Return of the Sword Emperor - Chapter 16

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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 7: Proof (1)

“I’m grateful. Thanks to you, we’ve managed to keep the damage to a minimum, or so I’ve heard.”

Early that morning, Jeok Muhwa, Deputy Leader of the Bokma-dan, expressed his thanks to Dokgo Jin.

“Not at all. It was simply what needed to be done.”
“Don’t be modest. There’s no denying that you’ve pulled our Bokma-dan back from the brink of disaster.”
“I understand there were casualties. I regret that deeply.”
“It can’t be helped. Those of us who walk the blade’s edge live with death as our shadow — we must always be prepared for it.”

Even as he spoke these words, Jeok Muhwa’s eyes betrayed a deep sorrow for his fallen subordinate and a burning anger toward his enemy.

“I also owe you an apology for the unpleasantness that occurred at the inn.”

When Jeok Muhwa bowed respectfully, it was the Milgeom-dan who seemed taken aback.
Jong Gak quickly took his arm and raised him back up.

“That matter ended there. There’s no need to go this far.”
“I appreciate it.”

Jeok Muhwa flashed a warm smile at Jong Gak’s gesture to preserve his dignity.
That smile meant the shadow of division and conflict that had hung between the Bokma-dan and the Milgeom-dan was finally lifting.

‘Incredible.’

At a distance, watching the scene unfold, Jwa Jongje broke into a broad grin.
From the moment they’d left Gangnam Chong Tower until they reached Sarim, no major trouble had erupted, yet he’d watched the two groups with the anxiety of walking on thin ice.
And now, in this very instant, all those concerns had been resolved.
Jwa Jongje clenched both fists tightly.
He wanted nothing more than to shout for joy.

* * *

The War Council Chamber of the Madoryeon headquarters.

“How many attacks have there been?”

Na Doryang, the leader of the Yahon-dan, answered Gwi Munja’s question carefully.

“Three attacks so far.”
“What of the casualties?”
“Minimal. The first attack in Sarim inflicted some damage on those Bokma-dan dogs, but the subsequent two attacks resulted in only light casualties among the guard contingent.”
“I held no grand expectations, but this is disappointingly clumsy.”

Gwi Munja’s eyes, cold and distant, gleamed with an unsettling light.

“My apologies. Although we knew the target was an Escort Party bound for Chamhoeoyk, we could not find men bold enough to commit to such an attack.”

Na Doryang, who had been confident that enough money could buy skilled warriors, lowered his head deeply, acknowledging his miscalculation.

“Tsk, tsk. If the men are too weak, it might actually arouse suspicion.”

As Gwi Munja clicked his tongue, Na Doryang hesitated briefly before offering an explanation.

“According to reports from our men tailing the Escort Party, it appears an unexpected individual has been instrumental in their defense.”
“An unexpected… individual?”

Gwi Munja’s voice carried a note of intrigue.
The word “unexpected” felt jarring, given that he’d already gathered complete intelligence on everyone involved in the Escort Party.

“There’s a newcomer to the Milgeom-dan named Dokgo Jin—his performance has been remarkable.”
……

Gwi Munja’s expression hardened visibly.
When Na Doryang spoke the name Milgeom-dan, it was understandable enough—they’d suffered setbacks more than once from those tenacious bastards. But what came next was something he simply couldn’t accept.

“A newcomer?”
“That’s correct.”
“What? What exactly has this recruit accomplished to warrant such talk?”
“According to reports, he’s distinguished himself in every engagement—the initial battle at Sarim, and in both subsequent attacks. Some have even speculated that his martial skill might surpass that of Milgeom-dan’s Deputy Leader Jong Gak.”
A low hum escaped Gwi Munja’s lips.

The sound hung in the air, contemplative.
It was impossible—a mere greenhorn freshly assigned to the Milgeom-dan outmatching Jong Gak. And yet, if the Yahon-dan—those with the sharpest eyes and the keenest intelligence—had reached such a conclusion, then this newcomer’s prowess must be formidable indeed.

“I wouldn’t worry overmuch. The recruits we’ve mustered are hardly impressive; it’s natural that even such a novice would shine among them.”

