Chapter 273
Chapter 273
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 273
Chapter Title: Yang Chan Enters the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains
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Somewhere in the Qin Kingdom's capital.
Yeon Kingdom's Third Prince Yi Seong-ji and his master Gong Ya-un sat facing each other across a table.
Since defecting to the Qin Kingdom, Yi Seong-ji had rarely left his residence, leaving his face as pale as wax.
Gong Ya-un, who had just returned from business near the Imperial Palace, calmed his gaze and spoke.
"The rumor that the Fourth Imperial Prince is in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains is true. I confirmed it with a reliable source."
Clink.
Yi Seong-ji set down his teacup and looked up. The eyes, so different from his past self, trembled slightly.
"I see."
"He seems to have come to wipe out the Dark Heaven Cult fanatics. It looks like Yeon and Qin are coordinating. They say the Qin Emperor even sent him a token to prove his identity."
Snort.
"To think he's even earned the Qin Emperor's trust. Here I am scraping by, and that bastard's soaring higher than the heavens."
"......"
Yi Seong-ji fell silent for a moment and tilted his teacup again. Gong Ya-un watched him wordlessly.
Clink.
The silence stretched on.
Unable to bear it, Gong Ya-un spoke.
"If you wish, I can send the children to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains."
"You mean assassination?"
"If it's possible, we must. Who do you think put Your Highness in this state? This could be the opportunity heaven has given you."
Clink, clink.
Yi Seong-ji toyed silently with his teacup. The silence dragged on again.
Gong Ya-un waited for his answer.
Some more time passed.
"Master."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Shall we take a stroll in the breeze after so long?"
"As you wish."
Moments later, they left the residence.
Passersby bowed to Yi Seong-ji. But most ignored him.
Gong Ya-un showed his anger.
"These insolent fools dare to..."
"Endure it, Master. What can we do about our reality? Consider what you said earlier unheard."
"......"
"Right now, acclimating to this place comes first. I don't want to lose valuable people when we haven't even secured a foothold."
Gong Ya-un bit his lip at Yi Seong-ji's words. He saw this as the perfect chance to eliminate Yi Hwan. But he couldn't go against Yi Seong-ji's will.
"If that's Your Highness's wish, I will obey."
Yi Seong-ji stopped and turned. Gong Ya-un halted too, facing him.
"Any news from the Zhao Kingdom?"
"Nothing since the Second Prince returned from the north."
"I see."
"Are you worried about Her Majesty the Empress and the Second Prince?"
"Worried..."
Regret clouded Yi Seong-ji's face. He said no more and resumed walking.
He stopped after some time, spotting two white-robed men approaching.
They were warriors who had defected to the Qin Kingdom with Yi Seong-ji. But their expressions were grim.
Gong Ya-un asked.
"What happened?"
"Golden Army troops are guarding every house. We couldn't even get close."
"Don't worry too much. They're all safe."
"......Yes."
The two white-robed men had visited the Open Faction's branch in the Qin capital to check on their families left in Yeon Kingdom.
Yi Seong-ji's face darkened as much as theirs. For a moment, Yi Hwan's face flashed in his mind.
'Should I ask him?'
* * *
A few days later, at the southern entrance to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
Yang Chan momentarily lost his words at the majestic natural spectacle before him.
'So this is the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains...'
After staring blankly for a while, Yang Chan headed to the river flowing ahead. He dipped his feet in the water and rested.
'Such a pity for the Dark Heaven Cult fanatics to claim this as their base.'
Compared to the faded colors of the central plains' north, this place was still lush with greenery. Nameless beasts roamed leisurely by the river, and vibrant flowers piercing through the foliage created scenery unlike any he'd seen.
Yang Chan immersed himself in the mountains' beauty during his rest.
How much time passed?
A group of warriors appeared from the north bank. Recognizing them as Qin Kingdom warriors at a glance, Yang Chan dried his feet and put on his shoes.
"Who goes there!"
One warrior shouted sharply.
Yang Chan responded calmly.
"I'm on my way to see the Great Prince of Yeon Kingdom."
Flinch!
The warrior hesitated briefly before asking again.
"What's your relation to the Great Prince?"
"A friend."
The warrior glanced back. Another nodded.
"Then we'll guide you. Follow us."
"Thank you."
Soon, Yang Chan headed with them toward the Qin army camp.
They asked no questions during the long trek. Yang Chan simply followed silently.
After winding through the mountain paths several times,
The terrain grew rugged, revealing a steep cliff path. The warriors ascended without hesitation.
Yang Chan narrowed his eyes slightly.
'I heard the Qin army camp was on open ground. A shortcut?'
Feeling something off, Yang Chan asked the warrior ahead.
"Is this a shortcut to the camp?"
"Yes."
"Why set up camp in the mountains instead of open ground?"
"It's better for defense. Don't ask more; it's annoying."
Yang Chan stopped.
The warriors, unaware, climbed ahead. One looked back late and shouted.
"What are you doing? Come up!"
Yang Chan crossed his arms with a wry smile.
"Nearly fell for it."
"......!"
