Chapter 319
Chapter 319
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 319
Chapter Title: Zhao, Qin Collision
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Even with mouthwatering braised pork belly and fine liquor spread before him, Yi Hwan did not empty his cup.
Go Mi asked cautiously.
"You seem worried. Is it because of the Second Prince?"
"If he's gone down to Jeok-su, then the Third Prince will likely go up as reinforcements. The Qin imperial family will make sure of it."
"But it might not happen. The unit assigned to the Third Prince is meant to defend the Qin capital."
"That could be true if the Second Prince doesn't draw attention on the battlefield. But if he does the opposite, the Third Prince will be sent to the front regardless of his unit's purpose."
"Why does their clash worry you?"
Yi Hwan did not answer and finally lifted his cup.
Clink.
"Ever since we met in the Qin capital, he's been on my mind. Sending back his subordinates—who trusted him enough to face execution for treason—that stuck with me too."
Pour.
Go Mi refilled Yi Hwan's empty cup.
'To think his familial bonds run this deep.'
It was unexpected. From what she'd observed at his side, Yi Hwan drew a ruthlessly clear line between public duty and private affection.
Perhaps that's why. Go Mi felt her heart inexplicably warm at this human side of his.
"If that situation arises, I'll report it immediately."
"You're talking nonsense. Let's just drink."
"Yes."
The two continued their drinking session, passing the cup back and forth.
Yi Yeong, who had just started up the stairs, paused to gaze at the pair, then smiled faintly and went back down.
Song Cheon-ho, carrying more liquor up, asked puzzled.
"Madam, why are you going back down?"
"It's best not to interrupt."
"Interrupt? What do you...?"
Song Cheon-ho trailed off as realization dawned, his eyes widening.
Yi Yeong smiled sweetly and tugged his arm. Song Cheon-ho glanced upstairs and grinned too.
"It better work out."
"It will."
* * *
The Zhao Kingdom's movements reached the experts from the Namgung and Danri families staying at Golden Army headquarters.
As the families' elders gathered to discuss, Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok sat off to one side of the training grounds, locked in serious conversation.
Danri Mok stared at the elders and asked.
"Will we decide to head back?"
"Naturally, we should."
"That's true, but..."
Danri Mok trailed off. He knew they needed to return immediately, yet Jang Cheon-jo still lingered in his mind.
Namgung Jang-cheon spoke.
"Zhao's goal isn't just seizing Jeok-su. There's a high chance they're aiming to occupy everything south of it."
"So Jo Yun feels politically stable enough to provoke them?"
"That's how I see it. Or it could be a ploy to rally internal unity through provocation. Whatever the reason, we must decisively repel the Zhao army this time. Otherwise, bolder incursions will follow."
Namgung Jang-cheon, speaking in a firm tone, suddenly sighed.
"The problem is Grand General Won. I'm doubtful he can hold back the Zhao forces..."
"Exactly. With all those other generals available, they hand the critical command to him of all people. It has to be the Crown Prince's Palace's doing."
"Probably."
"Either way, that guy's like a phoenix. Surviving that mess and coming back. Not sure if I should cheer or curse it."
Danri Mok wore a bitter expression, then suddenly widened his eyes.
"He's here."
Yi Hwan and Go Mi were crossing the headquarters' main gate.
"He must know the situation. Let's ask him."
Namgung Jang-cheon grabbed Danri Mok's arm as he moved to run over.
"Stop. If he doesn't bring it up first, prying into state matters like this is rude beyond impolite."
"..."
It was then. Danri Mok's eyes widened further.
"He's calling us."
Yi Hwan was beckoning them over.
Whoosh!
Namgung Jang-cheon launched himself first, as if he'd been waiting.
Danri Mok followed, wearing a bewildered look.
* * *
"You've heard the news, I see."
"Yes. But we'd like more details."
"Have you decided whether to return?"
"The elders are discussing it now."
"Let's talk inside."
Moments later, the three sat facing each other in the office.
Yi Hwan explained the situation in detail, and the two men's faces grew grave.
Yi Hwan then asked what puzzled him.
"Is the Crown Prince's Palace backing Won Gae-se?"
"Grand General Won has long enjoyed His Majesty's special trust, but lately, he's grown very close to the Crown Prince's Palace too."
"So he has the full imperial family's support?"
"That's the right way to see it."
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair, recalling Won Gae-se.
The man he'd seen was extremely narrow-minded.
Yet setting aside his character, as a general, he was worthy of respect.
The stone cannons he'd deployed assaulting the Dark Heaven Cult's main base had been a brilliant move even Yi Hwan hadn't anticipated. Had the Dark Heaven Cult not timed their uprising perfectly, the battle at Mount Shipman would have ended in total victory for the Qin army.
That said, it didn't elevate Yi Hwan's opinion of him. If anything, he rated the Golden Army's leader he'd met in the Qin capital, Wi Ji-gwan, even higher.
Danri Mok asked cautiously.
"What do you think of Grand General Won, Great Prince?"
"Can I casually evaluate another kingdom's grand general from this seat?"
"Ah, sorry."
Danri Mok scratched his head, regretting the needless question.
Yi Hwan sipped his tea.
Clink.
"If you return, will you be deployed to Jeok-su?"
"We participated before, so probably this time too."
"If you go, fight properly. If you yield ground, it'll lead to even greater provocations."
