Chapter 160
Chapter 160
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: The Invisible War (2)
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Third Prince Yi Seong-ji stood before the mirror.
His eyes, fixed on his reflection in the mirror, had cooled to a terrifying chill.
The scars were not limited to his face.
Deep wounds that had yet to fully heal lingered on his chest and abdomen as well. The injuries he had sustained while fending off two assassination attempts were etched into his heart as indelible marks.
Tremble...
What memory had surfaced?
In an instant, fury clouded his eyes, and cracks began to spiderweb across the mirror.
Crack!
With a crumbling sound, the mirror shattered into fragments and fell.
Shatter!
“Your Highness! What has happened?”
Gong Ya-un flung open the door and rushed in.
He stared alternately at the obliterated mirror and Yi Seong-ji’s back, his expression hardening.
“Master.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I will walk the path of Emperor Tae Ryong.”
“...Your Highness.”
Gong Ya-un’s eyes wavered for a moment.
Emperor Tae Ryong was Yeon Kingdom’s third emperor—the kingdom’s worst tyrant, who had slain three brothers and two nephews to claim the throne.
Yi Seong-ji declared he would follow that emperor’s path. The wavering in Gong Ya-un’s eyes hardened into resolve.
This was precisely what he had longed for.
“Shall I summon everyone?”
“Do so.”
“Understood.”
Gong Ya-un turned to leave.
“Master.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Gong Ya-un, one step from departing, turned back toward Yi Seong-ji.
“From today, I enter seclusion in the western chamber. I know not how long it will take, so lead all in my stead.”
“I shall.”
Gong Ya-un bowed once more and exited. Yi Seong-ji slowly draped his outer robe over his shoulders. Yet even then, his gaze lingered on his distorted face reflected in the few remaining shards.
Superimposed over that twisted visage was the Empress’s face. Another layer of frost settled in Yi Seong-ji’s eyes.
‘You should have extended your hand to aid my brother instead.’
Yi Seong-ji’s life unspooled through his mind like a lantern show.
From childhood, the Empress had doted on Yi Tae-ji. Though born of the same womb, Yi Seong-ji had been utterly neglected.
Her favoritism only worsened as he came of age, until he could bear it no longer and left the palace to establish a residence by the lake.
It was there he met Gong Ya-un, learned much from him, gained greatly, and secretly nurtured his ambitions.
“When the time comes, Your Highness, fulfill your will. I and all others will support you.”
Gong Ya-un had always said as much.
Each time, Yi Seong-ji had evaded reply. But today, at last, he had resolved.
‘I will fulfill my will. None who stand in my way shall be forgiven.’
He would walk the path of the tyrant Emperor Tae Ryong.
* * *
Zhao Kingdom’s capital.
Southwest King Jo Yun sat across from a middle-aged man.
None dared speak freely in his presence, but this man was different.
“The people’s sentiment and the court’s opinion fare poorly. Among the scholars and officials who do not support Your Highness, voices criticizing the war as reckless grow ever louder.”
Jo Yun silently tilted his teacup.
“If we let this continue, it may hinder your ascension. We must urgently devise a plan to turn the tide of opinion.”
Jo Yun at last spoke.
“What is your view?”
“The officials’ resentment can be ignored. The people, however, are another matter. If grudges accumulate, malcontents will exploit them. We must soothe them in advance. To that end...”
The middle-aged man trailed off, then continued in a firmer tone.
“Hold the Grand Martial Assembly of the Realm. Open the gates wide even to martial artists from Qin and Yeon Kingdoms—make it a grand spectacle. Your Highness knows full well the effects this will bring.”
“You mean to follow the late emperor’s example?”
“Precisely. The late emperor overcame crises far graver than this with two such assemblies. The people are like beasts one rears. Toss them fodder, sate their instincts, and they forget all as if it never was.”
Jo Yun sank deep into his chair, his gaze darkening.
“So the situation is that dire.”
“We lost too much in the war with Yeon. Some even say the true victor was Yeon’s Fourth Imperial Prince Yi Hwan.”
Twitch.
At the mention of Yi Hwan’s name, Jo Yun’s eyes flashed with icy light.
The middle-aged man pressed on undeterred.
“Rumors swelled around his valor in facing Your Highness without retreat. After all, it was Your Highness who withdrew forces first.”
“Had Qin not intervened, Yeon’s Northern Legion would be ashes. They know this, yet dare censure me. Fools, all of them.”
“The people think no such depths. They remember only Yi Hwan standing fearless against Your Highness’s overwhelming might. Your own great feats will only serve to illuminate him further.”
“Why do the people of Zhao—not Yeon—praise that wretch? Why!”
Crush!
The chair’s armrest crumbled to dust in an instant and rained to the floor.
The scattering powder dusted the middle-aged man’s brows yellow.
A suffocating silence stretched.
The middle-aged man awaited Jo Yun’s words. Moments later, Jo Yun quelled his agitation and asked in his signature weighty tone.
“How shall we address the finances?”
“Contributions from local powerful clans, merchant groups and escort agencies tied to the bureaucracy, and court ministers in equal measure will suffice.”
“They will see it as plunder. Will it not provoke backlash contrary to your intent?”
“Grant offices and promotions to those who pay; promise merchant groups and escort agencies unprecedented tax relief. There will be no issue.”
“You bid me sell offices now?”
Anger crept back into Jo Yun’s voice. Yet the middle-aged man remained unfazed.
