Chapter 38
Red Dragon Emperor
Change of Plan
Late at night, Gomi visited Ihwan’s quarters.
After receiving a single instruction, she returned to her own quarters.
As soon as she entered, she collapsed onto her bed.
“I want you to carefully observe the relationship between Pang Muwi and the two of them. If you notice anything unusual, report it immediately.”
This was Ihwan’s order. He did not explain why.
“It would be nice if he at least gave a reason.”
Gomi disliked Ihwan’s approach. It was too arbitrary, and the process of giving instructions was clumsy. Even if she asked for a reason, he would always say he’d explain it later.
Creaaak!
Gomi sat on the edge of her bed and spoke softly toward the door.
“Go bring the lieutenant.”
“Yes.”
A moment later, a warrior entered—the lieutenant who assisted Gomi in place of Bu Wolju, who remained in Hwangdo.
“You called?”
“Starting tomorrow, keep a closer eye on General Jwa, Yeong Ho-chung, and Mo Jaehwang. Since this is the order of the Great Army, you’ll handle it personally.”
“Close surveillance?”
“Yes. Don’t miss a single detail—report everything.”
“Understood.”
“Alright, go rest now.”
“Yes.”
Once the warrior left, Gomi removed her armor and sat on the bed, drawing her beloved sword.
Shhrrrk.
The blade, imbued with a blue light, gradually revealed itself, casting a bluish hue over Gomi’s face.
Suddenly, her eyes filled with a chilling light.
“I’ve been waiting for you to leave the palace. Only then can I kill you.”
The face that appeared in her mind was unexpectedly Mo Jaehwang. The chill in her eyes gradually transformed into a murderous intent.
Then another face pushed Mo Jaehwang aside in her mind.
It was a stunningly beautiful woman, slowly dying in Gomi’s arms. Tears rolled down Gomi’s cheeks and fell onto the dying woman’s face.
“Until Biwol grows stronger, do not confront the Golden Guards. When we are strong enough, our Biwol must become the prince’s sword. I hope you, as Wolju, can make that happen.”
The woman said this and took her last breath. She had been the Wolju of Biwol, someone who had cherished and loved Gomi like family.
Clench!
Gomi bit her lip and shook off the memories. As the woman’s image disappeared from her mind, Mo Jaehwang’s face reappeared.
Then all the more reason to kill him.
Ihwan’s words from earlier in the day echoed like an auditory hallucination.
Clench!
“I will be the one to kill him.”
Two days later, Gomi visited Ihwan again.
Ihwan had just finished his meditation, his entire body damp with sweat, as he sat facing her.
“I’m here to report on the task you assigned.”
“Did anything happen?”
“From what I observed, Yeong Ho-chung and Mo Jaehwang completely ignore Pang Muwi. Their attitudes were starkly different when the three of them were together versus when they were apart.”
“Are you certain?”
“What we see with our own eyes is just the beginning; finding more is Biwol’s skill. You can trust me.”
Ihwan nodded silently at Gomi’s confident tone and continued.
“If Pang Muwi becomes the commander of the southern corps, the two of them will wield real power behind the scenes.”
“Yes.”
Ihwan sank deeper into his chair, his eyes darkening. After a brief silence, he spoke.
“We need to change the plan.”
“How do you mean?”
“That’s none of your concern. You’ve done well; you may return.”
“Yes, sir.”
Gomi stood and left the quarters. Her eyes glimmered with subtle anger. Ihwan watched her leave and smiled faintly.
‘She seems upset.’
After she left, Cheol Muok spoke.
“She seems angry. Wouldn’t it be better to share the plan with Wolju?”
“I’ll handle that myself. Don’t worry.”
“…”
Clink. Ihwan took a sip of tea and continued.
“We will make Pang Muwi the commander.”
“What?”
Cheol Muok’s eyes widened. Ihwan spoke calmly.
“If we remove Pang Muwi, the Prince will send someone else—probably even more capable. Then we’ll have to expend twice the effort to remove them. This way, we avoid repeating that burden.”
Cheol Muok listened quietly. In the past, he might have argued, but after capturing the assassin who killed Hwangho, he had decided to trust Ihwan’s strategies.
“If Pang Muwi becomes commander, won’t the prince focus elsewhere?”
“Most likely, yes. But how does that benefit us?”
“We manipulate him behind the scenes.”
“Excuse me?”
“Not Yeong Ho-chung or Mo Jaehwang, but Pang Muwi. We’ll control him slowly, carefully, step by step.”
Gomi glared at Ihwan’s lit quarters.
‘That’s none of your concern.’
“He may not trust me. Though we have a past, it was brief, almost incidental. But still…”
She felt completely disregarded. Actually, she was being disregarded.
