Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Turbulent Southern Legion
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Namgung Jang-cheon, who had opposed the truce more vehemently than anyone.
Yet in the end, the truce was sealed, and the war came to a halt. For him, it was utterly unacceptable.
Was that why?
Even after five days had passed, he still hadn’t left Guizhou.
Glug glug!
Clink!
“Ain’t that a joke? Knowing full well how many warriors sacrificed their lives, they bend over backward and accept a truce just because Zhao wants it.”
Namgung Jang-cheon, who rarely touched alcohol, couldn’t let go of his cup. Danri Mok, seated across from him, responded with a listless expression.
“What can we do? It’s a decision from above, so we follow it. Just accept it already.”
“The Emperor’s will?”
“Of course. Who else could dare decide on a truce?”
“Hmph!”
Namgung Jang-cheon snorted and drained his cup. Danri Mok silently refilled it.
Glug glug.
“Word is, Zhao’s Southwest King plans to strike at Yeon’s Southern Legion. They’ve been clashing for ages there, and right after the mess with us in Guizhou, they had to pull their forces back outside the neutral zone in humiliation. Yeon turned our clash to their advantage and scored a real win.”
“Reliable rumor?”
“You know how much that Southwest King has hated Yeon for years. Now that he’s got full authority, he’ll move somehow, no doubt. And the Southern Legion gives him the clearest pretext.”
“Then those Zhao martial artists who came here might head there too.”
“Very likely. It’d be inefficient to send fresh faces when you’ve got bloodied blades ready. Plus, Zhao’s martial artists who fought here were pretty damn strong.”
That’s when it started.
Namgung Jang-cheon’s eyes subtly shifted. Danri Mok didn’t notice.
“Time to head home?”
“You go. I’ve got a place to be.”
“A place? Where?”
“None of your business.”
Namgung Jang-cheon stood abruptly.
He headed straight for the army’s intelligence office. Danri Mok followed, asking,
“Why the intelligence office?”
“Got something to check.”
Moments later, inside the office, Namgung Jang-cheon asked the head directly.
“Any grasp on Zhao’s army movements?”
“From what we’ve pieced together, they’ve left half their forces and most are moving north.”
“Destination the Southern Legion?”
“Their path so far points that way, high probability. Oh! Confirmed martial artists moving with them too.”
Namgung Jang-cheon’s eyes flashed.
“Ghost Valley and Hwangbo Clan both?”
“Yes. But why the interest?”
“Nothing. Thanks for your work.”
Namgung Jang-cheon strode out.
Danri Mok followed, narrowing his brow slightly.
“Hope my guess is wrong.”
“What guess?”
“That place you’re going... not the Southern Legion, right?”
“Spot on.”
Danri Mok’s eyes widened slightly.
“Because of the Ghost Valley Lord?”
“That’s all you get.”
“……”
That evening.
Namgung Jang-cheon left the camp alone. Danri Mok told no one he was heading to Yeon’s Southern Legion.
Keep it secret for a friend.
It was Namgung Jang-cheon’s request before departing.
* * *
Crown Prince’s Palace.
Gwan Ji-baek visited Yi So early in the morning.
“The Great Prince sent a messenger pigeon.”
Yi So unfurled it immediately.
The message was straightforward.
For the time being, I’ll take command of the Southern Legion. Inform the court, and handle any fallout yourselves.
“Heh heh heh.”
A smile crept across Yi So’s lips.
“Good news?”
Yi So handed over the note without a word. Gwan Ji-baek’s face registered surprise as he read it.
“What’s this mean?”
“Means he’s aiming to lead the Golden Army.”
“Pardon?”
Gwan Ji-baek looked baffled. Yi So chuckled.
“Telling us to inform the court? That’s a ‘watch me’ if I ever saw one. He’s confident he can repel Zhao’s attack, and once he takes Golden Army command, it’ll silence the doubters who only know him by rumors.”
‘That’s the intent?’
Gwan Ji-baek was stunned.
Yi Hwan’s boundless confidence was shocking enough, but Yi So piercing his intent from two short lines was equally so.
“Hahaha!”
Yi So burst into laughter.
“My little brother keeps surprising me.”
Gwan Ji-baek felt uneasy.
He trusted Yi Hwan, but if things went south even slightly, the backlash wouldn’t be trivial.
Yi So could get hurt too. And yet here he was, laughing heartily, knowing full well.
‘His Highness fully trusts the Great Prince now.’
Yi So stopped laughing and fixed Gwan Ji-baek with a steady gaze.
“Go to the Prime Minister’s office. Tell them I’ll attend court assembly tomorrow.”
“Really okay?”
“Worried I’ll get hurt?”
“Frankly, yes.”
“Trust me.”
“Of course I trust Your Highness, but—”
“No, trust the youngest. You’ve seen his talent all this time. Don’t doubt—just believe.”
“……”
Just then.
“Your Highness, someone from the Paeng Family has arrived.”
“Bring them in!”
Moments later, the door opened, and a towering elderly man entered.
Paeng Mun, current head of the Hebei Paeng Family. An absolute master who unified Hebei with a single greatsword, but he shunned the public eye, so the palace knew little of him.
“This lowly one, Paeng Mun, greets Your Highness.”
Paeng Mun bowed.
“You’re the Paeng Family head?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Sit.”
“I’ll prepare tea.”
