Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 148 - Thunder Sword Joins the Northern Legion
The sky was blanketed in thick storm clouds. It looked ready to unleash a downpour at any moment, but no rain fell—only fierce winds howled relentlessly.
Whiiiiiish…!
The forest, unable to withstand the gales, swayed wildly, producing an eerie wail like the cries of ghosts.
"The weather's turning foul, my lord. Why not rest another day before departing?"
"No time for that."
"Understood. Then I'll see you on the battlefield."
Gwan Baek walked beside Yeon-hoo as he prepared to leave, his regret plain on his face. Gwan-ryang and the rest of the Red Wolf Corps' command staff trailed behind.
Yeon-hoo climbed to a slight rise and looked down at the Red Wolf Corps' camp. Seeing the thirty thousand warriors lined up on the plains to see him off filled his chest with a solid sense of reassurance.
He turned to Gwan Baek.
"I'll trust you to hold the line."
"We'll repay that trust tenfold."
"Take care, my lord!"
"Take care!"
Gwan-ryang and the others bowed deeply toward Yeon-hoo. The Red Wolf Corps' salute then echoed through the mountains and forests.
"Loyalty!"
"See you on the battlefield."
Yeon-hoo spurred his horse northward, leaving Gwan Baek and the Red Wolf Corps behind.
Dududu!
Gwan Baek stood his ground until Yeon-hoo and his entourage vanished from sight. Gwan-ryang approached him.
"If those pirate bastards pull their weight, we could smash right into the back of Wi Yeon Gwang's skull."
"It's a plan even we didn't see coming, so it's got a good shot at working. Of course, we've still got to lead them right…"
"Just handle us like you always do, uncle. Speaking of, aren't you a bit disappointed?"
"About what?"
"We've never bowed our heads to anyone before. But now…"
"You don't approve of my decision."
"You know that's not it. I'm just wondering if you made it for our sake."
"You're right. It was for all of us. We can't wander the frozen north forever without a proper base…"
"No regrets?"
"Have you ever seen me regret a decision?"
Gwan Baek grinned.
"Fair enough. Even serving a new lord, you'll always be our eternal captain. Our hearts won't change, no matter how the rivers and mountains shift."
"Smooth talker, like you've got sesame oil on your tongue. Alright, time for us to get moving too."
"Yes, sir!"
Gwan Baek stared north where Yeon-hoo had gone, his gaze steady. He recalled his words from days ago and gave a wry smile.
…You've already stolen our hearts.
A few days later, at the Iron Blood Family.
Though he'd successfully acquired the mighty Red Wolf Corps, Yeon-hoo couldn't afford to relax. Upon his return, he stopped briefly at Yuksoon's infirmary before retreating to his quarters, where he remained without stepping out once or allowing any visitors. Only Cheol-u delivered the latest reports from the border regions, and even Elder Council Chairman Sama Song was barred from entry…
Clang!
Crack!
Dust billowed around Baek Mu Yeong as Jo Yeong unleashed a furious barrage. One slip, and it could have been a serious injury, but Baek Mu Yeong's eyes remained as steady as ever.
"Hah… hah… enough!"
Exhausted, Jo Yeong dropped his sword and collapsed flat on the ground.
Baek Mu Yeong smirked down at him, scooped a ladle of water from a basin, and flung it his way. The water-filled ladle landed lightly right beside Jo Yeong's face.
"Drink."
Gulp gulp!
Jo Yeong drained it and looked up.
"Am I good enough now?!"
"Still a long way."
"What?!"
"In the chaos of battle, you can't die to a blind swing. You need stamina to keep your focus even when it's gone. You're sorely lacking there. That chronic weakness of yours."
"What's my weakness?"
"Overconfidence. It's eating away at your skill. Head to war like this, and you'll likely die to someone equal or weaker—not stronger."
Jo Yeong sprang up.
"What do I do?!"
"Maybe taking a hit will teach you."
"Huh?!"
"Guess you don't want that."
"Who'd want to get cut?! Don't do that—teach me a way!"
"Only way is to get your head straight. That's it for today."
Baek Mu Yeong sheathed his sword and headed out of the training ground. After a few steps, he glanced back.
"Training uniform. I'll wear it well."
"Like it?"
"Very much."
"Tear it, just say the word! Mom's taking responsibility for yours and the lord's."
"Got it."
Thud!
Jo Yeong leaped to Baek Mu Yeong's side.
"Gotta grab some food."
