Chapter 370
Chapter 370
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 370
Chapter Title: News from the North
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Cha Ryong and Ban Go were drinking today as well. Though imprisoned, within this confined space, they could at least savor a taste of freedom.
With dishes Ban Go had personally cooked as their side fare, they drained a full bottle of liquor before cracking open the second.
“I wonder what that bastard’s face looks like now?”
“Who.”
“Jo Yun. He gave up on northern Guizhou Fortress after grabbing it all for himself and pulled back. He must be foaming at the mouth by now. Just thinking about it feels damn good.”
“…….”
They had heard the news about Guizhou Fortress from Yang Chan. They even knew the Zhao Kingdom’s army had retreated because the Yeon Kingdom had made its move.
“Why the long face? You still haven’t let go of your lingering feelings for that guy?”
“Shut up and drink, you punk.”
“I am drinking.”
“Drink more.”
Cha Ryong’s expression was a bit different from usual. A few days ago, he would have sharply scolded Ban Go for daring to speak Jo Yun’s name so casually.
He recalled those who had come all the way to the Golden Army headquarters on Jo Yun’s orders to kill them.
If Yi Hwan hadn’t noticed and captured them, they would have died without even resisting, their internal energy sealed as it was.
Having spent so much time together, he thought of them as more than comrades, and the despair from that moment still hadn’t faded.
“Ban Go.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you think our lord truly sees us as traitors?”
“Why else would he send those guys? And don’t call him ‘lord’ in front of me again. Bad luck.”
Ban Go irritably drained his cup. Cha Ryong stared at him and let out a quiet sigh.
That was when it happened.
Creak.
The door opened, and Yang Chan stepped in.
Busy developing new poisons lately, he hadn’t been sleeping well, his face pale as a sick man’s.
Plopping down beside them without a word, Yang Chan emptied Cha Ryong’s cup and placed something on the table.
Two small pills.
Cha Ryong asked.
“What’s this?”
“The poison sealing your internal energy—if its effects persist too long, even the antidote later might not fully restore your power. These eliminate that side effect. Take them.”
“You expect me to believe that right now?”
“Believe it or not, that’s up to you.”
Yang Chan drained Ban Go’s cup too before standing.
“If you don’t take them today, you’ll regret it later.”
With that, he left.
Cha Ryong and Ban Go stared down at the pills on the table in silence for a moment.
Ban Go asked with a slightly fearful look.
“What do we do?”
Cha Ryong, who had been silently gazing at the pills, suddenly swallowed one. Then he brought the bottle straight to his lips.
Gulp, gulp!
Thud!
“Take it quick.”
“You sure it’s okay?”
“Why are you the one panicking when you trust those guys more than me?”
“That’s a different issue.”
“It’ll be fine, so take it. If they wanted to poison us, they wouldn’t bother with this—they’ve got plenty of ways.”
“…….”
After hesitating a bit, Ban Go swallowed his too. A refreshing energy slid down his throat into his stomach, bringing a cool sensation, and he grinned.
“See? They’re even worried about our internal energy.”
“Bullshit.”
Cha Ryong lifted the bottle to his lips.
Just then, Yang Chan returned. Cha Ryong eyed him, bottle still at his mouth.
“Forgot something.”
“…….”
“It’ll hurt a bit. But it won’t last long, so no need to worry.”
* * *
Yang Chan watched Cha Ryong and Ban Go rushing back and forth to the outhouse through the window of his quarters.
Heh.
‘Didn’t think of the diarrhea.’
Smirking, Yang Chan returned to his desk. The table was covered in glass vials filled with all sorts of drugs.
Yang Chan picked up one containing a mysteriously vivid blue liquid.
“To go through all that trouble for just this...”
The blue liquid was the fruit of his hard labor. It was a deadly poison twice as potent as the Formless Poison, known as the king of poisons—something that had never existed before and would never again.
‘Hopefully, I never have to use it...’
Yang Chan let out a quiet sigh and began carefully handling the vials.
How much time passed?
Boom!
A resounding military horn blared from the headquarters’ main gate.
Since Yi Hwan had left for the Qin Kingdom, he’d never heard such a formal military ceremony.
“He’s back?”
Yang Chan placed the vials in an iron box and locked it. Then he hurried outside.
Boom! Boom!
The horns continued.
Moments later, Yang Chan saw Yi Hwan approaching the command office.
Yang Chan stepped forward and bowed.
“You’re back?”
“Any results?”
“Yes. Finished it this morning.”
“Naturally, it’s up to satisfactory standards?”
Instead of answering, Yang Chan voiced his hope.
“I only wish we never have to use it.”
“Saying that means you’ve made something remarkable. Well done, in any case. Congratulations.”
“Congratulations!”
“Congrats!”
“Congrats to you too!”
Amid the successive cheers, Yang Chan could only muster a wry smile.
* * *
The next day, in the afternoon.
Yi Hwan and Yi So sat facing each other.
As always, the mood between the two, reunited after so long, was excellent.
“Is he really that talented?”
“Yes. With proper facilities, he’ll greatly bolster our forces. And if he produces superior farming tools from Haedong as well, it’ll benefit the people immensely—I’m certain.”
“Hahaha. It’s truly wondrous. Every time you set out and return, you bring back a grand gift without fail. How could I not love you?”
Yi So continued right away.
“I’ll provide all the support you need, so do as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
Yi So kept smiling.
The reason Yi So was so pleased wasn’t solely due to Hanjo’s abilities.
