Even Wolves Grieve the Loss of Their Cubs
In the southern region of Northern Murim, Hyeon-jin visited the tent of Southern Defense Commander Ma Ui Tae. Seobaek was with him.
Having already heard Yeon-hoo's plan through Seobaek, Ma Ui Tae decided to trust Hyeon-jin and now awaited the strategy he would propose.
"We'll pull our forces back twenty li to Yongmyeong Mountain."
"……!"
The long-awaited strategy from Hyeon-jin left Ma Ui Tae stunned. His deputy, Gwak Hong, widened his eyes in shock.
Unfazed, Hyeon-jin continued. "Yongmyeong Mountain has treacherous terrain and steep slopes, making it the ideal spot to defend against enemy attacks."
"Does that mean the Lord's plan has failed?!"
"A mere strategist like Yang So from the northwest can't handle the Lord. By now, things are proceeding smoothly as planned."
"Then why pull back the troops?" Ma Ui Tae's face was laced with anger.
But Hyeon-jin smiled faintly. At that moment, Seobaek spoke up. "The Lord's special order to Advisor Hyeon-jin was to minimize losses for the Southern Defense Army."
Hyeon-jin picked up. "Soon, word from the north will reach the enemy camp. When they learn that the north—which had even stronger forces than here—has fallen, chaos is inevitable. And it's obvious even to a child that our forces who crushed the north will come sweeping down. How could they dare attack us?"
"Shouldn't we press the attack even harder then?"
"As I said, the Lord's top priority is preserving the Southern Defense Army's strength over annihilating the enemy. I'm simply following his command."
Gwak Hong, looking baffled, pressed like he was arguing. "Then why not fortify defenses here and hold? Why pull back twenty li? Didn't you yourself say before that concentrating troops mid-river would suffice for defense?"
"That was before we knew the Lord's plan. The situation has completely changed now. So, I'm giving the enemy a chance to escape."
"……Pardon?"
"If we stay here, the enemy won't pull back their forces either. But if we withdraw, they'll surely move troops to defend Wall Thunder Manor. That'll leave their camp with minimal defenders, and we can strike then—capturing it with minimal losses."
Seobaek grinned. "Five wolves are easier to handle than ten."
"……!"
Ma Ui Tae and Gwak Hong finally relaxed their expressions. Ma Ui Tae clasped his fists toward Hyeon-jin and bowed his head. "I misunderstood your intent for a moment. We'll withdraw as you advise."
"I'm humbled that you'd follow this lowly one's suggestion."
"Deputy, come with me."
"Yes, Commander."
As Ma Ui Tae and Gwak Hong left the tent, Seobaek dropped his usual smirk and furrowed his brow slightly. "I'm dying to know how the Northern Legion is faring. If only they'd send a messenger..."
"It's the Lord's own plan. With the Blood King there, the Red Wolf Corps aiding us, and Elder Council Chairman Sama Song personally leading the Iron Blood Cavalry Legion into battle, by now they've surely wiped out the enemy's northern forces and are charging toward Wall Thunder Manor like a gale."
"I hope so."
"Now's the time to trust. Faith and conviction will lead us to victory. In that sense, we're definitely in a strong position."
"Why's that?"
"Do you trust the Lord?"
"What kind of question is that..."
Hyeon-jin smiled faintly. "I trust the Lord too. And everyone in the north believes in and follows him. In all my travels, I've never seen a group with such unbreakable collective faith."
Seobaek grinned. "Our Lord's got that charm, huh."
Hyeon-jin gazed up at the northern sky, his eyes growing distant. 'I thought you'd treat the Southern Defense Army as disposable pawns to use and discard. But when I heard your order to minimize their sacrifices, I swore to heaven and earth that I'd follow you truly. Now I'm really starting to look forward to it—the world you'll create.'
Wall Thunder Manor.
Wi Yeon Gwang was spending time with his concubines not in the grand hall, but in his private quarters. Deeply disappointed and heartbroken that the declaration of war hadn't escalated into full conflict, he'd ignored official duties for two days straight, drowning in alcohol.
Today too, he'd set up a drinking table at dawn and was already heavily intoxicated before the sun reached midday.
A figure rushed toward his quarters—his son, Wi Cheon Hwa.
Despite strict orders not to let anyone in, Wi Cheon Hwa shoved past the guards and burst inside.
"Father!"
"Don't disturb my revelry—I gave strict orders! What has you in such a frenzy?!"
A wine cup flew, smashing against Wi Cheon Hwa's chest. It shattered, staining his robes red, but he stepped closer, his eyes trembling. "Urgent news: Northern Murim launched a preemptive strike, capturing many northern cities! Strategist Yang So's main army was ambushed, abandoned camp, and is retreating!"
"……What?"
"We must fortify all routes to the main house and urgently request aid from the Blood Clan and Golden Merchant Group!"
"……!"
The drunken haze vanished from Wi Yeon Gwang's eyes. His body trembled. "Those northern upstarts dare break the Bee's iron rule—the one even I feared too much to defy?!"
