Chapter 214
Chapter 214
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 214
Chapter Title: The Fallen Palace of Illusory Flowers
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Roar!
Boom!
The Palace of Illusory Flowers, engulfed in flames, collapsed rapidly. Even the stone walls that seemed they might hold out until the end crumbled away, drawing the fox hunt to a close.
Rumble...
Yi So, who had belatedly stepped out from the Crown Prince's Palace, stared at the Palace of Illusory Flowers reduced to a pile of ashes, biting his lip firmly. He hadn't expected Yi Hwan to go this far, and the shock hit him hard.
But he harbored not the slightest intention of blaming Yi Hwan. He trusted him absolutely, so he had left everything in his hands to the end.
Gwan Ji-baek approached. He gazed at Yi So without saying a word.
Yi So muttered as if to himself.
“There must have been a reason it had to end like this, right?”
“I dare not presume to fathom the Great Prince’s intentions, but if it was to make an example of those who dreamed of rebellion, then this lowly one would fully support that resolve.”
Yi So nodded gravely.
Next, he grew worried about Yi Hwan.
“He mustn’t get hurt...”
“Who would dare harm him? Please don’t worry, Your Highness. The wind is bitterly cold—let’s head inside.”
The air, once scorched hot by the flames, had already turned frigid.
Ashes fell like snowflakes over Yi So’s head. Gwan Ji-baek swiftly waved his hand, scattering the flying soot.
It was then. Yi So’s eyes widened slightly.
He had spotted Yi Hwan approaching from not too far away. He stepped forward quickly.
Yi Hwan bowed his head toward him.
“Are you unharmed?”
“I’m fine, so let’s go inside.”
Moments later, Yi Hwan entered the Crown Prince's Palace with Yi So. No sooner had they stepped in than Yi So seized both of Yi Hwan’s hands.
“You’ve done well.”
“Your Highness...”
“The imperial physician is watching over him, so don’t worry.”
Yi Hwan turned to Gwan Ji-baek.
“Got any liquor?”
“I’ll fetch some.”
Moments later, Yi Hwan downed the liquor Gwan Ji-baek brought in one gulp.
“What’s the status with the Golden Imperial Guards?”
“No one in the command structure has been allowed to step outside—they’re under strict control.”
“No resistance?”
“A few, but we suppressed them without incident.”
Yi Hwan drained the rest of the liquor and let out a heavy breath.
“Whew!”
He turned to Yi So and continued.
“The real start begins now. We may have to stain our hands with even more blood, so steel your heart.”
“I shall, so worry not.”
“But where has the Moon Lord gone?”
“She went to mobilize Moon Pavilion, saying this next part is truly crucial.”
Clank! Clank!
Amid the metallic clangs, Cheol Mu-ok, Ju Tae, and Kim Mu-gwan entered. Covered head to toe in soot, their faces had turned ghostly white.
The three bowed their heads toward Yi So.
“You’ve all worked hard. I’ll never forget your efforts.”
A grin.
Ju Tae was the only one smiling.
Yi So patted his shoulder.
“From now on, move to seize control of the private soldiers under each ministry’s key figures. Especially the martial artists—secure every last one without exception and escort them all to headquarters.”
“Understood.”
“Yes!”
The three headed out.
Yi Hwan said to Yi So.
“As soon as the situation stabilizes, we’ll summon the Grand Marshal, the Chancellor, and the heads of the six ministries to prepare for the abdication.”
At the word “abdication,” Yi So’s expression changed abruptly. Gwan Ji-baek’s did too.
Yi So shook his head firmly.
“His Majesty is in good health—abdication is absolutely out of the question!”
“It is His Majesty’s will.”
“...!”
“The Empress’s atrocities have rendered His Majesty’s authority irreparable. If he continues to reign with such shattered prestige, the realm will plunge into even greater chaos than before. This is not my thought, but His Majesty’s express wish, and for these reasons, he has commanded Your Highness to accept the throne.”
Tremble...
Yi So’s eyes shook violently.
