Chapter 185
Chapter 185
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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A massive blaze erupted from the dragon head of the Fire Ghost Ship. The flames engulfed the Tang dynasty tower ship outright. Everywhere the fire passed, fierce blazes shot up. Even the prow, which had seemed ready to strike at any moment, was wrapped in flames and collapsed in an instant. Gazing up at it, Go Yeonmu muttered,
"That was really close."
Goguryeo Fire launched from the side of the Fire Ghost Ship as well, swallowing the Tang tower ship whole. Though much larger than the others, it burned all the fiercer for it. The planks, unable to withstand the heat, burst with sounds like explosions.
"My God. It's tremendous."
He had used it once before at the Tang river fortress, but it was still terrifying. The intense flames, turning anything they touched to ash, were more than enough to instill terror. Go Yeonmu shouted excitedly,
"The enemy troops are fleeing in panic."
"I imagine so. They never saw it coming."
The agonized screams of soldiers melting alive echoed chaotically across the sea. There was no pity or regret. They knew these men would kill Goguryeo soldiers and drag off the civilians as prisoners.
"That's right, burn up completely. Don't even think of setting foot on Goguryeo soil."
Even amid the inferno, the tower ship's resistance didn't cease. Arrows and spears flew wildly from the railings that hadn't yet caught fire. They bounced off or snapped against the iron-plated roof of the Fire Ghost Ship. Some men even leaped from the tower ship onto the roof. But they writhed, impaled on the spikes embedded everywhere, before plummeting into the sea. Geom Mojam, who had drawn his sword just in case, pointed toward the top of the tower ship.
"Look over there."
A group of Tang soldiers stood on the flagpole atop the highest pavilion of the tower ship. They wore armor with mirror-like plates on the chest and helmets adorned with fish-scale decorations.
Mirror light armor.
It was the armor worn by Tang soldiers and generals. But these helmets and suits were exquisitely crafted, with ornate decorations. They weren't ordinary troops—they were officers. Considering who would be at the top of this massive tower ship, larger than the others, the answer came immediately.
"It's Jang Ryang, the Grand Commander of the Pyongyang March!"
I shouted without realizing it, and Ga Do-han beside me yelled down below.
"Raise the launchers to maximum height and target the pavilion's flagpole! Hurry!"
An affirmative reply came from below, followed by the sound of the launchers moving. I watched anxiously, fearing the tower ship might pull away in the meantime. Fortunately, its enormous size gave us some leeway.
The Goguryeo Fire mounted on the left side of the Fire Ghost Ship fired at maximum elevation. Riding the wind from the bellows, the flames barely grazed the tower ship's flagpole. Perhaps because of the distance, the Tang officers there, who had been standing at ease, were literally showered in fire. Men who had been talking just moments before twisted in agony, turned into flaming human torches, screaming. Some who had been shrieking desperately tried to shed their burning armor. But the flames allowed no such mercy. A Tang general's torso, melted together with his armor, punched through the blazing railing and plunged into the sea.
As the flagpole became a complete fireball, we passed alongside the tower ship. Only then did I notice our warship, struck by the tower ship's prow and sinking. Half-submerged, its deck was littered with wounded and dead. The surviving soldiers fought desperately, loosing arrows and hurling spears. For a brief moment, I wanted to halt the ship and rescue them. But Ga Do-han seemed to read my mind and shook his head.
"If we stop, we'll be surrounded in no time. We're almost out of Goguryeo Fire—we need to get out of here now."
"Understood."
I had no choice but to agree with Ga Do-han, who was shouldering the responsibility. His order to increase speed came, and we gradually picked up pace. The dragon head spewed flames at the Tang warships blocking our path ahead, pressing forward. One ship burst into flames in an instant, causing the others to retreat in haste and collide with each other. With a splintering crash, shattered oars and planks flew into the air. Tang soldiers, losing their balance, tumbled into the sea. Most vanished beneath the waves, weighed down by their heavy armor. Having suffered devastating losses from the Goguryeo Fire, they dared not approach. They retreated chaotically, smashing into one another and breaking apart. I couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
"Serves them right."
I could see the Fire Ghost Ships behind us spewing flames to either side. The fog had mostly cleared, but now the smoke from the Goguryeo Fire blanketed the sea. Beneath those flames and smoke, countless Tang soldiers burned to death or drowned. Innumerable Tang warships were sinking, wreathed in fire.
"It's a massacre."
I murmured without thinking as I looked around. I'd felt it in the battles against Silla, but using fire was truly horrifying and agonizing. Go Yeonmu, at my side, comforted me.
"Without the Goguryeo Fire and Fire Ghost Ships, we couldn't have achieved such a great victory."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. So don't take it too hard. If those bastards had made it to shore alive, they would've killed our people and looted everything."
