Chapter 230
Chapter 230
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 230
Chapter Title: Yi Hwan's Plan
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Yi Hwan read the report handed to him by Go Mi. The report contained information on the Blue Wolf Tribe and other northern tribes.
“I wrote down everything I know, but I’m not sure if it’ll be of any help.”
‘This isn’t enough…….’
Thud.
Yi Hwan closed the report and called out softly toward the outside.
“Are you there?”
“Yes.”
Cheol Mu-ok, Ju Tae, and Kim Mu-gwan entered.
“Send someone to General Jo to fetch a map of the surrounding terrain.”
“Understood.”
Cheol Mu-ok stepped forward.
Ju Tae asked,
“You’ve looked unwell lately. Is something troubling you?”
“No.”
“…….”
“You, go fetch some liquor.”
“Yes.”
Ju Tae left as well. Left alone, Kim Mu-gwan sat in a chair at one side of the tent.
Yi Hwan asked,
“You hardly use any fist techniques. Is it because you’ve only faced opponents you can handle with just the crescent blade?”
“Yes.”
“What do you think of the Central Plains martial artists you’ve seen?”
“The Central Plains martial artists?”
“Yeah.”
Kim Mu-gwan paused as if in thought, then shared his observations.
“For the most part, they seem to have too many unnecessary movements. It might be for confusing the enemy by emphasizing variations, but against someone with sharp eyes, those could be fatal weaknesses.”
Yi Hwan acknowledged it.
Central Plains martial artists tended to mix feints to deceive the opponent’s eyes and incorporate various changes when executing forms.
This was to prevent the foe from reading their techniques and to land killing blows precisely.
But this only worked against opponents susceptible to feints and variations. The higher the opponent’s skill—especially if superior to one’s own—the easier it was for them to see through it.
Of course, incorporating variations into forms wasn’t inherently wrong.
A flawless technique executed perfectly with a single exquisite principle, devoid of any changes or flourishes, versus a technique encompassing all things under heaven, endlessly transforming.
Neither could be called superior.
All rivers return to the sea.
Ultimately, reaching the pinnacle made them one and the same.
Still, Yi Hwan believed one should set appropriate standards based on one’s realm and the techniques employed.
As Kim Mu-gwan said, the Central Plains martial world of this era overly emphasized variations.
‘Come to think of it, this guy’s forms are incredibly concise, without a single superfluous motion. That must be why he wields the crescent blade like a swift sword.’
It was true.
Kim Mu-gwan’s blade art boasted unparalleled speed. Most enemies facing him fell without even mounting a proper defense.
The common notion that blade arts were domineering and far from extreme swiftness likely slowed their reactions.
“Are there masters in Haedong stronger than you?”
“Plenty. Just in the Crown Prince’s Palace alone, there are two.”
“I’m curious. Your Haedong martial world…….”
“If the chance arises, I’ll introduce you.”
Just then, Cheol Mu-ok returned with the map, cutting the conversation short.
Yi Hwan spread the map across the table.
Cheol Mu-ok said,
“The red dots mark the Blue Wolf Tribe’s camps, and the rest are the six tribes. The numbers beside them are their troop estimates—rough figures, so take them as reference.”
Yi Hwan tallied the numbers. They easily exceeded four hundred thousand.
“If nearly three hundred thousand have come down to the Great Plains, we can assume most have descended.”
“That’s right. Though they couldn’t confirm how many of those three hundred thousand are pure combat troops.”
“Northerners have always carried their rations themselves and foraged as needed. So non-combatants among the three hundred thousand won’t number many.”
“Then it’s a massive force.”
“They usually rely on plundering for supplies, so supply issues are their weakness when that fails. That’s what we target.”
“How, exactly?”
“You’ll hear the details when we discuss with the generals.”
“……Understood.”
“Rest now.”
“Rest well.”
Once they had withdrawn, Yi Hwan lay on his bedroll. But unfamiliar memories kept surfacing, muddling his mind, and he ended up staring awake through the night until dawn.
* * *
The fierce blizzard had stopped.
Go Mi gazed at the Great Plains, now a world of pure white, and let out a soft breath.
Hwa Ryeong sat beside her, furrowing her brow.
“That beautiful place will soon become a battlefield splattered with blood and flesh.”
“You see it as beautiful?”
“Isn’t it?”
“To me, it feels terrifying. Thinking of warriors bleeding out and dying in that empty expanse—it’s like hell itself.”
Hwa Ryeong smiled faintly and placed a hand on Go Mi’s shoulder.
“War might not break out. So let’s not borrow trouble.”
“Alright.”
Just then, a warrior approached.
“Meal’s ready.”
“Thanks. Let’s go.”
The two women headed to where the warriors were eating. Countless others were converging there too.
Perhaps because it was an all-male camp, the warriors’ gazes focused on the pair.
But none dared flirt. They knew who the women had come with.
Hwa Ryeong gave a wry smile.
“Guess we’ll have to have lunch in the tent. Wonder if we can even eat properly like this.”
“Yeah.”
As the two were about to enter, a resounding military shout erupted from behind.
“Salute!”
Turning, they saw Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok approaching. As Go Mi bowed her head, Hwa Ryeong scurried to Yi Hwan’s side.
“Did you sleep well?”
“You look cheerful.”
