Chapter 293
Chapter 293
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 293
Chapter Title: Bad News
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The chaos in the Qin Kingdom's capital had finally been quelled.
As the Dark Heaven Cult forces withdrew from other regions as well, the Dark Heaven Cult uprising that had plunged the Qin Kingdom into utter turmoil finally came to an end.
Crown Prince Yang Mu exited the Imperial Palace and headed toward where the Golden Army had assembled.
The sky was still thick with black smoke. The corpses strewn everywhere were too numerous to count, and the air, fouled by the stench, was barely breathable.
Yang Mu gazed ahead with a heavy expression. Just then, Yang I-cheon and the Palace Guards appeared on the main road leading into the capital.
"Have they arrived before General Yuan's forces?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"What of Yeon's Grand Army?"
"We have yet to confirm any news."
"Send someone at once to verify."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Yang Mu halted his steps.
Yang I-cheon and the leader of the Palace Guards galloped up like a gale and reined in their horses before him.
Neigh!
"Your Highness!"
"How fares General Yuan?"
"His condition is critical, and he remains at the camp near the Ten Thousand Great Mountains."
"What are his chances of recovery?"
"The wounds are deep; we must wait a few more days to see."
Yang Mu nodded gravely and finally took in Yang I-cheon's full appearance.
"Are you injured anywhere?"
"I am fine, but seeing the capital in such a state fills me with despair. I apologize. I should have arrived sooner..."
"No. The Ten Thousand Great Mountains are not close by, so think nothing of it."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Even the arrogant and insolent Yang I-cheon was utterly deferential before Yang Mu. It was only natural, as brothers from the same womb though they were, Yang Mu was the Crown Prince destined to become emperor.
"Follow me to the Golden Army."
"Yes."
It was when Yang Mu had walked about a hundred paces with his escort that a general came galloping up from behind in haste.
"Your Highness!"
"What is it?"
"Yeon's Grand Commander has passed away!"
"......!"
* * *
Yi Hwan returned to the site of the bloody battle.
Go Mi and the others approached him first. Though all were drenched in blood, they breathed sighs of relief at seeing him unharmed.
Yi Hwan surveyed his surroundings and let out a low breath.
'With damage like this, it will be difficult to launch another campaign against the Dark Heaven Cult for a while.'
It was regrettable. Had the Qin Kingdom quelled the uprising with minimal losses, they could have immediately resumed the subjugation of the Dark Heaven Cult.
Go Mi spoke.
"Had they not made that strange choice at the end, the damage could have been far worse. They could have fought more, yet I can't fathom why they did it."
"They must have deemed this sufficient. In any case, the Dark Heaven Cult defended their headquarters and inflicted massive damage on Qin, buying themselves ample time to regroup."
"What of those you pursued?"
"The most important ones got away."
That was the end of Yi Hwan's reply, and Go Mi asked no more.
Hwa Ryeong approached.
"Shall we head back to the Imperial Palace first and change our clothes? I can't breathe with all this blood stench."
"Let's do that."
"Then we'll stop by the palace and head straight back?"
"No reason to linger, so yes."
Yeo Mun-chu approached. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Yi Hwan with sincere eyes.
It was then.
Thud thud thud!
A single rider charged in like a whirlwind. The horse and rider shoved through the Golden Army and halted before Yi Hwan.
Whoosh!
The general dismounted and extended a dispatch toward Yi Hwan with a rigidly tense expression.
"A message from Yeon's Emperor."
Yi Hwan opened the dispatch the general proffered. Inside was a tightly rolled piece of paper.
"......!"
Upon reading the contents, Yi Hwan's eyes shook violently. His sudden change seized everyone with a sense of foreboding.
Go Mi asked.
"Grand Commander, what is it?"
"The Grand Commander..."
Yi Hwan squeezed his eyes shut.
"Has passed away."
* * *
Yang Mu silently gazed upon the horrific scene.
Behind him stood Yeo Mun-chu and the generals. Though the uprising had been quelled, Yeo Mun-chu and all the others wore endlessly heavy expressions.
Whoosh!
A wind laden with the reek of blood swept over Yang Mu's body.
"That man has already departed?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"With Yeon's Grand Commander gone, it was inevitable. I would have done the same. Still, it's a pity. I wanted to meet him once."
"......"
"How did they fare?"
"The Grand Commander and all his men fought with valor, as if it were their own affair."
"I thought the rumors of his strange stratagems were exaggerated, but his martial prowess seems no exaggeration."
"......"
"In any case, it was a boon. Whatever their purpose, the fact that they aided us is undeniable."
Yang Mu turned. He placed a hand on Yeo Mun-chu's shoulder.
Pat.
"I leave the cleanup to you."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Yang Mu headed toward the Imperial Palace. Yang I-cheon and the Palace Guards followed.
Yeo Mun-chu stared at Yang Mu's retreating figure and let out a quiet sigh. Baek Woo-kyeong and Baek Yeon approached.
"We shall pay our respects to Commander Wi Ji-gwan and then depart."
"You have my deepest thanks on behalf of all the warriors, Lord Baek."
"It was only my duty as a subject of Qin. Then we take our leave."
As Baek Woo-kyeong turned to go, Yeo Mun-chu asked.
