Another Picture is Being Drawn
The atmosphere in the Wall Thunder Family, now transforming into Lord Yeon-hoo's Iron Blood Family, had changed dramatically. The first thing one felt from the people coming and going was vitality. Even the existing high-ranking officials were quickly blending into a single unified force.
Can the household of a fallen lord really have this kind of vibe?
Bukgung Cheon was quite surprised by the Wall Thunder Family's atmosphere and its pristine state. There should have been some scars from the war, but to his eyes, it looked utterly intact.
"Loyalty!"
As warriors passing by saluted toward Yeon-hoo, he raised his hand in response. Watching his back, Bukgung Cheon once again felt that he was extraordinary.
I knew he was destined for greatness, but...
Because his first impression had been so intense, Bukgung Cheon often thought of Yeon-hoo. Whenever he recalled Yeon-hoo, who exuded such a distinctly different aura despite their similar ages, he felt shame—and the urge that he should become like that too.
But it wasn't always positive. When his father, Bukgung So, compared him to Yeon-hoo, the humiliation and despair kept him up at night.
A moment later, the two entered a lavish chamber and sat facing each other.
Thud.
Bukgung Cheon took a golden box from his bosom and placed it on the table.
"The family head sends his congratulations on becoming the lord of two forces."
From Bukgung Cheon's choice of words—calling him "family head" instead of "father"—Yeon-hoo could tell their father-son relationship was still strained.
"Tell him I gratefully accept."
"But I have one question."
"Speak."
"We're deeply grateful for the rescue, but it will surely harm relations with Hwangha Suryeon in the future... Was it necessary for you to step in personally?"
"It was the Red Wolf Corps that saved the young master, not me or the North."
"But everyone in the world knows you've taken the Red Wolf Corps under your command, don't they?"
"Strictly speaking, it's not under my command—it's an alliance. And alliances can be broken anytime, can't they?"
"So if Hwangha Suryeon demands accountability, we break the alliance..."
"Exactly."
Yeon-hoo wanted to keep the Red Wolf Corps' affiliation secret for a while. It was a decision based on their potential uses, which was why he had to phrase it this way to Bukgung Cheon.
"Once again, thank you for saving my life."
"Enough thanks. Let me ask you something."
"Please, go ahead."
"As I asked by the river, with that level of skill, how did things come to this?"
"That's..."
Bukgung Cheon couldn't answer immediately. Yeon-hoo tilted his teacup, waiting patiently.
A moment later, Bukgung Cheon let out a deep sigh.
"There's a martial art called Pa Cheon Noe Geom. It's our family's secret ultimate technique, consisting of only a single form, which only the family head and heir can learn... But Father doesn't know I've mastered it to the point of using it in real combat. I hid it."
Yeon-hoo listened silently.
"Until just recently, I wanted a life other than that of a warrior. So I kept it hidden. If he knew, he'd expect even more from me, and I'd never escape the yoke he's placed on me. I was afraid of that."
It was unexpected. Who would have thought that was the reason?
On one hand, he was puzzled by Bukgung Cheon's willingness to confide such a deep secret; on the other, it was absurd that he'd hidden his power for such a reason while his subordinates died.
With a mindset like this, maybe choosing a different life would be better.
He wanted to say something, but held back, deeming it overstepping. Still, disappointment welled up inevitably.
When they first met, he'd found Bukgung Cheon quite likable.
If his fallen guards heard this, could they even close their eyes in peace?
Yeon-hoo took a sip of tea.
Thud.
"You said 'until just recently'... so your thinking has changed now?"
"I suppose so."
It was an ambiguous answer. Yeon-hoo's brow furrowed slightly.
This was the type of person he despised most.
"I hope things go as you wish."
"Thank you."
Disappointment killed any desire to continue talking. He wanted to end the meeting right then, but he couldn't—not after they'd risked life and death to come congratulate him. And there was a bigger reason.
I need to turn Geomga into a friendly force through this.
Without that goal, he would have refused Geomga's aid. In that sense, Bukgung Cheon's weakness could even work in his favor.
That was when Cheol-u entered.
"My lord, the young master of Gwiseongga has arrived."
"Gwiseongga's young master?"
"Yes. He says he's here to congratulate you on annexing the Northwest."
* * *
Yeon-hoo sat facing Gwiseongga's young master, Han Seom.
The unexpected second congratulatory envoy left him with a strange feeling.
Han Seom clasped his hands in a formal salute and bowed his head toward Yeon-hoo.
"I sincerely congratulate you on becoming the lord of two forces!"
"Thank you."
"And Father asked me to deliver this."
Han Seom placed a fairly large chest on the table.
Thud.
The dull sound suggested something heavy inside.
"Father also asked me to convey his deepest gratitude for beheading Wi Yeon Gwang in his stead."
"I'll accept it gratefully. How is your family head faring?"
"Yes. He'd been feeling unwell lately, but upon hearing of the Northwest Murim's fall, even his nonexistent ailments vanished completely—that's what he wanted me to add."
Yeon-hoo smiled faintly. Then he thought of Han Yu-hwa.
"And the young lady? Has she recovered?"
"Yes, thanks to you, she's even sprightlier than before. My sister asked me to pass on her thanks too. When she heard war had broken out, she threw such a fit about helping the North..."
Han Seom chattered on about things he didn't need to say, clearly delighted. Yeon-hoo listened with pleasure.
As they exchanged pleasantries, he learned that Gwiseongga had pondered aiding the North.
With this, I can safely say neither Geomga nor Gwiseongga are enemies, at minimum.
Yeon-hoo newly realized the value of connections. Without past ties, neither family would have linked up so easily.
Might as well tie them properly while I'm at it.
