Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: The Variable Becomes Reality
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Yi Tae-ji's advisor, Mun Chi-yong, slammed his forehead against the floor.
Thud!
"Forgive me! Your Highness!"
Blood flowing from his split forehead quickly stained the floor red. Looking down at Mun Chi-yong, Yi Tae-ji's eyes gleamed with a murderous intent that went beyond mere coldness.
"Lately, it seems like your abilities are reaching their limit. Just how long do I have to put up with you?"
"Give me one more chance! I will turn things around exactly as Your Highness desires!"
"How? With what trick?"
Crash!
The table shattered, and a flying teacup struck Mun Chi-yong's head.
Crack!
But Mun Chi-yong couldn't even grimace.
"Paeng Mu-wi's defection means the Hebei Paeng Family could turn as well. How do you plan to explain this to Her Majesty the Empress?"
"I will go to the Southern Legion myself!"
"Shut your mouth!"
Flutter! Flutter!
Yi Tae-ji's roar made the curtain covering the window billow violently. It was truly remarkable internal energy.
"Go to the Hebei Paeng Family right now and stop them from turning. Use any means necessary! I'm warning you—if you fail this time, I'll have your head for all your past failures too, Mun Chi-yong."
"……!"
"What are you dawdling for? Get out!"
"Understood. I will head straight to the Paeng Family."
Mun Chi-yong backed out of Yi Tae-ji's quarters step by step. With each step, blood dripped from his forehead, staining the floor red.
Drip! Drip!
'Could the Great Prince have swayed Paeng Mu-wi? No, he's not bold enough to abandon the Fourth Imperial Prince.'
A messenger bird from someone in the Southern Legion had detailed the situation.
Paeng Mu-wi had actively aided Yi Hwan, and Mun Chi-yong's direct subordinates along with the Golden Imperial Guards who tried to help them had all been executed.
It also noted that things had progressed too quickly for them to even intervene.
'If not Paeng Mu-wi, then the Great Prince must have orchestrated this himself.'
Mun Chi-yong doubted that point.
He knew from reports that Yi Hwan had been hiding his abilities, but he didn't believe it was enough to dismantle his perfectly laid plans.
He still held that view.
In the end, his suspicions turned to Yi Hwan's escorts.
'Likely men attached to the Great Prince by the Crown Prince's Palace to hinder us. I need to uncover their identities first…….'
Crunch!
Mun Chi-yong bit his lip.
For now, he had to rush to the Hebei Paeng Family and prevent them from turning as well.
'Once I handle the Hebei Paeng Family, I'll have no choice but to go to the Southern Legion myself.'
* * *
The tide turned for the Zhao and Qin Kingdoms when the Ghost Valley Lord entered the fray in earnest.
He methodically targeted only Qin's martial artists, and over ten peak-level experts fell to his hand amid the chaos.
It was a devastating blow for Qin.
As a result, Qin retreated all the way to the southern bank of the Red River, while Zhao, riding the momentum, pressed their ferocious assault and pushed the front line into Qin's territory.
Today, too, the two kingdoms clashed in a bloody battle at the gorge south of the Red River.
"Huuuuh!"
Hot breath escaped Namgung Jang-cheon's lips. Blood mist rising from his dangling sword obscured his face as it scattered.
"Young Master! It's too much—retreat now!"
"More enemies are advancing from the rear!"
The Namgung Clan warriors, who had been fighting desperately at the forefront, shouted for retreat.
But Namgung Jang-cheon couldn't bring himself to leave the battlefield. His gaze fixed on the Ghost Valley Lord dancing his deadly blade in the heart of the fray.
Clang!
"Argh!"
"Kuaaaagh!"
Warriors who couldn't escape in time were mercilessly cut down by him and his demon subordinates.
'Ghost Valley Lord…….'
Rage flickered in Namgung Jang-cheon's eyes.
But his mind was colder than ice.
"Retreat."
Piiiii!
