Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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"Nothing's been clearly uncovered yet."
"Not the Lord Governor?"
"He's just a figurehead."
I grumbled after hearing Nak Sang-gwan's story.
"Why are there so many players pulling strings behind the scenes here?"
"It's easier to plot when you're in hiding. Word on the street is they're Goguryeo folk."
"What? Why would Goguryeo people...?"
I asked in surprise at the unexpected answer, and Nak Sang-gwan gave a wry smile.
"Not everyone loves their own country. It's just a rumor, nothing solid."
As we talked, we drew steadily closer. I checked my eyes one last time—they still weren't turning red. Even so, just in case, I drew the blade of Jumong's Spear and gripped it in my hand. Nak Sang-gwan noticed and asked,
"Is that Jumong's divine relic?"
"It protects me."
"Goguryeo's lucky to have someone like you."
"I'm working hard, but it only counts if the results are good. Failure means nothing."
"You're anxious."
I flinched at his response, which pierced right through my situation. Seeing that, Nak Sang-gwan burst into hearty laughter.
"Keep your mind at ease."
"That's the hardest thing in the world."
We spent a few hours chatting about this and that, and the sun began to climb higher. Under the gradually intensifying sunlight, a winding valley came into view. Nak Sang-gwan turned to me there.
"She's in there."
"Doesn't seem like she's being held hostage."
"She's not the type to be taken hostage by anyone."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see when you meet her."
We entered the valley while exchanging words like that. It was narrower than expected, a bit uncomfortable for moving through. But it was perfectly hidden from outside view, ideal for laying low. Reading my thoughts, Nak Sang-gwan chuckled.
"It's one of our bases. We don't use it much since it's close to Buyeo Fortress."
We ventured deeper along the twisting valley. I figured Geom Mojam, trailing behind, must be on high alert by now. I'd told him not to get too close, so he was probably stuck in a bind. Then, bits of rock came tumbling down. I startled and looked up, but saw nothing. Nak Sang-gwan, who had glanced up too, muttered,
"Sounds like one of your men following you."
A certain name came to mind. Impressed by how reliable and impressive he was, I let out an involuntary sigh of admiration.
As we closed in, we reached the inner part of the valley. Rounding a bend to the right opened up a wide space. A campfire burned there, with a whole pig roasting on a spit. It looked like lechon from my Philippines trip. Beside it sat a large woman with long hair on a rock. As we approached, she stood up.
"Why are you so late? The pig's all charred."
Realizing the owner of that raspy voice was none other than Gerheng, an awkward laugh escaped me. Nak Sang-gwan dismounted and went over to embrace her.
"Sorry, I was coming with a friend and got delayed."
Nak Sang-gwan wasn't small himself, but Gerheng looked even bigger.
They're total opposites.
Female leads in novels usually sparked protective instincts, but Gerheng was the exact reverse. With her broad shoulders and towering height, most men wouldn't even fill a single punch from her. Nak Sang-gwan patted her, and her anger subsided somewhat.
"Sit down already. I'm starving."
At Gerheng's not-quite-threat of a threat, we obediently perched on the rocks. She then sliced into the pig's side with a massive knife, placing chunks onto earthenware bowls—one for each of us. I hadn't expected a knife or fork, but bare hands threw me off. Still, seeing Nak Sang-gwan pick up meat with his fingers, I followed suit reluctantly.
"Ow, hot!"
It was hotter than I'd thought, and I yelped involuntarily. Nak Sang-gwan chuckled, while Gerheng shot me a pitiful look. As I sucked on my fingers, hoofbeats echoed from behind. Turning, I saw Geom Mojam, pale as a ghost. I waved that I was fine, but he galloped right up to us before reining in. Gerheng grumbled,
"You're kicking up dust."
Geom Mojam dismounted with an embarrassed expression. Gerheng cut pork into an empty bowl for him. Sitting beside me, he mumbled sheepishly,
"Asilbul-i is raising hell outside the valley."
"As you can see, I'm perfectly fine. If anything, she looks like the boss."
"She does seem pretty strong, at least."
Geom Mojam spoke cautiously, drawing more chuckles from Nak Sang-gwan.
"She could take down any grown man with one punch."
Hearing them talk about her, Gerheng glared.
"What'd you just say?"
Geom Mojam, catching her words, looked glum.
"Many of my men died or got injured searching for you."
Gerheng sighed at that.
"I didn't know. I just want to live my own way, but everyone keeps forcing things on me."
No one spoke at her lament—half complaint, half resignation. The woman at the center of dozens of her followers and hundreds of attackers dead or wounded seemed utterly serene. But I needed to grasp the situation, so I glanced at Nak Sang-gwan. He shrugged while blowing on his meat.
