Chapter 284
Chapter 284
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 284
Chapter Title: Zhao Kingdom's Fisherman's Profit
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"The Qin Kingdom's army is withdrawing."
A middle-aged man approached Cult Leader Jang Cheon-hwa. Jang Cheon-hwa gazed down at the Qin troops crossing over the fortress walls through his spear, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"If the commander leading the Qin army had been anyone other than Won Gaese, we might have suffered some real damage."
Even in the current situation, Jang Cheon-hwa didn't think the Dark Heaven Cult would lose, even if the Qin army launched a full assault. They might take some losses, but that was it.
With tens of thousands of troops, thousands of elites, and absolute masters like Baek Woo-kyeong and Baek Yeon from Qin, Jang Cheon-hwa still believed he could never be defeated.
It was arrogant thinking, but Jang Cheon-hwa truly possessed the martial prowess to back it up.
"Not only that, but thanks to them, we've discovered a topographical weakness in our main headquarters that we never even considered. Infiltrating with kites, of all things. When I saw it, it sent chills down my spine."
Jang Cheon-hwa nodded silently.
"Has the army left?"
"Yes. They departed just moments ago with Left Reverend Woo."
Jang Cheon-hwa nodded silently once more and immediately issued orders.
"Just in case, keep the alert network up for a while. And don't forget to thoroughly search the surroundings of the headquarters."
"Understood!"
Jang Cheon-hwa watched the retreating figures of Baek Woo-kyeong and Baek Yeon crossing the fortress walls. With them gone, the Qin army that had seized the plaza had completely vanished.
A slight furrow creased Jang Cheon-hwa's brow.
"If they stay by Won Gaese's side, they could pose a real threat..."
He was worried about Ma Jung-hyo.
He trusted his abilities, and with the Land Sword Demon—who had reached the Absolute Realm—by his side, but Baek Woo-kyeong and Baek Yeon were absolute masters as well.
He couldn't afford to let his guard down.
* * *
"Great Prince!"
As Yi Hwan ascended, Go Mi and the others approached. They had been anxious, unable to grasp how the situation was unfolding.
"Why did it end just like this?"
"The Dark Heaven Cult has stirred up rebellions across the Qin capital and the entire kingdom."
"Because of that, they climbed all the way up there and then just withdraw?"
"It's ridiculous."
Everyone wore expressions of disbelief.
"Ha! I never liked that old fox from the start. So what do we do now? Just head back like this?"
At Hwa Ryeong's words, Yi Hwan nodded silently.
"It's regrettable, but we have no choice. At least we're not returning empty-handed, so don't be too disappointed. We've learned the Dark Heaven Cult's weakness, after all."
"Aren't we the ones who ended up revealing our weakness to them?"
"The kite infiltration is certainly that. But knowing about an attack method we can't block even when aware of it—the existence of the cannons—will be a huge help to us later."
Everyone nodded.
They had seen it clearly for themselves. The terrifying power of those cannons, which they had thought outdated.
Hwa Ryeong grumbled.
"If only we could fire off all the remaining boulders and then go."
"Shall we head back right away then?"
"Is there any liquor left?"
"Plenty remains."
"Have one drink, then move out."
"Yes."
Go Mi sensed something off in Yi Hwan's demeanor.
'He doesn't seem like he's going to head back right away...'
* * *
The withdrawing Qin army.
Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok moved at the very rear with dark expressions.
Namgung Jang-cheon exuded a subtle air of fury. Having lost his uncle and many clan warriors, he couldn't accept retreating like this.
The Land Sword Demon—his sworn enemy—remained vividly etched in his mind, tormenting him constantly.
Danri Mok consoled him.
"They say a nobleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years. Let it go."
"It would have been better if Elder Yeom had led the army."
Namgung Jang-cheon squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head fiercely.
He couldn't calm his rage. One part of his mind screamed that suppressing the capital's rebellion was more important, but as a man, it tormented and infuriated him that he couldn't avenge his dying uncle right before his eyes.
"Calm down. There are more than enough people here as furious as you. If you're to become Prince Consort, you need to consider their feelings first."
'Prince Consort? What the hell does that matter?'
Namgung Jang-cheon swallowed the words that had risen to his throat.
Crunch.
'Power is more important than force. With power, you can accomplish what even absolute masters cannot. Just like that narrow-minded, greedy Grand Commander.'
A change unlike any before was stirring within Namgung Jang-cheon.
* * *
Yeon Kingdom's Imperial Palace.
Gwan Ji-baek sought out Emperor Yi So.
"Rebellions have broken out across the entire Qin Kingdom. It seems the Dark Heaven Cult is on the move."
"How is the situation unfolding?"
"We haven't confirmed the full details yet, but at least the capital is in dire straits. If they've learned from their failure in our kingdom, they'll surely come at them with even stronger tactics."
"Yes, that's likely."
"It might actually be fortunate that they struck our Yeon Kingdom first. If the order had been reversed, we'd have faced an even more formidable enemy."
At Gwan Ji-baek's words, Yi So nodded silently, thinking of Yi Hwan.
'Even then, my brother would have stopped them.'
"Any further news on the joint operations with Qin?"
"Nothing since the report that Qin's Grand Commander Won Gaese arrived leading the Great Prince's army."
"I'm worried those two will clash. If things go awry..."
"Please don't worry too much, Your Majesty. No matter who comes, the Great Prince can handle and overcome it all."
