An Unexpected Decision
A single letter lay clutched in Han Song's hand. Its contents were far from what he had hoped for.
With a sharp pop!, the letter crumbled into ash and scattered from his grasp.
The great young master Han Seom asked, “What did it say?”
“Wi Yeon Gwang has agreed to our demands without a fight.”
“……!”
“I never expected him to play his hand like this……”
Han Song's face darkened with bewilderment. Han Seom wore the same stunned expression.
If Wall Thunder Manor responded this way, their plans were utterly derailed.
Han Seom spoke in a heavy tone. “In that case, we no longer have any pretext to aid the North. Stepping in openly would violate the ironclad rules of White Night Cartel……”
Gulp! Gulp!
Frustrated, Han Song downed a bowl of cold water in one go. He sank deep into his chair and closed his eyes tightly.
A heavy silence fell.
In that case, the only way left is to form an alliance with the North……
To aid the North without breaking White Night Cartel's iron rules, that was the sole path. But it was no simple decision. Opposition within his own faction would be fierce at first, and a misstep could even lead to schism.
Wi Yeon Gwang, you've landed a solid blow on us.
Five days had passed since Yeon-hoo had not stirred a single step from his quarters.
Amid reports flooding in several times a day of Northwest and Blood Clan forces gathering at key Northern and Southern defense lines, with only ten days left before the declaration of war's effects fully manifested, the Iron Blood Family's leadership began to waver.
Sama Song visited repeatedly, but Yeon-hoo refused even to see him.
The next day, after another day dragged on, Yeon-hoo finally emerged.
Sama Song, who had stood guard like a sentinel before his quarters, approached first.
“My lord!”
“Assemble everyone in the grand hall.”
“Understood!”
Yeon-hoo watched Sama Song dash off hurriedly for a moment before turning toward the Iron Blood Grand Hall. Cheol-u followed behind.
“As you ordered, I've dispatched men to the North and South. And word from Scholar Hyeon-jin, who's now with the Southern Defense Army—he's begun repositioning the troops. Fortunately, Commander Ma seems to be complying without issue.”
Yeon-hoo nodded silently.
After a few steps, Sinhwi appeared.
“Found a way?”
“Something workable.”
“Can't wait to hear what it is. Heh heh heh.”
Moments later, Yeon-hoo entered the Iron Blood Grand Hall. The leadership filed in after him, bowing deeply in his direction.
Yeon-hoo took a sip of tea brought by the hall's warriors. Everyone held their breath, awaiting his words.
Clink!
The sound of the teacup being set down rang like thunder in the silence.
Yeon-hoo swept his gaze over the assembly and spoke.
“I've decided to accept the Northwest's demands.”
“……!”
“My lord!”
The hall erupted in murmurs. Some stared at Yeon-hoo in disbelief; others showed clear relief. The former were the hardliners, the latter those desperate to avoid war at any cost.
Amid the chaos stirred by Yeon-hoo's single declaration, only one man—Sinhwi—watched him with a peculiar smile.
“Elder Council Chairman.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Send a messenger to White Night Cartel at once to convey my intent.”
“My lord, please think this through……”
“Do it.”
“……Understood.”
Sama Song, the de facto leader of the hardliners, dragged his reluctant feet as he exited the hall.
Yeon-hoo continued to the rest. “The emergency alert for the entire army remains in effect until the decision is official.”
A middle-aged man ventured cautiously, “If we're accepting the Northwest's terms, shouldn't we prepare to withdraw the Northern Legion and Southern Defense Army?”
“I'll decide the timing.”
“……Yes.”
“That's all. Return to your posts and attend to your duties.”
The leadership ebbed away like the tide.
But Sinhwi remained, still wearing that enigmatic smile.
He sank deep into his chair and asked, “Shall we have a drink?”
“Sure.”
“I'll prepare it.”
Cheol-u ordered the warriors to bring wine.
Yeon-hoo stepped down from the dais and sat across from Sinhwi.
“We'll get to see Wi Yeon Gwang's hair turn white as snow. Heh heh heh.”
Sinhwi chuckled as if he knew exactly what Yeon-hoo was thinking.
A faint smile tugged at Yeon-hoo's lips.
Just then, Cheol-u entered with the warriors bearing the wine tray, halting further talk.
“Cheol-u.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Who has the swiftest lightness skill?”
“They're all about even, but if I had to pick…… Seobaek and Songyeong would be the best bets.”
“Bring them.”
“Understood.”
Soon, Cheol-u returned with Seobaek and Songyeong.
As they entered, Yeon-hoo drew two signal flares from his bosom.
“Deliver these to Commander Yun and Commander Ma. And remind them to burn them immediately upon confirmation.”
“Got it. Then I'll head to the Northern Legion.”
“I'll go to the Northern Legion.”
“Hey, I said it first.”
“I was about to say the same.”
Smack! Smack!
