Chapter 226
Chapter 226
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: War Clouds Looming in the North
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A few days later, in the Zhao Kingdom's Imperial Palace.
Empress Hong Seon could no longer contain her rising fury from the morning, her face flushing red.
She had received word via express messenger that all the assassins she sent to kill Yi Hwan had been slain. The report stated they had all been killed at Princess Yi Yeong's residence.
‘Why the hell did they die there? Does that mean the bastard was at his sister's house?’
She had clearly sent them to kill Yi Hwan, yet they died in the wrong place?
Not knowing the full story, she could only seethe with anger and confusion.
Crack!
The teacup shattered in her hand. Hot tea soaked her skin and dripped to the floor, but no one dared step forward.
“How many failures is this? How many!”
The first failure could be excused as underestimating Yi Hwan's abilities due to complacency.
But even after selecting only the strongest for subsequent attempts, she kept failing.
This time, determined to get results, she had sent her most cherished subordinates, an elite team of masters. And yet, another failure.
She had wanted revenge against the man who took everything from her, but instead, she lost her prized subordinates. Her rage could only grow.
At that moment, Yi Tae-ji entered the room.
Hong Seon hurriedly composed her expression.
“What brings you to see your mother at this hour?”
“I've brought news regarding the Fourth Prince.”
“Is that so?”
Hong Seon's eyes changed in an instant.
Yi Tae-ji sat down and continued.
“He's heading north. It seems to be because of the Blue Wolf Tribe. The Zhao Kingdom's military has confirmed that thirty thousand Golden Army troops are accompanying him.”
“He's taking thirty thousand Golden Army with him?”
“Yes. Doesn't that mean the Crown Prince's faction has completely seized control of the state?”
“……!”
It was a bitter pill for Hong Seon to swallow. If they hadn't fully seized control, as Yi Tae-ji said, he wouldn't dare take thirty thousand Golden Army—troops meant to secure the capital—northward.
“It looks like I need to head north myself.”
“You plan to kill him?”
“When war breaks out, opportunities multiply. Better to do something than sit here idle, right?”
“Hold on.”
Hong Seon suddenly scowled.
“He headed north, so why did my assassins die at the princess's house…….”
“What do you mean?”
Hong Seon briefly explained sending the assassins. Hearing this, Yi Tae-ji leaned back in his chair and spoke nonchalantly.
“They probably aimed to kill the princess to shake him up. It failed, but it wasn't a bad choice.”
“Does that mean there were experts around the princess capable of wiping out the assassins I sent?”
“He dotes on his sister terribly. He'd naturally station masters around her for such contingencies. The Crown Prince's Palace might have sent more, too.”
“…….”
Thud!
Yi Tae-ji lightly slapped the table and stood.
“I'll handle him in the north.”
“I haven't permitted it yet!”
“I don't need Mother's permission. From now on, I'll act on my own will, so you meet with the Southwest King and set the stage for the Blue Wolf Tribe to unconditionally attack the Northern Legion.”
“……!”
“Then I'll take my leave.”
Hong Seon stared in bewilderment at Yi Tae-ji's retreating back as he headed out.
At that moment, Yi Tae-ji paused and turned to her.
“Don't worry. I won't commit the filial sin of leaving Mother behind first.”
Thud!
* * *
Yi Tae-ji, upon leaving, headed straight to the residence of Jo Jeong-mu, the second son of Southwest King Jo Yun. Since arriving at the Zhao Kingdom's Imperial Palace, no one had become closer to him faster than Jo Jeong-mu.
Jo Jeong-mu was sipping tea alone and welcomed him warmly.
“Come in.”
“May I impose for a cup of tea?”
“You're not here just for tea, so let's get to the point.”
Heh.
A faint smile played on Yi Tae-ji's lips.
“Yi Hwan is heading north, and the Zhao Kingdom plans to just watch?”
“You want him eliminated?”
“Of course. It would be easier with Zhao Kingdom's help.”
Jo Jeong-mu leaned back in his chair, eyeing Yi Tae-ji curiously. Yi Tae-ji met his gaze without flinching.
“My father wants him gone, too. That's why I've decided to head north. We can't step forward openly yet, but if we incite the Blue Wolf Tribe to start a war, we can strike then.”
“Then I'll go with you.”
“If you're coming, speak to the Empress and bring as many experts as possible. I have no intention of sacrificing our side's masters to help you.”
Yi Tae-ji merely smiled slyly at that.
Jo Jeong-mu asked something else.
“After Yeon Kingdom declared Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World, many martial artists left. I wonder if the Empress even has the experts to spare?”
“She wants him gone more than anyone, so don't worry about that. So, when do we depart for the north?”
“The morning after tomorrow.”
“Then let's settle on the number of warriors to bring by then. It'll likely exceed what you hope for.”
“I'll look forward to it.”
Yi Tae-ji withdrew.
Jo Jeong-mu's close aide entered.
“With so few experts around the Yeon Kingdom Empress, it's doubtful how many she'll provide.”
“If she loves her son, she'll send as many as we want—maybe more. If they send a lot, we might even get a chance at a chariot slaughter. Let's wait and see.”
“Understood.”
“Is your older brother still holed up in his study without emerging?”
“Yes. It's been ten days without stepping outside. His Highness is greatly concerned.”
