Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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Slowly, I opened my eyes. For a moment, I wondered if I'd returned to the modern world and snapped back to being Yeon Taehwan.
"No such luck."
The first thing I saw was Geom Mojam and Go Jeong-ui, their faces etched with worry. The moment I opened my eyes, Geom Mojam grabbed me by the arms and shouted.
"Master! Are you finally coming to?"
"Don't shake me so hard. I'm dizzy."
"Ah, sorry!"
Geom Mojam's face, brimming with joy, fell in an instant. Go Jeong-ui, on the other hand, stayed surprisingly still. Seeing that sparked my mischievous side again.
"Aren't you happy I'm awake?"
"I'm so happy I'm just standing here stunned."
His eyes said, What more do you want? My head felt much clearer, so I sat up right away.
"How long was I out?"
Go Jeong-ui replied in a voice thick with genuine concern.
"A full day. You didn't regain consciousness at all."
"Must've caused a huge commotion collapsing in front of everyone."
"At first, people were shouting that you'd died. Then I checked your pulse and yelled that you'd just fainted."
I thought, Bragging even now? But Geom Mojam nodded, confirming it was true.
"He even stopped them from sending word to Jang'an Castle. Said it could wait a day or two."
I knew he was smart, but his judgment was sharper than I'd realized. Still, his matter-of-fact expression irked me again.
As I slowly rose from the bed, everyone in the room gasped in surprise.
"I'm fine. No pain, feeling great."
"How on earth did you catch that spearhead?"
I teased Go Jeong-ui, who sounded like he was dying of curiosity.
"Rock-paper-scissors. I won."
"That's why Yuksal of Liaodong Fortress visited the shrine maiden last night, it seems."
"Why?"
"Dongmyeong Saint King's chain armor and spear are sacred relics protecting Liaodong Fortress. Handing one over out of the blue to you must've shocked them."
"Should I give it back, then?"
Jumong's spearhead lay by the head of the bed. Geom Mojam jumped in immediately.
"Just keep it, Master."
"Why?"
"The shrine maiden gave it to you because of a divine oracle or divination."
"She said it was the Celestial Maiden's will."
At that, not just Geom Mojam and Go Jeong-ui, but Ham-a, Adokbang, and even Gi Do-ryang in the room stirred with excitement. Geom Mojam spoke in an awestruck voice.
"Now you're the one chosen by the High Gods, Master."
"I just passed out. Nothing great came of it."
"Great events lie ahead. Congratulations, truly. Master."
His trembling voice echoed through the room. Everyone looked at me like they might burst into tears. Then Go Jeong-ui reverently offered the spearhead.
"Carry it with you always. Where everyone can see it."
I took Jumong's spearhead and examined it closely. The blade, patterned like rippling waves, looked incredibly sharp.
The base, meant for attaching to a shaft, was hollow. Perfect length to grip in one hand. I grabbed it there and lightly scraped the bed's edge. It sliced clean off with a scritch.
"Not just a relic— this edge is razor-sharp."
As I peered at the blade and muttered, Geom Mojam replied.
"I've never seen ripples like that on a blade."
"Probably forged from iron smelted from a meteorite fallen from the sky."
I swung the spearhead this way and that, then called to Ham-a.
"Make me a sheath to carry this. Leather."
"Got it."
"Hollow out the inside so the edge faces outward, visible. Wrap the grip part in leather."
"Shall I connect it to a leather strap for your wrist?"
I nodded at Ham-a's question, but another idea struck— like a weapon from an old Chinese wuxia flick.
"Make the strap long. So I can throw it and reel it back."
In the movie, the hero would whip out a hidden dagger from his sleeve in a pinch, connected by a cord for retrieval.
"I'll make it quick."
He pulled a measuring tool from his sleeve and took the spearhead's length and width. Just then, commotion erupted outside. Geom Mojam opened the door, stepped out, and hurried back.
"It's Yuksal of Liaodong Fortress."
"Here to take the spear back?"
I asked with a grin, and Geom Mojam replied.
"Sacred relics bring disaster if taken by force. He only brought a few attendants, so no need to worry much."
"Got it."
"He's waiting outside."
I rose from the bed, straightened my clothes, and stepped out.
The space was like a modern living room— a wooden table and backless chairs. A man sat there.
He wore a red jeogori with gold wing-shaped ornaments on his crown. Small build, but fierce eyes. Go Jeong-ui, following me, said.
"That's Yuksal Mo Gyesu of Liaodong Fortress."
