Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Who is the True Leader of the Southern Legion?
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The night before, Go Mi examined the letter she had personally written and nodded.
“Perfect.”
Beside the letter lay another one penned by Mo Jae-hwang, complete with his personal seal.
Surprisingly, the one she had written was nearly identical to Mo Jae-hwang’s handwriting, and the seal was so meticulously crafted that it was indistinguishable.
Humbly report.
After observing Left General Paeng Mu-wi, I conclude that his hasty temperament, lack of composure, and deficient judgment render him utterly inadequate for the role of Commander. Even Young Ho of the Young Tiger Clan agrees...
* * *
Under Jeong Cheon’s direction, the inauguration ceremony for the new Commander took place.
Considering the tense atmosphere in the camp, the ceremony was kept brief, and Paeng Mu-wi soon gathered with the key generals.
Young Ho-chung was also in attendance.
As he tried to leave immediately after the ceremony, Paeng Mu-wi called him back and made him sit.
“I sincerely congratulate you on your appointment as Commander.”
“Congratulations, Commander!”
As the well-wishes drew to a close, Yi Hwan entered. Everyone rose to greet him.
“Please, have a seat, Great Prince.”
Paeng Mu-wi personally escorted Yi Hwan to his place.
No one could hide their astonishment.
Everyone knew that Paeng Mu-wi had always quietly disdained Yi Hwan. For him to suddenly show such deference overnight was utterly shocking.
Young Ho-chung stared at Paeng Mu-wi with a look of utter incomprehension. But Paeng Mu-wi ignored his gaze.
Once Yi Hwan was seated, Cheol Mu-ok stood vigil behind him. In place of Song Hoe, who was deep in training, Cheol Mu-ok accompanied Yi Hwan to most gatherings.
Paeng Mu-wi fixed his gaze on Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan nodded, and Paeng Mu-wi pointed at Young Ho-chung and bellowed.
“Guards, seize that man!”
“Yes!”
Warriors of the Paeng family grabbed Young Ho-chung’s arms. He cried out in shock.
“What is the meaning of this, General?”
The other generals, unaware of the circumstances, were equally stunned.
“We’ll sort out the details later. Lock that man in the brig immediately!”
“...!”
At the thunderous command, Young Ho-chung shook off the Paeng warriors gripping his arms and shot to his feet. They tumbled backward.
Crash!
Young Ho-chung placed his hand on his sword hilt as if ready to draw and shouted.
“Lock me in the brig? What is this outrage, Left General?”
Clang!
The generals seated to his left and right leaped up and drew their swords.
“Drop your sword!”
Young Ho-chung ignored them entirely, glaring solely at Paeng Mu-wi.
At that moment, Yi Hwan spoke coldly.
“To defy the Commander’s order and cause a disturbance? You must be suicidal. Mu-ok, subdue him.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
Cheol Mu-ok stepped forward and drew his sword.
Shing.
“Great Prince! This is an injustice! What crime have I committed to deserve imprisonment?”
“We’ll determine guilt later. For now, drop your sword and kneel, Young Ho-chung.”
“I won’t do so without knowing the reason!”
Young Ho-chung refused to yield.
‘Well done, Young Ho-chung.’
Yi Hwan smiled inwardly while maintaining a stern expression.
“Failure to obey military law leaves us no choice but to punish you here. Mu-ok.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“Take that man’s head.”
“Understood.”
* * *
Clang!
Young Ho-chung drew his sword and burst through the tent wall, charging outside.
Crash!
Boom!
‘This is a plot! Paeng Mu-wi, that bastard’s conspiring with the Great Prince to kill me!’
In a flash, it occurred to him that Mo Jae-hwang might not have died to a Zhao assassin after all, but to Yi Hwan and Paeng Mu-wi.
Young Ho-chung raced desperately toward his clan’s tent. Fighting alongside his clan warriors there was his final option.
‘I can’t die here. I’ll escape somehow and inform the Second Prince of everything!’
That was when Cheol Mu-ok dropped down before the wildly sprinting Young Ho-chung.
Whoosh!
‘When did he get here...!’
Young Ho-chung was aghast.
But he had no time even for shock.
Flash!
The swordsmanship of the Young Tiger Clan, famed for producing a family of master swordsmen, had once been called the world’s finest.
Young Ho-chung’s strike targeted Cheol Mu-ok’s waist like a bolt of lightning.
Yet Cheol Mu-ok casually deflected the incoming blade.
Boom!
“Urk!”
A thunderous roar accompanied a sharp grunt.
Having blocked the blow, Cheol Mu-ok savagely swung his sword down at Young Ho-chung.
Whoosh!
Young Ho-chung barely parried, but the immense inner force behind the blade made him stagger.
“Urgh!”
Blood trickled from the corner of Young Ho-chung’s mouth.
His insides churned, leaving him with internal injuries.
‘No way...’
Then Cheol Mu-ok charged again. Young Ho-chung poured all his strength into blocking the sword.
Boom!
“Gah!”
Another sharp grunt as Young Ho-chung was forced back. In that instant, Cheol Mu-ok struck his chest with the tip of his scabbard.
Thud!
“Argh!”
That was the end.
With a wretched death cry, Young Ho-chung spewed blood and flew through the air. Ironically, he landed sprawling before Paeng Mu-wi.
“Gurgle! I... I did nothing wrong... gurgle!”
Young Ho-chung looked up at Paeng Mu-wi, lips trembling. One of the Paeng warriors handed Paeng Mu-wi a large saber.
For a fleeting moment, conflict flickered in Paeng Mu-wi’s eyes as he gazed down at Young Ho-chung.
[It’s time to show the Commander’s authority.]
Yi Hwan’s transmission erased the doubt cleanly.
