Chapter 35
Impure Intentions
“The movements of the Yuldoguk are unusual.”
“According to reports, they took advantage of our soldiers collapsing from disease and seized three of our occupied bases.”
At the news of Yuldoguk’s advance, sighs erupted throughout the chamber.
The conquest of Yuldoguk had been going smoothly—at least until the beginning of this year.
Because Emperor Gyeom could not leave the Hwangseon Empire unattended for long, he had handed over military command to his general and returned to the capital. But after his withdrawal, as the weather grew hotter, endemic diseases spread among the soldiers—followed by a full-blown epidemic.
“No matter the reason, it makes no sense for the Hwangseon army to collapse so easily.”
“Wasn’t Yuldoguk always a fiercely warlike nation?”
“And the timing couldn’t be worse…”
“No, that’s right.”
When Gyeom spoke, all the officials immediately fell silent. The emperor was not in a good mood.
It was infuriating to hear that the army of Hwangseon—the dominant power of the continent—was struggling against a minor, uncivilized country that had never managed to shed its barbarism.
“There must be another reason why Yuldoguk is able to push us back.”
When Gyeom had left the front, Yuldoguk did not possess the strength for such resistance.
In fact, they were suffering internal conflict and looked ready to collapse on their own.
For them not only to have survived but to be winning against Hwangseon—it was unthinkable.
“There may be a traitor working with them.”
At his words, a ripple of unease spread through the room.
“If that’s the case, they would know our strategies, troop numbers, and supply routes. Even with fewer forces, they could hold their ground.”
If someone within Hwangseon had allied with Yuldoguk, it was a dire situation.
At this rate, it would not be Yuldoguk that destroyed itself, but Hwangseon.
And it wouldn’t stop at self-destruction—the empire could lose all the southern territories it had fought so hard to occupy.
“Perhaps they were simply waiting for the heat to rise.”
Even with an insider’s help, it would have been hard to achieve total victory against a massive army.
They must have deliberately stalled, waiting for the cold season to pass and the heat to come.
In the tropical jungles of Yuldoguk, heat brought with it swarms of insects and rampant disease.
“Your Majesty speaks the truth.”
“Haa… this is more serious than I thought.”
“But if there really is a traitor, shouldn’t we avoid announcing reinforcements publicly?”
“That’s why I intend to reject Yuldoguk’s official request for reinforcements here and now.”
Everyone turned toward Gyeom in shock.
The southern messenger’s face, especially, was filled with despair.
If the emperor abandoned Yuldoguk, the wounded and sick soldiers stationed at the border would be as good as dead.
If they tried to retreat with them, the enemy’s pursuit would mean certain annihilation.
“Your Majesty…!”
“I mean officially.”
At those words, the messenger’s face lit up.
“You are to report that the emperor of Hwangseon has officially rejected the request for reinforcements.
In the meantime, we will secretly gather troops and strike Yuldoguk ourselves.”
Once the rejection spread, morale would plummet.
The traitor and Yuldoguk would both relax their guard.
And Gyeom intended to exploit that moment.
“They struck us from behind first. We’ll return the favor—and make sure they never dare such folly again.”
How dare they play games with the might of Hwangseon.
“In that case, I shall personally lead the reinforcements to Yuldoguk.”
The one who stepped forward with a commanding voice was Grand General Cheon Tae-su.
His broad, solid shoulders exuded strength and confidence.
“If the Grand General himself leads the campaign, there’s nothing to fear.”
“Just as we swiftly subjugated Seolhwa, Yuldoguk will bow before us soon enough.”
Relieved that the Grand General would be heading the army, the officials’ anxiety eased.
Satisfied that things were going his way, Tae-su’s lips curled into a quiet smile.
If I can claim we’re hunting traitors, I can keep the army stationed there as long as I wish.
He had been secretly raising private soldiers in both the north and south.
When the time was right, a coordinated attack from both sides could even topple an emperor.
If only he had managed to secure the western border recently conquered by Gyeom himself, his plan would have been perfect—but the emperor’s direct intervention had ruined that.
