Chapter 154
Chapter 154
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: mv kz-154i
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: The Leader of the Lost Wolves
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After enduring all sorts of twists and turns, we returned to Buyeo Fortress.
Yuk-sal of Buyeo Fortress had personally come out beyond the north gate.
I reassured the deeply worried Yuk-sal that we were fine and headed into the guesthouse.
Ariyeong and her group were already there, having gotten word of our arrival.
Dismounting from my horse, I said to Ariyeong,
"Someone leaked our identities."
Ariyeong sighed after hearing my account.
"We launched an investigation the moment we got back. The merchant from our side who dealt with the fake Khitans has vanished."
"Suddenly?"
"Yes. His colleagues say he abandoned all his belongings and just disappeared. He's been based here for over ten years—there's no reason for him to vanish like that."
"Looks like he was the one who spilled it."
"It seems he was colluding with the Lost Wolves. We've sent people to track him down."
"Where'd he go?"
"Doesn't look like he headed south. Probably toward Cheokseong or Yeongju. We'll grab him and get the full story. I'm truly sorry."
It tore me up inside that dozens had died or been injured because of such an absurd blunder.
But I couldn't bring myself to yell at Ariyeong as she apologized.
If not for her, we wouldn't have uncovered even a single clue.
Composing myself, I asked her,
"Who do you think was backing that merchant?"
"We're digging into it, but word is he was hanging around a Tang merchant from Yeongju lately."
Come to think of it, back when I'd boarded a Maemul Merchant Guild ship to head to Baekje, I'd nearly been poisoned to death.
That memory made me suspect Ariyeong for a split second.
I eyed her cautiously, but her eyes didn't turn red.
And just entertaining the thought made my stomach churn.
Those two signs told me she hadn't betrayed us deliberately.
Steadying my thoughts, I asked her,
"One of the attackers shouted something in Chinese."
"The Tang could be behind it."
I nodded at her tentative question.
"The Tang are quietly expanding their influence among our nomadic allies."
"And with a chance like this to take out the Chief of Central Administration, they'd push an attack no matter the cost."
"True—they kept coming despite the massive losses."
"Nomads pull back when casualties mount because of their small numbers. The fact they didn't..."
"My call was off. Should've abandoned the holdout and retreated straight to Buyeo Fortress."
"I heard there were ambushes waiting in that direction too."
Even as I beat myself up over the costly mistake, one question nagged at me.
"Were Palryunja and the Monkey a trap to lure us in?"
"It's true they were fake Khitans hustling to offload those horses fast. But whether it was meant to draw you in, Master, is unclear."
"Unclear if the Lost Wolves had me in their sights specifically."
"They blow in like the wind and vanish the same way—hard to pin down their aims or targets."
"What's certain is they snatched Gerheung and dragged me into their trap. I need to loop in Buyeo Fortress's Yuk-sal and mobilize the troops."
As I conferred with Ariyeong, Geom Mojam burst in drenched in blood.
Ariyeong startled at the sight, but Geom Mojam brushed it off and addressed me.
"Buyeo Fortress cavalry just brought in the retainers we left at Rock Mountain."
"Good. How are they holding up?"
"Dead got buried on-site. A few injured didn't make it en route. Eleven came back, but most are in critical shape."
Fewer than I'd hoped, but a relief all the same—I let out a sigh.
"I'll square things with Buyeo Fortress's Yuk-sal—make sure they get top-notch care."
"Got it. I'll reach out to the mansion in Jang'an Fortress for more retainers."
I paused, then shook my head.
"Jang'an Fortress mansion needs its guards too. Just send a quick update. And we'll assemble a punitive force with Buyeo Fortress's Yuk-sal."
"I'll take point. Give me the shot to avenge my fallen men."
Geom Mojam's words stirred memories of his real historical feats.
After Goguryeo's fall, he'd propped up Anseung as king and waged a resistance campaign.
Spotting the rift between Tang and Silla, he'd secured their backing and held out for years against overwhelming Tang forces, basing out of Hwangsong in Jaeryeong, Haeju Province.
He ultimately fell to the Tang and got betrayed by Anseung, but he was Goguryeo's dying ember in the truest sense.
It hit me then: wasting a talent like Geom Mojam as mere bodyguard felt like squandering potential.
I mulled putting him in command for this punitive op.
That's when Yang Manchun came barreling in, gasping and wild-eyed.
His uncharacteristic frenzy from the usual cool customer spiked my tension.
"What?"
"That bastard showed up."
"Who?"
"Palryunja."
The answer caught me flat-footed—I was genuinely stunned.
"What the hell's he want?"
Yang Manchun spoke with utter disbelief on his face.
"To see you."
"Poison first, then antidote?"
"Just lop his head off? Saddle it up and ship it back."
After what they'd done, it didn't sound half bad—I started to nod.
But my gut twisted.
