Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: The True Nature of the Medicine Sent by the Crown Prince
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Song Hoe entered the room and flinched upon seeing the two men seated before Yi Hwan.
But Yi Hwan's well-being came first.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, so no need to worry. For now, keep an eye on the Paeng family side. Chase away anyone who approaches the tents."
Song Hoe stared at the two men, unable to leave right away.
"You're not going?"
"......"
Song Hoe finally stepped out.
The conversation between Yi Hwan and the two men began.
Yi Hwan's first question concerned the fall of Daye Fortress. But the response was deeply disappointing.
"You don't know why Daye Fortress fell either?"
"Yes. The elders only said that the Sword King's descendants would know."
Yi Hwan couldn't hide his disappointment.
And the man, Cheol Mu-ok, felt the same. With a puzzled expression, he said,
"Does my lord truly know nothing?"
It was only natural that the successor to the Lord of Daye Fortress would know more than they did.
"There are circumstances for that. I'll explain when the time comes, so hold your curiosity for now."
"Ah, yes."
"Drink up."
"Yes."
Cheol Mu-ok and Gong Son-tae raised their cups. The three drank together until dawn.
They shared many conversations, but the important matters eluded them both. Not only the reason for Daye Fortress's fall, but also the fact that ties with the Poison King's lineage had been completely severed long ago after the Sword King left Yi Hwan deeply disappointed once more.
*What in the world happened?*
The question burned in him again.
At that moment, Cheol Mu-ok cautiously asked,
"Why didn't you seek us out?"
"I told you, there are circumstances."
He wanted to spill everything, but he couldn't.
Who in the world would believe in reincarnation? Even the Buddhist monks who preached it would chase him with torches if he claimed to be reincarnated.
"For now, we need to track down that ronin who claimed to have passed on the Soul Separation Technique."
"Indeed."
"Then will you leave this place?"
"No rush."
In the past, Yi Hwan would have left immediately. But now was not the time. Paradoxically, Cheol Mu-ok's overwhelming strength made him more cautious.
*It's not yet time to venture into the jianghu. I'm not fully prepared.*
Pour.
Clunk!
Yi Hwan set down his cup and stared straight at Cheol Mu-ok.
"We need to stay here for a while. If you wish to remain with me, leave the camp before dawn, go into the city, and return. If anyone asks, say you came to see me. And while you're with me, address me as Great Prince."
"Understood."
Soon after, Cheol Mu-ok and Gong Son-tae slipped out of the camp. It was still pitch black, so no one saw them.
Song Hoe entered.
"May I ask who they are?"
"You'll learn in time, so bear with it. They're friends who will stay here with us, so treat them warmly when they return."
"They're staying with us?"
"Is there a problem?"
"Not exactly, but......"
Yi Hwan refilled his cup and asked something else.
"What did you feel watching Paeng Mu-wi fight that man?"
"First, I felt powerless. Both of them are masters beyond someone like me......"
"And?"
"I envied them."
"How long do you think you could last against Paeng Mu-wi?"
"Do you mean you, Great Prince?"
"Not me. You."
"Well......"
Song Hoe pondered for a moment, then answered in a deflated voice.
"If I fought with my life on the line, maybe thirty exchanges."
Clunk!
"With that level of skill, you could die any day without it being strange. Starting tomorrow, train together whenever time allows. To reach a level that satisfies me, you'll need to be prepared to die."
"You'll guide us personally, Great Prince?"
"Not me. That friend from earlier."
"......!"
Song Hoe's eyes widened.
"Why the face?"
"They're strangers, aren't they?"
"Didn't I say they're friends staying with us? If I decide it, you follow. No doubts."
"Understood."
"Go now."
"Yes. Rest well."
* * *
Song Hoe's mind swirled with questions as he left the room.
He still suspected the identities of Cheol Mu-ok and Gong Son-tae. Of course, he trusted Yi Hwan absolutely, but that alone couldn't dispel the doubts.
*They called the Great Prince 'my lord'? Did the Great Prince have private soldiers? No, if they were private soldiers, they wouldn't meet like that......*
He prided himself on knowing everything about Yi Hwan, yet he'd never heard of private soldiers.
Song Hoe thought of Cheol Mu-ok.
