Chapter 32
Reunion
At the Pavilion of Biwol.
Several sheets of paper were handed to Wolju Gomi.
Seated before her was a young man—the Vice Lord of Biwol.
“I’ve written down everything you instructed. But… are you truly going to the Southern Corps?”
“It is His Highness the Crown Prince’s command. I must follow.”
Gomi scanned the documents.
To her surprise, they contained detailed information on the key figures of the Southern Corps. Among them were not only Peng Muwi but also Yeongho Chung.
“Well done.”
Tucking the papers into her robes, Gomi rose. With every movement, the clang of armor only heightened her commanding presence.
The Vice Lord followed behind.
When they stepped into the courtyard, the waiting warriors bowed their heads.
Gomi frowned faintly when her gaze fell upon a carriage waiting at the main gate.
“I’ll be riding. Move the carriage.”
“It’s a long journey, my lady. Would it not be wiser to take the carriage?”
“If I want to arrive quickly, horseback is best.”
“…Understood.”
Moments later, one of her warriors led forth her beloved steed. Gomi mounted in one smooth motion, then glanced back at her men.
“While I’m gone, the Vice Lord will lead in my stead.”
“Yes, my lady. Please take care on your journey.”
That was the extent of the farewell.
At Gomi’s signal, she spurred her horse past the gate, and the warriors bound for the Southern Corps followed after.
How long had they been riding when Gomi suddenly pulled on the reins?
A general approached from the front—the Commander of the Crown Prince’s Guards.
“You leave already?”
“Yes. The order was given; I must move without delay. But what brings you here, General?”
The man held out a small bundle.
“His Highness entrusted me with this for you. Guard it well—it spoils with time. Deliver it swiftly.”
“I understand.”
As Gomi passed the bundle to one of her subordinates, a whispering voice entered her ear through sound transmission.
[The Imperial Guards have already departed for the Southern Corps. Take care on the road.]
“…!”
At the mention of the Imperial Guards, Gomi’s eyes turned icy.
She gave the general a shallow nod, then dug her heels into her horse’s flanks.
The general watched her retreating figure, brow furrowing.
“The Southern Corps will be in turmoil soon…”
For the ordinary soldiers, Ihwan was still much the same as before.
In fact, it was Cheol Muok and Gongson Tae who had become the new objects of awe. The overwhelming power they had displayed during the pursuit had left deep impressions.
But for commanders like Hwangho, Ihwan was no longer the same man.
Especially after learning that he had slain Zhao’s Grand Commander, both Hwangho and Jeongcheon held genuine respect for him.
Even the choices Ihwan made in the heat of battle—decisive and flawless—had shifted their perception of him.
The Southern Corps, after surviving its trial by fire, enjoyed several days of peace.
Zhao had taken no action, preoccupied with the funeral of their Grand Commander.
As always, Ihwan devoted himself to cultivation. Though Yi So’s spirit pill had restored much of his inner power, it was still far from enough.
“Huu…”
After finishing his session, Ihwan stepped outside to cool his heated body.
Cha Jungkyung was sitting outside. His face still bore traces of illness, but he had recovered enough to move about.
Ihwan sat beside him.
“Feeling any better?”
“Feels like dying, honestly. Especially when I try to relieve myself—feels like my stomach will tear open.”
Jungkyung had never been one to mince words. Then, quite suddenly, he asked:
“Why are you treating me so well?”
“That’s sudden.”
“You already have the Face-Splitting Technique. Even without me, you could find your way.”
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
“I’m no master. Until recently I was the most hated man in the Southern Corps—a Black Tiger soldier of Zhao. Unless you’re using me for some purpose, you have no reason to care for me at all.”
“Then become strong. Work hard enough that you can be of use to me.”
“….”
Clap!
Ihwan set a hand on his shoulder.
“Thanks to you, I’ve gained wealth and helped your sister’s family. Isn’t that reason enough?”
Before Jungkyung could reply, Songhoe entered the tent, dripping with sweat from training.
“Troops have just arrived from the capital. Again, sent from Prince Yi Hwang.”
“How many?”
“Just over a hundred, they say.”
“All from Yi Hwang’s side?”
“Yes. General Jeongcheon confirmed it.”
Ihwan’s brow creased.
“So the Crown Prince’s people will arrive soon as well. The game is only getting bigger…”
Then—
“Whoa! A woman!”
Jungkyung’s eyes sparkled wide, his illness forgotten.
Ihwan turned. Entering the camp was a column of soldiers, led by none other than Gomi.
“She’s really a woman, right?”
“Still out of your mind.”
Smack!
“Guh!”
Songhoe cuffed him on the head.
Ihwan’s eyes fixed on the woman at the front. But strangely, she seemed to be alone.
“Didn’t Yi So say more people would be sent? Surely Biwol alone isn’t all?”
At that moment, Gomi turned her head. Across the distance, their eyes met.
She urged her horse faster.
Thud-thud-thud!
“Ah! That’s the woman we saw in the capital!”
Smack!
“Argh!”
“Shut it, you brat. Sword through the gut and your mouth’s the only thing still working.”
“Come on! You’ll knock my brains loose!”
“Can’t get worse than they already are.”
“What’s wrong with my head? Back in Zhao, I was known for my clever tricks!”
Smack!
“Some talent, that.”
“Commander.”
Gomi bowed low to Ihwan. Behind her, Biwol’s warriors did the same.
“So we meet again.”
“I trust you’ve been well.”
“It’s only been days. Still, it’s good to see you again. Let’s work well together.”
“Yes. I’ll pay my respects again later.”
Bowing once more, she turned toward the command tent.
