Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: The Fall of the Victory Tower
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"Do you even eat properly?"
I was quoting a line from a movie I'd really enjoyed, but Yang Manchun, who had no way of knowing it, just smirked.
"I've been starving my ass off. Treat me to a proper feast."
"I'll lay out a spread so grand the table legs will buckle."
The main gate swung wide open, and we stepped inside.
His familiar subordinates greeted Yang Manchun warmly.
I spoke up as I watched.
"Rest up for now. We'll eat dinner together."
Then I turned to Geom Mojam.
"Show him to an empty annex."
"Understood, Master."
As we arranged to catch up with Yang Manchun later, a commotion erupted outside.
Geom Mojam instinctively reached for his sword hilt.
A small side door by the main gate opened, and a servant in a black jacket entered.
He hurried straight to Geom Mojam and whispered in his ear. Geom Mojam, his face grave, replied to the servant.
"I'll head there shortly."
I jumped in right away from where I'd been watching.
"What's going on?"
"Oh, it's nothing."
"Nothing, and you're going to check it out?"
Geom Mojam hesitated before speaking.
"The Central Administration Bureau is trying to tear down our Eastern Division's Victory Tower."
"The Victory Tower?"
I knew exactly what it was. It was a monument the people had built to commemorate Goguryeo's victory over Sui Dynasty forces.
I'd heard it was piled with the skulls and weapons of slain Sui soldiers, though I'd never seen it myself. And one question popped into my mind.
"Didn't the Victory Tower get demolished a few years ago?"
To be precise, I recalled it vanishing one or two years before I possessed Yeon Namsaeng.
More accurately, an envoy from Tang named Zhangsun had smashed it. But Geom Mojam gave an unexpected response.
"That was another division's tower. Ours in the Eastern Division was never torn down."
"R-right, that's true. Slipped my mind."
Luckily, the urgency of the situation made him let it slide.
"The people are swarming it, blocking the demolition."
"Makes sense. It's a symbol of victory, after all."
Tearing down the Victory Tower was a political move to avoid conflict with Tang. But it was also a decision that ignored the people's feelings.
And history showed it didn't even help. Despite Goguryeo's deference, Tang never abandoned its invasion plans.
Geom Mojam turned to me, lost in thought, and asked.
"If our Eastern Division's people clash with the Central Administration Bureau's soldiers, it'll be a disaster."
His words snapped me to attention.
The Central Administration Bureau was directly under the Great King and wielded unchecked power.
Clashing with them would bring no good.
"What about Father?"
"The Leader has entered the palace. He won't hear outside news from in there."
I muttered without thinking upon hearing Geom Mojam.
"Clever move."
The timing was impeccable. Of course, a clash between the people and bureau soldiers couldn't impeach Father directly.
But it could be used to obstruct naming me as heir.
The longer it dragged on, the more people would scheme.
Geom Mojam asked urgently.
"What should we do? To stop the clash, we need to bring the servants."
"Have them hold back the people?"
"We must. Otherwise..."
"Gather the servants. But light armor only—no heavy gear. Just swords."
"Master! If trouble breaks out..."
I shook my head at Geom Mojam's frantic protest.
"Who benefits if a fight erupts there?"
"Well..."
"If our servants show up in full battle gear, we'll be the prime target. And if there's even one casualty, it blows up bigger."
"Y-yes, you're right."
"They timed Father's palace entry for this. So do as I say, no arguments."
"Understood. But it's dangerous for you to go, Master."
"Life's full of dangers beyond this. Hurry."
Geom Mojam rushed toward the gate to muster the men.
I soothed my anxious wife and turned to Yeon Suyeong.
"Stay with her."
"Got it, brother."
Quick-witted Yeon Suyeong comforted my wife.
Yang Manchun, standing nearby, let out a long yawn.
"Thought Chang'an Castle would be boring, but looks like it'll be anything but."
"This place is rough."
Yang Manchun grinned at my reply.
"I like it."
Seeing Geom Mojam assemble the men at the gate, I started walking.
On horseback to the scene, I realized why I'd never seen the Victory Tower. It was behind the mansion, in a spot I never visited.
Near the market entrance, a pile of stones came into view.
"At least no skulls in sight."
Before the Victory Tower stood Central Administration Bureau officials and soldiers.
Throngs of people surrounded them like clouds, all visibly agitated.
It was past noon but still daylight, with plenty of passersby.
"They planned for the crowd too."
Curses flew from all directions, and some were picking up stones, ready to throw.
