Chapter 373
Chapter 373
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 373
Chapter Title: Engagement
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The azure eagle commanded by Dong Ja-ryang of the Azure Eagle Flying Daggers was extraordinary not only in its unique size and color but also in its mystical abilities, truly deserving to be called a spirit beast.
Its scouting, leveraging the hawk's exceptional eyesight and terrifying speed, reached realms beyond human capability.
But that ability wasn't Dong Ja-ryang's exclusive domain.
A massive eagle circled above the Northern Yeon army camp.
The eagle scanned the vast mountainous terrain with sharp eyes, as if hunting for prey.
Tae-seon climbed to the watchtower of the camp and watched the eagle's movements.
At her side was Commander Gwi-rang. The eagle was the one he commanded.
How much time passed like that? Suddenly, the eagle let out a screech and began diving down.
Kieeeek!
Gwi-rang's eyes gleamed.
"It looks like it's found something."
"Could be a wild beast from the mountains."
"It doesn't act like that toward prey."
"Then it's probably Zhao Kingdom bastards."
"We'll prepare defenses just in case."
Gwi-rang gestured down from the watchtower. Warriors immediately rushed out from various spots and took positions behind the stockade.
Tae-seon surveyed the camp. As per Cheol Mu-ok's orders, the martial artists were guarding the grain depot and the horse paddock like fortresses.
Kieeeek!
The eagle soared back into the sky, flapping its wings up and down.
"The enemy is approaching! Prepare to attack!"
Whoosh!
Archers climbed onto the stockade. The double-layered stockade had space at the back for people to stand.
Tae-seon stared north.
'Why is he so late?'
She worried about Cheol Mu-ok. The enemy's approach direction partially overlapped with the path he should be descending.
"General! The approaching ones are dressed as our allies!"
"No reconnaissance troops went that way, so ignore them and attack if they come closer!"
"Yes!"
"I'll head down below."
"Go ahead. Be careful, General."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Gwi-rang descended the watchtower.
Tae-seon looked north again. But there were no people anywhere on the plain.
'He's strong, so he'll be fine.'
Biting her lip gently, Tae-seon turned her gaze back to the direction the enemy was approaching.
Just then, figures burst through the forest.
About a hundred? Their excellent lightness skills marked them unmistakably as martial artists.
'What do they think they can do with just that many?'
Tae-seon leaped down from the watchtower.
Using a protruding railing in the middle as a foothold, she lightly climbed onto the stockade and drew her sword.
Shing!
Gwi-rang, positioned to the left, shouted.
"Your Highness! Leave it to us and fall back!"
"I'm fine, focus!"
Gwi-rang couldn't press further. Tae-seon wasn't one to back down just because told to.
"Fire!"
Swooooosh!
Hundreds of arrows flew like lightning toward the charging Zhao martial artists.
Clang clang clang!
Thud thud thud!
Only about ten were staggered by the arrows. They quickly pulled them out and charged ferociously. Realizing arrows were useless, Tae-seon issued a new order.
"Archers, fall back!"
"Yes!"
Whoosh!
The archers descended the stockade as martial artists and warriors took their places.
It was then.
Whirrrrr!
Following the eerie sound, dozens of objects sliced through the air.
"What the hell is that?"
Tae-seon snorted and took a stance to swing her sword.
Right then.
"Don't block them—evade!"
Cheol Mu-ok's booming voice rang out from the right, and Tae-seon reflexively shouted.
"Duck!"
Northern Yeon warriors crouched below the stockade. But a few who couldn't evade fell with agonized screams.
"Argh!"
"Uwaaak!"
Cheol Mu-ok climbed up beside Tae-seon.
Tae-seon's eyes widened in shock.
"You're hurt?!"
"It's just a light wound, don't worry."
As he eyed the fiercely charging Zhao martial artists, Cheol Mu-ok's gaze shifted.
'Why only these guys?'
An ominous feeling flashed through his mind.
Cheol Mu-ok turned his head toward the grain depot and horse paddock.
Sure enough.
Clang!
"Argh!"
"Kraaak!"
"Zhao troops! Hold your positions!"
"Block them!"
Cheol Mu-ok looked at Tae-seon.
"I need to go there."
"I'll come with you!"
Boom!
Cheol Mu-ok shot into the air, and Tae-seon followed right behind.
'Those damn bastards.'
* * *
Thud!
"Argh!"
Yi Tae-ji's sword severed a Northern Yeon martial artist's head clean off. At the same time, another Northern Yeon martial artist lunged at his waist.
But Yi Tae-ji casually deflected the sword and crushed the man's head with his left hand.
Thud!
"Kraaak!"
Bang Hyo-mun was beside him, unleashing havoc as well.
But the Northern Yeon martial artists were no pushovers. Over ten Zhao martial artists had already spilled blood and fallen to their blades.
A middle-aged man roared.
"If this spot breaks, the whole camp's in danger! Hold the line!"
Waaaaah!
"Nothing here's easy. Ptui!"
Yi Tae-ji resumed his fierce assault.
