Chapter 361
Chapter 361
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 361
Chapter Title: Yi Hwan Moves Again
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Crown Prince Jo Gwang-mu and Umun Sul climbed to the top of the watchtower side by side and gazed toward the south.
Beyond the vast expanse of rugged mountains lay a massive lake sparkling like a mirror, unfolding like a painting.
Gazing at the scene, Jo Gwang-mu's heart boiled over.
Jo Yun had issued a strict order not to advance further south until the time was right. But looking at that fertile land, an unprecedented ambition welled up within him unbidden.
“I simply can't contain my desire to push all the way down there, Advisor.”
“You must endure it, Your Highness. It is His Majesty's command.”
“Would conquering just that one place really cause any problems?”
“We've already set our sights on Zheng'an, not the southern regions, haven't we? Besides, the further south we go, the more we'll be surrounded by Qin forces. With our current troops, already weakened by significant losses, we risk losing even Yeksu back to the enemy. Best to let go of any lingering attachments.”
Umun Sul answered calmly, but inwardly, he was astonished.
‘To think His Highness had this side to him.’
Right now, Jo Gwang-mu resembled the Jo Yun of old, when nothing could stand in his way.
Whoosh!
The wind shook the watchtower.
But Jo Gwang-mu didn't budge an inch, his gaze fixed southward.
It was then.
“Your Highness!”
A general's shout rang out from below the watchtower.
Umun Sul looked down at the general and asked.
“What is it?”
“With Northern Yeon leading a massive army southward, the reinforcements heading to Guizhou City have turned tail and retreated north!”
“What?”
Umun Sul's eyes widened in shock.
Jo Gwang-mu's expression hardened.
“It's Yeon's intention, no doubt.”
“Likely so. The Qin Emperor may have even requested aid from Yeon.”
Jo Gwang-mu nodded silently.
Though his face had changed, unexpectedly, he didn't seem overly surprised. As if he had anticipated this.
“For now, it seems best to focus on defense, Your Highness.”
“Do so.”
Jo Gwang-mu turned his gaze south once more.
The deep-set eyes still gleamed with the light of ambition.
* * *
“The Zhao army, en route to Zheng'an, is retreating back to Yeksu!”
At the general's report, Crown Prince Yang Mu set down his teacup and asked.
“Are you certain they're retreating to Yeksu?”
“Yes, Your Highness. We've confirmed that the Zhao forces, which had reached as far as south of Yeksu and near Zheng'an, are all withdrawing!”
Won Gae-se spoke with a look of relief.
“It seems the envoy delegation succeeded in negotiations.”
“Now I can finally breathe easy.”
“If they've pulled back in response to Yeon's movements, then once reinforcements arrive, we should drive them all north of Yeksu.”
“Naturally.”
Yang Mu let out a deep breath and leaned back in his chair.
Perhaps due to the relief, a faint smile played on Yang Mu's lips.
“I never expected the Yeon Emperor to accept the request so readily.”
Then, suddenly, he furrowed his brow.
“They didn't accept some unreasonable conditions, did they?”
“Would the envoys dare exceed their authority? If the Yeon Emperor proposed harsh terms, they would have contacted His Majesty for approval.”
At Won Gae-se's words, Yang Mu shouted to the general.
“Send an express messenger to the Imperial Palace at once to get the full details!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Yang Mu brought the teacup back to his lips.
Then Won Gae-se brought up another matter.
“Someone witnessed Yi Seong-ji slipping away from the battlefield amid the chaos, but his whereabouts after that are unknown. However, he headed north, and at the time, the north was under Zhao control...”
At those words, Yang Mu's eyes sharpened.
“Did he walk right into the Zhao army's arms?”
“We must consider that possibility. With his brother in the Zhao army, it's entirely feasible.”
Thud!
Yang Mu set down his teacup a bit forcefully. Though he had been thoroughly using Yi Seong-ji, Yang Mu more than anyone wished he would stay by his side.
The thought that Yi Seong-ji might have gone to the Zhao army of his own accord filled him with a sense of betrayal.
“We can't rule out the possibility he returned to Yeon either.”
“Unlikely. He'd lose his life for treason the moment he returned—unless he's lost his mind.”
“The Great Prince Yi Hwan has met with him several times, hasn't he? He might have urged him to return under the pretext of granting pardon.”
Thud!
“Bring me facts, not speculation!”
“We'll do our utmost. Please wait just a bit longer.”
Just then, another general entered.
“General Wi Ji-gwan has arrived!”
“Understood!”
Yang Mu set down his teacup and shot to his feet.
Won Gae-se, rising after him, grimaced slightly. To him, his greatest rival, Wi Ji-gwan—the man had finally left the capital for the front lines.
* * *
Endless rugged mountains, no matter how far they traveled.
Having resolved to return to Yeon, Yi Seong-ji trudged on, exhaling labored breaths that rose to his chin.
Though Gong Ya-un had repeatedly suggested brief rests, he refused to stop.
Not only were they crossing Zhongjing, Zhao territory, but the area bordered Hunan, Qin land—any slip could mean pursuit by both nations.
Indeed, en route here, they had encountered Zhao troops and taken a major detour.
He couldn't relax until reaching Hobuk.
“Hoo!”