In stark contrast, Yi Hwan’s gaze was utterly resolute.
“Become a wise ruler. Become the greatest sovereign in Yeon’s history, one unmatched before or since. That is what His Majesty truly desires.”
Tears welled up.
Gwan Ji-baek, who had been watching, was the one who shed them.
Yi Hwan grasped Yi So’s trembling shoulders with both hands.
“Your little brother will help you.”
* * *
At dawn, when the first light painted the world red.
The ministers began entering the palace.
Unaware of the night’s events, they were stunned upon hearing that the Palace of Illusory Flowers had been reduced to ashes.
The Grand Marshal, the Chancellor, and the heads of the six ministries—who had been confined by the Golden Army—were escorted under heavy guard into the palace belatedly.
Escorted, though in truth they were under the Golden Army’s iron control.
The ministers headed to the throne hall.
But the one awaiting them there was not Crown Prince Yi So, but Yi Hwan.
Ministers who would normally stride in laughing heartily today crept forward like cats, not even daring to breathe loudly. The throne hall gradually filled with a tension and silence thick enough to suffocate.
Yi Hwan stood with arms crossed, eyes closed, utterly still. Everyone stole glances at him, but none dared speak.
How much time passed like that?
As the Grand Marshal and Chancellor entered last, the doors to the throne hall slammed shut.
Thud!
Yi Hwan opened his eyes.
The sound of someone swallowing dryly echoed like thunder.
“Straight to the point.”
Yi Hwan swept his gaze over the ministers with his signature impassive, chilling eyes.
“The Empress and the Second Prince plotted treason.”
Thud!
The silent throne hall erupted in murmurs.
One minister stepped forward to ask.
“Are you calling the strife between the Crown Prince's Palace and the Empress ‘treason’?”
“As if. If that were treason, then everyone here would be accomplices, wouldn’t they? You’ve all stood by idly until now. And plenty have actively sided with them, of course.”
“Then why call it treason?”
“They dared to assassinate His Majesty. And it’s now proven fact that the Empress has long ignored His Majesty’s will and forged imperial edicts in his name.”
“...!”
The throne hall murmured even louder.
Yi Hwan turned and said curtly.
“Summon the imperial physician.”
“Yes.”
All eyes turned to the left side of the throne hall. The imperial physician appeared there.
The physician bowed to Yi Hwan, then addressed the ministers directly.
“His Majesty is currently...”
The physician explained the emperor’s condition in detail. The ministers reacted with shock, each in their own way.
“Let us see His Majesty!”
“His condition is too critical for an audience now.”
“We must at least confirm from afar that he’s safe before we can believe the Great Prince’s words! Don’t you agree, my lords?”
“I feel the same!”
“As do I!”
The Empress’s faction ministers, who had been holding their breath in fear, spoke up all at once.
Thud!
Yi Hwan lightly struck the table with his hand. That single motion silenced the Empress’s ministers once more.
Yi Hwan signaled the physician to withdraw, then swept his gaze over the ministers.
“Once His Majesty has stabilized somewhat, we’ll seek his permission for you to see him then. Satisfied?”
“...!”
“But first, let me make one thing clear. As you say, up until now, it could be seen as mere factional strife between the Crown Prince's Palace and the Empress—so I won’t hold anyone accountable for which side they took. But now that the Empress’s treason stands proven, things must be made crystal clear from here on. If you insist on backing her to the end, you’ll be counted as treasonous accomplices.”
Murmurs.
“One more thing. From this moment, anyone attempting to leave the capital without the Crown Prince's Palace’s permission will be deemed a fugitive, regardless of reason or rank, and dealt with under the law. With that, you’re dismissed.”
Yi Hwan turned to the Grand Marshal and Chancellor.
“His Highness wishes to see you two, so stay a moment.”
“...”
“Dismissed.”
* * *
While Yi So met with the Grand Marshal and Chancellor, Yi Hwan sat down with his close aides.
Yi Hwan placed the roster he had received from Go Mi earlier on the table. It detailed every corruption and crime committed by the Empress’s faction ministers.
