Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Shadows of the Lost Wolves
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Asilbul looked at me with a tense expression as well.
"The Lost Wolves might have already killed her."
"If they were after her life, they would've done it during the ambush on us. I saw with my own eyes how they struggled to take her alive even after so many of them were killed or injured."
"I'll help rescue Miss Gerheng for now. But getting directly involved in your tribe's affairs is another matter."
"Helping us save the young lady will be enough. She'll handle sorting out the rest herself."
"You're awfully confident. If that were the case, she wouldn't have been chased out in the first place, would she?"
It was a somewhat sarcastic question, but Asilbul explained earnestly.
"Their goal from the start was marriage to Miss Gerheng. Pointing her toward one of them would easily sow division among their ranks."
"An intriguing approach."
"It was Miss Gerheng's idea. In truth, after the chieftain passed and infighting broke out among the factions, there were many pleas for her to return."
"Then why come to Goguryeo?"
"To clear up the misunderstanding about the merchant caravan and seek aid."
"More precisely, our army."
Asilbul, who had been answering diligently, couldn't bring himself to speak this time. He finished and turned to Ariyeong.
"Do you have any information on the Lost Wolves?"
"Hardly any. They're wanderers without a fixed base. But they say they divide up their loot fairly and care for the families of the fallen."
"Not your average band."
"The steppe is like the sea. Even the sturdiest ship can capsize in a typhoon, just as a chieftain can be ousted by sheer force."
"Even killed?"
Ariyeong nodded gravely, her face tense.
"For now, gather as much information as you can on the Lost Wolves."
"Are you planning to go after them?"
"Just hearing about them piques my interest."
I replied with a grin, and Ariyeong answered that she understood before rising from the mat. Asilbul left as well. Left alone, I regretted not bringing my close aides. I paced the room, then muttered while gazing at the window toward the mats.
"That said, I can't just mobilize them right after returning from an expedition."
"Exactly. But just leaving like this would be too much."
I jumped at the familiar voice from behind. Turning around, I saw Yang Manchun standing there with arms crossed. He wore leather armor caked in dust.
"How'd you get here?"
Yang Manchun brushed the dust off his armor and replied.
"I came back to celebrate, but you headed north first? I ran here in one step out of betrayal."
"Ah, sorry."
"Since you're glad to see me, I'll forgive you."
We embraced tightly and laughed for a while before I asked.
"You alone?"
I half-expected a playful 'I'm single' line. But Yang Manchun, who hadn't seen that movie, gave a different answer.
"Everyone's outside."
"All of them?"
"Left Go Jeong-ui, Go Yeonmu, and Seon Do-hae behind. Ham-a didn't come either."
We talked as we stepped out of the guest quarters. My subordinates, mixed among the Gomakhae tribesmen, looked my way. They must have left right after arriving in Jang'an Fortress—their appearances were a mess. But they were thrilled to see me. Tears welled up at the sight. It was the respect I'd never felt in modern times. Seeing that, Godolbal said.
"Guess we really are your close aides."
"No different from family."
I answered sincerely. Descending the stairs, I hugged Godolbal first, then Itain, Kidoryang, and Adokbang in turn. While thanking them for coming, Adokbang cautiously asked.
"I overheard you talking with the Gomakhae folk about the Lost Wolves."
"Yeah. They kidnapped the daughter of Haeryang-a's chieftain who fled here."
"There must be someone backing them."
His unexpected reply made me grab his arm and ask.
"How do you know that?"
Instead of answering, Adokbang rolled up his right sleeve. A wolf-head tattoo was etched on the inside of his forearm.
"I was part of their group before coming to Goguryeo."
"Wasn't your mother Goguryean?"
Surprised, I asked, and Adokbang gave a wry smile.
"That was a lie. Both parents were from the Sokteuk. We drifted east until we reached Goguryeo."
"My goodness."
I was shocked, but that wasn't the point.
"You were with the Lost Wolves?"
"Five years ago."
The mood grew heavy. I told him to come inside the guest quarters to talk and pushed him toward it. I also ordered Geom Mojam to bring Ariyeong.
We entered the guest quarters and sat on the cushions atop the mats. The men fetched chairs or sat on the mats. Ariyeong arrived late, drawing all eyes. She gave a slight nod and sat beside me in her previous spot. The awkward silence lingered until Geom Mojam closed the door. Yang Manchun grinned.
"You two look good together."
"Don't say nonsense."
I grumbled and turned to Adokbang. He cleared his throat and spoke.
