Chapter 388
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 388
Chapter Title: Meeting of Archenemies
Yi Hwan, who had entered the Qin Kingdom's camp, sat down face-to-face with Yang Mu right away.
Grand Minister of Works Gwan Yeong was in attendance.
"I am ashamed to have to ask for your help once again. On behalf of everyone, I thank you for accepting so readily."
After some formal greetings and conversation, Yang Mu subtly revealed his true intentions.
"Is there no way to make the Zhao Kingdom's army withdraw from the Adversary?"
Yi Hwan glanced at Gwan Yeong. Gwan Yeong looked troubled and averted his gaze slightly. He had conveyed Yi Hwan's will, but Yang Mu had not accepted it.
Yi Hwan stared at Yang Mu again and spoke in a firm tone.
"You must first acknowledge that the situation is completely different from before, Crown Prince."
"What is different?"
"Zhao Emperor Jo Yun has come out himself. Do you think he'll withdraw from the Adversary just because we're pretending to move our forces like last time?"
"......"
"To make him withdraw from the Adversary, we have no choice but to rout him. Surely you're not telling us to fight Zhao in place of Qin?"
Yang Mu bit his lower lip.
In the end, Yi Hwan's words meant that even though Qin had paid in gold, silver, and warhorses, and even ceded all the mines, they would only pretend to move their troops, just like before.
It was tantamount to taking all those compensations without doing anything at all, so how could his mood not be twisted?
"If you can't give up the Adversary, we cannot provide any help. However, if you promise to abandon the Adversary, I will personally meet Zhao Emperor and ensure no further escalation."
"You will meet Zhao Emperor yourself, Great Prince?"
"Since Qin has made concessions, we should reciprocate to that extent, don't you think?"
Not only Yang Mu but even Gwan Yeong widened their eyes in surprise.
"Give me your answer by tomorrow morning. If there's no answer by then, even I won't be able to do anything."
* * *
Yi Hwan was escorted to a pavilion.
Gwan Yeong, who had guided him, spoke with a troubled expression.
"I will try to persuade His Highness well."
"How is the battlefield situation?"
"The Zhao army is still holding at the Adversary. They've suffered losses as great as ours, so it seems they've begun reorganizing their ranks."
It was unexpected. Yi Hwan had thought the Zhao army would have already begun advancing south.
It was then.
"Great Prince!"
A thick voice rang out as Wei Ji-gwan entered. Yi Hwan greeted him with a smile.
"Long time no see, General."
"I never imagined I'd see you here again, Great Prince. I hope you've been well."
"I've been fine, but what about you? Any injuries?"
"My body is intact, but my heart is not. To have yielded territory to the enemy— as a general who eats the kingdom's stipend, is there anything more shameful or humiliating?"
His words revealed his devastated inner feelings plainly.
Gwan Yeong subtly said to Wei Ji-gwan.
"Shouldn't we let the Great Prince rest? We can talk later."
"I'm fine. I have things to ask anyway, so have some tea before you go."
"Thank you."
"Let's go in."
Gwan Yeong frowned as he watched Wei Ji-gwan enter with Yi Hwan.
'Even to Crown Prince, he's not that friendly......'
* * *
Yang Mu sat face-to-face with Gwan Yeong.
Yang Mu, lost in serious thought, asked Gwan Yeong.
"What do you think we should do, Grand Minister?"
"The damage from this war is already too great. If we continue, it could lead to irreparable losses, so I think we should accept his proposal."
"Do you think I'm taking this too lightly, Grand Minister?"
A chill crept into Yang Mu's tone.
"If we abandon the Adversary as he says, won't Qin have only losses in this war? How will the people accept this result, and don't you know those waiting for my mistake will rise up at once?"
"How could I not know that? But resolving the immediate crisis comes first, doesn't it? Zhao Emperor has come down himself. You know what that means."
Gwan Yeong, his mind already made up, urged a decision with an even stronger tone.