"I won't kill you, so just go. I have no reason to kill you yet."
The warriors exchanged glances and leaped down before him.
Swish!
Clang, clang, clang!
They drew swords and surrounded him.
Yang Chan said calmly.
"I said go when I told you to. Again, no reason or desire to kill you yet."
"Who'd think you're some supreme master who could kill us anytime."
"Shall I?"
"He's a friend of Yi Hwan, our cult's sworn enemy. We must take him alive to the cult leader."
Of course, they were Dark Heaven Cultists disguised as Qin troops, returning from scouting to their headquarters when they encountered Yang Chan.
A one-eyed warrior said coldly to Yang Chan.
"If you don't want to lose an arm or leg, come quietly."
"Are you the leader?"
"You have good eyes for people..."
The one-eyed warrior suddenly clutched his throat and toppled forward.
Thud!
"Huh!"
"W-What!"
A faint breeze brushed the Dark Heaven Cultists. They clutched their throats, staggered, and fell backward like logs.
Thud! Thump!
Yang Chan looked down at them with sunken eyes.
'No grudge yet, so I spare you.'
Yang Chan turned without regret.
The last cultist, twitching and conscious, murmured.
"S-Spare me."
"You won't die, so sleep it off."
Yang Chan retraced his steps, smiling wryly as he walked.
'Lack of experience? Or my habit of trusting too easily again.'
Absurd.
If they'd taken another path, he might've faced real trouble.
'I'm still far from ready.'
* * *
In Yang I-cheon's tent.
Commander Yeom Po visited. Even commanders had to pay daily respects once a day.
"That man went scouting again today?"
"Yes. Left early this morning, as far as I know."
"Hmph! Wasting time on endless scouting. Maybe the rumors about him are all exaggerated?"
"He must have some plan. Wait a bit longer."
In truth, Yi Hwan had been scouting for days. Some days he left in the morning and returned the next afternoon.
"When will the Great Prince arrive?"
"No later than half a month."
"Any word on the Namgung family coming?"
"Not yet. I'll take my leave."
"Commander."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Are you displeased I'm here?"
"What are you saying? I've never thought that."
Yeom Po couldn't lie. But some lies were necessary.
"I understand."
"Yes. Then."
Leaving Yang I-cheon's tent, Yeom Po sighed softly toward the command tent, frowning at Yi Hwan's tent by the river.
'It's time he gave us answers...'
Yi Hwan had provided none yet. Skepticism like Yang I-cheon's spread among the officers. Yeom Po felt the same.
'Surely not here for some other purpose.'
Suspicion was rising.
Then, a general ran up from ahead.
"Commander."
"What is it?"
"A man claiming to be the Great Prince Yi Hwan's acquaintance has arrived."
* * *
Atop a peak overlooking the Dark Heaven Cult headquarters, Yi Hwan spent the day there.
Cheol Mu-ok and others were bored but hid it.
They didn't know why Yi Hwan repeated the same routine for days. His answer was always the same.
I'll tell you later.
Ju Tae grumbled, looking at the sky.
"Damn fine weather. Such a waste for those bastards' base."
"Out in the open like that, they've got a solid foothold. That terrain—ten thousand or a million troops, it won't fall easily."
The day was exceptionally clear, allowing a good view of the headquarters.
All agreed: perfect for defense location-wise.
Cheol Mu-ok glanced at Yi Hwan, who had leaned on a rock with eyes closed for a long time.
'What are you thinking, my lord?'
[Is he asleep?]
[Doesn't seem so...]
Then Yi Hwan opened his eyes.
Cheol Mu-ok asked.
"Shall we stay longer?"
"Until sunset."
"......Yes."
Yi Hwan closed his eyes again.
Ju Tae shuddered dramatically, clutching his head. Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun laughed.
Cheol Mu-ok smacked Ju Tae's head and turned to the headquarters.
'What fate awaits them when my lord finds the answer?'
Whoosh!
A fierce wind swept up from below, shaking the sparse trees.
Cheol Mu-ok's eyes flashed.
"My lord, they're coming up."
Yi Hwan opened his eyes. The others straightened.
Green-robed men descending the opposite peak were climbing their mountain.
"Clear day—they must see us too."
Park Ji-mun twisted, grinning.
Crunch.
"Shall we fight?"
Yi Hwan scanned silently, then pointed left.
"We go to that mountain."
"......Pardon?"
"Don't forget—our goal is scouting."
"......Yes."
Yi Hwan moved first.
They followed, sighing inwardly but hiding it.
* * *
The green-robed men reached the peak where Yi Hwan's group had been. Among them was Left Forward Leader Seo Mun-gwang, who had attacked the Qin camp but fled when Yi Hwan appeared.
"They're gone. They saw us coming."
Seo Mun-gwang scanned sharply. But the dense forest hid tracks.
'Qin bastards never came this far before...'
True—no Qin scouts had reached here. Most died to traps or mechanisms before.
"Set up a outpost here. You, return to headquarters, bring supplies and troops for it."
"Understood!"
Seo Mun-gwang stared at the headquarters.
Then he smiled faintly.
'They won't learn anything from here.'