Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: The Ghost Play
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“That doesn't mean I'm on your side. But I want you to know that you and I are both fighting for Goguryeo.”
“Understood.”
“I want a chance to earn some merit too. I was too scared back there, but next time, I know I can do better.”
“Of course. Where do you plan to go?”
“To Maeso Fortress.”
“Understood. We're heading out soon, so you can come along with us. And...”
I bowed my head politely and added,
“Thank you for mustering your courage for Goguryeo. Let's return home victorious together.”
Deputy Supreme Commander Bu-sang extended his hand for a shake, then quietly slipped away. Go Jeong-ui muttered upon seeing it.
“They say a sudden change in a person is a sign of impending death.”
“Don't jinx it. War might've changed his mind.”
“People don't change that easily.”
“Oh? What would a little kid know?”
“I know plenty.”
Seeing Go Jeong-ui bristle, I felt the gulf between modern times and this era all over again. Back home, early teens were snot-nosed brats, but here they were practically young adults. With low life expectancies and marriages in the mid-to-late teens, it made sense. Adapting's no joke, I thought, patting his head by way of apology.
Soon after, infantry marched out toward Gwanmi Fortress and Maeso Fortress. The disassembled Goguryeo Fire launchers were loaded onto carts and covered with straw mats. Ham-a headed to Gwanmi, Bu-sang to Maeso. Ham-a bowed in farewell, and Bu-sang returned the gesture.
“We'll be off, General.”
The man's change was so abrupt it left me reeling, but I managed a smile and words of thanks. Once the troops had gone, I headed straight to the south gate tower for a strategy session with General Oh Sa-mun. Just then, Malgal tribesmen under General Iri reported that the Silla forces had arrived twenty li out. General Oh Sa-mun gazed up at the sky and murmured,
“Sun's setting. They won't make it today.”
“They'll hit tomorrow afternoon.”
“Right. I've got the men rushing repairs on the walls.”
Fortunately, the walls weren't badly damaged. The gate was the issue, and General Oh Sa-mun chose a drastic fix.
“We'll seal it with stones, dirt, and shards of broken tiles.”
Below, workers were already packing the gate tight with earth and rocks. It wouldn't hold forever, but breaching it would cost the enemy dearly.
“Your brilliant stratagem kept our forces mostly intact, General. Even after sending six thousand out and the wounded beyond Chiljung Fortress, we've still got over five thousand left.”
“If you hold here, I'll take the cavalry out and hit the enemy's soft spots.”
“Cavalry's not much use in a siege defense. Take them as you see fit.”
“With Iri's Malgal riders and Yang Man-chun bringing his cavalry, I'll lead just five hundred.”
I added, eyeing the unfurled map,
“I'll take the cavalry and ambush the enemy.”
“Understood.”
“How long can we hold out here?”
General Oh Sa-mun pondered my cautious question before replying.
“After troops, food and water are key to a defense. We saved most of the granary from burning, so supplies are decent. But with few wells, a long siege could mean water shortages. As it stands, we can last about twenty days.”
“The fight won't drag on that long.”
I stated it firmly, drawing his gaze.
“What wondrous ploy have you got this time?”
“Thinking of playing some ghosts.”
General Oh Sa-mun blinked in confusion. I told him,
“Gather all the sky lanterns and Goguryeo Fire left in camp. How many do we have?”
“Roughly two to three hundred. Need more?”
I thought it over, then said,
“That'll do. Have them sent to the north gate—I'll exit there.”
“Understood. I'll assign an officer; use them freely.”
“My thanks.”
After wrapping up with General Oh Sa-mun, I descended the tower and summoned Geom Mojam with orders.
“Cavalry's coming soon. We'll ride out with them.”
“Where to?”
“The Silla camp under Kim Yong-chun. Relay to General Iri and Yang Man-chun to hurry. Yang brings his full force; Iri half.”
“Night raid?”
“No.”
I paused briefly, then added,
“We're playing ghosts.”
Geom Mojam looked utterly baffled. I left Go Jeong-ui—who insisted on tagging along—and headed for the north gate. Moments later, an officer arrived with a hundred riders. I gave them simple instructions. They looked shocked, but I ignored it. Ruthlessness to the foe saved lives on our side. Carts bearing sky lanterns and Goguryeo Fire rolled up; I mounted and rode out the north gate. We skirted the battered west walls, looping toward the south gate. It was nearly sealed now, no gaps visible. General Oh Sa-mun shouted from the tower for a safe return. I waved back, then halted at a pile of Silla corpses. He'd stacked them deliberately to break enemy morale. I clapped a hand over my mouth.
