Chapter 188
Chapter 188
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: Yang Chan's Crisis
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Anger dulls the senses.
If it goes too far, one might even fall into heart demons, and beyond that, it could lead to a rampage.
Yang Chan knew this better than anyone. So he took time to set everything aside.
Kwaaa!
In the northern mountainous region of the imperial capital stood a massive waterfall. Yang Chan had been sitting cross-legged beneath it for a full hour without the slightest movement.
The intense pressure from the cascading water and the bone-chilling cold seeping into his marrow cleared his troubled mind somewhat.
But more importantly, it wasn't the external conditions—it was one's own resolve.
Kwaaa!
After a long while longer, Yang Chan emerged from the waterfall. The clarity had returned to his eyes.
Pat!
He channeled his inner energy to shake off the water, sending up a plume of white steam. His hair, which had clung to him like seaweed, now fluttered freely in the wind as if nothing had happened.
Yang Chan donned the clothes he had set aside and walked to the edge of the cliff.
The city lights below resembled a massive blooming flower.
'I can't keep circling around, waiting for an opportunity forever. I'll just go find him, confirm everything, and settle it once and for all.'
He planned to descend the mountain and head straight to Yi Hwan. He'd verify if the man was truly a descendant of Daye Fortress and decide his path based on the outcome.
Gurgle.
With his worries dispelled, hunger set in. Human nature, no doubt.
Yang Chan descended the mountain. After some time, he reached the outskirts of the city center.
Glancing left, he saw the families of those killed at the horse stables living nearby. His gaze upon them held no more gloom.
Yang Chan resumed walking. It was when he reached the northern end where the marketplace began.
Susuk!
Figures dropped down in front of him. Yang Chan halted and stared at them.
Five men in black robes. One of them alternated his gaze between the likeness sketch in his hand and Yang Chan.
"That's him."
Chaeng chaeng chaeng!
The black-robed men drew their swords in unison.
Yang Chan quietly regarded them, gathering inner energy in his hands, and asked calmly.
"Why are you doing this?"
"You'd know better than anyone!"
"I'm asking because I don't."
"Hmph! Do you even know whose men you poisoned at the government road a few days ago?"
In truth, Yang Chan had suspected from the start that this was about that incident. He briefly considered denying it but decided against it.
"They deserved to die."
"Hmph! Not something a horse thief should say, it seems."
"I've already begged forgiveness from him."
"What?"
The black-robed man looked incredulous.
"You begged forgiveness and then killed them, is that it?"
"Begging forgiveness and punishing evildoers are separate matters. He committed deeds worthy of death, and I merely delivered the punishment."
It was then.
Yang Chan spotted shadows rushing in from the city center.
'They're stalling until their backup arrives, afraid of my poison.'
Pat!
Yang Chan's hands lightly swept the air. A green mist followed, engulfing the black-robed men.
Pung!
"Poison! Stop breathing!"
"Be careful!"
The black-robed men swiftly retreated. The green mist pursued them like a living creature, twisting its path.
Woooong!
The inner energy they unleashed pushed back the mist.
It was then.
"...He's gone!"
* * *
Go Mi visited Yi Hwan's office. She pulled a scroll from her bosom and unrolled it on the table.
"This is the likeness sketch of the man behind the poisoning. The Second Prince's side created it from witness accounts."
Yi Hwan's eyes flickered as he looked down at the sketch.
'This face...'
It was Yang Chan, whom he had seen twice in the Qin Kingdom. Checking again to be sure, it was unmistakably him.
"So it was this guy after all."
"You know him?"
"A face I saw in the Qin Kingdom. I suspected him back then too, and it turns out I was right."
"Ah!"
Go Mi let out an exclamation.
"You've seen him before too, Moon Lord?"
"Yes. When Your Highness visited the Qin Kingdom's imperial palace, I saw him at the inn with Hwa Ryeong. I thought he was just an ordinary guest and paid it no mind..."
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.
"Why would he come here from the Qin Kingdom?"
"..."
"He killed the Southwest King's retainer there and the Second Prince's retainer here. That's suspicious enough, isn't it?"
"I don't know the reason for killing the Southwest King's retainer, but the one here seems to have been an accident."
"Why do you think that?"
"During the investigation, we confirmed someone anonymously delivered rice and silver to the families of those killed by the Second Prince's retainer. It seems to have been him."
"So, guilt over their wrongful deaths led him to help their families?"
"Yes."
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
"If that's the case, he's no utter villain, at least."
"That's my thought as well."
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea.
Clink.
"If they've made a likeness sketch, they're probably hunting him down by now."
"Yes. Martial artists and Golden Imperial Guard elites are spread across the entire city."
"A bloodbath's coming. Anyone who wields poison like that will drop those guards the moment they meet him."
"If he has no qualms about killing, yes."
Heh.
