For the Sake of the World - 3
Gi Gangwang Jin U-ryang, Dong-gu Wang Jang Sa-seong, Yangyang Wang Maeng An. Every one of the Iseongwangs had gathered in Kaepyeong, excluding Jung San Wang already in Habuk and Nang-jung Wang guarding the southwestern border.
On top of that, even Hyeon-seung, the abbot of Shaolin, and Taegyeok Geomgong, the leader of Wudang, had shown themselves. It was a miraculous event: nine out of the twelve great masters of Daesong assembled in Kaepyeong alone.
Six of them will head out.
Grandfather, Gi Gangwang, Dong-gu Wang, Yangyang Wang, Hyeon-seung, Taegyeok Geomgong. These six would cross the Great Wall and push north.
Originally, the plan included Ak Wang for a total of seven, but he was seen as the final bastion defending the capital. With the beast riots growing fiercer, some expedition forces had to remain within the borders, so it made sense to leave one Hwa-gyeong master behind in Daesong.
Though there was Jwa Do-eosa and the Geum-ui-wi Commandant, those two couldn't focus solely on the war. If they were running around everywhere, the Dochalwon and Geum-ui-wi— the emperor's eyes, ears, and hands— would be paralyzed.
"In three days, we march."
As I watched the sword slumbering in its sheath slowly reveal itself, Grandfather, who had visited Akwangjeo, spoke up casually.
"The expedition army departing from Kaepyeong will join forces with Jung San Wang's troops midway, then split toward Shanhaiguan and Guyongguan. Jiayu Pass will focus on defense during the war."
"I see."
Not just a vague "We're heading out," but specifics on the direction. Of course, compared to the intricate, tightly woven war plans, this was still vague. But to someone stuck staying in Kaepyeong, it hit heavy.
"Then where will you be going, Grandfather?"
"Hm. Probably toward Guyongguan with Aghyeon and Myeong-gyeong."
It was a sensible lineup, so I nodded. Gi Gangwang and Dong-gu Wang's martial styles synergized well, so pairing them was smart. Yangyang Wang and Taegyeok Geomgong were both from Hubei, so they'd mesh naturally. Plus, between the two pairs, the latter was slightly weaker overall.
No matter how strong Yangyang Wang and Taegyeok Geomgong were, they didn't outmatch Gi Gangwang and Dong-gu Wang. That's why Grandfather was teaming with them.
Guyongguan, huh.
A wry smile escaped at the thought of Grandfather heading there. It wasn't long ago that I'd seen bizarre monsters at Guyongguan myself, and now Grandfather was going. Giwangga and Guyongguan both started with G-Y-G in initials— were they fated or something?
"Heh heh, don't make that face. Worried about this old man?"
"What grandson in this world could stay calm knowing his grandfather's heading to the battlefield?"
Grandfather flashed a deep smile and patted my shoulder.
"In this vast world, you're the only one who worries about Giwang."
"Father does too—"
"I've decided to erase that insolent brat from the family register for a while."
Not sure how to react to the joke, I just rolled my eyes. The "for a while" bit confirmed it was a joke, but Grandfather was genuinely furious with Father. And unlike the 21st century, in the 14th, blood ties and family registers held immense power. Not something to joke about lightly.
"...So am I the acting Giwang for now?"
Staying silent would've made things awkward, so I squeezed out a decent response.
"Ha ha ha! Exactly! Without a crown prince, the crown prince's heir steps up!"
Luckily, it hit Grandfather's fancy. He laughed heartily, clearly pleased. Liking jokes that could shake the succession line if taken wrong. Grandfather truly unleashed endless eccentricities the more you watched him. At some point, my bewilderment had turned to awe.
"Even so, if this old man dies, you'll yield the throne to your father—"
"Pretend I didn't hear that."
I cut him off firmly. Who was dying? The man who'd beat Koke Temur barehanded and capture the Mongol Khan alive for torment.
"Kh-huh. Right, pretend you didn't. Must be the alcohol talking."
Grandfather grinned sheepishly and poured me a drink himself.
