Chapter 57 – Reaping the Harvest (2)

Chapter 57 – Reaping the Harvest (2)

The mass drills continued every single day. Not only the recruits but also the Wolf Fang Squad gained a vast amount of experience. As a result, injuries occurred frequently, and the number of soldiers visiting the medical barracks grew daily. To avoid excessive exhaustion and injury, the drills were held only in the mornings.

Every afternoon, So-mu headed to the Wolf Fang Squad's training ground. He was there to guide So-so in her special training.

"Ya! Ya!"

Her small hands gripped a child-sized sword, relentlessly pressing So-mu. The sword qi rippling from the tip of her blade made the session feel like a real battle. A violent wind whipped around them, kicking up a thick cloud of dust.

*Clang! Clash! Clang!*

So-mu could not help but admire So-so's fluid execution of the 108 Forms of the Wind-Storm Swift Sword.

"Impressive. Even Uncle Cheong-hae won't be a match for you soon."

Currently, the only squad members who could defeat So-so in a spar were Il-gwang, Cheong-hae, and Hyeon-jeong.

"You won't be a match for me either, Father!"

Kicking off the ground, So-so lunged five times in midair.

*Clash!*

"I really won't. Then try to block this!"

The moment So-so's feet touched the ground, So-mu launched his counterattack. To improve her reaction speed, he had to keep attacking whenever she showed a gap.

A split second later, just as his sword tip was about to touch her torso, So-mu tried to stop. But there was no need. In a flash of light, So-so's figure vanished from where she stood.

"Huh?"

Startled, So-mu quickly scanned his surroundings.

His daughter was nowhere to be seen. He realized why only when he felt a tug at his waist. She was clinging to his side.

Though it was only a split second, he had lost track of her movement. Even though he had let his guard down, it was hard to believe.

*They say combat sense is inborn. It seems to be true.*

So-so hugged his waist tightly, giggling in delight.

"Hehe. See? I told you so!"

Looking down, he saw she was pressing her small small sword against his side. Since she carried no malice, he had simply let her approach. He hadn't expected her to use it to claim victory.

"You played dirty. But how did you do that?"

"This?"

So-so's figure flashed and vanished again. A moment later, she was sitting on So-mu's shoulders.

It was a lightness technique that shifted one's position in an instant—the Lightning Flying Shadow Step. It was a technique of the Sword Saint that he had taught her for her survival. He had never imagined she would master it so quickly.

"It seems the title of the world's strongest will belong to So-so. Since enemies will prepare if you use this technique too often, you must only use it in emergencies."

So-mu's words went in one ear and out the other.

"Hehe. Call me the World's Strongest So-so from now on!"

Sitting on his shoulders, So-so playfully tugged at his ears. He could tell how thrilled she was.

"Sigh. World's Strongest So-so, may we conclude today's training?"

"Yes, okay!"

Once he humored her, there was no end to it. Shaking his head, So-mu walked out of the training ground with So-so riding on his shoulders.

Before long, he stopped. The sound of a horn echoed from afar.

*Hoooonk!*

*Hoooonk!*

Two long blasts. It was the signal used for an emergency mobilization of the officers.

"Father has to go somewhere for a moment, so play with your uncles for a bit."

***

The officers gathered in the military council room, which had been empty for some time.

Under normal circumstances, messages were delivered through administrative clerks. A sudden mobilization meant the matter was urgent.

Jang Yang sat at the head of the table, his face tense as he gripped his swagger stick.

"We have received intelligence that the enemy has marched out from Chang'an Fortress. Our internal network and the Beggars' Sect have confirmed it, so there is no mistake."

Adjutant Yang Yeon-jeong asked, "What is their strength?"

"Over one hundred thousand. Five allied legions, commanded by a man named Temur. Unfortunately, we have no information on him."

They had to stop an army of over a hundred thousand with only fifteen thousand men.

It was expected, but now that the reality was before them, they couldn't help but feel tense.

"Are there any other legions we can request reinforcements from?"

"The Kaifeng forces are targeting Huainan in Anhui, and the Luoyang forces are targeting Xiangyang. They have likely deployed by now. The other legions have no strength to spare to reinforce us."

When had Hanzhong ever fought with the help of reinforcements? They hadn't expected any to begin with.

Jang Yang pointed to Officer Kwak Cheol, who managed the legion's intelligence network.

"What is the enemy's route of advance?"

"Judging by their movements, they will march south through Meixian. They intend to gather and strike the north gate of Hanzhong Fortress."

Hanzhong Fortress's east, west, and south gates were bordered by the Han River and rugged mountains, making them unsuitable for a large army's movement. It was only natural for the enemy to target the north gate via Meixian.

"Indeed. How much time do we have before they arrive?"

"Because of their massive size, their advance is not fast. We estimate it will take about fifteen days for them to reach Hanzhong. Are you planning to fight a field battle?"

For fifteen thousand men to fight a field battle against an elite force of over a hundred thousand was a reckless move. Yet, Jang Yang did not hesitate.

"We must buy time for the citizens outside the walls to evacuate into the fortress."

