Chapter 43
Chapter 43
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Ronin
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Imperial Palace.
Second Prince Yi Tae-ji straightened his back at his advisor's report.
“What did you just say?”
“Golden Imperial Guard Mo Jae-hwang was taken out by an assassin from the Zhao Kingdom, and Young Ho-chung's plot to undermine the Left General was exposed, leading to his immediate execution.”
Deep wrinkles formed between Yi Tae-ji's brows.
The advisor continued.
“We'll need to look into the full details, but it seems like a perfectly understandable situation.”
“Mo Jae-hwang aside, doesn't Young Ho-chung's involvement strike you as odd? What reason could he possibly have had to undermine the Left General?”
“The Young Tiger Clan and the Hebei Paeng Family are both renowned houses in the martial world, locked in a long-standing rivalry. It's entirely possible he didn't take kindly to the Left General rising to the rank of Commander.”
“What an idiot…”
Yi Tae-ji leaned back in his chair and tilted his head backward. He then fixed his gaze on the advisor again and asked.
“You said the Left General personally beheaded him?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I thought he was just a stubborn bear of a man, but it seems he has ambitions of his own. Otherwise, he would've taken some other measure instead of killing Young Ho-chung.”
“In any case, with the Left General now in the Commander's seat, that's one worry off our backs.”
“No need to send any more of our people to help him?”
“We have no resources left for that. For now, we must put everything into checking the Crown Prince's Palace.”
“That guy still hasn't set one foot outside the palace?”
“Yes. But with the royal physicians no longer visiting the Crown Prince's Palace, it seems like the day he makes his move is fast approaching. We need to gather as many available forces as possible in advance.”
“Money's no object—pull in as many as you can. Of course, do it discreetly so they don't catch on.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“That's all. Leave me. I need some rest; I'm exhausted.”
Once the advisor had withdrawn, Yi Tae-ji walked over to the window and opened it.
Unlike the flags flapping in the wind outside, not a single breeze stirred within these deep palace walls.
“It's certainly stifling in here.”
Yi Tae-ji's gaze soon turned toward the largest and most splendid building.
Heh.
“The day I enter that place isn't far off either. Heh heh heh.”
* * *
Crown Prince Yi So's eyes were heavy.
Throughout the report, he said not a word, silently staring at his teacup.
“That concludes everything Moon Lord of Moon Pavilion sent.”
Once the general finished his report, Yi So finally spoke.
“Elevate Paeng Mu-wi to Commander to block the Second Prince's view? I'm not sure if that's the right call.”
“The deed is done, and the Great Prince is confident about it. Let's just see how it plays out.”
Heh.
Yi So let out a faint chuckle.
“It seems you're finally starting to trust that boy.”
“This humble general merely trusts Your Highness's judgment in recognizing the Great Prince's talent.”
“Handing over that letter of appointment he had in his possession must be a show of confidence that he can bend someone like Paeng Mu-wi to his will anytime.”
“Yes. That's what I think too. Perhaps…”
The general trailed off.
Yi So urged him on with a look.
“The express message says Golden Imperial Guard Mo Jae-hwang fell to an assassin from the Zhao Kingdom, but somehow, I have a strong feeling that's not what happened.”
“Heh heh heh.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“I was just thinking the same thing. On the same day, Mo Jae-hwang loses his life to an enemy assassin, and Young Ho-chung—the Left General's greatest asset—gets his head lopped off after his plot to oust Paeng Mu-wi is exposed? That's a bit too coincidental to call it chance, don't you think?”
“Exactly. The concern, though, is that the Second Prince side might harbor the same suspicions and send more people.”
“No need to worry about that.”
“Why not?”
Yi So smiled as he continued.
“From the moment Commander Hwang Ho died, my brother became convinced he'd taken the Southern Legion under his wing. So he's not suspicious—he's probably celebrating Paeng Mu-wi ascending to Commander. To them, Mo Jae-hwang and Young Ho-chung are disposable pawns either way. That said, caution never hurts, so we should make sure they can't pay attention to the Southern Legion.”
Clink.
“Give their nerves a little scratch. Nothing too over the top.”
“Understood.”
“And leak a rumor that I'm about to make my move in earnest.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The general withdrew. Yi So sank deep into his chair, his gaze settling.
‘If you're that confident, then I'll place my trust in you. Just don't disappoint this brother of yours.’
* * *
Roooar!
The waterfall raged even more fiercely, swollen from the recent rains.
Yi Hwan drew his sword before it.
Shing!
The blade cleaved through the cascading water, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze—before it snapped back to normal.
Roooar!
‘That's quite the improvement.’
Click!
Yi Hwan turned back, thoroughly satisfied.
At the cliff's edge, he looked down at the camp below, ablaze with lights like a massive flower in bloom.
‘The Southern Legion is as good as mine now. As long as I keep a close eye on the Second Prince's reaction afterward, there shouldn't be any issues.’
For Yi Hwan, it felt like the tedious war had finally come to an end.
Whoosh!
After letting the wind carry him for a bit, Yi Hwan headed toward the camp. The darkened mountain always held a special allure. He savored it, neither rushing nor dawdling as he made for his tent.
Soon, as he neared the tent, he spotted Go Mi standing outside.
Yi Hwan paused and looked at her.
‘Sending Moon Pavilion here was a stroke of genius.’
Go Mi's information-gathering prowess was astonishing. It wasn't just the volume of intel—it was her unmatched speed in getting ahead of everyone else.
Heh.
