The Mo-yong Family
Midway up a mountain overlooking the vast plains of the Mo-yong Family's territory stood the command post of the Northern Iron Cavalry Legion. There, Yeon-hoo sat face-to-face with Akso.
Akso cut straight to the chase.
"Rumors are circulating that the Blood Family may withdraw from their position among the White Night Eight Great Families. Even the Cartel, which initially dismissed it as mere gossip, has begun investigating the truth."
Yeon-hoo was genuinely taken aback. The Blood Family stepping down from one of the eight great houses on their own? If true, it would be a monumental event that could send shockwaves through the entire martial world.
"When did these rumors start?"
"They seem to have begun circulating around last summer."
At that moment, Yeon-hoo reaffirmed his resolve to bolster the North's intelligence network. Under his leadership, everything in the North was progressing smoothly, but their information-gathering capabilities had yet to advance beyond their stagnant state.
Akso continued.
"There's also talk that the Blood Family is forming an alliance with the Northwest Murim, and it's already spread widely within the Cartel. The Great Earth Sovereign sent me personally to inform you of these developments swiftly. While a messenger bird could have sufficed, he deemed it safer for me to come in person to guard against any potential mishaps."
This was even more shocking. An alliance between the Blood Family and the Northwest Murim? If that came to pass, the delicate balance among the eight great families would tip in an instant.
The eight houses had maintained a precarious equilibrium—coexisting as allies while competing fiercely. Even as the North waged war against the Northwest Murim and teetered on the brink of collapse, the other six families had subtly checked their rivals, allowing the North to retain its seat. Had even one of them sided with the Northwest, the North would have fallen long ago.
And now, an alliance?
"If the Great Earth Sovereign sent you himself, then it's no mere rumor."
"That's how it appears."
Yeon-hoo's gaze hardened.
Is it finally beginning?
The great chaos everyone had feared after the Great Earth Sovereign's death. An alliance between the Blood Family and the Northwest Murim might herald its opening act.
If the alliance becomes reality, Wi Yeon Gwang will naturally target our North first...
Yeon-hoo's chest felt as heavy as if a massive boulder weighed upon it. They still lacked the forces to wage war against both powers simultaneously. Though the vast funds seized from the Golden Merchant Group had brought the distribution of new weapons to its final stages, it would take more time to unleash their full potential.
That wasn't all. The North as a whole had yet to achieve complete unification. With numerous local powers north of Yoyeongseong—regions beyond the Iron Blood Family's firm control—still pursuing their own survival and harboring ambitions, any outbreak of war now could jeopardize the North's very existence, win or lose.
Wi Yeon Gwang...
Yeon-hoo closed his eyes tightly. His sworn enemy and nemesis was once again grating on his nerves.
"My lord..."
Akso silenced Seobaek with a gesture, signaling him to wait as he silently observed Yeon-hoo.
Now that he thought about it, Yeon-hoo's face seemed a bit more gaunt than before. His frame looked leaner overall. Heart aching at the sight, Akso downed a bowl of cold water.
At that moment, Yeon-hoo opened his eyes.
"When will you return?"
"To be honest, I don't want to go back."
"Because of me?"
"Yes. Seeing you like this, I can't bear to leave."
"If you care for me, you should stay in the Cartel all the more. That's the only way you can relay their intelligence to me."
"Couldn't Baek-un handle that?"
"He can't do it alone. And with his fiery temper, he's liable to err at crucial moments. You need to oversee him."
"...Understood."
"Relay every word I say from now on to the Great Earth Sovereign and Cheol Gun-ak without omission."
"Speak, my lord."
Yeon-hoo instructed Akso on what to convey to Somubaek and Cheol Gun-ak. The discussion lasted about the time it takes to eat a meal, after which Akso departed immediately for the White Night Cartel.
* * *
In a city of warriors half a day's journey from the Iron Blood Family, a middle-aged man and a young man appeared in the marketplace as the sun began dipping toward the western horizon.
"Hm. This place has changed quite a bit too."
The middle-aged man gazed around the bustling streets, his eyes lighting up with admiration.
"Even their strides are different. The whole city brims with vitality."
"You see it too, then."
"Yes, Uncle. Coming down here, I've noticed that cities near the lord's family are developing far faster than before. Just look at the number of people filling the streets."
The young man's expression was far from bright. His furrowed brow and sour look betrayed deep dissatisfaction.
He quickly changed the subject.
"Will the lord even meet with us?"
"If he does, we'll negotiate. If not, we'll have no choice but to leave. Should that happen, our Mo-yong Family will walk a separate path from the Iron Blood Family."
The words "Mo-yong Family" slipped from the middle-aged man's lips.
