The Conclusion of the Battle on the Tenryeong Plains - 2
With the Mongol alliance troops trapped like mice, panic spread among their ranks, leading to a surge in casualties. Watching the tide of battle shift, General Makilsoo turned to General Okyoungjin.
"It seems today's battle leans toward defeat. Should we retreat or press for a decisive end, even at the risk of strain?"
"Hmm… No, let's decide it now," Okyoungjin replied, his tone steely. "If we falter here, there's no telling what our Mongol allies might do. Truly, this Cheoljincheon is remarkable, never failing to surprise me."
"Then perhaps the Black Wind Brigade should focus on smashing the enemy's left wing, using that momentum to surround their center?"
"That sounds apt. Relay the orders. However, ensure the battle proceeds at a steady pace to maximize our allied tribes' losses. Exhaust them fully here, so they're left without the strength to unify under another leader."
"Understood, sir."
At Makilsoo's command, the Black Wind Brigade's 9,000 riders charged the enemy's left wing, initiating a fierce cavalry battle. With its elite members, the Black Wind Brigade easily outmatched the Mongol soldiers. As per Okyoungjin's directive, the pace was kept gradual, maximizing casualties among the allied Mongol soldiers.
The day's battle, beginning at dawn, raged on until sundown, leaving both sides heavily bloodied. While the Black Wind Brigade emerged with minimal losses, the allied Mongols suffered casualties exceeding half their number. Among the fallen was Cheoljincheon, the Mongol's esteemed leader, cut down amidst the fray. His death delayed the Mongolian unification by half a century, leaving the nation without a hero to guide it.
Though Cheoljincheon had perished, the battle continued. For the Mongols, defeat meant enslavement, so they resisted with all their might. However, their strength soon waned, and they scattered in retreat, igniting a merciless hunt.
The Black Wind Brigade spearheaded the chase, conserving energy during the main battle, giving them the stamina to pursue with relentless vigor. Determined to root out Mongol unity, the chase carried on excessively through the night.
At dawn, General Okyoungjin summoned all commanders above the Thousand-Man Commander rank to strategize the aftermath. He ordered all but five thousand-man units to scatter and ensure the area was thoroughly cleared. The infantry, no longer needed, were ordered to leave only a thousand for main camp defense and for the rest to return home.
Before joining the chase, Gukgwang returned to his tent, realizing this mission might be his last in Mongolia. Once this campaign concluded, the Black Wind Brigade would return home, and he feared that on their arrival, Habur would inevitably be sold as a slave.
Oblivious to Gukgwang's turmoil, Habur greeted him warmly as he entered.
"I'm glad you're safe."
Gukgwang gently pushed Habur aside and presented her with a set of ceremonial black armor he'd procured from a subordinate.
"Hurry, put this on," Gukgwang urged.
"What?" Habur looked puzzled.
"Quickly, wear it. And use my pants and boots. Once you're dressed, let's go riding together."
Without much time to think, Habur started donning the armor. The mention of going on a trip spurred her to change even faster. Once Habur was fully geared up, Gukgwang discreetly positioned her among the ranks of his unit, blending her in seamlessly. He had considered asking General Okyoungjin for help, but fearing refusal, Gukgwang opted to act swiftly.
With a helmet covering all but her eyes, no one could recognize Habur. If anyone closely examined the armor, they might notice a duplicate number, but Gukgwang's unit members, having grown fond of her and aware of Gukgwang's plan, shielded her from suspicion.
They rode north, searching for a village. Other squads were likely scouring villages and hunting down stragglers too, but unlike Gukgwang's group, their purpose was looting and killing. After four days of travel, they found a small village hidden in the mountains. Taking precautions, Gukgwang stationed most of his men around the perimeter, entering with only Habur and a few close subordinates.
No one came out to greet them, prompting one of Gukgwang's men, Mahwa, to mutter irritably, "Think someone's been here already?"
"Unlikely. If anyone had, there'd be corpses. They'd leave them in plain sight to make an example."
"Good point."
Dismounting, Gukgwang stood before a yurt, calling out in Mongolian with his voice infused with inner energy, allowing it to carry far.
