Chapter 771: Borrow His Life for One Use

Fujiwara Ryoujin glanced at him, his expression unchanged: "Lord Matsunaga, since this is your duty, regarding the general, just report truthfully."

"But fighting the enemy troops is also my duty; you don't understand this, so it's better not to speak further."

"Commander, why be so concerned," Matsunaga Hisahide lifted his teacup, took a sip, and smiled faintly: "I am merely worried about you."

"In this Goryeo campaign, although we captured the Royal City smoothly, we failed to eliminate the Goryeo royal family."

"We actually let the Goryeo prince escape; not only did he ascend the throne smoothly, but also drew the Fiery Nation's army here."

"The Fiery Nation's war god truly lives up to his reputation; upon arriving in Goryeo he broke your defenses, landed safely, and that very night cut off our army's retreat."

"If it weren't for two ships still anchored elsewhere, not to mention the soldiers, even I, the Military Monitor, would probably not be able to return to Japan."

He shook his head: "Tsk tsk tsk, the Fujiwara clan are all warriors and have never been defeated; if you fail to drive the Fiery Nation's army out of Goryeo, the Fujiwara will be shamed because of this."

Kuroda Shigenobu's face darkened; he sprang to his feet, hand on his sword hilt, and said coldly, "Lord Matsunaga, please watch your words."

Fujiwara Ryoujin's expression remained unchanged: "Do not be disrespectful."

"Yes." Kuroda Shigenobu sat back down, his hand still on the hilt.

Matsunaga Hisahide gave him a sidelong glance, hummed, and said nothing further.

Fujiwara Ryoujin looked at Abe Taishin: "Although the Fiery Nation's army has withdrawn, it hasn't left Goryeo; they must be pondering countermeasures."

"As for this Royal City, they'll eventually have to fight it."

"Master, our troops cannot engage now; do you have any means to make them collapse without us attacking?"

Abe Taishin smiled faintly: "Of course there is, but it requires borrowing a life from the Commander."

Fujiwara Ryoujin replied dismissively: "Lives aren't scarce; there are plenty of Goryeo civilians; you can take them yourself."

Abe Taishin shook his head: "Those won't do; they're just the ignorant masses."

"What I need is the life of a Goryeo official who is still in office; his rank must not be too low, so it suits my purpose."

Fujiwara Ryoujin, without asking for reasons, said directly: "Summon Park Jeonghwan."

"Yes!"

Kuroda Shigenobu answered, stood up, and walked out.

Soon after, Park Jeonghwan was brought in.

He trembled as he saluted Fujiwara Ryoujin: "Excuse me, sir, you summoned this subordinate—what is the purpose?"

Fujiwara Ryoujin looked at him for a moment, then turned to Abe Taishin: "What about this person?"

Abe Taishin smiled: "Lord Park is still useful to the Commander, but his rank is too high; lowering it a bit will suffice."

Park Jeonghwan listened in confusion, not understanding what they were talking about,

Fujiwara Ryoujin looked at him: "How many officials are one rank below you?"

Park Jeonghwan was startled, then replied: "There are, there are three."

Abe Taishin asked: "Are there any who are over forty but under fifty, and robust in health?"

Park Jeonghwan thought, then looked up and answered: "Then only Lord Min Jeongsu remains; he is forty‑six and in good health."

"May I ask what you summon him for, sir?"

Abe Taishin met his gaze: "Borrow his life for a use."

Park Jeonghwan turned pale with shock: "No! Impossible! Lord Min has done nothing wrong…"

"Silence!" Fujiwara Ryoujin shouted, "He certainly has no fault, which is why I grant him the opportunity to serve my Japan."

Park Jeonghwan stared blankly at him, "To take a life without cause and call it a reward?"

Fujiwara Ryoujin saw through him in an instant: "Lord Park, this person was strongly recommended by you."

"I will inform your colleagues, have them all come to your residence, and properly thank you."

Park Jeonghwan felt half his blood turn cold.

My recommendation?

You're so poisonous; doesn't this make every official in Goryeo's court an enemy of mine?

You intend to make everyone unable to tolerate me, so I can only be utterly loyal to you?

His face turned ashen; with a thud he knelt: "Sir! Please show mercy! Spare Lord Min!"

"I've served in the same court with him for several years; our bond is deep. His grandson is not even a year old!"

"Oh?" Abe Taishin looked at him calmly, "Then, according to Lord Park, who would be suitable?"

Park Jeonghwan was speechless.

Who to replace? No one works! Anyone would be sent to death!

He clenched his teeth; surviving like this holds what meaning?

"Replace, replace the subordinate; they are all the subordinate's colleagues; I truly cannot bear to watch them waste… their lives."

Fujiwara Ryoujin was slightly surprised, a hint of admiration appearing on his face: "So, Lord Park truly does not fear death."

Park Jeonghwan's aged face flushed.

"But you and I are still needed; honestly fulfill your duties, govern the Goryeo people well, and go!"

Park Jeonghwan closed his eyes, knowing the matter had reached this point with no room for reversal, and bowed: "Subordinate, I take my leave."

Having spoken, he slowly walked out, nearly stumbling on the threshold as he crossed it.

From behind came Fujiwara Ryoujin's voice: "Go, bring Min Jeongsu."

"Yes!"

Kuroda Shigenobu answered, strode past Park Jeonghwan without even glancing at him.

Park Jeonghwan's vision went black, and he collapsed onto the ground.

The last sliver of sunset faded from the city walls; night fell like a pot of black ink poured over the head, swallowing the entire Royal City into boundless darkness.

Abe Taishin sat upright in the room, a black jade tablet laid horizontally before him; under the white candle its surface emitted a faint, cold glow.

He slowly lifted his eyelids: "Heitian, Deputy General."

"Present!"

"Hold this place, guard the law for me. No one may disturb!"

"Yes!" Heitian Chongxin turned, strode out the doorway, and with his other hand slammed the door shut.

He drew the great sword at his waist, crossed his hands and pressed them on the hilt's top, legs slightly apart, standing steadily at the doorway.

Anbei Taixin looked down at Min Zhenshu lying on the ground, his gaze indifferent.

Min Zhenshu's complexion was ashen, eyes tightly shut, chest rising slightly, breath weak.

Anbei Taixin took a talisman paper from his sleeve; the vermilion patterns flowed with an eerie dark red under the candlelight.

He gently placed the talisman on Min Zhenshu's brow.

Min Zhenshu immediately trembled all over.

Anbei Taixin extended a finger, slowly tracing the pattern on the talisman.

The vermilion on the pattern began to writhe inch by inch, like a living blood vein, piercing Min Zhenshu's skull.

Min Zhenshu suddenly flung his eyes open.

Anbei Taixin's lips moved silently, chanting complex incantations.

Min Zhenshu's pupils slowly turned dead gray.

Anbei Taixin extended his right hand, hovering above his head, gently clenched, and slowly lifted upward.

His left hand brushed the Onyx Jade Tablet.

The Onyx Jade Tablet gradually glowed, slowly revealing the scene outside the city.

Anbei Taixin looked down at his right hand: "Go."