Chapter 317
Chapter 317
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 317
Chapter Title: Namgung Jang-cheon's Imagination
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Yi Hwan, who had returned after letting Ban Go escape, briefly explained the situation to those waiting and then entered his room. He had not come out for half a day.
Whoooosh.
As evening fell, the wind began to blow fiercely.
Go Mi stared at Yi Hwan's room, from which he still had not emerged, her eyes settling into a calm gaze.
Hwa Ryeong propped her chin on her hand and murmured.
"What on earth could he be doing, staying in his room all this time? Is he perhaps devising a way to track down the one who got away?"
"Who knows."
Go Mi was just as curious.
Creak.
Ju Tae and Park Ji-mun entered, opening the door.
Having exhausted their internal energy to the limit in the chase, they had focused on recovery through meditation immediately upon returning. Thanks to that, they had nearly fully recovered by now.
"He's still inside?"
"Yes. How are you two feeling?"
"Well, we meditated like mad, so we're mostly recovered now."
Ju Tae sat down, gazing at Yi Hwan's room. Park Ji-mun sat beside him, tilting his head.
"Is it because of that guy called the Blood Heaven Messenger?"
"Probably."
"What's a Blood Heaven Messenger?"
"The one we lost earlier today—he said his name was the Blood Heaven Messenger. Have you ever heard of the Moon Lord or Little Flower?"
"No."
"I've never heard of them either."
Ju Tae crossed his arms and continued.
"When the lord mentioned the Blood Heaven Messenger, his eyes seemed heavier than ever."
"That must mean he's quite formidable."
"Exactly."
Creak.
This time, Yang Chan entered. As he did, the smell of blood filled the room.
Hwa Ryeong pinched her nose with her hand and furrowed her brow.
"He still hasn't talked?"
"I thought he couldn't hold out any longer, but he was tougher than expected. With the poisons I can make here, it seems there's no way."
Making a powerful poison wasn't a big issue.
However, simply increasing the intensity of the pain wouldn't likely make Cha Ryong talk, and given that his body was already at its limit, he might die before spilling any information.
To create a poison that inflicted excruciating agony without endangering his life, they would ultimately have to return to the command post where the herbs were available.
It was then. Yi Hwan opened the door and stepped out.
Everyone rose from their seats.
"Shall we have some tea?"
"Yes. I'll prepare it."
"I'll go with you."
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong went out. Yi Hwan sat in a chair and let out a long breath.
"Hoo...."
"Are you alright?"
"And you?"
"We're mostly recovered. We meditated for a full hour."
"I've recovered too, so don't worry."
Heh.
"I wasn't worried in the slightest."
Yi Hwan turned to Yang Chan and asked.
"He's still not talking?"
"Yes. If we continue the torture like this, he might die before we learn anything, so we'll need to use a new poison. But making that poison requires rare ingredients, and we're short on herbs here."
"Then we head back."
Yi Hwan nodded without a hint of hesitation.
There was much to uncover about Jo Yun and Ban Go's transformation into the Blood Heaven Messenger. Even if it meant a slight delay, they couldn't let him just die.
Ju Tae asked.
"What about the one who got away?"
"If he's as formidable as you say, we won't know what mischief he might cause, right?"
"If a guy like that is determined to hide, there's no way to track him anyway. We'll spread his appearance sketch and move again when traces are found."
"Wouldn't revenge for his captured comrade drive him to cause chaos?"
Yi Hwan shook his head firmly.
"He's the type who fled from us even with his comrade right in front of him. A guy like that won't stir up trouble first and reveal his location."
Just then, Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong returned with the tea. Yi Hwan drank half a cup at once before continuing.
"First, we need to figure out what Jo Yun's objective was in sending them. For that, Yang Chan, your skills are absolutely essential."
"I'll do my utmost the moment we return to the command post. So, when do we head back?"
"After the tea."
"Understood."
Gulp!
As soon as the words were out, Ju Tae, Park Ji-mun, and Yang Chan downed the scalding tea like it was cold water.
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong burst into laughter at the sight.
Yi Hwan brought his teacup to his lips and continued.
"Two hundred years ago, there was an organization called the Righteous Alliance. It was a union of the orthodox martial world to counter the unorthodox and demonic paths."
Clink.
"We need to recreate it."
"How so?"
"For now, I'll summon the leaders of major sects and families like Shaolin Temple, Wudang Sect, Mount Hua Sect, and the Paeng Family, and explain the necessity. Moon Lord, the moment we return to the command post, send carrier pigeons to each sect and family."
"Why form a martial alliance all of a sudden?"
"Just two individuals shook the martial world far too easily. If this was the enemy's intent, it's exposed the fatal weakness of Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World in the starkest way."
Everyone nodded in agreement when Hwa Ryeong delicately furrowed her brow and spoke.
"If we form an alliance, won't the martial world's power grow too great? What if it spirals out of control?"
"That situation will never come."
At Yi Hwan's confident tone, Ju Tae added.
"If the lord says it's fine, it is. So don't worry too much, little lady."
Hwa Ryeong pouted her lips and brought her teacup to her mouth. Then she glanced at Ju Tae's group and stuck out her tongue.
"Little brother, how did you guzzle that scorching hot stuff like water? Your mouths aren't blistered inside, are they?"
"Perfectly fine."
"Mine too."
"Same here."
Yi Hwan chimed in.
"It's a difference in internal energy. But it's a foolish act not worth imitating, so ignore it."
"......"
"Cough!"
* * *
Cha Ryong traveled in the carriage with Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan leaned against the wall with arms crossed, eyes closed. Cha Ryong merely glared coldly at him without a word.
