Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Warriors of the Zhao Kingdom
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“Loosen your waist!”
“Swinging the sword like that will snap your wrist first! Get it together!”
Training was in full swing in the backyard.
Yi Hwan, who had just finished his meditation, stepped out toward the backyard. On the way, he spotted something placed off to the side and subtly furrowed his brow.
It was medicine sent by Crown Prince Yi So.
‘He must have sent it with sincere wishes for a quick recovery.’
There was no reason to take it since he had already fully recovered.
‘I’ll just gratefully accept the sentiment.’
Yi Hwan headed to the backyard.
The fervor emanating from Song Hoe, Song Cheon-mu, and Cha Jung-kyeong hit him like a wave. The three were panting roughly, utterly exhausted.
Cheol Mu-ok bowed his head.
“How are they doing?”
“With skills like these, it’s a miracle they’ve survived this long.”
“Don’t judge by your standards—match theirs. And don’t show any disappointment.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Great Prince.”
“I’m sorry. The words just won’t come easily... I’ll do my best.”
Yi Hwan stared at the three.
Unexpectedly, Song Cheon-mu appeared to be in the best shape. In contrast, Song Hoe and Cha Jung-kyeong looked one step away from collapsing.
Yi Hwan asked Song Cheon-mu,
“Looks like you’ve had your share of spirit pills.”
“I’m not sure if they were spirit pills, but Father and Brother have always given me the good stuff since I was young.”
‘Lucky guy.’
Whether a hundred years ago or now, it was exceedingly rare for an illegitimate son to be raised with love.
This was especially true in prestigious families. Illegitimate sons were seen as potential sources of family discord, and history was full of such cases.
Prestigious families placed great importance on their rules and would never tolerate anything that shook them. Thus, nearly all such families treated their illegitimate sons harshly from childhood to prevent any wayward ambitions.
“How about giving them a personal demonstration?”
At Cheol Mu-ok’s suggestion, Yi Hwan smirked.
“Curious about my skills, are you? Or is it that you don’t trust me?”
“No such thing, my lord. I merely...”
“Let’s eat.”
“...Yes.”
“Aigoo!”
Thud! Thud!
Song Hoe and Cha Jung-kyeong collapsed flat on their backs. Song Cheon-mu, meanwhile, continued heaving but his eyes still burned with life.
“I need to head to Mount Hua!”
“Why Mount Hua?”
“To demand answers! We’re all disciples—why did they discriminate against me like this! If they’d at least taught me the meditation technique properly, I wouldn’t be this pathetic! Huff huff huff!”
His voice brimmed with resentment.
Yi Hwan felt a pang of guilt for no reason. Song Hoe had loyally stayed by his side without a single complaint. Yet he had paid more attention to Song Cheon-mu than to such a steadfast Song Hoe.
And that wasn’t all. He had even used him as bait for the Chasing Fragrance to lure in Cheol Mu-ok.
‘I’ve been too neglectful.’
At that moment, Cheol Mu-ok’s voice transmission flowed into his ear.
[Reinforce his inner power, and he’ll be very useful. His ability to adapt and vary techniques rivals even peak masters.]
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
“Enough whining. Eat, then go check on the Dragon-Tiger Army. Don’t forget that training them is just as important as your own practice.”
“...Yes. I’ll wash up and head there right away.”
As the three headed inside, Cheol Mu-ok asked,
“He’s in charge of training the Dragon-Tiger Army?”
“For the time being. It’s not yet time for me to step in.”
“I could help.”
“Group combat is a completely different realm. Of course, you guiding the captains later would be a huge help, but for now, focus only on those three.”
“Understood.”
* * *
Zhao Kingdom army camp.
A man entered the Commander’s tent. He was a middle-aged man with eyes as red as his blood-colored robe.
Was this an unexpected visit? The Commander looked startled.
“What brings you here, Blood Ghost Leader?”
“I’ve come on imperial edict to assist the Commander.”
