Chapter 275
Chapter 275
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 275
Chapter Title: Qin Kingdom's Grand General
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Yi Hwan returned to the command tent and explained his plan to everyone. The reactions when he finished were starkly different from those of the Qin Kingdom's generals.
Go Mi spoke up.
"To pull that off, we'd need to lure out as many troops as possible from the main base beforehand."
"Moon Lord."
"Yes?"
"It's always the same thought, but I'm glad you're on my side."
"...You flatter me."
"Oh ho!"
"As expected of our Moon Lord!"
"Cut it out."
Yi Hwan continued.
"That's exactly it. For this strategy to succeed, we have to draw out the main base's forces as much as possible in advance. The number of troops we can infiltrate using the signal flags is inherently limited."
"Have you found a way to do that?"
"I'm considering several methods. What I do know is that I'll decide once the retreating Qin Kingdom forces join up, so you all look into it too."
"Understood!"
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile, Yang Chan, who had been watching silently, looked at Yi Hwan with newfound eyes.
'Was he always like this?'
Honestly, this was unexpected.
The Yi Hwan he knew was overbearing and strongly autocratic. Someone far removed from soliciting opinions from his subordinates like this?
At that moment, Hwa Ryeong chimed in.
"Why not just poison them all and wipe them out?"
"......!"
"If we just infiltrate that one guy, wouldn't it be over?"
Everyone's gazes turned to Yang Chan.
Yang Chan waved his hands in a flustered expression.
"Ah, poison isn't omnipotent. And on terrain that high up, the wind direction is unpredictable, so our own troops could get hit by mistake."
"Is that so? Then cancel it."
"......"
Cheol Mu-ok asked.
"Do you think they'll accept it?"
"The problem is the Qin Kingdom's Grand General coming here. Once he joins, he'll take command. Whether they accept or not is up to his discretion, so we have no choice but to wait."
Yi Hwan drained his tea and stood.
"I need some sleep, so don't wake me unless it's urgent."
"Understood. Rest well."
Before entering his room, Yi Hwan turned to Yang Chan.
[Keep hanging around, and you'll get close faster. Get in the habit of approaching first, even if it's awkward.]
[......Yes.]
* * *
Cheol Mu-ok and Tae Seon walked side by side along the outskirts of the camp.
"Don't you miss home?"
"What, it's only been a little while. I'm fine for now."
Tae Seon stopped walking and stared straight at Cheol Mu-ok.
"Why are you staring like that?"
"Am I making you uncomfortable?"
"As if."
"Then don't ever ask that again."
"......Understood."
Their relationship had grown so close that it astonished everyone. Neither Cheol Mu-ok nor Tae Seon bothered hiding their feelings for each other.
"This place is really beautiful. When we get older, it might be nice to spend our remaining years somewhere like this."
"The Central Plains has far more beautiful places than this. When we get the chance, let's go to Guangdong Province. The sea there is the best in the world."
"The sea! I love the sea!"
Tae Seon clapped her hands in delight.
A soft smile graced Cheol Mu-ok's lips.
It was then.
Thud thud thud!
A single rider charged into the camp like a gale.
Cheol Mu-ok and Tae Seon halted and watched the horse and rider.
"Looks like a messenger."
"What do you think happened?"
"Since he's on horseback, it's probably not related to the Dark Heaven Cult. You can't scout that place on horse."
"Now that you mention it, you're right."
Cheol Mu-ok stepped a bit closer. He heightened his hearing to its maximum, and the conversation faintly reached him.
Tae Seon asked.
"What are they saying?"
"The Qin Kingdom's main army is almost here. Even if the main force is a bit late, the Grand General is arriving tomorrow morning with the vanguard."
"Then a decision on our strategy might come quickly, depending on whether they accept it."
"Indeed."
"Let's head that way."
Tae Seon pulled Cheol Mu-ok's arm in the opposite direction. Qin Kingdom warriors were gathering because of the messenger.
The two walked side by side again. Then they both chuckled softly at the same time.
A short distance ahead walked another pair: Kim Mu-gwan and Park Seon-ha.
Tae Seon grabbed Cheol Mu-ok's arm.
"Better just head back to the tent, right?"
"Let's do that."
* * *
Hwa Ryeong gazed out the window with a bored expression.
"Everyone's busy dating, so what are we doing?"
When Go Mi didn't respond, Hwa Ryeong turned her head. Go Mi was intently studying a sheet of paper spread on the table.
Hwa Ryeong scurried over, sat down, and poked her face in close.
"What's this?"
"I made a map of the area around the camp. It might become useless if the retreating Qin forces join up and they move the camp elsewhere, but I figured it couldn't hurt."
"When did you even do this......"
"It's routine for me."
"Have you ever dated, Moon Lord?"
"Not at all. And I don't want to."
Go Mi set down her brush and stared at Hwa Ryeong.
"Do you want to date?"
"I'd like to, but you need a person for that. Even if I look like this, my standards are pretty high."
Snicker.
"You're laughing at me right now, aren't you?"
"As if. Shall we go out for a walk too?"
"What's fun about girls walking together?"
It was then.
"Can I see you for a moment?"
