994——————==

Soul of the Evil God

I let the 100,000 Imperial Guards rest at Jinzhou Castle and gathered my companions for another meeting. I spoke first.

” If we march just for two more moments, we’ll hit the front where Hwang Yeon is standing off against Goryeo. Shouldn’t we just start our march tonight?”

” No, that’s not a good idea. It’s strategically unwise for Hwang Yeon to meet up with our main forces too quickly.”

” Why’s that, Mangnyang?”

” Because the enemy might be planning a rout. And since they have the Twelve Joules backing them up, it’s even more concerning.”

” ……”

” Let’s send Hwang Yeon ahead to gauge their numbers first, then march in afterward. Besides, Hwang Yeon’s troops are already a great army; having an additional 100,000 won’t really give us a huge edge in numbers.”

While I mulled over this, Zhuge Bu chimed in.

” Baek Woong, let’s use Jinzhou Castle as our supply base and just camp here. It’d be better to delegate the main force to Hwang Yeon. This castle is large enough to comfortably house 10,000 troops, so it could serve as a solid supply center.”

” Then what’s the point of bringing this army here…?”

” Hell, if you just came to add 100,000 to Hwang Yeon’s force, why make such a fuss about it? The aim was to establish supply lines and prevent the enemy from cutting off Hwang Yeon’s rear. Plus, we’re at the northern edge of the Central Plains, where Northern tribes like the Yao and Zhang thrive. Just having the Emperor personally present creates a huge strategic advantage. If those 100,000 Guards don’t hold their ground, minor factions might rise up and put Hwang Yeon in jeopardy.”

” Hmm.”

” But it seems a waste to let those 100,000 just sit idle, so let’s organize 10,000 for the left flank and 10,000 for the right to support Hwang Yeon with a detachment. The Imperial Guards have top-tier supplies and equipment, so I’m sure Hwang Yeon could make good use of them. I’d suggest entrusting the left flank to the White Tiger of the Four Great Experts and the right flank to the White Tiger as well; that way, the commander has less to fear from potential assassinations.”

” ……”

” …Why are you looking at me like that?”

” It’s just that…”

I lost my words at Zhuge Bu’s smooth talking. Every word he poured out was meticulously logical, showcasing exceptional strategic insight. I had almost forgotten that Zhuge Bu was celebrated as a genius who reached the pinnacle in tactics and martial arts, known as the Treasure of the Central Plains.

Beside me, Zhuge Yulong spoke up.

” Northerners won’t easily march down. Whether Hwang Yeon can handle Goryeo’s regular army will determine the outcome of this war.”

” They won’t march down easily? The Arasa’s 100,000 troops already took Mibal Fortress and are now heading south. How can you say that so confidently?”

” A messenger reported the current standoff in the north just a while ago. Did you catch the name of Goryeo’s commander then?”

” Hm. It was an unusual name…”

I rifled through my memory.

” Right. I heard it was a young Manchu general named Nurhaci.”

” To be exact, it’s Aisin Gioro Nurhaci. He’s technically a commander under Goryeo but is actually a king of the Manchu, with unparalleled command prowess. I once noted him as a prime concern while observing the situation in Liaodong.”

” ……!!”

” Goryeo seems to have unified Liaodong, but in reality, they’re closer to a confederated empire ruled in cooperation with various Northern tribes. They receive tribute from the Xiongnu, Manchu, and remnants of Mongolian royalty but guarantee local autonomy. Hence, he can also be seen as a king of his clan.”

Zhuge Yulong continued his explanation.

” If the 70,000 troops led by Nurhaci stand against the Arasa Empire’s army, they won’t win easily, especially since the Manchu on the plains operate artillery. Don’t expect support from the north. In fact, the Arasa Imperial Guards might even lose.”

” Is it really that serious?”

” …If the Great Ming continues to rot like this, within half a century, that man could potentially unify the Central Plains just using the Manchu’s strength. Don’t underestimate him.”

Zhuge Yulong’s high regard made it seem like Nurhaci was quite the formidable general. I understood the situation and responded accordingly.

” If I tried to invade Goryeo alone without the cooperation of Arasa and Dongyoung, I would’ve lost.”

” Seems likely. But there’s a limit to evaluating the enemy’s strength. Now that you’re here, it’s as if Goryeo is already facing the imminent threat of annihilation.”

Zhuge Yulong said this with a chilling glance.

” Now that Hwang Yeon has been given the new weapons, there’s no chance of losing. He’s a leading figure in history who doesn’t falter at any point. Giving wings to a tiger means a certain victory unless Goryeo cheats.”

” Cheating…?”

” The ‘cheat’ refers to seeing how the [Clan of Dae] will emerge.”

” ……”

The Clan of Dae.

Hearing this made my mind swirl even more. Would they truly join this war?

At that moment, the Master of the White Lotus Sect, who was sitting with us, spoke up.

