Chapter 159
Chapter 159
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: Raid on Balchika Lake
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Groups with their own stories and wills followed the Amni River northward. Midway, they passed through a forest and reached a rocky mountain. Naksanggwan, leading the way, spoke up.
"From here on, the path gets treacherous and steep, so follow carefully."
"Got it. It looks plenty rough at a glance."
"We call this the Path of Thorns. The rocks jut out like thorns, you see."
"Not a trail for just anyone."
There was only one path up the sheer rocky mountain, narrow and twisting, with rocks protruding like thorns in places, making it look extremely dangerous. Yet everyone climbed it without much trouble. Yeon Namsaeng, whom I had possessed, was no slouch at riding either and crossed without issue. The summit was just as rugged, but the view was breathtaking. Naksanggwan brushed off his sweat and pointed west.
"Head that way and you'll hit Yusung. Balchika Lake is north of there, so we'll go northwest."
"Lead on. Let's hurry and smash those bastards."
The descent wasn't as brutal as the climb. Still, rocks tumbled now and then, creating heart-stopping moments.
'This must be how Hannibal felt crossing the Alps.'
I half-worried I'd end up with a squint eye from some freak accident as we made our way down. Then we gradually picked up speed. In the process, Naksanggwan proved his excellence as the alpha of the Lost Wolves. He kept sending out scouts to probe the surroundings, meticulously checking even the tiniest details until confirmed. All the while, he spurred and encouraged his men to stay sharp and rested. Contrary to the bandit stereotype, his subordinates showed iron discipline.
'No wonder he dreams of dominating the north.'
At the same time, questions arose. Mid-to-late 7th-century East Asia was a stage of utter turmoil. Northern powers like the Eastern Tujue and the Xueyantuo rose and fell, and with Goguryeo's fall, massive shifts occurred. Amid the heroes who blazed and vanished, Naksanggwan wasn't one of them. The historical figure Naksagye wouldn't appear until the 8th century, so this was someone else entirely. In the original timeline, this ambitious bandit chief would've met a miserable end. But my arrival had altered history, thrusting him to the forefront.
'What will this lead to?'
For the first time, I felt fear at the thought of changing history. But I decided to think practically. To strike back at the Tang's covert invasion, I needed the Lost Wolves. When the Tang came, they'd be the nomads available, excluding the Malgal.
Lost in such thoughts, night and day passed, and we finally reached Balchika Lake. Naksanggwan halted nearby and summoned his advance scouts for a detailed report. He also sent probes toward Yusung to monitor movements. Watching his precise orders, Yang Manchun sidled up and whispered.
"Not a pushover, huh?"
"A shame for a guy like that to end up just a bandit chief, right?"
"That's what makes him dangerous."
"Why?"
"People harbor other thoughts when they feel out of place."
"Think he'll turn his blade on us then?"
"If he sees us blocking his path, he won't hesitate."
Then he added slyly.
"After this is over, want to quietly take him out?"
"How?"
"Battlefields are messy. Plenty of stray arrows flying blind."
Yang Manchun's words weren't entirely wrong, so I considered agreeing. But nausea surged predictably. Covering my mouth with one hand, I waved him off.
"No. He's still useful. Let's watch him for now."
"Fine. But you might regret not deciding today."
"Let's focus on the job at hand."
"Got it."
Yang Manchun swallowed his regret, glanced at Naksanggwan, and stepped back. I checked just in case, but Naksanggwan's eyes remained steady. Curious, he approached and asked.
"What were you two talking about?"
"Wondering if you'd be tamed."
"And?"
"Wolves follow stars, not masters. So I just need to become your star."
Naksanggwan burst into laughter at my reply.
"Spot on. I won't swear loyalty to any man. I'll run for my dreams alone."
"Someday our paths may diverge, our views clash. But..."
I gazed steadily at Naksanggwan and added.
"Until then, let's walk the same road."
"Deal. My men's reports say Balchika Lake is quiet. And tonight..."
Looking skyward, Naksanggwan continued.
"A full moon rises."
"Yusung side?"
"No unusual activity. When the attack starts, I'll post men there. Won't block them fully, but it'll buy time."
"We need some captives. To dig out their backers clearly."
"Already covered. Let's rest till sunset and refine the plan."