So now, he had to hold the south at all costs for his future ambitions.
“I’ll go with you.”
“…What?”
Tae-su looked up, startled.
From the throne, Emperor Gyeom gazed down at him with a sly smile, his fingers brushing across his lips.
“I will personally lead the southern campaign.”
“If Your Majesty leads the charge, Yuldoguk’s morale will crumble at once!”
The courtiers cheered and bowed deeply, but Tae-su could not join them.
If Gyeom took the field, his entire scheme would fall apart.
“Forgive my boldness, but my presence alone should suffice for this campaign.”
“So, the most powerful man in Hwangseon—the Grand General—thinks his emperor’s aid unnecessary?”
The tone sounded teasing, but everyone understood the underlying threat.
Gyeom was implying that he suspected Tae-su’s loyalty.
And of course, the other officials caught his meaning instantly.
Even the most powerful subordinate had no defense against an accusation of treason.
With one comment, Gyeom had effectively bound Tae-su’s hands and feet.
“I would never harbor such disloyal thoughts, Your Majesty.
I only worry for your safety should the palace remain empty too long.”
“In that case, I cannot possibly ignore the counsel of such a loyal subject.”
Disguising his malicious intent with kind words, Gyeom smirked in satisfaction.
“This campaign shall be led by myself—and Grand General Cheon Tae-su.”
“Your Majesty, have you been troubled lately?”
Physician Han Ju-dan asked anxiously as he took the Empress’s pulse.
According to her attendants, she had been eating less and sleeping poorly.
“There’s always something to worry about.”
Empress Lee Hwa pressed her temple with a jeweled hand, her rings glittering in the light.
Her response only deepened Ju-dan’s concern.
His position as the court’s Chief Physician existed only because of the empress’s favor.
If she were to fall from grace, so too would he.
“I don’t know if I can help, but please, confide in me.”
“It’s a personal matter, so there’s no need.”
“Ah, yes…”
Her curt refusal left him bowing awkwardly.
Though the Chief Physician was untouchable within the palace medical bureau, to the empress he was nothing more than a servant.
She had elevated him to his rank, and she could strip it away just as easily.
He endured her dismissiveness for the sake of survival, swallowing his pride.
“By the way, I hear the medical bureau has been busy because of the southern front.”
Lee Hwa cast him a casual glance.
“Yes, we’ve been struggling to select physicians and court maids to send south.”
“Are they reluctant to go?”
“It seems so. The war itself is dangerous enough, and with the epidemic spreading, it’s practically a death sentence.”
“Hmph, for the sake of the empire, one should be willing to die.”
She clicked her tongue in disdain.
“The ignorant lower ranks always value their own gain over honor.”
“Well, I can’t blame them entirely. They’ll be tending to the sick in wretched conditions. It’s understandable that they’d avoid such a post.”
They could die from the plague—or be slain by a sudden enemy raid.
Honor meant nothing in the face of such senseless death.
And the empire would never remember their sacrifice.
Every achievement bought with their lives would be claimed by those of high rank.
“Your energy is depleted and fatigue has built up. I’ll prepare a tonic to restore your strength starting this evening.”
As Ju-dan began packing his instruments, Lee Hwa spoke up.
“You’re the one who should drink a tonic, looking as you do. Judging by that face, you still haven’t found enough people to send south.”
“It’s not so bad that Your Majesty should worry.”
Though resistance had been stronger than expected, he could simply exercise royal authority to fill the quota.
“This is a matter of national importance. We can’t send just anyone and risk failure.
As it happens, I have a person in mind I’d like to recommend.”
“If Your Majesty recommends someone, of course—”
“Lady Dan.”
“…Pardon?”
“Lady Dan is said to be exceptionally skilled in both medicine and pharmacology.
She even discovered a poisonous herb in the Hwayeong Pavilion some time ago.”
Lee Hwa smiled, her red lips curving in satisfaction as she watched Ju-dan’s startled face.
“The one I recommend is Lady Dan.”
