Deep Nightmare - 3
Yangyang Wang, a Hwa-gyeong high master, and Weiguk Gong, one of the top super peak experts. Leading them were over a dozen super peak masters and nearly a hundred peak realm warriors.
That's insane.
Seeing all these experts assemble at Jiayu Pass in an instant filled me with awe. With this kind of force, they could overrun an average city or fortress in half a day. Of course, if the target had a Hwa-gyeong master holding the line, it would be a different story altogether. But the Mongols only have one Hwa-gyeong left.
Just as Daesong's Hwa-gyeong masters were called the Daesong Twelve Great Masters, the Mongol Hwa-gyeong experts of old were known as the Three Great Masters of the World. Only one of them survived to this day. In original history, he was the last great Mongol general, their shield who fought to the end—and even now, he reigned as the Mongols' greatest swordsman: Koke Temur—or in Hanja, Kkokgakcheopmoka. He was the only one left.
Of course, it had been quite some time since the Mongols were driven north of the Great Wall. A new Hwa-gyeong could have emerged in the interim, but in real history, once Koke Temur died, the Mongols couldn't hold back the Ming's northern expeditions. It didn't seem likely they'd produced another warrior on his level.
We can crush them one-sidedly.
That's why Yangyang Wang's forces would sweep through the Mongol borderlands unchecked. Their sole Hwa-gyeong master couldn't just abandon the capital on a whim.
That said, we couldn't inflict any meaningful damage on the Mongols either. Between Jiayu Pass and Mongolia stretched the vast Gobi Desert, and even if you crossed it, endless steppes awaited. The environment was ill-suited for Yangyang Wang's unit to operate long-term or even sustain themselves on-site.
But that was enough. Smashing the tribes near the border would definitively block any Mongol forces from descending on Jiayu Pass. They couldn't march down here while scrambling to reinforce from the heartlands.
"We don't need to chase reckless gains in this battle. It's about shattering their image of us as mere defenders and etching into the Mongol minds that we can advance north at any moment."
This wasn't just my thinking. Yangyang Wang, who had temporarily commandeered the Jiayu Commandant's office, clearly stated the objective of this border skirmish. It was purely to threaten the Mongols—no need to overextend for merits.
"Your Highness, may I speak?"
"Speak."
Weiguk Gong, who had been silent during Yangyang Wang's proclamation, now spoke up cautiously.
"When we encounter Mongol tribes, should we focus on annihilation or capture?"
"Annihilate them all, beasts included. We need mobility for this, so we can't afford extra baggage."
Weiguk Gong nodded in understanding at the firm reply. As Yangyang Wang said, they had to cross the desert and shake the steppes. Dragging prisoners or loot would only slow them down.
"But don't feel shortchanged. I'll grant fitting rewards to all who join this fight, and His Majesty will commend you as well. No need to chase petty gains."
"Oh ho, a rare chance to raid Your Highness's coffers. I look forward to it."
Weiguk Gong's quip drew laughter throughout the office. Even a duke bantering so freely with a king might seem rude, but their private friendship made it fine. Yangyang Wang and Weiguk Gong were near the same age and had been close comrades during the founding wars.
"A duke, and still eyeing others' wealth."
"Haha, have mercy. If my coffers matched that guy's in Hubei, that would be the real problem."
Yangyang Wang burst out laughing at that. As long as Weiguk Gong stayed clean, he'd have a lifetime supply from Yangyang Wang's treasury.
"Fine. I'll keep close tabs on every Mongol head you take."
Matching the mood, Yangyang Wang made a hearty declaration, his gaze eventually turning to me.
Why me, at this timing? He wasn't planning to drag me to Mongolia too, was he? I was a civil official in name, not a military one.
I'm just a first-rate lightweight.
With Hwa-gyeong, super peak, and peak experts all around, why pick on a first-rate...?
"Left Vice Inspector General."
"Yes, Your Highness. Speak."
I couldn't very well ask a king, 'Why the look?' So I bowed my head obediently.
"I hear the Inspector Escort who travels with the Left Vice Inspector General is a super peak master."
Ah.
His follow-up made it click. He was interested in Jo Wi-cheo, not me.
"The Inspector Escort is a loyal servant who tours the realm with the Left Vice Inspector General, rooting out His Majesty's worries. I can't demand a servant on duty join the campaign, but one super peak master would be a great help."
"As a warrior of Daesong, the Inspector Escort surely yearns to punish the northern bandits disrupting the realm's peace. I'll ask him to join the campaign."
"I'm pleased the Left Vice Inspector General says so."
Yangyang Wang rose from his seat, satisfied with my response.
