Gungye still looked at him with a defiant gaze. The commanders of the Palgi Army felt a surge of murderous impulse at such arrogance, but they held back. They knew well enough that the ruler before them now wore the expression of someone looking for a particularly amusing toy.
The Palgi Army had been formed not long ago, but its commanders had fought alongside Dae Inseon in multiple campaigns. They knew exactly what their master was thinking just by looking into his eyes.
"Are you saying I am inferior to mere street thugs?" Gungye demanded.
"Wouldn't a street thug who can provide well for the people be better than someone like you, parading around claiming to be Maitreya or Buddha? You call yourself the Emperor of Malgal. Did you rise up for the sake of your people's ideal country? Or was it only for your own dream?" Dae Inseon's words were sharp, aimed directly at the fallen king's hubris.
The Gungye of this era resembled history but had gone astray. Everything had been distorted because Dae Inseon had taken control north of Jukryeong, turning Gungye's righteous cause into a path of tyranny.
"What nonsense are you spouting now?" Gungye barked.
"And what were the results of your so-called righteous cause? You failed to defeat Yang Gil, the local aristocrats turned their backs on you, and the people doubted your ideals, didn't they? You didn't create a utopia for your people—you only sought to realize your own vision. The people were merely tools for your dream."
This Gungye had deteriorated too quickly. No, the circumstances had forced him into this corruption.
Ever since Silla returned land to Goryeo, Gungye had begun to feel desperate. He rushed to act when Wang Rung and Wang Geon came to surrender at Songak, hoping to present a better face.
But this era's Gungye lacked strategic skill. His inability to read the situation, coupled with his failure to defeat Yang Gil, caused him to lose trust among the local aristocracy and the people.
And at that precise moment, Dae Inseon, the new Taewang of Goryeo, appeared.
For the Goguryeo-descended nobles, it provided a perfect excuse to abandon Gungye and become loyal subjects of the new Goguryeo.
"So… you're saying I've lost the people and become a loser?" Gungye asked, his voice trembling.
"No. I crushed you, that's all. You became a madman claiming to be Maitreya, and that is entirely thanks to me."
The words froze Gungye completely. He had anticipated Dae Inseon's tactics, but he had never imagined that someone would methodically portray him as insane behind the scenes.
"Y-Your Highness!" he stammered.
"That's not all. Did you really have the confidence to rally the nobles? Even they only supported you reluctantly. In the end, you pretended to be a savior before the people, but you lacked the ability to manage the aristocrats. Wake up—ideals and reality are two very different things."
As Dae Inseon delivered the blow to Gungye's pride, he thought to himself: At least I dealt with him before he caused trouble in Cheolwon. This fool is far better off dying as a bandit leader.
The prolonged war between Yang Gil and Gungye had already inflicted considerable suffering on the central Korean populace. Supplies had to be constantly transported for battles, and many lives were lost because of Gungye's reckless idealism. In contrast, Yang Gil, supported by Dae Inseon, caused minimal collateral damage. Had Gungye relocated to Cheolwon and worsened the situation, both Dae Inseon's position and the welfare of the people would have been far worse.
"How can someone like you, claiming to be Maitreya, ever rule this land?!" Gungye shouted in a final, futile plea.
"Actually, I hadn't planned to kill you, but five of our Palgi soldiers were injured fighting your men, so a little consolation is in order. Go—sever his head and display it in the marketplace," Dae Inseon ordered.
"Your command shall be obeyed," came the response.
"I am Maitreya! How dare you… ugh!"
Gungye was executed by beheading. Considering he had been a major figure in the Later Three Kingdoms era, Dae Inseon had offered a relatively humane execution.
Wang Geon, who had been brought along, wore a bitter expression as he watched his former master's body. Memories of the time he had served Gungye flashed through his mind. Though not all of it had been good, Gungye had been his first lord. Now, he had to witness his lord's execution, captured by his own hands. A crushing guilt rose in Wang Geon's chest.
Dae Inseon felt no sympathy for Wang Geon. They should have surrendered earlier. That opportunity was lost by Wang Rung and Wang Geon, leaving no room for leniency. Unlike Yu Geum-pil or Park Sul-hee, there was no chance to recruit him.
"So, you were a prominent general in Gungye's band, yes? Wang Geon, is there anything you wish to say?"
"Kill me, please."
"Straightforward enough. Are you as stubborn as your father?" Dae Inseon replied.
Had Wang Geon been the lord of Songak, things might have turned out differently. But he had remained loyal to Gungye until the end. Dae Inseon was relieved that Wang Rung had held Songak, as it allowed him to capture the city with minimal effort.
"You merely failed to guide your lord onto the right path, and that is regrettable," Wang Geon admitted.
"Regrettable? That is your own fault. A man of your caliber serving under Gungye was a waste. But what can we do? Too many wrong turns were taken," Dae Inseon remarked as he scrutinized Wang Geon.
Indeed, Wang Geon's stature matched the reputation of a man with more than twenty wives from prominent noble families. While some marriages were politically motivated to secure unstable positions, Dae Inseon could see that this was a man with the presence of a true warrior.
Within the Palgi Army, there were voices advocating for Wang Geon's recruitment.
"Your Majesty, General Wang is a renowned commander."
"He was indeed Gungye's second-in-command. He even faced our Palgi Army without fear," another confirmed.
"How many of our soldiers fell at his hands?" Dae Inseon inquired.
Wang Geon's prowess was so remarkable that the Palgi commanders were genuinely impressed.
