Chapter 263
Chapter 263
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 263
Chapter Title: Journey Toward the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains (1)
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After the Imperial Palace massacre.
Yi Hwan issued a proclamation that anyone harboring rebels would face the extermination of their entire three clans.
He also beheaded all the Dark Heaven Cultists who had surrendered and hung their heads prominently across the mountainous region north of the Imperial Palace.
And so it was.
About a month later, the Dark Heaven Cult's activities disguised as Green Forest bandits in the Yeon Kingdom had completely vanished.
Some criticized Yi Hwan for executing a strategy whose casualties could have been fully anticipated.
But most of the populace empathized with his judgment and sent fervent support his way.
The outrage had turned against the cultists for their atrocities—setting fire to homes and mercilessly slaughtering innocent civilians.
Be that as it may.
The capital's citizens shed buckets of sweat rebuilding the city from its ashes. Emperor Yi So also committed tens of thousands of troops to aid the reconstruction.
Yet Yi Hwan was nowhere to be found.
* * *
Nanchang, the imperial capital of the Qin Kingdom.
Among the Three Kingdoms' capitals, this one was the largest and most prosperous, its markets reaching the pinnacle of splendor.
The inns lining both sides of the streets evoked the inner palaces of middling nations, while the passersby's attire was so lavish it made one question if these were truly ordinary folk.
"It's incredible. The Qin Kingdom being the wealthiest of the Three Kingdoms is no exaggeration."
Ju Tae marveled at the marketplace, tongue lolling. The others couldn't hide their awe at the street's scale and opulence either.
Tae-seon, eyes sparkling like an excited girl, gawked everywhere.
"It's a whole other world."
"You'll get used to it after a few days."
"I don't think a few days would cut it. Have you been here before?"
Questions flew nonstop from Tae-seon. Cheol Mu-ok gave a wry smile and stared at Yi Hwan's back as he walked ahead.
'The atmosphere around him has completely changed.'
Ever since suppressing the Dark Heaven Cult uprising, Yi Hwan had grown terse. His aura had grown heavier too, making it hard to even strike up a conversation.
'Hmm...'
Just then, Cheol Mu-ok flinched at the soft pressure on his arm. Tae-seon had wrapped both her arms around it.
Cheol Mu-ok gently tried to push her away. But Tae-seon clung tighter.
She grinned.
"What's wrong? Let's just walk like this."
"......"
Ju Tae, who had glanced back, grumbled at the sight.
"I can't stand watching this eyesore."
Hwa Ryeong poked her head out.
"Want me to handle it?"
"You serious?"
"Kidding."
"......"
Ju Tae scowled and looked aside—then whipped his head away like he'd seen something unpleasant. Kim Mu-gwan and Park Seon-ha had their arms linked.
'Why's that woman staring at me like that?'
Feeling Kim Suk's gaze, Ju Tae scurried up to Yi Hwan's side.
"The sun's setting soon. Shall we book an inn?"
"Yeah."
"We've got plenty of coin, so the best place."
"Book extra rooms too."
"Yes, sir!"
Whoosh!
Ju Tae dashed ahead like he was fleeing.
Go Mi asked quietly.
"Will the Qin Kingdom accept the Great Prince's request?"
"We can only hope the situation forces their hand. First, we head to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains and scout the state of the Qin Kingdom and the Dark Heaven Cult."
"He seems far more reserved than before. With the Southwest King ascending the throne, they're probably focusing more on the Zhao Kingdom border..."
"Foolish choice. Jo Yun won't be in a position to start a war anytime soon. If they know that and still play it safe, there's trouble within. If not, then the emperor's surrounded by incompetents."
Go Mi nodded in agreement.
But doubts lingered.
'Will the Qin Kingdom really join forces with us?'
Yi Hwan now aimed to ally with the Qin Kingdom to topple the Dark Heaven Cult's headquarters. That's why he'd come straight here after quelling the uprising.
'His whole demeanor has shifted. Did the Dark Heaven Cult touch something they shouldn't have?'
Go Mi felt uneasy.
There had been much talk about how he'd handled the uprising.
The biggest criticism was choosing the capital as the battlefield, causing massive civilian casualties. And hanging the surrendered cultists' heads in the mountains was decried as excessively brutal.
If Emperor Yi So hadn't stepped in to defend him vigorously, it could have spelled serious political trouble.
'It was brutal, but thanks to that, the cultists fled the Yeon Kingdom in terror. Job done.'
Go Mi was on Yi Hwan's side. She wanted to support him however she could.
Just then, Ju Tae returned. The group headed to the inn he'd booked.
It was grand and lavish. The top floor Ju Tae reserved brimmed with rare treasures, rivaling a high noble's estate.
They split into three tables.
Other guests were present, but none rowdy.
They ordered drinks and dishes, then waited.
Yi Hwan gazed out the window. Neither the streets' splendor—far surpassing the Yeon capital—nor the elegantly dressed crowds registered.
His mind held only one thing: assaulting the Dark Heaven Cult headquarters.
'If the Qin Kingdom accepts my request, we could eliminate the Mad Demon's descendants—rivals to Jo Yun himself—without heavy losses.'
