Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: The Road to the Imperial Palace (1)
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Zhao Kingdom army camp.
The leader of the Blood Ghosts nodded silently as he received the report from his subordinate.
The briefing dragged on for quite some time.
"After checking through various channels, we've confirmed there are no martial forces in the Yeon Kingdom camp aside from the Hebei Paeng Family."
"Is this reliable information?"
"Yes. It's certain."
A cold smile crept across the leader's lips.
"If the Hebei Paeng Family is all they've got, this will be even more lackluster than expected."
"That's right. We can overwhelm them in the first clash without issue."
The Blood Ghosts leader sank deep into his chair, his eyes gleaming sharply.
"Reclaiming the camp is important, but just as crucial is uncovering the Crown Prince's secret funds hidden somewhere around here. We need those to depose him. Remember, the war is merely to distract the Commander."
"We're already probing around him, so we'll find out soon. If things don't go smoothly, prying open the Commander's mouth directly might be another option."
"That's not a bad idea."
The leader chuckled coldly before continuing.
"For now, we must keep our true purpose from the Commander. That means perfectly cutting off his communication with the Crown Prince first."
"Understood."
* * *
The camp was about twenty ri from the outpost.
Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok exited the dense mountain path and, upon reaching open terrain, proceeded with lightness skill.
Cheol Mu-ok adjusted his pace.
He couldn't help but wonder inwardly.
'Is this his full speed?'
It was a natural curiosity for someone still questioning Yi Hwan's martial prowess.
How far had they traveled like this?
Faint lights appeared in the distance, illuminating a vast area, with several watchtowers standing tall here and there.
Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok halted near the camp.
"Shall we go in?"
"Our destination isn't here."
"Pardon?"
"You'll see if you follow."
Yi Hwan moved again. Cheol Mu-ok followed, furrowing his brow.
'Not reconnaissance, but some other purpose?'
Soon after, Yi Hwan plunged into the forest stretching southwest from the Zhao Kingdom camp.
After traveling some distance, a particularly rocky mountain came into view.
There, Yi Hwan pulled something from his bosom and unfolded it. It was the map Cha Jung-kyeong had stolen.
"What's this?"
"The Zhao Kingdom Commander seems to have hidden something here... We need to find out what."
"It's not a military map, but could it be a treasure stash?"
"We'll know once we find it."
In truth, a few days earlier, Yi Hwan had given Paeng Mu-wi a fake map. Since the goal was to lure Cheol Mu-ok out, there was no need to actually go to the marked spot, so the forgery wouldn't be exposed.
"Can you read it?"
"I learned how when I was young."
"Then find the spot marked by the red dot as quickly as possible."
"Understood."
The two scanned their surroundings sharply.
But the terrain was so uniformly similar that distinguishing locations was no easy task.
"If it's a treasure stash, wouldn't there be guards posted?"
"Setting up guards would draw attention from others. That would defeat the purpose of hiding something valuable in such a remote spot. Unless it's a trap, the chances of guards are slim."
Cheol Mu-ok nodded at the logical reasoning.
"Move."
"Yes."
They began searching the area.
How much longer did they look?
Yi Hwan's eyes suddenly sparkled.
'There it is!'
A spot matching the red dot on the map appeared before them.
"Follow me."
Yi Hwan swiftly approached the target.
There was a cliff, with dense woods covering its base. Inside, a cave just wide enough for one person emerged.
"This seems to be it. But as you said, there might be mechanisms inside."
"We'll have to check."
Yi Hwan then glanced at Cheol Mu-ok.
Cheol Mu-ok's eyes widened as he pointed at himself.
"Me... alone?"
"You're an expert, aren't you?"
"......"
* * *
Boom! Boom!
Clang!
Thud! Thud!
Noises erupted nonstop from the cave. A while later, Cheol Mu-ok emerged, sweating profusely.
"I've dismantled all the mechanisms."
"Good work."
Yi Hwan entered. An iron grate blocked the path deeper in, as thick as a man's arm, secured by two large padlocks.
"Break it."
"Yes."
Cheol Mu-ok drew his sword and channeled his qi.
In that instant, the sword morphed into a blade form, enveloped by a bluish glow.
'He's properly inherited the Blade King's secret technique.'
Seeing the blue light brought the Blade King, Cheol Mu-gwang, to mind.
Before meeting Yi Hwan, he had boasted invincibility, but after inconclusive duels with the Sword King and Poison King, his dejected figure felt as vivid as yesterday.
"Please step back a bit."
Yi Hwan retreated a few steps, and Cheol Mu-ok struck the padlocks.
Boom! Boom!
Two slashes shattered them completely.
Yi Hwan strode inside.
Unexpectedly, only a small chest sat alone within. A thorough scan revealed nothing else.
'This is it?'
Cheol Mu-ok's face betrayed involuntary disappointment.
"We'll take it for now."
"Yes."
Cheol Mu-ok hoisted the chest onto his shoulder.
"It's heavier than it looks. Shall we open it here?"
"This is enemy territory. Better to leave as soon as possible."
Yi Hwan led the way out.
Cheol Mu-ok followed, giving the area one last check. But no other valuables were in sight.
* * *
Back in the tent, Yi Hwan dismissed everyone but Cheol Mu-ok and opened the chest.
The room lit up like midday.
Intense light poured from the orb inside.
Cheol Mu-ok marveled.
"I've never seen a night-luminescent pearl this large."
Yi Hwan ignored the pearl and grabbed something else.
Cheol Mu-ok's eyes widened fully.
