Chapter 302
Chapter 302
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 302
Chapter Title: Cruel Execution
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Yi Hwan and Yang Chan stood side by side at the eastern entrance of the tunnel.
Yang Chan's face was somewhat stiff. Yi Hwan asked him.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s begin.”
Yang Chan stepped forward. In his hand were several pitch-black pills. They were a new type of poison bomb he had created.
He stared into the depths of the tunnel, where not even light could penetrate, and drew a quiet breath.
If Reverse Heaven Society members were hiding inside, hell would soon unfold thanks to the poison bombs he had made.
Yi Hwan gave a signal to the Golden Army. Several Golden Army soldiers then stepped up to the tunnel entrance, carrying an enormous quantity of gunpowder.
The plan was to collapse and seal the tunnel after Yang Chan threw the poison bombs. Yi Hwan trusted Yang Chan’s abilities, but this was insurance against any mishaps.
Yi Hwan gazed once more at Yang Chan’s back.
‘He must have agonized deeply.’
He could guess at Yang Chan’s inner turmoil. For him, this might be the cruelest choice of his life.
Moments later, Yang Chan hurled the poison bombs deep into the tunnel with all his strength.
He stepped back, and the Golden Army moved in. Soon, the tunnel entrance crumbled amid a deafening roar. The same occurred at the western tunnel near the lake.
Rumble!
Boom!
Yi Hwan stared at the thick plume of dust rising into the air, his gaze steady.
‘You brought this on yourselves, so don’t blame me.’
It may have looked like a heartless operation, but he was no stranger to the weight of taking lives.
Yet the Reverse Heaven Society had committed an unforgivable crime.
They cloaked their actions in righteous pretexts, but they didn’t hesitate to harm the innocent in the process.
In that moment, they were nothing more than a criminal gang.
Whatever their pasts or reasons for joining no longer mattered.
Yi Hwan turned to Yang Chan.
“Good work.”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan patted his shoulder and turned away.
Just then, a Moon Pavilion warrior came running up. He approached Go Mi, who stood a short distance away.
After receiving a report, Go Mi hurried over to Yi Hwan.
“The Qin Kingdom’s envoy delegation was ambushed by assailants and has returned to the Imperial Palace. With their escort reduced by half, it must have been a dire situation.”
“The identity of the assailants?”
“They haven’t confirmed it yet.”
“It’s likely the Reverse Heaven Society. Track their movements as quickly as possible.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll head to the palace. Handle the cleanup.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
Go Mi watched Yi Hwan’s retreating figure. She could tell his heart was heavy.
‘Was it the same back then?’
She recalled Yi Hwan beheading Dark Heaven Cult members and hanging their heads at the mountain’s entrance. Back then, he had embodied cruelty beyond mere ruthlessness.
Hwa Ryeong approached.
“The Great Prince’s back looks heavy, doesn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Go Mi forced a smile and turned away.
“Shall we wrap things up?”
* * *
Back at the Imperial Palace, Yi Hwan immediately met the escort captain of the Qin Kingdom’s delegation. It was the same middle-aged man who had shielded Grand Marshal Jin Liang at the last moment.
He described the foes he had fought. Yi Hwan listened in silence. His eyes flashed when the two death’s head mask wearers were mentioned.
“Unrelated bystanders got dragged in?”
“Yes. They appeared to be passing martial artists, but the beasts attacked them first, forcing a response.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently and asked something else.
“Do you remember the leader’s appearance?”
“Yes. Slender build...”
Listening to the description, Yi Hwan pictured one man.
The Reverse Heaven Society’s leader. Though it was midnight, he clearly remembered him from the inn that served as their base.
‘Did they target the Qin delegation to put us in a bind? If Qin’s Grand Marshal suffered misfortune after visiting Yeon Kingdom’s Imperial Palace, it would spark a major diplomatic crisis.’
At any rate, this confirmed the leader was alive. No one would dare strike at Qin’s Grand Marshal while the leader’s fate remained uncertain.
He had suspected as much, but confirmation brought regret. A more precise operation at the inn might have captured him.
“I have a request.”
“Speak.”
“Please provide escorts until we reach our borders. I’d be grateful.”
“Understood.”
“Thank you, Great Prince.”
“Has Commander Won recovered?”
“Fortunately, he survived, though it’ll take time to fully recover for daily life.”
“Good that his life was spared.”
Moments later, the Qin escort captain departed.
Yi Hwan headed for the throne hall. Rather than seeing Yi So, he wanted to consult Gwan Ji-baek on Zhao Kingdom matters.
Gwan Ji-baek was at his residence.
“Come in, Great Prince.”
“Am I interrupting?”
“Nonsense. Please sit.”
Yi Hwan sat and immediately asked.
“How’s Zhao Kingdom faring?”
“Still no major external activity detected. However, their 200,000 Southern Barbarian Army lingers near the capital, learning Zhao’s tactics and strategies.”
