Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Leaving the Imperial Palace
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‘I heard His Highness laughing. A man whose resolve would crumble ten or a hundred times over, laughing so brightly.’
Jang-su thought of Yi Hwan as he stepped outside.
After he had left, Yi So’s very gaze had changed.
‘If the Great Prince pleased him so much, His Highness could just keep him by his side. But what request could he have made that would move the East Depot?’
Jang-su headed toward where Yi Hwan was staying.
But Yi Hwan was gone.
“Where is the Great Prince?”
“He left as soon as he returned, without delay.”
“Did he say he was going to the throne hall?”
“He said nothing.”
Jang-su hurriedly left the Crown Prince’s Palace.
‘Did he leave without seeing Her Majesty the Empress?’
But Yi Hwan was nowhere to be found. Just then, as Jang-su scanned the surroundings, someone approached him.
The man wore robes white as snow and had skin the color of yellow earth. Jang-su’s gaze toward him was icy cold, bordering on frigid.
“I heard the Fourth Imperial Prince has returned. Is he in the Crown Prince’s Palace right now?”
“He’s gone.”
“Already?”
“Why are you looking for the Great Prince?”
“Shouldn’t I pay my respects now that he’s here?”
“I didn’t know you held the Great Prince in such high regard. Well then.”
Jang-su turned away coldly.
The white-robed man was the Second Prince’s advisor. He stared at Jang-su’s retreating back as he headed toward the Crown Prince’s Palace, then let out a cold laugh.
‘Wait. Soon, heaven and earth will be turned upside down. Heh heh heh.’
* * *
The Second Prince’s residence.
The white-robed man bowed his head.
“The Fourth Imperial Prince has left the palace.”
“How long has it been since he entered, and he’s already gone?”
“The details are unclear.”
“He didn’t even show his face and just left? Well, I suppose he’d be scared of me.”
Yi Tae-ji sneered coldly as he lifted his teacup to his lips.
Clink!
“How is my brother’s condition?”
“Since he met the Fourth Imperial Prince, it seems better than expected. We’ve posted guards for now, but as long as he remains in the Crown Prince’s Palace, getting more information will be difficult.”
“There’s no need to push it since he’s bound to come out once he recovers. Anyway, any word from the Southern Legion?”
“The Left General only just arrived there, so please wait a bit longer. Good news will come soon.”
“No matter how I think about it, the Left General alone won’t suffice. Send more men to assist him right away.”
“Understood. And what of the Fourth Imperial Prince?”
“Just leave him be. Who cares if that fool’s here or not.”
“But the Crown Prince meeting the Fourth Imperial Prince is concerning. He regained consciousness and met him first, then issued a strict order not to let anyone else in.”
“Don’t waste energy on trivial matters. Focus on what we need to do.”
“Understood.”
Once the white-robed man withdrew, Yi Tae-ji sank deep into his chair and chuckled.
“Who cares about that insignificant fool.”
* * *
Yi Hwan, having left the imperial capital, headed toward where Cheol Mu-ok and the others were waiting.
With a light heart came a light step.
He had obtained a spirit pill that would aid his internal energy recovery, but he had gained something even greater.
‘If the Crown Prince desires the Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World, our goals align. Helping him is essentially helping myself.’
How devastated and furious he had been upon learning that the Non-Aggression pact, achieved at the Mount Hua Banquet, had been broken.
If the Crown Prince of all people intended to restore it, there was no reason not to help.
Song Hoe asked,
“Has something good happened?”
“I just met my brother who nearly got poisoned, and you think I’d be in a good mood?”
“Did you just say poisoned?”
“It was a figure of speech.”
Yi Hwan turned to the messenger who had come with him and added,
“You know it’s a joke, right?”
“……Yes.”
Song Hoe stepped forward.
“Even so, you shouldn’t say such things lightly. What if someone overhears?”
“Are you going to keep acting like a nagging mother-in-law?”
“It’s for your sake, Great Prince. Frankly, since you awoke, you’ve been acting so differently that I haven’t had a moment’s peace.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have woken up.”
“…….”
“We’ll stop at an inn, then head straight back to the Southern Legion. I’ll sleep, so wake me when we arrive.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan entered the carriage.
