Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Whispers of an Immortal
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“An immortal, you say?”
Yi Maengjin nodded as he saw my eyes widen round in surprise.
“He acts just like he can predict the future, always thinking one step ahead of everyone else without even trying. And the way he cares for people so earnestly—it's truly remarkable, they say. My son isn't one to praise others lightly, but whenever he sees me, he goes on and on about it until his mouth runs dry.”
It was flattery to a degree, but Father Yeon Gaesomun took it straight to heart and broke into a broad grin. He personally drew his knife, sliced off a piece of venison, and handed it to Yi Maengjin. Yi Maengjin chewed the venison Father had given him and looked my way.
“The Great King is even warier of you now. More than your father, even.”
“Me?”
My spine straightened involuntarily. Yi Maengjin nodded at my tense question.
“Yes. He says you've changed too suddenly, too drastically, and he can't make sense of it. So, the matter of naming a successor is only going to get more difficult from here.”
“You mean the Great King is stubbornly opposed?”
“His will aligns perfectly with that of the Chief of Central Administration.”
Father Yeon Gaesomun's expression hardened again as he heard Yi Maengjin's words. Worried he might stir up trouble once more, I hurried to speak.
“In any case, it's the Great King's prerogative, so we have no intention of challenging it. But the longer the decision is delayed, the more his authority will erode.”
“Because of you?”
Yi Maengjin gave me a skeptical look.
“We've forged an alliance with Baekje now, and soon we'll raise an army to deal Silla a major blow.”
“We must.”
“Baekje has marked me as their partner—no, their target. The more victories I rack up, the worse it looks for the Great King if he keeps his distance.”
Yi Maengjin chuckled at my words.
“Of course. But the Great King is only half convinced.”
Father Yeon Gaesomun, who had been listening from the side, cut in.
“Why? Didn't my son smash the Silla dogs at Niha Fortress and take the head of Nangdang Daegam?”
“He seems to think it was just good luck. But this time, the scale of the mobilized forces will be different, and Silla's response will be too.”
He wasn't wrong. If the Battle of Niha Fortress had been a practice match, the coming battle would be on a massive scale, with casualties on another level entirely.
Chiljung Fortress.
I recalled the time I'd visited the site. Huffing and puffing my way to the mountaintop where Chiljung Fortress once stood, a gasp of admiration had escaped me unbidden.
The entire Imjin River was visible at a glance.
Chiljung Fortress was located on the southern bank of the Imjin River's midsection, what the Silla folks called Chiljungha. With no tall mountains nearby, it offered a strategic vantage point overlooking not just the Imjin but the surrounding area. Gazing down at the river from there, I understood why Silla had poured so much effort into defending it. Even in modern times, the site was still used as a military outpost—its strategic value undiminished.
The first Battle of Chiljung Fortress in the History of the Three Kingdoms was in 638, right? When Silla's General Alcheon routed the invading Goguryeo forces.
The prime strategic goal in attacking Silla alongside Baekje was to seize Danghangseong and Danghangpo. Controlling those would cut off交流 between Silla and Tang China. But those places would inevitably become Baekje territory. King Yeongnyu would never permit his forces to march just for that. In the end, we had to take Chiljung Fortress. It would give us the justification to sustain the alliance.
We've done well so far, but I'm not confident about what's ahead.
Killing Kim Seohyeon and capturing Niha Fortress had set history on a new course. What came next was anyone's guess. As I stared at Yi Maengjin amid these thoughts, a wave of nausea hit me. I forced it down, not wanting to show it, but a hiccup escaped anyway. Father Yeon Gaesomun mistook it for indigestion and ordered the maid bringing food to fetch some omija tea. The maid, with her hair braided forward under a short headscarf, clutched her pleated skirt and rushed out, soon returning with a cup of omija tea. I downed it in one gulp, and the queasiness eased. Seeing this, Father Yeon Gaesomun turned to Yi Maengjin.
“He must be stressed from all the worries lately.”
“There'll be even more to worry about ahead. Especially since the Great King isn't letting it go easily.”
Yi Maengjin left those ambiguous words—praise or warning?—and gave me a meaningful look. Staring into his eyes, I wondered why I'd felt sick earlier.
“In any event, the Great King is watching closely, so mind your words and actions carefully. He's just waiting for a chance to bite.”
I nodded at Yi Maengjin's advice, and Father Yeon Gaesomun asked,
“What about the Chief of Central Administration? Still visiting often?”
“Same as always. Though it seems he's caught some flak over your son's matter.”
“Because of my boy?”
“He tried a few times to put him in his place, only to end up humiliated himself. That's what earned him the reprimand.”
“Serves him right.”
Father Yeon Gaesomun chuckled gleefully. But even then, my mind was racing.
I need some special strategy to take Chiljung Fortress.
With our current weapons, victory wasn't guaranteed. Given the fortress's importance, the likes of Alcheon or Kim Yushin might show up.
