Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Reunion
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Moon Pavilion's grand hall.
Several sheets of paper were clutched in Moon Lord Go Mi's hand.
A young man sat before her. He was Moon Pavilion's Deputy Moon Lord.
"I have written down everything as instructed. But are we really heading to the Southern Legion?"
"It's an order from His Highness the Crown Prince, so we must obey."
Go Mi checked the contents written on the paper.
Surprisingly, the paper detailed information on the Southern Legion's key figures. It included not only Paeng Mu-wi but also Young Ho-chung.
"You've done well."
Go Mi tucked the paper into her bosom and stood. The metallic clink of her armor with every movement amplified her allure even more.
The Deputy Moon Lord followed behind her.
Moments later, as they stepped into the courtyard, the waiting warriors bowed their heads.
Go Mi furrowed her brow slightly upon seeing the carriage parked at the main gate.
"We're riding horses, so remove the carriage."
"It's a long journey. Please take the carriage."
"If we want to get there even a moment sooner, riding is better."
"Understood."
Soon, one warrior led her beloved steed over. Go Mi mounted it and turned to those seeing her off.
"While I'm away, the Deputy Moon Lord will lead well."
"Yes, Moon Lord. Then please return safely."
That was the entirety of the farewell.
With Go Mi leading the way past the main gate, the warriors heading to the Southern Legion with her began to move.
How long had they traveled?
Go Mi pulled on her horse's reins.
A general was approaching from ahead. He was a guard captain from the Crown Prince's Palace.
"You're leaving already?"
"Yes. Having received the order, we must move as quickly as possible. But what brings you here, General?"
The general held out a small bundle.
"His Highness said to deliver this to the Great Prince. Guard it well. It's perishable, so hurry as much as you can."
"Understood."
As Go Mi handed the bundle to her subordinate, the general's transmission voice flowed into her ear.
[The Golden Imperial Guards have already departed for the Southern Legion. Be cautious on the road, just in case.]
"......!"
At the mention of the Golden Imperial Guards, Go Mi's eyes turned icy.
She quickly bowed slightly to the general and kicked her horse's flank.
The general watched Go Mi's receding figure, subtly furrowing his brow.
'The Southern Legion is about to get rowdy.'
* * *
To the ordinary warriors, Yi Hwan remained much the same as before.
If anything, Cheol Mu-ok and Gong Son-tae had emerged as objects of awe. Their formidable prowess displayed in the pursuit battle had left that strong an impression.
However, to generals like Hwang Ho, Yi Hwan was coming to be seen as an entirely different being from the past. In particular, Hwang Ho and Jeong Cheon, who knew he had killed the Zhao Kingdom's Commander, were genuinely impressed by him.
Yi Hwan's excellent decisions throughout the series of events since the battle began had solidly contributed to their change of heart.
* * *
Having weathered a fierce storm, the Southern Legion had spent the past few days in peace. The Zhao Kingdom showed no unusual movements due to their Commander's funeral.
Today as well, Yi Hwan immersed himself in his cultivation technique. He had recovered a significant amount of internal energy thanks to Yi So's spirit pill, but he could never be satisfied with that.
"Huu...."
Finishing his cultivation, Yi Hwan stepped outside to cool his heated body.
Cha Jung-kyeong happened to be sitting outside. He still looked quite ill but had recovered enough to move about somewhat.
Yi Hwan sat beside him and asked.
"Feeling a bit better now?"
"Tastes like death. Especially when I strain in the privy, my gut pulls...."
Cha Jung-kyeong, who knew no way to beat around the bush. He suddenly asked.
"Why are you treating me so well?"
"Out of the blue."
"A wanderer has face-changing skills, so you could find it without me, couldn't you?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"I'm no high expert useful to the Great Prince, and until just recently, I was a Black Tiger Squad member from the Zhao Kingdom army that the Southern Legion hated most. Unless your goal is finding the wanderer, I see no reason for the Great Prince to treat me well."
"Then work hard to become an expert who can assist me."
"......"
Clap!
Yi Hwan placed a hand on Cha Jung-kyeong's shoulder.
"Thanks to you, I became rich, and I helped your sister's family greatly. Isn't that reason enough to take you in?"
