Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 141 - I Will Help You
The border region between Northern Murim and Northwest Murim. At the Golden Branch operated by the Golden Merchant Group—the only outpost in the North still doing business—a lone man arrived.
It was Baek Mu Yeong.
He entered alone, but outside, Bu Cha and ten Demon Corps members waited with their carriage.
Bu Cha and the Demon Corps had come straight here after the battle on Yeon-hoo's orders.
Gulp, gulp!
Bu Cha downed two whole bottles of liquor in a row. His training robes had turned dark crimson from dried blood. The others were no different.
People heading to the branch froze at the sight of them, too scared to approach.
Bu Cha grumbled.
"Loosen up those faces, you bastards. You're scaring people."
"Yes, sir!"
They forced grins, but that only made them look more terrifying, sending the hesitant onlookers scurrying back the way they'd come.
"This is your fault, punk."
"What bullshit is that? My face is way friendlier than yours!"
"Vice Commander, this bastard's calling my talk bullshit."
"It is bullshit."
"……Yes, sir."
Bu Cha brought the third bottle to his lips, staring at the Golden Branch. He tilted his head and muttered.
"Why's it so quiet?"
"Yeah, tell me about it. By now, there should've been at least ten rounds of wailing."
That was when the branch doors swung open, and Baek Mu Yeong emerged.
Bu Cha's lips split into a wide grin.
He'd glimpsed the interior through the gap—no one inside was standing alive.
"Knew it. Heh heh heh."
Baek Mu Yeong approached.
"The vault's in the back courtyard. Go grab it."
"Got it."
"Yes, sir!"
As the members leaped toward the back, Bu Cha asked.
"What about this place?"
"My lord said to leave the building intact."
"Huh? Weren't we supposed to torch it?"
"Why burn a perfectly good building? We can repurpose it. That's probably my lord's intent anyway."
"Ah……."
"Quit screwing around and clean up the bodies."
"Yes, sir!"
Even the savage, brutish Bu Cha turned meek as a lamb before Baek Mu Yeong. And why not? Even Baek-un, whom Bu Cha revered like the heavens as the Demon Leader, called Baek Mu Yeong "Big Brother" and followed him loyally.
Baek Mu Yeong climbed onto the driver's seat. Bu Cha dashed out.
"Two are still alive, sir."
"Someone has to keep working until all the depositors come redeem their money."
"What if they run? Should I chop off a leg or something, just in case?"
"Won't happen. Just clean thoroughly."
"Yes, sir!"
Baek Mu Yeong leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. He didn't stir until the members emerged carrying chests stuffed with silver and precious metals.
Slash! Thwack-thwack!
Was he angry? Jo Yeong's sword swings at the tree were ferocious.
Since recovering from his injuries and resuming training, he'd pushed himself relentlessly, even skimping on sleep. His progress astonished others—and himself.
But today felt different. His strikes didn't look like training; they seemed like venting rage on the tree trunk.
And that was exactly it.
Thud!
The final blow split the tree in two, toppling it. Jo Yeong slammed his sword into the ground and flopped onto his back.
"Damn it……."
A guttural curse escaped his lips. Then a figure entered the training ground: Jo Chung.
Balancing plates of mouthwatering dishes in both hands, he smiled faintly at his sprawled son.
"Still sore about it?"
Even with his father there, Jo Yeong kept staring at the sky.
Jo Chung sat beside him and continued.
"I didn't bring you because I thought your body wasn't ready. Let go of the anger now."
"I'm perfectly fine."
Indeed. Jo Yeong's fury stemmed from missing the mission to rescue Mudan Sect and Hwasan Sect.
He'd begged Yeon-hoo, but to no avail. Baek Mu Yeong had said the same. Even Sinhwi, heading out last to save Hwasan, had left with a simple "not yet."
"You'll have plenty of chances to earn merit ahead. Stop moping, get up, and eat lunch. I cooked this myself to share with you—don't ignore your old man."
Jo Yeong finally bolted upright. He shoved a hunk of meat into his mouth and asked sullenly.
"What about the clan? Why stay here?"
"To help my lord. Early in his rule, with a mountain of work—and now this crisis—he needs all the hands he can get. I want to lend what little aid I can."
"No more resentment toward my lord?"
"Not a strand of hair's worth."
"Really?"
"You brat! When have I ever lied?"
"You don't have to do it for my sake. I'll earn my lord's recognition on my own strength."
"Then start by killing that temper of yours."
"What's wrong with my temper?"
"You act like a kid left by the riverside."
"Father!"
"Kidding, kidding. Ha ha ha!"
Jo Chung laughed heartily. Truth be told, no one was happier lately than him. Watching his heir Jo Yeong improve daily brought more joy and fulfillment than anything else. Not just in martial arts—his inner strength had hardened beyond compare. It was perfect.