Yi Hwan's voice came from beyond the door. Go Mi stood and straightened her clothes.
Hwa Ryeong pouted as she watched Go Mi enter the room.
'Tch! If we're together, what's wrong with seeing us both?'
"You two."
"Yes!"
* * *
"Why are you up already?"
"Too much on my mind to sleep. Sit."
"Yes."
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong sat across from Yi Hwan. Thanks to Yeom Po's efforts, the interior was far nicer than most inns.
"Any Moon Pavilion warriors active nearby?"
"We can make contact in a city about a day's travel away."
"Perfect. I need info on the Qin Kingdom's Grand General, so you two go gather it. As quickly as possible."
"Understood."
"Why?"
"The one with full authority over the Qin army—we should at least know his basic internal energy level beforehand. Can't have things go wrong at a critical moment."
"Anything else you need?"
"No."
"We'll be back."
Go Mi pulled Hwa Ryeong's arm as they left.
After the two women departed, Yi Hwan walked to the window and flung it open.
Clunk!
Birds were busily hunting fish in the river flowing right outside. But they scattered in all directions at the sudden appearance of a massive eagle.
Yi Hwan watched as the eagle snatched a bird and leisurely flew off.
'In rugged mountain terrain where large-scale battles are impossible, the number of experts becomes even more crucial. The Qin Kingdom knows that, so they'll likely demand a similar number of high-level experts.'
Even to minimize their own losses, they'd push for it.
And Yi Hwan had already secured messenger birds that could contact certain sects in Yeon Kingdom. If Qin demanded experts, he planned to immediately request cooperation from the martial sects.
'The key is how much discretion the Qin Emperor gave the Grand General......'
If final approval had to come through the Emperor, it would take more time. That wasn't what Yi Hwan wanted.
For his plan to succeed, they needed to settle things before the weather warmed. Once it did, no one could predict how the winds or mists would shift.
Whoooosh!
A chill wind blew in.
Then Cheol Mu-ok's voice came from outside the door.
"My lord."
"Come in."
Cheol Mu-ok opened the door and entered.
"The Qin Kingdom's Grand General should arrive within a day at the latest."
"You're certain?"
"Yes. I overheard the warriors talking with the messenger just now."
A faint furrow creased Yi Hwan's brow.
It would take Go Mi at least two days to gather and return with the intel. That left just one day.
'Better avoid clashing with the Grand General until she gets back, if possible.'
* * *
The next day.
The Qin Kingdom forces led by Grand General Won Gae-se finally arrived. But it was just the vanguard of about ten thousand.
Everyone in the camp came out to the main gate to greet him. Yang Yi-cheon did the same.
The news reached Yi Hwan as well.
"The Qin Grand General has arrived with the vanguard. About ten thousand troops. What shall we do?"
"They'll be busy with greetings, so better to meet later. Of course, he'll have to come find me."
"Understood."
Yi Hwan had no intention of going first.
As Yeon Kingdom's Imperial Prince and Great Army Commander, he intended to uphold his authority and pride.
"Shall we get some air?"
"As you wish."
Yi Hwan stepped outside with Cheol Mu-ok.
Dust clouds filled the front of the camp. Likely from the vanguard led by the Grand General.
Yi Hwan headed toward the gate. As he observed, the warriors' armor looked as sturdy as any general's.
"The Qin Kingdom really has money to burn. Even their low-ranking warriors have armor like that."
"Sturdy armor ties directly to morale. It'd be great if Yeon Kingdom could do the same."
"Yes."
Yi Hwan closely examined the Qin warriors.
Was it good food and rest? Or did they select only the burliest?
Each one had an impressive build. Compared to Yeon Kingdom's Northern Legion, the difference was clear.
That didn't mean their combat prowess was lacking. Yeon Kingdom's Northern Legion warriors, tempered by real battles, were all elites without needing separate picks.
"That's the Grand General. Name's Won Gae-se, I think."
Cheol Mu-ok pointed to the generals heading to the command center. Among them stood out a man in ornate armor and a helmet adorned with feathers.
Grand General Won Gae-se.
'The Imperial Prince is walking behind?'
Yi Hwan's eyes sharpened when he saw Yang Yi-cheon following behind Won Gae-se. Normally, no Grand General would walk ahead of an Imperial Prince.
'This couldn't happen without the Emperor's exceptionally thick trust......'
Yi Hwan wanted to check Yang Yi-cheon's expression. Depending on what face that arrogant man wore, he could gauge if things would go smoothly or not.
But with his back turned, it was hard to see.
It was then. Yang Yi-cheon glanced back. And he was beaming broadly.
'Smiling? That seals it.'
This could be a good thing.
Could he now ignore Yang Yi-cheon? If he didn't acknowledge Won Gae-se, he wouldn't be grinning like that while trailing behind.
'Dealing with one is far easier than two.'
Just then, he spotted a general galloping toward Yi Hwan's tent.
"Is he announcing the Grand General's arrival? Or coming to fetch my lord?"
"If it's the former, fine. But the latter means he's picking a pride fight."
At those words, Cheol Mu-ok smiled faintly.
'Who dares pick a pride fight with him. Even in a Qin camp, they'll have to bend first. Heh heh heh.'