Chapter 168 - The Man Living in the Blood Clan's Forbidden Zone
The head of the Blood Clan, Jeokhon, had a peculiar habit. Whenever he was in an exceptionally good mood or a foul one, he would summon several women to his chambers, drown himself in liquor, and indulge in passionate nights.
Today was no different. Jeokhon had called in five women and was lost in a feverish, wild evening as the moon dipped low in the sky.
"Aaaah……."
A woman's seductive moan drifted out through the window, spreading into the darkness.
On such nights, Jeokhon's guards kept their distance, plugging their ears. It was then that one man approached them.
It was Garak.
He glanced toward Jeokhon's chambers and subtly furrowed his brow.
"How long have they been at it?"
"Over an hour already."
"He must be pretty pissed. Well, can you blame him? Hearing that the kids we sent to kill that Northern punk got captured."
"Doesn't seem like that's the reason."
"What?"
"Since Hwang Jeonju visited earlier this evening, he's been in high spirits, drinking merrily."
"Hwang Jeonju came by?"
"Yes."
Garak's narrowed eyes took on a strange glint.
"What wind blew that stubborn bastard here to see the lord?"
At that moment, the window of Jeokhon's chambers flew open, and Jeokhon appeared, shirtless and grinning.
"Come talk for a bit."
"Yes, my lord."
Garak wrinkled his nose at the thick scent of lust filling the room as he sat down. Jeokhon, clad only in his lower garments, gulped down the liquor a maid had brought him.
Gulp, gulp!
Thud!
"I heard Hwang Jeonju… stopped by."
"Dropped in early evening."
"So, is that why you're in such a good mood?"
"You could say that. Heh heh heh."
Garak's eyes gleamed with interest. Jeokhon rarely laughed out loud. When he did, it meant he was truly pleased.
'Still can't let go of that obsession with him…'
Garak thought of his greatest rival, Hwang Jeonju, and masked his unease.
"I was worried you'd be upset hearing the kids we sent to assassinate the Northern lordling got caught, but I'm glad you're in good spirits."
"Never expected much from the start."
"…Pardon?"
"Sending those kids first was to sway Hwang Jeonju's heart. Glad it worked. Heh heh heh."
"…!"
For a moment, Garak felt a chill run through his mind. He'd forgotten. One of the assassins sent to kill Yeon-hoo was Hwang Jeonju's younger brother.
'Using his brother's death to move Hwang… that bastard.'
"Looks like you're catching on now."
"Ah… Your brilliant scheme leaves me in awe, my lord. So, did Hwang Jeonju agree to move?"
"Fortunately, his affection for his brother was even deeper and more fervent than I imagined. Heh heh heh."
Gulp, gulp!
Today, the wine's aroma turned Garak's stomach.
"Bring another bottle!"
"Yes."
"I'll take my leave now, my lord."
"Nonsense. Have a drink with me."
"……."
In the end, Garak was held for about half an hour before he could escape. As he left, Jeokhon's chambers erupted once more in a storm of passion.
Garak walked away, ignoring the women's moans. After a few steps, he spotted someone standing under the moonlight.
He stopped, crossing his arms. His gaze at the intruder was like that of an enemy.
"Long time no see, Hwangtae."
"Indeed."
A voice devoid of emotion slipped from the stranger—Hwangtae—'s lips.
"You, actually responding to me… Guess the world suits you after all this time."
"I need something…."
"Something I can provide?"
"Of course."
"Heh heh heh. Tomorrow the sun will rise in the west. The great Hwangtae, who even makes our lord yield, asking me for a favor."
"Not a favor. A request."
Garak's eyes twitched coldly. But that was it. Even as an elder, he couldn't touch Hwangtae lightly. His martial prowess aside, he held a uniquely special position in the Blood Clan.
Garak steadied his gaze.
"Fine. What do you request?"
"All information on Yi Yeon-hoo. I'll collect it tomorrow morning."
Whoosh.
Having issued his unilateral demand, Hwangtae vanished like a ghost. But Garak precisely tracked the direction of his retreat.
"Arrogant bastard…."
Atop an unnamed mountain where bizarre rocks jutted like paintings from hell, a massive cave gaped at the edge of a cliff no bird could scale. From its mouth emanated a chilling, ominous aura. This was Hwangtae's dwelling, training ground, and the Blood Clan's forbidden zone.
Scrape.
