Events in the White Night Cartel
Baekya-beol, the northern stronghold. Akso and all the others from the north had gathered in one place, tilting their teacups.
With news of the north's victory spreading, the mood couldn't have been better.
"I still can't believe it. Our north has annexed the Northwest Murim... I don't even know if this is a dream or reality."
Songhak's face was flushed with excitement as he spoke.
Baekun grimaced and chimed in. "I heard the Northwest bastards fell into the Lord's trap without even swinging once... What a shame. My brother and I should've been there."
Akso nodded silently and brought his teacup to his lips. He wanted to crack open some liquor, but with the recent alcohol ban in Baekya-beol, tea would have to do.
Clink.
"This is just the beginning."
"Of course. You think our Lord would settle for something like the Northwest? Heh heh heh."
"The problem is the Blood Family and the Golden Merchant Group. We need to stabilize the Northwest as fast as possible to keep those unpredictable bastards in check..."
"Eh, the Lord will handle it. Anyway, I wanna see those Northwest pricks' faces."
Songhak picked up the thread. "On my way here, I passed their quarters. Saw carriages waiting, so they're probably leaving Baekya-beol soon."
"Bastards with nowhere to go."
"It's not like they want to leave. Soon, the Northwest Murim will officially be struck from the Eight Great Families. Even if they wanted to stay, they won't be allowed. No choice but to go."
Akso gave a wry smile at Songhak's words. "Cold place."
"Honestly, pretty much everyone—no, almost all of them—expected us to be the ones leaving. Some even mocked me outright."
"If the Lord hadn't returned, the north would've been devoured, naturally."
"......"
Akso stood abruptly.
"Where to?"
"A day like this without booze? Can't drink inside thanks to the ban, so let's head to the city for a round."
"Sounds good, brother!"
"The city... maybe wait till the Northwest guys leave?"
"Scared they'll cause trouble?"
"I trust your skills, but there are so many of them. And if some incident happens, it won't end well."
Thwack!
Baekun smacked Songhak's back. "Hey, bookworm, quit worrying and get the carriage ready."
"......Yes. I'll prepare the carriage."
Songhak bolted out.
Moments later, Akso, Baekun, Songhak, and the northern Murim folk who'd been stationed in Baekya-beol passed through the main gate.
They headed for the city half a shichen away on foot—the place where most of Baekya-beol's warriors and families lived. Known as the safest spot under heaven, it drew plenty of retired officials and tycoons.
Eyes watched them go. The Northwest Murim contingent.
They glared at Akso's group exiting leisurely, eyes flashing murderously.
"Those fucking dogs are living it up."
"They're heading to the city for a booze-up, no doubt. Wait till they head back to Baekya-beol, then slaughter the lot."
"You sure? Better take 'em out outside the city."
"No reason to follow Baekya-beol's iron rules anymore. Hit 'em at the perfect moment—when they're buzzed and euphoric."
"Got it."
* * *
The city dazzled with splendor. A massive general statue loomed at the entrance, overwhelming visitors. The markets boasted buildings and sculptures unlike anywhere else, drawing gasps from all.
Even the imperial capital couldn't compare.
Baekun whistled. "Never get used to this place. Feels like they're screaming, 'We own the world.'"
"Not wrong."
"We'll grab the inn!"
Two young men dashed ahead into the markets. The youths stationed in Baekya-beol with Songhak had wept uncontrollably upon hearing of the north's victory. Akso had trained them in martial arts during his stay, and their talent showed steady progress.
Songhak's eyes reddened. To think the north would see a day like this...
His first thought upon the victory news: his grandfather, Song Gyeom.
Grandfather's judgment was spot on. In the end, the Lord crushed the Northwest.
"Hey, you crying?"
"N-no. Got some dust in my eye..."
"No wind anywhere, and dust only hits your eyes?"
"......You're right."
Soon, they entered the inn—a colossal place rivaling a palace.
Familiar faces dotted the interior: folk from the Eight Great Families and other powers stationed in Baekya-beol.
As Akso's group entered, eyes turned their way. A few raised hands in congratulations, but most faces were sour.
Baekun glared. "What faces."
"No trouble."
"Our table's over there."
Luckily, they snagged the prime window spot with the best view.