"Your mother's arriving tomorrow."
"Mother?"
"Yes. She somehow got rare Goryeo silk and sewed training robes for my lord herself. Oh, and something for the instructor too."
Jo Yeong brightened. But he soon furrowed his brow and muttered.
"They'd better look cool……."
"You fool. Your mother's sewing is renowned in the North. No doubt they're perfect—eat up and don't worry."
As Jo Yeong shifted to dig in properly, a warrior entered the training ground.
"My lord is returning."
Jo Yeong dropped his chopsticks, sprang up, and leaped into the air. Jo Chung watched him vault over the surrounding trees with a warm smile.
"No more worries about that boy straying. All thanks to my lord and the instructor. How can I ever repay this grace? Ha ha ha."
The Iron Blood Family's main gate buzzed with crowds. Everyone brimmed with anticipation.
Whenever Yeon-hoo returned from a mission, he brought massive rewards—as always. Most recently, over ten million nyang.
The excitement was palpable, but Sama Song fretted over possible injuries to Yeon-hoo.
Woooah!
Cheers swelled as Yeon-hoo's forces approached. Jo Yeong clenched his fist, eyes fixed on Yeon-hoo atop his warhorse.
One day, me too…….
Unexpectedly, Hyeon Jin stood beside him—the man Yeon-hoo had invested so much in.
Amid the roaring welcome, Hyeon Jin nodded silently.
Not a single soul faking it. They're all genuinely thrilled.
He pondered if such loyalty came from force alone. The Yeon-hoo he'd known solved everything with power: follow or die. That's why he'd refused to join until now.
Then must I change?
Hyeon Jin gazed at Yeon-hoo with conflicted eyes. Their gazes locked across the distance.
[Thanks for coming, Hyeon Jin.]
Yeon-hoo's transmission pierced the cheers crystal-clear. Hyeon Jin bowed. A strange light flickered in his eyes.
Thanks…….
First time Yeon-hoo had said that.
Woooah!
Fresh cheers erupted. Hyeon Jin looked up to see another force approaching the avenue: the Blood King Army, led by Sinhwi.
"The Blood King is back too!"
Back at Iron Blood Family, Yeon-hoo spent two full days in the infirmary without stirring. Dongbang Ri stayed with him.
Of course, thanks to Yuksoon.
The sight of the usually iron-willed Yeon-hoo caring for his subordinate moved everyone.
Meanwhile, Mudan Sect and Hwasan Sect survivors rested in separate halls, given the finest quarters on Yeon-hoo's orders.
Jin Myeong, Cheong Gong, and Cheong Myeong sat together. Cheong Gong's deep wounds had mercifully spared bones and nerves.
Clink.
Jin Myeong set down his teacup and asked.
"What are your plans now?"
"If Northern lord permits, we'll stay awhile and gather our scattered disciples."
"Same here."
Cheong Myeong chimed in.
"They need to know we're here…… but no good way comes to mind."
"No worries. Two massive battles—the rumors are already sweeping the world. Our disciples will hear soon enough."
"Ah…… right."
They chatted amiably, kindred spirits in shared misfortune.
During the talk, Jin Myeong noted.
"I've heard rumors of the North thriving under its new lord…… Seeing it firsthand, it's beyond that."
"Same here. Can't judge the whole North by Iron Blood Family alone, but the Blood King allying—that's astonishing."
"Just recalling the Blood King Army in battle makes my heart race. Never seen such ferocity."
Jin Myeong smiled faintly at Cheong Myeong's words.
Am I the only one?
He recalled Yeon-hoo on the battlefield—a grim reaper incarnate. The savagery still sent shivers.
Cheong Gong sipped his tea and continued.
"Never imagined he'd be the North's lord. We owe him our lives—fate's a mysterious thing."
"I thought it mere fleeting bad karma……."
Jin Myeong trailed off; Cheong Gong smiled faintly.
Then.
"Martial uncle, the Northern lord is coming."
A disciple's voice from outside. Cheong Gong rose. Jin Myeong and Cheong Myeong stood, straightening their robes.
Moments later, Yeon-hoo entered. Cheong Gong yielded the seat naturally, sitting by Cheong Myeong.
After formal greetings, Yeon-hoo asked.
"No resentment toward me?"
"Wang Ho's abduction was our choice from the start. Our sects are ruined…… but we don't regret or resent that decision."
"He committed unforgivable evils. If it happened again, we'd choose the same."
Jin Myeong and Cheong Gong answered in turn.
Yeon-hoo studied them, struck anew: these men embodied xia most truly.
"Shall we help you rise again?"
"Of course."
"Then I will help you."