"The Lost Wolves operate around the Black River. They're made up of those ousted from tribes and criminals who fled Goguryeo and Tang."
"I heard that from Asilbul. You're saying someone put them up to kidnapping Gerheng?"
"Yes. The Lost Wolves don't touch women or children as a rule."
"Asilbul said they kidnap for ransom."
"They do, but they don't harm women. When capturing couples, they'd release the wife and let the husband fetch the ransom."
"No, it was their principle not to torment women or children."
Yang Manchun snorted at Adokbang's words.
"What principles do bandits have?"
Adokbang's face hardened.
"The Lost Wolves are fugitives, but not bad people. That rule was upheld the whole time I was with them."
With Adokbang pushing back strongly, even Yang Manchun fell silent. I told Adokbang to continue.
"If they kidnapped a woman, it wasn't their choice."
"You mean they were coerced?"
Adokbang nodded instead of replying.
"To threaten them means a massively powerful force."
"Exactly. The Lost Wolves number at least five hundred core members, and over a thousand including those scattered about."
Itain, who had been listening, chimed in.
"If they can threaten a group like that, why not just act themselves?"
Yang Manchun shook his head at Itain's words.
"Not incomprehensible if they're hiding their identity."
"Hiding their own identity?"
At my question, Yang Manchun uncrossed his arms and explained.
"Steppes folk have eyes for the wind. They know where it's blowing from and judge accordingly."
"What judgment?"
"Resist it or go with it."
"Both sound harsh."
"Going with the wind?"
"When the wind blows, everything sways. Conform or resist."
Yang Manchun grinned at my words.
"True enough. Nomads must decide whether to submit to a new power or flee. If the Lost Wolves' backers are such a force not yet ready to reveal themselves, they'd hide their identity."
"A powerful force that hasn't shown its hand yet?"
Only one came to mind. Reading my expression, Yang Manchun muttered.
"No one but Tang."
"If it's them, why hide?"
"Probably to avoid us noticing as much as possible. Or maybe they're worried open involvement would scatter the nomads."
One idea struck me from Yang Manchun's words.
"If we expose Tang's hand in this, we could win Gomakhae's support."
"At least part of Haeryang-a's tribe. They've been close to us before."
After talking with Yang Manchun, I looked to Adokbang.
"Where can we find them?"
"They roam up and down the Black River. No fixed base."
"Then we'll have to go to the Black River and track them ourselves."
Ariyeong, who had been listening, spoke up.
"I'll contact our merchants in Buyeo Fortress to prepare supplies for the journey to the Black River."
"Always in your debt."
"It's my job."
With our tasks clear and direction set, my mind felt lighter. I told Yang Manchun and the men.
"Rest up after the hard journey. We leave for the Black River in two days. See you then."
They chattered excitedly as they left, but Adokbang alone looked glum.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know how it'll sound, but they were good comrades."
"The Lost Wolves?"
"They never treated me differently."
"They still stole and plundered."
"On the steppe, strong tribes raiding weak ones for livestock is commonplace."
"Even bad guys have their stories. If it's bothering you, you can head back to Jang'an Fortress."
Adokbang pondered briefly, then shook his head.
"You said resisting or yielding to the wind—both are harsh."
"No shelter from the wind on the steppe."
"Then I'll face my past too. If I can't avoid it."
"Got it."
Adokbang bowed his head and followed his comrades out. Ariyeong rose quietly.
"I'll gather all I can on the Lost Wolves in the meantime."
"Thanks. The road to the Black River will be long and rough."
Anticipating what came next, Ariyeong spoke first.
"I won't be in the way."
"It could get dangerous."
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Since coming to the Maemul Merchant Guild on the Celestial Maiden's orders, I've dreamed of staying by Master's side always."
Her ambiguous words left me at a loss. Ariyeong stood, bowed to me, and left. Geom Mojam, who held the door, let out an awkward cough. Unsure what to say, I pretended not to hear and headed out. Asilbul, waiting outside, approached. I briefed him briefly on the meeting and instructed.
"We leave in two days for the Black River."
"We'll guide the way."
"Good. Rest well till then."
"Thank you."
With Asilbul seeing me off, I exited the temple. As I stepped out the gate, a sudden curiosity stopped me.
"By the way, how'd you figure out who I am?"
Asilbul bowed and replied.
"I heard there's only one man in Goguryeo who can wield a small dagger as if it were alive."
"Word travels fast."
"Merchants coming from Goguryeo visit often. I'd heard some rumors. Truth be told, that was one reason we came to Goguryeo."