Chapter 382
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 382
Chapter Title: Zhao Kingdom's Envoy Group
Whoooosh!
Even in the height of summer, the northern winds were quite chilly.
Yi Seong-ji climbed up to the watchtower alongside Cheol Mu-ok and gazed toward the south. Beyond the vast, endless mountain ranges, he could see the sharp silhouettes of the Zhao Kingdom army's watchtowers jutting up.
A heavy unease filled his eyes.
Somewhere down there was Yi Tae-ji. He tried not to show it, but it wasn't easy to suppress.
"The Zhao Kingdom army has built their watchtowers fairly close."
"They're not advancing quickly, but they're steadily pushing their forces northward. And lately, their scouting activities have intensified."
"They must intend to retake this place."
"That could be, but assuming they can't launch a rash attack because of the Qin Kingdom, it's more likely a setup for what's to come. The difference between having a base there or not is huge."
"Shouldn't we launch a surprise attack and destroy it before it gets more fortified?"
"The lord has forbidden us from striking first."
"I see."
Yi Seong-ji nodded silently and turned to Cheol Mu-ok with another question.
"Why do you call my younger brother 'lord'? I've been curious about that for a while."
"Please understand that I cannot say."
Cheol Mu-ok smiled faintly in response, and Yi Seong-ji asked no more.
"Feel free to speak comfortably with me, Your Highness."
"It's a habit. A very old one...."
"......Yes."
It was then.
A voice called up from below the watchtower.
"Time for a meal!"
"Let's head down."
"Yes."
Yi Seong-ji and Cheol Mu-ok descended the watchtower at once. Eyes watched them from afar.
* * *
A bitter smile tugged at Yi Tae-ji's lips.
'What dogged fate.'
He had spotted Yi Seong-ji up on the watchtower by chance while out on reconnaissance.
After his rival brother, now another was thrown into the same battlefield. He hadn't even imagined Yi Seong-ji would be here, and above all other emotions, despair overwhelmed him.
Still, there was a sense of relief. Until now, Yi Tae-ji had been half in doubt about Yi Seong-ji's survival.
Whoooosh!
The wind clawed across Yi Tae-ji's face.
Then, two men in blue robes emerged from the forest to his left. They were Zhao Kingdom warriors who had come with him.
"You know him?"
"No reason I should."
"Then why stare so intently?"
"One of them is Great Prince Yi Hwan's guard."
"That guy who became the North Yeon's Prince Consort?"
"Yes."
Yi Tae-ji turned away immediately.
"Recon is not finished yet."
"Even more would be pointless, so let's head back for today."
Snap!
One blue-robed man grabbed Yi Tae-ji's shoulder hard, yanking it.
"Our mission is to scout the enemy camp. If we do it sloppily like this, we'll have no choice but to report to the Commander."
Yi Tae-ji turned only his head to stare at the man. Then, suddenly, he grinned.
Thud!
Yi Tae-ji's left fist pierced the blue-robed man's chest. The other drew his sword in horrified haste.
But Yi Tae-ji's sword was faster.
Slash!
The severed head hit the ground.
"Even as an exile, I'm not someone you can touch carelessly."
Clang!
Sheathing his sword, Yi Tae-ji headed for the camp.
Shortly after arriving, a general asked,
"Why are you returning alone?"
"We clashed with barbarian scouts during recon. Regrettably, I couldn't save the two."
"Oh no...."
"Sorry about that."
"Not your fault. Anyway, prepare to depart at once."
"Depart where?"
"An imperial edict came to head back down to Jeoksou. I was about to send for you, but you returned just in time."
"Back to targeting Jeoksou?"
"I don't know the details, but since it's ordering maximum speed, probably. The warriors need to leave first, so hurry. Dismissed."
Yi Tae-ji watched the general's retreating back for a moment, then turned his gaze north.
Yi Seong-ji's face on the watchtower came to mind.
'Maybe this is for the best.'
Whoooosh!
* * *
Several days later, in the Yeon Kingdom Imperial Palace.
The Zhao Kingdom envoy group passed through the castle gates.
In the past, Empress Hong Seon and Yi Hwan had visited the Zhao Kingdom capital at Jo Yun's invitation to attend the martial conference, but it had been years since a Zhao Kingdom official set foot in the Yeon Kingdom capital.
Their exchanges had been cut off to that extent, making this envoy from Zhao Kingdom highly unusual.
Emperor Yi So met the Zhao Kingdom envoys first. But the meeting was extremely brief.
If you have something to say, say it to my brother.
Yi So left those words and departed.
Gulp.
One envoy swallowed dryly without realizing. To Zhao Kingdom, Yi Hwan was an archenemy, but also the most fearsome figure.
"You must be tired from the long journey. How about we talk tomorrow?"
"We're fine, Great Prince."
"I'm a bit tired."
"Ah, in that case...."
Just then, a general entered.
"Escort them to their quarters and serve wine and food without shortfall."
"Yes, Great Prince!"
Moments later, the Zhao Kingdom envoys left the palace with the general. One asked curiously,
"Why are we leaving the palace?"
"The Great Prince ordered to take you to Golden Army headquarters."
"The envoy group is to stay at Golden Army headquarters?"
"It's the Great Prince's will."
"......!"
