Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 157 - The Last Hope of the Northwest: Southern Defense Army
Following Hyeon Jin's advice, Ma Ui Tae had pulled his forces back to the rear and was sending out reconnaissance troops at regular intervals to monitor the enemy's movements. But contrary to Hyeon Jin's bold assurances, the enemy showed no signs of stirring.
Then, after a full day had passed, the scouts returned with the very information they'd been hoping for.
"Commander! The enemy is retreating southward!"
"Are you absolutely certain?!"
"Yes, sir! It's not just a portion—the entire force has pulled out of their camp! I even slipped into their camp to check, just in case, and their grain stores were still piled high in the warehouses, untouched!"
"What?!"
As Ma Ui Tae's eyes widened in shock, Hyeon Jin broke into a satisfied smile.
"It looks like our forces have seized the advantage, forcing them to flee in haste."
"Oh!"
"Hahaha!"
Gwak Hong even let out a booming laugh from the depths of his belly. Hyeon Jin continued.
"It's time to order the full army to advance, Commander. For now, keep your distance as you pursue their rear, then await further orders from the lord."
"Understood! You there—adjutant!"
"Yes, Commander!"
"Order the full army to march!"
"At once!"
Not long after Gwak Hong dashed out of the tent, the blare of trumpets and the thunder of drums signaling the advance echoed loudly.
Rwoooong!
Thung-thung-thung!
Ma Ui Tae's face flushed red with excitement.
"Thank you, Strategist!"
"No need for such words. I merely followed the lord's will. In truth, I owe you my gratitude for trusting my judgment without question."
"Regardless—thank you!"
Hyeon Jin smiled faintly once more.
"You must lead from the front, Commander. Best head out now."
"Stay by my side, Strategist!"
"As you command."
Hyeon Jin stepped out of the tent alongside Ma Ui Tae. Before them stood the fully assembled Southern Defense Army, arrayed in perfect ranks with banners, spears, and swords gleaming.
Gwak Hong brought Ma Ui Tae's warhorse forward, while another warrior led up Hyeon Jin's mount. Ma Ui Tae swung into the saddle, and Hyeon Jin took position at his side.
Shring!
With Ma Ui Tae thrusting his sword skyward as the signal, the Southern Defense Army began to march. It was their first strike against the Northwest Murim that had plagued the North for so many long years.
Thung-thung-thung!
* * *
On the battlements of Wall Thunder Manor, Bang Hyo Mun—now the new head of the Elder Council in place of the elder slain by Cheol-u—trembled violently.
Dududu!
Countless cavalry charged forward, blackening the earth and kicking up massive dust clouds that filled Bang Hyo Mun's quivering pupils.
Then his eyes turned bloodshot. Reflected in them was the massive banner symbolizing the Blood King Army.
"How did the Blood King Army get all the way here...?"
He could see it with his own eyes, yet he couldn't believe it. The Blood King Army reaching this place meant every front line in the North had collapsed.
At that moment—
"It's the Red Wolf Corps!"
"Elder! The Red Wolf Corps is advancing too!"
Bang Hyo Mun clutched the ramparts as dizziness swept over him at the shout from the watchtower.
Thung-thung-thung!
Ding-ding-ding!
Drums and bells signaling the enemy invasion rang ceaselessly as Wall Thunder warriors lined the walls.
"Elder..."
The faces of those standing guard beside Bang Hyo Mun had already drained of color. A few drew their swords with grim resolve, but most simply stared at him with expressions devoid of fighting spirit.
With Wi Yeon Gwang's corpse already discovered and even his heir Wi Cheon Hwa confirmed dead, Bang Hyo Mun was now the leader of Northwest Murim. But he was already plunged into panic.
A middle-aged man cried out to him.
"We must fight to the death until reinforcements from the Blood Clan arrive! If we hold out that long, we can turn the tide!"
"Exactly! The main house still has ten thousand troops intact! Seal the gates and fight with our lives—we can buy time until the Blood Clan returns!"
But not everyone agreed.
One elder spoke up.
"As we all see, the fearsome Blood King Army and Red Wolf Corps are bearing down on us. In this situation, where the North's Iron Cavalry could strike at any moment, resistance would be a meaningless invitation to death, wouldn't it?"
"Precisely! I've heard the young lord of the North is more ruthless than a demon to those who resist. If we provoke him in a hopeless battle, not only will everyone here perish, but the innocent civilians of the Northwest will suffer too. Surrendering to at least spare the people—that's the only righteous path left to us."
"Silence! You, who have received the greatest favors from our lord—how dare you speak of surrender? How will you face him in the afterlife with such reckless words?!"
Another elder shouted in fury.
Opinions clashed wildly, but Bang Hyo Mun remained silent. Then—
"Look over there!"
"The North's lord has appeared!"
All eyes turned to the same spot.
* * *
Ahead of the earth-shaking advance of the Blood King Army and Red Wolf Corps, Yeon-hoo and Cheol-u came into view.
