Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Hwa Ryeong, Shaken
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Steam rose from the teacup, veiling Hwa Ryeong's face. There wasn't the slightest hint of impatience as she savored the aroma.
*What an intriguing man. A real shame to kill.*
Over the few days they'd spent together, Hwa Ryeong had felt a peculiar fascination with Yi Hwan.
It was a strange emotion unlike anything she'd ever sensed from those she'd faced before. Of course, it wasn't the kind of feeling that stirred between man and woman.
*From a puppet Great Prince to the Golden Army's leader, and now he's risen to a figure even Her Majesty the Empress has to keep in check. Stories like this don't come around often.*
The Empress's orders to her weren't just about finding Jo Gwang. They also included eliminating Yi Hwan perfectly, without leaving a single trace. That was another mission assigned to Hwa Ryeong.
But the opportunity hadn't arisen. She had to make it look like no one knew who killed him, and no such chance had presented itself yet.
Of course, Hwa Ryeong's own leisurely pace played a part in her reluctance to rush.
*Who could've guessed he'd be an expert capable of slicing through both man and sword infused with qi?*
Yi Hwan's martial prowess on the battlefield had been astonishingly powerful. But it wasn't enough to make Hwa Ryeong afraid. She was still confident she could kill him even now.
*If that's the full extent of your skills, you'll never be a match for me, Great Prince.*
Hwa Ryeong smiled as she brought the teacup to her lips.
That was when it happened.
One of her female attendants entered.
"The Deputy General is here."
"Show him in."
Moments later, Gwak Chung-mu's deputy entered. Hwa Ryeong rose from her seat to greet him.
"Please, come in, Deputy General."
"I've come to relay the Commander's orders."
"To me?"
"Yes. A scouting party is about to infiltrate the enemy camp. He wants you to go with them."
Hwa Ryeong delicately furrowed her brow.
Then she soon wore her characteristic smile.
"Understood. Since it's the Commander's order, I'll obey."
"Then come to the command tent in half a shichen."
"Will it just be us martial artists?"
"A few from the legion will join as well."
"Got it. See you in half a shichen, then."
Once the deputy left, Hwa Ryeong downed the now-cold tea in one gulp.
Thud!
One of the female attendants asked,
"Why does he keep assigning us these missions?"
"You don't know?"
"Pardon?"
"He's openly harassing us. Because we're Her Majesty's people. Probably the Great Prince's influence at work."
"How long are you going to put up with this?"
"What choice do I have? Until the perfect opportunity comes, if he says do it, we do it. I'm going to rest a bit, so wake me in half a shichen."
"......Understood."
Hwa Ryeong lay down on the bamboo-woven bed. The female attendant stared at her with an expression of utter incomprehension before stepping outside.
With her eyes closed, Hwa Ryeong murmured,
"Maybe I should start by killing the Commander here."
* * *
Hwa Ryeong had a dream.
It was a nightmare.
When someone woke her, she opened her eyes to find her entire body drenched in cold sweat.
"We need to go now."
"Everyone's waiting?"
"Yes."
Hwa Ryeong threw on her outer robe, grabbed her sword, and stepped outside. Her female attendants, bundled up in fur garments, were waiting for her.
She headed straight for the command tent. But she hadn't taken more than a few steps before stopping in her tracks.
Figures were approaching from the direction of the command tent.
Men clad in pitch-black robes and azure robes. Hwa Ryeong stared at the face of the black-robed man.
*Why is he here......*
The black-robed man was practically the Empress's shadow. He was someone who shouldn't leave her side even if the heavens split in two.
And now he stood before her.
*What's going on?*
Moments later, the black-robed and azure-robed men stopped in front of Hwa Ryeong and her attendants.
Rustle!
The female attendants clasped their hands and bowed their heads toward them.
Hwa Ryeong gave a slight nod.
"Please, come in."
"Step inside for a moment."
"I'm supposed to head out on the mission by the Commander's order......"
"I've spoken to the Commander and bought us some time, so come in."
* * *
Hwa Ryeong sat facing the black-robed man. The azure-robed man stood by the window, gazing outside.
The black-robed man muttered,
"The Great Prince is still alive and well, and we haven't even found a trace of Jo Gwang...... How exactly should I take this?"
"Why don't you try it yourself?"
"You make excuses in such bizarre ways."
"It's not an excuse."
Hwa Ryeong's eyes had turned icy cold like a frozen lake, but the black-robed man ignored it and stared her down.
"Have you made an attempt?"
"I don't act rashly without the perfect chance. If I slip up, it would harm Her Majesty, so of course I have to be cautious."
"It still sounds like an excuse."
Hwa Ryeong's eyebrow twitched upward. She abruptly rose from her seat.
"We can talk more after the mission."
Thud!
The black-robed man placed something on the table. Hwa Ryeong's eyes flickered faintly for an instant.
"From today, I'm leading the operations. Your subordinates will be under my command as well."
The black-robed man stared straight at Hwa Ryeong and asked,
"Will you follow?"
"Is this Her Majesty's order?"
Instead of answering, the black-robed man nodded toward the token on the table. It was answer enough to her question.
Hwa Ryeong gave no reply.
"I asked if you'll follow."
"I'll think about it after I return."
Hwa Ryeong turned and walked out.
The azure-robed man, who had watched the two from the window, smirked.
"Will she really accept it?"
