Return of the Sword Emperor - Chapter 26

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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 10: The Forbidden Ground (1)

“An open war won’t do. We must move in silence again.”

At the Deputy Commander Eon Sa-gyeong’s words, Geom-ma and the elder Tal-hon-geom I Hyo, who had come to the Military Department together, let out a derisive laugh.

“And we failed doing that before.”
“That was an unforeseeable circumstance. Who could have imagined that Ha Nam-o-sal would lose his life to a novice of the Mil-geom-dan?”
“I’d like to argue that it’s the Military Department’s duty to devise operations accounting for variables of that magnitude, but…….”

Tal-hon-geom caught sight of Gwi-mun-ja’s cold gaze and broke into an awkward smile.

“One can’t guard against an Act of Heaven, I suppose. So then—how do you plan to rescue the Dharma Protector Deung? Who are you thinking of sending?”
“One position is already decided.”
“Is that so? Whose position?”

Geom-ma asked, his curiosity evident.

“The Jeok-wol-dan.”

At the mention of the Jeok-wol-dan, both Geom-ma and Tal-hon-geom nodded in unison. In their view, they were the most suitable choice.

“The Jeok-wol-dan alone seems insufficient.”
“Of course. The Cheon-eung-dan as well…….”

Just then, Gwi-mun-ja cut off Eon Sa-gyeong’s words.

“I’m thinking of sending the Cheon-rang-dan.”
“Pardon?”

Eon Sa-gyeong, taken aback, stared at Gwi-mun-ja with a bewildered expression.
Gwi-mun-ja raised his teacup without further comment, and Eon Sa-gyeong opened his mouth with an incomprehending look.

“Until last night, you were considering the Cheon-eung-dan, and beyond that—in the last operation, the Cheon-rang-dan lost all of their leadership. They haven’t yet recovered from the chaos.”
“The scattered organization will be set right when Ye-do-hwang returns.”
“Ye-do-hwang? The former master of the Cheon-rang-dan, is he not?”

Eon Sa-gyeong’s eyes widened in surprise as he asked.

“That’s right.”
“Has he not already returned to his own family some time ago?”
“He had. But the moment word reached him that the Cheon-rang-dan was shattered, he came rushing back.”

As Gwi-mun-ja’s gaze turned toward him, Na Do-ryang, the master of the Ya-hon-dan, spoke quietly.

“He should arrive in about two days.”
“Ye-do-hwang—that brute will do nicely. Amusing, really, that the fool is coming back. He lacks tactical subtlety, but in raw ability he’s as solid as they come.”

Unlike Tal-hon-geom, whose assessment was favorable, Geom-ma’s expression darkened.
It wasn’t that the Cheon-rang-dan lacked strength or ability. Though the last operation had dealt them heavy losses, their ranks could be refilled quickly enough. Moreover, Ye-do-hwang was skilled enough to draw formidable power from even a rabble of greenhorns.
The problem lay in the poor relations between the Jeok-wol-dan and the Cheon-rang-dan. In particular, the returning Cheon-rang-dan master and the current Jeok-wol-dan master were notorious rivals.

“Ability he has in abundance, but I’m not sure it will work out.”
“I understand your concern, but these are men capable of setting aside their personal grievances for the sake of a greater purpose. There’s no need to worry excessively.”

Geom-ma nodded and, studying the map of the area surrounding Jang-ga-gye where Chamhoe Jade lay, pointed to a specific location.

“At Chamhoe Jade, the forces at that location alone aren’t the only concern. We must also account for those positioned nearby. The Yang Family Clan’s strength in particular demands our attention.”
“Of course.”

When Gwi-mun-ja cast a glance, Eon Sa-gyeong opened his mouth.

“I have devised several strategies to check the Yang Family Clan. So, that is to say…….”

After that, Eon Sa-gyeong’s explanation stretched on for quite some time.
Geom-ma and Tal-hon-geom respected the Military Department’s overall framework, but they raised several specific points and pushed through their own opinions on the details.

“The detailed planning seems sufficient at this level, so I think we can conclude here.”