"Come out, all of you. I need to speak with your chief."
After some murmurs from one of the yurts, an elder and a few sturdy young men stepped out.
"Honored sir… What brings you here? We're a small village, we have no food to spare, nor any maidens fit for your taking."
Gukgwang was about to respond when a commotion erupted in the background. Amid protests, a young boy stepped forward, facing Gukgwang resolutely.
"I'm the one you're looking for. Take me, but leave the others in peace."
The boy, about fifteen, was well-built and spoke with an unexpected poise that intrigued Gukgwang. Examining the boy closely, Gukgwang spoke.
"And if I refuse?"
The boy, surprisingly calm for his age, replied, "These people are innocent, simple folk. There's no need to harm them."
Gukgwang sneered, his tone mocking. "Amusing. Do you think you have the power to stop me?"
"No, I don't. You black devils are far too strong," the boy answered, his voice steady. "But even a wolf only hunts when it's hungry. Surely, with all your power, you could show these people mercy, as befits your strength."
"Hahaha, an interesting young man I've found here," Gukgwang chuckled, then suddenly shifted to a respectful tone as he addressed the boy.
"Young man with the eyes of a dragon, I have a request to ask of you. If you fulfill it, I'll grant you your request in return."
The boy's expression turned curious. "And what is that?"
"This girl here is Habur. She lost her parents in this war. Though I've cherished her like a daughter, as a Chinese man, I cannot take her, a Mongolian, back to the mainland. It would be best for her to stay here. Would you take her under your care?"
"That's all you're asking?" the boy replied.
"Yes."
"But how can you trust that I won't simply kill her once you're gone?"
"I trust you. Eyes like yours aren't simply given to anyone."
Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Habur, tears brimming in her eyes, clenched her hands and pleaded with Gukgwang, "My lord… Are you abandoning me?"
Gukgwang looked at her sympathetically, speaking gently. "No, Habur. I've simply chosen the best path for you. You're Mongolian… You'll be happiest among your own people, on these very plains. Trust me, will you?"
"My lord…," Habur's voice broke, tears falling.
Gukgwang then guided the tearful Habur toward the boy. "Her name is Habur. She's pure and untouched, so I hope you'll find her a worthy match someday. She's a kind and gentle girl."
"I'll see to it," the boy replied solemnly.
Gukgwang took a long, deliberate look at the boy before him. Just as he was about to leave, he spoke again.
"As a token of my pleasure at meeting one with dragon's eyes, I'd like to give you this. It's not much, but it should help you."
Unfastening the sword from his waist, Gukgwang offered it to the boy. Startled, the boy shook his head.
"There's no reason for me to accept this from you."
"Think of it as a small gesture of goodwill. This sword isn't particularly valuable; it's just decent enough to serve as self-defense. Besides, I already have a better one."
In Mongolia, where iron was scarce, swords were treasured. Even one of modest quality would be considered a prized blade. Historically, China had forbidden the export of weapons and iron to nations like Mongolia, even manufacturing iron with impurities to prevent it from being repurposed into weapons. Thus, the jewel-studded sword Gukgwang offered was clearly a fine piece, making the boy hesitant to accept it without cause. However, at Gukgwang's insistence, he finally took the sword, albeit with a hint of reluctance.
"Stay hidden well. In about a month, we'll withdraw from Mongolia. Though sparing you now might be seen as a betrayal against my superior, Lord Ok, I can't bear to cut down a sapling bound to grow into a great tree. If you don't act recklessly, you'll live to become a hero in Mongolian history. And should fate allow it, we may meet again someday. Farewell."
With those words, Gukgwang left, never looking back. Watching him walk away, the boy suddenly realized he hadn't asked his name and shouted, "What's your name?"
Without turning around, Gukgwang's voice echoed over the plains, "My name is Gukgwang… no, it's Mookhyang… the Master of Ink Soul Blade."
