Chapter 266
Chapter 266
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 266
Chapter Title: Winds and Clouds in the Qin Army Camp
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Yang Yi-cheon poked at his food with his spoon, barely touching it. For someone raised on the finest delicacies from the imperial palace, no amount of care in the army camp's cooking could satisfy his palate.
At least the boiled chicken allowed him to stave off his hunger somewhat.
The warriors glanced at Yang Yi-cheon with displeased expressions. To them, even boiled chicken was a distant dream.
The general returned.
"Your Highness, the Dark Heaven Cult is descending on us with the intent to raid our camp."
"What?"
"The men who just entered the camp are trusted aides of the Yeon Kingdom's Grand Army. They say they spotted the enemy by chance on their way here."
Yang Yi-cheon was about to ask something else.
Ding-dong-ding!
Suddenly, the bells rang out clamorously, and the warriors eating their meals rushed outside one after another.
Yang Yi-cheon shot to his feet as well.
"We should go see what's happening."
"Your Highness need not venture into battle!"
"Who said anything about battle? As an imperial prince in name, I should at least make an appearance alongside everyone. Head to where the Imperial Guards are."
"Yes!"
As Yang Yi-cheon headed outside, he asked the general,
"Those men earlier were the Grand Army's trusted aides?"
"Yes."
"And he himself didn't come?"
"Yes. They said he parted ways briefly due to some business."
"Looks like we'll meet him sooner than expected. We'll see just how impressive he is then. By the way, why did he come here?"
"We couldn't confirm that much."
Moments later, Yang Yi-cheon made for the Commander's tent. The Commander was just stepping out and spotted the approaching Yang Yi-cheon, coming over to greet him.
Go Mi and the others followed behind.
"Your Highness need not concern yourself. Please remain in the tent."
"Even so, I can't stay comfortably in the tent alone while everyone else is out there. I'll observe the situation and deploy the Imperial Guards if needed."
"Then come with us."
Yang Yi-cheon turned to Go Mi and the others, adopting a stern tone as he asked,
"I heard these are trusted aides of the Grand Army. Is that correct?"
Before Go Mi could respond, she glanced at the Commander. He introduced Yang Yi-cheon.
"This is His Highness the Second Prince. Pay your respects."
"We greet Your Highness."
Go Mi and her group finally offered cupped-fist salutes to Yang Yi-cheon. It was neither excessive nor insufficient—just right.
"When is the Grand Army arriving?"
"He had separate business and parted from us briefly, so even we don't know when he'll arrive."
"Not even allies, and he dares come here uninvited? Your Grand Army must have some serious guts."
Hwa Ryeong bristled, but Go Mi quickly stopped her. Then she replied calmly,
"It was permitted by the Qin Emperor."
"What? Father Emperor permitted it?"
"Yes."
Yang Yi-cheon furrowed his brow.
‘I’ve never heard of that...’
"Is that certain?"
"You can confirm it yourself when the Grand Army arrives."
At that moment, the Commander stepped forward.
"Let us hurry, Your Highness."
"Hmph! Very well."
As the Commander headed north through the camp alongside Yang Yi-cheon, he sent a transmission to Go Mi.
[Please understand. His Highness has spent his life confined to the palace, so he may lack some finesse in dealing with people.]
[Understood.]
She replied as such, but Go Mi was already offended by Yang Yi-cheon's arrogance. Her first impression reminded her of the old Yi Tae-ji.
Hwa Ryeong's transmission flowed in.
[Should've just let him get his ass handed to him. What a prick!]
Tae-seon's transmission followed.
[Let's just watch without helping? A guy like that will complain no matter what if we do.]
The third was from Park Seon-ha.
[Shall we just spectate?]
Go Mi gave a wry smile.
Here, she was reminded anew of Yi Hwan's greatness. Yang Yi-cheon had earned resentment at first sight, but Yi Hwan overwhelmed his opponents.
Both had similar arrogant demeanors, yet the reactions they elicited were worlds apart.
Just then, Yang Yi-cheon, walking ahead, turned to Go Mi and asked,
"By any chance, do you know that your Grand Army's Third Prince of Yeon sought asylum in our Qin Kingdom?"
"Yes. We are aware."
"You're not here to do something about him, are you?"
"That's not for us to involve ourselves in..."
It was then.
Ding-dong-ding!
The bells rang out once more across the entire camp. Screams of battle followed from the northern defensive line.
Clang!
"It's fanatic followers! Strike them down!"
"Argh!"
"Kraaah!"
As death cries echoed in succession, Yang Yi-cheon's face hardened instantly.
‘Maybe I shouldn't have come out...’
* * *
Yi Hwan, Cheol Mu-ok, and Ju Tae climbed to a mountaintop peak overlooking the Qin army camp.
Soon after, the Dark Heaven Cultists launched their attack, and clashes broke out between the two sides.
Cheol Mu-ok said with an incredulous expression,
"Why would they set up the camp like that? If the Dark Heaven Cultists launch a full assault, won't it be extremely difficult to defend with such an open layout on all sides?"
