Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Night of the Decisive Battle
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The Guja River, which divides the heart of the Cha Cha Kingdom east to west, has two tributaries.
The river flowing southeast from the border between the Heavenly Citadel Cha Clan and the Hyeonu Storm Manju Clan is called the Guja Great River, while the one flowing southwest from the midpoint of the Heavenly Citadel Cha Clan territory is called the Guja Small River.
The royal capital stands at the confluence of the Guja River and the Guja Small River. To the east lies the Guja River, while the Guja Small River flows to the north and west, forming a natural moat. The south side, lacking water, was dug out and filled by channeling water from the Guja River and Guja Small River. Thus, entering the royal capital requires crossing the drawbridge spanning the moat.
The carriage carrying Ak Muyoo and Luha arrived before the royal capital around the hour of the Dog.
Right in front of the moat stood a three-zhang-high wall. Dozens of torches blazed along it, illuminating the surroundings brightly.
"The scale of this royal capital is incredible."
Ak Muyoo gazed at it in awe. The southern wall alone seemed at least a hundred zhang long.
"They say the Heavenly Citadel Cha Clan founder lived inside there when he first came here."
"So the southern moat was dug back then too?"
"That's what they say."
Armored guards stood watch before the bridge.
"Welcome."
One of the guards on duty bowed toward the carriage. The path soon cleared, and the carriage crossed the bridge.
At the end of the bridge was the city gate, flanked by more armored figures.
Beyond the gate lay a forest.
"It's two hundred zhang from here to the palace buildings."
Luha said.
"A place this size could hold thousands."
"Yes."
The carriage raced through the forest path.
The path wound sinuously. After some time, it opened up to reveal a vast pond and buildings ahead. The carriage skirted the pond's edge toward them. In the pond's center stood a massive sea turtle statue, water spewing from its mouth.
The palace was a square building with a flat roof.
Its front facade spanned twenty zhang.
"Welcome."
As the carriage halted and the door opened, a man in his sixties greeted the two.
Ak Muyoo alighted first, then offered a hand to help Luha down.
"It's been a while."
Luha greeted him after stepping down from the carriage.
"You've had a hard journey."
The elder bowed again.
"And this is...?"
"Cha Ak Muyoo."
Ak Muyoo greeted him first.
"I am Chamberlain Arak Jangha."
The elder returned the courtesy.
"What sort of position is a chamberlain?"
Ak Muyoo asked Arak Jangha, who bore a slight resemblance to Queen Arak Siru.
"It oversees the royal family's major and minor affairs."
"What other positions does the royal family have?"
"There are the Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Revenue, and Ministry of War, each headed by a Chief Minister."
"And the Grand General?"
"He's called the Chief Minister of War."
"The other three chiefs—are they from other clans?"
"Yes. The Chief Minister of Rites is from the Yellow Dragon Great Heaven Mujak Clan, the Chief Minister of Works from the Cloudmidst Lone Hyeonul Clan, and the Chief Minister of Revenue from the Hyeonu Storm Manju Clan."
"How many soldiers does the royal family command?"
"Five hundred. Two hundred from the various clans guard the palace, while three hundred from the World Subduing Heaven Rak Clan escort Her Highness."
"Call the escort captain."
"Yes."
Arak Jangha summoned someone with instructions.
Moments later, an armored man approached Ak Muyoo and stood at attention. He was massively built. This was the queen's escort captain, Arak Cheonjang.
"Escort Captain Arak Cheonjang reports to the Grand General."
Arak Cheonjang placed his right hand over his chest and bowed.
"Good to meet you. Hold on a moment..."
Ak Muyoo retrieved a box from the carriage and handed it to Arak Jangha.
"A birthday gift for Her Highness."
"I'll deliver it at once."
Arak Jangha passed the box to an attendant nearby.
"You go ahead with the chamberlain."
Ak Muyoo said to Luha.
"Got it."
Luha nodded.
"This way."
Arak Jangha led the way.
"Come on."
Ak Muyoo said to Arak Cheonjang.
"Where shall I escort you?"
"Up to the wall overlooking the Guja Small River."
"Yes."
As Ak Muyoo set off, Ageukta and Cheol Mok followed. Soon, the four reached the wall.
"Hey, report."
Gazing at the river, Ak Muyoo said.
"A hundred hidden in the forest before the palace main gate, a hundred to the left, one hundred fifty to the right, and a hundred behind."
"Where are the Hyeonu Storm Manju Clan soldiers?"
"The hundred in the rear garden."
"How many on guard duty are from the Hyeonu Storm Manju Clan?"
This time, he turned to Arak Cheonjang.
"Fifty."
"So excluding the Hyeonu Storm Manju Clan soldiers, that makes one hundred fifty on guard plus the three hundred fifty escorts—five hundred total."
"Why exclude the Hyeonu Storm Manju Clan?"
Ageukta asked.
"Because I gave them a gift of tonic medicine."
"Tonic?"
"When you get old, your body weakens. A dose of tonic hits the spot."
"You think the head of a great clan lacks money for tonics?"
"It's not the tonic that matters—it's who brought it."
"So, did the tonic work?"
"If things go our way, they won't step in."
"And if we're at a disadvantage?"
"The two clans go down."
"Looks like they're done for."
A low voice drifted from across the river.
"Come up."
At Ak Muyoo's words, two black shadows crossed the Guja Small River using Equal Step Across Flat Water technique. Landing below the wall, they leaped straight up to join them. It was Muk Bu-seong and Seo Haran.
"You look totally different."
Seo Haran licked her lips, sticking out her tongue as she eyed Ak Muyoo.
"That gaze is way too seductive."
"That's what they call a sultry, tempting look, kid."
"Fine, I'll call it sultry. So, what's the situation?"
