Chapter 224
Chapter 224
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 224
Chapter Title: To the North
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Go Mi came looking for Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan gazed at Go Mi, whose eyes had clearly changed, and asked calmly.
“How do you feel?”
“As you said, my internal energy seems to have increased by a full cycle. Thanks to that, I can now execute the forms you taught me perfectly. So, I have one request…”
“You want to learn even stronger martial arts?”
“Oh, yes.”
In truth, Yi Hwan had already been preparing martial arts suited to Go Mi. He had planned to pass them on to her as soon as they were complete, even without her asking.
“Wait a few days.”
“Thank you. Oh, look at me!”
Go Mi showed a flustered expression as she continued.
“The Blue Wolf Tribe’s movements are unusual. They’re joining forces with nearby tribes, and their combined forces number a staggering three hundred thousand.”
“Is it possible for the northern tribes to gather that many troops?”
“I’m not sure either…”
“Something’s off.”
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair, his gaze steadying. He mentioned something Go Mi hadn’t reported yet.
“The Zhao Kingdom’s encampment, which is facing off against the Southern Legion, is also increasing its troop numbers.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes. It’s absolutely reliable intelligence.”
“After the Empress—the very party to the peace treaty—fell from power, are they planning to ignore the treaty entirely?”
“May I share my thoughts?”
“Go ahead.”
Go Mi took a breath before continuing.
“The Southwest King must have struck some deal with the Blue Wolf Tribe, or perhaps he’s inciting them to attack the Northern Legion. Suddenly bolstering frontline troops at this time—couldn’t it be to prevent the Southern Legion from supporting the Northern Legion?”
“Moon Lord.”
“Yes?”
“Stay by my side from now on.”
“…!”
Thwack!
Yi Hwan lightly slapped the table with his hand and stood up.
“It’s almost certainly as the Moon Lord suspects. Otherwise, the Blue Wolf Tribe wouldn’t draw first blood unless they’ve lost their minds.”
“Have you come up with a countermeasure?”
“We need to send thirty thousand Golden Army troops to the Southern Legion. And if we time it so that thirty thousand elite Southern Legion troops arrive at the Northern Legion a day or two before the Golden Army reaches the Southern Legion, we can shorten the timeline considerably.”
“That way, we can reinforce the Northern Legion without any gaps in our forces. Are you going personally?”
“His Majesty is handling things well enough, so there’s no need for me to stay in the capital. The Moon Lord will come along too, so make preparations.”
“Understood.”
“Your expression looks pleased.”
“…Pardon?”
It was true. From the moment Yi Hwan said he was going personally, Go Mi had been smiling—though she hadn’t realized it herself.
“Are you eager to test your newly strengthened forms in real combat?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Heh.
“If the Moon Lord has to head to the battlefield herself, doesn’t that mean the situation has deteriorated that much?”
“…I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through.”
“No need to apologize. That proactive attitude is commendable for a warrior. Just always remember that excessive confidence can harm you.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“I need to meet with His Majesty.”
* * *
“You’re heading north?”
“Yes. The Great Prince just said so.”
“Excellent!”
Hwa Ryeong welcomed the news with great enthusiasm.
“A battlefield? And you’re that happy about it?”
“Weren’t you happy too, Moon Lord?”
“Well, sure.”
She grinned.
“Truth be told, I’ve been bored out of my mind lately with nothing much to do. Guess I’m just the fieldwork type after all.”
Hwa Ryeong sprang to her feet.
“Where are you going at this hour…?”
“I need to tell the Great Prince I’m going too, right?”
“He entered the palace just now. And of course, Little Hwa will be going along, so don’t worry.”
“Right?”
Hwa Ryeong started to sit back down but grabbed a bottle of liquor from the corner of the room.
“We should have a drink first? We won’t have time for it once we head north.”
“Sounds good.”
* * *
Yi So welcomed Yi Hwan’s rare visit with open arms. Gwan Ji-baek beamed just as widely.
“What kept you so busy that you only now came to see me? Your brother here has been waiting for you.”
“I had a lot on my plate.”
Before Yi Hwan, Yi So referred to himself not as the Crown Prince, but as an elder brother—and Yi Hwan appreciated that greatly.
“Did something important bring you here?”
“There’s the Blue Wolf Tribe issue to discuss… How about a drink for old times’ sake?”
“Sounds perfect to me.”
“I’ll have it prepared.”
Gwan Ji-baek stepped out.
Yi So asked.
“Is it because the Blue Wolf Tribe is swelling its ranks with nearby tribes?”
“It seems the Zhao Kingdom is involved.”
“The Zhao Kingdom?”
“Yes. The troops in their encampment facing the Southern Legion are steadily increasing. It looks like they intend to tie down the Southern Legion when the Blue Wolf Tribe advances south, preventing them from aiding the Northern Legion. So, here’s what I’ve been thinking…”
Yi Hwan laid out his plan directly.
“I’ll send thirty thousand Golden Army troops to the Southern Legion. If we have thirty thousand Southern Legion elites head to the Northern Legion timed to arrive just as the Golden Army reaches the Southern Legion, we can hold off the Blue Wolf Tribe with no issue.”
“Hmm…”
“Considering that the Central Army and Western Legion, facing off against the Zhao Kingdom, can’t spare troops easily, this is the best option.”
Yi So nodded silently before subtly furrowing his brow.
“Are you planning to go yourself?”
“Yes. With the former Empress’s retainers’ private armies fully under control, nothing will happen even if I leave the capital.”
