Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Entering the Northern Legion
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Gwak Chung-mu and the high-ranking generals of the Northern Legion had gathered in front of the fortress gate.
They were all waiting for Yi Hwan to arrive.
Whooo!
The snow was coming down hard.
The snowflakes settling on Gwak Chung-mu's white beard made it even whiter. How much time passed like that?
"There he comes."
Yi Hwan's group began to appear through the blizzard.
Gwak Chung-mu stepped forward, and the generals followed behind him. His eyes gradually narrowed.
'Is that all of them?'
There were maybe fifty at most?
He hadn't yet received a report on their numbers, so he was astonished.
A moment later, Gwak Chung-mu bowed his head toward Yi Hwan.
"Northern Legion Commander Gwak Chung-mu pays respects to the Great Prince."
"Chung!"
The generals saluted thunderously.
* * *
Yi Hwan stared straight at Gwak Chung-mu.
It was immediately clear from his appearance alone why he was called the Tiger of the North.
"I'm grateful for the other day."
He was referring to the time when, during the battle with the Zhao Kingdom, he had sent a force of ten thousand in support.
"It was only what I was duty-bound to do. Then, if you'll allow me to escort you. This way."
Yi Hwan crossed the gate alongside Gwak Chung-mu. Beyond the gate, the warriors assembled there let out a battle cry that shook the mountains and valleys.
Chung!
"Was your journey here uneventful?"
"Nothing aside from the boredom."
Gwak Chung-mu was inwardly surprised.
'To be this calm.'
Yi Hwan looked around the camp. The morale emanating from the warriors bearing banners, spears, and swords was no joke. The barricades erected in preparation for enemy attacks, along with the massive weapons placed around, evoked the image of an ironclad defense.
"I hear the standing force here numbers a hundred thousand."
"Yes, that's correct."
"Having to face the barbarians to the north and the Zhao Kingdom army to the west must have been quite a burden."
"I have never once felt burdened, not even for a moment. My only regret is that, by His Majesty's strict orders, we have been unable to strike the enemy first for so many years."
Gwak Chung-mu was a renowned general before he was a brilliant strategist—a fierce general of the world. His temperament shone through in that very response.
'That the Second Prince doesn't have a man like this on his side is the Crown Prince's fortune.'
For some reason, Yi Hwan took a liking to Gwak Chung-mu.
But he didn't open his heart yet. He needed to observe him a bit more for that.
A moment later, Yi Hwan entered a solidly built tent. Unlike how it looked from outside, the interior was quite spacious, clean, and warm.
"It's humble, but you can use this as your quarters. We've prepared separate lodgings for the troops you brought, to the rear."
"Where's the highest spot in the camp?"
"It's the tent I use as my quarters."
"Not here—have someone make a place over there that's at least livable. Nothing fancy, just enough to shield from snow and wind."
"……!"
Yi Hwan turned to Go Mi.
"The Moon Lord and her agents can use this one. They have more important duties than anyone, so they need comfortable beds at least."
"It doesn't matter to us where we stay."
"You'll have a lot on your plate. So do as you're told."
"……."
Yi Hwan turned to Gwak Chung-mu.
"Let's head to your tent, General. First, I need to hear how things stand."
* * *
In Gwak Chung-mu's tent.
There, Yi Hwan heard a general overview of the situation. It didn't differ much from what he'd heard from the two generals who came out to greet him.
"How many martial artists are stationed in the camp?"
"Around two hundred."
"I'll meet them tomorrow. Have everyone assemble, excluding those out on missions."
"Understood."
Yi Hwan turned to Go Mi and introduced her to the generals.
"This woman will assist with intelligence matters from now on. I can't reveal her identity, but her rank is no low one, so treat her with respect."
One general spoke up.
"The legion has its own department that handles intelligence, Great Prince."
"Didn't I just say she'll be assisting?"
"……."
The general belatedly realized his mistake and hurriedly bowed his head.
"It seems I misunderstood. My apologies, Great Prince."
