you've got?"
"ATTENTION!"
His final salute came out mixed with the gurgle of blood and phlegm in his throat. Cheol Mu-ok, standing outside, smirked.
'The general's voice cracking during a salute. Pathetic.'
* * *
Yi Tae-ji's residence.
Yi Tae-ji's face twisted strangely upon receiving the report.
"Chased out again?"
"Yes. His throat's so wrecked from whatever happened, he can barely speak."
"That arrogant pup from the Crown Prince's Palace, thinking the sky's the limit just because he has their backing—daring to defy Her Majesty's orders twice."
"Her Majesty the Empress is furious as well. It seems a stern command will soon come down on the Crown Prince's Palace or the Fourth Prince."
"Hmph! They brought it on themselves—who can they blame? If Her Majesty steps in personally, those stalled matters might finally move forward swiftly."
"Indeed."
Yi Tae-ji's expression had already shifted as he leisurely sipped his tea.
Clink.
"Did they say they're sending a third envoy?"
"Yes. That's what I heard. Though they haven't decided who yet. In my view, even for the Great Prince, they'll send someone he can't treat lightly."
"We'll see. Anyway, what of the Crown Prince?"
"He's been holed up in the Crown Prince's Palace these past few days. If I may say so, doesn't something feel off?"
"What's off about it?"
The close aide tilted his head and continued.
"The Great Prince must know this will incur Her Majesty the Empress's wrath, yet why is the Crown Prince's Palace just standing by?"
"Hmm."
Yi Tae-ji fell silent, his gaze sharpening. Now that he thought about it, the Crown Prince's Palace's reaction was odd.
Would gaining the Empress's ire at this point benefit the Crown Prince? No matter how he pondered, he couldn't see any advantage.
So why stand by?
'What scheme are they cooking up this time?'
* * *
Crown Prince's Palace.
Yi So's expression was as usual. But Gwan Ji-baek, watching him, looked gravely tense.
"I've heard Her Majesty the Empress's anger is intense. Are you truly fine letting the Great Prince proceed as he wishes?"
"This isn't enough to cause a major incident. The youngest chased out the envoys not to defy Her Majesty, but because of their arrogant attitudes. No matter what anyone says, the youngest is an imperial prince of the imperial family. An envoy can't act with such impudence. Even if Her Majesty drags this before the court, the ministers' opinions will split, so there won't be an issue."
Yi So finished speaking and wore a faint smile.
"…or so the youngest said. And I agree."
"Did the Great Prince say that?"
"Yes."
"When…?"
Yi So took a sip of tea before continuing.
"When I entered the palace with the Crown Prince of Zhao, he said that if such a situation arose, he'd handle it just like this. He told me to simply play ignorant. He called it a battle of nerves, so let's just watch."
Gwan Ji-baek's eyes widened in surprise. Yi So went on.
"The youngest is convinced the Empress is using Jo Gwang for something. That's why he won't hand him over."
"Did he say what that something is?"
Here, Yi So's brow furrowed slightly.
"He just said we'd know when the time comes. So I didn't press further. He's proven reliable so far, so I have no choice but to trust him this time too."
It was here that Gwan Ji-baek fully realized it.
Yi So's trust in Yi Hwan was nearly absolute. Of course, he trusted Yi Hwan too, but seeing his reckless ways always stirred some unease.
'If things go wrong, it could backfire on Your Highness, yet here you are so nonchalant…'
Yi So stood.
"I'm hungry."
"I'll have a meal prepared."
"No need. Today, I want to eat with the escorts."
"Yes, understood."
* * *
Yi Hwan hadn't emerged from his tent from morning until lunchtime. In that time, entry was forbidden to Deputy General Son Yeong and everyone else.
"Is something troubling him?"
"He's probably training. He wouldn't lock the door just for some worry."
"True, but…"
Just then, Go Mi appeared in the corridor.
"Here for a report?"
"Yes. He's in, right?"
"He is, but right now it's a bit… Is it urgent?"
