Chapter 338
Chapter 338
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 338
Chapter Title: Candid Conversation
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Crown Prince Yang Mu flashed a triumphant smile.
“As expected, you had an ace up your sleeve.”
“You mean Yi Seong-ji?”
“Exactly. To think he fought on equal terms with that monster who massacred our warriors like livestock—what a surprise.”
“So, the purpose of sending him here was to test his hidden abilities?”
“Well, something like that.”
Yang Mu leaned back in his chair, smiling continuously.
Sitting across from him was a middle-aged man named Yeo Juchun, Yang Mu’s strategist.
He was the one person Yang Mu trusted more than anyone, and he had recently emerged from secluded training to join Yang Mu.
He asked,
“It bothers me a bit that he’s with the Great Prince of Yeon. Shouldn’t they be sworn enemies?”
“He was badly injured and had no choice but to head to the nearest camp, didn’t he? An enmity as deep as the sea won’t resolve overnight, so let’s not worry excessively.”
“…….”
“By the way, if he knows I’ve arrived, shouldn’t he have come to pay his respects by now?”
“You mean the Great Prince of Yeon?”
“Yes. I hear he’s never even shared a tent with the Grand General until now.”
“I was just about to bring that up, Your Highness. That’s the Grand General’s mistake. To engage in a power struggle with someone who came to aid our forces—what nonsense. We must address it firmly later.”
“Are you suggesting we reprimand the Grand General?”
“If necessary, yes. You must show the army that you command proper authority, Your Highness. Only then will they respect and follow you more. If he stands in the way, discard even the Grand General without hesitation.”
Yeo Juchun spoke casually words that would make General Won jump in outrage. And this to Yang Mu, who usually trusted General Won.
Yet Yang Mu only smiled.
“I’ll take your advice into consideration.”
This made it clear who Yang Mu truly trusted more.
Yeo Juchun continued.
“Since he’s earned such great merit, how about bestowing some precious herbs upon him personally, Your Highness?”
He was referring to Yi Seong-ji. Yang Mu had appointed him commander of a division and allowed him to be addressed as “Duke.”
However, most of the military officers, who resented Yi Seong-ji’s recognition by Yang Mu, still refused to acknowledge him. General Won was the prime example.
“Very well. I’ll do as you suggest.”
* * *
Qin army camp at the forefront of the Red River.
Yi Hwan tilted his teacup with Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun. Somehow, only the three of them remained by his side.
Kim Mu-gwan spoke.
“I overheard something passing by the command tent earlier. It seems rumors are swirling because we extradited Ban Go to Yeon.”
“It was expected. No need to worry.”
“It doesn’t look like it’ll blow over easily. The Third Prince fought Ban Go directly—couldn’t he demand to know by what authority the Great Prince extradited him? After all, the Third Prince is currently a Qin general.”
“I’m concerned about that too.”
Even Park Ji-mun chimed in.
But Yi Hwan dismissed it lightly.
“My purpose in coming here was to capture him. That’s why I coordinated with them. And since Qin requested the coordination, there’s no issue at all.”
Convinced by Yi Hwan’s firm demeanor, the two dropped the subject.
Kim Mu-gwan changed the topic.
“The Third Prince’s prowess is truly astonishing. He held his own against Ban Go, didn’t he? Did you know beforehand?”
“I knew he was no ordinary man. But even I didn’t expect him to be this exceptional.”
Yi Hwan thought of Yi Seong-ji.
‘He might be even more than that.’
There was something important he needed to confirm with him—something related to the scars on Ban Go’s body.
‘Unmistakable traces of Hellfire.’
Yes. The scars on Ban Go’s body were unmistakably from Hellfire.
‘Did he train it with Yi Tae-ji?’
That was the obvious suspicion for now.
He had wanted to check right there, but Yi Seong-ji’s condition was too poor, so he had put it off. Once he recovered somewhat, he planned to ask.
Park Ji-mun said,
“The board is expanding. I wonder if this will lead to all-out war.”
