Emperor of Steel [EN]: Chapter 158

8. Relocation (1)

1

Ellüradi.

This man, whom the Song and Yemaek called Yayul Najuk, was the Chanyu [Great Chieftain] who ruled the Kitai, a nomadic horse-riding people of the southern continent. He controlled a vast prairie that could be called an empire, but his land was barren, and the number of people he ruled was small. Therefore, like the previous Chanyus, he would seize every opportunity to invade the Song Empire or Yemaek and plunder them. However, he did not want to live like a bandit forever. He was determined that when the opportunity arose, he would seize the fertile and abundant lands occupied by Song and Yemaek, enslave the people living there, and build a true great empire.

“Now is the perfect opportunity, with Song and Yemaek fighting each other. The day they both collapse from exhaustion will be the day of our Kitai!” He ordered the tribal chiefs on the border to continue watching the war between the two countries, while sending his son as an envoy to the Yamatai Kingdom across the eastern sea. Yamatai also had ambitions to break out of its narrow island and advance to the continent. So, Ellüradi formed an alliance with them. When he raised his army, the Yamatai pirates would strike the rear of Yemaek and Song, making it easier to fight. He issued an emergency order in his capital, Karakorum, and began preparing for war.

“I heard that the Song army is attacking Liaodong Fortress, what happened?” At Ellüradi’s question, his subordinate replied with a look of apology. “It was on the verge of falling, but it is said that King Biryu appeared with the Muklin Cavalry at the right time, resulting in a great defeat.” “Still, seeing that they were pushed back to Liaodong Fortress, it seems that the Yemaek army also suffered a lot of damage?” “Yes, Chanyu. The Song Empire bastards were despicable enough to deploy Jiangshi [Chinese hopping vampires] in battle…” “Jiangshi? Surely, you mean those Jiangshi?” At that moment, Ellüradi’s eyes flashed. It wasn’t just because he was surprised that the Song Empire had broken a taboo, but his subordinate didn’t notice his true feelings. “Because of that, many border fortresses and castles have fallen. However, Yemaek has brought in the Northern people’s army, so they are not to be taken lightly.” “The Northern people?” “Yes, according to reports from spies, soldiers with yellow and red hair and wearing Northern people’s clothing have been sighted in large numbers at Liaodong Fortress.” “Hmm, Biryu has done well to bring in those guys from beyond the great northern sea.” “Rumor has it that they came on ships as big as mountains.” Ellüradi frowned. The Northern people, who used strange sorcery, used giant steel dolls as weapons. He had seen those steel dolls when he secretly went on a tour of the Song Empire in his youth. The steel dolls he saw in the arena were older and moved slower than he expected. However, they showed combat power comparable to hundreds of elite cavalrymen and the power to break down castle gates in one blow. He had heard that the Northern people mobilized dozens or hundreds of such steel dolls in war. ‘The Northern people who came to support Yemaek probably brought steel dolls with them.’ Ellüradi’s prediction was accurate. Soon, the tribal chiefs on the border sent reports, which detailed the approximate size and strength of the Symphonia Expeditionary Force. However, what surprised Ellüradi was the fact that they transported those heavy iron lumps at a speed that matched the mobility of the Muklin Cavalry. ‘They are not inferior in mobility either? Honestly, I’m tempted. If I had a hundred of these. No, even ten would be enough…’ They would be a great help in siege warfare, where they were weak. He was lost in thought when it happened.

