88
The Distance
In the darkness of the battlements, several lights flickered.At first the fortress looked hollow, like a scarecrow shell.Then the lights turned into human silhouettes.They moved—and at the gate, dozens burst out at once.
The archers already in position unleashed a volley.The arrows were silent.The results were precise.The front line collapsed without resistance, the second scattered in all directions.Bodies slid and rolled across the snow.
That was as far as our battle reached.The sight settled heavily in Park Seong-jin's chest.
"Those men… White Lotus."Oh Jin-cheol's voice trembled low.
Huang Hyun-pil narrowed his eyes, staring beyond the battlements.The faces lit by fire resembled those seen at Liaoyang—marked by hunger and exhaustion, yet carrying a tension that did not break easily.
Park Seong-jin stepped back a pace, steadying his breath.Why had they come this far—from the warm south of the Yangtze to this brutal north?
He was not yet old enough to separate causes, regions, or histories.At that age, every enemy was simply an enemy,every refugee merely a remnant.
Trying to read a gray-filled world with the logic of good and evil alonewas nearly impossible.
Then the fortress alarm bell rang.With its dull toll, shadows atop the walls and around them rose all at once.There were more enemies than expected—the momentum of an organized force.
Park Seong-jin clicked his tongue.The calculation—that the fortress was empty and could be pressed quickly—had failed.
He moved straight into battle preparation.More arrows were drawn out, bundles inverted and set for speed.
"What are you doing—why?"Oh Jin-cheol asked.
"What choice do we have? We're bait again.Next time I meet that bastard in an alley, I'll kill him."
"You learn one thing and everything becomes bait?""I didn't expect this many.Just the heads on the wall outnumber us."
Huang Hyun-pil issued orders swiftly."Maintain firing formation. Reinforce the shield front."
"Affirmative!"
The shout spread like ice—firm, yet carrying doubt that would not fade.
"Prepare for enemy breach. Add more shields."
Soldiers moved at once.Scanning the ridgelines, Oh Jin-cheol shouted,"Left and right ridges—especially the northwest valley.We saw lights there earlier. Stay alert."
He stepped close to Park Seong-jin and added quietly,"Focus only on firing. Even if they move, do not pursue."
Young soldiers scattered, exhaling white breath.Park Seong-jin ran his fingertips along the bowstring.Unease and resolve surged together.
Then another signal flickered beyond the battlements.The area outside the fortress shifted—as if to draw attention toward Liaoyang.
The tactic was clear: pin the front, circle another unit around to strike the rear.The most important choice now was restraint—finding the unseen threat first.
Huang Hyun-pil unfolded a small map."It's still dark. There are those who can move without sound."
He spoke low."Request support from the main force. Seal the rear and both flanks."
"Affirmative."
"Adjust firing intervals. Fire by command.Concentrated volleys only when targets are confirmed."
Without a word, the soldiers checked their gear again.Footsteps stamped loudly in the snow.
Feeling the last warmth of the brazier at his fingertips,Park Seong-jin fixed his gaze forward.
As the sun rose, the White Lotus remnants gauged our numbers.Even combined, the three detachments numbered barely one hundred fifty.Our equipment was solid—that much was clear.
They held positions outside firing range.Neither advancing nor retreating, they pressed us by distance alone.
Now the shape of judgment emerged.
Huang Hyun-pil shouted,"Archers. Prepare to fire. Targets: the gate tower."
"Gate tower. Prepare to fire."
The commands echoed.
Their arrows cannot reach us.Ours can reach them.The distance itself was the tactic.
Park Seong-jin wondered why such a risky battle had been designed.If they rushed out, archers would become cavalry prey.
The wind rose stronger, shaking the lights.Tension settled over the snow-covered field.
Thus the battlefield was set—who would move first,who would err first.
That single moment would change everything.