"In your eyes, how was Yeon's Grand Commander?"
"The time we spent together was too brief to presume judgment, but he is undoubtedly an extraordinary man."
"That is not what I mean by prowess."
"I meant in every respect."
"I see."
Moments later, Baek Woo-kyeong departed for the Imperial Palace with his retainers.
Yeo Mun-chu let out a deep breath and headed toward the Golden Army. The image of Yi Hwan lingered persistently in his mind.
Though the time had been short, Yi Hwan's presence had been etched intensely into his memory.
'If only our Second Prince were like that man...'
* * *
Dark Heaven Cult headquarters.
Cult Leader Jang Cheon-hwa and Military Advisor Ma Jung-hyo ascended the watchtower side by side.
"I always feel it, but coming here fills my chest with grandeur. It feels as if that vast world below will soon fall into my grasp."
Ma Jung-hyo merely listened.
Jang Cheon-hwa continued.
"You said Yeon's Grand Army used hot air balloons as their stratagem?"
"Yes. Had Yuan Kai-se employed that man's plan even a day sooner, the outcome would have been different."
"Indeed, it would have. Which brings to mind a sudden thought..."
Jang Cheon-hwa trailed off before continuing.
"Perhaps it would have been better to leave Yuan Kai-se be. If such a narrow-minded fool seizes control of Qin's military, it might actually benefit us."
"......"
"I'm not blaming you, so don't misconstrue. It was just a passing thought."
"To fulfill the cult's long-cherished wish, must we not eventually leave this place?"
"The time has not yet come. If we depart now, we would have Qin at our backs, Zhao to the west, and Yeon above us—all to contend with at once. So do not rush."
"Understood."
Jang Cheon-hwa turned his gaze north.
Unlike other directions, thick storm clouds hung over that sky alone.
"Now it seems time to reveal Yi Hwan's true identity to everyone."
"Did you not say to delay a bit longer?"
"I did. But this war has given me realizations that changed my mind."
"Realizations, you say..."
"Cohesion. It struck me that it is what we lack most. Without a bond stronger than mere doctrine, I fear our great undertaking will never succeed."
"Then gather the key experts in one place and do so."
"When the Heaven-Earth Twin Demons return, have you arrange it personally."
"Understood."
In truth, Jang Cheon-hwa had not yet told key experts like the Six Lands Sword Demon or the Heaven-Earth Twin Demons that Yi Hwan was a descendant of Daye Fortress.
Only he knew the reason.
"Surely nothing has gone wrong with the Heaven-Earth Twin Demons?"
"Fear not. In Qin, only the Baek brothers could oppose them. They will have left before the Baeks arrived in the capital."
"They are talents we cannot afford to lose; my heart is truly uneasy."
Whoosh!
A sudden fierce wind rose.
Jang Cheon-hwa and Ma Jung-hyo's robes flapped wildly in the gust.
"The wind is cold; let us go inside, Cult Leader."
"Let's share a drink for once."
"I shall have it prepared."
* * *
Zhao Kingdom's capital.
Woo Mun-sul visited Jo Yun's bedchamber. Having just finished with two concubines, Jo Yun received him clad only in his lower garments.
"What is it?"
"Qin has quelled the Dark Heaven Cult uprising."
"Is that so? Quicker than expected."
"But Yi Hwan was there."
Twitch.
At the mention of Yi Hwan, Jo Yun's eyes instantly turned icy.
Woo Mun-sul continued.
"In my view, Yi Hwan knows the Dark Heaven Cult's true nature. Otherwise, he would not have intervened so actively in Qin's unrelated turmoil."
"Then do you believe he used Qin to eliminate the descendants of the Mad Demon?"
"It is mere conjecture, but the likelihood is high. We must gradually confirm whether the Dark Heaven Cult knows Yi Hwan's true identity."
"Hmm..."
Jo Yun calmed his gaze, raising one knee and draping an arm over it.
"Is anyone outside?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A court lady entered.
"Bring wine at once."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The court lady withdrew, and Jo Yun adjusted his posture. With a subdued gaze, he said.
"As the realm stabilizes somewhat, it is time to summon them."
"It seems premature."
"I do not mean to act immediately. I merely plan to send a few exceptional ones into the world to sow chaos here and there. As they build fame, others will flock to that renown. Thus, our forces will naturally strengthen."
"Are you considering eliminating Yi Hwan?"
"No."
Jo Yun's eyes turned icy once more.
"That bastard will die by my hand, no matter what."
"Then I shall summon a few training in Sichuan. They will easily accomplish what Your Majesty desires."
"No need to come here; send them straight into the world. If possible, split them between Yeon and Qin."
"Understood."
Jo Yun asked something else.
"Yi Tae-ji—are we watching him well?"
"Yes. We have eyes everywhere."
"Watch him closely. If my eyes do not deceive me, he is concealing his true power."
"How long will you keep him as a guest? It might not be amiss to utilize his abilities appropriately."
"I will observe until I judge he can truly become my man."
"Understood. Then I shall take my leave."
"Make haste with my orders."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Woo Mun-sul withdrew.
Jo Yun downed a bowl of cold water and snapped his fingers.
Snap!
The women who had vanished reappeared, stark naked.