Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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'What the hell? She was fine just a moment ago.'
Startled, I took a step back.
'She brings me here, tells me to protect Goguryeo, and now she's trying to kill me?'
Come to think of it, that headache earlier was one of the abilities from the Heavenly Palace patch.
Confused and flustered, not knowing what was going on, the Celestial Maiden kept staring at me with red eyes.
The unexpected situation left me too stunned to even call for Geom Mojam. As I backed away hesitantly, I heard murmurs rising.
Turning around, I saw the fishermen who'd been there earlier stirring restlessly.
The moment I laid eyes on them, I muttered without thinking.
"This is insane."
All the fishermen staring back at me had red eyes too.
From the baskets I'd assumed held fish, they pulled out short but sharp daggers and hook-like tools. They approached slowly, and their movements suggested they were no amateurs.
'This feels just like those assassins at the market before.'
The five assassins advanced slowly along the riverbank.
The two in front held daggers, the one behind gripped a hook-like tool, and the last two followed with short clubs.
I hurriedly grabbed the blade of Jumong's spear from my belt and wrapped the leather thong around my wrist.
Yeon Namsaeng, the body I inhabited, had trained in martial arts to some degree and had decent stamina, so I didn't think I'd be overpowered easily.
'First, I need to seize the initiative.'
I slowly drew Jumong's spear blade and gripped it tight.
A fighting stance came naturally. But the spear blade, which was supposed to protect me, didn't fly off or move on its own.
'Wait, wasn't it supposed to just fly by itself?'
As I felt a twinge of disappointment, the assassins moved.
The two with daggers charged first. Dodging their sudden rush, I plunged into the water.
I'd meant to create more space, but the moment my feet hit the water, I realized my mistake.
"Damn it. The riverbed's all uneven."
Mud and rocks made every step a careful ordeal.
As I entered the water, the five assassins followed.
Three waded in after me, while the other two stayed on the bank, glaring.
I had to fight, so I grabbed the leather thong connected to Jumong's spear blade and whirled it overhead.
The hefty blade was hard to spin, but the whooshing sound made the assassins hesitate.
One exchanged glances with the others, reversed his grip on the dagger, and lunged.
"Raaah!"
He splashed toward me slowly.
An unexpected advantage—I quickly reeled in Jumong's spear blade and hurled it.
He must have anticipated it, wildly swinging his reversed blade. But Jumong's spear blade slipped through and buried itself in his chest.
With a thud, the assassin toppled backward, spear blade embedded. As his breath rattled out, the red glow faded from his eyes.
I yanked the thong and reclaimed the spear blade. Meanwhile, the remaining four assassins had surrounded me in a semicircle.
'Should I just swim away?'
But the Yalu River's current was stronger than I'd thought. And one of them might be a better swimmer.
As these thoughts raced, the assassins edged closer.
Scanning around, I spotted a gap in the middle. The two approaching from the front were a bit spread out.
I swung Jumong's spear blade and bolted toward it.
"Grab him!"
One shouted in alarm and chased after me clumsily.
As I slipped between them, the spear blade suddenly slipped from my hand.
"Wh-what?"
Glancing back, I saw it deflect a dagger flying straight at the back of my head. Then it sliced through the air like a living bird.
Jumong's spear blade cleaved the throats of all four assassins.
They clutched their necks, gurgling. Their blood mingled with the rushing river.
The danger passed in an instant, leaving me dazed.
What amazed me most was that not a drop of blood stained the spear blade when it returned to my hand.
Precisely, the last drop slid down the blade into the water.
"I don't know Yeon Namsaeng's original skill level, but this saved my life."
Relief washed over me, then anger surged. The Celestial Maiden had tricked me, and I'd fallen for it completely.
Of course, I wondered why she'd suddenly turned after offering help.
"What's really going on here?"
Looking around, I spotted the Celestial Maiden standing on a rock by the riverbank.
'She was just watching?'
Fuming, I glared—then noticed Geom Mojam standing beside her.
That startled me, but thankfully, his eyes weren't red.
'Come to think of it, her eyes look normal now too.'
Puzzled, she beckoned me up.
A bit scared, but with Jumong's spear blade, I figured it'd be fine.
Climbing the rock, the Celestial Maiden bowed politely.
'What situation is this now?'
Irritated but relieved her eyes weren't red, I relaxed a little.
She glanced down at the fallen assassins by the water.
"These are the ones who showed up a few days ago. They pretended to fish, but I saw through it instantly."
"Sharp eyes you've got."
