Chapter 220
Chapter 220
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 220
Chapter Title: The Beginning of a New Era
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Everything proceeded smoothly and without a hitch. It was unstoppable, like a momentum that cleaved through bamboo.
It was here that Yi Hwan began to think ahead.
Once Yi So ascended to the throne, what would be the first thing he needed to do?
It would be to soothe the hearts of the people.
Of course, Yi So's ascension to emperor was an inevitable course of events that no one could reverse. Still, it was an undeniable fact that the prolonged power struggle with the Empress had left the populace neglected.
‘To win back the people's hearts, it'll take an enormous amount of money...’
Clink.
Yi Hwan set down his teacup and rose to his feet.
"Where are you headed, Your Highness?"
"I need to see the head of the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group."
"If he's there, I can drag him here for you."
"From today onward, treat him with care. After the ascension ceremony, he'll need to play a rather important role."
"......"
Yi Hwan headed straight to where Yeom Yu-gwang was being held. Moments later, Yeom Yu-gwang bowed deeply as Yi Hwan entered.
His complexion was pale from prolonged confinement indoors, but his overall demeanor seemed noticeably calmer than before.
While the tea was being prepared, Yi Hwan silently stared at Yeom Yu-gwang.
Yeom Yu-gwang grew uneasy under the wordless gaze and spoke first.
"Tell me what you need me to do, and I'll follow. In return, please forgive my past transgressions."
Just then, the tea arrived.
Yi Hwan took a sip without responding.
Clink.
"The ascension ceremony will take place tomorrow. Naturally, it is Crown Prince Yi So who will ascend to the throne."
"......!"
Yeom Yu-gwang's eyes widened in shock. In truth, he had no idea what was happening outside.
Yi Hwan continued impassively, watching him.
"Neither the Empress nor the Second Prince will ever set foot in the Imperial Palace again. The same goes for the factions that followed them. Of course, the ministers will all be purged as well."
As he listened to Yi Hwan, Yeom Yu-gwang quickly regained his composure. Having already sworn loyalty to Yi Hwan's will, Yi So's ascension was actually better for him.
‘I'm glad I declared my allegiance first.’
That was why he could shake off the shock so swiftly. Yeom Yu-gwang grasped his teacup with both hands and took a slow sip.
It was the finest Dragon Well tea from the Song family, which he had coveted for so long.
"I'll give you a chance."
"......!"
Yeom Yu-gwang lifted his bowed head and met Yi Hwan's eyes. Yi Hwan spoke calmly.
"I've determined that the capabilities of the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group will be essential until the nation stabilizes. Therefore, not only will I restore your position, but I'll also lift the ban on your group's commercial activities."
"Thank you, Great Prince!"
"Listen to the end."
"......Understood."
Yi Hwan took another sip of tea and leaned back in his chair. Then, out of nowhere, he held up three fingers.
"Three-tenths."
"......Pardon?"
"For the next five years, the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group is to pay three-tenths of its earnings to the Imperial Palace. Consider it payment for your life and devotion to the nation—it shouldn't feel too burdensome."
"I'll do it!"
The old Yeom Yu-gwang might have haggled over even this. But now, he lacked the courage, the nerve, even the leisure for it.
If he could just survive, he was prepared to do far worse.
"I'm glad you're willing to comply."
"Not at all! For a wretch like me, who deserves execution, to receive such an opportunity—this grace leaves me at a loss for how to repay it!"
Watching Yeom Yu-gwang's eyes, Yi Hwan felt certain. The man had been broken mentally, completely.
"Stay here a few more days for now. We'll discuss the details and make decisions after the ascension ceremony."
"Yes, Great Prince."
Yi Hwan stepped outside.
Before heading to his office, he instructed one of his generals to ensure Yeom Yu-gwang received proper meals from that point on.
On the way back, Ju Tae asked with a puzzled expression.
"Why three-tenths? Why not just demand everything?"
"If I demanded it all, do you think he'd work properly? When every coin ends up in someone else's pocket, no one bothers working hard. But if even seven-tenths stays in his own, his mindset changes. That's human nature."
"Hmm... I suppose you're right."
"That man has a heaven-sent talent for making money. I'm using that talent for free for five years."
"Then after five years, you'll really forgive him completely? The bastard who tried to kill the princess?"
"We'll decide that when the time comes."
"Ah......"
Ju Tae finally grinned.
Cheol Mu-ok gazed at him and let out a quiet sigh.
[What's with the sigh?]
[It suddenly reminded me of the word 'unfathomable.']
[You mean how a guy like me ended up as the Sword King's heir or something?]
A smirk.
Cheol Mu-ok replied with a smile instead. Ju Tae's eyebrows arched like sword blades, that irking him more.
[Let's spar sometime.]
[Pass.]
[Scared?]
[They say there's no cure for a mad dog's bite.]
[You son of a—]
* * *
The ascension ceremony took place.
Though hastily arranged, it lacked any flaws in legitimacy or justification, so it proceeded without issue.
Yi Hwan shadowed Yi So like a ghost throughout the ceremony. None of the ministers who had supported the Empress dared raise an objection; instead, they averted their eyes from him in panic.
