The Legend of Red Cloud - Chapter 85

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

Episode 85. An Unexpected Conversation
With the support forces from the Baek Ui Ryeon having arrived safely, the Maeng Ui Dan was brimming with vitality.
Though one could not say there was an absence of commotion from the mixing of groups with different affiliations, the morale of the Maeng Ui Dan members ran high, buoyed by the knowledge that their ranks had swelled with allies to face their common enemy.
The upper echelon of the Maeng Ui Dan, too, had found themselves caught in unexpected turmoil.
For contrary to their assumption that only a contingent of ordinary fighters would arrive, a towering figure had come with them.
It was none other than Hong Tak, the Ten Directions Fist Lord.
One of the great sects that comprised the Baek Ui Ryeon had revealed its master.
In terms of the Cheol Hyeol Maeng, it was as though the head of one of the nine great sects had been dispatched to the Maeng Ui Dan.
It was only fortunate that the one serving as Maeng Ui Dan leader was the Tae Geuk Geom Wang—otherwise, the head of one of the nine great sects would have needed to rush here in haste.
Perhaps for this reason, the Tae Geuk Geom Wang relinquished the seat of honor and withdrew to the left.
Though the Tae Geuk Geom Wang surpassed Hong Tak in both station and martial prowess, his standing in the Kangho did not permit him precedence.
It was then that Hong Tak, noting the Tae Geuk Geom Wang’s visibly stiffened expression, spoke to him.
“There was no need for such courtesy, yet I am grateful for your deference. I shall sit at ease.”
As Hong Tak, having offered his barbed words, took his seat at the head, the senior officers of the Baek Ui Ryeon support contingent who had come with him arranged themselves to the right.
In this manner, though unintended, the existing leadership of the Maeng Ui Dan found themselves arrayed to the left, beside the Tae Geuk Geom Wang.
Thereafter, Gong Chan, having received a nod from the Tae Geuk Geom Wang, rose and began to explain the current situation at Saja Plain.
Once the conference had ended and Hong Tak had departed the Uiju Hall, the Tae Geuk Geom Wang gazed after him through the window, his eyes lingering.
It was then that Gong Chan approached him.
“I had expected the Mun Ju of the Bulsan Kwonmun to raise questions concerning command authority the moment he appeared so unexpectedly. Fortunately, he did not.”
At Gong Chan’s words, the Tae Geuk Geom Wang nodded in acknowledgment.
He, too, counted that a stroke of fortune.
But….
“What troubles me is his proposal to initiate dialogue with the Hyeol Gwi Dae.”
Indeed.
Unexpectedly, Hong Tak had not claimed any particular seat or right within the existing command structure of the Maeng Ui Dan.
Instead, he had volunteered to hold preliminary talks with the Hyeol Gwi Dae before the Baek Ui Ryeon support forces commenced full participation in the Maeng Ui Dan’s operations.
‘We can cross blades anytime we wish. So let us first try words—that we might avoid unnecessary bloodshed.’
These were Hong Tak’s words in the council chamber.
Gong Chan, too, had been caught by the same concern and voiced his misgivings.
“That very point troubles me as well. What could he possibly hope to discuss with those treacherous dogs of the Hyeol Gwi Dae?”
The Tae Geuk Geom Wang, his gaze still fixed upon the window, offered no reply.
Taking this silence as a dismissal, Gong Chan bowed quietly and withdrew.
Left alone, the Tae Geuk Geom Wang turned over Hong Tak’s words in his mind.
‘That we might avoid unnecessary bloodshed.’
“Unnecessary bloodshed, you say….”
The Tae Geuk Geom Wang’s murmur fell heavy.
***
Though the Maeng Ui Dan had concluded its conference, the same could not be said for the Baek Ui Ryeon.
Another meeting was promptly convened under Hong Tak’s direction in the quarters that the Baekui-dae had been using, and Yeo Jeong and Yong Hyeon, who had been operating within the Maeng Ui Dan, presented their assessment from the Baek Ui Ryeon’s perspective.
Having heard all their words, Hong Tak posed his question.
“So what you’re telling me is that these Cheol Hyeol Maeng dogs fought when ordered to fight and retreated when ordered to retreat.”
At Hong Tak’s assessment, colder in tone than expected, Yong Hyeon lowered his head.
“Forgive me.”
Drawing his gaze from Yong Hyeon, Hong Tak turned his attention to Yeo Jeong.
