Chapter 129
Chapter 129
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After confirming that I had possessed Yeon Namsaeng, I was terrified of living as a traitor. So, all my struggling was just that—struggling. I used shallow knowledge from the future to act superior and strut around. I even felt a thrill matching or manipulating historical giants like Kim Yushin and Geom Mojam. Unlike my previous life where marriage was a pipe dream, I had a beautiful and devoted wife here, and even two sons. Maybe I struggled because I didn't want to lose that.
I let out a quiet sigh.
Lee Mun-jin spoke.
"Fear will make you strong. So fear more. Fear the future, fear losing your family. Only then can you find balance and navigate what's ahead."
"I'll keep that in mind. So please, don't leave us... don't leave me."
"That pains me too. Wasn't it wrong to drag someone from the distant future here under the pretext of saving Goguryeo?"
"No. My previous life meant nothing to me."
"No life is meaningless. If this one holds more meaning for you, then perhaps."
"Here, I have family and friends."
"Then that's fortunate."
Lee Mun-jin took a deep breath and gripped my hand tightly. It reminded me of when my grandfather passed away in middle school. Even when my parents treated me like an unwanted child, Grandfather was different. He cherished me as his grandson, and his death had left me heartbroken. That same feeling washed over me now, making me realize Lee Mun-jin's time was short.
After a deep breath, his breathing turned shallow and ragged. He forced out the words.
"Protect your family... and this country. You can do it."
"Me?"
"Didn't you say it yourself? How many suffered when this nation fell."
"Yes. So many died, so many were dragged away far from home."
"Please, have pity on them. I'm sorry for pulling you here. I'll atone with my life."
"Scholar, you have no sin."
"I want to travel... travel."
With a final gurgling sound, his breathing stopped. I couldn't accept it, but National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin was no longer by my side. A long, weary sigh escaped me. The warmth faded quickly from his hand. I shed the remaining tears and stood. Then, with heavy steps, I opened the door with one hand.
Go Jeong-ui, standing outside, saw my expression and collapsed. From a distance, Monk Fengzhang and the other monks pressed their hands together in unison. Turning my back on Go Jeong-ui's wails as he entered the room, I approached Monk Fengzhang.
"He just passed."
"Namu Amida Butsu. May the departed find peace."
"His last words were to leave his clothes and books to Go Jeong-ui. He wanted his ashes scattered in the river after cremation."
"That's what he always said. I'll personally oversee the funeral rites."
"Send word if you need anything."
I wanted to stay for the funeral, but my heart ached too much. Go Jeong-ui's cries stabbed at me. The snow intensified, darkening the sky. Looking at the Goguryeo land where snow began to pile up, I murmured.
"I must protect this land."
I steeled my briefly wavering, lazy heart.
Geom Mojam, watching from afar, received a whisper from a servant wearing a hat folded under the brim. Nodding, Geom Mojam ran toward me. I straightened my cold-weather garb against the chill and looked at him. He breathed out frosty air.
"The Eastern Division Leader urgently summons you."
"Father?"
"Yes. An order to enter the palace."
"Suddenly?"
"Yes. He said to hurry."
He hadn't called for me once last year.
Of all times, now.
I grumbled inwardly but replied that I understood and walked with Geom Mojam to where the horses were. Along the way, I recalled what happened in 638.
They attacked Chiljungseong but were defeated by Silla's Great General Alcheon's counterattack.
I remembered that's all the History of the Three Kingdoms, Goguryeo Annals recorded. We'd taken Chiljungseong in the battle two years ago.
Does this mean Silla is invading?
But the actual battle was in October 638, ending in November.
Not happening this new year. Still, good to remember.
I recalled nothing particularly ominous for Baekje either. King Mu died in 641, so a few years left, and Crown Prince Uija was firmly in place as heir. No external variables there. Mounting up with Geom Mojam, an unexpected thought hit me.
What about Tang?
Since Tang Taizong Li Shimin ascended, they'd achieved the prosperous Zhenguan era. Right after founding, they'd subjugated the Tujue who reached Chang'an, finished off Tuyuhun, and extended influence to the Mongolian Plateau. They'd probably destroy Gogokgeon next year or the year after.
That leaves us.
Xueyantuo and Tubo remained, but they needed years to rise. Until now, we'd focused on thrashing Silla and maintaining friendly ties with Baekje. But now, I realized it was time to worry about Tang too. At Geom Mojam's shout to depart, I instinctively pulled the reins. The horse gradually picked up speed.
I pondered the reason for the Great King's sudden summons all the way back to Jang'anseong. I also mulled over preparations for the real showdown with Tang.
What a headache.
