Chronicles of the Northern Heavens 159 - Taking Bae Yeom and His Thirty Thousand Elite Troops
He forbade the killing of anyone except those who resisted. This was the first order Yeon-hoo issued to all of the Northern forces after toppling the Northwest Murim.
He also guaranteed the safety of those residing in Wall Thunder Manor, the key leaders of the Northwest Murim, and—most crucially—Wi Yeon Gwang's family, while preparing for any potential unrest and working to stabilize public sentiment.
The effects were immediate.
The leaders of the Northwest Murim, including Bang Hyo Mun, had been most worried about Yeon-hoo's vengeance against Wi Yeon Gwang's family. Most had anticipated a bloody retaliation and trembled in fear. Knowing this all too well, Yeon-hoo had prioritized protective measures for the family, thereby quelling the anxieties of the major figures.
Clink.
Yeon-hoo's expression remained utterly unchanged as he brought the teacup to his lips.
Sin Hwi smirked at him. "For a conqueror, you seem far too indifferent. When it's just us, couldn't you show a little joy?"
"I agree. Haha!" Gwan Baek burst into laughter.
Thud.
As Yeon-hoo set down his teacup, someone entered the hall. It was Gwan-ryang.
Was he furious? His face flushed red as he glared back and forth at Yeon-hoo, Sin Hwi, and Gwan Baek, seething.
Still, there was something he had to do first. "I sincerely congratulate you on your victory, my lord!"
"Thank you."
Gwan-ryang's angry gaze fixed on Gwan Baek's face. As Gwan Baek subtly furrowed his brow, Gwan-ryang's enraged voice erupted. "When the war ended, shouldn't you have at least told us? We've been stuck waiting for orders this whole time, just playing around with fish!"
"……!"
Gwan Baek finally realized his mistake. Yeon-hoo felt the same.
Originally, Gwan-ryang had been assigned a critical mission alongside the pirates, stationed on the river running through the North and Northwest, awaiting further orders. But with days passing and no word, he'd sent out a few pirates to scout, learned the war was over, and rushed back with them.
"I'm sorry. The Northwest Murim collapsed far more easily than we expected, so I ended up forgetting about you."
At Gwan Baek's words, steam practically poured from Gwan-ryang's nostrils. "No, what you forgot is something else entirely……."
Gwan-ryang couldn't finish. Cheol-u had just entered.
"As ordered, we've seized all branches of the Golden Merchant Group."
"Any escapees?"
"All captured."
"Good work."
Sin Hwi smiled with satisfaction. "This will be a huge boost to our finances. At this point, it's no exaggeration to say the Golden Merchant Group is on our side. Heh heh heh."
Gwan Baek grinned contentedly as well. But Gwan-ryang was still fuming.
Cheol-u, unaware of the situation, gave Gwan Baek a strange look, and Yeon-hoo soothed Gwan-ryang. "You must have rushed here without rest. Go wash up in hot water and take a break."
No matter how angry, Gwan-ryang wouldn't speak carelessly to Yeon-hoo.
[Sorry, you fool.] Gwan Baek sent a sound transmission laced with sincerity, but Gwan-ryang turned on his heel and stormed out of the hall.
Sin Hwi chuckled. "Come to think of it, we won too easily. It ended so fast that even that guy didn't know the war was over."
Gwan Baek picked up the thread. "It's thanks to my lord's strategy. Honestly, I never imagined such an overwhelming victory. The others probably feel the same."
It was true. Even Yeon-hoo hadn't anticipated such dominance.
Yeon-hoo sought the root of the Northwest's defeat elsewhere. "The Northwest had never faced a true crisis in all their wars with us. And with their alliance to the Blood Clan, their optimism bordered on utter defenselessness—that was their downfall."
"Agreed."
"I think the same."
Yeon-hoo looked straight at Gwan Baek and continued. "I'd like you to stay until the Northwest stabilizes…… Can you do that?"
"No need to worry. The Red Wolf Corps will remain by your side until you complete your great undertaking, even after stability returns."
"Thank you, Captain."
At that moment, Songyeong entered. "My lord, a man named Bae Yeom requests an audience."
"Who?"
"He says he's the commander of the forces that coordinated with the Southern Defense Army."
* * *
Bae Yeom clasped his hands in salute toward Yeon-hoo as he entered. He didn't forget to quickly scan Yeon-hoo from his eyes to his entire body.
'Younger than the rumors.'
He'd already heard plenty about Yeon-hoo. But seeing him in person, he looked far younger.
Bae Yeom felt his resolve crumbling.
'If he were a battle-hardened veteran, it might be less bitter…….'
Meanwhile, Yeon-hoo sharply examined Bae Yeom from head to toe. His overall demeanor was no different from any Northwest warrior, but coming alone took guts that Yeon-hoo had to acknowledge.
"Sit."
"Yes."
