Chapter 15
The Strategy
Ihwan sat face to face with Jeongcheon.
Jeongcheon hesitated for a moment, staring at the steam rising from the teacup, before getting to the point.
“Since we don’t know when the enemy might strike again, I think it would be best if Your Grace returned to the main camp.”
“Are you saying that out of concern for me?”
“Of course. What could be more important than Your Grace’s safety?”
“I appreciate your concern, General. But I won’t be going back.”
“Your Grace, this place is too dangerous. Unlike the main camp, it’s vulnerable to enemy raids.”
Ihwan leaned back slightly and spoke.
“Even so, I am still a royal prince. If I run back to the camp at the first sign of danger, what would the soldiers think? Not only would it tarnish my honor, but also the reputation of the royal family.”
“…”
Mentioning the royal family was practically a trump card. Once that name was invoked, Jeongcheon could say no more.
In the end, he had no choice but to back down.
“Understood. But please refrain from leaving the outpost.”
“Very well.”
Jeongcheon stood up.
“General.”
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“Strategically and militarily speaking, why are we fighting so fiercely over a useless canyon like this?”
“It’s a matter of pride, I’d say.”
“Whose pride?”
“On a smaller scale, it’s the pride of our Southern Corps. But on a larger scale, it’s the pride of our entire nation.”
He chuckled bitterly.
“Thousands of warriors must’ve died over that pride… Understood. You may go.”
After Jeongcheon left, Ihwan opened the window. A nauseating scent of blood wafted in with the wind.
‘Back then and now, nothing’s changed about how this country is run.’
“Your Grace.”
Cha Jung-gyeong suddenly appeared before him. Covered in mud, it looked like he had just returned from reinforcing the defenses.
“Do you have something to say?”
“What should we do with the prisoners captured by the Yongho Troop?”
In this latest battle, the Yongho Troop had captured dozens of enemy soldiers. As a result, the troop’s reputation among the other units had improved considerably. Until now, no one had expected the Yongho Troop to perform well in battle.
The fact that they had captured so many prisoners was nothing short of surprising.
‘Yes. We can make use of the prisoners.’
A faint smile crept onto Ihwan’s lips as a plan took shape.
“Clear out a building and imprison them there.”
“Understood.”
Among the prisoners, ordinary soldiers were treated like spoils of war. By custom, the unit that captured them had the right to dispose of them as they pleased.
“Jung-gyeong.”
“Yes?”
“Where are you from?”
“I’m from Sichuan, but why do you ask…?”
“Never mind. You may go now.”
“…”
That night, two men approached an old building at the edge of the Yongho Troop’s camp.
It was Song Cheon-mu and Cha Jung-gyeong.
Both were dressed in the uniforms of the Zhao army, their faces so caked in dried mud that they were unrecognizable.
Song Cheon-mu asked,
“Was this operation devised by Your Grace himself?”
“Yes. But… isn’t it pretty brilliant?”
“It’s definitely clever.”
“Then let’s make sure not to mess it up. He entrusted this task to us—let’s not disappoint him.”
“Got it.”
Soon after, Cha Jung-gyeong entered the building.
As the door shut behind him, Song Cheon-mu circled to the back and waited for the right moment to act.
He tilted his head, thinking of Ihwan.
‘That rumor about him being incompetent… complete nonsense.’
Song Cheon-mu had seen it with his own eyes—how Ihwan fought bravely on the battlefield.
Especially when he faced the enemy general alone, the one everyone else avoided. The sight still gave him chills.
‘Well, even if he’s a concubine’s son, he still has imperial blood.’
“Damn it.”
Cha Jung-gyeong burst in cursing, causing the prisoners to immediately stand and bow their heads. He was dressed like a Zhao army officer.
With a disinterested expression, Cha Jung-gyeong waved his hand.
“What are you bowing for in a dump like this? Sit down.”
“Officer, what will happen to us now?”
“How would I know? If you’re unlucky, you die. If you’re lucky, maybe you survive. Still, we were captured by the royal prince of Yan—maybe he’ll show mercy.”
“But, sir, how did you get caught?”
“I was trying to catch a deserter from the Black Tiger unit and ended up getting nabbed. Tch. I thought he might’ve defected to Yan, but turns out he fled south to Sichuan. If I’d known that sooner, I wouldn’t have come here, and I wouldn’t be in this damn mess!”
“I see. At least they didn’t kill us outright. As long as we’re alive, there’s still hope.”
“Anyone here a Buddhist?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Then pray your ass off. Beg the heavens to let you live.”
Just then, a thudding noise came from outside.
Thud. Thud.
It sounded like someone collapsing.
A moment later, the door burst open and someone stepped inside—Song Cheon-mu.
As everyone stared in shock, Song Cheon-mu raised a finger to his lips and whispered,
“I’ve taken out the guards. Move fast and get out of here!”
“…!”
“What are you waiting for?! Move!”
Before he even finished, the prisoners bolted barefoot out of the building. One of them looked back and said,
“Hurry, officer!”
