Chapter 240
Chapter 240
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 240
Chapter Title: Unexpected Envoy
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"Raids are only meant to force the enemy to retreat quickly and end the war as soon as possible, so don't push too hard to inflict heavy damage. Withdraw immediately when the signal comes."
Those were Yi Hwan's words before setting out on the raid.
At that moment, a general stepped forward and spoke.
"If the goal is to end the war, then the Great Prince's strategy is correct. But if we do that, the Blue Wolf Tribe will preserve their full strength intact, and who knows when they'll come down again?"
Yi Hwan stared straight at the general and replied.
"His Majesty has only recently ascended the throne. Right now, preventing the war from breaking out in the first place is more important than winning against the enemy. Even if we fight and win here, if our losses are severe, the people's hearts will waver—that much is obvious. It would only benefit our main enemy."
There was no need to specify who the main enemy was here. Everyone knew it was the Zhao Kingdom.
"I'll take responsibility, so follow my orders."
"My thinking was shortsighted, Great Prince."
The general acknowledged and stepped back.
Yi Hwan headed toward the camp gate. The troops already assembled for the raid were waiting for him.
Clang!
The military horn echoed thunderously throughout the entire camp.
Yi Hwan swept his gaze over the warriors, then turned to Jo Cham.
"Impress upon your subordinate generals once more that they must not go too deep."
"Understood, Great Prince."
"Then I wish you good fortune in battle."
"I'll return and report to you!"
Was it excitement at finally heading into the long-awaited battle? Jo Cham brimmed with more resolve than ever, his expression brighter too.
Yi Hwan took the lead.
"Advance."
"Advance!"
* * *
Whoooosh!
The blizzard showed no signs of letting up. If anything, it only grew fiercer.
The more it did, the deeper Tae Mu-rang's worries grew as he gazed south across the great plain.
Stop the war, or continue it.
It should have been a simple choice between two options, but deciding was no easy matter.
The generals' opinions were split down the middle. However, the higher-ranking ones leaned more toward retreat, fearing isolation.
"Father."
Tae Seon stood up.
Tae Mu-rang, still staring southward, spoke without turning.
"You're going to nag your old man again?"
"To gather an army this size again would cost a fortune, and it would only make our tribe's life even more destitute."
"I know that, so enough."
Tae Seon started to say more but closed her mouth. She sensed a depth of anguish in her father's back unlike anything she'd seen before.
She sat back down.
Bubble bubble!
A kettle bubbled atop the brazier inside the tent. She had been boiling water for tea.
"I'll prepare some tea."
"Good. Let's sit together and have a cup for once."
Tae Mu-rang returned to his seat.
No matter how stern he was, when he looked at Tae Seon, his eyes held the same warmth as any father in the world.
"You snuck down to the enemy camp yesterday?"
"Did you put someone to watch me?"
"You rascal. Have I ever not known what goes on in this camp?"
"Tch!"
Tae Seon poured hot water into the teacup and continued.
"I just went down because I was frustrated, saw some strangely dressed guys hunting wild boars, and came back."
"If your escorts hadn't stopped you, you wouldn't have come back at all, would you?"
"......"
As Tae Mu-rang opened his mouth to say more, Tae Seon waved her hand dismissively.
"I get it, so spare me the lecture."
A faint smile tugged at Tae Mu-rang's lips.
"Alright, I'll stop."
"But Father, is it really true that the Yeon Kingdom was planning a northern conquest?"
"......"
Tae Mu-rang set down his teacup and sank deep into his chair.
After a brief silence, he spoke again.
"At first, I didn't doubt it for a second... but thinking it over later, it feels like we've been had."
The Yeon Kingdom's invasions of the north had happened repeatedly since long ago, so when they first got the intelligence, no one questioned it. They just assumed it was the same old story repeating itself.
But now that they were here, something felt off.
For one, the Northern Legion of the Yeon Kingdom facing them had too few troops for a planned northern conquest.
Not only that, there was no sign of reinforcements coming from other fronts.
If they were planning a northern conquest, this war could have been the opportunity, yet the Yeon forces were acting purely defensive.
No matter how he looked at it, it didn't seem like the Yeon Kingdom had northern conquest on their minds.
Tae Seon furrowed her brow and said.
"It's the Zhao Kingdom's doing, then."
Tae Mu-rang gave a bitter smile and nodded.
"Looks that way. Maybe I don't have what it takes to lead the tribe after all. I let emotions sweep me up, blew things out of proportion, and now we're heading back empty-handed."
Snap!
Tae Seon grabbed Tae Mu-rang's hand.
"Don't blame yourself too much. Reclaiming our original southern lands was something everyone agreed on. And we haven't suffered major losses yet."
"Then..."
"Retreat. Looking at the weather, this blizzard won't stop in a day or two. If we get stuck here isolated, it'll be a disaster."
"Then why the fuss yesterday?"
"I thought the snow would stop."
Tae Mu-rang smiled again at Tae Seon's nonchalant reply.
"If my daughter says so, then that's what we'll do."
"You're dumping the responsibility on me now?"
"Can't I pass it on just a little?"
"Fine, go ahead."
Snap!
This time, Tae Mu-rang grabbed Tae Seon's hand.
