Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: The Road to the Imperial Palace (2)
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Three days later, Yi Hwan's group entered a city one day away from the Imperial Capital.
As the most prosperous city near the Imperial Capital, its scale was incomparably vast, splendid, and pristine compared to other cities.
Cha Jung-kyeong clicked his tongue in awe.
"Wow! This is a completely different world."
Song Cheon-mu showed a hint of excitement. His family home was right in this city.
Cha Jung-kyeong asked him.
"Didn't you say your hometown is around here?"
"Yes. I was born and raised in this city."
"No wonder you carry yourself with such flair. You must have grown up in a fine place. I'm envious."
Song Cheon-mu gave a wry smile as he replied.
"It may look grand and glamorous on the surface, but it's a city with just as many dark corners hidden behind that dazzling light."
"Even so, it's still a hundred, no, a thousand times better than my hometown. Compared to this place, that was..."
Cha Jung-kyeong trailed off with a bitter expression.
"Not everything big and flashy is good, right?"
"Well, true, but this place is really nice anyway."
As the two bantered back and forth, the carriage came to a stop. Looking up, they saw the entrance to an inn of enormous proportions.
Cha Jung-kyeong's eyes widened once more.
"Words fail me. Is this really an inn?"
"It's called the Golden Dragon Inn—the largest and most famous in the city."
"What kind of people come to a place like this?"
"Mostly high officials and nobles. Occasionally, even members of the imperial family visit."
As if to prove Song Cheon-mu's words, lavish carriages were lined up in the open lot beside the inn. It wasn't just an empty lot—it was a dedicated space for parking carriages.
That was when it happened.
"Make way!"
With a sharp shout, three riders on horseback charged forward. People hurriedly scattered to the roadside to avoid the oncoming horses.
Cha Jung-kyeong furrowed his brow.
"Crazy bastards. What do they think they're doing, galloping like that in a crowded place?"
"Lower your voice. Those are Golden Imperial Guards from the Imperial Palace."
"......!"
Even Cha Jung-kyeong, who was rarely startled, widened his eyes in shock.
The Golden Imperial Guards of Yeon Kingdom had recently gained a notorious reputation.
Originally a subordinate organization of the East Depot, they had somehow risen to an equal footing, and now rumors swirled that they had surpassed it, wielding unchecked power.
Backing them were the Empress and the Second Prince.
"Can't you move that carriage aside!"
One of the Golden Imperial Guards bellowed with infused inner energy, his voice booming.
It was a warning directed at the carriage Yi Hwan was riding. The carriage bore the banner of the military, not the imperial family.
Cha Jung-kyeong, who had been taken aback, scowled.
"Those guys are in for a rough time soon."
Song Cheon-mu stared at the carriage.
'Even so, he won't handle the Golden Imperial Guards lightly, will he?'
That was when Song Hoe stepped forward and shouted.
"The Great Prince is aboard! Halt your horses!"
The Golden Imperial Guards, charging fiercely, yanked their reins at Song Hoe's cry.
Whiiiing!
The sudden stop kicked up a cloud of dust that flew straight toward Yi Hwan, who had just opened the door and stepped out.
Yi Hwan impassively regarded the men on horseback. One of the guards, recognizing him, bowed his head from atop his mount.
"We were in a hurry on urgent business and committed a grave discourtesy. Forgive us, Great Prince."
Yi Hwan stared at the guard without a word.
"Do you greet even in the Second Prince's presence while staying mounted?"
"In operations where every moment counts, it is permitted."
"Is that so?"
"May we proceed?"
"Go ahead."
"Understood."
"Wait."
"......"
"Is the Second Prince faring well?"
"Great Prince, mind your decorum."
"Is my second brother well?"
"He is in good health."
"Go."
Thud thud thud!
The Golden Imperial Guards sped past Yi Hwan and vanished.
