Return of the Sword Emperor - Chapter 10

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 4: The Escort Contingent (2)

The war chamber of the Madoryeon’s headquarters, located in the Shibbaman Mountain Range.
Gwi Mun-ja, the Madoryeon’s strategist, was calmly reading through an urgent dispatch that had arrived late into the night.

“They’ve moved exactly as anticipated.”

Setting down the dispatch, Gwi Mun-ja turned his gaze toward Na Do-ryang, the leader of the Yahon-dan—the eyes and ears of the Madoryeon.

“Listen here, unit commander.”
“Yes, strategist.”

Na Do-ryang, leader of the Yahon-dan, answered quietly.

“You’ve confirmed the escort contingent’s route of movement with certainty, I trust?”
“Of course. We’ve tracked their established routes thoroughly, and even if they make unexpected movements, we have people who’ve been trailing them from Gangnam Chong-ta onwards. There’s no need for concern.”
“Is there any danger of being discovered?”
“For this operation, we’ve selected only the most skilled members of the Yahon-dan to deploy. Unless high-ranking masters above the elder tier take action, there’s no risk of exposure.”

There was absolute confidence in Na Do-ryang’s voice when he spoke of his subordinates.

“I see. Deputy Strategist, where is the Cheonlang-dan positioned?”

Gwi Mun-ja turned his head toward Eon Sa-gyeong, the deputy strategist.

“We received word two days ago that they’d arrived at Horyeong Valley.”
“Horyeong Valley, you say.”

Gwi Mun-ja turned to examine a map.
Horyeong Valley was situated to the south of Ssangho Mountain, nearly at the border of Jeongmu Sect’s territory.

“And the deployed force numbered around fifty, if I recall correctly?”
“That’s correct. Exactly fifty, including the unit commander, are standing ready.”

At Eon Sa-gyeong’s answer, Gwi Mun-ja picked up the dispatch he had set aside moments before.

“Thirty from the outer guard, fifteen from the Bokma-dan, and nine from the Milgeom-dan.”

His brow furrowed slightly at the mention of the Milgeom-dan, as though recalling past grievances at their hands.

“The numbers are roughly even, but considering the Cheonlang-dan’s martial prowess, the odds of failure are nearly nonexistent.”
“That would certainly be true if only the Bokma-dan were deployed. But the Milgeom-dan troubles me. Naengmyeon Yacha and their vice-commander Jong-gak are no ordinary men. You know as well as I do that their skill seems little different from that of the Bokma-dan or other groups—or rather, sometimes appears even slightly inferior. Yet when it comes to actual combat, something shifts. There’s something strange about it. Failures occur far too often, and the losses are considerable.”

Na Do-ryang, whose unit naturally clashed with the Milgeom-dan frequently given the nature of their operations, found himself nodding involuntarily.

‘Especially that madwoman…’

Na Do-ryang’s lips pressed together as he recalled Yu Seol-ran, brandishing her blade with unhinged fury.

“Then we shall commit additional forces. Who would be suitable?”

Eon Sa-gyeong, who had been deliberating, opened his mouth in response to Gwi Mun-ja’s question.

“Just as we keep watch on the Jeongmu Sect, they too are certainly monitoring our movements closely. In such circumstances, it would be best to send a small, elite force. And as it happens, we have suitable candidates.”
“And who might they be?”
“I would recommend sending the Hanan Osal.”
“Hanan…Osal?”

Gwi Mun-ja’s head tilted in puzzlement for a moment, then nodded as if remembrance had struck him.

“Those are the ones I mentioned before. They’ve been causing all manner of trouble and earned themselves a spot on the wanted list of the martial world. They approached Madoryeon seeking refuge to escape pursuit by the Jeongmu Sect.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ve no desire to take in such vermin.”

Gwi Mun-ja’s expression darkened.
From the beginning, Madoryeon was a gathering of those who pursued the Pae-do—those who walked a heterodox path—and it bore little kinship with those like the Hanan Osal, who reveled in brutality. Of course, Madoryeon harbored factions and individuals of varying philosophies, but none were refuse of the Hanan Osal’s caliber.

“They’re useful tools to employ and discard as needed, sir. Their skills are proven, at least.”

After Eon Sa-gyeong’s repeated recommendation, Gwi Mun-ja, who had been deliberating, gave a slow nod.

“Very well. Proceed as you’ve outlined.”
“Thank you.”

Eon Sa-gyeong, having received permission, bowed his head.

“That settled, we need to identify where to strike. Where would be most advantageous?”

At Gwi Mun-ja’s question, Na Do-ryang spoke at once.

“If the escort convoy maintains its former route, there are three optimal locations. The first is here…”

Na Do-ryang pointed across the map with his hand, swiftly laying out the advantages and disadvantages of each site.

“And what does the deputy commander think?”
“I’d like to add one more location to those identified by the Yahon-dan leader.”

Eon Sa-gyeong, in turn, indicated points on the map and explained his thoughts methodically. With each suggestion, Na Do-ryang nodded, conceding that the deputy commander’s opinions held considerable merit.

“Not bad at all. Every location you’ve mentioned is certainly optimal. Still, though…”

Gwi Mun-ja, whose expression betrayed a lingering dissatisfaction, turned his gaze toward the woman seated beside him—one who had, until now, remained utterly inconspicuous.

“What is your view?”

The woman who received the question, Sa Gong-ye, whose eyes gleamed like black jade, lifted her gaze from the map.

“Speak freely. Don’t hold back.”

A smile played at the corners of her mouth. Sa Gong-ye recognized this as a test from Gwi Mun-ja, yet she felt no particular tension.

“All are optimal locations, that much is true. But precisely because they are, none of them seem particularly appealing.”

