Chapter 377
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 377
Chapter Title: Captured Do Geom
“Huuuk!”
A rough breath escaped through Baek Woo-kyeong’s lips.
He then pulled out the sword that had pierced his opponent’s chest and looked around.
Baek Yeon approached.
“The casualties are too severe, brother.”
“What happened? Didn’t you say there were only two fleeing?”
“It seems there was a larger group.”
Half of the corpses scattered around were the warriors who had come with Baek Woo-kyeong.
The other half were the Blood Demon’s followers who had sought to kill Do Geom and Dong Ja-ryang. Yet the green-robed ones, known as death’s executors, were nowhere to be seen.
“To suffer like this against just a few...”
“Anyone targeting His Majesty the Emperor would naturally send only elites. In any case, with so many injured, further pursuit will be difficult.”
“We can’t stop here. If we let those who attempted to assassinate His Majesty escape, it’ll make fools not just of us warriors, but of the entire nation. From now on, just the two of us will chase them.”
“......Understood.”
A short while later, only Baek Woo-kyeong and Baek Yeon set out in pursuit.
How much time passed after they left? The vanished green-robed ones reappeared.
The Qin Kingdom warriors treating their wounded comrades hurriedly stood and assumed stances. But before they could do anything, their heads flew by the green-robed ones’ swords.
Puck!
“Ugh!”
“Argh!”
After mercilessly slaughtering even the wounded, the green-robed ones stared in the direction Baek Woo-kyeong and Baek Yeon had gone, murmuring in voices ghostly like phantoms.
“If we follow them, we’ll run into the targets.”
“Our opponents are the White-Clothed Sword God and his brother Baek Yeon. Plus more Qin Kingdom warriors. It’s impossible for just the two of us.”
“We can’t go back like this. Once we find them, opportunities will come. Let’s move.”
“Yes.”
* * *
After much hardship, Do Geom and Dong Ja-ryang escaped death’s clutches. But they had no time to rest.
Pung!
Another signal flare burst in the sky.
“Have they spotted us?”
“We can only hope not.”
Do Geom and Dong Ja-ryang continued eastward. But with neither in full condition, their pace was inevitably slow.
How much farther had they gone?
“Stop!”
A chilling shout rang out, followed by figures emerging from the woods.
Do Geom and Dong Ja-ryang halted.
Chaeng chaeng chaeng!
Qin Kingdom warriors drew their swords in unison, surrounding them on all sides. Do Geom drew his sword, and Dong Ja-ryang lowered the saber from his shoulder.
‘Is this how it ends?’
Do Geom bit his lip in despair.
Facing them in his injured state was impossible. Even if they won, neither would survive unscathed.
Yet surrender wasn’t an option.
Do Geom gripped his sword with both hands and spread his legs shoulder-width apart. He planned to focus on defense to conserve his energy.
“Ptooey!”
Dong Ja-ryang spat and took position beside Do Geom. Blood still flowed from his body.
[Damn it. Why is everything spinning?]
[We must fight while conserving strength as much as possible.]
[I’m not sure I have any left to conserve.]
Compared to Do Geom, Dong Ja-ryang had lost all will to fight.
Resignation, perhaps? If not for his sky-high pride, it might have broken long ago.
It was then.
“Drop your weapons.”
A deep voice came from behind, and Do Geom and Dong Ja-ryang’s heads turned simultaneously. Their eyes shook violently like candle flames in the wind.
Baek Woo-kyeong and Baek Yeon were approaching.
‘Damn it......’
Do Geom felt strength drain from his entire body. His hand finally released the sword.
Clang.
Dong Ja-ryang slumped to the ground.
“Bind them!”
“Yes!”
Do Geom and Dong Ja-ryang surrendered without resistance.
Had they not received the Crown Prince’s order sparing them, would they have fought to the death or taken their own lives?
Only they knew.
Do Geom slowly closed his eyes.
‘I’ll escape when those guys make their move.’
The moment Baek Woo-kyeong and Baek Yeon appeared, Do Geom had spotted two green-robed ones watching from hiding. He was certain they would act to kill him and Dong Ja-ryang somehow.
‘I can’t die until I meet my lord.’
That had become Do Geom’s sole reason to live.
* * *
While Zhao and Qin Kingdoms waged their invisible war, Yeon Kingdom steadily strengthened its foundations under Yi Hwan’s lead.
The key was producing powerful weapons through Han Jo. Yi Hwan provided full support, and thanks to it, Han Jo began yielding results.
The problem was securing more iron. Even the iron from Qin wasn’t enough to arm the Northern Legion.
Thus, Yi Hwan ordered all mines nationwide to increase production and poured manpower and funds into finding new ones, devoting total effort.
Clink.
Yi Hwan sat alone, sipping tea while organizing his thoughts.
Aside from the iron shortage, domestic affairs were proceeding smoothly. The north, where he’d anticipated Zhao’s movements, remained quiet.
‘Iron is the issue, after all?’
Arming the entire army with superior weapons would naturally double their strength. Yi Hwan longed to see that day soon.
Clink.
It was then.
“Great Prince, it’s me.”
“Come in.”
Go Mi opened the door and entered. Barely seated, she said what Yi Hwan had awaited.
