Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Variable
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Behind the Paeng family camp's training grounds.
Paeng Mu-wi had the men sent by Mun Chi-yong and the Golden Imperial Guards' warriors on their knees.
Jeong Cheon and the other key generals waited for Yi Hwan's arrival.
Jeong Cheon took Paeng Mu-wi's hand.
"Thank you, Commander."
"You must've seen me as a bad guy all this time."
"Honestly, yes."
Heh.
Paeng Mu-wi let out his signature rough laugh. Jeong Cheon laughed too.
That was when it happened.
"The Great Prince is coming."
Yi Hwan entered.
Everyone followed behind him, including Cheol Mu-ok. There was also the envoy from the Crown Prince's Palace who had been staying in Yi Hwan's tent.
Yi Hwan walked straight through the center of the kneeling men toward Paeng Mu-wi.
Snap, snap, snap!
The generals, led by Paeng Mu-wi, saluted militarily.
"Not a single one escaped! We caught them all!"
"Any injuries?"
"None of the blood is ours!"
Yi Hwan patted Paeng Mu-wi's shoulder and slowly scanned the group.
"These men came to kill me. But they won't say who ordered it."
The training grounds fell into a silence so thick it felt suffocating. No one dared make a sound, holding their breath. In truth, aside from the battles with the Zhao Kingdom, this was the greatest incident in the Southern Legion's history.
"Commander."
"Yes, Great Prince!"
"Those who tried to assassinate a royal Great Prince—what punishment do they deserve?"
"Obviously, their heads must roll!"
Yi Hwan turned his gaze to Jeong Cheon and the other key generals.
Jeong Cheon shouted.
"That's my view as well!"
"They should be beheaded to demonstrate the majesty of the imperial family!"
"Cut off their heads at once and make an example of them, Great Prince!"
All the generals shouted in unison.
Yi Hwan looked down at the kneeling men. Some had accepted their fate, while others sobbed in terror of the death to come.
"Commander, carry out the execution."
"Yes, Great Prince!"
At Paeng Mu-wi's gesture, Paeng family warriors stepped forward, matching the number of prisoners.
Snap, snap, snap!
"Behead them!"
At Paeng Mu-wi's command, dozens of heads hit the ground simultaneously.
Thud, thud, thud!
From Yi Hwan's arrival to the execution, less than a quarter of an hour had passed.
Yi Hwan addressed Paeng Mu-wi and the key generals.
"From this moment on, no one from the Imperial Palace—except those from the Crown Prince's Palace—may enter the camp. If anyone disobeys, treat them as accomplices and punish them accordingly."
"Yes, Great Prince!"
"Understood!"
* * *
Paeng Mu-wi's tent.
Jeong Cheon and two generals gathered together.
One general spoke in an excited tone.
"So from now on, our Southern Legion doesn't have to watch out for the Fourth Prince anymore?"
"The Great Prince forbade entry to anyone from the Imperial Palace, so incidents like this won't happen for a while. But the Fourth Prince's side won't stay quiet—they might cause even bigger trouble later."
"We'll worry about that when it comes."
"Agreed."
Meanwhile, Jeong Cheon watched Paeng Mu-wi silently downing his drinks and asked.
"Are you worried about your daughter?"
"She's more precious to me than my own life. Joining the army was a choice I had to make for her future. Only if her father holds an official position can she escape the stigma of being a martial artist's daughter."
"Don't worry too much. The Great Prince guaranteed her safety—he'll bring her back unharmed. Let me pour you a drink."
Pour.
Paeng Mu-wi drained three cups in a row.
Jeong Cheon refilled his glass each time. One general suddenly stood and bowed to Paeng Mu-wi.
"I've treated you with preconceptions and biases until now. Please forgive my rudeness."
"Me too. I'm sorry, Commander."
"What, it's true I was a bad guy, so there's nothing to forgive or not. Forget the past and let's do our best from here on."
"Thank you, Commander."
"Yes, Commander!"
That night, the generals drank until dawn.
Of course, with Yi Hwan's permission.
* * *
A few days later.
Yi Hwan summoned Paeng Mu-wi to his tent.
In that short time, Paeng Mu-wi had visibly withered away. No doubt from worrying about his daughter.
