Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: The Sword King Lineage Heads to the Southern Legion
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Go Mi, transformed into an utterly ordinary warrior of Moon Pavilion, delivered her first report, which concerned an incident in the Imperial Capital.
Upon hearing that the attack on Princess Yi Yeong had followed the death of a royal, Yi Hwan's eyes darkened.
"The East Depot, Golden Imperial Guards, and Golden Army have all been fully mobilized for the search, but they've achieved no real results."
"Is my sister safe? That's certain?"
"Yes. She's unharmed. The escorts you left behind played a major role."
"No injuries among her companions?"
"All are safe, though we haven't confirmed if any were wounded."
Yi Hwan thought of the Blade King lineage warriors.
Having them stay at Yi Yeong's residence had ultimately proven a stroke of genius.
"Has anything like this happened before?"
"Yes. There have been several attacks on officials in the city streets. But this is the first time they've targeted royalty. Moreover, they left a manifesto at the scene declaring they would continue executing royals."
"Was the slain royal close to the Second Prince?"
"Yes."
"Then it's not his doing."
"Correct."
Clink.
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea and fixed his gaze on Go Mi.
"What do you think is behind these incidents?"
"If I may venture an opinion, the people's resentment toward the ministers is growing. Recently, the ministers' heirs have caused numerous incidents, yet none have been punished. The Grand Commander-in-Chief's eldest son even killed someone but was released due to lack of evidence. It seems this discontent has shifted toward His Majesty and the royals."
"Six out of ten court ministers support the Empress and Second Prince?"
"If we stretch it a bit, we could say seven."
"It's completely their domain now. What the hell has the Emperor been doing to let it reach this point?"
"......"
Clink.
Yi Hwan drained the rest of his tea.
"The capital aside, keep a close eye on the Gui Province situation as well, and report promptly. If possible, identify the martial arts used by the martial artists on both sides. Especially report immediately if anyone using poison appears."
"Understood."
"Go rest now."
Go Mi withdrew.
Yi Hwan walked to the window and opened it.
The world was in the heat of summer, but nights here brought cool breezes.
Clang!
"Hup!"
In the rear yard, Song Cheon-mu and Cha Jung-kyeong were training hard. Sparks from clashing swords flickered in Yi Hwan's pupils, appearing and vanishing repeatedly.
Yi Hwan fell into thought.
'I wonder if I should really be here.'
Destroying the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group in the capital had shown him that the palace situation was far graver than reported. One misstep, and the Crown Prince could be in peril.
And now, some unknown force targeting royals had emerged.
'Who am I even worrying about right now...'
Yi Hwan shook off the thought and reached to close the window, only to spot something flying toward him and casually twisted aside.
Thud!
Rattle...
The sword embedded in the window frame quivered.
"Gasp!"
A sound like air escaping lungs burst from Cha Jung-kyeong's mouth. The sword was his. It seemed he'd lost grip during training.
Yi Hwan tsked at him.
"A warrior dropping his sword? If Cheon-mu were the enemy, you'd already be dead."
"I'm sorry. My palms were too sweaty..."
"Does the enemy wait for you to wipe your hands?"
"......"
Yi Hwan gazed at the mountain rising like a screen before the camp.
"There's a single red pine at the peak. Go break off a branch right now. I'm warning you ahead—there's only one."
"Great Prince, that's..."
"Do it."
"Aw, man!"
Off he dashed!
Song Cheon-mu called after him teasingly.
"Watch out for wild boars!"
"Raaargh!"
Cha Jung-kyeong's furious roar shattered the night's silence.
* * *
Two days later.
Go Mi sought Yi Hwan again.
"The Namgung Clan and Hwangbo Family clashed, with heavy casualties on both sides."
"What about that brat Namgung Jang-cheon?"
"He dueled the Hwangbo patriarch one-on-one, but no victor emerged."
Yi Hwan's eyes gleamed.
"Looks like you were right about him. To fight the patriarch to a draw at his age."
"No one using unusual martial arts has appeared yet. Nor has anyone employing poison techniques."
"Keep a close watch on the other martial artists' movements too. If things escalate, more will show up for sure."
"Don't worry. I've already given the orders. By the way, last night... did you hear a strange sound like a beast howling?"
"Yeah, it was nothing."
Yi Hwan brushed it off casually, set down his teacup, and rose.
"I need to see the Commander."
"Take care."
Yi Hwan headed out toward Paeng Mu-wi's tent, with Cheol Mu-ok following.
Passing through the camp, he saw no sign of tension anywhere.
Cheol Mu-ok said in exasperation,
"If we get ambushed like this, we'll just collapse."
"They're gathering intel through scouts, so that shouldn't happen. The warriors are at ease based on that info."
"Still, it's an army..."
"Let it be. Times like this are necessary too."
Moments later, Yi Hwan entered Paeng Mu-wi's quarters. Paeng Mu-wi, who had been sipping tea with his deputy general, shot to his feet.
"Welcome, Great Prince."
"How did that matter we discussed go?"
"I reached out, but they said the schedule changed and couldn't send them."
Yi Hwan chuckled inwardly.
'Planning to disavow those we killed as not their people. Makes sense—with Moon Lord dead, better to cut ties preemptively.'
Seating himself, Yi Hwan asked again,
"What about the one who fled?"
"He seems to have escaped far away. My apologies, Great Prince."
"No need to apologize. How do you catch someone determined to run? Pour me some tea too."
"Yes! One moment!"
