Chapter 8
The Return of Cha Jung-gyeong
“Huh?”
Song Hoe’s eyes widened in surprise.
He had seen Cha Jung-gyeong enter with a general.
Yi Hwan set down his wine cup and scanned Cha Jung-gyeong from head to toe. There didn’t appear to be any injuries.
“What happened?”
“I was kidnapped.”
“By whom?”
“One of the men who was at the same inn as us, as you mentioned. And there was another.”
“You must have a lot to tell me.”
Cha Jung-gyeong delayed answering and motioned toward the general.
“Would you mind giving us a moment?”
“Yes, my lord!”
Once the general withdrew, Cha Jung-gyeong collapsed into a chair with a sigh.
“Huu…”
“Speak. What happened? Everything.”
“Well…”
Cha Jung-gyeong told him the whole story truthfully. When he finished, Yi Hwan’s eyes darkened.
‘They investigated the Soul Severance Technique and even mentioned the Sword King?’
Just as the wandering swordsman who taught Cha Jung-gyeong the Soul Severance Technique was important, these men were clearly significant figures.
“That’s not all, is it?”
“They’re using me to target you, my lord.”
Cha Jung-gyeong pulled something from his sleeve and placed it on the table. It was a tiny wooden box.
“Open it.”
Inside was a pill smaller than a fingernail.
“They told me to slip this into your tea or wine. It’s colorless and odorless, so you wouldn’t notice.”
“And?”
“That’s all.”
“They gave you this and let you go?”
“Of course not.”
Cha Jung-gyeong sighed before continuing.
“They placed a restriction technique on my body. They said they’d come back and release it when the time came. But if I disobey or act suspicious, they’d kill me with a single gesture.”
Song Hoe, who had been listening silently, stepped forward.
“You can’t trust him. He’s still hiding something.”
“I’m not hiding anything.”
“How can we believe you!”
“Stand down, commander.”
“…”
When Song Hoe stepped back, Yi Hwan questioned again.
“Why tell me all this so readily? If I were you, I’d just do as they say.”
“Do you think they’d let me live afterward? These are people willing to assassinate a prince. They wouldn’t hesitate to kill me too. So I decided to put my faith in you instead, my lord.”
Sincerity echoed in his voice. Yi Hwan refilled his cup.
Pour…
“Have a drink.”
“I’m not in the mood.”
“Drink.”
“…Alright.”
Cha Jung-gyeong reluctantly emptied his cup.
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
“Impressive. It’s not easy to remain so clear-headed when your life is at stake.”
“I just want to live.”
“You won’t die.”
“Regardless, I have to meet them again in three days. Please find a way to save me. My life is in your hands now.”
“There is no restriction on your body.”
“…What?”
“They didn’t place any restriction on you.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because if there were, I’d know.”
Yi Hwan downed his drink in one shot.
Clack!
Song Hoe spoke up.
“We should use him to catch those men.”
“Of course. But not yet.”
“Pardon?”
There was no reason to rush. Yi Hwan intended to use this time to accumulate more inner power.
Besides, it wasn’t clear yet whether the men who kidnapped Cha Jung-gyeong were enemies or allies.
“There’s really no restriction?”
“Didn’t you say you’d trust me?”
“Yes.”
“Then trust me. If you die before I find the wandering swordsman, it’ll be troublesome for me. Why would I lie?”
At Yi Hwan’s words, Cha Jung-gyeong’s expression finally brightened. Then he cursed.
“Ha! Those bastards!”
“You brat.”
“Yes?”
“Dropping that ring was clever.”
He grinned.
“I have my moments.”
The next morning, Yi Hwan returned to the military camp.
He stared at the small wooden box Cha Jung-gyeong had brought.
‘Didn’t expect to see Ten-Thousand-Mile Tracking Fragrance here.’
The Ten-Thousand-Mile Tracking Fragrance was a scent used to track or locate people—even across vast distances. Once exposed, the scent lingered for nearly a year and was impossible to wash off.
The “ten-thousand-mile” part was exaggerated, but the name wasn’t unfounded. The fragrance lasted long enough to make tracking and surveillance incredibly effective.
Naturally, it was rare and expensive.
‘Now what to do with it?’
Yi Hwan considered his options. It didn’t take him long.
Pour…
He brought out an extra teacup and poured some tea.
Song Hoe usually brewed a full kettle in the mornings since Yi Hwan drank a lot of tea.
Yi Hwan split the pill in half and dropped it into the teacup. It dissolved instantly with no visible change.
“Commander.”
Song Hoe entered.
“Have some tea.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re going to ignore my hospitality?”
“…In that case, I’ll gladly accept.”
Song Hoe drank the tea with the tracking scent.
“I haven’t raised your salary in a while, have I?”
“It’s alright. I’m more than satisfied already.”
“No, you’ve been loyal all this time. I should give you a raise.”
“Thank you, my lord!”
“Drink before it gets cold and the fragrance fades.”
“Yes, sir!”
Near the Yan military camp.
Two men stood on a ridge overlooking the camp—one in plain clothes and the other wearing green.