"You wanted to see me!"
"Sit."
"Yes."
Yi Hwan filled a cup with liquor and handed it over.
"Have a drink."
"Thank you!"
Yi Hwan smiled as he watched Paeng Mu-wi empty the cup in one gulp. Then he offered a sealed letter.
"What's this?"
"Read it."
Paeng Mu-wi opened the letter and unfolded it. Tears like chicken droppings streamed silently down his face.
"Thank you. Thank you, Great Prince."
"The Imperial Palace isn't a place for a child. She'll stay at my sister's house near the capital. I've asked her to take good care of her, so don't worry—just focus on your duties."
"Yes! For the Great Prince alone, this Paeng Mu-wi will devote himself to the Southern Legion! Heh heh heh!"
Paeng Mu-wi laughed through his tears.
Yi Hwan smiled faintly at him.
'He might turn out to be a good ally.'
Soon after, Yi Hwan dined with Paeng Mu-wi. Midway through the meal, Paeng Mu-wi broached the subject casually.
"Will you accept the Golden Army commander's position?"
"I'm still thinking it over."
Yi Hwan asked in return.
"What's your take, Commander?"
"Honestly, I'd love for you to stay here with us. But the Golden Army commander isn't a position just anyone can take— you should accept it."
"Hmm..."
"Frankly, shouldn't the Great Prince be in the Imperial Palace or the capital, not on the battlefield? I think it's right for you to return to your proper place now."
"I'll mull it over a bit more. Enough of the headaches—let's eat."
"Yes."
* * *
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae were polishing their respective great blades and swords while chatting idly.
Ju Tae asked.
"About the Commander's daughter—you don't think they took her hostage, do you?"
Cough!
Cheol Mu-ok choked.
Ju Tae continued, furrowing his brow.
"No matter how I look at it, it feels that way."
"Do you see our lord as some demonic cult leader from the unorthodox sects?"
"Not exactly, but he's so thorough it just seems like something he'd do. Honestly, I might do the same. It's the surest safety net."
Cheol Mu-ok chuckled.
"Before you think that, you should've seen the Commander's eyes."
"What about them?"
"They were totally smitten with our lord. Even a woman couldn't look that devoted."
"Really?"
"Those eyes don't betray. Enough nonsense— if you're done, let's go eat."
"Hasn't he already betrayed the Paeng family?"
"It's not betrayal—it's upholding loyalty. Don't tarnish the Commander's noble choice. Get up."
The two headed outside.
Fresh food was being laid out where Yi Hwan had finished eating. They usually ate together, but today the others had been pushed back because of Paeng Mu-wi.
"Did he go for a walk?"
"Yes. He said he had things to think about and told no one to follow."
* * *
Whoosh.
The night wind felt noticeably cooler.
Yi Hwan, out for a stroll, crossed the training grounds where the brutal execution had taken place and climbed the mountain.
Clang!
The patrolling warriors saluted him. Now truly the Southern Legion's leader in name and fact, the warriors' gazes held reverence.
In truth, the greatest grievance for all Southern Legion warriors had been the excessive interference from the Imperial Palace.
Especially the Fourth Prince, who kept sending people to disrupt the chain of command. Paeng Mu-wi had been one of them.
And with the Golden Imperial Guards monitoring their every move, resentment had nearly exploded—until Yi Hwan swept it all away. Declaring no more interference from the Fourth Prince only made the warriors cheer.
It was an achievement even the revered former Commander Hwang Ho couldn't claim.
One general bowed politely.
"Welcome, Great Prince."
"Anything to report?"
"No, sir. Out for a walk?"
"Stomach's unsettled. Carry on."
Yi Hwan followed the mountain path to the watchtower. From there, the city where the warriors' families lived came into full view.
Yi Hwan occasionally climbed up to enjoy the nightscape of the city blooming like fireworks amid the rugged mountains. How much farther did he walk?
Footsteps approached from behind. It was Go Mi.
Yi Hwan stopped and looked at her.
"I have a report and a question."
"Which is more important?"
"Have you decided?"
"About the Golden Army command?"
"Yes."
"My decision seems important to the Moon Lord. If I accept, do you plan to return to the palace with me?"