"Not really. Fish don't bite well there. You have to go further downstream. I told them, but they stayed put."
"Ah, so you pegged their ulterior motives right away."
"Yes. I considered dealing with them before you arrived, but I thought testing how well you'd use Jumong's spear blade might be useful, so I led you here."
Finally, I understood her intentions.
Geom Mojam beside her sighed.
"Lady Celestial Maiden held me back, so I couldn't step in. My apologies."
"It's fine. Now I have Jumong's spear blade."
"I want to be the blade that protects you, Master."
His words filled me with reassurance.
"Then become the sturdiest blade there is."
I turned to the Celestial Maiden.
I was curious about her eyes flashing red earlier, but decided to let it slide for now.
"Satisfied now?"
"Completely. Call on me anytime you need my help."
"I will. It was a pleasure meeting you, Celestial Maiden."
"Please protect Goguryeo. Our fate now rests in your hands."
She bowed earnestly. Geom Mojam looked shocked.
I returned the bow calmly and said to him,
"Let's go."
I returned to my waiting subordinates, mounted up, and headed back to Guonei Fortress.
On the way, Geom Mojam told them how the Celestial Maiden had greeted me first. They all showed surprise.
Go Jeong-ui, who'd heard, asked slyly,
"Is that true?"
"What?"
"That the Celestial Maiden greeted you first."
"Yeah."
Go Jeong-ui covered his mouth with his hand. I asked,
"That big a deal?"
"Of course! She doesn't even greet the Great King first."
"She must've done it to back me up."
"No, Master, you seem like someone chosen by the heavens."
"Cut it out. That's for the Great King."
"If the Great King defies heaven's will, he can't claim to be chosen."
"What's gotten into you, coward, talking like you'd lose your head?"
I teased half-jokingly, but he replied seriously.
"Serving one chosen by the heavens— I'd have no regrets even in death."
"Want me to kill you for real?"
I asked with a straight face on purpose. He quickly said,
"We've got too much to do. Kill me later."
"Even decapitated, your mouth would survive."
"What a relief. That was my worry."
His witty retort made everyone burst out laughing.
Startled birds fluttered from the forest. We passed along the path, watching them scatter noisily.
I'd planned to visit the General's Tomb, presumed to be King Jangsu the Great's, but prioritized returning to Guonei Fortress and heading to Jian Fortress as fast as possible.
We passed the Great King's Tomb from afar and returned to Guonei Fortress.
Entering through the east gate, countless commoners watched me silently.
It felt burdensome.
"Feels like I'm an idol."
Quick-witted Go Jeong-ui asked,
"What's that mean?"
"Something like that. Gonna keep pestering me?"
"Sorry."
Chatting back and forth, we entered the fortress.
The sun was already setting. To Geom Mojam, scanning tensely,
"Don't breathe a word about what happened at the Yalu."
"Shouldn't we report it to the fortress command and investigate?"
"They're all dead, hard to trace. And we don't know the extent of involvement. Keep quiet for now."
"As you command."
Geom Mojam nodded reluctantly.
Back at the temple serving as lodging, subordinates greeted us. After dismounting, I told them to prepare well—we'd leave for Jian Fortress tomorrow.
At the news of heading back, they couldn't hide their joy.
In my room, I lay on the bed feeling unburdened. There'd been a time after suddenly arriving in the past when I had no clue what to do. Even after deciding, I worried if I could pull it off.
But now, I knew exactly what needed doing. I knew who would help. And I'd seen the key fortresses around Liaodong, the main stage for the war in 645.
"It's all coming into focus."
With the path clear, my mind eased. Sure, much remained, and I might falter when reality hit.
But at least I wouldn't collapse helplessly. That confidence let me somewhat let go of lingering regrets about my modern life.
When I'd snapped at the Celestial Maiden earlier, my own life was what I'd regretted least.
"Letting go feels liberating."
Thinking I must live as Yeon Namsaeng, not Yeon Taehwan, I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.
The next morning, we prepared to depart early.
The temple's head monk, hearing the news, came by. Unlike last time, no feather adorned his monastic robe on his shaved head; he wore a patterned black jacket and pleated pants.
Approaching slowly, he greeted me.
"Leaving in such haste—such a shame."
"Father urgently summoned me from the capital. No choice. I'll return with my wife next time."
"Thank you. Safe travels on the long road."
We exchanged bows with clasped hands, and I mounted the horse Geom Mojam held.
Geom Mojam, briefed by a subordinate, approached and whispered.