Chapter 207
Chapter 207
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 207
Chapter Title: What Umunsul Wants
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Zhao Kingdom's Imperial Palace.
Southwest King Jo Yun sat facing his strategist Umunsul. Umunsul poured tea into Jo Yun's cup and cautiously opened his mouth.
"If Yeon Kingdom accepts the peace agreement, wouldn't Your Highness need to go there in person?"
"That will probably be necessary. However, the location will be chosen as neutral ground."
"Do you think they will accept it?"
"The Empress will definitely accept. After all, she wants to avoid war until she seizes the throne."
"According to intelligence, the Empress's situation isn't favorable. That man has clearly become a major variable in Yeon Kingdom's politics. The Empress greatly elevated the Golden Army's authority, but because that man came back alive, it's like she wasted her efforts feeding the dog."
Jo Yun silently nodded, his gaze steadying.
"He's no ordinary fellow. He might have even planned for that and faked his death on purpose."
Jo Yun took a sip of tea before bringing up another topic.
"Have you selected everyone to send to Yeon Kingdom and Qin Kingdom?"
"We've finalized the personnel for Qin Kingdom, but for Yeon Kingdom, I'm still deciding on the leader."
"Why not make the Ghost Valley Lord the leader?"
"He's too recently defected to trust. And if we put him in charge, the others won't follow."
"That could be true. Then find a replacement quickly."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Jo Yun leaned back, his gaze steadying.
"Until the situation stabilizes, all we can do is keep both countries in check through intelligence operations. For that, they need to serve as our eyes. So, provide overwhelming support to ensure there's no shortfall in their activities in Yeon and Qin Kingdoms."
"The accommodations and everything else have already been perfectly prepared, so no need to worry."
"Then find a replacement for the Ghost Valley Lord right away and convey my will."
"Understood."
It was then that Umunsul rose to leave. The door opened, and a general entered. It was Jo Yun's second son, Jo Jeong-mu.
"What brings you here?"
"I have something to say."
"Speak."
"How long must I stay cooped up in the Imperial Palace? If I endure even a little longer like this, I'll go mad. Send me to the Eastern Army, or anywhere—Qin or Yeon Kingdom, it doesn't matter!"
"What is that attitude before your father!"
"......I'm sorry."
He bowed his head, but Jo Jeong-mu's eyes blazed fiercely.
Since the war ended, he had been stuck in the Imperial Palace without returning to his post. For a battle-hardened veteran like him, palace life was no different from being a bird trapped in a cage.
"Why do you think your father hasn't sent you back to the Eastern Army?"
"Honestly, I don't know."
"If you don't know, find the answer and come back."
"Father!"
"I said leave!"
"......!"
Umunsul hurriedly soothed Jo Jeong-mu.
"Please go for now. I will visit you shortly."
Jo Jeong-mu glared at Jo Yun with eyes like raging flames before turning sharply on his heel.
Umunsul cautiously spoke.
"Shouldn't you consider the Second Prince's position? For someone who needs to charge across the battlefield on a warhorse to feel satisfied, the Imperial Palace is a bit......"
"Do you truly not understand the reason?"
"How could I not? However......"
Thud!
Jo Yun slammed the armrest of his chair.
"If that hothead attacks Yeon Kingdom, it will lead to an irreversible situation. Until the unstable politics and turned public sentiment recover, and the reparations issue with Qin Kingdom is resolved, I have no choice but to keep him by my side. Who else can control that boy if not me?"
"......"
"I'll handle disciplining him, so you focus on the tasks at hand."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Has the eldest gone out of the palace again?"
"Yes. He left with a few escorts, saying he was going to the mountains north of the capital. It's not a dangerous area, so no need to worry."
At the mention of his eldest son Jo Gwang-mu, Jo Yun's expression darkened heavily.
"Just how long will he keep wandering aimlessly......"