"That's the correct approach."
"Pardon?"
"If you build a camp in high or rugged terrain purely for defense, you risk isolating yourself. If you can always leverage numerical superiority, setting up in an open space allows you to respond to any situation."
"Ah, is that so?"
Ju Tae interjected.
"Didn't ancient Shu Han's Ma Su think like that and get utterly crushed, his head rolling to Zhuge Liang?"
"Huh? Here they come."
Battle had erupted on the northern side of the Qin army camp.
Yi Hwan turned his gaze to the blood-cloaked figure he had been watching closely. The blood-cloaked man wasn't joining the attack but was circling the left forest with several hundred men.
Yi Hwan scrutinized their path intently. Then, in a flash, his eyes gleamed.
"They've pinpointed the Qin camp's weakness exactly."
"What do you mean?"
"If they swing around the left, they emerge near the cliff with the thinnest defensive forces. Breaking through there would take them straight to the camp's heart."
"Then they're targeting the Qin army's Commander."
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
"If they mishandle the response even slightly, it'll turn into a disaster. Of course, it depends on how many experts are in that camp."
"Shouldn't we help?"
"Let's watch a bit longer."
Clang!
Argh!
Kraaah!
Death cries carried on the wind.
In a short time, one defensive line already showed signs of collapse.
‘Impressive. Even with prior preparations, if it's this bad, the Dark Heaven Cult's forces must exceed what I saw...’
Yi Hwan shifted his gaze back to the blood-cloaked man's group. They still needed considerable time to reach the cliff.
"How long will you watch?"
"You get the biggest impact helping when they've taken heavy losses. Don't fuss—just wait."
"......Yes."
Then Ju Tae pointed to one spot and said,
"Why are those guys just standing there?"
Those he indicated were the Qin imperial guards who had come with Yang Yi-cheon. Even as battle raged, they remained motionless in the camp's center.
"Their attire looks different from the other camp warriors."
"Indeed."
Yi Hwan circulated his energy to observe the Imperial Guards. He spotted a lavish golden banner embroidered with an azure dragon and narrowed his eyes.
"Azure Dragon?"
"You can see the banner's emblem?"
"A golden field with an azure dragon emblem symbolizes the Qin imperial household... So someone from the imperial family is there."
"If the imperial household sent someone, doesn't that mean even the Qin Emperor views this place with gravity?"
"We can only hope so. I'm curious who it is, though."
Yi Hwan suddenly grew intrigued.
"Let's go down."
"Yes."
* * *
Yang Yi-cheon looked down from on high at the battlefield where combat raged.
Corpses already littered the defensive lines in places. The screams of those not yet dead pierced relentlessly into Yang Yi-cheon's ears.
"Won't the line break like this?"
"The primary defensive line is always bound to suffer casualties. But deploying reserves from the rear immediately would leave us unable to respond if other areas are threatened."
"So the enemy is coming from other directions too?"
"We must observe, accounting for all possibilities."
The Commander's face was gravely set as he replied. Despite advance warning from Go Mi and preparations, the line was already on the verge of collapse. This was utterly unforeseen.
Go Mi asked then,
"Shall we assist?"
"How could we burden esteemed guests who came escorting the Grand Army with such dangers? We can handle it—please just watch."
"The Grand Army instructed us to help if the situation turns dire."
"We'll request aid if we deem it necessary."
"Very well."
Go Mi pressed no further.
‘This isn't the time to let pride get in the way.’
She assumed the Commander was refusing out of pride. And that was partly true.
It was then.
"Commander!"
One general raced over like the wind.
"What is it!"
"The fanatic followers are scaling the northern cliff and infiltrating the camp interior!"
"What!"
"Their numbers are few, but every one is an expert—they breached the secondary line in an instant!"
Tremble...
The Commander's eyes shook violently.
Since establishing the camp here, Dark Heaven Cultists had never breached the interior. In fact, they had never directly assaulted the camp like this.
The Commander turned to Yang Yi-cheon with a hardened expression.
"Your Highness, return to the Imperial Guards at once."
"......Understood!"
"Let's go!"
Boom!
Kicking off the ground, the Commander shot toward the camp's western side like an arrow from a bowstring.
Yang Yi-cheon hurriedly headed to the Imperial Guards as well. Watching him go, Hwa Ryeong smirked.
"Why the hell is that guy even here?"
"Right? He's just gonna be in the way."
Go Mi addressed everyone.
"We'll help here?"
"Got it."
"Sure."
Shing! Clang-clang!
They all drew their weapons.
Kim Mu-gwan turned to Park Seon-ha and said,
"Young lady, best stay here."
"I told you, I've gotten stronger. Stop worrying and go."
"......"
Park Ji-mun clapped Kim Mu-gwan's shoulder with a grin.
"You know what our Park clan is like—why worry? Let's go."
"Then don't stray from my side no matter what."
"Got it. I said I got it!"
"Enough—move!"
The first to dash out was Go Mi. Ever since her internal energy had grown, she had craved real combat more than anyone.