Chapter 265
Chapter 265
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 265
Chapter Title: Winds and Clouds over the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains
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Yi Hwan and the others stealthily approached the river.
A moment later, a river thirty zhang wide came fully into view, revealing the green-robed figures gathered beyond it.
[The numbers have grown!]
Cheol Mu-ok had clearly said there were around fifty. Yet in that short time, they had swelled to hundreds.
At that moment, Ju Tae pushed through the woods and approached.
[Nearly a thousand more are coming down from the rear. Judging by their armed state, it looks like they're heading out somewhere.]
Yi Hwan stared at the green-robed Dark Heaven Cultists. They all appeared heavily armed, as if waiting for someone.
That was when Namgung Jang-cheon came to mind.
If these were troops heading his way?
‘I might never see him again.’
[Hold position for now.]
Yi Hwan set aside the thought of engaging them. Even if everyone here was an elite, fighting over a thousand enemies was impossible.
Shwaaa!
The rain, which had stopped, poured down once more.
With thick raindrops mixed with wind, visibility narrowed sharply.
That was when, just as Ju Tae had said, a large number of Dark Heaven Cultists began emerging from beyond the river.
Not a thousand, but closer to two thousand.
Swish swish!
All of them bowed their heads toward one blood-robed figure.
Yi Hwan focused on the blood-robed man.
He was a slender elderly man with twin swords slung over his shoulders. Even from this distance, the powerful aura flowing through his body reached them.
The blood-robed man called out lowly.
“Move out.”
Swish swish!
The Dark Heaven Cultists began to march.
But their direction was west, not northeast. Completely opposite from where Namgung Jang-cheon was.
Park Seon-ha sent a transmission.
[Could they be planning to raid the Qin army from behind? There's a Qin garrison to the west.]
[You’re certain?]
[Of course. When I lived here, I passed by there several times a day.]
After Jo Yun ascended the throne, most troops had withdrawn, but a minimal force remained to check the Dark Heaven Cult in case of emergency.
Yi Hwan pondered briefly, then made his decision.
[We tail them stealthily.]
* * *
Dark Heaven Cult headquarters.
Cult Leader Jang Cheon-hwa and Strategist Ma Jung-hyo sat facing each other.
Clink.
“Unexpected. They withdrew their army out of fear of Jo Yun, and now they’ve suddenly sent even the Imperial Guards who never leave the capital?”
“Perhaps they’re shifting strategy again. Sending a prince shows their strong resolve toward us.”
“Have you sent greetings?”
“Yes. I’ve dispatched troops specialized in ambushes, so you can expect good news.”
Jang Cheon-hwa took a sip of tea, then asked something else.
“Still no word from Namgung Jang-cheon’s side?”
“If they’ve clashed, a report will come soon. With the Land Sword Demon gone, Namgung Jang-cheon won’t survive this time.”
“You sent the Land Sword Demon?”
“Yes. We need to make sure that arrogant pup who doesn’t know the height of the heavens is properly dealt with.”
“Did he go willingly?”
“He left without a word.”
“With him handling it, that front’s no worry. In any case, if the Qin Emperor’s changed tack, the withdrawn Grand Army might return, so we must be extra vigilant.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
Clink.
Jang Cheon-hwa set down his teacup and rose.
“I’ll be in the rear hall. Don’t disturb me unless it’s urgent.”
“Understood.”
Moments later, Jang Cheon-hwa vanished behind the wall. Ma Jung-hyo finally straightened his bowed posture and drank the now-cold tea.
Clink.
An aide standing behind asked.
“If we kill Namgung Jang-cheon, won’t the entire Namgung family come to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains?”
“What’s the Namgung family to us?”
“But they’re said to be full of hidden masters unknown to the world. If they all come here…”
“Are you trying to lecture me now?”
“Forgive me. This subordinate overstepped. Mercy, Strategist.”
The aide immediately bowed his head.
“Enough nonsense. Go to the intelligence room, sort the reports from Yeon Kingdom, and bring them to my office.”
“Understood.”
Ma Jung-hyo glared sharply at the aide’s hasty retreat, then sank deep into his chair, his gaze cooling.
‘Why has the Emperor suddenly shifted policy? Did he gain confidence from some failure in Yeon? No, that indecisive coward wouldn’t send a prince here…’
* * *
Qin army camp near the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
A man braved the wind, heading somewhere.
Adorned with a jeweled sword, golden armor, and an exceptionally handsome face exuding an extraordinary air—the man was none other than Qin’s Second Prince, Yang I-cheon.
Anyone would think his heroic figure would boost the warriors’ morale, yet the soldiers watching him looked far from cheerful.
The reason: Yang I-cheon indulged in wine and women, and his irritable, eccentric temper had ruined his reputation.
In short, he was utterly unsuited for the battlefield. His sudden arrival with five thousand Imperial Guards unnerved the original garrison.
Whoosh!
Leading his escorts across the camp, Yang I-cheon halted at one spot. Before an unusually large tent.
Entering, his face twisted unpleasantly.
“I sent word ahead of my arrival, yet they prepare quarters like this?”