The sun on the day the new era of the Yeon Kingdom's imperial dynasty began shone exceptionally large and brilliant.
* * *
A dense mountainous region.
From the site of the peace accord, a shortcut leading to the imperial capital—a guttural roar erupted, impossible to tell if from man or beast.
"Kyaaack!"
Boom boom boom!
With the roar came explosions, shaking a section of the forest violently.
Kwa-boom!
The green-robed followers hastily retreated as powerful demonic energy poured from the Empress's body.
The Empress thrashed and screamed like a madwoman. It was because a warrior who had gone ahead to the capital returned with news of Yi So's ascension.
"Kaaack!"
Boom boom boom!
Trees snapped, severed foliage scattering everywhere. Yet no one dared step forward to comfort her.
Her frenzied convulsions lasted a long while, until at last she collapsed, gasping raggedly.
"Hah hah hah!"
Her bloodshot eyes brimmed with killing intent and rage, her bitten lips dripping blood.
But how could that quell her fury?
"It's that bastard's fault... that bastard..."
Yi Hwan now filled the Empress's mind, not Yi So. If mere imagination could kill, Yi Hwan would have died thousands of times over.
"I should have killed him..."
Tears finally trickled down her cheek.
Everyone waited silently in the heavy atmosphere for her to calm.
Whoosh!
A fierce wind swept through the forest, clawing at her body.
Then, one green-robe spoke cautiously.
"Entering the Imperial Palace is too dangerous. For now, head to the Central Army and bide your time."
"Fool."
"......"
"If I were Yi Hwan, I'd strike the Central Army first. Do you think I'd have left alone the one place where my sole supporter commands as general?"
"......"
She shot to her feet.
Her tears had stopped; all that remained was venomous killing intent and rage.
Now, she had to choose.
Charge into the capital and settle it all, even if it meant death—or bide her time for another day.
Grit.
She ground her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut. Everyone waited anxiously for her decision, the moment stretching like an eternity.
"I'll meet the Southwest King."
"......!"
"He'll take me in. Send someone ahead to convey my will. I'll hear his answer at the site of the peace accord."
"The Southwest King is unpredictable. If you're considering exile, wouldn't the Qin Kingdom be the better choice?"
"The truly unpredictable one is the Qin Emperor! Do you think that thorough opportunist would shelter me now that I've lost power?"
"But the Southwest King..."
Sss...
"Now even you dare mock me."
"......!"
The green-robe flung himself to the ground.
"How could this lowly one presume such a thing! I shall obey Your Majesty's will—please quell your anger!"
"Then stop dawdling and go!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The green-robe fled the forest with two others. The Empress issued orders to another.
"You, hurry to the Northern Legion and bring back the Second Prince. No matter what, prevent that child from heading to the palace. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Sss...
Demonic energy poured from her body once more. Frost settled white on the surrounding forest from the chill it carried.
She glared north toward the Imperial Palace, gnashing her lips.
‘Even if I can't reclaim power, it doesn't matter. You alone, Yi Hwan, I'll tear you limb from limb and feed you to the beasts.’
* * *
Northern Legion.
Commander Gwak Chung-mu received his deputy's report with a grave expression.
"You say the Second Prince has vanished?"
"Yes. He seems to have left camp last night. He must have learned of the events at court. Otherwise, he wouldn't have slipped away without a word."
"Hmm..."
Gwak Chung-mu furrowed his brow and leaned back in his chair. The deputy continued.
"Shouldn't we track down whoever informed the Second Prince of the court events?"
"No need to go that far."
"Pardon?"
"There must be some caught up in the power struggle against their will. Hunting them down and punishing them could unsettle the troops. Leave it be. For now, we must focus all efforts on confronting the Blue Wolf Tribe, who've advanced right to our doorstep."
"......Understood."
Just then, a general entered.
"Commander! Several generals and warriors have deserted their posts and not returned."
"What? Have you tallied the numbers?"
"The warriors from the missing generals' units are estimated at about three-tenths gone!"
The deputy interjected.
"They're likely generals loyal to the Empress who learned of the palace events from the Second Prince."
"I see."
Gwak Chung-mu's face hardened. In a situation where conflict with the Blue Wolf Tribe could erupt at any moment, losing part of his forces was gravely serious.
He fell deep into thought, though not for long.
"Send a messenger to the Southern Legion requesting reinforcements at once, and dispatch a report to the palace about the troop shortfall."
"Yes, Commander."
After the deputy and general left, Gwak Chung-mu opened the tent flap.
Creak.
Whoosh!
The northern chill wind lashed his face.
He gazed south.
‘The Crown Prince ascending the throne is only natural. But if he fails to properly manage the ensuing chaos...’
A nation is most vulnerable when its emperor changes.
Yeon's history had seen two great wars, both erupting right after a new emperor's ascension. This worried Gwak Chung-mu deeply.
The silver lining was Zhao's precarious situation.
‘Still, the Southwest King is no one to take lightly.’
Yi Hwan came to mind. Thinking of him brought a sense of reassurance.
‘If it were the Great Prince, he might handle it well...’