*That wench dares defy Her Majesty's orders? No need to worry.*
"If it's Hwa Ryeong's temperament, she might try to kill us. Be careful. No one knows her true power yet."
"Hmph!"
The black-robed man snorted coldly. It was a display of confidence that someone like Hwa Ryeong was beneath his notice.
He asked the azure-robed man,
"Before that, we should settle things with you first."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean make it clear whose side you're on."
The azure-robed man smiled faintly.
"How could I possibly rebel against the great cause Her Majesty seeks to achieve? Naturally, I follow Her Majesty's will."
"You're not saying you'd follow me even to death."
"Don't misunderstand. Her Majesty has granted you full authority, so of course that means I'll follow you."
*That had better be sincere.*
"Of course it is."
The black-robed man brought a water bowl from the table to his lips.
The azure-robed man asked,
"Shouldn't we at least pay respects to the Fourth Prince? He is a prince, after all."
"Yes, we should."
The black-robed man stood.
"Shall we go right now?"
"I'm curious. Just how much has that man changed to make Her Majesty so concerned? I need to see for myself."
"Then let's go."
* * *
Yi Hwan indifferently regarded the two black- and azure-robed men bowing their heads.
"Sent by the Empress?"
"Yes, Great Prince."
Yi Hwan subtly furrowed his brow.
*How long has it been since I arrived at the Northern Legion, and she's already sending more people? That woman must be getting anxious. Well, after hearing about the Western Legion, it's no surprise.*
Yi Hwan leaned back and continued,
"Fine, you're dismissed."
"Understood. Then."
It was just as the black- and azure-robed men reached for the door handle.
"Who's in charge?"
"Pardon?"
"Between you and that woman Hwa Ryeong. I need to know who to consult if something comes up."
The black-robed man answered,
"Her Majesty entrusted the authority to me. So if you need anything, please summon me."
"Is that so? Very well, then."
Yi Hwan waved his hand dismissively, signaling them to leave. The two exchanged glances before opening the door and exiting.
Cheol Mu-ok said,
"Neither seems ordinary. Especially the black-robed one—he gives me the creeps."
"The azure-robed one bothers me more."
"Keep a close eye on both. By the way, I'm curious how Hwa Ryeong will take this. From her response earlier, it seems they're on equal footing."
"If infighting breaks out, wouldn't that be good for us?"
"Shall we make it happen, then?"
"How?"
"I'll find a way. You can go now. I'm resting, so don't wake me."
"Understood. Rest well."
* * *
Whoosh!
A fierce gale swept through the rugged mountains.
Unmelted snow was whipped up by the wind, clouding their vision. Hwa Ryeong, her face half-covered with cloth, advanced toward the Zhao Kingdom's camp alongside the scouts.
As the camp drew nearer, subtle auras were detected from all directions.
The lead martial artist raised his hand, halting everyone. But Hwa Ryeong missed the signal and took a few more steps before finally stopping.
[Stay focused!]
[Sorry.]
Hwa Ryeong gave a wry smile.
But her mind was far from calm. It was filled with thoughts of the black-robed man.
*How long has it been since he arrived, and he's already sending someone to replace me? Is Her Majesty's trust in me that shallow?*
Doubts about the Empress began to sprout alongside the questions. Once planted, the suspicion grew steadily larger.
It was the fatal weakness of those who had always succeeded without knowing failure.
Poke!
[Hwa Ryeong, we're moving.]
One of her female attendants jabbed Hwa Ryeong's back with a finger. Hwa Ryeong shook off her thoughts and began moving again.
[If you can't focus, just go back!]
The angry transmitted voice of the martial artist leading the scouts flowed into Hwa Ryeong's ear. She responded with another smile.
That was when it happened.
Flash!
A gleam erupted from the forest to the left.
Thud!
"Gah!"
The flash pierced a scout's throat and embedded itself in a tree behind.
Thud!
"Enemy!"
"Left side!"
"Right side too!"
Whoosh!
Figures leaped up through the swirling snow. They were Zhao Kingdom martial artists.
"Damn it, why are there so many!"
"Form up!"
The Yeon Kingdom scouts swiftly formed a sword formation. Hwa Ryeong and her attendants drew their swords and blocked the attackers charging from the right.
Hwa Ryeong's eyes flashed with white light.
*I'm already pissed enough as it is.*
Her sword cleaved through the air.
Thud!
"Argh!"
Before the severed head could hit the ground, Hwa Ryeong sliced through another enemy's waist.
Thud!
"Graaah!"
Clang!
Crunch!
"Argh!"
"Ugh!"
The clash began.
Hwa Ryeong darted here and there, unleashing ferocious attacks on all who came. No one seemed capable of standing against her.
But the mood shifted abruptly with the arrival of an azure-robed man.
Flash!
A streak of light appeared. It shot like lightning toward a female attendant moving behind Hwa Ryeong. The attendant raised a sword barrier to block the incoming light.
But then.
Boom!
"Aaack!"
With a scream, the attendant flew like a cut puppet string, crashed into a tree, and collapsed.
Thud!
Thump!
Hwa Ryeong whirled around.
It was a man in chillingly blue azure robes. He approached her with a cold grin.
"You've got quite the alluring body. I'll claim it for myself. So don't get too feisty. It'd be a shame if that beautiful form got damaged. Heh heh heh."
Twitch!
Hwa Ryeong's eyebrow curved like a blade.
"What the hell are you saying, you bastard!"