Chapter 196
Chapter 196
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 196
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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As we emerged from the forest, Baekam Fortress atop the hills came into view, along with the Cheolruk tribesmen who had split their camp into three positions below it. Spotting us suddenly appearing from behind, they sounded their war drums and horns in alarm. I grinned as I heard the noise.
"Too late for that."
The Malgal horsemen, spread thin and wide, engulfed the Cheolruk forces. The whinnies of horses and the clash of weapons echoed across the field. The enemy was swept away helplessly by the faster wave of Malgal cavalry. Or so it seemed. They held firm around the central camp, refusing to yield.
"Not pushovers, huh."
Cavalry from both flanks naturally converged there. Having lost their momentum, the two sides clashed fiercely. I headed that way too, drawing the blade of Jumong's spear.
"Take their heads!"
The blade of Jumong's spear flew through the air, slicing through the necks of nearby Cheolruk warriors. Blood sprayed like a fountain as their throats ruptured. With six or seven felled in one go, the rest hesitated and fell back. In the meantime, I gripped my pingon and swung it wildly. Geom Mojam, sticking close by my side, shouted,
"These guys aren't easy. Let's pull back to the fortress, sir."
"Liaodong March's vanguard commander Gye Pilha-ryeok is here somewhere. We have to take him down."
"I'll handle him myself."
As we bickered—not quite an argument—a fiery arrow shot up from Baekam Fortress. The west gate swung open, and a group of cavalry charged out.
"It's Godolbal."
They must have waited for the two sides to engage before bursting forth. With Baekam's Goguryeo cavalry joining the fray with ferocious momentum, the evenly matched battle shifted once more. Especially Godolbal at the lead, thrusting his side-mounted spear to topple several foes.
"Godolbal of Baekam Fortress is here! Where's Gye Pilha-ryeok?!"
The Cheolruk warriors, who had been holding strong against Godolbal's savage aura, crumbled in an instant. The Malgal horsemen, locked in fierce combat, took heart from the sight. I swung my pingon at every enemy in reach, cutting them down. As Cheolruk trying to block Godolbal fell one after another, I could see our side's morale soaring.
"Godolbal, as expected."
The inexperience from our first meeting was gone, replaced by seasoned prowess. Then, one Cheolruk warrior stepped up to block Godolbal's path. He wore a tiger skin like a cloak and towered a head above the others. His armor and spear looked far from ordinary. I recognized him at once.
"That's Gye Pilha-ryeok."
The two exchanged spear thrusts once each. Realizing neither was an easy mark, they backed off into a standoff. Geulgeul Jung-sang, dual-wielding swords to carve through nearby foes, rallied the Malgal horsemen.
"You gonna let these stinking bastards push us around? Fight with everything you've got!"
His words fired up the Malgal warriors. Meanwhile, Godolbal and Gye Pilha-ryeok closed the distance again. Having gauged each other's skill, they warily sought openings. Unlike in movies or dramas, flailing wildly in heavy armor and helmets drained stamina fast. Gye Pilha-ryeok moved first, feinting a head strike before jabbing at the side. But Godolbal, anticipating it somewhat, dodged with ease and pressed back. Pushed by Godolbal's relentless assault, Gye Pilha-ryeok suddenly hugged his horse's neck and swung his spear wide.
"Sneaky."
Caught off guard by the unexpected twist, Godolbal recoiled with his horse. Then the horse reared up, leg caught on something. Gye Pilha-ryeok stabbed its neck. The horse toppled sideways, spilling Godolbal. The watching Cheolruk erupted in cheers. But Godolbal sprang up and smashed the legs of Gye Pilha-ryeok's mount with his spear shaft. The startled horse buckled and collapsed, forcing Gye Pilha-ryeok to dismount. Spears angled, they glared and clashed again. Geom Mojam murmured,
"Their duel will decide the battle."
"Godolbal won't lose. Don't worry."
Thrusting and parrying, they locked shafts and shoved. Gye Pilha-ryeok, outmatched in strength, suddenly discarded his spear and drew his sword. Godolbal calmly retreated, then stabbed at his flank.
"That's it!"
Staggering, Gye Pilha-ryeok lunged for his dropped spear. But Godolbal was faster, knocking his arm away with the shaft before attacking fiercely. The sword's shorter reach left Gye Pilha-ryeok struggling, and soon a deep gash opened on his neck. Aiming for the gap between helmet and armor, blood streamed from the wound, trickling down the round chest plate called a hosin.