Thud! Steam and foul odor erupted from his body as he expelled the alcohol with his inner energy.
Then, a man in a blue robe rushed in. "My Lord!"
"What is it?!"
"Word just from the Bee: They've received a personal letter from Yi Yeon-hoo last evening, retracting his acceptance of the declaration of war, delivered to the Great Earth Sovereign!"
"……What?!"
"Father!"
Wi Yeon Gwang and his son glared with bulging eyes. It was as shocking as the northern ambush.
"What does that mean? Does the north get a pass for breaking the Bee's rule?!"
"……We'd need to check the Bee's laws, but if they've already responded, they've interpreted it that way."
Whoosh! Wi Yeon Gwang's face flushed red, hot energy surging around him. He finally understood—it was all Yeon-hoo's scheme.
"Yi Yeon-hoo, you bastard..."
Shadows descended silently like night birds onto the roof of a hall north of Wall Thunder Manor. It was Yeon-hoo and Cheol-u.
White steam rose from their bodies like mist—the result of their overheated flesh meeting cool air after nonstop running.
Yeon-hoo stared at the massive hall towering in the center, calming his gaze. Wall Thunder Grand Hall—the hub of all northwest affairs. People were flocking toward it.
Their hurried steps and gestures betrayed urgency. Yeon-hoo smiled coldly. "They've just gotten the news."
"Too many heads," Cheol-u said.
"I didn't expect it to be empty. We'll wait here and watch for an opening."
"Yes."
They settled on the roof. Though it was midday with the sun high, overhanging branches shrouded them perfectly—no need for stealth techniques.
'If all's on schedule, the Blood King Army, Iron Blood Cavalry Legion, and Red Wolf Corps should be converging and advancing by now...'
Yeon-hoo trusted them. He trusted his plan. But until he saw it with his own eyes, unease and impatience gnawed at him.
'The only way to end this war perfectly is to take Wi Yeon Gwang's head.'
That's why they'd come here. Seize the moment, and it was done. A highly dangerous gamble with no guarantees—but he'd never once considered failure.
"My Lord."
Yeon-hoo snapped from his thoughts at Cheol-u's voice, sharpening his gaze. "Look there."
Cheol-u pointed to the main gate. People exiting Wall Thunder Grand Hall were heading out in considerable numbers—ones who should normally stay within the manor.
If that many left, it was the perfect opportunity for Yeon-hoo.
"A bit longer."
"Yes."
Yeon-hoo wasn't rushing. Failure could ruin everything; he waited for the perfect moment.
It came soon. Wi Yeon Gwang finally appeared, berating his entourage before heading to a ornate hall behind the grand one—where he'd been with his concubines moments ago.
But Yeon-hoo's eyes fixed not on him, but on Wi Cheon Hwa trailing behind. His face rigid, Wi Cheon Hwa suddenly veered off elsewhere. He had only one follower.
A familiar face: Jang Cheon's son, Jang So.
Yeon-hoo recalled a father grieving his lost son. He hadn't witnessed it, but losing a son treasured like life itself—the depth of sorrow was imaginable.
'Even wolves grieve lost cubs. This time, I'll repay you in kind, Wi Yeon Gwang.'
Wi Cheon Hwa stormed into his quarters and irritably flung off his robe.
Whoosh!
"Damn it! Why won't he give me a chance?!"
He grabbed a bottle from the table and chugged straight from it.
Gulp, gulp!
Wi Yeon Gwang had forbidden Wi Cheon Hwa from deploying—out of concern for his safety, but to Wi Cheon Hwa, it was infuriating.
Jang So, who'd been watching silently, spoke cautiously. "Calm down, Young Lord. Though caught off-guard and lost the north, with the Blood Clan and Golden Merchant Group regrouping to aid us, we can reverse the tide soon."
"Hah! Aren't you secretly thrilled?"
"Young Lord, what are you saying? Yi Yeon-hoo crushed my family's dreams—he's my blood-sworn enemy."
As Jang So's eyes blazed, Wi Cheon Hwa sank deep into his chair and closed his eyes. Jang So continued. "May I propose a strategy?"
Wi Cheon Hwa opened his eyes. Jang So pressed on. "I still command tens of thousands of well-trained elites, all intimately familiar with northern terrain. If we add your 10,000 troops and strike Iron Blood Manor, victory is assured."
Wi Cheon Hwa's eyes changed instantly. Jang So fanned the flames. "Yi Yeon-hoo, succeeding in his ambush, won't expect us to hit Iron Blood Manor while we're scrambling defensively. Imagine toppling it now."
"Me... toppling Iron Blood Manor..."
"The entire northwest—no, the world—will revere you, Young Lord."
Wi Cheon Hwa's face shifted, his eyes gleaming. He'd fallen for the bait completely.
As he opened his mouth to speak—
Thud!
Blood sprayed before him, splattering his face red.
"……!"
Wi Cheon Hwa's pupils dilated in horror at the sword piercing Jang So's chest from behind. Then, an indifferent voice rang out.
"You should've locked the door."