Chapter 111 - The Sin of Rebellion is Forgiven with This
Warriors turned to stare at Yeon-hoo in unison. Dressed in plain martial robes, not a single one recognized him.
"Who might you be? Step back."
Whoosh!
At that moment, a gust of wind swept in as Yuksoon landed lightly before the warriors. He leaned in and whispered to one of them. The man's eyes widened in shock as he snapped a crisp military salute.
"Yes, sir!"
"I need to speak with these men... Where's the duty station?"
"I'll guide you, my lord!"
The other warriors, baffled by their comrade's sudden shift, caught on late and hastily stood at attention.
Snap!
Moments later, Yeon-hoo entered a building tucked away in an alley off the bustling market street. A few men inside glanced back and forth between him and the warriors. One furrowed his brow and asked,
"Who is this man?"
"It's our lord."
"Gasp!"
Crash! Clatter!
"Yes, sir!"
"Are you the one in charge here?"
"Yes, sir! Southern Defense Army Second Battalion's Hundred-Man Captain Hwangbo pays respects to my lord!"
"I need to talk with these men. Clear the room."
"Understood!"
Whoosh!
As the warriors filed out, Yeon-hoo pointed to the oldest-looking among the Jecheon Army captives.
"You're the hundred-man captain?"
"...Yes."
"Tell me what happened. If there's even a hint of falsehood or nonsense... I'll leave the rest to your imagination."
The captain bowed his head deeply. Then he spoke.
"We learned too late that the eldest young master had killed the family head and planned to flee to the northwest. So we deserted."
"How many deserters are we talking?"
"Two combat battalions and one archer unit slipped away— at least twenty thousand at minimum."
Yeon-hoo's eyes sharpened. Twenty thousand deserters.
Thud!
Suddenly, the captain slammed his forehead to the floor and cried out.
"Forgive them, my lord! They joined the Jecheon Army only because they believed Jang Cheon's words about building a great north! Please take them under your command, let them atone for joining the rebellion, and give them a chance to serve the north! They'll all pledge unwavering loyalty to you!"
Blood trickled from the captain's split forehead, pooling on the floor. Yeon-hoo's pupils flushed red as he gazed down at it.
"If they truly meant that, they should have come to me on their knees begging forgiveness long ago. Even if it cost their heads, someone should have stepped forward."
"We entered northwest territory and barely escaped, delaying us too long! We, the first to break out, only arrived here last night. The rest reached the western plains at dawn today!"
"So they're all gathered there?"
"Yes!"
"Then why did only your group enter the city?"
"Our battalion commander fell ill, so we came for medicine... and couldn't resist our hunger..."
Tears streamed down the captain's cheeks. The other warriors sobbed, shoulders heaving.
"Please forgive us and lead us, my lord. They're all awed by the divine might you showed in battle. And furious. Jang Cheon brainwashed us, calling you weak, vile, greedy— unfit to rule the north."
"Hey, watch your mouth."
Yuksoon snapped coldly. Yeon-hoo held him back and turned to the man at the entrance.
"Got any food?"
"Yes, sir. A few bowls of cold rice and two boiled chickens. I can cook fresh rice right away if needed."
"Bring what you have first and feed them."
"Yes, sir!"
Yeon-hoo continued to the captain. "Fill your bellies simply, then come with me to the plains."
"Understood!"
Yeon-hoo decided to wait outside until they finished eating. Seo-wi-ryang asked,
"Will you take them under your command?"
"I need to meet their commanders first."
"You should. Twenty thousand isn't a small force. Especially combat battalions and archers—their fighting strength dwarfs rear units."
"I agree. If handled right, this could be an unexpected windfall. Some Jecheon units put up a decent fight before."
Yeon-hoo nodded silently at Yuksoon and Seo-wi-ryang's words. He was already considering incorporating them. Elite troops bred for rebellion, but if they fought for him—for the north—they'd be invaluable.
'Accommodating them will be an issue, though...'
The Iron Blood Family was already working through Seo-baek's messenger to secure facilities for the twenty thousand rear Jecheon troops they'd taken in. That's why they hadn't brought Songyeong—he was overseeing the project. It required hefty funds, so he had to be on-site.
Soon, the sated captain emerged. The other warriors would stay here.
