Chapter 86 – Limit of Patience (1)

Chapter 86 – Limit of Patience (1)

Winter had arrived in Hanzhong. Overnight, the entire streets and military camps were buried deep in snow. Although the weather had turned chilly, it felt refreshing to the soldiers who had trained in martial arts. However, the snow, which reached up to their thighs, gave everyone a hard time.

The members of the Wolf Fang Squad were no exception.

"Alright, let's wrap this up quickly, everyone!"

The squad members each grabbed a wooden snow shovel. With their practiced movements, the snow around the barracks was quickly cleared away.

Leaving the members behind, So-mu walked toward the office of General Jang Yang. Not far away, he spotted the familiar back of a child. It was So-so, crouching like a squirrel as she built a snowman.

I wondered where she went so early in the morning, and she was here.

Since he hadn't been able to play with his daughter lately, he had felt a bit guilty. Opening his right palm, the loose snow on the ground was drawn into his hand. Soon, the snow compressed into a small ball.

The snowball So-mu threw struck So-so's back with perfect precision.

Thwack!

Startled by the sudden ambush, So-so cried out,

"Ouch!"

So-mu smiled at his daughter's reaction.

"Did you make a snowman? Not bad."

"Hehe. This is my friend, Sobong-i~ Isn't he pretty?"

It was a small snowman, reaching up to her chest. He could tell how much care she had put into making it with her tiny hands. She had even taken So-mu's bamboo hat and placed it on its head. It was shaped quite precisely like a human, showing decent skill.

"Your friend's nose is a bit crooked."

So-so adjusted the twig nose of Sobong-i.

"Don't hurt, Sobong-i!"

Taking advantage of the moment, So-mu laughed and threw another snowball. It struck So-so's bottom.

Thump!

"Haha!"

Stumbling as if she might fall, So-so spun around and narrowed her eyes.

"Hmph!"

So-so scooped up a handful of snow, rolled it quickly, and launched it. She threw it so hard that it cut through the air with a loud whoosh. She probably knew her father wouldn't be hurt even if he was hit.

Watching the incoming snowball, So-mu ignored it, as its trajectory was clearly off. But this was a mistake.

The moment the snowball closed the distance to one zhang, it suddenly curved and accelerated. It was even spinning.

A curveball? Did she learn hidden weapon arts from Yeon Seo-hwa?

If so, he couldn't just let it hit him. While it wouldn't hurt him, it was aimed at his face, and getting hit would look rather undignified. The moment before impact, So-mu tilted his upper body backward.

The snowball whizzed past So-mu's nose at a fierce speed and kept going, heading straight for the back of someone else's head—specifically, the largest head in the Wolf Fang Squad. It was the back of Il-gwang's head, who was currently holding a wooden shovel.

Smack!

"Argh! Who did that?!"

So-so quickly turned away, pretending to be innocent. At that moment, Il-gwang, clutching the back of his head, locked eyes with So-mu.

"Wow, a cowardly sneak attack?! Boys, the Captain wants to play!"

The squad members, who had been bored anyway, quickly prepared snowballs and took their stances.

"Prepare to fire!!!"

Watching this, So-mu sighed. His daughter had already turned her back, acting as if she had nothing to do with it.

"See you guys later."

Leaving only those words, So-mu dashed across the snow like lightning. It was the Snow-Gliding Step, a technique said to be even more difficult than running on water.

As the Captain distanced himself in an instant, disappointment showed on the squad members' faces. Having made the snowballs, they felt awkward with no target. But they couldn't just drop them.

"Take this!"

Il-gwang threw a snowball at Cheong-hae, who was nearby. Having already anticipated it, Cheong-hae swayed his upper body and dodged. The snowball struck the face of Cheol-du, who was standing behind him.

Splat!

"Agh! Brother Il-gwang, that's too much!"

Cheol-du threw the snowball in his hand, and several other squad members joined in.

Pelt! Pelt!

Il-gwang brushed the snow off his clothes and shouted to the members nearby,

"Your brother is being attacked, and you're just going to watch?!"

That was the trigger. Dozens of snowballs flew through the air from all directions, starting a full-scale snow fight. Energetic laughter echoed from the squad members' faces.

After about ten minutes, a mischievous idea struck Il-gwang. His target was So-so, who was crouching like a squirrel.

"Take this, So-so!!!"

Startled, So-so executed a wheeling evasion to the side. However, she accidentally overlooked one thing.

"No, Sobong-i!!!"

So-so turned her head quickly, but it was a step too late. The snowball Il-gwang threw missed its target and struck Sobong-i's neck. In that instant, Sobong-i's severed head fell to the ground with a soft thud.

Seeing this, Il-gwang's face turned pale, and he froze. Tears immediately welled up in So-so's eyes.

"Uwah… Uncle Il-gwang killed my friend Sobong-i!!!"

So-so hugged Sobong-i's severed head and wept bitterly. The squad members stopped their play and looked at their niece with worried faces. Scratching his head, Il-gwang approached the sobbing So-so.

"Actually, Sobong-i was a bad friend. Uncle will make you a much better friend. Do you want a Medium-Bong? Or a Big-Bong?"

The squad members looked at Il-gwang in disbelief.

Just then, the tear-streaked So-so turned her head and replied in a trembling voice,

"A Mega-Bong…"

At that moment, a meaningful grin spread across Il-gwang's face. He shouted to the surrounding members,

"Did everyone hear that?! Our niece needs a friend, a Mega-Bong!"

The uncles, who had already felt bad, rallied together with their wooden shovels. It was the moment the largest snowman in the history of the Central Plains was born.

***

Deep inside the military camp, the snow removal work was nearly complete, thanks to the large number of soldiers mobilized.

