Chapter 105 - Sin Hwi's Concern
Yeon-hoo walked toward the main gate of the Iron Blood Family. Songyeong followed behind him, holding a severed head from which blood dripped steadily.
It was Jang Un, who had been leading the 100,000-strong Jecheon Army toward the Iron Blood Family to fulfill the Jang Family's ambitions.
Yeon-hoo wore his usual impassive expression, unchanged from before, but Songyeong looked utterly drained, slumped as if he had no strength left in him.
Seeing the tens of thousands of troops deployed along the road to the main gate, Yeon-hoo knew Yun Hoe had arrived.
As he passed by, the warriors of the Northern Legion raised thunderous military salutes.
“Loyalty!”
“Hooray!”
At the main gate, warriors climbed onto the walls, erupting in fervent cheers. Others leaped over the walls and gate, rushing toward him.
Baek Mu Yeong and Cheol-u reached him first.
“Welcome back, my lord.”
“Everyone's safe?”
“Yes. A few minor injuries, but nothing to worry about. But that...”
Baek Mu Yeong trailed off, staring at the severed head in Songyeong's hand. He had first assumed it was Jang Cheon's head, then realized it wasn't.
Songyeong said weakly, “It's the head of Jang Un, leader of the Jecheon Army.”
“...!”
Baek Mu Yeong turned to Yeon-hoo.
“We'll talk inside.”
The key figures gathered in the grand hall. There, Yeon-hoo explained the process up to severing Jang Un's head.
“While chasing him, I began to think I might be overestimating Jang Cheon too much.”
Sama Song asked, “Why is that, my lord?”
“If the home base focuses entirely on defense, it can hold off even a 100,000-strong army for at least a month. Yet Jang Cheon couldn't last even half a shichen against 5,000 Blood King Army troops.”
“That's because you had the Blood King Army draw their eyes before striking from behind, my lord.”
“Even so, he surrendered this place too easily. If Jang Cheon's abilities are only that much, I figured it would be more damaging to the Jang Family to spare him and take the head of Jang Un—the spiritual pillar of their 100,000 Jecheon Army. An incompetent leading the herd raises our odds of victory all on its own.”
“Ah...”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Yun Hoe chimed in. “A wise judgment. It's no exaggeration to say Jang Un was the true master of the Jang Family. Most of their top experts had been with him their whole lives. And to behead him amid the Jang Family's finest... It's truly unbelievable!”
“Just luck.”
Yeon-hoo downed a bowl of cold water, then issued orders to Baek Mu Yeong.
“Display Jang Un's head at the main gate. Label it clearly as the ringleader of the rebellion.”
“Understood.”
Next was Yun Hoe.
“I need the troop deployment map.”
“Right away, my lord.”
Yun Hoe sprang up and left the hall. Yeon-hoo then fixed his gaze on Sama Song. His eyes suddenly darkened heavily.
“We need to hold the funeral for the Elder Council Chairman. It should be proper, but given the situation, best to wrap it up today.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Yeon-hoo turned to Songyeong. Ever since the demonic qi had lifted, he had gone silent. Right up until they took Jang Un's head, he had been a demon incarnate.
“How long you planning to mope like that?”
“...”
Songyeong didn't even raise his head. Truth be told, he was deeply dissatisfied that Yeon-hoo had abruptly turned back to take Jang Un's head instead of pressing on after Jang Cheon.
“Would it make you happy if I let you take Jang Cheon's head?”
Songyeong snapped his head up, staring at Yeon-hoo.
“Really...?”
“Unless some exceptional circumstance arises. So drop the frown and buck up.”
“Yes!”
Only then did vitality return to Songyeong's face.
Yeon-hoo rose from his seat.
“I need to wash up.”
“Leave the small matters to us, my lord. Rest today, at least.”
“Fine.”
Yeon-hoo headed to his quarters. His body felt as heavy as a thousand geun. The path there was like slogging through a quagmire.
But his mood was good.
'Recaptured the home base faster than expected. With minimal losses...'
Everything had fallen into place almost miraculously.
The pinnacle was Sin Hwi's Blood King Army breaking the defensive line far quicker than anticipated, putting pressure on Jang Cheon.
“My lord.”
Dongbang Ri's voice called from behind. He turned to see her running up.
“The servants—all safe?”
“Yes, fortunately unharmed.”
“Good.”
“You must be exhausted. I want to help ease it, even a little. I know a way more effective than yungong joksik for recovery...”
Dongbang Ri trailed off, too shy to suggest heading to his quarters together. But Yeon-hoo saw right through her.
“Then let's go together.”
