Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Yi So Takes Control of the Western Legion
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An order was issued for the Western Legion's generals to assemble in the command chamber.
The generals filed in one after another, each one struck with shock.
Commander Jin Seong-ju knelt there in bonds, while Yi So sat in the chair behind him.
As the generals entered, Gwan Ji-baek shut the door and barred it, with martial artists blocking the entrance.
"Your Highness..."
The generals stared in stunned disbelief, their gazes shifting between Yi So and Jin Seong-ju. The commander's face flushed red as he tried to speak, but with his mute acupoint sealed, it was futile.
Gwan Ji-baek spoke coldly to the generals.
"Sheathe your swords. Now."
"......!"
"Anyone who refuses will be deemed a traitor."
Clang! Crash!
The generals unbelted their swords and dropped them to the floor in unison. But a few still hesitated.
They were Jin Seong-ju's closest aides.
Yi So addressed them indifferently.
"Do you wish to suffer the fate of the Nine Familial Extermination? If that's what you want, keep holding onto your swords."
"......!"
Clang! Clang!
At last, even they set down their swords.
Yi So called out softly toward the outside.
"Come in."
Creak!
The door opened, and one general entered with five warriors.
"Recount in detail what you witnessed."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The general began explaining to the other generals.
"On Your Highness's orders, this lowly one departed to scout the Zhao Kingdom's primary defensive line ahead of the surprise attack. Upon inspection, I confirmed that all the information provided by the commander was false."
The generals murmured in agitation.
"The enemy had prepared thoroughly with forces several times our expected numbers, as if they knew we were coming. Had we trusted the commander's intel and attacked there, our forces would have been annihilated."
The general shouted toward the outside.
"Bring them in!"
Everyone's eyes turned to the door.
Moments later, two bloodied Zhao warriors were dragged inside.
Yi So questioned them.
"How did you know we were coming to attack that position?"
"We truly don't know, my lord. But a few days ago, reinforcements kept arriving to guard the main camp, so we asked why. They said the Yeon Kingdom's Crown Prince would soon launch a surprise attack."
Another spoke, trembling in fear.
"Th-they said the Crown Prince himself was coming, and a large number of martial artists from the main camp had arrived too!"
"What?!"
"How could Zhao have known that!"
The generals erupted in clamor. Several of them glanced at Jin Seong-ju and bowed their heads.
Yi So spoke.
"My decision to lead the assault personally was finalized only yesterday at the key command meeting. Yet the enemy knew days in advance that I would come. You all know what that means."
"Does that mean the commander colluded with the enemy?"
"If not him, then one of you did."
"......!"
Yi So's gaze grew icy cold.
"Those of you who supported my personal command, step forward."
Several generals paled.
"I'm not here to punish you. Come forward."
Finally, a few stepped up. Yi So stared at them coldly and sent a transmission to one general.
[Confess that the commander colluded with the enemy. Swear loyalty to me, and I will forgive you. This is a promise from the Crown Prince himself—believe it.]
Tremble...
The general's face twitched upon receiving the transmission. His eyes shook violently from the intense inner conflict.
But that moment didn't last long.
Thud!
The general dropped to his knees.
It was the moment when everything Jin Seong-ju had built—by abandoning a soldier's duty for politics and collusion—came crashing down.
* * *
The blizzard had stopped, and even the lingering flurries cleared away, leaving a dazzlingly beautiful world of pure white.
"Stunning."
Go Mi paused, entranced by the breathtaking vista of the snow-covered landscape.
But her reverie was soon broken.
"Moon Lord, a messenger pigeon from the Western Legion."
One of Moon Pavilion's warriors entered.
Go Mi composed her expression and turned. The warrior handed her the tube containing the letter.
The red silk thread tying the tube caught in Go Mi's eyes.
'The Crown Prince himself sent it.'
The red thread was a mark symbolizing Crown Prince Yi So.
"I'll be off to the Great Prince."
Go Mi headed straight for Yi Hwan's tent. As she leaped over a small stream running through the camp's center, someone appeared before her.
