Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: The Battle Begins (1)
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Ding-dong-ding!
The bell tolled.
Warriors burst out from everywhere, swiftly moving to their assigned positions.
Yi Hwan entered the command tent, donned his armor, and headed to the command center. The key generals were already assembled there.
As Yi Hwan entered, everyone rose from their seats and bowed their heads.
Yi Hwan fixed his gaze on Gwak Chung-mu.
“Who has been assigned to the vanguard?”
“This humble general!”
The fierce general Bang Hyo stepped forward.
“I’ll go with you.”
In the past, everyone would have tried to stop him. But having already witnessed Yi Hwan’s martial prowess and capabilities once before, no one spoke up.
Gwak Chung-mu said,
“This will be different from before, Great Prince.”
“I’m fully prepared, so don’t worry.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently, then turned to face the generals. He slowly scanned each of their faces before speaking.
“Have you all steeled yourselves for death?”
“Yes!”
The generals’ shouts rang out louder and more spirited than those of the rank-and-file soldiers.
“Who’s in charge of supplies?”
“This humble general!”
One general stepped forward.
“We’ll need a lot of liquor to toast our victory. Prepare as much as possible of the quick-fermenting kind.”
“Yes, Great Prince! I’ll stay up all night if needed to prepare the maximum amount!”
Even at Yi Hwan’s seemingly excessive command, everyone smiled. At times like this, displaying such confidence was exactly what was needed.
Yi Hwan turned his gaze back to Gwak Chung-mu.
Their eyes locked across the air.
“I’ll be off.”
“Take care, Great Prince.”
* * *
As Yi Hwan stepped outside, Gwak Chung-mu and the other generals followed behind.
Outside, Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae waited, along with Go Mi and the warriors of the Second Prince’s faction.
Hwa Ryeong was there too.
Thanks to the spirit pill, her complexion was no different from before her internal injuries. Of course, she wasn’t at full strength, but she had insisted on coming along.
Yi Hwan turned his gaze toward Bang Hyo’s unit. Thirty thousand elites stood ready with banners, spears, and swords, awaiting him and Bang Hyo.
On one side, around two hundred martial artists were also present.
‘No matter what, we must repel the enemy vanguard and boost the army’s morale. If we fail, this war… we might lose it.’
Yi Hwan took a quiet breath.
Right now, he was more resolute than ever.
‘This feeling is strange.’
Even after several battles with the Zhao Kingdom since his reincarnation, never had something so hot welled up from the depths of his chest like today.
Yi Hwan turned to Bang Hyo.
“Are you confident?”
“Of course, Great Prince!”
“Then let’s go.”
“Yes, Great Prince!”
* * *
Jo Gwang watched Yi Hwan’s figure exiting the camp through the window.
His endlessly heavy and gloomy eyes trembled faintly from time to time. Soon, a sigh-like mutter escaped his lips.
“Is it really okay to just sit here like this? This war broke out because of me.”
“…….”
Pa Pa didn’t dare respond.
“What if I stepped forward? What would they do?”
“They’re forces controlled by the Southwest King’s confidants and their close allies. If Your Highness intervenes, they’ll come at you even more ferociously. For now, you must wait for the Northern Legion of Yeon to make a strong showing.”
“What meaning is there in surviving like this? As the crown prince of a nation, I’m cowering here just to save my own skin…….”
“Your Highness.”
A wistful smile appeared on Jo Gwang’s lips.
He had endured solely on the determination to survive somehow, overthrow the Southwest King, and return to Zhao. But since the war broke out, his inner resolve had been badly shaken.
Was it pangs of conscience?
Or regret toward Yi Hwan?
Of course, Yi Hwan surely had his own motives for keeping him alive. Even setting that aside, Yi Hwan had done his utmost to protect him until now.
That made it hurt even more.
Whoosh!
A chilling wind clawed across Jo Gwang’s face. Having stood by the window for so long, his face had already turned red from the cold.
It was then.
Yi Hwan glanced toward Jo Gwang’s tent.
Jo Gwang reflexively raised his hand.
‘Thank you, Great Prince. And I’m sorry.’
Whoosh!
Snowflakes whipped up by the wind obscured Jo Gwang’s view. When they cleared, Yi Hwan had already left the camp and was out of sight.
Crunch.
Jo Gwang bit his lip.
“Pa Pa.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Go help the Great Prince. This is an order from your crown prince—obey it.”
Pa Pa cried out in surprise.
“This servant’s place is at Your Highness’s side! Please retract the order, Your Highness!”
Jo Gwang turned to Pa Pa.
In that instant, Pa Pa saw the resolute light in his eyes and nearly collapsed.
‘……Your Highness!’
* * *
Yi Hwan moved at the forefront alongside Bang Hyo.
Behind them, Cheol Mu-ok, Ju Tae, Go Mi, and the Second Prince’s faction warriors were positioned.
Martial artists were also clustered around Bang Hyo.
Whoosh!
The wind grew fiercer, scattering snowflakes across the world.
Bang Hyo glanced at Yi Hwan’s emotionless profile and thought of one person.
‘His Majesty…….’
The emperor.
In the past, during a battle against the northern barbarians, they had fought together. Back then, the emperor had been a god-like figure to all the generals.
Braver than anyone, superior to all, the absolute sovereign stronger than any other.
As Bang Hyo recalled the emperor, a faint anger rose in his eyes.
‘His Majesty truly, because of the Empress…….’
It was then.
“Keep your composure.”
“……!”
At Yi Hwan’s voice, Bang Hyo startled and schooled his expression.
“Your breathing’s gotten rough.”
