Chapter 12: Time of Hypocrisy and Pretense
The next morning, Yeon-hoo and his group began their breakfast at the inn's first-floor dining hall before setting out. Even though it was quite early, a fair number of guests had already arrived.
"Whoa, what's all this?"
Seobaek marveled at the breakfast spread. It was lavish enough to rival a full evening banquet, drawing stares from every other table.
The envoy smiled at Yeon-hoo. "It's a two-day trek to the next city, so I ordered generously. Please eat your fill."
"My thanks."
With Yeon-hoo picking up his chopsticks as the signal, the meal commenced. Though he usually ate sparingly, he indulged more than usual out of respect for the envoy's gesture.
About half an hour in, a group entered the inn. Five young men in varied attire and weapons exuded an aura far from ordinary.
[My lord, those are warriors from the Geomga.]
At Seobaek's transmission, Yeon-hoo glanced their way. In the center of their snow-white robes gleamed the golden characters for Geomga.
The Geomga was one of the White Night Eight Great Families, rulers of the vast southern regions.
[Typical of the Geomga—flaunting their affiliation so boldly.]
It was hard to chalk up encountering Geomga warriors outside southern Murim territory to coincidence. They were likely also headed to the White Night Cartel for the Great Earth Sovereign's sixtieth birthday celebration.
'If so, a high-ranking southern Murim figure must be with them...'
As that thought crossed his mind, an eye-catching group entered: the peerless beauty who had greeted him last night, the hulking brute who had hurled curses at him unprovoked, and the refined youth who had scolded the brute.
Yeon-hoo's and the refined youth—Bukgung Cheon's—gazes locked.
"We meet again."
Bukgung Cheon offered a clasped-fist salute in greeting. Yeon-hoo gave a slight nod in return before looking away, igniting sparks of fury in the brute's—Maeong Ho's—eyes.
"Hold it."
Poke.
But as Bukgung Cheon jabbed a finger into his gut, the brute's half-opened mouth snapped shut.
"Sit here, miss."
"Thank you."
Though he showed no sign, Yeon-hoo was inwardly surprised. He had sensed she was no ordinary woman from their first impression, but to think she was connected to the Geomga.
Then Yun Hoe's transmission arrived.
[That seems to be Geomga's young lord, Bukgung Cheon. If so, the woman is likely Bukgung So-hye, the Geomga's treasured flower and the Central Plains' top beauty.]
Geomga's young lord and his sister...
Yeon-hoo felt a complex mix of emotions. Meeting a rival clan's heir—who could obstruct his future path—here of all places.
The Geomga was known among the Eight Great Families for its strict neutrality. Even as the northwest Murim had courted them aggressively, they had firmly refused every overture.
'Neutral, huh...'
Learning their affiliation made him regret not being a touch more courteous. At present, the Iron Blood Family was the weakest in military might among the Eight Great Families. He couldn't afford enemies, even if friendship was out of reach.
Just then, the envoy dropped a tantalizing suggestion. "You seem acquainted with the Geomga's young lord. Shall I arrange a seat for you? It wouldn't hurt for future leaders to exchange greetings in advance."
Yeon-hoo paused briefly. He calmly finished a piece of braised meat, sipped his tea, then nodded.
"Very well."
"Yes, sir."
The envoy rose immediately and headed to the Geomga group's table. Recognizing him late, Bukgung Cheon stood with a clasped-fist salute, welcoming him warmly.
Yeon-hoo eyed Cheol-u and Seobaek. "Don't be prickly."
"That big lug's been glaring at us nonstop."
"Ignore him."
Yun Hoe spoke gravely to them as well. "This is an important occasion. Please conduct yourselves with restraint."
He knew its significance better than anyone. It might end with mere greetings, but this was a golden chance to forge ties with the Geomga's young lord.
His worry, however, was Yeon-hoo. From what he'd seen, Yeon-hoo wasn't one to mingle easily. If he treated Bukgung Cheon with his usual arrogance and intimidation, it could sour relations with the Geomga.
Just then, Yeon-hoo and Yun Hoe's eyes met.
"You seem concerned about me."
"Frankly... a bit, yes. If I may suggest, softening your tone and demeanor would be wise."
"Understood."
Bukgung Cheon and Bukgung So-hye joined them.
"I failed to recognize your esteemed selves. I am Yi Yeon-hoo of the Iron Blood Family."
"Bukgung Cheon of the Geomga."
"Bukgung So-hye sends her greetings."
It was nothing out of the ordinary. Yet Cheol-u and Seobaek doubted their own eyes. Never had they heard such gentle words from Yeon-hoo's mouth.
Yun Hoe, meanwhile, breathed a silent sigh of relief.
