Chapter 396
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 396
Chapter Title: Who Is Behind the Assassination Attempt?
A few days later, at Song Manor.
Go Mi entered Yi Hwan’s residence. Yi Hwan was in the middle of having tea with Yi So.
“The Crown Prince of Zhao Kingdom, Jo Gwang-mu, has been the victim of an assassination attempt.”
Clink.
Yi Hwan set down his teacup and fixed his gaze on Go Mi.
“Is he dead?”
“It hasn’t been confirmed yet.”
It was astonishing. Emperor Qin had perished from the aftermath of an ambush. And now the Crown Prince of Zhao Kingdom had suffered the same fate.
Yi So spoke up.
“Could it be Qin Kingdom’s doing?”
“It’s not Qin Kingdom. Yang Mu, who hasn’t even held his coronation yet, wouldn’t dare start something like this.”
“Then who on earth would...”
Yi Hwan’s eyes darkened.
Go Mi said,
“For now, we’ll throw everything we have into monitoring Zhao Kingdom’s movements.”
“Be careful. Since it’s the Crown Prince who was targeted, they’ll have tightened security even more.”
“Understood.”
Go Mi withdrew.
Yi So muttered gravely, his expression somber.
“I worry this incident will drag the world into another vortex of chaos.”
“Even Jo Yun won’t act rashly on suspicion alone. For now, all we can do is wait until the culprit behind it is revealed.”
“Excluding Qin Kingdom and us, is there anywhere that comes to mind?”
“Excluding us and Qin, the only ones with the capability and guts for this are the Dark Heaven Cult.”
“Indeed... They stirred up trouble in both our Yeon Kingdom and Qin Kingdom, so it’s possible they’ve schemed against Zhao Kingdom too.”
“If it’s not them, then it would have to be factions within Zhao Kingdom dissatisfied with Jo Gwang-mu succeeding to the throne.”
No matter who was behind it, as Yi So said, it was undoubtedly a major event that would plunge the world into chaos once more.
Thud.
“No matter what happens later, shouldn’t we just focus on doing what we need to do?”
* * *
Zhao Kingdom’s Imperial Palace.
Crack!
The shattered teacup instantly froze solid.
Crackle!
Jo Yun’s eyes turned blood-red, and the general reporting to him broke out in cold sweat.
“You’re dismissed.”
“Yes, sir!”
After sending the general away, Wu Mun-sul continued with a deep sigh.
“Fortunately, he survived, so let’s wait and see how he recovers for now.”
“Have you summoned the royal physicians?”
“Yes.”
The bloody glow staining Jo Yun’s eyes grew even deeper.
“Where do you think the culprit lies?”
“At present, we can’t help but suspect both Yeon Kingdom and Qin Kingdom. And... we can’t rule out the possibility of it being an inside job.”
“If we consider motive, Qin Kingdom is the most likely, but Yang Mu, on the verge of coronation, is in a position where he must tread carefully even around falling leaves. He wouldn’t start something like this. And Yeon Kingdom has poured massive manpower and funds into mine development—they wouldn’t risk sparking a full-scale war with us.”
“Then do you see it as an internal plot?”
“That’s for you to find out.”
“...Understood.”
Had he regained some composure? The frozen teacup began to thaw, water trickling down the table.
But the bloody light in his eyes remained.
“I’ll wipe them all out, root and stem. All of them...”
Jo Yun trembled with rage yet retained his cold rationality. The Dark Heaven Cult did not cross his mind.
* * *
Dark Heaven Cult’s main headquarters.
Military Strategist Ma Jung-hyo entered Cult Leader Jang Cheon-hwa’s residence. Jang Cheon-hwa set down the teacup he had been raising to his lips and stared at Ma Jung-hyo.
“They say the Young Cult Leader and the others are all being pursued.”
“Is Jo Gwang-mu’s status confirmed?”
“Not yet...”
Ma Jung-hyo continued immediately.
“We haven’t pinpointed the Young Cult Leader’s direction of movement. With your permission, I’ll dispatch a pursuit team.”
“Let him be.”
“...Pardon?”
“If he can’t overcome this trial on his own, he has no qualification to lead the cult. But if he returns alive through his own strength, the cult members will acknowledge him as the next Cult Leader even without my intervention.”
“Understood.”
Moments later, as Ma Jung-hyo exited Jang Cheon-hwa’s residence, his eyes gleamed strangely.
Jang Cheon-hwa’s attitude just now had been utterly unexpected. Especially considering how generously he had always favored Gu Ja-cheon.
‘As expected of the descendant of the Mad Demon?’
At that moment, a figure in green robes appeared like a ghost. He followed silently behind Ma Jung-hyo.
Soon after, Ma Jung-hyo walked to the edge of the fortress walls, clasped his hands behind his back, and gazed out over the vast mountainous expanse.
The green-robed man asked,
“Shouldn’t we rescue the Young Cult Leader and his comrades?”
“The Cult Leader hopes the Young Cult Leader overcomes the crisis and returns on his own. If we step in now and word gets back to him, it could spell disaster for us. So we have no choice but to wait with the same hope.”
“...!”
“No need to worry. Having endured hellish training, they’re more than capable of surviving and returning.”
“...Understood.”
Whoosh!
A fierce wind surged up from the base of the mountain, whipping savagely across Ma Jung-hyo’s entire body.
“I wonder who Jo Yun will point to as the culprit.”
“Who knows. I’m quite curious about that myself. But I’m certain he won’t suspect us. Without knowing our true identity, he won’t find the link to suspicion.”
A smile crept across Ma Jung-hyo’s lips.
* * *
Qin Kingdom’s Imperial Palace.
Despite being in mourning, Yang Mu held a meeting with his key ministers. It was due to the assassination attempt on Jo Gwang-mu.
