Chapter 279
Chapter 279
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 279
Chapter Title: We Won't Just Turn Back
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Cheol Mu-ok asked.
“To bring down the Mad Demon’s descendants, the Qin Kingdom’s cooperation is absolutely essential. Wouldn’t it be better to request a meeting first?”
“As long as I carry the status of an Imperial Prince, I cannot do that. While toppling the Mad Demon’s descendants is certainly the more important matter, I cannot tarnish the nation’s dignity for our personal objectives.”
“Then we head back right away?”
“Yes. We head back.”
In the end, Yi Hwan gave up on the cooperation. And until they departed the Qin army camp, he did not meet with Won Gaese.
The regret was immense.
But he did not wish to harm Yeon Kingdom’s pride for the sake of personal gain. It was a decision made as Yeon Kingdom’s Great Prince and as the supreme commander of its army, resolved to faithfully embrace this new life granted to him.
Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok followed them out of the camp. The two could not hide their disappointment.
“We’ll meet again someday. Until then, I wish you good fortune in battle.”
“Take care.”
Yi Hwan and his group left the Qin army camp behind, bidding farewell to the two.
Danri Mok let out a quiet sigh.
“Having the Great Prince here would have been a tremendous help, but it’s such a shame he’s leaving like this.”
“We can only wait and see what strategy the Supreme Commander devises. Let’s head back. No need to stir up strange rumors just because we saw the Great Prince off.”
“Damn it.”
Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok turned back with bitter expressions. Before turning, Namgung Jang-cheon gazed once more at Yi Hwan’s group, shrinking into a black dot.
‘To owe him such a massive debt twice over, and yet part ways again without repaying a thing.’
* * *
“He’s gone?”
“Yes. He just left the camp.”
“Hmph! Standing on pride to the very end. He didn’t even show his face on the way out? Sulking because his plan wasn’t adopted, I suppose?”
“…….”
Yeom Po bit his lip subtly. He had much he wanted to say, but he could not.
Won Gaese took a sip of tea and changed the subject.
“I’ll hold a generals’ meeting this afternoon. Make sure every single one assembles in the command tent without fail.”
“Understood.”
Yeom Po bowed his head and stepped outside.
Just then, Yang I-cheon came hurrying over from afar.
“I heard Yeon Kingdom’s Great Prince has left. Is it true?”
“Yes. He departed the camp just moments ago.”
“What did the Supreme Commander say?”
“Nothing in particular.”
Yang I-cheon looked troubled.
“Then what am I supposed to report to Father Emperor?”
“Didn’t Your Highness wish for the Great Prince to leave as well?”
“I didn’t like the sight of him, but I didn’t want him gone either. Father Emperor expects something of me, but with this, I’ve got no reason left to stay here.”
Something boiled up inside Yeom Po.
*Wasn’t that what you wanted too?*
The words rose to the tip of his tongue, but he gritted his teeth and barely held them back.
“If Your Highness has nothing more to say, this subordinate will take his leave.”
Before Yang I-cheon could respond, Yeom Po strode toward the tents.
A waiting deputy general approached.
“What does the Supreme Commander say?”
“He’s calling a generals’ meeting this afternoon, so inform everyone at once.”
“Then we’ll decide on a strategy at the meeting?”
“How should I know.”
Realizing the anger in Yeom Po’s tone, the deputy general asked no more.
* * *
Dark Heaven Cult’s main headquarters.
The Earth Sword Demon entered Military Strategist Ma Jung-hyo’s quarters. Ma Jung-hyo didn’t even glance at him as he entered.
“Sit there.”
The Earth Sword Demon glanced once and sat across from Ma Jung-hyo.
Clink.
Ma Jung-hyo set down his teacup and stared straight at the Earth Sword Demon.
“Were you scheming to make up for the previous failure?”
The Earth Sword Demon calmly answered, grasping the implication in the question.
“I couldn’t just leave after seeing Won Gaese. I apologize for not succeeding.”
“The reason for the apology comes later.”
“…….”
“To defy the strategist’s order on the battlefield—what a grave sin. Do you know how serious that is?”
“I’ll say it again: I simply couldn’t pass by upon seeing the enemy general Won Gaese. If I take his head, what’s killing a mere few thousand troops?”
Snicker.
“Always the unstoppable one.”
Ma Jung-hyo gave a wry smile. No trace of anger showed on his face.
He asked.
“Do you think I favor the Left Vanguard Leader?”
“Isn’t that the case?”
“So you saw it that way too.”
“Everyone in the cult thinks the same as I do.”
The Earth Sword Demon boldly voiced his long-held resentment. Yet Ma Jung-hyo smiled.
“Did that make you feel slighted?”
“Slighted? No. It just annoyed me to be compared to that bastard.”
“Not annoyed because you felt pushed aside in comparison?”
“What are you trying to say?”
Ma Jung-hyo smiled faintly and drained the last of his tea. Then he pulled something from his bosom and placed it on the table.
Thud.
It was a faded iron box.
“Have you heard of the Life-Escape Secret Blade?”
“……!”
“Judging by your face, you know of it. Indeed, this is that Life-Escape Secret Blade.”
“Why give this to me?”
“The Qin army will soon launch a massive assault. Use this to sever Won Gaese’s lifeline then. You know better than anyone that a second failure won’t be forgiven, so succeed by any means necessary.”
