Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Mysterious Blood-Robed Figures
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Shwaaa!
Through the torrential downpour, the gorge came into view.
That place, where they had seized and lost ground repeatedly over years of localized skirmishes, was like an unyielding point of pride for both sides.
Countless warriors had died for that pride alone.
Rumble!
Crack!
As thunder and lightning raged fiercer, the Zhao Kingdom warriors chatted while keeping watch to the north.
"They won't come down on a day like this, right?"
"If I were them, I'd come down precisely on a day like this. That's why you can't let your guard down for even a second, you fool."
"It's not like a full war's broken out. Why would they come down today? Hwang Ho isn't that ruthless."
"Focus anyway."
"Quit groaning like a dog with the shits and focus yourself, asshole."
"Ah, those bastards are fighting again. Such a pain in the ass."
The rain stirred their thoughts. The Zhao Kingdom warriors were no different. After bickering for a while, they each sank into their own reveries.
"Miss my wife."
"Me too."
Groooar!
Crack!
Lightning spiderwebbed down not far away.
The moment the blinding flash vanished, a streak of light took its place.
Slash!
"Gurk!"
A warrior's head hit the ground with a strangled cry.
"Gasp!"
Flash!
Thud!
Two more warriors collapsed without even a scream.
Figures emerged from beyond them. Warriors of the Hebei Paeng Family.
They communicated with glances and hand signals, scanning their surroundings sharply.
"These three were all there was here."
"We're pushing deeper inside."
Swish!
* * *
Shwaaa!
Amid the furious deluge, the Yeon Kingdom army warriors awaited the attack order.
Yi Hwan chewed jerky leisurely under a pine tree.
Moments ago, the Paeng Family warriors had infiltrated the enemy lines first. Their mission was to neutralize the enemy's sentries.
Everyone waited in the downpour until the Paeng Family sent their signal.
Yi Hwan stared at Paeng Mu-wi some distance ahead. A chuckle rose at the man's noticeably slimmer face and frame since their first meeting.
'Looks like the diarrhea really took it out of him.'
Yi Hwan turned to Song Cheon-mu.
The boy had shown no emotion until now, but near the front lines, tension had hardened his expression.
"Breathe."
"I am."
"Slow and deep."
"Yes."
Jeong Cheon approached then. He inwardly stifled a laugh at Yi Hwan's utterly relaxed face.
'To think a person could change this much.'
Jeong Cheon soon spoke gravely.
"Once the attack begins, have the Dragon-Tiger Army move at the rear."
"Understood."
"Anything else I can assist with?"
"No."
Jeong Cheon departed. Yi Hwan watched his back, thinking of Hwang Ho. When they'd left camp, the man had looked at him with a face full of worry.
Of course, it wasn't concern for him, but dread of the backlash if he messed up.
'What kind of life did that guy even want?'
Pity welled up anew for the Fourth Imperial Prince whose body this had once been.
"Ugh, seriously!"
Cha Jung-kyeong vented his frustration. The mask still clung to his face, hindering his breath.
Their eyes met, and Cha Jung-kyeong pointed at his face with a hand. *Can I take this off?*
"Endure it. Calm your temper too."
"......"
That was when it happened. A firework shot up through the rain and burst in a shower of sparks.
Boom!
Yi Hwan rose slowly.
Song Cheon-mu drew his sword first.
Shing!
'As expected, still just a kid.'
Tap!
Yi Hwan placed a hand on Song Cheon-mu's shoulder.
"Remember: your breath must never break, not for an instant. The moment it does, your sword becomes useless. And don't stray from my side."
"Understood."
Rustle rustle!
Jeong Cheon's vanguard charged the enemy camp first. Paeng Mu-wi's unit followed, with the Dragon-Tiger Army bringing up the rear.
* * *
"Looks like it's starting."
"Follow at a safe distance."
"Yes."
The man and the blue-robed figure moved about a hundred *zhang* behind the Dragon-Tiger Army.
They wore Yeon Kingdom army uniforms. Their goal was to get as close as possible once the clash began and observe Yi Hwan.
And after about an incense stick's time?
Kwachak!
Clang!
"Argh!"
"Kraa!"
The battle erupted.
The surprise attack using the storm was a success. In short order, Jeong Cheon's vanguard shattered the Zhao Kingdom army's first defensive line.
"Feels too easy, doesn't it?"
"This is a problem......"
The man furrowed his brow. A chaotic melee would make approaching Yi Hwan much simpler.
That was when it happened.
"Enemies on the left flank!"
"Block them!"
Waaaah!
Kwachak!
"Argh!"
"Kraaak!"
Zhao Kingdom forces struck the Yeon Kingdom army's left side from the gorge.
"They were waiting for us!"
"Just what we wanted."
The man's eyes gleamed, tracking Yi Hwan. The prince was just then tangling with the Zhao flankers.
The chaotic melee he'd hoped for had begun.
'First, confirm his martial arts.'
* * *
Though this body's original owner was a bastard son, he'd grown up as a prince with no shortage of elixirs and martial manuals.
Yet lacking innate martial talent, he'd failed to master them. Yi Hwan now was entirely different.