“You’ll grow accustomed after a few days. Convey any needs to the Commander.”
“There are no women in camp, so fill it with plenty of liquor first.”
“Understood.”
“Jang-cheon still hasn’t arrived?”
“Yes. We expected him this morning, but he’s delayed.”
“He hasn’t run into trouble en route, has he?”
“With over a hundred Namgung family elites accompanying him, unlikely. Wait a bit longer, Your Highness.”
Clank.
Handing his breastplate to an aide, Yang I-cheon leaned back in his chair, venting irritation.
“Hmph! They tell me to emulate Yeon’s Grand Army Commander Yi Hwan? What makes that punk so great that they send me to this backwater?”
“His Majesty likely sent Your Highness to show the court leading by example to the troops and people.”
“Then why so suddenly! And to this death trap where people die daily!”
“…”
Indeed. Yang I-cheon’s dispatch here stemmed from the Emperor’s reaction to Yi Hwan’s exploits.
The Qin Emperor hoped Yang I-cheon would cultivate skills helpful to the future crown prince, like Yi Hwan.
“What am I supposed to learn from that reckless fool who torched the capital to suppress cult fanatics?”
“…”
At that moment.
“Your Highness, it’s the Commander.”
“Looks like the Commander’s here.”
At the aide’s words, Yang I-cheon straightened but didn’t rise.
Moments later, a general entered—the camp’s Commander.
“We’ve exchanged greetings. What now?”
“A report just came in: Young Master Namgung’s group is under attack by cult fanatics and in peril. Thought Your Highness should know.”
“…!”
Yang I-cheon’s eyes widened in shock.
“Then we must send troops at once!”
“No need for concern. Forces are already en route.”
Yang I-cheon leaned back, frowning.
“Those mad dogs dare target the man who’ll be this kingdom’s Prince Consort.”
“Then this lowly one will withdraw.”
“Commander.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“If the cultists attack, must our Imperial Guards fight too?”
“Your Highness and the Guards won’t need to engage directly. No worries.”
“Truly?”
“The withdrawn troops will rejoin soon. Until then, nothing will happen. Even if cultists come early, the garrison will protect you.”
“I’ll trust you alone, Commander.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The Commander bowed and turned. As he exited, a quiet sigh escaped him.
‘So different in caliber from Yeon’s Grand Army Commander. Why send His Highness here of all places?’
The Commander headed to the command tent.
En route, he eyed the Imperial Guards decked in flashy armor and sighed again. To him, they looked like a ragtag mob, not elite century-riding warriors.
‘Just stay quiet till we can send him back.’
* * *
Yi Hwan and his group stealthily tailed the Dark Heaven Cultists. As Park Seon-ha said, they headed for the Qin camp.
Yi Hwan messaged Park Seon-ha ahead.
[Is there a shortcut to the Qin camp ahead of them?]
[Yes. Even detouring, we’d arrive much faster.]
[They must know shortcuts too. Why this route?]
[Too narrow and treacherous for that many troops. It’d take longer.]
[Then, may I ask you to guide us?]
[Gladly.]
The group followed Park Seon-ha, turning direction. At a safe spot, they unleashed lightness skills in unison.
Go Mi kept pace beside Yi Hwan and asked.
“Shouldn’t we alert the Qin camp to the ambush first, to gain their cooperation?”
“That’s my plan.”
Yi Hwan thought the same. Aiding the Qin here would surely sway their Emperor.
“We’ll observe Qin’s response, so Mu-ok and Ju Tae stay with me. The rest, go to the Qin camp and warn of the Dark Heaven Cult ambush. If they question our presence, say it’s with their Emperor’s permission.”
“Shall we mention the Grand Commander’s arrival?”
“We came together but were delayed by business. When battle starts, aid appropriately but don’t overcommit.”
“Understood.”
* * *
The Qin camp stood on a rare open plain near the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
save for cliffs shielding the rear like a screen, three sides had thick, high wooden palisades in lieu of walls, plus several watchtowers for spotting ambushes.
Unless in pitch-black night, surprise attacks were near impossible.
Thus, the sentries numbered few relative to the camp’s size.
Indeed, the Dark Heaven Cult—mistaken for mere bandits—had never assaulted here.
This camp existed to suppress them, so no Qin warrior expected attack.
White smoke enveloped the Qin camp. Mealtime.
Prince Yang I-cheon emerged from his tent with aides. He’d preferred eating privately, but the Emperor’s order before departure forced him to dine with the generals.
Reluctantly moving, Yang I-cheon glanced north, narrowing his eyes. Strangers entered at the gate-like point.
Sentries blocked them. Allies wouldn’t face that.
“Who are they?”
“Go ahead; this one will check and report.”
The general hurried off.
Yang I-cheon watched while heading to the mess. Spotting women among them, his eyes gleamed.
‘Beauties in this backwater…’
First spark in his irritated gaze since arriving.
His eyes already roamed their curves. Then, lingering on the one woman as burly as a man, he grimaced faintly.
“Your Highness, please enter.”
“Hm. Very well.”