Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 13: That Carriage, I Think I'll Take It

"He seems to have caught your eye."

At Bukgung So-hye's question, Bukgung Cheon paused as if lost in thought, then wore a faint smile.

"He struck me as a completely different type from myself. And yet, I felt this strange sense of kinship... Isn't that odd?"

"Not at all."

Bukgung So-hye asked, "Do you know what?"

"What do you mean?"

"The way you looked so engaged while talking to someone today... It's the first time I've seen you like that in years, brother."

"Was I... like that?"

Maeong Ho stepped forward. "It's been ages since we've seen the young master smile so much today."

"Exactly. That's why I regret not being able to travel with them all the way. Two days like that could have been so good for you, brother."

'What was I like before...'

Bukgung Cheon gave a wry smile at their words. A life in the clan that was far from happy. If a few smiles in such a short time prompted remarks like this, it seemed his efforts to hide it hadn't worked well.

Clink.

Bukgung Cheon thought of Yeon-hoo.

'I've never been drawn to someone like this before...'

It was a profoundly novel experience for him.

At that moment, a warrior entered.

"Young master, the family head has just arrived nearby."

Was it an illusion? A faint shadow crossed Bukgung Cheon's refined features before vanishing.

"Let's go. We should pay our respects first."

Bukgung So. The head of Geomga, lord of the southern Murim, and the being known as the Sword God. A tiger-like figure in the world of the era—yet his appearance was no different from that of an ordinary village man.

He gazed at Bukgung Cheon and Bukgung So-hye as they entered, a gentle smile on his lips.

"Seeing you all safe and sound finally puts your father's mind at ease. Was the journey here uneventful?"

"Yes. Everyone arrived safely."

Female attendants brought in trays of food and drink. Even in the inn, Bukgung So was attended personally by these women.

"I heard you mingled with people from the Iron Blood Family?"

"We happened to cross paths on the way and only shared some brief conversation."

A subtle furrow formed between Bukgung So's brows at Bukgung Cheon's words.

"'Connections' are not to be made lightly. They may be in decline now, but they remain our rivals. Don't form ties out of mere curiosity."

"Not everyone we compete with is an enemy."

"That's precisely why I'm warning you—they could become one. Have you forgotten again? How the White Night Cartel and the Eight Great Families maintain their power. Show even a moment's weakness, and you lose everything. Keep that in mind."

"Frankly, I don't understand. Why everyone has to live like this..."

"You brat!"

"My stomach's bothering me. I'll step out for some air."

Bukgung Cheon shot to his feet and stormed out.

Bukgung So's face flushed with anger. A quiet sigh escaped Bukgung So-hye's lips. She pleaded as she gazed at him.

"Please wait until brother sorts out his feelings. Pushing him like this will only make things worse."

"How long am I supposed to wait? He's already twenty-eight. The heirs of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠other families are already in Baekya-beol, learning the ways of kingship ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from the Great Earth Sovereign, while he remains trapped in his delusions!"

"......"

Bukgung So-hye fell silent. Speaking more would only stoke his rage.

"I'll go too. We need to leave soon, so I'll bring brother back."

"Sit down. I have something to say to you."

"......If it's about marriage, I don't want to hear it. See you later."

Thud!

As even Bukgung So-hye left, Bukgung So's eyebrows twitched. Unable to contain his fury, he bit his lip, then finally sighed and bowed his head.

At that moment, the curtain at the back parted ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠left and right, and a man in white robes stepped out quietly. It was Geomga's strategist, Baek Do-ryang.

He silently regarded Bukgung So's flushed, angry face and sat across from him.

"It seems we need to give this some thought."

"The matter of the successor?"

"You've seen it yourself."

Thud!

"He shows no sign of changing. None at all..."

"Please wait a little longer. Any hasty change in the succession could spark internal division."

Bukgung So's eyes wavered again at Baek Do-ryang's words.

"By the way, the Iron Blood Family member the young master met is apparently the second son who was exiled fifteen years ago."

Twitch.

Bukgung So's brows twisted into an inverted eight.

"I thought he was someone important from the Jang Family, a likely next head, since he spoke of 'connections'..."

"Yun Hoe was there too, and he called the second son 'my lord.'"

"Yun Hoe is one of the late Yi Yeom's trusted retainers, so naturally he'd call Yi Yeom's blood 'lord.'"

"Yun Hoe is discerning. Even if it were the rightful heir, he wouldn't follow someone lacking ability. That's why I suggest we investigate this man beforehand. We should prepare for any contingencies."

"Handle it yourself, strategist."

Baek Do-ryang rose and bowed.

"Rest well. I'll come fetch you when it's time."

