Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Binding the Feet of Ghost Valley
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When the full moon rises, the fog dissipates.
When the fog dissipates, the Red River embraces the moon and stars.
Namgung Jang-cheon gazed at the Red River, which had transformed into a beautiful painting, his eyes sinking heavily. In his sunken gaze mingled bewilderment and disbelief.
‘That guy didn’t go all out. He deliberately dragged out the time. As if telling me to unleash every technique I had.’
The clash with the Ghost Valley Lord.
The result was a draw, but Namgung Jang-cheon admitted he had lost. What was even more humiliating was that his opponent hadn’t gone all out and hadn’t used any lethal strikes.
‘He definitely harbored killing intent at first. So why didn’t he try to kill me?’
Beneath the humiliation and rage lurked a deep question. But soon, an unbearable fury made Namgung Jang-cheon’s eyes tremble.
For him, who had lived without setbacks until now, today would remain an indelible humiliating memory and moment forever. No matter that the opponent was the Ghost Valley Lord—it offered no consolation.
“Ha!”
A strange sound, neither laughter nor sigh, escaped Namgung Jang-cheon’s lips.
Then, he lay back, looking up at the night sky.
“If I had unleashed that, could I have taken us both down?”
Namgung Jang-cheon muttered inscrutable words.
A long shadow fell over his face, but Namgung Jang-cheon didn’t stir in the slightest.
“Why are you out here?”
“My anger hasn’t subsided.”
“Forget it. Everyone makes a mistake once in a while, Young Master.”
“It wasn’t a mistake. I was outmatched in skill. And by an opponent who didn’t even go all out.”
“If you had unleashed the family’s secret technique, the outcome would have been different. So you didn’t lose.”
“That’s no comfort at all, so stop. I’ll lie here a bit longer before going in.”
“…….”
The figure silently looked down at Namgung Jang-cheon. Then vanished. Namgung Jang-cheon murmured as if speaking to the night sky.
“I was afraid to unleash it. Afraid that I might lose control. The very fact that I lacked perfect confidence in it means I lost. And it was a loss by skill.”
Whoooosh!
* * *
At the same time, the Ghost Valley Lord tilted his cup while gazing at the Red River under the night sky.
Someone standing behind him asked.
“Why did you let him live?”
“That guy clearly had an ace up his sleeve. But he hesitated. So I waited for him to use it, but the enemy horde arrived and ruined it.”
“You thought it might be the martial art we’ve been searching for?”
“What else reason would there be to spare him?”
“He’s a formidable foe. Even if we couldn’t confirm it, you should have killed him.”
“Are you blaming me for letting him live?”
“How dare I. It’s just deeply regrettable.”
“We can’t leave this place until this war ends anyway. So leaving an opponent worth fighting isn’t so bad. At least it won’t be boring.”
“…….”
Drip.
The aroma of wine spread on the chilly night air. The Ghost Valley Lord emptied his cup and stood.
“Shall I prepare for bed?”
“I’ll take a short walk before returning. No need to wait.”
“I’ll accompany you.”
“No need.”
The Ghost Valley Lord walked alone along the lake shore.
From the tents lined up along the long white sand beach, boisterous noises emanated here and there.
The Ghost Valley Lord stopped in front of an especially large tent—the residence of Hwangbo Family Patriarch Hwangbo Tae-jin.
Heh.
“He’ll insist it wasn’t sparing him, but failing to kill him.”
Hwangbo Tae-jin was just the type.
The Ghost Valley Lord resumed walking.
And only at dawn did he return to his tent. He was known throughout Ghost Valley as a compulsive walker.
* * *
The next morning.
As dawn broke, Yi Hwan rose. The others were already up.
Cheol Mu-ok asked.
“Are we heading back now?”
“There’s something to do first.”
“Give the order.”
“It’s something we all need to do together.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan drank the cold water Go Mi handed him and continued.
“Until we build up solid forces, I plan to keep Ghost Valley from coming after us. To do that, we need to use the Soul Separation Technique to divert their attention elsewhere.”
“You mean leave traces on purpose?”
Yi Hwan silently nodded and stood.
“We’re heading to the Zhao Kingdom camp.”
Go Mi asked.
“Should I stay here?”
