As Prophet - Chapter 196



Only Noblemtl

Episode 196. Eun-myeon and Il-sung-gun

“You came out of Hanyang! If you hadn’t come out and waited inside, I could have scolded them.”

The goat-bearded Ilseonggun was impressed by Eunmyeon’s words.

“But it was more important to meet Khan and complete the negotiations.”

“So, if only I had come out, it would have been fine, but I ended up leading everyone out and that’s how it turned out. I thought Hanyangseong would be easy to conquer because it was a flat castle, but that was a mistake.”

“No. It was easy at first, but it became difficult as they quickly prepared. At first, there were less than 2,000 troops. We had to recruit urgently.”

“Where did you get two thousand cavalry? And the navy?”

“But the difference in forces is significant. If one place collapses, it’s over. It’s a matter of collapsing one side of the dam. Don’t be too impatient. The outcome will be decided tonight.”

“Please take command of the Amro side.”

“Loyalty!”

Meanwhile, as darkness fell, Nohoraha Special Forces sent a special force to destroy the defensive equipment in front of the castle.

“Approach stealthily when it is dark and remove the obstacles in front of the castle.”

“Loyalty!”

“Arrows may rain down, so cover your front with your shield and approach carefully, taking them out one by one.”

“Loyalty!”

“The more you avoid being caught, the more you can eliminate.”

“Loyalty!”

Even after shouting loyalty three times, she still kept on making demands. It was the old man’s worry. Nothing would change even if she said a hundred more words… … . There were too many problems, and she couldn’t stop various thoughts from coming to her mind one after another. It was a typical worry of an old man who had many worries and no brain to weigh the pros and cons of each issue at once. If she spoke one or two words sincerely, they would become demands, but after three or more, all of her words would turn into nagging. Nohoraha Special Agent tried not to cross that delicate line and told her to open a path to attack when the gates opened. She had to do it when the darkness was on her side.

* * *

Ilseong-gun advanced toward the southern courtyard of Heunginjimun. The darkness, the light of the torches, and the shadows of the castle walls were eerie. Even though it was where I lived, it felt strange and unfamiliar when I turned around and looked at it from a different angle. The shadows cast by the armor hanging on the castle walls were eerie and grotesque. Only the places where the lights were on were bright, and the areas between them were covered in darkness.

A group of workers dressed in black were approaching the entrance to the dark room. They had placed straw mats in places where they could easily be seen, and they were very careful not to break the silence that ruled the darkness of the night. Ilseong-gun stood there and encouraged the workers who were putting in their work.

“Be careful not to make any noise. There’s a guy over there with sharp eyes and ears.”

“They say he is a true man. We know that.”

“That little brat is ruining our work.”

“Yes. We have to catch it and kill it somehow, but it’s too strong.”

“There will be a chance.”

“Do you have any thoughts?”

“Poison! Even if you are strong in martial arts, it’s still a human body. I’m thinking about weakening it with poison and then attacking it.”

“Oh, as expected, it’s Ilseong-gun!”

“He told me to find someone who is good at poisoning.”

The man was delighted.

“Please hurry up and help. Many people have been injured and killed. The number of masters has decreased drastically.”

“It should be possible tomorrow.”

“Even if we open the gate and go in, if that guy is there, the damage to our troops will be great. Where did such a person come from?”

“There are bound to be people stronger than us. It’s a shame we didn’t take that into account. It was a variable we didn’t have. You should focus on opening up the dark path!”

“Yes. Thirty people went in first.”

“Be careful, the ground is soft.”

“What about Prince Ilseong?”

“I’ll wait here! If you need anything, just contact me and I’ll prepare it right away.”

“Loyalty!”

The conversation between the two ended. Sitting down in a large yard where there were three or four small houses, life was leisurely. My mind was complicated, but since my body didn’t have to move, my mind also became leisurely after a while. Countless thoughts came to mind at any given time. Various things came to mind that I had to do, so I got up, walked around here and there, and sat down on the veranda again. Two subordinates ran over and told me about the underground situation. They said that they were reinforcing the wet areas, and if I didn’t hurry, it might collapse. According to the spies in the castle, they said that the bastards seemed to be preparing to abandon the castle.

Ilseong-gun tilted his head.

“why?”

It’s not something to ask the person who told you the news. But it’s something that comes out anyway because I don’t think it’s possible.

“We have cleared the road to Sungnyemun and prepared many horses.”

“You’re leaving? How? Where? Is there a boat?”

“The northern part of the riverbank is completely empty, but it looks like a boat will come if you call.”

“It’s called the rabbit’s three caves. There must be another plan.”

* Kyoto Three Caves: A cunning rabbit digs three burrows. 『Records of the Grand Historian』, Biography of Meng Shangjun.

“The king’s carriage has already left Hanyang.”

“moore?”

Ilseong-gun, who heard the news late, jumped up.

“Why are you talking about it now!”

We couldn’t speak loudly because the wall was close, but we could hear what was happening not far away.

“I told you earlier, but it seems like you didn’t hear because the situation was so urgent.”

“When? Where?”

“Late in the afternoon, the king’s procession came out of Sungnyemun Gate, and it was confirmed that they had even boarded a boat.”

“Baera… … Hmm. Are you going to Namhansanseong?”

“I asked you to confirm. It seems that they didn’t let anyone speak while they were leaving. They didn’t go to Songpa Ferry. They went down the river, so I think it was Ganghwa Island. Ganghwa Island is also where the concubines were evacuated first.”

“Oh my! To have decided to move the capital while protecting the castle so well? It seems that even the king is not in his right mind.”

