Chapter 108
Chapter 108
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Jo Gwang's Choice
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Go Mi returned to her residence.
Her face was thoroughly flushed.
The cold composure usually seen in her eyes was nowhere to be found as she gazed down at the thin booklet made of a few sheets of paper.
"This stance was made to match your internal energy. As your power grows through the mental technique, the stance's might will strengthen too, so practice it diligently."
The paper was scribbled with all sorts of diagrams and numbers in chaotic fashion. It was so intricate that one might wonder how this could possibly become a martial technique, but it posed no problem at all for Go Mi.
It was the emergence of a genius she herself hadn't even realized she possessed.
Now that she had grasped the principles, all that remained was to embody them with her body. That meant a race against time.
"Haa..."
Go Mi bowed her head and let out a deep sigh. It was a sigh laced with more ecstasy than any cheer.
She still couldn't gauge the full power of this stance. But she trusted Yi Hwan.
Having realized the mysterious might of the mental technique he had passed on, she had no reason to doubt.
Gulp gulp!
Go Mi drank cold water and immediately sat cross-legged on the floor.
"For now, I need to commit it to memory."
Grasping the principles didn't mean she could start training right away.
First priority was memorizing the stance's operation method, sequence, and the changes occurring in the linking process. Memorization was no difficulty for her.
But this was far too precious an opportunity, so she wanted to etch it into her mind like a sculpture forever, using her own special method.
"Thank you, Great Prince."
* * *
Zhao Kingdom Imperial Palace.
Crown Prince Jo Gwang, forced to return after refusing the Southwest King's imperial edict, was spending his days in seething rage.
Even Pa Pa, whom he had hoped would bring some comfort, had failed her mission and come back, so his fury was on the verge of turning into a fit of pique.
Drip drip!
Thud!
Harsh liquor poured endlessly down Jo Gwang's throat. He drained two bottles like that, but his mind only grew clearer.
The merciless sword nun and Pa Pa watched him with pitying eyes, their insides burning black.
To her, Jo Gwang was more than just the crown prince.
She had projected everything of herself onto him, sharing joys and sorrows to that extent.
"Your Highness, I fear for your precious health. Please set the cup down."
"Pa Pa, come have a drink too."
His voice held no strength, thick with pathos.
Pa Pa's eyes quickly grew moist. For her, just watching Jo Gwang like this felt like standing in hell.
It was then.
"Pa Pa."
A voice drifted in from outside.
Pa Pa opened the door, and a blue-robed man entered.
"What brings you here at this late hour?"
"There's unusual movement from the Southwest King's side. The prime minister, Grand Commander-in-Chief, and Grand Overseer of the Golden Imperial Guards have been in secret talks at the Southwest King's mansion since early evening until now."
"Those lot have always been in cahoots. Why do you say it's unusual just because they're meeting in secret?"
"With a large number of martial artists in tow, it doesn't seem like a routine gathering."
Pa Pa's eyes changed.
"A large number of martial artists gathered together?"
"Yes. Confirmed numbers alone reach over a hundred."
Pa Pa turned to Jo Gwang. He set down his cup and smiled mournfully.
"They're no doubt plotting how to catch me."
"Somehow, it doesn't feel good. For now, it would be best to evacuate to a safe place, Your Highness."
"What nonsense. Do you mean to say those scoundrels would dare lay a hand on me inside the palace where His Majesty resides?"
"The Southwest King is the sort to do even that. Mobilizing a large number of martial artists out of nowhere— it might even be because of me and my subordinates."
"Hmph! Let them try if they dare!"
Gulp gulp!
Jo Gwang chugged straight from the bottle.
It was then.
Another blue-robed man rushed inside.
"Your Highness! The martial artists assembled at the Southwest King's mansion are now swarming toward the Crown Prince's Palace!"
"......!"
Jo Gwang's face finally hardened rigidly.
His trembling eyes were soon filled with deep despair.
"They dare... inside the palace where His Majesty is..."