“You come too.”
“Understood.”
The group left the cave and headed north of the Red River, toward the Zhao Kingdom camp.
‘It looks like we’ll return sooner than expected.’
Now that they knew Ghost Valley’s intentions, there was no reason to linger. On the way back, though, they planned to gather intelligence on Qin Kingdom’s key facilities while passing through. Mapping was essential too.
That was why they’d brought Go Mi.
Meanwhile, Go Mi stared intently at Yi Hwan’s back. Since yesterday, his aura seemed slightly different. How to put it? Not his usual lightheartedness, but something heavier?
‘There’s definitely something with Ghost Valley. He’s shown zero interest in anything else. And keeping them from coming after us? That confirms it.’
Before, she would have asked outright. But since she’d annoyed him once in front of him, Go Mi held back her curiosity.
Soon, the group reached the outskirts of the Zhao Kingdom camp. Leaving traces of the Soul Separation Technique on purpose was no difficult task. The scapegoats were warriors from the Hwangbo Family, not Ghost Valley’s fiends.
* * *
Hwangbo Family Patriarch Hwangbo Tae-jin trembled with rage as he looked down at the cold corpses.
They were warriors of the Hwangbo Family. And not just them—several others were wounded and bleeding.
A burly man reported with a stern face.
“Two enemies suddenly appeared, attacked indiscriminately, and vanished. We tried to pursue, but their lightness skill was so extraordinary we lost them immediately. I’m sorry.”
“The Qin bastards are pulling every trick now.”
“Shouldn’t we pay them back in kind?”
“If you permit it, we’ll double the payback tonight!”
The Hwangbo Family warriors could barely contain their fury at their comrades’ gruesome deaths.
That was when it happened.
Whoosh!
With a gust of wind, the Ghost Valley Lord landed before Hwangbo Tae-jin. Without even greeting him, he asked about the surroundings.
“I heard a three-colored light appeared when the enemy attacked. Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“You’re certain it was three colors?”
“I saw it clearly with my own eyes.”
The Ghost Valley Lord’s eyes flashed with bloodlust. Hwangbo Tae-jin frowned and asked.
“You know who they are?”
“Do you know the Soul Separation Technique?”
“Isn’t that one of the Three Kings’ martial arts from the past?”
Hwangbo Tae-jin’s face changed in an instant as he answered offhandedly.
“Then you’re saying descendants of the Three Kings are in Qin?”
“If your subordinates didn’t see wrong, it was definitely the Soul Separation Technique. But we shouldn’t assume they’re Three Kings descendants for sure.”
“What do you mean? If they used the Three Kings’ martial art, they must be their descendants, right?”
The Ghost Valley Lord shook his head.
“For some reason, the Soul Separation Technique has leaked to outsiders. But judging by the damage to your family’s warriors, the chance they’re Three Kings descendants is quite high.”
Hwangbo Tae-jin’s expression grew grave.
If the Ghost Valley Lord was right, it meant there was another powerful enemy on this battlefield besides the Namgung Family.
‘Descendants of the Three Kings in Qin, joining this battlefield?’
Meanwhile, after asking the witnesses a few more questions, the Ghost Valley Lord returned to his subordinates.
One subordinate asked.
“Why tell the Hwangbo Patriarch about the Soul Separation Technique’s nature?”
“Like it or not, he’s on our side. If more allies know, won’t it be a bit easier to find the Three Kings descendants?”
“I hadn’t considered that far.”
Bloodlust filled the Ghost Valley Lord’s eyes again.
“From the witnesses’ accounts, they were masters on a whole different level from the one we fought. So we have to assume a high chance they’re the Three Kings descendants.”
“Still, if Three Kings descendants have joined the Qin camp, this fight will get even harder.”
Gazing south across the Red River, the Ghost Valley Lord’s eyes gleamed fiercely.
“Then we have no choice but to go all out from now on. Call in more of the kids.”
“Understood!”
* * *
Yeon Kingdom capital.
Another imperial clansman had been murdered. This time, a distant relative of the emperor.
He held no political power, but as imperial kin, he was targeted. It was enough to shock the imperial house.
Of course, the news reached Yi Yeong as well.
