A Pair of Eclipse Swords
Chapter : 213 – Conditions in the East
The departure of Jeiji Empire to Alang-Alang village was actually related to the departure of Sung Hwa who headed east. When he and Sung Han parted ways in the raid, Sung Hwa who had gone east had some problems. This also caused him to not arrive on time when Sung Han had already arrived first in Alang-Alang village.
While on the way during that escape, Sung Hwa never completely turned a deaf ear. He was always looking for any information regarding the Jeiji Empire along the way. Ask the people they meet.
And how surprised when Sung Hwa reached one of the villages, met a wandering swordsman who happened to be asked about the Jeiji Empire. The man shook his head and sighed.
"Three times today I have been asked the same question" he said. "And you are the fourth miss."
"Eh, really? Brother, hope you like to explain" Sung Hwa asked.
"Let's sit there, lady, let's have a nice conversation" he said, leading Sung Hwa to one of the roadside rocks. When the two of them sat facing each other, the man continued. "The empire is strong."
Sung Hwa frowned. "Hm, you're saying it like you're not brave."
"Really dead," he said desperately. "I've never felt this weak before, miss."
"What happened to the Jeiji Empire?" Sung Hwa was curious.
The man began to explain. His face was wrinkled so that it appeared to be several years older than his actual age. "The "Jeiji Empire was east of the Chang mainland. And you know miss? They just sent in a relief force. A week ago their warships were spotted on our east coast."
Sung Hwa. His words were a little loud so shocked mixed with wonder. "What's? Hasn't the army in the south included so many?"
"That's the strategy of war" the man replied. "We are warriors who are used to fighting one-on-one, how do we understand that kind of strategy?"
Sung Hwa frowned, seemingly thinking hard. Suddenly he remembered the death of general Hong Ciu. Wouldn't it be more profitable if the Jeiji Empire took his family hostage and harnessed his power?
"Ah, I know!" sung Hwa suddenly said.
The man glanced, seemingly disinterested and forced. Just a reflex, he asked. "Know what?"
"This may have something to do with the death of general Hong Ciu."
"Oh, the general is General Chang. It's only natural to be killed."
"No!" sung Hwa. "If I become the leader of this raid, I will take the family of general Hong Ciu hostage and force him to help my side. After all, general Hong Ciu was a well-rounded general. At least that's what I heard."
The man's eyes widened, appearing to be interested. "Oh, explain miss. So what does this have to do with all this?"
Sung Hwa is also proud to know that his thoughts interest others. "It's possible that prince Nakagi has taken everything into account. And according to his assumption, general Hong Ciu had planned to counter the delivery of the relief force. Therefore, he played it safe by killing him first. And that's very detrimental to us for having lost the schemer."
The man nodded in agreement. He stroked his beardless chin. "It's plausible ..., it makes sense," he murmured. But suddenly he called out. "Eh, miss, if that's the case, it means that their combat power has not been the main force?"
This time, Sung Han was also wide-eyed with a pale face.
"Death to us ..," the man muttered softly and desperately. "Dead ...."
...****************...
Sung Hwa forgets his affairs with Sung Han and chooses to continue traveling east. He assumed if Sung Han was in his position, it would definitely do something similar.
Sometimes Sung Hwa smiled to himself how later he would tell of his experience of driving Chang's enemies to enter further inland. How later Sung Han would feel proud of him.
But on the other hand, sometimes the feeling of shame to make his face red is also often experienced. This happened when he recalled how the Moon Eclipse Sword was on him. Is not the curse, if the sword is held by a person of the kind, then ...
"No.., it's impossible!" Sung Hwa shakes his bumpy head after he hits a tree trunk. "It's only temporary!"
He continued to convince himself that this could not happen. Isn't the plan, if you meet in Alang-Alang village then Sung Hwa will return the sword? He can't fall asleep.
Time passed so quickly that it was not felt if Sung Hwa had arrived in the outskirts of the mainland. This area is still a dense forest, but it is close to the coast.
He had to frequently cover the hood of his robe to hide his identity. In this region, it has often been seen groups of army troops who patrol. Rest assured Sung Hwa's heart if the warrior man's words are true.
He hid himself in one of the rooms of the inn. While staying one night, he also searched for information from here.
According to the results of his investigation, it had been a week since Jeiji's warships were in the eastern sea of Chang. Just waiting, not attacking. That obviously makes people nervous. That's why the guard is tightened.
Then Sung Hwa also heard that Chang's imperial defense center was in the fortress of Mustika Naga which was on the beach. It is a long wall that protects Chang's east coast. Soon Sung Hwa left for there the next morning.
When it was the afternoon of that very day, he had already reached the city near the fortress of Mustika Naga. Even the long wall was clear. There was a crowd of people in one of the buildings, until he felt curious and approached.
"Want to be a soldier too?" ask a boy who might be five years younger than him.
"What do you mean?" Sung Hwa opened the hood of his robe. Because he was also a student of literature, so now he is good at painting, even by painting his face. At this time it is certain that no one will know the Red Eagles. "Don't tell me you're gonna sign up?"
The boy suddenly fused his brows. "Hey, don't underestimate me!" he said then raised a sword with a slight objection. The sword was oversized to its size which was only as big as Sung Hwa. "I can do this!"
He slashed towards the large tree beside him. When the sword struck right at the hard part, as far as one inch of it slid into the tree.
"Lumayan." Sung Hwa made a comment.
The boy looked proud and puffed out his chest.
"But your enemies can do this." Sung Hwa took the sword and slashed it into the tree. As if slicing tofu, instantly the tree fell down!
The boy was curling his tongue in amazement and was shocked.
"Go home, this is not a children's game field" Sung Hwa explained stroking the boy's head. And he immediately brushed it off.
"Don't treat me like a kid!"
"Next!" One of them shouted as Sung Hwa was about to reply to the words of the people. When the boy wanted to advance, Sung Hwa pulled his collar and threw him away.
"Go home!" yells.
Sung Hwa approached the soldier. It was seen that the soldier was looking at him from top to bottom, there was a ray of admiration and a bit of insolence from him. But it was obvious that the man was hiding it because he had seen Sung Hwa's swordplay cutting the big tree earlier.
He cleared a few times before saying. "You want to sign up, miss?"
"Yes!"
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