Officer Jin Lip spoke with a dark face, "The enemy knows we excel at raids and night attacks. They will be prepared, so those tactics likely won't work this time."

Jang Yang looked at So-mu and asked, "But what will the enemy do?"

"The Hui Dynasty defeated General Liu Guangshi's massive force in the Nanshao Plains using only cavalry. If we march out for a field battle, they will almost certainly attempt an ambush."

Jang Yang's face seemed to brighten.

"My thoughts exactly. Which means we know what the enemy will do. In that case, we can prepare a counter-tactic and turn it against them."

Adjutant Yang Yeon-jeong asked, "Do you have a plan, General?"

"Spread out the tactical map."

Officer Baek Moon-hwi quickly swapped the maps on the table. Jang Yang pointed to various locations with his stick and explained his plan in detail. He had clearly prepared for this.

Jang Yang's explanation ended only after a cup of tea's time. The officers nodded in agreement.

"A brilliant plan."

"It is a strategy worth trying."

Even So-mu could not help but admire Jang Yang's tactical brilliance.

"We will prepare this operation starting from Huaping Town. After fighting a field battle there, we will withdraw to Hanzhong. That should buy us enough time."

"Yes, General."

"Officer Jin Lip, how are the defenses of the fortress wall coming along?"

"In addition to ten large trebuchets, five ballistas and ten thousand caltrops have been prepared. The hidden postern gate you requested was also completed a few days ago."

The hidden postern gate—known as the Tumun—was a special facility disguised so it could not be identified from the outside, allowing soldiers to enter and exit stealthily.

"Well done. Hearing that puts my mind at ease."

Officer Wi Jin-cheol, who had been listening silently, asked, "When do we deploy?"

"At dawn, two days from now. We must arrive early to prepare. Before that, notify all villages outside the walls. We cannot force them to abandon their homes, but we must assist those who wish to evacuate."

Cavalry Commander Han Baek replied, "Understood, General. I will dispatch cavalry to every village to deliver the message as quickly as possible."

"And starting tomorrow, refill the moat with water."

Mentioning the moat, Jang Yang looked somewhat regretful. Recently, thousands of citizens had been enjoying playing in the water there every day.

Officer Baek Moon-hwi, who managed the moat, replied, "Yes, General."

"Now, return to your units, encourage the men, and complete the preparations for deployment."

The council concluded quickly.

***

Heading back to the Wolf Fang Squad's barracks, So-mu's steps were heavy. He was struggling with how to leave So-so behind. No matter how strong his daughter was, he could not take her to a battlefield.

"Sigh."

A sigh escaped his lips. Arriving at the barracks, So-mu did not bring up the deployment immediately.

A day passed.

Except for the absence of outdoor drills, life went on as usual. He needed to find a way to leave So-so behind, but today of all days, she remained glued to the barracks.

"Aren't you going to meet Cheong-ah and A-hae today? Why don't you go out and play?"

Lying on her side, So-so yawned. Her eyes were half-closed with sleepiness.

"I just want to stay here today."

"Why?"

"They are busy weeding."

It was currently the harvest season for the garrison farm. Furthermore, with the war imminent, the harvest had to be rushed. Being the children of farmers, they were naturally busy helping.

So-mu could not delay any longer.

"Everyone, step outside for a moment. We need to talk. It's important."

The squad members looked at So-mu in confusion. They would find out once they went outside.

Just as everyone was silently leaving the barracks, So-mu looked down. So-so was following them out.

"I have to talk to your uncles, so could you stay inside for a bit, So-so?"

"Why?"

Sensing something, So-so narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Though he felt a twinge of guilt, So-mu could not back down.

"It is an adult matter."

"Okay."

Surprisingly, she agreed without a fuss. It wasn't like her, but he had no time to dwell on it. Gathering the squad members outside, So-mu began to explain the situation. After giving a brief outline of the deployment, he spoke with a grave expression.

"Tomorrow morning, pretend you are heading to the recruit training camp, but gather here fully armed. Understood?"

"Yes, Captain."

"Understood."

He had already arranged for the garrison defense force to look after So-so. Now, they just needed to slip away.

However, everyone had overlooked one critical fact: the possibility that So-so was eavesdropping from behind the barracks door.

The next morning, at dawn, the squad members began their awkward acting.

"Sigh. Is it another day of training recruits?"

"Yeah. I don't know why they told us to wear our armor today. What a hassle."

One by one, the armored squad members also picked up their real swords.

"And why do we have to bring our real swords?"

"Let's go quickly. The recruits must be waiting."

Leaving the barracks, the squad members peeked at So-so. However, unlike usual, she did not even get up. She lay on her side, resting her head on her arm, completely still. It was strange, but they could not miss this opportunity.

"My daughter, guard the barracks well. I'll be back soon."

Without a word, So-so turned over to face the other way. Looking at her small back, So-mu felt a pang of sorrow. But it could not be helped.

Before long, So-mu and the squad members vanished outside the barracks.

At that moment, So-so's closed eyes slowly opened.