Song Cheon-mu and Cha Jung-kyeong looked disappointed. They had been intensely curious to see how Yi Hwan—who had left the Imperial Palace messenger frozen in place—would deal with these arrogant Golden Imperial Guards.
"Let's go inside."
* * *
Yi Hwan's group entered a private room. The Imperial Palace messenger was with them today as well.
After downing a cup of liquor, Yi Hwan spoke.
"Only I and the Deputy General will enter the palace. You all stay here until I return."
Cheol Mu-ok asked.
"Will that be alright?"
"No choice if it isn't. You can't enter anyway."
"Then we'll escort you at least to the capital."
"Forget it. It's just a short walk. Rest up."
Yi Hwan pulled a money pouch from his bosom and held it out to Song Cheon-mu.
"You've come this far, so go visit your family."
"Thank you. But what's this?"
"I tossed in a few Mystic Eye Stones to help with household expenses. Be careful not to lose them."
"......!"
"Cough cough!"
Cha Jung-kyeong suddenly hacked violently.
Mystic Eye Stones were rare gems whose value was hard to pin down. How many people in the world would casually hand over such treasures for household use—and several at that?
Yi Hwan handed another pouch to Cheol Mu-ok.
Thud!
"I put in a gold ingot, so exchange it for silver taels and use it until I get back. Don't just loaf around—do some investigating on those ronin too."
"Understood."
"Dinner is served!"
The conversation halted as attendants brought in the food. Soon after, the meal began in earnest. A short while later, Yi Hwan asked the messenger.
"How many guards does the Crown Prince's Palace have?"
"Five hundred in total within the palace."
"Any martial artists among them?"
"Yes. But who they are is top secret, so even I don't know."
"And the Second Prince also uses martial artists as guards?"
"Yes. I'm told there are quite a few. Again, no one knows their identities."
"I can understand the Crown Prince's Palace, but keeping the Second Prince's escorts secret too?"
"It was approved by Her Majesty the Empress, so no one dares object."
Yi Hwan thought of the Empress.
In his memories, she had tormented "that boy" just as much as the Second Prince. It was she who had made "that boy" leave the palace on horseback without even an escort.
Yi Hwan asked one more thing.
"Has His Majesty received audiences recently?"
"His Majesty has not attended to state affairs since early this year. Instead, Her Majesty the Empress has been handling them in his stead."
'The Crown Prince collapses suddenly, and the Emperor hasn't appeared in court since early this year? Something feels off.'
Pour.
Clink.
'Whether it's intrigue or whatever, I won't interfere as long as it doesn't touch me.'
Yi Hwan said no more.
A moment later, he drained a full bottle of liquor alone and stood first.
"I'm turning in. Take your time eating and come up."
"I'll escort you, sir."
"No need."
* * *
Yi Hwan headed to his guest room.
It was on the top floor. Opening the door revealed an opulently decorated interior. Every furnishing bore the touch of master craftsmanship.
'They've slathered money all over it.'
Yi Hwan shed his outer robe and opened the window.
From the ninth floor, the city stretched out into the distance at a glance.
'Has Zhao Kingdom invaded again?'
Worried about the Southern Legion, Yi Hwan gave a wry smile. It was an unconscious concern.
'How long have we even been together?'
Whooo!
A gust of wind swept a curtain across Yi Hwan's face. As he raised a hand to brush it aside.
Muffled voices drifted from the next room.
"If His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't awaken, does that mean the Second Prince will be named Crown Prince?"
"That's how things seem to be heading. And with the Empress strongly backing the Second Prince, who would dare object?"
"Rumor has it the Crown Prince collapsed from poison. Do you know anything about it?"
"You fool, don't say such dangerous things!"
"It's just us here. Who's listening?"
"Even daytime talk can reach birds' ears. If you don't want trouble, watch your mouth!"
Yi Hwan's gaze hardened.
'If even outsiders are whispering this much, it's gone as far as it can go...'
Yi Hwan recalled Crown Prince Yi So.
