Chapter 43
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Battle of Wuwei (1)
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In Hansu's tent.
The messenger dispatched to No-sik had just departed, leaving only Hansu and Byeon-jang inside.
Byeon-jang paced restlessly about the tent before finally giving in and blurting out his question to Hansu.
"Hansu... are you serious? Do you really intend to defect to them?"
"Serious about what? Nothing's set in stone yet. Why so worked up?"
"What do you mean by that! You sent a messenger promising to aid them!"
Byeon-jang shouted in frustration, and Hansu replied coolly.
"We've already crossed the river of no return. We didn't offer our necks right there to uphold our loyalty, so the moment this rebellion is crushed, our clans will be exterminated to the third degree. Isn't that right?"
"......."
Byeon-jang had no reply.
"To survive, we have no choice but to cooperate with the imperial suppression army, rack up merits, and earn amnesty. That's our only path. But—"
Hansu paused, staring Byeon-jang straight in the eye.
"The rebels' momentum is piercing the heavens right now. Bei Gung Baek-ok, that self-proclaimed king, is no fool. He knows the Han court's insides like the back of his hand—the Ten Attendants and the Grand General at each other's throats far away, dragging their feet in hopes the suppression army tires itself out and withdraws."
"Then...!"
Byeon-jang's face drained of color. Hansu continued, eyeing him.
"If things go according to Bei Gung Baek-ok's plan and the suppression army pulls back without gains, what then? Even if we shout 'We were loyal Han ministers all along,' our heads will roll under his blade. In that case, wouldn't we naturally have to become faithful servants to Yang Province's new king, Bei Gung Baek-ok?"
Byeon-jang gaped at Hansu's scheme to play both sides.
"Hah, but! We who ate the Han rice—how could we serve that barbarian as king?!"
"Then you want to die? We should've died before surrendering."
Byeon-jang fell silent at Hansu's icy retort. Hansu then murmured as if reciting profound truth.
"Loyalty? Legitimacy? That's just talk for the victors. Our one path to survival: stand with the final winner. Don't forget it."
Byeon-jang could only close his eyes, speechless.
As we marched toward Wuwei, the contents of a meeting from days earlier suddenly flashed through my mind.
"General, we can't afford to stall any longer."
I swept the horse markers off the map and pressed on.
"Winter's almost here. This northwest winter cuts sharper than any blade. Supplies will get several times harder, and frostbitten troops won't stand against their 100,000. Strike now if we're striking."
"Do you think I don't know that? But they're dodging pitched battles. How do we drag them onto the open plain?"
"The rebels aren't fully united. Insult their chief, and they'll have no choice but to come out."
No-sik pondered in silence for a long while before finally speaking.
"...Hmm. You think an insult will work?"
"General, I've fought barbarians in Bing Province—I know them. They're not like us Han. Especially in a fresh alliance, if the leader fails to uphold his dignity, no one will follow."
I finished and glanced at Jong-won. He nodded, backing me up.
"The Divine Guard Captain's right, General. If they were Han cavalry, they'd play it safe with their lives on the line. But the rebels are barbarian-led. They figure defeat just means fleeing to the steppes, so if their leader takes an insult lying down, it'll breed doubt—they won't follow willingly."
"...Fine. We can't just keep dragging our feet anyway."
I opened my eyes. Back to reality: the Wuwei plains. The slowly emerging might of their 100,000-strong army was overwhelming.
Yet the enemy held silent, showing no stir even as we drew near.
I murmured softly.
"Time to get this started."
Jong-won, at my side, let out an incredulous chuckle.
"Hah, I knew you were brave, but this? Facing 100,000 without a flinch."
"Isn't the Colonel even braver than me?"
"Not me."
Jong-won shook his head.
"No confidence I'd hurl insults so brazenly right in their faces. Anyway, good luck."
As Jong-won fell back, I nodded wordlessly in reply. Then Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun stepped up beside me.
Wei Sok, Cheng Lian, and Wei Yue waited resolute behind us.
I readjusted my grip on my spear and swept a glance over the four monsters who'd followed me in faith.
'Well then, shall we pay respects to that mighty "king"?'
