Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Young Tiger Clan
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Thud thud thud!
The guards sneered at Yi Hwan's carriage speeding away, kicking up clouds of dust.
"As expected from the rumors. Not a hint of resistance—just meek compliance. Wonder if he didn't piss his pants."
"Bet he did."
"Hahaha!"
Everyone burst into loud laughter.
But their leader furrowed his brow and said nothing.
*What could it mean?*
Yi Hwan's parting words to rest well. Something about them felt off.
"Let's go."
The leader schooled his expression and asked,
"His last known whereabouts were the Bamboo Grove, right?"
"Yes."
"We're heading there."
"To the Bamboo Grove!"
The guards turned in the opposite direction from Yi Hwan.
How long had they traveled? Suddenly, the leader clutched his chest and doubled over.
"Urk!"
"What's wrong?"
Spurt!
Blood poured from his mouth, startling the guards into supporting him.
"Get him to a physician, quickly! Hurry!"
"Yes!"
* * *
*At least half a year before he can use his internal energy again.*
Yi Hwan closed his eyes, arms crossed, and smiled faintly.
He had no intention of clashing with the Golden Imperial Guards. But neither did he plan to let them off easily.
To test his enhanced internal energy from the Spirit Pill, he'd slipped a wisp of formless qi into the opponent's body through his breath.
If the man had sensed it, the attempt would have failed. But he hadn't, so it was a resounding success. By now, he was probably writhing in agony.
Meanwhile, Song Hoe watched Yi Hwan with a puzzled look.
*Smiling after enduring such humiliation. At times like this, he's just like the Great Prince of old...*
"Deputy General."
"Yes?"
"We march without rest until we reach the Southern Legion."
"Are you sure you're up to it?"
"Think of it as training."
"Yes."
* * *
Southern Legion.
Contrary to expectations, there was no attack from the Zhao Kingdom forces.
If anything, that only made the warriors more uneasy. Like the calm before the storm?
Hwang Ho doubled the guards and selected elite warriors for constant scouting into enemy territory.
After ten days, generals began to mock Yi Hwan's warning, thanks to Cheol Mu-ok's reports.
"Yeah, right, like any martial arts masters are coming."
"We were fools to believe it."
"Since they're gone anyway, they might as well never come back. I'm sick of treating that so-called Great Prince like royalty."
Yi Hwan had changed, but in many memories, he remained the incompetent prince.
Then one day, visitors arrived at the Southern Legion. Men sent by the Second Prince.
* * *
Paeng Mu-wi sat facing a middle-aged man whose sharp aura was like a blade, his gaze piercing.
In a cold tone, he addressed Paeng Mu-wi.
"The delay in progress has left the higher-ups deeply disappointed."
"Even a stubborn ox is best pulled out while the iron's hot, but how long have I been here? And you're already demanding results? What, should I just drive General Hwang out by force?"
"There are plenty of ways. Of course, the Left General will have to find them."
"I'm doing my utmost, so just wait. Is that why you were sent here?"
"We were ordered to assist the Left General. If you'd earned their trust, we wouldn't have needed to come."
Twitch.
Paeng Mu-wi's eyebrows wriggled like caterpillars. He downed his hot tea in one gulp.
Gulp!
Thud!
"Winning over the warriors' hearts is key, but with the Zhao dogs not attacking, what choice do we have? We can't very well strike first."
"Make them attack."
"If it were that easy, anyone could do it! One misstep, and it escalates into full war!"
Paeng Mu-wi's voice rose with the middle-aged man's mocking attitude.
The man, however, remained utterly unshaken. If anything, his gaze grew even calmer.
"I've heard the Zhao Kingdom's Commander enjoys the protection of their royal family. All the more reason to handle it well, no? The higher-ups would be pleased if you deal with a man like that properly."
"Are you telling me to assassinate the Zhao army's Commander?"
"I'm saying it's one option. I'll look for better ones, so carry on as usual and find General Hwang's weaknesses."
*Damn bastard!*
Paeng Mu-wi was practically steaming from the nose.
He knew exactly who the man was—one the Second Prince held dear, with exceptional martial prowess and a reputation for cruelty.
He'd shown maximum respect, yet the man's arrogance only grew.
"I'll rest now. Excuse me."
As the middle-aged man left, Paeng Mu-wi suppressed his boiling rage and gulped down cold water.
Gulp gulp!
Bang!
*Damn it! Three months? A year? It's barely been a month, and he's demanding progress. What does some greenhorn know about the military?*
An image of Yi Tae-ji flashed in Paeng Mu-wi's mind, tearing apart like paper. The Second Prince.
Just then, his deputy entered.
"The Great Prince has returned."
"So what if that punk's back? I know. Get out."
* * *
Yi Hwan returned to his tent, greeted by retainers and warriors.
The tent held many new items. The kitchen brimmed with precious dried fish hanging everywhere, and several sacks of rice were stacked up.
Yi Hwan asked his retainer,
"What happened?"
"The General said to take as much as you want."
"General Hwang?"
"Yes. Beef is coming soon too—the cuts the Great Prince likes most. He requested them in advance."
*Never a dull moment.*
"Wow! What's all this?"
Those following behind exclaimed in awe. Thanks to Yi Hwan, they'd never lacked food, but fish had been an impossible dream amid these stacked mountains.
*Did the Crown Prince send word to treat me well?*
Yi Hwan soon entered his room. Fruits piled high inside, including rare ones hard to find in camp.
Snicker.
