Send Me Back - 2
The Jiayu Commandant took my freshly awakened state into account and gave me a terse rundown of what had happened in as few words as possible. The moment I collapsed, Koke Temur and his Mongols had retreated, and the strike force returned to Jiayu Pass a few hours after the enemy withdrawal.
"Holpilel, who founded the Yuan, once fought a civil war with his younger brother Ariq Boke. Though Ariq Boke lost, he was forgiven and allowed to govern the western Mongol regions. That was about a century ago, so remnants of Ariq Boke's descendants and supporters still linger out west."
I frowned at the historical backdrop, which explained the strike force's return just as well. The current Mongol leader was Holpilel's descendant—that is, Kublai's line. But with Kublai's heirs having lost the Central Plains and fled north of the Great Wall, it handed Ariq Boke's western factions the perfect chance to question their leader's competence.
That's why the Mongols had used us to purge their internal dissidents. To restore the shaken authority and order after losing the Central Plains.
No wonder they poked around all the way to Jiayu Pass.
Listening to the Jiayu Commandant, I could piece together why Koke Temur had shown up here. The Great Khan had staged a performance to craft his alibi. His top expert had marched to Jiayu Pass to inflict massive damage on the Central Plains, but crafty Central Plains dogs exploited the gap to strike Mongol's southwest. He turned back too late and tragically failed to save his tribes—that sort of excuse.
Of course, it wasn't airtight. Anyone who thought about it would spot the holes. The Ariq Boke loyalists in the west would probably grind their teeth and call bullshit.
But their cries would fall on deaf ears.
What could they do? Yangyang Wang's strike force had gloriously torched the Mongol southwest, further cowed the already marginalized Ariq Boke faction. No matter how flimsy the pretext, they lacked the power to refute it. Rebukes aren't about logic—they're about having the muscle to topple your foe.
"We got completely played."
"Sadly, yes. We did strike a blow against the Mongols, but we've ended up fortifying a Mongol empire that could have spiraled into civil war."
The Jiayu Commandant murmured regretfully at my assessment. He was right. Sure, many tribes were wiped out and the steppes burned—their total power had diminished. But factoring in those tribes as potential rebels, the Mongol court's authority had actually risen.
With the enemy of my enemy...?
I nearly let out a bitter laugh. Who could've guessed we'd play barbarian to get played by barbarians?
"That said, it might be a blessing in disguise. Thanks to Yangyang Wang's early return, we could stabilize the Left Vice Inspector General's meridians. Something even I couldn't manage."
"No need for shame. This was the aftermath of a Hwagyeong master. It'd be weirder if a peak expert like you could suppress it."
I offered a smile to the bitter Jiayu Commandant—well, I tried to nod, but damn, I still couldn't move my head. Anyway, reassurance. If a chojoljeong could patch up wounds from a Hwagyeong master, that would be the anomaly.
"I remember how bravely you raised your sword before Cheolmok. You did everything in your power."
A faint smile tugged at the Jiayu Commandant's lips. Comfort from a victim seemed to ease his mind a bit.
"One thing I'm curious about, sir."
"Ask away. I'll answer everything I know."
"His Highness mentioned a spirit beast's antler earlier..."
"Ah."
"Hmm..."
The Jiayu Commandant and Jo Wi-cheo sighed in unison, as if on cue. Anxiety bubbled up.
"...Did something go wrong?"
Seeing that, I feared the worst. Had something happened to Kki-ing-i while I was out? Did they lop off her antler to stabilize my meridians? That would be disastrous. The poor thing already had massive trauma from a Hwagyeong master like Gu Gangwang. Losing her antler to Yangyang Wang would shatter her mentally—no surprise there—
"The spirit beast broke off her own antler. Truly loyal and clever."
"...?"
"Pardon?"
"We were shocked too. Slamming her antler into the wall for her master's sake—it was heartbreaking. Must've hurt like hell, but she didn't stop until it snapped."
I stared blankly at Jo Wi-cheo, who nodded confirmation.
"The right antler broke off. No other wounds or side effects, and she's been fine right up to your awakening."
His details drew a hollow chuckle from me. Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i saw me as their benefactor, sure, but sacrificing her own antler? Unthinkable.
