Chapter 280
Chapter 280
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 280
Chapter Title: Yuan Gaese's Scheme
-----------------------------------------------------------------
That night.
Yi Hwan lay down to sleep but woke up immediately.
‘It’s not a dream!’
He had a very strange dream. No, he thought it was a dream, but it wasn’t.
Scattered fragments of memory had pieced together, bringing back a long-forgotten recollection.
The Mount Hua Banquet where he had made the non-aggression pact with the three emperors. There had been someone else present at that gathering whom he had no memory of until now.
‘Why had I forgotten about him all this time?’
A subordinate as important as the Three Kings.
Military Strategist Ma Cheon-ryang.
It was him.
Ma Cheon-ryang, who held a position in Daye Fortress second only to the lord himself. Just before Yi Hwan passed away from old age, he had entrusted everything of Daye Fortress to him.
Someone so crucial had been absent from his memory until now, finally resurfacing.
He should have been overjoyed.
So what was this chilling sensation?
That was when it happened. Ma Cheon-ryang’s voice echoed in his mind, slithering like mist.
“Watch from the afterlife. The world that I, Ma Cheon-ryang, will create.”
They were the words whispered into his ear right before he drew his last breath. Ma Cheon-ryang had definitely been smiling then.
All of it came back as vividly as if it had happened yesterday.
‘Why was there no record of him?’
The secret records he had found in the Imperial Palace Treasury. Not a single line about Ma Cheon-ryang.
Was it even possible for a figure of Ma Cheon-ryang’s stature to vanish completely from history?
Even setting aside the possibility that the emperors of the three kingdoms had deliberately concealed Daye Fortress’s history, he should at least have been mentioned in the secret records.
Drip.
Sweat trickled down his cheek.
It was definitely not from the heat.
What followed was a deep unease and doubt. It was connected to the fall of Daye Fortress—something he didn’t even want to imagine.
“Watch from the afterlife. The world that I, Ma Cheon-ryang, will create.”
‘No way… did he…’
* * *
Dark Heaven Cult’s headquarters.
Cult Leader Jang Cheon-hwa and Military Strategist Ma Jung-hyo sat facing each other. A satisfied smile played on Jang Cheon-hwa’s lips.
“Your scheme worked perfectly. I’m curious what that Yuan Gaese’s face looks like right now. Heh heh heh.”
“He might try to force a decisive battle because of this. You should strengthen the defensive lines and recall the cultists who are out in the field.”
“Yes, do that. By the way, did that Land Sword Demon stir up trouble again?”
“They say he was aiming for Yuan Gaese’s head. It was reckless, but it must have shaken Yuan Gaese, so please forgive him.”
“Haven’t you already forgiven him?”
“You knew, of course. Does that mean you approve of my decision?”
“He’s hot-tempered and causes friction with his superiors, but there’s no fighter like him. What can we do? Tame him properly and make something of him.”
“Understood.”
Jang Cheon-hwa brought his teacup to his lips.
Clink.
“It’s been over ten years since we joined forces. Your contributions have been immense. Thanks to you, the cult has grown far faster than I anticipated.”
“It’s all due to Your Excellency’s brilliant leadership. I’ve done almost nothing.”
“No need for humility. Even setting me aside, the cultists absolutely trust you. So keep giving your all as you have been.”
“Of course. This subordinate will exhaust every last effort for the cult.”
The mood was extremely cordial as they sipped their tea. Shortly after, Ma Jung-hyo left the hall.
Ma Jung-hyo’s close aide, who had been waiting, approached.
“What did the Cult Leader say?”
“He told me to properly shape him up this time. It means he’ll let it slide.”
“Is that so?”
“You don’t seem pleased.”
“Honestly, I hoped he’d get a harsh scolding this time. But since it’s been brushed off again, he’ll only get more arrogant.”
“Why do you dislike him so much?”
“There’s no other reason. I just hate how he treats you so casually.”
Ma Jung-hyo smiled faintly and patted his aide’s head. Then he stopped walking and subtly furrowed his brow.
The Land Sword Demon was approaching from ahead.
“Look at that. Anyone with any sense would at least pretend to be reflecting, but he’s strutting around like nothing happened.”
“Go ahead and prepare some hot water. I need to relieve some fatigue today.”
“Understood.”
The aide withdrew, and soon the Land Sword Demon approached Ma Jung-hyo.
“Where are you headed?”
“To see the Cult Leader.”
“Why?”
“To beg forgiveness for disobeying your orders and acting on my own. I have to pay the price for the Escaping Life Sword you gave me, don’t I?”
“You’re going to beg forgiveness from the Cult Leader for my sake?”
“That way, the Cult Leader won’t think ill of you.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’ll explain later. Then.”
The Land Sword Demon gave a slight bow of his head and headed straight for the hall. Ma Jung-hyo watched his retreating figure, his gaze subtly darkening.
‘If I forgive him on my own, the Cult Leader will think ill of me? What does that mean?’
That was when it happened.
Plop! Plop!
Raindrops began to fall.
Ma Jung-hyo, who knew better than anyone that it would turn into a downpour after a few breaths, hurried back to his quarters.
* * *
Two days later.
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong, who had been out on reconnaissance, sought out Yi Hwan with incredulous expressions.
“What’s with those looks?”
“The Qin Kingdom’s army is building massive hot air balloons. Hundreds of them.”
“That damned bastard plans to use the Great Prince’s scheme for himself, of course.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. We saw it with our own eyes.”