He was undoubtedly strong. Even without deploying Hellfire Blaze, no one lasted more than five exchanges against him.
But soon he faced fierce resistance.
Whooom!
A massive axe cleaved through the air. It seemed slow at first glance, but in an instant, it was right in front of him.
Boom!
The great axe and sword clashed, sparks flying.
Yi Tae-ji was pushed back a few steps. His opponent retreated a similar distance.
"Not bad, big guy."
"Try blocking this one!"
Kwaaang!
Three exchanges flashed by in an instant. It was too close to call.
Yi Tae-ji cracked his neck once.
Crack!
Then he grinned, baring his teeth.
Heh.
His sword began to glow blood-red. He had summoned Hellfire Blaze.
"Now off to hell with you."
"By whose say-so!"
"Whose? Yours?"
"You fucking bastard!"
Swoosh!
The great axe came down at a slant.
Yi Tae-ji leaped inward along its trajectory.
"......!"
Thud!
Yi Tae-ji's sword pierced the opponent's chest.
"Kuugh......"
"What? Didn't even need this after all?"
Swoosh!
Yi Tae-ji's left hand rested on the man's head. It exploded like a watermelon.
Splatter!
It was then.
"Watch your back!"
Bang Hyo-mun's shout boomed. At the same time, Yi Tae-ji spun like lightning and struck the incoming greatsword.
Kwaang!
"......!"
Thud thud thud!
As Yi Tae-ji was flung back, Cheol Mu-ok landed in front of him. Yi Tae-ji met Cheol Mu-ok's eyes and smirked.
"Fancy meeting you here again."
"Small world."
Fwoosh!
Yi Tae-ji's sword glowed an even deeper crimson. Cheol Mu-ok assumed a grave stance.
"What a shame. I snagged the honor of becoming a barbarian prince consort, only to die here."
"All talk and no skill, same as ever."
"Have you ever seen my skill?"
"Don't need to see it to know."
Fwoooosh!
A powerful aura erupted from Cheol Mu-ok like a storm. Dust billowed wildly, turning the surroundings into their private battlefield.
Boom!
Cheol Mu-ok and Yi Tae-ji clashed amid the dust. A massive explosion followed, the shockwave sweeping the area.
Kwaaa!
Kwaaang!
Three more exchanges in a blink.
The dust churned even fiercer, and nearby fighters pulled back.
Twitch.
The corner of Cheol Mu-ok's eye twitched faintly.
'This is his level?'
He had heard from Yi Hwan that Yi Tae-ji had been hiding his strength. But he never imagined it was to this extent.
Yi Tae-ji was equally shocked.
Zing.
Sensation vanished from his sword hand for a moment.
'This guy's insane.'
He knew Cheol Mu-ok was strong, so he deployed Hellfire Blaze from the start.
Yet it wasn't enough. He was being overpowered in raw power.
Fwoooosh!
Yi Tae-ji grew furious—not at Cheol Mu-ok, but at Yi Hwan.
'You have everything, don't you, Yi Hwan.'
The thick killing intent radiating from Yi Tae-ji wrapped around Cheol Mu-ok. But Cheol Mu-ok held his greatsword lowered in both hands, waiting for his foe to move first.
'My power has the edge. End it in one strike.'
Thud!
Cheol Mu-ok's feet sank into the ground. He poured everything into this blow.
But then.
Tweet! Tweet!
A sharp horn signal pierced the air. Zhao martial artists began withdrawing from the battlefield.
"Pull back now!"
Bang Hyo-mun's cry rang out.
Yi Tae-ji's face twisted in rage. His bloodshot eyes flickered as he spat coldly.
"Next time we meet, I'll kill you for sure. And tell him this: I'm alive and well, perfectly fine."
Boom!
* * *
"Are you okay?!"
Tae-seon landed beside Cheol Mu-ok.
Cheol Mu-ok sheathed his greatsword and turned to her.
"I'm fine."
Looking around, pursuits and chases were ongoing in spots, but the engagement was effectively over.
Fortunately, the grain depot and horses were safe. But many martial artists and warriors lay dead or wounded.
Cheol Mu-ok's gaze hardened.
'It wasn't that our men were weak—the enemy was just too strong.'
Tae-seon turned to Cheol Mu-ok with a relieved expression.
"Thanks to you. If we hadn't positioned troops here beforehand, it would've been disastrous."
"Good thing my hunch was right."
Whirl!
Gwi-rang landed beside them.
"Are you alright?"
"Have the enemies pulled back from your side too?"
"Yes. This seems to have been their main target."
Gwi-rang bowed to Cheol Mu-ok.
"Without the Prince Consort's prior orders, we would've suffered massive losses."
"In a situation with no intel, it was just a hunch. Credit goes to the Commander for deploying troops immediately without question."
"You both did great."
Tae-seon finally smiled.
"Leave the cleanup to me. Please head to the medics for treatment first."
"We'll leave it to you."
Cheol Mu-ok and Tae-seon walked side by side toward the medics.
As he walked, Cheol Mu-ok thought of Yi Tae-ji and couldn't hide his regret.
'If we'd fought at full strength......'