Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: The Ronin Who Came to the Southern Legion
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The Zhao Kingdom showed no signs of movement.
Thanks to that, the Yeon Kingdom had time to swiftly establish its encampments and reinforce its defensive positions.
Then one day.
Amid days of precarious peace that could shatter at any moment, the guests Yi Hwan had been waiting for finally arrived.
It was the lineage of Cheol Mu-ok.
Yi Hwan met them not in the camp, but in the city. Though few in number, their presence was reassuring.
Until suitable lodging could be found, Yi Hwan rented out an entire inn in the city—not the military camp—and had them stay there.
Meanwhile, Paeng Mu-wi, who had taken the position of Commander, sought out Yi Hwan almost every day. Whenever something even slightly troubled him, he asked for advice, and following that counsel made everything go smoothly.
As a result, Paeng Mu-wi's faith in Yi Hwan was turning absolute.
The brainwashing had been a complete success. Yi Hwan no longer needed to use the drug.
* * *
In the evening, as the sun began to set.
Song Hoe and the others returned to their tents after training. Steam rose thickly from their bodies, evidence of how much they had sweated.
It had been days of grueling training. Everyone endured fiercely, and as time passed, even their eyes began to change.
The one showing the fastest growth was Song Cheon-mu, thanks to his exceptional comprehension and inner power.
"Have you memorized all the oral formulas?"
"Yes. I'm focusing on applying them now."
Yi Hwan had blended his own martial arts with the Imperial Palace Martial Arts secret manual received from Crown Prince Yi So, creating new techniques.
Everyone was currently learning them. Only Cha Jung-kyeong, whose injuries had not fully healed, was still unable to join in the training.
Soon after, they all gathered to eat.
Gong Son-tae joked around.
"Wow! The food's getting fancier every day! At this rate, it's rivaling a royal banquet!"
As he said, the dishes and side servings were lavish. It was all thanks to Paeng Mu-wi, utterly devoted to Yi Hwan, who had supplied the finest ingredients.
As the meal was in full swing, Go Mi arrived.
"Have you eaten?"
"Yes. Just finished."
Go Mi held out a message tube.
"It's from the Crown Prince's Palace."
Yi Hwan opened the tube and pulled out the letter. Song Hoe noticed his brows slightly furrowing.
"Bad news?"
"They found the ronin but lost him."
"What? How did that...!"
Smack!
Gong Son-tae raised his voice, only to get smacked on the head by Cheol Mu-ok.
Cheol Mu-ok asked.
"When did it happen?"
"About six days ago, apparently."
Yi Hwan reread the letter in regret. Cheol Mu-ok and Gong Son-tae looked equally disappointed.
Go Mi brought up something else.
"There was a clash between the Qin and Zhao Kingdoms north of Guizhou, in Zheng'an. A massive skirmish with tens of thousands of casualties on both sides. The Zhao troops that pulled out a few days ago were probably for that."
"Whoa! Tens of thousands—that's practically war! Who won?"
"Gonna keep yapping?"
Smack!
"Ugh!"
Cheol Mu-ok smacked Gong Son-tae's head again.
Yi Hwan asked.
"How many pulled out then?"
"Estimated around ten thousand."
A few days prior, Zhao forces had been spotted withdrawing from their camp. At the time, the generals had been divided between those pushing for attack and those advising against it.
But Yi Hwan's opposition had prevented further debate.
Yi Hwan looked straight at Go Mi and asked.
"Is Qin running any intelligence operations?"
"Yes. Not as extensively as Zhao, but our Moon Pavilion, the East Depot, and the Golden Imperial Guards are all active there."
"Find out what sparked the clash, and report any unusual movements immediately."
"Understood."
"Cheon-mu."
"Yes, Great Prince."
"Go to the kitchen, pack some meat, and give it to the Moon Lord."
"Understood."
"No, I'm fine."
"It's for the warriors who work so hard, so don't refuse."
"...Thank you."
* * *
Late at night.
Yi Hwan visited Go Mi's tent. She had been sipping tea alone but hurriedly changed and greeted him.
"Too late?"
"Yes."
"......"
Her blunt honesty caught Yi Hwan off guard.
"I'll prepare tea."
Go Mi stepped out.
'Is she still upset?'
Soon, they sat facing each other.
"The meat from dinner was delicious. Everyone was grateful."
"Your Moon Pavilion does more work than anyone, so no need for thanks."
"Then to what do I owe the visit?"
"Just got curious about something. Need to discuss it too."
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea and asked right away.
"Any connections in the Beggars' Sect?"
"The Beggars' Sect only operates in Zhao and Qin, so no direct lines. We do sometimes extract info by force. The clash between Zhao and Qin was from one of those."
"I see."
"But why the Beggars' Sect all of a sudden..."
"It's personal, so hard to say."
Yi Hwan moved on.
"I want to acquire an estate near the capital, free from East Depot or Golden Imperial Guards interference."
"That's unrelated to our duties."
"Think about the 'free from East Depot or Golden Imperial Guards' part. You'd know such places better than anyone, Moon Lord."
Go Mi answered immediately.
"No such area near the capital. The closer to the capital, the more active those two organizations are compared to other cities."
"The least intrusive one."
Go Mi pondered briefly, then said.