“Why me and not the Left Vanguard Leader?”
“Because you’re better at fighting.”
“Is that sincere?”
“Yes, sincere.”
A smirk.
The Earth Sword Demon’s mouth twitched slightly. He tucked the iron box into his bosom and stood.
“If there’s nothing more, I’ll take my leave.”
As the Earth Sword Demon exited, the back wall parted, revealing Ma Jung-hyo’s close aide.
“Why give that one the chance?”
“Didn’t you hear?”
“Pardon?”
“He’s better at fighting than the Left Vanguard Leader, isn’t he?”
“…….”
“I’ll go see the Cult Leader. Prepare.”
“Yes.”
* * *
The Earth Sword Demon left Ma Jung-hyo’s quarters.
Recalling Ma Jung-hyo’s words from moments ago, he wore a subtle smile.
*Because you’re better at fighting.*
‘Not just empty words.’
Human hearts are so cunning. Hearing praise from Ma Jung-hyo, whom he had despised so much, melted away his resentment like snow.
‘The Life-Escape Secret Blade...’
Even entrusting him with this treasure.
The Earth Sword Demon coldly smiled, recalling his battlefield encounter with Won Gaese.
‘If we meet once more, I’ll kill you for sure, Won Gaese.’
* * *
Yi Hwan and his group, departing the Qin army camp.
Hwa Ryeong and Go Mi walked at the rear. Hwa Ryeong spoke with a bitter expression.
“It feels so empty. All our efforts up to now seem wasted in an instant.”
“It’s the Great Prince’s decision. We just follow—that’s all. Forget it.”
“What did we gain from this journey?”
“…….”
Go Mi had no answer. Truthfully, she too felt utterly hollow about turning back like this.
She gazed at Yi Hwan’s back, leading at the front, and let out a quiet sigh.
*What are you thinking? If it’s just pride...*
That was when Yi Hwan halted. Everyone following stopped in turn.
“From today, we stay there.”
All eyes turned to where Yi Hwan pointed. It was the tallest peak nearby, from which the Qin army camp could be overlooked at a glance.
Ju Tae asked.
“Weren’t we heading back?”
“The Qin Kingdom will soon launch a full assault. We watch the outcome at least, then leave.”
Hwa Ryeong asked.
“Is there a place to stay up there? No water to drink or food to eat right away.”
“There’s plenty of water to drink up there. Food we’ll procure through plunder.”
“Plunder?”
“From where?”
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
Yi Hwan continued calmly.
“From intelligence gathered at the Qin camp, there’s a Dark Heaven Cult outpost not far away. We’ll secure supplies from there.”
“Ah...”
As everyone’s expressions shifted again, Tae Seon asked.
“How do you know there’s plenty of water up there? Is there a pond at the summit? You’ve never even been there.”
“The map I saw at the camp marked a pond there.”
Go Mi asked.
“Did you anticipate this from the start and survey the terrain?”
“Since confirming Won Gaese’s narrow-mindedness.”
Yi Hwan started walking first.
Ju Tae grinned and asked.
“Straight to plundering now?”
“No one’s eaten breakfast. Hurry.”
“Yes, sir!”
* * *
By evening, as the sun began to set.
Yi Hwan and his group climbed toward the summit, each laden with large bundles.
Moments after reaching the top, a sizable pond indeed appeared.
“Wow! It’s really here!”
“Perfect!”
Everyone set down their bundles and scooped water by hand to quench their thirst.
Yi Hwan surveyed around the pond. As shown on the map, it was surrounded by dense forest—ample environment to set up shelter.
Cheol Mu-ok approached.
“The forest is thick enough to shield from wind and rain.”
“We might stay long, so build it as sturdy and secure as possible.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan finally approached the pond.
He quenched his thirst first, then washed off the blood from attacking the Dark Heaven Cult outpost.
The dried black blood turned red, floated to the edge, and soon flowed down the mountain through a narrow outlet.
Yi Hwan went to the northern end.
From there, the Qin army camp came into clear view.
‘They plan to set up camp right there, it seems.’
Countless warriors swarmed out, busy erecting tents on the flat ground. If they meant to relocate, they wouldn’t bother there.
Yi Hwan turned his gaze toward the Dark Heaven Cult headquarters. Thick fog still blanketed it.
Go Mi approached.
“I’m curious how Won Gaese will attack.”
“We can only hope he doesn’t rely solely on numbers for a frontal assault.”
“He already suffered badly in the narrow gorge, so anyone with sense wouldn’t.”
“Assuming pride doesn’t override reason.”
Whoosh!
A fierce wind blew up from below.
Regret clouded Go Mi’s face deeply.
“The Dark Heaven Cult headquarters has even stronger winds than here, so the Great Prince’s kite infiltration plan was perfectly feasible. Such a shame it fell through.”
“What’s passed is passed. Forget it.”
“Yes.”
Then Hwa Ryeong’s call rang out.
“Dinner’s ready!”
“You haven’t eaten all day—let’s go.”
Go Mi smiled wryly as she spoke.
“Why the smile?”
“It’s my first time plundering. Funny thing is, I got genuinely excited seeing all that meat, rice, and ingredients.”
“Feel guilty or something?”
“Not at all. They’re the worst scum under heaven.”
Snicker.
“Let’s go. I’m hungry.”
“Yes.”