Chapter 75: Defense of Hanzhong (5)

The three sat around the table in a triangular formation. Before long, dishes So-so loved—duck, dumplings, and Dongpo pork—were brought out in abundance.

Clutching her chopsticks, So-so suddenly opened her eyes wide and looked back and forth between them.

“Why aren’t you two saying anything?”

Of course it seemed that way, since the two of them were conversing through sound transmission.

To break the awkward silence, So-mu spoke aloud.

“How are the child’s skills coming along?”

It was truly an acting performance that could not be more clumsy. Yeon Seo-hwa barely suppressed a laugh and replied:

“Her musical talent is extraordinary. Lately, we have also begun practicing breathing techniques alongside it.”

To think she was learning breathing methods just for playing the tung flute. It was not difficult to guess what that signified.

—You mean to say you’ve already started training her in the Lion’s Roar?

—It is best to start even a day earlier. It is not an art that can be mastered in a day or two.

Come to think of it, the profound, resonant energy emanating from So-so’s Dantian was like a vast lake whose depths were difficult to gauge.

—What secret lies within the True One-Heart Flute Melody? Why go to such lengths to play it together?

—Just as a painter longs to create the finest painting, it is only natural for a musician to want to perform the supreme score. And this ensemble piece holds the power to move the world.

—Music has the power to move the world?

—Yes. That is what I have heard, though I do not know what that power truly entails.

It was an intriguing thought. The only lingering concern was whether moving the world would be for good or ill.

In any case, it was an ensemble piece, and given So-so’s pure nature, there was nothing to worry about.

“Father, please try some of this. It tastes quite good.”

Yeon Seo-hwa placed a few pieces of Dongpo pork into So-mu’s bowl. Then, picking up a piece of duck, she held it out to So-so. The girl’s mouth opened reflexively, looking like a little sparrow receiving food from its mother bird.

“It’s delicious~ Heehee.”

While savoring her food, So-so suddenly pointed toward the entrance.

“Look, uncles are here!”

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the entrance of Hwayang Tavern. Il-gwang and several squad members were stepping inside.

Although the war was in full swing, soldiers operated in two shifts, so this was not unusual. They were permitted to move freely within five hundred zhang of the North Gate.

Spotting So-mu’s party, Il-gwang started to call out, but froze in his tracks. He had caught sight of the dazzlingly beautiful woman seated across from So-mu. Flustered, he turned to So-so and said:

“Our niece, you came to eat?”

“Yes~ Uncle! Want to eat with us?”

“No, no. The table is small, so we’ll sit separately.”

Il-gwang and the four squad members took seats in a corner. Gathering their heads together, they began whispering in hushed voices.

“What’s going on? Is So-so getting a mother?”

“Haha. Where on earth did our leader meet such a beauty?”

“Our leader is a fine-looking man himself, isn’t he? Heh heh. They look great together.”

Their whispers reached not only So-mu’s ears, but Yeon Seo-hwa’s as well. Both of their faces flushed red involuntarily.

So-mu considered speaking up to clear the misunderstanding, but decided against it.

‘It would certainly be a good thing if So-so had a mother. But if they knew she was the Jade Flower Maiden, would they still say such things?’

She was a woman whose very title was said to make crying children fall silent. The martial artists who had perished at her hands during the Righteous-Demonic War were countless. So much so that even now, a wanted decree from the Murim Alliance hung over her head.

Just then, Yeon Seo-hwa’s sound transmission reached him.

—What were you just thinking?

Startled, So-mu feigned ignorance.

—Huh? About what?

Yeon Seo-hwa narrowed her eyes suspiciously and glared at him.

—You were thinking that someone like me would make a wonderful mother, weren’t you?

Anyone was free to imagine. But if he denied it, there was no telling how she might react. Treating it as a joke, he nonchalantly replied:

—That’s right.

Her expression shifted subtly. Then, placing another piece of Dongpo pork in his bowl, she said aloud:

“Please eat plenty, Father.”

So-mu ate while glancing at his subordinates. All of them were glancing over, gauging his reaction. Before rumors could spiral out of control, he needed to clarify their relationship.

“Thank you, So-so’s teacher. Please enjoy your meal as well.”

A trace of disappointment appeared on the squad members’ faces.

At that moment, Il-gwang’s eyes gleamed as he whispered to the others:

“It’s not over yet. There’s definitely something going on between them.”

***

A month had already passed since the main army of the Hui Dynasty laid siege to Hanzhong. Until now, they had shown no significant movements. They had merely constructed watchtowers at various points to tighten their encirclement.

In the command tower at the center of Hanzhong’s wall, General Jang-yang stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the enemy camp. Several commanders stood at attention behind him.

Adjutant Yang Yeon-jeong broke the silence:

“Knowing that there is a large civilian population here, they seem intent on starving us out.”

“They must not know that our grain reserves are abundant. If anything, their own food supply will run out first.”

“Indeed. Their daily rations have already been reduced to once or twice a day. Since the villagers in the surrounding areas have all evacuated, it must be difficult for them to forage or plunder.”

Jang-yang looked up at the sky.

“Winter will arrive soon. If they cannot capture this fortress before then, they will have to retreat. However, I have no intention of letting them return safely.”

“Do you have a plan, General?”

“We must provoke them and make them impatient enough to attack. How many cattle do we currently have under military control?”