Go Mi’s neck had turned red from anger. Unexpectedly, however, Yi Hwan reacted calmly.
“I was worried they might attack head-on, but this is good.”
“Aren’t you angry, Great Prince? Breaking the alliance to hog all the credit from the start—it’s no different.”
“Whether they use this blade or that one, as long as they cut down the enemy, that’s all that matters. Calm down and go eat something.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m so furious I don’t even feel hungry! That shameless, vile scum!”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly and took a sip of tea.
“By the way, before they attack, we need to lure out as many of the troops stationed at the headquarters as possible. I’m curious how we’ll do that.”
“Didn’t you tell Commander Yeom?”
“I said I’d tell him if my scheme was adopted, but there wasn’t time. With all those seasoned veterans who’ve seen their share of battlefields, they’ll figure it out.”
“When the Qin army attacks, will you help?”
“Help or not, we have to do what needs doing. We’ll just find a way. If they find out we helped, it could worsen relations.”
“We’ve seen the narrow-mindedness of the one who holds the Qin army’s command. Seems there’s no reason to worry about relations.”
“We need to keep good relations with Qin until the Dark Heaven Cult falls.”
“…….”
“If you understand, go rest.”
* * *
Hwa Ryeong gave an awkward smile.
“The Great Prince is too calm about it.”
“Our thinking was too narrow. The Great Prince’s goal is to crush the Mad Demon’s descendants anyway. So like he said, we can only hope Qin fights well.”
“I’d prefer a mutual devastation. Especially that Yuan Gaese—that dog of a man—I’d love to see him get properly hurt.”
Go Mi smiled faintly.
“Honestly, that’s how I feel too.”
The two women headed to their nearby shelter. It was a simple hut made by propping branches against a tree, but sufficient to block the wind and rain.
Just then, Yang Chan approached from afar.
Hwa Ryeong delicately furrowed her brow.
“I don’t like that guy.”
“Why?”
“He doesn’t seem to truly follow the Great Prince. What’s strange is that the Great Prince doesn’t seem to mind.”
“The Great Prince must have his reasons. Come on! Let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”
* * *
Yi Hwan, stepping outside, called out to Yang Chan, who was a short distance ahead.
“Come here for a moment.”
“Yes.”
Yang Chan approached.
“Let’s walk together.”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan and Yang Chan headed toward the edge of the sheer cliff. It was a spot from which they could overlook the entire Qin army camp at a glance.
A moment later, the two stood side by side, gazing down at the Qin camp.
“Do you have something to say…?”
“By any chance, have you heard any stories passed down about Daye Fortress’s military strategist?”
“None.”
Yi Hwan, who had hoped otherwise, felt disappointed inwardly.
“But why do you ask…?”
“Just something that came to mind late. It’s nothing, so don’t worry.”
Whoosh!
Flutter! Flutter!
A fierce wind surged up from below the cliff, making their robes billow wildly.
“After dealing with the Dark Heaven Cult—no, the Mad Demon’s descendants—next is the Southwest King?”
“That’s how I see it. But the Mad Demon’s descendants won’t go down easily. They’re lurking not just here, but everywhere in the world.”
“If they rise up simultaneously, Qin’s losses will be enormous.”
“It depends on how we handle it. For now, this place is the most important. A slip-up here could make all of Qin waver.”
Yi Hwan turned to Yang Chan.
“How are things with the others?”
“I’m trying to get along.”
“They’ve spent hard years trapped in the yoke of fate, just like you. Look beyond appearances and try to understand their hearts.”
“Understood.”
Whoosh!
The wind blew strongly again.
Yi Hwan stared at the dust and leaves rising into the air, subtly narrowing his brow.
‘The weather could change anytime, so we need to hurry as much as possible.’
If Yuan Gaese was going to use his scheme, they needed to attempt luring the Dark Heaven Cult’s headquarters troops outside by now.
But Go Mi had reported no such movements from the Qin army. If they proceeded with the operation ignoring that, even he couldn’t predict the outcome.
“May I ask one thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“What’s your relationship with the Moon Lord?”
“…….”
Yi Hwan subtly furrowed his brow at the sudden question.
Yang Chan smiled awkwardly.
“Sorry if it was a difficult question.”
“Why do you ask?”
“If it’s the kind of relationship I’m imagining, I thought I should be a bit more cautious around the Moon Lord.”
“It’s not that kind of relationship, so drop the useless thoughts and hurry up and bond with the others.”
“……Yes.”
“Can I ask you something this time?”
“Please do.”
“If I’m not the kind of person you imagine, would you still stay with me?”
“What do you think the ideal lord I seek looks like?”
“You’re the one who’s idealistic. Overflowing with humanity to an extreme degree. Naturally, I hope for the same.”
At those words, Yang Chan wore a faint smile.
“I heard the details of how you suppressed the Dark Heaven Cult’s rebellion in Yeon Kingdom. To be frank, I can accept up to that level.”
“Good. You’ve lowered your standards for me.”
“But I hope such a tragic massacre never happens twice.”
“My methods will change depending on how they act.”
Yi Hwan patted Yang Chan’s shoulder once and turned away.
Yang Chan gazed at Yi Hwan’s retreating back as he returned to the woods, letting out a quiet breath.
“Whew…….”
“Something worrying you?”
‘Your ears are sharp.’
“No!”
Yang Chan quickly caught up to Yi Hwan’s side.
“Care for a drink?”
“Sure.”