Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Yeom Yu-gwang Caught in the Trap
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Yellow Dragon Merchant Group Leader Yeom Yu-gwang leisurely tilted his wine cup.
“Wang Ji-kyeong, that pig of a man must be meeting the Jade Emperor by now.”
“Since the family head stepped in personally, no matter how much money Wang Ji-kyeong threw at the martial artists, it won’t be a problem. So now all that’s left is seizing control of the commercial routes he’s dominated.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Pardon? Even after Wang Ji-kyeong is dead?”
Yeom Yu-gwang furrowed his brow and continued.
“Wang Ji-kyeong has close ties with the Song family. You know who the lady of the house is, don’t you? If we move rashly, not only the Fourth Imperial Prince but even the Crown Prince’s Palace could get involved, so we must proceed with caution.”
“Understood.”
Yeom Yu-gwang picked up his wine cup again.
“By the way, it’s about time we heard back...”
“The distance is considerable, so please wait a little longer.”
Yeom Yu-gwang drank his wine leisurely. But after a long while with no news at all, he began to grow irritated.
“Something’s dragging on like this. Send someone right away to check!”
“Yes, Division Leader.”
It was just as Yeom Yu-gwang brought his wine cup to his lips.
A middle-aged man pushed open the door and entered.
“Division Leader!”
“What is it?”
“Someone from the Golden Army has arrived.”
“...The Golden Army?”
Yeom Yu-gwang set down his wine cup and stared behind the middle-aged man. A warrior clad in Golden Army uniform was stepping inside.
‘Why would the Golden Army come looking for me?’
In that instant, Yeom Yu-gwang was overcome with unease.
The warrior stepped forward and held out an envelope.
“What is this?”
“See for yourself.”
Yeom Yu-gwang opened the envelope and pulled out the paper inside.
‘A summons order?’
It was unmistakably a summons order, directing him to the Golden Army headquarters by morning.
“Why is the Golden Army summoning me?”
“I’m just the messenger. Farewell.”
The warrior, who had turned to leave, paused and turned back.
“Don’t be late. The Great Prince despises those who miss appointments.”
“...”
Once the warrior departed, Yeom Yu-gwang sank into his chair with a grave expression.
‘Why is the Fourth Imperial Prince summoning me?’
He asked his close aide.
“Have we ever done anything that could get us in trouble with the Golden Army?”
“No way. We’ve never done anything like that.”
“Then why are they summoning me? There might be something we overlooked, so go over everything meticulously!”
“There really isn’t anything.”
Tremble...
Yeom Yu-gwang’s fingers shook. It was a tic that appeared when he was extremely anxious.
* * *
Warmth filled the breeze.
The bitter cold of winter had finally lifted, and spring was beginning to make itself felt.
Yi Hwan tilted his teacup in the headquarters office as he received a report from Deputy General Yu Woo-seong.
Most of the report covered incidents that had occurred while he was with the Northern Legion.
“That’s all.”
“Are you managing alright as deputy general?”
“It’s still unfamiliar. But I’ll do my utmost to assist you.”
“Have some tea.”
“Thank you.”
At that moment, Cheol Mu-ok entered.
“Yeom Yu-gwang is here.”
“He arrived quickly.”
“Shall we meet here?”
“Better to set the mood in the punishment hall. Take him there.”
“Understood.”
Once Cheol Mu-ok left, Yu Woo-seong asked.
“Why did you summon the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group Leader?”
“He sent martial artists to kill me.”
“...Pardon?”
Yu Woo-seong’s eyes widened. Yi Hwan drained his teacup and stood.
“I’ll be back.”
“I’ll accompany you, Commander.”
“You’ve got plenty to do as deputy. It’s important, so handle it quickly.”
“...Understood.”
Yu Woo-seong watched Yi Hwan’s retreating figure as he headed out, inwardly dumbfounded.
‘The Yellow Dragon Merchant Group Leader—this madman’s truly lost it. Even with the Empress backing him, there are other targets.’