“Well, no reason not to be. Come on in.”
* * *
Jo Cham and the generals welcomed Yi Hwan.
After eating with them, Yi Hwan unrolled the map he’d brought.
“Once war begins, we’ll cut their supply lines. But severing supplies means nothing if they can still plunder, so we can’t let them breach our lines and infiltrate the rear like last time.”
Jo Cham asked,
“Are you planning a prolonged war?”
“His Majesty has only recently ascended the throne. Heavy casualties in this situation could undermine his position. So, even if it takes time, we end this with minimal losses. It won’t drag on forever, though.”
The generals murmured. It seemed none had considered a long war.
One general asked,
“If the enemy retreats, will you end the war there?”
Yi Hwan shook his head.
“I’m not merciful enough to let invaders go unscathed.”
“Then…….”
“We make sure they never even think of invading again. Of course, if there’s a better way, we’ll take it. We’ll discuss detailed plans in the tent later, so gather this evening.”
“Understood.”
No one objected to Yi Hwan leading the strategy. And why would they? He now held the rank of Grand Marshal, one of only two in Yeon Kingdom.
Thus, anyone under Yeon’s military had to obey him.
Even Gwak Chung-mu, commander of the Northern Legion, was no exception. Though the Northern Legion had its own chain of command, its subordinate generals couldn’t challenge him.
“General Jo, compile a roster of all martial artists assigned here by today and send it to me. Clearly rank their strength levels and separately list those with ample combat experience.”
“Understood.”
Soon after, Yi Hwan and his aides departed first.
One general said to Jo Cham,
“Is it alright for the Great Prince to command the army? He’s a Grand Marshal, sure, but he knows nothing of the situation here.”
“Exactly. This is a war where the whole army’s fate hangs. You should lead it.”
“I agree.”
Jo Cham was perplexed.
He shared their view. But as Great Prince and Grand Marshal, he couldn’t step up himself.
“We’ll hear his strategy at the next meeting and decide then. Return to your posts.”
Once the generals left, Jo Cham headed to his tent with his deputy.
On the way, he glanced at Yi Hwan’s tent. Though Yi Hwan wasn’t visible, Cheol Mu-ok, Ju Tae, and Kim Mu-gwan sat outside, chatting idly.
Gwak Chung-mu’s voice echoed like an illusion.
Trust and follow the Great Prince.
‘Is that really wise, Commander?’
* * *
Whoooosh!
The snow had stopped, but fierce winds swept the land. Snow dust whipped up by the gales blanketed Gong Son-tae and his group heading north.
“How much farther?”
“Just a bit more to the top!”
“How much is ‘a bit’?”
“About half a shichen and we’ll reach the Great Prince’s camp. Bear with it a little!”
The burly men grumbled nonstop. It was an unplanned northern expedition, with war possibly imminent.
“You bastard, did you know this would happen and come fetch us?”
“Oh, come on. Am I a fortune-teller? No.”
“I’ll ask your boss later, and if you’re lying, you’re dead by my hand!”
“Yes, yes.”
Tired of the nagging, Gong Son-tae quickened his pace. It looked like casual walking, but they left no footprints—Snow-Treading Without Trace, a realm impossible without profound inner power.
Whoooosh!
The wind grew fiercer. Swirling snow dust mimicked a blizzard, visibly slowing the group, yet none halted.
How far had they climbed?
A watchtower jutted from the snow-covered peak came into view.
“We’re almost there!”
“Phew! Let’s rest a bit.”
“Yeah!”
Flop, flop, flop!
They flopped onto the snow one by one.
Gong Son-tae did the same, scooping a handful of snow and popping it into his mouth.
“Son-tae.”
“Yeah, bro.”
“Got any liquor left?”
“We ran out already. The camp’s right there—hold on a little.”
“You’re useless at everything.”
‘Tch! Who drank it like water?’
As Gong Son-tae reached for another handful, the burly men rose almost simultaneously. A beat later, he stood too.
A presence stirred in the woods ahead.
“Likely friendlies—hold back.”
Figures emerged from the forest, clad in beast pelts, scanning warily. They didn’t look like allies.
Clang, clang, clang!
Spotting Gong Son-tae’s group late, the ruffians drew weapons in unison.
One burly man narrowed his eyes.
“No matter how you look, they ain’t ours.”
“Isn’t that a crescent blade?”
“Yeah.”
The ruffians wielded crescent blades, curved for maximum destructive power—a weapon favored by northern warriors.
Gong Son-tae stepped forward.
“Who are you?”
“W-We’re Northern Legion scouts!”
“Why are scouts coming south instead of north? Did the Great Plains move?”
“W-Well…….”
Whoosh!
The ruffians charged like lightning.
Heh.
“Knew it.”
* * *
Outside Yi Hwan’s tent, amid idle talk, Cheol Mu-ok’s eyes suddenly widened. Then came a rare broad grin.
“They’re finally here.”
“What?”
“My friends.”
“Where?”
Cheol Mu-ok rose, pointing to the camp’s left flank. Gong Son-tae and the burly men approached.
Kim Mu-gwan, who had glanced at them absentmindedly, slowly changed expression. Far from welcoming.
“How the hell did that bastard…….”
“You know them?”
“Know them? Barely.”
Kim Mu-gwan strode forward.