Chapter 401
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 401
Chapter Title: Satisfactory Results
“Prepare to fire!”
“Prepare to fire!”
The two cannons mounted on the bow poked their heads out. Moments later, as they closed within range, the cannons spat fire.
Boom!
The first two shots landed right behind the pirate ship.
Boom!
The second pair struck the pirate ship's stern dead-on.
Crack!
“Argh!”
“Gaaah!”
Several pirates screamed as they tumbled into the sea.
“Keep firing!”
Boom boom!
Craaaack!
Flames shot up, and pirates plunged into the ocean.
Yi Hwan watched the scene and nodded silently. He turned to Park Ji-mun and asked,
“How’s the firepower of the cannons?”
“Yes. This is more than excellent.”
“Then ramming is all that’s left.”
“To ram their side, we’ll have to brace for a barrage from their cannons, won’t we?”
“We’ll have to brace for that.”
“It’s too dangerous, Great Prince. The performance has been proven sufficiently. Why not just head back?”
“You’re worried about me?”
“Of course.”
“Then we’re good.”
“…….”
Splash!
The warship began widening the gap to port.
Yi Hwan fixed his gaze on Wang Jeon. From here on, it was up to his tactics. He planned to simply observe.
“Right-side cannons, open ports!”
“Right-side ports, open!”
“Aim for the enemy cannons!”
“Aim for the enemy cannons!”
The warship’s starboard cannons thrust out in unison. The plan was to fire first and neutralize as many enemy cannons as possible.
Speed would be key.
Sploosh!
Spray from the bow soaked Yi Hwan’s body. The ship was cutting through the sea at a speed worlds apart from before.
“Brace for impact, Great Prince!”
“Got it.”
Everyone crouched down. But Yi Hwan merely stood with arms crossed, eyes on the pirate ship.
Boom boom boom boom boom!
The cannons roared in salvo. At such close range, not a single shot missed.
Craaaack!
“Gaaah!”
“Uwaaak!”
Flames and debris erupted along the pirate ship’s side.
“Ram them!”
“Ramming! Charge!”
Screeeeech…!
The warship banked sharply, emitting a eerie groan.
That was when cannon fire erupted from the pirate ship. Though most of their guns had been disabled by the preemptive strike, a few remained intact.
Fired amid the chaos, however, only two shots hit—one slamming into the side.
Crack!
“Argh!”
Two warriors were flung away like leaves. Without intervention, they’d plummet into the sea.
At that moment, Ju Tae and Kim Mu-gwan leaped out, snatching the warriors mid-air.
Simultaneously, the warship smashed into the pirate ship’s side.
Craaaack!
Creeeeak!
“Gaaah!”
“Uwaaak!”
Desperate screams echoed from the crumbling pirate ship.
Through the gaping breach, Yi Hwan clearly saw the pirates thrown into pandemonium.
Boom!
An explosion rocked the bow, flames surging up. Carried by the wind, the fire leaped to the sails, rapidly slowing the pirate ship.
‘This is enough.’
Yi Hwan turned to Wang Jeon.
“Let’s head back.”
“Shouldn’t we finish them off?”
“Best leave the cleanup to the Qin Kingdom. They chased us this far—show some mercy.”
“Understood.”
Wang Jeon turned and bellowed,
“We’re returning!”
* * *
“Yeon Kingdom warship?”
A Qin general gaped at Yi Hwan’s warship leisurely sailing away.
“The markings confirm it’s Yeon Kingdom!”
“Why would they come all the way here? More importantly, since when did Yeon have warships this powerful?”
“The design is completely different from their old ones! And the speed…”
Everyone on the bow was dumbstruck. They had always prided themselves as the strongest navy among the three kingdoms— the impact of Yeon’s new warship was immense.
They had all witnessed its terrifying speed and power while chasing it.
“What in the world…”
* * *
Back at headquarters, Yi Hwan inspected the warship’s bow first.
It was splintered and cracked in places, but the damage was far less than expected.
He headed to his quarters.
Go Mi followed and asked,
“Are you heading back now?”
“Now that we’ve settled on a plan, it’s time to leave it to the Grand Commander-in-Chief and return.”
“Then I’ll go ahead. I haven’t kept up with intelligence after being at sea so long—I need to hurry.”
“We’ll meet at the Imperial Palace.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Moments later, Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong departed first.
The next day, after a deep discussion with Wang Jeon, Yi Hwan set off for the capital. Even then, wagons and carts laden with timber for warship construction streamed endlessly into headquarters.
“The Qin navy saw our warship. They might move to gather intelligence, so maintain utmost vigilance.”
“Yes, Great Prince. We will.”
Wang Jeon saw him off to the outskirts of headquarters, watching Yi Hwan’s receding figure as he murmured,
“Thanks to the Great Prince, our navy can finally become a true force.”
“The new warship’s power has everyone buzzing with excitement.”
“How could it not? Even I can’t shake off the thrill. Ha ha ha.”
A smile spread across Wang Jeon’s face. He remained there until Yi Hwan vanished completely from sight.
