Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Yi Tae-ji's Command
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Mun Chi-yong entered Yi Tae-ji's residence.
“Your Highness, there could be a serious problem.”
“A serious problem?”
“I happened to run into an acquaintance just now, and he mentioned hearing that the Crown Prince's Palace plans to appoint the Fourth Imperial Prince as the head of the Golden Army.”
“What?”
Yi Tae-ji's face briefly flashed with surprise before he let out a scoff.
“What nonsense. How could that fool possibly lead the Golden Army? No need to worry. Even if the Crown Prince's Palace appoints him, the Golden Army will reject him. The generals who live off their pride alone would never accept such a nobody.”
Thud!
Yi Tae-ji slammed the table and snorted.
“Hmph! When all else fails, now they resort to wielding appointment authority as a weapon? Pathetic fool.”
“Still, it would be wise to prepare for the worst. If the Fourth Imperial Prince somehow becomes head of the Golden Army, Your Highness, that would put a hundred thousand elites under the Crown Prince's Palace.”
“We certainly can't let that happen.”
Yi Tae-ji sank deep into his chair, his gaze steadying. He might have dismissed it outwardly, but inside, he felt no such confidence.
‘Could he have caught on that we're eyeing the Golden Army leadership and decided to strike first?’
In truth, the Golden Army's head was a position he and the Empress had poured their hearts into, on par with the Southern Legion. If he could bring the Golden Army under his command, he would control security in the Imperial Palace and the capital, giving him an absolute edge over Yi So.
Twitch.
Suddenly, irritation flickered in Yi Tae-ji's eyes.
“That damn old man—if he hadn't foolishly granted the Crown Prince partial appointment authority, it would have been ours long ago.”
“May this lowly one dare to offer a word?”
“Speak.”
Mun Chi-yong took a quiet breath before continuing.
“The surest countermeasure would be to eliminate the Great Prince. As long as he lives, incidents like this could keep happening. Why not uproot the problem entirely? If you permit it, I will send a dispatch to the Southern Legion immediately.”
Yi Tae-ji fell silent, his gaze steadying. Mun Chi-yong awaited his response.
After a long moment of contemplation, Yi Tae-ji suddenly asked,
“Weren't the Fourth Imperial Prince's guards said to be experts?”
“Yes. I don't know where the Great Prince found them, but they're no ordinary men.”
“Then, can your direct subordinates handle them cleanly with their skills?”
“Have no fear. Given the gravity of this matter, I will send our strongest men this time.”
“You can be trusted?”
“Entrust it to me, Your Highness, and I will deliver the result you desire.”
A ruthless smile curled on Yi Tae-ji's lips.
“He'll find himself the brother who killed his own kin.”
“It is said that a wise ruler does not let personal feelings interfere. Leave the dirty work to this lowly one, Your Highness, and focus on the greater path ahead.”
“Very well. You have my permission.”
* * *
A few days later, at the Southern Legion.
The messenger sent by Crown Prince Yi So sought out Paeng Mu-wi. Paeng Mu-wi received them courteously. Even as Commander, he had to tread carefully before the Crown Prince's messengers.
The messenger said,
“We've heard the Great Prince is away. Do you know when he might return?”
“Well... even I don't know. He left for personal business half a month ago.”
“Half a month already? Then where did he go?”
“He didn't tell us that either...”
The messenger looked troubled.
Paeng Mu-wi asked,
“But why are you looking for the Great Prince?”
“I cannot say.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Then we will wait in the Great Prince's tent. Farewell.”
As the messenger left, Paeng Mu-wi furrowed his brow and muttered,
“What could the Crown Prince's Palace want with the Great Prince? This is driving me crazy with curiosity.”
It was then.
“Commander, a dispatch from the Imperial Palace has arrived.”
“From the Imperial Palace? Is it from the Second Prince?”
“Please see for yourself.”
Paeng Mu-wi immediately unfolded the dispatch handed over by his Deputy General. As expected, it was from Yi Tae-ji.
As he read slowly, his eyes suddenly widened in shock.
‘What is this? Kill the Great Prince and the Crown Prince's messengers?'
Indeed, the dispatch ordered him to eliminate Yi Hwan and the Crown Prince's messengers upon their arrival without a trace. Paeng Mu-wi felt his breath catch.
“What's wrong?”
“Ahem! It's nothing. Leave me.”
“What did it say that your face...”
“Out, I said!”
“Yes!”
The Deputy General hurried out.
Paeng Mu-wi checked the dispatch again, his hands and eyes trembling.
‘Kill the Great Prince? How could I possibly kill the Great Prince? How!’
Gulp, gulp!
Paeng Mu-wi downed cold water. But his agitation didn't subside; if anything, his heart pounded harder.
It was then.
Creak.
The door opened, and someone entered.
“Didn't I tell you to get out!”
Paeng Mu-wi bellowed, then his eyes widened. It wasn't the Deputy General—men exuding a chilling aura had entered.
“How dare you barge in here! Do you know where you are?”
“We've come at the order of our superiors to assist the Commander.”
“...!”
“For confidentiality, we couldn't announce our visit. Forgive us.”
The contents of the dispatch Paeng Mu-wi had just read flashed clearly in his mind, word for word.
*The Commander need not act personally; my men will handle it. Just ensure the cleanup afterward is flawless... [end of dispatch].*
‘Damn it...’
* * *
At the same time, in the Golden Imperial Guards' camp at the Southern Legion.
Tremble...
The officer's hand shook faintly as he read the dispatch. He was the one leading the Golden Imperial Guards in the Southern Legion, replacing the deceased Deputy Commander.
His trembling eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.
