Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: The Road to the Imperial Palace (2)
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Whoooosh!
Splash!
Amid the swirling sheets of rain, shadowy figures moved stealthily.
They had started out as just a handful, but with each ridge they crested, their numbers swelled, until they finally numbered over a hundred.
All masked, they headed straight north—precisely toward Yi Hwan and Yi Seong-ji's group.
How long had they been traveling?
A black-clad scout came dashing in from the front. He reported to the group's leader.
"The Third Prince and Fourth Prince are moving separately."
"Good. It would have been a real headache if they'd stuck together."
The leader's eyes flashed as he issued a low command to those on either side.
"When we reach the midpoint of the shrubland, we attack. Get the signal flares ready for the right moment."
"Yes."
Rumble!
Crackle!
Lightning webbed across the sky overhead. It reflected in the leader's eyes, flashing white.
"Today, we succeed no matter what. Fail again, and the organization's very foundation could crumble."
He muttered cryptically, laughing coldly. His teeth gleamed eerily, sharp and pointed like a demon's fangs.
* * *
"Your Highness, there's a roadside shrine ahead. Why not take shelter from the rain there for a bit?"
At the warrior's words, Yi Seong-ji looked forward.
In the middle of the vast shrubland stood a lone shrine, utterly out of place.
Gong Ya-un spoke up.
"No one would dare blame Your Highness for a slight delay. Let's do it."
"If someone's targeting us, it's the perfect spot to get isolated."
"With open ground all around, ambushes shouldn't be a concern."
"Very well. Let's rest there briefly."
"Escort His Highness!"
Yi Seong-ji's group headed for the shrine.
As they went, Yi Seong-ji scanned ahead. Yi Hwan's group had already passed the shrine and was moving much farther north.
Gong Ya-un asked with a meaningful glint in his eye.
"How long do you plan to just watch?"
"Are you suggesting we take him out here?"
"It's someone who must be dealt with eventually. The sooner, the better for Your Highness."
"I hope that time isn't today, at least. Let's head inside, Master."
"......"
Gong Ya-un watched Yi Seong-ji's retreating back as he entered the shrine, his gaze heavy. He let out a quiet sigh.
*To pass up such a golden opportunity...*
He quickly turned to the warriors.
"Don't let your guard down just because it's open terrain. Keep a sharp watch on the surroundings."
"Yes!"
Inside the shrine, Gong Ya-un ordered a fire lit and pulled a flask of liquor from a warrior's pack. He handed it to Yi Seong-ji.
"Warm yourself up first."
"You have some too, Master."
"Yes, of course."
They passed the cup back and forth a few times. As the fire began warming the interior, two sharp explosions rang out.
Boom! Boom!
A warrior burst through the door.
"Masked assailants are closing in!"
"Were those explosions signal flares?"
"Looks like it."
Anger flared in Gong Ya-un's eyes.
He grabbed his sword from against the wall and stepped outside. Yi Seong-ji, meanwhile, showed no sign of agitation as he calmly sipped his drink.
Gong Ya-un returned.
"Your Highness, we need to move—now."
"The situation looks grim."
"There are too many of them. And since they're using signal flares, it's clear they targeted us from the start."
Yi Seong-ji drained the last of his cup and stood.
Moments later, the group bolted north at full speed.
*You again?*
Yi Seong-ji's eyes flickered with quiet fury as he tore through the rain.
The black-clad pursuers.
Yi Seong-ji didn't just suspect who had sent them—he was certain. It was Yi Tae-ji, the Second Prince, greedy to monopolize the Empress's shadow.
Rumble!
Crackle!
Lightning stretched like a web overhead, flashing white in Yi Seong-ji's eyes.
Gong Ya-un stuck close to Yi Seong-ji, glancing sharply behind.
From three directions—excluding straight ahead—the attackers closed in relentlessly, their numbers growing. Yi Seong-ji guessed at least two hundred.
"With that many coming at us, they must be dead set on making up for last time."
"It's too soon to be sure who, Your Highness."
"No. I'm certain. I know exactly who sent them."
Sizzle.
Lightning-like energy rose from Yi Seong-ji's hands. Raindrops hitting it vaporized with a hiss.
* * *
Boom! Boom!
"Look over there."
Yi Hwan turned.
Two massive flares burst in the sky, only to be extinguished by the downpour.
"Looks like it's starting again."
"Not us."
"Pardon?"
"If they were after us, they wouldn't fire flares there."
"Then it's the Third Prince they're targeting."
"Probably."
Yi Tae-ji's sly, despicable face floated into Yi Hwan's mind.
*Wants Mother's halo all to himself, huh.*
Likely.
"We just keep going?"
"......"
Yi Hwan had no intention of helping Yi Seong-ji. He saw no reason or need to meddle in their infighting.
And one more thing.
*You just rub me the wrong way.*
Yi Seong-ji had grated on him from the start.
Unlike Yi Tae-ji, he seemed mild-mannered and refined, far from greedy—but instinct told Yi Hwan something about him was off.
"We keep going."
"Understood."
Whoosh!
The three shot north, ignoring it all.
* * *
By the time they reached the Imperial Palace, the furious downpour had stopped as if it were a lie.
The black clouds parted from the sky, and the sun peeked out.
"Hurry, we're quite late."
Yi Hwan headed straight for the side hall.
Moments later, two generals approached him in the side hall.
"Welcome, Great Prince."
"Is everyone here?"
"The meeting's been moved to the main audience hall. Head there."
Yi Hwan turned toward the main hall.
Upon arrival, generals blocked Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae.
"Only the Great Prince may enter."
"Wait here."
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae stepped back.
Yi Hwan strode inside.
The Crown Prince Yi So, Second Prince Yi Tae-ji, and key ministers were already gathered.