*That monster is going to train me?*
A strange feeling washed over him.
Recalling Cheol Mu-ok's terrifying prowess against Paeng Mu-wi sent shivers down his spine. If such a master trained him, couldn't he grow strong too?
Thump thump.
His heart raced.
In truth, Song Hoe dreamed of becoming a master more than anyone. Though from the prestigious Mount Hua Sect, he had never learned the true essence, stunting his growth.
Now, opportunity knocked.
If he trusted Yi Hwan, he could trust Cheol Mu-ok too. With that resolve, no issue remained.
Clench.
Song Hoe balled his fist.
*If I'm doing this, I'll give it everything, even if it kills me.*
Song Cheon-mu approached.
"Something good happen?"
"Ahem! Nothing."
Cha Jung-kyeong asked.
"Can't we know too?"
"You don't need to, kid."
Smack!
"Ugh!"
Song Hoe cuffed Cha Jung-kyeong on the head and entered his room.
Cha Jung-kyeong rubbed his head and scowled.
"Damn that guy. One-on-one, I bet I'd win, but I can't just charge him!"
"You're insulting a general of Yeon Kingdom?"
"Not all generals are strong. There are plenty of commanders at the colonel level weaker than me. You think only one or two got their positions just because they were born with silver spoons?"
"You might not be entirely wrong. Those with backing often start ahead. But most reached their positions through their own fierce struggles."
"......You think so? They really lived that fiercely?"
"Me?"
"No."
Cha Jung-kyeong nodded toward Yi Hwan's room. Song Cheon-mu smiled faintly.
"Who knows. I don't fully understand the Great Prince either."
* * *
The next morning.
Cheol Mu-ok and Gong Son-tae arrived at the camp. Soldiers blocked their path.
"Halt!"
"We've come to see the Great Prince."
They handed over a document stamped with Yi Hwan's seal from the previous night.
Confirming it, the soldiers hurriedly cleared the way.
As they headed to Yi Hwan's tent, Gong Son-tae spoke.
"Isn't it strange? Calling him a descendant when there are no heirs, and even then, the Lord's successor should naturally be a top master."
"He said there are circumstances."
"Do you believe that?"
"I have no choice but to. So drop it."
"......"
In truth, Cheol Mu-ok felt the same. What circumstances could leave the Lord's successor ignorant of Daye Fortress's fall?
Equally puzzling was Yi Hwan being a prince of Yeon Kingdom.
*If not adopted, that would make Yeon's emperor or the lord's maternal kin the successor......*
Many questions lingered, but he had no choice but to believe, given Yi Hwan's detailed knowledge of secrets known only to their lineage.
Most convincingly, Yi Hwan knew of the Three Kings Token—an absolute secret to all but the Three Kings' heirs.
Snicker.
Lost in thought, Cheol Mu-ok suddenly chuckled.
*To think I'm intimidated......*
When they first sat face-to-face, Cheol Mu-ok had tried to stay composed, but he felt pressure like facing a mountain.
Even Yi Hwan's casual remarks carried an overwhelming aura he couldn't resist. It somewhat offset his disappointment in Yi Hwan's weak martial arts.
*The Lord's successor should be at least that formidable.*
"Look over there."
Gong Son-tae pointed across the way.
Turning, Cheol Mu-ok smirked. He saw Hebei Paeng family warriors.
"They were masked, so maybe they won't recognize us?"
"Sharp-eyed ones can tell from the eyes alone."
"Then what do we do?"
"What else? Deny it."
It was then.
Growl......
A fox poked its head out and lowly growled toward Paeng Mu-wi's tent.
"Why's this one acting up? Come to think of it, it barked at the Paeng side last night too."
Cheol Mu-ok furrowed his brow.
"Perhaps......"
"Any guesses?"
"Let's ask my lord."
Soon, they entered Yi Hwan's tent.
Song Cheon-mu greeted them.
"Welcome."
"Is he in?"
"Yes. Go ahead."
Cheol Mu-ok and Gong Son-tae entered promptly.
Inside, Yi Hwan and Song Hoe had finished breakfast and were drinking tea.
"You came quickly."
"They let us through easily as instructed."
"Sit."
They sat opposite Yi Hwan.
Song Hoe tactfully excused himself.