Soon, liquor and food arrived, kicking off the real drinking.
About one shichen later, new arrivals entered: three red-robed men exuding grim auras—Blood Family members.
Coincidentally, they sat directly opposite Akso's group, forcing unavoidable eye contact. The mood turned awkward.
"You two, switch seats."
Akso had Baekun and Songhak swap. Baekun faced the Blood Family, so precautions against mishaps.
Baekun grinned. "Don't worry. Good day like today, no way I'd start shit. I know my limits. Heh heh heh."
Then—a sneer from the Blood Family side.
"Look at 'em, thrilled to death."
Twitch.
Baekun's head snapped around like lightning.
But that was it.
[No trouble, I said.]
"Tch."
Even the world's demon, Baekun, couldn't defy Akso.
Akso stared at the Blood Family men. They stared back, gazes locking—until Akso turned away first, averting disaster.
Then.
"Mind if I offer a celebratory drink?"
A grating voice like metal on rock approached. A Guileong Family man.
Famed for shunning company, yet oddly friendly toward Akso's group.
"A toast to the north's annexation of the Northwest, from the heart."
"Thanks."
Akso held out his cup readily.
Pour.
Akso downed it and refilled the man's cup.
"Join us?"
"Love to, but gotta head back to Baekya-beol. Next time, I'll mooch a drink. Cheers."
The Guileong expert drained Akso's pour and returned to his seat—pausing to toss a line at the Blood Family table.
"Thanks for crushing the mutt alliance."
Mutt Alliance. A jab lumping Northwest Murim and Blood Family together.
The Blood Family should've known—but oddly, no reaction.
A faint smile tugged Akso's lips. He'd liked this Guileong expert for a while. Most avoided his eerie vibe, but Akso found it oddly comforting.
The drinking stretched on. By the last cup, dusk had fallen.
"Time to go."
"One more bottle?"
"Work to do."
"Tch."
Leaving the inn, Akso's group headed straight for Baekya-beol. Even at twilight, the streets bustled more than midday.
"Wait here. I'll fetch the carriage!"
The two youths ran to the stable.
Akso's group waited, admiring the lit-up streets.
"Should make our north like this."
"Soon will."
"Hell, just take this place over..."
"Watch your mouth, Baekun."
"......Yes, sir."
Songhak turned away, chuckling at the Demon Leader scratching his head.
Then.
"Huh?"
Songhak's eyes widened. One youth from the stable rushed back—bleeding.
"What happened?!"
Akso and Baekun's gazes snapped to him.
"Hm?"
Their eyes sharpened.
The youth wailed as he neared. "Masked thugs attacked out of nowhere... Won-tae is dead!"
Twitch.
Baekun's brow curved like a blade.
"I'll go."
"No need."
"......Pardon?"
As Baekun blinked, Akso moved. In a blink, he gripped a blue-robed man's throat five zhang to the left.
Crack!
"Gah!"
"Eager for revenge before exile, eh?"
Flash!
Whoosh!
A sinister energy hurtled at Akso. He spun like a top, drawing his sword.
The blue-robe whose throat he'd grabbed met a gruesome end, head twisted back.
Clang!
Akso parried attacks from both sides effortlessly. But with the crowd, no counterstrike.
"Aaah!"
Panicked folk scattered, plunging the street into chaos.
As they clustered one way, the chaos cleared—exposing the twenty or so attackers.
Exceeding Baekya-beol's resident limit, they'd pulled in city stragglers.
Baekun sidled to Akso, massive cleaver in hand, ominous as hell.
Akso locked eyes with the one radiating the darkest aura, voice icy. "No more Baekya-beol rules for you, right? But know this: same for us."
"......!"
Smirk.
"Northwest lost Eight Great Family status. Killing you now? No issue. And you idiots... should've at least scouted who we are before stepping up."
Whoosh!
Akso lunged. Baekun went opposite.
"My blood was itching anyway. Thanks for the workout, you mutt bastards!"
Thud thud thud!
"Argh!"
"Gaaah!"
Yacha King Akso. Demon Leader Baekun.
High-rank experts they couldn't handle. Rushing blindly meant death.
Next day, Akso and Baekun got summoned to the Enforcement Hall.
But ruled self-defense. No punishment.