Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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Amid the mix of concern and mockery, the advice still carried more weight from worry, so he nodded in agreement.
At that moment, a commotion erupted outside the camp. Geom Mojam jumped to his feet at the sound and dashed toward it. Watching him go, Nak Sang-gwan spoke in an envious tone.
"Must be nice and reassuring to have someone like that."
"No need to say more; it's obvious."
"I wish I had a subordinate like him. Then I could sleep soundly with both legs stretched out."
"Don't you have plenty of loyal followers?"
At my question, Nak Sang-gwan gazed at the bonfire nearby with hazy eyes.
"They're not loyal to me. They're loyal to my dream."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"Similar, but different. If I fail to make that dream come true, they'll all turn their backs on me."
"If your dream and theirs align, what does it matter?"
"So far, yes. But sometimes, you have to make decisions you don't want to. I hope that day never comes."
"Isn't your dream to build a mighty nation that unites the north?"
"Right. My men were either chased out of their birth tribes or left on their own. That's why they stake their lives on my dream of creating an even stronger empire. And that's what scares me."
"Afraid that dream might come back at you on the edge of a blade?"
Nak Sang-gwan stared at me across the bonfire but said nothing. His heavy expression made his thoughts easy enough to guess. Footsteps approached, and Geom Mojam returned.
"What happened?"
"A messenger from Shin Fortress. The Tang forces are attacking the castle."
Silence fell after Geom Mojam's report. Even I, who had anticipated it, felt my heart sink—what must the others, who had no idea, be feeling? Nak Sang-gwan picked up a small twig and tossed it into the fire before speaking first.
"Fast, aren't they."
"Probably the Cheolrok led by Gye Pil Ha-ryeok out in front."
Nak Sang-gwan sprang up and looked around at his men.
"They're fast as the wind. But something's even faster."
"What?"
To my question, Nak Sang-gwan declared loudly enough for all his men to hear.
"Their stench. They don't bathe, so no need for sentries. The smell arrives before the wind does."
Everyone burst into loud laughter at Nak Sang-gwan's joke. His ability to unite men from such diverse origins and backgrounds was truly impressive. As the laughter died down, Nak Sang-gwan bellowed.
"The time we've been waiting for is almost here. Some of us will die, some will lose limbs. Are you afraid?"
Various replies came back, but they all meant the same thing. Geokgeok Jung-sang, sitting beside me, whispered.
"They say they're not afraid."
Nak Sang-gwan, hand on his waist, addressed his men after hearing their response.
"I feel fear when I charge into the enemy lines with my spear, when an arrow whistles past my ear, when an enemy's blade slices flesh from my face. You all know that feeling. Last time, I saw one guy piss his pants."
Laughter erupted alongside denials. Once it quieted again, he shouted at the top of his lungs.
"But I didn't retreat. Because I have a reason to win. Why are we called lost wolves? Because we were cast out from our tribes and wandered without a home. But if we win this war, our wolves will have a den. We'll be able to gaze at the stars and dream under the sky."
His men howled like wolves in response. Nak Sang-gwan mimicked them, then raised a hand to calm them before scanning the group with eyes burning hotter than the bonfire.
"So if anyone hesitates in fear or falls back, I'll sink my teeth into their hind leg. If you don't want to get bit, charge forward without looking back."
True to form, he ended on a joke. As his excited men laughed and chattered, Nak Sang-gwan sat back down and looked at me.
"So, how are we going to fight now?"
"I told Shin Fortress not to engage even if provoked. The enemy has no time—they need to hurry to join the siege of Liaodong Fortress."
"So they'll hit the easier castles."
"Right. Hyeondo Fortress or Gaemo Fortress first, then here."
"That's why you gathered us here."
"Exactly. Unlike the previous Sui invasion, they've put the Cheolrok and Eastern Tujue nomads in front. They'll cut the connections between castles and block relief forces, isolating them."
"Then surround and conquer the isolated castles."
"Yes."
In the 645 war, Gaemo Fortress and Liaodong Fortress fell that way. We had to avoid that at all costs. Nak Sang-gwan shrugged at my answer.
"That's why you're supplying us with food and conveniences."
"Yes."
To my curt reply, Nak Sang-gwan pulled a burning twig from the fire and drew a map on the ground.
"Shin Fortress is huge, so even isolated, it can hold out for a while."
I replied immediately.
"Yes. The problem is smaller castles like Hyeondo or Gaemo. Truth be told, even Baekam Fortress isn't entirely safe."
"They can cover a hundred ri a day on horseback."
"We can fight where we choose and retreat if it's disadvantageous. They can't chase unless they're on horses too."
"So we have to move faster than them. If they're the wind, we're the storm. If they fail at Shin Fortress, they'll go for Hyeondo or Gaemo next. If that's not enough or they score there, they'll come to Baekam."