He said that, but Gwan Ji-baek was deeply concerned himself. He had gathered intelligence on Won Gaese's character. But he couldn't bring himself to report it, fearing it would worry Yi So.
"No reports on the Dark Heaven Cult remnants?"
"Yes. It seems we no longer need to worry about them on our soil. No disturbances have occurred since, so the Great Prince's cleanup must have been thoroughly effective."
"Once Qin's situation is known, even those who badmouthed my brother's ruthlessness will shut their mouths."
"Indeed."
Yi So took a deep breath and leaned back on the throne.
"Focus all efforts on tracking my brother's movements. Report to me the instant you have anything."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Gwan Ji-baek withdrew.
Yi So brought the cold tea to his lips.
Clink.
'I hope nothing happens to him...'
* * *
Zhao Kingdom's Imperial Palace.
Jo Yun, who had ousted the previous emperor and ascended the throne, was pouring all his efforts into regaining the turned hearts of the people.
But once-turned public sentiment showed no sign of shifting, and with Yeon Kingdom's Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World declaration, the number of martial artists fleeing Zhao grew daily—a true case of woes compounding.
Then, good news arrived for Jo Yun.
The Dark Heaven Cult's rebellion in Qin.
"The Dark Heaven Cult is aiding Us."
"Indeed. If mighty Qin, spanning as vast a territory as Yeon, is thrown into such chaos, they can redirect defense funds to internal affairs."
"Have we grasped the extent of the situation?"
"Unlike in Yeon, they're struggling to suppress it. Rumors even say the capital is in peril, which is why Won Gaese—who had marched to subjugate the cult's headquarters—diverted his forces."
"Won Gaese—the Grand Commander who's the real power in Qin?"
"Yes. Because he took all their key elites to assault the headquarters, suppressing the rebellion has become even harder. In any case, we can sit back and watch, hoping the Dark Heaven Cult performs even greater feats."
A faint smile crept across Jo Yun's lips at Woo Mun-sul's words. It had been a long time since he last smiled.
"What of the Southern Barbarian Army?"
"After handing them an entire city, their morale is sky-high. We're using the Southern Barbarian King to disseminate our army's tactics and training methods."
"If their abilities can rise to our army's level, we'll have an even stronger force than before."
"Fear not, Your Majesty. I will make them a mighty army by any means necessary."
Jo Yun's face lit up with satisfaction.
Who would have thought the unforeseen Dark Heaven Cult rebellion would open a new path for him and Zhao?
But his eyes soon turned icy.
"And Yeon Kingdom?"
"Yi So's political acumen seems sharper than expected. Contrary to predictions of chaos, he's restoring stability across nearly all fronts. As expected of Yi Hwan—suppressing the Dark Heaven Cult swiftly bolstered Yi So."
At the mention of Yi Hwan, murderous intent gleamed in Jo Yun's eyes. Setting aside their centuries-old fated enmity, Yi Hwan had killed his beloved son Jo Jeong-mu, making him an enemy worthy of utter extermination.
Woo Mun-sul continued cautiously.
"For now, set Yeon aside, Your Majesty. Shelve your vengeance until the people's hearts turn back."
Jo Yun silently tilted his teacup.
Thud!
"Are we still collecting information on him?"
"We're working on it."
"Nothing noteworthy so far?"
"We've confirmed that after suppressing the Dark Heaven Cult rebellion, he set out on a secret mission under Emperor Yi So's orders."
"If you find any exploitable weakness, report it to Us immediately. No matter how much we must cower due to the people's sentiments, We won't tolerate him."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Whoosh!
Jo Yun rose, flicking his dragon robe.
"Us retires to rest."
Woo Mun-sul bowed deeply toward Jo Yun's departing back from the throne. When he lifted his head, a close aide stood beside him.
"Any new intelligence?"
"Yes. After suppressing the Dark Heaven Cult rebellion, all information on him has been completely cut off. Even the Yeon court seems clueless about his whereabouts—they speculate he's either on a true secret mission or something has happened to him."
"Hmm."
Woo Mun-sul nodded gravely.
In truth, telling Jo Yun moments ago that Yi Hwan had gone on a secret mission was a fabrication due to the lack of new intel.
As his aide said, intelligence on Yi Hwan had suddenly stopped flowing. Despite numerous spies operating in Yeon, his movements were a complete mystery.
"We're keeping a close watch on the Empress's side?"
"Yes. Nothing unusual so far. She's only been inquiring about the situation in Qin everywhere since the news broke."
"Probably because of the Third Prince who fled to Qin."
"Indeed."
"Good work. Go rest."
"Yes. Then."
After the aide withdrew, Woo Mun-sul headed straight for the command room of the intelligence headquarters.
"Welcome."
"How fares the situation in Qin?"
"The scale of the rebellion is incomparable to Yeon—vast in both size and area. And their methods for moving forces are markedly different from Yeon."
"The capital?"
"In the initial chaos, the Golden Army floundered, failing to block Dark Heaven Cultists entering from other regions. It's quite serious."
"Not bad."
Woo Mun-sul's expression brightened. If things continued this way, they could buy even more time.
On the other hand, it was regrettable.
'If we moved troops now, we could seize the regions we've long clashed with Qin over...'
But Zhao lacked the capacity. Their military remained strong, but renewed war could permanently alienate the people.
'For now, all we can hope is that Qin has no one with abilities like Yi Hwan.'