Kwak!
Veins bulged on Yang Mu's fists. Every word from Gwan Yeong pierced him like a needle.
"Very well. Let's do that."
Yang Mu stood up abruptly.
"Will you go to him right away?"
"Once decided, it's best to convey it as soon as possible."
"Then I shall escort you."
* * *
Yi Hwan, who had been conversing with Wei Ji-gwan about this and that, looked calmly at Yang Mu as he entered. From his eyes and expression, it seemed he had made his decision.
Wei Ji-gwan stood up, and Yang Mu took his seat. He spoke immediately.
"I will follow the Great Prince's will."
"Understood."
"But may I ask one thing?"
"Ask away."
"How do you plan to negotiate with Zhao Emperor?"
"It's not the method that matters, but the result. The sooner the better, so send someone straight to the Adversary at once. Tell them I wish to meet Zhao Emperor alone, with no one else accompanying me."
Gwan Yeong interjected.
"Will Zhao Emperor come out alone?"
"He will certainly accept. That's the kind of man he is."
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea and continued.
"This is out of concern, but you must not secretly send warriors thinking of doing something to Zhao Emperor. Also, keep the compensations promised as conditions for brokering the truce. If you violate either of these, Qin will have to face both Zhao and Yeon at once."
"......"
Soon after, everyone withdrew, and Ju Tae and the others entered.
Ju Tae asked.
"Will you really go alone?"
"Are you worried?"
"They won't come alone."
Yi Hwan shook his head.
"Jo Yun bent his pride to secure the Adversary and made a treaty with our Yeon Kingdom. If he tries to harm me and fails, the plan he staked his pride on will come to nothing, so there's no need to worry."
"Still, just in case, wouldn't it be good if we secretly follow?"
"Do you want to make me a vile scoundrel?"
"That's not what I......"
"Enough. Go out and prepare some drinks."
"......Yes."
* * *
Jo Yun, immersed in operational planning while reorganizing his ranks, narrowed his brows slightly at Woo Mun-sul entering the room.
"I told you not to disturb me."
"An envoy from Qin has arrived."
"An envoy?"
"Yes. He says he has urgent matters to report and requests an audience with Your Majesty."
Thud!
Jo Yun set down his brush and drank a bowl of cold water.
"Bring him."
"Yes."
Moments later, the Qin envoy entered with Woo Mun-sul.
Jo Yun gazed at the envoy with indifferent eyes. Sweat dripped from the envoy's cheeks as he bowed.
"Did your Crown Prince send you?"
"No. It is from Yeon Kingdom's Great Prince Yi Hwan."
Twitch.
"What? That bastard is with you?"
"Yes. The Great Prince instructed me to deliver this."
The envoy pulled a scroll from his bosom and offered it. Woo Mun-sul took it and handed it to Jo Yun.
Jo Yun unfurled the scroll immediately.
As he read the contents, his eyes gradually grew colder, then curled into a sneer.
"Fearless enough to come out alone?"
"What does it say?"
Jo Yun handed the scroll to Woo Mun-sul. Woo Mun-sul frowned suspiciously upon checking it.
It was then.
[Do not say a word in this man's presence.]
Woo Mun-sul, about to speak, promptly closed his mouth.
Jo Yun said to the envoy.
"I understand. Tell him we'll meet at the promised location."
"Understood. Then."
As soon as the Qin envoy left, Woo Mun-sul spoke.
"It's suspicious why he's stepping in again when we agreed not to interfere."
"We'll find out when we meet."
"You must not go alone, Your Majesty."
"He's coming alone, so should I bring my subordinates?"
"We don't know what trick he might pull, so at least bring a few."
Heh.
A faint smile appeared on Jo Yun's lips.
"You still don't know him well, General."
"......"
"Though I'd love to tear him to shreds, he's not the type to play tricks with such a pretext, so no need to worry."
"But......"
