◈ Episode 18. Conquering Chongqing
The war ended surprisingly easily.
The leaders of the northwest road set fire to the outer wall of the manor as planned, simultaneously with the enemy’s attack.
The goal is survival, not victory.
While delaying the enemy’s advance and holding out tenaciously using cover, reinforcements from Madorim arrived.
Another half hour to go as the fierce battle continues.
Following Cho Moo-gang, who arrived carrying the body of Munju Jong-hwa-gi, Ji Wol-in also arrived carrying the body of Munju Jong-bi-ung.
When the deaths of the leader and successor were confirmed, the Grand Swordsmen threw down their swords with surprising obedience.
The war over supremacy in Chongqing has come to an end.
***
The aftermath of the war continued until daybreak.
As the leaders of the northwest road, who had been collecting casualties, arrived at the headquarters one after another, all the prisoners were sent to Madorim.
It is a grand checkpoint with a short history.
A significant number of the prisoners were either civilians or ronin from the fallen dynasty.
‘You’ve done a great job of gathering these people.’
Jiwol-in came to see Jinmu-rip, who was observing them.
“Meet the little prince.”
There was no need to be polite in this situation, but Jiwol-in took the lottery ticket very politely.
“Lord Rimju is looking for you.”
“Do you believe it?”
The death of Jongbiwoong.
Jiwol-in’s report was the absurd one that he was saved when he was in danger by a passing mysterious master.
It was half true, since Jin Mu-rip was known as a mysterious master in the martial arts world.
“I don’t know about that.”
“Just go.”
“yes.”
When we arrived at Cheongmujeon, Chomugang, two Wonju, and the leaders of Seobukro were gathered there.
They greeted Jin Mu-rip, who had contributed the most in this war, with bright faces.
“Little Prince.”
“Welcome.”
Jin Mu-rip, who exchanged greetings with the leaders, bowed to Cho Mu-gang.
“I meet the Lord Rim.”
Cho Moo-gang, who had been looking at Jin Mu-rip with a strange gaze, smiled and offered him a seat.
“Thank you for your hard work. Take a seat.”
“yes.”
After Jinmu-rip, everyone sat around the prepared round table.
Cho Moo-gang, who was about to open his mouth first, hesitated for a moment and stared into space.
Falling Madorim.
He inherited the position of Lim Joo and held on with all his might, but he could not find a chance to turn things around.
This victory was all the more meaningful for Madorim, who had endured a long period of humiliation.
Woogasan and Sangho-gun, who knew Chomu-gang’s suffering better than anyone else, looked at him with silent smiles.
Jinmu-rip smiled brightly.
“There is still much to do. Let’s get started.”
Cho Moo-gang nodded, exhaling softly.
“I apologize for making a fool of myself in front of you all.”
The northwest road leaders laughed and shook their heads.
“no.”
“I understand.”
Cho Moo-gang asked.
“I am concerned that our assistance may be too late. How is the damage on the northwest route?”
The Shakyamuni Buddha said:
“There are thirty-six dead and about one hundred and fifty who suffered major and minor injuries. It is regrettable that my men have died, but it is a stroke of luck that the fighting against the Grand Inspectorate has limited the damage to this level.”
It was a result of choosing an extreme defense, even setting fire to it.
Damage to other breakwaters was similar.
Cho Moo-gang stood up from his seat and bowed respectfully to the leaders.
“If there had been no Northwest Route, it would not have been easy to win the war. I pay my respects, even if it is late.”
The leaders, who had been watching the scene blankly for a while, got up late and paid their respects.
This is Madorim who regained the supremacy of Chongqing.
In vulgar terms, since Cho Moo-gang no longer had anything to worry about, they were worried that he would treat them like the Great Sword Master.
However, they felt somewhat relieved by Chomugang’s polite greeting.
“It was called Sunmangchihan. The Great Inspection lost the Northwest Road, so it was unable to prevent today’s incident. We, Madorim, want to maintain good relations with you in the future, so let’s get along well.”
Seokgeumjong answered as a representative.
“Since the Lord Rim treats us as an example, the Northwest will remember and not forget today’s events.”
