Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Invitation from the Zhao Kingdom
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“Greetings, Great Prince.”
The one bowing his head toward Yi Hwan was a man sent by the Empress. Yi Hwan had seen his face once in passing.
“What brings you here?”
“This has been sent from the Zhao Kingdom.”
Yi Hwan opened the sealed missive handed over by the middle-aged man and took out the letter inside. It was an exceedingly ornate letter edged in gold leaf.
“World Martial Arts Grand Assembly?”
“What does it say?”
Yi Hwan handed the letter to Cheol Mu-ok. Ju Tae and Go Mi also craned their necks to read it, their eyes widening in surprise.
It was an invitation from the Zhao Kingdom’s emperor, inviting Yi Hwan to the World Martial Arts Grand Assembly.
Ju Tae spoke with an incredulous expression.
“It’s obvious the emperor is just a figurehead. This has to be the Southwest King Jo Yun’s transparent scheme. Just ignore it.”
Yi Hwan asked the messenger.
“Besides me, who else was invited?”
“An invitation was also sent to Her Majesty the Empress. She instructed me to ask after the Great Prince’s intentions.”
“Has the Empress decided?”
“Yes. She said that since it’s an invitation from the Zhao Kingdom’s emperor, protocol demands attendance, and she awaits the Great Prince’s reply.”
“Tell her I need some time to think it over.”
“A reply must be sent, so please decide quickly. I’ll take my leave then.”
The messenger withdrew.
Go Mi said.
“There’s a very high chance this is a plot by the Empress and Jo Yun to eliminate the Great Prince.”
“That’s my thinking as well.”
“Just ignore it.”
Everyone was in agreement.
Yi Hwan looked at Go Mi and asked.
“Has something like this happened before?”
“In the past, the emperors of Zhao and Qin would hold martial assemblies when politically cornered, to turn the tide.”
“What about Yeon?”
“It’s a bit different, but during the late emperor’s reign, it was held several times. Invitations were sent to royals and key figures from Zhao and Qin then.”
“Is attending upon invitation the custom?”
“It has been so far. But there’s no need to be bound by custom. It’s an obvious ploy anyone can see through, isn’t it?”
“Exactly. Just ignore it.”
Yi Hwan’s gaze darkened.
“If I refuse the invitation, I’d be the first to shatter the Three Kingdoms’ traditions and customs.”
“We were at war just recently. No one will make an issue of refusing. If the Empress leaves her seat, wouldn’t it be the perfect opportunity for us?”
It was a reasonable point. But Yi Hwan shook his head.
“Do you think the Empress doesn’t know that? She’ll have some safeguard in place for when she’s away. So, what could it be?”
When no one could answer, Yi Hwan’s eyes gleamed.
“An imperial edict in disguise—that’s the only possibility.”
Everyone nodded.
In reality, an imperial edict left no choice but to obey. Even a crown prince would lose legitimacy the moment he defied it.
“I need to think it over first.”
Go Mi stepped forward.
“Discuss it with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“That’s the plan.”
Yi Hwan drained the remaining tea and rose.
“I’m entering the palace.”
* * *
Crown Prince’s Palace.
Yi So sat facing Gwan Ji-baek.
As Yi So listened to Gwan Ji-baek’s report, a question arose in his mind.
“What could the Southwest King’s true intentions be?”
“Holding a martial assembly is likely a ploy to soothe the people who’ve turned away due to the reckless war. Previous emperors used such methods to navigate crises.”
“I’m asking why the Southwest King is specifically inviting my youngest brother. The Empress makes sense—she went to war on the condition of an invitation—but my brother...”
“Well... that’s...”
“Hmm.”
Yi So leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. Gwan Ji-baek also fell deep in thought. But nothing came to mind, so he furrowed his brow.
“For now, declining the invitation seems best. Neither the Empress nor the Southwest King will leave the Great Prince alone. They might have struck some deal again, aiming to eliminate him.”
“I was thinking the same.”
Yi So was convinced. Otherwise, there was no reason for Southwest King Jo Yun to invite Yi Hwan.
It was then.
“Your Highness, the Great Prince has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
The door opened, and Yi Hwan entered.
Yi So greeted him warmly.
“Come in. We were just talking about you.”
“About the Southwest King’s invitation, perhaps?”
“Indeed.”
Yi Hwan sat across from Yi So.
“I thought about it on the way here, and I think we should accept.”
“Out of the question! How can you accept when we don’t know what they’ll do!”
Yi Hwan continued calmly toward the startled Yi So.
“Breaking the Three Kingdoms’ traditions and customs will give the Empress ammunition to sway the ministers. Our supporters won’t budge, but the neutrals could waver enough. Then things will go her way.”
“......”
“It might not be so bad to visit Zhao this time. It’s a place I’ll have to go eventually.”
“The Palace of Illusory Flowers won’t sit idly by. They might have made another deal with Southwest King Jo Yun. And you’d still go?”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
“I said accept the invitation, not meet the Southwest King.”
“......What do you mean?”
Yi Hwan stared at Gwan Ji-baek.
“Have the escorts in the corridor stand far back.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
Moments later, after sending the escorts away, Gwan Ji-baek sat beside Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan explained his plan.
As the explanation continued, Yi So and Gwan Ji-baek’s expressions shifted constantly. When it ended, Yi Hwan asked Yi So.
“The Empress will surely use an imperial edict to restrict the Crown Prince’s Palace movements. What will you do?”
“What can I do? Defying an imperial edict risks legitimacy, so I’ll have to obey.”
“Refusing would be the perfect chance.”
“Even so, I can’t defy an imperial edict.”
‘That’s why I like you, kid.’
Of course, if he were Yi So, he’d use the Empress’s absence to sweep away the Second Prince’s faction, edict or no. But if Yi So did that, it’d somehow be disappointing.
Yi So asked.
“You’re really going?”
“Once I decide, I don’t go back on it...”
“Then take as many escorts as possible. I’ll assign some from the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
“No. Fewer is better for mobility, so just my own escorts. Then.”
As Yi Hwan rose, Yi So grabbed his wrist.
“You’re here after so long—stay for a meal. You won’t see me for months if you leave like this.”
“......”
Gwan Ji-baek interjected.
“Please do, Great Prince.”
“Got anything tasty?”
“I’ll have plenty prepared, Great Prince.”
* * *
After dining with Yi So, Yi Hwan left the palace straightaway. On the way, he informed Cheol Mu-ok, Ju Tae, and Go Mi of his decision to accept the Southwest King’s invitation.
“Pardon? You’re really going?”
“Really?”
The three widened their eyes in shock.
“It’s not bad to scout Zhao’s ins and outs this time. Think of it as enemy territory reconnaissance.”
Cheol Mu-ok asked.
“You said you’d accept but not meet the Southwest King—what does that mean?”
“We’ll disappear en route.”
“......Pardon?”
“I’ll explain in detail back at headquarters. Let’s head to the market. Need to buy some silk for my sister-in-law.”
“Understood.”
They headed to the market. On the way, Yi Hwan turned to Go Mi and asked.
“You said the winner’s prize is two hundred thousand silver taels?”
“There are two options. One is the two hundred thousand taels prize, the other is becoming Southwest King Jo Yun’s bodyguard.”
“For martial artists from Yeon and Qin, the second is a non-starter.”
“Not necessarily. If someone sidelined in their own country wins, they might accept the second. It’s happened a few times before.”
“So the Southwest King risks nothing?”
“Exactly. It soothes the turning populace and gains a master to boot—an outcome that kills two birds with one stone.”
“Pretty clever.”
Yi Hwan thought of the Southwest King.
‘Eliminate me too, and it’s three birds. Too bad—your scheme’s about to backfire and help me instead. Heh heh heh.’
* * *
Palace of Illusory Flowers.
