Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: Clouds of War over the Northern Legion
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The next day, Go Mi and Ju Tae returned from their scouting mission. Both of them were covered in clothes stiff with dried blood, turned black.
“Are you alright?”
“We picked the wrong target to tail and ran into some trouble, but we’re fine.”
Ju Tae jumped right in.
“It seems the Crown Prince of Zhao, Jo Gwang, has been exposed as being here. The Southwest King of Zhao has issued orders to reinforce their forces upon learning that. Doesn’t that strike you as odd? How exactly did the Southwest King of Zhao find out?”
Yi Hwan’s eyes changed in an instant.
How did the Southwest King of Zhao learn that Jo Gwang was here?
Even in Yeon Kingdom, only his closest aides who came with him knew.
Yi Hwan’s expression shifted, and he suddenly let out a wry smile.
“That woman’s doing.”
“Pardon?”
“The Empress.”
“You think the Empress leaked false information to Zhao?”
“Who else could it be? After failing at assassination, she’s decided to borrow Zhao’s blade entirely.”
Go Mi spoke up.
“The Empress’s primary goal is to eliminate Your Highness the Crown Prince. To achieve that, wouldn’t it benefit her to make Zhao focus even more on the western front?”
“Who knows what’s in that woman’s head.”
Yi Hwan shook his head and drained his cup.
Ju Tae refilled the empty glass.
*Pour.*
“She might have switched the target to me, or there could be something else we don’t know about.”
“If Zhao comes at us in full force, this battle will truly be tough.”
“We have to win, somehow.”
“They outnumber us by nearly double. Shouldn’t we request reinforcements from the Central Army now...?”
“They won’t send any just because we ask. We’ve already pulled about twenty thousand from the northernmost garrison, so we’ll have to make do.”
“Did the Commander accept?”
“If we fall here, the northern frontier is at risk too. He had no choice but to agree.”
Yi Hwan drained his cup again, and Ju Tae refilled it immediately.
*Pour.*
“Still, shouldn’t we formally request support from the Central Army? We need to leave a record in case they try to point fingers later.”
Yi Hwan stared at Go Mi and smiled faintly at her words.
“You surprise me sometimes.”
“Pardon?”
“Good idea. Go tell the Commander right away to request reinforcements from the Central Army. Share all the intel we’ve gathered too.”
“Understood.”
Go Mi left the tent at once.
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair, his gaze settling.
“The outcome will likely hinge on how our martial artists perform. Tell everyone to steel their resolve.”
“Don’t worry. They’re the type to give their all whenever it counts.”
“Where’s Mu-ok?”
“On the way back, I saw him helping Young Master Song with his training. Seems like the young master has finally gotten serious. Aside from eating and sleeping, he doesn’t put down his sword for even a moment.”
It was true. Ever since arriving at the Northern Legion, Song Cheon-mu had devoted nearly all his time to training.
‘This battle might turn out to be a major crisis for him.’
Song Cheon-mu couldn’t ignore it even if he tried, not with Yi Yeong involved. Yi Hwan had occasionally helped with his training for that reason.
“Rest up. You’ve earned it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Once Ju Tae withdrew, Yi Hwan walked to the window and flung it open.
*Whoosh!*
A brutal chill clawed mercilessly at his face. Yi Hwan cast his gaze toward the northeastern sky, where the Imperial Palace lay.
‘Until now, I’ve only been solving the problems she’s thrown at me. I haven’t truly struck back. But once this war ends, I’ll make her regret ever crossing me to her bones.’
The Empress’s face floated in Yi Hwan’s mind.
Right now, she was the root of all evil.
‘What kind of face will she make when she realizes every move against me and the Crown Prince has backfired?’
He was confident he could make it happen.
But for the moment, surviving the immediate crisis came first.
‘What to do?’
* * *
The Empress held the messenger bird scroll from Gwak Chung-mu in her hand. Her eyes, drifting downward, narrowed, and the corners of her mouth curled up.
“Hmph! Even the great Gwak Chung-mu is just a mere mortal before his son.”
“Have you obtained the result you desired?”
“Read it.”
Instead of answering, the Empress handed the scroll to the middle-aged man. He checked its contents and looked at her with a satisfied smile.
“As expected, the upright ones crumble more easily to such schemes. So, how do you plan to drive a wedge between Gwak Chung-mu and the Fourth Imperial Prince now?”
“We start with a full investigation of his traveling companions who went to the Northern Legion with him. The Crown Prince of Zhao is surely among them. If the Commander personally conducts the investigation, their relationship will naturally fracture. Bring ink, brush, and paper.”
“Yes.”
Moments later, the Empress wrote a lengthy message, placed it in a bamboo tube, and handed it to the middle-aged man.
“I’ll send it off immediately.”
The middle-aged man exited the hall.
“Bring more tea.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Empress sank deep into her chair, a triumphant smile on her lips.
‘To think Gwak Chung-mu would waver so easily. This resolved itself even faster than expected. Heh heh heh.’
That was when a man in blue robes entered the hall.
The Empress immediately asked the bowing man,
“Did you bring them?”
“Gwak Chung-mu’s family has left for a city near the Northern Legion.”
“What?”
“We’ve confirmed it through inquiries. We’ve sent agents to the closest city to the Northern Legion with the children.”
The Empress’s lustrous face twisted slightly. But she soon let out a hollow laugh.
“Ha! What is this family bond that has them rushing to that hellish battlefield for husband and father?”
“They’ve always had an unusually close family.”
Just then, a female attendant entered with steaming hot tea.
The Empress brought the cup to her lips and issued an order.
“Tell the agents: if they find the children, don’t harm them. Bring them gently.”
“Understood.”
The Empress let out another hollow laugh.
“The lives of the lowly, ha!”
