Chapter 210
Chapter 210
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 210
Chapter Title: Fox Hunt (1)
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Two days later, Yi Hwan visited the Palace of Illusory Flowers.
The Empress received him as always, legs crossed. Right there, Yi Hwan got straight to the point.
“I’ve heard that a woman named Hwa Ryeong belonged to the Palace of Illusory Flowers.”
“Why do you ask?”
“She turned up dead yesterday. Thought you should know.”
“Cause of death?”
“Who knows. Could’ve been poison, or maybe not...”
“Have you disposed of the body?”
“We’re still investigating. But once it’s done, we’ll cremate it right away. Wouldn’t want any secondary victims if it was poison.”
“What a shame. She was a hard worker. But what was she digging into at Golden Army headquarters?”
“Nothing much. Just asked about some info related to the Prime Minister’s office.”
“Why ask the Golden Army about that? Foolish girl.”
As expected, the Empress showed not a hint of regret.
“Anyway, have you made your decision? The Second Prince leaves in two days, so you should give me an answer today.”
“Do you truly want me to go with him?”
“Just answer already. What’s with the word games!”
Yi Hwan continued calmly.
“I’ll decline.”
“What?”
“No need for two imperial princes to face mere barbarians. And it wouldn’t be right for a younger brother to share the glory with his elder. Anyway, I’m sorry I can’t grant your personal request. Farewell.”
With that, Yi Hwan stood and left. The Empress watched his retreating back from the throne, biting her lip.
Then, suddenly, she laughed.
“He must’ve been afraid to go together.”
A middle-aged man standing at the edge of the hall approached cautiously.
“Did you expect him to react like this, Your Majesty?”
“I was more worried he’d actually agree to go.”
“...Pardon?”
“Spread rumors through your people that he refused to head north out of fear of the war with the barbarians. Not just in the palace—make it all over the Imperial Capital.”
“Ah, so that was your goal from the start.”
“The Second Prince put himself on the chopping block. I’ll turn it into an opportunity and make him a hero. That’ll shift public opinion against that one in comparison. What are you dawdling for? Get out there and start!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
As the middle-aged man left, the Empress leaned back in her chair, letting out her signature sound.
“Ha!”
At that moment, the guard captain spoke cautiously.
“Shouldn’t we at least check Hwa Ryeong’s body?”
“No need. If I made the move, not even a god could survive. Call back all the warriors we sent to investigate.”
“Understood.”
The Empress rose.
Anticipation flickered in the guard captain’s eyes.
“Today calls for a truly delightful hot spring bath. You’ll join me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
* * *
Leaving the Palace of Illusory Flowers, Yi Hwan headed straight to the Crown Prince’s Palace. Yi So, just stepping out, greeted him.
“Come in.”
“I need to discuss something.”
“If it’s not urgent, can’t it wait until you return?”
“It’s urgent.”
“Is that so?”
Moments later, they sat across from each other at a table. Yi Hwan spoke in a tone more serious than ever.
“Isn’t it time we began the fox hunt?”
“You mean...”
Yi So’s face hardened as he grasped the meaning.
Yi Hwan pressed on calmly.
“With Red Moon, who served as the Second Prince’s arms and legs, wiped out, the Palace of Illusory Flowers will surely assign him escorts. That weakens their forces. And with the peace treaty, the Empress has no choice but to leave the palace for a while. There won’t be a better chance than this.”
“Hmm...”
Yi So nodded grimly.
“You seem reluctant.”
“It’s something we must do eventually, but actually doing it... my heart isn’t at ease. I’d be the first to draw a blade against kin.”
“Opportunities don’t come often.”
“...”
“The people have no interest in court intrigues. They just want an emperor who enriches their lives. The longer the strife drags on, the further the people’s hearts will drift, no matter who wins the throne. Consider why Southwest King Jo Yun had no choice but to play such a reckless card as the All-Heaven Martial Conference despite his depleted treasury.”
Clench.
Yi So balled his fists.
Seeing the resolve hardening in his eyes, Yi Hwan added one more thing.
“If you’re set on it, I’ll create the optimal conditions.”
Silence fell for a moment. Yi Hwan waited for Yi So to decide.
Finally, Yi So met his gaze.
“Are you confident?”
“Of course.”
Clench.
“Very well. Let’s do it.”
“You’ll need steel yourself. At least prepare to cut the Empress’s throat yourself.”
“If that’s what it takes, I will.”
“Good. Then may I take command of the Crown Prince’s Palace martial artists?”
“Yes. I trust you.”
“Then from now on, remember every word I say without missing a thing.”
* * *
Golden Army headquarters.
Yi Hwan and Go Mi sat facing each other.
“You haven’t taken what I gave you yet, right?”
“Yes. But in two days, it should be safe. What’s this about...?”
“Time for Moon Pavilion to move.”
“Just give the order.”
“Spread rumors to the Palace of Illusory Flowers and the Second Prince’s side that Reverse Heaven Society activity is afoot. No need to specify a target—just say their traces were spotted north of the Imperial Capital.”
“Forgive me, but may I ask why?”
“I want the Palace of Illusory Flowers to throw as many martial artists as possible at the Second Prince.”
“...Are you starting, then?”