“His Majesty issued the order himself?”
“Didn’t you request reinforcements?”
“A few underlings would suffice... I never dreamed you’d come personally.”
The middle-aged man spoke in a stern tone.
“His Majesty wishes to make the canyon position ours forever. That’s why he sent me here himself.”
“Even at the cost of full-scale war?”
“I merely convey His Majesty’s will. He commands us to retake the position as soon as possible. Before that, we must scout the enemy camp ourselves. That’ll be all for today.”
The middle-aged man delivered his message like a proclamation and promptly left the tent. The Deputy General entered immediately after.
“The Blood Ghosts have arrived—fifty of them, Commander.”
“With their leader here, that much is expected.”
The Commander’s expression hardened.
‘Even if retaking the position is crucial, sending fifty Blood Ghosts? We’ve never seen numbers like this before. Are they truly willing to escalate to full war? Or is there something else?’
Anxiety surged within him.
He was the last person he wanted nearby. Having him here meant any mistake would be reported straight to the Emperor.
“Deputy General.”
“Yes, Commander.”
“Send word to His Highness the Crown Prince at once. Inform him that the Blood Ghosts’ leader has arrived and find out what’s happening in the Imperial Palace. Of course, this stays between you and me. Understood?”
“Understood.”
Once the Deputy General left, the Commander sank deep into his chair, his gaze steadying.
‘The Blood Ghosts’ leader moves only on the Emperor’s direct orders. Sending him here means there’s more to this than just retaking the position. I need to find out what.’
Ssshhh...
A chill gripped his chest.
Anxiety, once again.
‘No way he’s caught on to the secret funds’ true nature, is he?’
* * *
Late at night.
Yi Hwan summoned Song Hoe to his room.
“You called for me?”
“Sit.”
As Song Hoe sat across from him, Yi Hwan placed a thin manual on the table. It was a version of his personal meditation technique, modified for Song Hoe to learn more easily.
Thud!
“Start practicing this from tomorrow.”
“What... is this?”
“A pretty useful meditation technique. It’ll help a lot, so study it diligently.”
“Th-thank you!”
Song Hoe’s eyes reddened.
Seeing him like that stirred pity in Yi Hwan.
“Once you understand it, operate it whenever you have time. That should solve your biggest need to some extent.”
“What do you think is my biggest need?”
“Inner power.”
Song Hoe’s eyes widened.
“Then mastering this technique will increase my inner power?”
“You don’t believe it, do you?”
“Honestly, yes. I’ve never even heard of a meditation technique like that...”
“Don’t doubt—just give it your all.”
“...Understood. Thank you so much, Great Prince!”
“Off you go.”
“Rest well.”
After Song Hoe left, Yi Hwan lay down on his bed.
‘Not sure if I’m doing the right thing.’
Transmitting a meditation technique was no small matter. Even in his own era, he had only shared his with his closest aides, like the Three Kings.
If it ever leaked, it could benefit the enemy.
‘Still, if I’m to survive in this world, the more loyal limbs I have under me, the easier it’ll be for me.’
One of Yi Hwan’s strengths was that once he shook off a worry, he never dwelled on it again. With stray thoughts cleared, five blue lights rose above his body.
They were markedly different in color and larger than before.
A smile spread across Yi Hwan’s lips.
‘It’s definitely getting faster.’
Yi Hwan unconsciously moved to fire one off but caught himself and dispersed them. He recalled the incident where Cha Jung-kyeong had gotten cut.
It was then.
“Great Prince.”
Song Hoe’s voice drifted in.
“What is it?”
“Do you know about Chasing Fragrance? Someone said the fox only barks at me because of it. They said it lasts a year?”
“...”
Caught red-handed!
Yi Hwan sat up.
“Come in.”
Song Hoe entered.
Yi Hwan explained the whole story. Throughout the explanation, Song Hoe’s disappointment was plain to see.
