Chapter 305
Chapter 305
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 305
Chapter Title: Yi Seong-ji's Letter
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Clang!
Whoosh!
Dust billowed with every clash of swords. From within it came Ban Go's eerie laughter.
"Kekeke!"
Cha Ryong stood with arms crossed, watching the duel between Ban Go and a Huangpo fighter. His impassive, heavy gaze followed not Ban Go, but the movements of the Huangpo man.
Flash!
Ban Go's sword flashed repeatedly.
After several exchanges,
"I yield."
The Huangpo fighter dropped to one knee, conceding defeat.
At that moment, a faint smile crept across Ban Go's lips, and he suddenly decapitated the man.
Slash!
The severed head flew into the air before thudding to the ground.
Thump!
"What have you done!"
"You bastard!"
Cha Ryong let out a deep sigh, while the Huangpo man's comrades erupted in fury and charged forward.
Ban Go cackled his eerie laugh again, turning his sword tip toward the oncoming foes.
"Want to die too? Kekeke."
"To behead someone who's already conceded in a duel! So you're a demonic fiend from the unorthodox sects after all!"
"Kill him!"
"Hold on!"
Cha Ryong dropped into the midst of them. The charging men halted abruptly.
Cha Ryong addressed them in a weighty tone.
"I'll discipline this man myself, so it ends here. If you insist on fighting, I can't just stand by."
The aura emanating from Cha Ryong was overwhelmingly intimidating. The enraged Huangpo men, crushed by it, dared not move.
Cha Ryong turned to Ban Go.
"You, stand down too."
"Why should I?"
"Listen."
As Cha Ryong's eyes sharpened, Ban Go finally scratched his head.
Cha Ryong added one more word to the Huangpo comrades.
"Retrieve the body and go."
The Huangpo men glared at Cha Ryong and Ban Go with eyes full of rage for a long while before finally sheathing their swords. They knew better than anyone that charging in now offered them no chance of victory.
One man shouted in an agitated voice.
"What's your title!"
"Sun and Moon Twin Swords."
"Sun and Moon Twin Swords?"
It was a title no one had ever heard of.
"Good duel. Farewell."
Cha Ryong turned away. Ban Go followed beside him, scratching his head.
"Sorry. Killing's become a habit. Kekeke."
"Just cripple them so they can't wield a sword again. Do it one more time, and I'll send you packing."
"Got it. Won't happen again."
Ban Go chuckled as he asked,
"But are we really going to operate as the Sun and Moon Twin Swords?"
"Building some reputation will make it easier for others to accept our challenges. A catchy title helps with that."
On their way to the Hebei Paeng Family, Cha Ryong and Ban Go had sought out famous experts in each region and challenged them to duels.
They didn't always take lives, but they ensured their opponents lost limbs, rendering them unable to live as martial artists any longer.
Reducing the number of Yeon Kingdom's experts in preparation for the future.
That was the order Jo Yun had given them.
"But is it okay to keep killing off these famous guys like this?"
"Yeon Kingdom declared Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World. As long as we don't harm the common folk, the court can't intervene. We came here betting on that, so don't worry."
Whirl!
A gust of wind swirled before them.
But the two pressed on through it without a care.
* * *
A few days later.
After focusing on intelligence gathering for a while, Go Mi visited Yi Hwan's office.
Yi Hwan, who had been absorbed in creating tactical manuals for training Northern Yeon's generals, set down his brush for a moment.
Go Mi reported in detail on the situations in Zhao Kingdom and Qin Kingdom. Finally, she brought up events unfolding in the martial world.
It was about the Sun and Moon Twin Swords.
"Five renowned experts who've made names for themselves in various regions have already fallen to them. The problem is one was killed, and the other four can never hold a sword again."
Yi Hwan dismissed the report casually.
"We anticipated this when declaring Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World. Just accept it as the way of the martial world. Ignore it as long as they don't harm the people."
In his era, deaths in disputes between martial artists weren't rare—they were commonplace.
Challenging famous experts to build one's martial fame was also an everyday occurrence.
"But these Sun and Moon Twin Swords—they were unknowns until now?"
"Yes. Moon Pavilion collected info on obscure experts too, but these two weren't in our records."
This was the main reason Go Mi felt uneasy about them.
Of course, even Moon Pavilion's network might miss some experts, but it was troubling that such hidden masters were stirring up trouble.
"I understand your point, Great Prince, but these martial experts could be crucial wartime assets for the kingdom. Even with Non-Aggression declared, shouldn't we intervene minimally to prevent excessive damage?"
Yi Hwan crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
"Minimal intervention..."
Intervening in martial world affairs without cause would render the Non-Aggression declaration meaningless. It could even draw accusations of the court deceiving the martial folk.
But Go Mi had a valid point.
Leaving aside Qin Kingdom, Zhao Kingdom under Emperor Jo Yun could start a war at any moment without surprise.