Clatter clatter!
* * *
The jolting of the carriage posed no issue for sleep. But for some reason, today he couldn’t drift off.
Yi Hwan opened the golden box he had received from Yi So. Without hesitation, he swallowed the spirit pill.
It dissolved instantly, and a clear energy spread vividly through his body.
‘Usually, the dantian heats up, right?’
The clash of energies that should have occurred was absent.
That was when it happened.
“……!”
Crunch!
Yi Hwan bit his lip.
The clear energy vanished, replaced by a scorching heat like molten lava churning through his insides.
‘Damn it all…….’
* * *
At the inn.
Cheol Mu-ok and Gong Son-tae were already tilting cups midday.
Their second bottle.
Gong Son-tae’s mouth stretched ear to ear.
“Who knew such liquor existed? It’s the first time I’ve tasted anything like it. Money and status really do make a difference.”
“It’s on the lord’s tab. Drink sparingly.”
“Hey, the lord gave us plenty. Why hold back?”
Snap!
“Yes. I’ll drink sparingly.”
Cheol Mu-ok emptied his cup and muttered,
“Where in the world are the descendants of the Poison King living, and what are they doing?”
“Probably wandering the land in search of our lineage, like us. Or maybe the line’s completely died out.”
“You sure have a way with words.”
“Didn’t you say to always keep the worst case in mind?”
“Let’s just drink.”
That was when it happened.
“May I come in?”
Cha Jung-kyeong’s voice drifted in from outside. Gong Son-tae glared fiercely and said,
“No. Stay out.”
Creak!
Cha Jung-kyeong opened the door and entered.
“Didn’t I say not to come in?”
“Isn’t that too much? You’ll get karma for excluding people.”
“I’m fine with karma, so get out.”
“Sit there.”
“Yes, sir!”
Whoosh!
Cha Jung-kyeong sat beside Gong Son-tae like a gust of wind.
“Get a cup.”
“Oh, right.”
Cha Jung-kyeong fetched a cup from the corner and returned. Cheol Mu-ok poured liquor into it and asked,
“You’ve got that ronin’s face firmly memorized, right?”
“Of course. How could I forget the man who changed my life? I’ll remember till I die. Thanks for the drink.”
Slurp!
“Whew! This is liquor fit for immortals.”
“We need to find a skilled portrait artist and make some sketches. For when we’re separated from him.”
“I’ll go look before sunset. But why exactly are you searching for that ronin?”
Gong Son-tae interjected.
“You don’t need to know. Don’t even try to find out.”
“What did I ever do to you?”
“What’s with that attitude?”
“That’s what I want to ask you.”
“Stop bickering and drink up, then go find that artist.”
That was when it happened.
“Argh!”
A death cry erupted outside the window.
Gong Son-tae and Cha Jung-kyeong jumped up and opened the window. Gong Son-tae’s eyes widened.
“Those guys again?”
Across from the inn stood the Golden Imperial Guards. Before them lay someone bleeding on the ground, utterly still, as if dead.
“What’s going on?”
“Who knows.”
“Even so, killing someone in broad daylight in a crowded market? They’re insane.”
“Must be a serious criminal. Huh?”
Gong Son-tae’s eyes bulged.
He had spotted Yi Hwan’s carriage entering the alley.
“He’s here!”
* * *
“We’ve arrived.”
Song Hoe stopped the carriage in front of the inn.
Yi Hwan stepped out.
“Look over there. It’s those guys from before.”
At Song Hoe’s words, Yi Hwan looked ahead. A crowd had gathered, with the Golden Imperial Guards in the center.
“I’ll head up first.”
Uninterested, Yi Hwan strode straight into the inn.
That was when it happened.
“Step back!”
A sharp feminine shout rang out.
Yi Hwan halted and turned toward the voice. Armored warriors were crossing the main street.
At their forefront was a woman in blood-red armor, a long sword at her waist. Her striking beauty amid the fierce attire drew many eyes.
“Step back!”
The crowd scattered at the female warrior’s command. But the Golden Imperial Guards’ expressions soured at the sight of her.
‘That woman…….’
She was someone from ‘his’ memories.