"We think the same."
A general entered then.
"Great Prince, a Namgung family elder requests an audience."
"Let him in."
"Yes."
Moments later, the Namgung elder entered.
Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok rose. The elder glanced at them, then bowed to Yi Hwan.
"Forgive us, but we must return home swiftly."
"You've all decided to go back?"
"Yes, Great Prince."
"Understood."
"We've imposed on you far too much. We sincerely thank you for your aid and look forward to meeting again. We'll take our leave."
The elder bowed. Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok bowed too.
It was expected, but hearing they were leaving stirred complicated feelings. Not pursuing Jang Cheon-jo anymore was part of it, but equally regrettable was parting from Yi Hwan.
Namgung Jang-cheon felt it most keenly.
"Wish you martial fortune."
"Thank you, Great Prince."
"See you again!"
* * *
Do Geom's operation had faltered due to discord with Jang Cheon-jo.
He'd learned Jang Cheon-jo was being pursued by the Namgung and Danri families but hadn't gone after him.
Instead, intent on accomplishing Jang Cheon-jo's share too, he'd sought out famed Qin warriors for duels.
As a result, after felling Gangdong Swordmaster, he defeated five more, his name gradually spreading.
But fame became poison for Do Geom. As his reputation grew, the Qin authorities began hunting him.
Unlike Yeon Kingdom's declaration of Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World, Qin strictly controlled martial artists—hence the outcome.
Whoosh!
Atop a peak lashed by fierce winds.
Do Geom, long sword hugged to his chest, gazed at the city sprawling below.
"Didn't expect intervention this soon."
He'd anticipated the Qin court would act eventually.
But the timing was sooner than thought, leaving Do Geom quite flustered. At this rate, fulfilling Jo Yun's orders to the end would prove difficult.
"Hmm..."
As Do Geom pondered long,
Swish!
A figure landed before him—the one who'd left the scene with him when Jang Cheon-jo clashed with Danri family warriors.
Approaching, he said.
"Until new orders arrive, suspend current missions."
"What's this all of a sudden?"
"The army has marched to seize Jeok-su. It's been some time already, so they'll reach it soon. Lord commands you join those sent then and carry out new duties."
"He's sending us to Jeok-su?"
"Not sure yet."
Do Geom nodded and asked.
"Any word on Leader Jang?"
"We confirmed most Namgung and Danri experts crossed into Yeon Kingdom. Leader Jang has surely done the same."
"Fool."
Do Geom looked down the mountain again.
Whoosh!
Wind surging up clawed savagely at his robes.
"When those coming arrive, bring them here."
"Staying here?"
"More comfortable than an inn."
"Understood. Rest then."
Moments later, alone, Do Geom entered the woods. A fairly deep, wide cave lay there.
'I'll sleep my fill in the meantime.'
* * *
Days later.
Reports arrived that Zhao and Qin had begun battling at Jeok-su.
The first clash produced twenty thousand casualties combined in fierce fighting, with many generals slain too—a brutal toll.
Go Mi continued the report.
"Both sides deployed far more experts than before. Qin's side confirmed the White-Clothed Sword God brothers participating."
"If it's stalemate even with the White-Clothed Sword God, Zhao must have equals..."
"We haven't fully grasped Zhao's experts yet. But isn't it likely Blood Demon followers joined too?"
"Probably."
Yi Hwan's curiosity stirred. Truth be told, he considered visiting like before.
But the moment wasn't right. Better to intervene if Qin fell into dire straits.
"There's info on the Second Prince too."
"Oh?"
"He not only took three Qin generals' heads but won the only decisive Zhao victory in battles he led. One odd thing, though."
Go Mi caught her breath, then spoke gravely.
"Qin generals and warriors felled by the Second Prince bore black scorch marks like burn victims."
"Oh?"
Yi Hwan furrowed his brow.
With countless secret arts and lost martial techniques etched in his memory, he easily recalled those matching the trait.
Yet while arts like the Extreme Yang Flame Divine Art flashed in mind—fiery ultimate yang energy—current intel alone couldn't pinpoint Yi Tae-ji's.
One certainty: a technique leaving marks with mere cuts was a divine art beyond reproach.
"He hid his power until now."
"Yes."
Go Mi found Yi Hwan's calm reaction odd amid their talk. As if no technique's power fazed him.
"Any read on the Qin imperial side?"
"Yes. No unusual activity so far. No report of the Third Prince heading to Jeok-su either."
"Good work."
"May I ask something?"
"Go ahead."
"If the Third Prince goes to Jeok-su, will you visit?"
Yi Hwan leaned back.
"Regardless of him, I'm thinking of moving somehow. If there's gain, I'll try anything. Oh, before that, investigate something."
"Anything."
"Zhao poured massive funds into disaster recovery yet mobilizes an army this fast—it's suspicious. Check how Jo Yun funded it."
"Understood. In exchange, take me when you go to Jeok-su."
"Planned to anyway."
"Yes. Then."
As Go Mi headed out, Yi Hwan asked.
"How's training?"
"Working hard. Inspect it later, Great Prince."
"Will do."
"Thanks."
Go Mi left, and Yi Hwan rose too.
'A technique leaving burn-like marks...'
He'd visit the Imperial Palace Treasury.
It might hold records of arts he didn't know.
With Yi Tae-ji likely to cross paths again someday, prior scouting was needed.