I pointed out a man in a red hood to Geom Mojam.
"Have a man watch that guy."
"Why is that?"
"He looks like he's stirring things up."
"Understood."
Geom Mojam signaled a subordinate, pointing at the red-hooded man.
Meanwhile, things escalated—stones began flying, curses ringing out.
Observing briefly, I noticed something intriguing.
"Too few of them."
The bureau officials and soldiers numbered under thirty total.
Not that demolishing the tower needed many, but it was conspicuously light.
"Elder Yeon Jeong-du wouldn't handle it this sloppily."
The conclusion was swift.
"It's a trap."
Yang Manchun, who'd followed, looked thrilled.
"Thought the capital folk were meek, but they've got fire."
I shook my head at his booming laugh.
"Of course. People hate blows to their pride."
"Same in Ansi Fortress."
"How do you handle it there?"
Yang Manchun flexed his fist in answer.
"Simple, but effective."
"Fight it out, drink, make up. Done."
Chatting with him, I kept watch.
One bureau official used a log as a lever, toppling one side of the Victory Tower.
Stones crashed down amid dust clouds. The people grew even more furious.
Geom Mojam approached and reported.
"Mostly Eastern Division folk. Hurting bureau men means trouble later."
"Feels like trouble's brewing now anyway."
"Y-yes."
"Follow me."
I dismounted and headed toward the tower.
Geom Mojam, startled, called for me to wait. But I'd already confirmed no red-eyed agents nearby.
I wove through the excited crowd toward the tower. Behind me, Geom Mojam followed, shouting for people to back off.
The people finally recognized me and parted. I walked the path they cleared straight to the tower.
The flustered bureau officials and soldiers lit up at my approach.
A quick scan showed no high-ranking or Elder Yeon Jeong-du favorites among them.
Tsking my tongue, I approached and said.
"My men will guard you. Get out of here."
A bureau official in orange robes and a black official's hat stammered.
"B-but the Chief of Central Administration's strict order was to demolish the Victory Tower."
I glanced at the nearly collapsed tower.
"This thing?"
"Y-yes. He said severe punishment if we return without doing it."
Understanding dawned, I gave a wry smile.
"Damn, pulling a palace drama trope."
I picked up the log they'd used and shoved the tower's remaining section.
The precariously standing Victory Tower collapsed with a roar.
The bureau official screamed in shock.
"Argh!"
The watching crowd backed away from the tumbling stones.
Geom Mojam gaped in astonishment; even Yang Manchun looked surprised.
"Whoa, bold move."
I tossed the log to the dazed official.
"Go report to the Chief that it's down."
"Y-yes, sir."
Clutching the log, the pale-faced official fled, trailed by the others.
Once they vanished through the crowd, I climbed atop the stone pile.
Geom Mojam positioned himself tensely in front of me; Yang Manchun stood at my side. I murmured to him.
"Solid backup."
"Quit joking and fix this. Mood's turning ugly."
As he said, an ominous silence spread.
They'd never dreamed the Eastern Division Leader's heir would topple it himself.
Hands on hips, I surveyed the crowd. Slowly, I raised one hand toward the rubble.
"What is this?"
Only after asking twice came the reply.
"The Victory Tower."
The answer rippled like waves through the throng.
Sensing the tension, Geom Mojam gripped his sword. But I remained calm.
"Right. This is what we built after repelling Sui's million-man army. Our pride, our glory, the mark of victory."
I bent and picked up a stone.
"But does this symbolize our victory? It's just a pile of rocks and dirt."
I dropped the stone from my hand.
"Does our victory vanish if this crumbles? Do these scattered stones erase our annihilation of the enemy at Salsu?"
This time, "No!" echoed back.
"What fell today is mere rubble. Goguryeo's triumph over Sui won't disappear without it."
My voice grew louder, firing up the crowd.
"Some believe erasing this tower erases the victory. Years ago, a Tang envoy named Zhangsun came and smashed one. Today, someone else targeted the rest. I ask again: Does losing this tower erase our victory?!"
"No!" roared like thunder.
"The tower is gone. Someone sought to destroy it, as I've said. So let us build the Victory Tower in our hearts."
I pounded my chest with my fist.
Yang Manchun beside me followed; Geom Mojam and his men did too. Then the people thumped theirs.
I felt their hearts surging.
I picked up the stone I'd dropped earlier.
"Now! Take a stone home. When enemies invade, fight back with it. Show those who toppled this to erase our victory that we remember."