Chapter 330
Chapter 330
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 330
Chapter Title: Jeoksou
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Yi Hwan stood face-to-face with Jo Seok.
Jo Seok repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
“I have urgent business and must leave immediately. I’ll handle the aftermath, so stay with the Southern Legion for the time being.”
“…….”
“There’s the Crown Prince in the capital. If the two of you meet in my absence, the atmosphere won’t be pleasant. It would be best to go together when I return.”
Only then did Jo Seok nod in agreement.
Shortly after, Yi Hwan departed straight for Jeoksou with his close aides.
Jeong Cheon and Song Hoe stood side by side, watching Yi Hwan’s retreating figure. Song Hoe felt immense regret at parting so soon after reuniting. Most of the generals, including Song Cheon-mu and Cha Jung-kyeong, felt the same.
Jeong Cheon turned to Song Hoe with a faint smile.
“His Greatness seems delighted by the Dragon-Tiger Army’s growth.”
“We grew through training under His Greatness’s guidance, so we’re the grateful ones. But why is he heading to Jeoksou, of all places? Right in the middle of the war between Zhao and Qin.”
“How could I know when he hasn’t said? But if he’s going there himself, it must be extremely important. Come on, let’s prepare to head back!”
“Yes.”
Jeong Cheon turned first.
But Song Hoe remained rooted until Yi Hwan completely vanished from sight.
* * *
South of Jeoksou.
The scale of the Qin Kingdom’s camp defied imagination.
They had built it across nearly an entire region, and the fortifications erected to counter Zhao’s southward advance stretched endlessly.
Do Geom—formerly the Nameless Sword—stood atop a spot overlooking it all. Flanking him were men clad in blue and yellow robes.
Whoosh!
Do Geom entrusted his body to the wind as he gazed down at the Qin camp.
The blue-robed man approached and asked,
“Are you going inside there?”
“I’m weighing my options. How to perfectly carry out our lord’s command.”
“Why not just assassinate the key figures in the Qin army?”
That was it. Do Geom, who had been ordered to eliminate Qin’s martial artists, now had a new command: take out the Qin military’s top brass.
This wasn’t just a change of targets—it was a massive shift that demanded entirely different methods.
“Have you already forgotten Baek Woo-kyeong is there?”
The White-Clothed Sword God, Baek Woo-kyeong.
Having reached the Absolute Realm, he was a master even Do Geom couldn’t guarantee victory against. Assassinating under his perceptive senses was no simple task.
“Of course I know. But I hear he spends most of his time on the battlefield.”
“Until we confirm he’s definitely out there—and even then, pinpoint exactly when he returns to camp—we can’t rule him out. If he’s there, a good number of elites following him will be too. Now do you understand why I’m agonizing over this?”
“…….”
“Why no answer?”
“Understood.”
They replied, but both wore dissatisfied expressions.
Do Geom continued,
“I’m warning you ahead: don’t overestimate your own strength. The world is vast, and there are countless martial masters unknown to our intelligence. Keep that in mind.”
“Yes.”
It was then. Dust clouds rose as a group entered through the north gate of the Qin camp.
Do Geom’s eyes gleamed.
“Baek Woo-kyeong’s back.”
“That’s him?”
“Yes.”
Baek Woo-kyeong led at the front. Dozens of white-robed men followed, each radiating sharp auras even from afar.
‘White-Clothed Sword God Baek Woo-kyeong…….’
Ambition flared in Do Geom’s eyes—the instinct of a warrior craving battle with the strong.
Plip! Plip!
Raindrops began to fall.
“This doesn’t look like a passing shower.”
Do Geom looked up at the sky. It had already turned pitch black.
“Let’s find shelter somewhere.”
“Understood.”
* * *
Gulp! Gulp!
Ban Go chugged straight from the bottle. Two empty ones already lay scattered.
Zhao’s warriors glanced at him but didn’t dare speak. No—they didn’t even approach.
Thud!
After draining the third, Ban Go flopped onto his back. His body was soaked in blood and filth.
Half a shichen ago, he’d been thrown into a skirmish with the Qin army and racked up the most merits.
On the battlefield, he was a madman incarnate. Even allies shunned him.
Ban Go chewed on a blade of grass, staring blankly at the sky.
The pitch-black heavens conjured Cha Ryong’s face. Then Jo Yun’s and Wu Mun-sul’s appeared in sequence.
Instantly, bloodlust flashed in Ban Go’s eyes. A chilling aura spread, as if facing an enemy.
‘Why aren’t you thinking of saving Cha Ryong? Why?’
Finally, Yi Hwan’s face surfaced. At that, Ban Go clutched his head and curled up tight.
It was always like this. Thinking of him brought indescribable terror, choking his breath.
Whoosh!
Rain suddenly poured fiercely.
Everyone fled to tents, but Ban Go lay unmoving for a while.
* * *
Qin camp.
Baek Woo-kyeong sat across from his brother Baek Yeon. Their faces were hard as stone.
Baek Yeon spoke gravely,
“If Zhao’s martial forces are stronger than expected, shouldn’t we reinforce ours too?”
“Let’s watch a bit longer. It hasn’t been long since fighting started—if we request reinforcements now, His Majesty will worry greatly.”
“But our casualties are too high. Didn’t you see? Those fiends fighting like yakshas fresh from hell.”