In truth, Jo Gwang-mu was as much of a headache for him as the turned public sentiment. Though he watched in the belief that he would eventually return to the path he desired, Jo Gwang-mu showed no signs of change.
Jo Yun suppressed a rising sigh and drained the rest of his tea.
Clink.
"You're keeping a close eye on the movements of Yeon Kingdom's Southern Legion and Northern Legion, who are aligned with us, right?"
"Don't worry about them. Amid the chaos of the power struggle between the Empress and the Crown Prince, it's unlikely they'll attack us first. In fact, the Northern Legion would be grateful if we stay put, with barbarians overhead. The concern is......"
Umunsul trailed off.
Jo Yun sank deeply into his chair, furrowing his brow.
"What's the matter?"
"Lately, the Blue Wolf Tribe's movements have been unusual. After staying within their territory for the past decade, they've recently been absorbing minor northern tribes to expand their forces, leading to frequent small-scale clashes on the northern front."
"Those worm-like things dare......"
"They seem to be taking advantage of the post-earthquake chaos to reclaim lost territories."
"They're barbarians at best. Leave the northern front to the troops defending it and focus on what must be done now."
"Please hear a bit more of what I have to say."
"......"
Umunsul continued.
"The Blue Wolf Tribe's territory borders Yeon Kingdom's north more extensively than ours. Moreover, Northern Legion Commander Gwak Chung-mu harbors extreme hatred for the Blue Wolf Tribe due to a past incident."
"You're referring to the incident where some Blue Wolf Tribe members raped and murdered the families of Northern Legion officers?"
"Yes. If that bloody palace purge hadn't erupted in Yeon Kingdom's Imperial Palace back then, Gwak Chung-mu would have immediately led an army against them."
"So what are you saying?"
"We need to make the Northern Legion and the Blue Wolf Tribe clash with each other. If the scheme succeeds, our allies on the northern front won't have to worry about the Blue Wolf Tribe."
"You're suggesting we sow discord to make them fight?"
"Yes. And if Yeon Kingdom and the Blue Wolf Tribe go to war near our northeastern border, the people will inevitably look to Your Highness. As the ancients said, war can revive even a dying power."
"You're saying to exploit a war unrelated to us to stoke the people's fears and recover public sentiment."
"Exactly."
Jo Yun's eyes gleamed sharply. He was clearly swayed by Umunsul's scheme.
Thud!
"Good! I'll entrust this matter entirely to you, so produce the best results."
"Understood."
* * *
Three days later.
The Crown Prince's Palace, which had opposed the strategy, relented as if unable to resist, and Yeon Kingdom ultimately decided to form a peace agreement with Zhao Kingdom.
The news was immediately relayed to Yi Hwan, who hadn't attended court since the first day. One of the Empress's close aides had come personally.
'That goatee......'
Yi Hwan found the middle-aged man's goatee irritating. The sly-looking fellow already had a shifty face, and growing that sneaky beard made it unbearable to even look at him.
"Thereby, it has been decided to conclude the peace agreement, Great Prince."
"Fools."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind. Just something I said."
"You must remember that His Highness the Crown Prince is among those fools, Great Prince."
Had the conclusion gone his way boosted his momentum? The middle-aged man's attitude toward Yi Hwan was markedly different from before.
"Let me ask one thing."
"Please speak."
"What has that woman Hwa Ryeong been up to lately?"
"Why are you curious about that girl?"
"She wasted some of my time at the Northern Legion in the past."
"Ah! Was there such a thing? This is the first I've heard of it...... Anyway, I know nothing about her. Information on warriors directly managed by Her Majesty the Empress is inaccessible......"
"Is that so?"
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair and gestured for him to leave.
Moments later, as the middle-aged man exited Yi Hwan's office, his face flushed with anger.
'To gesture at me, a close aide of Her Majesty the Empress.'
Yi Hwan's final gesture had grated on him severely. No matter that he was the Great Prince, such behavior toward someone from the Palace of Illusory Flowers was not just rude but outright insolent.
