Chapter 290
Chapter 290
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 290
Chapter Title: Yi Hwan's Request
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Yi Hwan and Baek Woo-kyeong sat facing each other.
Yi Hwan, who hated formal and businesslike talk, cut straight to the point.
“The sun sets, and the all-out assault begins, they say. Once the battle starts, can the martial artists move separately from the Golden Army?”
“We can respond flexibly depending on the situation. But independent action will be difficult.”
There was a stark difference between being flexible and acting independently, even if they seemed similar.
“I’m curious about the Great Prince’s intentions.”
“You have to cut off the snake’s head to kill it quickly, don’t you?”
“Should I take that to mean you plan to deploy the martial artists against the enemy command?”
“That’s the only way to end it fast. The quicker it ends, the fewer lives and resources we lose. If you agree with my plan, four from our side will join in as well. Myself included, of course.”
“……!”
Baek Woo-kyeong was inwardly shocked.
To personally join such an extremely dangerous operation.
“May I ask one thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“I’m wondering why the Great Prince is stepping up so aggressively.”
It was a question anyone in Qin would have.
Yi Hwan answered calmly.
“Those bastards inflicted great pain on our Yeon Kingdom. The world thinks it was easily suppressed, but I see it differently. If we’d handled it just a bit better, many warriors and civilians wouldn’t have had to die.”
This was a prepared answer for such questions. He’d given the same to the Qin Emperor, and it passed without suspicion.
“Is that truly the only reason?”
“Yes.”
This time, Yi Hwan asked back.
“Do you plan to request independent authority from General Yeo?”
“We’d need to first consider if the Great Prince’s strategy is the best, so I can’t answer immediately.”
“Understood. Let me know once you’ve decided.”
“Yes. I will.”
Baek Woo-kyeong rose.
“Wait.”
“Is there more...?”
“Do you know of the Mad Demon?”
“The Mad Demon... Are you referring to the great demon head from a hundred years ago?”
“Yes.”
“I only know of him from the stories passed down.”
“On the way to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, I stopped by one of their bases. There, I saw the Mad Demon’s statue. They were revering him like a god.”
At those words, Baek Woo-kyeong’s eyes changed sharply.
“Then you’re saying they’re followers of the Mad Demon?”
“That’s how I see it. Keep that in mind when you decide.”
“......Understood.”
Baek Woo-kyeong withdrew.
Yi Hwan sank deeply into his chair, his gaze settling.
‘He truly didn’t know.’
The shock in Baek Woo-kyeong’s eyes and expression just now had been genuine.
Cheol Mu-ok and the others entered.
“How did it go?”
“He said he’d think about it.”
Go Mi spoke up.
“From our investigations, most of Qin’s martial artists operate under court influence, and the key experts, including the White-Clothed Sword God, follow the Crown Prince’s Palace’s command.”
“The Crown Prince’s Palace?”
“Yes. It seems the Qin Emperor is bolstering the Crown Prince’s Palace in advance for a stable succession later.”
At Go Mi’s words, Yi Hwan furrowed his brow.
“If the Crown Prince’s Palace manages the key experts, that makes things even trickier.”
“Indeed.”
Ju Tae grumbled.
“Whether it’s Zhao or Qin, it’s always the crown princes causing problems. As expected, our late Majesty was the best.”
Hwa Ryeong chimed in.
“It was possible because the Great Prince was there. But here, even the Second Prince seems no good.”
Yi Hwan shook his head.
“It’s not that he’s no good; he just has almost no influence. Why else would the Qin Emperor ask me to educate him?”
“True enough.”
“There’s something to think about, so everyone out. Once the battle starts, who knows when it’ll end—grab something to eat.”
“Understood.”
“Yes.”
* * *
Baek Woo-kyeong walked toward where the martial artists were.
His eyes were heavier and more sunken than ever.
‘Followers of the Mad Demon, possibly.’
He’d told Yi Hwan he only knew from stories, but in truth, he had studied the martial world from a hundred years ago in detail due to a chance encounter.
‘Without the Martial Emperor, who was the Lord of Daye Fortress, the world would have become the domain of the Mad Demon and Blood Demon. Especially the Mad Demon—he was the worst fiend, whom even that mighty Lord of Daye Fortress couldn’t easily defeat.’
“Brother.”
“Hm?”
“Why do you look so grim? Did something bad come up in your talk?”
“It’s nothing.”
Baek Woo-kyeong shook off his thoughts and headed to General Yeo Mun-chu. Yeo Mun-chu and the officers were having a simple meal.
Yeo Mun-chu offered Baek Woo-kyeong a seat.
“Have you eaten?”
“Yes. I had something light just now.”
Baek Woo-kyeong continued immediately.
“I have something to say, General.”
“Yes?”
“Please permit a separate operation for myself and a few others.”
At Baek Woo-kyeong’s words, Yeo Mun-chu set down his chopsticks, subtly narrowing his brow.
“You have a plan?”
“To end this war even an hour sooner, we must eliminate the enemy command first. If you grant operational authority, I’ll step in myself.”
Yeo Mun-chu delayed his answer and glanced toward Yi Hwan’s tent.
“Did you discuss this with the Great Prince?”
“Yes. He said if you permit it, he’ll move with us.”
“The Great Prince himself?”
