Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: The True Identity of Yi Hwan Revealed
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Under Pa Pa's orders, they had infiltrated the Yeon Kingdom's army camp.
The first thing they saw was the head of a Zhao Kingdom general hanging at the camp gate.
*Bastards.*
Swallowing their rage, they pressed deeper into the camp. Moments later, they split into two groups.
Countless torches illuminated every corner of the camp, but none of the guards on watch noticed their presence. The two white-robed operatives arrived at Jeong Cheon's tent and caught their breath for a moment.
Jeong Cheon's voice drifted faintly from inside now and then. The white-robed men silently drew their swords.
Then one of them grabbed his comrade's hand.
[Wait.]
[What is it?]
[Hold position.]
The white-robed man who had grabbed his comrade's hand pressed his ear to the tent wall. A deep voice flowed out from within, louder than before.
"As long as the Great Prince leads our army, we have nothing to fear from defeat in this war."
"It's truly astonishing. To think the Great Prince possesses the talent to command an entire legion. I can't fathom why you've hidden such ability until now."
"Many share that sentiment. When you announced you'd wield full authority, I was deeply uneasy, but those worries have vanished."
"You've crushed the enemy's vanguard with ease, and our troops' morale is piercing the heavens. Even if the Zhao Kingdom army charges, we needn't worry."
The conversation leaking from the tent made the two white-robed men exchange glances and narrow their eyes.
[What the hell? Paeng Mu-wi isn't leading the Southern Legion—it's a puppet Great Prince?]
[I clearly heard he seized full command. Shouldn't we be heading to the Great Prince's tent instead?]
One white-robed man fell into thought.
But that moment didn't last long.
[You rush back to Pa Pa and report this. If we fail, our superiors need to know who the enemy's true leader is to avoid disrupting the plan.]
[And you?]
[I'll head to the Great Prince's tent.]
[Be careful. Unless it's a perfect chance, wait until I return, friend.]
[Go, quickly.]
One white-robed man departed.
The remaining one scanned his surroundings sharply before moving toward Yi Hwan's quarters.
*The Southern Legion's real leader is a puppet Great Prince? We've all been fooled.*
Moments later, the white-robed man approached the rear of Yi Hwan's pavilion. The lights were out, and faint snoring suggested everyone was asleep.
*First, find the Great Prince's room.*
The white-robed man heightened his assassin senses to their peak. He then silently vaulted the wall into the back courtyard.
*Why aren't there any breathing sounds?*
That was when he sensed something odd.
Five points of light appeared above the white-robed man's head. The lights, appearing without a sound, quietly descended upon him.
"Here to kill me?"
"……!"
At the indifferent voice, the white-robed man reflexively leaped back and drew his sword.
*Clang!*
*When did he appear?*
Someone sat at the door leading from the back courtyard to the pavilion—a spot that had been empty moments ago. Yi Hwan had materialized there.
"For you to come all this way to kill me, it seems you've finally figured me out."
*This guy's the puppet Great Prince?*
His reactions were swift, matching his thoughts.
The white-robed man unleashed his full power, lunging at Yi Hwan.
But the lights hovering like fireflies over his head were far faster.
*Thud!*
"Gah!"
With a sharp cry, blood spurted from both shoulders of the tumbling white-robed man. Had his nerves been severed? His arms hung limp, and his sword clattered to the ground.
*Clang!*
*Swish!*
Then Cheol Mu-ok appeared, slicing off the white-robed man's right leg from the shin down.
*Splat!*
"Arghhh!"
The agonized scream shattered the night's silence.
Only then did Yi Hwan slowly rise and step into the moonlight.
Despite his pain, the white-robed man glared up at Yi Hwan's face.
"What sorcery is this?!"
"Something you've never seen, so it's natural to call it sorcery."
As Yi Hwan casually spread his fingers, the five lights reappeared.
"From the moment you entered the back courtyard, these have been playing over your head. It's my unique martial art—even gods would struggle against it unaware. For you, who can't even touch a god's toe, it's inevitable."
"W-What are you?!"
"What else? The puppet Great Prince."
That was when it happened.
*Clang!*
"Argh!"
A metallic clash and scream erupted from above the camp.
Yi Hwan's eyebrows shot up.
"You're not the only one targeting me."
"I'll check it out."
*Boom!*
Cheol Mu-ok kicked off the ground and soared into the air.
The white-robed man watched in astonishment as Cheol Mu-ok cleaved through the darkness like a night bird with his lightness skill. He finally realized.
He had leaped into the tiger's maw.
*Damn it...*
"From now on, answer my questions. Delay or lie, and you'll watch your limbs severed one by one—with perfect clarity, no fainting. If you think you can endure, try."
"……!"
* * *
*Boom!*
Jeong Cheon burst through his tent flap.
Warriors of the Sword King lineage stood before it. At their feet lay two corpses, still and silent.
"What happened?!"
"Assassins sent by the enemy, it seems."
"What?!"
Jeong Cheon looked down at the bodies in shock. Both had their throats half-severed, ragged and torn.
*Drip!*
Something fell to the ground with a wet sound. Confirming it was blood, Jeong Cheon turned to the warriors.
