Chapter 324
Chapter 324
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 324
Chapter Title: Destination of the Zhao Kingdom's Great Prince
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yi Hwan and Kim Mu-gwan stealthily descended into the village.
The two quickly approached where Jo Seok's group was, climbing onto the roof of a suitable civilian house to assess the situation.
Just then, Jo Seok stepped outside.
"Have you all changed clothes?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And the instructions I gave?"
"We handed out plenty of silver to every house as you commanded, but I still wonder if this is wise. If even one of them talks, Your Highness will be in danger."
"If we kill these people to silence them just so you and I can survive, what difference is there from that tyrant who harms others without a second thought for his own selfish desires?"
"I was short-sighted. Forgive me, Your Highness."
Jo Seok patted the shoulder of the man presumed to be a general, then mounted his horse. Those shadowing him like ghosts mounted up in unison.
"In two days, word will spread that we've changed course. We need to get as far as possible in those two days, so let's hurry."
"Yes, Your Highness."
* * *
[What does this situation look like to you right now?]
Kim Mu-gwan asked, his eyes wide round.
Yi Hwan calmed his gaze.
[At the very least, it's clear the enemy isn't heading for their original destination.]
And one more thing.
They intended to leave the Zhao Kingdom altogether.
'Tyrant...'
In the Zhao Kingdom, calling the ruler could only mean Jo Yun.
Why was Jo Seok calling Jo Yun a tyrant?
"Could they be planning to defect?"
"Maybe. For now, hold off on attacking and let's observe more. Go up and tell everyone to come down."
"Understood."
Kim Mu-gwan leaped toward where the group was.
Yi Hwan turned his gaze back. Jo Seok's group was just starting to move.
He needed to organize his thoughts here.
If Jo Seok was defecting to Yeon Kingdom instead of Qin Kingdom, there was no need to hesitate—he had to help without question.
But if the destination was Qin Kingdom?
'First, I need to confirm where they're heading.'
As Yi Hwan sorted his thoughts, Kim Mu-gwan returned with the group.
Yi Hwan mounted the warhorse Ju Tae had brought.
"Follow them without being spotted. No attacks until I give the order."
* * *
It was around the time dawn began to break.
As the whole world was dyed red by the morning light, Jo Seok's group suddenly veered eastward.
"Huh! Why are they turning east?"
"They're defecting to our Yeon Kingdom instead of Qin!"
No one could think otherwise in this situation.
But it was still too early to jump to conclusions. They might be veering to avoid a Zhao Kingdom army camp in the direction they were descending.
Everyone kept a suitable distance and tailed them.
How much time passed like that?
"They're heading northeast now!"
Jo Seok's group turned a bit more toward the northeast. If they kept going straight, they'd reach Shaanxi Province, Yeon Kingdom territory.
This made it almost certain their destination was Yeon Kingdom, not Qin.
Go Mi shouted.
"Shouldn't we catch up now, reveal ourselves, and help them? If we take a shortcut, we can shave off at least a day!"
It was then.
"My lord!"
Ju Tae raised his hand, pointing to the front left.
There, thousands of cavalry were charging fiercely, kicking up clouds of dust. Zhao Kingdom troops.
"More are coming down from behind!"
Dust clouds rose behind the cavalry as well.
"Increase speed and catch up to them."
"Yes!"
Thud thud thud!
Yi Hwan charged ahead first. In an instant, he pulled away from the group and caught up to the rear of Jo Seok's party.
Some warriors at the rear spotted him and hurriedly turned their spear tips.
"Who are you!"
"I'm here to help your Third Prince. Straight to the point— are you defecting to Yeon Kingdom?"
"......!"
No one answered.
Yi Hwan then pointed west.
The warriors looked west and their eyes bulged.
"Pursuers!"
"Pursuers are coming!"
At the shouts, the rear forces racing along broke off to Jo Seok's left flank. To protect him, no doubt.
Yi Hwan asked again.
"Answer me. Are you defecting to Yeon Kingdom!"
"Wh-who are you?!"
"From Yeon Kingdom."
"......!"
"Answer quickly!"
"Y-yes. His Highness the Third Prince intends to defect to Yeon Kingdom!"
No sooner had he heard it than Yi Hwan surged forward. After a short gallop, Jo Seok came into view.
He had broken off from the main group with his presumed guards and was racing straight northeast.
Yi Hwan turned his horse northeast as well. Ju Tae and the others, who had closed in, followed suit.
Thud thud thud!
As the distance closed, those at the very rear drew their swords in unison.
Clang clang clang!
"We're not enemies—sheathe your swords."
Though spoken softly, it boomed like thunder in everyone's ears.
"Who are you!"
"From Yeon Kingdom."
"......!"
Just then, Jo Seok turned to look at Yi Hwan.
Their gazes locked through the dust clouds.
"I'll guide you via a shortcut—follow me."
"You're really from Yeon Kingdom?!"
"Trust me."
Thud thud thud!
It was then.
Kwachijik!
"Argh!"
"Ugh!"
The pursuers collided with Jo Seok's forces.
The Zhao Kingdom general's face twisted in spasms. He had no time to suspect Yi Hwan now.
"Follow that man!"
"Yes!"
Thud thud thud!
"Block them!"
"Argh!"
At the desperate death cries echoing from behind, Jo Seok gritted his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut.
'I'm sorry.'
* * *
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong stuck close to Yi Hwan's side.
Yi Hwan instructed Go Mi.
"Take the lead and guide the way."
"What about the Great Prince...?"
"I need to cover the rear."
"Be careful."
"Don't worry. I'll outlive you."
Yi Hwan fell back to the rear of the group.
Those who exuded considerable strength were on guard against the pursuing forces chasing from behind.
Yi Hwan instructed Ju Tae and the others.
