Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Heading into Battle
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Long ago, the Yeon Kingdom and the Zhao Kingdom had been clashing along their shared border.
It never escalated to full-scale war, but small skirmishes broke out almost daily, claiming countless warriors' lives in the process.
Yet it never expanded into all-out conflict because the military strengths of the Yeon Kingdom, Zhao Kingdom, and Qin Kingdom—which divided the world among them—were evenly matched.
If two nations went to total war, the balance of power would shatter in an instant, handing the third the chance to unify the realm.
Thus, avoiding all-out war had become the unspoken rule among the three kingdoms for some two hundred years.
The man responsible for defending the southern front was a figure named Hwang Ho. Connected to the imperial family, he was renowned for his martial prowess and strategic brilliance, earning the emperor's deep trust.
He was also known to share a close bond with Crown Prince Yi So. Strictly speaking, he was Yi Hwan's direct superior as well.
That Hwang Ho furrowed his brow.
"You told them not to let anyone in?"
"Yes. They even turned away the army physician, so it seems his condition is better than expected."
"That's a relief, then. Still, to be safe, have the physician check on him personally."
"Understood. That said, General."
"Speak."
"Why not use this chance to send the Great Prince back to the Imperial Palace? He's saved his life, but he'll never wield a sword again. Perhaps you could persuade him."
"Do the other generals feel the same?"
"Honestly, no one in the camp likes having the Great Prince here."
It was true.
Every general in the army shunned Yi Hwan. And it wasn't just because he was a difficult imperial prince to deal with.
"You dislike him because he holds no power and can't help your careers?"
"Frankly, isn't he a burden to you too, General?"
As the general spoke, Hwang Ho's eyebrows curved like knife blades.
"General!"
Another general burst in.
"What is it!"
"The western outpost has been attacked by Zhao Kingdom forces and wiped out!"
"What?"
"It seems the Black Tiger Squad moved in personally."
"Those Black Tiger bastards..."
The Black Tiger Squad was one of the Zhao Kingdom's elite units, feared by the Yeon Kingdom army like demons for their superior force and ruthless nature.
In countless past battles, they'd slain innumerable warriors—and it was they who'd inflicted Yi Hwan's grievous wounds.
Tremble...
Hwang Ho's eyes shook with rage.
"Give the order, and I'll drive them off myself."
"No. Saving the warriors fleeing through the mountains right now takes priority. Move out at once!"
"Understood."
The general withdrew in haste.
Hwang Ho clenched his fist and slammed the table.
"You—convene a meeting immediately!"
"Yes, General!"
* * *
Yi Hwan stepped out of his hall.
Considering his status as an imperial prince, Hwang Ho had assigned him a proper hall rather than a mere tent.
"Hail!"
The warriors saluted him.
This was the Dragon-Tiger Army under Yi Hwan's command. Yet their eyes held no welcoming light.
Yi Hwan—whom he knew from this body's memories—ignored them entirely and headed straight for Hwang Ho's tent.
The warriors tilted their heads in confusion. The old Yi Hwan had always graciously acknowledged even the salutes of low-ranking warriors from other units.
Moments later, he reached Hwang Ho's tent. The guards around it bowed their heads.
"Come in, Great Prince."
"Where's the general?"
"He's in a strategy meeting now."
As Yi Hwan moved to enter, the guards blocked him.
"Apologies. We have strict orders not to let anyone in..."
The original owner of this body had never attended such meetings. He could have forced his way in by pulling rank, but his timid nature made him always defer to the generals, forgoing his rights.
No—better to say he fled from them himself.
'Weak fool. Even despised in the Imperial Palace, he's still a prince. He should have taken everything he could, enjoyed everything available.'
"Step aside."
"Urk!"
The blocking guards were shoved back.
Yi Hwan flung open the tent flap without hesitation and strode in. Inside sat Hwang Ho and three generals.
They eyed the entering Yi Hwan with clear displeasure. Only Hwang Ho showed any joy.
"It's truly fortunate to see you so hale again, Great Prince."
"Thank you."
"We congratulate you on your recovery."
The three generals offered perfunctory well-wishes.
Yi Hwan pulled up an empty chair and sat.
"I overheard on the way. The Black Tiger Squad's on the rampage again?"
Everyone's expressions shifted. It was due to Yi Hwan's changed tone and demeanor.
Anyone else might overlook it, but here Hwang Ho was Yi Hwan's direct superior. Imperial prince and Great Army Commander or not, one couldn't treat him lightly.
'Don't dream of the old, meek me.'
Yi Hwan spoke calmly.
"Isn't this an urgent situation? Let's start the meeting."
Hwang Ho addressed the displeased generals.
"Very well. We'll resume the meeting."
The discussion recommenced. Yi Hwan listened silently until they reached the point of assigning units to the operation.
"I'll join the operation."
"......!"
Everyone's faces changed.
Hwang Ho smiled faintly.
"The Great Prince has no experience in operations, so it's impossible. The Dragon-Tiger Army even less so. Especially against the Black Tiger Squad—surely you understand we can't allow it for your safety."
'I didn't expect approval anyway.'
Yi Hwan had foreseen this.
But he had no intention of backing down. No—he had to go, no matter what.
If only to find the one who'd felled this body's original owner with the Soul Separation Technique.
"I won't ask to bring the Dragon-Tiger Army. If you're worried about me, pair me with your strongest unit. And with three witnesses that I volunteered, even if something goes wrong, it won't fall back on you."
