The Journey to Baekya-beol Begins Anew
"Tomorrow…… is it?"
"Fortunately, the urgent matters wrapped up quickly. But why do you look so surprised?"
"Ah, no, it's nothing. We were just told you'd be leaving in five days…… Understood. We'll prepare accordingly and take our leave."
The emissaries from Baekya-beol couldn't hide their bewilderment as they returned to their quarters. Cheol-u, watching them go, tilted his head slightly before turning to Yeon-hoo.
"They seemed quite flustered, perhaps because they weren't received with proper gifts. I hear Wi Yeon Gwang always sent Wall Thunder's emissaries back loaded with presents."
"We'll give them gifts too."
"Shall I prepare some in advance?"
"Not that kind."
"Pardon?"
"We'll talk on the way."
"Understood."
The next morning, Yeon-hoo set off once more for Baekya-beol, amid farewells from many. Cheol-u, Seobaek, and Jo Yeong accompanied him. A wry smile crossed Yeon-hoo's lips as he thought of Sama Song, who had returned to the Iron Blood Family. Had he been there, he would have insisted on expanding the entourage, claiming it was far too modest.
Before boarding the carriage, Yeon-hoo scanned the surroundings. But Dongbang Ri was nowhere in sight.
"We'll guide you."
The emissaries' carriage led the way.
Clop-clop.
"We're off!"
Jo Yeong drove Yeon-hoo's carriage, with Cheol-u and Seobaek in the rear. When it was announced that only three would join, the emissaries had been taken aback. The middle-aged leader of the group, however, had worn a peculiar expression.
Clop. Clop.
Progress was slow until they reached the main road, the path too narrow and crowded with travelers.
How long had they traveled like this? Cheol-u's voice drifted into the carriage.
"My lord, you should take a look outside."
Yeon-hoo, who had been meditating with eyes closed, opened the window and peered out. His eyes narrowed slightly.
A lone rider and horse stood ahead. It was Dongbang Ri.
"Hold up."
"Whoa!"
As Jo Yeong reined in the horses, Dongbang Ri approached. Their gazes locked.
Yeon-hoo could tell from her eyes alone why she waited here.
'No wonder she didn't even come to see me off……'
A strange feeling stirred in him. Before, he would have told her to go back. But today, he didn't want to. He even felt a flicker of gladness.
"Want to come along?"
Dongbang Ri said nothing. Yeon-hoo was certain she did.
[If I judge you a hindrance, I'll send you back on the spot—so steel yourself.]
Against his intentions, unexpected words slipped out. He flinched, but the water was spilled.
[If I'm a hindrance, I'll cut my own throat before troubling you.]
"……."
"Thank you for permitting it, my lord."
Dongbang Ri moved to the rear of the carriage. Before she did, she handed a small bundle through the window.
"What's this?"
"Some food I prepared for you to eat on the way."
"……."
Only then did Yeon-hoo realize his mistake.
'She wasn't asking to come along—she was just waiting to deliver this.'
He furrowed his brow, staring at Dongbang Ri. She smiled.
[I didn't beg—you permitted it first, so no takebacks.]
Yeon-hoo couldn't help but chuckle softly.
[There's hot soup too—be careful not to spill it.]
[You made it yourself?]
[Yes.]
[I'll enjoy it.]
Dongbang Ri took up position at the rear. Cheol-u, Jo Yeong, Seobaek, and the others wore faint smiles, but Yeon-hoo missed them.
The journey resumed. The overcast sky cleared as if by magic.
Whoosh.
The wind today felt as warm as spring.
The prey had left the nest.
Fwoosh.
The messenger pigeon turned to ash in Hwangtae's hand, scattering in the wind. He gazed southwest. Behind him stood two Black Cloaks like ghosts—Blood Clan experts dispatched to aid him, intimately familiar with the routes from Wall Thunder Manor to Baekya-beol.
"How long to Baekya-beol?"
"By carriage, about five days."
"Five days……."
"Here…… a map marking the emissaries' route."
Hwangtae tucked the map into his bosom and turned.
"Go ahead and prepare. I'll shadow him from behind."
"……Our lord commanded us to assist you until the matter's done. We can relay preparations by messenger pigeon."