"Shall we go?"
"Yes, I'll guide you."
Vast plains stretched endlessly. Countless tents dotted one edge of the barren expanse to the horizon. Smoke rose from cooking fires here and there, hazily veiling the sky—but it seemed woefully inadequate for the host below.
Yeon-hoo paused, narrowing his eyes at the smoke.
"They're critically short on rations."
"We fled in haste with only personal rice and dry provisions... Yet they linger instead of scattering homeward, awaiting you to beg forgiveness."
"Can I trust that?"
"It's true. Otherwise, they'd have dispersed by now."
Yeon-hoo pressed on. At the camp's edge, sentries swarmed forward—but spotting the captain, they lowered weapons and asked,
"Who are they?"
"Attention! It's our lord!"
"Huh!"
"Gasp!"
"Yes, sir!"
They saluted Yeon-hoo in a rush. One bolted deeper into camp. Yeon-hoo strode to the center.
Soon, the runner returned with a middle-aged man in armor. Yeon-hoo fixed him with his gaze. The man immediately bowed low.
"Second Combat Battalion Commander Gong Son-tae pays respects to my lord!"
"You're leading them?"
"Yes. The other two units' heads... fell during the breakout."
No need to hear more. Yeon-hoo surveyed the camp slowly. Word of his arrival spread—warriors poured from tents. Yuksoon and Seo-wi-ryang stayed vigilant at a distance, ready for trouble. But Yeon-hoo remained utterly calm.
Gong Son-tae's eyes gleamed with admiration.
'So composed, even alone amid enemies...'
They'd been foes days ago, and twenty thousand strong. Maintaining poise here wasn't easy. Especially as the north's true lord—no ruler could match it.
As Yeon-hoo met his eyes, Gong Son-tae instinctively bowed lower. Those piercing eyes drew him in; he dared not meet them.
"Will you follow me?"
"...!"
The blunt question stunned him. But his body reacted first.
Thud!
Gong Son-tae dropped to his knees, forehead to earth.
Thud!
"If forgiven, I swear before heaven to lay down my life for my lord and the north!"
"Can I believe you?"
"We followed the Jang family for the north's glory. When we learned it was for their house alone, we wept blood and fled! Every one of these twenty thousand elites shares my heart! Believe us, my lord!"
Yeon-hoo slowly scanned the gathered warriors. Sweat poured down their faces, but their eyes burned fierce.
"Is it true?"
His low voice boomed like thunder across the camp.
"Will you truly devote yourselves to the north's glory alongside me?!"
"Yes!"
The first reply was faint. But by the second and third, the camp erupted like boiling water.
Yeon-hoo drew his sword.
Shing.
He rested it atop Gong Son-tae's head. All held their breath. Gong stayed bowed.
Snap!
The blade twitched, severing the tie binding his hair. It spilled to the ground.
"The sin of rebellion is forgiven with this. From now, you are reborn anew—pure warriors of the north, for the north alone. Will you?"
"Yes!"
Roooar!
The plains shook. Gong Son-tae wept. The captain who'd guided them collapsed, wailing in joy. Yuksoon and Seo-wi-ryang exchanged glances.
[Our lord's changed, hasn't he?]
[Yeah. The old lord...]
[Would've slaughtered them all.]
[This must be his path. Twenty thousand elites—his position's ironclad now. Heh heh.]
They chuckled. But Seo-wi-ryang's grin faded fast.
"Seo-wi-ryang."
"Yes, my lord."
"You'll escort them to the Iron Blood Family."
"......"
Yuksoon smirked. "I'll serve our lord well."
After the rebellion's suppression and Yeon-hoo's official ascension as the north's lord, the busiest man was Sama Song, promoted to Elder Council Chairman. A family honor, but no time to savor it—he toiled sleeplessly. Yet he felt no fatigue, only joy and fulfillment in every moment.
The north's glory he'd longed for. Standing at the dawn of that grand journey was honor and gratitude enough.
Today, too, Sama Song wielded his brush amid towering documents. After half a day without pause, he finally caught a brief rest.
Clink.
"Who knew a cup of tea could be so precious."
He savored it, easing his weary body. Then—
"Chairman! You must come see this!"
"What's the fuss?"
"A force of unknown origin is approaching the main house!"