"If they catch up, kill whatever you catch, but be careful not to fall behind."
"Understood!"
"Yes!"
The faces of those watching Yi Hwan weren't pleasant. Though Jo Seok had decided to follow him, most couldn't help but suspect this sudden intruder.
A middle-aged man asked in a heavy tone.
"Reveal your identity now! We can't keep following someone we don't even know!"
Yi Hwan readily gave his name.
"Yi Hwan."
He then removed his human skin mask.
"......!"
Who in the world wouldn't know that name? Everyone who heard his voice widened their eyes in shock.
Someone shouted.
"It's the Great Prince of Yeon!"
Probably someone who had seen Yi Hwan somewhere before.
Yi Hwan pointed west and continued.
"More pursuers are coming down—focus. If you don't want to lose the prince."
* * *
To block the pursuers pressing close behind, they were sacrificing one by one, and the number of warriors following Jo Seok was steadily dwindling.
Crunch.
Blood dripped from lips bitten into by teeth.
Jo Seok turned to look behind.
A middle-aged man shouted.
"Don't look back, Your Highness! Only look ahead and ride!"
Woooah!
Kwachijik!
"Uwaaak!"
"Kraaak!"
Heart-wrenching death cries continued unabated from not far away. Jo Seok's eyes twisted in pain as the pursuing horde kicking up dust stabbed like daggers.
And beyond the dust, a blood-red banner fluttering.
It was the unit of Gwak Chi, younger brother of the fierce general Gwak Beom, appointed as commander of the Jisu battle forces.
"That's Gwak Chi's unit!"
"Don't waver— just chase their rear!"
The middle-aged man leading the guards pointed at Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong and shouted again.
"Your Highness! Just follow those women!"
"What are you planning to do!"
"I'll buy as much time as I can!"
"No! You must stay by my side!"
Jo Seok cried out in anguish.
But the middle-aged man was already resolved to give his life. For Jo Seok.
Then, a indifferent voice pierced the middle-aged man's ear from the left.
"Guard the Third Prince's side."
The middle-aged man turned left.
Yi Hwan was riding up.
The middle-aged man's eyes widened as if tearing. He recognized Yi Hwan without the mask.
"Great Prince Yi Hwan...!"
"What!"
Jo Seok turned in surprise.
Their gazes locked once more.
Yi Hwan tossed a word at him.
"Now's the time to only look ahead and ride."
"......!"
Yi Hwan closed in right beside Jo Seok.
Jo Seok stared at him with still-shocked eyes. Who could have imagined the man who appeared out of nowhere claiming to be from Yeon Kingdom was Great Prince Yi Hwan?
Go Mi turned back and shouted.
"Once we cross that ridgeline, there's a narrow pass! If we get through there, the pursuers won't follow easily!"
Yi Hwan nodded silently and looked back.
New pursuers were charging fiercely about a hundred zhang behind.
Around three thousand, perhaps?
With that number, they could buy maximum time using the terrain in the narrow, treacherous pass.
It was then.
Thud thud thud!
About a dozen from the pursuers shot forward at tremendous speed. Clearly experts.
Yi Hwan snatched the spear from a warrior riding right beside him.
"I'll return it soon."
"......!"
"Ju Tae, Mu-ok, Ji-mun. Block them."
"Yes!"
The four turned their horses and charged rearward.
Seeing this, the middle-aged man shouted.
"You five! Help Yeon's Great Prince!"
"Yes!"
Five warriors turned their horses.
Jo Seok glanced at Yi Hwan and the others as he rode. But soon, they were obscured by the following warriors and vanished from sight completely.
* * *
Jo Seok rode without rest.
After cresting the ridgeline, a completely different mountainous terrain appeared.
Jo Seok looked back.
Had they shaken them off?
Gwak Chi's unit was nowhere in sight. Nor was Yi Hwan.
'No way...'
Jo Seok prayed for Yi Hwan's safety. Having decided to defect to Yeon Kingdom, he naturally had to root for him.
"From here, abandon the horses and run!"
Go Mi's shout rang out loud and clear.
Infused with internal energy, it pierced precisely into everyone's ears despite the wind.
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong dismounted first.
The middle-aged man shouted.
"Must we truly abandon the horses?!"
"If you want to live, get off now!"
"......!"
The middle-aged man looked at Jo Seok.
Jo Seok dismounted first, so the middle-aged man shouted to everyone.
"Everyone, abandon your horses!"
* * *
Half a shichen later.
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong panted heavily as they looked back.
Far in the distance, Zhao Kingdom troops were approaching. The rear was obscured by dense forest.
Unease flickered thinly in Go Mi's eyes.
She had led from the front the whole time, but she knew. Yi Hwan had turned back to block the trackers.
Hwa Ryeong comforted her.
"Don't worry too much. He'll pop up just like always."
Then Jo Seok approached them. White steam rose from his sweat-soaked body.
"Thank you, ladies."
"Save the thanks for the Great Prince himself later..."
Go Mi trailed off, her eyes widening. Yi Hwan had appeared behind Jo Seok.
Ju Tae and the others who had stepped up to help Yi Hwan followed behind. All were drenched in blood, but not one had fallen behind.
Relieved breaths escaped Go Mi, Hwa Ryeong, and Jo Seok.
Yi Hwan went straight up to Jo Seok.
"Are you alright?"
"You saved our lives. On behalf of everyone here, thank you, Great Prince."
"It's not over yet, so save the greetings. Rest a bit, then let's move. Those trailing us aren't ordinary."
At those words, Jo Seok looked west. Gwak Chi's unit was emerging through the forest.
Yi Hwan asked Go Mi.
"Is the Southern Legion the closest?"
"Yes. I've already sent a messenger pigeon."
Go Mi always carried travel pigeons for situations like this.
"We head there."
"Understood."