Moments later, in his quarters, Yeon-hoo surrendered his body to Dongbang Ri's touch. It was a medical art using fingers in place of needles to stimulate acupoints and aid circulation. The effect astonished him—his leaden body felt feathery light, his mind sharper than usual.
“Still, sleep a bit. Nothing beats it for true rest.”
“Rebels breathing down our necks? No such luxury. But we've time for tea. Join me—matters to discuss.”
Moments later, Yeon-hoo and Dongbang Ri sat across from each other, teacups between them.
Yeon-hoo cut straight to it. “Studied military tactics?”
“Since youth, but nothing impressive. Why...?”
“This operation, I felt the family head saw right through my plans. Wrong?”
“'Saw through' is strong, but yes—many alignments. Mostly from grasping your orders, though. Embarrassing, really.”
Clink.
Yeon-hoo sipped his tea. Staring directly at Dongbang Ri, he continued.
“Once your martial arts hit a certain level, you'll command a unit. Our Northern forces' biggest weakness versus others? Too few female warriors. You'll handle that.”
“...Me?”
Dongbang Ri's eyes went wide.
“It'll take time. Prerequisite: matching our other experts in strength. But I believe you can.”
“...”
Dongbang Ri's heart raced. Less thrill at the burden, more emotion at his high regard—her eyes reddened.
But no tears fell. She vowed silently to repay his trust.
“No answer?”
“I'll work hard. Live up to you.”
“You will.”
Then—
Cheol-u's voice drifted in. “My lord, the Blood King has arrived.”
“Escort him.”
“I'll go.”
“No. Stay seated.”
“...”
Sin Hwi entered. Cheol-u followed, standing silently in the corner.
Dongbang Ri rose to greet him. “Welcome.”
“Not interrupting?”
“N-no.”
“Cut the nonsense. Sit.”
Sin Hwi took the seat beside Yeon-hoo.
“Saw Jang Un's head on the gate. Quite the feat. Heh heh.”
“Thanks to you—home base retaken easier than thought.”
“Me? Just followed orders... Did you let Jang Cheon go on purpose? Chasing him meant death.”
“Half and half.”
“Half?”
Yeon-hoo summarized his hall explanation.
Sin Hwi smiled his usual calm grin. “Wise. Jecheon Army's slowed. Jang Cheon, grieving his grandfather, should charge back—yet camped in the plains, unmoving. Hasn't fully gripped the army.”
If true, beheading Jang Un had been highly effective.
Sin Hwi pressed on. “Discord between Jang Cheon and Jecheon Army? Ideal.”
“Can't count on it, but worth hoping. Blood King Army back too?”
“Ambush at the Iron Blood Family pass. If Jecheon Army can't cross mountains at once, buys time. Find way to break them meanwhile.”
Sin Hwi left no openings.
Yeon-hoo felt fresh relief at having him allied.
“Taking Jang Un's head—must've been rough. Hurt?”
“Madman helped—easier than expected.”
“...Madman?”
“Got one like that.”
Yeon-hoo wryly smiled, recalling Songyeong. The near-demon had let them storm the Jecheon Army's core for the head.
Calming him after? Headache.
Yeon-hoo glanced at Dongbang Ri. “Check that friend's sword wound.”
He indicated Cheol-u.
“Got it.”
“I'm fine.”
“Fine? Don't let it fester. Hand it to the family head.”
“...”
“No stubbornness. Go.”
Dongbang Ri and Cheol-u left. Sin Hwi eyed Yeon-hoo oddly.
“Fine woman you snagged.”
“Not like that.”
Yeon-hoo stood. Fatigue eased by Dongbang Ri—he had Song Gyeom's funeral to prepare.
First, Elder Council for the seal Song Gyeom mentioned.
Recalling him dying in his arms, Yeon-hoo's chest ached. With the surging, uncontrollable killing intent and fury.
'Guess I liked the old man more than I thought.'
Song Gyeom could've been bitter foes.
Yet he sided with Yeon-hoo—to poisoned death, guarding the seal's location.
They stepped out. Blood from the dead still stained the fire-swept grounds.
In one corner of the grand training ground, uncollected corpses lay. Families' wails identifying them stabbed Yeon-hoo's heart.
He paused, gazing at the training ground.
Jo Yeong was there, choking sobs before his training mates' bodies.
Meeting Yeon-hoo's eyes, he broke into full wails.
Yeon-hoo watched a moment, then headed to the Elder Council.
Sin Hwi, staring at his back, furrowed his brow and muttered.
“If he goes for Jecheon Army annihilation... that'd be trouble.”