Chapter 71
Chapter 71
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Heading to Guizhou Citadel
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The westernmost front line between the Zhao Kingdom and the Qin Kingdom, the Redwater.
Namgung Jang-cheon, the eldest son of the Namgung Family, stared at the fog-shrouded lake and subtly furrowed his brow.
“The scouts should have returned by now.”
The general standing beside him responded.
“Wait just a bit longer, if you please.”
The general then asked directly.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. I wasn’t seriously injured, so I’m fine.”
“Truly impressive. I’ve heard the head of the Hwangbo Family is one of the top martial experts in the Zhao Kingdom, yet you drove him off single-handedly.”
“Is that such a big deal?”
“Of course it is! Honestly, we watched with bated breath, fearing something might happen to you.”
The general kept heaping on the praise. But Namgung Jang-cheon’s eyes told a different story.
‘It wasn’t our best effort on either side, so the outcome means nothing.’
A few days earlier, the Namgung Family under Namgung Jang-cheon’s lead had clashed head-on with the Hwangbo Family. There, Namgung Jang-cheon had dueled the Hwangbo patriarch, and the Hwangbo Family had retreated, marking a victory for the Namgung side.
Everyone called it a Namgung victory, but Namgung Jang-cheon placed no great weight on it.
That was when it happened.
Something stirred beyond the fog. Moments later, a warrior staggered into view.
The general cried out in alarm.
“Why have you returned alone!”
“Ghost-like figures appeared…… They k-killed all my comrades…….”
The warrior collapsed before finishing his sentence.
The surrounding warriors rushed to support him, but he was already dead.
“Step back.”
Namgung Jang-cheon began examining the fallen scout.
The general asked.
“Anything unusual?”
“Be quiet. You’re disrupting my focus.”
“…….”
After closely inspecting the wounds on the dead warrior, Namgung Jang-cheon slowly rose and spoke.
“It seems martial artists from the Zhao camp have joined beyond just the Hwangbo Family. Very powerful ones, at that.”
“You can tell that just from the wounds?”
“The greater the expert, the clearer the traces they leave. Of course, few can recognize them.”
Namgung Jang-cheon headed toward the rear, where the Namgung Family’s elites were gathered.
“With more experts in the enemy lines, everyone stay on guard.”
“Yes, Young Master!”
Namgung Jang-cheon turned to the accompanying general.
“Request reinforcements. As many peak-level experts as possible. Best to hurry.”
“Understood.”
The general dashed back to the camp.
Namgung Jang-cheon stared at the lake still shrouded in thick fog, his gaze steadying.
‘If they’re experts who can leave demonic energy on a corpse, the battles ahead won’t be easy.’
* * *
West of the lake.
There, a group of Zhao Kingdom soldiers had gathered.
Around a hundred strong, including the Hwangbo Family patriarch they had clashed with earlier.
Hwangbo Tae-jin.
The current head of the Hwangbo Family and a top-tier expert acknowledged by all in the Zhao Kingdom. He gazed down at his Iron Palm Gauntlets, his expression darkening.
‘These gauntlets, which can crush diamond, have never been dented before.’
It was the mark left from his clash with Namgung Jang-cheon days ago. The Iron Palm Gauntlets had been mercilessly warped by Namgung Jang-cheon’s sword.
‘They called him a once-in-a-millennium prodigy, and the rumors were no exaggeration. In ten years, no one in the world will be able to handle him.’
The Namgung Family’s heavy sword, acclaimed as the unparalleled blade under heaven, had lived up to its reputation.
Namgung Jang-cheon had wielded it nearly perfectly, and Hwangbo Tae-jin, who had underestimated him, had nearly suffered utter humiliation.
‘Don’t you dare think that was my all…….’
As he ground his teeth recalling Namgung Jang-cheon, figures emerged from the fog.
They wore pitch-black hoods pulled low over their heads, shambling along in a way that evoked ghosts.
The lead hooded figure addressed Hwangbo Tae-jin.
“Enemy scouts came right up to our noses.”
“Did you kill them all?”
“One got away.”
“Then your identities are exposed?!”
“Any problem with that?”
A twitch.
At the hooded figure’s provocative words, Hwangbo Tae-jin’s eyebrow curved like a blade. But he said no more as the hooded ones vanished into the fog.