Eon Sagyeong’s dismissal of the intelligence itself caused Na Doryang’s brow to twitch.

“These reports come from operatives shadowing the Escort Party covertly. Every one of them is skilled…….”
“So you’re telling me you believe there’s a real possibility that a recruit just assigned to the Milgeom-dan could exceed Deputy Leader Jong Gak?”
“That is…….”

Na Doryang, who knew Jong Gak’s abilities intimately, found himself unable to answer readily.

“Undoubtedly he’s skilled. Anyone capable of clouding the Yahon-dan’s judgment deserves that much credit. But nothing more than that.”

Eon Sagyeong turned his head to regard Gwi Munja.

“It won’t alter the larger strategy.”

Certainty rang through his voice.
Gwi Munja, lost in thought for a moment, soon nodded in agreement.

“You make a fair point. Still, there’s no harm in exercising caution. Leader of the Yahon-dan.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Keep a close and careful eye on this newcomer. Should he become a variable, it could prove troublesome.”
“Understood.”
“Now then—I hear the Jeongmumeng is mobilizing swiftly.”
“Indeed. The Heukyeol-dan has played the bait role perfectly.”
Gwi Munja chuckled, something between amusement and exasperation, as he pictured the Heukyeol-dan’s leader diligently executing his role.

The operation to rescue Dharma Protector Jeok Yeomhoan and Deung Bi, who were being dragged toward Chamhoeoyk, was proceeding as planned—and the Madoryeon had crafted an additional stratagem to thoroughly deceive the eyes and ears of the Jeongmumeng: namely, the Amhyang-dae.
To completely conceal the Cheonrang-dan, already deeply infiltrated into enemy territory, they had orchestrated the Heukyeol-dan to move with calculated subtlety, deliberately exposing traces to the Amhyang-dae.
The Jeongmumeng, judging the Heukyeol-dan a likely threat to the Escort Party, had promptly dispatched the Geukma-dan to intercept them along their anticipated route.
The Heukyeol-dan, evading collision with the Geukma-dan, tried to push toward the Escort Party’s path, while the Geukma-dan—aided by the Amhyang-dae—moved with desperate urgency to block them.

“Surely they haven’t actually clashed?”
“They’re blocking the advance, but the Geukma-dan’s movements appear remarkably passive. Unless they initiate, there shouldn’t be any major collision.”
“Good. In any case, it seems everything is proceeding according to plan thus far.”

“Nearly at their destination, we believe. A day or two more, and they should reach the target location.”
“Surely they haven’t left any trace or been discovered?”

“That is so, Commander. The Heukyeol-dan drew away the Amhyang-dae’s attention entirely, which allowed for smooth passage. For your reference, the Hanamosal have already joined forces.”

At the mention of Hanamosal, Eon Sagyeong’s shoulders tensed slightly, and he turned his gaze toward Gwi Munja.

“The Hanamosal, you say…”

Gwi Munja, who had been enjoying his tea contentedly, knitted his brow.
He had reluctantly allowed them to join in order to minimize casualties among his own forces and eliminate any unforeseen variables, but it was a name that sat poorly with him nonetheless.

* * *

“Ridiculous. They still refuse to give up?”

Jo Ilgeuk, Vice-Leader of the Jeongmumeng and overseer of Gangnam Chong Tower, tapped his finger against a teacup from which steam rose in thin wisps as he spoke.
Sama Yung, Master of the Amhyang-dae, who had discerned that Jo Ilgeuk was in poor spirits, answered with measured caution.

“Yes, but each time they attempt to circle around, we cut off their path perfectly. Even if they do break through, considerable time has already elapsed. At this point, there is no possibility they will catch the Escort Party.”
“When do you expect the Escort Party to arrive at Chamhoeoyk?”
“By my assessment, if they move swiftly, two days from now; if delayed, four days at the latest. For reference, even if the Heukyeol-dan break through the Geukma-dan’s blockade, they would require a minimum of four days to reach Chamhoeoyk.”
“So even in the worst case, we have a margin of a full day.”
“If we dispatch a Flying Messenger Bird to urge them forward, that gap will widen further.”