At the sound of the retreat horn, Qin's forces began to fall back.
Even as he withdrew, Namgung Jang-cheon couldn't tear his eyes from the Ghost Valley Lord.
Then, the Ghost Valley Lord looked their way. Their gazes clashed across the void.
"If you want, I'll face you again, brat."
The Ghost Valley Lord's low whisper pierced Namgung Jang-cheon's ear like a dagger.
Tremble……
Namgung Jang-cheon smiled. But the twitch at the corner of his eye spread across his entire face.
"Your momentum is too fierce today, so we'll call it here."
"Is this the third time you're tucking tail and running? Heh heh heh."
"……!"
Namgung Jang-cheon turned away.
In that instant, the smile vanished, and murderous light flared in his eyes.
The Ghost Valley Lord watched Namgung Jang-cheon's retreating figure, his own gaze settling calmly.
'In ten years, how many in the world could handle that brat?'
Namgung Jang-cheon's prowess against their allies had been astonishing. What was more surprising was that even the Ghost Valley Lord himself hadn't reached that level at such a young age.
But what the Ghost Valley Lord valued most was Namgung Jang-cheon's cool-headed decision to retreat in this situation.
'Should I have killed him back then?'
Whish!
His demon subordinates approached.
"How did it go?"
"No one using the Soul Separation Technique appeared in the enemy ranks today either."
"We launched an unscheduled attack to lure them onto the battlefield, but for days now, we haven't even caught a glimpse."
"However, Valley Lord, rumors are circulating about a truce."
"What?"
"The Crown Prince has fallen, and the Southwest King has seized full authority. They say he wants a truce with Qin. It seems the Commander has picked up on the mood and started moving accordingly."
"Of all times……."
The Ghost Valley Lord was taken aback.
In the past, he would have welcomed a truce. It would have allowed him to head straight to Yeon Kingdom and track down the wanderer who had passed on the Soul Separation Technique.
But the situation had changed.
Now that users of the Soul Separation Technique had been spotted on this battlefield, there was no need to cross into Yeon.
It was then.
"Valley Lord!"
A general approached from behind.
He spoke in a stern tone.
"The Commander's order: withdraw all forces ten li out immediately."
'The truce rumor is true?'
Even so, it was an incomprehensible command. They were regaining the advantage and pushing forward—why pull back ten li?
"Was it truly the Commander's order?"
"Why would I lie? Follow it!"
"Understood."
The Ghost Valley Lord stared beyond the gruesome battlefield, searching for Namgung Jang-cheon. But he was already gone.
'I hope letting him live wasn't a mistake…….'
* * *
Qin army camp.
Splash!
Namgung Jang-cheon plunged into the Red River, cooling his feverishly heated body and mind.
He floated on the water like a buoy, staring blankly at the sky.
'To be thoroughly toyed with…….'
Tremble……
Beneath his shaking gaze burned rage—not at the Ghost Valley Lord, but at himself.
'You arrogant fool who knew no bounds—serves you right, Namgung Jang-cheon.'
Heh.
It was the first time.
This sense of powerlessness and defeat. The thought that it was impossible to overcome filled him with despair.
'Damn it…….'
* * *
"He's over there."
A Namgung Clan warrior pointed at Namgung Jang-cheon floating on the water.
A white-robed youth watched him. With features as striking as Namgung Jang-cheon's and an extraordinary aura, he subtly furrowed his brow.
"You've done well. You may go."
"Yes. Then."
As the warrior left, the white-robed youth leaned against a tree on the riverbank, arms crossed.
"How long do you plan to stay like that?"
At the white-robed youth's words, Namgung Jang-cheon lifted his head. His body should have sunk, but not even a ripple disturbed the surface.
Light flickered in Namgung Jang-cheon's eyes as he regarded the white-robed youth.
"Why are you here?"
"Why do you think I came to the battlefield?"
The white-robed youth smiled faintly and added,
"You've rinsed off enough. Come out already."
