Chapter 123
Chapter 123
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Silla's Retreat
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Urk!”
Hwanon let out a grotesque scream as his horse pitched forward. He tumbled off and rolled to the roadside, going limp as if he'd lost consciousness.
“Just as I thought—you listen well.”
The blade of Jumong returned to my grasp. Without so much as a glance his way, I spurred my horse toward the Silla camp. Yang Manchun seemed to be yelling from behind that it was dangerous, but I ignored him, rode right up, and shouted.
“I am Yeon Namsaeng, Great General of Goguryeo, Chief of the Central Armory, and eldest son of the Eastern Division Leader—Supreme Deputy Commander!”
The Goguryeo cavalry and Malgal tribesmen cheered wildly from afar. Once the uproar died down, I spoke again.
“Sending out Snot-Nose? What a letdown. Kim Yongchun, leader of the Silla army—step forward. I'll face you myself.”
The Silla camp went dead silent, like they'd been doused with cold water. Meanwhile, Yang Manchun's men and the Malgal cavalry were going berserk with excitement. I rode slowly past their front lines, like I was out for a leisurely stroll. Every last soldier was too intimidated to meet my eyes. Seeing that, I taunted them again.
“I took the head of Nangdang Inspector General Kim Seohyun at the Battle of Niiha Castle. Don't hide like a coward, Kim Yongchun—if you've got any guts, come out!”
Moments later, a familiar face pushed through the Silla ranks. Spotting Kim Yushin in his signature blue armor, I called out.
“Yushin! It's been a while.”
“Fancy meeting the Chief Armorer out here again.”
“Warriors crossing paths on the battlefield? That's just how it goes.”
“Heard Chiljung Fortress fell already—figured the commander had to be someone special. You, of course.”
“Gwanmi and Maeso Fortresses will be ours soon enough.”
Kim Yushin looked crestfallen at my words.
“When Baekje seized Danghang Fortress, Goguryeo's navy showed up and smashed our fleet. That's when I knew you'd joined forces.”
“Just the beginning. Better brace yourselves.”
“Baekje killed a Goguryeo king once. Not the sort you trust lightly.”
“I know. We've got Arah's head on our tally too. Time heals all wounds. Baekje's scars from Silla are still fresh, looks like.”
“Once they heal? Their spears'll turn on Goguryeo for sure.”
“We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Save the wedge-driving.”
“Don't think we'll back off easy. Land won with blood? We'll hold it with everything we've got.”
“Next time, I'll hit where it really stings.”
I spoke with easy confidence, and Kim Yushin looked downright mournful. I'd worn that same expression at the lowest point of my life. He stared off thoughtfully for a moment, then met my gaze.
“No interest in fighting you. But I can't send out General Kim Yongchun either—that's why I'm here.”
I hadn't been gunning for Yongchun's head anyway, so I nodded agreeably.
“Fair enough. Take your fallen Hwarang.”
“Appreciate it.”
Kim Yushin dipped his head slightly and rode to Hwanon, slumped by the road. He dismounted, hoisted the unconscious youth—blood streaming from nose and mouth—onto his own horse, and headed back to camp. I watched until he vanished, then turned my mount. Yang Manchun charged up, shield at the ready.
“You out of your mind? Charging right up like that?”
“Worked out fine.”
“Silla dogs are sneaky. Never know what dirty trick they'll pull.”
“Depends on the man.”
“That Silla general you chatted up—Kim Seohyun's son, right?”
“Yeah. Kim Yushin.”
“No slouch, that one.”
“Why I'm keeping tabs.”
“Still, impressive. Dagger toss downs the Hwarang, but you send him back alive.”
“Told you—killing him spells trouble.”
“Seeing moves ahead. Sharp as hell.”
As we talked, a messenger galloped in from Chiljung Fortress. Dust-caked, he didn't even dismount before yelling.
“To the Great General: Gwanmi and Maeso Fortresses have fallen!”
Yang Manchun lit up with joy.
“Incredible. All three forts in hand.”
“Thanks to you and the generals.”
Grinning, Yang Manchun barked orders at his men.
“Gwanmi and Maeso are ours now. Shout it loud enough for those bastards to hear!”
“Yes sir!” they roared as one, then bellowed.
“Gwanmi's fallen!”
“Maeso's ours too!”
“Our Great General took three forts in a single day with genius tactics!”
“You're next!”
The soldiers' improvised cheers echoed into the fading daylight. With the biggest threat past, all the tension drained away. Yang Manchun pounded my shoulder.