"Stay healthy in Kaepyeong with your father. I'll catch some prime Mongol horses for our great-grandchild— look forward to it."
"I will."
With that, Grandfather and I clinked glasses.
"Partying without the host now, are we?"
"Heh heh, what're you saying? I knew exactly when you'd show up, Aghyeon— prepared ahead!"
We emptied several rounds before Ak Hyeon-i, who'd stepped out briefly, joined us.
I drank with Un and Ak Hyeon-i until night, then headed back to Giwangjeo in the pre-dawn breeze.
Three days. In three days, I'd head north with hundreds of thousands of troops.
To avenge our eternal foe of Daesong— stretching back to Southern Song, centuries of enmity.
Steppe expedition.
A chuckle slipped out unbidden. Who could've imagined this back when I was young? That a new dynasty, not Mongols, would rule the Central Plains, and we'd march to burn the steppes.
Not me, at least. Back then, I was just swinging a sword day to day. A wastrel until I met my wife. Even serving Taizu, sweeping the world, I was far from grand ideals of a new order.
The world's twists are truly baffling, my love.
I just wanted to carry on your name. Punish those who mocked and killed you— that's how I became the second Ugeom. Who knew Ugeom would turn into Giwang, a first-class founding merit subject at that.
Well, without that merit, even with Gichungmuwang as ancestor, becoming an Iseongwang would've been impossible.
But a good result is what matters.
The path was convoluted and bizarre, but I'd built the Central Plains world you wanted. Seized Heaven's Mandate yet tormented the people— those barbaric nomads driven beyond the Great Wall.
And now, we were going to bite their throats.
We weren't fearing nomad invasions anymore; we were marching north to exterminate them.
"Finally, I can vent all my grudges."
I muttered at the jaundiced moon. Grudges, my grudges. The dark, ugly emotions I'd harbored since my wife's vain death.
She fell to old murim's trap. Today's murim was utterly crushed compared to then— grudge settled.
But the Mongols who drove her to act for the world, making even a second-rate like her live righteously? They lost the Central Plains and fled to the steppes, their homeland. Defending home turf didn't make them pay fully.
So burn it.
Justice against Mongols ends by torching the steppes. They rightly spat out what wasn't theirs; crushing their hearth finishes it.
Until recently, expelling them from the Central Plains felt enough. Emperor losing mandate and fleeing was humiliation supreme, I'd told myself.
But no. Now facing the steppes, my true heart showed. I wanted to smash Mongols and steppes like old murim.
When it's done, I'll pluck steppe grass from their capital and bring it to your grave. Wait for me.
Kara... Karakorum? Burn that oddly named Mongol capital, offer its grass at her tomb. Heart-pounding just thinking it.
The expedition day dawned.
Left First Army, Left Second, Left Third, Left Fourth, Left Fifth, Left Seventh. Right First, Right Third, Right Fifth, Right Sixth, Right Seventh.
Eleven armies fully armed and assembled.
With Guo Ziyi of Han Wu Di's era's resolve. With Li Jing's determination under Tang Taizong to crush the Turks.
"Jung San Wang Seo Dal-i won countless battles when Taizu righted the world, first entering the Mongol heartland of Dadu. Not stopping there, he burned Shangdu to the north— merits immense."
At the gathering where the expedition steeled their resolve, the Emperor listed Dal-i's deeds to grant rightful command.
Dal-i had rushed from Jung San Wangfu to Kaepyeong for this. Tedious process, but a massive campaign committing most of Daesong's might. Odd for the supreme commander to join midway.
Better to receive command legally before the troops, even if bothersome.
"We seized Dadu and burned Shangdu. One duty remains. I trust without doubt that Jung San Wang will fulfill it."
"I shall surely live up to Your Majesty's trust!"
Dal-i roared back, burning with zeal. His talents proven in founding wars. Taizu rated him top general, and he was.
All assembled generals likely trusted Dal-i like the Emperor.
"I command Supreme Commander Seo Dal-i! With Daesong's loyal, matchless soldiers, subjugate the wicked foes plaguing the world!"
They all believed victory certain.