“Chanyu! Something terrible has happened, Chanyu!” A general, pale as a sheet, ran to Ellüradi. “What is it that makes you so agitated?” “The Song army has deployed Jiangshi!” “Hmph, I’ve already heard that news.” To think that the Confucian scholars of the Song Empire, who followed all sorts of morals and laws, would show such hypocritical behavior. It was something to be criticized and ridiculed, but Ellüradi secretly wished he could make or control Jiangshi himself. Jiangshi didn’t need to be fed or put to sleep, and they were several times stronger than living soldiers. “I heard that the Yemaek army suffered a lot of damage because of those Jiangshi? Jo Won-gyun, that young brat, I didn’t know he would pull such a dark trick…” His words were interrupted by the general. “That’s not it, Chanyu! It is said that the Song army has secretly released Jiangshi in our land as well.” “What, what did you say? Is that true?” “At first, I thought it was just a rumor, but it is said that Song cavalrymen secretly crossed the border at night and left dozens of coffins.” The general, who went to the scene after receiving reports from hunters who witnessed the situation, found coffins with their lids open. There was a strong evil aura left in the coffins, but it was unknown where the Jiangshi inside had gone. ‘Why would the Song army put Jiangshi in our land…? No, I can guess why.’ It was clearly to avoid being backstabbed during the war with Yemaek. After all, he, the Chanyu of Kitai, was always looking for an opportunity to invade. Although a few dozen Jiangshi would not be able to stop tens of thousands of Kitai nomadic warriors, it was enough to make the public uneasy. Moreover, if the purpose was a surprise attack, Ellüradi himself could be in danger. “Hurry and find and eliminate the Jiangshi! Mobilize all available troops to find them!” “Yes, Chanyu!” After the general left, Ellüradi slammed the table and distorted his face. Bang! “How despicable! And they call themselves the Zhonghua people [Chinese people] and civilized people for doing this!” He was even more frustrated because he might miss the perfect opportunity to build a great empire. However, Ellüradi, who was jumping up and down like this, did not know. That the number of coffins found in Kitai territory exceeded several hundred, and that the same thing was happening in Yamatai. And most importantly, that it was not the Song Empire army that released the Jiangshi.

2

Tap! Tap!

Inside the government building of Liaodong Fortress. Luke and King Biryu, who should have been busy preparing to attack the Song Empire, were playing Go [a strategic board game]. Go, a game where you take turns placing black and white stones to build territory and determine the winner. On the surface, it seemed simpler than chess, but in reality, it was much more difficult. The strategies were endless, and it was as fun as it was complex. Luke was as interested in Go as he was in the magic of the Heresy. Some days, he would spend the whole day with the Go board, and King Biryu subtly advised him on his behavior. “King Luke, enjoy it, but don’t get too deeply involved. There have been kings who ruined themselves because they couldn’t leave the Go board even when their armies were defeated and their countries were collapsing.” “Indeed… nothing is good when taken to excess.” That was true for magic, scholarship, and even faith. Anything that led to madness and obsession would become twisted. King Biryu placed a Go stone and said. “A messenger reported earlier that Kitai and Yamatai are making a fuss.” “It seems our plan worked well.” They couldn’t advance in large numbers while leaving Kitai and Yamatai in the rear. They would be backstabbed at that moment. So, Luke decided to use the hatred and fear that the people of the southern continent had for Jiangshi. After making Yemaek soldiers wear Song Empire uniforms collected from prisoners, he ordered them to leave the coffins that had contained Jiangshi in both countries. Of course, they didn’t actually release Jiangshi. In fact, that would have been more effective in stimulating fear. However, with the few sorcery techniques they had learned from interrogating captured sorcerers in a short time, it was difficult to control Jiangshi delicately. And if they were just released, they would obviously be quickly defeated, so they only left empty coffins. “I wonder how effective this false operation will be…” “I think it will be enough to hold them back while we sort things out. The reorganization of the troops is already complete, isn’t it?” At Luke’s words, King Biryu nodded. The Muklin Cavalry and the Symphonia Kingdom Expeditionary Force had already completed their preparations for departure, and the Divine Army that had remained in Bonghwang Fortress had also arrived at Liaodong Fortress. In addition, the Anti-Rebellion Army, composed of those who had defected among the prisoners captured in Liaodong Fortress, had also completed its reorganization. This Anti-Rebellion Army, led by Jo Won-rak and Je Gal-hwi, would lead the way with the Divine Army to open the path to Daeryang.