“Southern Barbarians and Zhao have allied for certain.”
“Indeed. Had we not accepted North Yeon as a vassal, the balance of power might have shattered. It was truly a masterstroke.”
“You flatter me. Any word on the Empress and Second Prince?”
“We’re focusing heavily there, but intelligence is strangely evading our nets. Since the Second Prince returned from the north, all information has been cut off. Makes me suspect something’s afoot.”
“There are hurdles, but redouble efforts in intelligence operations.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan rose at once.
“Leaving already?”
“I instructed the Northern King to send North Yeon generals. I need to systematize the tactics for them.”
“Leave it to your generals.”
“Our own need fresh lessons too, so I’ll handle it personally.”
Yi Hwan left the Imperial Palace without seeing Yi So. The Prime Minister and key ministers were at lunch, but he had no interest in joining.
The wind felt pleasantly warm. It was now the season where a long robe felt a touch too hot.
‘Time flies.’
En route to headquarters, Yi Hwan reflected on events past.
Everything had progressed smoothly so far. Crises arose, but he navigated them optimally.
Yeon Kingdom’s stability satisfied him most.
The Dark Heaven Cult uprising marked the end; under Yi So’s forceful drive, the realm stabilized swiftly. Voices already hailed a golden age.
Yet one task loomed unfinished: confronting his fated foes, Blood Demon and Mad Demon’s heirs.
Their strengths remained unmeasurable.
Jo Yun commanded a kingdom, so formidable by default—perhaps more. The Dark Heaven Cult’s reach across the Central Plains defied estimation.
One certainty: neither would fall easily.
Clack!
Yi Hwan opened the carriage window.
Commoners sweated profusely along the official road, toiling away. Official warriors assisted too.
With planting season underway, Yi So had decreed warriors aid the people—an unprecedented imperial command.
Yi Hwan acknowledged it anew.
Yi So possessed sage-king qualities.
‘I should rest today.’
His heart eased unexpectedly. He even craved a drink.
“Cheol Mu-ok.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“To my sister’s inn.”
“Understood.”
* * *
The Song family inn bustled eternally with patrons.
The chef’s mastery shone, but top-tier quality at bargain prices sealed its fame.
Two death’s head mask wearers entered. They ordered drinks and dishes, idly watching passersby.
“Yeon Kingdom prosperous? Heh heh heh.”
“Better than Zhao, worse than Qin. People’s attire tells it.”
“Zhao’s the pits?”
“Their military’s strongest, though.”
“Then why idle? Strongest army conquers heaven fast. Heh heh heh.”
“What if those two nations allied?”
“…….”
A server arrived with drinks and food, halting talk.
“Eat.”
“Yeah.”
They doffed masks. Faces plain as day, belying their road slaughter.
Famished?
They devoured ravenously. Halfway done, newcomers entered.
Yi Hwan, Cheol Mu-ok, Ju Tae.
One mask-man glanced idly, eyes sharpening.
‘Experts...’
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Another serving?”
“Order it.”
“Heh heh heh.”
* * *
“Brother.”
On the fourth floor, Yi Yeong beamed in welcome. Song Cheon-ho stood by.
“Welcome, Great Prince.”
“Thriving well—fortunate.”
“Thanks to you, sales climb daily. Considering expansions.”
“Time today? Meal now?”
“Yes.”
“A moment. Your favorites.”
Yi Yeong scampered down.
Yi Hwan sat, querying Song Cheon-ho.
“Word from Cheon-mu?”
“Yes. Recent letter: diligent training. Sends regards to you.”
“Good he’s faring well.”
Lately, Yi Hwan dispatched Song Cheon-mu and Cha Jung-kyeong to Southern Legion—for Dragon-Tiger Army drills, honing command skills.
“Bandits settled?”
“Somewhat.”
“You never rest; troubles me.”
“I’m fine. Mind my sister.”
“Naturally.”
Yi Hwan shed his long robe. Today: proper drinks with Cheol Mu-ok, Ju Tae.
“Proper drinking today.”
“Truly? Splendid!”
Ju Tae grinned wide.
Cheol Mu-ok queried.
“Good news at palace?”
“Sudden thirst. Long since we shared cups.”
“Zhao stirrings?”
“No specials. Empress, Second Prince intel blacked out from some point.”
“Trouble?”
“We’ll see.”
Yi Hwan turned to Song Cheon-ho.
“Liquor first.”
“Understood.”
Song Cheon-ho rose smiling.
Yi Hwan gazed out window. Cheol Mu-ok, Ju Tae watched quietly.
Abruptly, Yi Hwan asked.
“Am I faring well?”
“How better? Folk laud His Majesty, you.”
“As your lord, beyond title?”
“Full marks.”
“Deduct one first.”
Cheol Mu-ok eyed Ju Tae. Grinning, Ju Tae said.
“Such gatherings often? Then full marks.”