Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: Yi Seong-ji Emerges from Seclusion
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The area around the lake bustled with people out for a stroll.
Gong Ya-un sat in the pavilion, surveying the surroundings as he subtly furrowed his brow.
“To suddenly open this place, which has banned commoners for nearly a century. What on earth is Her Majesty the Empress aiming for?”
That was right.
The lakeside, including the area around Yi Seong-ji’s residence, had strictly prohibited commoners’ entry for many years.
Yet recently, the court had abruptly allowed public access, drawing crowds eager to see the beautiful lake.
Gong Ya-un was certain the Empress was behind the court’s decision.
But that wasn’t the only issue.
‘To set up a military camp in a place where there’s no worry of enemy attacks at all. Is it to keep us in check? For the Second Prince?’
Not only had the court opened the lakeside to the common folk, but they had also decided to establish a camp nearby and station troops there permanently.
Turning it into a tourist spot frequented by civilians and then building a military camp there was a decision no one could comprehend.
A close aide cautiously asked,
“Your Excellency dislikes crowds above all else. Shouldn’t we move the residence elsewhere?”
“Hmm. Let’s wait until His Highness emerges from seclusion and ask his will then.”
“Yes.”
Gong Ya-un stared at the place where Yi Seong-ji was in secluded training. Since it was a location unreachable without martial arts, it remained quiet.
‘When on earth will he finish…?’
Gong Ya-un let out a quiet sigh of frustration. At that moment, a warrior approached from behind.
“Unidentified martial artists have entered from the north side of the lake.”
“How many?”
“Five. I’ve instructed the children to tail them discreetly.”
Gong Ya-un’s eyes flashed with sharp light for an instant.
‘Martial artists appearing out of nowhere?’
He immediately descended from the pavilion.
“I’ll escort you.”
“No. Stay here and move only if a request for reinforcements comes.”
“……Understood.”
* * *
Rustle.
They were five men in black robes. They moved south along the north side of the lake, scanning their surroundings sharply.
“The entrance might be disguised as a forest, so check carefully.”
“Understood.”
“Spread out at fifty-jang intervals.”
“Yes!”
The black-robed men scattered in all directions.
What exactly were they searching for?
They combed through the forest meticulously, as if determined not to miss even the smallest detail, slowly heading south.
At that moment, one black-robed man reached a particularly dark cliff face and looked up.
It was an unremarkable cliff aside from its unusual blackness. But the man sharply examined the pine tree protruding from it and the area around.
Then, suddenly, he began climbing the cliff.
Moments later, reaching the pine tree, he drew a dagger from his bosom and started cutting away the surrounding grass.
How much time passed?
At the base of the pine tree’s roots, a rusted ring emerged.
‘Found it!’
The black-robed man’s eyes gleamed with exhilaration as he immediately whistled to summon his comrades.
Piiik!
The whistle, infused with inner power, carried on the wind to his fellows searching far away.
Confirming his comrades returning swiftly, the man unslung the waterskin from his waist and brought it to his lips.
Then, his eyes widened in shock. The area around the ring began to shimmer like spring heat haze.
‘What is this?’
The man tossed the waterskin aside and swiftly placed his hand on his sword hilt.
It was then.
“You’ve come to a place you shouldn’t have. And since you’ve seen what you weren’t meant to, don’t blame me.”
“……!”
Crack!
A hand shot out from within the cliff, seizing the man’s throat. It was at a speed he couldn’t react to.
Crunch!
Without even a scream, the black-robed man died. Above his corpse, a figure emerged.
Brushing back his disheveled black hair revealed his face. Astonishingly, it was the Third Prince, Yi Seong-ji.
Yi Seong-ji’s eyes, which had flashed with eerie blue light for a moment, turned toward the black-robed men arriving at the cliff in response to the signal.
“Huh!”
Clang clang!
Spotting Yi Seong-ji from below, the black-robed men drew their swords in unison.
Looking down at them, Yi Seong-ji’s eyes were chillingly calm.
He descended the cliff. Despite the considerable height, not a speck of dust rose when his feet touched down.
Then, one black-robed man recognized him.
“Th-the Third Prince!”
“Failing to bow even after recognizing me means you came with ill intent. Who sent you?”
Yi Seong-ji advanced toward the black-robed men.
They retreated unsteadily.
Was it because of his status as a prince? Or overwhelmed by Yi Seong-ji’s chilling aura?
Though they held their swords ready, none dared charge recklessly.
But they could retreat no further. Gong Ya-un blocked their path from behind.
Tremble…
Gong Ya-un’s gaze wavered. He had seen Yi Seong-ji.
“Greetings later.”
“What of these?”
“They’ve seen what they absolutely shouldn’t have.”
It meant kill them.
Gong Ya-un’s hands unleashed blood-red light. At that instant, one black-robed man bolted like lightning into the forest on the right. The others charged at Gong Ya-un.
The blood-red light leaving Gong Ya-un’s hands coiled around the black-robed men like living serpents.
“Gahk!”
“Urk!”
The most agonized death cry came from the one who fled into the right-side forest.
“Arghhh!”
Yi Seong-ji, who had already caught up, split his body vertically in a gruesome death.
Splatter!
Splat splat!
