Chapter 235: If the Root of All Things is the Same (2)
Time flowed like water, and winter soon arrived.
Yeon Seo-hwa spent most of her time helping So-so train her martial arts, while So-mu was fully occupied with constructing the defense lines in Luoyang.
On the battlements of Luoyang’s city wall, So-mu stood with his hands behind his back, gazing blankly into the distance.
Although heavy snow was falling relentlessly, a bizarre sight unfolded as the snowflakes dissolved before even touching his collar.
“What is it that you yearn for so deeply?”
Looking to his side, So-mu saw Adjutant Baek Yak approaching to stand at attention. He was a warrior from the Sanwa tribe, and the father of So-so’s friends, Baek-sang and Baek-a.
“Your perception is remarkable. How did you know?”
“Haha, it is written all over your face, General. You miss your wife and daughter in Chang’an.”
So-mu smiled and nodded.
“To think you are teasing me when you have the exact same look on your face.”
“That is true. I also miss my children, but I am enduring it.”
“The end is near, so let us hold on a bit longer. It is all for the sake of our children.”
“Yes. It is enough for us to be the ones to experience this hellish world.”
Nodding, So-mu asked him to get to the point.
“But I do not think you came here just to chat. What is your business?”
“A scouting report from the Wolf Fang Squad has arrived.”
A month ago, Il-gwang had led the Wolf Fang Squad into enemy territory to gather intelligence.
Although there was a separate intelligence unit, the enemy’s security was so tight that only the Wolf Fang Squad could carry out such a mission.
So-mu could not help but be curious about the information they had brought back.
“Good news, then. Let us go and see.”
So-mu and Baek Yak left the wall and headed toward the military camp.
Along the way, the appearance of the citizens they encountered had changed significantly.
It was hard to find anyone starving anymore, and the city was rapidly regaining its vitality.
This was because relief supplies were constantly arriving from Shaanxi via the Yellow River. It would have been impossible without the massive funds donated by Yeon Seo-hwa.
“Mister!”
A cheerful young boy came running toward them, holding two skewers of tanghulu.
He was a child So-mu had formed a bond with since he first scouted Luoyang.
The boy, who had been struggling to survive amidst the threat of war, now wore a bright, innocent smile. Just watching him made So-mu’s heart swell with pride.
“It has been a while. What has made you so happy?”
“I visited the Peace Home today! They even gave us pocket money. Hehe.”
The Peace Home was a new orphanage established in the palace of Luoyang.
Because it was funded by the massive resources donated by his wife, it was financially secure enough to distribute pocket money and gifts to the children.
“Haha, that is good news indeed.”
“Mister, please have one of these.”
The boy’s small hand offered a skewer of tanghulu.
It was his daughter’s favorite snack, but So-mu had never tasted it himself.
“Tanghulu…”
Taking it hesitantly, he took a bite. The honey glaze combined with the sweet and tart hawthorn fruit was incredibly sweet.
“It’s delicious, right?”
“Yes, it tastes quite good.”
Just then, other children in the distance waved and gestured for the boy to join them.
“Hehe. See you later, Mister! My friends and I decided to go explore the palace.”
Before So-mu could nod, the boy turned and ran off.
Watching his light steps, So-mu felt a warmth spread through his chest.
‘Now, run and play to your heart’s content without a single worry. Keep doing so, from now on…’
Watching from the side, Adjutant Baek Yak offered a warm smile and gestured with his hand.
“Well, shall we move on? Everyone is waiting for you, General.”
“Yes, I have lingered too long. Let us go quickly.”
So-mu and Baek Yak rushed to the military camp.
When they arrived at the war room, the commanders of the allied forces were gathered with grim expressions.
Standing near the entrance, Yang Gang bowed and guided him inside.
“You have arrived, General. Please, take your seat.”
Nodding, So-mu sat at the head of the table and scanned the room.
Not only were his own generals present, but also those from the State of Po, the volunteer army, and the senior members of the Murim Alliance. Every key figure was seated.
The one thing they had in common was that none of them looked happy.
“Everyone looks grim. What is the matter?”
General Jin Gwang of the State of Po replied in a somber voice, “It is bad news. If the intelligence from the Wolf Fang Squad is correct, we are facing the worst-case scenario.”
The commander of the Wolf Fang Squad, Hyeon-jeong, stepped forward and handed over the scouting report.
Silent, So-mu reviewed the contents, reading them over and over in disbelief. Yet, the words on the paper did not change.
“Troops are gathering in Kaifeng, the capital of the Hui Dynasty, from all regions. And their numbers exceed two million…?”
Two million was a number comparable to the entire population of the State of So. It was hard to believe.
They had estimated that Kaifeng’s regular army would not exceed one hundred and fifty thousand at most. Where on earth were they gathering such a massive force?
However, there was no way his direct unit, the Wolf Fang Squad, would submit a false report.
Hyeon-jeong said in a low, firm voice, “I saw it with my own eyes. Kaifeng is already so packed with soldiers that no more can enter, and military tents now stretch endlessly outside the city walls.”
It was incredibly sudden. Rather than fear, So-mu felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
“They could not have trained such a massive army in secret. Tell me the details.”
Hyeon-jeong took a deep breath and replied in a heavier tone, “The vast majority of them are peasants who have been forcibly conscripted without even receiving basic training. Regardless of age or gender, they are dragging anyone they can find to the barracks.”
A few generals from the State of Po murmured with confident expressions.