In Governor Jang Yang's office, another guest had already arrived. It was Adjutant Yang Yeon-jeong, who was scheduled to meet here today.

Yang Yeon-jeong gestured toward an empty chair.

"You're here, Commander So-mu. Please, sit."

The three of them sat facing each other across a small table. Jang Yang handed So-mu a nameplate.

"First, I have good news. This is an imperial decree from the court. You have been promoted to the rank of Chungmu Guard Commander."

From Changmu Guard Commander (Junior Sixth Rank) to Chungmu Guard Commander (Senior Fifth Rank), his rank had risen by two steps. The principal merit was his decapitation of Corps Commander Yelu Huan and Commander Temur.

Adjutant Yang Yeon-jeong offered her sincere congratulations.

"You worked hard, Commander. Thanks to you, the other commanders and I have also been promoted by one step."

So-mu's rank was now equal to Yang Yeon-jeong's and stood one step higher than the other commanders. It was a joyful occasion, but his expression remained unchanged.

"I only benefited because the others created the opportunities for me."

"You accomplished a great feat, so there is no need to be humble. And most importantly, our General has finally been promoted to Governor."

For the first time, So-mu's stoic face brightened. Although it was just a single step from Military Commissioner (Senior Third Rank) to Governor (Junior Second Rank), the difference in authority was night and day. He was now officially the military commander overseeing Shaanxi Province.

"Now we no longer have to worry about the local officials' interference."

Jang Yang nodded.

"At the very least, in Shaanxi, we can prevent the corrupt practices of seizing local resources and forcing conscription in the villages."

"That is indeed a relief. But why did the imperial court suddenly grant such unprecedented promotions?"

Although the Hanzhong legion had achieved consecutive victories, the sudden generosity felt suspicious.

"We are the only functional legion left in Shaanxi. The court likely figured that granting me the title of Governor wouldn't change much on the ground. It is merely a carrot to draw Hanzhong's troops out."

"Did they request our deployment?"

"Yes. They ordered us to send all available troops, leaving only a bare minimum defense force."

The court wanted to summon Hanzhong's battle-tested army to defend the capital. The promotions were the incentive.

"Hanzhong and Lin'an are far apart. For the imperial court to demand Hanzhong's troops, the situation in the capital must be dire. What do you plan to do, General?"

Jang Yang clasped his hands and pondered before replying,

"It is already too late. It took over a month for the Imperial Decree to reach us. According to our scouts, the capital is likely already under siege."

They had no desire to sacrifice their troops for a corrupt imperial court, and at this point, it was no longer feasible anyway. So-mu recalled his visit to the capital and said,

"The imperial guards had decent martial training, but they alone will not be enough to stop the Hui Dynasty's massive army."

"Lin'an will fall. It was already set in motion when the Great General suffered that major defeat in Huainan. With General Han Shizhong tied down in Xiangyang, who else can stop Wanyan Hui?"

"Then we must prepare for what comes next."

Jang Yang nodded.

"You are quick-witted, so speaking with you is always refreshing. His Majesty has still not designated a successor. The political situation is completely unpredictable, so we cannot just watch idle."

"What are you preparing?"

Adjutant Yang Yeon-jeong answered on his behalf.

"We plan to reclaim Chang'an Fortress as soon as winter passes."

This was something So-mu had already anticipated. Reclaiming Chang'an was the logical next step, as the enemy there had been isolated after Hanzhong's defensive victory. But one problem remained.

"Reclaiming Chang'an is one thing, but holding it will be a greater challenge. Our defensive lines will expand, but a single legion has a limited operational range, doesn't it?"

Jang Yang nodded.

"That is my greatest concern. Since ours is the only legion in Shaanxi, we cannot expect any reinforcements. We must form an additional legion to support us."

As the Governor overseeing Shaanxi's military, forming an additional legion was within his authority.

"We can recruit new soldiers from various regions to fill the ranks. But…"

So-mu trailed off.

Jang Yang surely knew what he was thinking. He wanted to hear the General's plan.

"We desperately need an experienced, capable general. A supreme commander."

"Who do you have in mind?"

Yang Yeon-jeong was equally curious. She waited in silence along with So-mu.

After a moment, Jang Yang spoke quietly.

"Is there not one man? A famous general who once served as the Great General."

So-mu asked in surprise,

"Isn't General Yue Fei currently held at the Donggu Prison Camp? The conflict between him and the court was severe, so they won't release him easily."

"What if we have him walk out on his own and form a volunteer army?"

Yang Yeon-jeong spoke with concern,

"If you turn a blind eye using your authority as Governor, his activities won't be blocked. But your position with the court could become precarious, General."

Rebellions had been breaking out across the land recently. In the process, Jiedushi from various provinces had frequently absorbed rebel forces into their own commands.

"Since when have we worried about the court when the lives of the people are at stake?"

A faint smile appeared on So-mu's face.

"I agree. The imperial court is currently fighting for its survival and won't have the luxury to worry about General Yue Fei. But how can we persuade him to move?"

Even So-mu, who had met Yue Fei in person, had been astounded by the General's stubborn nature. Jang Yang wouldn't propose this without a plan.

Jang Yang's expression turned somber as he replied,

"Even a saint has limits to his patience… The local government office went so far as to frame his elderly mother and execute her. I tried to stop it, but because the court was backing them, I was powerless."

Yang Yeon-jeong's brow furrowed in anger.

"Sigh… How could there be such wicked beasts?"

So-mu also clenched his teeth.

"It seems beasts wearing crowns have been ruling the nation."

Although his subordinates were openly cursing the imperial court, Jang Yang had no intention of stopping them. He looked at So-mu with a sorrowful gaze and said,

"I will write a letter. I want you to go and meet him."

"I understand, General."