Chapter 9
An Unexpected Guest
The Yan army set out to reclaim the stronghold they had lost.
However, once again, they failed to take it back and returned with nothing but heavy casualties.
What made the defeat sting even more was that Zhao had not even dispatched their elite Black Tiger Corps this time. The atmosphere among the generals was bleak and heavy.
From the tent of Commander-in-Chief Hwang Ho, angry shouts could be heard one after another. Eventually, after quite some time, the officers dispersed to their posts.
Pang Mu-wi, on his way back to his tent, had a face flushed red—partly from humiliation, partly from rage.
“Of all times… diarrhea…”
In this operation, he had failed to contribute in any meaningful way. The absurd reason was that he had suddenly been struck with a violent case of diarrhea.
Worse, it had hit him right before the battle began, forcing him to retreat without even getting a proper chance to fight.
The officers’ resentment naturally turned toward Pang Mu-wi.
Every man had a role in the operation, and Pang Mu-wi’s was crucial. Because he failed to perform it, the planned coordination fell apart, leading directly to the mission’s failure.
Gurgle…
“…!”
Pang Mu-wi bolted toward his tent like a man possessed. He smashed open the latrine door, yanked down his trousers, and—
“Ahhh…”
A short while later, he returned to the tent and summoned the soldiers in charge of the mess hall, beating them with his fists and kicking them without restraint.
After the storm passed, the soldiers began to grumble among themselves.
“Seriously, everyone else who ate the same food is fine. Why’s it only the Left General who got sick?”
“My point exactly. Damn it, he probably just stuffed himself too fast and upset his own stomach. Now he’s taking it out on us?”
“This is disgusting. I quit. Pfft!”
The mess soldiers had been relatively comfortable in their positions until Pang Mu-wi came along, so their resentment was even greater.
Meanwhile, Lee Hwan heard the outcome of the mission from Song Hoe.
When he heard that Pang Mu-wi had been rendered useless due to a sudden attack of diarrhea, Lee Hwan’s lips curled into a faint smile.
So… my little trick worked perfectly, did it?
Through the window, Lee Hwan glanced toward Pang Mu-wi’s tent. Sure enough, Pang Mu-wi was rushing out, clutching his backside.
When your skin clears up, you can thank me… hehehe.
Cha Jung-gyeong, watching the scene, muttered,
“Why would he suddenly get diarrhea?”
“Just look at him—he’s the type who eats a lot. Bet he just overdid it.”
Song Hoe answered absentmindedly, then suddenly remembered himself and shot Cha Jung-gyeong a glare.
“Didn’t I tell you not to talk to me?”
“I was just talking to myself, sir.”
“You little punk, always talking back, aren’t you?”
Lee Hwan cut in.
“Hey, you two. Quit the noise and go prepare dinner.”
“Yes, sir.”
Lee Hwan stepped outside and settled into a rocking chair woven from bamboo.
The sun was setting, painting the world in shades of crimson. Watching the soldiers training in that red light brought back memories of his own subordinates from another lifetime.
Daeyaseong Fortress… an immortal legend he and his men had built together.
Those were glorious days…
The memories of those times flickered through his mind like scenes on a lantern reel, vivid as if they had happened only yesterday.
A faint smile touched his lips.
But that moment of warmth did not last. The reality of his current situation—erased without a trace—wiped away the visions.
Damn it…
Crack!
Without realizing it, his grip tightened, and the armrest of the chair shattered in his hand.
Thud thud thud…
Just then, he noticed three figures approaching from the distance: General Jeong Cheon and two men in white robes.
One of them he didn’t recognize. The other was obscured behind Jeong Cheon.
Song Hoe, stepping out at that moment, tilted his head.
“Who’s that?”
“Did I have an appointment with anyone today?”
“No, sir.”
The white-robed man who had been hidden behind Jeong Cheon stepped to the side, revealing his face—and Lee Hwan couldn’t hide his surprise.
That man…
Lee Hwan had a younger sister. Like him, she had been born of a concubine. Frail from birth, she had never been treated as a true princess and had been married off in a political match, leaving the palace.
One of the approaching men was her husband.
Moments later, Jeong Cheon and the two white-robed men arrived.
Lee Hwan’s brother-in-law, the Commander of Imperial Sons-in-Law (Buma Dowi), bowed deeply, then gestured to the other man.
“This is my younger brother. Show your respect to the Grand Prince.”
“Song family’s Cheon-mu pays his respects to the Grand Prince.”
⋯⋯
In most cases, when the son of a noble house appeared on the front lines, there were only two reasons:
One—to achieve military merit and revive a declining family.
Two—because the law established by the founding emperor dictated that such men serve at the very front.
Song Cheon-mu fit both categories.
His elder brother, Song Cheon-ho, spoke.
“Though we were born to different mothers, he is my dearest brother in this world. That is why I have come all the way here with him. I ask you to look kindly upon him.”
Lee Hwan could sense the sincerity in Song Cheon-ho’s voice.
If the imperial princes had shown this kind of heart, this body’s original owner wouldn’t have suffered so much…
Thinking of the unfortunate fate of the body’s previous owner, Lee Hwan sipped his tea, then suddenly asked,
“Was it by chance?”
“Sir?”
“I’m asking if it was by chance that your younger brother came here.”
At the weight of the question, Song Cheon-ho’s eyes wavered slightly. He bit his lip, then admitted,
“I… made some requests to acquaintances of the family, hoping you might take him in.”
A frank admission.
Lee Hwan narrowed his eyes.
