Chapter 98
Chapter 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Third Prince Yi Seong-ji
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In a certain inn in the city.
It wasn't a particularly famous place, but it was always bustling with customers thanks to its delicious food. Suddenly, it shut its doors.
The patrons who came by turned away in disappointment upon hearing from the owner that it would be closed for a few days. Go Mi stood by the window, sharply scanning the passing people and their surroundings.
The entire inn had been rented out for a few days to ensure Yi Hwan's peace. Of course, they had paid generously, so the owner was more than satisfied to suspend business.
"Have some tea, Moon Lord."
The female warrior prepared the tea.
Go Mi finally walked over and sat at the table.
The female warrior carefully poured hot water into the teacup as she asked,
"Shouldn't we call a physician?"
"The Great Prince says he's fine, so what can we do?"
Go Mi took a sip of the tea and delicately furrowed her brow. The bitterness was too strong.
"I'm sorry. This is all the tea the inn had on hand..."
"It's fine."
Go Mi cast her gaze out the window.
'It wasn't an enemy's attack that hurt you. You inflicted the internal injury on yourself.'
She recalled yesterday's events.
The torrent of poison mist that blanketed the air after the barrage of drinks, the flames that erupted from Yi Hwan's body, and everything that followed.
'To think such a martial art existed in the world.'
Even now, it was hard to believe.
How had he thought to ignite flames to burn away the poison mist? The ferocity of those flames went without saying.
'It was because of us. He pushed himself too hard to save us and ended up with internal injuries.'
That made Go Mi's heart feel even heavier.
Song Cheon-mu in the next room and the female warrior before her felt the same.
"He'll be alright, won't he?"
"Of course. He'll be fine. He's a strong man."
She said that, but Go Mi herself couldn't feel reassured at all.
Internal injuries were what martial artists feared most. They took far more time to heal than external wounds, and even after recovery, one had to worry about lingering aftereffects.
If there was damage to the dantian, it would be all the more serious. To a martial artist, the dantian was the source of their power.
'When it really mattered, I wasn't able to help at all. Ha.'
Go Mi swallowed a sigh that threatened to escape and brought the teacup to her lips.
Clink.
Thud.
"I'll go check on the Great Prince."
* * *
Go Mi left her room and headed to Yi Hwan's.
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae stood in the hallway.
"Why are you out here?"
"He said not to let anyone in."
Go Mi glanced at Yi Hwan's door and asked Cheol Mu-ok,
"Are you sure we don't need to fetch a physician?"
"It's the lord's command, so what choice do we have? He probably thinks even a physician wouldn't understand it. By the way, is the Moon Lord alright?"
Go Mi gave a wry smile.
"I'm the one who didn't do anything."
Just then, a warrior ascended the stairs.
"Meal is ready."
Ju Tae asked,
"Shouldn't he at least have some porridge?"
"He said he's fine. Let's not disturb him and head down."
Everyone went downstairs.
Two warriors were moving dishes of food to the table alongside the owner.
Go Mi eyed the two warriors.
They had been wounded in yesterday's fierce battle. One had nearly had his sword break, yet he looked utterly calm, as if nothing had happened.
'Just who are these people? How can they be so strong at such a young age?'
Go Mi grew curious about their identities once more.
And their connection to Yi Hwan.
Soon after, Song Cheon-mu and the female warrior came down, and the meal began. Everyone else picked up their chopsticks as usual.
But Go Mi and Song Cheon-mu could not.
Song Cheon-mu in particular sat with a rigidly tense face, barely touching his food.
Knowing his feelings, the others left him be. Offering comfort at a time like this could backfire.
But Go Mi, in the same boat, did not stay silent.
"Instead of blaming yourself, wouldn't it better serve the Great Prince to eat quickly and then focus on cultivating your breathing technique upstairs?"
"......"
Cheol Mu-ok finally chimed in.
"The Moon Lord's words are right."
"Agreed."
With Ju Tae joining in, Song Cheon-mu finally picked up his chopsticks.
* * *
Intense heat poured from Yi Hwan's body.
His entire form was drenched in sweat, and with each exhale, steam-like vapor rose above his head, forming five rings.
The rings appeared and vanished repeatedly, growing larger each time. Just before Yi Hwan opened his eyes, they numbered seven before dissipating.
"Hoo..."
Yi Hwan opened his eyes and let out a long breath.
The white glow that had shimmered in his eyes returned to their usual serenity.
He immediately circulated his qi.
Pain still rose from his dantian, but compared to before, it was negligible. Instead, a new power roamed his body before being absorbed into his dantian.
It was merely a handful, but Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
'It wasn't an ordinary spirit pill.'
The new power came from the spirit pill Go Mi had given him. Thanks to it, his condition had improved far faster than expected, and his qi had even increased slightly.
Yi Hwan undid his cross-legged position and stood.
Crack!
A chilling sound rang out.
He had sat motionless in the same posture from dawn until now, so it was only natural.
"Are they outside?"
No response.
Yi Hwan donned his outer robe and stepped out.
Everyone, who had just been coming up, spotted him and hurried over.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm a bit hungry."
"......"
* * *
The next day, they resumed their journey toward the Imperial Palace.
They had planned to stay three days, but since Yi Hwan's condition was better than expected, they departed two days early.
However, they were short one horse.
One had been killed by a hidden weapon during the ambush defense. With no horse stables in the city, Go Mi and the female warrior had no choice but to share a mount.
Having endured one harsh experience, they now watched even a single flying bird with sharp vigilance as they traveled.