'Let's see how long you keep rampaging without knowing your place.'
The middle-aged man, hurrying out of the Golden Army headquarters, suddenly stopped. At the main gate stood Ju Tae and Kim Mu-gwan, who didn't greet him despite seeing him.
Twitch.
'Boundary guards daring to......'
The middle-aged man had no idea who they were. Overlooking Kim Mu-gwan was one thing, but not recognizing Ju Tae was his great misfortune.
"Arrogant bastards. Can't you show proper respect!"
Only after his shout did Ju Tae and Kim Mu-gwan turn to him.
Ju Tae pointed at himself and asked.
"You yelling at me?"
"Who else is here besides you bastards!"
"No, but why does this punk keep calling us bastards since earlier?"
Crack!
"Guh!"
In one motion, Ju Tae grabbed the middle-aged man's throat and hoisted him up.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Guh, guh! Th-this hand is no good! Kek!"
Ju Tae turned to Kim Mu-gwan.
"Do you know who this guy is?"
"I only know he's from the Palace of Illusory Flowers."
"Ah, really?"
At Kim Mu-gwan's words, Ju Tae released his grip. Mistaking it for Ju Tae realizing his error, the middle-aged man, face beet-red and about to scream, was interrupted.
Slap!
Ju Tae's hand whipped across his cheek.
"Guh!"
The middle-aged man crumpled limply.
Shing!
Ju Tae drew his sword and pointed it at the man's throat.
"You don't know who I am, do you?"
"......!"
"I'm the one in charge of the Great Prince's guard. Calling me 'bastard' is no different from insulting our Great Prince. For that, I'll rip that mouth off first."
"......!"
Under Ju Tae's fierce aura, the middle-aged man's face turned waxen pale.
Then Yi Hwan stepped out.
"What's going on."
"This punk kept calling me bastard, so I'm giving him a proper lesson."
"He probably didn't know, so put the sword away."
"......Yes."
Clang!
A faint smile tugged at Ju Tae's lips as he sheathed his sword and stepped back. In truth, he knew exactly who the man was.
Yi Hwan approached.
"This friend has a bit of a fierce temper. It happened because you didn't know each other, so graciously understand and be on your way."
"Even if you're the Great Prince's guard captain, you can't treat me like this when I'm bearing Her Majesty the Empress's orders!"
"Even if you're bearing Her Majesty the Empress's orders, you can't call my guard 'bastard.' Right?"
"Great Prince!"
"Shall we check ranks?"
"......!"
Yi Hwan raised his hand to pat the middle-aged man's shoulder.
Mistaking it for an attempt to strike, the man stumbled back several steps, then realized his mistake and flushed red.
"I won't pursue your blunder further, so just go now."
Grit!
The middle-aged man ground his teeth and passed through the headquarters gate. Yi Hwan turned to Ju Tae.
Ju Tae scratched his head, expecting a scolding.
"Sorry. The bastard was so arrogant......"
"You should've hit him without leaving a mark. What is that split lip?"
"......"
Yi Hwan asked Kim Mu-gwan.
"I'm heading to the Crown Prince's Palace. Coming along?"
"Yes, Great Prince."
"Should I come too?"
"You go to the training grounds and assist the warriors' training. Pay special attention to centurions and above."
"Understood."
Yi Hwan headed straight to the Crown Prince's Palace, with Kim Mu-gwan following a bit behind.
"Have you adjusted well?"
"Yes. Everyone has been looking out for me, so I'm doing fine."
"I heard your main art is fist techniques. Can you even perform Fist Canon?"
"Yes. I can."
"It must be Haedong fist techniques."
"Yes."
"I'll have to watch sometime."
Yi Hwan was inwardly pleased.
Capable of Fist Canon, no less.
'Impressive. There are hardly any fist experts in the Central Plains who can do that.'