Suddenly gripped by sharp pain, Yi Seong-ji halted first. No matter his strong will, enduring the mounting agony from unhealed internal injuries proved too much.
Gong Ya-un and the warriors finally took a break.
“Drink, Your Highness.”
Yi Seong-ji quenched his thirst with the water skin Gong Ya-un offered, then lay flat on the grass.
Sunlight poured through the dense forest canopy. The light reflecting off Yi Seong-ji's face made him look even paler.
Gong Ya-un gazed at him worriedly and cautiously spoke.
“It might be best to send a few warriors ahead to the Great Prince's army to inform them of Your Highness's return.”
“Do so.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Moments later, two warriors approached.
Yi Seong-ji cautioned them.
“Remember, you must never reveal this to anyone but the Fourth Prince.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
The warriors departed.
Yi Seong-ji lay back, staring at the sky, waiting for his strength to recover even a moment sooner.
It was then. One warrior rushed up.
“Zhao troops are pursuing us!”
Gong Ya-un asked in alarm.
“How many?”
“About a hundred!”
Gong Ya-un turned to Yi Seong-ji, who was already standing.
“Let us move.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
* * *
A few days later.
Yeon's mighty army entered the northern Stone Gate of Hunan Province. Yi Hwan led the vanguard.
As they entered, Qin's people panicked in terror.
But rumors spread that they had come to aid Qin, swiftly changing the mood.
Yi Hwan rode his crimson steed at a steady pace—neither fast nor slow—entrusting his body to the horse's rhythm toward Stone Gate.
He had originally planned to send only a portion of the forces but decided to lead personally to send a clear warning to Zhao.
Southwest from Stone Gate lay Zhongjing, Zhao territory. From there to Yeksu was just a few days' ride.
‘If I'm doing this, might as well do it right.’
With Northern Yeon already involved and now Yeon potentially joining the war, Zhao could no longer afford to attack first.
This effectively prevented invasions south of Yeksu and into Zheng'an.
“Waaah!”
Qin civilians flooded the streets, cheering wildly. Some even offered food to the warriors.
Yi Hwan felt a strange mix of emotions.
The Three Central Kingdoms had avoided full-scale war to maintain power balance, but small skirmishes continued ceaselessly.
Qin and Yeon were no exceptions.
Over those not-short years, much blood had been spilled, and countless had lost family and friends.
Thus, Yi Hwan, who never expected such cheers, felt complex emotions.
Meanwhile, Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok beamed as brightly as any Qin civilians.
Of course, their joy stemmed not just from Yeon aiding Qin, but from Yi Hwan leading in person.
Danri Mok grinned and said.
“I wonder what faces the Zhao bastards will make when word spreads that the Great Prince is personally leading the army down?”
“Anything but a full withdrawal from Guizhou City.”
“They'll withdraw. No matter how strong Zhao is, they can't fight two nations—especially with Northern Yeon in the mix.”
Namgung Jang-cheon nodded silently, gazing at Yi Hwan's back.
Clad in dark armor embroidered with a crimson dragon, astride the famed steed Red Hare, he advanced majestically—like a divine general descended from the heavens.
‘Thank you, Great Prince.’
Any lingering regret or disappointment from his icy demeanor had vanished.
Then Yi Hwan turned and asked.
“Guangshan not yet?”
“At this pace, half a shichen will suffice!”
“Good.”
Yi Hwan turned left and ordered a general.
“Take five thousand troops straight to Guangshan. Leave the iron selection to this man.”
“Yes, Great Prince!”
Yi Hwan looked at Han Jo.
“I leave it to you.”
“No worries. I'll secure the finest iron.”
“I'll help!”
Gong Son-do grinned and declared spiritedly.
Moments later, the two departed from the main force with five thousand troops. Not just them—hundreds of wagons and carts for transporting iron kicked up dust as they peeled off.
Thud thud thud!
Namgung Jang-cheon approached Yi Hwan cautiously and asked.
“Great Prince, how far do you plan to advance the troops?”
“First to the border with Zhongjing. That alone should be threat enough.”
“Ah, yes.”
Namgung Jang-cheon felt disappointed. He had hoped for direct aid in retaking Yeksu.
“Disappointed?”
“...No! We're already deeply grateful for your personal involvement!”
Yi Hwan had no intention of engaging in direct combat.
This war was between Zhao and Qin. No benefit to Yeon whichever won— no reason to shed his warriors' blood.
Waaah!
Yi Hwan regarded the cheering Qin civilians. Even in this remote area, their attire bespoke Qin's wealth.
‘With such fine land, who could challenge Qin under a proper ruler?’
Yi Hwan thought of Crown Prince Yang Mu, imagining Qin under him as emperor.
‘Qin may already be heading downhill.’
Yi Hwan turned to Namgung Jang-cheon again.
“Is there a place ahead for the troops to rest?”
“A bit past the city lies a plain! With a wide river too—perfect for rest!”
“Time?”
“About half a shichen!”
They had pushed without proper rest to arrive swiftly, leaving the warriors fatigued.
Yet Yi Hwan didn't increase speed, wary of harming Qin civilians en route.
Clank! Clank!
Step by step, the resounding metal of Yeon's army seemed to hush the mountains and forests.
Namgung Jang-cheon steeled his gaze.
‘Such overwhelming presence... Then what of Yeon's strongest, the Northern Legion?’