Chapter 99
Chapter 99
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Return to the Imperial Palace
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[Suddenly, the atmosphere has changed.]
Go Mi stared at Yi Hwan's back, a flicker of worry crossing her mind.
Ever since sustaining internal injuries, Yi Hwan had remained utterly silent. He rode along leisurely, letting the horse's movements guide him, no different from usual—but for some reason, she felt uneasy.
‘Are his injuries more serious than expected?’
Unable to bear it any longer, Go Mi sent a transmission to Cheol Mu-ok.
[Is he really okay?]
[I’m not entirely sure. He seems fine at a glance, but then again, maybe not.]
[You’re an expert.]
[Even experts can’t see into a person’s insides. He’ll be fine, so don’t worry too much.]
Go Mi let out a quiet sigh, regretting that she’d even asked.
“The Imperial Capital is coming into view!”
The female warrior shouted.
In the distance, the outskirts of the capital began to appear. The massive walls stretching across the land were so grand they almost seemed beyond human construction.
Cheol Mu-ok asked Yi Hwan.
“Shall we rest a bit?”
“Just keep going.”
“Are you sure you’re alright?”
“As you can see, perfectly fine.”
Cheol Mu-ok shrugged toward Go Mi.
At that moment, dust rose from ahead. A group of riders soon charged toward them like a gale.
Yi Hwan raised a hand, halting everyone.
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae moved to his sides, bracing for any contingency.
“They’re from the Crown Prince’s Palace—no need to be on guard.”
“You can tell from here?”
“My eyesight’s improved a bit.”
“……!”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae exchanged glances, unable to hide their shock. Following Yi Hwan’s words, they channeled their energy to heighten their vision to its limit, but they couldn’t even discern if the figures on horseback were men or women.
And Yi Hwan hadn’t fully recovered from his injuries.
Cheol Mu-ok turned to Go Mi and asked via transmission.
[Was the elixir you gave him that remarkable?]
[It was just a treatment specialized for internal injuries—nothing to do with inner power.]
Meanwhile, Yi Hwan gazed calmly at the approaching figures.
Gwan Ji-baek led the group at the forefront.
‘Did they know our arrival time? Have they been watching us all along?’
Thud thud thud!
Moments later, Gwan Ji-baek reined in his horse before Yi Hwan. He hurriedly dismounted and bowed his head.
“Welcome back, Great Prince.”
“How did you know we’d arrive at this hour?”
“All cities near the capital are under the East Depot’s intelligence network.”
‘So it was the East Depot after all.’
“His Highness awaits you. Let’s hurry.”
Gwan Ji-baek remounted and matched Yi Hwan’s pace, riding at his side.
“Anything happen while I was away?”
“Yes. Thanks to the great deed you accomplished, Great Prince, His Highness is greatly pleased.”
“They must be pretty furious over there. Any unusual movements?”
“Nothing unusual so far. But the ministers supporting the Second Prince have certainly been busy. Be cautious upon entering the palace, Great Prince.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan proceeded slowly toward the capital.
Gwan Ji-baek, eager to enter as soon as possible, didn’t dare urge him.
Staring at Yi Hwan’s back, he tilted his head.
‘Has he advanced again in the meantime?’
That was the feeling he got.
“Has the Empress returned?”
“Yes. She came back to the palace a few days ago. Strangely, she brought a number of people who weren’t there when she left—seem like martial artists, but we haven’t identified them yet.”
Yi Hwan’s brow furrowed slightly.
‘A woman who went to the hot springs returns with a bunch of martial artists?’
Yi Hwan recalled the sects of the northern regions. The first that came to mind was the Moyong Clan of Liaoning.
Geographically close to the Changbai Mountains where the Empress had gone, and in the past, the Moyong Clan had produced many outstanding warriors as a prestigious house.
Ideologically neutral between good and evil, they had barely escaped calamity amid his push for unification.
“Mu-ok.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“Any new martial families or sects arisen in the central plains’ north?”
“Nothing particularly famous. The existing Moyong Clan was barely holding onto its reputation, but even they’ve been quiet lately.”
Gwan Ji-baek continued at his response.
“It wasn’t the Moyong Clan.”
“You’re certain?”
“Yes. Their attire was distinctly different.”
“Attire can be disguised with any clothes. We’ll see once we’re inside.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“Oh! What about those targeting only imperial clansmen?”
“Lately, they’ve shifted to high officials instead—still rampant. With more targets now, security is a real headache.”
“Have you identified them?”
“Still unclear. But rumors say they’re acting on some prophecy.”
“Prophecy?”
“Yes. That’s all I know.”
“Hmm.”
It was bizarre. What prophecy would drive such atrocities in the capital? Unless it was a rebel faction plotting treason.
“Let’s hurry, Great Prince.”
“No—let’s go slow. It’s a place I’d rather enter as late as possible.”
“Ah, yes.”
Gwan Ji-baek gave a wry smile.
* * *
Yi Tae-ji’s residence.
An elderly man in his eighties visited.
His demeanor was that of an ordinary village rustic, yet astonishingly, Yi Tae-ji treated him with utmost courtesy.
Clink.
The old man took a sip of tea and fixed his gaze on Yi Tae-ji. Unlike his wrinkled face, his eyes gleamed like a serpent’s.
“My son has caused Your Highness great trouble. As his father, I humbly beg your forgiveness.”
“Nonsense. If anything, I regret failing to protect him. Especially since we couldn’t even recover his body…….”
“Born in the wilderness, he returns to the wilderness. I’m fine, Your Highness—don’t trouble yourself over it.”
The old man spoke calmly. He was Mun Chi-yong’s father. Despite losing his son, he remained chillingly detached and composed.