As Geom-ma’s words ended, Eon Sa-gyeong carefully opened his mouth.

“But preliminary work is also necessary beforehand.”

Geom-ma, who remembered the earlier movements of the Heuk-wol-dan, smiled bitterly as he spoke.

“So you’re saying you’ll set the Heuk-wol-dan in motion.”
“Yes.”
“Tsk tsk, be careful. The Heuk-wol-dan master might try to kill you if he sees you.”

Tal-hon-geom, who knew well how much the Heuk-wol-dan had suffered, spoke in jest, but Eon Sa-gyeong could not bring himself to laugh.
Finding Eon Sa-gyeong’s expression amusing, Geom-ma and Tal-hon-geom both burst into hearty laughter at the same time.
Then it came.

“The Heuk-wol-dan alone is insufficient.”

All eyes turned toward Sa Gong-ye, who had spoken first.

“We should set the Cheon-ma-dan in motion as well.”

At the mention of the Cheon-ma-dan, everyone’s expression hardened noticeably. At the same moment, all eyes shifted toward Gwi-mun-ja.
From Gwi-mun-ja’s composed expression, they inferred that he was supporting Sa Gong-ye’s opinion.

“The Cheon-ma-dan, you say?”

Geom-ma asked back in a voice that had grown cold and taut.
The Cheon-ma-dan was different in meaning.
They were the direct force of the Cheon-ma, the mightiest unit—their very actions carried the weight of a thousand pounds.
Sa Gong-ye answered with a faint smile.

“Nothing less will snap them to their senses.”

* * *

Before his Return, Dok-go-jin had decided he must visit the Forbidden Ground, and he observed his surroundings meticulously to find a way. He coaxed Nam-gung-ho into showing him around the dungeons from the first to the seventh level, carefully examining the overall structure and the movements of the Interior Guard Bureau’s guards who monitored the dungeons and supervised the prisoners. After that, he was even able to hear explanations of the Forbidden Ground from the guards with whom he had cultivated familiarity.
The height from the ground to the Forbidden Ground was roughly forty zhang; even descending from the seventh level, one had to go down a further twenty zhang.
The problem was that while the ground and the dungeon on the seventh underground level were connected by a narrow passage, there was no passage leading to the Forbidden Ground.
The Forbidden Ground was called Chamhoe Jade together with the seven-level dungeon above it, but it was a completely separate space from the upper dungeons.
Only an Iron Chain connected the ground and the Forbidden Ground.
Once every four days, the Iron Chain was lowered to supply food and water, and once every year, a guard descended on a Wooden Box to confirm the number and condition of the prisoners.
Even then, they did not descend all the way to the bottom. The guards observed the prisoners from a distance they could not reach, no matter how desperately the inmates struggled, and then departed.
After exploring various methods, Dok-go-jin ultimately concluded that the Iron Chain was the only way to approach the Forbidden Ground.
But that too was not easy.
The management of the Iron Chain was extremely strict, and even if one were fortunate enough to descend, it posed a problem.
The terrain of the Forbidden Ground itself was shaped like an hourglass—wide at the bottom and narrow at the top. Even if one succeeded in climbing straight walls, the passage leading to the exit passed through curved sections whose number could not be counted and were endlessly slippery, and the stalactites were so fragile that they would crumble at the slightest touch, making it virtually impossible.
Thinking that the Iron Chain had to be used both descending and ascending, Dok-go-jin decided he had no choice but to involve Nam-gung-ho.
The justification to persuade Nam-gung-ho was formed perfectly the moment he heard the name of one of those imprisoned in the Forbidden Ground from the guards and recalled who that person was.

Nam-gung-ho, who had been lying at ease, stretched and rose with a yawn.
The moment Dok-go-jin’s eyes flickered sideways in a furtive glance, the drowsiness drained from his face.

“Brother, what’s wrong?”

Dok-go-jin, who had been watching Nam-gung-ho intently until the other man’s pupils trembled, asked in a voice that had gone completely still.

“You trust me?”
“Of course I do. Why are you asking like that? You’re scaring me.”