“Think it worked?”
“It wasn’t that hard.”
“But what if he changed his mind?”
“You think he’d sacrifice himself for a prince of an enemy nation? Ridiculous.”
“Understood. I’ll begin.”
The man in green pulled something from his robes—a tiny white fox.
Yip yip!
The fox licked his face.
“Go. Check the tracking scent.”
Yip yip!
The fox darted toward the camp.
Half an hour later, it returned.
Yip yip!
The fox leapt into the man’s arms. He studied its eyes and broke into a wide smile.
“He did it!”
The other man smiled faintly.
“Then all we have to do is wait for the target to leave the camp or go on a mission.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Start looking for a place to stay nearby.”
“Yes, sir!”
The man watched his companion disappear into the forest, then turned his gaze toward the camp.
‘If that prince really is a descendant of the Sword King, I’ll need to confirm it. Let’s hope he is…’
A subtle gleam of killing intent shone in his eyes.
‘But if not… then I’ll have to kill him.’
‘Even a top-level martial artist can’t enter here undetected. So they’re waiting for me to leave or deploy.’
The Southern Army housed tens of thousands of warriors.
While a supreme expert might handle hundreds of them, they would still be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
‘If I wait, they’ll come.’
Yi Hwan resumed his cultivation.
His residence, located in the very heart of the military camp, was rarely visited by other officers, allowing him to focus on restoring his strength.
Days passed.
During that time, Peng Mu-ui visited twice, only to leave empty-handed.
Meanwhile, generals gathered in Commander Hwang Ho’s tent to discuss retaking the outpost they had lost.
Peng Mu-ui spoke up.
“We’ll lead the charge this time!”
Hwang Ho didn’t object. After all, their main goal was to engage the Black Tiger Unit.
But the other generals looked at Peng Mu-ui with clear disdain.
Not only was he arrogant, it was widely known he was backed by the Second Prince, and no one wanted to get caught in a political crossfire.
Jung Cheon, who despised politics, didn’t even glance at Peng Mu-ui.
Near the end, Peng Mu-ui asked,
“Will the prince not be participating in this operation?”
“That’s up to him. Not for us to say.”
“A shame. I’ve heard he’s shown impressive martial skill recently. I was curious to see it for myself.”
“Have you paid your respects?”
“Not yet. I’ve tried, but he won’t receive me.”
“Then visit him later. Ask him directly. Now, let’s conclude the meeting and prepare.”
The generals returned to their tents.
Peng Mu-ui also headed back with his guard. As they passed, he glanced at Yi Hwan’s tent.
“That guy—isn’t he the Black Tiger soldier the prince captured?”
He referred to Cha Jung-gyeong, who was doing chores in the yard.
His guard replied,
“Yes. For some reason, the prince took him under his wing. No one dares touch him.”
“Someone who showed no talent suddenly excels on the battlefield and even recruits an enemy soldier? Strange.”
“Shall we rough him up later?”
“Do it. Just make sure the prince doesn’t find out. Even if he’s powerless, he’s still royalty.”
“Understood.”
Peng Mu-ui returned to his tent, ordered his men to prepare for battle, and donned his armor. The ornament on his chest gleamed in the sunlight.
He stroked it with satisfaction.
“I will become commander here and support Her Majesty and the Second Prince.”
Just then—
“General, the prince has sent someone.”
‘He sent someone?’
Peng Mu-ui composed himself and sat down with a stern expression.
“Send them in.”
The door opened and Song Hoe entered.
“The prince sent you?”
“Yes. He regrets not meeting you after your visits. He’s invited you for tea.”
‘He refused me multiple times, and now tea?’
Peng Mu-ui smirked.
“Very well. I’m about to depart for the operation, but I cannot refuse a royal summons.”
He left his tent still wearing his armor and helmet.
Soon, he was seated opposite Yi Hwan.
“I heard you came by three times.”
“You seemed busy, so I left quietly.”
He couldn’t admit he was turned away. Yi Hwan asked,
“How is your elder brother?”
“Well, thank you.”
The word brother left a bitter taste in Peng Mu-ui’s mouth. He had never addressed anyone that way before.
Though he had heard it plenty.
“Have some tea.”
“Thank you.”
Peng Mu-ui knew tea etiquette. He sipped slowly, savoring the fragrance.
Clack!
“The aroma is exquisite. I’m honored you serve such fine tea.”
“Oh? That’s just cheap tea from a roadside inn. If it suits your taste, I’m glad. I would’ve served better, but I’m a bit short on funds. I hope you understand.”
“…”
Yi Hwan abruptly asked,
“Why did you come here?”
“I only follow orders. We soldiers go where we’re told.”
“I’ve seen people lurking at night. Your men?”
“Why would I do such a thing? Absolutely not.”
Peng Mu-ui flinched inside.
And was shocked.
‘I sent top-class men. How did he notice?’
“Well, if it wasn’t you, forget I asked. See you next time.”
“…”
As Yi Hwan returned inside, Peng Mu-ui was left baffled.
‘He called me over just to say see you next time? What the hell…’