“Hold your temper. That’s just how they are.”
A Hwangbo elder tried to calm him.
“Now that their identities are out, the Qin forces will surely call in even more martial artists. Those ignorant fools haven’t even considered it.”
“True enough. Then we should request reinforcements too, no? If the balance among martial artists tips, our family stands to lose the most.”
“Agreed.”
Hwangbo Tae-jin glared at the hooded figures’ retreating backs with furious eyes.
“Back to camp!”
* * *
Unlike usual, Go Mi sought out Yi Hwan from early morning.
“Have you eaten?”
“I’ll report first.”
Go Mi continued immediately.
“Demonic cultivators from Ghost Valley have appeared northwest of Guizhou Citadel at the Redwater. Seems the Zhao Kingdom called them in to turn the tide.”
“Did you say Ghost Valley just now?”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
Yi Hwan’s gaze steadied.
‘Their descendants, perhaps?’
In his era, one of the few forces that had stood against him was a group called Ghost Valley. A collective of demonic cultivators who had given him as much trouble as the Blood Demon or Mad Demon.
“Do you know of them?”
Ju Tae answered.
“Ghost Valley is a mysterious group about which little is known. Only that all its members are demonic cultivators.”
‘This one doesn’t know.’
Yi Hwan turned to Cheol Mu-ok.
“That’s all I know as well.”
Yi Hwan’s gaze shifted to Go Mi’s face. She bowed her head.
“My apologies. I never investigated Ghost Valley separately…….”
Thud.
Yi Hwan set down his chopsticks and drank some cold water.
‘If they’re descendants of that Ghost Valley from back then…….’
Yi Hwan felt an inexplicable mix of emotions. His own Daye Fortress was gone, yet his enemies’ lineage endured?
It was far from a pleasant thought.
“The board’s getting bigger by the minute. At this rate, the two kingdoms might really go to all-out war.”
“If it comes to full war, wouldn’t Yeon Kingdom just sit back and reap the benefits? We should welcome it with open arms.”
Ju Tae picked up on Cheol Mu-ok’s words.
But Go Mi shook her head.
“It won’t escalate to full war because of us Yeon. The balance of power means the moment it tips, one side gets devoured. That’s the biggest reason the three kingdoms have endured this long.”
Everyone fell silent mid-conversation. Because Yi Hwan said nothing.
Ju Tae’s eyes widened as he glanced at Cheol Mu-ok.
[What’s he thinking so deeply about?]
[No idea.]
That was when Yi Hwan spoke.
“Time to see the world a bit.”
“Pardon?”
“Excuse me?”
At Yi Hwan’s sudden declaration, everyone stared at him in confusion.
“With those two kingdoms tangled up like that, we won’t have worries here for a while. Mu-ok, Ju Tae, Moon Lord—you’re coming with me.”
“To Guizhou Citadel?”
“Yeah. We’ll broaden our horizons, check a few things, so prepare to leave right away. I’ll go see the Commander first.”
Yi Hwan stood at once.
At that moment, Song Hoe, Song Cheon-mu, and Cha Jung-kyeong all shot to their feet nearly simultaneously.
“Take me too!”
“Let me come along!”
“What about me?”
“Your skills make it too dangerous there. Stay here and train hard with the Deputy General.”
Song Hoe stepped forward again.
“At least let this lowly officer accompany you! I couldn’t last time either!”
Yi Hwan’s resolve wavered slightly. He already felt guilty toward Song Hoe.
But heading into enemy territory, he couldn’t bring the relatively weaker Song Hoe.
“The Deputy General has to oversee Dragon-Tiger Army training and these guys. That’s just as important as assisting me.”
“…….”
“You’re the only one I can entrust that to, Deputy General.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan added one more thing to Song Cheon-mu and Cha Jung-kyeong.
“If you want to join next time, pour everything into getting stronger. So I won’t have to worry about you dying. Got it?”
“……Yes.”
“Understood.”
* * *
Returning to her tent, Go Mi ate a simple meal and changed into fresh clothes.
She then packed with the female warrior staying behind.
Go Mi gazed steadily at the female warrior. She was the one left alone due to her exceptional skill in crafting disguises.
“Worried about something? Your face looks dark.”
“It’s because of you.”
“Pardon?”
“I leave, and you’re stuck here alone. In a camp full of men.”
