Chapter 239
Chapter 239
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 239
Chapter Title: Variable
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“This is...”
Tae Mu-rang’s face was colored with bewilderment.
It was snowing too much, even for a snowfall. It had reached the point where it could no longer be called mere snow—it was a blizzard.
The snow already piled up past knee height, enough to hinder not just cavalry but even infantry movement.
The real problem was that it showed no signs of letting up anytime soon.
As someone who knew the weather better than anyone, his dismay was all the greater.
A close aide spoke in a grave tone.
“With this much snow, if it keeps falling for just two more days, even our retreat to the rear lines could become difficult.”
“Truly a resentful heaven.”
In the end, Tae Mu-rang let out a sigh.
Unlike before, with all the northern tribes united now, he had been confident of victory against the Northern Legion. Yet due to this unforeseen snow, he might have to withdraw without even properly engaging in battle.
“What of the enemy?”
“They remain holed up behind closed gates, not moving an inch. However, if the snow piles up more, they might exploit our cavalry becoming useless and launch a night raid.”
“Jo Cham is just the type to do that.”
Tae Mu-rang pressed his temples with his fingers. The idea of abandoning the war—not for any strategic reason, but because of snow—was utterly intolerable.
But what could he do? No human power could make the snow stop.
“We’ll wait one more day. Tell the generals to abandon any foolish thoughts and hold their positions.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Once the generals had withdrawn, only one woman remained at Tae Mu-rang’s side, clad in armor and helmet. The aura she exuded was no less imposing than that of any general.
The woman asked Tae Mu-rang with a dissatisfied expression.
“Are you giving up on the war?”
“It’s a matter requiring deep thought, so stay out of it.”
“The reinforcements led north by Jeong Cheon from the Northern Legion’s main camp number less than thirty thousand. Why not launch a full assault before the snow piles up more? If you pull back the troops because of snow after coming this far, what will the other tribes think of Father!”
“Enough.”
“Father!”
“Enough!”
At Tae Mu-rang’s roar, the woman glared at him before storming out.
* * *
Tae Seon was Tae Mu-rang’s prized daughter and the commander of the Blue Wolf Tribe’s female warriors.
With exceptional martial prowess, bravery, and even strategic acumen, Tae Mu-rang—who had no sons—had even considered her as his future successor.
Cursing the heavens, Tae Seon headed for her tent. The female warriors waiting outside followed behind her.
Each step she took rang with the clink of metal, blending with her striking beauty to amplify her allure.
“Have you fed the warhorses?”
“Yes. We gave them plenty this morning.”
“Go fetch mine. I’m so angry I need to blow off some steam.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Moments later, Tae Seon mounted her warhorse.
The female warriors followed her lead. As they left the camp, the horse’s speed dropped sharply. It was due to the snow that had fallen all night.
Tae Seon dismounted in irritation.
“I’ll go on foot. Send it back.”
“Yes. But please don’t go too far, Your Highness.”
“I’ll handle myself, so keep this from Father.”
“...Understood.”
“You two, follow me.”
Tae Seon headed south with two female warriors. She and her guards raced over the snow without hindrance, employing the Snow-Treading Without Trace movement technique.
How far had they gone?
The Yeon Kingdom’s primary defensive line began to come into view.
Tae Seon climbed a rocky outcrop.
Whoosh!
The blizzard still raged, snow quickly piling on her head.
“Those bastards dare enter our camp fearlessly, cutting down generals and setting fires?”
“They say those men’s martial arts were astonishingly powerful. I heard one of them wielded a sword wreathed in crimson flames.”
“Once you reach the transcendent realm, conjuring flames with a sword is child’s play. Of course, you’d need to cultivate a yang-based technique.”
Shing!
Tae Seon abruptly drew her sword. Channeling her inner energy, crimson flames erupted along the blade.
“Amazing, Your Highness!”
“Wow!”
The female warriors exclaimed in admiration.
Clang!
Sheathing her sword, Tae Seon scanned the woods. Her eyes lit up when she spotted people emerging from the forest.
There were two of them.
They wore attire different from the other Yeon Kingdom warriors, and Tae Seon’s gaze took on a peculiar glint. One of the female warriors watching her hurriedly spoke.
“Restrain yourself, Your Highness. That’s too close to the enemy lines. One misstep could spell disaster.”
“What did I say?”
“...”
It was then.
A wild boar suddenly burst from the woods. One of the two warriors chased it down and felled it in an instant.
Tae Seon’s eyebrow arched slightly.
“Not just ordinary warriors, huh?”
“Indeed. Their movement speed was incredible.”
The female warrior spoke while closely watching Tae Seon’s expression. If she charged out declaring she’d kill them, it really would be a disaster.
And her fears came true.
“Since they owe us a debt, we should repay it.”
“Your Highness!”
The startled warrior’s shout was too loud, drawing the two men’s attention. To her shock, they even waved back.
Tae Seon gritted her teeth.
“Those bastards...”
“Your Highness, you must endure!”
“Then lower your voice!”
“...”
Tae Seon nearly dashed out but held back. They’d been spotted first, ruining the surprise. Instead, she cocked her right arm, fist clenched, propping her elbow with her left hand.
It was a curse more potent than words.
“Eat this, you mongrels.”
* * *
“Blue Wolf Tribe women, right?”