Just before leaving for Qin, he'd asked Yi So to send a letter to the Qin emperor conveying his request. It should have arrived by now.
But Yi Hwan wasn't rushing. He wanted to head to the mountains first and check the headquarters.
That's why he'd brought Park Seon-ha and Kim Suk—they knew its exact location and surroundings.
"My lord, have a drink first."
"Sure."
The server brought the alcohol, snapping Yi Hwan from his reverie. They sipped until the food arrived.
About fifteen minutes later?
New arrivals entered the inn: a strikingly handsome youth in icy blue robes and a middle-aged man.
Yi Hwan, idly watching the entrance, lit up.
'Running into him here too.'
The blue-robed youth was Namgung Jang-cheon, eldest son of the Namgung family.
[That's him!]
Park Seon-ha's transmission rang in his ear. Yi Hwan nodded silently.
Namgung Jang-cheon glanced their way but soon looked away.
Everyone wore human skin masks, Park Seon-ha and Kim Suk included.
Seated, Namgung Jang-cheon and the middle-aged man began talking.
"His Majesty has decided to send troops back to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains—what a relief. It seems he made the call right after receiving the Yeon emperor's letter."
"You don't know the contents either, Uncle?"
"I asked around through contacts, but no one knew. We can only guess the Yeon emperor—who drove out the Dark Heaven Cult—provided some clue about them."
Namgung Jang-cheon replied skeptically.
"Our Qin can't approach it the same way as Yeon. His Majesty wouldn't tolerate bloodshed in the capital."
"True. That's why everyone's worried. If they pull the same stunts as in Yeon, suppression will be tough."
The rest was small talk.
Yi Hwan sipped his drink, eyes steady.
'If he decided on troops right after my letter... maybe they'll accept my request?'
He itched to reveal himself to Namgung Jang-cheon and ask details. But exposing his identity rashly could cause issues—he had to be cautious.
Then, another blue-robed youth ascended. He approached their table.
"Everyone's ready to depart and awaiting orders."
"I'll eat with the eldest young master and come down. You head to the mountains, so grab something to eat beforehand."
"Understood."
The youth left.
Yi Hwan tilted his cup with a wry smile. Who knew he'd cross paths with Namgung Jang-cheon again like this.
'Hope it's not another bad connection.'
* * *
Yi Hwan's group left the inn around the same time as Namgung Jang-cheon. Not ready to reveal themselves, Yi Hwan kept a wide berth.
Ahead, about a hundred Namgung family warriors moved with disciplined grace, their extraordinary auras living up to their fame.
Yi Hwan let his warhorse carry him. To avoid notice, he'd left his Red Hare at the palace.
Hwa Ryeong exclaimed repeatedly.
"Even the highways are different in a rich kingdom. I've never seen roadside structures like that."
"Yeah."
Go Mi agreed.
Flawless imperial roads flanked by statues, each carved by a master sculptor.
Tae-seon grumbled.
"They must be swimming in money. Better to give poor folk a sack of rice than waste it on that."
"Agreed."
With Cheol Mu-ok's concurrence, Ju Tae whipped his head away like he'd seen filth. Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun chuckled at the sight.
Whoooosh!
The weather was quite warm. The south's mild winters were warmer than usual today.
How far had they gone?
Travelers thinned on the highway, leaving a glaring gap between Yi Hwan's group and the Namgung warriors. Continuing straight would arouse suspicion.
Yi Hwan turned to Park Seon-ha.
"Know any shortcuts?"
"No, first time here for us too."
Cheol Mu-ok pointed left.
"Looks like a separate path there."
Beyond the impeccably groomed forest—like a garden—a road appeared. An oxcart passed, wide enough for people and horses.
"Let's take that."
"Yes."
* * *
Southern mountainous region of Jiangxi Province.
Blood reeked where paths forked right to Guangdong Province and left to Fujian Province.
Stab!
A sword pierced a chest, protruding from the back.
The heart-impaled warrior died without a scream.
Similar scenes unfolded everywhere.
The dying were Qin warriors; the killers wore deep green robes.
The sole blood-robed figure wiped his blade on a corpse's robe and spoke indifferently.
"Namgung Jang-cheon will pass here for sure. Clear the bodies and hide the traces quickly."
"Yes!"
Dozens of green-robed figures emerged from hiding at the order.
"Wine."
"Here."
Gulp gulp!
Draining a bottle, the blood-robed man stared north, furrowing his brow.
"Sending us to kill some punk. The strategist must be losing his edge."
"He seemed to rate Namgung Jang-cheon highly."
"He's worried about the man's future, not present self. Still, deploying me is a waste. Better to have fetched Yeon Kingdom's Great Prince Yi Hwan's head."
"Can't argue that."
Clank!
"I'll rest a bit. Don't disturb me."
"Yes."
The blood-robed man entered the woods alone.
He was one of the Dark Heaven Cult's top elites: the Six-Fingered Sword Demon, who'd descended from the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains on Strategist Ma Jung-hyo's orders to kill Namgung Jang-cheon.