“…….”
Baek Woo-kyeong’s gaze grew immeasurably heavy.
As Baek Yeon said, he’d glimpsed yaksha-like foes. He’d left the field immediately upon arriving, so no blades crossed, but even that brief sight gauged their level easily.
Especially the one cloaked in ominous blood aura, massacring allies—it had chilled even him.
“They seemed to revel in killing for its own sake, without purpose. Even the Ten Thousand Peaks zealots weren’t that bad…….”
“They weren’t there at the creek’s start. Zhao seems dead set on sending more masters continuously.”
Baek Woo-kyeong groaned, pondered, then spoke.
“The granary plains south of Jeoksou are vital to our Qin. We can’t yield them to Zhao no matter what. Looks like you’re right—we need to request martial reinforcements.”
“Better send a man than a letter for the details.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Baek Woo-kyeong sipped the cold tea and rose.
“Where are you going?”
“To see the Grand Commander.”
“I’ll come too.”
“No. I’ll handle it alone—rest.”
“Then take care, brother.”
Soon after Baek Woo-kyeong left, two men entered: Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok.
“You’ve just arrived?”
“Yes. We stopped by the clan to bring our warriors, so we were delayed.”
“Sit.”
“I have something to report, great hero.”
“What?”
“That killer cloaked in blood aura, fighting like a murder ghost. I saw him in Yeon Kingdom.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes. Here’s what happened…….”
Namgung Jang-cheon detailed the Yeon incident.
Once finished, Baek Yeon asked incredulously,
“Yeon’s Great Prince is pursuing him?”
“They failed the chase, but if his trail’s found, he’ll go anywhere. So, what if we inform the Great Prince he’s here?”
“You want to summon Yeon’s Great Prince here?”
“You’ve seen the Great Prince and his guards’ skills. As allies, they’d be a huge asset.”
“Hm…….”
Baek Yeon fell silent in thought. Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok waited.
“If Yeon’s Great Prince came, it’d help immensely. But if he’s misunderstood as intervening in our war, his position could become awkward…….”
“Hide his identity?”
“Hide his identity…….”
Frowning thoughtfully, Baek Yeon soon nodded.
“Very well. When my brother returns, I’ll pass your words along exactly.”
“Thank you.”
Danri Mok asked,
“Was he that strong?”
“Yes, chillingly so. What worries me more is his brutality. He didn’t fight a war—he enjoyed slaughter itself.”
“I see.”
“If you encounter him on the field, don’t engage rashly.”
“Understood. Rest well.”
* * *
Leaving Baek Yeon’s tent, Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok headed to where their clan masters gathered.
“Will the Great Prince come?”
“From that vibe back then, he definitely will.”
“That’d be great.”
“Let’s hope.”
Walking side by side, they gazed west at the camp. It housed wounded warriors, where nearly every military physician sweated over treatments.
“Zhao’s come prepared. They say no battle’s ever thrown in so many martial artists.”
“Not just numbers—their quality’s different. That’s the worry. We’ll need to call more masters too…….”
“Of course. No holding back in this situation.”
Mid-talk, Danri Mok snapped angrily.
“Why not ally with Yeon and crush Zhao? How many more warriors must die because of those bastards? Damn it.”
Namgung Jang-cheon just wore a bitter look. Truth was, he’d thought it more than once.
Of course, he’d never considered it before. He’d firmly believed Qin alone could handle Zhao.
But after the Dark Heaven Cult uprising, he realized his homeland wasn’t as strong as thought.
“Grand Commander Yuan stuffing key posts with cronies over talent weakened our forces. That’s Qin’s biggest problem.”
“What can we do? His Majesty and Crown Prince back him so much—no other way.”
“Sigh…….”
Namgung Jang-cheon sighed deeply.
Then—
“Young master!”
A young Namgung clansman dropped before them.
“What’s wrong?”
“Scouting orders came. You must leave immediately.”
“Us too?”
“Yes. Both clans together.”
“Just arrived, and this?”
“No choice. We’ve handled most scouting so far. Let’s go.”
* * *
Rumble!
Whoosh!
Night brought heavier rain.
Ban Go tilted a bottle alone in a remote spot.
A gray-robed man sat beside him, exuding a ghostly aura.
He tossed something at Ban Go.
Swoosh!
Clack!
“Have some snacks with your drink. You’ll ruin your stomach.”
“Mind your own business.”
“Brat, with that attitude.”
Killing intent gathered in the gray-robe’s eyes. Unlike other warriors fearing Ban Go, his demeanor differed sharply.
And for good reason: he was one of the Blood Demon’s followers, outranking Ban Go to boot. He feared no one but perhaps the top.
“I put up with you for Cha Ryong’s sake, but don’t expect that now, Ban Go.”
Ban Go’s eyes flickered wildly for an instant—a natural fury response.
But he did nothing else. Blood Demon followers faced severe punishment for defying Jo Yun’s hierarchy.
“Who’d make you run?”
“…….”
“No answer? Makes me more curious. What kind of guy was it?”
Ban Go looked up, staring at the gray-robe. Faint blood aura already gleamed in his eyes.
But that was it.
The gray-robe watched Ban Go walk away, his own gaze unusually subdued.
‘That lunatic wouldn’t flee from fear of anyone…….’