Chapter 211
Chapter 211
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 211
Chapter Title: Fox Den Hunt (1)
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Three days after Yi Tae-ji departed for the north, the Empress left the Imperial Palace for peace negotiations.
The high and low officials saw her off, and Yi So was there among them. However, Yi Hwan did not attend.
He had to deliberately show his displeasure.
Yi So faithfully followed Yi Hwan's advice.
Seeing him like that, the Empress asked,
“How is it that the Crown Prince looks so unwell?”
“I could handle something like this myself.”
“But the Southwest King is stepping forward personally, so shouldn’t we match their level?”
“I am the Crown Prince of this nation. I believe I qualify sufficiently.”
“Ha! I hadn’t realized our Crown Prince harbored such great dissatisfaction. Then why didn’t you declare in front of the ministers earlier that you would go instead?”
“No. I have no desire to meddle in a matter already decided, so please just return safely.”
“Don’t worry about me. Mind the palace well in my absence. The ministers will handle things, of course, but it would be even better if the Crown Prince holds the center steady.”
“Understood.”
The Empress turned away with a secret scoff.
Moments later, she departed the Imperial Palace with a retinue of several hundred.
Yi So stared at the Empress’s receding carriage and let out a quiet breath.
‘It seems to have worked perfectly.’
Every time he put on this act, the time spent with the Empress felt like an eternity to him.
Once the ministers had returned to their posts, Yi So headed straight to the Crown Prince’s Palace.
Gwan Ji-baek followed at his side and said,
“It’s unexpected. Normally, they would use an imperial edict to restrict Your Highness’s authority in such situations, but why take no action this time?”
“They must be certain I won’t move first under any circumstances. In any case, it seems Heaven itself is aiding us. The Empress, who was so impeccable when we vowed to undertake this great task, is now letting her guard down.”
“Indeed.”
“The youngest will arrive this evening. Assemble all the martial artists by then.”
“Understood.”
Yi So took a deep breath as he walked. Even with his resolve firm, the tension surged, making his heart tremble unavoidably.
“I suppose I’ll need a drink in broad daylight today.”
“I’ll prepare it at once.”
* * *
Shing.
Yi Hwan drew his sword.
The blue glow flowing along the blade tinged his face azure.
‘Did this fellow bring me fortune?’
He had thought he would never find his cherished sword again. Yet after reclaiming it, an unparalleled opportunity had arisen—twice over. And the long-desired meeting with Yang Chan had come to pass.
It felt as if everything was flowing exactly as intended.
‘First, seize the Palace of Illusory Flowers.’
The plan was already perfectly laid out. He was confident of absolute success as long as the Empress didn’t suddenly turn her carriage back to the palace.
Click!
“Deputy General.”
“Yes!”
Yu Woo-seong entered.
Yi Hwan placed a thin booklet on the table.
“Transport everyone listed here to the command post. Confine the ministers who haven’t entered the palace to their residences, and deploy troops to block all entry and exit.”
“Understood.”
“If blood must be shed, do not hesitate even for a moment. Understand?”
“Yes!”
Yu Woo-seong took the booklet and exited.
Cheol Mu-ok, Ju Tae, Kim Mu-gwan, and Go Mi entered one after another. Hwa Ryeong came in last.
“Shall we have some tea?”
“It’s time to head to the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
“No need to rush. All of you, sit.”
“……Yes.”
They all took their seats. Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair and continued,
“We strike the Palace of Illusory Flowers before dawn tomorrow morning. They still have almost no openly deployed forces, so it could turn into a grueling battle. Everyone, stay sharp.”
“Yes.”
“Yes!”
They responded, but every face was tense. Even as martial arts masters, with the nation’s fate hanging in the balance, they couldn’t help but feel the strain.
“Hwa Ryeong.”
“Yes?”
“Stop by the Crown Prince’s Palace, then join us at the Palace of Illusory Flowers.”
“Understood.”
“Moon Lord, move with the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
Kim Mu-gwan asked,
“Shall I move with the Great Prince?”
“I’d be grateful if you did.”
“Understood.”
Kim Mu-gwan seemed the calmest among them. The only one here not a subject of Yeon Kingdom was him.
He gazed at Yi Hwan, inwardly filled with admiration.
‘To remain this composed.’
In Kim Mu-gwan’s eyes, Yi Hwan showed no sign of someone on the eve of a great undertaking. This wasn’t something one could fake.
An odd thought crossed his mind.
‘If the Great Prince dreamed of becoming this nation’s emperor, could the Crown Prince’s Palace even stop him?’
* * *
Third Prince Yi Seong-ji gazed at the Imperial Palace coming into view in the distance and let out a quiet sigh.
“Hoo…….”
He was now entering the palace to see off the Empress. But she had already left, and Yi Seong-ji was completely unaware.
Gong Ya-un stared at the palace gates and said,
“It feels unusually quiet today. Normally, preparations for the send-off would be bustling by now.”
“Indeed.”
Just then, a general came galloping up.
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
“Is Her Majesty at the Palace of Illusory Flowers?”
“Her Majesty departed a full hour ago. She advanced the schedule slightly, saying she had another stop on the way.”
“…….”
A faint light of anger settled in Yi Seong-ji’s eyes.
“Did Her Majesty instruct that no word be sent to me?”
“Not exactly, but…….”
As the general faltered in confusion, Gong Ya-un said,
“Let us return, Your Highness.”
