Chapter 145
Chapter 145
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: The Clouds of War Disperse
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A single sheet of letter paper was clutched in Crown Prince Yi So's hand.
As he read through the contents, Yi So's expression gradually brightened. The letter contained exactly what he had so desperately hoped for.
"You did well, Ji-baek."
Yi So called out softly toward the outside.
"Is anyone there!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
One of the generals entered.
"Send a letter to the Northern Legion to assess the situation. Use my seal—it will ensure a swift reply."
"Yes, sir!"
Yi So walked over to the window and flung it wide open.
Whoosh!
A fierce, biting wind rushed in, but at this moment, it felt as warm as a spring breeze.
'Once word spreads that Qin has intervened, even the Southwest King won't be able to hold his ground.'
Clench!
Yi So balled his fists tightly.
'I pray this war ends here....'
* * *
A night with a full moon hanging in the sky.
Yi Hwan finished his usual meditation session and, as always, immersed his body in cold water in the tent's rear yard.
'Is the Crown Prince all right?'
No letters had arrived for days now.
It could be due to the harsh weather, but he couldn't shake the anxiety that something might have gone wrong.
Just then, Cheol Mu-ok emerged into the rear yard.
In his hands were a basket holding a chicken and a bottle of liquor.
"The Commander brought it himself."
"Bring it here."
"He said he didn't want to disturb you and left."
"Disturb me? Pour me a cup."
"Yes, sir."
Pour.
Cheol Mu-ok filled a cup and handed it over.
"You're really going alone?"
"You seem worried."
"The opponent's no ordinary man."
"Do I look ordinary to you?"
"That's not what I—"
At that moment, Ju Tae rushed into the rear yard. His expression looked strangely off.
Sure enough.
"The Zhao Kingdom's army is retreating! The entire force is pulling back to the west—it looks like a full withdrawal, not just a tactical retreat!"
"......!"
Splash!
Yi Hwan leaped out of the water, threw on his clothes, and strode outside. After a few steps, steam rose visibly from his body.
The three of them flew toward the Zhao Kingdom army's position.
Moments later, Yi Hwan passed through the now-empty Zhao camp and raced westward. After about the time it takes to eat a meal, the rear guard of the Zhao army came into view.
"Most of them are in light armor. That means whatever happened was so urgent they didn't even have time to pack properly."
Yi Hwan nodded silently at Cheol Mu-ok's words.
"Shall we pursue further?"
"No need. We'll find out what happened soon enough."
His words were calm, but Yi Hwan felt a deep pang of regret.
'I was hoping to learn something.'
His chance to meet Jo Yun, who knew of Daye Fortress, had slipped away. To him, that was as crucial as the war's outcome.
"Are you disappointed about not meeting Jo Yun?"
"He's the one who knows about Daye Fortress. Of course I am."
"Maybe he suspected our true identities and requested to meet the Great Prince instead of the Commander?"
"If he recognized our martial arts, that's possible."
"Given their actions, they're likely connected to the Blood Demon or Mad Demon factions. Surely none of our own descendants would stoop to treason."
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
"Let's head back."
"Yes, sir."
Yi Hwan shook off his regret. For now, the Northern Legion had escaped crisis—that was enough.
'It was no easy war.'
* * *
Palace of Illusory Flowers.
The Empress's eyes trembled faintly as she read the letter. Her tightly bitten lips paled, mirroring her inner turmoil.
"Why would Qin attack Zhao! Why!"
The letter detailed how Qin had struck Zhao, forcing the Southwest King to withdraw his forces. For the Empress, it was the moment all her plans turned to dust.
Fwoosh!
The letter crumbled into ash and scattered.
Those gathered in the hall held their breath. The chilling aura emanating from the Empress made their faces sting, but no one dared move a muscle.
"Send word immediately to our agents in Qin's capital—find out exactly what happened! As fast as possible!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
They fled the hall as if they had been waiting for the command. The Empress gulped down cold water with a jerky motion.
Crack!
She slammed the vessel down so hard it shattered, splattering her robes.
"They were content to sit back and reap the benefits, yet they suddenly attack Zhao and plunge into the war? The Qin Emperor would never do something so foolish unless he'd lost his mind...."