“Wouldn’t all-out war be even better?”
At Kim Mu-gwan’s words, Park Ji-mun nodded. If Qin and Zhao went to full-scale war, Yeon could profit by sitting back.
Park Ji-mun said with gleaming eyes,
“Why not mobilize the Northern Yeon forces to seize Zhao’s northern territories while we’re at it?”
“It’s too soon to act rashly. Until we know what else Jo Yun is hiding, we shouldn’t move first. Even if we do, it should be after Qin and Zhao clash head-on.”
“I see.”
Kim Mu-gwan asked,
“How long do you plan to stay here?”
“I’m thinking it over.”
“…….”
It was then.
“Great Prince, it’s Baek Yeon.”
“Come in.”
Baek Yeon entered the tent. He bowed his head and said,
“General Won has summoned me, so I must go. If you need anything, please let me know. I’ll bring it on my way back.”
“Why did he summon you?”
“I’m not sure. But I suspect it’s about the prisoner extradited to Yeon.”
“What will you say?”
“I’ll tell him we didn’t intervene because we knew you’d been pursuing the man from Yeon and proposed the coordination first, so you naturally had the right to extradite him. All the warriors with me think the same, so please don’t worry.”
“Thank you.”
“No need for thanks. As for what you need…….”
“Could you bring some strong liquor?”
Baek Yeon smiled faintly at Yi Hwan’s request.
“Understood. I’ll bring plenty of the strongest from Qin. Then I’ll see you upon my return.”
Baek Yeon left the tent.
Park Ji-mun chuckled.
“I really like the White-Clad Sword God and that fellow. Warriors of their caliber are usually arrogant, but not them.”
“They embody the true spirit of a martial artist. Yeon’s warriors could learn from them.”
“General Won must hate that. Is it alright?”
Yi Hwan shook his head firmly.
“General Won may seem like a narrow-minded incompetent, but he rose to command an army of a nation. He knows better than anyone the critical role elites play on the battlefield, so he won’t carelessly discard them. Not when it affects his own safety and achievements.”
“True. With those two brothers holding a neutral stance, if he stirs trouble and they side with Commander Wi Ji-gwan of the rival Imperial Guards, he’d be the one to lose out. He won’t dare.”
“Exactly.”
It was as Yi Hwan lifted his teacup to his lips.
“May I come in?”
A voice drifted from outside. It was Yi Seong-ji.
‘Can he move already?’
Yi Hwan signaled with his eyes, and Kim Mu-gwan opened the tent flap. Yi Seong-ji and Gong Ya-un entered.
“You’re moving already?”
“I thought I’d impose a bit.”
Gong Ya-un explained.
“Too many unnecessary people are swarming him, so please shelter His Highness here for a while.”
“Very well.”
Gong Ya-un helped Yi Seong-ji to the bed and laid him down. Kim Mu-gwan brought over a chair.
“Sit here.”
“Thank you.”
Yi Hwan stared at Yi Seong-ji. His face was bloodless, but his eyes still burned with life.
“You fought toe-to-toe with Qin’s most feared man, so expect more trouble ahead. It could propel you higher, but it’ll also draw more enemies, so I won’t congratulate you.”
Yi Seong-ji’s expression turned bitter at Yi Hwan’s words. He addressed the others.
“Could you all step out for a moment?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The three left, leaving only the two inside. Yi Seong-ji gazed at the ceiling and spoke weakly.
“It wasn’t equal. I barely held on by sheer force of will. A few more strikes, and I’d be dead.”
“Without Hellfire, you wouldn’t have lasted that long.”
“……!”
Yi Seong-ji’s eyes widened.
“How did you…….”
“I know a bit about Hellfire. Tell me—did you train it with Yi Tae-ji?”
“You even knew my brother trained it.”
“You’ve made quite a stir since arriving.”
Understanding the implication, Yi Seong-ji explained how he had learned Hellfire.