“Not even a day gone, and they're rotting.”
I reined in and ordered the men. They hesitated in shock until the officer prodded them. Slowly, they dismounted and approached the bodies, hacking off fingers, toes, noses, and ears. I watched in grim silence, bile rising in my throat. But steeling myself with the truth that mercy meant defeat, I turned my horse away. Soon, General Iri appeared with hundreds of Malgal riders.
“Congratulations on the victory, General.”
“Thanks. Enemy reinforcements are inbound.”
“We've had reports. Twenty li out—they'll reach us tomorrow.”
“Heading to intercept first. We need to sneak up on their camp. Send troops ahead to clear the path.”
“We're tracking their movements. They'll likely camp at Jinkang Field before Hyundo Mountain. Advance scouts are probing the area.”
“What's the wind like there?”
Iri blinked at the odd question.
“I'll have my men check. We'll take point.”
“Good.”
With Malgal riders leading, we pressed south under a chill blood-red sunset.
Along the way, Malgal cavalry came and went, updating us on the Silla column. We even learned the wind direction: east to west. I asked General Iri,
“Any good hiding spots east of Jinkang Field?”
“I'll send men to scout.”
During a brief rest, hoofbeats echoed from the rear. A rearguard rider galloped up.
“Yang Man-chun's coming with his men.”
Moments later, Yang Man-chun appeared, his horsehair banner slung over his shoulder.
“Hey, off to smash some Silla scum? You can't leave me out.”
“That's why I called. Your troops?”
“Left enough to hold, brought about seven hundred.”
Iri's Malgal numbered five hundred, plus my five hundred from Chiljung Fortress. Minus scouts, roughly fifteen hundred total. No match head-on, but plenty to harass.
Time's on our side.
We'd seized the key target, Chiljung Fortress, with Gwanmi and Maeso soon to follow. Silla's relief force would be thrown into confusion, frozen in place. Baekje troops besieging Gajam Fortress were unlikely to divert here.
Crush or rout this relief column, and the war's over.
I wasn't fixated on body counts. Secretly, I hoped they'd just withdraw.
Even resolved to be ruthless, death's a messy business.
By starlit nightfall, we crested the eastern ridge overlooking Jinkang Field's Silla camp. Winding crests offered perfect ambush spots. Waiting Malgal riders were scouting. Hundreds of paces off, their camp sprawled, bonfires blazing like daylight to ward off raids. I watched quietly, then turned to Yang Man-chun at my side.
“Rest the men here. You command all cavalry but the Malgal.”
“What about you?”
“I'll watch the show.”
I dismounted with a grin and approached the carts. Geom Mojam, off his horse, followed.
“Test one, like last time.”
“Yes, sir.”
At his order, soldiers unpacked and launched a sky lantern. It rose, drifting toward the Silla camp.
Geom Mojam eyed the water clock he'd brought. The stone dangling from the lantern dropped when it was about halfway to the enemy lines. He murmured,
“Thicker mud coating?”
“No—keep 'em light, so just like now.”
Comprehension dawned on Geom Mojam's face, turning to shock.
“You're launching those?”
“Yeah. Hang what the men collected.”
He swallowed dryly.
“As you command.”
Geom Mojam turned and ordered the cavalry. They unpacked their grisly trophies, tying them to strings and suspending them from the lanterns before release. Over a hundred sky lanterns took to the air, bearing fragments of death. The Silla camp stirred below— they'd spotted them—murmurs carried on the wind. Reaching overhead, the strings snapped. The payload rained down. Moments later, screams erupted from the camp, rippling outward like waves, the whole force in uproar.
Lightning from a clear sky, while they slept.
Silla screams pierced the dark as Yang Man-chun chuckled.
“No wonder the stench. Clever trick.”
“Dropping that at night? Pure terror.”
“Now that's ghost play.”
“Just the start,” I replied to Yang Man-chun, then turned to Geom Mojam.
“Launch the rest. Drop 'em before the wind shifts.”
“Yes, sir.”