Jo Ilgeuk’s expression brightened slightly, seemingly pleased with Sama Yung’s answer.

“You have done well.”
“I merely performed my duty.”

Sama Yung accepted the tea Jo Ilgeuk poured for him and bowed his head respectfully.

“Your swift action the moment the Escort Party was ambushed at Sarim proved decisive. Had you not grasped that the minor attack was a decoy and failed to widen your surveillance, you would have missed the Heukyeol-dan’s movements entirely. This is the Amhyang-dae’s victory—a great achievement indeed.”
“You are too kind. It was only made possible through the efforts of all involved.”

Though Sama Yung offered a show of modesty, the satisfaction that filled his features could not be hidden.

“Ah, the Escort Party. You said just now they have some four days remaining before reaching Chamhoeoyk, did you not?”
“Four days at the latest. Should they maintain their swift pace, they may arrive in two days. Additionally, it has been confirmed that Chamhoeoyk has dispatched a portion of its forces to provide support.”
“Excellent! They are executing their duties properly. I am well pleased.”

Jo Ilgeuk nodded his head several times with evident satisfaction, then posed his question in an understated tone.

“At this point, we may set our minds at ease, would you not say?”
“Indeed, we may.”

Sama Yung straightened his chest and spoke with absolute certainty.

* * *

Wild Mountains near Yesu.
The Cheonrang-dan had assembled here, having mobilized to rescue Jeok Yeomhoan and Deung Bi.
Though they had traversed a straight path through territory as hostile as enemy lands after leaving the Madoryeon, none of them showed signs of great exhaustion or strain.
From the way the Cheonrang-dan scattered about at their leisure, resting in small groups, one could infer the degree of battlefield experience they had accumulated over the years.

“Leader.”

Vice-Leader Gyuwon Baek approached the middle-aged man who sat leaning his back against a large boulder, chewing on jerky.

“What is it?”

Nak Wol, Leader of the Cheonrang-dan, turned his head as he tossed the last scrap of jerky into his mouth.

“The Escort Party has passed through Ihwa Hyeon. If all goes according to schedule, they’ll arrive in Yesu around noon tomorrow.”
“How many have made it through?”
“There’s been almost no attrition.”
“Why not? You said there were several ambushes.”
“When I checked with the informant sent by Yahon-dan, they said the attacks achieved nothing worth mentioning and were completely smashed. In fact, reinforcements from Chamhoeoyk arrived to bolster their numbers, so they’ve gained twenty more.”
“Hmph! I wasn’t expecting much anyway.”

Nak Wol rose with irritation, his eyes grown cold and darkened.

‘The Bokma-dan and Milgeom-dan supporting the Escort Party—not fearsome in themselves, but not to be underestimated either. Especially those Milgeom-dan bastards—they’re worth watching. And with reinforcements now joining in, this won’t be a simple fight.’

Still, he harbored no thought of the operation failing. He simply calculated that the likelihood of suffering heavier casualties than anticipated had risen, and he turned his gaze away.
His subordinates had all dispersed freely to rest, but a few stood apart from the others.

‘Hanamosal.’

Merely invoking their name set his teeth on edge.
Their skill was undeniable.
The killing intent that radiated from them when they met matched their fearsome reputation.
But the atrocities they had committed—the very thought of them turned his stomach.
Gyuwon Baek, noticing that Nak Wol’s gaze had fixed on Hanamosal, opened his mouth with measured caution.

“They’ve requested alcohol.”
……

Gyuwon Baek, who had been reading the room, saw Nak Wol’s eyes turn not merely cold but glacial, and sighed as if he’d foreseen it.

“Perhaps we should refuse—”
“Never mind. Just give it to them.”
“Sir?”
“Give it to them. Garbage or whatever—if those creatures do their part, our people will suffer fewer wounds.”
“Understood…sir.”

As Gyuwon Baek withdrew, Nak Wol turned his gaze toward the Reed Field of Yesu, where the battle would be fought, and drew in a slow, measured breath.
Tomorrow, the reeds would drink the blood of the enemy.

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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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