“The problem is the Emperor in Daeryang. Even if we try to rescue him, we can’t find his whereabouts…” Luke was gathering information through the Cheong-eungbang warriors, spies of the Je Gal family who had infiltrated Daeryang. According to their reports, Jo Won-gyun had taken the Emperor and Empress somewhere. There were rumors that they were confined in a detached palace near the capital, but there were also rumors that they had been sent to a temple, and there were even ominous stories that they had already been killed and buried. “It seems that even the best information organization in the Jianghu [the martial arts world] is having a hard time grasping the situation inside the Imperial Palace.” At Biryu’s words, Luke shrugged and said. “I think we have no choice but to go to Daeryang.” “Indeed, we will find the answer if we go there. Whether they are holding them hostage or fleeing with the Emperor, their whereabouts will be revealed.” Luke and Biryu decided to march towards Daeryang for now. If they delayed when they were already prepared, it would be the same as giving Jo Won-gyun’s faction more time. Yeongwon Fortress was a large military city of the Song Empire located near the Yemaek border. Like Liaodong Fortress, it was in charge of overseeing the surrounding towns and fortresses. However, the atmosphere here had recently become extremely chaotic. A 600,000-strong army had rushed out to conquer Yemaek, and then, after a while, the defeated soldiers had come pouring in like ants. “The Muklin Cavalry is coming!” “The Northern steel giant unit is coming too. Nothing can stop them!” The stories the defeated soldiers were spreading were enough to make not only Yeongwon Fortress but also the people in the surrounding areas uneasy. However, there was another rumor that was making the lord and officials of Yeongwon Fortress panic. “What? The expeditionary force used Jiangshi?” Yeongwon Fortress Lord Lee Si-baek jumped up at his subordinate’s report. “According to the defeated soldiers, they even brought in the evil sorcerer Guigokja and created a large number of Jiangshi.” “Ha! Even if they have the justification of conquering Yemaek, how could they do such a thing! They must be completely insane!” “It seems that His Highness the Second Prince has made a huge blunder.” The fact that the expeditionary force had used Jiangshi was something that the local lords and officials did not know at all. No, even the central ministers did not know. That was how secretly Jo Won-gyun’s faction had kept it. Lee Si-baek arrested all those who talked about Jiangshi to prevent the rumors from spreading further. Regardless of the truth, it was a matter of national prestige. And above all, it was not good for public sentiment to worsen any further. Public sentiment was already bad due to the war-related requisitions and conscription, and if it became known that they had done something that went against morality and the principles of heaven, it would be impossible to fix. However, his actions were met with opposition in less than a day. “Lord, are you just going to cover up the rumors?” “Then are you saying we should let the people riot or revolt after hearing the rumors?” Lee Si-baek frowned at the words of a Confucian scholar who was a close acquaintance. “But we can’t just arrest or kill all the numerous witnesses. It will be known someday, and if that happens, you will be criticized by the people. In that case, you should rather rise up against Jo Won-gyun’s faction!” From the perspective of a Confucian scholar, creating Jiangshi was an unforgivable act.

He couldn’t side with Jo Won-gyun and his faction after what they had done.

“Ugh! Is it really that simple?”

Deep down, he also wanted to rebel.

But his son was in the capital.

He had been chosen as a palace guard, but in reality, he was a hostage.

Moreover, no matter how terrible Jo Won-gyun’s actions were, he was currently acting as the emperor and still commanded hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

Not only that, but he also shamelessly used Jiangshi [reanimated corpses].

If he had mastered the heretical sorcery that was thought to have vanished, how could they possibly win?

As Lee Si-baek frowned, the Confucian scholar spoke in a low voice.

“If there were a good way to remove Jo Won-gyun’s faction, would you follow it?”

“A good way?”

“Yes. It’s to support Prince Jo Won-rak against Jo Won-gyun.”

“Prince Jo, Jo Won-rak!”

Lee Si-baek was startled.

Prince Jo Won-rak was currently in exile in Yemaek [a northern tribal region].

Supporting him was the same as surrendering to Yemaek.

He could be branded a traitor for opening the border to an enemy country.

Noticing his concern, the Confucian scholar began to persuade him more forcefully.

