Chapter 244
Chapter 244
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 244
Chapter Title: Return to the Imperial Capital
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Two days later.
Tae-seon could not hide her astonishment at the majestic sight unfolding before her eyes.
‘What’s with that army?'
The vast plain that appeared after the mountainous region ended was filled end-to-end with tens of thousands of troops arrayed in black formation.
It was the thirty thousand Golden Army that had departed for the Southern Legion. Having heard the news that the war was over, they had come ahead to await Yi Hwan’s return.
As Yi Hwan entered the plain, they all shouted their military call in unison.
Loyal!
The momentum they exuded silenced the mountains, rivers, grasses, and trees.
Following that, two riders galloped forward like a gale.
Yi Hwan gazed at the generals on horseback. It was Paeng Mu-wi, Commander of the Southern Legion, and Song Hoe.
The two dismounted before Yi Hwan and bowed their heads.
“We see the Great Prince!”
“It’s been a while, Commander.”
“We have been waiting only for the day we could see you again!”
After exchanging greetings with Paeng Mu-wi, Yi Hwan turned to Song Hoe. Song Hoe’s eyes were already moist.
Yi Hwan wore a faint smile.
“You’ve shaped up nicely.”
“We trained and drilled like mad. It would be weirder if we hadn’t changed.”
Song Hoe laughed as well. But tears were already streaming down his cheeks.
‘Take me with you now.’
Song Hoe desperately wanted to say it. But the words would not easily leave his throat.
“Shall we talk?”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan moved a short distance away with Song Hoe.
Song Hoe asked.
“Is the war really over?”
“Yes.”
“I’m relieved, but also disappointed.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m glad the war is over, but it’s a shame we couldn’t show off the Dragon-Tiger Army’s prowess. The men, who have transformed into an elite unit through all our training, were just waiting for the order to deploy.”
Yi Hwan laughed.
Song Hoe was the type who never exaggerated about anything. If even he said this much, it was safe to believe the Dragon-Tiger Army had grown tremendously.
“Nothing happen while I was gone?”
“What could have? After we shipped out all the Empress’s generals who were causing trouble, the entire army naturally became of one mind and heart. The Commander put in a lot of effort.”
At those words, Yi Hwan glanced at Paeng Mu-wi, who was laughing heartily with Cheol Mu-ok and the others, sharing stories of their time apart.
“He said that if need be, he’d rush to your aid, and he never took off his armor even to sleep. Even today, he’s been nagging us since dawn to hurry, and I’m exhausted because of it.”
A faint smile once again graced Yi Hwan’s lips.
“Um...”
Yi Hwan turned to the hesitant Song Hoe. He could already guess what the man wanted to say.
Clap!
Yi Hwan placed a hand on Song Hoe’s shoulder.
“Wait just a bit longer.”
“Until when?”
“It won’t be too long. Until then, turn the Dragon-Tiger Army into the finest unit there is.”
“......”
Song Hoe’s disappointment was plain to see.
But considering what lay ahead, Song Hoe needed to remain with the Dragon-Tiger Army in the Southern Legion.
Yi Hwan pulled a small wooden box and a letter from his bosom.
“I’ve devised a few forms suited for you to learn. And this will help boost your inner power, so take it the moment you return to your unit.”
“......!”
“Start with the spirit pill, and only practice these forms once the added power is fully yours. Reverse the order, and it could damage your dantian. Keep that in mind.”
“Thank you!”
Song Hoe’s eyes reddened once more.
Yi Hwan patted his shoulder.
“No matter what anyone says, you’re my deputy general, Yi Hwan’s right-hand man. So work harder, grow stronger, and become a general rivaling General Jeong Cheon. The Dragon-Tiger Army expects no less.”
A moment later.
Paeng Mu-wi and Song Hoe returned to the Southern Legion, lingering regrets behind them. Yi Hwan resumed his journey to the Imperial Palace with the thirty thousand Golden Army.
* * *
Several days later, in the Yeon Kingdom’s Imperial Capital.