[ Baek Woong, I have something to say.]

” What is it?”

[ There’s an abnormal practitioner of celestial arts wandering around Jinzhou Castle. I sensed it with my Primordial Spirit.]

” Who is this person? Can we catch them?”

I asked in surprise, and the Master of the White Lotus Sect replied.

[ We could catch them, but it might be better to pretend we didn’t notice.]

” What do you mean?”

A chill swept through the room as the Master of the White Lotus Sect continued.

[ It seems to be the Abbot of the Eight Immortals, Cao Guoju. I saw their distinguishing features and artifacts from your recollections.]

” ……!!”

The Eight Immortals!

They were the most famous and powerful Great Immortals in the current Celestial Realm. I had crossed paths with the Eight Immortals several times in my rebirth and had received their assistance, so I was well aware of their true nature. My bond with Yeodong-bin was profound; I could hardly forget it.

Holding back my panic, I said,

” Are the Eight Immortals spying on Jinzhou Castle? Is there no one else besides Cao Guoju?”

[ I don’t think so. However, a Great Immortal of the Eight Immortals might possess techniques that can hide them from my Primordial Spirit’s perception.]

” …Hmm.”

Is the Celestial Realm paying attention to us now?

I frowned, feeling that things were starting to get complicated, but Mangnyang casually chimed in.

” Baek Woong, don’t worry too much.”

” The scrutiny of the Celestial Realm has just been placed on us, and you say don’t worry…?”

” If they truly knew your intentions and true identity, they wouldn’t just let one lone Immortal meander about; they’d have sent over the Overlays to take you down long ago. The mere fact that he’s wandering around, noticed by the Master of the White Lotus Sect, implies it’s simply part of their surveillance.”

” Hmm.”

” If they have something to say, they’ll come to us. Our job is to conceal our capabilities as much as possible and not give the Celestial Realm any excuse to intervene.”

I decided to take Mangnyang’s advice seriously.

Then, about a day later, just as Mangnyang had foretold.

” Your Majesty.”

One day after staying at Jinzhou Castle.

Swoosh.

Cao Guoju of the Eight Immortals appeared before me amidst colorful clouds. Dressed in all black ceremonial attire and holding a jade tablet, I recognized his presence from my position sitting on the bed and gazed at him through the darkness.

‘ Conceal your strength…’

I needed to restrain my aura and pretend to be just an ordinary person.

As I looked at Cao Guoju, he spoke.

” I have been dispatched by the Celestial Realm to inquire about the reasons behind this war.”

” ……”

” Why are you waging war against Goryeo?”

I calmly replied to Cao Guoju’s inquiry.

” The Goryeo side sent assassins to me first. I was threatened, so I demanded an appropriate response, and the King of Goryeo sent back the head of my envoy. Who wouldn’t be angry about that?”

” I’ve heard about those events. However, no matter how much there were assassination attempts, war is a different matter.”

Cao Guoju continued, maintaining a calm demeanor.

” This war will lead to the slaughter of countless humans, resulting in cold corpses. I advise you to halt the war even now.”

” Is this the will of the Celestial Realm?”

Cao Guoju shook his head, then unexpectedly spoke.

” No. This is my will. The Celestial Realm merely ordered me to investigate and observe the situation.”

” …You’d prefer the war to be stopped?”

” Yes. This war will only inflict wounds on everyone. Many will die due to the war, countless orphans will overflow, and tragedies will repeat. I, Cao Guoju, wish with all my heart to halt this war.”

” ……”

There was a strong resolve in Cao Guoju’s eyes.

” I implore you, Your Majesty. Please stop this here.”

Truly a benevolent Great Immortal. I felt a lump in my throat, sensing the genuinely warm and kind heart that considered the common people in Cao Guoju’s words.

‘ The Eight Immortals were beings like this. No wonder Yeodong-bin trusted them to the end.’

The Celestial Realm is certainly not justice. The queen mother of the West and Nüwa lurking behind might as well be the Old Ruler, while the Jade Emperor, in his arbitrary ways, also caused chaos. However, separate from that Celestial Realm, the existence of the Eight Immortals, who amassed their powers yet trusted in the inner goodness of humanity to pursue justice, earned them global respect.

A powerful ally helping the weak and enforcing justice!

Wasn’t this what I’ve always envied and desired?

But I couldn’t heed Cao Guoju’s words, so I bit my lip and replied.

” That’s not possible.”

” Why not?”

” ……”

In truth, my plan was to take down the Twelve Joules and their leaders to uncover their true secrets, but I couldn’t disclose such inner workings to an Immortal. Everything the Eight Immortals observed would undoubtedly be reported back to the Celestial Realm—it was dangerous territory. I had no choice but to lie.

” I can’t just let those who’ve crossed my taboo go free.”

” How petty… If you would just reign in that heart of yours, an everlasting peace would come, yet you are so foolish.”

