Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: The Beginning of Another War
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Yi Hwan finished his meal with Yi So and headed straight to the Golden Army headquarters.
‘I wonder how it went?’
He was curious about whether Yi Seong-ji had survived.
‘It would be a problem if he died so easily.’
Yi Hwan hoped he had made it. That way, he could fight even more fiercely with Yi Tae-ji.
It was moments later when he reached the palace gates.
“My lord, look over there.”
Cheol Mu-ok pointed to the left side of the plaza leading to the gates. Yi Seong-ji and his group were approaching from there.
Everyone passing by recoiled in surprise.
It was because Yi Seong-ji and the others were covered in blood.
A faint smile crept across Yi Hwan’s lips.
‘I wonder how that bastard’s face has changed.’
Moments later, Yi Hwan came face-to-face with Yi Seong-ji.
“Did something happen on your way in?”
“You avoided me like the plague, and now that you see me like this, you suddenly feel like chatting?”
“I was just asking out of brotherly concern.”
In that instant, Yi Hwan saw it. The cold, ruthless aura rising from the depths of Yi Seong-ji’s eyes.
“Are you hurt?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
Yi Seong-ji shot back coldly and brushed past him. He was heading not to the throne hall, but west toward the Palace of Illusory Flowers.
Yi Hwan watched the back of Gong Ya-un, who followed behind Yi Seong-ji.
An expert recognizes another expert.
Yi Hwan was certain that the man was on a level beyond what eyes alone could measure.
“The Third Prince’s men have been reduced to nearly half. It must have been a fierce battle.”
“No matter how many died, as long as the ones who needed to survive did, that’s what matters. Let’s go.”
Yi Hwan left the palace and, upon reaching a secluded spot, leaped off in the direction they had come.
Corpses began appearing once they entered the mountainous terrain.
At first there were only a few, but the number grew the lower they descended.
‘Was it this bad?’
“Roughly a hundred and fifty bodies, give or take. Excluding the Third Prince’s fifteen... the other side got thoroughly wrecked.”
“The martial artists around the Third Prince are no slouches. They took on nearly five times their number and smashed them.”
Ju Tae clicked his tongue.
Yi Hwan nodded silently, thinking of Gong Ya-un. And the others who had guarded Yi Seong-ji alongside him.
‘I’ll need to keep a sharp eye on them too.’
That was when it happened.
“Ugh...”
Someone writhed a short distance away. He had a deep gash from shoulder to chest, but hadn’t breathed his last yet.
“He’s one of the Third Prince’s men.”
His attire marked him as such.
Yi Hwan approached the man groaning in pain.
The man looked up at him.
His eyes, already losing their spark, were cloudy and hazy like fog.
Did he mistake Yi Hwan for an ally?
“Is... is His Highness safe?”
‘Worrying about Yi Seong-ji even as he’s dying? Impressive loyalty.’
“Thanks to your brave fight, he made it back to the palace safely.”
“Urgh!”
Blood trickled from his mouth.
Yi Hwan glanced at Cheol Mu-ok.
“End his pain.”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan looked around again.
More bodies lay scattered in places he hadn’t noticed before.
“He’s ruthless. Trying to kill his own brothers from the same womb just to monopolize the Empress’s backing.”
“That’s power for you. Fathers kill sons, sons kill fathers—all to seize it. Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
* * *
Throughout history, the most dangerous time for a dynasty is when power passes to the next generation.
Countless coups had shaken dynasties to their core during such transitions.
Yeon Kingdom was no different.
The one difference was that the Emperor had named Yi So as Crown Prince but had since withdrawn from state affairs.
That might have plunged them into even greater chaos.
“Here are the items you requested.”
Go Mi handed over a thick stack of documents.
“How many in total?”
“Fifty high-ranking officials, including the Three Excellencies. We’ve added new intel on the Six Ministries and the Prime Minister’s office, which you already reviewed. And as instructed, investigations into officials supporting Crown Prince Yi So are included.”
“Good work.”
Yi Hwan pushed the documents aside and lifted his teacup.
Clink.
Go Mi asked,
“May I ask how you plan to use them?”
“I intend to peel away the officials serving as the Empress’s puppets. That woman’s dead set on controlling the military, so we’ll threaten them if needed to block it.”
“Don’t we have the Southern, Western, and Northern Legions?”
“They guard the borders. I oppose dragging them into court strife. If things go south, I might reconsider, but for now, I’ll proceed as if we have no such forces.”
“...Understood.”
“By the way, the Empress sent Hwa Ryeong a message to seduce the Prime Minister?”
“Yes.”
“She must be furious.”
“Actually, she seemed amused.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. She even said that if Your Highness wishes, she’d kill the Prime Minister herself.”
“With her temper, finding it amusing means something’s up... I’ll need to meet her.”
Yi Hwan drained the rest of his tea and changed the subject.
“Starting today, fully utilize your role as imperial censor—not Moon Lord of Moon Pavilion—to bring officials to headquarters, excluding the Prime Minister and Three Excellencies. Start with those whose corruption is ironclad.”
“Some may resist fiercely. May I use force?”
“Of course.”
Yi Hwan turned to Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae.
“Assign escorts to the Moon Lord.”
“Yes.”
“This is more important than the war with Zhao Kingdom. Give it your all.”
“Understood.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
Yi Hwan stepped outside.