A smile played on the Empress’s lips.
“That brat accepted the invitation?”
“Yes. The reply just arrived. He’ll head to the Zhao palace separately, though.”
“Ha!”
The Empress threw her head back in eerie laughter.
“Fresh from the boonies, he’s puffed up by the Zhao emperor’s invitation? I thought he’d refuse out of fear of me.”
“What shall we do?”
“Let him go to the Zhao palace. The Southwest King must have his reasons for inviting him. This time, we just watch.”
“Isn’t this the perfect chance to eliminate the Fourth Imperial Prince? On Zhao soil, no need to worry about prying eyes.”
“Making me repeat myself?”
“My apologies!”
The irritation in the Empress’s eyes narrowed again.
“Tell them to post notices in the capital recruiting martial artists for the assembly. Detail the prize and perks.”
“Understood.”
The Empress sank into her chair with a triumphant smile.
‘With an imperial edict, the Crown Prince’s Palace won’t dare act out. This time, I’ll borrow the Southwest King’s blade to remove that thorn once and for all.’
The Empress’s lips curled higher, erupting in strange laughter again.
“Ha!”
* * *
Yi Hwan visited the annex at headquarters.
Jo Gwang and Pa Pa, disguised as others, were staying there.
Jo Gwang looked much brighter.
His gaze toward Yi Hwan was already softer.
“Any inconveniences?”
“We’re past nitpicking that. Thanks to you, I’m living better than I deserve.”
Yi Hwan glanced at Pa Pa. She too seemed as serene as Jo Gwang.
Yi Hwan got to the point.
“The Southwest King invited me to his World Martial Arts Grand Assembly.”
“......!”
Both Jo Gwang and Pa Pa looked shocked. But soon, they smirked coldly.
“A penniless wretch holding such an event means he’s truly desperate.”
“He lost quite a bit in this war.”
Jo Gwang spoke firmly.
“Don’t accept, no matter what that bastard might do.”
“I already have.”
“Great Prince!”
“A prince can’t shatter a kingdom’s traditions and customs, can he? Don’t worry too much—I won’t go down easy.”
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea before continuing.
“Anyone in Zhao you need to contact? Tell me, and I’ll relay the Crown Prince’s will on the way.”
At those words, Jo Gwang’s face darkened. Pa Pa lowered her head with a quiet sigh.
After a moment, Jo Gwang spoke with difficulty.
“There’s a woman I promised marriage to. Just tell her I’m alive—that’s enough.”
“The Southwest King wouldn’t have left her alone this long?”
“We met in secret before my crown prince investiture, so he won’t even know who she is.”
“Got it. I’ll pass it on.”
“Thank you. Truly.”
Yi Hwan felt pity watching Jo Gwang’s reddening eyes.
‘This must never happen to our Crown Prince.’
Seeing Jo Gwang always reminded him of Yi So. Both in similar straits—one holding firm, the other dethroned and exiled.
It was then.
“Please send this servant.”
“......!”
Jo Gwang turned to her in surprise. Pa Pa continued earnestly.
“There are still loyal retainers in that land awaiting Your Highness’s return. Let this servant fetch them.”
Jo Gwang shook his head.
“It’s been ages since I left the palace. They’re scattered by now—how could you find them?”
“This servant will find them by any means. Please permit it, Your Highness.”
“......”
Yi Hwan interjected.
“With comrades, hope endures. Come with me when I go.”
“......”
Jo Gwang closed his eyes tightly. Pa Pa gazed at him imploringly.
After a moment, Jo Gwang opened his eyes.
“If that’s your will, so be it. But you must return alive. Understood?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Thud!
Pa Pa’s forehead struck the floor.
Her heart ached as if tearing. She was going to Zhao for Jo Gwang, but thinking of parting from him made her chest hurt so much she could barely breathe. Jo Gwang, knowing her heart, closed his eyes again and let out a quiet sigh.
“Haa......”