"Enough!"
"......Yes."
Jo Yun leaned deeply into his chair and calmed his eyes. Yi Hwan's face floated in his mind.
'Go ahead and try some trick. Then I'll gladly sever your neck.'
* * *
Lotus Lake.
A beautiful lake formed by waters flowing from the Adversary. Famous for its abundance of lotuses and the pavilion built by a master craftsman at its center, it was usually a popular spot for boating.
But due to the war with Zhao, almost no one visited Lotus Lake. Rumors that Zhao would soon advance south had sent most people fleeing as refugees, leaving only a few fishermen tending their nets.
Whoooosh!
A strong wind blew.
The waves it stirred spread across the lake, shaking the lotuses this way and that.
'A place too beautiful to meet a villain.'
Yi Hwan took in the surroundings of Lotus Lake for a moment.
It was a world utterly different from the blood-soaked battlefield.
Chirp chirp!
Two birds alighted on a tree behind where Yi Hwan stood and chattered.
Yi Hwan slowly boarded a small boat tied at the lakeside.
The unmanned boat glided leisurely toward the pavilion in the lake's center. The lotuses filling the surface parted left and right as if welcoming him.
"This is a dangerous place—turn back now!"
A fisherman shouted at him.
Yi Hwan waved to the fisherman. The fisherman kept yelling something, but Yi Hwan just smiled calmly.
It was as he neared the pavilion. Yi Hwan's eyes flickered slightly.
A figure appeared from the opposite shore. It was Jo Yun.
Their gazes intertwined across the considerable distance. The emperor of one kingdom and the Great Prince— transcending their relationship and two hundred years of time, the fateful archenemies met again.
Jo Yun descended to the lake. Then he walked slowly across the water's surface.
Yi Hwan ascended to the pavilion first.
Was it Yang Mu's consideration? A bottle of liquor, two cups, and some dried meat were prepared on the pavilion.
Yi Hwan watched Jo Yun approach across the water as if putting on a show.
'His demeanor has changed quite a bit.'
He felt a different impression from the Jo Yun he first met long ago. More profound, perhaps?
It was a change Yi Hwan was not at all pleased with.
Moments later, Jo Yun also stepped onto the pavilion. Their gazes intertwined once more.
"Long time no see."
"Indeed."
Jo Yun sat first.
Yi Hwan sat opposite.
"Did you come alone?"
"Did you?"
"Why would a wretch like you bring attendants?"
Heh.
"I came alone too, so no need to fear."
"Still as impudent as ever."
"Isn't everyone?"
Jo Yun abruptly picked up the liquor bottle, filled a cup, and brought it to his lips. Even in a situation where poison was a real fear, he showed no hesitation.
Yi Hwan emptied his cup as well.
Thud.
"What is the purpose of requesting this meeting?"
"You seem to be under some misconception, so I wanted to clear it up."
"Misconception?"
Yi Hwan spoke in an indifferent yet firm tone.
"Do not go below the Adversary. That's as far as I agreed to tolerate."
Twitch.
"What do you mean? Didn't we agree to three years of non-aggression starting after the war at the Adversary ends?"
"Exactly. What Yeon Kingdom tolerated was only up to the war at the Adversary."
"......!"
Non-aggression for three years after the war at the Adversary ends.
Jo Yun had specified this phrase to mean the treaty takes effect immediately after the Adversary war concluded.
In other words, it was merely to clarify the start time of the treaty's effect; he had never intended the treaty to apply only to the Adversary war.
But now Yi Hwan was interpreting the treaty's wording as tolerating only the Adversary war. It was a clear mistake on Jo Yun's part for not specifying explicitly.
"So be satisfied with that much and do not think of coming down further."
Rage flickered in Jo Yun's eyes.
"And if I cannot?"
Yi Hwan met Jo Yun's rage-filled eyes squarely and answered calmly.
"You know as well as I. That I'm not one to shy from war."