Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: From Now On, It Begins
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Crown Prince Yi So took the tea that Gwan Ji-baek offered him.
The ancestral rites were still a few days from concluding, so he was still staying in the rite hall rather than the Crown Prince's Palace.
The Empress and the other imperial clansmen were doing the same.
The rite hall had multiple rooms, so they stayed in separate ones when taking a brief rest.
"Strange rumors are circulating, Your Highness."
"What kind of strange rumors?"
"You know how one of Second Prince's close aides was murdered recently? Well, a few imperial clansmen have been whispering that the Great Prince might be connected to the culprit."
Thud!
"What did you say?"
Yi Hwan's eyes instantly blazed with fury.
Gwan Ji-baek continued gravely.
"It seems like the Second Prince's side is plotting something again."
"This bastard is now trying to link the murder culprit to my youngest brother?"
"Calm your anger. It's just whispers for now, so shouldn't we watch and wait a bit longer?"
"Rumors grow flesh if left alone. We need to stamp them out before they swell beyond control."
"Then you must wait until the Second Prince's side brings it up first. If they're scheming something, they'll definitely raise the issue in front of all the imperial clansmen."
Clench.
Thick veins bulged on Yi So's fist.
But as Gwan Ji-baek said, he had to hold back for now. Raising the issue over mere whispers could invite a counterattack.
"Are we in contact with the East Depot?"
"Yes. I met their intelligence chief this morning, but they haven't even tracked the culprit's movements yet."
"What about the Golden Imperial Guards?"
"Same with them."
"Send word to the East Depot. No matter what, we need to find the culprit first. Who knows what plot they'll hatch if they get there ahead of us."
"Yes, Your Highness. I'll relay the message."
Having somewhat regained his composure, Yi So asked about something else.
"Is the young master at the command post?"
"Yes. It seems he's been staying inside without stepping out for days."
Yi So leaned back in his chair and let out a quiet sigh.
"Without him here, I feel like a lone wolf trapped in a pack. I never imagined people who once praised His Majesty's grace would turn like this."
Gwan Ji-baek felt a pang of sympathy at Yi So's words. As he said, most imperial clansmen were siding with the Empress. Not knowing the full situation, they must have assumed she held all the power.
"I'll rest now. You may go."
"Yes, Your Highness. Rest well."
Gwan Ji-baek stepped outside and let out a long sigh.
"Hoo...."
Just then, Yi Tae-ji appeared in the distance. Gwan Ji-baek bowed his head toward him.
As Yi Tae-ji passed by, he sneered.
"A general should be roughing it on the battlefield, yet here you are lounging in the comfort of the palace?"
"My duty is to serve Your Highness. Protecting the future emperor of this land is no small task compared to frontline generals, Your Highness."
"We'll see if that's true once it happens."
"Your words are too much, Your Highness."
"It was a joke, a joke."
Yi Tae-ji headed straight into the chamber where the imperial clansmen were gathered. Gwan Ji-baek stared at his retreating figure, his gaze cooling.
'He's openly baring his malicious intent now.'
Gwan Ji-baek suppressed his rising anger and headed outside. Two generals were waiting for him there.
"I'm going to the Golden Army Command. Prepare."
"Yes, General."
* * *
Yi Hwan sat with his arms crossed, eyes closed, letting the carriage's sway carry him.
Go Mi sat across from him. She had something on her lap and was poring over it intently.
It was a single sheet of paper, covered in a chaotic jumble of intricate diagrams.
Drip.
A bead of sweat fell from Go Mi's forehead onto the paper.
"Haa...."
She straightened her back and sighed. At that moment, Yi Hwan opened his eyes.
"How is it?"
"Too difficult."
"Superior martial arts have formulas that differ entirely from common ones. You have to comprehend and enlighten yourself, even if it's hard. That's the only way to master it quickly."
Indeed. The diagrams on the paper were the principles and formulas of the superior martial arts Yi Hwan had given Go Mi.
He'd handed them over sooner than planned to make up for upsetting her, but even the genius who was always praised was sweating just from looking at them.
"Even if I comprehend this, without the inner power to back it up, won't it be useless?"
"I'll find a way with the inner power soon enough, so focus on understanding the formulas first."
"Pardon?"
"I can't explain yet, so hold your curiosity."
"...."
He had obtained a way into the Imperial Palace Treasury from the Emperor. Yi Hwan expected the answer to boosting inner power lay within.
Yi Hwan opened the carriage window. He stared beyond the objects flashing by at high speed.
Go Mi gazed at him steadily, then asked cautiously.
"Will the Second Prince and Reverse Heaven Society truly clash?"
"That's why I disguised our pursuers as Reverse Heaven Society and killed them. Even if it doesn't come to a full clash, it'll at least tie up their attention."
In truth, Yi Hwan wasn't going to Yi Yeong's house just to soothe Go Mi.
After returning from the forbidden zone, he'd holed up for two days brainstorming schemes, one of which was pitting Yi Tae-ji's side against Reverse Heaven Society.
And the plan was already underway.
"So this is the start?"
"You could say that."
Go Mi's heart raced.
