Chapter 271
Chapter 271
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 271
Chapter Title: Reconnaissance (1)
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Five days had passed since arriving at the Qin Kingdom's military camp.
During that time, Yi Hwan had holed up in his tent in a way that puzzled everyone.
And then, one more day passed.
"In the afternoon, we'll head to the Dark Heaven Cult's headquarters, so Mu-ok, Ju Tae, Mu-gwan, and Ji-mun, prepare in advance."
"Yes!"
"Got it!"
Go Mi asked,
"Is there a reason you've set it for this afternoon?"
"I've been observing the weather here. As everyone has experienced, it rains here at least once a day. At first, I thought it was coincidence, but yesterday I became certain. It will rain this afternoon too."
"……!"
Hwa Ryeong asked,
"Is there a reason we must go specifically when it's raining?"
"The camp commander said that the area around the Dark Heaven headquarters is riddled with formations and mechanisms."
Yi Hwan turned to Go Mi.
She continued the explanation on his behalf.
"Formations tend to function much less effectively in the rain. Especially in a downpour like this. Even if we get caught in one, with this much rain pouring down in a short time, it will be far easier to break than before."
"Ah……."
She had explained it, but Go Mi herself was extremely surprised. She never imagined Yi Hwan had been staying quiet all this time with this in mind.
Tae-seon asked,
"Do mechanisms get affected by rain too?"
"Mechanisms are relatively less affected."
"Then isn't it still just as dangerous? We can overlook the formations, but mechanisms can kill you on the spot."
Yi Hwan stepped in here.
"That's why only we will go. Mechanisms can be dodged sufficiently if your reaction speed is fast enough."
"I'll go too!"
"Me too!"
The women bristled all at once.
Yi Hwan shook his head firmly.
"I cannot allow it, even for the sake of operational efficiency."
"Are you saying our presence would reduce efficiency?"
Yi Hwan continued, gazing at Park Seon-ha.
"If I were in danger, what do you think Ji-mun and Mu-gwan would do? The reverse situation is the same."
"……."
Kim Mu-gwan stepped forward.
"We will escort the Great Prince."
"Let's follow the Great Prince's will."
As Go Mi intervened, the women could not press further.
Yi Hwan finished the remaining tea and stood.
"I need to meet the Imperial Prince."
"Why him?"
"I should at least ask if he wants to come along. The Emperor requested it, after all."
"Won't he just get in the way?"
"Who knows. We might be underestimating his abilities."
Yi Hwan headed straight to Yang Yi-cheon's tent. Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae followed at his side.
"If something goes wrong while he's with us, won't it actually have a negative impact?"
"It depends on his abilities. If he's not confident, he'll refuse."
Moments later, Yi Hwan entered Yang Yi-cheon's tent.
Yang Yi-cheon, who had been drinking tea with his aides while seated, welcomed him.
"Come in."
Yi Hwan sat in the seat yielded by one of Yang Yi-cheon's aides and said,
"I'm planning to go to the Dark Heaven Cult's headquarters this afternoon. Would you like to come along by any chance?"
"Why the sudden urge to go there?"
"I feel like I should verify if the records in the intelligence archives are accurate. Of course, I trust your side's information, but caution never hurts."
"……."
Yang Yi-cheon could not answer immediately.
He was in a bind. He didn't feel like going because of what the camp commander had told him, but refusing as a fellow Imperial Prince would damage his dignity and face.
His embarrassment soon turned to suspicion.
'Is he doing this on purpose to put me in a difficult spot? No matter what I decide, he loses nothing.'
Meanwhile, Yi Hwan silently waited as Yang Yi-cheon hesitated to respond.
For him, it was no skin off his nose. Whether Yang Yi-cheon came or not, he had nothing to lose.
So why had Yi Hwan bothered to burden Yang Yi-cheon with this?
'He could become a hindrance at a critical moment. Better to deflate his ego in advance.'
That was the reason.
No matter what anyone said, Yang Yi-cheon was a prince of the Qin Kingdom. Like Yi Hwan in the past, the army commanders would have no choice but to watch his mood regardless of his abilities.
Thus, in the event of an all-out battle with the Dark Heaven Cult, Yang Yi-cheon was more likely to hinder than help.
That was why Yi Hwan intended to properly deflate him in advance to eliminate at least that variable.
"Hmm!"
Yang Yi-cheon suddenly cleared his throat.
"I'm not feeling well today, so let's go together next time. Is that alright?"
"Do that."
Yi Hwan immediately left Yang Yi-cheon's tent.
Ju Tae asked,
"Did he agree to come?"
"He says he's not feeling well."
"He's scared, scared. Tsk tsk tsk."
Thwack!
Cheol Mu-ok elbowed Ju Tae in the side and asked,
"Was there some calculation even in this situation?"
"I'll tell you later."
"……."
Ju Tae's transmission voice suddenly flew into Cheol Mu-ok's ear.
[He seemed a bit changed because of the Moon Lord, but he's back to being a flounder.]
* * *
Rumble!
A torrential downpour began.
It was more than usual today. Sitting at the cave entrance overlooking the winding river below, the Earth Sword Demon's eyes flickered with fury.
'Damn bastard.'
The one who enraged him was Namgung Jang-cheon.
He had let him slip away, whom he thought he had all but caught. It was because Namgung Jang-cheon's uncle, Namgung Gi, had charged in with a mutual destruction technique.
He already felt humiliated just for being deployed to catch a mere fledgling, but not only did he fail to capture Namgung Jang-cheon, he even suffered a sword wound from Namgung Gi's suicide attack.