"Very. But what's going on?"
"We don't know either."
It was then.
"Come in."
At the sound of Yi Hwan's voice, Go Mi immediately opened the door and entered. Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae exchanged glances and shrugged.
* * *
White steam rose from Yi Hwan's body.
Lately, he had been intensifying his cultivation technique.
"Important intel?"
"We've confirmed that the person Her Majesty the Empress sent met with the Southwest King of Zhao."
"You're certain?"
"Yes. An informant operating in Zhao's capital saw it with their own eyes. But the timing is odd."
"Odd how?"
"They met two days before Her Majesty sent her first envoy to you. If there was some deal between them, that's ample time to exchange views via messenger pigeon."
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair.
"So, there was some deal between the Empress and Zhao's Southwest King, and after receiving the results via pigeon, she sent the envoy to take Jo Gwang from me? And this is all preliminary maneuvering for whatever they're plotting?"
"It's just speculation."
Yi Hwan interlaced his fingers, his gaze steadying.
"Assuming it's all true, our first priority is figuring out what they want."
"Exactly."
"One is desperate to seize the throne, the other effectively already has it—what could they possibly trade? The Southwest King of Zhao undoubtedly requested Jo Gwang's return, so what does the Empress aim to gain by using him? That's the key…"
Yi Hwan muttered as he stared at Go Mi. Reading the implication in his eyes, Go Mi looked troubled.
"Like with Hongwol, Her Majesty the Empress's access to information is completely blocked. Think of it as almost no one able to reach classified intel."
"Then we'll have to judge based on how she responds."
"Indeed. Though one predictable part is the demand for the Zhao Crown Prince's repatriation. If you refuse like last time…"
"Zhao's Southwest King will bring up war. The Empress will use that as an excuse to press for Jo Gwang's return."
Yi Hwan chuckled midway through.
"To probe the Empress's intentions, I'll have no choice but to refuse again."
"Are you sure?"
"Third time's the charm, right? They can't do much about three refusals. Anyway, good work."
"I've heard Her Majesty the Empress's fury is immense."
"Whether she's angry at the refusal or at me beating up her envoy—we'll see. The answer should come soon. You've done enough; go rest."
"Yes. Then."
As Go Mi turned to leave, Yi Hwan held something out to her.
"I worked out one more technique. Learn it—it'll be quite helpful."
"Thank you!"
Once Go Mi left, Yi Hwan headed straight to the backyard. Screened by bamboo on all sides, the yard had a wooden bathtub in the center.
Splash!
Yi Hwan lay back in the tub.
'Repatriating a defector ties directly to national pride. The Empress, knowing that full well, must have calculated even the threat of war from Zhao's Southwest King—what exactly is she after?'
Yi Hwan racked his brain through various possibilities, but nothing clicked.
'In the end, we'll only know once something blows up, and that means our response will be delayed…'
Splash!
Yi Hwan set aside his thoughts and submerged fully underwater.
It was then.
A figure shimmered above the water.
Splash!
It was Deputy General Son Yeong.
"A messenger from the Imperial Palace."
"From the Empress?"
"No. From the Prime Minister's office."
* * *
Yi Hwan dried his hair with a cloth and impassively regarded the middle-aged man bowing his head.
"What brings someone from the Prime Minister's office?"
"The Zhao Kingdom's palace has formally demanded the Crown Prince's repatriation. Bizarrely, they claim it wasn't defection but abduction, and they've conveyed intent to resort to war if he's not returned."
"As expected. No fool would demand the return of someone who defected willingly. So you've come to take Jo Gwang?"
"…Regrettably, yes."
"By the Empress's order?"
"Her Majesty stated it's a matter of national pride and he absolutely cannot be sent. However, the ministers, including those from the Six Ministries, wish to meet the Zhao Crown Prince."
"The Empress said he can't be sent?"
"Yes. She stated so clearly at court."
Yi Hwan's eyes changed.
'Well, now.'