It was Hwa Ryeong.
Go Mi halted.
Hwa Ryeong asked,
"May I ask you something?"
"Sorry, but I'm in a hurry right now."
"It'll just take a moment."
"What is it?"
"While checking the roster of people who came with the Great Prince, I found something odd... Who are these two?"
Hwa Ryeong held out a sheet of paper with two names written on it.
Aliases for Jo Gwang and Pa Pa.
Go Mi replied calmly.
"They're martial artists the Great Prince keeps as personal retainers. What's odd about that?"
"Could I meet them?"
"You'd have to ask the Great Prince directly. What if his retainers are eyed suspiciously by the Fourth Prince's close aide?"
Whoosh!
Go Mi kicked off the ground and leaped into the air.
That was when she felt it.
A chilling aura flying toward her leg. Go Mi twisted in midair and landed, her hand instantly on her sword hilt as she shouted coldly.
"What do you think you're doing!"
"As expected of a master. I was just testing your skills out of curiosity—don't be too mad. See you later."
Go Mi glared sharply at Hwa Ryeong's retreating back as she smiled and turned away. But for now, she had to deliver Yi So's letter to Yi Hwan, so she hurried on.
Meanwhile, Hwa Ryeong furrowed her brow slightly.
'Personal retainer martial artists? That makes them even more suspicious.'
* * *
"Heh heh heh."
A smile formed on Yi Hwan's lips as he read the letter. Cheol Mu-ok asked,
"Good news?"
"The Crown Prince swallowed the Western Legion whole."
"Pardon?"
"What do you mean, swallowed the Western Legion?"
Yi Hwan handed the letter to Cheol Mu-ok, and Ju Tae and Go Mi scurried over.
Moments later, after reading it, all three widened their eyes.
"As expected, the Crown Prince had a big move up his sleeve! Haha!"
"Now we don't have to worry about His Highness anymore."
"Don't let your guard down yet. The Crown Prince still has to fight Zhao right away. Still, cleaning out the internal threats should make things much better than before."
Mid-sentence, Yi Hwan narrowed his eyes.
He had noticed Go Mi's reddened eyes.
"That good, huh?"
"Yes. At least he won't come to harm at the hands of those who were supposed to serve him."
"I'll say it again—it's too early to relax. The Central Army might withhold further support now that they've heard, and the Empress won't just sit idly by."
"Even so, I'm glad."
"......"
Yi Hwan once again confirmed Go Mi's unwavering loyalty to Yi So.
"Go fetch some writing supplies."
"Yes."
Soon after, Yi Hwan drafted a reply and sent it by pigeon. Then Go Mi reported on Hwa Ryeong.
"That woman suspects the Zhao Crown Prince and Pa Pa. I passed them off as the Great Prince's retainers for now, but we should keep an eye on her."
"Why not just get rid of her when the chance comes?"
"That's an option."
"Shall I handle it?"
"Not the right time yet. Don't act without direct orders."
"...Understood."
Yi Hwan donned his outer robe and stood.
"How about we eat at the camp mess for a change?"
"Didn't you say the warriors feel uncomfortable, so you'd eat in your tent?"
"I'm going to the officers' mess."
"......"
* * *
As Yi Hwan entered, the generals preparing their meals rose in unison.
Commander Gwak Chung-mu was absent.
"May I join you for a meal?"
"Please, sit."
Once Yi Hwan was seated, servers brought the food. Surprisingly, the officers' fare wasn't much different from what the regular warriors ate.
'Even Commander Hwang Ho didn't go this austere.'
Yi Hwan inwardly acknowledged Gwak Chung-mu's character.
"The side dishes are meager, Great Prince."
"No, this is plenty."
The generals waited for him to pick up his chopsticks. Before that, Yi Hwan addressed them all.
"From now on, put extra effort into communications with the Western Legion. The Central Army won't support us this far, so coordination with them is crucial. Understood?"
"The Western Legion has been lukewarm on communications. Our commander sent several pigeons, but they've never replied once."
