Preparations for Battle
Sowoon went straight to find Lady Lee Sogun.
She was in her quarters, leafing through an old manual of sword techniques.
The book's cover had faded and its edges were worn smooth.
She held it rolled loosely in one hand and, without lowering her arm, asked,
"Sowoon, is that you? What brings you here…?"
"I pay my respects, Aunt."
"Don't stand on ceremony. Come here and sit."
She set the book down and made space for him.
Several members of the household were present in the room.
Sowoon bowed to each of them in turn.
The faces were familiar, though he did not know every name.
"Were you reading? I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"At my age, this is only a way to pass the time. What disturbance could there be? But why today…? The young scholar whom I scarcely see unless I go looking for him—what wind has brought you here?"
She, too, used the nickname "young scholar."
She had heard how the White Dragon men teased him with it.
There was nothing improper in calling a licentiate a licentiate, yet the word carried warmth and amusement.
"I have something to discuss. If it would not be improper, I would ask that we speak in private."
He bowed once more as he spoke.
"It must be important, then. Very well. All of you, the young scholar has something to say. Leave us for a while."
"Yes, Aunt."
Five or six people filed out at once.
When the door closed, the room fell abruptly silent.
"Speak. What is it?"
Sowoon drew a measured breath.
"You must have heard the news. The White Dragon Corps—the unit I once belonged to. The Grand General Jin Mugwang's personal cavalry, the strongest iron riders under his command. General Lee Hui has called the scattered White Dragon back together. They are coming here to the estate. Three or four arrived yesterday. Several more have come today."
"Yes, I know. I thought them men of remarkable loyalty."
Her tone was steady.
But Sowoon's gaze sharpened.
"That is precisely the reason for concern. General Lee has summoned them without sending word to us. Do you understand what that implies?"
"Surely it must be something good."
Her answer came easily.
His did not.
"No, Aunt. It means General Lee believes this estate may be attacked. And not by assassins or a handful of blades, as before. He is anticipating a large-scale military action. The White Dragon is trained for massed combat. They can cut down hundreds of armored infantry head-on."
The air in the room seemed to grow heavier.
"I see… A formidable force indeed. But why—?"
"If he summoned them under such concern, then the situation is worse than we think. If an army is moving, then either the imperial court—or those like the Black Blades who wield power within the capital—have reason to suspect that the Grand General still lives. And yet General Lee himself has not come."
His voice lowered.
"It may be that General Lee has already found the Grand General. And that the enemy has learned he lives. The Jin estate is now within their sight. They may strike here to seize hostages. The summons must be understood that way. It means the Grand General is alive—and not yet captured."
Lady Lee Sogun's eyes trembled.
Alive.
The word struck her heart first with joy—
and then with dread.
Tears welled and slipped down her face.
If he lived, there was hope.
Yet if his survival were known, a vast enemy would move.
"If that is so… then Lee Hui has found him."
"That is how I judge it. If he cannot come, it may be because he is guarding the Grand General."
She exhaled slowly.
"I have understood so little of the world's workings. How did you arrive at such a conclusion?"
Sowoon lowered his head.
It was not something easily explained.
The pieces had simply aligned in his mind.
"I cannot explain it clearly. What matters is preparation. We must assume a large-scale engagement and prepare to defend the estate. Immediately."
Her eyes changed.
Though tears remained, resolve hardened beneath them.
She grasped the scabbard beside her tightly.
In her youth, she had been a woman of a martial house.
"You are right. I understand."
"There is another difficulty. We cannot yet tell Uncle Jin Musik. And at present the White Dragon has no commanding officer. Not a single leader of company rank has arrived."
"Then you should lead them. You are a master who has reached the realm of transformation—"
Sowoon gave a small, self-conscious smile.
"An army is an army. Command structure is everything. Soldiers alone do not make an army. I am but a foot soldier. In the White Dragon, I am only a foot soldier who happens to fight well. If General Lee has made other arrangements, all the better. But without a commander, we will surely lose."
She nodded slowly.
"I know nothing of military matters."
"Even so, we must do what we can. First, we establish defensive lines. I will consult with the unit leaders among the White Dragon. If word spreads that we are fortifying, the enemy will know the Grand General lives. We must prepare quietly."
An unseen enemy seemed already to stand beyond the walls.
No war drums sounded yet—
but the tension had arrived ahead of them.
"Even without a commander, we must gather arms, equipment, traps, and horses. Aunt, you must persuade Uncle Jin Musik. It may require considerable funds. It will not be easy to explain the danger without revealing the Grand General's survival—but you must convince him."
Her brow furrowed deeply.
To conceal part of the truth while seeking agreement—
that was a task as difficult as drawing a blade.
"I will reorganize the White Dragon first. The estate's young men and retainers must also be assigned roles. They will serve as infantry. And we must prepare a refuge in case matters go ill. We cannot simply flee into the mountains without plan. We need a place where we can endure for some time."
She inhaled carefully.
"I understand… I understand."
Joy and fear pressed against her chest at once.
Hope that her husband lived.
And the shadow of great war gathering around that hope.
The room was silent.
Yet both of them already stood at the threshold of battle.
No sword had yet been drawn.
But they knew they were already standing upon its edge.