Chapter 340
Chapter 340
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 340
Chapter Title: Yi Tae-ji Chases Yi Hwan
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Crown Prince Jo Gwang-mu of the Zhao Kingdom sat face-to-face with Wu Mun-sul.
Wu Mun-sul poured liquor into an empty cup.
Splash.
"May I ask why you chose that man?"
"No one desires the death of Yeon's Great Prince more than him. With his immense power combined with a bone-deep thirst for vengeance, I expect him to surpass even his natural abilities."
"Ah...."
Through this incident, Wu Mun-sul began to see Jo Gwang-mu in an entirely new light.
He never imagined Jo Gwang-mu would try to eliminate Yi Hwan through Yi Tae-ji. No matter how much he had changed, the Jo Gwang-mu he had observed until now was far from cruel.
"It seems my choice surprises you."
"I apologize, but honestly, yes."
"Is it because of my cruelty in ordering fratricide?"
"In my eyes, Your Highness has always been far removed from such things. Please don't misunderstand—I mean no offense."
Wu Mun-sul didn't hide his thoughts. Jo Gwang-mu didn't mind.
Wu Mun-sul asked something else.
"Is there a particular reason for targeting Yeon's Great Prince?"
"He inflicted an indelible wound on my royal father. And he killed my younger brother, making him my mortal enemy as well."
"Killing him would be a greater achievement than winning this war."
"How do you view my changes, Advisor?"
"How dare I presume to judge Your Highness? I simply follow you."
Jo Gwang-mu's eyes hardened with resolve.
"I've cast aside my former self and resolved to follow my royal father's will. Naturally, I must become as ruthless and merciless as he. That is the path he wishes to take, and I shall follow it."
"If His Majesty sees this resolve in Your Highness, he will be greatly pleased."
Wu Mun-sul's eyes reddened slightly. From this day, the last trace of unease about Jo Gwang-mu in his heart vanished completely.
"Advisor."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Tonight, I plan to hold a meeting with the key generals. We'll discuss strategies to deal a fatal blow to the Qin forces, so prepare in advance."
"Yes, Your Highness. It shall be done."
* * *
As the days grew hotter, rain fell and stopped several times a day.
Whoosh!
The rain that had paused began pouring again.
Yi Hwan drank tea in his tent. Baek Yeon had returned from headquarters with plenty of fine tea.
Kim Mu-gwan entered.
"Due to the rain, there are no operations today. Other units have halted reconnaissance as well."
"Rest today."
Park Ji-mun said.
"This stalemate has dragged on too long. It's probably because of the two kingdoms' crown princes. A large-scale battle would put their safety at risk."
"Or perhaps the opposite."
"Pardon?"
"With the heirs to both thrones watching, they'll naturally want results. They might be plotting ways to strike a decisive blow against each other."
"Are you hoping for that?"
"We've nothing to lose."
Heh.
"Catching fish in troubled waters, something like that?"
"More or less."
Kim Mu-gwan asked.
"We've killed quite a few Zhao warriors so far, but it's hard to confirm if they're the ones our lord wants."
"It doesn't matter if they're not Blood Demon followers. Every one we kill weakens Zhao's forces."
"That's true, but I'm still worried. They must know of the Great Prince's presence, so they'll try something."
"That would be even better."
"...Pardon?"
"To eliminate me, they'll send their top experts. Then I can sit back and take out their key forces."
Kim Mu-gwan let out a hollow laugh at Yi Hwan's words.
Even for a supreme master, such composure wasn't easy. This was the heart of a battlefield where hundreds of thousands could clash at any moment.
Here, Kim Mu-gwan realized anew.
How vigilantly Yi Hwan monitored the Blood Demon's descendants.
'No wonder, with the Dark Heaven Cult that reveres the Mad Demon still thriving.'
"The rain won't let up soon, so rest while you can."
"Yes. I'll check outside briefly and then rest."
Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun stepped out. There was a separate shelter from the rain.
Whoosh!
Park Ji-mun stared at the sky and muttered.
"It's the same Central Plains, but this place feels like another country. What kind of rain pours like it's from a bucket?"
"Do you know what Qin fears most?"
"What?"
"Floods. They've prospered near water since ancient times, so one flood causes massive damage. That's why Qin's emperors have always focused on flood control."
"Like our Haedong's Han River region."
"Exactly. I need some sleep too. You catch a wink as well."
Rumble!
Crackle!
Lightning spiderwebbed not far away. Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun sank deep into their chairs and closed their eyes.
* * *
A spot overlooking the Qin camp where Yi Hwan was stationed.
Amid the fierce downpour stood Do Geom, Yi Tae-ji, and a blue-robed man.
Yi Tae-ji asked.
"He's in there?"
"Yes."
Yi Tae-ji scanned the camp sharply with cold eyes.
