Chapter 92
Chapter 92
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"I'll go to Goguryeo with Namsaeng and finalize the alliance."
"You'll go yourself?"
"Yes. If the crown prince goes in person, we won't need all that back-and-forth hassle, right? And we can prevent any funny business along the way."
King Mu thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well, I permit it. In the meantime, I'll leave the Mireuk Temple construction to General Sata Sangyeo of the Navy."
"Thank you, Arah."
With that, the discussion wrapped up, and King Mu turned to Gwisil Boksin.
"Let's head back to the palace now. If I stay away too long, someone might get suspicious."
"Understood."
Gwisil Boksin opened the door with one hand and addressed the warriors waiting outside.
"We return to the royal palace as swiftly as possible. Make haste."
A few warriors entered and helped King Mu to his feet. As the king rose laboriously, he turned to Crown Prince Uija, who had stood as well.
"You stay here a bit longer and head back tomorrow. It's been ages since you saw your friend—catch up properly."
"My thanks."
Supported by attendants, King Mu made his way out of the guesthouse. I followed to see him off and watched as he struggled onto the cart. Crown Prince Uija, standing beside me, had tears welling in his eyes.
"He used to be stronger than anyone... Time is cruel."
"It's only natural for the river to push forward. The real art is preparing well to send it on its way."
"Is your father still in good health?"
"Too healthy, even. At this rate, he might not hand over the Eastern Division Leader post."
Crown Prince Uija burst into laughter at my joke, lightening the mood.
"You're a riot. Since it's been so long, let's share a drink and reminisce."
"Sounds good. After you."
The crown prince, chuckling heartily, instructed Buyeo Seung, who had followed him, to prepare drinks and food. Geom Mojam, whom I'd sent ahead earlier, stood nearby.
For several days, I stayed at the guesthouse, drafting the alliance documents with Crown Prince Uija. We discussed how to coordinate attacks on Silla and the best ways to communicate. King Mu didn't return, but he sent liquor and food via attendants, seeing to every detail. During this time, I grew closer to Gwisil Boksin, who was handling communications. He seemed uncomfortable with my familiarity at first. But knowing his tragic end and fierce patriotism, I chatted with him whenever I could. Three days later, as the documents neared completion, Crown Prince Uija asked,
"Have you decided how you'll return?"
"I hadn't expected to travel with you, Your Highness."
"How about taking a ship from Bear Ferry up the Paekgang River?"
"I'm worried Silla forces might interfere midway."
"It's not heading to Hyeolgu Island—it's a ship bound for Tang's Dengzhou. Cross the sea from there, and you'll hit the Paekgang right away. Ride that upstream."
"Understood."
A few days later, we arrived at Bear Ferry to find a large ship waiting at the dock, sails fully unfurled and cargo being loaded nonstop via planks. Several vessels of similar size bobbed nearby. Crown Prince Uija, clad in leather armor, remarked,
"This is Baekje's pride, our great ships. They cross the sea in one go—blazing fast, too."
Chatting amiably with the upbeat crown prince, I boarded. Recalling the ordeals of my first voyage, I felt a twinge of nerves, but no nausea meant I'd be fine. I spotted Buyeo Seung and Geom Mojam gesturing animatedly. Similar ages and both warriors, they were already thick as thieves.
Because of me, two who've never met are best friends now.
Gwisil Boksin from yesterday shared that fate too—both would die fighting for their country. Watching them talk stirred something odd in me.
Do I even have the right to change history?
I'd all but forgotten my life as Yeon Taehwan. I remembered only being a dirt-poor nobody with no real skills. Was it right to recklessly alter fates just because I came from the future? Seeing Gwisil Boksin and Geom Mojam changed my mind.
They just did what was right... and died miserably for it.
Now, preventing their deaths was added to my reasons for changing history. The ship slowly set sail. Oarsmen rowed to drumbeats, carrying us into the sea. The sails billowed full. Breathing the salt air, I watched the land recede.
About ten years left now.
A lot had happened already, but more—and real villain interference—lay ahead. My head ached at the thought when Crown Prince Uija spoke up beside me.