The Zhao Kingdom envoys were suddenly gripped by unease. They had never heard of foreign envoys being housed outside the palace, let alone at military headquarters.
The general said,
"Don't worry. Where the Great Prince is, is the safest place in the world."
"Does that mean the Imperial Palace is dangerous?"
"Not at all."
"Then why go to the trouble...."
"I said it's the Great Prince's will. Let's go."
"......!"
* * *
Yi Hwan and Go Mi stood side by side, watching the Zhao Kingdom envoys leave the palace with the general.
"They keep looking back. They must be quite uneasy."
"Anyone would be, staying not just anywhere, but at Golden Army headquarters."
"May I ask why you're trying to intimidate them?"
"Call it seizing the initiative."
"......"
Seeing Go Mi's expression shift slightly, Yi Hwan felt a pang of guilt.
"Should I explain more?"
"No need. I understand fully. Then I'll take my leave."
"Weren't you heading back to headquarters?"
"Moon Pavilion has a full meeting today."
"I see."
Yi Hwan watched Go Mi walk away briskly, narrowing his brows slightly.
Then Cha Ryong and Ban Go approached.
"The Moon Lord's mood seems off."
"Did it?"
"You didn't notice?"
"Not at all."
Yi Hwan turned away at once.
Cha Ryong and Ban Go exchanged glances and followed. With Ju Tae and others in Songja, the two were handling Yi Hwan's guard duty.
Considering they had defected only days ago, it was extraordinarily preferential treatment.
Ban Go grinned and sent a transmission.
[Feels good that you trust us.]
[Watch your face, kid. Flies'll get in your mouth.]
[Why? You're happy too.]
[......]
* * *
Golden Army headquarters.
The Zhao Kingdom envoys gathered. They remained wrapped in unease.
One envoy peered out the window, his face stiff as he spoke.
"I'm truly afraid of why that man is making us stay here."
"Don't worry too much. He can't do anything to a whole nation's envoy group."
"They say Great Prince Yi Hwan is more cruel than a demon. You all know, right? What he did during the Dark Heaven Cult rebellion. He beheaded the surrendered and hung their heads in the mountains. And the number was thousands, they say."
"......"
That incident had become a symbol proclaiming Yi Hwan's brutality across the land.
"Why keep stirring anxiety! Behave with dignity!"
A middle-aged man scolded loudly. He was Jo Haeng, representing the envoy group. He continued to the group.
"Why all this worrying! As if he'd do anything to us! Even the most reckless can't harm a foreign envoy, so no more pointless talk to breed unease!"
"But...."
"Enough!"
"......"
It was then. The door opened, and a general entered with two warriors. The warriors carried trays of teacups.
"Tea while the meal is prepared."
"Has the Great Prince arrived?"
"He's staying elsewhere tonight, as far as I know. Enjoy."
As the general turned, Jo Haeng asked again.
"Have foreign envoys stayed here before?"
"You're the first."
"......!"
The general left.
Jo Haeng interlaced his fingers, calming his eyes. He took a sip of tea.
"This is...."
"What's wrong?"
"Try it."
The other envoys sipped at once.
"Isn't this Dragon Well tea?"
Jo Haeng's eyes softened somewhat.
"Not just any Dragon Well—same quality as what His Majesty enjoys. What does that mean?"
"What do you...."
"If he meant us harm as you fear, would he serve such precious tea?"
"Ah...."
"Put your worries aside and drink."
At Jo Haeng's words, the envoys finally relaxed.
"Truly profound flavor."
Jo Haeng exclaimed repeatedly.
Deeply into tea ceremony, he had tasted nearly every tea in the world. Even for him, this Dragon Well's aroma was unparalleled.
In the Central Plains culture that valued tea like gold, receiving such tea was exceedingly rare—unless one was royalty or the emperor.
* * *
The next day, Yi Hwan did not meet the Zhao Kingdom envoys. Nor the day after.
Jo Haeng stood by the window, narrowing his brows at the darkening surroundings.
'What on earth is his game?'
Jo Haeng was displeased. Treating a foreign envoy this way was beyond rude—it was an insult.
'I haven't even conveyed His Majesty's will yet. Treating us this poorly—there must be some scheme.'
As his mind grew tangled with thoughts, suddenly a military horn blared from headquarters' main gate.
Boom!
Yi Hwan's figure crossing the gate pierced Jo Haeng's eyes like a dagger.
"He's here."
The envoys gathered by Jo Haeng.
All watched Yi Hwan approach with slow steps. A warrior guarding the envoy group trembled faintly.
'Such pressure....'
It felt like a massive mountain bearing down.
Only one other had given him this sensation: Jo Yun in his Southwest King days.
"He's coming straight here."
"Everyone, stay composed. Understood?"
"Yes."
Jo Haeng and the others returned to their seats. Jo Haeng took a quiet deep breath, reviewing what he must do when facing Yi Hwan.
Moments later, the door opened, and Yi Hwan entered.
All rose to greet him.
"Sorry for the sudden business. Any discomfort in your stay?"
"Thanks to your consideration, we've rested comfortably."
"Good to hear."
Yi Hwan sat. The Zhao Kingdom envoys then took their seats. He scanned them carefully before speaking.
"Skip the formalities and get to the point. I have to leave soon."