His words eased my mind a little. Flames from the dragon head flew toward another Tang warship trying to block our way. With a roaring whoosh, they landed on the deck. Tang soldiers lined up to shoot arrows were engulfed. As they dropped their bows and thrashed about, the Fire Ghost Ship rammed the Tang ship. A heavy thud echoed as the burning vessel capsized, shoved aside. The soldiers writhed in the flames before tumbling into the water. The ship sank in moments, and no soldiers surfaced. At least eighty lives had vanished in an instant. As I stared at the sunken Tang ship, Go Yeonmu shouted,
"We've broken out past Cheolsan Island. No enemy ships ahead."
As he said, no enemy vessels were visible in the open sea ahead. A few were visible far out, but they showed no sign of approaching. The Fire Ghost Ships, escaping the hellish scene, slowly turned right toward the coast. The following warships and Fire Ghost Ships trailed behind. The sea around Cheolsan Island we had just escaped was thick with smoke and flames. Echoing screams and shouts filled my ears. Ga Do-han, who had gone below briefly and returned, spoke in an excited tone.
"A great victory. A great victory."
"How many?"
"At least three hundred ships burned, maybe four hundred. Five thousand to thirty thousand must've become water ghosts for sure."
"Thirty to forty ships per Fire Ghost Ship. Our losses?"
"One Fire Ghost Ship and two warships."
Seeing Ga Do-han's joy finally made it sink in. In a single moment, we had crushed the main force of the Pyongyang March and killed its commander, Jang Ryang. In actual history, they had captured Bisa Fortress and even attacked Geonan Fortress—this had prevented that. Overwhelmed by the unexpected triumph, I thrust both arms high into the air without thinking.
"We won!"
Go Yeonmu and Geom Mojam echoed my shout, followed by Ga Do-han. Soon the entire Fire Ghost Ship rang with cries of victory. In disbelief at the victory, everyone shouted themselves hoarse. After bellowing "victory" for a while, Ga Do-han yelled down below.
"Dock at the right coastal village. Watch for reefs."
The ship slowly approached the shore. A fishing village came into view, with a wharf ahead. There was a scraping sound against the bottom, but we ignored it and pressed on. Once close enough, the anchor dropped, and a gangplank extended to the wharf. Ga Do-han said to me,
"Get ashore quickly."
"What about you?"
"I'll take the ship north to safety."
"You did well. Truly well."
As I spoke, grasping his hand, Ga Do-han's eyes welled with tears.
"How could this be my doing? It's thanks to the Grand Commander's brilliant tactics and wondrous weapons."
His response, brimming with respect, rang in my ears as I stepped onto the gangplank to the wharf. From the laborers to the soldiers manning the Goguryeo Fire, all stamped their feet and chanted my name.
"Yeon Namsaeng! Yeon Namsaeng! Yeon Namsaeng!"
I waved to them and set foot on solid ground. Flames still rose from Cheolsan Island. A few intact enemy ships were visible in the distance behind, but most were burning or sinking.
We've buttoned the first one right.
Gazing contentedly, I heard Geom Mojam shout,
"General So Bu-son is coming."
A dust cloud approached from Bisa Fortress. At the lead rode General So Bu-son, armored and bearing a spear. Halting before me, he spoke in a trembling voice.
"I can't believe it, even seeing it."
"Believe it. We turned the Tang navy into fish food."
"At first, I worried what twenty-odd warships and Fire Ghost Ships could do. But you burned them like a dragon."
"It's thanks to General Ga Do-han."
"Didn't you invent the Goguryeo Fire and Fire Ghost Ships, Senior Central Administrator? No need to be so modest."
As our talk continued, Geom Mojam interjected,
"They might come after us—better hurry to Bisa Fortress."
"Got it. I've brought horses—mount up."
We rode the horses General So Bu-son had brought toward Bisa Fortress. Through the smoke, I saw a few Tang ships docking on the shore. Soldiers disembarked in haste from them, but even at a glance, their numbers seemed few. As we climbed the mountainside, General So Bu-son said,
"There were about five hundred enemy ships—over half reduced to ash or sunk."
"Still plenty left."
"After a thrashing like this, survival will be their first thought. We've got loads of Goguryeo Fire in Bisa Fortress—if they come, we'll turn them into fireballs."
His subordinates chuckled at his words. Still worried, I glanced back. Through the smoke, Tang troops were forming a defensive line along the coast.
We ascended the narrow mountain path to reach Bisa Fortress. Amid the walls following the valley inward, a gate came into view. It seemed to be the west gate, the only accessible one. Amid drumbeats from the watchtower, the gate slowly opened. We rode up the final steep incline and entered. Log palisades surrounded the gate, with a command flagpole to the left. Bisa Fortress held not only soldiers but also evacuated civilians. As I entered, those gathered around the west gate cheered wildly and waved. Proud, I reined in my horse and raised a hand. Their response grew even more fervent.