In truth, Yeong had been busier than ever lately. Even as assassins roamed freely, she trusted in the Blade King lineage’s abilities and poured all her energy into reviving the Song family businesses that had stagnated.
For now, she focused on mending ties with trading partners cut off by the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group, and in the process, acquired two more promising inns.
At this rate, reclaiming past glory seemed only a matter of time.
Drip.
Water filled the teacup, releasing a fragrant aroma.
Today too, Yi Yeong was absorbed in her ledger calculations, while Song Cheon-ho prepared tea beside her.
“Take it easy, Madam. You’ll ruin your health.”
“Just finishing this.”
“The inns’ sales are picking up?”
“Yes. One nearly doubled compared to last month, and the other’s up by nearly half. The new inns have excellent chefs too, so they should do well.”
“My only worry is your health, Madam.”
Yi Yeong set down the ledger and gazed warmly at Song Cheon-ho.
“Got it. I’ll take care of myself, so don’t worry too much.”
That was when it happened.
A deep voice drifted in from outside.
“Your Highness, a guest has arrived.”
“Who is it?”
“I’ll go see.”
Song Cheon-ho stepped out.
Gwan Ji-baek stood outside.
“Come in, General.”
“Sorry for dropping by unannounced.”
“Nonsense. Please, come in.”
Gwan Ji-baek entered and bowed to Yi Yeong.
“Welcome, General.”
“I’ll prepare tea.”
Song Cheon-ho hurried out again. Yi Yeong and Gwan Ji-baek sat across the table.
“His Highness wishes to station a guard post around your residence. Patrols could be in place as soon as a fortnight.”
“His Highness does?”
“Yes. He’s greatly worried about you amid these recent gruesome incidents.”
Yi Yeong was moved. She hadn’t expected Yi So to worry this much.
“I should thank him in person….”
“No need. His Highness knows how busy you are. Still, please don’t overdo it. Until things stabilize, it’s best to avoid going out as much as possible, since assassins could appear anywhere.”
“Don’t worry. Thanks to my brother, I have excellent guards always protecting me.”
“I saw them. They have an extraordinary air about them. It puts my mind at ease, but still, be cautious in all things, Your Highness.”
“Yes, I will.”
Song Cheon-ho brought in the tea.
The three chatted idly. Then Gwan Ji-baek dropped a bombshell.
“His Highness plans to entrust the Great Prince with a major duty.”
“……!”
“No exact words yet, but I believe it’s command of the capital’s security.”
“The capital’s security… that’s head of the Golden Army?”
Yi Yeong’s eyes widened like a calf’s. Song Cheon-ho looked stunned too.
The Golden Army had started as the emperor’s personal guard. But now it encompassed not just the Imperial Palace, but the capital and all nearby cities—a vast organization.
And above all, as the emperor’s direct force, even the Prime Minister’s office couldn’t touch its immense power.
Yi Yeong asked.
“Has His Majesty approved?”
“The Golden Army’s leadership appointments are His Highness’s authority. A few years ago, His Majesty delegated some to him—that’s one of them. In truth, His Highness’s appointment power is the strongest weapon against Her Majesty the Empress and the Second Prince.”
Yi Yeong’s eyes brimmed with tears.
Seeing Yi Hwan change like a different person had eased her worries about him, but now he might become head of the Golden Army—a position of utmost importance—filling her chest with emotion. Song Cheon-ho said worriedly.
“We’d be thrilled if the Great Prince takes Golden Army command, but will Her Majesty the Empress and the Second Prince just sit by?”
“It’s His Highness exercising his authority. Even Her Majesty can’t object. However….”
Gwan Ji-baek trailed off.
He took a sip of tea and continued.
“The worry is whether the Golden Army will accept the Great Prince. Without their loyalty, even a commander can’t fulfill the role.”
“His Highness is factoring that in when appointing him?”
Gwan Ji-baek smiled faintly.
“Exactly. His Highness absolutely trusts the Great Prince. As do I.”
Yi Yeong finally shed tears.
Song Cheon-ho’s eyes reddened too as he patted her shoulder.
Gwan Ji-baek said with a smile.
“The most important thing is the Great Prince’s will, isn’t it? If he refuses, I’ve just wasted words today.”