Chapter 341
Chapter 341
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 341
Chapter Title: Crisis (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Although it was a stalemate, the reconnaissance battles between the two nations continued without end, and the resulting casualties were far from insignificant. Every time such skirmishes broke out, warriors from both sides laid down their lives.
Nevertheless, neither nation halted their scouting operations, for the volume of intelligence gathered could very well decide the war's outcome.
As a result, both sides had no choice but to bolster the strength of the warriors dispatched on these missions.
It was during this process that Yi Hwan proved an immense asset to the Qin Kingdom. Every clash he joined ended in total victory, with next to no losses on their side.
Going out with Yeon's Great Prince means safety.
This was the chorus echoing among the Qin Kingdom's warriors and soldiers.
But there was one who looked upon Yi Hwan's unbroken streak of triumphs with deep displeasure: Grand General Won Gaese.
The two men still had not sought each other out, and in the meantime, Yi Hwan racked up victory after victory, cementing his status as the camp's guardian deity in the eyes of its warriors.
The primary reason Won Gaese harbored such resentment toward Yi Hwan was that Baek Woo-kyeong—their core fighting force—and the warriors under him showed extraordinary favor toward Yi Hwan.
And they were not alone.
A similar undercurrent was spreading among the camp's martial artists and rank-and-file soldiers alike, leaving the army's overall commander with no small burden.
Should his latest scheme fail by any chance, the blame would fall even more heavily on him as its architect.
If things came to that, he might lose Crown Prince Yang Mu's trust, watching everything he had built crumble like a sandcastle.
Thud!
Won Gaese slammed the table, his face etched with gravity as he spoke.
This operation must succeed at all costs, drawing away the attention fixed on him. Understood?
Rest easy, Grand General. I will return with precisely the outcome you desire.
Have you made contact with them?
Yes. Word just came—they departed the camp moments ago. That man included, of course.
How far have the diversionary troops advanced?
In about one shichen, they will reach a point near the Zhao Kingdom army's main camp. With thirty thousand strong on the move, the Zhao forces should already be shifting troops eastward.
Thud!
They failed, but we will succeed. Nail this operation, and the Zhao army won't dare glance our way for some time.
Exactly. Reducing their granary to ashes would deal a deathblow to the Zhao Kingdom forces, whose supply lines stretch several times longer than ours.
Won Gaese sank deep into his chair, his gaze settling into calm resolve.
If that man would just die, it would be two birds with one stone...
Indeed. Should Yeon's Great Prince fall in battle, we could lay the blame squarely on Zhao, goading Yeon's emperor into action. Once Yeon stirs, Zhao won't hold back their troops.
That's precisely my aim. Which is why I'm thrusting his unit into the deadliest spot.
At those words, his close aide ventured cautiously.
They likely see this as routine scouting. But if they deem the situation too perilous, will they truly press on with support? The moment they realize it's no ordinary reconnaissance, suspicion is certain to arise.
Should he opt to withdraw, the warriors and soldiers who revere him as a protector god will turn on him just as surely.
Oh! Then it's three birds with one stone. Truly befitting the Grand General!
A faint smile at last ghosted across Won Gaese's lips.
Tense though he was, he was certain. This operation would succeed without fail.
'Its triumph will fortify my standing in the military beyond anyone's reach.'
* * *
As the sun dipped beyond the western peaks, painting the world in crimson, Yi Hwan brought up the rear.
Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun flanked him.
Yi Hwan eyed the Qin warriors and soldiers advancing ahead. Having campaigned together for some time now, their coordination posed no issue.
But Baek Yeon was absent today. Just before departure, he had received an urgent dispatch from main camp and set off first with a handful of warriors.
We and your brother have received orders for a separate operation.
Yi Hwan had inquired as to its nature, but Baek Yeon replied he would learn only upon reaching the assembly point.
'A heavyweight like Baek Yeon deploying blind to the mission details?'
The detail left Yi Hwan uneasy. Even the scouting unit's commanding officer appeared utterly in the dark.
Whoooosh!
The wind mounted in ferocity.
After roughly half a shichen, the forest ahead stirred, revealing two soldiers.
The vanguard warriors drew steel.
Clang clang clang!
"Allies here."
"Allies—what are you doing in this spot?"
"Under Grand General's orders to scout north along the Zhao camp's western flank today. We've waited here to relay them."
"North? Pushing this force that far is suicide!"
"A hazardous zone under normal circumstances. But with major combat slated opposite today, danger should be minimal."
"......!"
Yi Hwan stepped forth.
"Large-scale battle on the opposite flank? Meaning a renewed aggressive push?
"We but obey the Grand General's command. In any case."
The soldiers melted back into the woods.
Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun drew near.
Something feels amiss. Altering the scouting zone so abruptly, without a whisper of warning.
Won Gaese must be scheming. Best turn back today, Great Prince.
Yi Hwan regarded the general wordlessly.
The general's face twisted in discomfort.
We have no choice but to advance per the Grand General's directive.
Naturally. Soldiers followed orders. Yi Hwan required no deliberation.
I'll accompany you. Resume the march.
You're certain?
Quite.
Knowing Yi Hwan shrank from no peril, Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun pressed no further.
