Chapter 259
Chapter 259
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 259
Chapter Title: Reunion
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Everyone watched the chase with keen interest. Not yet grasping the full situation, Yi Hwan simply observed.
Thud thud thud!
“They’re catching up, catching up. They’ve been caught.”
Clang!
After a fierce exchange, the two pursued figures abandoned their horses and leaped into the air. Pursuers from behind followed suit, soaring upward.
“Oh ho!”
The onlookers let out exclamations of admiration. Such agile movements were rare to witness in this tranquil area.
Clang!
Thud!
“Argh!”
A agonized death cry rang out, followed by a man tumbling down, spraying blood. Park Ji-mun, who had been watching with mere curiosity, had his expression change in an instant.
Clang!
Boom!
In the second clash, Kim Mu-gwan’s face also shifted.
“That looked like your family’s swordsmanship just now.”
“You must have seen wrong. There’s no way anyone from our family would be here.”
Clang!
“Argh!”
“Ugh!”
Second and third victims fell.
The two who had been fleeing then kicked off the ground and leaped toward Yi Hwan’s group.
As the distance closed, Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun’s eyes widened endlessly. They cried out in unison.
“Seon-ha!”
“Seon-ha!”
Boom!
Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun kicked off the ground and soared up.
Yi Hwan and the others were momentarily bewildered by the sudden turn.
But upon confirming the two approaching figures were women, they understood.
Ju Tae turned to Yi Hwan.
“That seems to be Park-hyung’s younger sister.”
* * *
“Seon-ha!”
“Seon-ha!”
Park Seon-ha, who had just beheaded a Dark Heaven Cultist and launched herself into the air, had her eyes widen endlessly.
Two men flying toward her, slicing through the sky. Faces she had never forgotten, even in dreams, pierced her pupils like daggers.
For a moment, her time stopped.
The approaching pair, the falling snowflakes—all seemed to slow to a crawl.
“Miss!”
Kim Suk’s shout burst forth.
At the same time, the sword flying toward Park Seon-ha shattered in a spray of sparks. The broken blade grazed her hair, but she couldn’t tear her eyes from the two men.
Her widened eyes brimmed with moisture.
Then, toward one of them, she screamed from the depths of her throat.
“You bastard!”
* * *
“Your clothes are a mess again.”
“Indeed.”
“We can’t go up like this, so we’ll have to enter that city and buy new ones.”
“I’ll speak to the Great Prince.”
The clothes borrowed from the warriors were soaked in blood once more.
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong wiped blood from their faces while staring in one direction. Toward Kim Mu-gwan and Park Seon-ha.
The two were sharing a moment of reunion. A short distance away, Park Ji-mun grinned nonstop, while Kim Suk wept openly before him.
“Meeting like this in such a vast land—truly a match made in heaven.”
“I agree.”
“But it sounded like she was cursing.”
“You bastard? Yeah, that’s what it seemed like. Guess even too much joy brings out the curses.”
That was when Yi Hwan approached. His own robe was drenched in blood.
After confirming the pursuers of Park Seon-ha were Dark Heaven Cultists, he had slain them mercilessly, just as before.
“We should enter the city at least for new clothes.”
“Agreed.”
Yi Hwan sat on a rock. Not wanting to interrupt their reunion, he waited silently.
The others did the same.
After a long while, Kim Mu-gwan and Park Seon-ha approached. Park Ji-mun followed with a beaming smile.
Yi Hwan stood from the rock.
Park Seon-ha bowed her head.
“Seon-ha greets the Great Prince.”
“I’m Yi Hwan. Pleased to meet you.”
Yi Hwan looked at Kim Mu-gwan.
They say love melts even an iron heart. Kim Mu-gwan’s eyes were red-rimmed.
“Congratulations, Mu-gwan.”
“Thank you.”
Yi Hwan turned to Park Ji-mun.
His ever-blooming smile was accompanied by reddened eyes.
* * *
Freshly attired, the group entered an inn. Park Seon-ha and Kim Suk, their tension released, complained of hunger.
The others, having already eaten, shared simple drinks while the two women dined.
Some time passed.
Kim Mu-gwan, chatting idly beside Park Seon-ha, turned to Yi Hwan.
“The lady stayed in the Hundred Thousand Mountains. You should hear it directly, Great Prince.”
Yi Hwan regarded Park Seon-ha.
She set down her chopsticks and spoke.
“I lived in the Hundred Thousand Mountains for years. If the bandits are truly the Dark Heaven Cult as the young master said, I think I know where their main headquarters is.”
“……!”
“I thought they were just fanatics, but Namgung Jang-cheon said that place is the bandits’ main base.”
“How do you know that man?”
“The Qin Kingdom sent troops to the Hundred Thousand Mountains to subjugate them. I saved him when he was chased and nearly dead from fighting them.”
‘The Dark Heaven Cult’s main headquarters…….’
It was information he had never anticipated. If true, nothing was more crucial at this moment.
“Moon Lord.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“Have her detail the geography and terrain near the headquarters. A map would be even better.”
“Understood.”
Park Seon-ha asked.
“We’re joining too, right?”
