Chapter 4
The Trace Left by the Wanderer
Inside the cave.
Yi Hwan sat facing a captured member of the Black Tiger Unit. The Black Tiger soldier, having realized he was no match for Yi Hwan, had already resigned himself to his fate.
“Do you remember me?”
“Of course. But I’m sure I struck your vital point—how…?”
“I’ll be the one asking the questions.”
Smack!
Yi Hwan smacked the man on the head, then asked again.
“Did you attack me simply because I’m a prince?”
“I didn’t know who you were. I only saw your splendid armor and assumed you held a high rank. I thought I could gain merit, so I decided to attack you on impulse.”
From the look in his eyes, it didn’t seem like a lie.
“Then who taught you the Soul-Severing Technique?”
“Soul-Severing Technique? What’s that?”
He doesn’t know what the Soul-Severing Technique is?
Again, his eyes didn’t seem to be lying. Yi Hwan was slightly confused—how could someone use the technique without knowing its name?
“Who taught you martial arts?”
“My sect is the Qingcheng Sect.”
The Qingcheng Sect had once been one of the Nine Great Sects when Daeyaseong unified the martial world two hundred years ago, famous for producing exceptional masters back then.
The Qingcheng Sect wouldn’t know the Soul-Severing Technique.
Yi Hwan’s gaze turned cold.
“I don’t like repeating myself. So while I’m still asking nicely, tell me—who taught you the Soul-Severing Technique?”
In truth, he wanted to torture the truth out of him, but if this man was a descendant of the Sword King, he couldn’t risk it.
“I truly don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve never heard of a Soul-Severing Technique.”
“That move you used when you attacked me—the one that created three streams of murderous energy—that’s the Soul-Severing Technique. And you claim you don’t know it?”
“…!”
The Black Tiger soldier’s eyes shook violently, then he began to speak unexpectedly.
“That martial art wasn’t taught to me by the Qingcheng Sect. I learned it a few years ago, purely by chance, from a wanderer.”
That was the beginning of his story.
A few years back, he had helped a wanderer in trouble. In return, the wanderer had taught him a single martial art.
“At first, I scoffed at the idea of learning martial arts from a vagabond. But when I saw the sheer power of the move he demonstrated before my eyes, I couldn’t refuse. Since that day, I’ve trained relentlessly to master the formula he gave me.”
Yi Hwan frowned—because the man said he learned it from a formula.
Even someone with great natural talent would need a lifetime to learn such a thing. And he mastered it just from a few instructions?
“Recite the formula the wanderer taught you.”
The soldier immediately began to chant it.
Yi Hwan’s eyes slowly changed.
Some parts of the formula have been altered. But it’s definitely something that could only be derived from knowing the essence of the Soul-Severing Technique!
That might also explain why the technique’s power was so different from what Yi Hwan remembered.
“Where is this wanderer now?”
“Why do you think he’s a wanderer? He said he was traveling the world searching for someone. When I asked who, he wouldn’t say—just headed north. Since I met him in northern Jo Nation, I’d guess he might have gone into Yeon Nation by now.”
“Do you remember his face?”
“I remember it clearly—so clearly I could recognize him even if he wore a mask. His eyes were unforgettable.”
Good.
Yi Hwan asked another question.
“Do you want to live?”
“…Who wants to die?”
“Do you have family in Jo Nation?”
“Only my master and senior brothers in the Qingcheng Sect. But they probably don’t consider me family…”
“Then you won’t have regrets if you leave Jo Nation.”
The man’s name was Cha Jung-gyeong.
He was an orphan from Sichuan, taken in by a Taoist master of the Qingcheng Sect, who raised him in the sect. When he became an adult, he left the mountain to earn money and enlisted in the Jo Nation army.
Recognized for his skill, he became a member of the Black Tiger Unit. Crossing paths with Yi Hwan had brought him to this day.
“…If I really help you find that wanderer, you’ll reward me?”
“Watch your tone.”
“You’ll really reward me enough to live comfortably for the rest of my life?”
“Believe me—it’s the promise of a prince of Yeon Nation.”
At the words “promise of a prince,” Cha Jung-gyeong only grew more doubtful.
“I’ve heard the rumors about you in our camp… Is it really true you can give such a reward?”
“What rumors?”
“That you’re a prince in name only, or that you’re treated like an outcast even in Yeon Nation’s army. Are they true?”
“…”
Yi Hwan nearly choked.
So even the enemy treats me like some pitiful figure.
He thought he’d understood his reputation from the body’s memories, but clearly that was just the tip of the iceberg.
“Do you still believe those rumors now?”
“…No. I’ve learned firsthand they’re complete nonsense. But then, why did you get defeated so easily back then?”
Smack!
“Ugh!”
“That’s none of your business. Now get up.”
“Where are we going?”
“Where else? Back to camp.”
“Then I’ll be a prisoner?”
“On the surface, yes. But don’t worry—no one will touch you.”
“…Can I trust you?”
“If you can’t, you can die here instead.”
“…”
Yeon Nation Army Camp
Hwang Ho let out a heavy sigh after hearing Jeong Cheon’s report.
“Sigh…”
“My apologies. I should have been more careful…”
Jeong Cheon couldn’t raise his head.
Hwang Ho couldn’t say more—given the situation, Yi Hwan was most likely dead.
