Chapter 216
Chapter 216
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 216
Chapter Title: The Empress's Tears
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yu Woo-seong's condition was extremely grave.
Several military physicians had examined him for nearly half a day. Yi Hwan, who had already lost one deputy general, had even summoned the imperial physician.
Yi Hwan habitually took a sip of tea. But today, he could taste no aroma or flavor.
Go Mi comforted him.
"The imperial physician will arrive soon, so please don't worry too much."
"What is Moon Pavilion doing right now?"
"They are investigating the Third Prince's movements. He's already vanished, so we can't pursue him, but we'll do our utmost to at least determine where he went."
"Report to me the moment it's uncovered."
"Yes, Great Prince."
Yi Hwan rose abruptly from his seat.
"I'm going to the ministers."
"I'll accompany you."
Yi Hwan led the way, with Go Mi following behind. As she trailed him, Go Mi worried over what he might do to the ministers.
"He won't kill them all, will he?"
That was her foremost concern.
If he were to slaughter every minister aligned with the Empress, the ensuing chaos would only worsen. Replacing those essential for governing the state wouldn't be easy.
The best course was to induce defection from those with minimal involvement, minimizing the disruption.
In the end, Go Mi couldn't contain her anxiety and asked.
"What will you do with the ministers?"
"What should I do?"
"I will simply follow the Great Prince's will."
"Tell me Moon Lord's thoughts."
"......"
Go Mi pondered briefly before voicing her opinion.
"It would be best to encourage defection from ministers with minimal involvement to minimize governmental chaos."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"......"
In that instant, Go Mi intuited it. Yi Hwan would not act as she hoped.
Then?
Go Mi squeezed her eyes shut.
Visions of ministers dying gruesome deaths flooded her mind.
"Ah......"
* * *
The ministers were confined five to a room, grouped by rank. Considering it was the quarters of generals rather than a prison, they were receiving minimal courtesy.
Yi Hwan entered one such room. It held the highest-ranking ministers.
His arrival froze the ministers, who had been exchanging anxious chatter, like statues.
One minister, unable to bear the extreme tension, broke into violent coughs.
Yi Hwan slowly scanned the five ministers.
"Moon Lord."
"Yes, Great Prince."
"Distribute these."
"Understood."
Go Mi pulled out several sheets of paper and handed one to each minister. Their eyes widened as they read, their bodies trembling violently.
The papers detailed their corruption and crimes in exhaustive detail.
"Those who cannot accept this will be given a fair trial. However, if proven true in court, there will be no further mercy."
"......!"
Did that mean confessing would grant them a chance?
At least, that's how the ministers interpreted it.
But Go Mi strongly sensed otherwise.
"Since it's a treason case, with the Great Prince's elevated authority, any minister not of the Grand Marshal, Prime Minister, or Six Ministries can be executed on the spot."
Indeed. The authority the Empress had granted Yi Hwan made even that possible. It was an unprecedented, absolute power not just in Yeon Kingdom, but across the other two nations as well.
"Once you've gathered your thoughts, come find me."
With that, Yi Hwan headed to the next room. The same scene repeated itself.
On the way after the final room, Go Mi cautiously asked.
"Will you forgive those who confess their crimes?"
"Moon Lord seems worried I'll kill them all."
"To be honest...... yes. Of course, I absolutely agree they must face severe punishment."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"......"
It was then, as the office drew near.
Ju Tae approached.
"The imperial physician is examining the deputy general."
Yi Hwan hurried straight to Yu Woo-seong's quarters. Entering, he found the physician bowing after finishing the examination.
"How is he?"
"His life is no longer in danger. However, his dantian is severely damaged, and the muscles in his sword-wielding right arm are torn badly. I cannot guarantee he'll wield a sword again."
"So he won't die?"
"Yes. I will do everything in my power."
"If there's any rare herb even the Imperial Palace Treasury can't provide, tell me. I'll obtain anything you need."
"Understood. I'll inform you of any herbs that could aid the patient's treatment."
"Escort the imperial physician to comfortable quarters."
"Yes."
Ju Tae led the physician away. Yi Hwan silently gazed down at Yu Woo-seong's still-unconscious face.
Go Mi watched Yi Hwan quietly. He was utterly different from how he'd faced the ministers.
"Moon Lord."
"Yes, Great Prince."
"I'll request cooperation from the East Depot's eunuch, so gather as much information on Shaolin Temple as possible."
"Understood."
With each of Yi Hwan's commands, Go Mi felt like she was walking on thin ice. She'd never sensed this from him before.
"I'm going to the Imperial Palace."
"Yes. I'll have a carriage prepared."
* * *
The Empress sat facing Jo Yun.
Their aligned interests made the peace accord proceed smoothly.
To celebrate, the Empress and Jo Yun hosted a grand banquet.
Seated side by side, they exchanged pleasantries. Ministers from both sides clinked cups, reveling in the atmosphere.
The Empress accepted Jo Yun's offered drinks without refusal. As the mood peaked...
A green-robed figure approached the Empress.