Yi Seong-ji stared coldly at the Imperial Palace and the Palace of Illusory Flowers beyond it.
“Your Highness.”
“Understood.”
Yi Seong-ji finally turned back. Gong Ya-un let out a quiet sigh and followed behind.
The general watching them narrowed his eyes meaningfully.
“With this, one variable is eliminated.”
* * *
Yi Hwan arrived at the Crown Prince’s Palace.
He couldn’t help but inwardly marvel at the lined-up martial artists.
‘Every one of them is a master.’
Not only those he had seen before, but even the newcomers exuded an extraordinary aura.
“I told them you would lead them.”
Yi Hwan calmly addressed the martial artists.
“Will you follow me as if I were His Highness?”
“We shall follow, as it is His Highness’s command.”
A middle-aged man stepped forward as representative and answered.
He was the one Yi Hwan had paid the most attention to from the start. His presence was remarkable, but his affable appearance drew even more favor.
Kim Mu-gwan’s transmission voice flowed in.
[He is the one His Highness trusts most. Little is known beyond his age in his mid-forties.]
This was unexpected. Even after living together, only his age was known.
Yi Hwan looked straight at the middle-aged man and the martial artists and continued,
“If blood must be shed, hesitate not a moment. If the situation turns disadvantageous, be prepared to gladly give your lives. Can I trust you all?”
“For the Crown Prince!”
“We gladly offer our lives for His Highness!”
They all cried out softly, yet it felt as if the entire Crown Prince’s Palace shook. Their combined presence was that overwhelming.
Yi Hwan turned to Gwan Ji-baek and said,
“General Gwan, control the Golden Imperial Guards’ leadership with them. Kill if resistance is fierce.”
“Understood.”
“Move out.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
Gwan Ji-baek exited first with the Crown Prince’s Palace warriors.
Yi Hwan looked at Yi So. Yi So watched their backs with a resolute expression.
“Your Highness, remain at the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
“Shouldn’t I help as well?”
“Such matters must be left to your subordinates. If Your Highness moves personally, the warriors cannot focus, worried for your safety.”
“Very well, I understand.”
Yi Hwan rose from his seat.
Yi So grabbed his hand. Their gazes locked for a moment.
“Be careful. Don’t get hurt.”
“Yes.”
Everyone except Go Mi exited with Yi Hwan.
Go Mi bowed her head toward Yi Hwan’s back. She couldn’t contain her pounding heart.
Thump, thump.
‘Please succeed, Great Prince.’
* * *
Yi So looked out through the window.
Go Mi gazed silently at his back.
“If we fail, he’ll be branded a traitor, won’t he?”
“How can you say such a thing? It is the immutable law of Heaven and the natural order for Your Highness to ascend the throne. And the Great Prince will surely succeed.”
Go Mi’s voice was more resolute than ever.
At the same time, her heart ached terribly.
Had the Empress harbored no ambitions, none of this would have happened. Thinking of the hardships Yi So must have endured all this time made her chest feel like it would collapse.
“Shall I bring tea?”
“Yes, let’s have a cup together. Your Jade Well tea would be best.”
“I’ll prepare it.”
As Go Mi moved to exit, a warrior stepped forward.
“I’ll prepare it.”
“Thank you.”
Ten warriors remained at Yi So’s side. They were guards prepared for any contingency. Even Go Mi didn’t recognize their faces.
Go Mi looked at Yi So again.
“The child who left the palace for the Southern Legion as if fleeing, whom I couldn’t even see off. When so many mocked and scorned him, I couldn’t step forward to shield him. That same child now draws his sword for my sake. So what should I do?”
“Simply trust him and wait, Your Highness.”
“I mean after success.”
Go Mi pondered for a moment before replying.
“Grant whatever the Great Prince desires.”
At those words, Yi So slowly turned. Go Mi couldn’t dare meet his eyes and slightly bowed her head.
A faint smile touched Yi So’s lips.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t even asked what that child wants. After receiving so much help, have I simply taken it for granted?”
“These things can be sorted out in time, so do not worry overly, Your Highness.”
Just then, the warrior brought in the tea.
Yi So gestured for Go Mi to come and sit. She cautiously took the seat across from him.
After sipping his tea, Yi So asked,
“I asked you before. What sort of person is that child in your eyes? You answered then that he was beyond your evaluation.”
“Yes.”
“I ask again. What sort of person was that child in your eyes?”
“My answer remains the same.”
“Naturally, that’s a good thing?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Go Mi bowed her head and murmured inwardly.
‘To Your Highness, he is a blessing from Heaven. This is my true heart.’
Swallowing those words that rose to her throat, Go Mi lifted her teacup.
Clink.
At that moment, a warrior entered.
Yi So set down his cup and stared at the warrior. The warrior approached and bowed.
“An eunuch from the East Depot has come.”
“Bring him in.”
“Yes.”
Moments later, an elderly man entered.
It was Jeon Yu-so, who led the East Depot. Yi So, his face stiff, greeted the entering Jeon Yu-so with utmost calm.
“Welcome, Eunuch.”
“Your Highness, what in the world is happening? Why is General Gwan controlling the Golden Army’s leadership?”
Indeed. Yi So had not informed the East Depot of the undertaking. It was, of course, Yi Hwan’s will.
Yi So smiled calmly.
“Eunuch, have some tea.”