Chapter 241
Chapter 241
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 241
Chapter Title: Yi Tae-ji's Scheme
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"Pulling back the troops?"
"Some of my subordinates still have connections in the Yeon Kingdom's Northern Legion, so I looked into it. It seems Tae Mu-rang and Yi Hwan are meeting in person tomorrow."
At Yi Tae-ji's words, Jo Jeong-mu's face twisted in bewilderment.
"The biggest reason seems to be that the cavalry has become useless due to the blizzard."
"You're just going to retreat after coming this far?"
Crack!
The liquor bottle in his hand shattered.
Yi Tae-ji looked at Jo Jeong-mu with a peculiar gaze and asked obliquely.
"You're just going to stand by and watch it end like this?"
"There's no way to force them to fight, is there?"
"I have an idea."
Jo Jeong-mu's eyes changed instantly. Yi Tae-ji continued.
"Sneak into the Blue Wolf Tribe's camp tonight, assassinate a few generals, and leave traces of the Yeon Kingdom's army at the scene. Wouldn't that work?"
"You think such an obvious ploy will succeed?"
"It's obvious, but at least it will plant suspicion. If luck is on our side, something completely unexpected could happen at tomorrow's meeting between Yi Hwan and them."
"Hmm..."
"We have to try something, don't we?"
Jo Jeong-mu countered.
"What if we do the opposite?"
"You mean target the Yeon Kingdom's generals?"
"That's right. Even if the operation goes wrong and we're pursued, it would be easier to hide in the mountainous terrain than the great plains, wouldn't it?"
It was a reasonable point. But Yi Tae-ji shook his head firmly.
"If he's there, he'll have devoted all his efforts to protecting the generals. He's always been like that. And there are plenty of experts around him. So follow my plan."
"You have experience in this sort of thing?"
"I have almost none myself, but my subordinates are specialists in that field, so trust me."
"Alright. Then do it properly."
"Understood."
Yi Tae-ji immediately went to find his subordinates.
A short distance away, the green-robed figures had gathered. Among them was even the Empress's closest confidante, whom Yi Tae-ji himself couldn't treat lightly.
"There's work to be done."
"What is it?"
Yi Tae-ji relayed exactly what he had discussed with Jo Jeong-mu. The green-robed figure furrowed his brow and asked.
"Will rekindling the embers like that make them flare up again?"
"We can't just go back like this, so we have to try something."
When the green-robed figure didn't reply immediately, Yi Tae-ji crossed his arms and continued.
"We've failed in almost every operation so far. For the sake of restoring our honor, you need to step up, don't you?"
He was referring to the failure of the operation targeting Yi Hwan's side.
"Those kids were no different from grim reapers to the low-ranking warriors. It failed because the opponents were too strong, so please don't put it that way, Your Highness."
Reading the anger in the green-robed figure's eyes, Yi Tae-ji flashed his characteristic sly smile.
"Why do you think I don't know that? But we volunteered to come all this way, and going back empty-handed would be the most ridiculous thing, so I'm asking for your help like this."
"Understood. But Your Highness, stay out of it."
"No. This time, I'm coming along too."
"It's too dangerous, Your Highness!"
"I can't help it even if it is. We absolutely cannot fail this time. We need to move together to increase our chances even a little."
"......"
Pat.
Yi Tae-ji placed a hand on the green-robed figure's shoulder.
"I won't get in the way, so trust me."
"If that's Your Highness's will, then very well. But I'll draw up the operation plan."
"Of course. By the way."
Yi Tae-ji's eyes changed.
"The target we need to kill isn't the Blue Wolf Tribe."
"......!"
* * *
Yi Tae-ji gazed at the Blue Wolf Tribe's camp while taking the falling snow full in the face.
Had they already decided to retreat?
The Blue Wolf Tribe warriors were busy loading baggage onto the lined-up wagons. A bitter smile tugged at Yi Tae-ji's lips.
"It seems all of heaven's fortune is pouring onto him. In the war with the Zhao Kingdom the other day, the Qin Kingdom suddenly intervened, forcing the Southwest King to withdraw his troops and saving his life. And now, the blizzard is handing him a great victory..."
Comparing it to his own situation—continuous failures leading to the loss of everything—made resentment boil up subtly.
But his expression soon turned resolute.
'I can't go back empty-handed.'