It wasn't fatal, but it was enough to render his left arm unusable for a while, making it an immense disgrace and shame for the Earth Sword Demon.
Knowing he wouldn't be able to contain his emotions if he returned to headquarters like this, he was staying in a nearby cave to cool his anger.
Boom!
Crackle!
Lightning struck fiercely.
The bolt hanging in the air right in front of him bleached the Earth Sword Demon's face white.
At that moment, one of the green-robed men stepped forward.
"I'm back."
"How's the mood?"
"They're worried that you haven't returned. I told them you're safe."
"And that I'm here?"
"Ah, I didn't mention that far."
"Give me some liquor."
"Yes. Here."
Gulp gulp!
The Earth Sword Demon chugged the liquor bottle handed over by the green-robed man.
Smash!
"One more bottle."
Gulp gulp!
Smash!
Only after emptying two bottles did the fury in the Earth Sword Demon's eyes slightly ease. The green-robed man, who had been watching his mood, cautiously spoke up.
"The Left Front Lord failed as well."
"What?"
"They successfully infiltrated the center of the Qin Kingdom's camp, but an incredibly powerful expert appeared out of nowhere, forcing them to retreat. Of course, they also failed to kill the Qin prince."
"Hmph! Serves him right. Damn bastard!"
"So don't be too disheartened. Honestly, wasn't our mission the harder one?"
"Shut up!"
"……."
"Fill another one."
"Yes."
The Earth Sword Demon entrusted his left arm to the green-robed man and brought the third bottle to his lips.
Then, furrowing his brow, he muttered,
"Was there an expert of that caliber in the Qin camp?"
"According to intel, it was someone unknown. They're speculating he was brought by Prince Yang Yi-cheon when he came here, but nothing's confirmed yet."
"Well, a prince would have at least one expert as a guard. Anyway, what happened to that Left Front Lord bastard?"
"I heard he's under house arrest. Thanks to the Strategist pleading for him, he avoided punishment."
"Damn fools."
The Earth Sword Demon had a poor relationship with Strategist Ma Jong-hyo. It was because Ma Jong-hyo favored the Left Front Lord, who was a rival to him as the Right Front Lord.
"There are rumors that once the Qin Great Army that withdrew returns, the full subjugation will begin. Will we be alright? Last time they pulled back because the Southwest King ascended to Zhao's throne, but this time……."
"If they come at us with full determination, even a million-strong army couldn't touch our headquarters. Don't spout needless worries and prepare to return."
"Will you go to headquarters?"
"I can't stay holed up here forever."
"Understood. I'll prepare right away."
"Wait!"
"Yes?"
"Any info on that fledgling bastard Namgung Jang-cheon?"
"We confirmed that survivors of the Namgung family entered the Qin camp, but his survival isn't confirmed."
"If the survivors went to the camp, he's probably there too. Thanks to his uncle, he didn't sustain mortal wounds."
"Lucky bastard. Surviving by feasting on his uncle's death."
Boom!
Crackle!
Lightning spiderwebbed not far away. Recalling Namgung Jang-cheon, the Earth Sword Demon's gaze darkened.
'In ten years like this, how many in the world could face him?'
One reason for his rage at the failure.
It was precisely this.
The Namgung Jang-cheon he had seen possessed infinite potential. He was certain that if not killed now, he would become a major threat.
That was why he targeted only Namgung Jang-cheon, ignoring the others.
'Damn…….'
Gulp gulp!
Smash!
The Earth Sword Demon irritably hurled the bottle and donned his outer robe as he stood.
"Put on a rain cape."
"No need."
The Earth Sword Demon stepped out into the pouring rain. His body was instantly soaked, but he descended the mountain heedless.
Roar!
In the meantime, the river had turned ferocious.
The only one following was a single green-robed man.
How far had they gone?
'Hm?'
The Earth Sword Demon's eyes flashed. He raised a hand to halt the green-robed man and hid behind a tree in the forest.
The green-robed man crept up beside him, suppressing his presence, and widened his eyes.
[Qin martial artists?]
[That's how it looks.]
There were people moving across the river.
Five in total. But all dressed differently. That meant they weren't Qin soldiers.
[Hold your breath.]
[……Pardon?]
[They're experts. If we're spotted, I might be fine, but you'll die. Do as I say.]
[Understood.]
The green-robed man's face, who had taken it lightly, finally stiffened. For an expert like the Earth Sword Demon to react this way meant the opponents were equals.
Boom!
Crackle!
Lightning spiderwebbed overhead. The Earth Sword Demon's eyes, reflecting the bolt, flashed white.
'Heading to headquarters?'
The direction suggested so.
The Earth Sword Demon issued orders to the green-robed man.
[Wait here and once they're gone, detour straight to headquarters.]
[What about you, Front Lord?]
[I need to tail them.]
[Isn't it too dangerous alone? Ah, sorry! I'll do as you say.]
The green-robed man belatedly recalled the Earth Sword Demon's sky-high pride and hurriedly changed his words.
Moments later, as the suspicious group crossed the northern riverbank along the foothills, the Earth Sword Demon dropped his concealment and began pursuit.
The green-robed man headed straight for headquarters.
Splash!
Whoosh!
After crossing the river, the wind blew fiercely too. It was ideal conditions for a tracker. The fierce storm naturally masked presences.
Soon, the vanished figures reentered view. The Earth Sword Demon maintained a safe distance and followed.
How much time passed?
The Earth Sword Demon's brow subtly furrowed.
He had seen the suspicious group enter under a gently curving cliff face and sit down. They were taking a break, it seemed, leaving him to wait in the downpour.
To avoid the rain, he'd have to go deep into the forest, but that risked losing them.
'Damn…….'