Clutching his throat, Gye Pilha-ryeok dropped to his knees. Godolbal approached, set his spear aside, and slit the man's throat with a dagger. A sickening slice mixed with gurgling gasps. Moments later, the headless body pitched forward. Blood-soaked Godolbal hoisted the head high. Seeing it, I bellowed at the top of my lungs,
"Liaodong March vanguard commander Gye Pilha-ryeok is dead!"
Geulgeul Jung-sang and Geom Mojam echoed the cry. The shout instantly reversed the tide. Cheolruk who had fought tooth and nail moments ago turned tail, fled, or dropped weapons one by one. Geulgeul Jung-sang barked,
"Chase the runners! Kill as many as we can—make things easier later."
I nodded to Geulgeul Jung-sang, who then ordered his Malgal horsemen. They pursued the fleeing enemy. I instructed Geom Mojam too.
"Spare the surrenders. Confiscate weapons and horses, round them up."
After issuing orders, I approached Godolbal. Covered head to toe in battle gore, he still gripped the dripping head. Dismounting, I went to him.
"Well done. Truly well done."
Hearing my praise, Godolbal's tension eased.
"He was incredible."
"You took down a guy like that—you're the incredible one."
I barely suppressed a mad burst of laughter. Things I'd prepared and waited for so long since reincarnating as Yeon Namsaeng were coming to fruition, one by one. Especially satisfying: beheading a famed general. Godolbal knelt on one knee and offered the head.
"You trusted me, Master—that's how I earned this merit today."
"You fought bravely. Battle's not over, but rejoice today."
Geulgeul Jung-sang returned from pursuing, reporting over a hundred kills and about fifty captures. Of the eight hundred Cheolruk Gye Pilha-ryeok had led, fewer than half escaped intact. We cleaned the battlefield and entered Baekam Fortress. Citizens and soldiers atop the walls cheered our arrival.
Leading prisoners through the west gate, a messenger from Nak Sang-gwan arrived. He'd ambushed the Turks besieging Hyeondo Fortress, taking five hundred heads. They were now keeping the Tang forces at bay from afar and requested next orders. Instead of basking in victory, cool-headed submission.
Truly no pushover. I praised the messenger lavishly, then ordered surveillance and rest before moving near Gaemo Fortress. I headed east to Jangda to receive cheers from Chief Secretary. To my jubilant subordinates, I said flatly,
"We haven't crushed Liaodong March's main force yet. Don't get too carried away."
"But we severed their limbs, right? And took vanguard commander Gye Pilha-ryeok's head."
Go Jeong-ui chimed in. My initial point was to stay alert.
"True. Word of his death will demoralize the Cheolruk too. First, locate Liaodong March's remaining units."
"Ten thousand at Sinhyeon, forty thousand at Gaemo, aren't there?"
Gazing Gaemo-ward, I replied to Geulgeul Jung-sang,
"With Hyeondo and Gaemo cavalry smashed, they'll prepare. Plus, Liaodong March overall commander is none other than Yi Se-jeok."
In real history, Yi Se-jeok was Emperor Li Shimin's close aide, earning great merits. He crushed Eastern Tujue, early Tang's big threat, and dealt heavy blows to Xueyantuo. In 668, he toppled Jangseong and ended Goguryeo. To my tense men, I continued,
"With heavy Cheolruk and Turk cavalry losses, they'll concentrate on one spot for results."
Liaodong March's goal from the start: protect the emperor's personal army attacking Liaodong Fortress from the right while blocking Goguryeo reinforcements. Failing at key eastern Sinhyeon, they took Gaemo. There, Cheolruk and Turks stalled Goguryeo relief; Yi Se-jeok leisurely captured it. Now, without that option—and with Kim Yu-sin's nearby—we forced decisive battle. Conclusion set. I eyed Geom Mojam.
"Contact Sinhyeon's General On Sa-mun: pursue if Tang besiegers move. Once clear, bring forces to Gaemo."
"What if counterattack or ambush?"
"He's cautious—no such risks."
Go Jeong-ui asked,
"You think Sinhyeon's Tang will head to Gaemo?"
"Likely. Only with those troops can they beat General Kim Yu-sin's army that took Gaemo."
"Then we go too."
"Of course. Combine Baekam and Ogol forces. Nak Sang-gwan's unit joins there."
"Crushing Liaodong March in one go."
"Eases pressure on Liaodong Fortress."
"Ogol's army needs time to move."
"Not aiming for one blow."
Yi Se-jeok battle already brewing in my mind. Weightiest, most renowned foe yet. Composing thoughts, I told Geulgeul Jung-sang,
"Rest a day. Organize Malgal horsemen."
"Morale's sky-high. Next fight, huge merits."
Geulgeul Jung-sang's confidence warmed me. One more capable general secured.