“I’ll follow you. Don’t look back—just run to the main camp where the General is. Got it?”
“Yes! See you at the main camp!”
In an instant, the prisoners were gone. Cha Jung-gyeong and Song Cheon-mu exchanged a smirk.
“You’re quite the actor.”
“Speak for yourself. Hahaha.”
Ihwan looked at Song Cheon-mu and Cha Jung-gyeong as they entered the room.
Song Cheon-mu smiled.
“It was a perfect success.”
“Now, once they reach the main camp and spread the word that I’ve returned to my hometown, the Zhao army will stop looking for me.”
“Good work.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“You did it for me, so no need to thank me. Now stop stinking up the place and go wash.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Understood!”
As they left for the back courtyard, Ihwan lay down on his bedding.
‘Now I just need to worry about them.’
He recalled the man he had encountered on the battlefield—the one who easily killed the eerie Blood Robe Warrior.
He had suspected the man was strong when their eyes met in the tavern, but seeing his true skill made Ihwan uneasy.
‘I’m still not strong enough to face someone like that. But I did achieve quite a lot in this battle.’
His clash with the enemy commander yielded more results than he expected. If only the Blood Robe Warriors hadn’t shown up, it could have gone even further.
He smirked.
‘Reincarnated into a weakling’s body, and now I’m stuck with this pathetic situation.’
The next evening, in the Zhao army camp.
A general visited the Chief Commander’s tent.
“We’ve tracked Cha Jung-gyeong’s movements.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Contrary to expectations, it seems he didn’t defect to Yan but instead headed south to Sichuan—his hometown.”
“Sichuan?”
“Yes. One of our Black Tiger members, who was captured along with the Yan army, heard it from the other prisoners during the recent battle.”
The Chief Commander shot up from his seat.
“Bring that man to me at once! I need to verify the information!”
“Unfortunately… he attempted to escape and was discovered. He didn’t make it out—he was killed.”
The commander’s brow furrowed.
“If only we could confirm the source more thoroughly… Still, if he went to his hometown in Sichuan, the intel is likely reliable.”
“I’ll send men to Sichuan immediately.”
“Do it quickly.”
“Yes, sir.”
As the general left, the Chief Commander let out a deep breath of relief. Truthfully, his mind had been consumed not with the war with Yan, but with the stolen Jangbo Sword Manual.
Now that they had a lead on Cha Jung-gyeong’s whereabouts, he could finally breathe a little easier.
“Surely he hasn’t done anything to the manual… right?”
The next morning, the rain had stopped and the sun had risen.
The skies had cleared, but the air still reeked of blood.
The warriors resumed fortifying the outpost, many of them drenched in sweat as they cleared corpses.
Ihwan sat in a chair in front of his tent, sipping tea and watching the scene.
Though many soldiers were sweating and working not far from him, none resented him. He was a prince—it was only natural.
Just then, a general hurried over.
Bowing respectfully, he asked in a firm tone,
“Several prisoners from the Yongho Troop escaped last night. Were you aware, Your Grace?”
“I was just informed.”
“I apologize, but I must ask for details.”
“It seems our guards were a bit lax. Inexperience, perhaps—let’s move on from it.”
“The escape of prisoners is not something that can simply be overlooked, Your Grace.”
“Are you suggesting I be held responsible?”
Ihwan’s tone and gaze turned icy, and the general’s face stiffened.
“I’ll explain everything to General Hwang myself. You may go now.”
“Understood, then…”
Overwhelmed by Ihwan’s presence, the general couldn’t say all he had planned. He walked away, flustered.
‘What was that atmosphere…?’
He had never felt so dominated before.
As he walked, he unconsciously looked down at his palm—and flinched.
“…!”
His palm was soaked in sweat.
Left General Paeng Mu-wi was in an especially foul mood.
Ever since being assigned to the Southern Corps, he had been eager to prove himself in battle. But the first operation had ended in failure due to a bout of diarrhea.
He had hoped to redeem himself in the second operation, but again, the battle ended before he could showcase his strength. Fortunately, their side had won—had they lost again, his standing would’ve been ruined.
“Why is everything going wrong? Damn it!”
Gulp. Gulp.
He drank lukewarm water straight from the bowl.
‘That wasn’t just a stomach bug. Someone must’ve poisoned my food out of jealousy.’
Paranoia crept in. One by one, he began suspecting every officer in the camp.
Finally, he recalled his encounter with Ihwan.
‘Right! The diarrhea started soon after drinking the tea he gave me. Come to think of it, it was strange from the start—summoning me only to say a few words and dismiss me…’
“Captain!”
“Yes, General?”
“Find out if there’s anyone around the prince who deals in poisons.”
“Why do you ask—”
“Just do it! No questions!”
“Understood!”
Gulp. Gulp.
Clang!
‘If it turns out he really tampered with my tea, then even if he’s a prince, I won’t let it slide.’
Crack!
Veins bulged across Paeng Mu-wi’s massive fists.
