Chapter 294
Chapter 294
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 294
Chapter Title: Those Who Lost Their Father
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Yeon Kingdom Imperial Palace.
As Yi Hwan entered the palace after racing back without rest upon hearing of the late emperor's passing, the passing ministers and generals threw themselves to the ground in anguished sobs.
Yi Hwan headed straight for the throne hall.
"Welcome back, Great Prince."
Gwan Ji-baek greeted him. Even the sturdy man shed tears at the sight of Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan went inside.
Yi So greeted him.
"Welcome."
Yi Hwan sat before him. It was an action no one else dared. Of course, it was a privilege Yi So had granted.
"Did he pass peacefully?"
"Yes, very peacefully."
Yi So's eyes reddened.
Yi Hwan felt a sharp pang in his chest. In his second life, fully immersed, the late emperor had already taken root in Yi Hwan's heart as a father.
"I must pay my respects to Father."
"Yes."
Soon after, dressed in mourning clothes, Yi Hwan headed with Yi So to where the late emperor's spirit tablet was enshrined.
"Sob!"
Ministers, palace maids, and eunuchs prostrated themselves and wept wherever they passed.
Yi Hwan knelt before the late emperor's spirit tablet, lit incense, and slowly bowed.
*Did you resent me?*
Their conversation in the Palace of Illusory Flowers echoed like an illusion. The image of him grasping Yi Hwan's hand and speaking with labored breath before losing consciousness, and all else, flashed by like a lantern show.
Yi So watched Yi Hwan from the side.
Having finished bowing, Yi Hwan did not rise.
"He said he was truly sorry to you. And to take good care of you until the end."
Was that so?
Even though he had placed Yi So on the throne, to the late emperor, had he remained to the end a weak and pitiable "boy"?
Perhaps on the threshold of death, he had recalled not the current Yi Hwan, but the past "boy."
Yi Hwan rose and gazed at Yi So.
"I heard you scaled back the national funeral for the stability of state affairs. A wise decision."
"Your words make me feel it was the right choice."
Typically, a national funeral spanned months with various procedures. Along with proclaiming national mourning, compelling the people to observe mourning periods lasting up to years.
However, Yi So had decided to drastically shorten those procedures and periods.
Though Yi Hwan's response had minimized the damage, the harm to the people from the Dark Heaven Cult uprising was not insignificant. He judged that prolonged national mourning would disrupt not only the people's lives but state affairs as well.
It was unprecedented, but knowing Yi So's intent, no minister raised objection.
"You must be weary from the long journey, so rest. I will keep watch here."
"Shall we share a cup of sacrificial wine?"
"You will? Then let us."
Soon, palace maids brought the sacrificial wine. The two brothers drank it through the night.
* * *
Qin Kingdom capital.
At Third Prince Yi Seong-ji's residence, Gong Ya-un and his close aides gathered.
Was it because they had learned of the emperor's passing?
The mood was profoundly somber. After all, he had been their emperor, a sovereign they had once served with their lives.
Gong Ya-un stared at Yi Seong-ji's residence.
Since learning of the emperor's death, Yi Seong-ji had kept his doors locked and remained inside.
"Leave us. I will attend to him alone."
"Yes, Old Master."
The warriors exited.
Gong Ya-un remained alone, waiting for Yi Seong-ji to emerge.
After some time, a warrior rushed in.
"Old Master, Crown Prince Yang Mu is coming!"
"The Crown Prince?"
"Yes."
Gong Ya-un hurriedly straightened his attire. Then he called toward Yi Seong-ji's room.
"Your Highness, you must come out at once."
The door opened, and Yi Seong-ji emerged. Seeing his utterly haggard appearance tore at Gong Ya-un's heart.
"Crown Prince Yang Mu is coming."
"I heard."
Soon, Crown Prince Yang Mu opened the door and entered.
Yi Seong-ji and Gong Ya-un bowed their heads to him. Yang Mu gazed at Yi Seong-ji and said,
"Your grief must be immense."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."
"Excessive despair can harm your health, so steel yourself."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Yang Mu took a seat.
"I have matters to discuss, so sit."
Yi Seong-ji sat opposite Yang Mu. It was a round table, with no head seat defined.
"I heard of your great contributions and aid in suppressing this rebellion. Thus, I intend to bestow a position upon you."
"......"
"This rebellion has taught me much. To prevent such events henceforth, I plan to establish a new organization, and I wish for you to lead one of its branches. Of course, your followers will join you there."
"May I ask what sort of organization?"
"Separate from the Golden Army, it will focus on defending the capital. Comprising five to ten thousand troops, in emergencies it will fall under the Grand Commander's direct command to fulfill assigned missions."
Yi Seong-ji was inwardly astonished.
To command up to ten thousand troops. It was no simple matter, especially in the capital.
Moreover, he was a mere exile.
[Accept, Your Highness.]
Gong Ya-un's transmission voice trembled faintly.
Yang Mu continued.
"In truth, I have observed you closely all this time. Beyond trust or not, understand it as a minimal procedure."
"How could I? My people and I are eternally grateful for Your Highness's warm reception."
"Well, I've done little deserving such thanks."
Just then, tea was brought in, pausing the conversation. After sipping his tea, Yang Mu spoke.
"If you need time to consider, I will wait as long as necessary."
"No. I am honored by Your Highness's regard and will follow gratefully. Though my talents are meager, I will strive to meet expectations."