Paeng Mu-wi's deputy general stepped out. Yi Hwan eyed Paeng Mu-wi and broached another topic.
"About reinforcing with those martial artists we talked about—I've thought it over, and the Hebei Paeng Family won't do. It could drag you into scandals and complicate your position as Commander."
"It doesn't bother me."
"No, just fulfilling your duties is tough enough; I don't want to burden you further. So I've decided to call in my own retainers."
"You have personal retainers, Great Prince?"
"Not exactly retainers, but talented fellows who'll be quite helpful."
"Then do so. I'll follow your lead."
"Keep it from the Second Prince's side as much as possible. I don't want my intent to assist you misunderstood and cause awkwardness."
"Understood. This is well within my discretion, so no worries."
Watching this, Cheol Mu-ok was floored.
Paeng Mu-wi was acting like Yi Hwan's limb. Accepting his personal retainers over the Paeng Family without hesitation.
'Unbelievable. Without any special tricks, to subjugate someone this thoroughly.'
At this point, calling them more loyal than his own subordinates wouldn't be exaggeration.
"Here you are, Great Prince."
The deputy general returned with tea, naturally ending the conversation.
After a few sips, Yi Hwan raised a question he'd held back until now.
"Ever heard of Daye Fortress?"
"Isn't that a faction destroyed about two hundred years ago?"
"Do you know why they fell?"
"No idea. I only know their lord was the strongest in history, and Daye Fortress the mightiest power. But why ask suddenly?"
"Oh, I came across an old book mentioning them and got curious."
Clink.
Yi Hwan downed the hot tea in one go and stood.
"Leaving already?"
"Can't keep a busy Commander tied up."
"I'm fine."
"No. We'll share tea another time. Take care."
Paeng Mu-wi escorted him out to the command tent's entrance.
Cheol Mu-ok stifled a laugh at the sight.
* * *
On the way back, Cheol Mu-ok asked,
"Paeng Mu-wi already has this place in your grasp—do you really need to call in the Sword King lineage?"
"They're heading to the city where your lineage is."
"What? Then why tell him that?"
"To preempt him calling in the Paeng Family. Saying I'm bringing my own retainers means he won't pursue his own idea."
Scratching his head, Cheol Mu-ok asked something else.
"Have you arranged lodging for them?"
"Wang Ji-kyeong mentioned an unused mansion near the capital. That should suffice."
'As expected, no gaps.'
Impressed inwardly, Cheol Mu-ok asked abruptly,
"Do you plan everything from the start? Or improvise on the fly?"
"Random question."
"Really curious."
"Probably more the latter—adapting to the moment. Call it improvisation."
"......"
* * *
Wang Ji-kyeong felt reborn.
With Yellow Dragon Merchant Group's leader Yeom Yu-gwang imprisoned, nothing stood in his way.
Even better, the Crown Prince's Palace was finally responding.
'All thanks to that guy! Damn right!'
Recalling Yi Hwan, Wang Ji-kyeong bustled about issuing orders.
He was in a large mansion, normally kept with just a caretaker. Yi Hwan's messenger bird had prompted the cleanup.
*I need to borrow that unused mansion of yours.*
That was the entire message.
But it was enough for Wang Ji-kyeong. He'd thrown himself into a thorough cleaning, replacing furniture and fixtures with new ones.
"My lord!"
The overseer came running.
"What is it?"
"Her Highness is here!"
"Her Highness?!"
Wang Ji-kyeong hastily wiped his hands on a cloth and rushed to the main gate.
Princess Yi Yeong and her escorts were just passing through.
"Oh dear, Your Highness! With villains rampant and danger everywhere, what brings you to this humble abode?"
Yi Yeong smiled faintly.
"The mansion is splendid."
"I bought it because my late wife liked it, but after she passed, I let it sit unused. A good cleaning will make it livable."
Wang Ji-kyeong had lost his wife and taken neither concubine nor mistress since—contrary to rumors of his lechery.
"Ah! Please, come in. I'll prepare tea."
"No. Someone's coming soon; we'll drink together then."
"Who might that be?"
"Someone from the Crown Prince's Palace. We're discussing that business venture I mentioned. Ah, speak of the devil—they're here."
"......!"
Wang Ji-kyeong's head snapped toward the gate. Gwan Ji-baek was dismounting.
'That's the Crown Prince's shadow...'
Wang Ji-kyeong remembered him. He quickly adjusted his attire and expression.
Gwan Ji-baek approached, bowing to Yi Yeong.
"I greet Your Highness."
"Welcome, General."
"I heard there was danger."
"My reliable escorts saw me through safely."
Yi Yeong indicated the three young Blade King lineage men standing back. They offered fist salutes to Gwan Ji-baek, and Wang Ji-kyeong bowed to him too.
"Welcome, General!"
"Good to see you again, Lord Wang."
Thump thump!
Wang Ji-kyeong's heart raced.
* * *
Before leaving the palace, Yi Hwan had told Gwan Ji-baek,
"Visit Wang Ji-kyeong at an opportune time, pretending to grant his wishes. You'll get more than he asks."
"Money?"
"What else is there to squeeze from him?"
"Understood."
Yi Hwan added,
"Handle him well—he's valuable as an ally. Treat him sincerely."
"Understood."
Today was that day.
As Yi Hwan predicted, Gwan Ji-baek mentioned the Crown Prince's Palace's interest in the princess's business. Wang Ji-kyeong's eyes welled up. And the day's highlight:
"The Divine Sword asked me to treat you like one of my own. So let's get along from here on."