Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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That was probably why the Tang scouts sent from their camp were trying to approach us. But our cavalry blocked their path. Even if they got close, we had shields set up, so they couldn't see a thing. After a few scouts were struck by arrows and trampled under hooves, the rest gave up and retreated. Then the sounds of drums and flutes rang out as they reorganized their camp. They were gathering their scattered formations into one to prepare for our night raid. I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
'Good. It's going just as I planned.'
As I glared at the enemy camp through the darkness, General Sobuhand, who had been overseeing the assembly of the catapults, approached.
"Preparations are complete."
"They've all gathered in one place. Fire on my signal."
"Understood. They might charge back in retaliation, so please fall back a bit."
"It's fine, General."
He nodded curtly at my firm response and turned away. Geom Mojam drew his Hwandu Greatsword slightly, his face tense with alertness. He stared at the enemy camp, nerves on edge. To guard against a night raid, they hadn't extinguished their bonfires and had lit torches at intervals. I thought to myself what idiots they were as I raised one hand high. Whispers to prepare rippled back like waves.
The jars placed beside the catapults were set atop net-like frames. A small lid on one jar held glowing embers that lit a torch. They held it to the jars soaked in Goguryeo Fire, and flames erupted. Meanwhile, soldiers gripped the ropes attached to the catapult arms one by one. Unlike the Hwihwipo-inspired Goguryeo cannons, these were powered by manpower, making them inefficient. But since they were firing small jars of Goguryeo Fire that needed to reach the enemy front, we'd opted for these simple trebuchets. When the sudden lights flared instead of the expected raid, the Tang camp erupted in chaos. I grinned at the sight.
"Too late, you fools."
Then I dropped my raised hand. At the shout of "Fire!", the soldiers pulled the ropes connected to the arms all at once. The flaming jars arced through the darkness. I'd worried they might extinguish mid-flight or fall short, but it was needless. The jars from the catapults landed precisely in the Tang camp, shattering and spraying flames everywhere. As dozens hit, fires sprang up across the camp, and panicked voices rose. I heard General Sobuhand yelling to keep firing.
The jars filled with Goguryeo Fire rained down one after another into the Tang camp through the night. The Tang soldiers, huddled in tight formations expecting a spear and sword attack, were struck by a literal firestorm. I could see Tang troops with flames on their heads and shoulders thrashing wildly. The fire spread to comrades beside them. Even shields couldn't block the Goguryeo Fire spilling from shattered jars.
Screams echoed instantly through the Tang camp turned sea of fire. Amid the chaos, a burning horse charged wildly, barreling into Tang soldiers indiscriminately. The catapult crews cheered at the sight, though General Sobuhand's urgent calls to fire drowned it out. A flaming Tang soldier screamed as he leaped into the sea, but Goguryeo Fire didn't extinguish in water. With the surprise attack succeeding as planned, relief brought an involuntary smile to my face.
"At this rate, we can wipe out the Tang army."
Even if reinforcements led by Gu Hyochung or Go Singam arrived, knowing the fate of the vanguard, they wouldn't rashly land. But then drums boomed from the Tang camp. Fierce shouts followed, and some soldiers broke from the formations to advance. Geom Mojam pointed it out.
"They're coming."
"Tell the troops to hold the shields firm. The flanks are covered by cavalry, so no worries."
"Got it."
The drums beat steadily as Tang soldiers advanced toward our shield wall. Jars of Goguryeo Fire kept flying, but they pressed on undeterred. Geom Mojam muttered at the sight.
"Tenacious bastards."
He sprang up, shouting that the enemy was upon us. Soldiers behind the shields crouched low, gripping their Yeon Clan Crossbows tightly. Even after taking hits from Goguryeo Fire on sea and land, they numbered over ten thousand at least. With capable march commanders like Jeong Myeongjin or Bang Hyotae leading, they recovered from the chaos quickly.
'But I expected this level of counterattack.'
Thanks to the vast historical knowledge I'd studied for writing, I could plan one step ahead. Clutching the blade of Jumong's Spear on my left wrist, I shouted.
"Hold them off at all costs! Prepare!"
