Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Back to the Southern Legion
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The secret organization Moon Pavilion primarily conducted undercover investigations on officials and generals suspected of corruption in the military, with the authority to arrest them directly upon discovery.
Compared to the Golden Imperial Guards or the East Depot, it was somewhat smaller in scale and authority, but in recent times, it had been steadily raising its prestige by resolving major incidents.
Go Mi was the first woman to rise to the position of Moon Lord in such an organization.
Whoosh.
A breeze blowing through the window gently brushed across Go Mi's beautiful face.
‘She was someone endlessly quiet and fragile.’
Go Mi gazed at the room where Yi Hwan was staying as she brought the teacup in her hand to her lips. Recalling Yi Hwan's appearance she had seen in the marketplace, she slightly furrowed her brow.
‘That wasn’t her old gaze or demeanor. How could a person change so much?’
The Yi Hwan etched in her memory was a fragile, quiet, and somewhat shadowy outcast prince.
Yet, unbefitting a prince, she had a modest and kind heart, leaving a very fond impression. But the Yi Hwan in the marketplace had been an entirely different person.
Just then, a voice drifted in from outside.
“It’s me, Moon Lord.”
“Come in.”
A female warrior entered.
“How did it go?”
“I’m sorry. We couldn’t find any trace of him at all.”
“Did you investigate properly?”
“Yes.”
“No helping it, then. Deploy more people and comb through even farther areas. You’ve done well. Go eat something and rest.”
“Yes. But what brings you to the residence today?”
“A guest arrived. It’s the Great Prince and her entourage, so make sure to show proper respect if you run into them.”
“The Fourth Imperial Prince—no, the Great Prince is here? Wait, why?”
“She came to the capital and decided to stay the night.”
“Could there be some other motive?”
“Aren’t you tired? Go rest quickly.”
“……Yes. Then.”
Go Mi watched the female warrior leave the residence for a moment, then turned her gaze back to Yi Hwan’s room. She subtly furrowed her brow.
‘I’ll be busy starting tomorrow—what to do? She came after so long, but I can’t even properly host her.’
At that moment, the window opened, and Yi Hwan poked her head out. Go Mi quickly hid herself by the window.
In the process, the teacup in her hand shook, and some tea spilled over. It landed on the back of Go Mi’s foot.
‘Hot!’
* * *
‘She must like it.’
Yi Hwan looked around the estate bathed in moonlight.
Compared to the lavish bed and delicacies of the Imperial Palace, this place seemed utterly modest, but it felt far more at ease.
Yi Hwan gazed at Go Mi’s room.
The light that had just illuminated the window went out, and the glow leaking from it vanished.
‘Moon Pavilion…….’
Yi Hwan had insisted on staying overnight at Go Mi’s home, which she had encountered by chance, because she had one hope.
She wondered if she could borrow the intelligence network of the secret organization Moon Pavilion to help find the ronin.
Of course, the Crown Prince had promised to mobilize the East Depot, but if Moon Pavilion joined in, wouldn’t they find the ronin a bit faster?
‘I hope she’ll grant the favor.’
Like the East Depot, Moon Pavilion was also a secret organ of the Imperial Palace. Naturally, it wasn’t an organization that could be moved for personal reasons, and since Moon Pavilion had to uphold neutrality more strictly than most, it was questionable whether Go Mi would comply.
‘Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.’
Whoosh!
A pleasant breeze blew in.
Yi Hwan set aside her thoughts for a moment and let herself be carried by the wind. Her eyes then sharpened at the sight of two shadows perched on the roof of Go Mi’s residence.
‘Thorough escorts.’
They were Moon Pavilion warriors.
‘Well, a secret organization is bound to have plenty of enemies.’
A short while later, Yi Hwan lay down on the bed with the window left open.
She drifted off into various thoughts and fell asleep. But she woke up soon after and couldn’t fall back asleep no matter what.
‘I can sleep in the carriage tomorrow.’
Yi Hwan threw on an outer robe, grabbed her sword, and stepped outside.
She headed to the mountain behind the estate. After climbing for a while, she came upon a fairly large waterfall roaring down.
Shing.
Yi Hwan drew her sword.
Today, the sensation transmitted through the blade felt different.
‘Shall I test the spirit pill’s effects?’
Rumble!
Yi Hwan stared at the waterfall and spread her legs. Sword energy then rose along the blade, slashing through the air.
Was it an illusion?
The parted waterfall waters halted for an instant.
‘Not bad.’
Clack!
Yi Hwan sheathed her sword and turned around.
* * *
The next morning, Go Mi came looking for Yi Hwan.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Have some tea.”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan pushed the teacup toward Go Mi.
“Thank you.”
The two took a sip side by side.
Clink.
“Could I ask one favor?”
“Please speak.”
“There’s someone I need to find. She’s very important to me.”
Go Mi’s eyes wavered slightly.
‘That’s why she deliberately…….’
Only then did she realize why Yi Hwan had insisted on staying at her home.
“May I ask who it is?”
“She has nothing to do with the Imperial Palace, and she hasn’t committed any crimes.”
“Was that why you decided to stay overnight?”
“Meeting you was a coincidence. But yes, staying here was to make this request.”
Yi Hwan spoke frankly.