"That said, we can't just leave like this, so I should meet with their commander, Jo Cham."
"Why him?"
"I just want to see him."
Tae Seon thought for a moment, then jumped to her feet.
"Then I'll go down to the Yeon camp and convey Father's will."
"No need for you to go. Just leave it to the generals."
"No, I'll do it."
* * *
Whoooosh!
Yi Hwan gazed out at the blizzard-swept great plain, breathing steadily and quietly.
Soon, they would split into two groups and head up toward the enemy camp. Far to the left, Jo Cham's unit was preparing to enter the plain.
His close aides flanked him.
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong were right behind.
Flutter! Flutter!
His blood-red cape billowed wildly. Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong, standing just behind, stepped back slightly to avoid it.
"My lord, look over there."
Cheol Mu-ok pointed across the plain.
A group presumed to be enemies was descending, waving a large white flag.
"Looks like an envoy from the Blue Wolf Tribe."
'Suddenly sending an envoy?'
Go Mi said.
"Probably here to request a truce?"
"Could be. Everyone, hold position."
"Hold position!"
Yi Hwan watched the group descending quickly. Spotting a woman at the lead, his eyes gleamed with interest.
She was clearly in command.
"Huh? It's a woman."
Ju Tae's eyes lit up.
"Isn't that the girl who cursed at you?"
"Looks like it."
At Ju Tae and Cheol Mu-ok's exchange, Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong stepped up beside Yi Hwan.
Now close enough, they could see the enemy clearly. Go Mi stared at the woman in front.
Her ornate armor, helmet, and sheathed sword suited the battlefield perfectly.
'Could it be...'
Recalling a piece of information, she turned to Yi Hwan at once.
"It might be Tae Mu-rang's precious only daughter. Tae Seon—the fierce warrior woman who's always accompanied him on battlefields."
Hearing that, Yi Hwan grew even more curious about why Tae Mu-rang had sent an envoy unit.
'Sending his one and only daughter as an envoy?'
* * *
Tae Seon stopped her group twenty paces from the Yeon troops.
'What the hell is this force? They couldn't have known we were coming and come out to greet us, right?'
She narrowed her eyes at the troops lined up behind.
There were too many. Even setting that aside, their presence here in this situation was highly suspicious.
Then, a cool voice flowed into her ear.
"So you're the princess of the Blue Wolf Tribe?"
Tae Seon looked toward the voice's owner. Then she strode forward alone.
"My father wishes to meet your commander."
"Why?"
"You don't need to know. Just relay it to General Jo Cham as is."
It was arrogant. Yet somehow, it suited the aura she exuded.
Yi Hwan said calmly.
"I am the commander."
Twitch!
Tae Seon's eyebrow arched sharply.
"You're General Jo Cham? Are you kidding me right now?"
"General Jo Cham is elsewhere. If your father wishes to meet him specifically, I'll pass it on."
"......!"
Tae Seon was baffled.
Judging from the reactions of the generals and warriors lined up behind, this young man really seemed to be in charge, not Jo Cham.
Then, someone popped into her mind.
'Could this guy be the Yeon Kingdom's Fourth Imperial Prince?'
Tae Seon couldn't tolerate unanswered questions.
"Are you Fourth Imperial Prince Yi Hwan by any chance?"
"Yes."
It was then.
"Show some respect! How dare some barbarian address him like that!"
Go Mi's stern voice rang out.
Tae Seon glared at her. But she soon ignored her and looked back at Yi Hwan.
"Let's meet tomorrow at this time on Rock Mountain."
"Understood."
"How many escorts?"
"Whatever you like."
'Hmph! So confident? Fearless idiot.'
Tae Seon continued immediately.
"Too many people would just hinder the talk, so five each. But you must bring General Jo Cham."
"Agreed."
Before turning away, Tae Seon shot Go Mi a fierce glare. Go Mi didn't avert her eyes.
Tae Seon had no intention of leaving after being scolded by Go Mi.
[That sword just for show?]
[Sharp enough to take your head.]
[Do you even know who I am?]
[No idea. Never cared about frontier barbarians.]
Twitch.
She gave as good as she got, verbally.
Moments later, Tae Seon stormed off huffily.
Someone watched her intently: Cheol Mu-ok.
'What a wild child.'
Then, something fell from Tae Seon's body. Unaware, she vanished northwest.
* * *
The operation was canceled.
The generals, hearing the situation, voiced negative views on meeting Tae Mu-rang. More precisely, concerns.
With the blizzard raging, time alone would give their side the advantage naturally— no need to meet Tae Mu-rang, they said. Jo Cham agreed.
Clink.
Yi Hwan set down his teacup and swept his gaze over the generals.
"If you're worried about me, I appreciate it."
"We don't know their true intentions, Great Prince. Going out with just five escorts is too dangerous."
"Don't worry. My guards look decent enough to be useful."
"You're really going to meet Tae Mu-rang?"
"I've already promised, so enough. And what you're all worried about won't happen, so return to your posts."
The generals left the tent.
Jo Cham remained.
"Is it alright for me to go in your place?"
"Of course that's what you should do. I'll just sit in."
"Thank you. See you tomorrow morning, then."
"Yes, Great Prince."