“It is rare for a woman to become a Strategist, and my expectations were high. Am I to be disappointed?”
At Hong Tak’s question, Yeo Jeong hurriedly withdrew a letter from her robes and extended it to him.
“What is this?”
“A letter sent by the Lord of the Heavenly Mandate Pavilion before you arrived, Mun Ju.”
As Yeo Jeong answered, Hong Tak accepted the letter and read it, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“So you have achieved the results outlined in this letter?”
“Not yet…. But I have managed to establish a line of contact independent of the Cheol Hyeol Maeng.”
At Yeo Jeong’s answer, Hong Tak drummed his fingers thoughtfully on the table for a moment, then nodded.
“Very well. If the Lord of the Heavenly Mandate Pavilion trusts you, then I shall place my trust in you as well. Arrange a meeting with someone capable of meaningful dialogue, at the earliest opportunity.”
“Yes, Mun Ju.”
As Yeo Jeong bowed, Yong Hyeon, who had been present all this while, could not fathom a word of what was transpiring.
It meant that Yeo Jeong had been plotting something in secret, even from him.
And Yeo Jeong offered him not so much as a glance as the chill settled over him.
***
The Jeok Sa Jo, having completed their rear reconnaissance and escort duties for the Baek Ui Ryeon support contingent, had gathered in their quarters as they invariably did when duties were light.
The daily training that had never been skipped was suspended for now, until the matter of the new recruits had reached some resolution.
O In Bang, who gained no small amount from his training, regretted the lost time, but at Jwa Ryang’s suggestion to use those hours to make what he’d learned truly his own, everyone scattered to train in their own manner.
Of course, Jwa Ryang himself, who’d offered such counsel, was sprawled on a cot in the inner quarters, deep in an afternoon nap.
And so a worker came running to the Jeok Sa Jo dormitory, where such varied behaviors coexisted.
Moreover, he was looking for Ryu, not anyone else.
It was an unprecedented occurrence, and as everyone watched in bewilderment, Ryu rose to follow the worker.
Dong Pil murmured as Ryu disappeared into the distance.
“You’re really letting the captain go off alone like that?”
“What’s wrong? Afraid he’ll go chasing skirts like you do?”
At Jwa Ryang’s jab—whom he’d thought was sleeping—Dong Pil pouted his lips.
“I’m not worried. Well, I am worried.”
“He said he’d go and come back. Stop making a fuss and just wait.”
Dong Pil’s lips continued to pout even as Jwa Ryang spoke from his place on his cot.
Yi Song smiled softly and said, “It’s not ordinary business, so I can’t say I’m without concern either, but since Ryu gave us his word, let’s wait as Jwa Ryang says.”
Even after Yi Song’s words, Dong Pil kept his eyes fixed on Ryu’s departing form, visible through the open doorway.
Jwa Ryang barked at him, “Shut the door!”
Dong Pil finally rose and closed it, then sat back on his cot.
“Must be nice, having such peace of mind.”
Dong Pil’s provocation hung in the air, but for some reason, Jwa Ryang offered no reply.
He understood Dong Pil’s worry.
And with good reason—lately, things they’d never imagined kept happening, over and over.
Following the worker out to the edge of the garrison, Ryu—carrying the Jeok Sa Jo members’ anxieties with him—found Gwi Geom waiting.
After the worker, having received a small purse of silver, departed with a bright face, Gwi Geom offered Ryu a Pokkwon salute.
“I apologize for summoning you, Dae Hyeop. Though I bear the title of Ui Gi Dae under the Maeng Ui Dan, I carry a restriction that prevents me from entering our headquarters…….”
To Gwi Geom’s apology for calling him out, Ryu nodded acknowledgment.
“It’s fine. But what’s this about?”
“Do you remember the name Yeo Jeong?”
At Gwi Geom’s question, Ryu nodded.
It was a name he couldn’t forget even if he wanted to.
So Yeo Woon, who still served as Yeo Jeong’s escort, and Jwa Ryang continued to maintain their connection.
“I remember. But why?”
“Shameful to admit at my age, but I have continued to…with her all this time.”
“You don’t need to explain everything between you and her to me.”
At Ryu’s considerate words, Gwi Geom continued with an embarrassed expression.
“Thank you for your kindness. But this matter seems something I must tell you about.”
“What is it?”
“She asked me to arrange a connection with the leadership of Gunmarim.”