Once outside, Baek Do-ryang asked the warriors guarding the inn's entrance.

"Where did the young master go?"

"Toward the north end of the market."

"The lady too?"

"Yes."

Baek Do-ryang stared north toward the market. Though it was early, crowds already filled the streets, and there was no sign of Bukgung Cheon or Bukgung So-hye.

'Even with innate talent, if one's heart is weak and resolve lacking, it's worthless...'

Geomga was known for its lack of worries, yet young master Bukgung Cheon was becoming its greatest concern.

'Will the Great Earth Sovereign recognize me as lord of the northern Murim?'

As Baekya-beol drew near, Yeon-hoo's mind was consumed by this one thought.

Becoming head of the clan was no great feat. But ascending to lord of the northern Murim required the Great Earth Sovereign's permission. The same held for the other seven families.

'The Jang Family has likely laid significant groundwork already. It won't be easy.'

It nagged at him, but he felt no worry.

'I have the time Jang Cheon's carelessness has given me. I must make it so the Great Earth Sovereign has no choice but to approve. To do that...'

Since his return—meeting Elder Council Leader Song Gyeom, heading to the battlefield, securing the truce, and journeying here—this had never left his mind.

He needed results that forced everyone to acknowledge ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠him as lord of the northern Murim.

The answer he'd wrung from his mind was singular: war.

In an age of power, this was the surest way to prove one's strength. Defeat would mean total ruin that day, but victory would grant his desires.

'Focus on the Grand Banquet for now.'

"My lord."

At Yun Hoe's voice from behind, Yeon-hoo halted and turned.

Yun Hoe nodded toward the opposite side of the market.

Yeon-hoo naturally turned his head and spotted the ornate carriage, his eyes gleaming.

The flag fluttering atop the carriage roof bore the characters for "Northern," piercing deep into Yeon-hoo's pupils.

"......The carriage only the lord of the northern Murim may ride."

A subtle anger tinged Yun Hoe's grave tone.

Yeon-hoo gazed at the carriage window, but heavy curtains blocked the view inside.

Who was riding in it? Surely Jang Cheon, or perhaps Song Gyeom. Who else would dare use the lord's carriage, vacancy or not?

"Perfect timing."

"Pardon?"

"A lord of the northern Murim can't very well enter on foot, now can he?"

"Then...?"

Yeon-hoo strode toward the carriage. Yun Hoe grew anxious.

'What does he plan to do?'

He hurried after Yeon-hoo. Cheol-u and Seobaek were nowhere in sight, faithfully carrying out their duties from the shadows.

As the distance between Yeon-hoo and the carriage shrank, a chilling killing intent suddenly shot from the crowd.

At the same instant, Yeon-hoo's right hand traced a perfect arc through the air.

Crack!

What he gripped was someone's wrist.

Crunch.

"Gah!"

"Urk!"

The sound of bones pulverizing echoed with groans from two places. A faint blood-red glow flickered on Yeon-hoo's left hand before fading.

"Aaaagh!"

"M-murder!"

The market plunged into chaos. The startled crowd scattered in all directions, halting the Iron Blood Family's carriage.

In the spot left empty by the receding masses lay two men in plain martial robes, bleeding and crumpled.

One had a hole punched through his forehead, dead instantly; the other clutched his limp, sodden arm like wet paper, writhing in agony.

Then—

"Kyaak!"

A desperate death cry erupted from a short distance away. Cheol-u and Seobaek emerged.

"No others."

Yeon-hoo nodded silently, gesturing with his eyes at the groaning survivor for Cheol-u to handle, then turned to the carriage.

With the crowd cleared, the carriage drivers couldn't fail to recognize him. They bowed toward Yeon-hoo—but none dismounted.

Yun Hoe rebuked them sternly. "Get off your horses at once!"

At that moment, the carriage door opened, and a foot clad in pristine white robes touched the ground.

Yeon-hoo watched impassively as the figure descended. It was Jang Cheon.

He formed a fist salute toward Yeon-hoo and bowed his head.

"I see you, young master."

Only then did the warriors dismount, dropping to one knee and bowing their heads.

Thud thud thud!

"On your way to the banquet?"

"Yes. The Great Earth Sovereign has graciously sent an invitation even to this unworthy one, so how could I not attend?"

"Excellent."

"......"

"I was wondering what to do since the horses of those who want me dead were all poisoned... but that carriage—I think I'll take it."

For a fleeting instant, Jang Cheon's eyes wavered. He wasn't asking to ride together—he was demanding the carriage itself.

Then Yeon-hoo's transmission voice burrowed into Jang Cheon's ear.