* * *
Yi Hwan and Gwak Chung-mu sat facing each other.
“You need to see this.”
Yi Hwan read the scroll Gwak Chung-mu handed him. It was from the Empress.
‘She plans to drive a wedge between me and Commander Gwak through a full investigation? Clever.’
Gwak Chung-mu asked with a puzzled expression.
“Why would Her Majesty the Empress mention a full investigation of those who came with the Great Prince?”
Yi Hwan set the scroll down and took a sip of tea.
*Clink!*
“There’s something I haven’t told you.”
“Is it important?”
Yi Hwan said directly,
“The Crown Prince of Zhao is here. Disguised as someone else, of course.”
“......Pardon?”
Gwak Chung-mu’s eyes widened.
“The one the Empress and the Southwest King of Zhao want most is the Crown Prince of Zhao. Handing him over would stain Yeon Kingdom with an indelible disgrace in history.”
Gwak Chung-mu’s face grew heavy. Turning over a political exile was unthinkable.
But considering who started this war, it wasn’t a simple judgment.
“Of course, handing over the Crown Prince of Zhao might end the war. But it would leave a deeper wound than the war itself. If we do that, Yeon Kingdom will be eternally recorded as an immoral state that betrayed a political exile to an enemy nation, and Qin Kingdom won’t stand for it either.”
“Indeed.”
Gwak Chung-mu nodded gravely.
He agreed with Yi Hwan. But his shock lingered.
He’d never imagined the very cause of the war was right here in the Northern Legion. Yi Hwan leaned back and continued.
“The Empress can’t be certain the Crown Prince of Zhao is here either. She’s just acting on suspicion. If you overlook it, Commander, there’ll be no issue.”
“Shall I report that the investigation turned up no Crown Prince of Zhao?”
“Can you do that?”
“As I’ve said, I will follow the Great Prince’s will. And I have no intention of yielding to injustice.”
Had he made up his mind? Gwak Chung-mu’s expression looked much lighter.
Yi Hwan asked,
“You’re not rethinking the fact that I moved your family to safety, are you?”
At that, Gwak Chung-mu burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! As if the Great Prince would take my family hostage!”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
‘If necessary, I’d do far worse. But not with your family. You’re as trustworthy as General Hwang Ho.’
Gwak Chung-mu nodded in admiration and continued.
“Her Majesty the Empress’s scheme is truly ingenious. Using the investigation to confirm the Crown Prince of Zhao’s whereabouts while naturally sowing discord between me and the Great Prince. But what’s even more astonishing is you, Great Prince. Everything unfolds exactly as you predict. I’m simply in awe.”
“It’s only possible because you trust me, Commander. I’ll take my leave then.”
Yi Hwan left the command tent and headed to where Jo Gwang was. Cheol Mu-ok, waiting outside, followed at his side.
“Where’s Ju Tae?”
“He got a little scraped up on that mission with the Moon Lord a few days ago and made a huge fuss. He’s lounging in his tent with his arm stretched out.”
“The Sword King used to do that too.”
“Pardon? What do you......”
‘Oops!’
Yi Hwan quickly covered.
“I think I read in a book that the Sword King was a bit of a drama queen. Anyway, let’s hurry.”
Yi Hwan quickened his pace.
* * *
Jo Gwang’s face was much brighter.
Whether he’d accepted his fate or steeled his resolve anew, it was the best he’d looked since defecting.
Pa Pa carefully brewed the tea.
As she did, she occasionally glanced at Yi Hwan. To her, he was now more than a lifesaver.
Jo Gwang asked,
“What’s the movement on Zhao’s side?”
“That’s why I’m here.”
“The situation isn’t good?”
“Zhao is reinforcing their troops. Already nearly double ours. And we’ve confirmed hundreds of martial artists among them.”
Jo Gwang’s expression hardened.
“Why all of a sudden......”
“It seems the Empress leaked false information to Zhao’s Imperial Palace that you’re here.”
“......!”
Jo Gwang’s eyes bulged. Pa Pa, preparing the tea, stopped and turned to Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan continued.
“A major assault will begin soon. When it does, all my direct subordinates here will have to join the fight.”
Yi Hwan turned to Pa Pa.
“In the end, you’ll have to guard the Crown Prince alone.”
“We’ll help too!”
Jo Gwang’s eyes burned with determination.
But Yi Hwan shook his head.
“I appreciate the sentiment. But if they somehow recognize the Crown Prince or the old woman’s martial arts, the Southwest King will throw in even more troops.”
“......!”
Jo Gwang squeezed his eyes shut and bowed his head. Yi Hwan quietly watched Jo Gwang’s fists trembling.
After a moment, Jo Gwang spoke.
“If I turn myself in, won’t the war end?”
“Do you want to?”
“......”
“Even if the Crown Prince returns to Zhao voluntarily, Yeon Kingdom will bear an indelible shame. That means we have no intention of handing you over, so don’t worry or feel sorry.”
*Tremble......*
Jo Gwang’s eyes quivered.
Pa Pa let out a sigh of relief and quietly stood, bowing deeply to Yi Hwan.
Her every gesture brimmed with heartfelt gratitude. Jo Gwang squeezed his eyes shut again, and Yi Hwan silently tilted his teacup.
That was when Go Mi’s voice drifted in from outside.
“Great Prince.”
“Come in.”
Go Mi opened the door and entered.
“Zhao has begun moving. A vanguard of fifty thousand has already left camp, and the main force will advance soon.”
“It’s still snowing heavily, and they’re moving already.”
“......”
“Got it. Go tell the Commander.”
“Yes.”
Go Mi left, and Yi Hwan finished his remaining tea and stood.
“I should go.”
Jo Gwang rose with him.
“Be careful, Great Prince.”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of losing this war.”