"I'm not here because I was pushed out by political infighting—I'm here to fight alongside all of you. Nor do I intend in the slightest to disrupt the existing command structure just because I'm the Great Prince. That said, I do intend to share all intelligence that reaches the Commander."
"……!"
The room buzzed.
But Gwak Chung-mu remained composed.
"If that's what the Great Prince wishes, so be it."
"Thank you, Commander. Then I suppose we should rest for today."
Gwak Chung-mu, who had been at a loss since there was no tent ready for Yi Hwan right away, ordered one of the generals to vacate his.
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae stayed with Yi Hwan, while the others would use the Moon Pavilion's tent. Jo Gwang and Pa Pa as well.
Since it had been prepared expecting over two hundred, there was more than enough space even with everyone using it.
Whooo!
The blizzard grew fiercer.
Gwak Chung-mu headed toward the western front lines with his deputy general.
The deputy general spoke first, cautiously.
"The Great Prince seems overly eager. Do you think that'll be all right? Even if he said not to make a fuss, from the generals' position, how can we not? If this causes issues with the chain of command..."
"No need to worry. The Great Prince is not the type to do that, so don't let strange thoughts enter your head."
"……."
Gwak Chung-mu strode ahead.
Surprisingly, though he walked on snow, he left no footprints.
The deputy general was the same.
They were masters who had properly mastered the essence of Imperial Palace Martial Arts. A moment later, Gwak Chung-mu arrived at the outpost guarded by sentries and received a situation report.
"It seems the Zhao Kingdom army is using martial artists for reconnaissance. Just a bit ago, a few came right up to our noses before retreating."
"What about the intelligence we've gathered?"
"No further reinforcements have joined them since two days ago."
"That's a relief."
Gwak Chung-mu gazed west.
Beyond the swirling blizzard stretched a vast mountainous region.
"The ultimatum deadline is just days away. They might move first before then, so we mustn't lower our guard for even a moment."
"Yes! Commander!"
It was then.
Psssh!
Snow dust erupted from the front. And beyond it, figures emerged.
They were martial artists from the Northern Legion out on reconnaissance. They approached Gwak Chung-mu and bowed their heads.
"We're back."
"Did you find anything?"
"We spotted about fifty thousand troops pulling out southward just a little while ago. It didn't look like they were heading out on an operation—they seemed to be abandoning their camp entirely."
"You're certain?"
"Yes. We clearly saw them laden with full supplies."
One doesn't load up on full supplies for a simple operation.
The deputy general spoke up.
"It's odd. With us right in front of them, why send fifty thousand troops west? And with the ultimatum deadline so close?"
"If their destination is the Western Legion, where His Highness the Crown Prince is..."
Gwak Chung-mu's face hardened like stone as he trailed off. He immediately issued orders.
"Return at once and inform the Western, Southern, and Central Armies of this."
"Yes! Commander!"
At the deputy general's command, two warriors plunged into the blizzard.
Gwak Chung-mu continued staring west.
His eyes grew heavy with worry for Crown Prince Yi So.
'I pray he's safe...'
* * *
The news that fifty thousand Zhao Kingdom troops had departed westward reached Yi Hwan.
'No doubt they're heading for where the Crown Prince is.'
Yi Hwan asked the general who came to report.
"Have the other legions been informed?"
"Yes. We sent fast couriers to the Southern, Western, and Central Armies immediately."
"Where's the Commander?"
"He's at the forward outpost."
"Tell him I want to see him when he returns."
"Understood."
The general withdrew, and Yi Hwan sank deeply into his chair, his gaze steady.
As he seemed lost in deep thought, Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae quietly stepped out of the tent.
Whooo!
The fierce blizzard made it hard to even keep their eyes open.
"The martial artists with the Crown Prince had better be top-notch."
"Naturally, there'll be plenty of experts. Take General Gwan—he seems like a real master on his own."
"But can Imperial Palace Martial Arts handle it?"
"What are you talking about? History is full of absolute masters from the palace. No reason this era lacks them."
"True, but it still nags at me."