He had volunteered to come here with the aim of killing Yi Hwan amid the chaos of battle if the opportunity arose.
But the Blue Wolf Tribe's retreat put that opportunity in jeopardy, and if things continued this way, he'd have no choice but to return empty-handed, having lost his innocent subordinates in vain.
"Hoo..."
Yi Tae-ji exhaled and looked up at the sky.
The pitch-black dead sky and the massively falling snow showed no sign of letting up easily.
It was then. Jo Jeong-mu approached from behind.
"Have you finalized the plan?"
"I've left it to my subordinates. They're better at that sort of thing than I am, so you can trust them. But will the general be joining us too?"
"We'll stand by on the outskirts in case of emergency. Of course, we'll be waiting close to the camp, so if things go south, we'll rush in to help you."
"Understood."
Jo Jeong-mu stared at the Blue Wolf Tribe's camp and frowned.
"It seems Tae Mu-rang chose the wrong time for war. A man who's lived his whole life in the north, moving troops without considering the blizzard. Tsk, tsk, tsk."
"He probably didn't expect the snow to come a month earlier than usual."
"Then he must have been confident he could end the war within a month?"
"He must have thought he could at least wipe out the Yeon Kingdom's Northern Legion. With three hundred thousand troops, anyone would have been confident."
"I suppose."
Jo Jeong-mu placed a hand on Yi Tae-ji's shoulder.
"Make sure it succeeds. If you do and the Blue Wolf Tribe continues the war, I'll ask my father to grant you a great reward."
"Thank you."
Yi Tae-ji watched Jo Jeong-mu head back to his quarters, a peculiar smile playing on his lips.
* * *
Tae Seon, who had conveyed Tae Mu-rang's will and returned to camp, headed south again. He had belatedly realized that a precious item was missing.
'Mother's keepsake...'
He couldn't search the entire path he'd taken down. But recalling a slight odd feeling when he'd delivered Tae Mu-rang's message and turned back, he was heading there again.
Whoosh!
Tae Seon and his escort warriors ran at tremendous speed, scattering snowflakes. A pack of wolves that had come out to hunt nearby scattered in all directions, startled by their speed.
Whoosh!
'Stupid me. To lose something like that.'
Tae Seon's face flushed with self-reproach.
His mother, with whom he hadn't gotten along well with his father Tae Mu-rang, had passed in Tae Seon's arms. He had lost the one keepsake from his mother, whom he loved more than anyone and still couldn't forget.
Grip!
Tae Seon ran even faster.
After running for a good while, the entrance to the Yeon Kingdom's primary defensive line came into view.
But there was a man sitting in a tree there. He had been sitting for quite a while, his entire body blanketed in snow. It was Cheol Mu-ok.
Moments later, Tae Seon arrived before him.
Cheol Mu-ok stared straight at Tae Seon and pulled something from his bosom, holding it out.
"Could this be what you're looking for?"
"......!"
Tae Seon's eyes widened fully. It was indeed his lost mother's keepsake.
"Why do you have that?"
"I saw it fall from you on your way back."
Swoosh!
It flew through the air and landed in Tae Seon's hand—a hairpin intricately carved with a flower.
'Good thing.'
Tae Seon carefully tucked the hairpin into his bosom. Then he looked at Cheol Mu-ok.
He was grateful, but the words of thanks wouldn't come. After all, the man was the enemy.
"No need for thanks. Just go back."
"What's your name?"
"Why do you ask my name?"
"Who knows? If we meet on the battlefield someday, I might spare you once."
Snort.
"If we meet on the battlefield someday, I'll tell you then. Farewell."
Whoosh!
Cheol Mu-ok vanished into the forest.
Tae Seon gazed at where he had disappeared and let out a soft breath.
The escorts approached.
"We should hurry back."
"That man was right next to the Yeon Kingdom's great army earlier, wasn't he?"
"Yes. He seems to be one of their guards."
"What do you make of him?"
"Not just because he's the great army's guard, but from his aura alone, he's no ordinary man."
Tae Seon's brow furrowed slightly.
'Even if he's the enemy, I should have at least said thank you.'
For some reason, not doing so nagged at him.
"Princess, we must return quickly. His Highness will worry if we're late."
"Got it."
Tae Seon glanced once more at where Cheol Mu-ok had vanished, then turned and leaped northwest.
Whoosh!
* * *
"Man, check out that attitude? Not even a single word of thanks?"