I bowed in greeting, and Yuksal Mo Gyesu smiled.
"Heard you collapsed suddenly. Had me worried."
"Must be exhaustion from the long journey. Sorry to trouble you."
Mo Gyesu said it was fine and gestured for me to sit. As we sat side by side, a young woman with rouge on her cheeks asked if we'd like tea. Mo Gyesu shook his head.
"I have to head out soon. No need. Everyone, leave us."
The woman and his attendants filed out. Even my hesitant Geom Mojam followed. Mo Gyesu's expression turned grave as he looked at me. His eyes flushed slightly red.
Another assassination attempt?
I jolted, but he asked in a wistful tone.
"I heard the shrine maiden gave you the High God's spearhead."
"Yes. She divined it and handed it to me."
Mo Gyesu, looking troubled, said.
"As you know, we've guarded the chain armor and spear for ages."
"I know. I tried refusing, but she insisted."
"I went to her myself, and she said the same. Since she gave it personally, it worries me greatly."
"What worries, exactly?"
"Legend says as long as the relic guards Liaodong Fortress, it will never fall to enemies."
His words jogged a memory from my modern days. During the Tang wars, when it was about to fall, they prayed at Jumong's shrine.
Despite that, it fell anyway. He was beating around the bush, but I didn't want to return it.
"I'd love to give it back, but the shrine maiden refused."
"I heard that too. Forcing a relic brings calamity."
He sighed.
"After much thought, I have a solution."
"What is it?"
"Give me one of your swords in exchange."
"One of mine?"
"Yes. Leave the sword of the relic's new bearer in the shrine instead. Might have the same effect."
It didn't sound bad.
"Alright. I'll send one of the swords I carry."
Mo Gyesu's face relaxed at my answer.
"Good. I have military drills tomorrow, so I must go. I'll leave envoy Gwan Hwapyeong; give it to him."
His eyes, as he rose, were no longer red. Probably hatred from losing the relic. Resolved, they returned to normal.
Grant their request or solve it, and the eyes change.
Tuck that away for later. Curiosity struck.
"Military drills tomorrow?"
"Formation training too. Spring's here— time to inspect gear."
"Mind if I observe?"
I'd seen Yeon clan retainers, but little of regular army weapons and drills. Mo Gyesu thought a moment, then nodded.
"Fine. I'll send someone tomorrow morning."
After Mo Gyesu left, my men poured in, eyes wild with curiosity. I couldn't help laughing.
"Geom Mojam!"
"Yes."
"Pick one of my carried swords and hand it to the envoy."
"A sword?"
"Traded for the spearhead."
"A relic for one sword? Not bad. Understood."
"Tomorrow, we'll observe Liaodong Fortress's military drills. Prepare to attend."
"Understood!"
Seeing their resounding reply reignited my hope. As the shrine maiden said, gathering people would yield answers. My smile spread to them.
Liaodong Fortress's military drills took place on the vast plain across the Taedong River. As the sun rose and drums boomed, commoners streamed out the gates, crossing the wooden bridge over the river. In an era short on entertainment, drills were prime spectacle.
Trumpets blared, and fully armored soldiers marched out, crossing the bridge.
I watched from the second-floor gate tower beside Yuksal Mo Gyesu. Soldiers were hard to make out, but formations stood clear. First came the infantry.
"Helmets and sleeveless armor."
I muttered, and Geom Mojam explained.
"Sleeveless makes swinging weapons easier."
Shields were two types: tall hexagons bulging top and bottom, and figure-eights laid horizontal.
Spears slung over shoulders bore red tassels, visible from afar. Helmets sported black plumes.
Exiting the gates, they raised spears high, roaring cheers. Startled birds exploded from the river.
Amazing.
It was Goguryeo troops straight from Anak Tomb No. 3, live. After spear infantry came axe-bearing infantry, axes over shoulders.
No helmets— red turbans or rear-peaked red chaek. Sleeveless torso armor. Few in number, but burly. I whispered to Geom Mojam.
"What's the axe soldiers' role?"
"They smash front barricades. Support in melee."
Next, sword-bearing soldiers, swords over shoulders, small hex shields at sides, steps in sync.
Goguryeo swords were straight, single-edged, ringed pommels— hwandu daedo, or ring-hilt greatswords, sometimes haengdo.
"Swordsmen."
Spain's tercio formation came to mind from studying Goguryeo tactics— swordsmen guarded flanks. Geom Mojam echoed.
"Spears turn poorly for flanks, so swordsmen protect the sides."