“You’ve done so much already. Wouldn’t it be better to send another general and rest?”
“I’ve rested plenty. And with the Zhao Kingdom in mind, we need to solidify the north first, don’t you think?”
Yi So gave a wry smile. He already knew persuasion wouldn’t work.
“Then stay a while longer today. Who knows when you’ll return from the north—surely you can do that much for your brother?”
“How about we drink through the night?”
“You’re on!”
* * *
Two days later.
Thirty thousand Golden Army elites departed the capital.
In those two days, Yi Hwan gained a new authority: Yi So had appointed him as one of the Grand Generals. In the early days of the Yeon Kingdom, it had been the Grand Generals—not the Grand Commander-in-Chief—who led the armies.
But when one Grand General from the imperial in-laws ran rampant, the three emperors curtailed their authority and increased their number to four to keep them in check.
Instead, they established the Grand Commander-in-Chief’s office and delegated army command to it, reducing the Grand Generals to mere subordinates in humiliation.
That era had lasted a hundred and eighty years.
But with Yi So’s reign, the tide turned: the Grand Commander-in-Chief’s office was sidelined, and the Grand Generals were restored as true army leaders.
The rank was even elevated one step above the Grand Commander-in-Chief—a bold move. Yi Hwan was one of them, while the other remained undecided.
As Yi So conferred the Grand General title on Yi Hwan, he asked:
—Who would you recommend for the other?
—The Northern Legion’s Commander Gwak is ideal, but with the Blue Wolf Tribe to deal with, best to leave it vacant until that’s resolved.
So why had Yi So diminished the Grand Commander-in-Chief’s office and elevated the Grand Generals?
Because it had devolved into a thoroughly politicized entity.
Corruption had festered for so long that replacing the leadership wouldn’t suffice, he judged.
In any case.
Yi Hwan mounted his warhorse and led the Golden Army.
As they left the capital, crowds of citizens gathered to see them off.
“Long live the Great Prince!”
“Long live the Golden Army!”
The people cheered fervently, unaware of their destination.
Though the attention was unexpected, Yi Hwan remained impassive. The veteran Golden Army officers, however, were stunned yet deeply moved.
Until now, the Golden Army had been an object of fear to the populace. But under Yi Hwan’s command, they were first on the scene for disasters, aiding recovery.
And when Yi So opened the Imperial Palace Treasury for relief, it was the Golden Army that personally distributed rice and coin to the people.
Thus, the Golden Army was transforming into the people’s most beloved force.
Ju Tae grinned sheepishly.
“Isn’t this the kind of send-off you get after winning a war?”
“We’ll get an even bigger one then.”
“Then we’d better win for sure.”
Everyone’s faces were bright.
Truth be told, they preferred the vast northern battlefield to the confines of the palace and capital.
And none shone brighter than Go Mi. Clad in splendid armor, riding beside Hwa Ryeong, her smile never faded.
Hwa Ryeong asked.
“Are you that happy?”
“Of course. Look at the people. Folks who would’ve cowered in fear back then are now seeing us off like family heading to war.”
“That’s your reason?”
“Don’t you need more?”
“I thought you were excited to test yourself in battle. You’ve trained hard.”
At Hwa Ryeong’s words, Go Mi just smiled. In truth, that was part of her excitement too.
Go Mi gazed at Yi Hwan leading from the front. Watching his back as he moved fluidly with his horse made her heart flutter for no reason.
‘Beyond my expectations.’
What had she imagined?
Only she knew.
Meanwhile, amid the throng, some watched Yi Hwan intently.
“This makes things easier.”
“Killing the princess will be straightforward, but Her Majesty the Empress probably wants that man’s head more.”
“What can we do? The young leader set the princess as the target, so we follow. Less risk for us, anyway.”
“True, but…”
“Still, since when did the Golden Army get cheers like this from the people? This is the kind of spectacle you see when the Emperor tours.”
They were assassins sent by Empress Hong Seon.
Two days prior, they had slipped through the Golden Army’s perimeter at dawn and entered the capital, now biding their time from a hideout.
“Let’s go.”
The two headed straight for the city outskirts.
They entered an ordinary house, where the group leader and others awaited.
“The Fourth Prince and Golden Army just left the capital.”
“Is that so?”
“Then we move tonight.”
“No rush. The Song family estate has plenty of guards too. We strike only when perfectly prepared.”
“Understood.”
* * *
Night fell, and the moon rose.
A group entered the capital. At their head was Gong Son-tae, whom Yi Hwan had sent on an errand to a distant place.
“Whew! Even the air here feels different!”
“Feels kinda foul to me.”
“Exactly. Needs more people.”
Han Jang-han, who had taken it as a compliment on the air, chuckled at Gong Son-tae’s quip.
Another burly man asked.
“Straight to the palace?”
“At this hour? Nah, let’s pay respects to the Princess first and crash there for the night. Rich folks—bet we can score some good food and booze.”
“Nice!”
“The kid’s got it right for once.”
Everyone perked up.
But their appearances were rough: dust-caked, yellowish, reeking of unwashed bodies.
Even Gong Son-tae, usually pristine to the point of obsession, was no exception.
“Your boss is doing well, right?”
“Of course. Living it up serving the lord.”
“He’s your lord, not ours. Don’t push it.”
“Yes, sir.”
They were all rugged types, exuding the aura of tigers freshly burst from the mountains.
‘Once my brothers meet the lord, they’ll bow on their own. Heh heh heh.’
Gong Son-tae thought of Yi Hwan and quickened his pace.