Spotting him, Sinhwi raised his sword high, and the Blood King Army gradually slowed its charge. The Red Wolf Corps followed suit.
Dududu!
Sinhwi spurred his warhorse toward Yeon-hoo. Gwan Baek raced up like a gale in his wake.
Sinhwi bared his teeth in a grin.
"So you finally took the bastard's head. Does that mean this war's as good as over? Heh heh heh."
Yeon-hoo gazed at the battlements of Wall Thunder Manor with a faint smile.
"If those inside bow their heads, then yes."
Dududu!
Gwan Baek arrived, reined in his horse, dismounted, and bowed his head.
"Well done, Captain."
"So you're the Red Wolf captain?"
"Introductions first."
Gwan Baek eyed Sinhwi intently. Their gazes locked in the air for a moment.
"Sinhwi."
"Gwan Baek."
"Captain Gwan."
"Yes, my lord."
"The Blood King is my friend. Show him proper respect."
"...Understood, my lord."
Yeon-hoo's single command resolved what could have been a lingering issue of rank.
"Allow me to greet you properly. Red Wolf Captain Gwan Baek pays respects to the Blood King."
Yeon-hoo sent a transmission to Sinhwi.
[He's a good man. Get along.]
[Don't worry. I liked him at first sight. Heh heh heh.]
Yeon-hoo turned to Cheol-u.
"Cheol-u."
"Yes, my lord."
"From now on, relay my exact words to them."
"Understood."
* * *
Bang Hyo Mun couldn't tear his eyes from the approaching Cheol-u. Everyone around him guessed the meaning of his advance.
"No surrender, absolutely not!"
"I'll go out and take that bastard's head myself!"
"Stand down! If anyone acts rashly, I won't forgive them!"
"Elder!"
"Remember the innocent people behind us. Their lives hang on our decision!"
Bang Hyo Mun finally revealed his true feelings. The hardliners' faces twisted in an instant. Those advocating surrender breathed sighs of relief.
Bang Hyo Mun continued.
"What we must wait for isn't the Blood Clan—it's the strategist's return. Only he can overcome this crisis. Until then, no one provoke the enemy!"
This time, the hardliners sighed in relief. Meanwhile, Cheol-u reached the gates.
"I'll go out."
"No need for you to go personally, Elder. Send a subordinate."
"No."
Bang Hyo Mun leaped lightly from the high ramparts and walked to within five paces of Cheol-u.
Cheol-u stared straight at him and spoke.
"Are you the leader of those who remain?"
"I am."
"Then hear the lord's will."
"..."
"If you have eyes, you've already realized further resistance is futile. Surrender. Do so, and no more blood will be shed—that I promise. Resist, and not only the warriors here, but all the Northwest's people who sided with you, will find no mercy."
Flutter...
Bang Hyo Mun's gaze wavered faintly. He looked past Cheol-u and spotted the head of Sama Jung in Yeon-hoo's hand. His eyes trembled again.
"He added that you have until one incense stick burns to decide."
"To decide a matter of this gravity in a mere incense stick?!"
"It seems you're stalling in hopes the Blood Clan arrives... But if my lord gives the order, you and everyone there won't survive—not a single one."
"...!"
"One incense stick."
With that, Cheol-u turned away. Bang Hyo Mun's lips quivered, but he said nothing more and turned back.
Then—
Dududu!
The ground began to rumble faintly. Bang Hyo Mun's head snapped north reflexively.
Beyond the dust raised by the Blood King Army and Red Wolf Corps, a massive dust cloud rose. The Iron Cavalry Legion had arrived.
Creak.
Bang Hyo Mun's lips turned pale under the pressure of his gritted teeth. The horizon was blackened—tens of thousands at minimum.
'The enemy keeps pouring in, but where the hell is the strategist and what is he doing?'
Bang Hyo Mun had always praised Yang So's abilities highly. Though young enough to be his grandson, he'd followed his every suggestion without question and valued his talents even above those of their lord, Wi Yeon Gwang.
Then—
"...!"
Bang Hyo Mun's eyes, fixed on the Iron Cavalry Legion, slowly widened. Soon, tears of blood welled up and dripped down.
'Even the strategist has fallen!'
Figures emerged from the left flank of the plains. Bang Hyo Mun's bulging eyes fixed unblinkingly on the man in a long robe caked with dried blackish blood, his hair disheveled like a ghost's as he was dragged forward.
It was Yang So, the strategist he'd awaited so desperately. He even channeled his inner energy to confirm, but there was no doubt.
Their gazes met. But Yang So bowed his head and looked away.
Bang Hyo Mun's heart shattered like the sky falling; tears welled in his eyes.
Thud!
'To think the era of our Northwest would end not elsewhere, but at the hands of the North.'
Stagger!
All strength drained from Bang Hyo Mun's body. He dropped to one knee, right hand pressing the ground. Tears traced down his wrinkled cheeks and fell to the earth.
Plip-plip.