Chapter 8
The Return of Cha Jung-kyung
“Oh?”
Song Hoe’s eyes went wide.
It was because he saw Cha Jung-kyung entering with the officer.
Yi Hwan set down his wine cup and looked over Cha Jung-kyung from head to toe. There wasn’t a single wound on him.
“What happened?”
“I was kidnapped.”
“By whom?”
“By the man you mentioned before—the one staying at the same inn. And there was another one with him.”
“You must have quite a lot to tell me, then.”
Cha Jung-kyung delayed his answer and gave the officer a signal with his eyes.
“Could you give us the room?”
“Yes, my lord!”
Once the officer withdrew, Cha Jung-kyung dropped into a chair with a heavy sigh.
“Phew…”
“Speak. What happened? Everything.”
“Well…”
Cha Jung-kyung confessed everything honestly. When he finished, Yi Hwan’s gaze turned sharp.
They recognized the Soul-Severing Technique and even mentioned the Sword King?
Men just as important as the wandering swordsman who had taught Cha Jung-kyung the technique had appeared.
“That’s not all, is it?”
“They plan to use me to get to you, my lord.”
Cha Jung-kyung took something from his robe and set it on the table—a very small wooden box.
“Open it.”
Inside was a pill smaller than a fingernail.
“They told me to mix this into your tea or wine. They said it’s colorless and odorless, so you’d never notice.”
“And?”
“That’s all.”
“They just gave you this and let you go?”
“Of course not.”
Cha Jung-kyung sighed again and continued.
“They placed a restriction on my body. They said they’d come back at the appointed time to remove it, but if I disobeyed or showed any strange signs, I’d cough up a mouthful of blood and die.”
Song Hoe, who had been listening silently, stepped forward.
“You can’t trust him. There’s definitely more to this.”
“I’m not hiding anything.”
“And why should we believe you?!”
“Stand down, Captain.”
“…Understood.”
Once Song Hoe stepped back, Yi Hwan asked again.
“Why confess so easily? If I were you, I’d just do as they said.”
“Do you think they’d really let me live after that? They’re plotting to kill a prince, my lord. People like that wouldn’t hesitate to wipe me and everyone connected to me off the map. I’d rather take my chances with you.”
The sincerity in his voice made Yi Hwan refill his cup.
Glug.
“Have a drink.”
“I’m not in the mood.”
“Drink.”
“…Yes, my lord.”
Reluctantly, Cha Jung-kyung emptied the cup.
Yi Hwan smiled faintly.
“Not bad. It’s not easy to keep such a cool head when your life’s on the line.”
“I just want to survive.”
“You won’t die.”
“In any case, I’m supposed to meet them again in three days. Please find a way to save me. My life’s in your hands now.”
“There’s no restriction on you.”
“…What?”
“They didn’t place any kind of binding on you.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I know. If I say it’s not there, it’s not.”
Yi Hwan downed his drink in one go.
Clack!
Song Hoe stepped forward.
“Shouldn’t we use him to catch them?”
“We will. But not yet.”
“Why not?”
There was no reason to risk it in the current situation. It would be better to use the time to build up his internal energy as much as possible.
Besides, they didn’t yet know if the men who had kidnapped Cha Jung-kyung were enemies or potential allies.
“You’re sure there’s no restriction?”
“Didn’t you say you’d trust me?”
“Yes.”
“Then trust me. If you die before I find that wandering swordsman, it’ll cause me no end of trouble. Why would I lie?”
At that, Cha Jung-kyung’s face brightened, followed by a burst of curses.
“Ha! That son of a—!”
“Rookie.”
“…What?”
“Dropping that ring was clever.”
Heh.
“I’m not completely without brains.”
The next morning, Yi Hwan returned to the military camp.
He stared at the wooden box Cha Jung-kyung had brought.
So I’ve come across Ten-Thousand-Li Pursuit Fragrance here…
The Ten-Thousand-Li Pursuit Fragrance was an incense that allowed one to track and locate a person—even if they were thousands of li away—for as long as a year.
“Ten thousand li” was an exaggeration, but the name wasn’t undeserved—it really did cling for a tremendous distance, making it extremely useful for pursuing or spying on someone.
And because it was so effective, it was expensive and rare.
What to do with it…
Yi Hwan thought for a moment before quickly deciding.
Glug.
He poured another cup of tea. In the mornings, Song Hoe always brewed a large pot for him.
Yi Hwan broke the pill in half, dropped it into the cup, and waited for it to dissolve. It melted away almost instantly, leaving no change in color.
“Captain.”
Song Hoe entered.
“Have a drink.”
“I’m fine.”
“Are you refusing my goodwill?”
“…Then I’ll gladly accept.”
Song Hoe drank the tea with the tracking fragrance in it.
“I haven’t been able to raise your pay for quite a while, have I?”
“That’s fine. I’m satisfied as I am.”
“No, you’ve served me well. It’s only right to give you a little more.”
“Thank you, my lord!”
“Drink it while it’s hot—the fragrance loses its edge when it cools.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Near the Yan Kingdom’s military camp, a man and a blue-robed figure stood overlooking the base.
