Chapter 44
The Ronin Who Came to the Southern Corps
Zhona Kingdom still showed no movement.
Thanks to this, Yeon Kingdom was able to quickly establish its military camp and reinforce defensive positions.
Then one day, amidst the calm days that could break at any moment, the guests Ihwan had been waiting for finally arrived.
They were from Cheolmuok’s faction.
Ihwan met them not at the camp but in the city. Though their numbers were small, they were reliable.
Until a suitable residence was arranged, Ihwan rented an entire inn in the city for them to stay in, rather than the military camp.
Meanwhile, Peng Muwi, who had assumed the position of chief strategist, visited Ihwan almost daily. Whenever a minor obstacle arose, he sought Ihwan’s advice, and whenever he followed it, everything went smoothly.
Because of this, Peng Muwi’s trust in Ihwan was becoming absolute.
It was the perfect success of brainwashing. Thanks to this, Ihwan no longer needed to use subtle manipulations.
As the evening approached, the sun beginning to set, Song Hoe and others returned to the barracks after training. They were drenched in sweat, steam rising from their bodies.
The days of harsh training had been grueling. Everyone endured it fiercely, and as time passed, even their gazes began to change.
The one who showed the fastest growth was Song Cheonmu, thanks to his outstanding comprehension and martial power.
“Have you memorized all the techniques?”
“Yes. I’m focusing on applying them now.”
Ihwan had blended his martial arts with the imperial palace techniques he received from Crown Prince Iso to create new forms.
Lately, everyone was practicing them. Only Cha Jungkyung, whose injuries hadn’t fully healed, still couldn’t train.
Soon, everyone gathered to eat.
Gongsun Tae joked,
“Wow! The dishes keep getting fancier! At this rate, I won’t envy a royal banquet!”
Indeed, the dishes were lavish, as Peng Muwi, completely devoted to Ihwan, had provided all the best ingredients.
Just as the meal was in full swing, Gomi arrived.
“Have you eaten?”
“Yes, just now.”
Gomi handed over a courier message.
“It’s from the Crown Prince’s palace.”
Ihwan opened the courier and pulled out a letter. Seeing his brows furrow, Song Hoe asked,
“Is it bad news?”
“They found the ronin, but he slipped away.”
“What? How did that happen…!”
Smack!
Gongsun Tae raised his voice and got a smack on the head from Cheolmuok.
Cheolmuok asked,
“When did this happen?”
“About six days ago.”
Ihwan read the letter again with regret. Cheolmuok and Gongsun Tae also looked clearly disappointed.
Gomi continued,
“There was a major clash between Jin and Zhona in the northern Jeongan of Guiju. Tens of thousands were casualties. Some of Zhona’s troops retreating a few days ago were likely due to this incident.”
“Wow! Tens of thousands? That’s almost a war! Who won?”
“Planning to intervene again?”
Smack!
“Ugh!”
Cheolmuok smacked Gongsun Tae’s head again.
Ihwan asked,
“How many troops retreated then?”
“Estimated about 10,000.”
A few days ago, the Zhona camp had noticed troops slipping away. The generals debated whether to attack, but Ihwan opposed it, preventing further disputes.
Ihwan looked directly at Gomi and asked,
“Is Jin conducting intelligence activities as well?”
“Yes. Not as much as Zhona, but our factions, including Dongchang and Cheolmuok, are active in Jin as well.”
“Find out the reason for the clash first, and report immediately if any unusual movements occur afterward.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Cheonmu.”
“Yes, commander.”
“Go to the kitchen, get some meat, and bring it to Wolju.”
“Yes.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll manage.”
“It’s for the hardworking warriors. Don’t refuse it.”
“…Thank you.”
Late at night, Ihwan visited Gomi’s barracks. Gomi, drinking tea alone, hurriedly changed clothes to greet him.
“Is it too late?”
“Yes.”
“….”
Ihwan was slightly taken aback by the blunt answer.
“I’ll prepare tea.”
Gomi went outside.
‘Still angry, huh?’
Soon they sat facing each other.
“The meat you gave us tonight was delicious. Everyone appreciated it.”
“Your Biwol has done more work than anyone else. No need for thanks.”
“Why did you come?”
“I had something on my mind. Some matters to discuss.”
Ihwan sipped tea and asked,
“Do you have ties with Gaebang?”
“No. Gaebang only operates in Zhona and Jin, so no personal connections. Though sometimes we forcibly extract information. Actually, the clash between Zhona and Jin was intelligence we obtained from them.”
“I see.”
“Why Gaebang all of a sudden…”
“Private matter. Hard to answer.”
Ihwan immediately asked something else:
“I want a manor near the imperial capital, somewhere free from Dongchang and Cheolmuok influence.”
“That’s not related to our duties.”
“Focus on ‘free from Dongchang and Cheolmuok.’ If such a place exists, Wolju would know it best.”
Gomi answered immediately:
“There’s no such area near the capital. The closer to the capital, the more active the two organizations will be.”
“Somewhere less so.”
