Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Battle
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Commander Gwak Chung-mu watched the troops departing from the camp, letting out a quiet sigh.
His gaze was fixed on Yi Hwan's back.
“Huu…….”
“I'm here to fight.”
He wanted to stop him.
But at that time, Yi Hwan was in an atmosphere that made it impossible.
‘The Great Prince can't be allowed to become a sacrificial lamb in the trap laid by Her Majesty the Empress. This transcends sides—it's a matter of justice and righteousness.’
For a moment, determination gleamed in Gwak Chung-mu's eyes.
He turned to the Deputy General and called out quietly.
“I will go with the Great Prince, so command the camp in my absence.”
“Commander!”
“I'll be back.”
Pat!
Gwak Chung-mu kicked off the ground and soared into the air, crossing the sky like a bird.
The watching generals could not hide their surprised expressions.
“Why is he suddenly acting like that?”
“He must be worried about the Great Prince.”
One general vented his dissatisfaction.
“He could just stay put quietly, so why does he have to show off like this?”
“How dare you speak of the Great Prince that way!”
“No matter who the Great Prince is, shouldn't he follow the Commander's will? If this keeps up, it could cause real problems when it matters most.”
“The Commander has accepted the Great Prince's will. We follow suit—that's it. No more backtalk!”
At the Deputy General's roar, the general finally bowed his head.
“Understood.”
* * *
“Great Prince, the Commander is coming.”
At Cheol Mu-ok's words, Yi Hwan turned around.
Gwak Chung-mu was rushing toward them. Snow dust rose white in his wake.
Snow-Treading Without Trace—a lightness skill beyond that.
‘A true master, as expected.’
“The Commander is coming!”
“The Commander is here!”
The warriors buzzed. Bang Hyo, the general tasked with the surprise operation, raised his hand to halt the advance.
Gwak Chung-mu landed beside him.
“I will command this operation. General Bang, you take the Deputy General role.”
“Is it alright to leave the camp empty?”
“The enemy won't launch a surprise anyway. Even if they do, we'll spot them first—no issue.”
“Understood.”
As Bang Hyo stepped back, Gwak Chung-mu immediately approached Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan regarded him calmly.
“Join me, young commander.”
“Are you here because you're worried I'll fail?”
“My apologies, but I can't say otherwise.”
At Gwak Chung-mu's frank reply, Yi Hwan smiled faintly and stepped aside.
Gwak Chung-mu stepped forward and shouted.
“Resume the advance!”
* * *
Hwa Ryeong moved behind Yi Hwan.
Since leaving the camp, she had not taken her eyes off him.
‘No trace of tension—not even the size of a fingernail. Like a battle-hardened veteran who's spent his life on the field. Truly an onion, revealing new layers with every peel.’
She had plenty of information on Yi Hwan.
From his past to the present. Yet the Yi Hwan she observed here was someone entirely different from the reports.
‘Indeed, there's good reason Her Majesty the Empress is keeping tabs.’
Hwa Ryeong tilted her head back and inhaled the cold air. Then, her gaze met Go Mi's—Go Mi had turned while moving at Yi Hwan's side. Their eyes locked for a split second before disentangling.
The corner of Hwa Ryeong's mouth twitched.
‘Moon Lord of the Moon Pavilion.’
Go Mi was concealing her identity. But Hwa Ryeong had known beforehand—that she was accompanying Yi Hwan.
In truth, after Jo Gwang and Yi Hwan, Go Mi was her next mark.
‘You're even less to my liking because you're pretty.’
Swish!
Wind-whipped snow dust swept across Hwa Ryeong's face. She left it there. Savoring the chill it brought, she fixed her gaze on Yi Hwan's back once more.
‘Are the two of them... involved?’
* * *
‘What was that gaze?’
Go Mi arched an eyebrow at Hwa Ryeong's peculiar look.
She had glanced back by chance, only for their eyes to meet. A strange sensation pierced her pupil, forcing her to look away quickly.
But it left her feeling like she'd yielded, sparking irritation.
‘Annoying wench. Cow-sized tits and that's it.’
Go Mi scooped up a handful of snow and shoved it into her mouth. Ju Tae asked.
“Feeling stifled?”
“Mind your business.”
“Oops!”
Ju Tae turned away awkwardly. Cheol Mu-ok, who had watched it all, threw his head back and laughed.
“Hahaha!”
Whooosh!
The wind blew fiercely. But the snowfall was easing.
Go Mi stared at Yi Hwan.
‘Why bring those women? To dispose of them on the battlefield?’
She was curious but hadn't asked.
‘Must have summoned them for execution.’
The advance proceeded at great speed. Most Northern Legion warriors specialized in mountainous terrain, so waist-deep snow posed no obstacle.
On slopes, they glided effortlessly with veteran finesse.
How much time passed?
A scout returned from ahead.
“The enemy has no clue we're approaching.”
Gwak Chung-mu glanced at the sky.
“It must be about time to prepare lunch.”
“Indeed.”
“We strike then.”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
‘Not bad.’
Gwak Chung-mu turned to him.
“Once battle begins, stay to the rear as much as possible.”
“Understood.”
Of course, he had no intention of doing so. But he saw no need to stoke Gwak Chung-mu's worries prematurely.
Yi Hwan recalled Southern Legion Commander Hwang Ho.
He too had likely felt the same as Gwak Chung-mu at first—more concerned with Yi Hwan's potential failure than protection.