What on earth am I to do now…
Even a discarded prince was still a prince. If Yi Hwan had died while under his command, the responsibility was entirely his.
As for Jeong Cheon, who had led the mission—no words were needed.
“I’ve done you a terrible wrong when you have such a promising future ahead, General Jeong.”
“…!”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, sir!”
Moved by Hwang Ho’s concern, Jeong Cheon’s eyes reddened.
Clench!
“No matter what it takes, I will retrieve the Prince’s body. Please allow me!”
Just then—
“General!”
A soldier burst in, speaking in an excited tone.
“The Prince has returned!”
“Prince!”
Song Hoe came running like a madman, eyes red as if he might burst into tears at any moment.
“Are you all right? Are you injured?”
“Stop fussing and prepare some hot water.”
“Prince!”
Officers gathered from all sides.
Yi Hwan gave a wry smile.
As if you’re worried about me. You’re just anxious that my death would complicate your futures.
Then Hwang Ho and Jeong Cheon appeared from behind them.
“Prince!”
“I got separated by accident. General Jeong did nothing wrong, so don’t be too hard on him. Now, I’m tired—excuse me.”
Before leaving, Yi Hwan pointed to Cha Jung-gyeong.
“This man is under my protection. No one is to interfere.”
“But he’s from the Black Tiger Unit! He could be dangerous!”
“I’ve handled it. Don’t worry.”
With that, Yi Hwan said no more and led Cha Jung-gyeong into his quarters.
Hwang Ho and Jeong Cheon exchanged complex looks, but it was clear they were relieved to see him alive.
Hwang Ho muttered,
“He charged into the Black Tiger Unit’s territory alone… and captured one of them?”
“Why is he here…”
Song Hoe’s glare at Cha Jung-gyeong was practically murderous.
“He’ll be staying here until we leave. Treat him well.”
“…!”
“Is the hot water ready?”
“It’s being prepared in the backyard.”
Yi Hwan turned to Cha Jung-gyeong.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“I am.”
“Get him something to eat.”
“You’re really letting him stay here?”
Song Hoe still couldn’t understand. The Black Tiger Unit were enemies everyone in the Southern Corps would happily kill.
Yi Hwan gave him a cool look.
“Deputy.”
“Yes, Prince.”
“Does this sound like I’m asking you for a favor?”
“…”
Song Hoe lowered his head.
“Understood.”
“He seems to hate me.”
“Of course. Do you know how many Yeon Nation warriors the Black Tiger Unit has killed? If you hadn’t known the wanderer’s face, I’d have killed you myself.”
“…”
Cha Jung-gyeong scratched his head, then asked something else.
“Why are you looking for that wanderer?”
“You don’t need to know.”
“…”
Yi Hwan removed his outer robe and headed to the backyard, where soldiers were heating water in a large cauldron.
“It’ll take a little longer to get warm, Prince.”
“Leave me.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Once they left, Yi Hwan stepped into the not-yet-warm water.
Splash!
Soaking himself to the head, Yi Hwan recalled the events on the battlefield.
I’ve gathered the scattered energy in my dantian into one, but it’s still far too weak. At this level, I can’t even handle an average top-tier master.
Even though the original prince had been born of a concubine, he was still a prince and had been fed all kinds of rare medicines since childhood. But due to lacking martial talent, he could never fully draw that energy into his dantian—until Yi Hwan succeeded in doing so.
Still, it was far from enough.
Until I fully regain my strength, I’ll have to conceal my true martial arts. And I need to find a way to recover quickly here.
With Daeyaseong’s records erased from the martial world, perhaps no one would recognize his style.
But if someone did?
And if that someone was an enemy tied to Daeyaseong’s destruction?
At his current level, he couldn’t guarantee survival. That’s why he wanted to track down the wanderer—possibly the Sword King’s heir—as soon as possible.
But desire alone wouldn’t make it happen.
If I could use an organization like the Beggars’ Sect, it would help…
But according to the “prince’s” memories, there was no Beggars’ Sect in Yeon Nation—they only operated in Jo Nation and Jin Nation.
Then there’s only one option.
At that moment, Song Hoe appeared with fresh clothes.
Yi Hwan immediately asked,
“Do you have any way to contact the Eastern Depot?”
“Huh? The Eastern Depot—why…?”
Song Hoe’s eyes went wide.
“I need their intelligence network.”
“Prince, you’d best avoid dealing with the Eastern Depot. Anything involving them is reported directly to His Majesty. Even the Crown Prince, who has good relations with them, rarely uses their services.”
Yi Hwan frowned.
“Let me rephrase—can I use the Eastern Depot?”
“…It’ll be difficult.”
In truth, Song Hoe wanted to say it was impossible, but spared the prince’s pride.
Yi Hwan accepted it.
Right, the Eastern Depot wouldn’t cooperate with an ‘incompetent’ prince.
“What if I ask the Crown Prince?”
“It’s possible, but I doubt he’d agree. Still, why the Eastern Depot all of a sudden—?”
“That’s enough. Go.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Once Song Hoe returned inside, Yi Hwan leaned back in the water, resting his feet on the rim of the cauldron.
If I want the Eastern Depot’s intel, I’ll have to return to the palace…
He closed his eyes, a crease forming on his brow.
Then—
“Prince!”
Song Hoe burst back into the yard, flustered as if something serious had happened.