"Any secret to taking Deng Harbor's Silla navy? They outnumber us, and they duck into the harbor mouth when pressed—tough to hit."
"Have you tried?"
The crown prince glanced at Gwisil Boksin instead of answering. Boksin bowed his head.
"A few years back, I joined our navy in an assault on Deng Harbor."
"Tell us."
"We had more warships and pulled off a perfect surprise. We torched or captured five enemy vessels early on. But when the Silla dogs retreated into the harbor, everything changed."
"What happened?"
To answer, Gwisil Boksin rolled up his sleeve, revealing a hideous burn scar on his right arm.
"They'd strung iron chains across the harbor mouth and planted stakes. My ship got snagged, and others too—we couldn't budge. They closed in and rained fire arrows, burning us out."
His face darkened, reliving it. With a sigh, he added,
"I dove into the water and survived, but many burned alive or drowned. This scar's from then."
Crown Prince Uija looked to me after hearing it.
"The harbor mouth is too narrow—even with superior numbers, we can't press the advantage. And holding the harbor does no good; Deng Fortress overlooks it."
"We need to hit both sides at once, then."
"Exactly. Easier said than done. Deng Fortress is small, lightly garrisoned, but only one approach."
"I saw it on the way."
"Then you know. Even a big army won't take it easily."
I'd anticipated this question and prepared.
"I'll give you the weapon I used at Niha Fortress."
"That hard-to-extinguish fire?"
"Yes. With it, you can take them."
Crown Prince Uija looked incredulous.
"You're giving it to us?"
"Why not? I'll throw in the Yeon Clan Cannon blueprints too. Fire from beyond arrow range."
Arming our warships with Yeon Clan Cannons at sea? Even Deng Fortress couldn't hold. The crown prince's eyes gleamed at gaining Goguryeo Fire.
"Trusting us like that—my thanks."
"We're in the same boat. We handle Silla before Tang comes in force."
"True enough. Same boat."
As land faded, the wind picked up, filling the sails. The captain ordered oars stilled.
Wind-powered, the ship headed west, passing islands like Myodo. Five days later, we reached Dengzhou. Mountains ringed the harbor, topped by walls. Among countless ships, warships stood out. That's when I realized my oversight.
"Should've factored in Tang's navy too."
In 645, during Tang's invasion, General Zhang Liang's fleet crossed the sea and took Bisa Fortress. We repelled them at Geonan, but failing to stop them at sea let Bisa fall. Naturally, a name came to mind.
Zhang Munhyeo.
This rare Balhae general whose name survived crossed the Yellow Sea on Balhae King Mu's orders, sacked Dengzhou, and killed Governor Wei Jun. They didn't hold it long, but the damage delayed Tang's recovery—I remembered that record.
Right—if war breaks out with Tang, strike here immediately.
Just hobbling their navy would aid our strategy. I needed ironclad warships with Goguryeo Fire pronto.
The ship docked. A massive plank lowered as ramps. Officials inspected, cargo unloaded—Baekje goods sold to Tang. New purchases loaded for Goguryeo, then Goguryeo wares back to Baekje. Triangular trade bustled. Maemul Guild ships dotted the port.
Time to meet Ariyeong soon?
Lost in thought, Crown Prince Uija said,
"First land in ages—want to stretch your legs?"
Nothing pressing, so I followed with my men. Past the docks, up a hill: inns with signs out, laughter from courtesans. Far off, an octagonal wooden pagoda. I suggested to the crown prince,
"Shall we climb that?"
"Why some dizzying height?"
"Need the view."
He got it and nodded. A Tang-fluent sailor guided us. Monks guarded the brick-based pagoda; a few coins let us ascend. Dusk fell over the harbor, packed with ships. Gulls perched on mastheads. Walls gleamed clearer. To huffing Go Yeonmu,
"Memorize the terrain."
"Key spots?"
"Walls—and best approach from open sea."
"Got it." Geom Mojam hoisted him up effortlessly, scanning meticulously. I had him turn directions. Watching, Crown Prince Uija asked,
"Planning to take this place?"