The beginning of the counterattack Yi Hwan had once mentioned.
'He shut himself away for two days to prepare for this start. And yet I couldn't control my emotions and committed an offense....'
Seeing Go Mi lost in thought, Yi Hwan—assuming she was still worrying over the inner power issue—spoke indifferently.
"The sooner you comprehend it, the sooner you'll become a master. So work hard."
"Yes."
Yi Hwan leaned back against the carriage wall and closed his eyes again. Go Mi placed the formula sheet back on her lap.
* * *
There were those tailing Yi Hwan's carriage. Assassins from Red Moon.
They had begun following from the moment his carriage left the command post.
Mun I-jong had given strict orders to his Red Moon assassins and Golden Imperial Guard warriors to monitor Yi Hwan's every move and report anything unusual without fail.
One assassin said to the group's leader.
"His escorts are just three again today. Why not call in the rest and finish him off?"
"The Grand Overseer said no reckless moves until the imperial rites end. Shut up and keep tailing."
"....Understood."
The assassins followed Yi Hwan's carriage at a safe distance. But moving through the trees, they inevitably fell behind.
Moreover, with hardly anyone on the main road, Yi Hwan's carriage sped along. They couldn't drop to the road and pursue with lightness skill either.
In less than half a shichen, Yi Hwan's carriage vanished from sight.
"Team Two will take over the pursuit. We're done here."
The leader called off the chase.
The assassins, drenched in sweat, quenched their thirst from waterskins at their waists.
It was then.
Rustle!
The forest behind them stirred. The assassins swiftly gripped their sword hilts.
One assassin shouted coldly toward the woods.
"Who's there!"
Rustle!
Figures emerged from the forest. Six in total, each armed and clad differently. The Red Moon assassins drew their swords.
Clang clang clang!
"State your identities!"
Before the words fully landed, the strangers charged like lightning.
"You dare!"
Confident in their skills, the assassins sneered. But the reality was different.
"Argh!"
"Ugh!"
In an instant, two assassins crumpled, spraying blood. Now outnumbered, the Red Moon assassins fell into chaos.
But they were all survivors of hellish training. They quickly regained composure and counterattacked.
Clang!
Crack!
'These guys... every one a master!'
After a few exchanges, the leader was inwardly shocked. The foes were far too strong. And outnumbered, there was no way out.
Clang!
"Gah!"
One assassin staggered with a sharp groan.
At the same time, the leader leaped into the rear forest. Choosing flight.
However.
Flash!
A ray of light streaked from beyond the trees, straight for the leader's chest.
"....!"
The leader twisted midair to dodge, veering east.
It was then.
Thud!
"Urk!"
A sword pierced through his chest.
The leader, suspended in air, looked down at the blade protruding from his chest.
"Grhh...."
Rustle.
More figures emerged from the forest.
They wore white and black robes. As the leader's consciousness faded, he clearly heard their words.
"These bastards are definitely Second Prince's lackeys, right?"
"Yes. Confirmed they're scattered throughout the city to monitor Fourth Imperial Prince."
"Our Reverse Heaven Society's top priority has shifted from Fourth Imperial Prince to Second Prince. Kill every one we find to bleed his forces dry. Then, when he leaves the palace, we'll take his head."
"Yes, Society Leader."
"Confirm the kill."
"Understood."
Stab!
As the sword plunged in, the leader finally slipped into darkness.
* * *
The rain that had stopped began falling again.
Pour!
The leader opened his eyes.
At first, he thought this was the afterlife. But realizing he was alive, he struggled to his feet.
Excruciating pain from his chest and abdomen made breathing difficult, but he pressed on toward Mun I-jong's location without pause.
'I must warn that Reverse Heaven Society is targeting Second Prince. No matter what....'
* * *
Yi Yeong's residence.
Despite arriving unannounced, the Yi Yeong couple rushed out barefoot to greet them.
Yi Hwan entered the annex.
The couple headed to the kitchen themselves to prepare food.
A short while later, Cheol Mu-ok, who had been waiting outside, stepped in.
"They report the mission accomplished as ordered."
"No one suspected?"
"Yes. We targeted the leader of one group and pretended to finish him off with a confirmation stab, so no doubts there. And we've eliminated about thirty scattered around."
"Any injured?"
"Five with minor wounds. Nothing serious."
Yi Hwan nodded silently and brought his teacup to his lips.
Clink.
"Once we enter the palace, everyone stay on edge. The air there is different from the outside world. Remember: trust no one who's not on our side."
"Yes."
"Understood."
Ju Tae asked.
"What if, say, in the palace, someone picks a fight and I kill or injure them? Like if one of Second Prince's goons starts trouble and I beat him down?"
"Just beat them."
"Pardon? For real?"
"Only if you have witnesses proving they started it."
"Ah, yes."
"But was that really what you were curious about?"
"Yes. I've always wondered since entering the palace, and now that we'll be staying there, I figured I'd ask. Better safe than sorry, right? Hahaha!"
Everyone else sighed while Yi Hwan was about to respond.
Rattle.
Yi Yeong opened the door and entered.
"Time to eat, brother."