Chapter 233
Chapter 233
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 233
Chapter Title: No One from the Blue Wolf Tribe Fears Yi Hwan
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Ten thousand cavalrymen kicked up a blizzard as they charged across the great plains. They were the Blue Wolf Tribe, who called themselves descendants of the blue-maned wolves and had risen to rule the great plains.
Thud thud thud!
Their advance knew no hesitation.
Bodies honed for the northern cold shrugged off the whipping frigid winds, slicing across the plains at breakneck speed.
Leading the cavalry was the Blue Wolf Tribe's greatest fierce general, known as Ghost Wolf.
Flames of vengeance blazed in Ghost Wolf's eyes. Sowon-gae, who had gone out on a mission only to lose his head to Yi Hwan and die.
He and Ghost Wolf had grown up together since childhood, sharing lessons as sworn brothers, their bond thicker than blood.
Now, for the future of the Blue Wolf Tribe and to avenge his friend, he vowed to seize victory in this opening clash.
"General! No sign of the enemy!"
"They must be preparing an intercept somewhere! Ignore it and press straight to the enemy's primary defense line!"
"Yes, sir!"
Thud thud thud!
Had half a double-hour passed?
Doubt began to creep into Ghost Wolf's eyes. They hadn't glimpsed so much as a single enemy soldier on the way here.
'The Yeon Kingdom's Northern Legion aren't the type to retreat without a fight. So why aren't their forces anywhere in sight?'
He had anticipated an interception battle.
The Yeon Kingdom's army couldn't possibly be unaware of their advance—they should have launched at least one or two intercepts by now.
But all that met their eyes was the snow-covered plain and massive blizzards whipped up by the gale winds.
Ghost Wolf raised his hand, halting the advance.
The ten thousand cavalry came to a perfect stop at his single gesture, reforming their ranks. It was an astonishing sight that beggared belief.
Whoooosh!
Ghost Wolf stared ahead, steadying his gaze.
"Send out scouts to probe the enemy's movements!"
"Yes, sir!"
A few riders shot forward like arrows. Ghost Wolf quenched his thirst with mare's milk wine handed to him by an aide.
The aide asked,
"Why aren't the enemy making any moves? If it were Jo Cham, they'd have started an interception battle long ago."
"That's what's bothering me too. Jo Cham's not the type to run and hide even if it kills him...."
Jo Cham, alongside Gwak Chung-mu, was one of the enemies the Blue Wolf Tribe feared most. Especially his valor, which was said to surpass even Gwak Chung-mu's.
Ghost Wolf gazed at the mountain range stretching like a barrier along the southern great plains. Beyond it lay the main camp of the Yeon Kingdom's primary defense line.
"Resume advance, but keep distance from the forest."
"Resume advance! Stay clear of the forest!"
"Stay clear of the forest!"
Thud thud thud!
The Blue Wolf Tribe's cavalry charged once more.
* * *
Yi Hwan watched the Blue Wolf Tribe's cavalry resume their advance from beyond the forest.
'Impressive.'
The aura they exuded was formidable. He had clashed with Zhao Kingdom cavalry several times in the past, but this was the first time he'd encountered such savage momentum.
Yi Hwan fixed his gaze on Ghost Wolf at the vanguard.
If the chance arose, he planned to kill him first. But with such thick layers of escorts around him, now was not the time.
'To stand head-to-head with foes like these without a hint of fear....'
The most striking thing he'd felt since arriving here was the resolve of every single warrior.
Not one had shown fear or tension. Instead, they voiced dissatisfaction with defense-oriented tactics. Even the generals were the same.
Yi Hwan thought of Gwak Chung-mu and Jo Cham.
'They are men who must be put to great use. They cannot die in this war.'
In truth, Gwak Chung-mu and Jo Cham were famed generals and fierce warriors known throughout the world, yet in the heart of power—the Imperial Palace—they were treated like leftovers.
Those backed by the Empress or from families that had held key military posts for generations took the forefront, forming a solid entrenched interest that thoroughly excluded field commanders of renown.
As a result, the military had devolved into a political faction, inevitably weakening overall combat strength.
It was precisely because Yi So, upon becoming emperor, knew this better than anyone that he had driven them all from their key posts.
Jo Cham stood beside Yi Hwan. Watching the Blue Wolf Tribe's cavalry resume their charge, he said,
"They halted once, so they must be a bit rattled by the lack of our intercepts."
"Do you know who that is?"
"Ghost Wolf, one of the Blue Wolf Tribe's top fierce generals. He has the Great Wolf Lord's complete trust."
Flames flickered in Jo Cham's eyes as he answered. He was barely suppressing the urge to charge out and clash with Ghost Wolf right then.
Yi Hwan saw through Jo Cham's heart in an instant.
"General."
"Yes, Great Prince."
"You and Commander Gwak must handle greater tasks later, so never take your lives lightly."
"......"
"Our true enemies in Yeon are Zhao and Qin, so look far and wide."
Did he grasp the meaning in Yi Hwan's words? Jo Cham steadied his gaze and bowed his head.
"I will engrave the Great Prince's words deeply."
"Let's head back."
"Yes."
* * *
Ghost Wolf stared at the forest swaying in the wind, steadying his gaze.
Normally, banners symbolizing units would flutter from spots throughout the forest, but today, not even one could be seen.
An aide said,
"What if they've pulled their forces back?"
"Jo Cham's not the type."
"Then...."
"They must be waiting for us to come down into the forest. For now, widen the intervals and probe for reactions. You take the center!"
"Understood."
Moments later, two thousand cavalry turned their mounts toward the forest. As they approached, they shifted into a long horizontal formation.
Ghost Wolf watched them, steadying his gaze.
'What game are you playing, Jo Cham?'
Whoooosh!
Swirl....