Yi Hwan listened silently, inwardly astonished. So Yi Seong-ji had mastered the Hellfire manual he stumbled upon—alone. Only a genius could do that.
“Did you learn it to kill me?”
A smirk.
“When I started, you weren’t that formidable yet.”
Had it been during his secluded training for greater power, perhaps. But when he first began Hellfire, Yi Hwan hadn’t yet entered this body.
Understanding, Yi Hwan nodded calmly and continued.
“I heard the Crown Prince made you commander of a division. Satisfied?”
“What choice do I have? I can only be content that those following me suffer less.”
Yi Hwan quietly watched the poignant look spread across Yi Seong-ji’s face.
He realized anew that he didn’t dislike Yi Seong-ji that much. Of course, this change had begun right after their conversation in the Qin palace during the Dark Heaven Cult uprising.
“I heard you came chasing the man extradited to Yeon. Doesn’t seem like just for his crimes in Yeon…….”
“Classified.”
“…….”
“When you face him, can you kill him?”
He meant Yi Tae-ji.
Yi Seong-ji didn’t answer. Neither did Yi Hwan press. He wasn’t particularly curious.
“Mind if I ask one thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“Would His Majesty forgive my mother and brother? Once they’re stripped of all power.”
“If they beg, maybe. But don’t expect it. Even if His Majesty wanted to, the court officials and people wouldn’t allow it. Forgiving them means forgiving treason.”
“I see. That makes sense.”
“Not curious about my thoughts?”
“Yes. I’d like to hear them.”
Yi Hwan spoke as if he’d been waiting.
“You could consider forgiveness.”
“…….”
“At least you never drew a sword on His Majesty or me.”
A faint, poignant smile touched Yi Seong-ji’s lips at Yi Hwan’s words.
“You’ve said too much. Rest now—recovery is key. I’ll ensure no one enters.”
“Thanks.”
Was it because he spoke so much? Yi Seong-ji fell asleep soon after. Yi Hwan watched him quietly before leaving the tent.
Gong Ya-un approached.
“May I go in?”
“He just fell asleep—better not wake him.”
“Ah…… yes.”
“Even in my absence, if anyone comes, say it’s my order and let no one in. Station your warriors for perimeter security.”
“Thank you, Great Prince.”
Soon after, Yi Hwan left the camp with Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun. He joined a scouting unit departing and moved to hunt the Blood Demon’s followers somewhere on the battlefield.
Gong Ya-un watched Yi Hwan’s retreating figure with mixed emotions.
Once, he’d fantasized killing him multiple times a day. But at some point, his feelings shifted, leaving only vague uncertainty about his true heart.
“Whew…….”
Exhaling deeply, Gong Ya-un assigned positions to the warriors, ordering an ironclad guard net.
* * *
Mountainous region west of the Red River.
Around a thousand Zhao troops hid in the brush, resting.
Yi Tae-ji was there too, sitting on a rock and tilting a liquor bottle.
Had he racked up such merits since arriving? The Zhao generals who once scorned him now built nearly all strategies around him.
In battle, they stuck close to him, deeming his side the safest. Thus, Yi Tae-ji’s status had drastically changed.
But he paid it no mind.
Whoosh!
Wind brushed Yi Tae-ji’s face.
He swept back his tickling hair and muttered bitterly.
“A war of three brothers…….”
He already knew.
That Yi Hwan and Yi Seong-ji were at the Red River. And that they had nearly annihilated the force under Commander Gwak Beom’s special orders.
He didn’t know Yi Seong-ji was gravely injured, though.
A smirk.
“Fate plays too cruel a joke.”
Tossing the bottle, Yi Tae-ji lay back on the rock.
A general approached.
“Orders have come.”
Yi Tae-ji only lifted his head to stare.
“Time to move out.”
“Scouting again?”
“Don’t take scouting lightly. He who controls information holds the advantage—an eternal truth.”
The general left.
Yi Tae-ji gazed at the sky and murmured,
‘Please don’t meet me on the battlefield, Seong-ji.’