The Empress was absent, as was Third Prince Yi Seong-ji.
*Well, it'd be weirder if he showed up on time.*
Yi Hwan sat beside Yi So. The Crown Prince greeted him with a smile.
"You're here."
"Why the gathering?"
"Who knows."
Yi Hwan stared at Yi Tae-ji, who lounged arrogantly across from him. Their eyes met; Yi Tae-ji snorted and looked away.
Then—
"Her Majesty the Empress enters!"
Everyone rose.
Yi Hwan glanced at the Empress as she entered the hall, then slowly stood.
Her gaze swept over Yi So and Yi Hwan in turn. Then her venomous voice transmission slithered into Yi Hwan's ear.
[Your complexion looks splendid.]
[All thanks to Your Majesty.]
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
Once the Empress sat, everyone else followed suit.
"With duties keeping us all so busy, I thank you for attending without exception."
After her greeting, the Empress cut straight to the point.
"I've called you here today to hear your frank opinions on the military's inefficient structure, as revealed in the war with the Zhao Kingdom."
One minister asked,
"Does Your Majesty intend to reorganize the army?"
"It is my thought, but I wish to hear your views first. That's why I've convened this. Speak freely, without hesitation."
Everyone hesitated. But as one minister stepped forward, the mood gradually warmed.
Yi Hwan, arms crossed, observed who sided with the Empress and who didn't.
*About seventy percent...*
That was the ratio aligning with her. Yi Hwan, who had expected half or slightly against, transmitted to Yi So.
[Did you expect this much?]
[Honestly, no. Before, maybe—but I thought things had shifted since you took over the Golden Army.]
Yi So's face was deeply troubled.
Come to think of it, he hadn't voiced his own thoughts yet. Nor had Yi Hwan.
Then the Empress looked their way.
"Why is the Crown Prince so silent?"
[I'll handle it.]
Yi Hwan met the Empress's gaze and slowly scanned the ministers.
"In the Zhao Kingdom war, the Central Army forgot its core duty. Had they moved swiftly to support, our losses would have been far less. What do you all think of that?"
Yi Tae-ji jumped in at once.
"Everyone knows the blizzard made movement impossible. And now you say they forgot their duty? What exactly are you getting at!"
"If they'd prepared beforehand, before the snow piled up, support was entirely feasible. In the same situation, Zhao's eastern forces assembled twice as many troops as our Northern Legion. Did they have wings?"
"......!"
Yi Hwan stared straight at the Empress and continued.
"Before tweaking the structure, don't we need to address incompetent commanders first? I'd like to hear Your Majesty's thoughts on that."
Caught off guard?
A flicker of dismay crossed her eyes. But she quickly composed herself, her gaze icy as she spoke.
"I've considered that too, so mind your manners, Fourth Prince. What is that arrogant attitude in front of the ministers and officials who lead this nation!"
Yi Hwan smiled faintly and scanned the ministers again.
"Understand my position. As you all know, I've lived wildly since childhood, so my etiquette is a bit lacking."
No minister or official argued.
After glaring fiercely at Yi Hwan for a moment, the Empress addressed everyone sternly.
"If no more opinions, shall we end today's discussion here? The Six Ministries' ministers, decide your stances swiftly. We'll set a voting date based on that."
As the Empress left the hall, the meeting concluded.
Her aligned ministers followed soon after. But Yi Tae-ji approached Yi Hwan directly.
"I heard you took Yellow Dragon Merchant Group's Elder Yeom into the Golden Army. Is he locked up?"
"What are you talking about? He walked out of headquarters on his own two feet."
"Someone who left on his own doesn't just vanish!"
"Why bring it to me?"
Yi So intervened.
"I have urgent business with the youngest. Second, you may go."
"......!"
"Does my word amuse you?"
At Yi So's commanding tone, Yi Tae-ji—who had been glaring at Yi Hwan—spun on his heel.
Yi Hwan didn't let him off.
"Any idea why the Third Prince is late?"
"How should I know!"
Yi Tae-ji stormed out. Yi Hwan drained his cold tea and turned to Yi So.
"Suddenly bringing up reorganization—it feels like a blatant grab for the military. Any countermeasures?"
"We'll have to come up with some now. I never saw this coming at all. If that's really what they want, we've taken a solid hit."
"Even the Empress can't force it through unilaterally. Is it majority vote among qualified hall attendees?"
"Yes. Over half the eligible ministers and officials approve, and it passes. That's how nearly every decree has gone since His Majesty stepped back from affairs."
"She set that up too?"
Yi So smiled bitterly.
"To an outsider, it seems the most rational way. Even knowing the truth, I couldn't oppose it. Do so, and you're branded a stodgy traditionalist. As Crown Prince, it would look like I was betraying the people's desire for change."
*She's maneuvered the Crown Prince's Palace into a corner while wielding the final say.*
Yi Hwan suddenly realized the Empress was a formidable foe.
"If a coup happens, can we pull in frontline troops?"
"Absolutely not."
Yi So shook his head firmly and continued.
"Frontline forces must hold position no matter what. The moment they move, we give the enemy an opening."
"She knows that, which is why she's pushing so boldly."
"Right."
Yi Hwan furrowed his brow.
"This wastes all our efforts to sway the Southern, Northern, and Western Legions to our side..."
Clink.
Yi So gripped his cold teacup, his expression darker and heavier than ever.
For him, drawing the Western Legion his way in the Zhao war had felt like seizing the momentum.
"You seem quite rattled."
"I never saw it coming."
"Losing confidence now would be trouble. Show weakness, and they'll press harder."
"Let's find a way. Somehow."
Yi Hwan stood first.
"I'll take my leave."
"Join me for a meal for once."
Yi Hwan started to refuse, then changed his mind.
"Why not?"