She was obsessed with those horns.
Bittersweetness washed over me. Kki-ing-i had always been proud of her antlers. She'd nuzzle closer when I stroked them, begging for more, and she'd stare at her reflection in lakes or rivers whenever we passed one. And now she'd snapped one off. For me.
At least deer antlers regrow... but did that apply when snapped by physical force rather than shedding naturally? My memory was foggy post-wakeup. Even if it did, she'd be a unicorn for months.
"Wi-cheo."
"Yes, sir."
"Feed her plenty until I can move around."
"Already on a meat-heavy diet."
Exactly what I wanted. I closed my eyes peacefully.
When I opened them again, six pairs of eyes greeted me.
What the—
I flinched, then chuckled at the culprits. Samshik coiled beside my face. A baby mak with front paws on the bed, sniffing eagerly. Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i peering through the inexplicably open window.
"Worried about me much?"
- Kki-ing!Kki-i-ing!
- Kki-o-ong!
- Shiiik!
- Buoooong!
The chorus of cries made my head spin, but I couldn't stop grinning. What a sight. Four spirit beasts trailing me, all fretting over little old me. I could call myself a spirit beast master anywhere now.
"I'm fine, so head back and rest. Eaten yet?"
Instead of answering, Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i craned their necks to lick my face. Normally gross, but right now? Welcome. That missing antler weighed on me.
- Buoo! Buooo!
- Shiiiik!
Samshik and the mak piled on next. Guys... four tongues at once makes breathing hard...
"Left Vice Inspector General."
"Your Highness?"
While enduring four—no, six tongues thanks to Samshik—Yangyang Wang entered.
"Good, you're awake. I have urgent questions for the Left Vice Inspector General."
My face beast-covered and bizarre, yet Yangyang Wang continued unfazed.
"Ah, yes. Ask away."
"The report to His Majesty is done. Covered Cheolmok's appearance and your internal injuries fully."
Yangyang Wang sighed softly, unfurling a letter in his hand.
"But for Ak Wang... no idea what to write. His granddaughter's husband vanishes, he demands answers—I can't dodge forever."
"Ah."
His words jolted me awake. Ten days unconscious meant no letters sent. Ak I-yeon worrying was natural; her fidgeting would naturally rile Ak Wang. Dizzying, but reassuring—he hadn't spilled everything yet.
"What should I say?"
Yangyang Wang couldn't very well tell Ak Wang, "Your granddaughter's husband? Pissed off Cheolmok, got backlash from Silence Hell, been out cold?" So he'd stalled. Fine by me. Better than a rampaging Ak Wang upon my awakening.
... Now what?
Trouble was, I had no good plan. Lying was the worst option. The emperor's report had everything; word of a top Mongol crossing the border would reach Ak Wang inevitably. He'd learn of my injuries anyway—hiding it would enrage him more.
But spilling honestly? Terrifying. Hit a Hwagyeong master with repeated Silence Hell and took backlash? One who wasn't even trying to kill me? Ak Wang would storm Jiayu Pass, railing from "Are you insane?" to "Making my granddaughter a widow?" nonstop.
Headache city.
Every choice led to hell. Damn you, Koke Temur, dumping this nightmare on me before vanishing.
"...Tell him everything."
"You sure? Might make you wish you were unconscious again."
I nearly nodded on reflex.
"I'm sure. I've worried them ten days already—no more burden."
"Understood. If that's your call."
Yangyang Wang nodded, convinced by my sane response. Right. Face the unavoidable head-on. And for Ak I-yeon's sake, after ten days awaiting word, this was proper.
"Left Vice Inspector General."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Not sure it'll help, but if Ak Wang blames you, I'll defend you as best I can."
Words like a heavenly host—I nearly teared up.
Yangyang Wang sent the reply. It detailed how his granddaughter's husband had clashed with Cheolmok, used Silence Hell on him, suffered backlash, and been unconscious for ten days.
That damned fool.
I ground my teeth, incinerating the letter with Samadhi Truefire. I'd thought he hadn't inherited Giwang's mad blood fully. Turns out he got it all—the raving lunatic.
Guess I'd have to go yell at him myself.