Word had spread that the Blue Wolf Tribe had withdrawn, and countless citizens poured into the streets to welcome the returning Yi Hwan and Golden Army.
As the Golden Army led by Yi Hwan finally appeared in the distance, the people cheered fervently.
“The Great Prince is back!”
“It’s the Golden Army!”
Waaaaah!
Ever since Yi Hwan had taken command, the Golden Army had become the people’s most beloved force.
Perhaps because of that, the streets were packed with an immense crowd.
A young girl dashed out and offered Yi Hwan a bouquet of flowers. Still mounted, Yi Hwan leaned down to accept it.
“Waaaaah!”
He had received such cheers before departing, but Yi Hwan still couldn’t get used to the atmosphere.
“Great Prince!”
A particularly booming shout rose from the crowd. Turning, Yi Hwan saw Wang Ji-kyeong grinning broadly and waving both arms wildly. Unexpectedly, Yellow Dragon Merchant Group Lord Yeom Yu-gwang stood beside him.
He bowed his head toward Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan sent a transmission to the two.
[Let’s meet at the Imperial Palace soon.]
Atop his warhorse, Yi Hwan showed not a hint of disarray. It somehow felt wrong to do so before so many people.
Meanwhile, Tae-seon and the Blue Wolf Tribe’s envoy delegation appeared tense amid the throng. After all, this was the Yeon Kingdom’s Imperial Capital.
Tae-seon quickened her pace slightly to ride beside Cheol Mu-ok.
“The Great Prince seems popular with the people, huh?”
“As you see.”
“Intel said he was mocked as a puppet prince not long ago... Oh, sorry! That was a slip.”
“No need to apologize. It’s the truth.”
“What’s the secret? How do you win such a warm welcome from the people?”
Tae-seon was genuinely curious.
Her father Tae Mu-rang commanded the respect of all tribesmen, but it felt different from Yi Hwan’s now.
To subjugate other fierce warrior tribes, Tae Mu-rang had established an overwhelming dignity none could challenge.
Because of that, except before his daughter Tae-seon, Tae Mu-rang always maintained a stern demeanor—earning respect from other tribesmen, but also fear.
Tae-seon had always regretted that.
Cheol Mu-ok replied.
“You’ll come to know it naturally after living here.”
“Will we stay at the Imperial Palace?”
“Nothing’s decided yet. But I expect your delegation’s quarters will be near the Golden Army headquarters if not the Palace.”
“As long as it’s not the Palace.”
“Feeling the pressure?”
“Yes. Please put in a good word with the Great Prince.”
“Got it. But don’t expect too much. You might end up disappointed.”
Tae-seon let out a quiet breath and gazed ahead.
‘So that’s it.’
The Imperial Palace was gradually coming into view. Though still far off, just looking at it made her feel suffocated.
After all, to her, it was no different from a tiger’s den.
* * *
The streets weren’t filled solely with those welcoming Yi Hwan and the Golden Army.
Two unassuming men in yellow and blue robes watched Yi Hwan head to the Palace amid the flower petals, bitter expressions on their faces.
“Even the Emperor wouldn’t get this kind of welcome...”
“It’s no exaggeration to say that man is now the real power in Yeon. Look at the people’s faces. They’re all genuinely thrilled.”
“Our liege should be the one in that position...”
They were agents sent by the Empress. More precisely, they had come from Zhao Kingdom’s martial artists—who were aiding Southwest King Jo Yun’s intelligence operations—to assist.
“Huh!”
“What is it?”
“Look over there. Seems like the Blue Wolf Tribe’s envoy delegation.”
“Judging by their attire...”
Doubt clouded their faces.
“The Blue Wolf Tribe, who withdrew without a fight, sending an envoy with the Golden Army on their return? Something’s off.”
“Maybe it’s more than just a ceasefire?”
“We need to report this to Her Majesty the Empress first. You head back to base and send an express letter.”
“Understood.”
The man in yellow robes vanished into the crowd.
