Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: The Battle Begins (2)
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There are times when a single tiny mistake can ruin everything. Especially against a master, where you might even have to forfeit your life. The martial artists from the Zhao Kingdom, moving to assassinate Yi Hwan, had no idea what mistake they had made.
'Eagles never abandon their prey once they've started eating.'
An eagle took flight.
Yi Hwan spotted something falling from the branch where the eagle had perched.
In that split second, he recognized it as a rabbit. His eyes sharpened when he realized the rabbit was almost completely intact.
Yi Hwan spoke softly to the martial artists following behind Bang Hyo.
"Strengthen the general's protection."
Bang Hyo stared at Yi Hwan with a puzzled expression.
Yi Hwan lifted his chin, pointing toward the bend in the road ahead.
"Someone's there. High chance it's Zhao Kingdom martial artists targeting me or the general."
"......!"
Bang Hyo's eyes widened.
The spot Yi Hwan indicated was still over a hundred paces away. It was impossible to see anyone hiding there from this distance.
But since it was Yi Hwan's order, he unfastened his sword's sheath just in case.
Click.
The martial artists closed the gap with Bang Hyo.
Bang Hyo issued orders to them.
"Protect the Great Prince."
"I'm fine."
"Great Prince."
"With those people there, don't worry about me."
Yi Hwan raised his hand, pointing to the rear. Only Go Mi, Hwa Ryeong, and Pa Pa were back there.
Hwa Ryeong wore an awkward expression.
'I've suddenly become the Great Prince's bodyguard.'
Pa Pa and Go Mi also unfastened their sword sheaths. But they looked just as puzzled as Bang Hyo.
'What on earth did he see?'
No matter how hard they stared at the spot Yi Hwan indicated, they couldn't imagine anyone being there.
Bang Hyo asked.
"Shouldn't we send the martial artists ahead first?"
"They'll flee. Better to thin their numbers before the fight starts, so act like nothing's wrong."
"Understood."
The distance closed.
When they were about twenty paces away, Yi Hwan expanded his qi sense to probe the surroundings.
But no qi signatures snagged.
'Pretty strong ones, it seems.'
The distance shrank to ten paces.
Then, the faintest wisp of qi caught. So faint that without expecting someone there, it would have gone unnoticed.
'Giving the warriors some solid confidence now wouldn't hurt.'
Yi Hwan sent a transmission to Go Mi and the others.
[When I charge in, finish off any who slip past.]
[Yes, Great Prince.]
[Got it.]
[Understood.]
All three replied at once.
Yi Hwan turned to Bang Hyo.
[When I move, halt the advance.]
Before Bang Hyo could respond, Yi Hwan leaped from his horse into the woods.
At the same time, seven lights appeared above his head, moving with him.
"Whoa!"
Several generals let out cries of admiration.
Yi Hwan's speed, distance, and height surpassed their wildest imaginations.
* * *
"Whoa!"
One of the ambushers targeting Yi Hwan let out a sharp yelp.
He had seen Yi Hwan leap.
The leader's face twisted.
"We're made!"
"Give up?"
"What are you saying? He comes alone without fear—we can't just leave. Strike!"
Whoosh!
Five leaped out simultaneously.
But one tumbled immediately.
Thud!
"Argh!"
A light from the sky curved sharply, piercing a black-clad man's heart.
The leader charged straight at Yi Hwan.
His sword, infused with qi, sliced through the air toward Yi Hwan's waist.
'Too easy.'
A triumphant smile curled on the leader's lips. His blade was already arcing toward Yi Hwan's side.
But.
Thud!
"......!"
The leader's eyes bulged wide.
* * *
Thud!
Yi Hwan stepped on the incoming sword. Using the rebound, he drove his knee into the opponent's chest.
Thump!
"Argh!"
Yi Hwan mercilessly slashed the screaming man's head as he fell. Then, twisting in midair, he brought his sword down on another man's shoulder.
Thump!
"Gah!"
The foe staggered, spewing blood. The blow hadn't fully connected, leaving his right arm half-severed and dangling.
"Damn it!"
"Run!"
The two survivors fled into the woods, evading Yi Hwan.
They acknowledged he was beyond them and chose life.
But Pa Pa blocked their path.
A flicker of hesitation gleamed in Pa Pa's eyes. But it faded quickly as her sword ruthlessly cleaved both heads.
Thump!
"Argh!"
"Ugh!"
Hwa Ryeong scratched her head.
"Too easy, huh?"
Go Mi stared into the woods where Yi Hwan had plunged. Just then, Yi Hwan emerged, holding a severed head dripping blood.
Go Mi first checked Yi Hwan's body.
His armor was splattered with blood everywhere, but fortunately, he seemed unharmed.
"Great Prince!"
Bang Hyo and the generals rushed over.
"Are you alright, Great Prince!"
"Weaker than expected."
Yi Hwan glanced toward the martial artists.
"You two."
Two martial artists hurried forward.
"Take their heads and hang them at the enemy approach point. Somewhere highly visible."
"Understood!"
The two martial artists grabbed the other heads and dashed off. Yi Hwan wiped the blood and brains from his armor with his hand and mounted his horse.
