Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: A World Stopped by the Blizzard
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A few days later, the woman with gray eyes returned.
The Empress stared at her with eyes full of anticipation.
"Did you find him?"
"I apologize, Your Majesty, but even the generals close to the Fourth Imperial Prince knew nothing of Jo Gwang's whereabouts. We couldn't find any witnesses either."
"What!"
"But there is one place left."
"Where is that!"
The woman with gray eyes answered quietly.
"Could it be that the Fourth Imperial Prince took Jo Gwang with him? If Your Majesty permits, I will go to the Northern Legion myself."
"Foolish girl. He can't take Jo Gwang to the Northern Legion. War will break out soon—why would he bring him to such a dangerous place!"
"Everyone will think the same as Your Majesty. Perhaps the Fourth Imperial Prince has turned that assumption on its head."
"……!"
The Empress's gaze shifted.
The woman asked quietly.
"If Jo Gwang is there, what shall we do?"
The Empress replied coldly without a moment's hesitation.
"If he's there as you say, then of course we kill him. The Southwest King of Zhao wants that more than anything anyway."
"Then grant me permission."
"Go! Find Jo Gwang and sever his head! And..."
The Empress trailed off, a faint murderous glint gathering in her eyes. In her mind flashed the image of Yi Hwan looking at her with a mocking sneer, deepening the killing intent.
"It would be even better if you dealt with that one too."
"Understood."
* * *
Whoooosh!
The blizzard raged on, even past the final ultimatum.
Yi Hwan gazed out through the window at the snow blanketing the castle walls in white, murmuring calmly.
"With a blizzard like this, we won't have to worry about war for at least a few days."
"Indeed. Even if it stops today, it'll take at least ten more days for the snow to melt."
At Cheol Mu-ok's words, Yi Hwan brought the teacup in his hand to his lips.
Steam clouded his vision in white.
"A full-scale war may be impossible, but a surprise attack using martial artists is still feasible. For assassins of the highest caliber, this snow could even be an advantage."
Cheol Mu-ok nodded in agreement at Yi Hwan's words.
For top-tier assassins, a blizzard like this was no hindrance at all. It would actually aid in camouflage and concealment, making ambushes easier.
Ju Tae asked.
"What if we make the first move?"
Yi Hwan shook his head.
"Wait. Moving first could give them cause for complaint later."
"They're the ones who declared war first, aren't they? Do we really need to worry about justification?"
"It's about not giving the Empress any pretext."
"……."
"Give her even a single opening, and who knows what that woman will do with it. So hold back, even if you're itching to act."
"I hadn't considered that."
Ju Tae scratched his head.
Just then, Song Cheon-mu's voice drifted in from outside.
"Great Prince, the Moon Lord has arrived."
"Let her in."
Creak!
Go Mi entered as the door opened.
The blizzard was so fierce that even over that short distance, snow had piled thickly on Go Mi's head.
Yi Hwan narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at her face.
"Your complexion suggests you didn't come straight from your tent. Did you visit the enemy camp last night by any chance?"
"Yes. I'm just returning now."
Go Mi brushed the snow from her head and sat down. Ju Tae quickly prepared tea.
"Due to the blizzard, the enemy shows no sign of moving their forces. I also confirmed that a portion of their troops headed south a few days ago."
"A portion beyond what we knew?"
"Yes. We captured one and interrogated him—he said about twenty thousand more slipped away. But even he didn't know their destination."
"Hmm."
Clink.
Yi Hwan set down his teacup, his gaze steadying.
"That means the forces on both sides here are roughly equal..."
"In terms of numbers, yes."
Cheol Mu-ok asked in a heavy tone.
"We should assume those twenty thousand went to reinforce the western front where Crown Prince is stationed."
"That's how it looks."
Yi Hwan instructed Cheol Mu-ok.
"Go to the Commander and check if the Central Army has sent reinforcements to the western front."
"Understood."
Cheol Mu-ok hurried out.
Yi Hwan lifted his teacup again.
Clink!
Ju Tae asked.
"The Central Army is controlled by the Empress and Second Prince's faction. Isn't it more likely they won't send reinforcements to the western front?"
"We have to assume that's the case. The Empress may have already issued orders beforehand."
"Then shouldn't we find another way?"
"There's no other option right now. The snow makes it impossible for reinforcements from other legions to arrive. Meanwhile, the enemy gathered their forces at the western front before the snow fell. Physically, we've lost any way to counter it."
Yi Hwan's expression darkened as he spoke, and so did those listening. Go Mi added more to the grim mood.
Ju Tae continued.
"Later, the Central Army under Second Prince could use the snow as an excuse. Claiming they couldn't send support because of it."
"Yes, exactly."
Yi Hwan rose from his seat.
He flung open the window.
Whoooosh!
The snowstorm blew in fiercely.
'If the Southwest King of Zhao planned this with the weather in mind, we're in a position where we know it and still can't avoid it.'
Yi Hwan looked west.
The vast mountainous region had turned into a world of pure white due to the blizzard. To rescue Yi So, they had to cross it, but even that was impossible, weighing heavily on Yi Hwan's heart.
And one more thing.
'Pulling forces from here in this situation would endanger the Northern Legion. The enemy has undoubtedly factored that in as well.'
The thought that he knew yet could do nothing fueled his rage.
Crack!
The chill rising from Yi Hwan's body froze the window, cracks spiderwebbing across it.