“Liquor.”
Yi Hwan turned to Cheol Mu-ok and extended his hand.
Cheol Mu-ok drew a gourd from his bosom and handed it over.
Yi Hwan drained it in one gulp. Fiercely potent liquor.
The sharp alcoholic tang drifted into Hwa Ryeong's nostrils from behind.
‘Getting tense now, is he?’
Hwa Ryeong's misconception.
* * *
Yi Hwan eyed those shadowing Gwak Chung-mu like shadows.
Armored though they were, they were martial artists.
Some exuded an aura so extraordinary that their mastery was obvious at a glance. Similar figures surrounded Bang Hyo.
It was bitter.
Had the ironclad Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World held after the Mount Hua Banquet, martial artists would never have become the court's blades like this. Perhaps they were oblivious to it ever happening?
Two centuries had devoured all.
‘I will set it right, myself.’
Whooosh!
Shhhh!
The wind intensified. Kicked-up snow dust hindered vision. Yet the Northern Legion warriors pressed on.
After roughly half a shichen, the enemy camp came into view.
Cheol Mu-ok sent a transmission.
[The scouts have eliminated all enemy patrols.]
Dead bodies littered the area, as he said—enemy warriors posted far east of camp to guard against allied surprises.
Gwak Chung-mu turned to Yi Hwan.
“We begin the attack.”
“Understood.”
Shing.
Gwak Chung-mu drew his sword and thrust it skyward.
The signal to attack.
* * *
The Zhao Kingdom army had erected an advance defense line a few li east of their main camp. Meant to stall any Yeon Kingdom surprise, buying time for main camp reinforcements.
Yeon Kingdom's assault struck there precisely.
“Argh!”
“Ugh!”
“Hold them!”
“Hold what, you bastards!”
Clang!
“Argh!”
“Uaaak!”
Battles erupted simultaneously across the line.
Gwak Chung-mu and his guards plunged straight into the enemy's heart.
Yi Hwan followed right behind.
He turned to Go Mi.
“Stay close to us.”
“Yes.”
Hwa Ryeong took position behind. She surveyed the battlefield with utter leisure.
Yi Hwan's voice flowed into her ear.
“Time to see your skills.”
Hwa Ryeong turned to him.
“What shall we do, Great Prince?”
“Target their generals.”
“Got it.”
Ching!
Hwa Ryeong unsheathed her sword—not a blade so much as an ornate accessory, jewels gleaming with blue light.
‘Watch well, Your Highness.’
Pat!
Hwa Ryeong leaped skyward, the four women trailing her.
Yi Hwan smiled faintly at the display.
“Impressive.”
Then.
A band of enemies emerged ahead, churning snow dust.
“Enemy martial artists.”
Cheol Mu-ok murmured, reshaping his sword into a broadsword.
Click! Click!
Yi Hwan drew his slowly.
Shing.
Northern Legion martial artists converged around him. Pre-instructed by Gwak Chung-mu, they formed up seamlessly, encircling Yi Hwan as if drilled.
‘I won't be baggage.’
Yi Hwan scanned the foes swiftly. Spotting a general, his eyes flashed.
Blood light flowed along the man's blade.
‘Demonic qi.’
Hallmark of extreme demonic arts practitioners.
“Mu-ok, Ju Tae.”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
“Target him first.”
“Understood.”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae advanced.
Yi Hwan followed, and the Northern Legion martial artists surged as one.
Then.
Kaboom!
A mighty blast roared from the left. Beyond surging snow, an enemy martial artist sailed backward, blood spraying.
He had lunged for Gwak Chung-mu.
“Great Prince! Don't push too far forward!”
Yi Hwan merely smiled.
But his sword already brimmed with white light.
‘Commanders fretting excessively over my safety, starting with the Commander—that wastes fighting strength. As Great Prince, I can't stand by.’
What to do?
Seven lights rose from Yi Hwan's body.
With battle joined, only Go Mi beside him witnessed it.
The lights reflected in her pupils. Her eyes flushed red.
Thump!
“Argh!”
An enemy martial artist ate the full seven lights and crumpled, blood gushing.
Yi Hwan charged ahead.
Flustered martial artists pursued hastily. Gwak Chung-mu bulged his eyes then.
“This…….”
A gap flashed open; an enemy rushed him. But a shadowing martial artist beheaded him.
Thump!
“Gurk!”
* * *
Thump!
“Keuk!”
Hwa Ryeong's sword sheared off a general's head.
The severed head froze white mid-air.
Crackle!
Three Zhao generals already felled by her blade. Hwa Ryeong glanced back. Her eyes rounded.
Yi Hwan, piercing the guard net and surging forward.
‘Thought he was on edge, but no? Let's see what you've got.’
Amid life and death's dance, Hwa Ryeong folded her arms and grinned. The four women ringed her.
Foes exploiting her openings lost heads to the women.
Flash!
Yi Hwan's sword light bleached Hwa Ryeong's pupils white. Her smile deepened.
Two enemy martial artists tumbled from his single stroke, blood spraying.
Her smile evaporated.
‘Slicing even a qi-infused sword?’
Indeed.
Yi Hwan's blade mercilessly clove the opponent's qi-charged sword. Any qi-wielder knew the feat's magnitude.
Twitch.
Hwa Ryeong's brow quirked up subtly. The smile returned, spreading wider.
‘Definitely entertaining. Hehe!’