Proof my earlier judgment was flawed—I shook my head at once.
"Gotta hear him out first."
"Drag him in?"
"Nah, I'll meet him outside."
Yang Manchun nodded and headed out.
Geom Mojam glued himself to my side as I moved to follow.
Stepping through the door, there was Palryunja, hauled along by Yang Manchun.
Gray fur hat still perched on his head, he looked unflappably calm despite the obvious peril.
No red in his eyes either—no murderous vibe.
I took a seat on the folding chair a retainer had brought.
Yang Manchun shoved him forward onto his knees, drew his blade, and growled,
"Was gonna hack your head off and courier it back, but he insisted on seeing you. One wrong move or lie, and your neck's mine on the spot."
Palryunja offered no retort to the threat.
Instead, he raised his head and locked eyes with me.
Geom Mojam erupted beside me.
"Insolent cur—daring to show his face!"
I threw up a hand to halt him as he reached for his sword.
Geom Mojam backed off grumbling.
Palryunja spoke in a glum tone.
"Your men obey sharp."
Flawless Goguryeo this time—no trace of his prior slur.
I gave a faint smile in reply.
"Me and my men trust each other, lean on each other. You and your boss the same?"
"Naturally. Elsewise, no cause for me to show again."
Hard to argue—I nodded.
"Fine. Who's your boss?"
"Leader of the Lost Wolves, Elder Nak Sanggwan."
"Nak Sanggwan?"
Never heard the name.
Though it evoked Nak Sagye, the old Balhae Buyeo-bu chieftain who'd surrendered to Tang and earned the bestowed name No Jeongbin from Emperor Xuanzong.
I turned to Ariyeong, who'd just arrived late.
"Ever heard of Nak Sanggwan?"
She shook her head, eyeing Palryunja.
"Practically no one knows the Lost Wolves' chief."
"Then can't tell truth from lie."
Ariyeong nodded at my words.
I rose from the folding chair and told Geom Mojam,
"Can't verify—drag him out and strike his head."
"Limbs first?"
I eyed the utterly still Palryunja and nodded.
"Your call."
Geom Mojam closed in and yanked him roughly.
Palryunja spoke softly then.
"Kill me if you must, but I'll pass the boss's message."
I signaled a halt—Geom Mojam froze, grip firm on his arm.
"Out with it."
"Wants a face-to-face."
"With who?"
"You. Goguryeo Eastern Division Leader's heir, Chief of Central Administration, Silla-crusher par excellence: Yeon Namsaeng."
I reeled—he'd namedropped someone else before, I could've sworn.
Palryunja pressed on evenly.
"Never laid eyes on you, but who's ignorant of the legend? Maker of fire that won't die, bow loosing dozens in a blink, wizardry tactics shredding Silla forces."
"Rumors run wild."
"Plains whispers ride the breeze—swell with the telling. But."
He paused, fixing me with his gaze.
"The tales themselves hold true."
"Knew who I was from the jump?"
"Aye. Lost Wolves got backers across the plains, in Yeongju, even here."
"Missing merchant one of yours?"
Palryunja shook his head at my question.
"He ran close with the Yingzhou Governor's spy. Dragged our horse deal to ping them."
His account clicked it all into place—the plain's ambush made sense at last.
Ariyeong looked gut-punched, swaying on her feet.
I shot her a steadying glance, then quizzed Palryunja.
"Yingzhou Governor's spy—who?"
"North market overseer, a petty official. U Hyodong."
"A Goguryeo official spying for the Yingzhou Governor?"
"Black Water Mohe stock originally. Lucky breaks hoisted him up, but he's just in it for the haul."
"That's the God's honest?"
"Feeds Buyeo Fortress intel straight to the Governor. Mohe roots or no, two decades-plus clerking here's netted him connections galore."
"Knew I was inbound too."
"Damn right. Elsewise, couldn't muster that warrior horde on the plains."
"You're saying your crew didn't hit me?"
Palryunja shrugged at my probe.
"Why would we? We were the ones waiting on you."
"Waiting on me?"
"Yessir. That's why we rode to spring you from encirclement at Rock Mountain."
"You helped us then?"
"Damn straight. Parted ways, spotted hundreds of riders on the move—put two and two. Raced to the boss with it."
"And I should buy that?"
My gruff snap got no rise from him.
He fished a stone arrowhead from his sleeve and set it down.
"They used these, right? Snagged a few live. Hand 'em over if you want a grilling."
Still dubious, and Yang Manchun's glare screamed don't buy it.
But no red eyes, no sense gambling his neck on a bald-faced lie.
As I held silent, Palryunja spoke up.
"Boss reckons you'll point us the path."
"Me?"
"Yup. There's a Lost Wolves yarn on the steppe. Star-whelped wolf too fierce for the pack—gets cast out. Roams eternal, hungering for home star."
"Did that wolf make it back to the stars?"
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