The Empress's face flushed red.
She had poured immense effort into this scheme, and she couldn't comprehend the situation at all.
On top of that, the absurd decision to hand the Western Legion to Crown Prince Yi So had occurred.
Her rage soon turned toward Jo Yun.
"Even so, to withdraw his forces so easily? That useless fool!"
* * *
News of the Zhao Kingdom army's retreat spread, and the Northern Legion erupted in cheers.
While everyone else cheered, Yi Hwan read the letter from Crown Prince Yi So.
A smile gradually spread across his lips, prompting Cheol Mu-ok to ask,
"Good news?"
Instead of answering, Yi Hwan handed over the letter.
Everyone leaned in to read it and let out exclamations in unison.
"So that's why the Zhao army retreated."
"Wow! His Highness the Crown Prince really pulled it off!"
Yi Hwan savored his tea in a rare cheerful mood.
Clink.
"Once the full truth comes out, the Crown Prince could be in danger, so everyone, watch your mouths."
At Yi Hwan's words, Cheol Mu-ok glanced at Hwa Ryeong.
Hwa Ryeong wore her signature smile.
"The Great Prince trusts me—do you not trust me?"
"What makes you so sure he trusts you?"
"If he didn't, he wouldn't have shown you this."
"......"
Cheol Mu-ok was at a loss for words.
Yi Hwan interjected.
"Get along, you two."
"Yes, sir!"
Only Hwa Ryeong replied.
Yi Hwan stood.
"I'm going to see Jo Gwang."
* * *
Upon learning of Zhao's retreat, Jo Gwang's face brightened considerably.
In truth, ever since the war began, no one had been more anxious than him.
After all, the war's pretext and trigger stemmed from him. He had even turned away, unable to look, when the wounded returned one by one.
"Why did he retreat?"
"Qin attacked the Zhao forces."
Jo Gwang's eyes widened.
"Qin has entered the war?"
"I don't know the details, but they're involved, and thanks to that, the war is over."
"You don't think Zhao will come back?"
"Mobilizing hundreds of thousands costs a fortune. For the Southwest King, who hasn't even officially ascended the throne, moving troops again would be a massive burden. Unless he has mountains of gold, that is."
Jo Gwang shook his head.
"The Southwest King's biggest weakness is his finances. In plotting his rebellion, he spent a fortune buying off key figures. He hounded me relentlessly after learning I had secret funds, but by then, the vault was empty. I thought he'd taken it at first, but apparently not."
Yi Hwan felt a slight twinge of guilt.
He was the one who had stolen Jo Gwang's secret funds.
"In the end, it worked out for the best, didn't it? If that money had reached the Southwest King, things would've been far worse."
Jo Gwang looked up, staring straight at Yi Hwan.
"Did you really kill Han Seom?"
"It just happened that way."
"Impressive. He's renowned across the land as a fierce general. Thank you, nonetheless. I'll never forget this favor, even on my deathbed."
"Repay it with interest."
"Understood. I'll repay it with interest, without fail."
Yi Hwan drained the last of his tea and rose.
"I'm heading straight back to the capital, so rest easy while you can. And Pa Pa."
"Yes, Great Prince."
"You fought brilliantly. Thanks to you, many lives were saved."
"......"
Was her throat tight with emotion?
Pa Pa simply bowed her head deeply.
In truth, she had fought more bravely than anyone on the battlefield.
She believed that fighting well would keep Jo Gwang safer.
"Rest."
"Take care."
Yi Hwan stepped outside and headed to the command tent.
Generals, led by Gwak Chung-mu, rose to greet him.
Gwak Chung-mu spoke.
"We've confirmed the Zhao army has retreated all the way to Hwepyong. Their speed suggests a major internal issue."
"Qin clashed with Zhao. That's why the Southwest King pulled back."
"......!"
"Qin truly intervened in this war? But how did you learn of it...."
"The Crown Prince sent word by letter. The Commander will hear soon enough."
Everyone was stunned.
Qin's involvement was that monumental.
"We'll monitor a bit longer, but the Southwest King won't send forces here again. Still, don't get complacent—address the weaknesses exposed in this battle and emerge as an even stronger Northern Legion."