“In Songja, southern Hubei Province, they’ve discovered a vein likely containing considerable iron deposits.”
Yi Hwan’s eyes changed instantly.
“But there’s one issue. The vein probably extends into neutral territory bordering Qin Kingdom’s border.”
“So disputes with Qin could arise during development.”
“Yes.”
“Hmm......”
Yi Hwan crossed his arms and furrowed his brow slightly. Go Mi suggested softly.
“Why not inspect the site personally? Once you’ve surveyed and decided, we can start construction immediately.”
“The Moon Lord thinks we should develop the mine even risking conflict with Qin.”
“Yes. Securing iron supply is a problem we must solve eventually—and as soon as possible. With Qin in chaos from conflict with Zhao and the Emperor’s assassination attempt, even if disputes arise, we can negotiate far more advantageously.”
Hearing the explanation, Yi Hwan nodded.
Clink.
Yi Hwan finished his tea and stood.
“I’ll meet His Majesty, so prepare to depart.”
“Understood.”
“How’s the Qin Emperor?”
“No confirmation yet, but the capital’s atmosphere suggests he survived.”
“No info on the assassins?”
“No.”
“I’ll be back.”
Soon after, Yi Hwan headed to the Imperial Palace with only Ju Tae.
* * *
Northern Qin Kingdom.
Shwaaa!
Sudden heavy rain poured all day.
Fierce winds joined, turning it into a storm no ordinary person could traverse, so Baek Woo-kyeong ordered a brief rest.
They entered a fairly large shrine. Do Geom and Dong Ja-ryang were tossed into a corner like baggage.
Baek Woo-kyeong stared coldly at Do Geom.
“Was it the Zhao Emperor’s order? Or Crown Prince Jo Gwang-mu’s?”
“The Crown Prince’s order.”
Do Geom answered readily.
“Then why no resistance?”
“We know who you are. What’s the point? We just want to live.”
“Have you forgotten your deeds? Daring to assassinate His Majesty and still beg to live......”
“Spare us, and we’ll do anything.”
“Shut up!”
Swaek!
Something flew and struck Do Geom’s forehead dead-on.
His forehead split, blood streaming, but Do Geom’s expression didn’t change. Lingering betrayal and despair drowned even the pain.
Dong Ja-ryang rasped.
“Water, please.”
Swaek!
Thwack!
Blood flowed from Dong Ja-ryang’s forehead too.
Dong Ja-ryang bared his teeth in a grin.
“Some hospitality. If you’re killing us, at least give water?”
“You bastard! Shut your mouth, or I’ll cut your throat!”
“Got it.”
Baek Woo-kyeong turned back to Do Geom.
“Among your Zhao warriors, some had unusual auras. Like you two.”
“Those following the Blood Demon’s will.”
“......!”
At Do Geom’s revelation, even Dong Ja-ryang couldn’t hide his shock.
“You mean the great demon Blood Demon from two hundred years ago?”
“Yes. Zhao has hundreds more like us. You saw in Guizhou Province—they’re all elites, and many possess bizarre abilities.”
“Do Geom!”
Dong Ja-ryang shouted.
Do Geom glanced back with a faint smile.
“Better to spill now than endure torture, no?”
“......!”
Do Geom faced Baek Woo-kyeong again.
“They’re all directly under the Emperor, commanded by the strategist.”
Do Geom’s words continued at length.
Baek Woo-kyeong and the others listened without blinking.
When Do Geom finished, Baek Woo-kyeong asked.
“Are you truly confessing out of fear of torture?”
“I said it. Spare us, and we’ll do anything.”
“Brother, don’t fully trust him. It could be a ploy to buy time for survival.”
Do Geom gazed at Baek Yeon with hazy eyes.
Baek Yeon roared.
“Your companions are all dead. Don’t expect rescue.”
‘As expected, they didn’t see them.’
The green-robed ones hidden in the woods.
Baek Woo-kyeong’s group unaware meant they’d likely slipped away before clashing with the yellow-robed ones and Baek Woo-kyeong’s party.
Rumble!
Crackle!
The storm grew fiercer.
“Looks like delay, so rest up. You too, brother.”
“I’m fine.”
“We’re fine too.”
Baek Woo-kyeong leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.
Do Geom sidelong-glanced at Dong Ja-ryang.
Resigned? His expression was surprisingly calm.
Do Geom cautiously sent a transmission.
[Stay focused every moment. Only when the executors move will we have a chance.]
Dong Ja-ryang’s eyes changed.
Do Geom conveyed more with a look, then slowly closed his eyes.
Shwaaa!
Pitapat!
Rain poured through the half-broken window.
Coincidentally, it hit where Do Geom and Dong Ja-ryang were. Their bodies quickly soaked.
It was then.
Tuk!
Dong Ja-ryang nudged Do Geom with his foot. When Do Geom opened his eyes, he lip-mouthed.
Lip-reading technique.
Will they really follow? Knowing the Baek brothers are here, isn’t retreat more likely?
Do Geom shook his head.
They value their lord’s orders over their lives. They’ll come. Don’t worry.
Pitapat!
The rain poured harder.
Do Geom ignored it, leaning against the wall, eyes fixed on the broken window.
‘I won’t die. Never......’