Chương 81: Chapter 82 – The Beginning of the Operation

As Yeongu stepped into his tent, So Cheollyong followed him inside. Yeongu frowned.

"What now?"

"Just because you've achieved something great doesn't mean you get to forget about us."

"I won't."

"Then you'll teach us."

"Teach you what?"

"Even if we can't reach your level, we should at least get close."

"Cultivation?"

"What else?"

"Ah, come on…" Just as Yeongu let out a groan, he noticed someone standing behind them. It was Wanyan Zongmang. The vanguard commander. The same man who had refused his earlier request to take the lead.

"Take the vanguard."

"W-What? Yes! Suddenly? You said no before!"

"You've achieved something now. You should test it in real combat." Yeongu grinned.

"I see. Then let's go at once."

"We move before dawn."

"Understood. I'll be ready." Yeongu gathered his gear piece by piece, stepped outside, and mounted his horse. It was still deep night. Yet the faint glow reflecting off the snow made the darkness feel thin, almost unreal. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. The sound of horses being steadied echoed continuously. When he rode forward to the front, 1, 200 iron cavalry—the Cheolbudo—were already waiting.

"We've been expecting you." Yeongu raised his fist to his chest.

"Loyalty." It was a declaration that he would follow the vanguard commander's orders. The twenty-five men of the Goryeo 5th Unit stood in perfect formation and returned the salute.

"Are we waiting?"

"They've broken the ice. We're looking for a path across." Yeongu nodded as he stared into the pale darkness. Then he looked back. Behind them, the Jurchen army was forming ranks, pressing forward as if chasing the night itself. Three thousand seven hundred. Yeongu steadied his breath and counted. Some said the enemy numbered seven thousand. Others said ten thousand. Numbers on the battlefield always grew. Even so, they were outnumbered several times over.

Even at the lowest estimate—seven thousand—the enemy was six times the size of the 1, 200 cavalry. That force was divided into front, center, rear, and further split into left and right wings. Gaps would exist. Yeongu kicked his horse forward. Zongmang turned to look at him.

"What's the problem?" Yeongu asked.

"They've broken the ice. Crossing the river is dangerous."

"If we wait until morning, their numbers will multiply. That doesn't concern you?" Yeongu's aggressive tone was already well known within the Jurchen ranks. Zongmang hesitated for a moment, then made up his mind.

"Let's go."

"I'll take the lead."

"Be careful of the ice."

"What's the worst that could happen? We fall in and die? Ha!" Yeongu spurred forward. He told the 5th Unit to fall back, but no one did. Their armor felt solid around them. Over their metal armor, they had wrapped two layers of cloaks to block the cold.

"Cold?" Yeongu shouted. Cheolun answered,"Freezing, damn it. Who makes clothes out of iron?"

"My thoughts exactly…" Cheolun chuckled.

"If it were padded armor, at least we could stomp around to keep warm." Yeongu clicked his tongue and touched what Cheolun was wearing.

"That's dog fur. Looks thick, though."

"Hey, don't touch it. I got it from somewhere." Yeongu shouted,"I told you—it's dog fur!" Gyeongtaek muttered,"No matter how cold it gets, I hate wearing dog fur." Cheolun snorted.

"You say that while your teeth are chattering." That was how they released the tension before battle. They let it flow out through idle talk, loosening their bodies. A stiff body could do nothing. Piiiiiiiiiing— The long, piercing sound of the flute tore through the freezing night air. It didn't matter if the enemy heard it. That sound became the signal to advance. The marker flags shone pale against the snow. The path had already been found. They crossed the ice, uncertain whether it was solid or cracked.

To avoid breaking through, they advanced in two narrow lines. Flags planted along the way guided their route. The scouts led from the front, and Yeongu followed behind. Zongmang rode close at his side. One line was the Goryeo 5th Unit. The other was Zongmang's personal guard. All were clad in silver Cheolbudo armor. The Liao had long restricted the Jurchens from acquiring iron, so their numbers were still limited. At Yeongu's insistence, they had layered armor—two, even three layers thick.

Not everyone could be equipped that way. A silver tide flowed across the snow. Even the much-mocked dog fur flowed with it.