"Should I root for him then? Hope he takes out as many as possible."
"..."
"For now, have our side make more sketches too. We won't chase him ourselves, but we can't just sit idle."
"Understood."
"Anything else?"
"The Empress has been too quiet. Over ten days without stepping out of the Palace of Illusory Flowers. And contact with Hwa Ryeong has been cut off."
Yi Hwan's eyes shifted slightly at that.
"Cut off?"
"Yes. I've tried several times, but no response. I hope nothing's happened."
Go Mi's voice betrayed her unease.
It was different from her usual demeanor.
"We can't enter the Palace of Illusory Flowers, so we wait."
He spoke calmly, but Yi Hwan was worried about Hwa Ryeong too. He lifted the cold teacup to his lips.
It was then.
Thud!
A dull sound came from outside the window.
Go Mi quickly opened it and checked. She pulled something embedded in the window frame and handed it to Yi Hwan. A thin wire had paper tied to it.
"This was stuck in the frame."
Yi Hwan untied and unfolded the paper.
If you are a descendant of Daye Fortress... [remainder omitted].
Seeing Yi Hwan's eyes change, Go Mi asked.
"What does it say?"
Yi Hwan handed her the paper without a word. Go Mi's eyes widened as she read it.
"Who could it be? Who knows Your Highness's true identity?"
"We'll find out when we meet."
Yi Hwan rose abruptly and donned the long robe hanging on the wall.
"It could be dangerous."
"If they know who I am, that's a risk I have to take."
As he stepped outside, Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae approached.
"Where to at this hour?"
"Somewhere I need to go alone. Don't follow."
"Pardon?"
Yi Hwan leaped into the darkness.
Go Mi handed the paper to the bewildered pair. They reacted with equal shock.
"Whoa! What the hell!"
"Going alone to meet some unknown..."
"What if it's from the Southwest King?"
Cheol Mu-ok silently watched the direction Yi Hwan had vanished, worry in his eyes. It could indeed be men sent by the Southwest King, as Ju Tae said.
Ju Tae spoke.
"Shouldn't we chase after him now?"
"You saw how fast he went. What chance do we have of catching up?"
"We should still try, right?"
Cheol Mu-ok shook his head at Go Mi's question.
"Let's trust the lord and wait."
* * *
Having shaken off his pursuers, Yang Chan headed to the river flowing west of the city.
At the end of a tributary stood a small pavilion, and he climbed straight up to it.
He gazed toward the Golden Army headquarters.
'Will he come?'
He had ditched the black-robed men, gone to Yi Hwan's office at the headquarters, and fired the note inside. This was the agreed meeting spot.
Whiiiing!
The wind was fierce. The forest across the river swayed wildly, unable to resist.
Saaah...
Yang Chan waited silently for Yi Hwan.
How much time passed?
A shadow appeared on the path leading to the pavilion. Yang Chan heightened his vision to its limit.
He furrowed his brow when more shadows emerged behind the first.
'I thought I'd shaken them perfectly...'
It wasn't Yi Hwan. Pursuers, then.
Yang Chan let out a quiet sigh.
He couldn't wait for Yi Hwan like this. There was a way, of course—slaughter them all with his poison technique.
Pat.
A green glow flashed in Yang Chan's eyes and vanished. Meanwhile, the shadows began encircling the pavilion.
Yang Chan fixed his gaze on one in a yellow robe.
He was clearly leading the group. The yellow-robed man spoke to Yang Chan.
"You stay put, so you're up for a fight. That right?"
"Got business."
"You're overconfident in that poison."
The yellow-robed man was Mun I-jong.
The ones surrounding the pavilion were Hongweol's strongest assassins and the Empress's shadows. Their involvement meant Yi Tae-ji truly felt threatened.
Mun I-jong slowly drew his sword.
Srrrring.
"Even if you're a poison master, you won't escape this place unscathed."
Yang Chan merely watched quietly.
Then Mun I-jong made an unexpected offer.
"Come with us, and we can pretend the past never happened, friend."
"You're trying to recruit me now?"
"Call it a sincere invitation. Someone's curious about you."
"Is it the Second Prince, by chance?"
"No, someone greater and more noble than His Highness."
He meant the Empress. In truth, when the initial report reached her, she had shown keen interest at the mention of a poison expert.
Her order: bring Yang Chan back alive, by any means.
Whiiiing!
As a gust clawed across Yang Chan's body, his response slipped out.
"Not interested."
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Think it over."
"I don't like people coveting seats they shouldn't."
"What do you mean?"
"Traitors dreaming of rebellion—or more accurately, usurpation."
Twitch.
Mun I-jong's brow curved like a blade.
Looking into Yang Chan's eyes, he realized recruitment was impossible.
Chirrrk.
His sword brimmed with sword aura.
"If you refuse the kind toast and insist on the bitter one, no choice."