Ryu’s eyes widened at words he hadn’t anticipated.
Gwi Geom continued, “She still doesn’t fully believe that I have genuinely defected to the Cheol Hyeol Maeng—enough to make such a request.”
“It may be my own desire clouding my judgment. But what does the Baek Ui Ryeon hope to accomplish by meeting with Gunmarim’s leadership?”
Only then did Ryu understand why the Mun Ju of the Bulsan Kwonmun had come along with the hundred-strong Baek Ui Ryeon support unit.
As Ryu fell silent in thought, Gwi Geom asked carefully, “Would it be acceptable to arrange this?”
“Do you have someone who could do it?”
“Jeom Chang, who was once a strategist, should still have people willing to listen to me.”
“If you make contact to arrange this, you’ll be suspected.”
Gwi Geom remained silent, offering only an embarrassed smile as he met Ryu’s gaze.
“A man’s affection may not prevail.”
“I understand.”
“Will you take the risk regardless?”
“I apologize.”
Understanding Gwi Geom’s resolve from that single word, Ryu nodded.
“If that’s how it stands, it needs to be done. If it becomes a problem later, you’re free to give me up.”
At Ryu’s words, Gwi Geom hastily waved his hand.
“No, no. That wasn’t my intention in coming to see you. It’s simply that before I take action, I felt I had to inform the Dae Hyeop beforehand…….”
“I’m grateful.”

Leaving only those words behind, Ryu tapped Gwi Geom’s shoulder and turned to go.
After walking a few paces, Ryu spoke without turning his head back.
“If it’s possible, I’ll pray that her feelings succeed.”
It was a remark unlike him, and Gwi Geom watched Ryu’s receding figure in silence.
***
Hong Tak, who had been in seclusion for several days, began to move.
Naturally, the Maeng Ui Dan’s attention focused entirely upon him.
They had been keeping watch to see if he would make any unilateral moves, but instead Hong Tak came to Uiju Hall seeking Tae Geuk Geom Wang.
When he presented his request, Tae Geuk Geom Wang asked in an astonished voice.
“You mean to conduct an inspection of Saja Plain?”
“Yes, Seonbae. I’ve come all this way—how could I not survey the very place where our Baek Ui Ryeon’s warriors might soon fight and die?”
“But the warriors of Baekui-dae have already been fighting for their lives.”
He was referring to the Baekui-dae warriors sent as the vanguard.
To Tae Geuk Geom Wang’s remark, Hong Tak gave a slight shrug.
“Those small fry are one thing. Now that I’ve made my resolve, shouldn’t we be prepared for a full-scale engagement? That’s why I need to scout it beforehand.”
To Hong Tak’s persistent words, Tae Geuk Geom Wang pointed out a practical concern.
“If we send people, the other side will surely sortie to intercept them. Once that happens, a fight will break out at once. It’s no place for a leisurely inspection.”
To Tae Geuk Geom Wang’s subtle refusal, Hong Tak replied.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take only the Baek Ui Ryeon warriors and slip through quickly.”
“However——”
Just as Tae Geuk Geom Wang was about to say something, Hong Tak spoke up swiftly.
“I’m sorry to you, Seonbae, but this isn’t a request—it’s a notification. As you well know, I have the authority to do this.”
At Hong Tak’s words, Tae Geuk Geom Wang fell silent.
Just as he said, the Cheol Hyeol Maeng, encouraged by Baek Ui Ryeon’s dispatch of their Mun Ju to the Kangho, had already received an order from their leader to grant everything they desired.
In the end, Tae Geuk Geom Wang relented.
“Do as you wish.”
After all, he wasn’t asking for escort warriors from the Maeng Ui Dan—Hong Tak simply meant to take only Baek Ui Ryeon’s warriors and return.
With Tae Geuk Geom Wang’s consent obtained from such thoughts, Hong Tak set out for Saja Plain that very afternoon.
The moment Hong Tak and several Baek Ui Ryeon warriors entered Saja Plain, an emergency alert was issued throughout the Maeng Ui Dan.
In his heart, Tae Geuk Geom Wang cared little whether Hong Tak was intercepted and killed by the Hyeol Gwi Dae in Saja Plain, but given the relationship with Baek Ui Ryeon, he could not allow such a thing.
As a result, an emergency was declared throughout, and among the Jeok Sa Jo standing ready for battle was Ryu, whose eyes burned with intensity.

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