As Cha Jung-kyeong opened his mouth to speak, Song Hoe entered the tent. He had apparently come from training, his whole body drenched in sweat.
"A force from the capital just arrived. But they say it's from the Fourth Imperial Prince's side again this time."
"How many?"
"Just over a hundred, they say."
"All sent from the Fourth Imperial Prince's side?"
"Yes. According to General Jeong Cheon."
Wrinkles formed on Yi Hwan's brow.
'People from the Crown Prince's side will arrive soon too. Things seem to be escalating.'
It was then.
"Wow! A woman!"
Cha Jung-kyeong's eyes widened as he let out an exclamation. His sparkling eyes were anything but those of a sick man.
Yi Hwan naturally turned to look, and he saw a group of riders entering the camp. Go Mi was at the lead.
"She's a woman, right?"
"Can't keep your head straight."
Smack!
"Ugh!"
Song Hoe smacked Cha Jung-kyeong on the head.
Yi Hwan stared toward the rear of Moon Pavilion. But no other people were visible.
'They said more people would come, so Moon Pavilion can't be all of them, can they?'
Crown Prince Yi So had clearly said he would send people to help soon.
At that moment, Go Mi turned her head this way. Their gazes intertwined across the great distance.
Go Mi spurred her horse faster toward them.
Thud thud thud!
"Huh? That woman we saw in the capital?"
Smack!
"Ugh!"
"Shut your trap, kid. You survived the sword wound with just your mouth intact."
"Ow, come on! You're making my head dumber!"
"There's room for it to get dumber."
"My head's fine! Even in the Zhao army, they acknowledged my cunning."
Smack!
"That's bragging, kid."
* * *
"Great Prince."
Go Mi bowed toward Yi Hwan. The Moon Pavilion warriors who followed her bowed in unison.
"We meet again here."
"Have you been well?"
"It's only been a few days. Glad to see you again anyway—let's work well together from now on."
"Yes. Then I'll come greet you again."
Go Mi bowed once more and headed toward the command tent.
Song Hoe narrowed his brow and muttered.
"Why send Moon Pavilion, the covert agency?"
"The Crown Prince's Palace must have their reasons."
As of yet, no one except the key generals knew Moon Pavilion was coming. Yi Hwan hadn't told even his close aides.
"How's the training going?"
"Yes. Everyone's enthusiasm is remarkable. Even when exhausted, they endure to learn one more thing—it's truly admirable. Especially the captains; their discipline is fiercer than the recruits'."
"Can't be helped. Mu-ok's prowess was overwhelming. Anyway, keep at it."
"Yes. Then this deputy will head back to the training grounds."
Before leaving the tent, Song Hoe smacked Cha Jung-kyeong's head again.
Smack!
"Ugh!"
Cha Jung-kyeong shot him a curse-filled glare.
'Damn that guy.'
* * *
That evening, Go Mi visited Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan welcomed her with top-grade meat dishes and liquor.
Before she could even pick up her chopsticks, Go Mi spoke.
"The Fourth Imperial Prince has sent a large number of Golden Imperial Guard elites."
"I know."
"......Pardon?"
"The Crown Prince's Palace gave prior notice. That's why you Moon Pavilion came here too."
"Ah, yes."
Go Mi pulled a bundle of papers from her bosom and offered them.
"What's this?"
"I've noted information on the Southern Legion's key generals. General Hwang told me to deliver it to you, Great Prince...."
Unfolding the paper revealed tiny script packed densely without gaps.
Yi Hwan was impressed inwardly.
'While operating mainly in the capital, they pierced through even here.'
"I'll reference it."
Yi Hwan tucked the paper away and filled Go Mi's cup with liquor.
Pour.
"Have you ever experienced battle?"
"Not army battles, but I've joined a few bandit suppression operations."
"Your companions too?"
"Yes. They're all seasoned elites, so they won't be a burden. Ah!"
Go Mi made an "oh no" face and beckoned to a warrior at the entrance. He approached with a bundle.
"His Highness the Crown Prince said to give this to the Great Prince."
'His sincerity is profound.'
Yi Hwan smirked as he unwrapped the bundle.
A luxurious container appeared, and lifting the lid revealed an unexpected item.
'Dragon Well tea?'