"Two thousand hidden over there. Turns out they're Yellow Dragon Great Heaven Mujak Clan and Cloudmidst Lone Hyeonul Clan soldiers."
Seo Haran pointed across the river.
"How's their martial arts?"
"Mostly third-rate. Only the leaders have any real training."
"Even so, numbers like that can't be ignored."
Just then, five figures dashed along the wall. It was Mok Woo's group, returned from scouting the other side.
"How's it over there?"
Ak Muyoo asked Mok Woo.
"Twelve hundred New Wind Thousand Li Revolution Clan soldiers across the Guja River. A thousand Hyeonu Storm Manju Clan soldiers waiting in the forest beyond the southern moat."
Mok Woo reported.
Ak Muyoo glanced at Arak Cheonjang.
His face was calmer than expected.
"Not surprised?"
"Her Highness gave me a rough rundown."
"Not scared?"
"No."
"Have the World Subduing Heaven Rak Clan soldiers been mobilized?"
"A thousand are on standby underground in the palace."
"Underground?"
"There's a tunnel from the World Subduing Heaven Rak Clan straight here."
"What if the outsiders turn and attack the World Subduing Heaven Rak Clan?"
"Well..."
Arak Cheonjang's face stiffened.
"First, we isolate the palace."
"How?"
Seo Haran asked.
"We replace all the guards and raise the bridge. Then we send the World Subduing Heaven Rak Clan soldiers underground back to their clan to prepare for invasion. Of course, our Heavenly Citadel Cha Clan soldiers will move to the World Subduing Heaven Rak Clan too."
"Already on the move?"
"Right."
"What about the guards?"
Muk Bu-seong asked.
"There's a warehouse here, right?"
Ak Muyoo turned to Arak Cheonjang.
"Yes."
"Where?"
"Right below this wall. It's not exactly a warehouse—it's where soldiers stand by."
"A space prepared for wartime?"
"Yes."
"Order all guard unit members there. Say the Grand General wants to greet them."
"Understood."
"Muk Bu-seong, go with him."
Muk Bu-seong eyed Ak Muyoo quizzically.
"Kill anyone who doesn't obey."
Ak Muyoo said coldly.
"For real?"
"If they stay there, they'll open the gates for them, and thirty-two hundred will pour in. We might survive somehow, sure. But the Cha Cha Kingdom will be full of families losing fathers and husbands. I want to end this with minimal sacrifice."
"...Got it."
Muk Bu-seong followed Arak Cheonjang.
Ak Muyoo's group descended. As Arak Cheonjang said, there was a vast underground space below the wall. Walls of solid rock, even the door.
"Light some torches."
Ageukta moved along the wall, igniting them. The interior could easily hold hundreds.
Ak Muyoo stood to one side, waiting.
After about the time it takes to eat a meal, the guards began filing in. Those entering eyed Ak Muyoo curiously.
"Form ranks by fives and tens as you enter."
Ak Muyoo said quietly.
The first in lined up, and the rest followed until all were inside. They formed up in groups of fifty.
"Who's the captain?"
"Me."
A burly man stepped forward.
He was Hyeokse Jin Gyeol, nephew to Hyeokse Ul Myeong of the New Wind Thousand Li Revolution Clan. Hyeokse Ul Myeong had placed his nephew as guard captain to spy on palace movements.
"I am the Grand General."
Ak Muyoo met Hyeokse Jin Gyeol's eyes.
"With greetings done, we'd like to leave now."
"You can't leave."
"..."
Hyeokse Jin Gyeol looked at Ak Muyoo puzzled, then asked.
"What's the reason?"
"Tonight's guard duty falls to the escorts. You stay here until morning, then you're free."
"You're imprisoning us?"
"In simple terms, yes."
Ak Muyoo nodded.
"Is this what a Grand General does? I'm not from the Grand General's clan!"
Hyeokse Jin Gyeol bellowed.
In truth, he had a task tonight: opening the gates for the waiting forces outside. To do that, he had to hold the gate.
"The Grand General is a Cha Cha Kingdom title. Are you a Cha Cha Kingdom man or not?"
Ak Muyoo shook his right arm.
Clang!
The Fear Demon slid out from below.
Clack!
He caught it before it fully extended.
"Answer!"
"I heed only the New Wind Thousand Li Revolution Clan patriarch and Her Highness. The Grand General has no authority over me."
"Fine. I'll give you a chance. Draw your weapon and kill me, and no one will interfere with whatever you're planning tonight."
"Planning tonight?"
Hyeokse Jin Gyeol's face hardened.
"So far, only I know. Her Highness is still in the dark. Kill me, and the secret's safe. Those others? They're here because of me—if I'm gone, they couldn't care less if the Cha Cha Kingdom falls and will leave at once. Kill me, do your thing."
Ak Muyoo gestured to Muk Bu-seong's group.
"I won't draw my weapon."
Hyeokse Jin Gyeol shook his head. He knew drawing would mean death. And without it, Ak Muyoo couldn't touch him.
"You have no choice. Draw it."
Ak Muyoo pressed the Fear Demon's edge to Hyeokse Jin Gyeol's throat.
"I won't. Surely you won't kill an unarmed man?"
"Heh!"
Ak Muyoo chuckled.
"What's your name?"
"Hyeokse Jin Gyeol."
"I'll remember it."
Ak Muyoo tightened his grip. The Fear Demon blade dug into Hyeokse Jin Gyeol's neck.
"Gasp!"
Hyeokse Jin Gyeol paled.
"P-Please spare me."
"Too late."
Slash!
Ak Muyoo yanked the Fear Demon mercilessly.
"Arghhh!"
With a agonized scream, Hyeokse Jin Gyeol's head floated up.