In fact, Yi Hwan had first informed Yi So of Yi Seong-ji’s return.
Upon hearing it, Yi So had wanted to meet him immediately, but Yi Hwan had dissuaded him. Yi Seong-ji’s injuries weren’t fully healed yet, so a physician’s examination came first.
‘He’s already forgiven him?’
Yi So hadn’t uttered the word “forgiveness,” but his expression and demeanor made it clear.
“Not all the ministers will follow Your Majesty’s will. He’s a rebel, after all, so taking him back will be a thorny path.”
“Worry not. I’m confident I can navigate such obstacles. Here, have a cup!”
Pour.
Thud.
“Rest for a while now. Seeing you bear so much alone has troubled my heart.”
“I was planning to focus on consolidating our foundations for the time being anyway.”
“Good, that’s exactly what you should do.”
Yi Hwan and Yi So only disbanded after draining three bottles.
* * *
The detached palace.
After taking the tonic prescribed by the physician, Yi Seong-ji stepped out to the courtyard for some air.
The detached palace, which he’d never visited even as a prince, felt utterly foreign, like someone else’s home.
Yi Seong-ji looked up at the sky. Though it was the same sky, viewing it from here felt somehow special.
That was when he heard footsteps from behind.
Turning slowly, Yi Seong-ji’s eyes widened in an instant. Emperor Yi So was stepping into the backyard.
Yi Seong-ji rose and prostrated himself in the yard.
“……Your Majesty.”
“You’re here.”
“…….”
At that endlessly warm single phrase, thick tears streamed down Yi Seong-ji’s cheeks. He wanted to beg forgiveness, but no voice came.
Yi So placed a hand on Yi Seong-ji’s shoulder.
“You’ve suffered greatly.”
Thud!
Yi Seong-ji slammed his forehead to the ground. But his throat was still choked; he couldn’t speak.
Beyond the backyard, Gong Ya-un lay prostrate on the ground, sobbing quietly. The ground had already darkened in spots from his tears.
Moments later, Yi Seong-ji finally broke into wrenching sobs.
It was because of Yi So’s one sentence.
“Did you not resent this brother of yours?”
* * *
Yi Hwan rested thoroughly for several days.
Of course, it wasn’t just rest.
With Yi So’s support, he worked to expand iron production facilities while keeping a close eye on the ministers pushing for Yi Seong-ji’s punishment.
But with no precedent for pardoning a would-be usurper, the situation grew thornier than Yi Hwan had anticipated.
Nor could he suppress them by force as before. He knew better than anyone that these ministers acted out of genuine loyalty to Yi So and the imperial house, not political gain.
Pour.
Go Mi carefully poured hot water into Yi Hwan’s teacup and spoke cautiously.
“The ministers reportedly demanded the Third Prince’s punishment in unison at court today as well. It seems the Great Prince must step in personally.”
“If I do, it might complicate things further. Let’s watch a bit longer for now.”
“Understood.”
Go Mi was convinced Yi Hwan would act when the time came. So she ventured one more word carefully.
“The materials on those officials I gathered during the past strife with the Empress—I still have them. Call on me anytime if needed.”
Heh.
“Why are you laughing?”
“You’ve become a full-fledged politician.”
“I only wish for stability in Your Majesty and the imperial house.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
Clink.
“Guizhou Fortress still quiet?”
“Yes. With the Qin Kingdom stationing the Great Prince’s army at Jeoksugok, Zhao can’t move anymore, it seems. Reports say most of the troops deployed south to block the wokou have been pulled up to Jeoksugok.”
“Even after Wi Ji-gwan led a hundred thousand north?”
“Yes. Losing Jeoksugok once must have been a huge shock.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
“But recent activity around the North Sea is a bit odd.”
“North Sea?”
Yi Hwan set down his teacup and fixed Go Mi with a stare at the sudden mention.
“Why call it ‘odd’?”
“There’s a mine at the northernmost tip of Black Dragon River Province. Lately, North Sea martial artists have been frequenting the area. There’ve been a few minor clashes, and dozens of our warriors lost their lives.”
“What was it like before?”
“Being close to the North Sea, similar incidents happened occasionally, but this time the pattern’s different. The North Sea warriors are persistently scouting around the mine.”
“Hm…….”
Ever since returning from the Qin Kingdom, Yi Hwan’s interest in mines had spiked. He’d even ordered thorough investigations of all national mines.
“Iron mine?”
“Gold mine.”
“Gold?”
“Yes. Production is minimal, but the gold from there greatly aids the north’s finances.”
“Send more people to investigate properly. Check the garrison numbers and the level of resident warriors too.”
“Understood.”
“Any other news?”
“I’ll report as it comes.”
“You didn’t miss one?”
“Pardon?”
“Northern Yeon.”
“Ah!”
Go Mi continued promptly.
“Fortifying the neutral zone is proceeding smoothly. Zhao shows no unusual movements yet.”
“Is Cheol Mu-ok there?”
“Yes. Though Commander Jang Su-gwi takes charge, he’s been there with the princess from the start. As a side note, Iron Guard’s popularity is through the roof.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan thought of Cheol Mu-ok.
Truth be told, he’d never once worried about Cheol Mu-ok. His trust was that absolute.
“Keep communicating regularly and watch Zhao’s army closely.”
“Understood.”
Clink.
Yi Hwan finished his tea and rose.
“Heading to the palace?”
“Need to see the Third Prince.”
“Safe travels.”