“It’s not about opening the way for Yemaek. It’s about opening the way for Prince Jo Won-rak.”

“Hmm….”

“Besides, frankly, His Majesty the Emperor favored the intelligent and virtuous Prince Jo Won-rak more than the tyrannical and greedy Jo Won-gyun, which you also know, Lord, don’t you?”

“Well, that’s true.”

It was common knowledge among the officials of the Song Empire that the Emperor favored Jo Won-rak more than Jo Won-gyun.

If he hadn’t been unjustly framed and exiled, he would have become the Crown Prince instead of the drug-addicted First Prince.

“If you can protect Prince Jo Won-rak and save His Majesty the Emperor from the clutches of the wicked, you will become a meritorious subject. The loyalty of the Lee family will be remembered in history!”

After a moment of contemplation at the scholar’s persuasion, Lee Si-baek made a decision.

“Alright. As you say, let’s support the Third Prince.”

“Hahaha. You have made a wise decision.”

Lee Si-baek decided to persuade the lords and generals near Yeongwon Fortress to defect together.

It was more reassuring to have several people defecting together than to do it alone.

He called his subordinate and immediately ordered him to dispatch messengers to the surrounding areas.

Flap, flap!

The Confucian scholar, having left Yeongwon Fortress, released a messenger hawk towards the eastern sky.

Tied to the hawk’s leg was a piece of paper with the names of the lords and generals he had won over.

In fact, the Confucian scholar had been a spy for Yemaek for a long time.

He had been collecting and sending information about Yeongwon Fortress, and recently received an order from King Biryu to win over the lord.

Given the circumstances, winning over Lee Si-baek was easier than expected.

‘Hehehe. With this, the border will be opened easily.’

Having completed his mission, he smiled contentedly, thinking about the reward he would receive from King Biryu.

3

Daliang, the capital of the Song Empire.

This massive city of one million people was the center of Song’s military, political, and economic power, and had been flourishing for hundreds of years.

As such, there were magnificent palaces everywhere, and many people enjoyed drinking, music, and extravagance.

Among them, the western red-light district, called the “Red Lantern Street,” was known as the “City That Never Sleeps” because its lights never went out all year round.

Inside a palace located deep within the red-light district.

Two people were meeting in a sealed room with all sides blocked.

They were none other than Je Gal-sin, who had taken over the Cheong-eung Bang [a secret intelligence organization] in place of Je Gal-soha, who had followed Luke, and Hwangbo-yoon, the half-brother of the Hwangbo Clan Leader and known as a scoundrel.

“Have you found the Emperor’s location?”

Hwangbo-yoon shook his head at Je Gal-sin’s question.

“I searched the entire imperial palace, but he was nowhere to be found.”

To stop Hwangbo-gwang’s rampage, Hwangbo-yoon had been secretly gathering forces within the clan.

He had united the righteous people who opposed Hwangbo-gwang or were worried about the future of the clan, which was spiraling out of control.

However, they alone could not stop Hwangbo-gwang.

All they could do was slow down or hinder his progress, as he had already taken control of the martial world and the imperial court and was on a roll.

Then one day.

Hwangbo-yoon made contact with a Cheong-eung Bang warrior who was operating undercover in Daliang.

He had found a Cheong-eung Bang warrior he had seen at a clan meeting before, quite by chance, at a tavern he had happened to visit.

The Je Gal Clan had disappeared from the martial world around the same time the Third Prince had gone into exile.

He had never imagined that the Je Gal Clan had planted informants in the capital, and since then, they had maintained a cooperative relationship.

“Tsk, then is it true that he is imprisoned somewhere outside the imperial palace, as the rumors say?”

“Perhaps it’s a detached palace or a temple near the capital, but that’s not certain either.”

Since Jo Won-gyun became regent, the Emperor’s whereabouts had been a mystery.

None of the high-ranking officials had seen the Emperor’s face directly.

It was said that he was too ill to move and was avoiding going out and meeting with officials, but that was also suspicious.

If the imperial physician could not cure him, they should search the entire country for skilled doctors or monks with high spiritual power to treat him.

