Chapter 295
Chapter 295
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 295
Chapter Title: Kidnapping Incident
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As soon as he returned to the Yeon Kingdom, Yi Hwan had no time to rest, constantly receiving condolence visitors.
Only when a brief respite finally came did he return to headquarters and sleep the entire day away.
Tae Mu-rang, who had visited twice, had no choice but to leave.
Splash.
Rain fell.
Raindrops swept by the wind endlessly battered the window.
Yi Hwan, who had just awakened from sleep, gazed out through the window.
Thanks to the long rest, his body felt refreshed, but his mind remained heavy.
He himself had never anticipated that the late emperor's death would stir such emotions in him.
And on another note, he worried about Yi So. Outwardly firm, inwardly he was filled with grief.
Yi So was the only one who revealed his sorrow to Yi Hwan.
Stay by this brother's side for the time being.
That voice lingered persistently in his mind.
Yi Hwan opened the window.
Splash!
Raindrops poured in, drenching his face.
At that moment, Hwa Ryeong's voice drifted in from outside.
"Are you awake?"
She must have heard the window opening.
"I have matters to think over. Let no one in."
"Yes."
Yi Hwan gazed toward the imperial capital.
Was it his imagination? The sky there felt exceptionally dark.
Splash...
* * *
When Yi Hwan opened the door and stepped out, those waiting outside rose to their feet in unison.
"The North King has come?"
"Yes. He's currently with the princess."
"Prepare tea."
"Shall I bring him here?"
"I'll go to him."
"Yes."
A short while later, Yi Hwan and Tae Mu-rang sat facing each other.
Having met separately once at the Imperial Palace, no formal greetings were needed. Yi Hwan immediately inquired about Zhao Kingdom's movements, and Tae Mu-rang explained in detail based on the intelligence he had gathered.
Tae Mu-rang emphasized at the end.
"They might take advantage of the chaos during the national mourning to stir trouble, so I've increased the troops on the border. No need to worry."
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
Tae Mu-rang hesitated briefly before broaching another topic indirectly.
"Regarding the Great Prince's escort... I'd like to arrange a match between him and my daughter. What are your thoughts?"
"If that's their wish, it would naturally be a joyous occasion worth celebrating."
"Then could you put in a word? The boy won't listen to me at all."
"You want the wedding soon?"
"As you know, Great Prince, she's no longer young. For the sake of succession, we should settle her marriage as quickly as possible."
Just then, Tae Seon opened the door and entered.
"I brought some fresh fruit."
"Have a seat."
"......"
Tae Seon sat beside Tae Mu-rang.
Tae Mu-rang glanced subtly elsewhere. With her sharp intuition, Tae Seon spoke first.
"Is this about my marriage to that person?"
"If your hearts are aligned, is there any reason to delay?"
"Of course, but we can't just rush into it like sneaking dried persimmons."
Tae Seon glared at Tae Mu-rang.
"Did you say something strange to the Great Prince again?"
"I said nothing."
"Liar."
Tae Seon turned to Yi Hwan and asked.
"If we marry, that person might have to leave your side. Would that be alright?"
"The Great Plains and here are closer than you think."
It meant it was fine.
"Anyway, we'll discuss that matter between ourselves. So please don't nag anymore. Understood?"
"......"
Tae Seon set down the plate of refreshments and stormed out.
Tae Mu-rang pressed his brow with his hand.
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
"She won't even listen to the North King—why would she listen to me? Best to just wait."
"Ahem!"
"By the way, select some of North Yeon's generals and send them here. I'll have them learn our Yeon Kingdom's infantry tactics."
"Really?"
"Of course. Adding infantry prowess to your existing cavalry strength will make North Yeon even more formidable."
Tae Mu-rang's face brightened instantly.
North Yeon dominated the central kingdoms in cavalry combat, but their infantry skills were practically useless.
As a result, they struggled in mountainous terrain. This had been starkly evident in recent battles on Yeon Kingdom's northern front.
"Though Zhao Kingdom is lying low now due to internal issues, in terms of regular army strength alone, it's the strongest among the three kingdoms. To properly check them, North Yeon must grow stronger still."
"Understood. I'll select and send the generals as soon as I return."
Yi Hwan and Tae Mu-rang continued discussing various matters.
After about half a shichen, Cheol Mu-ok's voice came from outside.
"My lord, someone from the palace has come. They say it's extremely important."
"Bring them to the office."
"Yes."
Yi Hwan finished the remaining tea and stood.
"Let's meet once more before you leave."
"Understood."
* * *
The unexpected visitor to Yi Hwan was No Kyum, the head of the Ministry of Personnel.
Known for meticulous work and no factional ties, he enjoyed the Crown Prince's deep trust. Yet his face was as pale as wax.
