Hwan was shaken by the report.
The numbers, who had been the shield against the Jurchens for Chosun, had reportedly betrayed the Chosun people to the savages.
However, another shocking revelation followed.
“In addition, Asanbo and the numbers in the area joined forces, capturing the Gyeongwon region. It is estimated that their force is around 10,000 troops. Therefore, the soldiers guarding the western gate and the western wall of Gyeongwonbu Fortress have all fled, and the people have been mercilessly slaughtered, with livestock and even crops plundered!”
For a long time, the military discipline in the country had deteriorated.
Someone who did not know how to use a bow became a soldier.
Those who guarded the castle took the sight of the enemy seriously and hurriedly fled, leaving the people who sacrificed themselves to the Jurchens in blood.
The messenger continued without catching his breath.
“Gyeongwonbusa is defending the armory, but with Gyeongwonbu Fortress surrounded, it will be difficult to hold out for long. Please send reinforcements quickly!”
10,000 troops were not at the level of a mere bandit group.
Now that the seriousness of the situation was realized, Hwan asked the Minister of Military Affairs.
“How many soldiers can be sent immediately?”
“Considering the number of available weapons, it would be around 500.”
During the long period of peace, there was no need to use the weapons stored in the arsenal, so they had rusted, and there was nothing suitable for combat.
As the number of immediately deployable weapons was limited, the available soldiers for support were also scarce.
However, five hundred people. Against an enemy force of ten thousand, it was an inadequate number.
Hwan raised his voice in frustration.
“There are over ten thousand enemies, and you think that only five hundred reinforcements make sense?!”
“…I apologize.”
The Minister of Military Affairs bit his lip, suppressing the rising anger.
He had been demanding improvements to the arsenal, but Hwan and his loyalists had opposed it, citing the era of peace.
Even when he stepped forward and shouted for the enhancement of the military system and an increase in troops, they incited rebellion.
If Hwan had listened to the sensible words of his loyal subjects earlier, the situation might not have escalated to this extent.
But now, with only this option, the Chief Military Official couldn’t hide his frustration.
“We will quickly replenish the arsenal’s weapons and conscript soldiers in the fifth degree.”
“We need to send people right away. How long will it take to conscript additional troops?”
“It will likely take at least a week.”
Sending reinforcements immediately wouldn’t be enough, considering the distance to Gyeongwonbu.
Hwan vented his pent-up frustration to the courtiers gathered in the side hall.
“What are you all doing?! Those who feast on the country’s resources aren’t coming up with a solution!”
When Hwan’s anger shifted to other courtiers, the side hall became noisy again.
At that moment, a thought flashed through Hwan’s mind.
“Wait a moment…”
A suitable person for the current situation came to his mind.
Someone who had returned alive every time he was sent to the enemy, struggling to survive.
If Hwan sent Gwangho, who led the Gwangho Army unit, to Gyeongwonbu, it would be a solution.
Sending Gwangho to the battlefield first would buy time until additional reinforcements could be prepared.
Moreover, if the Gwangho Army fought with the Jurchens and even if Gwangho died in battle, Hwan’s long-awaited wish would be fulfilled.
If he sent Gwangho to the enemy, they could defeat the enemy and eliminate the thorn in their side.
Crisis could indeed be an opportunity. Perhaps this was the chance given by the heavens.
“A suitable person for the current situation has come to mind.”
As the commotion in the side hall subsided, Hwan spoke.
“What do you think about sending the Gwangho Army to Gyeongwonbu?”
Hwan looked at the courtiers with a sinister gaze.
The eerie glint in his eyes sent shivers down the spines of some courtiers.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