* * *
Yeom Yu-gwang bit his lip against the chilling cold that seeped into his bones.
The punishment hall where he now stood was a place used for interrogating criminals, so its atmosphere was inherently eerie.
Yeom Yu-gwang asked a warrior standing at the entrance.
“What is this place used for?”
“Quiet.”
“...”
Then the warrior turned to Yeom Yu-gwang and said.
“The Great Prince is coming. Stand up.”
“...!”
Yeom Yu-gwang shot to his feet.
Seeing Yi Hwan enter, he bowed deeply.
“I greet the Great Prince.”
Yi Hwan silently took a seat opposite Yeom Yu-gwang.
“Sit.”
“...Yes.”
Yi Hwan gazed impassively at Yeom Yu-gwang. Yeom Yu-gwang couldn’t meet his eyes and kept his gaze lowered.
“Yellow Dragon Merchant Group Leader Yeom Yu-gwang. Correct?”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“Why did you try to kill me?”
“...Pardon?”
Yeom Yu-gwang nearly jumped to his feet. Yi Hwan leaned back slightly and continued.
“Last night, you sent warriors from the Moyong family to assassinate me. Do you admit it?”
“Th-that’s absurd, Great Prince! I-I’ve never done such a thing!”
“Is that so?”
Yi Hwan snapped his fingers.
Moments later, Cheol Mu-ok dragged in a middle-aged man. Yeom Yu-gwang’s eyes widened in shock upon seeing him.
‘Damn! Why is that guy...’
The man being dragged in was none other than Hwang Po-in, the family head. In that instant, Yeom Yu-gwang felt a chill freeze his entire body, sensing something had gone terribly wrong.
“I’ll ask again. Why did you try to kill me?”
“No! Absolutely not!”
“If you keep denying it, I’ll string you up there and we’ll begin.”
Yeom Yu-gwang looked where Yi Hwan pointed. Two iron hooks hung from the wall, strikingly similar to those used in a butcher’s shop for meat.
Even more terrifying were the clear, dried bloodstains.
A vision flashed through Yeom Yu-gwang’s mind of himself hanging there like a slab of meat, butchered horrifically.
‘I shouldn’t have come. I should have contacted Her Majesty the Empress first and waited!’
Regret flooded him too late.
“Confess. I’ll show you a way to survive. Miss this chance, and I can behead you here for attempted regicide.”
“...!”
“Imagine beheading you here and revealing your ties to the villains. What do you think will happen to your family and the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group? You know those villains who’ve killed two royals and countless officials will be punished for treason.”
Tremble...
Yeom Yu-gwang shook uncontrollably.
His trembling eyes turned toward the Moyong family head.
“I-I didn’t target you, Great Prince. Truly. I-I only wanted to kill Wang Ji-kyeong. Ask him!”
“Is that right?”
Yi Hwan stared at Hwang Po-in.
The man, who had been silently bowing his head, moved his lips.
*It depends on what you do. Your family’s fate will be decided accordingly. You know what happens if you’re tied to treason. Use your imagination.*
“Th-that man said he’d pay more if I brought the Great Prince and Wang Ji-kyeong’s heads.”
“You bastard!”
Yeom Yu-gwang finally leaped up, shouting.
But Cheol Mu-ok pressed down on his shoulder.
“N-no! I never even mentioned the Great Prince! He’s lying to save himself!”
Yi Hwan’s hand twitched slightly.
Slap!
“Argh!”
Blood sprayed from Yeom Yu-gwang’s cheek.
“Lower your voice and don’t you dare stand again. One more time, and I’ll really hang you.”
Tears streamed down Yeom Yu-gwang’s cheek.
A poorly struck slap could bring tears regardless of one’s will.
“Take him away.”
“Yes.”
Cheol Mu-ok dragged Hwang Po-in out.
Yi Hwan impassively regarded the pale, trembling Yeom Yu-gwang.