Han Seom's unexpected visit had Yeon-hoo sketching another picture.
"Geomga's young master is here right now... Shall we meet?"
"If you arrange it, I'd be happy to."
Yeon-hoo liked Han Seom's straightforward personality. His confident speech and actions were the complete opposite of Bukgung Cheon's somewhat gloomy eyes and expression.
"I'll set it up for tomorrow. Rest first—you must be tired from the long journey."
"Understood."
A moment later, just after Seobaek escorted Han Seom to the guest quarters, Sinhwi entered.
"Unexpected. For two rival forces to both send congratulatory envoys... If it were me, my stomach would hurt too much to do it."
"They must have bigger vessels than you."
"Is that so? Hahaha. Anyway, since the heirs of both forces came with good intentions, why not use this to forge a firmer bond? That was the point of accepting Geomga's request, after all."
Yeon-hoo nodded silently.
"I was already thinking that... We have time, so I'll plan it properly."
"Of course—you're not one to miss an opportunity. I'll look forward to it."
That was when—
"My lord, it's me."
"Come in."
Songyeong opened the door and entered. His face looked quite fatigued, no doubt from his busiest days yet.
"He's finally agreed to talk."
* * *
Wall Thunder Family's thunder prison.
Yeon-hoo entered the pitch-black place devoid of even a speck of sunlight, accompanied by Sinhwi.
"Loyalty!"
Receiving the warriors' salutes, Yeon-hoo headed to the deepest part of the prison. Soon, they reached the cell holding one of the Black Cloaks captured in the White Ghosts purge operation.
The air inside reeked of blood.
Blood dripped steadily from the slumped Black Cloak, bound in iron chains.
"I've never seen such a tough bastard in my life."
Songyeong clicked his tongue. Yeon-hoo sat in the chair a warrior brought and stared at the Black Cloak. Sinhwi sat beside him.
"Glad you broke his stubbornness."
"Just... end it quick."
A resigned voice leaked from the Black Cloak's cracked lips. He was an assassin sent by Blood Family head Jeokhon. Captured after infiltrating Hwaryeong Fortress with the White Ghosts, he'd endured Songyeong's brutal torture until he finally confessed his origins.
"Before that, one question. With your level, you've undergone extreme training—why break now? For your kind, betrayal is worse than death."
"...Loyalty means nothing after death anyway... Cough, cough! Stubbornness just hurts me more. So end it quick."
Splat!
Blood poured from the Black Cloak's mouth.
"Want to live?"
"If I beg... will you spare me?"
"Depends on you. I'm willing if you cooperate."
"Then... spare me."
Sinhwi glanced at Yeon-hoo with surprise. This Black Cloak was a top-tier assassin forged through extreme training. Such men usually embraced death before betraying their creed.
"Then start with the Blood Family headquarters' location."
"The Blood Family headquarters is..."
The Black Cloak answered readily. Yeon-hoo fixed his gaze on the man's eyes as he spoke. Through numerous questions, he confirmed no lies—though he regretted that the most crucial details seemed unknown even to him. Still, some vital info came out.
Once all questions ended, the Black Cloak sighed in regret and hung his head.
Yeon-hoo eyed him curiously.
"Think it was perfect?"
"...!"
"Telling the truth to lower my guard, then killing me once freed—that plan was flawless. But... if you'd known I possess the Heart's Eye, would you have?"
"...!"
Heart's Eye—the legendary art said to read minds. At its mention, the Black Cloak's eyes trembled.
He laughed hollowly, shaking his head, then vomited a basin's worth of blood.
"Urk!"
Splash!
His eyes rapidly clouded over. He'd planned a final strike even while spilling forbidden secrets—for him, losing that honor was worse than death. Had he known of the Heart's Eye, he'd have held out until the end.
"...Looks like my lord made... cough, cough! the wrong choice. Should've allied with you instead of Wi Yeon Gwang or Wang-jeok... Urk!"
Splash!
The blood splattering near Yeon-hoo turned to steam and dispersed.
"If you meet your lord later, tell him you were a decent one."
Yeon-hoo rose and left the prison. Sinhwi followed, while Songyeong stayed to finish up.
"Heart's Eye, huh... You've mastered all sorts of things."
"Never learned it."
"...What?"
"Felt like he had ulterior motives, so I bluffed."
"..."
Sinhwi's incredulous look turned to his usual grin as he clapped Yeon-hoo's shoulder.
"Makes me glad all over again."
"What?"
"That you're a friend, not an enemy. Hahaha."
* * *
People often say like attracts like. Unless driven by political gain, most prefer those similar to themselves—human nature.
But there are always exceptions.
Han Seom and Bukgung Cheon were such a case.
Opposites attract, as they say? The two heirs, with near-clashing personalities, felt strong affinity from their first meeting.
Though Gwiseongga and Geomga had clashed several times historically, these young successors weren't bound by the past.
Yeon-hoo joined late, warming the atmosphere further.
The next morning, the two heirs parted for home, promising future meetings.
Yeon-hoo saw them off at the main gate. Not quite soulmates, but the time had been immensely fruitful, so he smiled with satisfaction as he watched them go.
He assigned troops to escort Bukgung Cheon, who had lost many guards, ensuring safe passage.
Bukgung Cheon thanked him profusely and vowed to return.
Sinhwi asked,
"Will they step into the picture you've drawn?"
"We'll see. First, let's anticipate how Geomga responds."
"With the Sword God's pride, they won't let Hwangha Suryeon off easy—especially after what happened to the heir."
Yeon-hoo recalled Geomga's Sword God, Bukgung So, from Baekya-beol. With his overbearing dominance, he wouldn't back down.
For me to hasten my path, the world needs more chaos than now.