The camp hugged the forest, so he couldn't see everything clearly, but judging by the visible tents, around three to four thousand troops were stationed.
'It's serving as both forward base and first defensive line. But why is he staying in such a dangerous spot?'
Yi Tae-ji found it odd. Given Yi Hwan's status, he should be in the safest place.
The blue-robed man said.
"With just these twenty men, we could finish it easily, right?"
"Mobilizing twenty here would leave other areas vulnerable to counterattack. Plus, enemy reinforcements can arrive quickly, so assassination is best."
The blue-robed man's eyes chilled at Yi Tae-ji's lecturing tone.
But since Jo Gwang-mu had personally ordered his participation, he hid his irritation.
Do Geom asked.
"Any plan in mind?"
"I just learned he's here, so now we scout. You?"
"Nothing specific...."
"For now, we stay and observe their movements."
"Understood."
Do Geom glanced back. About ten black-robed men gathered in the dense forest.
"Find a place to stay."
"Yes."
The black-robed men scattered.
Do Geom eyed Yi Tae-ji again. He noticed the killing intent in Yi Tae-ji's eyes toward the Qin camp but said nothing.
'Of course. The man took everything from him—even brothers become mortal enemies.'
Rumble!
Crackle!
As lightning spiderwebbed, someone approached from behind.
The blue-robed man turned casually and widened his eyes slightly. It was unexpectedly Ak Kun-hwa.
"What brings you here?"
Do Geom finally turned at the words and blinked in surprise.
Ignoring the blue-robed man, Ak Kun-hwa went straight to Do Geom.
"I'm joining."
"You know who the target is?"
"Yi Hwan. I wouldn't come otherwise."
"In your condition?"
"Mind your own business."
Heh.
"If that's your will, so be it. Just remember—no discord with the others."
"Touch me, and I'll touch you back."
With that, Ak Kun-hwa entered the forest.
Yi Tae-ji watched her back intently.
Do Geom said.
"He's one of ours. His skills are useful, so don't mind him."
"Skills my ass. Just a punk relying on Thousand Silent Steps."
Do Geom's eyes sharpened at the blue-robed man's words.
"Forgot what I said? Discord can ruin the op. Watch your tongue."
"Damn it."
The blue-robed man entered the forest too.
Do Geom shrugged at Yi Tae-ji.
"They'll do their part when the operation starts. No worries."
"You're the leader?"
"No formal leader."
Then a black-robed man approached.
"We found a cave nearby. Shall we go there?"
"Guard this place in shifts of two. Report any Qin movement immediately."
"Understood."
"Let's go."
Do Geom and Yi Tae-ji descended the ridge.
Before leaving, Yi Tae-ji stared at one tent. It was Yi Hwan's.
* * *
One hour later.
The rain stopped.
But the sky remained overcast, the air damp and heavy, as if more rain could fall anytime.
A young general approached Yi Hwan's tent. Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun, dozing, opened their eyes.
The general said.
"I've come to inform you we're heading out on reconnaissance soon."
"Got it."
Kim Mu-gwan opened the tent flap. Yi Hwan emerged.
The general bowed to him.
"Area assigned?"
"Northern mountains. Other units are scouting there too, so it'll last until dawn."
"Understood."
Yi Hwan had asked the army's generals to always notify him before reconnaissance.
The Qin forces naturally welcomed it with open arms—the difference with or without him was immense.
Moments later, Yi Hwan headed to where the warriors gathered for the mission.
"More than usual today."
Indeed. Unlike normal, over a hundred warriors had assembled.
"We keep running into enemies, so numbers make sense."
"Other units heading to the same area suggests more than routine scouting."
"We'll see when we get there."
A general approached and bowed.
"Preparations complete. Let's move."
"Yes, Great Prince."
Before departing, Yi Hwan glanced at Yi Seong-ji's tent. The guarding warriors bowed to him.
Yi Seong-ji was still lingering here under the pretext of treatment. Though headquarters had summoned him multiple times, he always fled to Yi Hwan's tent.
Rumble!
Thunder echoed from afar. But no rain fell.
* * *
A black-robed man entered the cave.
"The Qin forces are heading out on reconnaissance."
Yi Tae-ji, chewing rations, emerged first. Do Geom, Ak Kun-hwa, and the blue-robed man followed.
Reaching the ridge, Yi Tae-ji watched the Qin troops exit in tight formation. He couldn't spot Yi Hwan.
'Is he with them?'
The only way to confirm was to follow.
Do Geom approached.
"He's been in every recent skirmish here. Likely with them today, so we should tail."
"If he's among them, how do we call for backup?"
"No issue. They're heading to the northern mountains, where we have plenty of allies. Signal flare, and they'll come running."
"Then let's follow."
Yi Tae-ji descended first.
Do Geom watched with a faint smile.
'He really wants that head....'