“It could be dangerous. Are you sure?”
“Don’t worry. I can protect myself just fine. And since they kill even children, of course we’ll help.”
Yi Hwan looked at Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun.
Park Ji-mun’s voice transmission flowed in.
[We can’t stop her.]
* * *
Qin Kingdom’s Imperial Palace.
Namgung Jang-cheon, returned wounded, recovered swiftly under the royal physicians’ devoted care.
While he recuperated in the palace, the Qin Emperor dispatched a hundred thousand troops to the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
But the treacherous terrain yielded little progress thus far.
They had, however, uncovered the bandits’ true identity: the Dark Heaven Cult.
Ten days later, Namgung Jang-cheon left the palace.
His destination: the Hundred Thousand Mountains once more.
This time, companions had swelled in number. The Namgung family had dispatched their elite experts upon hearing of his injury.
These core forces of the Namgung family were not to be trifled with, even by court generals. The family was now recognized as the Prince Consort’s kin.
‘Shall we go?’
Namgung Jang-cheon took a deep breath and stepped toward the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Then.
“Young Master!”
A general ran up from behind. His expression suggested grave news.
“What is it?”
“His Majesty orders you to halt your journey.”
“Has something happened?”
“Southwest King Jo Yun has finally ousted the Emperor and ascended the throne. Emergency orders have gone to the frontier army bordering Zhao Kingdom.”
“……!”
“Return to the palace for now. His Majesty will issue further commands soon.”
“Understood.”
As Namgung Jang-cheon headed back, he asked.
“What of the Zhao Emperor?”
“His whereabouts remain unknown. We’ll inform you as intelligence comes in.”
Namgung Jang-cheon subtly furrowed his brow.
With Southwest King officially Zhao’s Emperor, border conflicts loomed large. The man was renowned for his belligerence.
‘Will he even recall the troops sent to the Hundred Thousand Mountains?’
This irked Namgung Jang-cheon.
He had planned to raze the headquarters this time, by any means. Personal vengeance included.
‘Of all times…….’
* * *
Returning to the Imperial Palace, Yi Hwan sought out Yi So immediately. The first news he received was Jo Yun’s ascension.
“The Emperor’s fate is unconfirmed, but intelligence reports he perished by Jo Yun’s hand.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
A living Emperor was a perpetual threat. Jo Yun would have ensured his death.
Crown Prince Jo Gwang came to mind. Yi Hwan already dreaded how to break the news.
Yi So continued.
“As per your wish, official requests for cooperation have been sent to the martial sects.”
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Speak.”
“We must borrow the Blue Wolf Tribe’s strength in the north. With Jo Yun as Zhao’s Emperor, we can’t pull frontier troops, so their aid is essential.”
“Will Tae Mu-rang agree?”
“The Princess volunteered, so Tae Mu-rang will surely comply.”
“The Princess proposed it first?”
“Yes.”
“Then so be it. But take utmost care to avoid friction with our allies.”
“Understood. And one more thing.”
Yi Hwan sipped his tea before continuing.
Clink.
“We must hasten the appointments of Commander Gwak Chung-mu and General Jeong Cheon. With Jo Yun Emperor, we need to empower them swiftly.”
“Very well. And else?”
Yi Hwan couldn’t help a faint smile at Yi So’s proactive stance.
“I’d like to have lunch with Your Majesty for once.”
“Such a thing? A hundred times, a thousand—I’d do it anytime! Haha!”
Yi So laughed heartily.
‘Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve suggested dining together.’
Likely so. Memories held only Yi So’s invitations, refused under pretense of busyness.
That day, Yi Hwan dined with Yi So for a full hour, conversing freely.
* * *
Late night.
Yi Hwan visited Jo Gwang.
Jo Gwang rejoiced at the rare visit. But upon hearing the news from Yi Hwan, he shed tears of grief.
Pa Pa prostrated and sobbed on the floor.
Yi Hwan departed Jo Gwang’s residence near dawn.
Go Mi awaited in the darkness beyond. Since returning to the palace, she had been busier than anyone, meeting intelligence chiefs.
“The map as instructed is complete.”
“Have your subordinates copy it as many as possible.”
“Understood.”
“Any word from Zhao Kingdom?”
“No troop movements detected yet. The Emperor’s whereabouts still unknown. One oddity: substantial forces from the Southern Barbarians are heading toward Sichuan Province. Needs further investigation.”
“The Southern Barbarians may have allied with Zhao.”
“That seems likely for now. I’ll report details as they emerge.”
They walked side by side toward Golden Army headquarters. En route, Go Mi asked.
“Will the Dark Heaven Cult purge proceed as planned?”
“Jo Yun’s ascension is a variable, but this can’t be delayed. Better to eradicate them swiftly before he schemes further, blocking another variable.”
“With things as they are, deploying the Blue Wolf Tribe seems a masterstroke.”
“Indeed.”
“But do you know?”
“What?”
“The Princess and Iron Guard’s atmosphere feels rather unusual.”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
“Did you assign the Princess’s guard to Iron Guard on purpose?”
“Ju Tae talks too much.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“Trust me.”
It was a lie.