As the years passed, the boy grew into a distinguished warrior. Yet, as Gukgwang had foreseen, he accepted a meal invitation from a rival tribe he wasn't on good terms with. Though he could've declined without issue, he didn't want to be mocked as a coward. After joining them, he drank a cup of poisoned mare's milk and, tragically, died young, delaying Mongolia's unification once again. Habur, who had married him and bore him four children, named their eldest son Temujin. The dream of unification passed down through three generations, until, seizing an opportunity against a weakened Song dynasty, Temujin finally achieved it.
As they walked away from the village, Mahwa asked, "What's this Mookhyang about? I thought your name was Gukgwang?"
Gukgwang didn't respond, so Mahwa turned to Im Choong beside her. "Im Choong! Isn't the captain's name Gukgwang?"
"Yeah, it is."
With a playful tone, Mahwa said, "Maybe he felt embarrassed introducing himself as Gukgwang to the kid? Came up with a new name instead? Mookhyang does suit him, though…"
"…"
"Can I start calling you Mookhyang from now on?"
"No!"
"Why not? It sounds a hundred times better than Gukgwang…"
Suddenly, a voice reached Mahwa's ears even though Gukgwang's lips hadn't moved. Realizing it must be the art of Voice Projection, she paid closer attention.
With that reason, Mahwa could only nod in reluctant agreement. "That… makes sense."
Enraptured Union - 1
One month after the last mission was carried out, under the orders of General Ok Yeongjin, who believed there was no longer any danger in Mongolia, the invasion forces began their retreat. Since Mongolia itself was a poor land of barbaric tribes with little wealth, the captured treasures amounted to only about three wagons. However, they compensated for this by capturing a massive number of slaves.
With this victory, the threat from the north would be absent for some time. Moreover, the war with the Liao, known as the "wolves of the East," was progressing favorably. It seemed likely they would achieve victory soon, as two out of the five capitals had already fallen into Song's hands. Thus, once this large-scale expedition concluded, the possibility of a formidable force emerging in the northeast to threaten Song would be eliminated for at least a hundred years.
As for Goryeo in the east, it was a peaceful nation with a strong military but no desire for conquest. Leaving it alone would pose no problem. Japan, despite its military strength, was not a unified nation, and even if it were united, it would face powerful Goryeo, with its army of 300,000 guarding the path. Hence, it posed no real threat either.
In the west, according to reports from the silk merchants, many nations were too fragmented and lacked the boldness or resources to challenge Song's might. In short, the circumstances of all surrounding countries guaranteed the solid future of the Great Song Empire.
General Ok Yeongjin's Imperial Black Wind Brigade returned triumphantly, offering numerous treasures and slaves to the emperor before returning to their original station. Although the ongoing war with the Liao prevented a grand banquet, the emperor personally celebrated the general's return, which pleased him greatly. Despite a recent rift with the emperor due to interference from corrupt officials, the general believed this valuable victory would restore their closeness and strengthen his position at court.
Upon his return, General Ok Yeongjin was overwhelmed with various tasks. The emperor's rewards mostly involved bestowing money or promotions to a few officers. But he himself had to handle rewards for nearly 10,000 subordinates, selling his treasures and slaves to distribute silver to all who had contributed. He also had to settle overdue salaries and restock weapons, horses, and supplies due to the war.
As General Ok Yeongjin was occupied, his subordinate Okhang, who was initially a burden, had become seasoned by the brutal war. This allowed Gukgwang to enjoy peaceful days at last. Gukgwang desired nothing more than quiet, save for the visits from Ma Hwa, who constantly disrupted him with her chatter—a dream that seemed impossible to achieve in the short term.
That day as well, while Gukgwang covered his ears against Ma Hwa's noise, he felt a sense of peace. Then, through the serene moonlight, he heard the sound of a zither. Although it was not unusual to hear music occasionally, as soon as he listened, he was struck as if by a hammer, feeling an indescribable longing.
Gukgwang, listening to the music in the dew for a long time, couldn't place where he knew the tune from, but he sensed he somehow recognized it. Before each phrase began, he could remember the next notes. By the time five pieces had played, each evoking similar feelings, Gukgwang found himself filled with curiosity.
"I suppose I'll have to take a look."
Before he even finished speaking, his form darted into the night.