Rumors
Gu Sam and No Chil were the commanders of the 4th and 5th passes of the Tianyu Empire, respectively. The region where the passes were built was called Galdaechon, a vast plain blessed with water sources, making it ideal for agriculture.
The appearance of demonic beasts was rare, and the only concern was that if the river froze in winter, the nomadic tribes might attempt to cross it. However, from the orcs' perspective, if they didn't first break through the 3rd pass guarded by Yuhyeon, they would be surrounded by the forces that had come out from Pamagok, making the risk of encirclement high. So far, they had never suffered major damage.
"Brother No Chil, speaking of which, about that Yuhyeon fellow."
"Hm? The commander of the penal garrison, the younger brother of Jang Mu?"
"Little brother? Actually, he was a convict soldier who deceived the central managers."
"Is that so?"
"Exactly! Anyway, ever since his younger brother stepped on it a few years ago, it's been surprisingly quiet. Have you heard any news?"
Gu Sam, who was pouring warm liquor for the woman he had brought from the nearby village and turned into a convict, asked. No Chil rubbed his beard and thought for a moment.
"Well... Ah! Speaking of which, I heard from the quartermaster that the rations requested from the 3rd pass have definitely been reduced."
"Hoho, it seems my little brother's warning has had a definite effect."
No Chil wasn't there at the time, but he knew that the commanders of the border penal garrisons near the border had gone to Yuhyeon to warn him. The more Yuhyeon treated the convicts well, the more dissatisfied the penal conscripts under their passes became, so from No Chil's perspective, it was not a bad result.
However, there was one thing that bothered him.
"Clearly, he trampled the farmland, didn't he?"
"That's right. I wanted to burn it down, but that would only make things worse."
"Then where did he get the rations to survive that winter?"
It wasn't the era of chemical fertilizers. The harsh climate also played a part, and to revive the destroyed farmland, it would take at least three years of dedicated farming.
The reeds along the river outside the pass were all withered, dressed in yellow. How had he endured the freezing cold for such a long time without food?
Unlike No Chil, who had doubts, Gu Sam casually removed the woman's clothes.
"Brother, you have a lot of thoughts. It's not like you're reducing the number of mouths to feed."
"Hm, true. That would be the most natural."
In a situation where food was scarce and they couldn't request from other passes due to their eyes, the result was obvious as day. Most likely, most of the convicts couldn't withstand the cold and hunger and crossed the three rivers.
No Chil, who couldn't come up with another solution with his agricultural knowledge, concluded that way.
"Anyway, it's fortunate that Yuhyeon collapsed."
"Why is that?"
"Because there will be big changes here soon."
After five years of civil war, the new Heavenly Emperor took the imperial seal. The owner was the illegitimate son of the previous Heavenly Emperor, shattering everyone's expectations.
The actions the new Heavenly Emperor, whose political position was extremely unstable, would take to stabilize the chaotic situation were predetermined. One of them was to conquer the lands of the orcs.
Unlike the warlords near the capital or local magnates, there was no prominent power holder on the border where the 13 passes were installed. What was overflowing were only convicts and demonic beasts.
"What does that have to do with Yuhyeon?"
"You little bastard! From the new Heavenly Emperor's perspective, this expedition must succeed. Who would he give command to!"
To unify all the passes in the border into one command structure, a person was needed to command the forces. A famous general from the center might be dispatched, but most died during the civil war. The remaining warlords weren't based on the Heavenly Emperor's political foundation, so there were much higher voices of opposition to the conquest itself.
In such a situation, if he forced the expedition with the military power in his hands? There was a not insignificant probability that a terrible thing would happen from the Heavenly Emperor's perspective.
The commander-in-chief suddenly had a big resolve near the border, turned the flag around, and headed straight to the capital. He would overthrow the country and remake the national name from scratch.
Such long-standing history often happened before the empire was established.
"Eventually, the one who has accomplished the most merits among us will be given a higher position to command the pass commanders. Even to distribute the power concentrated among the clans."
"That's right."
"From what I heard, it's also said to be the position of Commander of the Army."
"Hah!?"
On the military side, it's Commander of the Army. But in common parlance, it's Grand Marshal.
Together with the commander of the imperial guards guarding the capital where the Heavenly Emperor resides, it was the highest position among the key military posts.
It had the unbelievable right to independently conduct diplomacy against the orcs outside the Central Plains, as well as land cultivation, tax collection, various ceremonies, etc. in the entire border region. In over 500 years of imperial history, it had only been appointed twice, and both were famous generals who left their names in history. At this time, it didn't suit, but in terms of greed, it couldn't be compared.
"Hah, hah! I see. If we had left it as is, it would have been given to some weird fellow!"
"That's right? I heard that the gathered military power was quite a lot."
Gu Sam kept clearing his throat repeatedly, turning his happy circuit. In his imagination, he was already wearing a suitable general's robe and hat, commanding the great army from the city wall.
