Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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In the blink of an eye, we broke free from the rocky mountain and headed south. Far off, the waters of the Oemri Great River sparkled under the sunlight. Seeing it brought the legend of Jumong to mind, so I turned to Nak Sang-gwan, who was riding alongside me.
"If we cross that river, won't we shake off their pursuit?"
"It would help, but it's too deep and wide. If you try riding across, the rapids will sweep you away."
I thought there must be a reason the legend of the fish and turtles had been passed down. At the same time, real turtles and fish weren't going to build a bridge for us, but there had to be some way.
"Let's stick to the Oemri Great River for now."
I nudged my horse's head slightly toward the river. Just as Nak Sang-gwan said, the river was far too wide to cross casually, and its depth looked formidable. It twisted and turned in many places, making the current fierce.
"It's only this bad because it's summer. In fall or winter, it gets even deeper and rougher."
I was resigning myself to the fact that I wasn't Jumong when one of Nak Sang-gwan's subordinates waiting ahead shouted.
"Their numbers have increased!"
"What? How many?"
"Almost double. They just merged with a group from the east."
"Damn it!"
I cocked my head at Nak Sang-gwan's grumbling.
"The call to break through was definitely right, wasn't it?"
The realization that the omens protecting me so far might be wrong sent me into a panic. Amid reports of the enemy closing in, Gaegae Jung-sang approached.
"Chief of Central Administration, please fall back. We're worried you might be in danger."
"Don't worry about me. Look after your men."
I snapped irritably and kept staring at the Oemri Great River.
It wouldn't have led me here for nothing.
There was a sharp bend, just like Cheongryeongpo in Yeongwol. Beyond it lay rapids churning with foam and small whirlpools. The sight immediately reminded me of a place I'd visited during a modern-day field trip.
"Gorangpo!"
Gorangpo on the Imjin River was a spot I'd stopped at after surveying Horogoru. It was one of the few fords on the deep Imjin River with its steep banks all around. The river there had looked just like this.
"Halt!"
I thrust up one hand and shouted. Horses neighed as reins were yanked everywhere.
"Why are we stopping?"
I pointed at the rapids in answer to Nak Sang-gwan's question.
"Think we can cross there?"
"Rapids are flowing."
"Exactly. The current's there because the bottom's shallow. It's gravel piled up from upstream."
"Really? It wasn't like that early this spring."
"Makes sense. Spring meltwater carried down the gravel and deposited it there. The fall monsoons will wash it away again."
I explained, but Nak Sang-gwan still looked skeptical. I was nervous too, but the lack of nausea meant my judgment was probably right. The path down wasn't too steep, but Nak Sang-gwan spoke in a rare urgent tone.
"If it's too deep to cross and we hesitate, we'll get hit from behind."
"I'll go first. Wait here."
No reason to dawdle, so I spurred my horse straight to the spot. Geom Mojam shouted from behind that he'd scout ahead, but I didn't look back. My horse plunged into the water with a splash, sinking deeper than expected.
"Whoa!"
It was deeper than I thought, enough to wet the saddle a bit. I soothed my startled horse and pressed forward. The current battered my side, but it was passable. Just as I'd guessed—a ford we could cross. Seeing me enter the Oemri Great River, cheers erupted from behind. Starting with Geom Mojam, everyone followed into the water. I hurried across; my horse shook off the water as soon as we reached the bank. I shouted to Geom Mojam, who arrived right after.
"Tell them to hurry across."
"Got it."
Gaegae Jung-sang led the Malgal tribesmen across, followed by Adokbang, Gi Do-ryang, and the other subordinates. Nak Sang-gwan and the Lost Wolves brought up the rear. A couple of men lost their balance and fell off, but over five hundred horses crossed smoothly. The last to cross, Nak Sang-gwan, yelled to his men.
"Block them from crossing!"
His subordinates drew their bows in perfect unison, aiming at the ford we'd just used. Watching, I called to Gi Do-ryang.
"Show them your skills."
"Understood."
Gi Do-ryang drew the Yeon Clan Bow and stood at the ford's front with ten subordinates. Moments later, a band of nomads appeared at the ford. They confirmed where we'd crossed and tried to ford it. But Gi Do-ryang and his men unleashed a barrage from the Yeon Clan Bows. They could loose five arrows each without pause, all master archers. The enemy vanguard turned into porcupines and tumbled into the Oemri Great River. Even with superior numbers, the narrow ford was their only crossing point. The line of enemies trying to cross quickly became corpses. Nak Sang-gwan, witnessing Gi Do-ryang's archery, stuck out his tongue.
"Jumong himself couldn't do better. But what's that bow?"
"Secret weapon."
With their vanguard wiped out in an instant, the pursuers hesitated. Meanwhile, Nak Sang-gwan withdrew his men in sequence. Seeing the orderly retreat, the enemy gave up the chase and fell back. I said to Yang Man-chun.
