Chapter 232
Chapter 232
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 232
Chapter Title: The War Begins
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The next day, Yi Hwan discussed the Blue Wolf Tribe scouts that Gong Son-tae and Park Ji-mun's group had run into on their way up.
Park Ji-mun spoke.
“Just in case, we dragged one of them back, but to be honest, while we took him down easily, those guys are no different from grim reapers to low-level warriors. If they're the ones out scouting, it doesn't seem like they're just checking the rear—they must have some other purpose.”
Yi Hwan recalled the Sorumgae forces that had pierced the Northern Legion's defensive lines and come all the way to the rear.
‘There's a big gap somewhere….’
But pinpointing it right now was difficult. With the enemy right in front of them, they couldn't disperse their forces to scour the vast northern front.
Ju Tae asked.
“Shall I make him talk?”
“Do it.”
“Understood.”
Ju Tae headed straight out.
Cheol Mu-ok asked.
“When do you think the Blue Wolf Tribe will attack?”
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair and furrowed his brow.
“The snow hasn't piled up enough to create variables. They probably don't know when the next snowfall will hit either, so to maximize the power of their prized cavalry, they'll likely come at us soon.”
“If they launch a full assault, will you pull the front line back right away?”
“That's the best option for now. We're outnumbered, and there's no reason to fight on terrain that favors them. Plus, falling back makes it easier to support from the main camp.”
Cheol Mu-ok nodded in agreement.
Park Ji-mun asked.
“What should we do?”
“I'm thinking about it.”
Yi Hwan shot back immediately.
“Have you ever fought in a large-scale battle?”
“Almost none. Our missions usually involve infiltrating enemy camps to destroy key facilities or assassinate, kidnap important figures, that sort of thing.”
Yi Hwan turned to Kim Mu-gwan.
“Same for me, up until we crossed into the Central Plains.”
“Noted.”
Thud!
Yi Hwan stood up abruptly.
“I'm going to see General Jo. Rest up.”
“Yes.”
“See you later.”
As Yi Hwan left, Park Ji-mun turned to Cheol Mu-ok and asked.
“Does the Great Prince have a lot of combat experience?”
“Plenty if you say so, not if you don't. But in every battle he's personally involved in, he's achieved brilliant results.”
“What's his level of martial prowess?”
“Stronger than you.”
“That's obvious since he's your lord. I mean his approximate realm.”
At that, Cheol Mu-ok stroked his chin and narrowed his eyes slightly.
“If what he's shown so far is everything, he's about half a step above us. But Ju Tae and I believe he still hasn't revealed his full power.”
“Why do you think that?”
“From the first time we met until now, he's kept showing stronger and stronger sides. It's like, this was his level before, but after some time, he's even stronger, and just when you think that's his true strength, he shows even more—it's always been like that.”
“That really piques my curiosity.”
“You'll get a chance to see him fight firsthand someday. So don't go challenging him to a spar out of nowhere.”
“Honestly, I'd love to, but since he's an imperial prince from the palace, not a martial artist, that could cause problems, right?”
“Absolutely do not.”
Just then, Go Mi entered. Her flushed face suggested she'd just returned from scouting.
“Where's the Great Prince?”
“He went to see General Jo.”
“Got it.”
As she turned to leave, Cheol Mu-ok asked.
“Did something happen?”
“The Blue Wolf Tribe's started moving. But their movements are a bit odd, so I need to report to the Great Prince first.”
Thud!
After Go Mi left, Park Ji-mun asked.
“Who's that woman? Yesterday, it seemed like the Great Prince trusted her a lot.”
“She's the head of a covert organization—her intelligence network is unmatched. She's been a huge help to the Great Prince too.”
“She's pretty. You think she's involved with him like that?”
“Doubt it. From what I've seen, our lord has no interest in women. Same goes for the Moon Lord.”
“How would an outsider know about matters between a man and a woman? To me, those two seem more than just acquaintances. Anyway, I've warned our guys not to act rashly toward them.”
“Just watch yourself, man.”
Pfft.
As Kim Mu-gwan stifled a laugh, Park Ji-mun's eyes blazed.
“Did you just mock me?”
“A guy who's never even dated talking about man-woman stuff—it's laughable.”
“What are you on about? How many women have I been with over the years!”
“Shut up and have some tea.”
“You son of a—”
* * *
Southwest King Jo Yun had wanted to keep his second son, Jo Jeong-mu, in the Imperial Palace due to his reckless nature.
But with the Yeon Kingdom and Blue Wolf Tribe on the brink of war, he ultimately decided to send Jo Jeong-mu north. His orders were to avoid direct involvement in the war but secretly aid the Blue Wolf Tribe.
Jo Jeong-mu, growing sick of palace life, headed north like an excited child.
Yi Tae-ji accompanied him. He was even more eager than Jo Jeong-mu to head north.
Whoosh!
Yi Tae-ji gazed at the Zhao Kingdom's northern encampments gradually coming into view and wore a satisfied smile. He thought of Yi Hwan.
‘You’ll see a completely different me this time. Of course, you won’t even recognize me.’
“Something good happen?”
To Yi Jeong-mu's question, Yi Tae-ji replied calmly.
“My heart's pounding now that I'm in the north, the land of warriors.”
“The land of warriors…”
Pfft.
“Only fitting for those who survive.”
“Have you been here before?”