"I desperately need the Great Prince's help."
"What happened?"
"My daughter has been kidnapped."
"Did you say kidnapped just now?"
"Yes, Great Prince."
Even Yi Hwan couldn't hide his shock. Who would dare kidnap the Ministry of Personnel Minister's daughter?
No Kyum continued.
"For a month now, kidnappings followed by ransom demands have been rampant. Several victims have already emerged from the court. Despite hiring private guards at my own expense, this happened..."
"These incidents have been frequent since a month ago?"
"You weren't aware?"
No wonder. He'd been nonstop receiving visitors with Yi So since returning.
Yi Hwan called out softly toward the outside.
"Summon the Deputy General."
"Yes!"
Moments later, Yu Yu-seong entered.
Yi Hwan asked immediately.
"I've heard kidnappings are rampant in the capital. Were you aware?"
"Yes. I was planning to report once you returned."
"Go ahead."
Yu Yu-seong began his report.
First, the circumstances of the incidents, the victims, the cases resolved so far, and finally, the suspected perpetrators.
"It's the work of the Reverse Heaven Society."
The Reverse Heaven Society, momentarily forgotten, reemerged.
But something else bothered Yi Hwan.
"Who was the first victim?"
"YI Mun-gong."
Yi Mun was imperial kin.
"He didn't request Golden Army aid but paid the culprits ransom directly to resolve it."
Twitch.
Yi Hwan's gaze sharpened.
"Foolish..."
"Pardon?"
"Send an order for Yi Mun-gong to appear immediately, and summon everyone who resolved cases the same way. Arrest and escort them if they refuse."
"......Pardon?"
"Now!"
"Understood."
Yu Yu-seong exited.
No Kyum asked.
"Why arrest imperial kin?"
"No matter how precious family life is, he should have reported to the Golden Army first and handled it differently. Because he paid ransom so readily, these incidents kept happening."
"......!"
"Having tasted success multiple times, they'll continue."
"I agree. That's why I came begging for your help, Great Prince. But arresting imperial kin is..."
"Imperial kin get no special treatment. In any case, you came at the right time. If you'd resolved this with ransom too, victims would keep appearing."
Clink.
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea, then stared straight at No Kyum.
"In the worst case, your daughter's life could be at risk. Is that acceptable?"
"I'll bear it."
Though he said so, No Kyum's eyes reddened. The kidnapped daughter was his only child.
"Is anyone outside?"
"Yes."
Ju Tae and Cheol Mu-ok entered.
"Select men to stay at the Ministry of Personnel Minister's residence for the time being. Join the operation immediately when it begins."
"Understood."
Yi Hwan looked at No Kyum again.
"I'll do my utmost."
"Thank you, Great Prince."
Soon after, Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae left headquarters with No Kyum.
* * *
Yi Hwan examined the documents Yu Yu-seong had left.
They detailed everything related to the kidnappings.
Most victims were high officials, local magnates, or wealthy landowners. The ransom paid already exceeded two million taels of silver by rough estimate.
'I'll wipe them all out this time.'
Then.
"Great Prince, it's Go Mi."
"Come in."
Go Mi entered and continued immediately.
"I heard about the incident through the Deputy General moments ago and brought Moon Pavilion's gathered intelligence. According to the information..."
Go Mi began explaining.
It was far more extensive and detailed than the Golden Army's. And as expected, it ended with the Reverse Heaven Society.
"The peculiar thing is that similar incidents started around the same time in the Qin Kingdom."
"Either they've expanded there, or allies are mimicking them."
Yi Hwan nodded silently and continued.
"Resolve the Ministry of Personnel Minister's case first. Moon Pavilion handles the tracking."
"Understood."
Go Mi gazed at Yi Hwan steadily.
"Are you feeling a bit better now?"
"I'm fine."
"Leave this to us and rest more."
"No luxury for that. You saw through Qin Kingdom how even the capital falls into chaos if internal governance shakes."
"......"
"I'll focus on internal affairs for now. Prepare to mobilize all Moon Pavilion operatives in advance."
"Understood. Then."
Go Mi departed.
Yi Hwan opened the window.
Splash!
The rain still poured fiercely. Yi So's grieving face flickered in his mind again.
Affection had grown through time together, but this emotional turmoil was truly new.
Some say that to be emperor, one must restrain worldly emotions more than a high monk. Others claim standing at power's pinnacle naturally brings such change.
But Yi So couldn't. He grieved more than anyone, unable to contain his sorrow.
Did that mean he lacked emperor's qualities?
Perhaps.
But Yi Hwan thought differently.
He liked Yi So's human side. It was what his past self had lacked.
'I'll handle it all. No one will plunge this land into chaos.'