Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: The Returned Cha Jung-kyeong
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“Eh?”
Song Hoe’s eyes went wide.
He had spotted Cha Jung-kyeong entering alongside the general.
Yi Hwan set down his cup and scanned Cha Jung-kyeong from head to toe. Not a single scratch anywhere.
“What happened?”
“I was kidnapped.”
“By whom.”
“By the same guy who was at the inn Your Highness mentioned. And there was one more.”
“You’ve got plenty to tell me.”
Cha Jung-kyeong hesitated in his reply, flicking his eyes toward the general.
“Could you give us the room?”
“Yes, Great Prince!”
Once the general had withdrawn, Cha Jung-kyeong slumped into a chair with a heavy sigh.
“Whew…”
“Out with it. What happened. All of it.”
“Well…”
Cha Jung-kyeong laid out everything exactly as it had occurred. When he finished, Yi Hwan’s gaze darkened.
‘They recognized the Soul Separation Technique and even mentioned the Sword King?’
Men as significant as the ronin who had passed the Soul Separation Technique to Cha Jung-kyeong had appeared.
“That’s not the whole story, is it?”
“Those bastards are using me to target Your Highness.”
Cha Jung-kyeong drew something from his bosom and placed it on the table. A tiny wooden vial.
“Open it.”
Inside the vial was a pill smaller than a fingernail.
“They told me to slip this into Your Highness’s tea or wine. It’s colorless and odorless, they said—no way to detect it.”
“And then.”
“That’s everything.”
“They just handed it over and let you go?”
“As if.”
Cha Jung-kyeong let out another sigh before continuing.
“They placed a restriction on my body. They said they’d come when the time is right to release it. But if I don’t obey or show any sign of funny business, I’ll turn into a puddle of blood and die.”
Song Hoe, who had been listening, stepped forward.
“You can’t trust them. There’s definitely more to it.”
“I’m not hiding anything.”
“How are we supposed to believe you!”
“Deputy General, stand back.”
“…”
Once Song Hoe had retreated, Yi Hwan asked again.
“Why spill it all so willingly? If I were you, I’d do exactly as they said.”
“Even if I did what they ordered, do you think they’d let me live? These are men plotting to assassinate none other than Your Highness—they’d kill me without a second thought. So I decided to put my faith in Your Highness instead.”
His words rang with sincerity, and Yi Hwan filled his cup with wine.
Splash.
“Have a drink.”
“Not in the mood.”
“Drink.”
“…”
Cha Jung-kyeong reluctantly drained his cup.
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
“Not bad. Making a cool-headed choice when your life’s on the line isn’t easy.”
“I just want to live.”
“You won’t die.”
“Either way, I have to meet those guys again in three days. Use that to find a way to save me. My life’s in your hands now.”
“There’s no restriction.”
“…Pardon?”
“They didn’t place any restriction on your body.”
“How do you know?”
“If there isn’t, then there isn’t.”
Yi Hwan refilled his cup and downed it in one go.
Thud!
Song Hoe spoke up.
“We should use this guy to catch them, right?”
“We should. But the time isn’t right yet.”
“Pardon?”
There was no need to take risks in their current state. They needed to use the time given to build up as much inner power as possible.
Besides, it wasn’t even clear if the men who kidnapped Cha Jung-kyeong were allies or enemies.
“There really isn’t any restriction?”
“Didn’t you say you’d put your faith in me?”
“Yes.”
“Then have faith. If you died before we find the ronin, it’d be a problem for me. Why would I lie?”
At those words, Cha Jung-kyeong’s expression finally brightened. Curses soon followed.
“Ha, those fucking bastards!”
“Rookie.”
“Pardon?”
“Dropping the ring was a nice touch.”
Heh.
“I’ve got that much sense.”
* * *
Yi Hwan returned to the camp the next morning.
He stared down at the wooden vial Cha Jung-kyeong had brought, lost in thought.
‘To think I’d see Ten-Thousand-Mile Pursuit Incense here.’
Ten-Thousand-Mile Pursuit Incense was a scent designed to track and locate a person—even ten thousand li away, the smell wouldn’t fade for a full year.
Of course, ten thousand li was something of an exaggeration, but the name wasn’t undeserved. The odor lingered over vast distances, making it invaluable for pursuit or surveillance.
However, its exceptional utility came at a steep price—it was both rare and expensive.
‘What to do with this?’
Yi Hwan pondered his options. But it didn’t take long to decide.
Splash.
He fetched another teacup and poured some tea.
Song Hoe always prepared a full pot of tea in the mornings, knowing how much Yi Hwan drank.
Yi Hwan split the pill in half, dropped it into the cup, and waited for it to dissolve. It melted away quickly, with no change in color.
“Deputy General.”
Song Hoe opened the door and entered.
“Have some tea.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’d refuse my gesture?”
“…Yes. Then I’ll gratefully accept.”
Song Hoe drank the tea laced with the pursuit incense.
“Haven’t raised your stipend in a while, have I?”
“I’m satisfied as is.”
“No. You’ve devoted yourself to me—time to give you a raise.”
“Thank you, Great Prince!”
“The scent fades if it cools. Drink up.”
“Yes!”
* * *
Near the Yeon Kingdom’s camp.
The man and the blue-robed figure stood side by side, overlooking the camp from a spot where it was all visible at a glance, conversing.
“Did it work?”
“Not exactly difficult.”
“What if the guy changed his mind?”
“Throw his life away for the Great Prince of an enemy state who captured him? Ridiculous.”
“Understood. Then let’s begin.”
The blue-robed figure produced something from his bosom. Surprisingly, it was a tiny fox with fur white as snow.