“There is nothing to worry about. Untrained conscripts, no matter how many, are no match for us.”
“Indeed. Furthermore, maintaining such a force will require an enormous amount of logistics. If we simply drag out the time and hold our ground, they will starve themselves out.”
Clench!
It was the sound of someone clenching their fist.
It was Yue Fei, the leader of the volunteer army. He was trembling with anger, barely able to contain himself.
Suppressing his rage, he spoke clearly, “Even if we win the war, what is the point if all the people are dead? Where is our righteousness in that?”
Shaolin Abbot Jeong-myeong, who had been watching in silence, spoke up for the first time.
“Amitabha. We of the Murim Alliance agree with General Yue Fei. What justice is there in indiscriminate slaughter?”
General Jin Gwang, the representative of the State of Po, let out a hollow laugh.
“Then are you saying we should just sit here and be slaughtered instead?”
A subtle tension flowed between the different factions of the allied forces.
Sensing this, So-mu brought the discussion to a close and shifted the topic.
“Of course, we cannot allow innocent citizens to die like this. We must find a way to prevent such an outcome, so let us search for a solution. Also, the report mentions that the enemy has reacquired the technology for the Dragon-Turning Catapult.”
The Dragon-Turning Catapult was a new type of catapult built using Western technology, and its devastating power was well known to all the generals.
Yue Fei’s adjutant, Zhang Xian, muttered regretfully, “Then passes and city walls will be of no use. Perhaps engaging them in a direct confrontation on the open field would be more advantageous than fighting from a besieged position.”
“We will weigh all options and find the most appropriate response. And…”
So-mu stopped mid-sentence and glanced toward the door. He had detected a commotion nearby.
“What is going on outside?”
A moment later, the door to the war room burst open, and an officer appeared.
“General, someone has arrived claiming to be an official from Goryeo. He crossed through the Hui Dynasty alone to reach this place…”
Bewilderment appeared on everyone’s faces.
Goryeo had been a close ally since the days of the Song Dynasty. Although trade had long been conducted through Goryeo’s western seas, maritime trade had been severed when Lin’an fell.
Since they were curious about the news from Goryeo anyway, they had no reason to turn him away.
“He must be a man of great courage. He is no ordinary official, so bring him in at once.”
A moment later, the officer returned, accompanying a Goryeo general.
He possessed a commanding presence, sharp eyes, and a massive two-handed sword strapped to his back.
Even in this room filled with legendary figures, he did not seem intimidated at all.
He was a master of the Flower Realm, and one who had reached its absolute peak.
Standing at the entrance, he introduced himself proudly, “I am Mun-su, the commander of the Baekdu Regiment.”
The Baekdu Regiment. Everyone had heard that name at least once.
A special assault unit of the Goryeo army that wielded two-handed swords, they were invincible on the battlefield and a source of sheer terror to their enemies.
Unable to contain his curiosity, General Jin Gwang of the State of Po asked first, “Is Goryeo not also currently at war with the Hui Dynasty? Why has Goryeo’s greatest warrior come all the way here instead of being on the battlefield?”
“I have come because I have news that must be delivered. And I am not Goryeo’s greatest warrior.”
“…?”
Mun-su caught his breath and spoke slowly, “Our vanguard general, General Chok Jun-gyeong, has defeated Sa Myo-ari.”
The shocking news left everyone speechless.
Who was Sa Myo-ari? He was the commander who had led the massive invasion of Goryeo for several years.
Furthermore, he was known as a master of the Transcendent Realm and was revered alongside Wanyan Hui as one of the two greatest generals of the Hui Dynasty.
After blinking in disbelief, the commanders finally regained their senses and erupted into cheers.
“Whoaaa!”
“Hahaha!”
“I knew Goryeo could do it!”
There could not have been better news. The atmosphere in the room instantly brightened.
Once the clamor subsided, So-mu asked the Goryeo general, “Then what does Goryeo intend to do now?”
“Although our vanguard general defeated Sa Myo-ari, his injuries are severe, and it will be difficult for him to move for the time being. Furthermore, because the nation is in disarray after a long war, the command has been given to focus entirely on defense, centered around Liaodong Fortress.”
Goryeo had fought a brutal battle against overwhelming odds without yielding an inch. Under the current circumstances, launching a counteroffensive was out of the question.
They had already done more than enough.
“However, if the Hui Dynasty launches another invasion while the general who protects Goryeo is injured, it will be dangerous.”
Mun-su nodded and replied immediately, “I am not one for mincing words, so I will get straight to the point. We have done our part, so now, please end your war.”
Both of the Hui Dynasty’s greatest generals had now been defeated.
Driven into a corner, the emperor would be forced to launch a swift attack somewhere.
He might target Luoyang, which was close by, or he might try to eliminate Goryeo in the rear first.
Before that could happen, he wanted the allied forces to take action.
Although his words could be seen as rude, his boldness earned So-mu’s admiration.
“If the Hui Dynasty’s arrows turn back toward Goryeo, the war will drag on once again. We will not let that happen, so do not worry. And above all, the emperor has no intention of yielding to anyone.”
Mun-su read the sincerity in So-mu’s resolute expression.
Having fulfilled his mission, the tension seemed to drain from him slightly.
“That is all the news I have to deliver. Since I cannot leave my post vacant for long, I must return to my homeland.”
“Thank you. We also can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to you.”
The allied commanders and the Goryeo general clasped their hands in mutual respect, bidding farewell at the end of their brief encounter.