"Are you hurt?!"
"Just a light wound, no need for concern."
One warrior had an arm injury. The other appeared utterly unscathed.
*Whoosh!*
Cheol Mu-ok landed.
Jeong Cheon asked urgently.
"Did any assassins reach the Great Prince?"
"Easily subdued."
Cheol Mu-ok asked the Sword King lineage warriors.
"Were these all of them?"
"Yes. No others."
*Odd. Only one came our way. And these guys got hurt? I thought they were small fry since our lord took them down so easily...*
The situation suggested a two-on-two fight. Yet one injury meant the assassins were highly skilled.
*Whoosh!*
The camp's generals landed one after another. Paeng Mu-wi entered last.
"What in the world happened?!"
Jeong Cheon countered.
"Did no assassins come your way?"
"None. I was sleeping and woke to the commotion."
Jeong Cheon steadied his gaze.
*If they're Zhao Kingdom assassins, they should've targeted the Commander first. Why only me and the Great Prince?*
Jeong Cheon furrowed his brow.
*They've realized the Great Prince is leading our forces!*
* * *
A white-robed man raced through the darkness.
A shadow pursued him.
*Whoosh!*
Sensing the pursuer, the white-robed man unleashed his lightness skill with all his might. Glancing back, he was horrified to see the gap closing.
The chase began as they exited the camp—about fifty *jang* apart then.
Now it was under twenty.
The white-robed man fixed his eyes ahead.
Friendly troops were camped not far off—roughly two hundred *jang* away.
At this rate, he'd be caught.
The white-robed man's hand darted into his bosom and out. Something glinted at his fingertips.
The light shot like lightning toward the pursuing shadow.
*Whistle!*
*Boom!*
A small explosion and burst of flame.
As the shadow faltered, the white-robed man widened the gap slightly.
*Crunch!*
He gritted his teeth.
Fleeing like this wounded his pride terribly, but he had more important priorities. The hidden weapon he'd thrown was a signal to summon allies.
*Keep chasing, and I'll tear you limb from limb and feed you to the dogs.*
He glanced back—and blinked.
The pursuing shadow had vanished completely.
"Come on, chase me, you bastard!"
He screamed into the empty darkness, venting his fury.
That was when it happened.
"If you're so tough, why run?"
"……!"
Feeling a chilling aura, the white-robed man spun like a top, dodging left. Blood sprayed from his chest simultaneously.
*Splash!*
*When did he get that far ahead...?*
The shadow had appeared in front.
Despite the time-buying projectile, the foe had overtaken him.
* * *
Ju Tae approached the wide-eyed, shocked white-robed man slowly.
Smoke rose from spots on his body—the fire from blocking the projectile had spread. He'd extinguished it quickly with his sound arts, but exposed skin was reddened with burns.
"You wasted your breath cursing when you should've run to die."
*Sizzle.*
The white-robed man's sword ignited with sword aura.
"Oh ho."
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Who else? A warrior of the Southern Legion."
Ju Tae knew he had no time to toy around. Far ahead, figures raced like the wind—Zhao Kingdom martial artists, no doubt.
"Hold out until your comrades arrive. You might live."
*Whoosh!*
Ju Tae's form blurred with afterimages, sliding toward the white-robed man. The man retreated, swinging his sword.
*Clang!*
Swords clashed, sparks flying.
Ju Tae's sword sliced the air again, but the defense held.
*Boom!*
"Ugh!"
A sharp grunt escaped the white-robed man.
Their powers had clashed head-on, snapping his wrist.
*I lose in a straight fight!*
Acknowledging the foe's strength, he sought the best survival option.
*Flash!*
Ju Tae's sword gleamed in the dark. This time, two sword auras struck simultaneously.
Wielding two auras with one sword was near-mythical.
Deeming it impossible to block, the white-robed man resorted to his last resort.
*Thud thud thud!*
Lazy Donkey Roll.
A despised third-rate move—even novices avoided it. Dodging Ju Tae's attack, he tumbled back, slamming into a tree.
*Thump!*
"Ugh!"
Contempt filled Ju Tae's eyes.
"Zhao Kingdom warriors feel no shame, I see."
"If you don't kill me here, I'll hunt you down and end you. Grr!"
He gnashed so hard a broken tooth flew from his mouth.
The humiliation burned that deep.
A chilling aura surged toward Ju Tae from behind.
In a few breaths, it'd be in striking range.
*Damn...*
Ju Tae's brow furrowed.
The enemy had arrived faster than expected—meaning a master.
Hesitate here, and encirclement was certain.
Meanwhile, the white-robed man was cornered, unable even to attempt a final strike.
"Nice show. That Lazy Donkey Roll reached peak mastery—quite the sight. Heh heh heh."
With those parting words, Ju Tae vanished into the darkness. Only after he was gone did the white-robed man gasp raggedly, arching his back.
"Huff huff huff!"
*Whoosh!*
Zhao Kingdom martial artists landed in the area one by one. One in a blue robe aimed his sword at the white-robed man and barked coldly.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Pa Pa's direct subordinate."