Gomi thought for a moment and said,
“My family’s hometown is relatively quiet. Close to the capital, but few nobles live there, so the two organizations rarely go unless something unusual happens. There’s one more place.”
“Where?”
“The area where the princess resides.”
“That’s quite prosperous, isn’t it?”
“Yes. But as it’s a hub for merchant guilds, the two organizations can’t go freely. Money flows here, and they might get entangled in bribery schemes. Until a few years ago, such things happened frequently.”
Ihwan smiled wryly.
“So they plot schemes to undermine each other?”
“Yes. It has long been common knowledge inside the palace. Why do you want a manor?”
“I have some acquaintances who need a place to stay. Around ten people—if there’s a suitable place, I’d appreciate it.”
“I can’t guarantee, but I’ll try.”
Gomi sighed quietly as he watched Ihwan leave.
‘Now he’s asking for everything?’
Then Ihwan returned.
“Wolju’s house has empty rooms, doesn’t it? I can pay above market price.”
“No!”
Gomi blurted out before bowing hurriedly.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
“Just a suggestion. Forget it. See you tomorrow.”
Gomi frowned at his departing figure.
‘It was fine at first, but lately… not so much.’
Ihwan and Cheolmuok sat facing each other.
Cheolmuok’s eyes widened.
“You want to set up residence near the imperial capital?”
“Why that reaction?”
“Didn’t you say you’d establish power in the Southern Corps?”
“I said establish power, but not specifically the Southern Corps.”
“Must have misheard. But why near the capital? Won’t that cause trouble?”
“To properly support the crown prince’s ascent to emperor, it’s best to be close to the capital. Also, I want my faction, who has lived constrained by fate, to live in a good environment.”
At Ihwan’s words, Cheolmuok’s gaze trembled.
“…Thank you.”
“Just know it’s so.”
“Yes. Rest easy then.”
Cheolmuok stepped into the courtyard.
He felt pleased with Ihwan’s attitude of caring for his faction.
‘Everyone will be happy.’
Everyone had endured hardship in the shadows. Concealing status and ability completely was a challenge in itself.
“Phew…”
Looking up at the night sky, Cheolmuok exhaled deeply. Then, suddenly, he fixed his gaze on the forest ahead.
‘There was someone?’
He clearly saw a person atop a large tree. But when he looked again, they were gone.
‘Did Zhona send an assassin again?’
Then the door opened, and Gongsun Tae stepped out.
Squeak.
“What are you doing here?”
“Son Tae.”
“Yes?”
“I feel we need to guard our lord’s residence tonight. I’ll stay outside; you wait inside.”
“Did Zhona send an assassin?”
“I saw someone in the forest. Something feels off.”
“Understood.”
Swoosh.
The wind rattled the forest. The ronin swayed atop a slender branch.
‘Observing from there. Impressive.’
Almost discovered, the ronin quickly hid behind the branch.
‘This is the Fourth Prince’s barracks. Then the person must be his guard…’
The ronin, holding his sword against his chest, watched Cheolmuok and then scanned the barracks.
Torches lit the area, warriors stood in ironclad guard, but to the ronin, they seemed like scarecrows.
Yet Ihwan’s barracks felt different—thanks to Cheolmuok.
‘No need to rush. I have all the time in the world.’
Leaning against a bifurcated branch, the ronin took out a bottle of alcohol. The wind direction ensured the scent wouldn’t spread.
Gulp, gulp!
Even drinking, the ronin didn’t take his eyes off Cheolmuok. His nihilistic gaze soon held deep curiosity.
‘Only those who know the Tamhon technique know my face. So someone near the Fourth Prince must know it…’
Otherwise, they couldn’t have created the facial technique. The question was why the Fourth Prince sought him, even involving Dongchang.
‘If it’s Tamhon, they’re either friend or foe.’
Gulp, gulp!
The ronin’s gaze calmed.
‘If foe, even the emperor’s son must die.’
Whiiing!
Swoosh!
This morning, the dawn was unusually red.
The world beneath looked like a massive red flower.
As always, Ihwan began his morning with tea.
Thanks to the warmer weather, drinking tea outdoors felt luxurious.
Steam from the cup blurred his vision. Beyond it, he observed the opposite forest.
‘Zhona targeting me?’
Just now, Cheolmuok mentioned a possible Zhona assassin in the forest.
But no search was conducted. If an assassin were there, they wouldn’t still be.
‘Outwardly, I am still an incompetent commander. Yet they target me?’
He suddenly considered the possibility that information about him might have leaked to Zhona.
That was a serious problem—it meant an enemy spy was among his allies.
‘Even so, Jin’s chaos would prevent them from sending an assassin. So who would target me—or him?’
No one came to mind. The only concern was the Yeongho family, who surely held resentment after losing their head.
Ihwan’s gaze slowly turned to the Yeongho barracks.
Just then, one of their men stepped out and bowed to Ihwan. He had been chosen to lead the Yeongho faction in place of the deceased Yeongho Chung.
‘They don’t have the guts.’
Ihwan relaxed and continued enjoying his tea.
‘If they make a mistake, they’ll come to me themselves.’
