Chapter 36. The Governor's Summons
"General! Thank you! The Ikho Army is the best!"
The road back to Damyang was a path of flowers. Not literally strewn with petals, but the cheers from the people lining the streets were more dazzling than any bloom.
The news of saving seven hundred righteous army soldiers at Geumsan Castle and annihilating the Japanese forces had already swept through all of Honam on the wind. I was no longer just the tough guy from the neighborhood. I was the guardian deity of Honam, the "Ikho General."
"Straighten your shoulders. You're the heroes."
At my words, the Ikho Army soldiers, caked in dirt, puffed out their chests. Choi Ga was practically sticking his nose up to the sky.
"See that? I'm Choi Ga, leader of the Ikho Army!"
As we arrived at the inn, Seo Baek-seol came rushing out.
"You're back? Any injuries?"
"I'm fine. Just feed me. I'm starving to death."
"Always thinking about food..."
Seo Baek-seol rolled her eyes, but a smile played on her lips. She knew it too—every time I returned victorious, the value of her merchant company (Ikho Corporation) skyrocketed.
The next few days were peaceful. Those who had fought rested from the battle's fatigue, Yeong-gyu Daesa recovered, broken weapons were repaired, and merits were rewarded.
Jo Heon and Yeong-gyu Daesa stayed in Damyang for a few days to reorganize. On the day they departed, the two approached me with solemn faces.
"Protect Honam yourself. I must head to Chungcheong Province."
"Chungcheong? Isn't that crawling with Japanese already?"
"Exactly why I must go. They've seized Cheongju Castle and are ravaging Chungcheong. I'll reclaim it, gather more righteous troops, and march on Hanyang."
Jo Heon's eyes burned with resolve. It wasn't mere stubbornness—it was the determination of a patriot bent on reconnecting the kingdom's waist and carving a path to the king.
I glanced at Yeong-gyu Daesa standing beside him.
"Are you going too, monk?"
Yeong-gyu Daesa chuckled deeply and hoisted his massive iron staff.
"Where the needle goes, the thread follows, doesn't it? And this life you saved me at Geumsan—shouldn't I use it for Buddha, and for the people of this land?"
"You two... no point trying to stop you."
"Haha, don't worry. I've learned from you—no more meaningless deaths. We'll meet again, alive."
Jo Heon departed north with his seven hundred righteous soldiers and warrior monks. Of course, before leaving, he embarrassed me by saying, "You're like a son to me."
Just as I thought peace had returned after sending off those reliable but noisy allies, it shattered three days later.
"A messenger from the Jeolla Governor's Office has arrived!"
Jeonju Castle. The administrative heart of Honam, seat of Jeolla Governor Lee Gwang.
The messenger thrust out the letter with an arrogant air.
Present yourself immediately at the Jeonju Governor's Office.
The message was brief. But the intent between the lines was clear: 'You've grown too big lately. Come kneel and submit to me.'
"Are you going?"
Na Dae-yong asked with a worried look.
"Lee Gwang's reputation isn't great. He fled in defeat from the Yungin battle. He's a coward full of suspicions. Rather than welcoming a fierce general like you, he'll fear you."
"Exactly. It's dangerous. They might imprison you under the pretext of disbanding private armies or seize our troops."
Seo Baek-seol was vehemently against it. Mi-ryeong clung to my clothes, shaking her head no.
"No, Uncle. If you go, you won't come back."
Everyone tried to dissuade me. But I brushed off the letter and stood.
"I have to go. He summoned me."
"What? Are you sane?"
"If I don't, I'll be branded a traitor. Ignore a summons? 'He defies orders? Rebel!' Perfect setup for a frame job."
I grinned.
"Besides, if I'm going, I won't go empty-handed."
"What are you taking? Bribes?"
"No. Not bribes—gifts."
I pointed to the black beasts parked in the courtyard.
"The Hyeonmu. I'm bringing all three."
"......Pardon?"
"Gotta show them. That if I want, I could smash through Jeonju Castle's gates. Keeps any funny ideas at bay."
It was blackmail. A blatant show of force.
'Lee Gwang—that pathetic general from the history books.' The one who led tens of thousands to rescue the king in Hanyang, only to scatter without a fight at the sight of a few Japanese troops.
For a coward like that, fear was the best medicine.
"Choi Ga! Assemble the men! We're heading to Jeonju!"
"Yes, sir!"
—
Jeonju Castle's south gate. A guard on the walls rubbed his eyes.
"W-what is that?"
A procession approached, kicking up dust. Banners fluttered. Flags reading Ikho.
And at the front...
"M-monster! Iron monsters rolling in!"
Hyeonmu Units 1, 2, and 3. Black-armored tanks with ogre horns leading, roared forward. Their menace rivaled the terror the Japanese had felt.