“Who’d even see me as a woman? I’ll be fine.”
Go Mi grew even more concerned at the female warrior’s bright smile.
“I packed the liquor His Highness the Crown Prince bestowed.”
“You…….”
“Pardon?”
“Stay in the Great Prince’s quarters until I return. That’ll ease my mind.”
“I prefer being alone…….”
“No. Grab your bedding, quick.”
“……Yes.”
Moments later, Go Mi and the female warrior exited the tent. Yi Hwan and the others were already in the courtyard.
Yi Hwan asked.
“Planning to bring her along?”
“No. I’m just worried leaving her alone, so could she stay in your quarters, Great Prince?”
“Fine by me, but you sure?”
The female warrior answered briskly.
“I’ll be alright!”
Yi Hwan turned to Song Hoe.
“Take good care of her. She has a rare talent.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan eyed Song Cheon-mu and Cha Jung-kyeong. Both wore sullen expressions, looking away.
A smirk.
“You two.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Come back with skills I’m satisfied with, and I’ll teach you new techniques.”
“Really?”
“For real?”
“But if you don’t improve enough, brace yourselves.”
“No worries! We’ll train with all we’ve got!”
“Come back safe!”
‘Simpletons.’
* * *
To reach Guizhou Citadel fastest, they had to skirt down through the Qin Kingdom’s northern regions.
Yi Hwan chose to go on foot rather than horseback.
It took longer, but was far better for concealing identities. Yeon Kingdom managed all horses nationally, so riding one meant constant checkpoints.
The Yeon southern legions also bordered Zhao to the west and Qin to the south, allowing quick transit even on foot.
Three days later.
They entered Qin territory.
Go Mi was slightly excited.
Even as a Moon Pavilion specialist in covert ops and intelligence, she had rarely left Yeon Kingdom.
To her, this enemy land was a wholly new experience and journey.
Rumble!
Thunder suddenly crashed.
Rain began pouring down.
Still in the mountains, they spotted an abandoned house just in time and ducked inside.
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae pulled out rations, while Go Mi brought out liquor.
The famed Haedong liquor that Yi So had given Yi Hwan, who passed it to Go Mi.
“Care for some?”
“You still have this?”
“The warriors all refused it.”
Everyone sated their hunger with rations while waiting out the rain.
Go Mi asked.
“I’d like to know the exact purpose for going to Guizhou.”
“Think of it as gathering intel on the enemy kingdom.”
“On the battlefield?”
“With them so busy fighting, info will leak plenty. Moon Lord, memorize Qin’s key areas and make a map later. The rest of you, scrutinize the martial artists from both kingdoms—especially the strong ones.”
“Understood.”
“Yes.”
Go Mi sensed Yi Hwan was hiding something. But she didn’t press.
Crack-boom!
Lightning intensified. Wind strengthened, battering into the abandoned house.
“Looks like we’re spending the night here.”
“I’ll start a fire.”
Go Mi gathered scattered wood scraps inside and lit a bonfire. Before adding more logs, darkness fell.
Exhausted from days of nonstop marching, the warmth of the fire lulled them. They leaned against walls and closed their eyes.
Go Mi sank into thought.
‘I’ve accomplished quite a bit alongside the Great Prince.’
Lost in various musings, she suddenly let out a soft chuckle.
Heh.
‘Who’d have thought I’d become a censor, of all things.’
She’d never imagined it. At her age, heading both covert intelligence Moon Pavilion and the inspectorate censors—no historical precedent.
‘They’d have been so proud.’
Recalling her parents, Go Mi gazed at Yi Hwan sitting opposite.
In the firelight, his face seemed endlessly gentle. Utterly at odds with his deeds.
‘Why has the Great Prince hidden his power all this time? Other royals exaggerate what little they have.’
The lingering question.
Likely everyone who knew him wondered the same.
Whoooosh!
Wind whipped through broken windows, flickering the bonfire. Yi Hwan’s face alternately brightened and shadowed.
That was when Yi Hwan opened his eyes, so Go Mi quickly looked away.
Just then, Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae stirred awake too.
“I’ll check it out.”
Ju Tae rose.
As Go Mi gave him a puzzled look, Yi Hwan told her.
“Move away from the wall.”
“Pardon?”
“Someone’s coming.”
“……!”