Gwi Mun-ja smiled knowingly and posed another question.

“Why do you think so?”
“Just as we observe them and discern their movements, they too anticipate our responses. What we deem the most favorable location, they will judge as the most dangerous. They’ll be on high alert. Against such vigilance, ambush and surprise hold little sway.”
“Then where would you suggest?”

When Sa Gong-ye, after studying the map intently, indicated a location, both Eon Sa-gyeong and Na Do-ryang showed bewilderment—but Gwi Mun-ja burst into laughter.
The place she had marked was the Ye-su, the river that flowed along the outskirts of Changgajae, where Chamhoe Jade stood.

“Hah! Your thoughts align perfectly with my own, I see.”

Gwi Mun-ja, pleased with himself, added further explanation to those whose heads tilted in confusion.

“On a battlefield, do you know when danger looms greatest? At dawn, just before the sun breaks. The darkness where you cannot see a hand’s breadth ahead, that sense of relief at having escaped wondering when the enemy might strike—it dulls one’s guard. The principle here mirrors that truth.”
“But Changgajae, where Chamhoe Jade lies, concentrates considerable strength of the Jeongmu Sect. Their vigilance is formidable. While I understand the intent, I fear it may be overly dangerous.”

Eon Sa-gyeong voiced his concern.

“Which is precisely why success becomes more likely. Few would anticipate an attack breaking through such a dangerous passage. Of course, to ensure more certain success, we’ll need some preliminary work.”
“When you say preliminary work, what exactly do you mean?”

Sa Gong-ye’s explanation prompted Eon Sa-gyeong to ask carefully.

“If both sides know each other’s situation but no attack comes, they may remain vigilant all the way through. I’d prefer some attacks in between to lower their guard. There are plenty of people who’ll serve as bait for money alone. But they can’t be too weak—they need to be skilled enough not to raise suspicion.”
“Don’t worry about that. As you say, if money is no object, we can find as many as we need.”

Na Do-ryang answered quickly, catching Gwi Mun-ja’s gaze.

“I’ll find them right away.”
“And I’d like a few more details adjusted. For instance…”

Sa Gong-ye began outlining additional points to Eon Sa-gyeong and Na Do-ryang.

‘Ha! You’ve done well by one granddaughter, Yeon-ju. This old man can retire to his chamber now.’

Gwi Mun-ja’s gaze toward Sa Gong-ye was infinitely warm.

* * *

The prisoner escort proceeded without incident.
Thirty outer-sect guards flanked the twenty-seven prisoners at the center, their eyes wide and alert, with the Bokma-dan taking the vanguard and the Milgeom-dan covering the rear.
The tension that had been taut between Bokma-dan and Milgeom-dan before departure never surfaced overtly, yet the underlying friction remained unquenched.
The Bokma-dan sought an opportunity to recover the pride they’d lost on the ground, and the Milgeom-dan sensed that hunger.

“Halt!”

At Jwa Jong-je’s command from the center of the column, the procession stopped.

“Prepare to make camp.”

Jwa Jong-je, having issued orders to his men, spoke to Jeok Mu-hwa and Jong-gak, who had drawn near.

“I believe we should move no further today.”
“You mean to sleep rough here?”

Jeok Mu-hwa asked.

“Yes.”
“There’s still considerable time before sunset.”

The sun had tilted considerably westward, yet the heat remained fierce.

“It’s been five days since we departed. We’ve moved faster than usual, so a little rest won’t hurt. And…”

Jwa Jong-je gestured toward the mountain ahead.

“For the escort’s safety, we should move by day rather than night.”
“Agreed. No matter how quickly we travel, we won’t clear it before dark. As for us, well enough, but the prisoners—their martial arts sealed—could be defenseless against a serpent’s venom.”
“Serpents? What nonsense is—ah!”

Jeok Mu-hwa, who had been regarding Jong-gak as though he were speaking foolishness, suddenly caught himself with a rueful expression.

“Of course—this is Sa-rim. I’d passed through so long ago I’d momentarily forgotten.”
“I imagine so.”

At Jong-gak’s matter-of-fact reply, Jeok Mu-hwa’s face bore clear signs of chagrin.

“The entire mountain teems with serpents of every kind, which poses its own dangers—but that’s not the only reason.”

Jwa Jong-je pointed toward Sa-rim, his gaze grown sharp and still.

“It’s an ideal location for an ambush.”

At the word ambush, the eyes of Jeok Mu-hwa and Jong-gak shifted visibly.

“We’d best scout the area before we make camp.”

Jwa Jong-je brightened at Jong-gak’s words.

“You would do that for us?”
“Of course. It’s routine work—nothing difficult about it. I’ll set out at once.”

Jeok Mu-hwa, sensing a trace of smugness in Jong-gak’s unhurried reply, cut in sharply.

“We can’t leave all the responsibility to Milgeom-dan alone. The Bokma-dan will lend what strength we can.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“To conduct a proper search before nightfall, we’ll need more hands on it.”

Jong-gak sensed Jeok Mu-hwa’s resolve wouldn’t bend, and gestured dismissively.

“As you wish.”

Jong-gak turned sharply and spoke to Jwa Jong-je.

“I’ll return shortly.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”

As Jwa Jong-je bowed in gratitude and Jong-gak returned the courtesy, he departed without so much as a glance toward Jeok Mu-hwa.

“Hmm.”

A low sound escaped Jeok Mu-hwa’s lips.

‘This is neither the calm before a storm nor anything so simple—it’s like treading on thin ice with each passing day.’

As Jeok Mu-hwa’s eyes bored into Jong-gak’s retreating form with cold intensity, Jwa Jong-je let out an inward sigh.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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