"The town where my family home is—that's the least. Close to the capital, but few nobles reside there, so unless there's an incident, neither group shows up much. And one more place."
"Where?"
"Where Her Highness the Princess resides."
"Isn't that a prosperous area?"
"Yes. But packed with merchant groups, so the organizations avoid it recklessly. Messing around where money flows could drag them into bribery scandals. That happened constantly until a few years ago."
Yi Hwan chuckled wryly.
"Plotting conspiracies to strike each other down?"
"Yes. It's been public knowledge in the Imperial Palace for ages. But why an estate?"
"Some personal acquaintances need a place to stay. A dozen or so. If you find something good, I'd appreciate it."
"Can't promise, but I'll try."
Moments later, Go Mi watched Yi Hwan's departing back and let out a quiet sigh.
'Now he's asking for all sorts of things?'
Then, Yi Hwan, whom she thought gone, returned.
"Didn't your house have plenty of empty rooms? I can pay more than market rate."
"No!"
Go Mi shouted before she knew it, then bowed her head hastily.
"Sorry. Slipped out."
"Just testing. Forget it. See you tomorrow."
Go Mi frowned at his retreating figure.
'He seemed decent at first, but lately he's getting worse.'
* * *
Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok sat facing each other.
Cheol Mu-ok's eyes widened.
"You're setting up lodging near the capital?"
"Why the reaction?"
"Didn't you say you were basing your forces here in the Southern Legion?"
"I said basing forces, but not specifically the Southern Legion."
"My mistake. Then why near the capital? Proximity brings headaches."
"To properly help the Crown Prince ascend the throne, closer to the capital is best. Plus, I want your lineage—bound by chains of fate and hardship—to live in a good environment."
Cheol Mu-ok's eyes trembled at his words.
"...Thank you."
"Keep that in mind for now."
"Yes. Rest well."
* * *
Cheol Mu-ok stepped into the courtyard.
Yi Hwan's care for his lineage lifted his spirits greatly.
'Everyone will be thrilled.'
They had all lived in the shadows, enduring every hardship. Hiding their status and skills thoroughly—that was torment enough.
"Hoo..."
Cheol Mu-ok gazed at the night sky and exhaled deeply. Then, his eyes sharpened as he pierced the forest ahead.
'Someone was there?'
He had clearly seen a figure atop a great tree. But now, it was gone.
'Zhao sending assassins again?'
The door creaked open, and Gong Son-tae emerged.
Creak.
"What are you doing out here?"
"Son-tae."
"Yes?"
"We need to guard the lord's quarters closely tonight. I'll watch outside; you stay inside."
"Zhao assassins again?"
"Saw someone in the woods. Feels off."
"Got it."
* * *
Swoosh.
The forest swayed, unable to withstand the wind. The ronin, perched on a slender branch, swayed with it.
'Spotting me from there. Impressive.'
He had nearly been caught. If he hadn't ducked behind the branch in that instant, he'd have been exposed.
'That's the Fourth Imperial Prince's tent. So he's his guard...'
The ronin watched Cheol Mu-ok sit on a courtyard chair, sword to his chest, then scanned the tents around.
Torches lit the area, warriors standing vigilant like iron walls—but to the ronin, they were mere scarecrows.
But Yi Hwan's tent felt different. Because of Cheol Mu-ok.
'No need to rush. Plenty of time to scout. My life's been endless waiting anyway.'
The ronin leaned against forked branches and pulled out a flask.
Wind blew opposite, so no worry of the liquor scent drifting.
Gulp gulp!
Even drinking, his eyes never left Cheol Mu-ok. Then, his cynical gaze filled with deep doubt.
'Only those who taught me the Soul Separation Technique know my face. So someone around the Fourth Imperial Prince learned it from me...'
Otherwise, no face-altering mask was possible. The question was why the prince sought him, even mobilizing the East Depot.
'If it's the technique, he's either foe or ally.'
Gulp gulp!
The ronin's eyes calmed to stillness.
'If foe, even the emperor's son dies.'
Whoosh!
Swoosh!
* * *
Dawn broke unusually red today.
The world bathed in it looked like a vast crimson bloom.
As always, Yi Hwan started his morning with tea.
The warmer weather made outdoor sipping pure luxury—could there be greater comfort?
Steam from the cup veiled his view. He stared through it at the opposite forest.
'Zhao targeting me?'
Moments ago, Cheol Mu-ok had reported a possible Zhao assassin in the woods ahead.
But he ordered no search. An assassin wouldn't linger this long.
'Publicly, I'm still the incompetent Great Prince. Yet they target me?'
Suddenly, the possibility arose that info about him had leaked to Zhao.
That was serious. It meant a spy in their ranks.
'Even if so, with Qin tying them up, no way they'd send assassins. So who would target me—or "him"?'
Racking his memory yielded nothing. The Young Tiger Clan nagged at him most.
With their leader dead, resentment surely festered.
Yi Hwan's gaze slowly turned to the Young Tiger Clan's tents.
Just then, a burly man stepped out and bowed to him. The one now leading in Young Ho-chung's stead.
'They lack even the guts.'
Yi Hwan dismissed it and leisurely enjoyed his tea.
'Show weakness, and they'll come crawling.'