"Let's move."
The march resumed.
* * *
Some watched the entire scene unfold.
Clad head to toe in black robes, they stared at Yi Hwan's retreating back, their eyes trembling.
"Unbelievable. The Great Prince is that strong......"
"We knew he was strong, but not to this extent."
They were Hongwol assassins sent by Mun I-jong. Two days ago, they had infiltrated the Northern Legion, stalking their chance, and followed here.
"This is a problem......"
A moment of silence passed.
Then, one black-robed figure turned.
"We're heading back."
"Giving up?"
"Impossible for just us two. Even if higher-ups came, killing the Great Prince is out of the question."
"Going back empty-handed means death anyway. The Grand Overseer won't show mercy."
"We're going somewhere else."
"......Pardon?"
"You and I have no families to worry about. If we vanish where no one can find us, we can survive."
"......!"
"If you don't want to, stay behind."
"N-no! I'll go with you!"
The Hongwol assassins who had come to kill Yi Hwan departed for a place no one would find, without even drawing their swords.
Whooosh!
* * *
Southern Legion.
Unlike other fronts that had clashed multiple times, a tense standoff persisted here. Neither Yeon nor Zhao made aggressive moves, merely watching each other.
"The enemy is massing toward the Northern Legion after the Western Front."
"Hmm......"
Paeng Mu-wi nodded gravely at Jeong Cheon's words.
Jeong Cheon continued.
"No support from the Central Army means big trouble. The Western Legion can pull in reserves from the rear if needed, but the Northern Legion risks total isolation."
"I know. It's driving me mad."
Paeng Mu-wi clenched his fists.
How could he not know? But there was no alternative. He wanted to send reinforcements, but that would endanger the Southern Legion.
"If the Commander permits, I'll take ten thousand elites to the Northern Legion."
"How could I not appreciate your sentiment, General? But reports would fly to the Imperial Palace, and you could be dismissed. I'm not afraid of dismissal myself. But if Her Majesty the Empress's crony replaces me, the Southern Legion will turn against the Crown Prince and Great Prince."
"......"
Jeong Cheon closed his eyes tightly.
Paeng Mu-wi drowned his burning frustration with a bottle of liquor.
Gulp gulp!
Thud!
"Damn it, how can a nation's empress be worse than the enemy!"
Paeng Mu-wi vented his rage.
Then, a general entered.
"Commander! Reports say the Zhao army has begun marching on the Northern Legion!"
Tremble......
Paeng Mu-wi and Jeong Cheon lowered their heads, eyes shaking. Knowing the Northern Legion's peril but unable to help, their hearts blackened with despair.
Bang!
Paeng Mu-wi slammed the table and ground his teeth.
"No more! General Jeong Cheon, take ten thousand elites to the Northern Legion! We'll deal with consequences after aiding the Great Prince!"
"Understood."
Jeong Cheon strode out as if he'd been waiting.
The deputy general asked worriedly.
"Is this really okay?"
"The Third Prince is here. If the enemy attacks, the Empress will help somehow. She won't let her son die."
"But reports will go up immediately, putting you in jeopardy."
"Our Great Prince is in danger—how can we sit idle! We'll handle the fallout later, so don't fret!"
"......Yes."
Gulp gulp!
Paeng Mu-wi drained the rest and pulled out another bottle.
"Damn that wretched woman! Should we just leave the Third Prince and all head to the Northern Legion, consequences be damned?"
"Commander!"
"I'm just venting out of frustration!"
Gulp gulp!
* * *
Third Prince Yi Seong-ji enjoyed a time more peaceful than anyone's.
Today, too, he passed the hours playing go with his master.
Clack.
"The Zhao army has begun marching on the Northern Legion. With no support, they're in dire straits."
"Zhao moved faster than expected."
Clack.
Yi Seong-ji placed a stone in the corner and leaned back.
"Already conceding?"
"No point continuing a lost game. Better save my energy for the next."
Yi Seong-ji sipped his tea.
Then, turning to the general, he asked.
"How's the Western Front?"
"After one clash, it's a standoff."
"Any word from my brother?"
"Communication issues since he seized full control. Multiple messengers sent, but no replies. Seems the Crown Prince has completely sealed external information."
A faint smile played on Yi Seong-ji's lips.
"Well, I'd do the same. To him, Mother and us are no different from Zhao enemies."
Yi Seong-ji lifted his teacup again.
Clack.
His master spoke in a heavy tone.
"With the Crown Prince taking the Western Legion, Her Majesty must be deeply troubled. Perhaps send a letter of comfort at this time?"
"Are you saying I should grovel?"
"Think of it as strategy for the greater good."
"Groveling for the greater good......"
Yi Seong-ji smiled faintly again. He set down his cup and stood.
"I need some air."
"I'll join you."
"No. Need to think alone. Excuse me."
Yi Seong-ji headed south through the camp without escorts, along the path Yi Hwan often walked.
Meanwhile, the old man watched his back, frustration evident.
"Such a golden chance to surpass the Fourth Prince, yet he remains so nonchalant."