“A few years when I was young. Fought some northern martial artists back then—they were full of warrior spirit, just like you said. If you clash with them, go all out from the start. They never retreat until they die.”
“I'll keep that in mind.”
Yi Jeong-mu asked another question.
“Heard the Fourth Imperial Prince has been made Grand Commander. Do you know about it?”
“That bastard became Grand Commander?”
It was news to Yi Tae-ji.
“The new emperor basically overhauled the military structure. Instead of two Grand Commanders, he reduced it to one but placed its authority above the Inspectorate.”
“...!”
Yi Tae-ji's eyes widened slightly.
If the Grand Commander's authority superseded the Inspectorate's, Yi Hwan was effectively the head of the Yeon Kingdom's forces.
“Is he really that capable?”
“Who knows. Probably a reward for helping the Crown Prince…”
Yi Tae-ji trailed off, his gaze darkening. If Yi Hwan had gone from Golden Army to Grand Commander, he'd be even harder to deal with going forward.
‘I need to end this here. If I let him grow more, I might never catch him.’
His hardened gaze softened.
‘Actually, this might work in my favor. Taking him out here would deliver a bigger blow to that guy.’
As Yi Tae-ji steeled his resolve thinking of Emperor Yi So—
Thud thud thud!
Several riders galloped toward them like the wind from the front. Generals from the Zhao Kingdom's northern camp.
They saluted Jo Jeong-mu.
Chong!
“Coming to greet me?”
“Yes! We'll escort you from here!”
“How are things between Yeon and the Blue Wolf Tribe?”
“Still in standoff.”
“Has Yeon's Fourth Imperial Prince joined the Northern Legion?”
“We confirmed General Jeong Cheon of the Southern Legion arriving with reinforcements, but the Fourth Imperial Prince's status is unconfirmed.”
“Confirm that first. Someone's very curious about his movements.”
Saying so, Jo Jeong-mu glanced at Yi Tae-ji. Yi Tae-ji deliberately avoided his gaze.
“We'll check his movements upon arrival.”
“Thank you.”
“Let's go!”
* * *
Go Mi entered the command tent where the generals' meeting was underway. Knowing her identity, the generals said nothing.
Yi Hwan looked at her.
“The Blue Wolf Tribe has split into three groups and started moving. However, the main force, presumed to be led by Tae Mu-rang, remains on the plains.”
“Directions?”
“The cavalry, estimated at five thousand, is heading this way. The other two went south and northeast first.”
The generals murmured.
Yi Hwan furrowed his brow too.
‘The south makes sense—they're aiming for the rear. But northeast is completely off the battlefield….’
Jo Cham said.
“I'll issue battle stations for the entire army immediately.”
“Issue battle stations, but absolutely no advancing beyond the defensive line.”
“Wouldn't that just invite their cavalry in too easily?”
“If we hold the line, their cavalry can't do a thing. If they insist on attacking, they'll have to dismount, letting us neutralize their cavalry without lifting a finger.”
“Understood.”
At Jo Cham's signal, a general hurried out of the tent.
Yi Hwan swept his gaze over the generals and continued.
“No one leaves their post without separate orders. This is a military command from your Grand Commander—remember that.”
“Yes!”
“Yes, Great Prince!”
“Dismissed.”
The generals rushed out.
Yi Hwan said to Jo Cham, who was just rising.
“General, make sure you're not easily exposed to the enemy. They'll target you before me.”
“Thank you for your concern! Then I'll return to my post!”
With Jo Cham gone, only Yi Hwan and Go Mi remained.
Go Mi said with a relieved expression.
“Good to see the generals following orders well.”
“Were you worried they wouldn't?”
“Honestly, yes—a lot.”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly and drained the last of his cold tea.
Clink.
“I'm heading to the first defensive line. Come there together. Ah, but the Moon Lord should rest a bit?”
“I'm fine.”
Nodding, Yi Hwan headed straight to the first defensive line.
With ten thousand troops, it was the most likely to face the enemy's first assault once war began.
Heading there, Yi Hwan reaffirmed his resolve.
‘End this war with minimal casualties.’
* * *
First defensive line.
Whoosh!
Gale-force winds had been sweeping the great plains for days. Snow dust unable to withstand the gusts swirled like a storm, visibility less than a hundred zhang.
“The Great Prince ordered a prolonged battle, but I wonder if that's okay. If we go defensive, the Blue Wolf Tribe will go even more berserk.”
“The generals are grumbling about it too. Our training so far focused on crushing the enemy in the initial clash…”
“The one who held his own against Zhao's Southwest King in the past—we should trust him for now.”
The warriors chatted but kept their eyes fixed on the plains.
With the snow dust so thick, they could only spot enemies within arrow range.
Then—
“Chong!”
Roaring military shouts echoed from behind.
The warriors hurriedly straightened up. Yi Hwan appeared from behind them with one general.
“Chong!”
“Nothing to report?”
“Yes!”
Yi Hwan stepped forward to gaze at the plains. Even with his profound inner power, he couldn't see beyond three hundred zhang.
Yi Hwan turned to the general.
“Are there scouts on the plains?”
“Yes. They're to fire signal flares if the enemy enters sight.”
Before the general finished—
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Three flares burst, dyeing the forward sky red. Bells clanged wildly from all around.
Ding ding ding!
Yi Hwan's eyes, reflecting the flares, glowed red.