If that happened, martial experts' roles would be indispensable.
"If Moon Lord has such a bad feeling, keep monitoring the situation."
"Understood."
"Have you given Cheol Mu-ok everything he needs?"
"Yes. Just as you ordered, generously."
Two days prior, Cheol Mu-ok had departed for Northern Yeon with Tae Mu-rang and Tae Seon.
No wedding date was set yet, but it was wise for them to visit Northern Yeon at least once beforehand, so he had no choice but to let them go together.
"Once those two are betrothed, Northern Yeon will be one less worry."
"Something like that."
"Were you planning this far ahead?"
"What are you getting at?"
"Just curious..."
"No."
"...Understood."
"Let's eat."
"Understood."
* * *
After the meal, Yi Hwan and Go Mi climbed to a pavilion in the command headquarters and sipped tea.
'Is this peaceful enough to call it calm?'
He'd let the Reverse Heaven Society leader escape but dealt them a heavy blow—they wouldn't move rashly for a while. Zhao Kingdom and Dark Heaven Cult showed no unusual activity either.
Thanks to that, Yi Hwan savored some rare leisure.
"What are you thinking about so deeply?"
"Oh, this and that."
"Looking back, each crisis was massive, but we got through without major losses. That's probably why the people praise you so much, Great Prince."
"I just swung the sword—His Majesty's benevolence is what brought this era of peace."
"His Majesty said it would have been impossible without you."
"He said that?"
"Yes. When I entered the palace for an audience, he said so. He added to serve you well."
Yi Hwan smiled faintly and drank his tea.
"Thank you, Great Prince."
"What's that out of nowhere?"
"His Majesty can rule with peace of mind thanks to you, and the people enjoy unprecedented stability and peace. As a subject and a citizen, how could I not be grateful?"
"I'll take that as praise."
"Of course."
"Enough. You're embarrassing me."
The two shared idle chatter, enjoying a rare tranquil time.
Just as they finished their tea,
Ju Tae ascended to the pavilion.
"My lord, an envoy from Qin Kingdom has arrived."
"Oh?"
"Shall I bring him here?"
"No. I'll go soon—escort him to the office."
"Understood."
* * *
The young envoy from Qin Kingdom handed Yi Hwan a single letter.
Yi Hwan opened it immediately. Unexpectedly, it was from Third Prince Yi Seong-ji.
"You're under the Third Prince?"
"No, I'm with the Golden Army."
"Why is a Golden Army man acting as envoy?"
"I believe the Third Prince requested it of General Wi Ji."
Yi Hwan nodded silently and read the letter. The sender was surprising, but so was the content.
A moment later, Yi Hwan tucked the letter into his robe and asked the envoy,
"How's the Third Prince faring?"
"For suppressing the fanatic cult's rebellion, His Majesty granted him a mansion in the capital and dozens of servants. He's also been made commander of a newly formed unit."
"A newly formed unit?"
"Yes. Crown Prince realized the need for a special task force during the fanatic cult rebellion and created it."
'Good for him, at least.'
Yi Hwan murmured it unwittingly and let out a wry smile.
"What about Dark Heaven Cult afterward?"
"The rebellion was quelled, but the damage was significant, so postwar recovery takes priority. It'll be some time before we can resume purging them."
Yi Hwan nodded silently and turned to Ju Tae with instructions.
"He's come a long way—see that he's well cared for."
"Understood."
"Rest well before you return."
"Thank you. Farewell."
The envoy left with Ju Tae.
Moments later, Go Mi entered the office.
"Who sent the letter?"
"Third Prince."
"Pardon?"
"Two of his men are returning to Yeon Kingdom—he asks I spare their lives."
"We can't just let that slide, can we? Even if you don't punish them, the court will have words."
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
"They'll come to me on their own—I'll decide after meeting them."
"Understood."
Yi Hwan donned his outer robe and stood.
"Entering the palace?"
"Gwak Commander entered, so I should at least see his face."
"I'll come too."
"Business at the Imperial Palace?"
"Yes. This and that..."
"Then let's go together."
* * *
Lately, Yi Hwan used a carriage whenever leaving the command headquarters.
Riding a horse drew greetings from recognizing commoners, which still felt awkward. Thus, he rode without his symbolic crest or banner.
"My lord! Picking up speed!"
The carriage accelerated swiftly.
Yi Hwan opened the window and gazed at the passing scenery.
Warriors sweating in the fields lining the road paused their work and saluted the carriage. Even without crest or banner, they recognized it at a glance.
Unable to ignore it, Yi Hwan raised a hand in return.
Ju Tae joked,
"Hey, taking off the crest and banner's no use. Guess we need a whole new carriage! Haha!"
"Just drive straight."
"Yes, sir!"
Soon, Yi Hwan closed the window and leaned against the wall. Suddenly, a headache struck, his head growing heavy. The headaches seemed worse lately.
'Guess I should see the physician.'