The advance recommenced.
Whoooosh!
Shhhh!
The swelling gale lashed the forest savagely. Pressing north into virgin territory yielded no sign of Zhao forces.
Kim Mu-gwan remarked.
The hush here confirms the soldier's word—a grand clash brewing opposite. Seems our suspicions were unfounded.
Yi Hwan nodded mutely, scrutinizing the environs. Mountain fastness cloaked every side, terrain wholly unsuited to Zhao defensive lines.
The general then approached.
A short way farther lies the Zhao army's rear. Having come thus far, we should survey their supply routes.
Understood.
* * *
They aim to climb quite the distance.
The farther they venture, the better for us.
Do Geom and Yi Tae-ji shadowed Yi Hwan's party from afar. Witnessing their northward plunge well beyond expectations, they traded knowing smirks.
Do Geom gestured ahead, continuing.
Once over yonder peak, a signal flare summons our own. That close to headquarters, reinforcements arrive in under half a shichen.
Understood.
To them, Yi Hwan's band marched lemming-like into doom.
'Finally, your end draws near.'
Yi Tae-ji's smile turned icy.
Ideally, he craved Yi Hwan's death by his sole hand, unassisted. Yet a single slip might forfeit all future chances.
Bygone humiliations flickered past: the desolation en route to Zhao, bereft of all, still rousing him from sleep on occasion.
Yield him to me.
So long as he dies, the killer matters not. But if that is your will, so be it.
Do Geom sensed afresh the inferno of Yi Tae-ji's grudge.
Whoooosh!
Shhhh!
The gale-rent woods masked their trail. The din obviated stealth, permitting tighter pursuit to boot.
Do Geom glanced sidelong.
Ak Gun-hwa advanced in silence.
'Will he yield?'
Matching Yi Tae-ji's bloodlust was Ak Gun-hwa, whose Qing-clothed brother had perished by Yi Hwan's blade.
Abruptly, Ak Gun-hwa fixed Do Geom with a stare.
Eyes front.
Snort.
Do Geom held his tongue.
That instant—
Everyone, look there.
Qing-clothed pointed skyward ahead. A colossal eagle, blue-feathered, wheeled languidly.
Do Geom's gaze sharpened at once.
"Blue Eagle?"
"Means he's arrived."
"Why here, of all places? Did he anticipate their path?"
"No other rationale fits. That haughty sort scouting personally? Regardless, no flare required now."
Yi Tae-ji, having overheard, queried.
"An owned eagle, then?"
"Affirmative. Vexing bastard. With him present, lopping the Great Prince's head yourself becomes no simple task."
"What do you mean?"
"He yields no laurels. Here to slay Yeon's Great Prince? He'll claim the kill himself."
"Hmph! Absurd."
"Absurdity is his métier."
"...."
Do Geom scowled, muttering.
"Wrong call coming here. Swarming with faces I loathe."
Ak Gun-hwa's eyes blazed.
"Including me?"
"Discern for yourself."
* * *
Skreeee!
The avian shriek from above lifted every head.
"Blue eagle—my first sighting."
"Remarkable creature."
Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun marveled.
Beyond hue, its bulk dwarfed ordinary eagles twofold. Qin warriors gaped likewise.
Yet Yi Hwan sensed anomaly.
'An eagle shunning no humans...'
Worse, it descended ever nearer overhead.
Yi Hwan queried the general.
"Encountered its like before?"
"Never. Today marks my debut viewing."
Skreeee!
Thereupon, it alighted the crown of a towering tree dead ahead. Surveying them, it emitted a beastly rumble.
Grrrr...
Yi Hwan's gaze pierced the surroundings keenly.
Then—bushes beneath the perch quivered.
"Battle stations."
"Pardon?"
"Hostiles inbound. Make haste."
"Understood! Battle formation!"
Rustle rustle rustle!
Clang clang clang clang!
Qin soldiers snap-formed triple defensive arrays, baring blades.
Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun's eyes honed to razor keenness. They too detected the nearing presence.
Kim Mu-gwan left his greatsword sheathed. The foe an expert confirmed, he intended barehanded arts from the outset.
Rustle rustle!
Rustling neared. Moments later, figures materialized.
A hooded blood-robe and scores of yellow-robes.
The blood-robe bared fangs in grin.
Snerk.
"Who among you is Yeon's Great Prince?"
That lone query enlightened Yi Hwan: ambush premeditated.
'Route leaked beforehand, then...'
Yi Hwan advanced.
Blood-robe's eyes pinned Yi Hwan's visage.
"You? Yeon's vaunted Great Prince Yi Hwan?"
"How knew you our ascent here?"
Snerk.
"Shock registering? We anticipated your arrival."
"Treachery afoot?"
"Not outright treason—just this, pinned in our camp."
Flick!
Yi Hwan intercepted the airborne missile. Crumpled missive.
"Yeon's Great Prince Yi Hwan...... [remainder elided]."
Unfurled, it detailed scouting hour and vector with eerie precision.
'Won Gaese...'
Harboring suspicions, Yi Hwan stowed the note and met blood-robe's stare, easing sword free leisurely.
"Shall we start?"