"Cut back on portions. Fullness dulls focus—remember that."
"Don't worry. War means more days hungry than fed. Speaking of, when are the Baekya-beol folks coming? War's about to start; they should help."
"Plenty of time. Wait."
They walked side by side toward the warriors' mess. A metallic clang from somewhere halted them.
Clang!
"Lady Dongbang seems even more diligent lately. Looks like she started before me today…"
"She trained hard even without you."
"Ah… right."
As Baek Mu Yeong resumed walking, Jo Yeong scratched his head and turned. That's when Dongbang Ri emerged from the woods.
"Hold on, instructor."
Baek Mu Yeong stopped and turned.
"A spar?"
"Now…?"
"Yes. One spot's blocked; I can't progress."
"Fine."
Jo Yeong's eyes sparkled at the sudden duel. But excitement turned to shock, then self-reproach and despair.
We started training around the same time, but she's grown that strong? What have I been doing…?
Dongbang Ri was astonishingly powerful. She'd grown far beyond her past self, enough to disrupt even the ironclad Baek Mu Yeong—impassable to Jo Yeong—and leave him breathing heavily.
Crunch!
Jo Yeong ground his teeth and turned away.
Baek Mu Yeong furrowed his brow.
"Where you going?"
"To train. Lost my appetite."
"…"
Thud!
"Argh!"
"Gaaah!"
Enemies crumpled, spraying blood with agonized screams. Baekdojeon Leader Jang Pae looked down at them, madness in his eyes.
"War hasn't even started, and you vermin crawl in."
Thud!
"Grah!"
Another foe met a gruesome end, bisected by Jang Pae's massive blade.
Warriors gathered around as he withdrew his sword—Baekdojeon men on mission with the Northern Legion.
"All eliminated."
"Casualties?"
"Two wounded, no fatalities."
"Two injured?!"
"Light wounds, no worries."
"Light or not, getting hurt by trash like this—what the hell?!"
"…"
The wounded couldn't meet his gaze. Jang Pae glared fiercely, then pushed through the brush ahead.
Soon, Northwest Murim territory unfolded before him. Dense woods hid the enemy main camp, but their patrols were visible everywhere.
Jang Pae's eyes burned like a tiger's as he stared at the foe.
"Perfect time to charge in…"
Then—
"Welcome."
He turned at the voice behind. A hulking figure with a savage aura emerged—Gwak Yang.
Jang Pae grinned.
"You made it."
"Looks like you had some fun here."
"Dealt with a few rats. You look like you did too…"
"Just sent some scouting scum to hell. Everyone alright?"
"Two idiots got dinged. Nothing major."
"Getting hurt by these losers? Hit hell-training before war starts."
"Guh! Already planning that."
The Baekdojeon men swallowed sighs at the exchange, some shooting Gwak Yang covert glares. His "hell-training" was brutal enough for two trips to the underworld.
Gwak Yang joined Jang Pae, eyeing the enemy. Spikes protruded from a watchtower—human heads.
Veins bulged on his forehead.
"Scouts got taken."
"They're culling ours too. Vital before war kicks off… Huh?!"
Jang Pae gasped mid-sentence. Gwak Yang's eyes widened.
Two enemies raising allied heads on the tower toppled, decapitated.
"What?"
"Our scouts, probably."
"Some maniac in the recon team. Gotta reward whoever later. Heh heh."
Ding ding ding!
The enemy camp erupted in chaos. Jang Pae and Gwak Yang tracked figures leaping from the tower into the woods.
Soon, more emerged from the shaking front forest.
Jang Pae barked lowly at his advancing men.
"Not enemies—stand down."
Gwak Yang frowned. Their attire differed from the Northern Legion.
Jang Pae noticed too.
"Hey, you lot. State your business."
"Special Mission Unit Leader Thunder Sword. Here on the lord's orders to aid the Northern Legion."
Special Mission Unit? Thunder Sword? The unfamiliar names drew glances between Jang Pae and Gwak Yang.
"What's that?"
"Yeah."
As Jang Pae puzzled, Thunder Sword explained.
"Short for Special Mission Unit."
He pulled out a document from his robes—stamped with Yeon-hoo's seal.
They grinned, baring teeth.
"Hell of a welcome to hell. Why'd you hit that tower?"
"Figured I'd infiltrate while I was here."
"Just 'cause?"
"Yes."
His deadpan drew exchanged smirks from Jang Pae and Gwak Yang.