It was the Dragon Well tea Yi So favored. Folded with a note.
Yi Hwan unfolded the note. But it contained only words of encouragement.
'It can't boost internal energy too, can it?'
"Do you like tea?"
"Just a little...."
"Take it and drink it."
Go Mi started in surprise.
"I dare not accept a gift from His Highness the Crown Prince to you, Great Prince."
"I don't care much for Dragon Well tea. The aftertaste doesn't suit me. So take it without refusing."
"......"
With poor harvests for years making Dragon Well tea more precious than gold, it was a heavy burden for Go Mi. But since Yi Hwan offered, she couldn't refuse.
"Thank you, Great Prince."
"No more headache talk. Let's eat."
"Yes."
* * *
Paeng Family tent.
Paeng Mu-wi, Young Ho-chung, and one other man sat together.
"We need to report the current situation in detail. Please tell me everything, down to the finest points."
"How fine?"
"Your relations with General Hwang Ho and his followers, unusual events from the recent battle.... That sort of thing."
"Even that?"
"Yes. That's why they sent me here."
The man was Mo Jae-hwang, Deputy Overseer of the Golden Imperial Guards.
Yeon Kingdom's Golden Imperial Guards were led by the Grand Overseer, assisted by Deputy Overseers and their elite guards.
He continued.
"So far, we've sent our people under the pretext of reinforcements for losses, but now even that excuse is gone. It's all up to the Left General's abilities, they said."
Paeng Mu-wi's face hardened.
It sounded like a warning to him.
"Hm!"
Clearing his throat, Paeng Mu-wi began to speak. Mo Jae-hwang listened silently throughout the long account.
Then, at the mention of Yi Hwan toward the end, his eyes gleamed.
"Such people around the Great Prince?"
"Perfect timing. Have your men look into their identities."
"Understood. Rosters list origins and backgrounds, so we'll investigate immediately. But the Left General must provide the roster."
"Got it."
"Anything else?"
"That's all. If I remember something, I'll tell you then."
"Understood. Then one more question."
Mo Jae-hwang alternated glances between Paeng Mu-wi and Young Ho-chung before asking.
"How is the Great Prince?"
"Too vague a question."
"Was it? Then let me rephrase. Any odd behavior from the Great Prince lately? Like meeting General Hwang Ho often or treating our side strangely."
Young Ho-chung asked.
"The higher-ups told you to watch the Great Prince?"
"Yes. Recently, he visited the Crown Prince's Palace. Skipped paying respects to Her Majesty the Empress and the Fourth Imperial Prince and left straightaway."
"So they suspect something between the Crown Prince's Palace and the Great Prince?"
"Exactly."
Paeng Mu-wi and Young Ho-chung exchanged looks.
They knew Yi Hwan had changed completely, but when it came to specifics, nothing came to mind.
Paeng Mu-wi furrowed his brow and muttered.
"Aside from toying with me, nothing particular...."
"What do you mean? The Great Prince toying with the Left General?"
"Well...."
Paeng Mu-wi recounted what had passed between him and Yi Hwan. His face flushed red with rising anger as he spoke.
When he finished, Mo Jae-hwang's eyes narrowed.
"So, you drank tea together at your first meeting, and next battle, you suddenly got diarrhea and embarrassed yourself?"
"I'm convinced the Great Prince poisoned the tea. If possible, look into that too."
"Understood. Anything else?"
"Nothing else comes to mind. What about you, Young Ho Duke?"
"Nothing particular."
Mo Jae-hwang stood.
"Understood. If anything comes up later, let me know. Then I'll take my leave."
After Mo Jae-hwang left, Young Ho-chung said with a somewhat grave expression.
"Honestly, I don't know why they sent the Golden Imperial Guards. What role can elite guards who catch criminals play on the battlefield, sending so many?"
"Looks like they're watching us too. Could be a warning they'll replace us if needed."
"Hm. Maybe. If so, you must be extra careful."
Thud!
Paeng Mu-wi slammed the table, scowling.
"If Her Majesty the Empress just appointed me Commander, it'd be simple!"
"Even Her Majesty can't go that far. Anyway...."
Young Ho-chung trailed off, furrowing his brow.
"The Deputy Overseer didn't pay respects to the Great Prince?"