Hwangtae walked south without reply. The Black Cloaks followed, pressing on.
"If we return like this, only we'll face our lord's wrath, Front Lord."
He halted abruptly and turned. Ferocity flashed in his eyes.
"Not our lord—Garak."
"……!"
"Whatever that man tasked you with, I don't care. But if it interferes with my plans, you'll return as headless ghosts."
The two Black Cloaks froze like statues. Hwangtae resumed walking. Cold sweat beaded on their cheeks as they watched his back. They exchanged glances and sighed.
One rubbed his neck.
Given Hwangtae's brutality, losing his head wouldn't have been surprising.
"Damn it. A bit longer and my heart would've burst. Hoo……."
"With that terrifying bastard taking the field himself, Yi Yeon-hoo's end is near."
"We'll see if it's long or short."
"Forgot what kind of man Front Lord Hwang is? Even our lord yields a step to him. Plus, he's spent years in seclusion mastering an ancient demonic art. If he's reached perfection, Yi Yeon-hoo won't stand a chance. That's why our lord used his brother as bait to draw him out against Yi Yeon-hoo…… Ack!"
The Black Cloak clamped his mouth shut mid-sentence. The other glared.
"You mad? If that reaches Front Lord Hwang's ears…… Damn this loose tongue of yours—should nail iron to it."
"What he didn't hear doesn't count."
Crack!
"Gah!"
"Shut up and move."
The Black Cloaks unleashed lightness skill, heading to the first marked point on the map.
Pouring……
Half a day passed. The clear sky suddenly clouded over, unleashing rain. Not a passing shower, judging by the downpour—Jo Yeong scowled.
"Damn fickle sky…… Sun blazing moments ago, now this? Bah!"
"Adds some atmosphere, doesn't it?"
"Atmosphere now? Assassins love this weather. If wind picks up too, we're in real trouble……."
Seobaek grinned at the grumbling Jo Yeong. He was fully one of the north now—fiercely loyal.
Rumble! Crackle!
"What a shitshow."
Jo Yeong kept muttering. Cheol-u, meanwhile, scanned vigilantly, silent since departure. Everyone knew his ironclad nature too well to bother him.
Dongbang Ri, lost in thought, recited the saber forms Yeon-hoo had given her, seeking insights. So absorbed, she forgot her cloak.
Seobaek glanced back.
"Family head, your clothes are soaked."
"Oh? Ah…… yes."
Only then did she pull the cloak from her saddle and wrap it around herself.
Thud-thud!
A guard from the advance emissary party approached.
"Sunset soon. Where shall we lodge tonight?"
Cheol-u asked toward the carriage.
"We'll rest."
"Guide us to a city."
"Yes!"
Soon, they entered a sizable city—still former Northwest territory, so people recognized Yeon-hoo's carriage, bowing deeply. Those who didn't caught on from others and hastily bowed.
Eyes watched them. Hwangtae, disguised as an ordinary wanderer, trailed into the market.
The distance was visible to the naked eye, but no one—including Cheol-u—suspected him. Not just his looks; his aura was utterly mundane. Any whiff of killer would have drawn Cheol-u's unyielding gaze.
Hwangtae's eyes fixed on Cheol-u, then swept over Seobaek, Jo Yeong, and Dongbang Ri.
"Arrogant bastard, just like the rumors. Makes enemies of the world and travels with only four……."
His gloomy eyes flashed as the carriage halted and the door opened.
Pretending to haggle at a tent selling dumplings, Hwangtae watched Yeon-hoo descend. Similar to Garak's description in parts, but overall distinctly different—he erased the sketch from memory. No need now that he'd seen with his own eyes.
As Yeon-hoo and his group entered the inn, Hwangtae surveyed, spotting one opposite. He went in.
"One bottle of liquor, one plate of cured meat."
"Yes, one moment."
After ordering, Hwangtae peered through the window at Yeon-hoo's inn. Fortunately, same floor, facing windows—he could study faces closely.
Gazing at Yeon-hoo's impassive features, long-suppressed killing intent welled up. A blood-red glint flickered deep in his pupils, vanishing cleanly.
'I'll make you die in the most agony.'
The server brought liquor first. