Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: I Came to Fight
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‘That whisper from over there reached my ears?’
The blue-eyed woman, Hwa Ryeong, trembled slightly.
Just moments ago, Yi Hwan’s voice had flowed clearly into her ear. By the volume, it had been little more than a whisper.
The distance between her and Yi Hwan was over a hundred paces—a feat impossible without profoundly deep inner power.
‘So I wasn’t wrong that day.’
When she had first met Yi Hwan at the Palace of Illusory Flowers, she had sensed it. That he was a master who had cultivated the Myeonggi Technique.
But she hadn’t expected it to be to this extent.
Her lips twitched upward faintly.
‘Impressive. But this much won’t faze me at all, Great Prince.’
The general approached Hwa Ryeong.
“Use this tent.”
“Thank you.”
Hwa Ryeong entered the tent with her subordinates. The log-built structure had a large brazier inside, making it quite warm. The space was spacious enough for five people.
Hwa Ryeong sat on the bamboo-woven bed and took off her outer robe. Her ample bosom, straining against the tight martial robe as if ready to burst free, swayed, but fortunately, all her subordinates were women.
“Someone make some tea?”
“Yes. Right away.”
Hwa Ryeong lay down on the bed.
A musty smell assaulted her nose, but she stretched out grandly, unperturbed.
“Rest well today. We’ll be very busy starting tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
Hwa Ryeong propped her head with both hands and stared at the ceiling. The image of Yi Hwan smiling at her moments ago floated into her mind.
‘You said you’d pluck out my eyes and make them into a necklace?’
She snickered.
“Not even funny.”
“Yes?”
“Nothing.”
* * *
“Did you see?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow... First woman I’ve ever seen with breasts that big. And it’s not just the size—the bounce, oh man.”
Ju Tae’s cheekiness drew a chuckle from Cheol Mu-ok.
Ju Tae sighed as he continued.
“Kinda disappointing. A woman like that being the enemy.”
“You only noticed the chest?”
“No way. The hips were firm and perky too.”
“She’s no ordinary woman. So when the time comes to cross blades, don’t let your guard down.”
“If that day comes, I’ll be pretty sad.”
The tent flap opened, and Go Mi entered. Ju Tae’s gaze naturally drifted to her chest.
‘The Moon Lord’s no slouch either, but the difference is huge.’
Flash!
“...!”
Realizing a streak of light had flashed, Ju Tae jerked his head aside. The light grazed past by a hair’s breadth and thudded into the tent wall.
Ju Tae’s eyes widened as he turned to Go Mi.
“What the hell?”
“Want another?”
Cheol Mu-ok stepped forward with a laugh.
“Back from scouting the enemy camp?”
“Yeah. He’s here?”
“He’s in training now, so you’ll have to wait a bit.”
“Fine.”
Go Mi sat on a chair, glaring sharply at Ju Tae. He belatedly realized his mistake and averted his eyes sheepishly.
Staring piercingly at a woman’s chest might be nothing in some views, but in the martial world, it was ample justification for a life-or-death duel.
Go Mi asked.
“What about those women who went into the tent opposite just now?”
“Women sent by the Empress. Probably the same ones that Zhongjing guy saw before. Any idea what they’re about?”
“No clue. But now that I’ve seen their faces, I’ll look into it.”
“How’s the enemy movement?”
“I have to report to the Great Prince first, so hold your curiosity.”
“Got it.”
Go Mi crossed her arms and closed her eyes.
Ju Tae clutched his chest in mock agony, as if ten years had been shaved off his life. Cheol Mu-ok clicked his tongue.
[The Sword King would love seeing you like this.]
[Why drag in the ancestor?]
[Pathetic.]
[A hot-blooded man does that sometimes. You’re the weird one, acting like a Shaolin monk with that healthy body.]
Then Yi Hwan’s voice came.
“Come in.”
Go Mi jumped up and entered the inner room. She didn’t forget to glare at Ju Tae on the way.
* * *
“I interrogated one captive, and confirmed the Ghost Valley Lord isn’t here.”
“A master like that is more likely on the western front than here. Anything else?”
“The enemy seems to be strengthening their defensive line. They’re expanding the stockades and building positions with earth and rocks everywhere.”
Yi Hwan narrowed his brows slightly.
“Strengthening defenses means they have no intention of striking first...”
“As you predicted, Great Prince, they’re focusing on the western front where the Crown Prince is.”
“The forces here just need to keep us from supporting the Western Legion—that’s their calculation.”
“Yes.”
Go Mi picked up a towel from the corner and handed it to Yi Hwan.
“You’ve got sweat on your face...”
“Never mind. I’ll wash up outside.”
Go Mi asked something else.
“What about the women sent by the Empress? Even just identifying the people who came with you, Great Prince, could expose the Zhao Crown Prince’s identity.”
“I’ll say they’re my private guards. Worst case, kill them to silence them, but for now, no justification, so we wait.”
Yi Hwan stood.
“Gonna wash up.”
As Go Mi rose to follow.
“Great Prince!”
Song Cheon-mu burst through the door.
“The Zhao Kingdom has launched an attack on the Western Legion!”
* * *
“Is that confirmed?”
“Yes. The Commander told me to relay it to you, Great Prince!”
Yi Hwan’s brow furrowed.
“The snow won’t melt for a few more days, and they’re already attacking...”
Yi Hwan snatched the towel from Go Mi’s hand.