Relatively smaller Silla could be handled easily by allying with Baekje. But Tang was a massive weight class difference, with Li Shimin and his generals being exceptional. Faced with all these postponed worries at once, my head grew complicated. Thanks to that, the mansion in Jang'anseong seemed to arrive quickly. At the gate stood Father, wearing thick fur robes, a book adorned with gold ornaments on his back, waiting by the carriage. I dismounted hastily and bowed.
"It's cold; you should have waited inside."
"The Great King summoned urgently. I heard National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin was gravely ill."
"He just passed."
"I see. At his age, it wasn't unexpected. The funeral's at Jeongneung Temple?"
"Yes. The head monk will oversee it personally. I left Go Jeong-ui there."
"Understood. Send word if anything's needed."
"I have."
"We'll talk en route."
I boarded the carriage with Father Yeon Gaesomun. At Geom Mojam's cry to depart, it set off. Father closed the side windows, left the small one open, and looked at me. I asked what I'd wondered the whole way.
"Why did the Great King summon me so suddenly?"
"Not sure exactly. But Im Maeng-jin hinted it's about the Crown Prince."
"Crown Prince Hwan-gwon?"
Father Yeon Gaesomun nodded, stroking his beard instead of answering. Now that I noticed, white hairs had increased in his beard and hair. Feeling the passage of time, I sank into thought.
The records only say Crown Prince Hwan-gwon was sent to Tang in 640 to offer tribute.
Of course, those were the surviving records; here, he was the Great King's heir. I'd seen him at a victory parade before, but he hadn't impressed. As I pondered, Father Yeon Gaesomun spoke.
"Crown Prince Hwan-gwon strongly demanded your audience."
"He demanded me?"
"Yes. That's all Im Maeng-jin heard. Probably because your son is his close aide now."
"What's this about?"
"Word is, they plan to send the Crown Prince as envoy to Tang."
"The Crown Prince himself?"
I'd half-expected it from the History of the Three Kingdoms, Goguryeo Annals. But Father Yeon Gaesomun looked deeply uneasy.
"The Crown Prince going in person to pay tribute? I can't fathom it."
No need to specify whose idea. Still, the Crown Prince leading the tribute mission to Tang would cause a huge stir. Father Yeon Gaesomun sighed mockingly.
"Next time, maybe they'll offer the whole kingdom."
Even I, after years as Yeon Namsaeng, felt resentment surge. But I tried to stay calm.
"Why bring up the Crown Prince's tribute now?"
"First mention publicly, but it's been discussed internally for a while."
"Long ago?"
"Yes. Seems they want him to secure peace terms from Tang directly, to quell our opposition."
"Must the Crown Prince go himself?"
"They think ministers won't suffice."
"Makes sense."
I crossed my arms with a short huff. Tang Taizong Li Shimin obsessively attacked Goguryeo in his lifetime, citing Yeon Gaesomun's coup. But as the perpetrator of the Xuanwu Gate Incident where he killed his brothers, it rang hollow. Still, his attacks stemmed from a consistent belief in subjugating neighbors. Even if the Great King went instead of the Crown Prince, it wouldn't change his mind. To me lost in thought, Father Yeon Gaesomun said.
"They'll probably demand our agreement."
"From us?"
"I think so."
"Why seek approval from us, whom they feud with, to send the Crown Prince to Tang?"
"No other reason to summon us urgently."
Father Yeon Gaesomun knew no more. With no guesses myself, I stayed silent for the ride. The carriage entered the inner citadel of Jang'anseong and stopped at the palace gate. Im Maeng-jin waited ahead. Father and I, as if by agreement, set aside the spearhead of Jumong at our waists and the Hwandu Greatsword before dismounting. The snow had stopped, posing no issue for walking. Eunuchs swept snow busily with brooms. Im Maeng-jin glanced around and murmured.
"Waiting in Amyeongjeon."
Always loves dark, gloomy places, I grumbled inwardly. Crossing a low hill revealed the walled Amyeongjeon with its black-lacquered gate. The guards holding spears opened the door with one hand. Inside, black pillars lined the corridor. Guiding Im Maeng-jin halted and whispered.
"Orders for both of you to enter together."
"Understood."
Father took the lead after a curt reply. I followed a few steps behind, thinking inwardly.
What could this be about?
Father Yeon Gaesomun stopped at the door after the long corridor. As footsteps halted like before, the doors slid open left and right, revealing inner darkness. Fortunately, lanterns on pillars provided faint light to follow inside. Father ahead seemed tensely alert.
Can't blame him.
Amyeongjeon might hold not the Great King and Crown Prince, but assassins.