The Mo-yong Family, which had begun gaining prominence about a decade ago, was now recognized as Yoyeongseong's strongest martial house. Yet it had escaped widespread attention due to the province's remote border location—a prime example of an area beyond the Iron Blood Family's effective control.
"Come now! We're half a day from the Iron Blood Family, so let's stay here tonight."
"Yes, Uncle."
The elder and youth entered a large inn at the heart of the marketplace.
"Welcome!"
"The top floor, please."
"Right this way."
They followed the waiter to the uppermost floor. Nearly every table was packed, but fortunately, one spot remained in the most secluded corner.
After ordering drinks and dishes, the pair slowly scanned the room. The middle-aged man's eyes sharpened upon spotting two men at a table by the window.
One was a man who seemed carved from ice, the other a handsome youth with a large bow slung diagonally across his chair.
The middle-aged man's gaze, once relaxed, now burned with intensity.
If my instincts are right, those two are extraordinary masters.
The icy man was particularly chilling—just looking at him raised goosebumps. Even more astonishing was that neither emitted the slightest aura.
Then it happened.
The man turned his gaze toward their table, locking eyes with the middle-aged man. In that instant, the latter felt as if a sharpened blade pierced his pupil.
Yet he didn't avert his eyes. Soon, the man looked away, defusing what could have escalated into tension.
Just then, the waiter arrived with the drinks.
"Allow me to pour you a glass."
"Go ahead."
Glug glug.
As the middle-aged man emptied the first glass poured by the youth and reached for the second, the door to the fourth floor swung open.
Glancing over absentmindedly, he nearly dropped his cup.
This newcomer had an equally cold demeanor, but what truly overwhelmed was the suffocating pressure he exuded simply by existing. Remarkably, the man appeared no older than his early thirties.
Incredible. To think someone could make even I, Mo-yong-seong, feel intimidated just by his presence...
At that moment—
"We greet the lord!"
Patrons at one table shot to their feet, bowing their heads. The others followed suit en masse.
"We greet the lord!"
Mo-yong-seong's eyes narrowed slightly. In the North, there was only one lord.
Then that man must be Yi Yeon-hoo...
* * *
"Welcome, my lord."
Cheol-u and Seobaek rose to greet Yeon-hoo.
Yeon-hoo sat and promptly drained Cheol-u's glass.
Thud!
"We need more iron?"
"Yes. Consumption exceeded expectations due to producing farming tools, leaving stock for only three hundred swords."
"Have you told Songyeong?"
"Yes. And I've already informed the Elder Council Chairman."
"Then wait."
"Yes, sir!"
Yeon-hoo reached for another glass. Cheol-u spoke quietly.
"I hear the Northwest Murim is moving troops near the mines... Shall we leave it be?"
"We can't move first. The martial world still favors them over us. We must wait for them to give us cause."
"Provoking them into attacking first would be simple... Shall I go?"
"Wait. I've already planned for it."
"...Understood."
Glug glug.
Seobaek refilled a glass and handed it to Yeon-hoo. As he lifted it to his lips—
"Mo-yong-seong of the Mo-yong Family greets the lord."
* * *
Mo-yong-seong sat across from Yeon-hoo. Cheol-u and Seobaek excused themselves, leaving the two alone.
He steeled himself.
He's been lord for less than half a year. Things must still be chaotic; he hasn't solidified his position yet. We must secure what we want through negotiation now.
He had come to the Iron Blood Family for a purpose. Now was the time to pour everything into achieving it.
Meanwhile, after brief formalities, Yeon-hoo waited for Mo-yong-seong to speak. He'd noticed the man's unusual gaze upon entering the inn, but never anticipated he was here to meet him. Likely, he'd simply been startled by the unexpected arrival—or mistaken him for an assassin.
"Ahem."
Mo-yong-seong cleared his throat lightly and spoke.
"If I may be so bold..."
"Speak."
"How do you intend to govern north of Yoyeongseong? I'd like to hear your thoughts."
"Is that why you traveled all this way?"
"It concerns our survival and future."
Yeon-hoo stared silently at Mo-yong-seong, who subtly lowered his head to avoid the gaze.
"Before I answer, I have a question..."
"Ask away."
"How many from the Mo-yong Family have ever joined the war against the Northwest?"
"..."
"Word is, not once—not even a single soul."
Is that true?
Mo-yong-seong was at a loss for words. He'd never expected that question. Composing himself, he replied calmly.
"We live under the shadow of a savage foreign power. With them eyeing our lands at every turn, we couldn't spare a single soldier amid the uncertainty of invasion. Had the lord's family shown mercy to our plight and made allowances, we would have gladly participated."
Yeon-hoo's eyes flashed with sharp light. A few exchanges had revealed enough: Mo-yong-seong was no pushover. Now, he was turning the tables, pointing out the Iron Blood Family's failings.
But...