Ju Tae grimaced slightly and glanced toward Yi Hwan's tent.
"He'll come up with a plan."
"He's never let us down once, so we've got to trust him this time too."
Whooo!
* * *
Southern Legion.
Third Prince Yi Seong-ji had made the hall where Yi Hwan had stayed his residence.
The old man he called master, along with several others radiating extraordinary auras, stayed with him. Opposite, in the tent once used by the Golden Imperial Guards, were around a hundred martial artists including Shaolin warrior monks.
Even that didn't put the old man at ease, so he pitched tents around the hall and housed more martial artists there.
It was to ensure as many people as possible could respond simultaneously if enemy assassins infiltrated in the worst case.
Meanwhile, Song Hoe and Cha Jung-kyeong, who had stayed there, had moved to tents near the command post.
* * *
Cha Jung-kyeong's expression was gravely serious.
Song Hoe asked.
"What's with that face since earlier?"
"I'm thinking."
"About what?"
"Whether I should stay here or go to the Northern Legion where the Great Prince is... If I go, will you allow it?"
Song Hoe fell silent for a moment and stared piercingly at Cha Jung-kyeong. Then he smiled faintly.
"If you've made up your mind, then go."
"Really?"
"You like the Great Prince that much?"
"He's the first one to treat me like a human. Even after I tried to kill you. So... I'm really going?"
Song Hoe abruptly stood and took down the fur coat hanging on the wall. Made by doubling layers of beast hide, it was perfect for the cold.
"Wear this."
"I'm fine. I can handle this level of cold no problem."
"The guy who's been whining about the cold for days says he's fine. Take it before you change your mind."
"...Thank you."
"You'll be up there for days, so pack plenty of rations and liquor."
"Any message for the Great Prince?"
"If he's worried about me at all, tell him I'm doing fine and not to fret."
"Got it."
Cha Jung-kyeong stood.
"Leaving already?"
"Might as well go now that I've decided. I'll pack my things."
Song Hoe watched Cha Jung-kyeong's back as he headed out, smiling faintly. He'd constantly nagged him while together, but now that they were parting, a deep reluctance welled up.
'If it weren't for the Dragon-Tiger Army, I'd go with you...'
A moment later, Cha Jung-kyeong emerged from the tent.
Song Hoe followed him out to see him off.
"Don't get cocky if battle breaks out—stay cautious!"
"You too, Deputy General!"
Song Hoe stayed put until Cha Jung-kyeong vanished completely from sight.
Just as he thought he'd disappeared, Cha Jung-kyeong reappeared.
"Deputy General!"
"What!"
"Thank you!"
Heh.
"What a bland guy."
Cha Jung-kyeong vanished again.
Song Hoe lingered in place for a good while after.
Whooo!
* * *
Palace of Illusory Flowers, the Empress's residence.
A faint anger settled on the Empress's face as she received a general's report.
"You can't find Jo Gwang? What the hell does that mean!"
"We asked the Golden Army Division, and they only said the Great Prince personally moved the Zhao Kingdom Crown Prince to a secret location."
"So no one in the Golden Army Division knows where that is!"
"Yes. They said it's a place known only to the Great Prince."
The Empress bit her lip. At that moment, smoke rose from the armrest of the chair she gripped.
Then, the wall-eyed woman spoke quietly.
"With your permission, I'll find him."
"You think you can find a place that only that bastard knows?"
"Leave it to me."
The Empress fell silent for a moment. But soon her eyes flashed as she spoke.
"No clashes with the Golden Army Division. Aside from that, I permit everything—find the Zhao Kingdom Crown Prince and bring him before me!"
"Understood."
The wall-eyed woman exited the hall.
The Empress asked the general.
"Are the Second and Third Princes' escort forces sufficient?"
"No need for concern. I personally confirmed both Your Highnesses departed with ample experts selected."
"Even so, keep tabs on the situation at their front lines and report regularly."
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
The general withdrew, and the Empress brought the cold tea to her lips, furrowing her brow.
'Hiding Jo Gwang... Could he have seen through my intentions?'