Ilseong-gun came out of the entrance and headed towards Eun-myeon’s tent. He moved quickly and reported again, and Eun-myeon fell into deep sorrow.

“The king abandoned Hanyangseong! Oh my! He really isn’t the king. We have to protect it somehow, thinking of abandoning the castle. Aren’t they barely harmed right now?”

“Still, the power difference is big.”

“The casualties are greater on our side. The advance party was annihilated, and over 2,000 people died on their way. Hundreds died in the firefight in front of the castle walls, so now about 5,000 people have disappeared overnight. They don’t know that their clothes are getting wet in the drizzle.”

“Yes, the loss of troops is greater than expected.”

Ilseong-gun agreed and Eun-myeon continued speaking.

“How can it be that they are not helplessly being attacked, but are responding with a strategy?”

“I agree with your words. Each response is very organized and effective, causing damage. To be honest, I am very worried. Isn’t the powerful Northern Army being badly defeated? And our damage is not small. To be honest, I am quite worried.”

The silver-faced man’s face trembled slightly. I don’t want to admit it, but quite a few people have died and been injured. Based on the combat power, more than half of the unmanned units have already disappeared. They were experts, so the number of dead was not large, but many were injured.

“The new king will not have that ability, and he must be a Jinin. We can assume that he received the highest position under the name of Wangsa and moved the generals and officials. The king gave him authority… … . When I heard the story of how he ran the academy, I heard that he taught not only martial arts but also martial arts, and taught strategy and tactics.”

“That’s right. It was our fault for not including him in the variables.”

“I agree. We should have focused on killing the bastard instead of trying to kill the general.”

“Yes.”

“It’s not too late. Come up with a plan now.”

“Okay. Then, how do we deal with emptying Hanyangseong?”

“If they’re preparing, isn’t this a chance to eat Hanyangseong raw? I wish we could turn that into our achievement. Moving the capital to Ganghwa… … Oh my, what are you going to do by being stuck on that island? The new king is nothing special either.”

Nothing comes to mind. It would be better to run away and escape. Why would you run away while causing harm instead of doing it from the beginning?

Ilseong-gun bowed his head.

“Your Majesty, you must ascend to the throne quickly. Then things will be put right.”

“After recovering Hanyangseong, we must first occupy the royal palace.”

“I have told you clearly.”

“We must let the generals of the Yeojin army become our guests.”

“Loyalty!”

The two men were filled with anticipation at the fact that the men were preparing to escape despite the difficult and urgent situation. They thought that if they could just capture Hanyangseong, all their problems would be solved. They seemed to think that the fortress was the country. They thought that the streets, houses, and buildings were the country.

* * *

Behind Dalcheon, who was sitting on the gate tower where the evening light was slanting, a halo shone softly. It was clearly a human body, but it was not like the halo erected behind the golden Buddha, but the light was shining through. The people standing around were startled by the soft feeling and glanced at it.

Baek Yi-jeong put her fingertips to her lips to hide when she appeared. When she made one of the people blocking her way come out, Dal-cheon, who was sitting facing west, smiled brightly and rubbed his hands.

“It’s tea.”

“Huh? No, what kind of car?”

“I thought it would end soon, so I left it to lukewarm analysis.”

“Oh, in the midst of the chaos of the battlefield, you’re here.”

“There are people who meditate in the middle of a battlefield.”

“Haha ahaha.”

“How about the enemy?”

“Stay far away and prepare to camp.”

Dalcheon looked into the distance and licked his lips.

“I really wish I had cavalry.”

“You really want to run and hit me.”

“Whew. It is said that during the reign of King Taejo, they were able to mobilize 100,000, no, 150,000 heavy cavalrymen. They were practically invincible.”

“The generals are waiting.”

“why?”

“Everyone is wondering. What should we do now?”

“What about Miss Baek?”

“Whenever I have time, I look far away and look for you, but I can’t find my father.”

“You have to give up. You have crossed a river from which there is no return.”

“I really don’t understand why you did that.”

“There must have been some compelling reason to help the enemy. Life can never be free as long as there are things that cannot be helped.”

“sorry.”

Baek Yi-jeong bowed her head.

“You have no reason to be sorry, ma’am.”

“This is my father.”

“Focus on the life ahead of you.”

“We are family.”

It wasn’t hard for Dalcheon, who had no family, to understand. It was just a pity. It was something he couldn’t do for her. Dalcheon’s mouth twitched.

[Transmission] ‘They will be targeting tonight. If possible, escape through Sungnyemun Gate. Do not use Donuimun Gate. There may be some guys trying to block the procession to Mapo beyond that.’

It was a pity that he had to secretly convey the message through a telegram even though he was nearby. Baek I-jeong lowered her head and slipped away.

“People are waiting.”

There was no need to go far. They had set up a large military tent in the wide courtyard below Heunginjimun Gate and were gathered inside. Quite a few soldiers had gathered and were discussing nighttime defense operations. When Dalcheon came down, they stood up and bowed, which was clearly different from before. The noise of muttering in unseen places had decreased, and I could see their sincerity in following their hearts.

Although he didn’t speak, he was a Dalcheon who could hear everything that others were saying. If I reacted to every whisper behind his back, I would be the only one who was considered bad. I couldn’t react to every single evaluation, rumor, or attitude of people who were against my will. I just used it to figure out what people were thinking. It was the same with meetings. Even if I didn’t attend the meetings, I could hear their discussions. This is because my intelligence was different from that of ordinary people. So I went even though I didn’t have to.