Bae Yeom kept his back ramrod straight. It was the bare minimum of his pride.
But Yeon-hoo saw right through him. "A warning in advance…… If you've come here thinking of negotiating a deal, you'd better change your mind. The moment that word 'deal' leaves your mouth, that man will sever your head."
Bae Yeom glanced at Cheol-u, bit his lip hard, and spoke. "By now, you must know who I am. So…… I dare to make a request."
"Speak."
Bae Yeom nearly let "deal" slip. Feeling a chill down his spine, he continued. "Guarantee the safety of me, my subordinates, and our families. In return…… Bae Yeom and his thirty thousand elite troops will gladly pledge full loyalty to our new lord."
"Thirty thousand is all?"
"That's just the ones who sheathed their swords."
"What about the rest?"
"They went their own ways, against my wishes."
Yeon-hoo leaned deep into his chair, interlocking his fingers. He stared silently at Bae Yeom for a long while.
To Bae Yeom, it felt longer than an eon.
"Give me one reason why I should grant your request."
"……."
"If you can't, that's a problem."
Bae Yeom hurriedly spoke. "The Northwest has fallen, but the Blood Clan and Golden Merchant Group remain powerful threats. And with Hwangha Suryeon across the river, wouldn't every single soldier count? Moreover, my forces are battle-hardened elites with years of experience—they'll surely aid your rule."
As he spoke, Bae Yeom fought back rising tears. He'd come for his thirty thousand subordinates. Without them, he would have resisted to the death.
Yeon-hoo gazed at Bae Yeom's reddening eyes and asked indifferently. "That seems reason enough. But the bigger issue is how to guarantee your words are sincere, isn't it?"
"If you can't trust me, kill me. But please…… show mercy and wide generosity by accepting my subordinates into your service."
Yeon-hoo fell silent again.
[He seems sincere.] Cheol-u's sound transmission arrived.
[Does he?]
[Doesn't he to you?]
[In my eyes, he's come to save his men. A man with that look in his eyes doesn't betray easily.]
[Then…….]
[If we accept him, we'll be placing him in a position commanding thirty thousand elites. A minimal test is in order.]
As Cheol-u looked puzzled, Yeon-hoo straightened and unlocked his fingers. "Cheol-u."
"Yes, my lord."
"Throw him in prison."
"Understood."
Bae Yeom snapped his head up. Yeon-hoo stared at his trembling lips and continued. "Thirty thousand elites are enough to cause chaos. So we need to confirm if they're truly surrendering in earnest."
"Imprisoning me will confirm their sincerity?"
"Of course."
With that, Yeon-hoo stood. He didn't forget to send a sound transmission to Cheol-u.
[Tell the guards: no special treatment for him.]
[Yes.]
* * *
A day after Bae Yeom was imprisoned, two sturdy men came to see Yeon-hoo. They were his thousand-commanders.
They first asked about Bae Yeom's whereabouts. Upon learning he was in prison, they slammed their foreheads to the hall floor, pleading for his kind treatment.
Yeon-hoo threw them in prison too.
Two days later, ten thousand-commanders arrived. They begged just as earnestly, but the result was the same.
And another day passed.
"How is he?"
"He hasn't moved an inch, not even taking food."
"The thousand-commanders too?"
"Yes."
Yeon-hoo nodded silently. "At the very least, he's a man respected by his subordinates."
"Too valuable to discard."
"He must have really impressed you."
"How many in the world would come alone to face my lord with eyes like that? If used well, he'll be a great asset."
It was unexpected. Cheol-u rarely spoke up for anyone.
"Bring one bottle of the liquor Wi Yeon Gwang favored."
"Why liquor……."
"For the final test."
Cheol-u left puzzled and soon returned with a gold-foiled bottle. Yeon-hoo headed to the prison where Bae Yeom was held.
The prison was in the deepest, most secretive part of Wall Thunder Manor. The Demon Corps guarded its perimeter.
"Sir!"
As Yeon-hoo entered, they saluted thunderously.
Moments later, he reached Bae Yeom's cell. Even with his arrival, Bae Yeom didn't stir from his cross-legged position.
Refusing food and water? In just days, his face had paled to the color of the dead.
Sensing the presence, Bae Yeom slowly opened his eyes. The once-vibrant gaze was now dull and lifeless.
Yeon-hoo poured a full cup from the bottle he'd brought and set it before Bae Yeom.
"I tested what your thirty thousand elites would do if I didn't release you. The result was as I expected."
Tremble…….
Bae Yeom's eyes shook violently. From Yeon-hoo's words, anxiety gripped him—had his men done something unforgivable in his absence?
"No need to worry. They didn't act rashly."
"……!"
"A man who commands such respect from his subordinates must have the ability to match."
Pour.
Yeon-hoo filled his own cup to the brim. He raised it toward Bae Yeom.
"If you're resolved to be reborn for me—and for the North—empty that cup."