'Trash like this is plenty handleable with Imperial Palace Martial Arts.'
Yi Hwan's sword sliced the air, and an enemy crumpled, spraying blood.
He'd never personally trained in Imperial Palace Martial Arts, but relying solely on memory, he reproduced it perfectly.
Even the same technique varied wildly in power depending on the user. Yi Hwan even had to deliberately hold back his strength.
'Tch. Matching minimal force to the opponent's level is this annoying?'
For Yi Hwan, who'd never bothered with power control before, this was a huge hassle.
But to avoid straining his body like before, it was necessary practice.
Yi Hwan eyed the enemies sharply.
'That one's perfect.'
A clearly strong foe stood out, clad in blood-red armor, unleashing savage attacks with a massive blade.
One of the Dragon-Tiger Army's skilled centurions fell to his sword, bisected from shoulder to hip in a display of monstrous strength.
'Need to take him out first.'
That was when it happened.
Swoosh!
Two enemies lunged at Yi Hwan from both sides.
Using footwork, he darted forward, slashing one's waist with his sword and the other with his left hand.
Thud!
"Uagh!"
"Kraa!"
"Great Prince! Don't push too deep!"
Song Hoe cried out urgently.
Yi Hwan ignored him and charged his initial target. The enemy officer, having just slain two warriors and sheathed his blade, spotted him and bared his fangs.
"So it was you. The Yeon Kingdom's Fourth Imperial Prince, useless as a scarecrow."
"That's right. Me."
"Hahaha. Your recklessness is at Peak Master level, at least. Then you die."
Flash!
Swoooosh!
The officer's greatblade cleaved the air.
Boom!
Sword met blade, rain spraying everywhere.
Ziiing!
Yi Hwan flinched at the powerful shock climbing his wrist. Slow, but the destructive force exceeded expectations.
"Not bad! Scarecrow Prince!"
He recognized Yi Hwan. A second strike followed.
Yi Hwan parried the incoming greatblade again.
Boom!
He blocked the third and fourth strikes too, but the impacts tore his long robe in places, exposing skin.
The officer was stunned inwardly.
Surviving this long was shocking enough, but standing firm on his feet? Unbelievable.
'All those rumors were bullshit?'
Zzzing......
Yi Hwan's body ached. Pain flared in his wrist.
'Is power control really this hard?'
What came naturally like breathing to mortals felt as tricky as executing advanced techniques for Yi Hwan, with his past life's memories and experience—perfectly modulating his qi without excess or deficit.
"Great Prince! Fall back!"
Song Hoe blocked Yi Hwan's path.
"Out of the way."
Yi Hwan pulled Song Hoe back and stepped forward again.
To ingrain power control in his body even a moment sooner, he needed more exchanges.
"Hey, big guy. Round two?"
Whoooosh!
"You little shit......!"
* * *
As the battle devolved into chaos, the man and blue-robed figure plunged into the fray.
The man closed in on Yi Hwan's position.
[Minimize intervention.]
[Yes!]
The man keenly observed Yi Hwan clashing with the Zhao officer.
Boom!
After several exchanges, he couldn't hide his disappointment.
'Is this not the one I'm looking for?'
The Zhao officer's greatblade packed raw power but lacked speed—at least to his eyes.
Yet Yi Hwan couldn't evade, merely blocking desperately, staggering back with each clash, his robe shredding.
Slash!
'If he's their descendants, he couldn't be this weak. And he hasn't used their martial arts so far. Then... their lineage?'
The man's disappointment grew at Yi Hwan's subpar skills. But he remained cautious.
'I'll watch a bit more and decide.'
That was when it happened.
Swoosh!
A chilling aura flew at the man from the left. He slipped back slightly, tapping the foe's solar plexus lightly with his left hand.
Thud!
"Gurk!"
Another head flew off cleanly.
[Focus! You'll get hit by a stray blade!]
The blue-robed figure stuck close, deftly blocking Zhao Kingdom attacks.
The man resumed watching Yi Hwan as if the enemy assaults were beneath notice.
Yi Hwan, who'd been pushed back, now advanced again.
"Hey, big guy. Round two?"
The man's eyes changed in that instant.
* * *
The Zhao officer's eyes blazed with killing intent as the seemingly collapsing Yi Hwan smirked and taunted him coldly.
"I'll smash your skull."
Sizzle.
His greatblade ignited with blood-red battle spirit.
That was when it happened.
Figures approached from behind the officer. All wore blood-red robes, their tall hats pulled low.
One spoke to the officer in an emotionless voice.
"Leave the Yeon Kingdom's Fourth Imperial Prince to us. Go elsewhere."
"What? You insolent bastards......"
The officer's brows twisted in fury.
"It's the Commander's order."
"......!"
At the mention of the Commander, the officer flinched and withdrew to the side. The blood-robed figures advanced on Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan quelled his gaze at the eerie aura they exuded.
'Unorthodox sect martial artists?'
They felt utterly different from the army elites.
What was strange was their perfect timing, appearing as if they'd waited for their cue.
'Anyone could see I was on the back foot. Yet they insist on taking over?'
It was a situation rife with suspicion.
'Tonight ends here.'
* * *