“Heaven-sent hero, you are. Three forts in one day—how?”
“Luck.”
“Then you've got the Mandate of Heaven.”
“Not done yet. Fifteen thousand Silla troops dead ahead—don't forget.”
Yang Manchun scoffed.
“Missed their faces when you mouthed off? Morale's rock bottom.”
“Can't argue that.”
Long march, no real fights—just losing forts. Constant harassment on the road? Exhausted for sure. Plan was to rain Goguryeo Fire via sky lanterns tonight. Keep 'em up two sleepless days.
That's when massive drums boomed from the Silla camp. Obvious signal—we tensed up. Yang Manchun yelled to his men.
“Battle stations! Mount up!”
Drums thundering steady, the Silla lines shifted slow.
“What the hell are these lunatics up to?”
Yang Manchun spat curses, glaring. I braced too—not knowing Kim Yushin's angle. By some miracle, Silla fell back slow.
Yang Manchun muttered, incredulous.
“They're... retreating?”
“Let's watch.”
Silla withdrew to the drumbeat. Then a lone rider with a white flag popped out, heading our way. Yang Manchun griped.
“Always solo envoys.”
“White flag this time. Got words for us.”
The rider neared—Biryeongja, Kim Yushin's man. He bellowed.
“I seek Great General Yeon Namsaeng. A message from Yushin.”
I started forward, but Geom Mojam cautioned softly.
“Could be an assassin. Lure you close, then stab.”
His eyes stayed clear—no red. Told him it was fine; went out with Geom Mojam. Biryeongja bowed to me.
“Biryeongja greets the Great General.”
“Good to see you well. And your son?”
Mention of the boy softened his face.
“Still a snot-nosed brat.”
“So—what's Yushin's message?”
“They'll stand down and withdraw. Please hold your attack.”
Geom Mojam muttered nearby.
“Cheeky bastards.”
I'd half-expected it—pure Kim Yushin. Paused, then asked.
“Friend's request? Or just an offer?”
Biryeongja hesitated.
“As a friend, he said.”
I saw the play, smiled.
“Tell him this: Go without looking back. No funny business, no arrows fly. No worries.”
“My thanks, Great General.”
Biryeongja bowed deep with gratitude and wheeled his horse. I turned back to waiting Yang Manchun, summed up the exchange, added.
“Shadow from afar—no attacks. Tell the Malgal too.”
“Wait—you're letting 'em go?”
Answering with Kim Yushin in mind at Yang Manchun's grumble.
“Tactic.”
“Whose?”
“His.”
“Begging to slink home sweet? That's pleading, not tactics.”
“Know Yushin's edge? Fires up troops, flips losing fights. Nangbi scrap—our counter routed Silla. Guess what he did?”
Yang Manchun shook his head. I recalled the line from Kim Yushin's bio in the Samguk Sagi.
“'Lift the robe hem, it straightens. Yank the net drawstring, it spreads.' Vowed to be hem and drawstring himself. Charged our camp, struck hard, turned defeat to victory.”
“More than talk, huh.”
“Yep. Sent that envoy not begging permission.”
“Then what?”
“If I say no and chase? He'd spin it: 'They won't let us live!' Rally the desperate. What then?”
“Go berserk to survive.”
“Right. Took hits, sure—but over ten thousand strong. All-in frenzy? Major headache.”
“Fair. Fights flip on a dime.”
“We're coasting on easy wins? One slip, we lose it all.”
“Damn, sharp mind.”
“That's why we let 'em go. Mission accomplished.”
Usually I'd push for total wipeout. But these forts? Worth passing on the kill.
“True. Shattered their Chiljung line. Aris River's their next stand.”
Cut Silla-Tang lifeline—biggest win, though unspoken. Sure, they could hack a new port somewhere Incheon-ish.
But nothing stable as Danghangpo.
Resolved to scout how Silla'd link up with Tang post-this. Meanwhile, Yang Manchun ordered his men and Malgal: shadow, no strikes; watch the pullback. Night deepened. Gazing skyward, Yang Manchun said.
“Time to head back to Chiljung.”
“Let's.”
“Practically next door.”
Yang Manchun chuckled heartily; his men laughed along. That easy camaraderie? Key to repelling the Tang horde at Ansi. His scattered troops trickled in. No orders needed—they burst into a roaring victory chant. Recalled the histories: guy sang day and night. Smirked.
Basic stuff—praising the winning general. Yang Manchun beamed, joining in; I hummed a few lines. Rolled into Chiljung mid-song. General On Saemun bellowed from the gate tower.