Moments later, he arrived at the rear hall of the headquarters. There sat Yeom Yu-gwang, leader of the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group.
Not in a prison cell, but confined all the same—his face was gaunt and haggard like a convict’s.
As Yi Hwan entered, Yeom Yu-gwang shot to his feet and bowed deeply.
“Are you managing?”
“Thanks to you, quite comfortably.”
“Still haven’t made up your mind?”
“...”
“I’ll warn you once more: abandon any hope in the Second Prince and Empress. And reflect on why I’ve kept you alive this long.”
Tremble...
Yeom Yu-gwang bit his lip, eyes quivering. Then he stared straight at Yi Hwan.
“Do you truly believe Crown Prince Yi So can defeat Her Majesty the Empress and the Second Prince?”
“More than enough.”
“You don’t know them, Great Prince. They wield far more power and influence than the world realizes!”
“That’s not for you to worry about, Yeom Yu-gwang.”
Yi Hwan turned to leave. At the door, he glanced back and added,
“One last time: if you want to live, decide carefully which side you’re on. Miss the moment, and even if you join me, I’ll take your head.”
Slam!
The door shut.
Yeom Yu-gwang clenched his fists, trembling violently.
*Join me. I promise to spare your life and preserve everything you own.*
Yi Hwan’s voice from when he’d imprisoned him echoed in his mind like a hallucination. Yeom Yu-gwang’s thoughts hadn’t changed since then.
‘Daring to claim victory over them. He’s utterly mad.’
Bang!
Yeom Yu-gwang slammed his fists on the table.
Rage filled his eyes, which soon wavered faintly. To save his neck, he’d have to obey Yi Hwan. But that would mean a gruesome death at the hands of the Empress and Second Prince.
As someone who knew them better than anyone, Yeom Yu-gwang had no doubt who would win this war. That made it all the more maddening.
For now, with his life in Yi Hwan’s hands, he was stuck.
‘Damn it...’
Crunch!
* * *
Hwa Ryeong left the palace alone.
“Thanks to the blood oath, I’m too free now.”
She savored the fine weather as she passed through the gates. Normally, she’d have tails following her, but not today.
The Empress, convinced of the blood oath on Hwa Ryeong, saw no need for watchers. Thanks to that, Hwa Ryeong could come and go freely—like today.
“What perfect weather.”
Today’s Hwa Ryeong was even more glamorous than usual. Adorned in splendid palace attire glittering with jewels, her beauty outshone even the phrase “flower-like face and moon-like grace.”
Hwa Ryeong basked in the stares as she headed downtown. The Prime Minister’s residence lay in that direction, but it wasn’t her destination.
How much time passed?
Hwa Ryeong entered the largest inn in the imperial capital.
“Welcome!”
“Top floor, please.”
“Right this way, miss.”
Hwa Ryeong followed the server to the top floor. Despite meals costing as much as a family’s monthly food budget, the place was packed.
A window seat freed up just as she arrived, and Hwa Ryeong took it.
“We’ll clean it thoroughly if you wait a moment.”
“Just wipe it down and bring wine first. Gold Pure Brew.”
“Understood.”
Hwa Ryeong sat and gazed out the window.
True to a city of nobles and the wealthy, the passersby wore lavish, luxurious clothes.
‘She’s pretty.’
Even a death-acquainted martial artist couldn’t help noticing women. Hwa Ryeong’s eyes lingered on those in especially vibrant outfits.
How long had it been?
Hwa Ryeong’s eyes sparkled. She spotted Yi Hwan approaching from the north end of the market street.
‘He looks even more handsome.’
A strange gleam filled Hwa Ryeong’s eyes.
That was when the server arrived with the wine.
“Here’s your wine. Food will be a bit longer.”
“Thanks.”
Hwa Ryeong uncorked it and took a swig straight from the bottle.
Thud!
Right then.
“Hahaha! You really enjoy your wine!”
A clear voice rang out as someone approached Hwa Ryeong’s side. A handsome young man in expensive silk robes, clearly from a wealthy house.
‘Where’d this punk come from, hitting on me?’
Contrary to her thoughts, Hwa Ryeong beamed.
“My throat was dry.”
Without asking, the young man sat across from her. Hwa Ryeong leaned back slightly, eyeing him intently.
To him, it looked plenty provocative.
“Wine’s more fun shared. If you don’t mind, may I join? Ah, drinks and food on me, of course.”
“Who are you?”
“Jin Chu-gwang.”
In an instant, a sharp glint flashed in Hwa Ryeong’s eyes, then vanished. So fleeting that Jin Chu-gwang missed it.
‘The Prime Minister family’s wastrel son, here of all places.’
Yesterday, Hwa Ryeong had received intel on the Prime Minister’s office from the Empress’s advisor. Two pages detailed Jin Chu-gwang.
“I’m Hwa Ryeong.”
“Ah! Miss Hwa. What a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
“May I have the honor of pouring you a glass?”
“I’d be delighted.”
Hwa Ryeong offered her cup.
As Jin Chu-gwang filled it, his eyes never left her face.
Hwa Ryeong smiled brightly, meeting his gaze without flinching. Her provocative demeanor would mislead any man, and Jin Chu-gwang’s lips curved higher.
‘Haven’t had a proper woman in ages. Shall I work up a good sweat today? Heh heh heh.’