Suddenly, gusts whipped up from all directions, stirring a snowstorm. Ghost Wolf ignored the blizzard engulfing him and stared at the Yeon Kingdom's primary defense line.
His gaze grew heavier.
'A defense-first strategy, is it?'
This was an utterly unforeseen variable.
The Great Wolf Lord had naturally assumed the Yeon Kingdom would meet them head-on and had planned all operations accordingly. But the opening battle had gone awry.
If the Yeon Kingdom opted for defense, they'd have no choice but to overhaul every plan.
Twitch.
Suddenly, Ghost Wolf's brow furrowed.
"They're abandoning the empire's pride too?"
It was then.
Boom boom boom!
"Argh!"
"Uwaaak!"
Suddenly, explosions erupted from beyond the forest, followed by agonized death cries. The clash of weapons pierced through the snowstorm.
Clang!
Kwachik!
"Argh!"
"Uwaaak!"
Flames burned in Ghost Wolf's eyes.
"So they were waiting."
What decision would Ghost Wolf make here? Given his nature, a reckless charge.
But contrary to his reputation, he was exceedingly cool-headed.
"Call them all back!"
"Yes, sir!"
Bwoooong! Bwoooong!
The horns signaling retreat echoed long and loud. Moments later, the Blue Wolf Tribe warriors who had entered the forest began returning.
But quite a few emerged on foot, without their mounts. The general in charge of the center returned first.
"The enemy had their fortifications locked tight! No other enemy forces in sight anywhere—they're dead set on defense!"
"You're hurt?"
"No, sir! I'm fine!"
"Go to the rear and rest."
Ghost Wolf narrowed his eyes at the now-silent forest.
'This leaves our cavalry with nothing to do....'
It was baffling.
He had boasted he'd seize the momentum in the opening clash, but now they couldn't even fight.
Charging the forest meant unpredictable losses and outcomes. Yet retreating like this was impossible.
'Jo Cham, with his tiger-like valor and strategic acumen, plus Jeong Cheon, the Southern Legion's top general.... This might turn into a tough war.'
Yi Hwan didn't even register in Ghost Wolf's mind.
* * *
A general reported to the Great Wolf Lord.
"The enemy isn't engaging, focusing solely on defense, so General Ghost Wolf's cavalry can't press the attack."
"No interception battles either?"
"Yes. There was a small skirmish at the Yeon Kingdom's primary defense line, with fairly heavy losses on our side."
"What is Ghost Wolf doing?"
"Standing by on the plains, awaiting Your Highness's orders."
Wrinkles creased the Great Wolf Lord's brow.
"Unexpected. I thought Jo Cham would charge out like he was waiting, but he's barricaded and hunkered down in defense."
The Great Wolf Lord fell into thought, but not for long.
"Sending cavalry into that forest is suicide. Tell Ghost Wolf to hold until I arrive."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The Great Wolf Lord leaned deep into his chair, interlocking his fingers. Then, a young general cautiously spoke up.
"If the enemy is planning a prolonged war, we should start focusing on supplies now. If more snow falls and hampers supply trains, we could end up stuck, unable to advance or retreat."
"Hmm...."
It was a valid point.
In truth, the Great Wolf Lord hadn't anticipated the Yeon Kingdom playing it this way at all.
Considering Jo Cham's nature and the Yeon Kingdom's position right next to Zhao, he'd assumed they'd avoid a long war and brought only a month's worth of grain.
His plan was to achieve something decisive within that month and make up the rest through plunder. That was the northern tribes' way of war.
But if the Yeon Kingdom dug in for the long haul, they'd have to prioritize supplies as the young general said.
"There's another way."
"Another way?"
"Receiving grain and supplies from Zhao. Of course, that would require a temporary non-aggression pact with them."
Twitch.
"That's a last-resort option. Don't even mention it for now."
"......Yes, sir."
To the Great Wolf Lord, Zhao was an enemy to eradicate just like the Yeon Kingdom. Sharing a border meant a tangled web of bad blood between them.
"Send urgent missives at once to prepare supplies in advance."
"Understood!"
The Great Wolf Lord issued further orders to his generals.
"The Three Armies will cross Mount Huacheon immediately and descend into the enemy's rear. Wait there, and when full battle commences, don't engage—cut off the enemy reinforcements coming up from the Northern Legion's main base!"
"Understood!"
"Move out swiftly!"
The generals hurried away.
The Great Wolf Lord rose.
"Full speed to join Ghost Wolf's unit!"
"Advance!"
"Full-speed advance!"
Thud thud thud!
* * *
A rocky crag overlooking the great plains.
It was less a mountain and more a massive boulder hunched like a tortoise, low enough to jump down from in a single bound.
Two men stood side by side there.
Yi Tae-ji and Jo Jeong-mu.
"It's been a while since the cavalry set out first, so battle must be underway at the Yeon Kingdom's Northern Legion by now."
"There's a man named Jo Cham there. One of Yeon Kingdom's top fierce generals. Given his temperament, he'll definitely meet them head-on."
"I've heard of Jo Cham's fame. In fact, even in our Zhao Kingdom, we consider him a greater threat than Gwak Chung-mu."
"He has the ability to warrant it. Shall we go higher?"
"You mean all the way to the battlefield?"
"Yeon and the Blue Wolf Tribe will clash eventually—best to scout it out early."
"What if the Fourth Imperial Prince shows up on the field?"
At the question, Yi Tae-ji answered with a faint smile instead.
But Jo Jeong-mu assumed Yi Tae-ji would step in no matter what. He and his aides were dressed as Blue Wolf tribesmen. No need for that if it was just reconnaissance.
"Don't engage unless it's a sure opportunity. Mess it up, and it only embarrasses me."
"Understood."
"Come, let's follow behind them!"