Yi Hwan chuckled inwardly, recalling how Go Mi had turned icy cold after a single word from him.
Just then, their eyes met as she turned her head his way.
Go Mi bowed toward Yi Hwan. By the time she raised her head, he had already entered the tent.
* * *
Go Mi's gaze on Yi Hwan's tent was grave.
‘It's not just a matter of hiding his strength. He used Paeng Mu-wi to seize the entire Southern Legion in a single scheme.’
The deaths of Mo Jae-hwang and Young Ho-chung left her feeling utterly hollow.
Mo Jae-hwang was someone she'd desperately wanted dead but could never touch—yet he surrendered his life without laying a finger on Yi Hwan's plot.
He'd had the Golden Imperial Guards as his backing, and he himself was no slouch. The hollowness gave way to outright shock she couldn't suppress.
‘Does His Highness know all this and still trust the Great Prince?’
Before coming here, Go Mi recalled the words written in the Crown Prince's letter.
Stake your life to aid my brother, no matter what.
Heh.
A bitter smile suddenly tugged at Go Mi's lips.
‘I'm not helping the Great Prince—I'm being thoroughly used by him. Like a sword gripped in his hand. Maybe everyone in the Southern Legion will end up the same as me.’
A sound came from behind her then. One of the female attendants approached.
“The water's been heated.”
“Thank you.”
Go Mi shook off her thoughts and headed to the back of the tent. Steam billowed thickly from a large bathtub in the wooded enclosure.
Go Mi undressed.
Several scars were revealed. Some were so deep they made one wonder how she could possibly have survived them.
“Shall I prepare some liquor?”
“That sounds good.”
Moments later, the attendant returned with the alcohol.
Pour.
The attendant filled a cup and offered it. Go Mi downed it in one gulp.
“Any express messages from the Imperial Palace?”
“No. The Second Prince's side doesn't seem to be making any special moves. If they'd sent more people or shown anything suspicious, we'd have heard by now.”
‘Did the Great Prince's strategy really work perfectly?’
Enough time had passed that if the Second Prince suspected anything, they would've acted already. Still, Go Mi couldn't let her guard down.
“Just in case, tell them to keep watching closely until I say otherwise.”
“Understood.”
Go Mi emptied another cup and sank into the water.
Splash!
* * *
The marketplace of a city two days' ride from the capital.
A ronin pushed open the door of a rundown inn. His unkempt hair and the shabby iron sword common in such places marked him as the very picture of a wandering swordsman.
The waiter scowled.
But he glanced at the sword and forced a smile.
“Welcome.”
“One boiled chicken and a bottle of rice wine, if you please.”
“Right away. Just a moment.”
The ronin took a seat in a dim corner, crossed his arms, and closed his eyes until the food arrived.
Some people were watching him.
They were men in black robes with sharp features. They'd been eyeing him since he walked in.
After exchanging glances, the black-robed men stood abruptly. Half their food remained untouched, but they paid the waiter and left the inn.
The waiter brought the wine first.
“Your wine.”
The ronin uncrossed his arms, opened his eyes, and steadily emptied and refilled his cup.
How much time passed?
Creak!
The door opened, and the black-robed men from before returned. Three more had joined them. They didn't enter the inn proper—instead, they blocked the doorway.
Flutter.
A warrant fluttered down onto the ronin's table.
The ronin, midway to taking a sip, froze for an instant and looked down at it.
One black-robed man approached and spoke coldly.
“You're coming with us.”
The ronin raised his head and stared at him.
“Who are you people?”
Instead of answering, the black-robed man rolled up his sleeve slightly. A silver bracelet gleamed. It symbolized an organization with unchecked power.
“Why is East Depot trying to take me?”
“Come quietly. On your feet.”
“If I'm going, let me at least finish this.”
The ronin chugged straight from the bottle and stood.
Thud!
“You pay for the drinks.”
“Enough talk. Move.”
The ronin stepped outside without protest. The waiting black-robed men surrounded him.
“Follow us.”
The black-robed men led the ronin north through the marketplace. He followed silently. Then, in a deserted spot—
The ronin snatched one black-robed man's sword in a flash of lightning and turned on the others trailing behind.
Thud!
Crack!
“Gah!”
Three black-robed men collapsed with choked screams.
Clang!
Two drew their swords in a hurry. But one realized his own sword was now in the ronin's hand and showed his shock.
“This…”
Crack!
“Urk!”
A black-robed man crumpled after a strike to the nape. The last one backed away in horror.
The ronin leveled the sheathed sword at him.
“Draw that sword, and you're dead. So tell me—who sent you and why.”
“The Crown Prince seeks you!”
“Why would the Crown Prince want me?”
“Insolent!”
“Keep crying 'insolent,' and your head might fly. Answer my questions properly.”
“…….”
The ronin nudged the sword forward slightly.
Click.
“Want to die?”
The black-robed man spoke.
“I heard the Fourth Imperial Prince is looking for you! He left the warrant himself. We don't know why. It's true!”
“Where's the Fourth Imperial Prince now?”
“H-he's with the Southern Legion!”
“You sure?”
“It's true!”
Whoosh!
The ronin tossed the sword back. The black-robed man caught it reflexively.
Clank!
“Hand over whatever money you've got.”
Moments later, the ronin pocketed the pouch and vanished into the darkness. The last black-robed man, who'd held out till the end, collapsed to his knees.
‘Damn it! He was some insane master we couldn't even touch?’
The black-robed man, who had brushed death's door and barely returned, knelt there for a long while, gasping ragged breaths.