Ju Tae waved back with a grin. Cheol Mu-ok had the wild boar slung over his shoulder.
“Let’s go.”
“Wait. They’re reacting over there.”
“They’re cursing us.”
“Cursing?”
“It’s practically double vulgarity level.”
“Still good. When do you get to see women like that in this barren battlefield?”
The women vanished beyond the rocky outcrop. Ju Tae turned away, regret lingering.
Cheol Mu-ok glanced up at the sky dumping snow relentlessly, furrowing his brow.
“A raid now would be perfect...”
“Will the lord do it? Seemed like he’d prefer the war just fizzling out like this.”
“Don’t presume. Even gods don’t know the lord’s mind.”
“True enough.”
The two headed back to camp. Ju Tae glanced back once more, but the women didn’t reappear.
Ju Tae mimicked Tae Seon’s gesture with a chuckle.
“So that’s what passes for double vulgarity around here?”
“Anyone from the northern border regions knows it.”
“How do you know?”
“How? Learned it wandering the world looking for the lord.”
“You sure roamed a lot.”
“Quit yapping and hurry. They’ll be waiting.”
* * *
The relentless blizzard threw the camp into frenzy. Warriors inside shoveled paths nonstop, while those on the walls wielded shovels and brooms without rest.
Preparing the wild boar Cheol Mu-ok had hunted fell to Gong Son-tae.
The others savored the blizzard’s enforced peace with tea in their tents. Yi Hwan, however, was absent, in a meeting with the generals.
Ju Tae asked Go Mi.
“Day off today?”
“Blizzard. No point going out; we couldn’t approach anyway.”
“War might end like this? Cavalry-dependent Blue Wolf Tribe can’t do much with more snow.”
Go Mi nodded at Hwa Ryeong’s words.
“More snow might isolate them on the great plains instead. They’re probably agonizing over it now.”
“Speaking of which.”
Hwa Ryeong continued, her eyes glinting oddly.
“No way the Grand Commander planned a defensive strategy from the start, knowing this snow was coming, right?”
“Of course not.”
“Right?”
Just then, Gong Son-tae entered with a massive bowl heaped with boar meat.
“Grilling time!”
“Grill it right. Salt generously.”
“No worries. My grilling rivals a master chef’s.”
Park Ji-mun burst into laughter.
“Feels wrong doing this on a battlefield. Like we’re on a pleasure trip. Heh heh heh.”
“Bored? Go for another night run tonight.”
Park Ji-mun brightened at Kim Mu-gwan’s words.
“Not a bad idea.”
Then, a horn blared from outside.
Boom!
“He’s coming.”
“Meeting ended quick?”
Everyone straightened up.
Moments later, Yi Hwan entered.
“What’s this meat?”
“Caught one out of boredom. How’d the meeting go?”
Yi Hwan sat, picking up Go Mi’s teacup and sipping.
Clink.
“We wait one more day. If no letup, we’ll shake them up.”
“Raid op?”
“Something like that.”
“Oh ho!”
Park Ji-mun and the Eastern Sea powerhouses cheered loudest. Yi Hwan turned to Go Mi.
“Moon Lord comes too.”
“Understood.”
“And me?”
“Obviously.”
“They might be ready, so stay sharp till it’s done.”
“Yes!”
“Got it!”
Soon, the boar feast began. Jo Cham arrived late with a report for Yi Hwan and joined them.
* * *
Zhao Kingdom Imperial Palace.
Southwest King Jo Yun’s face was grim.
The reporting strategist Woo Mun-sul looked equally flustered.
“Unbelievable. War delayed not by tactics, but a blizzard.”
“With cavalry useless, even the Blue Wolf Tribe can’t move rashly. The issue is if it snows a few more days, the war itself might be postponed.”
“Exactly. One wrong move, and they’re isolated on the plains.”
“Indeed.”
“They gathered all those troops—should’ve assaulted outright. Seems Tae Mu-rang lacks the ability we thought.”
“The Yeon Kingdom’s locked gates and pure defense prevent it. Battle in mountains neuters their cavalry. But the bigger wildcard is the snow.”
“Damnable heavens!”
Jo Yun’s face flushed red.
The world martial tournament he’d poured effort into had been canceled by an earthquake. Now snow was the variable.
His plan—to stoke public fear via Blue Wolf Tribe’s central plains invasion, regain popular support, and seize power—teetered on ruin.
“No word from the Second Prince yet?”
“No. Nothing since the first report of arrival.”
“He’d better not do anything foolish...”
“The Second Prince seems hot-tempered, but he’s coldly rational when needed. No need for excessive worry.”
“What concerns me is he might step in personally to resolve the war delay from snow. Why wouldn’t he see what we foresee?”
“...”
Then, a general’s voice drifted in from outside.
“Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.”
“Escort her.”
Woo Mun-sul rose and stood behind Jo Yun.
Moments later, Hong Seon entered, immediately asking.
“Any word from the Second Prince?”
“None.”
“No way to contact him first?”
“If he’s at camp, maybe. But on the battlefield? No.”
“Understood.”
Hong Seon stormed out.
As Jo Yun stared at her retreating figure, a deep lust flickered deep in his pupils before vanishing.
It was not the gaze of a father fretting over his son’s mistakes moments before.