Chapter 310
Chapter 310
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 310
Chapter Title: Joint Action
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The weather had grown noticeably warmer.
Instead of his office, Yi Hwan held a meeting with his key generals, including Deputy General Yu Woo-seong, in the pavilion behind the command headquarters.
The meeting stretched on for nearly an hour, wrapping up with discussions on the routine promotions of the generals.
Go Mi, who had been waiting a short distance away, approached the pavilion.
"A messenger has arrived from the Qin Kingdom."
Yi Hwan gazed at Baek Po-in standing behind her. Baek Po-in bowed his head toward him.
"Come up here."
"Yes, Great Prince."
"Who sent you, and for what purpose?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince instructed me to deliver this to you."
'The Crown Prince of Qin sending me a personal letter?'
Yi Hwan immediately unfolded the letter Baek Po-in presented. It contained unexpected contents.
Yi Hwan set the letter down on the table and fixed his gaze on Baek Po-in.
"I'd like to hear more specifics about who entered our Yeon Kingdom and what crime they're accused of, for which you're requesting joint action."
"Well, it happened like this..."
Baek Po-in began his explanation. It was none other than an incident involving Do Geom.
Yi Hwan listened silently. When the explanation concluded, he asked,
"So, only warriors from the Danri Clan and Namgung Clan will join the joint action?"
"Yes. Given that Yeon Kingdom upholds the Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World, we hope you'll view this not as a matter of Qin, but as an affair of the martial world."
Yi Hwan nodded silently and turned to Go Mi.
"Shall I prepare ink and brush?"
"It's nothing difficult, and since it's a direct request from the Crown Prince's Palace, we should assist."
"Understood."
Go Mi began grinding ink at one side of the pavilion.
Baek Po-in bowed his head.
"Thank you, Great Prince."
"Have there been any similar incidents recently?"
"Not to my knowledge."
Yi Hwan crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
'An incident sparked by challenging the Danri Clan to a duel...'
What a coincidence. Suddenly seeking out masters for duels.
It was exactly like what the Sun-Moon Twin Swords were doing in northern Yeon Kingdom's Hebei region.
'Should I call this mere coincidence?'
Something felt off.
"The ink is ready."
Yi Hwan spread out a sheet of paper, wrote a message accepting the joint action, and sealed it in a tube.
"It'll take considerable time to deliver this in person. Are the warriors from the Danri and Namgung Clans staying near the border?"
"Yes. Anticipating your approval for joint action, they've already moved up to the border region a few days ago to act as swiftly as possible. I'll take my leave then."
Baek Po-in departed.
Yi Hwan asked Go Mi,
"No word yet from Hebei?"
"No."
Go Mi ventured,
"This seems remarkably similar to the incidents in Hebei. I'm not sure we can dismiss it as coincidence."
She echoed the very thoughts weighing on Yi Hwan's mind.
He nodded silently.
"I suppose I'll have to step in personally. My instincts tell me something's amiss."
"Wait for news from Hebei first."
"Right. Let's do that."
Yi Hwan rose from his seat.
The two headed side by side toward the office. But they hadn't taken many steps before stopping.
A young warrior from Moon Pavilion dropped down before them.
"A letter has arrived from the Hebei branch. They succeeded in arranging a duel with the Sun-Moon Twin Swords, but lost them due to interference from their followers. They've confirmed the Twin Swords are now heading south of Hebei."
"Any casualties?"
"The letter doesn't mention any."
"Good work."
Once the Moon Pavilion warrior left, Yi Hwan smiled.
"The fact that they abandoned their duel with the Hebei Paeng Family and fled south means we can count the duel as a victory."
"Was that ever in doubt?"
"I'm curious who from our side took them on. In any case, track their exact direction and find their trail as quickly as possible."
"Understood."
Go Mi parted ways with Yi Hwan and sought out Hwa Ryeong. Hwa Ryeong, who had just finished applying makeup and was about to head out, greeted her with a smile.
"I was just on my way to see you, Moon Lord."
"If you're bored, come with me?"
"Where to?"
"The Sun-Moon Twin Swords are heading south. The Great Prince wants their trail found fast. Could the young lady lend a hand?"
"Sure. I was dying of boredom anyway. Let's go."
"Shouldn't you change clothes first?"
Hwa Ryeong was dressed in an extravagantly ornate palace gown. True to her love for splendor, she enjoyed outings in heavy makeup and such attire.
"Give me a moment. I'll change quickly."
Go Mi waited outside until Hwa Ryeong emerged. She gazed at the unusually blue sky, faintly furrowing her brow.
'It's been so peaceful for a while now. I hope nothing serious arises.'
Ever since the Reverse Heaven Society incident, the days had been so tranquil she sometimes wondered if it was all right.
Thanks to that, she had devoted herself to mastering the techniques Yi Hwan had passed on, reaching a level where she could cautiously glimpse realms she had never seen before.
*Chirp chirp.*
A pair of nameless birds flew onto a tree near the castle walls, playfully darting among the branches like a game of tag. Watching them, Yi Hwan's face suddenly flashed in her mind.