"His Majesty has already abandoned Your Highness! You must flee at once!"
Pa Pa's voice shook severely.
Crunch!
Blood dripped from Jo Gwang's lips where his teeth dug in.
"Where would I go? For a crown prince like me, is there anywhere safer than the palace?"
"I will escort you!"
Pa Pa supported Jo Gwang to his feet.
She commanded the blue-robed men.
"We must buy time until His Highness leaves the palace. Can you do it?"
"Trust us and take His Highness out quickly."
"Go now, Pa Pa!"
A spasm ran through Pa Pa's eyes.
She would never see them again. They were the sort who would gladly give their lives for Jo Gwang—or even for her sake.
"I'm sorry."
"It was an honor to serve Pa Pa!"
"Your Highness! Please rise again and execute those vile Southwest King's minions!"
"Go quickly, Your Highness!"
Thud thud!
The two blue-robed men prostrated themselves and cried out. Jo Gwang's face spasmed.
Tremble...
"I will never forget you."
"You must go, Your Highness."
Moments later, Jo Gwang and Pa Pa slipped out of the Crown Prince's Palace through a secret passage.
The two blue-robed men slowly drew their swords.
Shing.
"What now? You're about to die without even getting married."
"If I go to the afterlife, there'll be at least one girl who likes me. I'll pick one prettier than your wife, you bastard."
"Dream on, you bastard."
Clang!
"Argh!"
"Kraa!"
Agonized death cries began echoing from outside.
The two blue-robed men looked at each other and smiled. But how could that be called a smile?
"The road to the afterlife is dark, so follow close."
"Don't worry. I'm good at finding my way, aren't I?"
Boom!
The door burst open violently as black-robed men poured in. One of them pointed his sword at the two blue-robed men and shouted coldly.
"Drop your swords. Do that, and we'll spare your lives!"
"Shut up and come at us, you mongrel!"
"Don't show off—drop your swords. Our lord wishes to employ your skills!"
"Tell him to go fuck himself."
Twitch.
"If you truly wish to die, no helping it. Get them!"
* * *
"The crown prince escaped?"
Would a tiger in human form look like this?
A middle-aged man resembling Jo Gwang but with a completely different air. It was Zhao Kingdom's Southwest King.
The man prostrated before him continued.
"We entered the Crown Prince's Palace faster than expected, but he had already fled with Pa Pa. It seems information leaked beforehand."
The Southwest King's tiger eyes gleamed fiercely. Everyone in the room, including the reporter, tensed, but no roar came.
"Have you taken follow-up measures?"
"Yes. We've already deployed forces at every pass leading to the Qin Kingdom."
"Pa Pa is a dangerous old hag. Deploy every available martial artist immediately!"
"Understood!"
Those who had been standing tensely hurried out of the room. But one remained at the Southwest King's side. He cautiously asked.
"Do you truly think the crown prince will head to the Qin Kingdom?"
"He clashed swords with Yeon Kingdom just recently, so where else could he go but Qin?"
"Couldn't he hide in some hideout and bide his time?"
The Southwest King sneered at that.
"He must have realized there's nothing more he can do in this country. So he'll defect to Qin and plot his comeback from there. That's all he can do."
The Southwest King rose decisively and walked to the window.
Rumble!
His gaze turned toward the Imperial Palace. The savage energy swirling in his eyes gradually settled into ambition and greed.
His close aide quietly approached.
"The time has come, Your Highness."
"Not yet."
The Southwest King shook his head and continued.
"First, we must win the people's hearts. Though the people's sentiment has turned due to the late emperor's tyranny, there are still no small number who support him. Only after securing their loyalty too will I ascend the throne."
"Your caution will gain you all you desire. Then this subordinate shall take his leave."
"If you capture the crown prince, report immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Once even the close aide withdrew, the Southwest King was left alone in the room.
"Don't blame this uncle. All this stems from you taking after your father's tyranny and insolence."
Was it an illusion?
For a moment, a flicker of anguish passed through the Southwest King's eyes.