“From now on, arrest and escort every name on this list without exception. Use force if they resist, but don’t kill them.”
“Understood!”
“Yes!”
Yi Hwan turned to Deputy General Yu U-seong.
“How goes the task I assigned?”
“We’ve secured all those involved in or connected to the ministers’ corruption and crimes.”
“Good. Escort them to headquarters as well.”
“Understood.”
“Move quickly.”
“Yes!”
Everyone rushed out.
Today, even Cheol Mu-ok, Ju Tae, and Kim Mu-gwan planned to move with the Golden Army. Thus, only Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong remained at Yi Hwan’s side.
Hwa Ryeong asked.
“Has word reached the Empress yet?”
“Probably.”
“That old hag’s face must be a sight. Brother! We should’ve been there to see it.”
Go Mi asked.
“Shouldn’t we make a move on the Second Prince’s side too?”
“I’ve contacted Commander Gwak. But he won’t move exactly as we want. Legitimacy and clear cause come first for him, so he’ll try to verify the facts.”
“Then...”
“We’ve informed him that the Empress imprisoned and poisoned His Majesty, so facts aside, he won’t be swayed by the Second Prince at minimum. That’s enough. And with the Blue Wolf Tribe possibly descending anytime, best leave that be for now.”
“The Second Prince could return right away, couldn’t he?”
“No matter. By the time he does, it’ll all be over.”
Hwa Ryeong suddenly let out an exclamation.
“Wow! Looking back, it’s such a relief that Your Highness took control of the Western Legion during the war with Qin Kingdom.”
“Indeed. Strip away the Southern and Northern Legions, and all that’s left is the Central Army. Once they see the tide turning, they won’t side with the Empress. Especially since most of the Central Army’s key figures have families here in the capital, right?”
“Well seen.”
Yi Hwan silently tilted his teacup.
Clink.
Hwa Ryeong’s eyes sparkled as she asked.
“Once His Highness ascends the throne, what will you do, Great Prince?”
“I’ll tell you once it’s all done.”
“Tell me now—I’m dying of curiosity.”
“Be patient.”
“Ugh, always ‘be patient’...”
Go Mi gently took Hwa Ryeong’s arm and said.
“Please take even a moment to eat something. You haven’t had a bite since last night.”
‘Did I?’
Probably. Aside from the liquor Gwan Ji-baek brought to the Crown Prince's Palace, all he’d taken was water.
‘I must’ve been tense too.’
It was true.
No matter that Yi Hwan had unified the martial world and forged the Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World, staying calm in a battle for a kingdom’s hegemony was no easy feat.
“I’m hungry too.”
“We’ll prepare a meal.”
* * *
Tremble...
Third Prince Yi Seong-ji’s eyes shook violently. Gong Ya-un, reporting before him, had a face hardened like stone.
Yi Seong-ji sank deep into his chair and closed his eyes tightly. Gong Ya-un was in the midst of reporting the events in the Imperial Palace.
After finishing his report, Gong Ya-un continued in a grave tone.
“The Golden Army is already moving to arrest the ministers who supported the Palace of Illusory Flowers. They could come here anytime—Your Highness must flee to safety at once.”
The area around Yi Seong-ji’s closed eyes twitched. But for a long while, he kept his firmly pressed lips shut.
Gong Ya-un grew anxious.
One misstep, and they could face the worst—everything ending without a fight.
“Your Highness!”
Yi Seong-ji opened his eyes. A sharp glint flashed through his pupils, now swirling with tangled emotions.
“Where would I even go?”
“Go to Mount Song for now, beyond the court’s reach. Watch the situation from there and find a way forward.”
“Is it safe there?”
“Mount Song is sacred to the people in itself, not just because of Shaolin Temple—the court won’t dare enter lightly. For now, it’s the best option.”
“Very well. Then to Mount Song. Prepare.”
“...Understood, Your Highness.”
Gong Ya-un’s voice caught.
To him, Yi Seong-ji’s calm demeanor seemed all the more painful.