"We took the kidnapping job, but she wasn't someone I could handle. She went berserk at the mere mention."
Gerheng snapped at the resigned-looking Nak Sang-gwan.
"If you kidnapped me, take responsibility."
"You're doing fine anyway. But heading back to the Hairyung tribe right now would be tricky."
"Because of the opposition faction?"
"Even those opposition guys are at each other's throats. They'll fight over you, weakening the tribe until another swallows them whole."
"So what do we do?"
"You need to storm in with overwhelming force so they can't even think of resisting. Otherwise, they'll scheme, and blood will spill."
Basically, might makes right—I blurted it out.
"The logic of power."
"It's the law of the plains too. The one I hate most and want to abolish."
"Is that possible?"
"Create a force everyone submits to and rule with it."
"Then you'd have to become emperor."
"If necessary."
Gerheng bristled at Nak Sang-gwan's quiet declaration.
"Quit with the emperor talk and flip the pig."
Nak Sang-gwan jumped up and turned the pig over the fire. Flames crackled as grease dripped from the crisped skin. An inexplicable silence fell until I spoke.
"What's the plan going forward?"
"Meeting you and talking was my biggest one."
"That's too unplanned. What if I hadn't shown or refused?"
"I'd seek a new wind."
Nak Sang-gwan spoke leisurely, but his goals were clear. For that, he'd kidnapped Gerheng and turned his back on his Tang sponsors. It was no small gamble for him—a dreamer of emperorship who could die wandering the steppes. I smiled quietly.
"Chasing winds can lead you astray."
"If that's my fate, I'll accept it."
He felt like a formidable opponent again. He stated his desires plainly but made clear he wouldn't rely entirely on me. For now, I'd test his strength and skill.
"Then work with me once."
"You want to see my skills firsthand?"
He'd caught on quick, which actually made things easier.
"Yeah. To check if your words are bluff or truth, if your dream's real."
"Fine. What do you need?"
"Where's the base of the guys who attacked me?"
"You mean those dogs siding with the Tang?"
"Yeah, the nomads quietly building power."
"Their base is near Lord Fortress."
"Exactly where?"
"About 25 li northeast of the Lord's meteor. Near Balchika Lake."
"How many?"
"Not as precise as us. But they can always muster over 500. They sent about a thousand after you this time—half dead or wounded."
"Will the leader be there?"
"Who knows? Even if he is, we wouldn't recognize him."
Fair point, so I shelved capturing him.
"Let's smash their base."
"Not as easy as it sounds. It's near Lord Fortress, decent numbers too. If Tang troops from the fortress swarm during the fight, we're done."
"That's why we combine forces and hit them. You need my strength, right? Show me yours."
Nak Sang-gwan pondered my proposal. Gerheng raised her voice.
"Why pass up a chance like this? Those guys have been a headache."
Nak Sang-gwan gave a wry smile.
"True. Our jobs dried up because of them."
As Nak Sang-gwan replied cheerfully, I wolfed down the cooled meat and licked grease from my fingers.
"Wiping their base buys us time to move. Gives me a reason to back you too."
"You want me fully committed."
"Exactly. After the raid, we'll leave traces pointing to the Lost Wolves."
"Pushing me right into it, huh."
"Better to pick a side decisively—good for everyone."
Nak Sang-gwan shrugged at my firm words.
"Full moon's soon. Moonlight like daylight—perfect for a night raid."
"Shouldn't we surprise them in the dark?"
"Friendly fire risk. Plus, bright moonlight makes guards lax."
"How many?"
"Figure at least 500."
"Then we need double that."
"We can gather over 500."
I looked to Geom Mojam at Nak Sang-gwan's answer. He quietly held up three fingers.
"Our mercenaries number about thirty. Asilbul-i has around a hundred."
"Short on numbers."
"We can borrow from Yoksal at Buyeo Fortress."
"Too many Tang collaborators there—risky."
"Uhyodong? Take him out at the start. Or use Malgal tribesmen instead of Goguryeo soldiers?"
I recalled seeing Malgal folk coming and going from Buyeo Fortress. Gerheng chimed in.
"Those guys are trustworthy."
Geom Mojam bristled.
"How dare you speak casually to my lord?"
Gerheng didn't bat an eye.
"Your lord, not mine."
I gestured for Geom Mojam to calm down and turned to Nak Sang-gwan.
"What do you think?"
"Not bad. Let's give those bastards a lesson."
I extended my hand. Nak Sang-gwan wiped the grease on his pants and shook it.
"One they'll never forget."