Cheol-u's hands struck the backs of Songyeong's and Seobaek's heads simultaneously.
“Urgh……”
“Ow……”
In the end, Songyeong headed to the Northern Legion, and Seobaek to the Southern Defense Army.
A few days later, in White Night Cartel.
Somubaek and Cheol Gun-ak sat facing each other.
“Truly an unexpected decision. I thought he'd risk war if need be……”
“Indeed.”
They both looked incredulous at Yeon-hoo's acceptance of Northwest Murim's terms.
In their minds, Yeon-hoo was the type to not just risk war but launch a preemptive strike.
Somubaek continued, “It must have been unavoidable. Even for him, warring against Northwest Murim allied with the Blood Clan was impossible. And with Golden Merchant Group entangled, the damage—even if they held—would be unimaginable.”
“Hm……”
“Now that it's settled, I feel a weight lifted. We'll cede some territory, but from the North's perspective, it buys time for the future. That's likely his intent too.”
“True, but……”
Cheol Gun-ak shared Somubaek's view. Yet an inexplicable unease lingered in his heart.
Did he really accept their terms for that reason? Or is there something else……?
Cheol Gun-ak longed to rush to the North and demand why from Yeon-hoo himself.
In truth, he had wanted to witness Yeon-hoo's prowess in this war. He hoped Yeon-hoo would achieve the impossible victory everyone deemed unattainable and step boldly onto the central stage of the world's power structure.
The greater Yeon-hoo rose, the more it would benefit Somubaek, who relied on him.
What am I thinking……?
Cheol Gun-ak chided his selfish thoughts and lifted his teacup. The tea tasted unusually bitter today; he took one sip and set it down.
Somubaek changed the subject. “I wonder if Northwest Murim will welcome this. From their side, they probably wanted war more.”
“For Wi Yeon Gwang, it's a letdown. He must have thought the North was already in his grasp before the first shot.”
“Not just him—the entire world thought the same. The Northwest-Blood Clan alliance is terrifying enough to chill the blood, horrifying even to me.”
As Somubaek and Cheol Gun-ak debated Yeon-hoo's decision late into the night, the envoy dispatched from White Night Cartel raced tirelessly toward Wall Thunder Manor.
The next morning, the envoy delivered Somubaek's letter to Wi Yeon Gwang.
“The Great Earth Sovereign commanded me to deliver this.”
“A personal letter from the Great Earth Sovereign?”
“Please accept it.”
Wi Yeon Gwang unfolded the letter with a puzzled look.
As he read, his face twisted in growing fury. His complexion flushed beet-red, like boiled pork as always.
“This……”
His strategist Yang So asked, “What does it say?”
“That bastard…… Yi Yeon-hoo, that scum I'd tear apart and it still wouldn't satisfy……”
Unable to finish, Wi Yeon Gwang thrust the letter at Yang So, who scanned it hastily.
Yang So's hand trembled faintly as he gripped it.
“I never thought he'd back down so easily……”
“That damned cur barked like a mad dog all this time, and now he dodges war? Absurd!”
[My lord, the envoy is watching. Compose yourself.]
Only after Yang So's transmission voice echoed in his ear did Wi Yeon Gwang forcibly calm his rage.
“Ahem! You there! Escort the envoy out!”
The maids entered and led the envoy from the hall. Wi Yeon Gwang's face flushed anew.
“My lord, with the enemy responding like this, we have no other options. If they refuse and spark war anyway, it gives White Night Cartel cause to intervene. If they do, the other families won't stand idle. So be content with reclaiming the lost territory. The world will still revere you for it.”
“You think the Great Earth Sovereign would intervene?”
“Think of the Elder Council Chairman, not him. He's an enigma. Clashing with White Night Cartel when we can't read his mind is too risky.”
“Damn it all!”
Bam!
Wi Yeon Gwang's fist splintered the table. It was the fourth table he'd smashed since tangling with Yeon-hoo.
“This is the time for utmost composure. Calm yourself, my lord.”
Grind.
“What should we do?”
“First, placate the Blood Clan and Golden Merchant Group. Their disappointment matches ours—especially Leader Wang, who lost his son.”
“And then?”
“Withdraw the declaration of war.”
Wi Yeon Gwang squeezed his eyes shut. Withdrawing it meant everything reverted to status quo.
“Damn it……”
He raised his hands to slam the throne's armrests but hesitated. He couldn't destroy the throne. Bestowed by the previous Great Earth Sovereign when he ascended as Northwest Murim's lord, it was a sacred relic symbolizing the region's master.
“We couldn't sweep the North, but this makes its lord a laughingstock. And we reclaimed territory without spilling a drop of blood. Opportunities will come again—step back for now, my lord.”
“The Blood Clan will complain, no doubt…… Find a way to soothe them first, and handle the rest yourself, strategist.”
In the end, Wi Yeon Gwang yielded to Yang So's counsel.