“We bought a little over three hundred cattle to lease to the military farms.”

“Starting today, slaughter ten head of cattle every day for the next five days. Make sure the soldiers defending the wall eat their fill. Let the enemy see that our food supplies are more than sufficient.”

Slaughtering one cow provided enough meat for about one thousand two hundred men for one meal. Slaughtering ten a day meant that the soldiers on the walls would have more than enough to eat until their bellies burst.

A smile appeared on Yang Yeon-jeong’s face.

“Understood, General. The soldiers will be delighted.”

“Lieutenant So-mu.”

So-mu, who had been standing silently in a corner of the tower, stepped forward.

“Yes, General.”

“Since your recruit days, you have been praised as a natural martial genius. And I know you have reached the Flower Realm.”

Though it had not been officially declared, everyone had already guessed as much. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to take Yelu Huan’s head.

“That is correct.”

Jang-yang pointed toward what was assumed to be the enemy command headquarters.

“If you were to fight Temur in a duel, what would be your chances of victory?”

If given the opportunity, So-mu was completely confident of victory. However, there was no reason for Temur, the commander of an army, to agree to a duel. This meant the general had a specific strategy in mind.

Since he could not reveal his true realm, So-mu gave a modest estimate.

“He is unaware of my true strength. If I can lure him into letting his guard down, I am confident of a sixty percent chance of victory.”

Jang-yang remained silent for a moment, organizing his thoughts. A short while later, he spoke again:

“You must play the deciding hand.”

“Please give your orders.”

“At dawn tomorrow, lead a small elite force and slip out through the hidden stone gate.”

The stone gate was a secret exit disguised to look like part of the wall. Jang-yang had previously ordered Officer Jin Lip to construct it before the battle.

“Understood.”

“Lye in ambush nearby, and when the main enemy force launches their attack, launch a surprise assault on their poorly guarded headquarters and take Temur’s head.”

A knowing smile flickered across So-mu’s face before vanishing.

No matter how well-trained the enemy soldiers were, they would not be able to hold out once their commander was dead. If successful, it was an excellent strategy that would secure victory while minimizing friendly casualties.

“Leave it to me.”

Standing nearby, Officer Kwak Cheol spoke with a voice full of grief:

“If you bring back Temur’s head, I will personally prepare a memorial table for Officer Baek Mun-hwi with it.”

Kwak Cheol, who had been close friends with Baek Mun-hwi, had a deep, simmering resentment in his eyes.

Jang-yang gently placed a hand on Kwak Cheol’s shoulder.

“I understand your feelings, but you must maintain your composure until the battle is over.”

Kwak Cheol bowed his head reluctantly and replied, “Yes, General.”

***

The sun was setting, casting a red glow over the horizon.

It was an ordinary day, but a festive atmosphere had taken over the top of the wall.

“What is this?”

“Beef all of a sudden?”

Soldiers gathered in small groups along the battlements, salivating as they built campfires.

Cattle were valuable assets used for farming, and at one point, slaughtering them was strictly prohibited. Beef was highly expensive, a luxury food that was hard to get even with money. Being allowed to eat until their bellies burst made the soldiers ecstatic.

The members of the Wolf Fang Squad were also swallowing hard.

“We can just eat it right away.”

As soon as the meat lost its raw red color, Il-gwang stuffed a large piece into his mouth. Next to him, a squad member was expertly slicing meat using his sword.

There was plenty of meat. Thickly sliced pieces were continuously laid onto the stone slabs heating over the campfires.

“This is delicious!”

“Haha! How long has it been since we had this?”

Sitting on the wall, watching the sunset while grilling beef, had a rather romantic feel to it.

General Jang-yang had deliberately ordered the soldiers to eat on the wall so that the savory aroma of the meat would drift over to the enemy camp. Conveniently, the wind was blowing toward the north.

“Those guys over there are making soup out of it?” a squad member asked, pointing.

Depending on which province the soldiers came from, their tastes and culinary cultures differed. Some made soup, while others steamed, stir-fried, or roasted the beef. Since all cooking was permitted on the wall, it was a grand feast of styles.

Il-gwang waved his hand and said, “Those guys don’t know how to eat. Beef must be grilled.”

“Haha. Indeed!”

The aroma of grilling beef carried by the wind tormented the Hui soldiers, who had to fill their bellies with thin gruel—and even that was rationed.

Having eaten his fill, Il-gwang suddenly stood up as if remembering something. He looked out over the wall. He could see the Hui soldiers staring back, drooling.

“Hahaha!!! You bastards, want a bite!?”

Fury flashed across the faces of the enemy soldiers, along with envy.

“If you want some, come and get it, you dogs!!!”

The commanders in the command tower smiled as they watched Il-gwang provoke the enemy. This was exactly the kind of behavior they wanted to encourage.

And that was just the beginning. It was a great opportunity to mock the invaders who had pillaged and plundered their land. Well-fed soldiers stood up one by one, shouting provocations toward the enemy camp.

“Hey, did you guys even eat today!?”

“Come over and have a bite!!!”

Amidst the raucous provocations, So-mu approached his squad members with a quiet smile.

“Since when did the Wolf Fang Squad fight with their mouths? If you’re done eating, let’s move out.”

A short while later, about thirty squad members secretly followed So-mu, slipping away into the shadows.