"That's been the case until now, but it will change. Now, let's eat."
The meal began.
The usually boisterous officers didn't even let the sound of chewing escape, thanks to Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan gave a wry smile.
'I shouldn't come here either.'
Then a server brought a bottle of liquor.
"Have this as an appetizer, Great Prince."
"More where that came from?"
"We brewed it ourselves, so there's plenty."
"Then pour everyone a round."
"Is that alright?"
The generals' expressions shifted dramatically.
Yi Hwan asked a general at the next table.
"Doesn't the commander allow appetizers?"
"No, he said a few rounds are fine."
"Then why not today?"
Go Mi's transmission came then.
[They hid the bottles under the tables when you entered.]
Yi Hwan's gaze naturally drifted under the table. Sure enough, bottles sat between the legs and chairs.
[Better to eat in your tent from now on.]
[Am I a nuisance here too?]
[Yes, it seems so. You're an imposing figure to everyone.]
"......"
* * *
Palace of Illusory Flowers.
The Empress's expression twisted as she read the letter. It detailed the events in the Western Legion.
Rip!
The letter turned to ash and scattered.
The Empress leaned back in her chair and let out a hollow laugh.
"So he did inherit some of his father's blood after all—must've had a trick or two hidden away."
"What do you mean, Your Majesty?"
A middle-aged man standing before her asked cautiously.
"Jin Seong-ju got taken down by the Crown Prince. Tried to borrow the enemy's blade to kill him and got hoist by his own petard."
"...Did General Jin die?"
"Colluding with the enemy? Death was inevitable. Fine for him, but what were his martial artist cronies doing? Tsk tsk tsk."
The Empress clicked her tongue.
Surprisingly, she didn't seem overly enraged. More like she'd misplaced something trivial.
The middle-aged man found her reaction puzzling.
"If the Crown Prince has seized the Western Legion, shouldn't we overhaul all our plans?"
"Our plans end here. From now on, leave it to Zhao. If we push further and slip up, we'll catch the backlash. Half the court ministers still back the Crown Prince."
The Empress straightened, picking up her teacup from the table.
Clink.
"The Southwest King of Zhao won't just walk away after coming this far. He'll focus everything on the Western Legion where the Crown Prince is. I've already heard of such movements—the outcome won't change."
"Indeed. We've received reports that nearly three hundred thousand troops have massed in the region bordering the Western Legion."
At the man's words, a cold smile curled the Empress's lips.
"A Crown Prince who perishes gloriously fighting for his country... That might be the best outcome for us and him. Heh heh heh."
The Empress drained her cup and asked about something else.
"No word from Hwa Ryeong yet?"
"No. No contact at all so far—it doesn't look good."
Twitch.
"Not a single message?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Truth be told, Hwa Ryeong is a child who fears no one, not even you. Left alone, she'll climb over your head. We should send someone now to curb that arrogance."
"We need to know how things are unfolding, but days have passed without even a letter? You're right—we'll send another. By the way, are we tracking Zhao's movements?"
"The Northern Legion launched a preemptive strike and shattered Zhao's forward defenses. Apparently, the Fourth Imperial Prince led it personally."
Twitch.
"Why report this only now?"
"We deemed it unimportant. Forgive me."
The middle-aged man bowed deeply.
Fury flickered in the Empress's eyes.
"The Fourth Prince is as crucial as the Crown Prince! If he wins hearts there too, he could be an even bigger thorn than the Crown Prince. From today, report his every move without fail!"
"Understood, Your Majesty."
Snap!
The Empress snapped her fingers, and the back wall split open as a black-clad figure emerged like a ghost.
"You go to the Northern Legion. Cut off the Fourth Prince's breath. Take charge of Hwa Ryeong too."
"Hwa Ryeong won't listen to me, Your Majesty."
At the black-clad figure's words, the Empress drew something from her bosom and held it out.
"Show her this, and she'll follow you like the heavens. If she refuses, handle it yourself."
"Your command!"