As I sank into thought, Yi Maengjin finished eating and sucked the grease from the venison off his fingers.
“In any case, a storm is brewing toward the Eastern Division. Best to stay cautious.”
“Our house has weathered many storms. But not one has ever brought us down.”
Yi Maengjin grinned at Father's confident words.
“That's why I entrust my son to you. Take good care of him.”
After Yi Maengjin left, I spent my days busily preparing for the coming war with my close aides. I'd asked Father to track down Abiryu, but no luck. By the time spring turned to summer, Father Yeon Gaesomun visited Bin Yeon Pavilion in person, looking apologetic.
“I mobilized Dosuryu and Geumryu both, but no trace of him.”
“Then he might not be in Goguryeo at all.”
“We're searching Buyeoseong and Hanseong now. If he's not there either, he's either holed up deep in the mountains or crossed the border altogether.”
The unexpected setback drew a groan from me unbidden. Father Yeon Gaesomun fidgeted anxiously.
“I'll look for another skilled craftsman.”
“You've already introduced several. And Maemul Merchant Guild sent more.”
The results? Dozens of failed Huigwiseon prototypes. Not even the small models floated properly. Father left word to call anytime I needed help and returned to the palace. As I saw him off, I muttered,
“The Flying Chariot might come together first.”
In truth, Go Jeong-ui and Go Yeonmu's not-quite-competition was wearing Ham-a ragged. Go Jeong-ui used bamboo for the frame, Go Yeonmu cypress wood. Go Jeong-ui glued thick paper for wings, Go Yeonmu silk. They bickered over copying each other while building their Flying Chariots. Entering Bin Yeon Pavilion, I found them facing off over their respective prototypes. Ham-a, exhausted from catering to both, was curled up asleep in a corner chair.
Even in this era, engineers get crushed.
I pitied him, but there was no replacing Ham-a. Sure, technicians worked under him now, but none truly grasped my instructions. Ham-a was getting ground down. Fortunately, mass production of weapons was underway, easing some burden. Gi Doryang, Go Dolbal, Ita-in, and Yang Man-chun toured Liaodong together, introducing and training on Ham-a's weapons. For the Yeon Clan Cannons, artisans Ham-a had trained spread out, teaching the methods—omitting key parts for secrecy, of course. Thankfully, the Chief of Central Administration and Great King didn't interfere. Seon Do-hae's couriers were dispatched to Baekje and Silla, even Tang China, with plans for Wa as well. Seon Do-hae's reports grew thicker but packed with useful intel. Gazing at the mess in Bin Yeon Pavilion, reflecting on achievements past and future, Geom Mojam entered from outside.
“What is it?”
“A guest has arrived.”
He'd normally name a regular guest, so secrecy meant a covert visit. Hearing the noise, Ham-a stirred but I told him to sleep more and headed out. With Geom Mojam, I went to the small pavilion behind Bin Yeon Pavilion, where someone waited and greeted me.
“It's been a while.”
Stepping from the pavilion's shade was Gwisil Boksin, whom I'd met in Baekje. The wide-legged green pants, white jeogori, and black joogwan made it all the more startling—King Mu's close aide, in civilian garb, right before me.
“What? How did you get here?”
“I bear a message from Crown Prince Uija. He bade me come discreetly.”
“I see. Geom Mojam will guide you to a quiet annex. We'll meet there shortly.”
“Understood.”
I instructed Geom Mojam to take him to an empty annex.
“I'll be there soon.”
“To the gray-roofed annex by the polo field.”
“Got it.”
After they left, I returned to Bin Yeon Pavilion. Go Jeong-ui and Go Yeonmu were still arguing over their Flying Chariots; Ham-a had curled up asleep again.
“Rest early today.”
Ham-a didn't wake, and the two kept at it. Shaking my head, I headed out along the corridor to the polo field. The retainers playing polo halted en masse upon seeing me. I gestured for them to continue and proceeded to the gray-roofed annex. High walls hid the interior. Geom Mojam at the gate opened it for me. At the annex door, I entered to find Gwisil Boksin rising from a chair in the curtained room.
“Sit. What's this about, dressed like that?”
“Crown Prince Uija has urgent words for you.”
He handed over a small jade tally. I pulled mine from my belt to match it—the one left by Throne Prince Uija, for verifying true envoys. It fit perfectly.
“Alright, what's the message?”
As I sat opposite, Gwisil Boksin pocketed the tally and said,
“Crown Prince Uija says: let's attack Silla together at the start of next year, if possible.”
“Next year? It's July now— that's less than a year away.”
Stunned by the sudden proposal, I pressed, and Gwisil Boksin replied cautiously.
“The situation has grown complicated.”
“How so?”
“After Crown Prince Uija returned from Goguryeo last time, Arah publicly declared him the next in line for the throne.”
“Publicly?”