She, who had been laughing heartily like a man, narrowed her brows at his expression.
"Why the long face?"
"I have urgent news."
[It's inconvenient here, Your Majesty. Please come outside quickly.]
Sensing something had happened, the Empress forced a smile toward Jo Yun.
"I'll step out for some air."
"Very well."
Jo Yun eyed the Empress's hasty exit, his gaze sharpening. He then transmitted to U Mun-sul.
[Something's happened, don't you think?]
[Judging by that man's grim face, definitely. Shall I send someone?]
[No need. I don't want to ruin the mood. Just drink.]
[......Yes.]
* * *
"......What?"
The Empress's eyes widened impossibly.
They shook violently, a groan escaping her tightly bitten lips.
"Ugh......"
The green-robed man continued sorrowfully.
"If the Southwest King learns of this, the road back could turn perilous. Please suppress your anger and show nothing."
"Kuh......"
Her face flushed crimson, as if about to burst, like a beast's growl. Terrifying demonic energy emanated from her entire body.
"Your Majesty! Compose yourself!"
Crack!
Drip...
Her lip, pierced by teeth, bruised purple. Her eyes brimmed with bloodlight.
"Yi So, that bastard really......"
The green-robed man reported the capital's events, including the Palace of Illusory Flowers reduced to ashes.
Overwhelmed by rage, the Empress wanted to scream.
But with Jo Yun present, she couldn't. He was someone who might turn if he knew she was vulnerable.
Plip!
Blood finally dripped from her nose to the ground. The green-robed man tore his robe to hand her cloth.
Wiping the nosebleed, the Empress leaned against the wall, head bowed. The shock had dazed her mind.
"We must end the banquet as soon as possible and leave. We can plan after."
"Kuh......"
Was it unbearable?
Tears welled in the Empress's eyes.
"Did you say Yi Hwan, that wretch who deserves a thousand deaths, burned down the Palace of Illusory Flowers?"
"......Yes. It's completely incinerated."
"Nothing about the Emperor?"
"No. Nothing."
What thought struck her?
The Empress's eyes filled with venomous cold.
"The Emperor was confined to a space only I could enter. Then he must have burned to death too."
"......!"
The Empress shot to her feet.
"Take a few men and head to the capital first. Confirm the Emperor's fate, contact our ministers, and assemble every available force in the northern mountainous region outside the capital."
"Understood."
"Send word north to summon the Second Prince immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Go."
"Then I'll see you in the capital."
The green-robed man departed.
The Empress glared at his retreating back with fury-filled eyes, grinding her teeth.
"No matter what, I'll repay this a hundredfold—no, a thousandfold. Kuh......"
She groaned like a beast again.
* * *
Southern Legion.
A single urgent missive was clutched in Commander Paeng Mu-wi's hand. Paeng Mun, patriarch of the Paeng Family, asked in surprise.
"A sudden imperial edict?"
"Who knows."
Paeng Mu-wi unfurled it immediately.
His expression hardened as he read, eyes bulging by the end.
"What's happened?"
"It's an edict dismissing certain generals and reclaiming their military authority."
"......!"
"Strangely, they're all Empress-aligned generals."
"The Empress wouldn't issue such under imperial edict guise, would she?"
"Perhaps......"
"You have a suspicion?"
"If it's not the Empress faking it, but a direct order from His Majesty......"
"The Empress wouldn't dismiss her own unless mad, so that seems more plausible. If His Majesty issued it to bolster the Crown Prince's Palace......"
"......!"
Paeng Mu-wi sprang up.
"Deputy general outside!"
"Yes, Commander!"
The deputy general rushed in.
"Relay to General Jeong Cheon and General Song Hoe to come to the command center immediately!"
"Understood!"
"Starting right away?"
"It's an imperial edict—we must comply. Especially since it favors His Highness the Crown Prince, we should hurry even more."
* * *
Around the same time.
Imperial edicts arrived at the Western and Northern Legions, identical to Paeng Mu-wi's.
The Central Army received a slightly different one.
To Central Army Commander Yu Gwang, I grant the post of Grand Commander-in-Chief. Enter the palace at once to receive my... [remainder omitted].
Central Army Commander Yu Gwang's mouth split to his ears.
He verified the edict two, three times.
"Finally, fortune shines on me. After all my loyalty, this is only right. Heh heh heh."
"Congratulations, Commander. Once you ascend to Central, you could aim beyond even Grand Commander-in-Chief. Her Majesty the Empress surely grants this with such intent."
At the deputy's words, Yu Gwang's grin widened further.
"Prepare to enter the palace at once! To go fastest, minimize the escort!"
"Yes, Commander!"
Watching his deputy hurry out, Yu Gwang thought of one man.
"Finally, I'll surpass you, Gwak Chung-mu. Heh heh heh."
Northern Legion Commander Gwak Chung-mu.
To Yu Gwang, his lifelong rival and nemesis. Though both commanders, the military overwhelmingly favored Gwak Chung-mu.
Even among warriors, Gwak Chung-mu was a living legend.
"You should have picked the right side from the start."