‘Kill the Great Prince and the Crown Prince's Palace messengers?’
He had received the same order as Paeng Mu-wi.
He was prepared to leap into fire for the Second Prince's command, but killing Yi Hwan was on another level. No matter that Yi Hwan was a bastard son, he was still the Emperor's child.
Clench!
The officer closed his eyes tightly.
For the first time, he regretted stepping up to lead his men in place of the dead Deputy Commander.
‘No choice. I need to consult the Commander!’
He shot to his feet but couldn't take a step. Because men were entering through the door.
“Who are you?”
“We're from the Imperial Palace.”
“Sent by the Second Prince?”
“That's right.”
The white-robed man glanced at the dispatch in the officer's hand and asked,
“Have you confirmed His Highness's will?”
“Just now.”
The white-robed man stared silently at the officer. The officer averted his gaze, unable to meet his eyes.
“If you don't want to, you can step aside. But whatever happens after will be on you.”
“...!”
* * *
Clang!
“Keep your back straight!”
“Your stance is too narrow!”
Crack!
“Ugh!”
Song Hoe mercilessly struck Cha Jung-kyeong's head with his staff. Cha Jung-kyeong clutched his head and collapsed, unable to endure it.
“Stop hitting my head!”
“Oh? Talking back?”
Song Cheon-mu intervened.
“Why not take a break?”
“To beat the Zhao stink out of him, this punk needs more drilling! Get up! Not getting up?”
“No thanks.”
“This brat keeps acting up?”
It was then.
A Moon Pavilion female operative stepped into the backyard.
“Visitors have arrived.”
“Visitors?”
“Yes. A general is asking for you.”
“Got it.”
Crack!
“Argh!”
Song Hoe struck Cha Jung-kyeong's head once more before heading to the main hall. Cha Jung-kyeong glared at his back, seething.
“Ugh, that guy.”
“Bear it. He's doing this for our own good.”
“For our good, my ass. I'm tempted to strip my rank and throw down with him.”
The female operative then said,
“Why not wash up?”
“...Do I smell that bad?”
“Yes. Quite a lot.”
“Ah, alright.”
Song Cheon-mu stood awkwardly. Cha Jung-kyeong jumped up after him, and the two dashed to the river like the wind.
The female operative watched them, pursing her lips.
“Those guys have no idea how much of a privilege personal training is. Tch!”
She propped her chin on her hands and gazed south.
“I wonder when our Moon Lord will return.”
* * *
In a small city half a day's ride from the Southern Legion.
Yi Hwan's group took a brief respite there, eating and drinking to soothe their weary bodies.
Go Mi, who had joined late claiming she had something to fetch, spoke up as soon as she sat.
“Another imperial clansman was assassinated near the capital.”
At her words, Yi Hwan first thought of Yi Yeong. The killers targeting imperial clansmen surely knew of her existence and location.
Cheol Mu-ok muttered,
“Is the Golden Army just sitting idle?”
“If the culprits are martial world experts, even the Golden Army won't catch them easily. They strike and vanish at random times, making it all the harder.”
“Even so, once the targets are known, shouldn't the Golden Army and other agencies bolster protection for the clansmen?”
“True, but...”
Cheol Mu-ok turned to Yi Hwan.
“Have no worries, Your Highness. Our lineage will shadow and guard you like ghosts.”
Gulp.
Yi Hwan drained a cup of liquor and spoke.
“Moon Lord, start by investigating the profiles of the slain clansmen. Focus on any behaviors or incidents that might have earned them enemies.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
Ju Tae chimed in casually.
“If it's clansmen close to the Crown Prince's Palace, we can't help suspecting the Second Prince.”
“The previous victim was close to the Second Prince, so probably not.”
“Then a faction plotting rebellion?”
“Too early to say. We'll have to watch until the picture clarifies.”
Yi Hwan refilled his empty cup.
Gulp.
It was then.
Someone approached. Everyone turned to see two armored generals.
“Loyalty!”
They saluted Yi Hwan crisply.
Their voices boomed so loudly that everyone in the inn stopped eating and stared at Yi Hwan.
“On leave?”
“Yes! That's right!”
“Enjoy yourselves before heading back.”
At Yi Hwan's gesture, Ju Tae pulled a money pouch from his bosom and handed it to the generals.
“No, it's fine!”
“Take it.”
“Thank you!”
As Yi Hwan turned back to his cup, a voice rang out.
“Congratulations, Great Prince!”
Yi Hwan set down his cup and eyed the generals.
“Congratulations on what?”
“The rumor that Your Highness will soon become head of the Golden Army is already spreading like wildfire among the generals!”
“...”
Yi Hwan wondered what this was about.
Golden Army head, out of nowhere. Go Mi was the most shocked.
She knew better than anyone what that position entailed.
‘Must be a rumor. That's not a seat the Great Prince can claim.’
Not out of disdain for Yi Hwan. The Golden Army head wielded immense power as a key post, traditionally held by court ministers for generations.
Yi Hwan asked,
“Where did you hear this?”
“One of my comrades works in the Imperial Palace, and the rumor is rampant there already! They say the Crown Prince's Palace will make the appointment!”
‘The Crown Prince's Palace appointing me as Golden Army head?’
Yi Hwan glanced at Go Mi.
“Does the Crown Prince's Palace have authority to appoint the Golden Army head?”
“A few years ago, His Majesty granted the Crown Prince's Palace partial appointment rights. If that included the Golden Army head, it's entirely possible.”
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair, his gaze steadying.
‘If it's true, then the time the Crown Prince spoke of finding me is now.’
Thud.
“Head to camp first.”
“Yes.”