Hwang Ho stared at Yi Hwan wordlessly, then asked abruptly.
"Is this for revenge?"
"Of course. A Great Prince of the realm takes a hit—he has to repay it twofold. For the army's morale, too."
The generals nearly snorted. Their eyes screamed, *Since when do you care about that?*
"We understand your feelings, but it's a deadly dangerous operation, Great Prince."
"Better to strike back and die on the field than live swallowing humiliation. His Majesty's thoughts won't differ much from mine."
"......!"
Mention of the emperor froze their faces.
In the end, Hwang Ho yielded.
"Very well. Then move with General Jeong."
"General!"
One general cried out in alarm.
It was General Jeong Cheon.
He was one of the southern legion's top commanders, excelling in both martial skill and strategy. But his excessively cold demeanor made him unpopular even in the army.
"The decision is made. Obey."
"......"
The meeting soon ended. As Yi Hwan left for his tent, Hwang Ho watched his back, narrowing his brow ever so slightly.
"What in the world happened? His eyes... he's like a completely different person..."
* * *
"Did you say... an operation now?"
Song Hoe's eyes widened like a calf's.
"I'll handle it alone, so stay and look after the unit."
"Great Prince! Why volunteer for such a dangerous operation? The Black Tiger Squad is the Zhao Kingdom's elite—even General Jeong Cheon's unit can't guarantee victory!"
"Don't worry. I'll come back alive."
"Then let me come too!"
"The marshal won't allow it."
He meant Hwang Ho.
"Great Prince, mind your words..."
"Who's listening?"
Yi Hwan donned his armor. Song Hoe tied the straps, sighing nonstop.
Yi Hwan brought up another topic.
"The warriors seem pretty dissatisfied."
"They can't go to battle, so no chance for merits, and thus no promotions. Especially the captains—seeing peers advance must sting."
"You too?"
"No. I'm content with my position."
"Truthfully?"
"Great Prince!"
"I'll believe you."
Yi Hwan slipped on his pauldrons and continued.
"But with their current level, do you think they'd earn merits in an operation?"
"Some captains are quite skilled."
"Not them—the warriors."
"Well..."
"If they want promotion, they need to train like hell from now on. A unit only grows strong once each man reaches a certain power. At their level, they'd just all die without a single merit."
"......Yes."
"I'm off."
Thud!
As Yi Hwan left the tent, Song Hoe furrowed his brow.
'How can he change so much overnight? Not just speech or aura—his very core seems transformed?'
* * *
"That guy's coming with us?"
"Yeah. Volunteered for revenge or something. Just means more headache for us."
"Why our unit, of all things! Ugh!"
The warriors of Jeong Cheon's unit—who'd be operating with Yi Hwan—vented as he approached.
Meanwhile, warriors from other units silently mocked and jeered at Jeong Cheon's men.
Yi Hwan walked right through the midst.
Jeers aimed at him echoed from all sides, but he ignored them and headed straight for Jeong Cheon's unit.
With departure imminent, each unit's leaders had gathered to discuss the operation.
They all bowed to Yi Hwan. But none held genuine respect in their eyes or faces—just formal deference to a prince.
Jeong Cheon approached.
"Your escorts will stay with the Great Prince. Until the operation ends, you must move with them no matter what."
"Understood."
About thirty warriors came to Yi Hwan's side. Each exuded an extraordinary air; they'd handle his protection.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Drums signaled departure. Jeong Cheon's unit led the way out of camp. Other units followed, scattering in different directions.
Yi Hwan called to Jeong Cheon up ahead.
"General Jeong."
The reply was icy.
"Remember—no personal talk during operations."
Yi Hwan smirked.
'I'll let it slide for now.'
Then—he noticed horsemen entering the path to the camp.
Glancing back casually, Yi Hwan's eyes gleamed.
'The Paeng Family?'
Most of the riders wore the Hebei Paeng Family's uniforms. Two hundred years on, they looked unchanged.
They escorted a general toward the camp.
Yi Hwan's gaze naturally fixed on the general's face.
Towering and broad, with a massive sword dangling like an average man's back—he screamed Paeng Family.
'Pathetic lot.'
Yi Hwan keenly felt how thoroughly his past achievements from the Mount Hua Banquet had crumbled.
Then voices drifted over.
"Those are the Hebei Paeng Family warriors who joined the Second Prince's command."
"Built like mountains, just like the rumors. Wonder why His Majesty sent the Left General here? Not planning to hand the southern legion to the Second Prince, I hope?"
"No way. Word is it's to bolster forces against the Black Tiger Squad."
"Makes sense. The Paeng Family would help a lot."
"Enough chatter!"
Jeong Cheon's roar silenced them.
Yi Hwan watched the departing Paeng warriors with a cold smile.
'They joined the second bastard's command, huh?'
From this body's memories, Yi Hwan—the original—despised his half-brother, the Fourth Imperial Prince, for no special reason, tormenting him and branding him the one to avoid most.
Yi Hwan smiled faintly at the Paeng warriors.
'Still clueless as ever.'
Even two hundred years ago, the Hebei Paeng Family had been one of the sects that failed to please him.
Powerful, they bullied others and constantly picked fights—enough that even the aloof Sword King had once visited personally to thrash them.
'If they cross me now, it won't end as gently as before.'