Yap yap yap!
The fox licked the blue-robed figure’s face.
“Go on, sniff out the pursuit incense and come back.”
Yap yap yap!
The fox leaped from the blue-robed figure’s bosom and bolted toward the camp like an arrow.
About half a shichen later, the fox returned.
Yap yap yap!
The fox jumped back into the blue-robed figure’s arms. Peering into its eyes, the blue-robed figure grinned widely.
“He succeeded!”
A faint smile tugged at the man’s lips.
“Now we just wait for him to leave the camp or head into battle.”
“Yes, exactly!”
“Find us a place to stay first.”
“Yes, sir!”
The man watched the blue-robed figure vanish into the woods beyond, then turned his gaze back to the camp.
‘The Fourth Prince’s in-laws might carry the Sword King’s bloodline. We’ll have to confirm. Please let it be so…’
Deep in the man’s darkened pupils, a glint of murderous intent flickered faintly.
‘But if not… I’ll have no choice but to kill him.’
* * *
‘Even peak experts couldn’t infiltrate this place. So they’ll wait for me to leave the camp or join an operation.’
Tens of thousands of warriors were stationed in the Southern Legion.
A transcendent master could handle hundreds, sure—but against tens of thousands, they’d be outnumbered.
‘If I wait, they’ll come eventually.’
Yi Hwan sank back into meditation.
His pavilion, at the heart of the camp’s innermost sanctum, was rarely visited even by generals, allowing him to focus purely on recovering his inner power.
Days passed.
During that time, Paeng Mu-wi visited twice more, only to leave empty-handed again.
Meanwhile, the generals gathered in Commander Hwang Ho’s tent.
It was a strategy meeting to reclaim the position they’d lost before. Paeng Mu-wi pushed aggressively.
“Our forces will take the vanguard this time!”
Hwang Ho didn’t object. After all, they’d come to deal with the Black Tiger Squad.
But the other generals’ gazes toward Paeng Mu-wi were far from friendly.
His arrogant attitude was one thing, but everyone knew he was under the Fourth Prince’s protection, and they feared getting dragged into politics.
Jeong Cheon, who despised politics especially, wouldn’t even look at him.
At the end, Paeng Mu-wi asked.
“Will the Great Prince not join this operation?”
“That’s for the Great Prince to decide—we’ve no say in it.”
“Shame. I’ve heard he’s shown remarkable valor lately. Was curious just how good he is.”
“Did you pay your respects?”
“Haven’t seen him yet. Even when I visit, he won’t let me in.”
“Visit him later, then. Ask him yourself. Alright! Meeting’s over—everyone, prepare.”
The generals dispersed to their tents.
Paeng Mu-wi headed to his own with his guard captain. On the way, he glanced at Yi Hwan’s tent.
“That guy the Great Prince captured from the Black Tiger Squad?”
Paeng Mu-wi nodded toward Cha Jung-kyeong, who was doing chores in the yard.
The guard captain replied.
“Yes. For some reason, the Great Prince took him under his wing—no one dares touch him.”
“A guy who showed no talent suddenly shines on the battlefield and even takes an enemy as his own? Definitely suspicious.”
“Shall I rough him up when the chance comes?”
“Yeah. Good idea. Just make sure the Great Prince doesn’t find out. Powerless or not, a Great Prince is still a Great Prince.”
“Understood.”
Soon after returning to his tent, Paeng Mu-wi ordered his Paeng family warriors to prepare for departure and donned his armor. The ornaments dangling from it sparkled in the sunlight.
Paeng Mu-wi caressed them fondly, smiling in satisfaction.
“I’ll become this camp’s commander for sure and lend my strength to Her Majesty the Empress and the Fourth Prince.”
That was when.
“General, the Great Prince sent a man.”
‘He sent someone?’
Paeng Mu-wi sat in his chair, composing a stern expression.
“Bring him in.”
The door opened, and Song Hoe entered.
“The Great Prince sent you?”
“Yes. He regrets not meeting you despite your several visits and sent me to invite you for tea.”
‘Refused my visits all this time, and now suddenly tea?’
Paeng Mu-wi smirked inwardly.
“Got it. No time with the operation soon, but since the Great Prince calls, of course I’ll go.”
Still clad in full armor and helmet, Paeng Mu-wi stepped out of his tent.
Moments later, Yi Hwan and Paeng Mu-wi sat facing each other.
“I heard you came three times.”
“You seemed busy, so I left.”
He couldn’t quite say he’d been turned away. Yi Hwan asked.
“How’s your brother?”
“Fine, Your Highness.”
The word “brother” grated like sand. He’d never called anyone that in his life.
Though he’d been called it plenty.
“Have some.”
“I’ll partake gratefully.”
Paeng Mu-wi knew tea etiquette. He savored the aroma deliberately, sipping slowly as if to show off.
Thud!
“The fragrance is exquisite. To share such fine tea leaves me at a loss.”
“Is it? Lucky it suits you—it’s just common stuff from a street inn. Should’ve offered better, but I’m short on coin. Forgive me.”
“…”
Yi Hwan turned to the flustered Paeng Mu-wi and asked abruptly.
“Why are you here?”
“I’m just following orders from above, no other purpose. Soldiers like us go where we’re sent.”
“Heard some guys lurking around at night. Yours?”
“Why would I do that? Absolutely not.”
Paeng Mu-wi flinched inwardly.
At the same time, he was shocked.
‘Sent my best men, and he still spotted them?’
“Good enough. See you.”
“…”
As Yi Hwan retreated into his room, Paeng Mu-wi couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
‘Calls a busy man for this…?’