” Enough of this. Leave now. No matter how much of an Immortal you are, you cannot intimidate the Emperor of the continent!”

” Hoh.”

Cao Guoju sighed and said.

” Next time, I’ll come with my companions. I will stop this war, even if it requires the collective strength of all. At that time, do not foolishly beg for your life from me.”

” ……”

” The sins for instigating this tragedy will certainly not be punished lightly.”

Whoosh!

Cao Guoju’s form vanished amidst the colorful clouds. A moment later, the Master of the White Lotus Sect emerged from the shadows, having been stationed nearby in case things went sideways.

The Master of the White Lotus Sect said.

[ Baek Woong. Things have grown inconvenient.]

” …Seems so.”

I felt the truth in the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s words.

‘ When he said [all], he was undoubtedly referring to all of the Eight Immortals.’

Cao Guoju warned that he would drag all his comrades, the Eight Immortals, to subdue me. For now, their hands were tied by the Celestial Realm’s orders, but once they received the command, they’d not show me any mercy.

Damn… No matter how hard I try, I can never win against the entirety of the Eight Immortals…

As I frowned in despair, the Master of the White Lotus Sect spoke up.

[ That’s just bravado.]

” Bravado?”

[ There’s no way all the Eight Immortals would be dispatched just for this one war. While clashes involving hundreds of thousands are rare, they happen often throughout the history of the Central Plains. The Celestial Realm and the Eight Immortals couldn’t possibly intervene every time. Moreover, this war hasn’t been significantly influenced by the demonic forces either. There’s simply not enough causality or justification.]

” Ah.”

[ He wants to throw out that kind of bravado just to stop the war… it’s likely quite one-sided on his part.]

” Is that so? Hmm…”

For a moment, I felt embarrassed by my gullibility towards Cao Guoju’s bravado. I then asked the Master of the White Lotus Sect.

” Should we be worried that he’ll attack or sabotage our army?”

[ I can’t say for certain. He might create confusion with illusion techniques as a possibility.]

” Ugh, that sounds annoying…”

I frowned and then instructed the Master of the White Lotus Sect.

” Let’s head to Hwang Yeon now.”

I needed to see for myself whether the [Clan of Dae] would intervene or not. Since I was awake due to Cao Guoju, it’d be better to head to the battlefield.

[ Understood.]

Boom!

I gathered my companions and headed towards Hwang Yeon. We waited until dawn broke.

Hwang Yeon and I had been talking in the barracks overnight until he slowly donned his helmet and rose.

” I shall set out.”

” Hwang Yeon, I wish you great success.”

Boom—

Boom boom—

With the sound announcing the battle’s commencement, the 240,000 troops led by Hwang Yeon surged towards the fortress on Goryeo’s border. Witnessing that massive army move like a tsunami from the back was breathtaking.

‘ Goryeo is standing firm with an army of 50,000. Our numbers are significantly favorable. But… we can’t afford to take too long to crush them.’

With a fourfold advantage in numbers, we couldn’t possibly lose. However, as Zhuge Bu pointed out, such disparities in siege warfare were common, and if we couldn’t breach the enemy’s position in the shortest time possible, the 240,000 could suffer significant losses and possibly lose the war. Leading an army in sieges is the one domain where the competence of the commander plays a pivotal role.

As explosions erupted from the enemy’s walls.

Boom! Boom boom!

Boom!

‘ Impressive firepower.’

Watching from a distance as the artillery landed, I was somewhat astonished by the considerable losses it inflicted on our forces.

At this rate, it seemed the artillery I saw in the South Barbarians had comparable performance to the imported cannons from the Western countries.

Considering the operational range, precision, and power of the artillery, it was clear that they weren’t just relying on matchlock guns. The technology of their artillery suggested that Goryeo’s military wielded some of the world’s most formidable firepower.

But we had our own artillery too. Sure enough, Hwang Yeon’s North Dragon Troops made their way to the frontlines and began operating the artillery unit.

Creek.

For a moment, a massive cannon being wheeled out revealed its form. It was one of the two new weapons specifically designed for sieges. The commander held up his flag and shouted loud enough to be heard.

” Man Gwangpo, ready to fire!”

With specially crafted 20 siege cannons from Zhuge Sa’s science and technology slowly priming their powder, an order rang out.

” Fire!!”

Boom boom boom!

Ka-Boom!!!

” Aaaaah!!”

” This can’t be happening!!”

Chaos reigned!!

The moment the siege cannon fired, the massive iron gate of the stronghold, which housed 50,000 troops, was obliterated. To be precise, it could not withstand the cannon’s firing power and was crushed back, but it was still a massive iron gate soaring three stories high that had shattered, sending the Goryeo soldiers into a panic.

‘ So it begins.’

Man Gwangpo.

This was one of the two new weapons created alongside the Gui Luepo, with Zhuge Sa always speaking confidently about its capabilities.

An outdated cannon that would only make its appearance 350 years later.