How much time passed like that?
Yi Hwan opened his closed eyes. Cha Ryong, who had been glaring, subtly averted his gaze.
"Why did Jo Yun send you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"No use denying it. We've confirmed your comrade transformed into the Blood Heaven Messenger."
"......Blood Heaven Messenger? What's that?"
Cha Ryong countered with a blank expression.
But inwardly, he was stunned.
The Blood Heaven Messenger was a secret known only to a tiny fraction of the Blood Demon's followers who served Jo Yun. How had Yi Hwan identified Ban Go's transformed state as such?
Jo Yun had revealed Yi Hwan's true identity only to a very select few among his close aides, and Cha Ryong was not among them. Thus, unaware that Yi Hwan was the heir of Daye Fortress Lord, Cha Ryong was all the more shocked.
"Impressive. You didn't show even a flicker of emotion despite the shock."
"......"
"You'll regret this choice. This was your last chance from me. Force yourself to get some rest. Hell begins the moment we arrive at the command post."
With that, Yi Hwan closed his eyes again.
Cha Ryong's gaze, fixed on him, sank into unprecedented heaviness.
With eyes closed, Yi Hwan heightened his senses to monitor Cha Ryong's breathing. It had clearly become more erratic than before.
'At his level, he must hold high-grade information we can't get from the others. I absolutely can't let this chance slip. And you won't escape.'
* * *
The experts from the Namgung and Danri Families had all returned to the Golden Army command post.
For now, they would wait here and move again once traces of Jang Cheon-jo were found.
Clink.
Namgung Jang-cheon toyed with his teacup. Danri Mok watched him quietly before asking.
"What have you been thinking so deeply about since earlier?"
"I'm comparing Yeon Kingdom's Golden Army with our Qin Kingdom's Golden Army. Everything possible."
"You seem pretty shocked after fighting alongside the Golden Army here."
Namgung Jang-cheon looked up at Danri Mok. Danri Mok gave a wry smile and continued.
"The differences are too vast. From troop operation systems to intelligence and speed... nothing where we have the edge."
"The most surprising part is their information exchange system and speed. I can't fathom how they achieve such velocity, no matter how I think about it."
"Why not just ask the Great Prince?"
Heh.
"You think he'd reveal something that crucial? No chance."
"Right?"
Namgung Jang-cheon drained the cold tea in one gulp and leaned back in his chair.
"When we get back, I plan to study it properly. If we can't elevate our Golden Army's capabilities at least somewhat to this level, tragedies like the Fanatic Cult rebellion will repeat."
"I'll help."
Namgung Jang-cheon stood.
"Shall we get some air?"
"Sure."
Moments later, the two stepped outside and walked the perimeter of the command post. Even as they walked side by side, their eyes were fixed on the direction of Yi Hwan's office.
Danri Mok gave a wry smile and said.
"I've had a certain thought."
"What thought?"
"What if Qin and Yeon went to war right now."
"Why think such useless things."
"Aren't you curious about my conclusion?"
"What was it?"
"You are curious, huh?"
"Just spit it out."
"Total defeat."
"For us?"
"Yes. For us."
Namgung Jang-cheon let out a chuckle.
"You're overrating Yeon Kingdom's entire military just because their Golden Army is impressive, aren't you?"
"It's not just about the Golden Army. Ultimately, even that's a product of the Great Prince. In a war, he'd surely command Yeon Kingdom's forces. Think you could handle that?"
"......"
Namgung Jang-cheon had no reply.
Instead, he pictured Yeon Kingdom's army under Yi Hwan's lead—and even Qin Kingdom's army facing it.
A wry smile rose unbidden.
'It would be hell on earth.'
It was then.
"Huh? He's coming out."
At Danri Mok's words, Namgung Jang-cheon turned toward Yi Hwan's office.
Yi Hwan was stepping out. Spotting them, he gestured for them to come over.
The two kicked off the ground and leaped toward him simultaneously.
Yi Hwan watched Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok descend like the wind. Friends who made him covetous of their talent every time he saw them.
"You called?"
"Were you out for a walk?"
"Yes. It was getting a bit stuffy...."
"Walk with me."
"Yes."
The three headed north through the command post side by side. There was a garden, a finely built pavilion, and a pond.
"How long do you plan to wait?"
"We'll give it about a month for now."
"You can be away that long without issue, I see."
"There's nothing particular to do back at the Imperial Palace anyway. And after the Sun-Moon Twin Swords incident, I'm even more determined to catch them. The one we were chasing seems to follow a similar pattern. So, if their objective comes to light, could you please inform us as well? Their movements are alike, so their goal probably is too."
"They might even be from the same place as the Sun-Moon Twin Swords."
"We're cautiously considering Zhao Kingdom as the backer."
Yi Hwan walked in silence for a moment.
Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok exchanged glances, hoping he would agree.
"I'll think about it."
"Thank you!"
"I said I'd think about it—what's with the thanks."
"Still, thank you!"
"If I refuse, you'll hold a grudge, huh."
"......"
Yi Hwan stopped and turned to them. Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok halted as well.
"If you want to catch him, you'll need stronger experts. At least one on Baek Yeon's level, right? Otherwise, there'll be no small sacrifices among your warriors, like this time."
"Would that be alright?"
"If you permit it, we'll send carrier pigeons immediately!"
Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok's eyes shone with anticipation.
Yi Hwan gazed at them impassively before resuming his walk.
"I permit it."
"Thank you!"
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet...."
"Then eat together."
"Yes!"
"Yep!"
Their faces finally brightened.