Then he quietly asked.
“Do you want to live?”
“...!”
“There’s a way.”
* * *
Cheol Mu-ok asked.
“Didn’t you say to throw him back in the cell?”
“There’s a bigger use for him.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
“...”
Cheol Mu-ok thought of Go Mi.
Whenever Yi Hwan delayed an answer like this, she always pressed him. Tell me now, she’d say.
‘Should I try that?’
“What are you thinking?”
“Ah, nothing.”
Cheol Mu-ok gave up.
‘I’ll hear it eventually. No rush.’
* * *
Imperial Palace.
The residence of Second Prince Yi Tae-ji, quiet for some time, bustled with people coming and going.
Yi Tae-ji had returned from the battlefield.
The Empress summoned him about half a shichen after he entered the palace.
Mother and son sat facing each other.
The mood was far from bright.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, Mother. I’m fine. But we lost quite a few warriors.”
“Did you find any clues to identify the culprits?”
“It has to be the Crown Prince’s Palace. Who else?”
“The Crown Prince isn’t the type to do that.”
“Then was it the fourth one?”
“That fool lacks the vessel for it.”
“Then who the hell targeted me? No matter how I think, it’s the Crown Prince’s Palace...”
“I’ve sent people to investigate every angle, so wait. Anyway, are you really alright? Your complexion is terribly dark.”
“I’m in a foul mood. Those Qin bastards suddenly interfered, ruining everything. Now I’ll take all the blame. They’ll say no one supported me.”
“Who dares blame you? Don’t worry needlessly. Rest and recover for now. I’ll handle the rest.”
The Empress reached out and caressed Yi Tae-ji’s face. Though she had also borne Yi Seong-ji from the same womb, she doted on Yi Tae-ji especially.
Rumors swirled that Third Prince Yi Seong-ji had moved his residence from the palace to a lakeside villa because he resented the Empress’s favoritism.
“My Crown Prince.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Was the attack on Seong-ji related to you?”
“I know nothing about it. Why would I attack my own brother from the same womb?”
“Can I believe you?”
“Mother!”
“Fine. I’ll trust you. Now rest.”
“Leaving already?”
“As you said, Qin ruined things. I have too much to do now. Rest up, then come to the Palace of Illusory Flowers.”
“Yes, I will.”
Once the Empress left, Yi Tae-ji leaned back in his chair and stretched grandly.
Crack!
At that moment, Mun I-jong entered.
Yi Tae-ji glared at him with extreme displeasure.
“What is it?”
“Having safely escorted Your Highness back to the palace, I should return to the Golden Imperial Guards.”
“Grand Overseer.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“This time, don’t disappoint me. Remember my patience has limits. Understood?”
“Yes. I’ll find the culprits’ backer as quickly as possible.”
Yi Tae-ji waved him off.
“Dismissed.”
* * *
‘Who do I owe my life to...’
Mun I-jong’s expression was icy as he headed to his office.
On the way back to the palace, he had fought off mysterious assailants, losing many subordinates.
They were men he had personally trained since his Hongwol days, so the emotional blow was immense. Yet Yi Tae-ji, whose life they saved through their sacrifice, showed no gratitude—instead complaining of disappointment in him.
“From today, mobilize all of Hongwol and the Golden Imperial Guards to hunt the culprits’ backer. Put the Crown Prince, Fourth Imperial Prince, and even Third Imperial Prince on the suspect list and begin.”
“Even the Third Prince?”
“Who says he lacks ambition? He might be the prime suspect.”
“Understood. Then I’ll assign equal numbers to the Third Prince’s side as well.”
“Make haste.”
“Yes.”
Mun I-jong headed straight to the Golden Imperial Guards’ office. He had to cross the plaza, and as he entered it, a group passed through the palace gates.
Mun I-jong halted, his eyes flashing.
It was Third Prince Yi Seong-ji’s entourage.