“Gotta head to the command tent.”
* * *
The camp buzzed with activity.
Generals led their units to defensive positions on the outskirts.
As Yi Hwan entered, Gwak Chung-mu bowed his head.
“Welcome, Great Prince.”
“Is it true the Zhao Kingdom attacked the Western Legion?”
“Yes. Just received word by express messenger.”
“What’s the enemy force size?”
“About twenty thousand in a raid, then they withdrew. Feels like a probe before full battle. Now a hundred thousand strong have advanced near the border and set up camp.”
“No word on the Crown Prince?”
“None.”
Yi Hwan sat and stared straight at Gwak Chung-mu.
“The enemy struck first, so don’t we have justification to attack now?”
“If we’re strict about justification, yes. But it’s not a decision to rush, so we should gather the generals and discuss.”
* * *
Key generals assembled in the command tent.
Yi Hwan stayed back in the upper seat, listening to the generals’ voices.
Opinions were split.
The hawks wanted immediate preemptive strike; the doves urged observing enemy movements first.
Gwak Chung-mu turned to Yi Hwan.
“What’s your view, Great Prince?”
“I’ll follow the Commander’s decision.”
Of course, Yi Hwan agreed with the hawks. But speaking up here would put Gwak Chung-mu in a tough spot, so he held back.
The decision fell to Gwak Chung-mu, and it came swiftly.
“The weather here is colder than the Western Legion, so snow won’t melt for two more days. The enemy thinks the same, so they won’t move for at least two days. We strike tomorrow—a day early.”
“Full assault?”
At a general’s question, Gwak Chung-mu shook his head and turned to the tiger-like general.
“General Bang, you’ll lead.”
“Raid?”
Gwak Chung-mu nodded, and the general shot up, cupping his fists.
“Understood!”
Yi Hwan, who had watched silently, asked.
“How many martial artists are you taking?”
“Striking the enemy main camp, so all available.”
“I’ll go too.”
“...!”
Everyone stared at Yi Hwan in shock. He rose slowly and continued.
“I have capable men under me. We overwhelmed Zhao’s martial artists in the last battle with them—should be helpful.”
“Too dangerous. Best to observe this raid, Great Prince.”
To Gwak Chung-mu’s dissuasion, Yi Hwan replied firmly.
“I came here to fight. And I’ll move without hindering, so no worries.”
“...”
“By the way, I’d like to invoke the Commander’s authority once. That okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Some people who’d be a big help on the raid, but only your authority can move them.”
Gwak Chung-mu instantly thought of Hwa Ryeong and her group.
[You mean the women sent by the Empress?]
[Yes.]
[May I ask why?]
[Can I explain later?]
“...”
After a moment’s thought, Gwak Chung-mu nodded.
[Understood. I’ll send them along too.]
* * *
Leaving the command tent, Yi Hwan headed straight for Hwa Ryeong’s tent. The female guards greeted him awkwardly.
“Bow properly if you’re going to, or just be openly insolent.”
“...”
Yi Hwan’s cold rebuke hung in the air as he called softly into the tent.
“See me?”
Hwa Ryeong stepped out.
She bowed to Yi Hwan.
“Greetings, Great Prince.”
“Is this everyone?”
“Yes, Great Prince. What brings you here?”
“Raid at dawn tomorrow. I want you all to come along.”
“Is the Commander going personally?”
“No.”
“Apologies, but Her Majesty the Empress tasked us with protecting the Northern Legion’s Commander from enemy martial artists. So if he’s not going, we can’t leave camp—please understand.”
There was no trace of fear toward Yi Hwan in Hwa Ryeong’s calm tone or demeanor. But Yi Hwan had anticipated this.
He raised his right hand.
A one-chi-long command plaque.
“The Commander’s order. You know what happens in wartime for defying military orders.”
“...!”
“See you at dawn.”
Hwa Ryeong watched Yi Hwan’s retreating back, a strange smile playing on her lips.
‘Eliminate us on the battlefield? Or test our skills first?’
“Not even funny.”
Hwa Ryeong went inside and picked up her teacup. One woman approached.
“Shall we deploy?”
“What choice do we have? He flashed the Commander’s plaque and threatened us. Guess we go. By the way, got info on the people who came with the Great Prince?”
“Still working on it.”
“Still?”
“We’ll hurry.”
“We have to work hard. We’re not here to play.”
“Yes.”
Clink.
Hwa Ryeong drained her cup and stood. She shed her outer robe and lay on the bed.
“Don’t wake me. I’m sleeping.”
“Yes. Rest well.”
The woman took the cup and tray out.
Hwa Ryeong stared at the ceiling and let out a long breath.
“Hoo...”
Her exhaled breath pierced her lips, froze in midair, and fell like snowflakes.
A smile formed on her lips again.
‘Since we’re going to the battlefield together anyway, I’ll watch how good you really are. Don’t disappoint me, Great Prince.’
Hwa Ryeong fell asleep right away.
And soon drifted off. When she opened her eyes, it wasn’t morning but early dawn.
Having gone to bed too early, she was up much sooner than usual.
Hwa Ryeong donned her outer robe and stepped outside. Snowflakes drifted lazily down.
She gazed at Yi Hwan’s tent.
It was still shrouded in darkness.
‘No sentries, not even torches lit nearby— that confident?’
Hwa Ryeong’s eyes narrowed gradually.
‘This hunt’s gonna be fun because of that guy. Heh.’