Splash!
Namgung Jang-cheon shot straight up into the air and landed beside the white-robed youth. As he descended, white steam rose from his entire body.
He had used his internal energy to evaporate the water.
Namgung Jang-cheon asked,
"Has your clan joined the fight too?"
"Yeah. It turned out that way. But……."
The white-robed youth trailed off, narrowing his brow, then dropped a bombshell.
"Talk of a truce is in the air. And I haven't even drawn my sword once."
"What? A truce?"
"Seems you haven't heard yet."
"Tell me everything. Who's talking about a truce?"
Namgung Jang-cheon looked excited.
"I don't know the details. But the Southwest King of Zhao ousted the Crown Prince and took full control, and it seems he wants a truce."
"Have you met the Commander?"
"Why would I meet that guy? Just looking at him annoys me. The elders are talking it over now, so a decision should come soon. Anyway, you okay?"
"See you at the camp."
Bang!
Namgung Jang-cheon kicked off the ground and soared toward the army camp.
The white-robed youth watched him go and chuckled.
"Getting that worked up means he really got a beating from the Ghost Valley Lord."
The white-robed youth, whose slightly visible canine tooth made his smile charming, was Danri Mok, the young master of the Danri Clan. He was Namgung Jang-cheon's closest friend and rival.
"That must sting his pride pretty bad. Heh heh heh."
* * *
The truce was finalized three days later.
The warriors from both sides, who had shed blood fighting, strongly opposed it, but to no avail.
The two kingdoms reverted to the status quo before the clash, and all participating martial artists departed.
The news reached Yi Hwan's ears as well.
* * *
"A truce agreement has been signed. It even includes a clause prohibiting future physical confrontations."
"Clauses like that can be broken anytime."
Yi Hwan remained composed as he received Go Mi's report.
He had expected it to some degree, so it wasn't surprising. Still, he couldn't help feeling a bit regretful.
'Looks like I'm stuck here for good.'
Clink.
Yi Hwan set down his teacup and stood.
"Deputy General."
"Yes, Great Prince."
"Assemble the generals. Location: command center. I'll preside over the meeting."
"Understood."
Song Hoe hurried out.
Moments later, Yi Hwan headed to the command center.
Construction was underway throughout the camp. He had ordered reinforcements and new setups for defensive positions in preparation for Zhao's attacks.
Cheol Mu-ok followed Yi Hwan and asked,
"Shouldn't we bolster our side with martial artists in advance?"
"That's for the Crown Prince's Palace to decide. They know the situation, so measures will come soon enough."
Ju Tae asked,
"Shall we call in our own lineage first?"
"No rush. We can decide after observing how many martial artists join Zhao's forces."
"Yes."
"You two, help with Dragon-Tiger Army training. Focus especially on formation drills. They'll see the most use in real combat."
"Understood."
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae headed straight to the Dragon-Tiger Army's training ground. Yi Hwan made his way to the command center, his gaze settling deeply.
'To become head of the Golden Army, I need to change the public's perception of me. Otherwise, there'll be chaos before I even take office. It'd put the Crown Prince's Palace in a tough spot too.'
Yi Hwan already had a plan in mind.
Having resolved to take command of the Golden Army, he wanted to do it right.
Yi Hwan asked Go Mi,
"The court ministers won't be thrilled about me becoming head of the Golden Army, will they?"
"Ministers who only judge you by rumors probably won't. Especially those aligned with the Fourth Imperial Prince."
"Then maybe I should hope Zhao attacks? It's the only way to dispel doubts—by showing my abilities in war against them."
"……."
"Moon Lord, from now on, devote all intelligence resources to monitoring Zhao's army. Pay extra attention to the martial artists joining them."
"Understood."
"Go rest. I'll go to the command center alone."
Yi Hwan headed to the command center by himself.
Go Mi watched his retreating figure, her gaze complex.
'He doesn't even seem fazed by the possibility of Zhao's army invading.'