Yang Mu nodded with a satisfied expression.
Then, abruptly direct, he asked,
"When the time comes to cross swords with Yeon Kingdom, I need not worry about your changing loyalties?"
"To follow Your Highness's will means becoming a subject of Qin. How could I dare waver? Have no fears."
"Good. I trust you."
Yang Mu smiled and rose.
Yi Seong-ji escorted him to the courtyard. Gong Ya-un gazed at Yi Seong-ji with flushed excitement.
But given the circumstances, he dared not celebrate.
Yi Seong-ji looked at him.
"Master."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Though in a foreign land, we must hold the rites. Prepare modestly but swiftly."
"Understood."
Yi Seong-ji returned to his room.
And did not emerge until preparations were complete.
* * *
Zhao Kingdom capital.
Second Prince Yi Tae-ji stood alone atop his palace's roof.
Whoooosh!
A fierce wind clawed savagely at his entire body.
Yet Yi Tae-ji stood motionless, gazing only at the northern sky.
Warriors stood in the courtyard below the roof. Each wore a heartbroken expression as they looked up at him, but none spoke.
Whoooosh!
Flutter!
The gale tore at his robe as if to rip it.
Then, a faint, sorrowful smile ghosted across Yi Tae-ji's lips.
His eyes were slightly reddened.
"Haa......"
A deep sigh laden with complex emotions escaped his lips.
At least in this moment, as a son, he wished to pray for his departed father's peaceful rest. Waves of emotion surged, tempting tears, but he clenched his teeth and held back.
*Rest in peace, Father.*
* * *
A few days later, Yeon Kingdom capital.
Qin's condolence delegation arrived. Unusually, the Grand Marshal, one of the Three Dukes, led it personally. It could be seen as the Qin Emperor's sincere gratitude for Yi Hwan's aid during the Dark Heaven Cult chaos.
And two days after.
Taemurang also visited the Yeon Kingdom Imperial Palace for condolences. It was the first time in history a barbarian chieftain had entered Yeon Kingdom's palace.
Yet the ministers treated Taemurang as a king without flinching.
Yi So had bestowed the name North Yeon upon the Blue Wolf Tribe's state and titled Taemurang North King, proclaiming North Yeon a vassal state in grand fashion.
Until then, many had doubted Yeon Kingdom would recognize the barbarians as a state, let alone a vassal.
But with Yi So's public proclamation, no further murmurs arose.
Upon entering the palace, Taemurang first paid respects to Yi So and Yi Hwan, then headed straight to Golden Army headquarters. To meet Tae Seon.
To meet Tae Seon.
At their long-awaited reunion, father and daughter shared drinks and caught up.
Cheol Mu-ok joined them.
Cheol Mu-ok was more tense than ever. Because of what Tae Seon had said right before Taemurang.
*He's the one I love.*
Cheol Mu-ok was at a loss. He knew they harbored special feelings for each other, but never having expressed it directly before, he hadn't imagined Tae Seon would declare it so.
"Drink."
"Yes."
Cheol Mu-ok emptied every cup Taemurang offered. It was light rice wine, so no worry of intoxication, but the gravity of the occasion sharpened his mind ever clearer.
Taemurang took a liking to Cheol Mu-ok. Not just his looks, but the aura he exuded felt somehow akin to northern tribesmen.
It was then, after emptying nearly ten bottles.
Taemurang suddenly asked,
"When do you plan the wedding?"
Cough!
Cheol Mu-ok, bringing a cup to his lips, choked.
Tae Seon's neck flushed red.
"Father, really."
"You fool. If he's the one you love, shouldn't you wed swiftly and secure heirs?"
"Even so, it's too sudden on our first meeting! Marriage isn't child's play."
Cheol Mu-ok wanted to say something. But Taemurang's earnest gaze and expression silenced him.
"I'll handle it myself, so stop, Father."
"Give me an answer before I leave."
"When will you leave?"
"When else will I have such a chance? Since I'm here, I plan to learn much of Yeon Kingdom. And properly meet the Great Prince too."
"How was it meeting in the palace?"
"Given the circumstances, we barely spoke. But seeing how the ministers treat the Great Prince—unbelievable. To my eyes, it was as if there were two emperors. Know what's more astonishing?"
"What?"
"The Emperor's attitude toward the Great Prince. The warmth in His Majesty's gaze— I was stunned, and even Qin's Grand Marshal seemed so. Ha ha ha."
"Even I'd be the same if I were emperor? With someone like the Great Prince beside, how reassuring."
"Yes, indeed."
Taemurang was in high spirits.
Truthfully, he had hoped Tae Seon, staying in Yeon Kingdom's palace, would find a match. To now see her bring one and share drinks filled him with emotion.
Moreover, the man was Yi Hwan's trusted subordinate.
*She found a proper match.*
Was that why?
Taemurang drank more than usual. In his good mood, no amount brought intoxication.
Tae Seon asked,
"How are things with Zhao Kingdom?"
"With North Yeon's hundred thousand elite glaring down from above, how dare those scum scheme? No worry of them. Any sign of mischief, and we'll crush them."
"Avoid rash clashes."
"Fear not. Unless they provoke first, war won't happen."
"I'm not worried about you, but the other tribal chieftains. War maniacs who get itchy without a fight daily."
"I'll manage them. No need for concern. Now, more drinks!"
And so Taemurang, Tae Seon, and Cheol Mu-ok tilted cups late into the night.