"Open the gates! General Kim Deok-ryeong of Damyang has arrived!"
Choi Ga's bellow shook the walls.
The gatekeeper floundered in panic. Open or not? But there was no cause to bar one summoned by the governor.
Creeeak—thud.
The gates swung open. We entered with heads high.
Jeonju's people poured into the streets. "That's the cart the tiger-slaying general rides!" "They say the Japanese pissed themselves at the sight!"
Each pass of the Hyeonmu shook the ground. To the people, the iron behemoths were reassuring; to the government troops, a threat.
The governor's office courtyard. Hundreds of soldiers stood in formation, spears ready. An attempt at intimidation. But as the three Hyeonmu rolled in, their morale crumpled.
"Park 'em."
At my order, the Hyeonmu halted facing the government hall. Their muzzles aimed squarely at the veranda where the governor sat.
I slung Mi-ryeong over my shoulder and leaped down.
"Kim Deok-ryeong, Commander of Damyang Righteous Army, pays respects to the Governor!"
I infused my voice with power.
The veranda doors opened. Lee Gwang emerged. Pale face. Gaunt frame. His eyes flickered uneasily. He gulped at the sight of the iron beasts filling the yard.
"Y-you're Deok-ryeong?"
"Yes, sir. You summoned me."
"You must be tired from the journey. But... what are those hideous iron lumps?"
"Hideous? They're the top contributors to smashing the Japanese. Thought I'd show them off to you, sir, and clear up any misunderstandings."
"Misunderstandings?"
"Yeah. Like, 'If he turns those on us, we're done'—that sort."
I smiled. Polite words, but the subtext screamed: Touch me, and these will flatten you.
Lee Gwang's face turned ashen. He knew those tanks could plow through his troops and crush him if I willed it.
"A-hem! As if. I know your loyalty well enough."
Lee Gwang forced a smile.
"I summoned you to commend your valor and offer you an official post."
"A post?"
"Yes. You'll be Assistant Defense Commander under me. Join the government army and serve my orders."
As expected. Dangle a title, swallow my army whole. As assistant, I'd be his subordinate—no more independent ops.
"Thank you, but I'll decline."
"W-what? You defy the governor's command?"
Lee Gwang glared. Nearby soldiers gripped spears tighter. Tension thickened.
I stepped forward.
"Let's be frank, sir."
"What nonsense?"
"Why'd you lose at Yungin, sir?"
"......!!"
Lee Gwang's eyes bulged. How dare he mention my defeat?
"Command was a mess, right? Gather tens of thousands of rabble—doesn't matter if the leader's incompetent; they all die."
I gestured to my Ikho elites behind me.
"I trained my men. They obey me. They'd die on my word. Suddenly under you? They won't listen. Might even cause trouble."
"Y-you insolent...!"
"And me."
I thumped my chest.
"I hate being ordered around. I fight my way, win my way. That's best for you too—victories are your credit, losses mine."
I drove it home.
"Just support us a bit. We eat a lot."
Blackmail and deal: Don't try to control me. Let me be your blade.
Lee Gwang wavered. He wanted to behead the arrogant punk, but the tanks and wolfish soldiers terrified him. Above all, Honam lacked defenders. Turn Kim Deok-ryeong enemy? Jeonju could fall tomorrow.
"......Fine."
Lee Gwang sighed.
"Do as you wish. I permit independent action. But! Defeat the enemy or harm civilians, and military law will judge you!"
"No worries. Never learned how to lose."
"How much military fund do you need?"
"A thousand seok of rice. Hundred geun of gunpowder. Five hundred geun of iron."
"Thief! You aim to empty the treasury!"
"Gotta build warships. For Admiral Yi Sun-sin. You gonna block that too?"
Yi Sun-sin's name silenced him. Aiding the navy—the kingdom's sole hope—opposing that would make him a true traitor.
"......Approved. Take it."
"My thanks. You have a big heart, sir."
I bowed deeply.
Mission accomplished. Rejected the post, secured independent command, looted supplies. Perfect victory.
I signaled the Ikho Army. They dashed to the warehouses, loading up. Government troops watched dumbfounded.
"Let's go! Time to earn our keep!"
We exited Jeonju. More supply carts than when we entered.
Outside the gates, Seo Baek-seol waited. She beamed at the rice sacks.
"Wow... you actually got it. You could make a killing in business."
"This is business. Security business."
I climbed atop a Hyeonmu.
"No one in Honam can touch us now. County magistrates, governors—they're all in my palm."
But I knew. The real enemies weren't inside.
North. And across the sea. The war wasn't over.
"Head back. Na Dae-yong must be waiting anxiously."
I tapped the loaded iron. A heavy clang rang out.
"Seeing this, that'll old man'll wanna pull an all-nighter again."
I chuckled and quickened our pace. Behind, Jeonju's massive gates receded.