'At least so far, we've been completely outmaneuvered. Perhaps Jo Gwang picked a fight with someone he couldn't handle from the start...'
He had never faced a situation like this before. Everything had always gone as he wished, yielding perfect results.
But now, he couldn't even make a move.
'I have to find a way. Somehow.'
* * *
Western Legion.
Crown Prince Yi So shared tea with Gwan Ji-baek in his tent. Though the situation allowed no relaxation, he had to feign composure.
The Commander and key generals revered the Empress like the heavens, so even in friendly territory, he had to treat it as enemy ground.
Signs of that had appeared from day one.
The Western Legion's Commander gave Yi So only minimal information, withholding anything crucial despite his direct requests.
'I'll make them pay dearly later.'
As Yi So suppressed his rising anger, Gwan Ji-baek spoke gravely.
"The blizzard will keep the enemy pinned down for a while."
"I expect so."
Yi So tilted his teacup, holding back his fury.
Clink.
"A few of our warriors went out on reconnaissance. Please wait a little—they'll soon report the enemy's movements."
"What we should worry about now isn't the enemy, but the ones here. Allies who are more dangerous than the foe."
"Don't worry too much. Even with the Empress's backing, they'll hesitate to act rashly under the eyes of a hundred thousand warriors."
"We can only hope. Any word from the Northern Legion?"
"Not yet. The blizzard may have prevented the messenger birds from arriving."
"I see, that could be."
Yi So set down his cup and walked to the window, flinging it open.
Whoooosh!
A majestic white world unfolded outside the window. To Yi So, it felt like an inescapable prison.
"I never anticipated the Empress playing this card..."
Gwan Ji-baek bowed his head.
Coldness filled Yi So's eyes.
"If this war is truly a deal with the Southwest King of Zhao—if it's a war sacrificing warriors just to oust me and seize the throne—I will never forgive it."
Crunch.
His lips turned blue where his teeth dug in.
Then.
"Your Highness, reconnaissance complete."
A voice came from outside. Gwan Ji-baek jumped up and opened the door.
Two warriors entered, bowing to Yi So. He turned to them and asked.
"Did you learn anything?"
"We checked the enemy main camp. Their forces seem to have grown by at least a hundred thousand beyond reports. Warhorses number at least fifty thousand."
"What?"
Yi So's expression changed.
Reports upon arrival indicated the Zhao forces opposing the Western Legion totaled around a hundred and fifty thousand. Adding a hundred thousand more exceeded friendly forces twofold.
And fifty thousand cavalry—the most devastating force in large battles.
"The Southwest King prepared thoroughly to capture me."
Gwan Ji-baek was speechless. No words could comfort him.
Then.
"Your Highness! A general named Yong Hyeon is here."
"Let him in."
A general entered.
Early thirties? He exuded a majestic aura reminiscent of Zhang Fei, the fierce warrior of ancient Shu Han.
He bowed to Yi So and spoke immediately.
"We've received intelligence that nearly a hundred thousand reinforcements have bolstered the Zhao camp. I rushed here thinking Your Highness should know."
"Did the Commander order this?"
"No."
"The Commander won't be pleased if he learns you did this for me."
"I don't care. I am but a soldier of Great Yeon, fulfilling my duty to His Majesty and Your Highness."
A faint smile touched Yi So's lips.
It was the first time since arriving that a high-ranking general had shown him loyalty.
"I will never forget your devotion. Return now. If you truly care for me, keep your loyalty hidden."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The general withdrew.
Gwan Ji-baek said with some excitement.
"That's why even the Commander can't act freely—generals like him. I'll gather more such men gradually."
Yi So nodded silently and donned his cloak.
"I'm hungry. Let's get some food."
"Outside?"
"I want to eat with the warriors today."
"I'll accompany you."
Leaving the tent, Yi So headed west through the camp. The deep snow made walking difficult for most, but his steps were steady.
As he emerged, about ten white-robed figures appeared like ghosts.
Martial artists who had come with him to the Western Legion. They swiftly surrounded him in an ironclad formation.
Whoooosh!
Snowflakes blanketed Yi So's head white in moments. He walked neither fast nor slow toward the western side of the camp.
Passing warriors bowed to him, including the general who brought the intelligence.
Soon, Yi So stopped before a building with smoke billowing from it. It was where meals were prepared for the guards around his tent.
The vast camp had dozens of such places.
Yi So entered.
"Loyalty!"
The cooking warriors snapped to attention, saluting. It wasn't mealtime yet, so the room was empty.
"Can I get some food here?"
"Your Highness, how can you in this humble place..."
"No. From today, all my meals will be here—no bringing to the tent. This is an order as Crown Prince. Obey."
"Yes! Your Highness!"
Yi So took a seat in the corner.
Gwan Ji-baek sat at his table, while the martial artists positioned themselves on three sides, leaving only the wall behind him.
Soon, warriors brought food.
"Bring the same as what the warriors eat."
"......"
Yi So personally transferred the chicken and meat dishes to plates. The earlier warriors, flustered, took their portions and left.
More warriors began entering.
Spotting Yi So amid the bustle, they hurriedly saluted.
Loyalty!
As endless salutes continued, Yi So's expression subtly changed. He finally realized.
'I overlooked how my eating here would make them uncomfortable.'
He smiled bitterly and said to Gwan Ji-baek.
"I was shortsighted. Better to eat in the tent starting tomorrow."