"Heading back to the capital?"
"No reason to stay longer, is there?"
Yi Hwan rose and added one more word to the generals.
"You've all worked hard."
The generals expressed deep regret.
Gwak Chung-mu especially so. Having shared more conversations and ideas than anyone, his parting with Yi Hwan weighed heaviest.
Yi Hwan asked Gwak Chung-mu,
"Care to walk with me a bit?"
"Certainly."
The two stepped out and strolled side by side toward the camp's outskirts.
As they walked, Yi Hwan asked,
"What do you make of the current Imperial Palace?"
"I'll speak frankly."
Gwak Chung-mu steadied his breath and continued.
"His Majesty must emerge from seclusion soon. Otherwise, the court will spiral into even greater chaos."
"Whom does the Commander support?"
At Yi Hwan's direct question, Gwak Chung-mu answered without hesitation.
"I merely follow the natural order. Thus, I believe His Highness the Crown Prince should ascend the throne. But I am a soldier. In this situation, if I had to take a side, I'd have to shed this uniform first. I have no intention of doing so."
"I'm not telling you to take sides. Just fulfill a soldier's duty, as you said. I believe you will."
"I shall. And thank you for your trust, Great Prince."
Yi Hwan had many such conversations with Gwak Chung-mu. The next morning, he departed the Northern Legion.
The legion's warriors gathered right on time.
They filled the hillside outside the camp in a black sea, seeing Yi Hwan off as he headed for the capital.
* * *
Southern Legion.
The army doctor pulled back the cloth covering Third Prince Yi Seong-ji's face. Hideous wounds marred his once peerless features.
Scars that would never fade.
Yet, where one might expect turmoil, Yi Seong-ji's gaze remained as serene as ever.
The old man said,
"Due to Qin's intervention, Zhao forces have retreated from all fronts. And the Fourth Imperial Prince of the Northern Legion departed for the capital yesterday morning."
"Have you learned why Qin intervened so suddenly?"
"We're investigating every avenue—please wait a little longer."
"Are you also probing the masterminds behind my attackers?"
"It will take time, I'm afraid."
"Drop it."
"......Pardon?"
"He took his own life, so hard evidence is impossible. All that's left is suspicion, and I assume even Master has a rough idea of who's behind it."
"Still, we must investigate."
"No need."
"......Understood."
The old man gazed at Yi Seong-ji's reflection in the mirror and let out a quiet sigh.
Yi Seong-ji smiled faintly.
"Is my face that hideous?"
"......No, Your Highness."
"Then never make that pitying face in front of me again."
"Yes, I shall refrain."
"We should head back to the capital soon as well. Prepare."
"Understood. I'll ready everything for immediate departure."
Once the old man left, Yi Seong-ji instructed the doctor to fetch scar ointment, then stepped out of the tent.
Whoosh!
A chill-laden wind swept over his body. Passing warriors bowed their heads, but Yi Seong-ji ignored them, his eyes fixed on the northern sky.
'It meant nothing to me, not even a moment's significance. What exactly did you want from me, Mother?'
His gaze grew colder, laced with anger and resentment.
'Just watch. See how I change from here. I might even take what you cherish most with these hands. Even if that day comes, do not blame me.'
Whoosh!
The icy wind clawed at him once more. The sporadic rain gradually turned to sleet.
Yi Seong-ji stood unmoving, letting the sleet pelt his body. How long had it been?
The old man returned with Paeng Mu-wi.
Paeng Mu-wi bowed to Yi Seong-ji.
"I hear you're returning to the palace, Your Highness."
"The war is over, so it's time. You've worked hard, Commander."
"Nonsense. If anything, I'm ashamed I couldn't serve you better."
"Not at all. You did more than enough. Until we meet again."
"Please take care, Your Highness."
Moments later, Yi Seong-ji departed the Southern Legion with his accompanying martial artists.
Paeng Mu-wi and the generals saw him off at the camp gate.
Watching with a stern expression, Paeng Mu-wi turned and muttered,
"Our Great Prince bled against the Zhao Southwest King, but what was that? He wasn't here for a vacation, damn it!"
"The Second Prince won't be easy either."
"No kidding!"