Startled, Go Mi shook it off and let out a soft sigh.
"Haa..."
*Clunk.*
Hwa Ryeong emerged from the door, now changed into martial robes.
"Let's go."
* * *
Zhao Kingdom's Imperial Palace.
Jo Yun wore a deeply satisfied expression as he received Uwen Sul's report. Uwen Sul's face was bright as well.
"Followers already forming? It seems those fellows are carrying out their mission properly."
"I wasn't worried about Cha Ryong, but Ban Go's prickly temperament had me concerned. Glad to hear otherwise. Still no word from the ones who went to Qin?"
"No."
"I'm getting worried something might have gone wrong."
"Don't worry too much, Your Majesty. Both are as cool-headed and capable as Cha Ryong. They'll manage."
Jo Yun leaned back in his chair, his gaze steadying.
"They should know exactly what I desire..."
"I made sure they understood perfectly before they left. Nothing to fear there. If they're in a situation where they can't execute the plan, they'll simply return. That's all."
"Hmm..."
Uwen Sul brought up another matter.
"The third prince of Yeon, Yi Seong-ji, who defected to Qin, has been appointed commander of a new unit created by Crown Prince Yang Mu. It's said to be reward for his merits in suppressing the Dark Heaven Cult's rebellion. May I speak on this?"
"What is it?"
"How long do you intend to leave Yi Tae-ji as he is?"
"Are you suggesting we give him a chance?"
"Less a chance, more assigning him a role that could aid Your Majesty in some small way. Better than letting his talents rot, no?"
"Hmm."
Jo Yun narrowed his eyes.
Uwen Sul continued.
"If we properly utilize his enmity toward Yeon Kingdom, he could prove quite helpful."
"Find a suitable plan."
"Understood."
After sipping his tea, Jo Yun asked about something else.
"How fares Yeon Kingdom?"
"Regrettably, among the three kingdoms, Yeon is enjoying the most peaceful times. Likely due to subjugating Northern Yeon as a vassal state."
"Northern Yeon..."
Anger flickered in Jo Yun's eyes.
Because of Northern Yeon, Zhao had to deploy double the forces to the north. The human and material costs were beyond imagination.
This had thrown Jo Yun's plans into disarray.
And behind it all was Yi Hwan.
It was his doing that an unforeseen powerhouse like Northern Yeon now loomed overhead.
"Yi Hwan must be riding high as well."
"No matter what he does, Emperor Yi So trusts him absolutely, so it's no exaggeration to say Yeon Kingdom is practically his."
"Do the people of Yeon support him too?"
"The people matter, but the real concern is that the Yeon military follows him unwaveringly. Gwak Chung-mu of the Northern Legion was just promoted to Grand General, recommended by Yi Hwan himself."
"Then the Northern Legion is effectively under his command too."
"Indeed. Even among Grand Generals, power differences are inevitable. With the Southern Legion already his direct subordinates, it's fair to say he's seized control of Yeon's entire military."
*Fizz...*
Smoke rose from the armrest of his chair.
Even the invariably cool Jo Yun often grew agitated at mention of Yi Hwan—like now.
What irked him most was lacking anyone like Yi Hwan under his own command.
His second son, Jo Jeong-mu, whom he'd hoped would fill that role, was dead. His eldest, Jo Gwang, remained cloistered in the secondary palace under the pretext of training, never stepping out.
'I pray that when he emerges from the secondary palace, he's become what I desire.'
This was Jo Yun's sole hope.
Should even that fail, he was prepared to abandon his heirs and end everything in his own generation.
"Any attendants?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A palace eunuch entered.
"Bring the wine service."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Uwen Sul rose.
"I'll take my leave."
"No, stay and drink with me tonight."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
* * *
A few days later.
Yi Hwan greeted familiar faces.
It was Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok.
Had they rushed without rest? Their clothes were drenched in sweat, their faces flushed.
"Long time no see."
"We're sorry to meet under such circumstances, Great Prince."
"Better than not meeting at all. Sit and catch your breath first."
No sooner had they sat than Danri Mok pulled out a portrait sketch and unfurled it.
"This is the likeness of the man we're pursuing."
"But first, tell me the full story in detail."
"Well..."
Danri Mok explained the events. As the principals involved, their account differed slightly from the messenger's.
"So, the one who requested the duel is separate, and this portrait's subject is his accomplice, who had his own agenda in challenging the Danri Clan?"
"That's correct."
Yi Hwan nodded silently and instinctively reached for Cheol Mu-ok. But Cheol Mu-ok was away in Northern Yeon.
"Anyone outside?"
"Yes!"
As a general entered, Yi Hwan handed him the portrait with instructions.
"Pass this to the portrait artists and have them make as many copies as possible."
"Understood."
Once the general left, Yi Hwan regarded the two. They were the rising stars Qin pinned its hopes on. Yi Hwan acknowledged their talents as well.
"I'll help you find him. But on one condition."
"Please speak."
"If we catch him, I get to interrogate him first. With both of you present, of course."
"Understood. Proceed as you wish."