At this unfamiliar expression on Dok-go-jin’s face, Nam-gung-ho’s features hardened.

“I need to ask you for something.”
“Tell me. You saved my life—I owe you anything.”

Dok-go-jin hesitated briefly, then spoke quietly.

“I have to go to the Forbidden Ground.”
“What?”

Thinking he’d misheard, Nam-gung-ho tilted his head in confusion.

“I have to go to the Forbidden Ground.”

Dok-go-jin pressed the words out with deliberate force. Only then did Nam-gung-ho grasp that he’d heard correctly, and without thinking, his eyes swept the surroundings.

“You mean the Forbidden Ground? The one down there that we all know about?”
“Yes.”
“Are you insane?”
“Do I seem like I am?”

At Dok-go-jin’s counter-question, Nam-gung-ho’s eyes widened as he glanced nervously in every direction, then exhaled a long breath.

“No, you don’t. But why? Why would you want to go to the Forbidden Ground?”

Nam-gung-ho’s voice grew sharp with indignation, kept deliberately low.

“There’s a reason I have to.”
“A reason? Wait—are you trying to kill Deung-bi?”

The moment the question left Nam-gung-ho’s lips, he clamped a hand over his mouth.

“That’s it, isn’t it? Deung-bi. Because of that bastard, the escort was—you’re avenging them, aren’t you? Honestly, even trapped in the Forbidden Ground as I’ve been, I’ve never sat right with that scum walking around free.”

Seeing Nam-gung-ho seized by righteous anger, Dok-go-jin quietly buried the pretense he’d so carefully constructed. It seemed the man would gladly take his side without needing any other justification.

“So, will you help me?”
“Of course I have to help, but…”

Despite his conviction, Nam-gung-ho’s voice faltered—as though some part of him recognized the illegality of what he was about to do.

“How are you planning to get down there?”
“An Iron Chain. All you need to do is draw attention—give me the chance to climb down it.”
“Is that really safe? We’re talking about Chamhoe Jade, not some ordinary place. If we get caught, can you handle what comes next?”

Unlike the worried Nam-gung-ho, Dok-go-jin—who had effectively won his consent—smiled brilliantly.

“Trust me. With your help, there’s no way we’ll be discovered. And I’ll give you a little gift for that trust.”

Dok-go-jin placed emphasis on the word “gift,” but Nam-gung-ho took it as nothing more than a jest.

“A gift, my foot.”
“And once you go down, the Iron Chain won’t come back up for about three days, so handle things discreetly. Just spread the word that you’ve gained some Insight, and that should do it.”
“This is insane.”

Nam-gung-ho exhaled a sigh so deep the earth itself seemed to shudder.
Though he’d found himself reluctantly swept into the plan, he made little effort to hide his frustration, scratching at his head vigorously.

* * *

Crack!
Lightning split the sky, and moments later, as thunder shook the heavens and earth, Dok-go-jin lifted his gaze.
Dark clouds hung thick and heavy overhead, as if rain might pour down at any second.

“Look—even the heavens seem to favor us.”

Dok-go-jin walked toward the place where the Iron Chain descended, the sole link to the Forbidden Ground, and gave Nam-gung-ho a light jab in the ribs.

“You don’t think the heavens might be angry?”

Though Nam-gung-ho had reluctantly agreed to join Dok-go-jin’s scheme, anxiety still clung to him visibly.

“How many times must I tell you? There’s nothing to worry about. All you have to do is exchange a few words with them.”
“I understand.”

Nam-gung-ho sighed and walked toward the guards, who were loading several rice cakes that looked like stones onto the wooden box connected to the Iron Chain. Dok-go-jin had already vanished from sight.
Wary of the stranger’s approach, the guards recognized him as Nam-gung-ho, with whom they were acquainted, and greeted him lightly.

“Yes.”
“Understood, foreman.”

Whirrrrrr.
The Iron Chain wailed as it unwound and descended.
On this already gloomy day, the pupil that swallowed the descending chain seemed as dark as the heart of hell itself.
Then, as lightning cracked once more, a dark shadow began to move stealthily.

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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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