“Why would you entrust him to me? Of all people, you know my situation best. Surely you realize being at my side could be like walking into a thorn bush.”
“What does it matter what people say? My wife has always relied on you most. If she knew you had taken in my brother, my whole family—including myself—would be at peace.”
“Is that truly all?”
“How could I dare lie to you?”
Song Cheon-ho took out a sealed cylinder and handed it over.
Opening it, Lee Hwan found a letter inside.
Brother.
It was from his younger sister.
From beginning to end, the letter overflowed with her heartfelt concern for her elder brother. At the end, she earnestly asked that he take care of Song Cheon-mu.
A pang struck his chest.
This feeling was still unfamiliar to him—it wasn’t something he had ever possessed himself.
Tap.
“I wonder if my sister is doing well.”
“Fortunately, her health has improved a great deal. Otherwise, I would not have been able to come here.”
Lee Hwan turned his gaze to Song Cheon-mu.
From the start, the young man had kept his eyes down, unmoving.
“Cheon-mu, was it?”
“Yes, Grand Prince.”
“Do you want to stay by my side?”
“…”
When no answer came, Song Cheon-ho urged,
“Go on, tell him.”
“If I may speak frankly…”
“Go ahead.”
In a firm tone, Song Cheon-mu said,
“I do not believe in rumors. I trust my own eyes and ears—and above all, I trust my elder brother. If he wishes me to serve under you, I believe he has his reasons.”
Their eyes met in the air, locking.
Good eyes…
Lee Hwan suddenly found himself liking the young man.
In his own era, most of his best men had given him a similar feeling.
He looked back at Song Cheon-ho.
With someone like this, my sister won’t be unhappy.
His mood lifted.
Of course, this was not truly Lee Hwan’s emotion—it belonged to the body’s original owner.
I plan to leave once my cultivation is restored…
It was troublesome, but he couldn’t refuse Song Cheon-mu.
Well, I’ll keep him around for now and think about the rest later.
After all, having taken over this body and living a new life, he now owed the original owner’s sister a debt—and as a man who had once been supreme under heaven, he repaid his debts.
“Very well. You may stay by my side.”
“Thank you, sir!”
Song Cheon-ho bowed his head, though Song Cheon-mu’s expression did not change.
Lee Hwan gave a faint, amused snort.
Not exactly thrilled, is he?
Turning to Song Cheon-ho, he said,
“I’d like to have a word with him alone. Could you give us some space?”
“Of course.”
Once Song Cheon-ho had left, Lee Hwan regarded Song Cheon-mu lazily.
“Why don’t you just be honest now?”
“Sir?”
“From your expression, you don’t seem the least bit happy to be with me. Am I wrong?”
“… …”
After a pause, Song Cheon-mu spoke.
“I am honored to be with you, sir. But…”
“But?”
“I would rather fight in battle like the other warriors than live safely in the rear.”
So that was his real wish.
A small smile tugged at Lee Hwan’s lips.
“You want to win glory and make a name for yourself, hmm?”
“… …”
Only now did Lee Hwan realize—Song Cheon-mu was still young.
And that, he could understand.
“Have you trained diligently in martial arts?”
“Yes. I have worked hard since I was young for a day like this.”
“I’ll test your skills later. If I judge you fit for the battlefield, I’ll grant your wish. Until then, put aside any reckless ideas and focus on learning the ways of the camp.”
“Yes, Grand Prince.”
“May you stay in good health.”
Song Cheon-ho departed, patting his younger brother’s shoulder with misty eyes before leaving.
Kid, I’ve paid back part of my debt to you. And… it seems my sister married a good man, so I can rest easy.
Just then, Song Hoe approached.
“Are you truly going to keep him by your side?”
“Is there a problem?”
“Keeping a relative close could invite unfavorable talk.”
“I’ll handle that. Just make sure he adjusts well here.”
“Yes, sir.”
Cha Jung-gyeong came up from behind and asked,
“Where should I put him?”
“There’s no spare room, so let him share with you for now.”
“… …”
And so, Song Cheon-mu ended up sharing a room with Cha Jung-gyeong.
In Commander Hwang Ho’s tent.
Jeong Cheon poured hot water into a teacup.
“He says he’s taking the boy on as his bodyguard.”
“That’s fine. Better that than having some unrelated soldier suffer for it.”
“There may still be talk about him keeping a relative close.”
“Is his reputation really going to get any worse than it already is?”
“Well… true.”
The two men shared a faint smile and sipped their tea.
Jeong Cheon spoke again.
“Fortunately, the warriors’ opinion of the Left General is extremely poor. Many believe his diarrhea in the first mission was just an act.”
“And you call that fortunate… for my sake?”
“No, sir. I only meant…”
“Enough.”
Hwang Ho took a sip and continued.
“Just because he was sent by the Second Prince doesn’t mean we should judge with prejudice. As always—if a man is skilled, we acknowledge it. If not, he bears the responsibility. Understood?”
“Yes, General.”
“Look after the brother-in-law’s younger brother until he adjusts. And do it discreetly.”
“Yes, General.”
At that moment, the voice of the guard captain came from outside.
“General, the Grand Prince is here to see you.”
Hwang Ho and Jeong Cheon exchanged glances.
What brings him here at this hour?
No idea.
Hwang Ho rose, straightened his clothes, and opened the tent flap.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all. Please, come in.”
Lee Hwan took the seat of honor. Hwang Ho sat beside Jeong Cheon.
Locking eyes with Hwang Ho, Lee Hwan spoke.
“I have a favor to ask.”
