Chapter 208: I Need to Change the Plan (2)

Waiting outside with the children, Seol Pung was on edge.

He had no way of knowing what was happening inside.

After a few loud disturbances, a heavy silence had settled over the pavilion.

Having waited anxiously for about thirty minutes, the door of the pavilion finally slid open.

So-mu walked out alone.

“I kept you waiting for too long.”

Seol Pung noticed blood dripping from So-mu’s hands.

“Did you… kill them all?”

So-mu remained silent and walked ahead.

The surrounding soldiers hesitated, not knowing what to do. Since their commanders were giving no orders, they instinctively parted to let them through.

Seol Pung guided the children and followed close behind.

“Let’s go quickly, kids.”

Though he was dying of curiosity about what had transpired inside, the atmosphere did not allow him to ask.

Everyone remained silent until they had completely cleared the palace gates.

Only when the streets grew quiet and empty did So-mu speak.

“It wasn’t my preferred method, but I had no other choice.”

“What happened…?”

“I told the Emperor to choose between dying here or sending troops.”

“And the Emperor accepted that just like that?”

So-mu replied flatly, “A few military officers among the officials attacked me first.”

“And the result?”

“I struck them down. In a single blow. After that, I didn’t have to do much.”

So-mu pulled a rolled-up sheet of paper from his robes. It was a blood treaty.

“Is that… the Emperor’s blood treaty?”

“Yes. The Emperor wrote it himself, though he used the blood of his fallen ministers instead of his own. In any case, they have promised to deploy thirty thousand troops from their central army. They will be placed under our command.”

It was a force slightly larger than the garrison currently stationed at Chang’an. Although their training and quality could not compare, it was not a force to be taken lightly.

Seol Pung was astounded by the sheer audacity of the man who had pulled this off single-handedly.

“You have worked hard, General. The Advisor will be pleased.”

Though it was a great success, So-mu’s expression remained somber.

“Perhaps the Advisor sent me here hoping for exactly this outcome. However, Min-gong does not favor such methods.”

“It cannot be helped now. The issue has been resolved cleanly, so what is there to worry about?”

So-mu wore a bitter smile.

“The wicked prince has been crippled. Things went as we wished this time, but the imperial family will harbor a grudge, which will be a problem for the future.”

“The State of Po is no match for us, whether in economic or military strength. Do not worry too much, General.”

“I intend to focus only on what lies ahead. I cannot afford to lose focus with a powerful enemy before us.”

Glancing at So-mu as they walked side by side, Seol Pung asked cautiously, “By the way, I am curious about one thing. Why didn’t the soldiers attack us?”

So-mu replied without hesitation, “No soldier would lay down his life for a state established through a rebellion without a proper justification. In the case of the State of Hui, they hold hostages and rule through fear. But the State of Po, with its weak cohesion, would collapse the moment they tried such a thing.”

“Then how will they fight on the battlefield? The soldiers’ loyalty is at rock bottom. Will they even be of help…”

Tucking the treaty back into his robes, So-mu said, “The art of war states that if you treat your soldiers with sincerity, they will follow you even to their deaths. The imperial family must find a way to win their hearts. Since they have realized their error, they will find a way.”

“I hope that is the case before the battle begins.”

“Yes. If the imperial family, having lost its authority, can turn this crisis into an opportunity, it won’t be difficult. If they fail, the State of Po will collapse from within, and we will have to intervene.”

Finished, So-mu glanced back.

So-so was comforting the girl of her age.

Looking at the child walking with her head bowed, he let out a sigh. Having lost both parents before her eyes, her grief had to be immense.

“Let’s fill our stomachs first.”

The group stood before the entrance of an inn in Chengdu. They needed to eat a hearty meal before returning to their country.

Finding a table in a quiet corner, the four sat down, and a waiter approached them.

The quick-witted waiter glanced at So-mu’s official robes and asked politely, “My lord, what may I prepare for you?”

“I am fine. Bring whatever the children would like to eat.”

At his words, So-so’s face lit up. She seemed thrilled to have the choice.

“For me! I want duck soup, braised pork, stir-fried dishes, shredded pork with green peppers, and steamed carp! Oh, and dumplings and noodles too.”

“…That is quite a lot of food. Will it be alright?”

“Yes, it’s fine! Bring some dumplings and noodles too, please.”

The waiter looked flustered and glanced at So-mu for confirmation.

“Understood. Shall I prepare the duck soup, Dongpo pork, Jingjiang shredded pork, shredded pork with green peppers, steamed carp, and some dumplings and noodles?”

“Yes, do that. And bring a jar of Bamboo Leaf Green.”

Although So-mu let her have her way, something felt off. His daughter had ordered far more food than usual.

“Sweetheart, why did you order so much? Do you have enough money?”

“I’ll treat you, Dad. I’m rich.”

So-so jingled her money pouch. Excluding the travel money she had received from her mother, she had quite a bit of allowance saved up.

So-mu, initially puzzled, quickly realized her intention and nodded. She wanted to cheer up her grieving friend by ordering a feast.

The girl who had lost her parents sat in silence, her head lowered.

“If you don’t mind, I would like to ask your name and age,” So-mu said gently.

“My name is Yang So-cheong. I am eleven years old.”

She was two years older than So-so. However, perhaps because So-so was tall for her age, they looked to be about the same age.

Hearing her voice for the first time, So-mu felt a wave of curiosity. Her response was surprisingly calm.

“I do not know how to comfort you in your grief.”

“I am not grieving.”