Anyone would find it unnatural for a prince to suddenly ask to impose for a night.
It was obvious there was some other intent, so lying would only backfire.
After a brief hesitation, Go Mi spoke in a somewhat firm tone.
“Moon Pavilion is a secret organization that holds fairness and neutrality as its lifeblood. No one, not even I as Moon Lord, can use its power for personal purposes.”
Yi Hwan lifted her teacup to her lips.
It was disappointing, but she admired Go Mi’s attitude. That was how the head of such an organization should act. She understood completely.
‘The East Depot should suffice.’
She had come to Go Mi’s home hoping Moon Pavilion’s involvement would make it easier, but given Go Mi’s steadfast stance, it seemed she’d have to give up on using them.
Clink.
“Sorry for making you worry over nothing.”
“Not at all. This lowly one must take her leave now. I’ll leave one warrior behind, so use her if you need anything.”
“No need. I should be going too.”
“Weren’t you still deciding when to depart?”
“I was, but I’ve decided to leave today.”
“Is it because I couldn’t grant your request?”
“I can’t say it isn’t. Hahaha.”
“I apologize.”
“It’s fine. See you next time.”
A short while later, Yi Hwan stepped out before Go Mi.
Go Mi watched Yi Hwan’s receding back and subtly furrowed her brow.
‘The endlessly gentle one has truly changed so much.’
* * *
“To the Southern Legion.”
“Yes!”
Clop clop clop!
Yi Hwan rode in the passenger seat.
The messenger from the Crown Prince’s Palace took the ronin’s likeness sketch and returned to the Imperial Palace.
Yi Hwan had also taken a copy of the sketch.
Made from Cha Jung-kyeong’s memories, it depicted such an ordinary face that she even doubted whether the East Depot could find her.
But right now, it was all she could rely on.
“We’ll pick up speed!”
Once they hit the main road, Song Hoe galloped at full tilt.
Unlike other cities, the roads near the capital had separate lanes for horses and carriages, built long ago to facilitate troop transport in emergencies.
Thanks to that, they could maintain speed even with people on the road.
‘Should I have stopped by?’
She regretted not meeting ‘that one’s’ sister. After all, she had taken ‘that one’s’ body and life, so she wanted to fulfill at least the bare minimum duty.
Song Cheon-mu had said as much.
*Her Highness the Princess asked you to stop by before she passes.*
‘Next time.’
Yi Hwan shook off the stray thought and closed her eyes.
* * *
“Great Prince!”
At Song Hoe’s voice, Yi Hwan opened her eyes.
Fatigued, she had dozed off in the moving carriage. Looking around, the carriage had already left the city and was heading south.
“Look ahead.”
Yi Hwan narrowed her eyes at the group blocking the road.
They were still at some distance, but she could clearly see even the moles on their faces. The spirit pill the Crown Prince had given her was indeed remarkable.
Of course, it wasn’t perfect yet. In a perfect state, she’d hear their breathing too.
‘Golden Imperial Guards again?’
The ones blocking the road were Golden Imperial Guard warriors.
About twenty of them? Armed and gesturing for the carriage to stop.
“Bandits?”
“Golden Imperial Guards.”
“You can tell from this far?”
“Stop the carriage.”
“Yes.”
Moments later, the carriage halted before the guards. One glanced at the military banner on the carriage and bellowed.
“State your affiliation!”
“Show respect! It’s the Great Prince!”
“……!”
The guard flinched, then bowed his head toward Yi Hwan.
“We see the Great Prince!”
“What’s the matter.”
“We’re pursuing a vicious criminal. We received information that the criminal hijacked a carriage and is fleeing, so we’re conducting inspections!”
“The Golden Imperial Guards handle that too?”
“He murdered two palace officials, so the entire Golden Imperial Guard is on high alert!”
“I see. Then carry on. Let’s go.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
As Song Hoe reached for the reins, the guard spoke up.
“Forgive our impertinence, but please allow us to inspect the carriage.”
Twitch.
Yi Hwan’s eyebrow arched sharply.
Song Hoe’s roar came first.
“Insolent! You dare search the Great Prince’s carriage?”
The guard ignored Song Hoe entirely, staring only at Yi Hwan. Song Hoe was beneath his notice.
As Song Hoe’s face reddened with rage, surprisingly, Yi Hwan permitted it readily.
“Very well.”
“Thank you!”
At the guard’s signal, others approached and opened the carriage door. They meticulously checked Cheol Mu-ok and the others’ identities too.
Yi Hwan watched impassively.
Then, Cheol Mu-ok’s voice transmission came.
[We just let them be?]
[Let them.]
[…….]
Thud!
The guard who had searched the carriage slammed the door shut hard enough to shake the vehicle.
The group leader approached.
“You may go now.”
Yi Hwan regarded him coolly. Most would avert their gaze, but not this guard.
“How long have you been with the Golden Imperial Guards?”
“Ten years this year.”
“Then it’s time you rested.”
“Pardon?”
“You learn the value of your work when you rest. Might as well rest thoroughly.”
‘Is this one mad?’
Yi Hwan crossed her arms and closed her eyes.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
It was the beginning of a grudge.
And for the Golden Imperial Guards, the starting point of a brutal nightmare.