Chapter 188
Chapter 188
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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Shadows darted through the scattering Tang soldiers toward the shields. One of them leaped onto a shield, knocking it over, then roared as it kicked off into the air.
"Die!"
Geom Mojam swung his sword with a savage shout, slicing it down before it could even touch the ground. The shadow, cut across the waist, staggered in front of me before collapsing. As Geom Mojam caught his breath, other shadows burst through the gap in the toppled shields one after another. He moved to block them, but while he faced off against one, several more closed in on me. I swiftly hurled Jumong's spearhead and shouted.
"Their necks!"
The flying Jumong's spearhead grazed the throats of the Tang soldiers surrounding me in a row. Blood gushed from their necks like a burst dam. Amid the enemies collapsing wordlessly while clutching their throats, I saw Geom Mojam slash diagonally at the Tang soldier he was facing. The soldiers around us drove back the Tang troops trying to infiltrate through the gaps in the fallen shields with spears and swords. Charging in single file to avoid the iron maces and nails had been a good tactic, but the breach was too narrow, and they were quickly pushed back. A Tang soldier bristling with spears like a porcupine writhed in agony before going limp.
The standoff ended as several pots of Goguryeo Fire shattered. With the flames blocking their path, the Tang soldiers could advance no further. As we caught our breath, a Tang soldier suddenly burst through the fire and charged in. One of our startled soldiers moved to block him, but he was cut down effortlessly.
"Argh!"
Beyond the screaming, collapsing soldier, the Tang soldier came into view. His build and armor marked him as no ordinary trooper. Spotting me, he gripped his sword and approached. I threw the Jumong's spearhead in my hand and yelled.
"Neck!"
To my astonishment, the enemy deflected the incoming spearhead with his blade.
"What?"
I was so shocked my mouth hung open. But the ricocheted spearhead curved back and plunged into the back of his neck. Blood poured down over the round mirror-like plate on his chest armor. Clutching his neck with an incredulous expression, he pitched forward. Seeing him fall, the Tang soldiers retreated without looking back. Geom Mojam approached me as I panted for breath.
"Are you all right?"
"Of course. That last assault was sharp."
Geom Mojam looked down at the fallen Tang officer and said.
"A captured prisoner just said this is Marching Commander Jeong Myeong-jin."
"This guy?"
Geom Mojam nodded in confirmation at my question. As expected, the Tang army's organized counterattack had been thanks to Jeong Myeong-jin.
"Good thing we didn't let him live—it could've been trouble. Cut off his head and take it."
"Understood. They’ve pulled back, so we should withdraw while we can."
"Got it. Tell them to fall back slowly. Make sure to gather all the remaining Goguryeo Fire."
At Geom Mojam's orders, the retainers severed the head from the prone Jeong Myeong-jin. I turned away at the gruesome slicing sound and the twitching of his arms and legs. The shield-bearing soldiers withdrew slowly as per Geom Mojam's instructions. They fired Yeon Clan Cannons wildly to keep the Tang soldiers at bay. I too retreated from the rear of the formation. Surprisingly, the Tang army showed signs of pursuit. I shook my head at the sight.
"Crazy bastards."
I could see why the Tang army of 645 had racked up more achievements than the Sui with fewer numbers. The Tang soldiers reformed their ranks and advanced with shields to the fore. I shouted urgently.
"Hurry!"
There was only one narrow path to the west gate, and if it got blocked, we'd be caught for sure. Fortunately, wary of an ambush, the Tang forces didn't close in quickly. As we rapidly climbed the hillside toward the west gate, a thought struck me.
"Pour the Goguryeo Fire on the ground!"
The soldiers smashed the pots on the ground at my command. They passed torches to the soldiers moving by. Geom Mojam asked.
"What’s the plan?"
"Just giving them a parting gift."
As the soldiers ascended, only Geom Mojam, myself, and a few retainers remained. I waited for the enemy, glancing sideways at the anxious Geom Mojam. Moments later, heavy breathing heralded the Tang soldiers' appearance. They halted upon seeing us holding the narrow path. Someone pushed through their ranks. He wore ornate armor as striking as the Marching Commander Jeong Myeong-jin we'd just beheaded, with a massive build. He shouted something, which a nearby Tang soldier translated into Goguryeo.
"I am Marching Commander of Pyeongyang Province, Bang Hyo-tae! Drop your weapons and surrender, and you'll live!"
I glanced at Geom Mojam beside me and replied.
"I am Goguryeo's Great Commander and Chief of Central Administration, Yeon Namsaeng. Drop your weapons and surrender, and I'll let you return alive."
Bang Hyo-tae looked shocked at my identity. Geom Mojam was equally stunned. Geom Mojam, blocking my front, whispered.
"I'll hold them here—hurry up the hill."
"Don't worry. They won't get past this point."
Geom Mojam gave a puzzled look, then glanced at the ground and grinned.
"Still, be careful."
The Tang soldier who'd been interpreting shouted again after conferring with Bang Hyo-tae.