‘Promoted?’
Unlike ‘his’ memories, judging by her armor, she now held a high rank.
The female warrior reached the Golden Imperial Guards and said coldly,
“Killing in broad daylight, in a bustling market. Explain yourselves.”
“We’ll explain at the palace.”
“Explain now.”
“Even the Moon Lord has no authority to demand explanations from Golden Imperial Guard officers.”
Shing!
The female warrior drew her sword and aimed it at one officer’s throat.
“Right now, I’m not asking a Golden Imperial Guard officer. I’m questioning a murderer!”
“You’ve gone too far! Murderer?”
“If you don’t want to be treated as criminals, you know what to do.”
“……!”
Just then, someone from slightly behind stepped forward.
“This man is a suspect in harming innocents. He resisted during capture, forcing us to use force. There are plenty of witnesses—ask them yourselves.”
The female warrior’s eyes flashed sharply at the officer’s bold gesture toward the crowd across the street.
But that was it.
Click!
“Still, you’ll need to give a formal account, right?”
“Gladly.”
As the female warrior turned away, smirks spread across the officers’ faces.
Yi Hwan stared straight at her face. Clear anger marred her features, her will thwarted.
That was when it happened. As she glanced over carelessly, her eyes met Yi Hwan’s.
“……!”
Her eyes widened, then she bowed her head.
“P-Prince! G-Great Prince, greetings!”
“Long time no see. Care for some tea since we’ve met?”
“I’m on duty right now…….”
“Come in.”
“…….”
* * *
The woman’s name was Go Mi.
She was the Moon Lord of Moon Pavilion, the Imperial Palace’s secret reconnaissance agency.
When ‘he’ had left the palace long ago, she had been merely an ordinary agent.
“Impressive. Reaching Moon Lord at your age.”
“Just luck. But I heard you were badly injured—are you alright?”
“As you see, fully recovered.”
“That’s a relief.”
“And your parents?”
“…….”
After hesitating, Go Mi replied.
“They both passed two years ago.”
“My condolences.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Pour.
Yi Hwan refilled Go Mi’s cup. Though on duty, she downed it in one gulp. He refilled it again.
Pour.
“Did you come for the Crown Prince?”
“Just left after seeing his face.”
“How is His Highness?”
“He’s regained consciousness and his condition is stable—no need to worry.”
“Good. So you’re heading straight back to the Southern Legion?”
“Still deciding when to leave.”
Pour.
“Drink.”
“Thank you.”
Go Mi didn’t refuse the liquor. She must have been quite upset from earlier.
“You don’t seem to get along with the Golden Imperial Guards.”
“We’re worse off than dogs and monkeys. Those bastards strut around relying on their backers…… Sorry! I got carried away…….”
“It’s fine. I don’t like them much either.”
“What happened with the Golden Imperial Guards?”
“Nothing major, but more than that, it’s because the Empress and Second Prince back them.”
“Great Prince, there are many ears here.”
Chuckle.
“Let them hear if they want.”
Yi Hwan emptied his cup.
Go Mi poured into the empty one.
Pour.
“By the way, your home was around here, right?”
“……You’ve remembered that all this time?”
“I remember debts well.”
‘He’ had formed a bond with Go Mi long ago, when he snuck out of the palace, missed the return time, and ended up staying the night at her home.
Her parents had treated ‘him’ with utmost hospitality, and ‘he,’ used to the palace’s austerity, had finally slept deeply for the first time in ages.
The vivid memory suggested it had been a fine experience.
“Must be lonely in that big house alone.”
“I’m used to it now.”
“Hm…… If it’s alright, could I impose for a night?”
“At my house?”
“You know I don’t like lingering in the palace.”
Almost everyone knew Yi Hwan’s circumstances, at least in the capital.
Especially Go Mi, who handled intelligence, even knew things others didn’t—including the rumors about him.
After a moment’s thought, Go Mi nodded.
“Understood. How many in your group?”
“Six including me. Too many?”
“Plenty of empty rooms. But they haven’t been used in ages, so they’re quite shabby—is that alright?”
“No issue.”
Yi Hwan’s purpose lay elsewhere than a comfortable sleep.