Chapter 154
Chapter 154
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Crown Prince Yi So's Resolve
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Crown Prince Yi So had returned.
He skipped the Palace of Illusory Flowers and headed straight for the Crown Prince's Palace.
Everyone in the Crown Prince's Palace cheered fervently.
Upon hearing Yi Hwan was there, Yi So made directly for the annex. When he arrived, Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae bowed their heads low.
"We pay our respects to Your Highness."
"Where is my brother?"
"Well......"
Cheol Mu-ok faltered in confusion, and Yi So smiled.
"If he's sleeping, don't wake him. I need to wash up myself."
"Yes, Your Highness."
It was just as Yi So turned to leave the annex.
The door opened, and Yi Hwan stepped out.
"You've arrived?"
Yi So turned. A broad smile was already blooming on his face.
Moments later, the two sat facing each other.
Their conversation centered on events and mishaps from the battlefield.
Yi Hwan praised the operation Yi So had devised to draw in the Qin Kingdom. Yet he voiced concerns as well.
"Can secrecy hold? If word gets out, the Empress is one thing, but Jo Yun will seize on any pretext to strike. The Qin Kingdom won't sit idle either, of course."
"They are all trustworthy souls. What you fear won't come to pass."
"There are too many mouths to seal."
"They are warriors who swore oaths to stand with me. If we can't trust them, what choice do we have? Worry not."
Even with Yi So's resolute tone, Yi Hwan couldn't fully set his mind at ease. Hundreds—not dozens—had joined the operation. A single stray thought from one could plunge Yi So into grave peril.
"The Qin Kingdom's envoys have entered the palace to meet the Empress."
"I heard. You came with them?"
"It just happened that way. Which is why I say this: we need to learn what the Empress and they discuss. That means deploying the East Depot......"
"I was already considering it."
"Is it feasible?"
"Don't worry. I have the means."
'Had his battlefield experience bolstered him so?'
Yi Hwan sensed boundless confidence in Yi So unlike before. The man's very aura had transformed.
"Who replaced the Western Legion's Commander?"
"Someone utterly reliable, of course. The Western Legion will prove a mighty ally henceforth."
They spoke at length. At the end, Yi Hwan raised the true matter weighing on him.
"Shouldn't we act in earnest now?"
"What do you mean?"
"We've merely reacted to the Empress's strikes so far. Now, we seize the blade's hilt. It's an unavoidable clash either way—best to end it swiftly for kingdom and people alike."
"Hmm."
Yi So's face grew stern, his eyes darkening.
Yi Hwan watched him in silence. At length, Yi So spoke.
"True. If it's inevitable, win or lose, drawing it out quickest may be wisest."
Yi So's expression shadowed.
"I hoped to spare kin slaying kin......"
"With your own mother lunging to slay her sons—possible? Claim the throne, and you'll clasp the devil's hand if need be."
Yi Hwan's words drew a wry smile to Yi So's lips.
"Claim the throne? It was mine by right. They grew avaricious, nothing more."
"I spoke amiss."
Yi Hwan owned his error. The throne had been Yi So's from the outset, after all.
Yi So fixed Yi Hwan with a steady gaze.
"Have you some scheme sketched?"
"Grant me the hilt, and I'll draft it true."
"Then draft it. So shall I."
"You're in earnest?"
"Aye. Devil's pact and all—as you say. Brothers' blood if it must spill, I shan't shrink. Nor greater deeds if required."
Yi Hwan read iron resolve and unyielding will in Yi So's eyes.
Yet faith demanded more.
'Can the Crown Prince truly behead the Empress and his brothers?'
Doubt came first. Such a nature would have stirred long ago. Those fierce eyes beckoned trust, but Yi So had ever differed from Empress or Yi Tae-ji.
Power's fray admitted no quarter to blood ties, though.
'In the end, my hands must run red.'
Here, Yi Hwan broached his keenest query.
"Is it not time we spoke of His Majesty?"
* * *
His Majesty lies abed with illness. He bars the princes and all others from entry, leaving only Her Majesty the Empress privy to his ailment and its course. Thus his will flows through her alone—its very truth opaque.
Yi Hwan's brow creased.
'The Emperor's will via the Empress? Her paramount weapon, then.'
Doubt stirred in Yi Hwan.
True illness, or all a Empress-woven ruse?
'The latter means his life hangs by no thread we control.'
Resolved to topple her and crown Yi So, this ill wind loomed vast. World-shaping might nestled in her palm.
'Did the Emperor foresee this? Hence yielding appointment rights to the Crown Prince?'
Yi So's chief bulwark was that power.
Devoid of it, battling the Empress were egg dashed on stone—settled already.
'No easy war this.'
Yi Hwan banished reverie, drawing quiet breath.
Whoosh!
Icy gust clawed his face. He lifted eyes ahead.