"He's the enemy."
"Even if he is, she came rushing back like that for it, so it must be pretty precious. The least she could do is say thanks."
Pat.
Cheol Mu-ok placed a hand on Ju Tae's shoulder.
"Let's go eat. I'm hungry."
"You're not falling for that girl, are you?"
"Cut the nonsense."
"I saw your eyes get weird when you looked at her."
"You were behind me, and you saw my eyes?"
"...I meant it figuratively."
Thwack!
"The side dishes will be gone. Hurry up."
* * *
As darkness began to fall over the surroundings.
Yi Tae-ji and Jo Jeong-mu's group ate dinner together before the operation.
Even in this barren great plain, a lavish feast was laid out—roasted wild boar from the hunters, bubbling stew, rice, and liquor.
Jo Jeong-mu, who usually enjoyed drinking, emptied cup after cup, claiming he wasn't participating directly in the operation.
"We made the stew from ingredients the hunters left behind. I hope it suits your taste."
"It's delicious."
"Have a cup."
Yi Tae-ji poured liquor into Jo Jeong-mu's cup. The deep amber liquor was the famed brew from the Zhao Kingdom that Jo Jeong-mu always carried wherever he went.
"I have one question."
"What?"
"If the Southwest King ascends the throne, who will become the Crown Prince?"
Before Jo Jeong-mu could answer, one of his close aides shouted coldly.
"That's an impertinent question."
"Ah, uh. Never mind."
Jo Jeong-mu drained his cup and wore a peculiar smile.
"Why are you curious about that? Are you thinking of picking the right side from now on?"
"Honestly, yes."
"If that happens, can you swear full loyalty to me?"
"Of course not."
"......!"
"Your becoming Crown Prince will never happen."
A cold smile spread across Yi Tae-ji's lips. Jo Jeong-mu finally realized something was wrong.
It was then.
Cough!
Jo Jeong-mu's aides clutched their throats and staggered. They spewed blood and collapsed onto the table.
Crash!
Jo Jeong-mu shot to his feet like lightning and reached for the sword hanging on the wall.
But one of the green-robed figures had already blocked his path.
Pat.
The green-robed figure grabbed Jo Jeong-mu's wrist.
Crunch!
"Argh!"
"Stop."
Yi Tae-ji rose slowly.
Jo Jeong-mu glared at him with contorted eyes.
"What is this, Yi Tae-ji!"
"You guzzled the poisoned liquor like water and devoured the rice laced with deadly toxin like a glutton."
"You think you can get away with... Urk!"
Jo Jeong-mu vomited blood. His face had already turned deathly pale.
His wildly shaking eyes mixed rage, shock, and fear.
He was no weakling. He was at a level where ordinary poisons had no effect.
But drinking so much of the liquor containing meridian-sealing poison, which temporarily prevented him from circulating his qi, had been fatal. Without qi circulation, even a supreme expert impervious to all poisons was helpless against deadly toxin.
"You'll die by Yi Hwan's hand, not mine. When your father learns of this, what follows will be quite the spectacle. Heh heh heh."
"You bastard..."
For a moment, murderous intent flickered in Yi Tae-ji's eyes.
"Consider it payment for treating me carelessly, Jo Jeong-mu."
Slash!
Jo Jeong-mu's head fell to the floor.
Thud!
Yi Tae-ji wiped the blood from his sword on Jo Jeong-mu's clothes and laughed coldly.
"I couldn't behead him myself, but he'll face the Southwest King's full wrath soon enough, so I've achieved my goal, haven't I? Heh heh heh."
"Shall we just take the head?"
"There's something to do first."
"What..."
"Stab me in the chest. Not too deep, but not too shallow either."
"......!"
"We went out on the operation together, and if this fellow dies while I emerge unscathed, it'll raise suspicions. So hurry up."
"Let's do it after we descend to the border."
"No. It's at least three days to the Zhao Kingdom border from here. If there's someone skilled in medicine in Zhao, the lie could be exposed. A wound from three days ago looks different from one three days later."
"Are you sure you'll be alright?"
"I'm fine."
"......"
The Empress's confidante showed a moment of hesitation, then swiftly beheaded two of his own subordinates.
Thud!
They collapsed without even a scream.
But Yi Tae-ji laughed instead.
"I suppose having too many of ours survive would raise suspicions too. A very wise judgment."