"A cat's-eye gem!"
It was unmistakably a cat's-eye stone. Not just that—there were iridescent orbs of unknown nature, several fist-sized gold nuggets, and quite a few diamond fragments the size of fingernails.
'Amazing.'
Converted to silver taels, it would amount to a fortune.
Snap!
Yi Hwan closed the chest.
Cheol Mu-ok asked cautiously.
"When do we depart for the Imperial Palace?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Am I going too?"
"Of course. Since we're at it, seeking ways to find ronin in the capital isn't a bad idea."
"Ah! That works perfectly."
"Rest now."
"Yes. See you in the morning."
Soon after, Yi Hwan lay on his bed.
'The Imperial Palace...'
Just thinking of it made his head throb. In this body's memories, it was no different from hell. Happy times could be counted on one hand.
Now was the time to return there.
A hollow laugh escaped him.
"Won't get to live peacefully this life either."
* * *
The next morning, Yi Hwan boarded a carriage and left the camp.
Song Hoe and the others accompanied him.
The generals saw him off, while Hwang Ho and Jeong Cheon stayed behind, given the uncertain situation.
There was also a fellow traveler: the messenger from the Imperial Palace.
Hwang Ho said,
"It's a long way to the Imperial Palace, so take more escort troops."
"No need. With Zhao Kingdom possibly attacking anytime, bolster the defenses."
"......Understood. Then travel safely, Great Prince."
Yi Hwan left the camp behind.
Clop-clop.
The rough road to the city prevented the carriage from gaining speed.
Yi Hwan surrendered to the jolts inside, immersing himself in his breathing technique. Song Cheon-mu and Cha Jung-kyeong brought up the rear.
Song Cheon-mu thought of his family in the capital and smiled faintly.
'Coming back this soon, they'll think I got chased out.'
Still, it was fine. He just worked to maintain a somber expression because of the grave-faced messenger.
Glancing at Yi Hwan, he tilted his head.
'I know the Great Prince endured all sorts of scorn in the palace. But even so, with the Crown Prince fallen, his calm is almost too calm.'
Just then, Cha Jung-kyeong started humming.
The messenger's sharp gaze turned his way, and Cha Jung-kyeong promptly shrank like a turtle.
Song Cheon-mu forced a mournful atmosphere as well.
Clop-clop!
Soon, the official road appeared. The carriage picked up speed steadily.
Thud-thud-thud!
* * *
The city's marketplace.
Yi Hwan entered the largest, most lavish inn, ablaze with lights like a giant flower.
It bustled with people.
Yi Hwan and his group entered, but in plain clothes, no one paid them heed.
Song Hoe, knowing Yi Hwan preferred quiet, requested a room.
"Three guest rooms and one quiet private room."
"No vacancies right now."
"Surely some will leave soon? This is for a noble guest—check quickly."
"Most just arrived, so you'll have to wait a while."
Yi Hwan said,
"Just sit anywhere."
"There's an empty table on this floor. Head up there."
They went to the second floor. It too was crowded, but a table sat empty in the corner.
Song Hoe was troubled. He couldn't have Yi Hwan eat in such a spot.
"It's fine. Sit."
"I'm sorry. I should have sent someone ahead to reserve..."
"I said it's fine."
Yi Hwan sat and slowly surveyed the inn. Unlike the first floor, nearly all were martial artists carrying weapons.
Wanderers without factions.
That's what folk called them nowadays. They weren't feared as in the past.
After Daye Fortress's fall, the martial world had crumbled, and by now, they were thoroughly scorned.
Exceptional masters were the only outliers.
Experts like Paeng Mu-wi could become officers or guards for powers, living enviably. Quite a few served Zhao and Qin Kingdoms too.
Thus, the martial world's collapse hit low-tier warriors hardest.
Yi Hwan shook off his thoughts and fixed his gaze on the Imperial Palace messenger.
From his piercing eyes, he was no ordinary man. Since sitting, he'd crossed his arms and closed his eyes without stirring—an arrogant attitude considering Yi Hwan was the Great Prince.
'A mere messenger dares scorn the Great Prince...'
Recalling "his" pitiful state anew, Yi Hwan asked indifferently,
"Have you seen me before?"
The messenger opened his eyes and met Yi Hwan's gaze.
"A few times before you left the palace."
"Were you like this then?"
"Pardon?"
"Were you this insolent back then too?"
"......!"
The messenger finally uncrossed his arms. His downcast eyes filled with shock.
"I'm sorry. I had a lot on my mind and didn't realize."
"Go eat downstairs."
"......Pardon?"
"Want me to pierce your ears?"
"N-no. I'll go down."
The messenger bowed his head and descended to the first floor.
Yi Hwan turned to Song Hoe.
"He acts all high and mighty, yet you, the Deputy General, just sit there?"
"Well, Imperial Palace messengers are people even Commander Hwang Ho can't treat lightly."
"High rank, you mean?"
"Most are. That one outranks even a colonel by a grade."
Yi Hwan was dumbfounded.
Not at the messenger, but Song Hoe's response.
"So you'd just sit if someone higher-ranked than you acted insolent before His Majesty?"
"......!"
The words carried layers of meaning.
Song Hoe's eyes widened before he bowed his head.
"I'm sorry. My thinking was shortsighted. It won't happen again."
Song Hoe felt flustered.
At the same time, pleased. The old Yi Hwan would have feared the messenger more than he did.
No, chasing him off like that was unimaginable.
'Sorry. From now on, this colonel will change to be like the Great Prince.'