I nodded quietly in agreement. Naksanggwan then led us into a forest on a low hill. Midway, a flat clearing showed signs of prior camps. His men, familiar with the spot, set up efficiently and stood guard. My group and I settled in to rest. Soon, Naksanggwan called us over. I brought Yang Manchun, Geom Mojam, and Geolgeol Jungsang. Facing a large bonfire, Naksanggwan pulled a burning branch and sketched on the ground.
"This is Balchika Lake, and here's us."
He drew lines extending both ways.
"Exit this forest, cross the gentle valley, and you're at Balchika Lake."
"Sentries midway?"
Pointing to the midpoint, Naksanggwan replied.
"Always five or so at the valley entrance."
"Gotta clear them."
"Scouts say they fire signal arrows at set intervals at night, toward base camp."
"To confirm if sentries are taken out by ambush."
Even in modern times, dead man's switches checked overrun guards. Geolgeol Jungsang chimed in as I explained.
"Wait for the signal arrow, then strike. Leave it to me; I'll handle it flawlessly."
I looked to Naksanggwan instead of answering. He shrugged indifferently.
"Your call."
"Thank you."
Grinning at Geolgeol Jungsang's eager reply, I turned back.
"After the sentries?"
"Straight along the valley to Balchika Lake. Their camps: one south at the lake—our entry point—plus one east and one west from there."
"Yusung's at the south we hit."
"Yeah. Balchika's like a sunken tray. Charge from above, and they can't stop the momentum."
"Hit south first, then split for east and west?"
Naksanggwan shook his head.
"Horseback riders who'll bolt like arrows. Scatter caltrops on escape routes, ambush, then hit all at once."
He drew arrows to the east and west camps, then pulled them to the southern center.
"Divide and herd them middle. Lake's downhill behind—no escape."
"Round 'em up and annihilate."
"Can't kill 'em all, but hit hard enough they won't move again."
Naksanggwan tossed the branch into the fire decisively. Everyone stared into the crackling flames, lost in thought.
The raid struck at dawn. Right after the second signal arrow, Geolgeol Jungsang and his men scaled the cliff, slitting the sentries' throats. After slashing the last one's neck and kicking the body off the cliff, Geolgeol Jungsang waved both arms. The watching Lost Wolves, Asilbul's Haeryang tribe, my group and men, and Geolgeol Jungsang's Malgal warriors moved silently.
Passing the valley, the terrain dipped as Naksanggwan described, revealing the round lake ringed by large and small tents and makeshift stables. Under the full moon's glow, laughter and whinnies echoed sporadically. Yang Manchun muttered at the sight.
"Perfect for a surprise."
"Still, stay sharp. Complacency kills."
Yang Manchun nodded assent, signaling his men to bite down on sticks. They gagged the horses too, wrapping muzzles tight with cord. Safeguards for silent approach.
The Lost Wolves, tasked with the south camp, slithered ahead like an anaconda hunting prey. Asilbul's Haeryang followed, then Geolgeol Jungsang and my men for the west. The bright moon seemed risky, but it lulled the enemy. No stir until we were nearly upon them. Finally, the horn blast signaled attack—a roar tearing the dark. Silence fell eerily after. Then Naksanggwan's voice rang out.
"No prisoners! No heads! Slaughter them all!"
A tidal roar of battle cries followed, then the horses' snorts as gags came off.
"War! It's war!"
Geolgeol Jungsang's thrilled shout echoed too. Geom Mojam shook his head at it.
"Mad bastard."
And that madman charged first. He loosed the bow he'd boasted of at our first meeting, targeting the first foe mounting up. Close range made it pierce clean through the torso. As the man tumbled from his horse, Geolgeol Jungsang rode past, aiming for his second mark. He drove in like a wedge. Adokbang, raising his flanged mace high, bellowed behind.
"Take my mace!"
Grown adept at riding, he swung two-handed, smashing blocking enemies' skulls. Heads burst with a crunch, gone in a spray. The headless body flailed, drenched in blood and brains, vanishing under hooves. Adokbang's horse trampled the corpse. Gidoryang, usually rear guard, now fired the Yeon Clan Bow vigorously up front. An arrow pierced a fleeing foe's throat through the dark. Amid the slaughter, Godolbal and Itain flanked me, Yang Manchun ahead.
"Yang Manchun charges!"
Drawing his long sword, Yang Manchun elegantly cleaved surrounding foes. Blood arced like rainbows in the night from the gashes. In moments, serene Balchika Lake flooded with death.