"We deploy in three days. Again—no chasing excessive merits or eyeing loot."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The gathered masters bowed in unison at his final emphasis. It felt like foreshadowing for some greedy fool causing trouble, but with the king and duke watching hawk-eyed, no lunatic here would dare. You couldn't rise high enough to stand in their presence without that much sense.
Per Yangyang Wang's request, I mentioned the campaign to Jo Wi-cheo. For him, accepting or refusing either worked. Accepting made him the "loyal servant who joined despite duties"; refusing, the "patriotic servant who couldn't abandon his post." No backlash either way.
"Join the campaign... you say?"
Jo Wi-cheo, feeding Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i, pondered calmly.
"As a Daesong warrior, defeating northern bandits is an honor. But if I go, won't you be left alone, my lord?"
His matter-of-fact reply revealed his concern. Who would guard me while he rampaged the border with Yangyang Wang? If the skirmish dragged on, I'd have to roam alone elsewhere.
A valid worry. If he'd accepted without it, I'd wonder if he held a grudge.
"You'll be at Jiayu Pass, so no need to fret about protection. The Jiayu Commandant and his entire force might as well be my escort."
"That's true, but..."
"No worries on return either. From what Yangyang Wang said, it'll just be a few days' activity before coming back."
Jo Wi-cheo then weighed it seriously. With his concerns addressed, he had no reason to refuse. If anything, it was a chance to sync with a Hwa-gyeong like Yangyang Wang and a veteran super peak like Weiguk Gong. For Jo Wi-cheo, freshly ascended to super peak, it was fateful fortune to gain experience.
"...If it's fine with you, my lord, I'll go."
"Don't overdo it. Stick to Yangyang Wang's orders, and the rewards will be generous."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Maybe even a promotion—"
His eyes dimmed at "promotion." Pity. Promotions usually symbolized advancement and glory, but Jo Wi-cheo, stuck beside me, had no attachment to them. He'd realized roaming the provinces made them meaningless.
He'd celebrate if we returned to the capital...
People really need to live in the capital.
Mornings for martial training, afternoons for civil service studies. I devoted the day to practice and scholarship, but meals were always with family. Otherwise, no time to see them.
Besides, during my qi deviation aftermath, I couldn't even join them despite wanting to. I ate alone in my room. Thinking back made me carve out time no matter how busy.
"Yangyang Wang and Weiguk Gong are heading to Jiayu Pass, I hear."
Thus, as the Akwang household gathered for the meal today, Grandfather spoke plainly.
"Eh, to Jiayu Pass?"
Father reacted first to Grandfather's words mid-meal. He usually did when Grandfather spoke then—discussing politics with Akwangga's crown prince.
"Mongol forces have appeared near Jiayu Pass lately. Not once, but several times, so His Majesty couldn't stand idle."
"Still, Yangyang Wang stepping up is unexpected. The Jiayu Commandant lacks experience but is said to be a fine general. For contingencies, isn't Weiguk Gong enough?"
"More than enough—overkill, even. Weiguk Gong is so capable he'll likely be posthumously enfeoffed as a king."
"No, discussing a hale man's posthumous honors already..."
Undeterred by Father's awkward reaction, Grandfather continued.
"But the Mongols did something extraordinary, so Yangyang Wang was deployed. If that fellow and the Jiayu Commandant hadn't spotted it early, it would've been a disaster."
"That fellow...? Ah, you mean the son-in-law."
My chopsticks froze at "son-in-law."
"Haha, it's our son-in-law indeed. Standing out even from distant Jiayu Pass."
"Standing out, yes. Turning a potential full-scale war into a border skirmish is no small feat—"
"War?"
I interrupted the king and crown prince's conversation. Unthinkable rudeness, even among family. But I couldn't stay silent.
Border skirmish—war. Isn't Gaga at Jiayu Pass...?
Yangyang Wang and Weiguk Gong went to Jiayu Pass, and if a skirmish broke there, what about Gaga? Would my child get dragged into war too?
"Ye, Yeon-i, don't worry too much. The fighting will be on the Mongol steppes, not Jiayu Pass."
As my hands began to tremble, Grandfather hurriedly soothed me.
"Even if battle reaches Jiayu Pass, he's a civil official. No frontline duty, and with Hwa-gyeong Yangyang Wang beside him, nothing can go wrong."
"R-Really...?"
"Of course. Has this old man ever lied to our Yeon-i?"
Grandfather's comfort eased my mind. As he said, Gaga would be safe. But my heart still raced uneasily. It pounded wildly, eyes heating unbeknownst to me.
Gaga...
Gaga, you're really safe, right?