Chapter 172
Chapter 172
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: I Came from the Future
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"I come from the future. From a thousand years ahead of now."
Kim Chun-chu's eyes widened further at the unexpected response.
"Fr-from the fu-future? H-how?"
"The Celestial Maiden of the National Eastern Great Blood used a spell called reincarnation arts to bring me here. So on the outside, I'm Yeon Namsaeng, but inside there's another person."
"Th-that's... impossible."
I gave a wry smile at Kim Chun-chu's words, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"I was stunned at first, too. But I adapted. The reason I came is to prevent Goguryeo's downfall."
Kim Chun-chu's condition had worsened to the point where he could no longer speak. Raising my voice for his sake, I continued.
"As things stand, in about thirty years, Goguryeo and Baekje will fall to Silla and Tang. Silla will later drive out Tang and become master of the Three Hans."
A faint smile crossed Kim Chun-chu's face as he heard my words.
"You will become king, and your son will ascend the throne after you. Kim Yushin will rise to the rank of Supreme Commander for his great merits. That's why I was summoned—to stop it. Do you understand now?"
Kim Chun-chu still looked confused. He tried to say something but ended up slumping lifelessly. I straightened up from my knees and gently closed his wide-open eyes. Then I called for Geom Mojam.
"Take Lord Chun-chu carefully to the guesthouse."
"Understood."
I also instructed Deputy Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang, who had entered with him.
"Announce his death tomorrow morning. We're sending the body back to Silla, so prepare it with utmost care and place it in a coffin."
Bu-sang, Geom Mojam, and Seon Do-hae carried Kim Chun-chu's limp body out. Hearing the door close, I muttered to myself without realizing it.
"What have I just done?"
A wave of fatigue and guilt suddenly crashed over me, and I collapsed into a chair. Then, Seong-chung emerged quietly from behind a curtained pillar. Sensing his presence, I gave a wry smile.
"Are you satisfied now?"
Seong-chung bowed his head at my question.
"I now fully understand the Chief of Central Administration's intentions toward Baekje. I sincerely apologize for being deluded and falling for the remonstrations."
"You're going back to Baekje to face punishment anyway, so I won't impose any additional penalty."
"I will gladly accept His Highness the Crown Prince's punishment and vanish as morning dew on the execution ground with a clear conscience."
"At least I won't kill you, so serve Crown Prince Uija well."
"I once doubted the stories of the Chief of Central Administration being a heaven-sent hero."
"And now?"
"Of course I believe them. I was truly shocked watching you toy with Lord Chun-chu with mere words."
"Good. From now on, you'll serve as the bridge between Baekje and us. Use it to wash away your sin of deceiving the Crown Prince and me."
"I will. But..."
Seong-chung trailed off, his face suddenly showing curiosity.
"Speak."
"What did Lord Chun-chu hear before dying that shocked him so much?"
His question made me realize my mistake. I'd whispered knowing he was watching, but sparking his curiosity was the problem in itself. Clearing my throat lightly, I came up with an evasion.
"I told him what would become of Silla. That's why he closed his eyes in despair at the end."
"So that's why Lord Chun-chu couldn't close his eyes. It's truly fortunate that the Chief of Central Administration has extended a hand to Baekje."
Seong-chung bowed once more. After wishing him well on his way, he left. Left alone, I gazed up at the ceiling and let out a sigh. The fact that I'd killed Kim Chun-chu with my own hands had shaken me deeply. Of course, I'd previously killed Shin-seong, Kim Seo-hyeon, and other historical figures. But Kim Chun-chu was on another level entirely.
'I've directly altered history.'
That, combined with accelerating the changes already underway. Of course, it was a decision I'd agonized over many times, so I had no regrets. In a way, Kim Chun-chu was a greater threat to Goguryeo than even Kim Yushin, so he had to be eliminated. Suppressing my unease with the thought that I'd simply done what needed doing, I left the Binyeon Pavilion to see my wife and sons, pushing away the sudden loneliness.
A few days later, while working at the Central Administration Bureau, Deputy Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang rushed in. I placed the wooden tablet I'd just read atop the mountain of others and asked. The clerk who'd been eyeing Bu-sang bowed and left.
"What is it?"
Offering him a seat, I watched as he swallowed dryly.
"Silla forces have crossed the border."
"To rescue Kim Chun-chu?"
"We don't know the exact reason, but their movements are unusual."
"Led by Kim Yushin?"
"Yes."
"How large?"
"Around ten thousand, they say."
In actual history, when Kim Chun-chu was detained by Yeon Gaesomun, Kim Yushin had led Silla troops north to rescue him—their shared destiny. Though he'd been one step too late.
"What's unusual about it?"
"They just broke through the border region. They left fortresses they should have captured or besieged for supply lines and rear security."
"Advance direction?"
"They crossed north of Chiljungha, passed Niha Fortress, and turned west."
"They're aiming for the capital."