Instead, they were strictly controlling access to the Taehwa Palace and blocking outsiders.

As a result of Hwangbo-yoon’s direct infiltration, the problem was that the Emperor was not in the Taehwa Palace either.

“Could it be that they have already assassinated His Majesty….”

“That’s unlikely. They don’t need to take such a drastic measure yet.”

Jo Won-gyun’s faction was currently issuing various edicts and orders in the Emperor’s name.

The reason why Jo Won-gyun was not hastily ascending to the throne, even after seizing the imperial palace, was because of the Emperor’s loyal subjects and the dissatisfied forces who opposed him throughout the empire.

A representative figure was Lee Yung-mu, the Red Dragon King, who had voluntarily stepped down from his position as the commander of the Imperial Guard.

His influence was no less than that of Jo Won-gyun’s faction.

He was the strongest master and a celebrity in the Song Empire, revered not only in the military but also in the martial world.

“If they hastily ascend to the throne, they will only turn them into enemies. Until they completely eliminate the opposition, His Majesty will be safe.”

“That’s a relief, but….”

“Moreover, according to what I’ve learned, my brother is cooperating with people who are presumed to be mages from the Northern Continent. The illness His Majesty is suffering from and his unclear whereabouts may also be due to their tricks.”

Je Gal-sin frowned.

Those who had framed Jo Won-rak for treason for contacting the goblins of the Northern Continent were now bringing in foreign powers!

He gritted his teeth and said with a worried expression.

“The invasion of Yemaek is just around the corner. If we cannot secure His Majesty the Emperor’s safety, it will be quite troublesome even if we occupy Daliang. This is a big problem.”

Whether they secured the Emperor or not could determine whether the war would end quickly or drag on for a long time.

The damage caused by the delay would be borne entirely by the innocent people.

That was why the Je Gal Clan was doing everything they could to rescue the Emperor, but they could not even figure out his location.

“I will try to exert more effort. But apart from that, there is something suspicious happening in Daliang.”

“Suspicious thing?”

Je Gal-sin asked with a puzzled look.

Because they were focusing all their efforts on rescuing the Emperor, the Cheong-eung Bang was in the dark about information elsewhere.

“Recently, there has been an increase in the number of people dying from a strange disease in the slums, and the bodies are being handled by the Imperial Guard and the private soldiers of the Hwangbo Clan. Even the sick people.”

At Hwangbo-yoon’s words, Je Gal-sin tilted his head slightly.

It was not uncommon for a strange disease to spread in the slums, where sanitation was poor, and the cleanup had always been done by the court or the powerful.

This was to prevent public sentiment from becoming hostile or giving their political rivals a pretext for attack.

“I don’t see anything particularly problematic?”

“The problem is that there are rumors that the bodies of those who died from the strange disease have become Jiangshi.”

At Hwangbo-yoon’s words, Je Gal-sin jumped up.

“What! Is that true?”

“A member of the Hao Moon [a martial arts sect] in the slums confirmed it. Moreover, some of the patients with the strange disease are said to have been infected by being bitten by Jiangshi.”

The most suspicious thing was that the strange disease started a few days ago when the liquor and food that the imperial palace had distributed as relief were released.

It was said to be to accumulate merit and pray for the Emperor’s recovery, but in reality, it was unknown what tricks Jo Won-gyun’s faction had played with the liquor and food.

“Hmm, according to a message from my subordinate who is with the Third Prince, the Song army used Guigokja [a type of sorcery] to mobilize Jiangshi in the war….”

“Our Hao Moon also knows that. Something seems amiss.”

At Hwangbo-yoon’s words, Je Gal-sin recalled what Nanda had told him before.

“Go to Daliang and eliminate the darkness that has penetrated the masses. Only then can the imperial family, this country, and your family enjoy peace.”

He had decided to go to Daliang after hearing these words.

What if the strange disease that Hwangbo-yoon mentioned was the darkness that had penetrated the masses?

Then it was something that could not be taken lightly.

“We need to gather more information before taking action.”