When the news first broke, most ministers assumed Zhao Kingdom would suspect Qin Kingdom—seeing it as retaliation for the Emperor’s ambush. Yang Mu shared the same view.
“Have we grasped Zhao Kingdom’s military movements?”
In response to Yang Mu’s question, Wei Ji-gwan replied.
“No unusual activity yet. However, we’ve issued an alert to the entire army in preparation for any contingencies.”
Grand Minister Neng Bi then spoke up.
“We’ve dispatched fifty thousand Golden Army troops to the rear lines as a precaution! We’re also prepared to send more if needed.”
“Confirming Jo Gwang-mu’s condition takes priority, so mobilize all intelligence resources.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Yang Mu raised his teacup to his lips. Unexpectedly, his expression didn’t seem all that grave. To the ministers’ eyes, he even appeared composed.
One minister said,
“Jo Yun might use this as an excuse for some scheme, so wouldn’t it be wise to discuss it with Yeon Kingdom in advance?”
“I agree, Your Majesty.”
Clink.
“No matter how reckless they are, they won’t start a war during mourning. Don’t be too tense. Let’s calmly wait until the culprit behind Jo Gwang-mu’s ambush is revealed.”
Yang Mu immediately issued orders to Wei Ji-gwan.
“Make sure the troops facing the enemy know my will: do not clash with them recklessly.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Grand General and General Neng, you two stay. Everyone else, withdraw.”
Moments later, after the ministers left, Yang Mu asked the two men,
“What do you make of the possibility that someone acted from within our ranks without my knowledge?”
Neng Bi responded.
“The Second Prince and Won Gae-se are the most likely suspects.”
“As the two most dissatisfied with me, they could very well do this to put me in a bind.”
Wei Ji-gwan then spoke.
“It could also be something done within Zhao Kingdom. I understand factions loyal to the late Emperor still hold sway across Zhao.”
“That’s plenty possible too.”
After sipping his tea, Yang Mu exhaled softly and murmured,
“We can’t rule out Yeon Kingdom either, can we?”
“Why would Yeon Kingdom do such a thing?”
“I share His Majesty’s view.”
Wei Ji-gwan and Neng Bi spoke in direct opposition. Wei Ji-gwan narrowed his eyes at Neng Bi, but the general pressed on undeterred.
“Whenever we and Zhao Kingdom go to war, Yeon Kingdom always reaps massive gains. We mustn’t overlook that.”
“Always has. Northern territories, iron, and lately the mines too...”
“Your Majesty, suspecting Yeon Kingdom is too dangerous. With Zhao Kingdom possibly baring its fangs again at any moment, our relations with Yeon directly concern the kingdom’s survival. As you said, let’s wait until the culprit is revealed.”
“The Grand General has a point, but if we’re branded the culprits, we’ll bear all the damage! We mustn’t drop our suspicions, if only for contingencies!”
“Nothing has been proven yet—if we suspect Yeon Kingdom and drag even the court ministers into the hysteria, things could turn very grave! I’m urging caution, so restrain yourself, General!”
Anger flared in Wei Ji-gwan’s eyes. In truth, he had been displeased with Neng Bi being appointed Golden Army commander as his successor.
Not due to any lack of talent, but because of his radical tendencies. And sure enough, young generals of similar leanings were already gathering around Neng Bi.
Thud!
“Enough!”
As tensions rose, Yang Mu intervened.
“Both of you have valid points. In any case, no one knows the culprit yet, so at the very least, we must let Zhao Kingdom know it wasn’t us, correct?”
“Indeed.”
“I agree, Your Highness.”
“Figure out how to make Zhao Kingdom believe it, starting now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Moments later, Wei Ji-gwan and Neng Bi withdrew.
Yang Mu raised his teacup but grimaced and shouted toward the outside.
“Bring fresh tea.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Leaning deeply into his chair, Yang Mu let his eyes settle.
“It’s not us. Nor is it those dissatisfied with me. Yi Cheon and Won Gae-se lack even the guts for that. So the suspects boil down to just two...”
The suspicion that it was an internal Yeon Kingdom plot to shake both Yeon and Jo Yun was increasingly taking root in Yang Mu’s mind.
Yang Mu recalled Neng Bi’s words.
‘Yeon Kingdom has North Yeon as an ally. Zhao Kingdom has turned South Man into virtual vassals. Then we too must forge an ally as powerful as theirs. To do that...’
Where was a force comparable to North Yeon and South Man?
Dong Yeong.
The vast sea was a major obstacle, but if he could bring Dong Yeong’s forces into Qin Kingdom, they could become a power surpassing even North Yeon and South Man—that was Yang Mu’s thinking.
‘For emergencies, we need their troops stationed as close as possible to our territory...’
At that point, one place came to mind.
Cheol Ryeong Island, a massive isle two hundred li from Gwangdong Province.
It was home to a small naval detachment to fend off pirates, but practically an uninhabited island. It struck him that it would suffice for stationing Dong Yeong’s great army.
Vitality sparked in Yang Mu’s eyes.
‘If giving up one measly island secures them as allies, there’s no reason not to.’
Dong Yeong had long coveted the conquest of South Man, drawn by its abundant resources.
But to invade South Man, they had to pass through Yun Nam Province, which was Zhao Kingdom territory—an exceedingly risky endeavor.
Thus, the two nations had been negotiating the issue for years.
Yet the late Emperor had refused to commit, leaving talks in deadlock with no resolution in sight.
‘Cheol Ryeong Island would make an excellent forward base for Dong Yeong. Cede it to them, make them our allies, and check Zhao Kingdom.’
Grip.
Strength entered Yang Mu’s fists.
“With them, we could even check Yeon Kingdom from afar.”