Yi Hwan wrapped it up with this:
“The meditation manual I gave you earlier... consider that atonement.”
“...”
* * *
The next morning.
Song Hoe, who had gone to the supply depot for provisions, reported to Yi Hwan with a shocked expression.
“The warriors who went out on night patrol last night were found dead. And the number... over a hundred.”
Yi Hwan furrowed his brow.
Over a hundred dead was no small matter.
“Zhao Kingdom means business.”
“But it’s strange. The bodies were found not far from the position, yet the nearby guards heard absolutely nothing. Even with that many dying.”
Yi Hwan, who had been listening casually, narrowed his eyes slightly.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
“That is odd. If it happened at night, the sounds should have carried even better.”
“Exactly. That’s why rumors are flying that Zhao Kingdom has called in martial arts experts. In any case, all the unit commanders have gathered in the command center because of it.”
“If martial artists have joined them, it’s definitely serious. We only have the Hebei Paeng Family here.”
“Shall we go?”
“The bodies haven’t been disposed of yet?”
“Found early this morning, so they probably haven’t been buried.”
Yi Hwan donned his outer robe and stood.
In the backyard, Song Cheon-mu and Cha Jung-kyeong were sweating through their training.
“Mu-ok.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“There’s a place we need to visit together.”
Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok headed toward Hwang Ho’s tent. Song Hoe followed behind.
Moments later, instead of the command center where the commanders had gathered, Yi Hwan entered the area with the bodies.
“Salute!”
The warriors saluted Yi Hwan in formation.
Yi Hwan gazed at the room filled with corpses and said to Cheol Mu-ok,
“We need to check the wounds.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok began examining the bodies.
But soon, both straightened up. Examining one was enough.
“They didn’t even get a chance to resist properly, so it seems they fell to someone with considerable skill.”
“And if no one heard a thing despite so many dying nearby, that means there were several such experts.”
“Exactly. Zhao Kingdom’s camp may have been joined by a large number of powerful martial artists.”
“That must be it.”
Yi Hwan stepped outside.
Cheol Mu-ok followed.
“Mu-ok.”
“Yes?”
“Ever done any scouting?”
“Not scouting per se, but I’ve tailed people plenty of times.”
“Not your forte?”
“This was the first time I was spotted. A tree branch snapped in the wind...”
Yi Hwan had never mentioned throwing the branch himself.
“But why scouting...”
“I’ll explain later. For now, we head to the command center. Follow me.”
Yi Hwan made straight for the command center.
Salute!
A warrior saluted awkwardly and said,
“You can’t enter right now.”
“Ah, but I can.”
Yi Hwan shoved the warrior aside and opened the command center door. Everyone inside turned to look at him.
Some stood and bowed, while others openly showed their discomfort.
Jeong Cheon sighed and lowered his head, while Hwang Ho couldn’t hide his astonishment.
Ignoring them, Yi Hwan said to Hwang Ho,
“Have you examined the bodies?”
“The matter is grave, so we planned to inspect them after the meeting.”
“Seems the order of business is backward.”
“...”
Yi Hwan turned to Cheol Mu-ok.
“Tell them as is.”
“Yes.”
Cheol Mu-ok scanned the generals before speaking.
“The warriors didn’t even resist before dying. Moreover, despite so many perishing nearby, no one heard a sound. This means the culprits’ skills are at least peak master level in murim terms.”
The room buzzed.
Cheol Mu-ok continued.
“The problem is, there were quite a few of them.”
“Go on.”
Cheol Mu-ok glanced at Yi Hwan at this point.
Yi Hwan stepped forward.
“The one leading such experts would naturally be even stronger, no? So tonight, this fellow will scout the enemy camp. At minimum, we need to know who’s newly joined them to devise countermeasures. With that in mind...”
Yi Hwan swept his gaze over the assembly before continuing.
“Hold all patrols until he returns. I’d rather not waste good warriors.”