“Yes, as the old saying goes, even on a fast road, you should take a detour.”

The two exchanged opinions and discussed the matter for a while before parting ways.

Hwangbo-yoon, having seen Je Gal-sin off, headed to a courtesan house.

As one of the leaders of the Hao Moon, whose mother was from the Hao Moon, he secretly operated courtesan houses, gambling dens, and taverns in Daliang.

However, he heard unexpected news at the courtesan house he arrived at.

“Lord, there’s been a message from the imperial palace.”

“Did they say they found His Majesty’s whereabouts?”

“Not that. Instead, they say that Jo Won-gi, who was removed from the position of Crown Prince, will be sent to Heungbeop Temple on Cheonryeong Mountain tomorrow to be confined.”

“To Heungbeop Temple?”

Hwangbo-yoon tilted his head.

There had been rumors that Jo Won-gi would be confined for a while now.

But he did not expect them to send him to Cheonryeong Mountain.

This was because Cheonryeong Mountain was close to the main house of the Hwangbo Clan, and Heungbeop Temple there was not a large temple suitable for a member of the imperial family to reside in.

‘I don’t understand. Even if Jo Won-gi is a deposed opium addict, he should at least be treated as a member of the imperial family….’

Hwangbo-yoon, who was tilting his head, suddenly had an idea and hurriedly ordered the courtesan.

“Bring me a map. One that shows the area around Cheonryeong Mountain in detail!”

After examining the map that was brought to him a while later, he nodded.

“Right, the other name for Heungbeop Temple was Heungwang Temple.”

The reason for that name went back to the time when a civil war called the Rebellion of the Eight Kings occurred in the Song Empire.

King Jo Myeong-do of Jo was defeated in battle against King Jo Yeo-mun of Cho and took refuge in a temple deep in Cheonryeong Mountain, which was Heungbeop Temple.

There, King Jo, who had grown in strength, later received help from a celestial maiden who descended from the sky and defeated his nemesis, King Cho, and ascended to the throne.

He was Emperor Jinjong, who was married to the Heavenly Empress, and Heungbeop Temple was also called Heungwang Temple because it was the place where the defeated king had risen again.

‘Heungbeop Temple is practically a fortress. The walls built during the Rebellion of the Eight Kings are still there. Moreover, it is surrounded by rocky mountains, and there is only one entrance.’

This was not the end of it.

There were several villas and hermitages built by the Hwangbo Clan around Heungbeop Temple.

These could also be used for military purposes.

‘It’s hard to get in, but it’s also hard to get out if you’re trapped. Is there a reason to be so wary of Jo Won-gi, who is already a cripple, that they have to confine him in such a place? Then this is definitely a retreat!’

Retreat.

It means that the monarch leaves the capital and takes refuge somewhere.

It appeared that Jo Won-gyun’s faction was attempting to secretly move the Emperor to Heungbeop Temple, disguising it as Jo Won-gi’s exile.

They clearly believed that this location, being closer to their base than the capital, was much safer.

“They said it’s tomorrow, right? We need to hurry as much as possible.”

Hwangbo-yun, needing to meet with Zhuge Shin again, quickly departed from the courtesan house.

4

Gu-gu-gung!

The main gate of the Imperial Palace, which had been tightly shut since the Emperor’s illness, swung open.

A procession emerged from within.

It was a magnificent carriage pulled by eight white horses, escorted by Imperial Guards in gleaming armor and wielding various weapons.

The people of the capital whispered as they watched the carriage.

“Who could be inside that?”

“Well, judging by the atmosphere, it doesn’t seem like they’re going on a pleasure trip…”

“Perhaps the Empress is going to a nearby temple to offer prayers.”

The carriage procession, passing through the main avenue, left the capital and headed west.

However, there were those who secretly followed the carriage procession from behind.

They observed the procession’s destination and then hurried to a small inn outside the city.

There, Hwangbo-yun and Zhuge Shin, in disguise, were waiting with their warriors.

“Lord! We’ve confirmed it.”

“Did they definitely go west, towards Cheonryeong Mountain?”