Geokgeok Jung-sang, who had been listening to us, spoke up for the first time.
"That stretches their rear lines. Won't Hyeondo or Baekam just watch?"
Nak Sang-gwan shook his head at Geokgeok Jung-sang's question.
"I'd worry if it were Goguryeo or Tang regulars. But Cheolrok and Eastern Tujue can move ten to fifteen days without resupply. If they're hungry, they'll cut their horses' throats and drink the blood."
"What method can beat them?"
"Move faster than them and seize advantageous positions. They'll definitely scatter to move."
"Take them out one by one?"
"Not easy, but the best way."
"Key is finding their positions."
"Of course."
After hearing Nak Sang-gwan, I pointed to the sky with my finger.
"Then we need eyes in the sky."
"Scouting from above? Sounds good, but train some falcons."
It was a joke, but instead of answering, I just smiled, and Nak Sang-gwan's expression shifted subtly.
"You've got something."
"I'll contact you when it's ready. Come to Baekam Fortress. I'll show you how we put eyes in the sky."
Finishing the talk, I looked up at the starry night sky as I headed up to Baekam Fortress. Entering the west gate, a sentry reported that Cheoreo Geunji was at the east watchtower and urged me to hurry. I crossed Baekam Fortress and climbed to the east watchtower. Panting up the steeper-than-expected stairs, I found Cheoreo Geunji leaning against the wall, who turned to me.
"Toward Shin Fortress."
Standing beside him, I could see crimson flames flickering through the darkness. Hundreds of ri away, and visible like this—it had to be an enormous blaze.
"Are they attacking Shin Fortress?"
Cheoreo Geunji shook his head at my question.
"Probably not. Looks like the Eastern Tujue and Cheolrok set fires around Shin Fortress."
"To instill fear?"
"Seems like it."
Geokgeok Jung-sang, who had followed, added.
"That's how they always try to scare people."
"Shin Fortress has General On Sa-mun, the most cautious commander there is. They won't shake easily."
"Hyeondo and Gaemo will move the same way."
"At dawn, send out scouts to get a rough idea of positions. And check for any must-pass routes or spots from Shin Fortress to Hyeondo or Gaemo."
"Understood. But it might take time round-trip, so we may not pinpoint exactly."
"Don't worry about that."
Just then, Go Jeong-ui was approaching the watchtower.
"Hurry up."
Go Jeong-ui bounded up at my words. Seeing the firelight, his face darkened immediately.
"They've come."
"We need to launch the flying chariot to confirm positions."
"I'll do it."
"I said no."
"I taught Go Yeonmu the flight technique. Don't worry."
Go Jeong-ui pointed toward the riverbank, speaking with full confidence.
"Cliff there has strong winds. Launch from there, adjust direction slightly, and it'll fly toward Shin Fortress."
I couldn't hold back Go Jeong-ui any longer with that tone. Besides, he was the only one who could pilot the flying chariot anyway.
"Launch in two days. Prepare."
"Thank you, Master. I'll come back alive for sure."
"Good. You've got a lot to do, so you must return."
Go Jeong-ui headed down from the watchtower to check the flying chariot. In the meantime, the flames at Shin Fortress grew even larger.
Two days later, not just Baekam Fortress's soldiers and refugees, but even Nak Sang-gwan and his lost wolves gathered at the cliffside. All to watch Go Jeong-ui's flying chariot take off.
The flying chariot, built in the form of a repeating crossbow, had a launch ramp set up toward the river cliff. Angled downward, it needed no other devices. Complaining that it'd be cold up high, Go Jeong-ui bundled up in thick leather garb and a fur hat tied tight, then lay prone in the center. He took a deep breath and pulled the rope. The flying chariot wobbled down the ramp, kicked off the river cliff, and soared into the sky.
"Not bad."
His piloting had definitely improved. Turning sideways, the flying chariot headed northeast toward Shin Fortress. Following the river, there was no risk of getting lost. Nak Sang-gwan, standing beside me, shook his head.
"Now you're even making sky-flying carts."
"Used my head a bit."
As I boasted, Nak Sang-gwan chuckled.
"You're a guy whose depths I can't fathom. Once the flying chariot returns, we'll know their positions?"
"At least the general directions."
"That's still a big help."
Looking up at the sky, he added.
"If it returns safely, that is."
"It will."
As we finished talking and turned, Geom Mojam arrived with messengers. At his signal, they reported in turn.
"Report: Lord Protector Jang Geom's unit has crossed the Yoha River and approached Ganan Fortress."
"Report: A unit with the Tang Emperor's banner has passed Hoesu Garrison and is approaching Yojeok."
After hearing the messengers, I recalled what lay ahead and gave Geom Mojam orders.
"Go to the capital immediately and report to Duke Yushin."
"Understood."
Once done, Nak Sang-gwan asked.
"How will you respond?"
"As planned."
Looking up at the sky, I added.