"You must have many questions."
"Honestly, yes."
"You'll learn everything later, so endure for now."
"Can't you tell us now?"
Yi Hwan's gaze turned cold.
"You've been questioning my words since yesterday. Should I take that as a lack of trust?"
"Ah, no. I meant no such thing. Forgive me, my lord."
"Change the address."
"Yes."
Gong Son-tae politely asked,
"What are we to do here?"
"I've assigned you as my guards. Though you have separate duties."
"......"
"First, help train the men outside. All three have potential—make them properly."
"Even the Black Tiger Squad guy?"
"He's the only one who knows the ronin's face now. If he dies, everything unravels. In the worst case, he needs to protect his own life."
Gong Son-tae stepped in.
"You shouldn't trust a Zhao Kingdom man easily."
"Questioning again."
"......Understood."
Yi Hwan sipped his tea, then asked out of the blue,
"Got any spirit pills or the like?"
"Pardon?"
"You know, something that boosts internal energy when consumed."
"......None. But why?"
"Their foundations are weak."
He lied calmly, but Yi Hwan felt a twinge and drank his tea.
Watching, Cheol Mu-ok asked,
"Did you give Adherence Fragrance to someone from the Paeng family?"
"The one you fought."
"Why him......"
"Why? To confuse you lot."
"......"
Song Cheon-mu entered with more tea, pausing the talk.
"You're chatting. I'll head to General Jeong."
"See you."
As Yi Hwan left, the fox poked from Gong Son-tae's bosom and yapped.
"This rascal."
Song Hoe glared half-heartedly, to no avail. Gong Son-tae grinned.
"It'll last a year."
"What do you mean?"
"Adherence Fragrance effects linger for a year. So for that year, it'll only have eyes for the general."
"What? Adherence Fragrance?"
At Song Hoe's reaction, Gong Son-tae glanced at Cheol Mu-ok.
*[My lord hasn't told them yet?]*
* * *
Jeong Cheon furrowed his brow.
"You're adding more personal guards again?"
"Any issue?"
"No issue, but keep adding private soldiers like this, and rumors will spread. As you know, the Left General serves under the Fourth Prince. If word reaches the palace, you could face trouble, Great Prince."
"I'll handle that, so no worries."
"......"
Yi Hwan popped a fruit from the dish into his mouth and changed topics.
"Any moves from Zhao Kingdom?"
"Nothing yet, but they'll counterattack soon. They're not the type to take it lying down. Which is why I suggest......"
"I'm not returning to base."
"......"
Yi Hwan stood, pointing to the fruit dish.
"Mind if I take this?"
"......Take it."
"See you."
"Take care, Great Prince."
Jeong Cheon stared at Yi Hwan's retreating back and let out a hollow laugh.
*He didn't touch fruit before...... Just how far have you changed?*
* * *
Crown Prince's Palace.
Crown Prince Yi So sat across from a general.
"Found anything?"
"Yes. Paeng Mu-wi, Left General sent by the Fourth Prince to the Southern Legion, has suffered several setbacks. The camp's mood is quite poor."
"The second prince must be fuming."
"Controlling the Southern Legion affects the western front too, so he's likely distraught. For now, General Jeong under Hwang's command recaptured the outpost, easing tensions. However, Your Highness."
The general tilted his head, then continued.
"Do you know about the Great Prince's martial prowess?"
"He showed talent young, but growth stalled at some point. I secretly fed him spirit pills through others, to no avail. Why do you ask?"
"Rumors say the Great Prince's skills are remarkable. In the recent battle, he slew several Black Tiger Squad members alone and captured one. And not just that—his temperament has changed so utterly......"
"That child did that?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
A smile flickered on Yi So's lips, unseen by the middle-aged man.
"He always had talent. The personality shift probably came from surviving a near-death ordeal. Good news, regardless."
"I think so too, Your Highness."
Yi So lifted his teacup.
*The medicine I sent worked.*
The tonic he'd sent Yi Hwan earlier.
In truth, it wasn't for healing but an elixir to boost internal energy.
A secret, sent to prevent further risks—yet he'd captured a Black Tiger Squad member. Excellent.
*No matter what they say, you're my brother. Hold firm until I call you, endure and endure.*