Songhoe frowned.
“Why would the Crown Prince send Biwol, an intelligence bureau?”
“They must have their reasons.”
Only the highest generals knew of Biwol’s arrival. Ihwan hadn’t even told his closest aides.
“How’s the training?”
“Going well. Everyone’s working hard, desperate to learn as much as possible. The centurions are especially strict on themselves, even more so than the new recruits.”
“No wonder. Muok’s display of power was… overwhelming. Keep at it.”
“Yes, Commander. Then, I’ll return to the drill grounds.”
Before leaving, Songhoe smacked Jungkyung’s head again.
Smack!
“Guh!”
Jungkyung glared daggers at him.
“One day, I’ll—”
That evening, Gomi visited Ihwan.
He welcomed her with a fine meal of the best cuts of meat and good wine.
Before she even lifted her chopsticks, she spoke.
“Prince Yi Hwang has dispatched many Imperial Guardsmen here.”
“I know.”
“…Excuse me?”
“The Crown Prince warned me beforehand. That’s why you and Biwol were sent.”
“Ah. I see.”
From her robes, she produced another bundle of papers.
“What’s this?”
“Information on the key officers of the Southern Corps. General Hwang said you should have it.”
When Ihwan unfolded the sheets, the tiny script filled every corner, leaving no space blank.
He couldn’t help but be impressed.
“She worked mostly in the capital, yet she knows this much about the Southern Corps…”
“Useful.”
He tucked the papers away and refilled her cup.
Ssshh—
“Have you ever seen real battle?”
“Not war, but I have fought in bandit-suppressing campaigns.”
“And your companions?”
“Yes. They’re all seasoned veterans. They won’t be a burden. Ah—”
She gestured toward the soldier at the door. He stepped forward with a bundle.
“His Highness wished this to be delivered to you.”
“Truly thoughtful.”
Ihwan allowed himself a faint laugh as he unwrapped it.
Inside was an elegant container. Opening the lid, he found—tea leaves.
“Dragon Well Tea?”
Yi So’s favorite. A folded note lay atop it.
The words within were simple encouragement.
“Surely this isn’t another item to boost inner power…”
“Do you like tea?”
“Just a little, yes.”
“Then take it.”
Gomi blinked in shock.
“I—I cannot accept a gift meant for you, Commander!”
“I’m not fond of Dragon Well. The aftertaste doesn’t suit me. Take it.”
“….”
Dragon Well had grown rarer than gold in recent poor harvests. To receive it was no small burden, but with Ihwan offering, she could hardly refuse.
“…Thank you, Commander.”
“Enough talk of burdens. Eat.”
“Yes.”
Meanwhile, in Peng’s quarters—
Peng Muwi, Yeongho Chung, and a man named Janghan sat together.
“We need a full report of the current situation,” Janghan said. “Down to the smallest details.”
“What sort of details?”
“Your relationship with General Hwangho, the officers loyal to him, any peculiar events in recent battles. That sort of thing.”
“All that, in a report?”
“Of course. That’s why I was sent.”
This man was Mo Jaehwang, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards.
In Yan, the Imperial Guards were led by a Grand Commander, assisted by several deputies, with Guardsmen beneath them.
He continued:
“The excuse of replenishing losses is no longer valid. The rest is up to you, Left General.”
Peng Muwi’s face darkened.
It sounded like a warning.
“Hrmm.”
Clearing his throat, Peng began to explain at length. Mo Jaehwang listened silently.
Only when Ihwan’s name arose did his eyes glint.
“There are such men at his side?”
“Exactly. Find out who they are.”
“Understood. Every officer’s registry lists place of origin and background. I’ll begin at once. But you’ll need to secure the registry for me.”
“Fine.”
“Anything else?”
“That’s all. If I recall more, I’ll tell you.”
“Very well. One more thing, then.”
He looked between Peng and Yeongho Chung.
“How is the Commander?”
“That’s vague.”
“Let me rephrase: has he been acting strangely? Meeting often with General Hwangho? Treating us differently?”
Yeongho asked bluntly.
“Were you ordered to watch him?”
“Yes. He visited the Crown Prince’s palace recently. But he did not pay respects to Her Majesty or Prince Yi Hwang before leaving.”
“You think something’s going on between him and the Crown Prince?”
“Exactly.”
Peng and Yeongho exchanged uneasy looks.
They both knew Ihwan had changed, but when pressed for odd behavior, nothing clear came to mind.
Peng muttered darkly.
“Other than making a fool of me…”
“What do you mean, fool of you?”
Peng explained the incident—sharing tea, then later falling ill with humiliating diarrhea before battle. His face burned with fury as he spoke.
When he finished, Mo Jaehwang’s eyes narrowed.
“So—your first meeting, you shared tea. Then before battle, you suddenly suffered? You suspect he poisoned it?”
“I’m certain of it. Look into it.”
“…Understood. Anything else?”
“Nothing. Yeongho?”
“Nothing here.”
Mo Jaehwang rose.
“If anything else comes to mind, inform me. Until then.”
When he left, Yeongho’s face turned grave.
“Frankly, I don’t see why they sent the Imperial Guards. What role can men trained to catch criminals play on a battlefield?”
“Seems they’re here to watch us. Perhaps a warning—that we could be replaced at any moment.”
“Could be. In that case, you’ll need to be very careful.”
Smack!
Peng slammed his hand on the table.
“If only Her Majesty would appoint me Grand Commander outright, this would all be settled!”
“Even she cannot go that far. Still…”
Yeongho frowned.
“…Strange, isn’t it? The Deputy Commander never paid respects to the Commander today.”