Go Mi had caught on. Yi Hwan saw no reason to deny it.
“Yes. That’s the plan.”
Go Mi’s face stiffened. It was inevitable, but the tension of it actually beginning was overwhelming. Anyone would feel it.
“You look scared.”
“Honestly, yes. If we fail even slightly, Your Highness the Crown Prince...”
“Do I look like someone who fails?”
“No. I trust the Great Prince.”
“Then from this moment, act boldly like a tiger. Hesitate or waver for even an instant, and you could ruin everything. Keep that in mind.”
“Understood.”
* * *
A man in dark green robes entered Yi Tae-ji’s residence. His wax-pale face paired with the deep green robes created an eerie aura.
Yi Tae-ji, legs crossed, glanced at him and lifted his teacup.
Clink.
“Have you selected the escorts?”
“Yes. Thirty will accompany Your Highness.”
“Thirty? Did Her Majesty command it?”
“No. I judged that sufficient. To guard against the unforeseen, we should leave as many forces as possible with Her Majesty.”
“I’ll take that as confidence.”
“Not mine—theirs. They’re on another level from Red Moon’s killers.”
“Fine.”
Then Yi Tae-ji’s retainer entered.
“Leave us.”
“Yes.”
The green-robed man departed. The retainer approached and spoke.
“I just came from the Golden Imperial Guards. They spotted a group suspected to be Reverse Heaven Society moving north of the Imperial Capital.”
“North of the Imperial Capital, you say?”
“Yes. Definitely north. Could the rumor of Your Highness heading north have leaked? Didn’t they say you’re their primary target?”
“Possibly.”
Yi Tae-ji remained relaxed.
He sank deeper into his chair, interlocking his fingers.
“The Crown Prince’s Palace might be borrowing someone else’s blade to take me out. They could’ve leaked the intel too.”
“Then shouldn’t we increase the escorts?”
“I’ll handle it. You go to the Golden Imperial Guards and find out how they got the information.”
“Understood.”
After the retainer left, Yi Tae-ji drained his tea and walked to the window.
Rumble!
He gazed at the Crown Prince’s Palace.
‘Shifting public opinion is just the tiniest beginning. When I return from the north, that’s when the real contest starts, brother.’
Smirk.
The corner of his mouth curled up.
‘If you judge me by the shell you’ve seen so far, it’ll be too easy a fight. Heh heh heh.’
* * *
Two days later, at dawn.
The Empress and ministers gathered at the palace gate. It was the day Yi Tae-ji departed for the north.
Yi So and Yi Hwan were there too.
Yi Hwan had no need to come out, but he did to inspect those leaving with Yi Tae-ji.
As expected, many martial artists surrounded Yi Tae-ji. The ones that caught Yi Hwan’s eye were those in dark green robes, each carrying unusual weapons.
Around fifty, perhaps? Twenty more than initially planned.
‘Are they the ones? The ones said to rule over the Empress’s shadows.’
Hwa Ryeong had said that among the Palace of Illusory Flowers martial artists revealed so far, the strongest were her shadows.
But there were those who lorded over even them, though she knew nothing of them.
They had yet to reveal themselves.
Yi Hwan suspected the green-robed men were they.
No wonder their presence felt anything but ordinary.
Then Yi Tae-ji, finishing greetings with the Empress, approached Yi Hwan and Yi So.
“I’ll be off, brother.”
“Safe travels.”
That was the extent of the farewell. Yi Tae-ji stared at Yi Hwan.
“You refused to come?”
“Why would I interfere when my brother wants to make a show of face?”
Even a direct jab didn’t change Yi Tae-ji’s expression. Instead, he smiled faintly.
“Not afraid I’d sabotage you?”
“As if.”
“Then let’s drink when I return.”
“Come back alive.”
“Heh heh heh. You mean that?”
“Judge for yourself.”
Smirk.
Turning away with a grin, Yi Tae-ji suddenly asked,
“Heard a group suspected to be Reverse Heaven Society was spotted north of the Imperial Capital. Know anything?”
“Of course.”
“Why not tell me?”
“We’re not that close. Scared? Why not formally request Golden Army escorts?”
“I’ll politely decline. Heh heh heh.”
Moments later, Yi Tae-ji departed north with his retinue. The Empress and ministers returned to their posts.
Yi Hwan walked side by side with Yi So.
“You alright?”
“You’re worried about me.”
“A bit.”
“No need. Right now, I’m more resolute than ever.”
“Resolve comes when it starts. For now, ease your expression. Someone might think you’re the one heading to war, not the Second Prince.”
“...”
Yi So gave an awkward smile.
They walked slowly toward the Crown Prince’s Palace as usual.
Eyes watched them. The Empress. Arms behind her back, she stared at Yi So and Yi Hwan’s retreating figures and smiled coldly.
‘Just in case, should I bind their feet with an imperial edict until the Second Prince returns?’
She’d assigned more forces to Yi Tae-ji than expected, significantly weakening the Palace of Illusory Flowers. And she herself would soon leave for the peace treaty.
If Yi So and Yi Hwan were waiting for this moment, it could turn serious.
If she were Yi So, she’d strike now.
‘Hmph! As if that coward has the guts.’
The Empress sneered coldly and turned away.