"Envoy."
"Yes, my lord."
"It's noisy here. We should move somewhere quieter."
"Then allow me to secure the top floor."
Being early, the fourth floor was empty, letting the entire group relocate there. The envoy's guards stayed on the first floor.
Bukgung Cheon, for his part, was deeply surprised inwardly.
'He called him "my lord"...'
He had clearly heard Yun Hoe address Yeon-hoo as "my lord." With Yun Hoe's fame reaching even southern Murim, Yeon-hoo had to be northern Murim's lord.
But according to his intel, Jang Cheon of the Jang Family was the frontrunner for northern Murim's next lord. Most clans agreed, and White Night Cartel approval was expected soon.
'Heard there was a son exiled from the Iron Blood Family fifteen years ago... Right, he looks just like that young lord I saw before!'
Convinced Yeon-hoo was the Iron Blood Family's exiled second son, Bukgung Cheon felt a surge of emotion from deep within. He had once thought: If only I could be exiled like the Iron Blood Family's second son. Then I could live freely as I please.
The mood was cordial. The envoy shifted topics, Bukgung Cheon asked questions, and Yeon-hoo answered calmly.
Cheol-u and Seobaek could scarcely believe their eyes at Yeon-hoo's uncharacteristic softness. The Yeon-hoo they knew was a harbinger of blood and death, akin to a grim reaper.
Were the others here to learn his true nature, they might quake in terror and fear.
Seobaek transmitted: [Which side is the real lord?]
Cheol-u had no reply. He had assumed Yeon-hoo's usual demeanor with them was authentic, yet this gentle facade seemed utterly natural—like a man long accustomed to it.
"Then let's go together all the way!"
Bukgung So-hye's bright voice rang out, followed by Yeon-hoo's soft tone.
"I wouldn't want to trouble you on our account."
Cheol-u's eyebrow twitched ever so slightly.
'This is maddening.'
Then—
Thud thud thud!
Footsteps pounded up the stairs. One of the envoy's guards rushed to the fourth floor, face grim.
The envoy scolded him. "How dare you make such a fuss! What is it?"
"The... the horses are all dead."
Seobaek returned from the stables and reported to Yeon-hoo at once.
"Poisoned. I asked the stablehands, but they saw no suspicious figures."
Yeon-hoo recalled the assassins from the mountains. It had to be their doing.
'No way mere stablehands would spot them.'
He turned to Yun Hoe. "Got any silver?"
"Came straight from camp—only a few coins."
Yeon-hoo looked to Seobaek and Cheol-u.
"Me too..."
"A few iron coins."
Yeon-hoo had little silver himself. He hadn't carried money in ages, rendering the concept distant.
Then:
"I happen to have some."
Bukgung Cheon pulled a bill from his bosom: a five-hundred-nyang silver note from the Golden Merchant Group, Central Plains' premier exchange.
"This will cover four horses easily. Use it for now and settle later."
"Not much road left to the city anyway—we'll walk and sightsee. But I'll never forget your kindness, young lord."
Yeon-hoo felt goosebumps rising all over as he spoke. He turned to the envoy.
"Best we part here."
"We're headed to the city too—join us. You can get horses at the branch."
"No. I have separate business."
"Ah, I see. Then regretfully, our farewell here. We'll visit you in the city."
The envoy's group and guards departed first. Bukgung Cheon and Bukgung So-hye approached next.
"It was an infinite honor to meet you. Until the city, then."
"Safe travels."
"A fine time. See you in the city."
The Geomga group soon left the inn.
"Bring some liquor."
"Yes."
Yeon-hoo downed the bottle Seobaek fetched from downstairs in one go.
Clack!
That single meal had felt like an eternity—an agonizing stretch of hypocrisy and pretense that nearly rotted his guts.
"Hahaha. To think my lord had such a gentle side. I was truly shocked."
Yun Hoe laughed heartily.
Cheol-u asked with a strange expression. "Are you alright?"
"What do you mean?"
"No, just..."
"Fetch another bottle."
"I'll get one."
"You get it yourself."
"...Yes."
Right after Cheol-u headed downstairs, one of the envoy's guards who had just left dashed back up, proffering a hefty money pouch.
Clink.
"The envoy said with two days left, use this for any needs on the way."
"Your name?"
"Yeo Gwang."
"I'll remember."
"See you in the city."
Bow.
Yun Hoe watched the guard's retreating back with a pleased smile, head bowed.
'Outwardly sharp as a honed blade, yet he possesses a strange charisma that draws people in. A vital virtue for a lord—one even the former lord lacked...'
"Why the constant grinning?"
"Oh, nothing."
He denied it, but the smile lingered on Yun Hoe's face.