"That's all old talk. Ah, this is not the time. So, it means we have to step on the orc bastards soon, right? We need to train the garrison guards."
Since they were convicts and didn't know when they would rebel, Gu Sam didn't give weapons to the convicts. Instead, he had the soldiers guard the pass.
He had to clean the rusty weapons and inspect the military horses. While barely holding a party, the things that needed to be done immediately tangled in his head and spilled out through his mouth.
"First, I should request to increase the supply from the quartermaster. If they hear this, the other commanders will scramble to secure supplies without delay... "
"Big trouble!"
At that moment, a soldier opened the door hurriedly and shouted.
"What's the matter?"
"A, demonic beasts have appeared in Galdaechon! Two of them!"
"What, with just two demonic beasts making such a fuss!"
However, when they came out to see, they weren't demonic beasts worth calling out. Two giant snakes were rampaging everywhere.
Every time the tail whipped, the bodies of the soldiers who turned to stone fell one by one. Gu Sam and No Chil, who were dumbfounded, shouted at the soldiers.
"Quickly request support from the nearby pass!"
"Where to contact!? The closest... 3rd, 3rd pass! Send a dispatch to where Yuhyeon is! Hurry!"
*
"Yuhyeon Commander."
"Hm?"
"A dispatch has arrived at the relay station in Pamagok. Gu Sam and No Chil seem to have sent messengers."
"Other passes are the same. They are sending simultaneous support requests."
Park Gyu must be taking care of the kids. I stood up, facing the cold wind.
It was said that the revenge of a gentleman takes ten years, but I was a little boy, so five years was an eternity.
It had been that long since the appearance of the Grade 3 demonic beast, the Seokhwasa, resembling a basilisk in Pamagok. Last time, they reported that two small snakes appeared outside the pass a while ago.
Unlike then, most of the subordinates knew how to handle Tugi, so there was no need to worry. I called a man who could be called my left arm, along with Park Gyu.
"Chunsik."
"Commander. My name is Jo Un. It's the name given by the lady of our Seo clan, the lord of Wunjung Castle, meaning 'Dragon that protects the clouds'. Since I was an orphan when I was young, after she took me in, I greeted her every day without missing a day, and even in Pamagok, I greeted every morning towards Wunjung Castle..."
"Yes, Chunsik. Go and bring Yeonri."
"Kuk, understood."
What are you saying? While you're under me, you're Chunsik.
I don't know who his previous master was, but seeing that he still wanted to return even after quite some time, he seemed to have deep loyalty. The kid had a handsome face, trustworthy personality, and above all, as a tournament-winning general who mastered Tugi faster than anyone, my greed was piqued.
While pondering for about an hour if there was a way to extend Chunsik's lifespan by about 30 years, Chunsik returned with Yeonri on his back.
"Have you called, Commander Yuhyeon."
"I heard that a dispatch arrived."
"I'll check the owl I left at the relay station."
The fastest communication between passes was riding a horse. But basically, it took several days, and the place where I and two others were was quite far from Pamagok, so it wouldn't be strange even if it took several times the time to receive and send one contact.
But when Yeonri, who had descended from the horse, gently closed her eyes and opened them, she could immediately convey the situation at the relay station. Thanks to the Tugi she had mastered.
"How did you learn that?"
"I worked hard."
"I don't think it's something that can be learned through hard work."
The part I guessed was that for several years, she had been busily collecting my laundry from the other servants. Did she absorb even the Qi on my sweat? She never told me herself.
"...I sent an owl to the relay station near the 4th pass upon hearing the news from Chunsik. Shall I deliver it right away?"
"Yes."
I don't know how she learned Tugi, but Yeonri's ability was a great help for me to be able to leave Pamagok. It was the power to control crows instantly.
By sharing the crows installed at the relay station with her senses, I could quickly grasp the situation of distant places. It was an unbelievable ability to communicate directly.
The only drawback was that for conversation, I had to borrow Yeonri's mouth and ears. She, holding a crow's foot, whispered softly into my ear while bending her waist.
'Commander Yuhyeon, isn't it time to find a marriage partner?'
If she herself uttered lies or made up words, there was no way to judge the truth. Of course, this was a lie.
"Stop joking."
"I'm sorry. Since I committed a serious offense, I'll readily accept even if my lifespan is extended by 100 years."
I don't like that.
The Chunsik I wanted to keep by my side was becoming free every day, while someone was trying to follow to the grave. Even from the point I killed the basilisk, the number of years added by his own mouth changed. Of course, it wasn't actually reflected.
"Let's hear it again."
Knowing that I had rejected her joke twice, Yeonri this time properly conveyed the situation of the 4th pass.
Her voice was calm like a quiet lake, and whenever the ripples created by her breath mixed, it created an alluring tone. But after a bit of brainwashing, it started to sound like No Chil and Gu Sam's words.
'Listen, Commander Yuhyeon! Can you hear me now?'
'I sent a request for support, but suddenly sending crows flying! What are you doing right now!'