Cho Moo-gang said with a smile.
“Thank you. If you ever have any difficulties in the future, please come here anytime. The doors of Madorim will always be open to you.”
After a brief exchange of warm words, it was time to begin the real work.
“Naerimwonju. How much wealth have you secured from the Grand Inspection?”
Mutual forces arose.
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“Excluding items that take time to calculate, it is three million silver.”
Cho Moo-gang opened his mouth wide, forgetting even his dignity.
The expressions on the faces of the other leaders were no different.
It was a truly enormous sum, considering that Madorim’s annual budget was less than a million silver coins.
Cho Moo-gang, who had come to his senses, spoke to the leaders.
“This is a victory that we all achieved together. I will share the silver million with Seobukro, so please use it to help with the damage.”
Even if the five breakwaters divide it evenly, it is still two hundred thousand.
Their expressions brightened as they secured a year’s budget.
“Thank you, Rimju.”
When the processing of the goods was finished, Jinmu-rip said.
“The war with the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office has come to an end, but we need to think about how to deal with the people returning from outside.”
Cho Moo-gang nodded.
“They probably haven’t heard the news yet. If we calculate the time, they should arrive in a day or two. We should find a way before then.”
Oerimwonju Ugasan said.
“We will take charge of that matter at our Oerimwon. Considering that the enemy on the northwest road surrendered after the death of the Munju family, it seems that we can resolve it through dialogue.”
***
Once things got back on track in Chongqing, the rest proceeded smoothly.
There was no warrior who was willing to risk his life to fight for the merciless Great Swordsman, who had a short history.
Chomugang gave them a choice, and a significant number of them wanted to remain in Madorim.
Because even if he left, he would have nowhere to go, and it was better to stay and receive a salary than to wander around as a ronin.
The pain of pointing swords at each other until yesterday still remained, but this was also part of the martial arts world. The pain was something that time would heal.
The still disorganized Madorim’s gunpowder.
Behind Taegyeongwon, the residence of Taesangrimju, there is a shrine that houses the ancestral tablets.
Taesangrimju Chopyeongcheon, who had been visiting the temple since early in the morning, was absorbed in his admiration as he looked at the busy Madorim seen at the bottom of the hill.
‘I never thought a day like this would come again in my lifetime.’
Madorim, who suffered bloody death during his generation and was on the verge of collapse.
Chopyeongcheon, who had never been able to visit the shrine properly because of his guilty heart, came here today with a much lighter heart.
“Were you here?”
Jinmu-rip, who had climbed the hill, smiled brightly.
“I wonder if it is being managed properly.”
Chopyeongcheon’s face, smiling awkwardly, was brighter than usual.
“I heard you did a great job this time. Thank you.”
There was no one in Madorim who did not know about Jinmu Rip’s activities. This was because word of mouth spread from those who watched from the side.
The negative views have long since disappeared.
Like the wind of the Naerimwonju Sangho Army, Jinmu Rip had already entered the center of Madorim.
Jinmu-rip smiled and shook his head.
“This is just the beginning. There is still much to do.”
Every time Chopyeongcheon sees his grandson, he thinks of his daughter’s face who passed away first.
He forced a smile, his eyes reddening at the thought of the old days.
“Will you follow me for a moment?”
The place where Chopyeongcheon took Jinmurip was the annex of Taegyeongwon.
Chopyeongcheon went into the small warehouse behind the annex and came out holding a sword.
The magnificent scabbard with a yellow dragon engraved on it and the golden thread attached to the sword blade left a strong impression that you would never forget once you saw it.
“It’s called the Silver Sword. It was something I had difficulty obtaining in the Western Regions, and I gave it to your mother as a gift on the day I gave her her first mission.”
Cho Pyeong-cheon declared separation and got rid of all of his daughter’s belongings, but the only thing he couldn’t throw away was the Eun Gwang Sword.
The sword, which he hesitated to throw away after hesitating several times, eventually became his daughter’s only heirloom.
Chopyeongcheon, with reddened eyes, smiled and held out his sword.
“You take it.”
“······.”
Slowly, very slowly, the hand extended out with a slight tremor.
‘Mother’s Sword.’