“I was lost in thought for a moment. My apologies, Great Prince.”
Bang Hyo took a deep breath and turned his gaze forward. Far ahead, a scout was racing toward them.
Judging by the Snow-Treading Without Trace lightness skill, it was a martial artist from the Northern Legion.
He arrived like the wind and reported.
“The enemy vanguard has crossed Mournful Valley! Their numbers are estimated at around fifty thousand, and we’ve confirmed many martial artists among them!”
Bang Hyo turned to Yi Hwan.
“At this pace, we’ll encounter them in about half a shichen.”
Mournful Valley wasn’t far from the enemy’s first defensive line, which they had previously annihilated via surprise attack.
Yi Hwan asked,
“How’s the plan laid out?”
“After advancing for about one shichen, we’ll enter terrain favorable for ambush. There, we split the forces and strike from both flanks.”
Yi Hwan shook his head.
“The enemy outnumbers us in martial artists. Splitting our forces in this situation would only invite disadvantage. Better to double our mobility, focus on striking one point hard, then hit-and-run, gradually luring them toward our main camp.”
“…….”
“General.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“Why not entrust this battle to me?”
“……!”
Bang Hyo couldn’t answer immediately.
He had already confirmed Yi Hwan’s abilities in the previous ambush, but he couldn’t so easily hand over command.
This was the vanguard of thirty thousand. A battle where their lives hung in the balance.
Yet Bang Hyo’s heart was already leaning one way.
‘He’s already repelled Zhao’s great army with the Southern Legion. And if he’s this confident…….’
Crunch.
Bang Hyo bit his lip, then bellowed to the entire army with infused qi.
“From now on, the Great Prince takes command! Follow him with all your loyalty!”
His shout carried clearly even to the rear. Bang Hyo turned to Yi Hwan.
“This humble general Bang Hyo will trust and follow the Great Prince!”
“Thank you.”
The sudden change in commanding officer elicited varied reactions from the troops. But Yi Hwan wasn’t one to miss that.
“Mu-ok, Ju Tae.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“Go ahead and secure a point advantageous for ambush.”
“Understood.”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae exchanged meaningful glances.
[We need to turn their distrust into faith, right?]
[That’s why he’s sending us first. Come on, let’s run like dogs.]
The two quietly called out to the Second Prince’s faction warriors.
“Let’s go.”
Swish-swish-swish!
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae leaped ahead first. The Second Prince’s warriors followed.
“Whoa!”
“Gasp!”
Exclamations erupted from all around.
Even the Northern Legion’s martial artists stared in shock as Cheol Mu-ok and the others vanished from sight in an instant.
It was a level of lightness skill they could scarcely dream of.
Yi Hwan calmly addressed the generals.
“When battle begins, they’ll protect you all, so fight bravely without worry.”
“Yes!”
The generals’ atmosphere shifted in an instant.
It was then.
“Halt!”
“Who goes there!”
Sharp cries rang out from behind in succession.
Yi Hwan and Bang Hyo turned. In that moment, Yi Hwan furrowed his brow.
‘Why is Pa Pa…….’
Pa Pa stood blocked by soldiers, looking toward Yi Hwan. Yi Hwan quietly called out to them.
“She’s one of ours.”
Pa Pa approached.
[I warned you it could be more dangerous if your identity’s exposed?]
A faint anger laced Yi Hwan’s transmission. Pa Pa’s eyes filled with deep anguish.
[It’s His Highness’s command. I’ll aid the Great Prince with arts other than Emei Sect’s.]
Yi Hwan thought of Jo Gwang.
‘Was he that uneasy?’
He could roughly guess the situation. Even Pa Pa, who would give her life for Jo Gwang, hadn’t come of her own accord.
“I’m counting on you.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
Pa Pa moved to Go Mi’s side. Go Mi greeted her with an eye smile.
Hwa Ryeong, meanwhile, tilted her head at Pa Pa. She had seen her while scouting around the tent, looking for Jo Gwang.
She had brushed it off as nothing then.
‘Why’s this old lady on the battlefield? Makes her look suspicious.’
She gave a wry smile.
‘No reason to care now…….’
Still, Hwa Ryeong was curious about Pa Pa’s identity.
So she transmitted to Go Mi.
[Who’s this old lady?]
[Drop it.]
Hwa Ryeong wrinkled her nose at Go Mi’s curt dismissal and turned her gaze forward.
‘Her temper is something else.’
* * *
Beyond the snow-covered forest, figures watched the Northern Legion’s vanguard.
Five in total.
All exuded the sharp aura of honed blades. One pointed at Yi Hwan.
“That’s Great Prince Yi Hwan.”
“Impressive. For a prince to lead the vanguard in such a dangerous battle. Our Zhao Kingdom’s pampered royals, lounging in their palace luxury, should see this.”
“But the Southwest King’s heirs are all brave, aren’t they? Two even volunteered for our unit.”
“Bravery alone isn’t enough. I just hope they don’t cause issues with the chain of command.”
Everyone nodded gravely in agreement. Indeed, two of the Southwest King’s sons were in Zhao’s camp.
With the Southwest King practically an emperor, the camp’s generals had no choice but to pay them special attention, already causing minor command issues.
“You’re just going to let him be?”
“If we saw him, we can’t simply withdraw.”
The apparent leader sharply scanned the front. His eyes flashed at one spot.
“That looks good.”
It was a gently curving path, with dense forests on both sides—perfect conditions for an assassination attempt.
“Kill Yeon’s Great Prince and boost our army’s morale. Everyone, steel yourselves for death. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“Move out.”
Rustle-rustle-rustle!