“Vain greed is what kills you, Young Ho-chung.”
Thud!
The severed head fell limply to the ground.
Tears of blood streamed from its unclosed eyes.
* * *
Seated across from Yi Hwan were Jeong Cheon and Go Mi. Go Mi’s expression remained icy.
Jeong Cheon spoke.
“What of the Golden Imperial Guards and Young Tiger Clan warriors? They could become a liability. Wouldn’t it be best to eliminate them at an opportune moment?”
“Nonsense.”
Yi Hwan continued immediately.
“If we take them out too, the Second Prince’s side will grow suspicious. I’ve prepared a separate plan, so don’t act rashly.”
“What plan have you prepared?”
“Every organization has its share of ambitious sorts.”
As Yi Hwan spoke, he looked at Go Mi.
Go Mi took up the thread.
“As instructed, we’ve selected one each from the Young Tiger Clan and Golden Imperial Guards and passed them to General Paeng. Our investigations show they’ll see their superiors’ deaths as a chance for promotion.”
‘She’s still fuming.’
Yi Hwan gave a wry inner smile at Go Mi’s cold tone.
On the other hand, he fully understood the depth of her hatred for Mo Jae-hwang. Otherwise, she wouldn’t dare act this way toward him.
“Well done.”
Jeong Cheon asked in surprise.
“You prepared even this?”
“We can’t afford half-measures.”
“Hah.”
Jeong Cheon let out a sound midway between admiration and laughter. Internally, though, it was pure awe.
‘A meticulous and flawless scheme. I was just marveling at that, and he’s already prepared the follow-up perfectly.’
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea before continuing.
“Those two will replace Young Ho-chung and Mo Jae-hwang. Unaware of the truth, they’ll be thrilled that their ally, the Left General, has become Commander. And since they now lead their own groups, they’ll have every reason to keep the Second Prince’s side in the dark to protect their positions. Reporting the incident as we wish will be a bonus.”
“So we needn’t worry about the Second Prince sending replacements?”
“That’s precisely why we’re keeping them alive.”
“Hah.”
Jeong Cheon made another odd sound.
Then, suddenly, his eyes reddened.
“Why didn’t you show your true colors sooner? The General would have been overjoyed.”
He must have been thinking of Hwang Ho.
Watching him, Yi Hwan recalled Hwang Ho’s dying face.
Go Mi then asked.
“Have you sent word to the Crown Prince?”
“You’ll have to handle that, Moon Lord.”
“Me?”
“My writing’s not great. I keep slipping into improprieties. Could you do it?”
“Understood.”
“Don’t paint me as some weirdo.”
“If you’d like to review it...”
“I’m kidding.”
* * *
Paeng Mu-wi sat facing his Deputy General.
Despite the brutal events, the Deputy General was all smiles.
“Congratulations, General. You’ve finally become Commander of the Southern Legion.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Forget Young Ho-chung and Mo Jae-hwang. Honestly, they were obstacles on your path. It’s tragic they died, but isn’t it for the best?”
“I never imagined they’d resort to such treachery. If not for the Great Prince, I’d have been done for.”
The Deputy General poured wine into Paeng Mu-wi’s cup and continued.
“I was worried about the Great Prince and General Jeong Cheon, but seeing them cooperate first eased my mind. Even they can’t resist the power of a Commander.”
“That’s why the higher-ups wanted this place.”
Paeng Mu-wi nodded in agreement.
The Deputy General asked.
“Will you keep the Great Prince and General Jeong Cheon in the Southern Legion?”
“The Great Prince was instrumental in eliminating those villains. We ought to keep him here with due respect. You all must treat him with the utmost deference from now on.”
“Understood. And what of General Jeong Cheon?”
“I’ll have to think on that one. He led the charge in this incident, but leaving someone with the warriors’ absolute loyalty in the Southern Legion doesn’t sit right.”
“Why not keep him close and make use of him, since he bowed first? Truth be told, there’s no finer general in the Southern Legion. Showing him following the Commander would do wonders for winning over the troops.”
“You’re right. That could work.”
It was then.
“Commander, General Jeong Cheon is here.”
“Speak of the tiger...”
Paeng Mu-wi drained his cup and called out in a deliberately stern tone.
“Bring him in!”
Moments later, Jeong Cheon entered.
“These are confidential documents recording everything in the camp. And this modest gift is to celebrate—please accept it.”
Several thick volumes and a bottle of liquor wrapped in silk.
Paeng Mu-wi looked taken aback.
He hadn’t expected Jeong Cheon to go this far.
“Thank you, General Jeong.”
“Once more, my heartfelt congratulations. If you’ll excuse me, I have duties to attend to. Rest well.”
After Jeong Cheon withdrew, Paeng Mu-wi grinned, all traces of doubt gone.
“Yes. Can’t afford to lose the Southern Legion’s finest general.”
“A wise choice!”
* * *
Emerging from Paeng Mu-wi’s tent, Jeong Cheon’s face twisted as if he’d chewed a raw persimmon.
“Pah!”
He spat repeatedly as he headed to his tent. Yi Hwan’s words echoed in his mind.
A single bow, and everything’s settled.
Without Yi Hwan’s urging, Jeong Cheon wouldn’t have bent even at swordpoint.
“Hoo!”
Taking a deep breath, Jeong Cheon paused moments later before a corral holding warhorses. A white steed stood listlessly alone.
The white horse, bereft of its master, lingered apart from the herd in lonely isolation.
It had been Hwang Ho’s beloved mount.
A surge of emotion welled up. His eyes reddened, tears streaming down his cheeks.
‘Don’t worry. The Great Prince will protect the Southern Legion. And I will serve him with all I have.’