At Hwangbo-yun’s question, the two Hao Moon [a fictional martial arts sect] members in charge of tracking nodded.

“It’s certain.”

“Hmm, then…”

It was clear that this was the Emperor’s procession disguised as Jo Won-gi’s exile.

“We should follow right behind them.”

Hwangbo-yun shook his head at Zhuge Shin’s words.

“No, we won’t follow.”

“What? Are you saying we won’t save His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Hehe. That’s not it. I know a shortcut, so we’ll get ahead of them.”

Zhuge Shin nodded at Hwangbo-yun’s explanation and left the inn with his warriors.

However, in their haste, they missed one crucial detail.

Someone had been watching them from the second floor of the inn for some time.

“Hee-eek! Save me! The bugs are on my body… Ugh!”

A disheveled young man was thrashing wildly inside the carriage.

He was none other than Jo Won-gi, the First Prince, who had been deposed from his position as Crown Prince and was now being exiled.

Inside the spacious carriage, there were two more people besides Jo Won-gi.

An unconscious old man and a gracefully aged noblewoman who was tending to him.

Scratch, scratch, scratch!

As Jo Won-gi frantically scratched his body, drawing blood due to hallucinations caused by withdrawal symptoms, the noblewoman tried her best to restrain him.

“Control yourself, Crown Prince. Hey, is anyone there? Call a physician immediately!”

The noblewoman, the Empress, shouted towards the servants and Imperial Guard soldiers outside the carriage.

However, no one paid any attention.

In fact, they couldn’t hear.

The northern mages that Hwangbo-gwang had brought had cast a silence spell inside the carriage.

Even without the spell, they had no intention of following the Empress’s orders.

They had already sworn allegiance to Jo Won-gyun and Hwangbo-gwang, and they didn’t care what happened to the half-dead Emperor, the powerless Empress, or the opium-addicted Jo Won-gi.

“You treacherous lot! Are you not afraid of heaven!”

The Empress, the only one who was still sane, sobbed and scolded them.

She knew it wouldn’t do any good, but she felt like she would burst if she didn’t do something.

Jo Won-gyun’s faction had not revealed any facts to her.

However, the Empress, who had lived as the mother of the Song Empire for decades, had roughly pieced together the situation by observing the unfolding events.

The problem was that she had realized Jo Won-gyun’s plot too late.

“M-Mother…”

“Oh! Crown Prince, have you regained your senses?”

The Empress was overjoyed as Jo Won-gi seemed to have recovered from his hallucinations.

“Mother… please kill me. I’m worried that I might go crazy again and harm you both.”

“How can you say such a thing? You must be strong.”

Just as the Empress was comforting her son, the carriage procession escorting them stopped. Baggage carts from a transport company were blocking the main road ahead.

As the Imperial Guards were about to step forward, a man who appeared to be the head of the transport company’s porters rushed over and bowed deeply.

“Oh my! I’m so sorry, sir. Suddenly, the wheel of the lead baggage cart broke down…”

“Is it really broken? Or did you break it on purpose?”

“O-On purpose? What are you talking about?”

Hwangbo-yun, disguised as the head porter, was inwardly flustered.

He had expected them to yell at him to clear the way quickly, but the Imperial Guard commander was smirking.

As if he knew everything.

‘Could it be that they deliberately leaked the information?’

As he thought that, a terrible hypothesis flashed through Hwangbo-yun’s mind.

Jo Won-gyun wouldn’t be satisfied with acting as the Emperor’s proxy forever.

He would need a justification to ascend to the throne.

What if that justification was the assassination of the Emperor?

‘Oh no, we’ve been tricked!’

“It’s an attack! Protect His Majesty the Emperor!”

Even before the Imperial Guard commander’s words were finished, the soldiers, as well as the servants, had already drawn their swords.

As soon as the commander’s order was given, they swung their swords not at the porters, but at the carriage.

In fact, they had been instructed by Hwangbo-gwang in advance.

If a group appeared to save the Emperor, they were to kill the Emperor without hesitation.