"He says he can't believe it. How could Goguryeo's top man be in a remote outpost like Bisa Fortress?"
"I came ahead knowing you'd attack. Tell him I was also on the Fire Ghost Ship that annihilated you at Cheolsan Island earlier."
Bang Hyo-tae pointed his sword at me after hearing the soldier's words.
"He asks if you were really on that monstrous ship."
I replied to the Tang soldier, who had switched to polite speech.
"Tell him I made that ship—and the fire it spewed."
This time, the Tang soldier asked directly.
"You mean that unquenchable fire?"
"Of course. So tell him to abandon any thought of swallowing Goguryeo whole. You'll end up ruined like the Sui."
Bang Hyo-tae advanced a step, face flushed with agitation as he ranted. Geom Mojam readied for battle. I asked the interpreter.
"You speak Goguryeo well. What's your name?"
"Ju Gon, sir. I learned it trading with Goguryeo merchants in Deng Province."
"So that's why they dragged you along."
Ju Gon scowled at my words.
"What would a merchant like me know? They hauled me off just for speaking Goguryeo, and here I am."
I addressed the suddenly lamenting Ju Gon.
"I'll give you a chance to live. Fall back."
Ju Gon glanced at Bang Hyo-tae at the ominous words.
"I can't just leave my post."
"Take even a few steps back. I won't ask again."
Ju Gon hesitated, then edged backward. Bang Hyo-tae charged with a bellow, sword gripped tight. I hurled the torch in my hand forward. The Goguryeo Fire soaking the ground erupted in flames. Bang Hyo-tae, rushing toward me, was instantly engulfed. He screamed in agony, slashing wildly at the blaze as if to cut it. But the heat forced him to drop his sword. The flames devoured his robes and began melting his iron armor. Spinning in place, he tumbled downhill as a human fireball. Unlucky Tang soldiers who caught fire collapsed limply. Fortunately, Ju Gon escaped the blaze by a few paces. I shouted at him.
"Tell the survivors: I am Yeon Namsaeng, Goguryeo's Chief of Central Administration and Great Commander! Any who invade Goguryeo's soil will face a baptism of unquenchable fire!"
I turned away with a triumphant laugh. The flames roared fiercely, and the Tang soldiers dared not follow. Urged by Geom Mojam, I hurried to the west gate. General Sobu-son, waiting atop the gate tower with torches lit, opened the gates. As I entered, he descended the stairs with a deep sigh.
"I was really worried when I heard you stayed behind."
"I killed the pursuing Marching Commander Bang Hyo-tae."
"Really? Taking down Field Marshal Jang Ryang, Commander Jeong Myeong-jin, and now Bang Hyo-tae—you're incredible."
"It's thanks to you and the Bisa Fortress soldiers."
"No, it's due to the Chief of Central Administration's brilliant tactics and courage. Truly impressive. I was greatly worried with the Tang invasion, but now we have nothing to fear."
Sobu-son's subordinate, Cheoryeo Geunji, chimed in agreement. News of Bang Hyo-tae's death spread, boosting Bisa Fortress's morale sky-high. The naval battle and night raid by day had killed or badly wounded around thirty thousand Tang troops. With their key commanders dead, their morale must have plummeted. Cheers from the gathered soldiers and civilians rose as I listened to the reports and climbed the watchtower. It was still dark, but dawn was breaking from the sea. The sea that had swallowed hundreds of warships lay calm. Meanwhile, the landing cove where the Tang army had come ashore still flickered with unquenchable fires in spots. General Sobu-son, standing beside me, said excitedly.
"The Tang soldiers charred black by fire look like tiny ants."
"Thousands must have died in the night raid."
"Now, the able-bodied Tang left can't be more than ten thousand at most."
"Still, don't get complacent. Another seven thousand reinforcements will come."
General Sobu-son boasted loudly at my words.
"Don't worry. We at Bisa Fortress can handle that much."
"I trust you, General."
Bisa Fortress had only about six thousand defenders, but the treacherous terrain and Goguryeo Fire could hold off thirty to forty thousand Tang. With General Sobu-son there and the night raid leader Jeong Myeong-jin dead, Bisa was secure. Tension released, fatigue crashed over me. Forcing my drooping eyes open, I said to Cheoryeo Geunji.
"The General and I will rest a bit."
"Rest easy, sirs."
I descended the watchtower with General Sobu-son. He pointed to a hall near the west gate.
"Rest in the guest quarters. We'll inform you of anything."
"Got it. You get some shut-eye too. I'll sleep a bit then head back to the capital fortress."
"In the blink of an eye, you turned tens of thousands of Tang into fish food and beheaded several enemy leaders. I can hardly believe my eyes."
General Sobu-son teared up with joy, relieved of a massive burden.
"Guard Bisa Fortress well from now on. It has to hold for us to face the Tang in Liaodong."
"Don't worry. They won't take it unless they pry me from my post."
I thanked the confident General Sobu-son and entered the guest quarters.