As Prophet - Chapter 208



Only Noblemtl

Episode 208. Become a vassal state of Joseon.

Nohoraha Special was filled with regret. At that time, after he narrowly escaped death, his master said this. People’s words are just like the wind that passes by. They are taken only when necessary, and even if they are the world’s best gold and jade, they are just passed over. Other people’s words are like tasteless side dishes on the table. Who would remember advice that they don’t want to hear?

“Whew. I regret that.”

“I won’t let you go. Just die here.”

Dalcheon, who was sitting on one side of the floor, tried to get up, but Nohoraha Teuk-ah shouted urgently.

“Please save me! No, how can I save you? Should I turn the army around?”

Dalcheon turned his head.

“What are you talking about! Just die!”

“Please save me.”

When I can’t move my body, my heart becomes more desperate.

“Okay, then.”

“How?”

“I wish we could become a vassal state of Joseon.”

“No, how… … .”

“We’re going to explore the North anyway. I hope there’s no war. That was our land originally. You were our people too. I’m telling you to become our people again.”

“The people… … .”

“I wish you would try to make it happen. What kind of Khan is a Khan who can’t even stop a war? Just die.”

Dalcheon turned around. Before he disappeared, Nohoraha Special Forces complained.

“I’ll do anything! Please spare me. Please spare me just this once.”

Dalcheon just turned his head.

“I left the castle empty on purpose. And all the commanders are dead. Why would I leave it empty? All the secret routes into Hanyang have been secured, and the loyalist forces that have risen up from all over the place will one day fill the castle. It may be tomorrow or the day after, but you will all die.

These gentlemen are polite people, but they are scary when they get angry. They are usually bad-tempered and can’t even handle the dog next door, but when they get angry, they fight without hesitation…

“You all won’t come back alive. It wouldn’t matter if I spared you. So just die.”

“I was wrong.”

“What, a country of brothers? Do you know why it’s a country of brothers?”

“Long ago, I was a citizen of Joseon. My ancestor was Kim Hambo*.”

* Wanyan Hambo (完? 函普) was the first chieftain of the Wanyan clan of the Fugan River and the progenitor of the Jin imperial family. He was also the son of Geum Jun (今俊) of the Goryeo person Geum Haeng (今幸). In 1136, he was posthumously honored as the progenitor Emperor Gyeongwon (景元皇帝), and in 1142, Hambo’s tomb was named Guangneung (光陵). The following year, in 1143, he was promoted to the progenitor Emperor Uiheon Gyeongwon (懿憲景元皇帝). He lived during the transition from Silla to Goryeo during the Later Three Kingdoms period, and in the “Sinrokgi” written by Mo Yao of the Southern Song Dynasty, it is said that Hambo came from Silla to Wanyan clan. According to the 『Geumsa』, Hambo was 60 years old when he left Goryeo.

“But why are you doing this?”

“I was wrong. I shouldn’t have done that, but I guess I was possessed by something.”

“That’s right. Since it happened a long time ago, you probably thought it had nothing to do with me now. You might not be a descendant of Kim Hambo.”

“No, that’s right.”

“But did you ignore that tradition so easily?”

“sorry.”

Even the Khan of the Jurchen is no different from a mere prisoner. He is vain, reckless, useless, and powerless.

“Can you persuade your subordinate generals?”

“I will do it. I will withdraw immediately.”

“But I can’t help but die. The wounds are gone.”

“Please show me the way.”

“If you get good treatment and rest well, you may not be able to live another year or two. You need to get good treatment. You can’t be saved by the prescriptions of some quack military doctor.”

“What should I do?”

“Go to Baekdu Mountain. You never know what you might find. Maybe you can find some magical herbs.”

“What’s wrong?”

Dalcheon rubbed the tip of his chin slightly and shook his head.

“That’s why I told you to live a good life. Of course, it wasn’t me who said it, but it was the teacher who told you to do so!”

“Friction with the Liaodong Commander-in-Chief was inevitable. We had no choice but to fight them in order to survive. This Yi Ije is truly terrifying. He ordered us to attack my wife’s clan, and my father was burning to death inside the castle, so I had to shoot a volley of arrows.”

“There’s no good in holding a grudge. Let’s go.”

“You said I was going to die anyway. Why don’t you let me go?”

“Because you’ll probably continue to torment this land while you’re still alive. Just die there. I’ll shut your mouth. If you have anything to say, speak up.”

“Please save me.”

The same words were repeated as if they were a warning sign. Only then did Dalcheon blurt out what he had wanted to say.

“Withdraw tonight, then.”

I came in tonight and I have to leave tonight!

“Can we do it tomorrow?”

“The nights are cold in the mountains. Think of the people shivering during that time. Well, since they are not your people, you probably don’t feel anything. The problem is the easygoing attitude of thinking that the misfortunes of distant places have nothing to do with you. It creates too many misfortunes.”

“I will go back.”

“There is no such thing as the seven bells and seven gold bars.”

* Seven Captives and Seven Golden Retrievers: A story about Zhuge Liang capturing Meng Huo, the king of the Nanman, seven times and then releasing him seven times.

“Of course.”

“The next time we meet, you’re dead. If you catch my eye, you’re dead.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Leave now!”

“All right.”

Dalcheon tapped Nohoraha’s shoulder, hit Myeongmunhyeol, and then massaged the acupoint on the back of his neck.

“Ugh.”