"They're giving up too easily?"
"It's Nak Sang-gwan. He pulled back his men while staying ready for a counterattack."
"Really?"
"If they cross wrong, they'd be annihilated before putting up a fight. Numbers are even, and they've lost the momentum."
"You can tell at a glance? You're a genius."
"Why? Planning to make me a Great Captain like General Eulji Mundeok later?"
"Great Captain? I'd make you king."
"Truly grateful, Your Majesty."
Yang Man-chun and I traded jokes leisurely, laughing as we rode. We'd completely shattered the Tang dynasty's underhanded plot to nibble away at Goguryeo bit by bit. And though not confirmed, we'd uncovered a clue to the identity of their backer.
Nak Sang-gwan and his men stayed in the valley, while I headed to Buyeo Fortress with Gaegae Jung-sang. Yoksal was out to greet us again, this time prostrated flat on the ground. Ariyeong, beside him, explained what happened.
"We caught Woo Hyo-dong and got his confession. Turns out quite a few officials were cooperating."
"Yoksal had no idea?"
Ariyeong nodded instead of answering and gave Yoksal a pitiful look.
Yoksal bowed so low his nose touched the dirt, mumbling apologies. His eyes hadn't reddened from the start, so I hadn't suspected him much, but I asked Ariyeong anyway.
"He's not an accomplice, right?"
"He's not the type with that kind of guts."
Hearing Ariyeong, I pulled Yoksal to his feet. Sobbing, he finally spoke.
"I have no face to show you, Chief of Central Administration."
"It wasn't intentional, so no need to apologize that much. But now that it's out, uproot them thoroughly."
"I've already ordered all involved arrested without exception. Watch me eradicate them root and stem."
"I trust you."
I gave an answer Yoksal would like and set his mind at ease. Then I asked Ariyeong.
"He confessed well, I see."
"We made sure he had no choice. There's a report for you."
"What is it?"
"Woo Hyo-dong spilled everything. He said he was in direct contact with the leader of the gang hanging around Balchika Lake."
"Really?"
The unexpected windfall startled me. Ariyeong said she'd explain on the way and mounted up.
She gave me the rundown as we arrived at Buyeo Fortress. We headed straight to Hanroe in the south. It was an artifact from the excavation of what was presumed to be Buyeo Fortress at Yongdam Mountain Fortress, near the south gate. The area around the round pit was walled with stones, thought to be a pond or storage shed. But some argued it could be an underground prison for captives or criminals. Up close, it was indeed an underground prison with a low roof. Ariyeong dismounted and pointed to the dim entrance.
"He's inside."
Bending low, I entered—and my face wrinkled instantly.
"Ugh!"
The stench of blood and filth assaulted me. It hit me late that a dug-out pit with a roof couldn't ventilate properly.
Descending torch-lit stairs, I saw wooden cells built in a ring along the walls. Every cell held bloodied prisoners collapsed on the floor. At Ariyeong's gesture, waiting subordinates opened one cell door and dragged out Woo Hyo-dong. They doused the limp man with a bucket of water. He convulsed like he'd been electrocuted. Regaining his senses, he tried to lift his head—only for Ariyeong's subordinate to stomp it down.
"Didn't I say not to lift your head until I speak?"
"S-sorry! Spare me! Haven't I told you everything?"
Ariyeong's man answered his plea with a kick. After stomping a few more times, he pointed at me and Ariyeong.
"Answer these two straight. Or we'll rip out your tongue and eyes."
"Just spare me. I'll answer anything."
As the groveling Woo Hyo-dong begged, Ariyeong's men brought a folding chair. I sat, arms crossed, glaring at him.
"Thanks to you, I nearly died. Dozens of my men dead or wounded."
"I'm sorry! I never meant for that to happen..."
"Intent doesn't matter. What happened does."
My voice rose without thinking. I'd heard that same tired excuse endlessly in my modern life before possessing Yeon Namsaeng. Those non-apologies—"I didn't mean to, no ill intent"—always grated. My anger made Woo Hyo-dong flatten even more. Shaking off the stray thought, I asked what burned in my mind.
"I know you were secretly communicating with the Yeongju Governor's close aide. The one trying to undermine Goguryeo's influence among the nomads."
I emphasized the last part, and Woo Hyo-dong sobbed face-down. It annoyed me, so I bellowed.
"Crying won't save you. Save it for the afterlife."
Geom Mojam entered late, having checked outside. He greeted me, then scowled at the prone Woo Hyo-dong.
"You? The bastard who got my men killed?"
"No! I just followed orders!"
Geom Mojam drew his sword without a word—instead of waiting for my command, a first. Losing his men had really pissed him off.
"Where should I start cutting? Planning to slice off a piece of flesh for every dead comrade."