“Yes.”
Baek Woo-kyeong added.
“The Great Prince of Yeon wishes to avenge the civilians and warriors who died in the mad believers’ uprising.”
“Haa......”
Yeo Mun-chu made a bitter face and sighed deeply. For a prince of Qin—especially Yang Yi-cheon—to personally enter such an extremely dangerous battlefield was unimaginable.
‘To be compared like this......’
Then, an officer spoke in a serious tone.
“It’s too dangerous. If something happens to Yeon’s Great Prince, it could sour relations with Yeon Kingdom, no?”
“I agree!”
The wrinkles on Yeo Mun-chu’s brow deepened.
Thud!
“It’s a dangerous operation. Are you sure?”
“Just leave it to us.”
“Very well. Make it so.”
“Yes, General.”
* * *
The sunset began to cast a red glow.
The Dark Heaven Cultists, who had been skirmishing throughout the capital, gathered one after another at where the Heaven-Earth Twin Fiends were.
The Heaven-Earth Twin Fiends’ gazes grew steadily colder as they watched.
“Finally, just the last battle left before we head back?”
“No need to risk our lives. This is already far beyond the Cult Leader’s expectations. So, what I’m saying is......”
The Earth Fiend continued with a meaningful expression.
“Do we really need to join the fight ourselves? These guys gathered here are all disposable anyway—no problem if we use them up and toss them.”
“You’re finally using your head.”
“What? So you thought this from the start?”
“I changed my mind after Yeon’s Great Prince and the White-Clothed Sword God joined them. To see the Cult’s great cause through to the end, we must survive no matter what.”
“Heh heh heh. Of course.”
Suddenly, the Heaven Fiend narrowed his brow and continued.
“Yeon’s Great Prince—that one, it’s a shame to leave him. If we brought his head, the Cult Leader would be thrilled.”
“Endure the regret. Clinging needlessly could leave eternal grudges. We can’t die here, as you said. The Cult Leader wants that more.”
“Hmm......”
Then, a green-robed figure approached quickly.
“Won Gaese’s great army has reached the outskirts of the capital.”
“Estimated arrival here?”
“About half a day left.”
“That’s plenty. We’ll start the attack soon—return to your position and stand by.”
“Understood.”
“Can Won Gaese recover?”
“His life or death is none of our concern. We just fulfill our mission. You, come here.”
A man standing a bit away approached.
The Heaven Fiend issued an immediate order.
“Order the cultists to take the weakness drug and switch to assault formation at once.”
“Understood.”
Whoooosh!
The wind began to blow. A headwind thick with the stench of blood.
The Heaven Fiend twitched his nose and slowly drew his sword.
Shing.
“We have to drag them into chaotic melee. To slip away without anyone noticing.”
“Of course. Heh heh heh.”
* * *
“Great Prince, the Dark Heaven Cult is about to attack.”
At Go Mi’s words, Yi Hwan stepped out of the tent. As said, the Dark Heaven Cultists were forming up for assault.
Yi Hwan’s eyes narrowed subtly for a moment as he observed indifferently.
‘Pulling some troops to the flanks? With the buildings lined up, attacking from the sides won’t be easy at all.’
Yi Hwan asked Go Mi.
“Can you guess their intent?”
“It’s an obvious tactic, but pulling some to the flanks means they intend to concentrate force in the center, right?”
“Using such an obvious tactic in this situation? Hmm......”
Yi Hwan fell silent briefly. But not for long.
“They’re trying to force a melee brawl. In organized group combat, the Golden Army is inevitably superior, so it’s their best option.”
“But the buildings make the space too narrow, don’t they?”
“Slant in diagonally, and you can secure enough room. It all depends on how well the Golden Army troops on the edges hold.”
Then Yang Chan approached. Standing beside Yi Hwan, he quietly asked.
“The wind is steadily blowing that way. Shall I step in?”
“No.”
Yi Hwan shook his head and continued.
“No need to use our most precious trump card here. Revealing your presence now would give the Dark Heaven Cult headquarters—and even Jo Yun—time to prepare.”
“Then I’ll just fight.”
“Don’t go too deep.”
“Understood.”
Truth be told, Yi Hwan wanted to see Yang Chan’s true terror. But he had no desire to reveal Yang Chan’s existence now and hand those two forces preparation time.
Of course, if this were Yeon Kingdom, he’d think differently.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The drums began to sound. Soon after, the Dark Heaven Cultists started moving.
Yi Hwan looked around and gave instructions.
“Mu-ok, Ju Tae, Mu-gwan—move with me. Ji-mun, Yang Chan—stay here and guard the Princess.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan looked carefully at Go Mi and the women.
“Everyone, be careful not to get hurt. Princess, you too.”
“Yes!”
“I will.”
Bwoooong!
A trumpet blared from the Qin army camp as well. Formations began to shift.
Snap! Snap!
“Great Prince.”
Go Mi nodded toward one side.
Baek Woo-kyeong and the martial artists were approaching. But their numbers were halved. Given the extreme danger, only the strongest had been selected.
“Ready?”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“Once battle starts, we move immediately—don’t scatter, stay together.”
“Understood.”
Then.
Waaaah!
The Dark Heaven Cultists charged ferociously.
Yi Hwan slowly drew his sword.
Shing.