"As I said, I received orders from Crown Prince Yi So to serve the Great Prince. As long as you don't cast me out, I'll follow you anywhere."
"So it's because of the Crown Prince's orders, not me?"
"Not just that."
Yi Hwan let out a wry chuckle.
"What's the report?"
"The Zhao Kingdom's Crown Prince has fallen. The Southwest King, his rival for the throne, has seized the Imperial Palace and capital."
"That side must be in quite a mess."
"The Southwest King is extremely belligerent. The problem is his deep grudge against our Yeon Kingdom. So I'm warning you— we can't rule out the possibility of the Southern Legion facing war again."
"Go on."
"You should keep in mind he might sign a ceasefire with the Qin Kingdom and turn his blade on the Southern Legion."
"Does that mean I shouldn't accept the Crown Prince's Palace's offer?"
"Why not delay for now?"
Yi Hwan narrowed his eyes.
If things unfolded as Go Mi predicted, the Southern Legion could face an unprecedented crisis. Those who newly seize power often use war to quell internal chaos.
Nothing said the Zhao Kingdom's Southwest King wouldn't.
'A man with a grudge against Yeon Kingdom becoming Zhao's ruler? That could indeed turn serious.'
Yi Hwan turned back.
"Let's head back."
"Yes."
On the way, Yi Hwan asked.
"You don't doubt my abilities anymore?"
"I've never doubted the Great Prince's abilities. It was just confusing because you differed so much from the reports."
Yi Hwan smiled faintly at her honest answer.
"Good. I'll heed the Moon Lord's advice."
"Then..."
"The Golden Army command can wait. For now, we watch the Zhao situation longer."
Go Mi's eyes gleamed.
'Deciding this quickly?'
"Wouldn't it be better to think it over more?"
"Didn't you just say to delay?"
"But it feels too hasty..."
"I trust the Moon Lord's prediction. So if it goes wrong, it's on you too."
"......"
"I'm kidding. Let's go."
* * *
A single letter was clutched in Crown Prince Yi So's hand. It was from Yi Hwan.
"Hmm."
Gwan Ji-baek cautiously asked as Yi So frowned silently.
"What does it say?"
"Because of the Zhao situation, he can't leave the Southern Legion for a while. He's wary of what the Southwest King—who harbors great resentment toward our Yeon Kingdom—might do."
"Impressive as always. The Imperial Palace is on high alert watching that too, isn't it?"
"If the Southwest King signs a ceasefire with Zhao, the Southern Legion is the most likely next target. It's the most tense frontline right now. My little brother probably thinks the same."
"Exactly."
Yi So frowned again.
"This means we have to appoint someone else as Golden Army commander."
"We still have months left—why not wait?"
"Hmm. I thought with the Left General cutting ties with the Second Prince and pledging loyalty to us, we could ignore the Southern Legion. But who knew Zhao would trip us up like this."
"The Great Prince must feel uneasy leaving his post. Proof of how much he cares for the Southern Legion, no?"
"Yes, that makes sense. It was his first assignment, and he hasn't left since."
Clink.
Yi So drained the last of his tea.
He fell silent, deep in thought. Soon, he spoke.
"No helping it. If that's his will, we'll wait."
Regret shadowed Yi So's face. Truth be told, he wanted to summon Yi Hwan as soon as possible to confirm his abilities up close.
"How goes it with the Hebei Paeng Family?"
"With the Left General's mess, they'll be in chaos for a while. We can use this to sever their ties with the Fourth Prince—it'll help you greatly, Your Highness. Didn't the Great Prince suggest as much?"
It was true.
A few days prior, Yi Hwan had pointed that out in a letter.
"I'll meet the Paeng family patriarch. Arrange a secret meeting without alerting them."
"Understood."
Once Gwan Ji-baek withdrew, Yi So opened the window. Distant banners fluttered, but the Crown Prince's residence, surrounded by inner palaces, let in no breeze.
Yi So gazed southwest.
The direction of the Southern Legion. Yi Hwan's impassive face floated in the sky above.
Suddenly, a smile crept across Yi So's lips.
'Maybe that kid has even greater abilities than I imagined.'