“Do you think it worked?”
“It wasn’t exactly difficult.”
“But he might have had a change of heart.”
“Throw away his life for an enemy prince who captured him? Ridiculous.”
“Understood. Then I’ll begin.”
The blue-robed figure took something from his robes—a small white-furred fox.
Yip yip!
The fox licked his face.
“Go check for the pursuit fragrance.”
Yip yip!
The fox shot off toward the camp.
Half an hour later, it returned.
Yip yip!
It leapt into the man’s arms, and after looking into its eyes, the blue-robed man grinned.
“He did it!”
The man’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“Then all we have to do is wait for him to leave the camp or go on a mission.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Find us a good place to stay.”
“Yes!”
The man watched his companion disappear into the forest, then turned his gaze back to the camp.
If the Fourth Prince’s in-laws really carry the Sword King’s bloodline… I’ll have to confirm it. I hope they do…
Deep in his pupils, a faint murderous light flickered.
But if not… I’ll have to kill him.
Even a peerless master wouldn’t be able to get inside here. Which means they’ll wait until I leave the camp or go on a mission.
The Southern Corps had tens of thousands of warriors stationed there.
A top-tier master might be able to take on hundreds, but against tens of thousands, sheer numbers would prevail.
If I wait, they’ll come to me eventually.
Yi Hwan resumed his internal cultivation.
His quarters, deep in the heart of the camp, were rarely visited even by officers, making it easy to focus entirely on recovering his strength.
Days passed.
In that time, Peng Mu-wi came by twice, only to leave empty-handed again.
Meanwhile, in General Hwang Ho’s command tent, the officers gathered for a strategy meeting to retake a position they had recently lost. Peng Mu-wi was quick to speak up.
“My unit will take the vanguard!”
Hwang Ho didn’t object—after all, their purpose in coming here was to face the Black Tiger Unit.
But the other officers’ looks toward Peng Mu-wi were far from friendly. His arrogance was one reason, but more importantly, everyone knew he enjoyed the protection of the Second Prince, and no one wanted to be dragged into political trouble.
Jeong Cheon, who hated politics, didn’t even look at him.
At the end of the meeting, Peng Mu-wi asked,
“Will the prince be joining this operation?”
“That’s for him to decide—it’s not our place to say.”
“A shame. I’ve heard he’s displayed remarkable skill lately, and I’m very curious to see it for myself.”
“Have you paid your respects yet?”
“Not yet. I can’t get in—his guards won’t let me.”
“Go see him when you can. Ask him your questions directly. Now, let’s end the meeting here—everyone, get ready.”
The officers returned to their tents.
Peng Mu-wi walked back with his bodyguard. As they passed, he glanced toward Yi Hwan’s quarters.
“That’s the Black Tiger member the prince captured?”
He was looking at Cha Jung-kyung doing chores in the yard.
“Yes. For some reason, the prince took him in, so no one dares touch him.”
“A man who’s shown no real skill suddenly shines on the battlefield and even takes in an enemy soldier? Suspicious.”
“Should we rough him up when we get the chance?”
“Yes. Just make sure the prince doesn’t find out. Weak or not, he’s still a prince.”
“Understood.”
Back in his tent, Peng Mu-wi told the Peng family warriors to prepare for deployment and changed into his armor. The ornament on his chest piece glittered in the sunlight.
Stroking it, he smiled in satisfaction.
“I will become the commander here and serve both the Empress and the Second Prince.”
Then—
“General, the prince has sent for you.”
He sent for me?
Peng Mu-wi composed his face into one of stern dignity.
“Let him in.”
The flap opened, and Song Hoe entered.
“The prince sends his regards. He regrets that he hasn’t been able to see you despite your several visits. He invites you for tea.”
Refused me before, and now suddenly invites me for tea?
Peng Mu-wi smirked inwardly.
“Very well. I must leave for the operation soon, but if the prince asks, of course I’ll go.”
Wearing full armor and helmet, he went to meet Yi Hwan.
Moments later, they sat facing each other.
“I hear you came three times.”
“I thought you were busy, so I left.”
He didn’t dare say he’d been turned away.
“How is your elder brother?”
“He’s well.”
The words elder brother tasted bitter—he had never addressed anyone that way in his life, though others had called him so.
“Have some tea.”
“Thank you.”
Peng Mu-wi knew his tea, so he made a show of savoring the aroma and sipping slowly.
Clack.
“This tea is exquisite. I’m honored by such a fine offering.”
“Really? That’s just something you can buy in a roadside inn. Glad you like it. I’d serve better, but I’m short on money.”
“…I see.”
Yi Hwan suddenly asked,
“What are you here for?”
“I’m only following orders from above. Soldiers like us go where we’re told.”
“I’ve seen people lurking around at night. Were they yours?”
“Why would I do that? Absolutely not.”
Inside, Peng Mu-wi flinched.
How did he notice? I sent only my best men…
“As long as it wasn’t you. Well then, until next time.”
“…?”
Yi Hwan went back inside, leaving Peng Mu-wi baffled.
He calls me over when I’m busy, only to send me away like that…