The lone blue-robed man watched Yi Hwan a bit longer before entering an inn.
An unexpected figure was there.
The Ghost Valley Lord, who had once backed Qin Kingdom’s Crown Prince Jo Gwang to help sever the Three Kings’ lineage completely, but now served under Southwest King Jo Yun.
He was one of the martial artists Jo Yun had sent to Yeon for intelligence. Having come previously to hunt the Soul Separation Technique’s wanderer but returned empty-handed, this was his second chance.
The blue-robed man sat across from the Ghost Valley Lord and said.
“Seems the Blue Wolf Tribe’s envoy came with the Golden Army.”
“Is that true?”
“Saw it with my own eyes just now.”
The Ghost Valley Lord and the middle-aged man exchanged puzzled looks. The middle-aged man soon hardened his expression.
“Doesn’t feel good. We should report this to His Highness first.”
“Do it.”
The middle-aged man snapped his fingers, and a server approached at once. He instructed the boy to send an express letter to the Southwest King in the capital, then called out softly toward another table.
“From this moment on, devote all efforts to finding out why the Blue Wolf Tribe sent an envoy.”
“Yes!”
“Understood!”
Surprisingly, everyone in the inn responded in unison and rose to leave.
The Ghost Valley Lord drained his cup and let out a hollow laugh.
“It’s a whole new world. The puppet mocked as such has become a titan the Emperor might envy. If the Empress and Fourth Prince had handled things properly, none of this would’ve happened. Tsk tsk tsk.”
At his words, one of Hong-seon’s close aides bristled with anger.
“Watch your mouth.”
“Did I say anything wrong? The whole world knows he left home unguarded without any countermeasures, and this is the result. Isn’t it?”
“What?”
“That’s the truth.”
“Hey now, why are you two at it?”
The middle-aged man stepped in to stop them.
The Ghost Valley Lord refilled his empty cup and sneered once more.
“He could forge imperial edicts at will, and his supporting ministers are overwhelmingly numerous. Hmph! If it were me, I wouldn’t have the confidence to challenge that.”
* * *
Yeon Kingdom’s Imperial Palace.
Emperor Yi So and his ministers had all gathered at the palace gates.
Yi So’s face, fixed on the straight, long road leading to the Palace, never lost its smile.
“Why are they so late?”
“The crowds have caused some delay. But they’ll enter that road soon, so please wait just a bit longer, Your Majesty.”
It was then.
“Waa!”
Cheers first erupted from the warriors atop the gates. From their high vantage, they spotted Yi Hwan and the Golden Army first.
Gwan Ji-baek turned to Yi So with a smile.
“They’re finally here.”
“I’d love to run out and embrace him, but alas, I cannot. How regrettable.”
“Please endure just a little longer, Your Majesty.”
The biggest change since ascending the throne was the need for utmost caution in every action and word. It was to be expected, but sometimes Yi So found it burdensome.
‘You’ve done it again, something huge.’
Yi So smiled softly at the approaching Yi Hwan. He tried to maintain a stern expression, but it wouldn’t hold.
“Your Majesty, your face...”
“Even an emperor doesn’t wish to forcibly hide his joy. So leave me be.”
* * *
Yi Hwan gazed at the gates and gave a wry smile.
‘I hate this sort of thing.’
Not only Yi So, but most court ministers seemed to be waiting before the gates.
He turned back and called out softly.
“His Majesty is present. Everyone, straighten up.”
Snap snap snap!
The generals aligned their ranks and files in unison.
Yi Hwan quickened his pace slightly and advanced.
Waaaaah!
Boom boom boom!
No citizens were here. But the Palace guards had all rushed out, beating drums and cheering.
Moments later, Yi Hwan dismounted and stood before Yi So. Yi So took a step forward.
“I’ve returned, Your Majesty.”
“Welcome back.”
Their gazes soon intertwined.
Yi So smiled first, and Yi Hwan smiled too.
It was more than enough to confirm each other’s hearts, beyond a thousand words.