* * *
Jo Gwang and Pa Pa, having escaped the Imperial Palace, headed for the northern mountains.
Having run nonstop for nearly two hours, Jo Gwang was utterly exhausted. In contrast, Pa Pa, with her profound internal energy, showed no change in complexion.
"Please rest a moment."
Jo Gwang slumped against a tree in the woods.
His throat burned with thirst, but they had fled in such haste he hadn't even grabbed a waterskin.
"There is no longer any place in this country for Your Highness to stay. Thus, I boldly suggest—for Your Highness's safety as well—you must defect."
"Defect..."
Jo Gwang smiled mournfully.
For a long while, he kept his head bowed without speaking. Pa Pa said no more and simply watched him.
After a moment, Jo Gwang asked weakly.
"Will Qin accept me?"
"Go to Yeon Kingdom, Your Highness."
"......!"
Jo Gwang frowned and looked up at Pa Pa.
"Yeon Kingdom, where we were at each other's throats just recently? What are you saying?"
"The Southwest King is meticulous. He has likely anticipated Your Highness's thoughts and already laid forces along the routes to Qin."
"......!"
Jo Gwang's eyes trembled.
He hadn't considered that far. Pa Pa continued.
"Clashing with the Southern Legion is no great issue. We've been skirmishing with them for years anyway, so Yeon Kingdom won't make a fuss over it."
"Truly, Yeon Kingdom is the only way..."
Jo Gwang sighed deeply and bowed his head.
Silence flowed again. To Pa Pa, it felt like an eternity.
"We must escape this country quickly. If all the martial artists under the Southwest King join the pursuit..."
The thought of what followed tore at her heart.
It was then.
Jo Gwang stood.
"I will follow Pa Pa's will."
Pa Pa reddened her eyes and bowed at the waist.
Jo Gwang stared at the faintly visible Imperial Palace beyond the darkness and bit his lip.
"I will surely return to this country, execute those vile traitors, and restore all to order."
Grind!
"This subordinate will aid you. So please hasten on your way, Your Highness!"
Jo Gwang turned.
Scarlet tears trailed down his cheek.
* * *
Southern Legion.
In the rear garden of the hall that had been Yi Hwan's residence, Cha Jung-kyeong was sweating through swordsmanship practice.
Since Yi Hwan's departure, Cha Jung-kyeong had devoted himself fully to training, even skimping on eating and sleeping.
The stance he practiced was the Soul Separation Technique.
With Ju Tae's help reinforcing the incomplete form, its power had grown far stronger than before, and the martial arts he learned in the Zhao army had also reached higher completion.
"Huff huff huff!"
Cha Jung-kyeong lay on his back gazing at the sky, breathing raggedly.
"Already lying down?"
Along with a thick voice, Song Hoe emerged into the rear garden. Cha Jung-kyeong turned his head while still lying down.
"Already? The sun's about to set. Huff huff huff!"
Song Hoe stripped off his clothes and plunged into a tub of water.
Splash!
"Hey, you could just wash in the river."
"No strength left to go there, you punk."
Come to think of it, Song Hoe looked drained too. Lately, he had been throwing himself into Dragon-Tiger Army training all day. His personal practice was just as fervent as Cha Jung-kyeong's.
Song Hoe gazed at the northern sky with a wistful expression.
"He's doing well, I hope?"
"He became commander of the Golden Army, the most vital post of all, so of course he's fine."
Cha Jung-kyeong started to say something else but paused. He saw Song Hoe's expression grow endlessly wistful.
"......"
How could he not understand Song Hoe's feelings?
Even he, who had spent far less time with Yi Hwan than Song Hoe, missed him and the others every day.
"You're just making me feel weird too. Tch!"
Cha Jung-kyeong, half-risen, lay back down.
It was then.
"General!"
A warrior rushed in.
"What's got you in such a tizzy!"
"Th-the crown prince of Zhao Kingdom is here! And he requested asylum from the Commander!"