But Yi Hwan was as nonchalant as ever.
He was certain there would be no further attacks.
Go Mi asked,
"Didn't you say there was something even stronger beyond the forest? Could it have been the Merciless Sword Nun?"
"Probably."
"Then couldn't she chase after us?"
"The Merciless Sword Nun retreated without knowing I had taken an internal injury. Besides, she witnessed these fellows' prowess, so she won't come after us again. If she intended to, she would've made her move at the inn already."
"......"
Go Mi nodded silently.
But Cheol Mu-ok and the others showed no sign of relaxing. They couldn't let their guard down until Yi Hwan was fully recovered.
That was what a lord was like.
* * *
A certain hidden place in the capital.
Atop a sheer cliff overlooking a lake stood an ornate pavilion, where two figures were immersed in a game of go.
One warrior and one elderly man.
Moments later, the warrior in snow-white robes, boasting skin just as pale, smiled faintly.
"It seems I've won today."
"Heh..."
The elder sighed and placed his stone.
"Your style feels like facing a million-strong army armed with spear and sword. At this rate, you'll truly ascend to the ranks of the masters, won't you, Your Highness?"
"You're too kind. Today was just luck on my part. Shall we have some tea, then?"
"Indeed."
Warriors cleared the go board and prepared tea.
The elder and the young man sipped from their cups while gazing at the picturesque lake.
The warrior asked,
"I've heard Second Brother has been quite busy lately. It seems things aren't going his way."
"Yes. The Crown Prince's Palace, which had been on the defensive until now, is putting up a strong fight. He might launch a counterattack soon."
"A counterattack..."
The warrior trailed off with a faint smile. The elder asked him,
"When will you enter the palace?"
"I like it here. Spending time playing go with Master and discussing worldly affairs is enough for me. I have no plans to enter the palace for a while."
"Many are waiting for you, Your Highness. They are men who would lay down their lives the moment you declare your intent. Do not take their aspirations lightly."
"Master, enough of this talk."
"......"
The warrior lifted his teacup to his lips.
He stood, leaving it half full.
"I'll rest now. Take care, Master."
The warrior descended the pavilion and entered the hall behind it.
The elder stared at his retreating figure and let out a soft sigh.
"Ha..."
At that moment.
A figure in blue robes approached the pavilion. He bowed to the elder and reported.
"Yi Hwan has failed."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes. We confirmed it through the mouth of one who survived and escaped the operation."
"Have you tracked the Fourth Imperial Prince's movements?"
"His trail went cold after the ambush. If you command, we will find and follow him."
"No. There's no need for us to involve ourselves in others' fights. Understood—return."
"Yes."
The elder's eyes grew heavy.
'Yi Hwan went all out, yet failed. Does that mean the Fourth Imperial Prince has some hidden advantage we don't know about? There were no signs of separate action from the Crown Prince's Palace... Should I report to His Highness?'
The elder glanced at the hall where the warrior had gone. But he soon shook his head and descended the pavilion.
As he left, several white-robed figures emerged like ghosts from where they had been hidden.
"He will enter the palace."
"Prepare the carriage."
Moments later, the elder boarded a carriage and headed north. Eyes watched his departure.
They belonged to the warrior with whom he had played go.
The eyes, clear as a lake moments ago, now gleamed with a strange light. He was the Third Prince Yi Seong-ji, who had never shown himself publicly until now.
A genius from childhood, he had long withdrawn from the spotlight and lived here for quite some time.
"Mother and my brothers underestimate the Crown Prince's Palace too much. They need to realize that from the moment the assassination failed and the Crown Prince awakened, the mandate of heaven began to revolve around the Crown Prince's Palace."
Swish!
Yi Seong-ji unfurled the fan in his hand.
A man appeared behind him—a warrior in his mid-twenties, bearing a similar air.
"Have you learned anything?"
"The Prime Minister's Office has officially endorsed His Highness the Crown Prince's intent to place the Fourth Imperial Prince at the head of the Golden Imperial Guards."
"As expected."
"If the Fourth Imperial Prince becomes head of the Golden Imperial Guards, the balance of power could collapse. Is that alright?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"Shouldn't you aid Yi Hwan?"
"Why? Because he's your brother from the same mother?"
"......"
A faint smile played on Yi Seong-ji's lips. He lightly shook the fan in his hand and said,
"Even a viper with the fiercest venom must hibernate when the weather turns cold. It's still warm, so rashly stirring the grass could get you bitten. For now, we can only watch."
He turned and fixed the warrior with a stare, adding,
"How goes the investigation into the Fourth's associates?"
"We've found no new information beyond what's publicly known. We scrutinized his ties to martial sects as well, but none are connected."
"If he didn't fall from the sky, there must be a backer. Mobilize more men and find out properly."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And it's said the Moon Lord's of Biwol is with the Fourth?"
"Yes. From what we've learned, His Highness the Crown Prince ordered her to serve the Great Prince."
Yi Seong-ji subtly furrowed his brow.
"Second Brother let a valuable asset slip away. Did he truly never recognize her worth from the start?"
"Is former Moon Lord that remarkable?"
"She's still at the level of a hidden dragon, but one day she'll be a woman who can threaten both the East Depot and the Golden Imperial Guards with ease—if I'm not mistaken."
"......"
Snap!
Yi Seong-ji folded his fan and turned.
"Inform me when the Fourth enters the palace. It's been a while; I should at least see his face."
"Understood."
Shing.
The wall parted left and right, and Yi Seong-ji entered. The warrior soon vanished as well.