A strange smile formed on Jo Jeong-mu's lips.
“If he has no ambition for power, that's fine by me. But we mustn't slack on watching for those who might egg him on. Understood?”
“Yes!”
Jo Jeong-mu stood.
“I'm off to see the generals. Prepare a banquet for the chefs before we depart.”
“Understood.”
Moments later, Jo Jeong-mu headed to a secret location to meet the generals who would go north with him.
Eyes watched his movements.
It was Yi Tae-ji. He gazed at Jo Jeong-mu's boldly striding back and smiled faintly.
“This place will turn into a dogfight soon enough.”
“If you mean the succession struggle, it might not.”
“Why not?”
“The First Prince is known to have no desire for power at all. Most Zhao Kingdom ministers believe that if the Southwest King ascends the throne, First Prince Jo Jeong-mu will be named Crown Prince.”
“It's not over just because the man himself lacks ambition. Those who stand to lose much if the First Prince steps aside or the Second Prince is named Crown Prince—they're the ones who shake the board of power. In that sense, we've been weakened because too much power concentrated in Her Majesty's hands, turning it into a vulnerability. It made our hunting dogs too easy to bury.”
“Then whom will Your Highness align with?”
“Naturally, the winner's hand. But for now, we can't say who that is, so we watch.”
Yi Tae-ji turned away.
His close aide followed, cautiously saying.
“Do as Your Highness wishes. But remember, the Second Prince currently holds an overwhelming advantage.”
“That's why I befriended him first. Quit the needless worrying and tell everyone to prepare to depart for the north.”
“Understood.”
* * *
Northern Great Plains.
In that place where the horizon stretched endlessly beyond sight, snow was already flurrying.
Whooosh!
At the edge of the great plains, a man astride a massive warhorse gazed south. He brushed snow from his nose and muttered.
“The land will freeze early this year.”
“Thanks to that, the environment is shifting to one absolutely favorable to our army. Yeon's Northern Legion won't stand a chance against our cavalry.”
At his aide's words, the man smiled faintly and pulled a gourd from his belt, uncorking it.
Gulp, gulp!
“What of Zhao Kingdom's movements?”
“They're massing troops toward Yeon's Southern Legion. We've confirmed ten thousand more have joined their existing forces.”
“Even after signing a peace treaty with Yeon Kingdom, they're moving like that? It's as if they're telling us to hit the Northern Legion without worry.”
“Exactly. If the Southern Legion is tied up watching Zhao Kingdom and can't send reinforcements, this war will be ours overwhelmingly.”
“Just give the order, and I'll make Gwak Chung-mu shit his pants like a rat!”
“Put me at the vanguard, Your Highness!”
“The vanguard is mine, Your Highness!”
Those lined up behind shouted one after another, glaring at each other.
The man spoke calmly.
“Once war starts, it'll be a blitz advance, so vanguard means nothing. Stop fighting and build a solid cooperative system beforehand.”
“A blitz advance…….”
“The core strategy is to sweep the Northern Legion in the shortest time and establish defensive lines.”
“Then we won't push further south?”
“Further south comes later. For now, reclaim the territory held by the Northern Legion, summon the rear's people and troops, and turn it into a perfect forward base. Then, not just Yeon Kingdom, but Zhao Kingdom will have no choice but to recognize us as a nation.”
“It will surely be so!”
The generals boiled over again.
The aide at the man's side bit his lip with an excited expression.
Then.
Thud thud thud!
A single rider charged like a gale. Moments later, a warrior prostrated before the man and shouted.
“Intelligence reports that Yeon's Fourth Imperial Prince is leading thirty thousand Golden Army northward!”
“Where did you get the intel?”
“Through Zhao Kingdom's army camp.”
“Thirty thousand Golden Army?”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
A triumphant smile formed on the lips of the man, Taemurang the Great Martial Wolf.
“He's bringing the Golden Army tasked with defending the capital? Zhao Kingdom must have Central Army pinned down too, let alone the nearest Southern Legion.”
“Indeed. At this point, we should send Zhao Kingdom a gift. Hahaha!”
“Yes! Hahaha!”
Whooosh!
A wind carrying cold and snow clawed at Taemurang's body.
“That's the one called the Strawman Army until recently, right?”
“Yes. He's the one who suddenly rose to Yeon Kingdom's center in a way no one can comprehend.”
“Then shall we test just how formidable he is beforehand?”
Taemurang turned, smiling, to look behind.
Generals radiating tiger-like auras eyed him, signaling to send them.
Taemurang's gaze fixed on one general. Slender build, twin swords slung over his shoulders, eyes like those of the dead—utterly emotionless.
“Go. Greet our enemy in our own way.”
“Understood!”
Thud thud thud!
The general wheeled his horse and charged like a gale.
Taemurang turned his gaze south again. In that time, the snow had intensified, blanketing the world in white.
Gazing indifferently at the snow-covered world, Taemurang's eyes gradually filled with feral light.
“Remember. The blood and tears of our ancestors who perished miserably here long ago.”
“Yes!”
“Engrave it. The grief and resentment of our ancestors drifting in this snow and wind.”
“Yes!”
The generals' eyes and faces grew solemn.
To them, Taemurang was heaven and god, comrade and friend through life and death.