He continued.
“With my son’s death, our bond with Your Highness ends—that’s what I came to say.”
“End our bond? How can you say something so regrettable? Not only I, but even Her Majesty holds your family in high esteem. If anything, his death could forge an even stronger tie. We now share a common enemy.”
“You mean the Fourth Prince?”
“Our true enemy is the Crown Prince’s Palace, isn’t it? The fourth is just another pawn of the Crown Prince.”
The old man fell silent for a moment. Then, meeting Yi Tae-ji’s eyes, he said.
“Then I have one request.”
“Anything—name it. I’ll grant whatever I can.”
“Allow me to cut off the Fourth Prince’s head with my own hands. Then not only will I renew our bond, but henceforth, I will serve Your Highness directly.”
Yi Tae-ji’s eyes widened slightly.
“You’ll do it yourself?”
“If you permit it.”
“Very well. I permit it.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
The old man bowed his head.
A faint smile played on Yi Tae-ji’s lips.
‘This one’s worth a hundred times more than that incompetent Mun Chi-yong. His death might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Heh heh heh.’
Just then, a general entered.
“Your Highness, the Fourth Prince has entered the palace.”
Yi Tae-ji’s gaze turned icy in an instant.
“Did he go to the Crown Prince’s Palace?”
“Yes.”
“Dismissed.”
Once the general left, Yi Tae-ji stared at the old man.
“He’ll soon lead the Golden Army. As its commander, he’ll have guards equal to a Grand Commander-in-Chief. Are you confident you can take his head?”
“What I ask is that after I sever the Fourth Prince’s head with my own hand, Your Highness shield me from whatever follows.”
“Of course.”
“Then it’s settled.”
Yi Tae-ji’s eyes gleamed with profound meaning.
‘Her Majesty trusts this family absolutely. They must possess abilities worthy of that trust.’
In truth, Mun Chi-yong had been assigned to Yi Tae-ji by the Empress. Even Yi Tae-ji knew little of his family—only that their veiled prowess was terrifying.
“You must be tired from the long journey—rest for today.”
“No. I’ll return to my clan at once, gather men, and come back.”
“Understood. See to it.”
Moments later, the old man withdrew.
Yi Tae-ji sank deep into his chair, a triumphant smile on his face.
‘The old man who said no one but Her Majesty could command him now volunteers to serve me. This is what they call a blessing in disguise. Heh heh heh.’
Was he in such high spirits?
Even the news of Yi Hwan’s return to the palace slipped his mind, and the smile lingered on Yi Tae-ji’s face for a long while.
* * *
A pavilion overlooking the lake.
Third Prince Yi Seong-ji held a teacup in one hand and placed stones on the go board with the other, studying the game record.
Clack. Clack.
The clear sound of stones on the board—how could it be so pure? The elegant pavilion added to the charm, making Yi Seong-ji seem like a figure in a painting.
When the board was about half-filled, a man in blue robes ascended to the pavilion. It was the warrior who had spoken with Yi Seong-ji at his residence before.
“The Fourth Prince has entered the palace.”
“He got here fast.”
“The Second Prince’s side hasn’t made any further moves.”
“We’ll see in time if they couldn’t or just didn’t. Anyway, how’s the investigation into the Fourth Prince’s associates?”
“Excluding High Moon Lord, we’ve learned almost nothing. But the unidentified guards confirmed so far are all top-tier experts, without exception.”
“That figures. Surviving Second Brother’s schemes until now means they have to be.”
Clink.
Yi Seong-ji set down his teacup and stood.
“Shall I clear the board?”
“Leave it. Master will continue when he comes. By the way, did High Moon Lord enter with him?”
“Yes. Right after entering the palace, she went straight to the Crown Prince’s Palace with the Fourth Prince.”
“Prepare to enter the palace.”
“Yes. I’ll ready the carriage.”
A general standing near the pavilion dashed off like the wind. Yi Seong-ji descended with the blue-robed man and walked to the hill’s edge.
There, he gazed toward the Imperial Palace, his brow furrowing slightly.
“The Crown Prince’s Palace is growing bolder. Using the oblivious fourth brother as a pawn on the chessboard. No matter how much that child has improved, Big Brother knows better than anyone he can’t survive the palace.”
The sunset dyed Yi Seong-ji’s pupils red.
The blue-robed man spoke up.
“There’s something I forgot to mention.”
“What?”
“The rumors about the Fourth Prince seem entirely true. I thought his success relied absolutely on his associates, but it might not be the case.”
“Separate intel?”
“In the battle with Zhao Kingdom, the Fourth Prince personally commanded the Southern Legion in place of the Commander—it’s all confirmed. Even General Jeong Cheon, the legion’s greatest veteran, and key generals follow him devotedly.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Solidly verified this time.”
A faint crease formed between Yi Seong-ji’s brows.
“Hmm. I figured his wielding full authority over the Southern Legion was a fabrication by the Crown Prince’s Palace to seat him easily as Golden Army head—but it’s real?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Yi Seong-ji clasped his hands behind his back and took a few more steps to the hill’s edge. The blue-robed man followed quietly and continued.
“Will it be alright?”
“What do you mean?”
“If the Fourth Prince’s abilities match the rumors and he takes the Golden Army leadership, won’t that give wings to the Crown Prince’s Palace?”
At those words, a faint smile touched Yi Seong-ji’s lips.
“Big Brother can’t handle Her Majesty’s trump card. If he pushes further, she’ll surely play it. That might be when we see his true worth—whether he’s fit to rule this land.”
The blue-robed man started to speak but closed his mouth.
He knew too. What the Empress’s trump card was. No one in the realm could speak of it lightly.