Dalcheon, who had released Nohoraha Special Forces, disappeared leisurely.

Nohoraha, who had experienced life and death in a short time, looked up blankly at the sky. No matter how precious something is, it is nothing in front of life. I am alive now. The time when I was as precarious as a light in the wind has passed.

“Oh my.”

When I got up, my legs were shaking. I opened the door and went out through the complicated alley. I rode the horse of the first soldier I encountered and headed to the main building of the palace.

* * *

The main camp was in chaos. Many commanders were dead or half-crippled. Those who were unable to fight or command lay like corpses. The Niru warriors of each race fell with irreparable wounds.

“Assemble everyone!”

“There are very few people to summon.”

“If there are none, even the next highest rank should gather immediately.”

“Loyalty!”

The trumpet sounded and the call to arms was intricately sung. Late at night, those who had been listening to the sound ran toward the main camp. The trumpet sound spread through the anxious air of the empty city.

Nohoraha Special Forces sat on the porch of Geunjeongjeon. Dozens of people came running. More than half of them came instead of the commander. The military order was stern. Some were unable to get off their horses and were supported, while others limped while leaning on canes. Many were knocked down in a short period of time.

“All forces now! Withdraw!”

“Huh! What did you say?”

The commanders were startled and jumped up. They wanted us to occupy the place and then withdraw that same night. That was ridiculous.

“It was a great mistake to invade the country of my brother and father. I tried to get the support I needed to fight the Liaodong Commander-in-Chief and replace him with a power that could provide support troops. I tried to create a military advantage in Liaodong through this, but it was too greedy. Our war is ours. We cannot ask you to fight on our behalf. I was fooled by the lying tongue of a cunning person.

Many soldiers have already died or been injured. I do not want to see more casualties. They have easily taken over Hanyang, but in reality, they have emptied it. Their strategy is frightening to me. Is this the end? The Hanyang that I so desperately wanted has come not as an envoy, but as an occupying force. Will we be able to return safely? Everyone must have felt something in this strange situation. They attacked from all over and reduced the strength of our troops.

After much preparation, I gave in to a challenge that seemed impossible to overcome. What would happen next?

“The benefactor I knew long ago, who is now in enemy territory, has requested that I withdraw. He has asked me to do so unconditionally and immediately. I will do so. I believe that it is the best choice for the well-being of the race. Clouds and clouds.”

Khan does not have the power to do everything on his own. The leaders of various races have agreed, and some have expressed their discontent, but it is not easy to disobey the Khan’s orders. He is afraid of the chaos that will come if he decides to stay, and more than anything, he is afraid of criticism from within his race.

“Loyalty! I will follow your orders.”

“Loyalty! I will withdraw.”

“Loyalty!”

When several generals returned to their senses and stood up, Eun-myeon, who led the black group, came running in a hurry. The sound of his boots stepping on the blue stone shook the night air with anxiety.

“No! How can you leave without spending even one night?”

“I will give you a chance to choose. I will allow you to come with us. It is because I feel sorry for this cowardly reality where I decided to come with you but then backed out first.”

“No, that won’t work! What are we going to do?”

“Your wrong information has led to a misjudgment. Joseon is a country that should not be overlooked lightly.”

Eun-myeon trembled. If I had my way, I would mobilize all my power and fight that bastard to the death.

“Your Majesty! I ask you to reconsider. As I said, I have taken over Hanyangseong. When I ascend to the throne tomorrow, all the resources of this land will become yours.”

“We were too greedy. We grew up under the oppression of the Liaodong Commander-in-Chief, and we did many things we shouldn’t have done while acting under their orders. It seems that we hoped for what we lacked. The path we truly must take is the well-being of our race. We return with the mindset of starting over from scratch.”

Eun-myeon jumped up onto the platform. She climbed up onto the platform that she had never climbed before and shouted loudly.

“Then Your Majesty, please grant permission! There are certainly troops that do not wish to return. Please allow them to remain of their own accord.”

The air was already rumbling. I had already declared and agreed to withdraw, but I could see some people wavering. Nohoraha Special Forces shook their heads. This cunning man seemed to have been working on it. He might have been working on it while he was coming. There might have been people who fell for his cunning words. The situation was urgent, so it was a mistake not to check it out.

“Everyone decided to return together. There is no one left. I am sorry.”

“No! There are definitely places! There are many places where we promised to be together.”

“I guess that’s what happens when I don’t decide to retire.”

The conversation is long. It wasn’t long before death was imminent. The army was not moving because of the conversation with the guy.

“What are you doing! Hurry up! Retreat immediately!”

“Loyalty!”

“Loyalty!”

“Loyalty!”

“Loyalty!”

At the Khan’s command, the generals who had gathered in front of Geunjeongjeon’s courtyard reported back and returned to their positions. The trumpet sound announcing the retreat echoed long across the night sky. The Jurchen soldiers who had been resting or playing around in various parts of the palace rushed out.

Eun-myeon stood firmly in front of Nohoraha Special Forces. As if he was going to attack, the guards rushed forward and blocked his way.

“Hey you! Get some distance!”

The black drones blocked the way and showed no sign of moving. Nohoraha Special Forces snickered.

“Are you pointing a knife at me now?”

“no.”

As Eun-myeon took a half step back, the black warriors that had been filling his left and right sides also took a step back.

It was then. At the very moment when the bastards retreated, a single raindrop flew towards Nohorahateuk from behind.