Armed troops patrolled the command post road's every turn. Golden Army sentries. Spotting him, they bowed.
Chung!
Yi Hwan sank into thought anew.
'Against the Empress, harness the Golden Army aptly. Beyond defense and order, to greater deeds......'
Then the Golden Army's hundred thousand could forge colossal might.
This musing hailed wise the purge of Jeongpung Movement ringleaders to the Northern Legion. A war dragged longer, and the Empress would have claimed them.
Thud thud thud!
Behind, a lone rider hurtled like gale.
Ju Tae and Cheol Mu-ok drew back, wary. Confirming Go Mi, they eased.
"You're late."
"Met the woman."
"Hwa Ryeong?"
"Aye. Palace of Illusory Flowers probes the Great Prince assault in force. You're suspect too."
"Naturally."
"She says dire foes moved. Bade caution."
"Identities unknown?"
"Aye. Knows only the Empress's secret cadre."
Yi Hwan's brows knit faintly.
"Hwa Ryeong ignorant means true peril. Spoke to Crown Prince's Palace ere coming?"
"Aye. To General Gwan."
"Well done."
"Yet, Great Prince."
"Yes?"
Go Mi paused, then pressed.
"She asked: if she quits the Palace, may she join us?"
"Suspect after all."
"Her sense."
"Your reply?"
"To seek your word first."
"Tell her next meet: come anytime."
"Understood."
Go Mi fell back in train. She sound-transmitted Cheol Mu-ok at once.
[What transpired? His aura differs from norm.]
[Long secret parley with Crown Prince. Content? Unshared.]
Go Mi eyed Yi Hwan's back, head cocked. Aye, utterly changed from wonted self.
'What secrets passed with His Highness?'
* * *
Another band fared to Golden Army command.
Qin Kingdom envoys, fresh from Empress meet at Palace of Illusory Flowers.
Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok trailed rear. Danri Mok scowled.
"Passing strange, no?"
"What?"
"Empress. Past fifty, yet youthful bloom? Profound arts age-reversing her?"
"Rejuvenation Technique, perhaps."
"That potent?"
"Legends tell one woman wielded it girlish past fourscore. Possible, perchance."
"Legends? Bah. She unnerved me regardless."
"The Palace's pervasive chill unnerved me more. Such dread auras palace-bound? Astonishing."
"Aye, odd indeed."
Danri Mok grinned sudden.
"Our Empress supreme. Kind, pure, graceful. Elegance atop."
"True."
Clack clack.
Mid foe heartland, Qin envoys strolled leisured.
How far yet?
"Huh?"
Danri Mok goggled.
Yi Hwan's band ahead.
"Great Prince's lot?"
"Seems so."
Danri Mok hailed envoy.
"Pursue?"
"Lead—greet proper."
"Yes!"
Thud thud thud!
Danri Mok spurred. Swift returned.
"They bid join."
* * *
"Of all ill timings......"
Shadows watched Yi Hwan's train. One eyed nearing Qin envoys, vexed.
Black-clad flank urged.
"Few foes—ignore, strike."
"Fool. Qin envoys slain—what fallout? Best yield today."
"Such chance again when?"
"Post-Empress meet. Strike them, she hunts us personal. Crave that?"
"......Forgive. Oversight mine."
"Imperial kin, lords—we spare to bar her entry. Her might joins? Reverse Heaven Society shrinks. Yield, withdraw today."
"Aye."
Yielding, they wheeled.
Reverse Heaven assassins, slayers of princes and peers.
Next chance beckoned—ghosts barred their path.
"Halt."
Swords rasped unison.
Cha cha chang!
"Who dares!"
"Your hunters, fool."
Whirl!
Rear drops: prince's lineage warriors.
"Sheathe. Live thereby."
"Charge!"
Assassins struck first.
Kagang!
"Argh!"
"Grah!"
Auras raged, screams chased. Assassins swift, fierce—speed blades packing ruinous bite.
Yet prince's lineage overmatched them. Vastly outnumbered, frontal brawl assassins loathe—no contest.
"Kraa!"
Two bled out crumpling, two heads arced. Blink's work left survivors stunned.
Four clung.
Prince's lineage closed ring, inching tight.
Then—
Plop! Plop!
Assassins toppled slack. Black ichor surged mouths, noses, ears.
"Poison bombs bitten."
"Stubborn curs. Lives tossed so cheap."
"Fanatics thus. Corpses?"
"Leave. Hasten to Great Prince."
"Aye."
Cleared spot—ghosts materialized anew. Trembling eyes on mangled dead.
Reverse Heaven kin too.
Come link assassins, spied fray, hid. Aid futile, they knew.
"Escorts shadow even blind spots......"
"Struck his princess sister—drew him. Chaos since."
"Superiors foresaw not his prowess. Fault ours—blind intel."
"Abandon kill?"
"Assassins gone—no choice. Return."
"Aye."