"None. His sword was worn from constant battle with Yang Gil, so he faced us unarmed," they replied.
The Palgi Army's martial skill was formidable. Even with over twenty thousand new Malgal recruits, their rigorous training and strength made them comparable to historical Jin or Qing cavalry units. Observing Wang Geon face them unarmed underscored his incredible ability.
But Dae Inseon remained wary. Wang Geon had betrayed his former lord to end the war, and regardless of his skill, he could not be fully trusted as a subordinate. He would need to be controlled, not elevated.
"Shall I forgive him, Your Majesty? He seems quite useful," a commander suggested.
"I offered him the chance to surrender, yet he refused and delivered his lord to me. How can I trust such loyalty? Yu Geum-pil and Park Sul-hee surrendered at the right time, but not this one," Dae Inseon said. Wang Geon seemed resigned to death, and Wang Rung shot him a warning look.
The Palgi commanders had advocated for Wang Geon's inclusion, but Dae Inseon had already classified Wang Geon, Wang Rung, and Gungye as bandits. Accepting a bandit as a commander would undermine discipline.
Dae Inseon finally decided on a compromise.
"Wang Geon, listen carefully."
"Your command, Your Majesty."
"You managed to end the battle by capturing Gungye. That is undeniable, so I will spare your life. Since Wang Rung handled maritime trade well, you likely inherited some of his skill. I will grant you a residence in Chaeksong and entrust your future with merchant Yi Jae-chun. Yi Jae-chun will manage you well."
Chaeksong was a relatively unremarkable fortress in Goryeo, recently refurbished under Dae Inseon's supervision. Sending Wang Rung and Wang Geon there via Yi Jae-chun was both practical and slightly humiliating.
When Palgi soldiers moved to escort the father and son, Wang Rung struggled and charged at Dae Inseon.
"What does the King of Malgal intend with the lands of Samhan?" he demanded.
"Do you not understand? To govern the Samhan lands and establish an empire. To become the emperor of Samhan," Dae Inseon replied.
"That is outrageous! Samhan should be ruled by its own people, not a foreign emperor!" Wang Rung protested. Even if the title is Chinese in style, it is necessary to dominate the Central Plains. Kings never ruled there; only emperors.
"Do not waste my time with such talk. Palgi Army, escort them to Yi Jae-chun's merchant group."
"May we use them as bodyguards?" a soldier asked.
"They are meant to serve as merchants. Handle them as you see fit."
Only now did Dae Inseon truly recognize Yi Jae-chun's presence, realizing the man's cleverness and intent to manage Wang Geon. Dae Inseon, content as long as Wang Geon remained out of his sight, left the rest to Yi Jae-chun.
"Merchant Yi Jae-chun, obey the will of the emperor."
"Of course, Your Majesty," Yi Jae-chun replied.
"Is the matter now concluded? We will conduct the award ceremony for the Palgi Army once the area is secured. Wang Rung's Malgal complaints give me a headache."
Dae Inseon removed his helmet and rubbed his face. Lately, he had been sleeping poorly and working tirelessly to accelerate the conquest of Songak, including designing siege equipment with minimal local assistance.
Once I return to Sanggyung, I must confirm Yi Jae-chun's origins. If he is truly Malgal, I can use that for propaganda. Until the territory north of Jukryeong is fully secured, I can utilize Silla's resources to gain time against Later Baekje.
"Your Majesty, nothing is truly finished yet," a subordinate warned.
"Another noble revolt?" Dae Inseon asked.
"Your Majesty… the queen…" came the hesitant reply.
"…Hm?" Dae Inseon turned to see the elegantly composed Sul Yul-pyeong, the queen, wearing a cold smile.
It suddenly dawned on him that he had forgotten the promise to bring his wife along on the campaign. His face drained blue.
"Your Majesty. It has been a long time, has it not? You seem to have enjoyed the ride," she said, holding a bow.
"Queen, hear me out. I was worried for your safety. Put the bow down—no, lower it!" Dae Inseon pleaded.
"How pitiful. Don't you feel any concern for me?" Sul Yul-pyeong replied, drawing the string with ease. Her gaze reflected the loneliness of a wife often ignored.
"I apologize. But there was reason behind it. I wanted to secretly secure the southern lands before informing you," he explained.
"Did you expect me to know about the war?" she asked.
"No, I meant… a journey. We would travel together! Consider this: if we miss the opportunity now, when will we ever unify Samhan? The Three Kingdoms endured for over 700 years," Dae Inseon argued.
Sul Yul-pyeong glared but sighed. "Hah, very well. I married a man like you, so I expected never to sleep with you when you talked about unifying Samhan."
"Now that matters are settled, we will establish a government and office here, station troops in Pyongyang, and reorganize the forces along the Baekje and Silla borders. Then, Your Majesty, all you wish for shall be granted," Dae Inseon promised.
Despite the awkwardness, he knew he had to fulfill her demands. The greatest threat to Dae Inseon at this moment was not any enemy army—but his wife, Sul Yul-pyeong.
One Year Later – 897
Dae Inseon established the government office north of Jukryeong, creating the Songak Department. Yang Gil was appointed governor of Songak, and the supporting nobles and soldiers became subjects of Goryeo.
Before returning to Sanggyung, Dae Inseon stationed newly recruited troops along the borders with Later Baekje at Okcheon and with Silla at Jukryeong. Silla could now receive direct military support from Goryeo, maintaining an uneasy peace among the Three Kingdoms.
Of course, this peace was temporary.
Goryeo was now poised to embark on the full-scale war to unify the Three Kingdoms.