Of course, the blame for assassinating the Emperor would fall on the attackers.

“Save His Majesty!”

“Waaaaah!”

At Hwangbo-yun’s urgent cry, not only those disguised as porters, but also the warriors who had been ambushing with Zhuge Shin, rushed out and attacked the Imperial Guards.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sounds of clashing weapons and the shouts of warriors echoed loudly from all directions.

The most intense fighting was taking place around the carriage where the Emperor’s family was riding.

The blood shed by the Imperial Guards trying to kill the Emperor and the warriors trying to stop them dyed the main road red.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Zhuge Shin, who was fighting five Imperial Guards at once, was inwardly sweating.

He had fully expected that the Imperial Guards escorting the Emperor would be formidable.

That was why they had chosen the most skilled warriors from their families.

The same was true for Hwangbo-yun.

However, the Imperial Guards, as well as the servants, were much stronger than the two had anticipated.

They had no choice but to be strong.

They were not the Imperial Guards of the Imperial Family.

‘Salmak [a fictional assassin organization]? These guys are assassins from Salmak!’

Zhuge Shin recognized their identities by the martial arts techniques they were using.

Salmak, an infamous assassination organization.

They had been active whenever the martial world was in turmoil, but they had not appeared recently because there had been no major conflicts in the martial world.

But to think they were attached to Jo Won-gyun’s faction!

“Kuh-ack! My, my eyes…!”

“Be careful! They’re using poison!”

The assassins of Salmak were not only skilled but also adept at using poison and various hidden weapons.

As a result, the number of warriors that Zhuge Shin and Hwangbo-yun had brought was decreasing.

At this rate, they would be annihilated… no, the Emperor’s safety would be in danger.

‘I made a mistake. I should have investigated and prepared more!’

It was then, as Hwangbo-yun was lamenting, that it happened.

“You villains!”

Suddenly, a warrior wearing a bamboo hat rushed in from behind with a thunderous shout.

He used a spear as his weapon, and each time he swung it, the assassins of Salmak were sent flying far away, spitting blood.

The assassins then concentrated their attacks on him, throwing poison and hidden weapons.

However, the bamboo hat warrior was much faster.

When he threw the spear in his hand, it flew through the air like a living dragon, piercing the necks and chests of the assassins.

Shuaaaaaaak-!

“Kuh-ack!”

“Keck!”

“Kuaaack!”

‘I, Igi Spear [a fictional spear technique]!’

Zhuge Shin and Hwangbo-yun’s eyes widened at his terrifying skill.

“N-No way. That person is…!”

“Run away! It’s Red Dragon King Lee Yung-mu!”

Lee Yung-mu, the Red Dragon King, who was currently revered as the strongest master in the martial world, not only in the Song Empire.

He was the only one who could use the Igi Spear so skillfully.

The assassins who recognized him ran away with their tails between their legs.

Then, Lee Yung-mu threw his spear into the sky.

The spear, which had soared as if piercing the sun, split into dozens and rained down on the heads of the fleeing assassins.

“Kuh-ack!”

“Keeeeeeck!”

Zhuge Shin and Hwangbo-yun were speechless at the sight of the assassins being annihilated in the blink of an eye.

Even Zhuge Shin, who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts and considered himself a master, felt that he wouldn’t last three moves against Lee Yung-mu.

“You two were too hasty.”

When Lee Yung-mu, who had retrieved his spear, approached and spoke, the two quickly regained their senses.

“We are ashamed. If it weren’t for the General, we don’t know what would have happened…”

The two immediately bowed their heads and expressed their gratitude.

“But how did the General know to come here?”

“It’s a mistake to think that only you have birds or mice eavesdropping. I’ll tell you the details later, so let’s quickly move His Majesty to a safe place.”

At Lee Yung-mu’s words, Hwangbo-yun and Zhuge Shin hurriedly took the Emperor’s family and left the scene.

Although things had gone a little awry from the initial plan, they had succeeded in rescuing the Emperor.

Now, all that remained was to wait for Prince Jo Won-rak to enter the capital.