From behind, General Sobuhand yelled to cease fire. With the enemy closing in, no need for catapults anymore. Tang soldiers advanced, roaring and stomping to build momentum. I grinned at them.
"Come on, then. I prepared for you."
Their roars turned to screams in that instant. They'd stepped on the caltrops scattered before the shields and the stakes we'd planted. Soldiers dropped weapons, clutching feet as they howled.
Geom Mojam beside me asked admiringly.
"Just as you said. How did you know?"
"It was day, but at night, you can't see a thing."
Caltrops' weakness was visibility—like unburied mines. But in the dark, they were invisible, so scattering them worked. I added with a smirk.
"Of course, we didn't have enough for all ten thousand."
"They won't know how many we laid in the dark."
Even as we spoke, the chaos continued. Frontline soldiers collapsing or retreating in screams tangled their lines completely. Watching through shield gaps, I shouted.
"Now! Fire!"
Soldiers rose from behind shields and unleashed Yeon Clan Crossbows. Modeled after the Zhuge crossbow, they allowed rapid fire but had short range—perfect for close quarters like this. Luckily, we had hundreds from Bisa Fortress.
A hail of bolts pierced the torsos of soldiers wounded by caltrops. It was dark, but point-blank—no misses. Struck soldiers spewed blood and screams as they fell. Tang soldiers pushing with final strength faltered. Then General Sobuhand's voice rang from behind.
"Throw the jars!"
Soldiers hurled remaining catapult jars by hand. Close range and clustered targets maximized impact. Jars shattered, igniting spots everywhere; leaping Tang soldiers were lit clearly in the flames.
Meanwhile, reloaded troops fired Yeon Clan Crossbows again. Goguryeo Fire made targets glow. Twangs of bolts hitting flesh rang clear, followed by Tang screams. Tang survivors retreated behind corpses, spreading wide to exploit numbers for encirclement. But our flanks had cavalry with Instant Legolas Yeon Clan Bows. Arrows flew, forcing them back. Geom Mojam sighed in relief.
"They're finally retreating."
"Don't let your guard down."
Many lay dead or wounded, but plenty of unharmed Tang soldiers remained. Whoever the commander—Jeong Myeongjin or Bang Hyotae—he seemed competent. The retreating Tang didn't reform tight blocks but dispersed. I couldn't help admiring it.
"Out of Yeon Clan Crossbow range, and too spread for Goguryeo Fire to work well."
"As you said, a capable leader's at the helm."
Time to withdraw. I called for General Sobuhand behind. He rushed over.
"We should pull back now."
"Understood."
He turned and quietly ordered catapult disassembly. Wood and leather straps were precious—take all we could. As we broke them down, the Tang advanced again. This time, not en masse but small groups spread wide, advancing in single file instead of charging. I admired it inwardly.
"As expected, a smart one commanding."
In single file, only the front stepped on caltrops or stakes. When he fell, another leaped over. Like advancing through a minefield in line. Close up, we fired Yeon Clan Crossbows, but the lead with shield blunted it. I shouted.
"Aim for the flanks!"
But flanks split with shields too—most blocked. Finding a counter so quick impressed me. Tang soldiers pierced by caltrops and arrows in sides fell, but they surged like waves. Shields held, but numbers would overwhelm soon. Gripping Jumong's blade, I dashed to their breakthrough point. Geom Mojam followed like a shadow, yelling it was dangerous. I arrived just as the lead Tang vaulted our shield. Hastily wrapping the leather to my wrist, I shouted.
"Throats!"
The released Jumong's blade grazed the Tang soldier's neck. He dropped his sword, clutched his throat, and slumped over the shield. I hurled it back.
"Enemy vitals!"
The blade sliced through unprotected spots—necks, sides—on the line of Tang soldiers. Five or so bled out, collapsing. Our troops, regaining breathing room, peppered them with Yeon Clan Crossbows. Faltering Tang couldn't dodge, falling. Geom Mojam hurled a flaming jar. Hesitant Tang were drenched in spilling fire. Close by, sizzling flesh sounded. Their line shattered; screaming Tang scattered into darkness. Catching breath, Geom Mojam suddenly yelled.
"Be careful!"