"This could be more troublesome than expected."
"Why?"
"They're ignoring rear supplies and not even glancing at surrounding fortresses."
"It's practically a suicide charge."
"Seems they're planning to push to the capital outskirts, plunder for supplies. Given the numbers and the commander's caliber, defense is proving difficult."
"Send an envoy. Tell them Kim Chun-chu is dead, we're returning the body, so withdraw their army."
"Will they comply?"
"If not, say we'll contact Baekje and mobilize their forces at Daeya Fortress. Kim Yushin, of all people, knows ten thousand troops slipping through makes it hard to hold Baekje."
Deputy Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang nodded at my words.
"I'll relay that."
"And Kim Chun-chu's body?"
"It's been prepared properly and is en route south by carriage."
"Speed it up. Wait."
After a moment's thought, I decided.
"I'll go down there myself. I need to meet Kim Yushin in person."
"No need for you to go personally."
Bu-sang cautioned gently. It wasn't that serious, and he seemed worried about Kim Yushin, who'd lost his father figure and closest friend—fearing he might cause a scene if we met. But I shook my head.
"He's not the type. Don't worry."
"Still..."
"I'll keep Geom Mojam by my side. No need to fret."
Smiling to reassure him, I looked out the window. As summer deepened, the sunlight grew fiercer. Recalling it was 640 AD by the Western calendar, I calculated future events.
Finishing urgent tasks, I set out before sunset. Geom Mojam accompanied me, and Go Jeong-ui and Go Yeon-mu insisted on tagging along from a distance, eager to see Kim Yushin. Just after leaving Jang-an Fortress, Bu-sang galloped up on horseback with intriguing news.
"A Tang envoy?"
"Yes. Reports say they arrived in Yusung a few days ago and are resting."
"Who? Jikbang Nangjung Jin Daedeok, by any chance?"
I'd asked offhand, but Bu-sang's eyes widened.
"H-how did you know?"
"I know these things. They'll head to Liaodong Fortress from Yusung."
"That's the direction."
"Tell them to stay at the guesthouse in Liaodong. Prohibit contact with outsiders and sightseeing."
"That's virtual house arrest. Is that alright?"
"Jikbang Nangjung deals with map-making. Letting him roam freely here—what do you think he'll survey and record?"
Bu-sang nodded at my retort.
"Understood."
"If they protest, say I'm coming to greet them personally."
"You'll meet them yourself?"
Grinning at Bu-sang's successive surprise,
"I will."
"Your ranks don't match."
"Now's not the time for that. Figuring out why he's here and preparing is what matters."
Despite King Yeongnyu's deference, Tang consistently treated Goguryeo with contempt, buoyed by subjugating the Tujue. They harbored deep enmity toward Goguryeo for destroying Sui, using it to boost their pride. No need to play into it—we had to humor them appropriately. Especially Jin Daedeok: he'd come as envoy, toured under pretense of sightseeing to scout terrain, and repatriated Sui captives who'd become our prisoners. His mission was to weaken Goguryeo's forces and probe weaknesses.
'Just like I didn't let Kim Chun-chu go free, I won't let that one roam unchecked.'
But I couldn't kill him like Kim Chun-chu, so another method was needed. Sending Bu-sang back, lost in thought, Go Jeong-ui—whom I hadn't seen in a while—struck first.
"You're not thinking of killing the Tang envoy, are you?"
"Do I seem that ruthless to you?"
"Of course. You even killed Kim Chun-chu."
Go Jeong-ui chuckled, and Go Yeon-mu glanced warily.
"Kim Chun-chu had to die. So whatever you say, I'll let it slide."
"I'd have said the same if you'd asked."
Looking at the smug Go Jeong-ui, I turned to Go Yeon-mu.
"What do you think?"
"About handling Lord Chun-chu?"
"Right. Some argued against killing an envoy."
"Yet you did—so there must've been reason."
Unlike the impulsive Go Jeong-ui, the cautious Go Yeon-mu sought my view first.
"Naturally. But don't you think the losses outweigh the gains?"
"True, but his death could spark Silla's internal strife—net gain."
"Silla's internal strife?"
"Silla's court is split: Kim Chun-chu and Kim Yushin backed by the queen, versus true-bone nobles led by Bidam. With the queen gravely ill and Kim Chun-chu dead, Kim Yushin is isolated."
"Will the true-bone nobles rebel and seize power?"
"Silla selects the next king via Hwabaek Council. No heir, so they'll designate one. Blocking that would be the rebellion."
"So you think Kim Chun-chu and Kim Yushin were holding it back?"
"They had to, to survive. But with Kim Chun-chu gone, politically impossible."
"Can Kim Yushin manage it?"
"Of course not. That's why he pretended to burn his sister alive to ally with Kim Chun-chu."
He'd grasped the situation precisely and foreseen the outcome. Pleased to have them as advisors, I headed south.