“Once you ascend and rule with benevolence, all will be forgotten. Until then, Your Highness, you must steel yourself to bargain your soul with devils. Bear in mind: forces still loyal to Crown Prince Jo Gwang, bearer of the late emperor’s mandate, linger in this land.”
Twitch.
Jo Yun’s thick brows writhed like caterpillars. But he held his temper.
He fully concurred with the man’s words.
Clink.
Jo Yun took a sip of tea and posed another question.
“What of Yeon Kingdom’s Imperial Palace?”
“No true political strife has begun in earnest. It seems Fourth Imperial Prince Yi Hwan’s unforeseen rise has slowed the Empress’s moves.”
“Does that cur wield such influence in Yeon?”
“Taken alone, the Fourth Prince poses no great threat. But behind him stands the Crown Prince’s Palace. With the Golden Army at his back, he serves as Crown Prince Yi So’s blade, placing the Empress in dire straits.”
Jo Yun pictured Yi Hwan.
The memory of that arrogant demeanor before him still boiled his blood.
“With your leave, I shall begin preparations at once.”
“You can carry it off without mishap?”
“Entrust it to me, and I shall deliver results to satisfy.”
“Fail to satisfy, and you yield your seat.”
“Yes. I shall heed that well.”
“Invite Yeon’s Fourth Imperial Prince Yi Hwan. With the Empress, of course.”
“They may decline the invitation.”
“If it is the Emperor inviting—not I—the Empress must come. She cannot defy the ancient traditions and customs of the three kingdoms. And if the Empress accepts, a mere prince dares not refuse.”
“Understood. It shall be as you command.”
The middle-aged man withdrew.
A figure materialized before the pensive Jo Yun like a specter.
Jo Yun opened his eyes.
“How went it?”
“We confirmed multiple individuals employing the same martial arts as the Fourth Prince’s two guards. However, no trace yet of one suspected as the Poison King’s Descendant.”
“No direct intelligence on Yi Hwan himself?”
“Approach proves exceedingly difficult. No meaningful gains thus far. We investigate relentlessly—await the results.”
Jo Yun sank into his chair, gaze steadying.
“The Poison King’s Descendant is paramount. Deploy more men if need be. Confirm their existence without fail.”
“Understood.”
Jo Yun rose.
The wall parted left and right, an ornate curtain fluttering to reveal what lay beyond. There sat women in states of seminudity, silent.
“I will rest. Withdraw.”
“Yes. Then.”
* * *
Yi Hwan received Go Mi’s report in his office.
Her lengthy briefing concluded, Yi Hwan offered a wry smile.
“Officials suspected of corruption turned themselves in to the Ministry of Justice?”
“Yes. Twelve officials have voluntarily presented themselves for questioning there.”
“Better a light slap from the Empress’s Ministry than seizure by us, is it?”
“Precisely.”
“We took a solid hit. So the Palace of Illusory Flowers wasn’t idle after all.”
“...”
Even Yi Hwan had not foreseen this.
“Have you met Hwa Ryeong?”
“We arranged for this evening.”
“The Prime Minister must be secured at all costs. When you see Hwa Ryeong, stress this and bid her hasten.”
“Understood. And, Great Prince.”
Go Mi raised another matter.
“Suspicious figures seem to be prowling near the Great Prince.”
“The Empress’s side?”
“Not yet confirmed whose. Their movements differ markedly from before—best take care.”
“Duly noted.”
“And one more thing...”
Yi Hwan looked up at Go Mi.
“Your trailing off suggests it’s awkward to say.”
“Please inspect my condition. I believe I’ve grasped all the formulas, but I would be grateful if the Great Prince verified them personally.”
‘Already?’
He had passed her the new forms merely a month prior. If she had truly comprehended them all, Go Mi was nothing short of a martial prodigy.
“Shall we do it now?”
“Thank you!”
“To the training ground.”
Yi Hwan watched Go Mi stride ahead, a chuckle escaping him.
‘Never seen her so elated.’
* * *
Clang!
Whoosh!
Yi Hwan and Go Mi clashed in a flurry.
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae watched the flashes erupt and dust billow, eyes round with shock.
“What’s with that woman?”
“Astonishing. Her progress is beyond belief.”
“She seems on par with the youngest of our lineage now?”
“Not quite there. The forms the lord passed her shift endlessly, creating that illusion. Her inner power falls short, so her sword and intent drift apart—plain to see.”
“You sound like the supreme master versed in all the world’s arts.”
“...”
“Hmm. In any case, she’s a true prodigy. No other word for it.”
Ju Tae’s admiration was genuine.
As the dust settled, Yi Hwan and Go Mi emerged.
Yi Hwan stood composed; Go Mi, doubled over, heaved ragged breaths.
Ju Tae’s eyes gleamed oddly.
“Whoa, that rear view is just—”
Thwack!
“Gah!”
Cheol Mu-ok drove an elbow into Ju Tae’s side and approached the pair.
Yi Hwan asked.
“What do you make of it?”
“Inner power deficiency, as expected. Beyond that, no flaws detected.”
Go Mi straightened.
“Thank you, Great Prince. Does this mean new forms?”
“It will take a few days.”
“Thank you!”
As Yi Hwan handed his sword to Cheol Mu-ok and turned to go.
“Great Prince!”
Song Cheon-mu came running.
“Someone from the Imperial Palace has arrived!”