Chapter 28
Chapter 28
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Liaodong Fortress
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As we crossed the Paekgang and Yalu Rivers heading toward Liaodong, winter came to an end and spring arrived.
Melted ice trickled along the roadsides. I shed my thick fur coat and, aside from one sword, left the other five cumbersome blades behind.
Riding light and unburdened, the vanguard servant bellowed ahead.
"Liaodong Fortress!"
Half-dozing in the saddle from last night's drinks, I jerked my head up.
"Whoa!"
Through the pouring sunlight, the towering walls of Liaodong Fortress came into view. The modern records I'd seen claimed they were fifteen or twenty meters high, but up close, they looked even taller.
Surrounding the fortress flowed the Taizi River, which I'd learned about in history class. Unlike most Goguryeo fortresses perched midway up mountains or at their peaks, Liaodong stood smack in the middle of a plain. That made it seem all the more imposing and grand.
The entire procession ground to a halt as I stared silently at the walls. Shaking off my awe, I signaled to move on. Geom Mojam swept his arm wide, and the column resumed marching.
It looks like a battle-scarred giant.
During King Gwanggaeto's reign, Goguryeo seized Liaodong and the fortress with it. It became a vital stronghold guarding the northeast frontier. Any force invading Goguryeo had to pass through here.
Later Yan, Sui, and now Tang would all assault it for control. Even after Goguryeo's fall in my era, the fortress held out to the bitter end.
As I gazed at it with respect, the procession reached the south gate. Jagged protrusions dotted the walls for repelling climbers, and corner watchtowers bore tiled gatehouses.
The fortress guards at the south gate parted for our approaching column.
Inside lay a grid of streets lined with tightly packed houses and bustling with people. Another wall loomed ahead.
The inner citadel from the murals.
Civilian homes filled the outer walls, while government offices, temples, and shrines occupied the inner ones. Midway down a road stood a warrior in a blue turban sporting a Kaiser mustache.
The armored man in gleaming scale mail and helmet approached, dropping to one knee before me.
"You've come a long way. I am Gwan Hwapyeong, a mounted messenger serving the Lord of Liaodong Fortress."
"I'm grateful for the welcome. Rise."
Gwan Hwapyeong straightened and bowed again.
"The Lord himself should attend you, but he's preparing military drills. I'll stand in for him. This way, please."
He turned briskly toward the inner citadel. My escort soldiers peeled off to either side.
I passed between them toward the inner gate. Beyond it unfolded a different scene from the outer ward.
Two-story government halls and soaring temple pagodas met my eyes. But Gwan Hwapyeong strode past them all. Curious, I asked Go Jeong-ui.
"Where are we headed?"
"The shrine of King Dongmyeongseong. Visitors must pay respects there first."
Then it clicked—something from my Liaodong studies.
Gwan Hwapyeong halted before a two-story shrine with a single door and not a single window in its walls.
No wonder it feels eerie.
Dismounting, I approached. He dipped his head slightly.
"Enter the shrine. The shrine maiden awaits."
Unsure of the protocol, I decided to go in anyway.
I eased the door open with a creak, revealing dimness within.
Despite the bright day, the windowless interior was pitch black, save for a central torch that barely lit the way.
The floor was laid with earthen bricks. A hole in the ceiling let in a shaft of sunlight.
I walked naturally toward it. A step higher sat chainmail armor and a spear bound in iron links. Recognition hit me.
Liaodong Fortress houses King Dongmyeongseong's shrine, with ancient chain armor and spear inside.
I stepped closer. The chainmail and spear looked ancient, especially the blade—broad, slightly convex, rippling like Damascus steel. Up close, both gleamed with an otherworldly sheen.
Special effects?
Standing there dazed, a voice suddenly pierced the gloom.
"Welcome."
Startled, I whipped toward the sound. Footsteps on the bricks heralded a woman draped head to toe in a white cloak-like garment. Heavy makeup and shadows obscured her age, but she seemed young.
The shrine maiden Gwan Hwapyeong mentioned.
No one had briefed me on shrine maiden etiquette, so I stood frozen. She circled me, then abruptly scattered what looked like animal bones at my feet.