Scrape.
Beyond the encroaching blood-red dawn, Hwangtae sharpened his sword. Each deliberate stroke of his grip made the blade's gleam flash through the cave.
His reflected eyes swirled with thick madness and killing intent, ready to explode at the slightest touch.
Scrape.
Scrape.
How much time passed? A figure entered, backlit by the dawn, casting a long shadow over Hwangtae.
Without lifting his head, Hwangtae continued.
The shadow belonged to a man in his early thirties, clad in deep blue robes. He approached and bowed.
"I've brought the requested documents."
Clink.
Only then did Hwangtae pause.
"I said I'd come get them."
"The elder insisted on delivering them."
"Does he hate seeing my face even once more?"
"Or perhaps he thought you'd be waiting and wanted them delivered swiftly."
Splash.
Hwangtae sprinkled water on the blade and wiped it with a clean cloth. The blue-robed man silently watched, holding a tightly rolled scroll—likely containing all intel on Yeon-hoo.
"I'll leave it here then."
The man set it down and turned to leave. But he barely took a few steps before halting.
Hwangtae's icy voice seized his ankle.
"This is a place even the clan head dares not enter lightly. Forgetting that means you've forgotten who I am."
"……."
In that instant, the man hallucinated the dawn splitting in two. A stinging sensation rose from his throat; he touched it.
Blood slicked his fingers.
Tremble….
His eyes shook, and his head tumbled to the cave floor.
Thud!
The headless body stood rigid. But a breeze from outside soon toppled it backward.
Thump!
Splash…!
Blood finally gushed like a fountain, splattering Hwangtae's face and body red. He didn't bother wiping it, unrolling the scroll instead.
Tiny script filled it densely.
His cold face scanned it slowly, eyes reigniting with killing intent.
"Yi Yeon-hoo…."
Drip.
Heading toward the new encampment under construction, Yeon-hoo suddenly felt his ears itch and snapped a twig.
Who's cursing me?
Soon after, he entered the bustling camp where tens of thousands of warriors swarmed with activity. It hadn't been long since he'd ordered Songyeong, yet barracks were rising everywhere.
"Northwest craftsmanship is impressive, as expected."
Yeon-hoo nodded silently at Cheol-u's words.
Most of the labor came from Northwest warriors and artisans. Clearing land was quick with numbers, but erecting buildings was another level—and they were progressing at an unbelievable pace.
'With funds secured, anything's possible.'
Now, that superior skill belonged to the North. Satisfied with what the North had never possessed before, Yeon-hoo proceeded.
Warriors paused work to bow as he passed.
Yeon-hoo asked one, "Satisfied with the meals?"
"Yes, sir! Four full meals a day!"
"Nothing else needed?"
"None, sir!"
"Hahaha! Spirited bunch!"
"That voice is a Heavenly Expert!"
Laughter erupted at the warrior's booming reply.
"Keep up the good work."
"Yes, sir!"
Moments later, Yeon-hoo reached the key construction site, where Hyeon-jin waited.
"Welcome, my lord."
"Progressing well?"
"Yes. The artisans' skill is so exceptional, we'll finish ahead of schedule."
Yeon-hoo surveyed the towering walls forming not a simple fence, but a massive formation.
"Make it a death trap—no one enters and leaves alive."
"We'll do our utmost."
Yeon-hoo trusted Hyeon-jin's abilities. The issue was his gaze. But even that seemed resolved; everything felt markedly improved.
Still, a problem lingered.
'If only he'd take the strategist role…'
They'd discussed it before, but Hyeon-jin had refused, claiming it exceeded his capacity. Yeon-hoo wasn't rushing. He'd wait for the right moment.
He turned to Songyeong. "Finances holding?"
"Not ample, but the seized Golden Merchant Group funds should suffice for now. For extravagance, restarting the iron mines ASAP would help."
Then—
"My lord!"
Someone ran up from behind. It was Seobaek.
"A letter from White Night Cartel."
Seobaek handed over the missive. Yeon-hoo extracted and unrolled the scroll.
The Elder Council has accepted the Golden Merchant Group's mediation proposal… (abridged)
The Elder Council Chairman, Seomunhoe, desires a smooth resolution through direct meeting of both parties. Thus, a summons order will be issued shortly… (end abridged)
Whoosh!
The letter crumbled to ash and scattered.
'If they summon me, I'll go anytime.'