Everyone in the palace had avoided "that boy," but Yi So's intentions had always been unclear.
He had been mostly cold and stern, but there were times when he wasn't. Just recently, hadn't Yi So sent medicine for his injuries?
Even in "that boy"'s memories, Yi So remained an ambiguous figure.
That was when it happened.
The Golden Imperial Guards who had acted so arrogantly in the market earlier that evening were passing right below.
Yi Hwan's eyes subtly changed.
'Let's see what they're capable of.'
A glow gathered at his middle finger.
The light soon left his fingertip and silently flew toward the crown of one Golden Imperial Guard's head.
Thud!
"Argh!"
The guard clutched his head with both hands and let out a sharp cry.
Yi Hwan subtly retreated out of sight.
"Who's there!"
"How dare you attack a Golden Imperial Guard! Show yourself!"
Clang clang!
Shouts were followed by the sound of drawn swords.
Yi Hwan lay back on the bed.
'They came despite everything, but I'll leave the capital as quickly as possible.'
Avoiding headaches.
That was what Yi Hwan wanted most.
* * *
The next day, Yi Hwan and Song Hoe crossed the Imperial Capital's gates with the messenger.
'Still the same.'
The Imperial Capital matched the memories of "that boy" who had left long ago, unchanged in every way. If anything, several new halls had been added that he didn't remember.
"To the Crown Prince's Palace."
"Shouldn't we pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress first?"
"They're not the type to grant an audience even if I go, so why bother."
"......Understood."
The messenger guided Yi Hwan to the Crown Prince's Palace.
The palace was unmistakable even from afar. "That boy" had entered it once as a child, but the memory was hazy.
As they drew near, sharp auras emanated from all directions.
Yi Hwan's eyes gleamed with interest.
'This level of vigilance inside the palace?'
It was unusual.
Yi Hwan asked the messenger.
"Is the security always this tight?"
"It was strengthened after His Highness the Crown Prince collapsed."
"Has the Second Prince visited?"
"Not until I left the palace."
That was when a general approached.
"Welcome, Great Prince."
Yi Hwan recognized the familiar face—the general who always shadowed Crown Prince Yi So like a shadow.
"Long time no see, General."
"Seeing you in such fine fettle brings me great relief. Please, come inside."
'What is this warm reception?'
In the past, the general had been exceedingly cold and curt toward "that boy." But now, he seemed genuinely welcoming.
Yi Hwan followed the general inside.
The sharp auras inside were so murderous they sent chills down the spine.
Yi Hwan glanced at Song Hoe. Song Hoe's face was taut with tension, his breathing slightly ragged.
"How is His Highness faring?"
"Fortunately, he regained consciousness this morning."
'I see.'
"And his condition?"
"The royal physician hasn't said anything yet."
Just then, an elderly man of refined demeanor emerged and locked eyes with Yi Hwan.
The man widened his eyes, then hurried over with quick steps and bowed deeply.
"Welcome, Great Prince."
"Long time no see, Royal Physician."
The man was the royal physician.
Yi Hwan clearly remembered him tending to "that boy" a few times in childhood.
"Let's talk."
"Yes, Great Prince."
As Yi Hwan and the royal physician went inside, the general turned to Song Hoe and asked.
"Has the Great Prince fully recovered?"
"Yes. Though he is suffering minor aftereffects."
"Aftereffects?"
"In crossing the brink of life and death, there were slight issues with his memory. As a result, his demeanor toward people may differ from before, so please don't misconstrue it."
"No other aftereffects?"
"No. He is in perfect health otherwise."
The general nodded silently.
Meanwhile, Song Hoe inwardly sighed in relief at the general's understanding.
'We need to leave the palace quickly.'
Yi Hwan's changed personality.
It was Song Hoe's greatest source of anxiety. Especially here, outside the Southern Legion. Acting as he did there could lead to who-knows-what.
'This'll shave years off my life. Sigh...'