She knelt before the strewn fragments.
I stepped back and asked,
"What's this about?"
"The Celestial Maiden of Gukdongdaehyeol foretold it. A benefactor would come to defend Liaodong Fortress and Goguryeo."
"Me?"
"The sacred divination shows it. You are the savior of Goguryeo."
"I'm still learning about Goguryeo. Don't expect too much at once."
It was an odd reply, but she pressed on undeterred.
"The Celestial Maiden told me she dreamed of Goguryeo's fall and Liaodong's capture."
That "dream" was reality in about thirty years. But I couldn't say that, so I listened.
"She called it a revelation from the High God, foretelling the future."
The High God meant Jumong. So the founder had shown her the future in a dream.
"And you think I'm the one to stop it?"
"Her words have never been wrong."
"I'm Yeon Gaesomun's eldest son, Eastern Division Leader. But I can't save a crumbling Goguryeo alone."
It was the truth. I racked my brains, but didn't know where to start or what to do.
At first, I'd thrown myself into everything with gusto. But reality brought growing frustration.
"Helpful allies surround you. Many stars cluster around the one symbolizing your fate."
"Any way to blot out the star for that loudmouth?"
I blurted it in irritation, then winced. But she either missed it or ignored it, continuing,
"Great events lie ahead. Keep the loyal and trustworthy close. Shun the cunning and treacherous. When you wield the sword, annihilate foes; when you extend your hand, make allies."
"That's awfully vague."
As I geared up to demand specifics, she lunged for the spear beside the chainmail. I retreated a step, but she thrust it toward my chest, the tip grazing perilously close.
"Gasp!"
I flinched, but she handled it with startling skill, then poised it at my heart again. Abruptly, she yanked the blade free and offered it.
"A jump scare gift?"
"Jumong's sacred relic. With this, you'll gather comrades and earn trust."
"This?"
"What more do you need?"
I nodded despite myself.
On the northward journey, I'd studied Goguryeo religion. Buddhism dominated as textbooks said, but they also revered Jumong and his mother Yuhwa as the High God and Buyeo God.
Shrines to them dotted the land, from Jangansung onward, guarded by shrine maidens.
East of the capital lay Gukdongdaehyeol, a vast cave hosting the Dongmaeng festival and rites each October, led by the head shrine maiden—the Celestial Maiden. So Goguryeo blended Buddhism with these native deities.
Gaining her backing was real power. And now I held the relic of Goguryeo's founder.
But new threats loom too.
The Great King itching to crush the Yeon clan, Elder Yeon Jeong-du... To keep Yeon Namsaeng from history's traitor, there was no choice.
We had to beat Tang, which meant building more strength.
And stop Father's coup too.
As those mountain of tasks weighed on me, she pressed the blade into my hand and vanished into the dark.
What a bizarre encounter.
But my grip on the blade began to tremble. At first I thought it was the weight, but the shaking wouldn't stop.
What's this?
I just wanted out of this ominous place. Nausea churned in my gut too.
I shoved open the door and stepped into blinding sunlight. Geom Mojam, Go Jeong-ui, and the escort waited outside, along with Gwan Hwapyeong's men and passing civilians—all staring.
Caught off guard by the attention, Go Jeong-ui shouted,
"M-Master!"
"What? Ghost behind me?"
His gaze fixed on the blade in my hand.
"Wh-What's that you're holding?"
"Oh, this? The shrine maiden gave it to me."
"Th-The High God's spear?"
"Yeah."
"Why give it to you?"
"No idea. Just handed it over like a gift."
I shrugged it off with a grin, but suddenly heaviness crashed over me, exhaustion flooding in.
I staggered, and the crowd screamed in unison. I fought to stay upright, but it felt like a giant hand crushing me down.
"Wh-What the...?"
Reeling to keep my feet, a ringing filled my ears.
"Are you all right?"
Geom Mojam's voice echoed as strength drained from my limbs.
"Oh man."
I mumbled weakly and pitched forward. Geom Mojam lunged to catch me. The screams faded into the distance.
At last, as consciousness slipped away, a cold voice rang from the darkness.