* * *
Several days later, in Yeon Kingdom’s capital.
Yi Hwan received Go Mi’s report after her investigation.
Most of it concerned Zhao Kingdom.
“Several court officials and their families were being hauled away under guard. It seems the attack on Jo Jeong-mu was by internal Zhao factions.”
“It could be a pretext to finally carry out the long-delayed purge.”
“That makes sense. In that case, was the assassination attempt on Jo Gwang-mu actually a boon for Jo Yun?”
“Eliminating rivals is a gain, but the backlash makes it a loss too. He’s worked hard to win the people’s hearts— if they recall his old ruthless days, all that effort could go to waste. The problem is Jo Yun knows that.”
“So you’re saying there must be a reason he pushed the purge despite losing public support.”
“Yes. Or it truly was internal factions.”
Clink.
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea and continued.
“Whether it was truly internal or a pretext to remove rivals, chaos is inevitable for a while. That’s nothing but good for us. In times like these, we just do what we must.”
“Yes.”
“How about Qin?”
“Nothing noteworthy. Yang Mu ended the national mourning early, citing Zhao’s threat, and Dong Yeong’s condolence delegation has returned.”
Yi Hwan’s brow furrowed slightly at Dong Yeong’s mention.
“It’d be ideal to learn if Qin and Dong Yeong made any deals—and what kind.”
“No unusual rumors from Qin officials suggest if there was a deal, Yang Mu handled it solo and secretly.”
“Then it’ll be even harder to uncover.”
“Yes.”
Yi Hwan nodded and asked about something else.
“How’s the martial sects’ alliance coming along?”
“The sect leaders met but couldn’t agree, so it fell apart without progress. They’ve scheduled another meeting—perhaps you could step in then, Great Prince?”
“Me intervening in martial world affairs would cause issues. It needs careful thought; I’ll mull it over.”
“Understood. Then rest well.”
* * *
Zhao Kingdom’s capital.
Two men in tall hats entered a tavern in the marketplace. Do Geom and Dong Ja-ryang. They took a quiet upstairs seat and ordered drinks and food.
Gazing out the window at the streets, Do Geom frowned and muttered,
“They’re determined to uproot the opposing factions entirely?”
From the north end of the marketplace, two carts escorted by armed troops rolled in. The passengers on the carts all looked pale as ghosts.
Dong Ja-ryang peeked out and said,
“Could someone inside really have targeted the Crown Prince?”
“Do you think there’s a faction bold enough?”
“It looks like that man framed the opposition.”
“They might voice minor dissent, but who would dare assassinate the Crown Prince? Anyway, this complicates things badly. If the marketplace is like this, palace security must be insane.”
“Wait!”
Dong Ja-ryang leaned further out the window.
“What is it?”
“See that guy?”
Do Geom followed his pointing finger, then widened his eyes.
“…Yu Byeok.”
“Yeah. That’s Yu Byeok for sure. When did he come to the capital? Called in for a vacancy?”
“Probably.”
He resembled a spear—gaunt frame, over eight feet tall, long spear in hand. He had trained alongside Do Geom and Dong Ja-ryang at the western outpost.
“We should ask him.”
“How?”
“Have him relay we’re here and gauge the reaction.”
As Do Geom opened his mouth to speak, Dong Ja-ryang shouted toward Yu Byeok.
“Hey!”
Yu Byeok, passing the tavern, looked up and spotted Dong Ja-ryang. He halted.
“Come see me a bit?”
* * *
Yu Byeok came up. His escorts left first.
Yu Byeok’s small, narrow eyes widened slightly.
“What the hell happened?”
“Any rumors about us?”
“You two failed the mission, feared punishment, and betrayed the lord—word’s spreading like wildfire.”
“Damn it. The Qin Emperor’s dead—how’s that a failure? Those bastards!”
Do Geom asked on Dong Ja-ryang’s behalf as he seethed.
“Have you seen the lord?”
“Once after entering the palace. He’s been swamped since… But did you really betray him?”
“We were the ones betrayed.”
“……!”
Do Geom explained everything. Yu Byeok’s face grew rigid as he listened.
“What we want to know is if the lord approved the Crown Prince’s order to eliminate us. That’s why we came here.”
“Bad timing. Purge has palace guards on high alert—worse than usual. Xinjiang group are handling security; they’ll attack on sight if spotted.”
Dong Ja-ryang stepped in.
“Can you ask him? If he truly approved the Crown Prince’s order to kill us.”
“And if he did?”
“What else? We become blood enemies on the spot.”
Yu Byeok pondered briefly.
“Fine. I’ll ask the lord. You waiting here?”
Dong Ja-ryang glanced at Do Geom.
Do Geom said,
“We’ll meet here.”
“Got it. Eyes everywhere—avoid going out if possible.”
“You trustworthy?”
“Don’t insult me. How many years did we sweat together in that doghole? I’m off.”
Yu Byeok left the tavern.
Do Geom and Dong Ja-ryang watched his figure head south, their eyes steely.
“We can trust that guy?”
“No choice. We wait.”