I led them, urging my horse slowly toward the vast enemy lines.
Me, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun.
Just five riders advancing slowly on 100,000. Far behind us, Jong-won held 5,000 cavalry in tense readiness.
The closer we got, the thicker the killing intent grew.
The malice pouring from 100,000 exceeded imagination. But glancing at my comrades, I couldn't help smiling.
Guan Yu stood motionless, eyes closed. Zhang Fei grinned like he was relishing it. Zhang Liao and Gao Shun clutched their weapons, poised to charge.
Not a hint of fear among them. Now that's what I call subordinates.
We halted just beyond arrow range. From horseback, I readjusted my spear, cleared my throat, and bellowed.
"Hey, you—who dares call himself king of Yang Province! To my eyes, you're no king—just leader of a beggar horde! Or a dog pack? Can't even bark, so maybe not."
Murmurs rose from the enemy lines at my shout, but no real reaction yet. Sneering, I ramped it up.
"A true king leads from the front with sword raised. Why cower like a wench behind 100,000 troops? That's no throne—it's the top whore's spot in a brothel! You selling your ass for coin and calling it kingship?!"
"Th-that bastard!"
"That fucker's lost his mind!"
Their murmurs turned to angry roars.
Some drew blades and yelled our way, but none broke formation.
Feeling their rage bubbling, I landed the killing blow.
"Hahaha! What a coward, Yang Province's king. Any real man would've drawn steel by now. You call yourself king? Stay put! I'll lop your head and strip you of everything!"
No sooner had I finished than a berserk roar erupted from the largest central tent.
"A thousand gold to whoever brings me that fucker's head! Cut it off now!!"
At the presumed Bei Gung Baek-ok's words, thousands of cavalry roared and charged us five.
"Tsk tsk tsk. A king with no poise. Right?"
"Kuhahaha! Divine Guard Captain, that mouth of yours is filthy!"
We didn't flee. Instead, we spurred our mounts and counter-charged the onrushing foe.
—Thud thud thud thud thud!
My spear impaled the lead rider's throat.
—Splurtch!
This was just the beginning.
"Kuhahaha! You think this pittance can take Zhang Yi-de's head?!"
Zhang Fei boomed with laughter as his serpent halberd arced hugely, smashing the formation's heart.
—Crack-crunch!
Bones shattered into red pulp, ripping a massive hole in their charge.
"—Hup!"
Zhang Liao and Gao Shun plunged through the gap, moving like lightning.
Zhang Liao's spear traced unpredictable paths—feinting right to pierce a left neck, sweeping low only to stab a high heart.
"B-block that spear!"
"Can't! Too fast!"
Gao Shun lacked flair, but terrified more.
—Slice
His spear severed a horse's legs mid-gallop, not the rider.
"Gaaah!"
"You cheating bas—!"
He skewered the screaming rider tumbling from his mount without hesitation.
While the enemy fixated on Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and I crushed the rest.
"Kuhahaha! That all you got!? Bring more!"
"This hulking mountain of a man!"
Zhang Fei's halberd swung again, shredding their lines.
Amid it, Guan Yu merely stood half-lidded, blocking flankers trying to encircle us.
"Just one enemy! Kill the bearded fuck!!"
One brave fool charged Guan Yu, yelling. Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade moved silently.
—Swish
As if ignoring all resistance, everything it touched split clean.
The charger didn't even realize he'd been bisected—upper and lower halves peeled apart, slumping lifeless from his horse.
"....!!"
"I-is that even human?"
The rebels' flank attack halted dead. We synced perfectly, rampaging freely through thousands.
"Eeeek! Th-they're not human!"
"Run! Retreat! Fall back!"
"Pull back, you fucks!!"
In a blink, the front hundred lay mangled. The thousands halted abruptly, circling warily without advancing.
I sneered at them.
"That all? Tell your king: wash his neck clean and wait!!"
With that, I wheeled my horse.
My four warriors followed in perfect unison.
Only as we turned did they muster courage, howling "Chase them down!" and pursuing.
I glanced back.
Beyond the thousands chasing us, their massive, hitherto-still main camp finally stirred.
Tens of thousands were crawling out of their lair at last.