*Suddenly living the high life.*
Yi Hwan changed into fresh clothes and lay on the bed. Being a familiar place, it felt cozy, like returning home.
"Deputy General."
"Yes, Great Prince."
"Bring the medicine from the Crown Prince's Palace."
Moments later, Song Hoe entered with it.
"It's been neglected too long. Best to just throw it out."
"Ever taken a Spirit Pill?"
"As if someone like me could dream of it. The most I've had is a few roots of Haedong ginseng."
"Take one a day."
"This?"
"The Crown Prince's Palace said it's no ordinary medicine—it's a spirit pill that boosts internal energy."
"......!"
Song Hoe's eyes bulged.
"With the energy foundation, you can learn stronger arts. Stick to the schedule precisely. Practice the accompanying breathing method too."
"This treasure should go to the Great Prince."
"I already got one from the Crown Prince's Palace. Spirit Pills don't get stronger with more—bad luck, and they backfire. So take it; no need to thank me."
"......Thank you. Thank you, Great Prince."
Song Hoe's eyes reddened.
"Prepare some hot water. I need to wash up."
"Yes!"
Sniff!
Yi Hwan smiled wryly at Song Hoe, who finally shed tears.
*This guy's a warrior at heart, after all.*
* * *
Early evening.
Yi Hwan sipped tea, gazing at the camp bathed in twilight.
At some point, he'd developed a habit of sitting outside the tent in a chair, enjoying tea. The elevated spot offered a scenic view with decent charm.
One annoyance: the Paeng camp lay directly in front.
It irked them too.
Whenever he sat out enjoying tea, Paeng warriors studiously ignored him.
Whoosh!
The warmer breeze added to the ambiance. Yi Hwan savored a rare moment of leisure.
Then he subtly narrowed his brow upon seeing two white-robed men emerge from the Paeng tent.
*New faces?*
Though at a distance, his bolstered internal energy let him see even the moles on their faces clearly.
*Both are no slouches.*
He sensed the strong aura of experts from them. Especially the middle-aged one on the left—he seemed far from ordinary even to Yi Hwan.
"You're out here?"
Song Hoe and the others returned from fetching supplies.
"Anyone new joined the Paeng side?"
"Heard from General Jeong earlier: the Second Prince sent more men. This time, nearly a thousand troops."
"A thousand?"
"Yes. To replace losses from recent battles, apparently."
*They don't think Paeng Mu-wi alone is enough?*
If the Southern Legion fell under the Second Prince's command, it could influence forces along the Zhao border...
Yi Hwan recalled Yi So's words and smiled faintly.
*Once I've decided to help, that won't happen, Your Highness.*
* * *
Next morning.
Yi Hwan visited Hwang Ho.
"Come in, Great Prince."
"Heard there's a meeting today, so I came."
"Yes. Everyone will gather soon. You look better every day."
"Probably from all the idling."
"Ha ha ha, what are you saying? Sit, please. I'll prepare tea."
Yi Hwan chatted idly with Hwang Ho over tea.
After about fifteen minutes, generals began filing in.
Paeng Mu-wi entered last, accompanied unexpectedly by the middle-aged white-robed man from last evening. He, like Yi Hwan, wore martial robes instead of armor—the only two.
No one commented.
"Let's begin the meeting."
Under Hwang Ho's lead, it proceeded.
Yi Hwan listened with eyes closed, arms crossed. Nothing noteworthy until the end, when Hwang Ho called the white-robed man.
"Step forward."
The man rose quietly and approached Hwang Ho.
"First, pay respects to the Great Prince."
"Young Ho-chung greets the Great Prince."
The white-robed man, Young Ho-chung, bowed his head, but Yi Hwan kept his eyes shut. He'd already learned of Young Ho-chung's identity from Hwang Ho.
Moments later, Young Ho-chung returned to his seat.
*The Young Tiger Clan has joined his command too.*
Like the Paeng Family, the Young Tiger Clan was one of the Five Great Clans that shone during Yi Hwan's reign over the world two hundred years ago—a true pillar of prestige.
Yi Hwan couldn't hide his bitterness that two of the Five Great Clans had fallen under the Second Prince.
Then—
"Great Prince!"
A retainer burst into the tent. Before generals could shout, he cried out.
"Disaster! You must come to the tent at once!"
"What happened?"
"A fight broke out!"
"I'll go first!"
Song Hoe dashed out. Yi Hwan asked the retainer,
"Who's fighting whom?"
The retainer glanced at Young Ho-chung before answering.
"The new warrior reinforcements and..."
* * *
Twitch.
Yi Hwan's brow curved like a blade.
The yard was drenched in blood. Inside, Cha Jung-kyeong lay panting, covered in gore.
Song Hoe was wrapping cloth around him while Song Cheon-mu stood before them, heaving angry breaths to calm himself.
Cheol Mu-ok and Gong Son-tae were absent, out in the market for supplies.
Yi Hwan asked Song Cheon-mu,
"What happened?"
"We were sitting in the yard when Paeng-side bastards passed by, mocking us. We couldn't take it and charged, but..."
"Paeng men, or the new joiners?"
"The new joiners."
Yi Hwan looked down at Cha Jung-kyeong.
Blood oozed thickly from his side and chest. Not life-threatening, but he wouldn't move properly for a while.
"Called the medic?"
"Yes! Sent a warrior!"
"Press hard until the bleeding stops."
Yi Hwan turned to Song Cheon-mu.
"Follow me."