“But your face looks so sad.”

“Because I am angry… I am angry at this destiny written by heaven.”

For a child to maintain such composure when even an adult would struggle to cope mentally was hard to believe.

“Destiny… You speak as though you knew this would happen.”

“My father knew. But he accepted it, believing it could not be changed.”

“Do you resent your father?”

Yang So-cheong hesitated, then spoke in a lower voice, “At first, I did. But now… I miss him so much. I had so many things I wanted to say to him, and I regret turning away like that.”

Understanding her heart, So-mu stared out the window at the clouds.

A sigh escaped his lips.

“The tree wishes to be quiet, but the wind does not cease…”

The moment he finished the phrase, Yang So-cheong naturally completed it.

“…the child wishes to provide, but the parents do not wait. Time is something that cannot be chased once it flows by, and parents are those who cannot be seen again once they depart.”

“Indeed. That is a passage from the Analects. You are well-educated.”

“No, I am not…”

So-mu said with a gentle smile, “Please teach my daughter a thing or two in the future. I am worried she will grow up to be nothing but a strong warrior.”

So-mu suddenly flinched.

So-so, who had been listening quietly, scowled and glared at him.

“Hmph… Grandpa said I would become a great general!”

At that, So-mu and Seol Pung burst into laughter.

Even a faint smile appeared on Yang So-cheong’s melancholic face.

Amidst the warm atmosphere, the food they ordered began to arrive one by one.

“Let’s eat, everyone.”

“Yes, General.”

“Thank you for the food!”

Halfway through the meal, Yang So-cheong spoke up.

“Um… I have a favor to ask, Uncle.”

Knowing she was not a child to make unreasonable requests, So-mu nodded readily.

“Go ahead. Speak.”

“We are heading to Chang’an, right?”

“You are indeed quick-witted. We will cross the Han River and head there.”

“I heard the Yang Family estate has relocated its main residence to Chang’an. Could you take me there? They are my distant relatives.”

His surprise grew. The young girl had already thought of a place to seek shelter.

Yang Yeon-jeong, the eldest sibling of the Yang family, was currently stationed in Hanzhong, while her younger brothers Yang Kang and Yang So were at the estate. The Yang family would surely welcome the child warmly.

“The Yang Family estate is near our house. Let’s do that. I will personally introduce you to them.”

“Thank you…”

Taking up his chopsticks again, So-mu stared at his daughter in disbelief.

In the meantime, she had finished a bowl of noodles and was devouring the other dishes.

“Eat slowly. You will upset your stomach.”

With her cheeks stuffed, So-so swallowed and stood up.

“I’m full, Dad. I’m going out for a bit.”

“Where are you going?”

So-so smiled and patted her money pouch.

“I’m going to buy a present for Mom.”

She was worried about Yeon Seo-hwa, who was watching the house alone. So-mu couldn’t help but feel proud of her.

Fortunately, there were several shops near the inn.

“Don’t go too far, and come back quickly.”

***

Five days later, at the Yang Family estate in Chang’an.

It was a manor consisting of three large pavilions where about fifty family members lived together.

As a military family that had served the nation for generations, the men considered it an honor to die on the battlefield, and many capable talents had also emerged among the women.

So-mu, who had come here with Yang So-cheong, was received as an honored guest.

The elderly patriarch of the family personally came out to bow to So-mu.

“It is an honor to have the Great General visit our humble estate.”

“Thank you for the warm welcome. Please speak with the child.”

The patriarch, Yang Jin-so, looked at the child with a warm smile.

“So, your father’s name was Yang Yul-pyeong?”

“Yes, Great-Uncle…”

Yang Jin-so turned to Yang Kang, who stood nearby.

“Haha. My son, do you know who that is?”

“I am not sure, Father.”

“He was a famous man in Chengdu. Let me see… our grandfather’s cousin’s great-grandson is this child’s father. That makes them distant cousins.”

Yang Kang gave a warm smile to Yang So-cheong.

“You have traveled a long way. You have come to the right place.”

“I ask for your guidance, Uncle.”

“Haha, yes. The child has very clear eyes.”

The Yang family valued talent above all else. They could easily recognize Yang So-cheong’s extraordinary potential. Though she had not learned martial arts, her intelligence was clearly exceptional.

The patriarch, Yang Jin-so, turned back and called out, “Yang So, come here immediately!”

He was the leader of the patrol officers responsible for the palace’s security, and the youngest son of Yang Jin-so.

“Yes, Father.”

“Introduce this child to the family members one by one. She is a precious child, so make sure she lacks for nothing!”

“Yes, Father.”

Bowing, he took Yang So-cheong’s hand and led her away.

Watching this warmly, So-mu felt a sense of relief.

“Thank you for taking care of her.”

“Ah, she is a child of our family. We are the ones who should be grateful to you for bringing her to us.”

Grasping his cup, So-mu poured tea for the patriarch and said, “The nation is already indebted to the Yang family. I hope you will guide her well.”

Although Yang Jin-so had retired due to his advanced age, he was a seasoned veteran who had participated in many battles in his youth.

Conversing with him, So-mu found much to learn regarding battle experience and tactics.

While they spent a meaningful time discussing the state of the world, Yang Kang entered the room.

“General, you must head to the Bureau of Military Affairs immediately.”

So-mu looked at him in surprise.

“What is the matter?”

“The Advisor has arrived and is waiting for you.”

If the Advisor had come in person, it was rarely good news. Furthermore, if she was waiting for him, it meant there was something urgent.