“Hmph!”
As she turned to leave, her eyes widened. Ihwan stood before her quarters.
‘When did he get here…’
It was impossible. Not even an assassin could approach so closely without being noticed.
“Shall we talk?”
“I already reported everything moments ago.”
“I have something to say to you.”
“…”
Gomi brewed tea herself. It was the Yongjeong tea Ihwan had given her.
Clink.
“Drink.”
Gomi watched Ihwan savor the aroma, then asked coolly as he took a sip.
“You said you didn’t like Yongjeong tea, didn’t you?”
“Why ask that after I’ve offered it?”
“….”
“Still angry?”
“I am perfectly calm.”
“Good. That’s a relief.”
Clink.
Ihwan set down the cup and met Gomi’s gaze. She did not look away.
“I plan to eliminate Yeong Ho-chung and Mo Jaehwang.”
“…!”
“That’s the revised plan. I’m telling you in advance because I need Biwol’s help.”
“If blood must be spilled, wouldn’t killing Pang Muwi be the better choice?”
“If we kill based on ability, wouldn’t you also choose the two over Pang Muwi? You know them best.”
“….”
Gomi could not argue. Statistically, Pang Muwi was the weakest, not only in combat but in other aspects as well.
“How can I help?”
“To kill them safely, we need to know their weaknesses, don’t we?”
“You want me to give you information about them.”
“I’m asking.”
Gomi was silent. Ihwan waited patiently.
“I want to kill Mo Jaehwang myself.”
“…!”
Ihwan was genuinely surprised.
“The previous Wolju lost their life to his cunning schemes. Dozens of warriors died before they could even bloom. He became the deputy commander of the Golden Guards and has lived in luxury ever since, thriving on their deaths.”
Gomi’s eyes reddened slightly, but her pupils burned with lethal intent.
“You’ll take revenge?”
“Yes.”
“Then do it.”
“…!”
“I have decided to kill him, and you have decided the same. All that remains is to remember that failure could have serious consequences.”
“I will ensure, even at the cost of my life, that we do not bring harm to the Great Army.”
“Noted.”
Ihwan finished the remaining tea and stood.
“You’ll receive information about the two tomorrow at the quarters. Sleep well tonight.”
On the road to the Southern Corps, two steeds galloped like a storm. They were messengers sent from the palace.
Thud-thud-thud!
After a short while, the steeds reached the entrance of a canyon and paused to rest.
Their rest was brief.
Flash!
A beam of light split the air.
It struck precisely at one messenger’s neck. Blood should have flown, and heads should have fallen, but the outcome was different.
Bang!
The messenger’s sword intercepted the light.
The other messenger drew their sword, widening the distance between them. The swords rang as they transformed into longswords.
Clang-clang!
From the shadows, figures appeared like ghosts. They were clad entirely in black.
They approached the messengers, letting their swords hang loosely.
Shhhhrk!
A flow of energy coursed through the blades.
One messenger asked,
“Are you from the Prince’s palace?”
“Now you have one more reason to die.”
A chilling aura swirled around them. The messengers did not blink.
One removed their helmet, revealing Cheol Muok.
“The Great Army wishes to meet you.”
“…!”
“I knew you were here. The forest is dense, and I judged that disguising ourselves as messengers would be faster.”
Clang-clang!
The longswords reverted to regular swords and sheathed themselves. The black-clad figures did the same.
“Did you see us kill the palace messengers?”
“Yes.”
Gongsontae spoke first.
“Actually, we were ambushing them ourselves. Suddenly, you appeared and—slice!”
Gongsontae mimed slashing his throat with a grin.
The black-clad figures finally removed their masks, revealing the sharp-featured Janghan.
Once Janghan removed his mask, the others did too. They were all of similar age and demeanor.
Janghan asked,
“Who ordered you to kill the messengers?”
“The Great Army. Probably the same reason as the prince’s palace.”
Gongsontae urged them forward.
“The Great Army is waiting; let’s discuss it on the way.”
“We report to the Great Army.”
Ihwan calmly observed Janghan bowing. He looked like a sword ready for battle taking human form to pay respects.
“Sit.”
The men sat opposite Ihwan, Cheol Muok behind him.
Ihwan asked,
“Was killing the messengers to buy time the best choice?”
“We only follow His Highness’ orders.”
Ihwan realized asking further was pointless. People with such eyes usually possess beliefs stronger than death. They were unlikely to give the answers he wanted.
“Has His Highness improved?”
“He is recovering quickly.”
“Good.”
Just then, Gongsontae and Song Cheon-mu brought tea, and the conversation paused.
Janghan watched Ihwan savor the tea and felt secretly awed. Standing there, it was like being before Mount Tai itself.
‘So this is the man…’