Blood and entrails poured out, steam rising hot. Yi Seong-ji’s eyes reflected the blood, dyeing them crimson.
“Eek!”
The last black-robed man collapsed with a final scream. But he wasn’t dead yet, thrashing like a fish.
Gong Ya-un seized the dead man’s sword.
“I’ll find out who sent them.”
“Do that.”
Yi Seong-ji left the scene as is.
Gong Ya-un asked,
“Are you heading to the residence?”
“Yes.”
Gong Ya-un smiled.
“Congratulations on emerging from seclusion, Your Highness.”
* * *
Yi Seong-ji and Gong Ya-un sat facing each other.
“I apologize. He died during torture, so I couldn’t uncover the mastermind.”
“It’s fine. You already know who sent them anyway, Master.”
“Suspicion and certainty are worlds apart, Your Highness.”
“They bore the insignia of the unorthodox sects. So it’s not the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
Clink.
Yi Seong-ji’s fingers, placing down his teacup, were as pale and slender as a woman’s. Gong Ya-un felt with his entire body that Yi Seong-ji’s presence had utterly transformed.
“Did you obtain what you desired?”
“Yes. More than satisfactorily.”
Gong Ya-un didn’t ask what it was. No, he didn’t want to.
As long as Yi Seong-ji was satisfied, that was enough.
“Master.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I want to hear how the Imperial Palace has been faring.”
“Then I shall tell you.”
Gong Ya-un began recounting all events since Yi Seong-ji had entered seclusion. It took quite some time, during which Yi Seong-ji emptied two cups of tea.
Clink.
“The Fourth has grown wings.”
“It’s the result of the Palace of Illusory Flowers’ misjudgment. Thanks to that, the Crown Prince’s Palace ended up as the sole beneficiary.”
“Don’t rule out the possibility that the Fourth aimed for all this from the start, faking his disappearance in the Zhao Kingdom.”
“…….”
“I say that because the boy seems capable of it. Meaning, we must watch the Fourth as closely as the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
“Understood.”
Clink.
Yi Seong-ji set down his teacup and walked to the window. Gong Ya-un gazed at his back from his seat.
“This peaceful place has turned into a noisy marketplace.”
Gong Ya-un could say nothing. He knew better than anyone how much Yi Seong-ji cherished this place.
“Master.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Find a suitable place to stay. As soon as possible.”
“Is that alright?”
“What choice is there? If they press us to leave, we’ll have to go. But we’ll exact a price in return.”
“What do you…….”
Yi Seong-ji turned.
Their gazes met across the space.
“I’ll enter the palace.”
“Even a few days of rest would be…….”
“Tomorrow is the imperial ancestral rite. That’s why I chose today to emerge. Prepare.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
* * *
Yi Hwan visited the Crown Prince’s Palace.
The Crown Prince’s Palace was fully occupied preparing for the rite coming up tomorrow.
Yi So greeted him.
“Come in.”
“Are preparations complete?”
“Almost done now. Here for the rite?”
“I don’t think I can attend. Something urgent came up…….”
“It’d be best if you could. All the elders are coming.”
“I haven’t attended since coming of age anyway, so skipping this time won’t stir talk.”
It was true.
‘Yi Hwan’ hadn’t attended a single rite since departing for the Southern Legion. He had avoided them deliberately because many imperial clansmen resented his presence. Did Yi So not know that?
“Are you still holding onto it?”
“I’ve forgotten.”
“Good. Shake off bad memories. Anyway, it’s a shame given your circumstances. I wanted to perform the rite with you this time.”
Yi Hwan hesitated.
Should he tell Yi So now that he planned to enter the Forbidden Sector? That the Emperor might be there?
The hesitation didn’t last.
‘No need to cause worry ahead of time.’
Yi Hwan stood.
“Leaving already?”
“Yes. Lots to do.”
Leaving the Crown Prince’s Palace, Yi Hwan headed straight for the city gate.
It was as he reached the square’s entrance. Yi Seong-ji was crossing the gate.
The two stopped, staring at each other. Yi Hwan didn’t bow. He didn’t bow to Yi Tae-ji, so there was no reason to bow to Yi Seong-ji.
“Long time no see.”
“Indeed.”
“Heard you had some good fortune?”
“The Palace of Illusory Flowers sent a gift, but I’m not sure it qualifies as fortune. Farewell.”
With that, Yi Hwan passed through the gate.
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae followed, tilting their heads.
“That guy’s vibe seems totally different.”
“Yeah. I felt it too.”
Ju Tae asked Yi Hwan,
“What did you think, my lord?”
“Not interested.”
“…….”
Though he said that, Yi Hwan knew Yi Seong-ji’s presence had clearly changed.
‘Did he go train somewhere?’
* * *
Yi Seong-ji headed west of the palace.
He was now on his way to see the Second Prince, Yi Tae-ji. Normally he’d visit the Palace of Illusory Flowers first, but today he had business with Yi Tae-ji.
But Yi Hwan occupied his mind now.
Twitch.
The muscles around his eyes twitched faintly. Then his gaze grew icy.
‘Until now, I overlooked it as trivial, but from here on, I’ll correct that arrogance of his first thing whenever he’s before me.’