After a while, Jinmu-rip, who was holding the scabbard, slowly drew the sword.
The sword, which was so transparent that even the fluff could be seen through it, retained its original shape even though it had not been touched by human hands for a long time.
‘It’s a silver sword.’
A name that contains the meaning of light and silver.
I like it.
Jinmu Rip hung his sword sheath on his waist and laughed heartily.
“Thank you.”
Cho Pyeong-cheon nodded and returned to his quarters with a smile.
***
Now that he had control of Chongqing, there was no need to stay in Qingha Guest House.
The leaders of Madorim will take care of the aftermath, and Jinmu-rip has finally returned to his quarters.
Seongyo, a servant girl who was sweeping the yard, suddenly came over.
“Meet the little prince.”
Jinmu-rip smiled softly and rubbed her head.
“How have you been?”
Seongyo blushed and lowered her head.
“Yes. Rumors of your great achievements are spreading throughout the army. I congratulate you.”
“thanks.”
As Jin Mu-rip was about to enter the room after a brief greeting, she spoke again from behind him.
“Your Majesty, the Lord of the Northeast is in the guest house.”
“The Northeast Governor?”
As the door to the guest house opened and Jin Mu-rip came in, Gwan Cho-geol, who had been leisurely drinking tea, smiled brightly.
“Please sit down.”
The situation was the complete opposite of the day we first met, and Gwancho-geol invited me to a seat as if she were the owner of the house.
“This is it.”
Jinmu Rip also sat down in his seat with a shaky expression, perhaps recalling that day.
“What are you doing in an empty house?”
“Everyone in Madorim is like one family, so how could there be a separate owner?”
“If you go to Taekyungwon and say the same thing, they won’t admit it.”
“The Supreme Lord will laugh heartily.”
“Really? Hahahaha!”
Jin Mu-rip, who forced a hearty laugh, frowned.
“Is it okay?”
“Hahaha. Okay.”
“what’s the matter?”
Guan Chujie, who was staring blankly at Jinmu Rip, suddenly remembered the conversation from that day.
‘That day, I promised myself that I would eat the Qinghagukjan, and I did. Now, I have promised myself that I will eat the Chongqing, and that will soon become a reality. There is nothing impossible for what I set out to do.’
Jinmu-rip eventually kept his word.
He was a truly great man, not a petty rascal who relied only on his bloodline.
The attendant stood up from his seat and bowed respectfully.
“Your Majesty, you have kept your promise admirably. I pay my respects to you.”
Jinmu-rip slurped down his tea and nodded arrogantly.
“Don’t forget that feeling and continue to respect it.”
Guan Cho-geol smiled faintly.
“Can I ask you something?”
“okay.”
“The promise to eat Chungkyung has become a reality as you said. What is the next goal of the little prince?”
“hmm.”
A faint wrinkle appeared between Jinmu-rip’s eyebrows.
“Will you believe it?”
“Of course.”
“I intend to do what everyone wants.”
What everyone in Madorim wishes for is the same as the dream of their dead mother.
“If that’s what you want······.”
Guan Cho-geol carefully trailed off.
Jinmu-rip, leaning against the back of the chair, opened his mouth calmly.
“Now that we have secured the foundation of Chongqing, we will solve the problems in front of us one by one. If we do that, won’t the day come when we can regain our former glory?”
It refers to the glory of the past, the time when it was called the best in the Four Heavenly Kingdoms.
As Jinmu Rip said, now that the foundation has been secured, it is no longer an impossible dream.
‘It won’t happen overnight, but someday······.’
Guan Cho-geol smiled and got up from her seat.
“I have been appointed as the head of the Central Intelligence Agency. If there is anything I can help you with, please come see me anytime.”
“Is it okay to eat without permission?”
Guan Cho-geol paused for a moment at the unexpected words.
“Within a reasonable limit······.”
“It’s too salty.”
“Hahaha. Just kidding. Come by anytime. I know you won’t have time for that.”
“What are you talking about? There’s so much time.”
The guard tilted his head.
“Haven’t you heard the news yet?”
“what?”
“This is the new position that Your Majesty will be taking up.”