Gwan Ji-baek exited, and Yi So asked directly.
“Nothing from the Second Prince’s side?”
“None, up to when I left the clan.”
Yi So studied Paeng Mun.
Tigerish eyes, square jaw, bulging temples—classic martial visage. Add his prestige, and it was natural to feel affinity.
“Any private talks on the Left General situation?”
“……”
Paeng Mun didn’t answer right away.
His troubled eyes spoke volumes of the crisis for his family.
Gwan Ji-baek returned, tone stern.
“His Highness asked. Answer promptly.”
Paeng Mun bit his lip, then spoke.
“As a mere martial house, we’re at a loss how to proceed. Thus, I dare ask.”
“Speak.”
“If we align with the Left General, can you protect us?”
“How dare you!”
Gwan Ji-baek stepped forward, but Yi So stopped him. Calmly, he replied.
“I can promise to do my utmost.”
Paeng Mun looked up, eyes blazing with resolve.
“Then guide us—what must we do?”
“Frankly, I don’t fully trust the Paeng Family.”
“……!”
“So, let me make a proposal.”
Yi So paused, then continued.
“Go to the Southern Legion. Aid my brother and the Left General there. Show your sincerity on the battlefield, and I promise: so long as you don’t abandon my hand first, I’ll never cast out the Paeng Family.”
* * *
The sky over the Southern Legion turned pitch black. Thunder cracked, and rain poured down.
Whoosh!
As always in the mountains, fierce winds accompanied the downpour, sending legion warriors scrambling to guard against flooding.
In the command center, Yi Hwan sat with Paeng Mu-wi and Jeong Cheon, sipping tea.
Jeong Cheon spoke gravely.
“Zhao’s movements are ominous. Forces are massing in camps left empty by the truce.”
“Damn bastards—how long since the accord, and already this!”
Paeng Mu-wi growled.
Yi Hwan replied calmly.
“Agreements are just paper if one side wavers. Blind faith in them is the real folly.”
Jeong Cheon continued.
“Zhao’s Southwest King is infamous for his brutality. He’s harbored grudges against Yeon for years. We might face our worst nightmare yet.”
“Afraid?”
“This junior worries only for the Great Prince. If we lose, the blame falls solely on you. Thus, command should—”
Yi Hwan cut him off.
“Then we win.”
“……”
“No confidence?”
“No, sir!”
Yi Hwan turned to Paeng Mu-wi with the same question.
“No confidence?”
“This junior will trust and follow the Great Prince alone!”
In moments like this, Paeng Mu-wi’s stubborn loyalty felt most reliable. Then,
Deputy General Song Hoe entered.
“Messenger from the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
Yi Hwan opened it at once.
As he read, a faint smile formed, prompting Jeong Cheon.
“Good news?”
“Hebei Paeng Family’s coming to our aid.”
Paeng Mu-wi’s eyes bulged.
“Aid... us?”
“Read it yourself.”
Yi Hwan passed the note. Paeng Mu-wi’s eyes reddened as he confirmed it.
“That stubborn old coot, for once.”
Overwhelmed? Tears streamed down his cheeks. He’d been agonizing if his family had disowned him.
“Need the privy a moment.”
Paeng Mu-wi bolted out. A tigerish sob pierced the walls.
“Wahhh!”
“Good they chose wisely. The Commander was worried too. Your doing, Great Prince?”
“I merely advised.”
Yi Hwan sipped tea, leaning back.
“With Paeng Family coming, no need to fret over more martial artists. Their house’s survival’s on the line—they’ll fight hardest.”
“True. This junior can finally relax. But Zhao’s martial reinforcements are unknown—that worries me.”
Yi Hwan met Jeong Cheon’s heavy gaze squarely.
“General Jeong.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“The Southern Legion is what Commander Hwang gave everything to protect. It won’t fall to the enemy. And as I vowed before, I’ll ensure the Second Prince’s claws stay clipped.”
Tremble...
Mention of Hwang Ho twitched Jeong Cheon’s eyes. He still hadn’t fully escaped the grief.
Grip!
“This junior will stake his life to serve you. Please safeguard the Southern Legion.”
Then,
“Great Prince, it’s me.”
Go Mi’s voice from outside.
“Come in.”
Go Mi entered. Paeng Mu-wi followed, wiping his eyes, and sat by Jeong Cheon. Go Mi glanced at him, then spoke.
“Most Zhao martial artists from Guizhou are joining their army camp.”
“Ghost Valley too?”
“Yes. Spotted them moving with Zhao forces from a city a day from camp. Also, confirmed a force nearing 100,000 rising from Gansu region.”
Jeong Cheon and Paeng Mu-wi’s faces hardened at the report.
But Yi Hwan remained serene.
“If they’re gunning for us enough to break truce, that’s the bare minimum.”
Yi Hwan stood.
“Time remains—focus on mass combat drills, both of you.”
“Yes, Great Prince!”
“Understood, Great Prince!”
Yi Hwan exited with Go Mi.
En route to his quarters, Go Mi ventured cautiously.
“No thoughts on bolstering forces?”
“Zhao’s attacking. We defend—that’s plenty with what we have.”
‘Still, better to reinforce surely?’
The words rose to her throat but stayed unspoken.
‘Hearing that report and staying so composed. What gives him such confidence?’
Could be bravado. But Go Mi dismissed that outright.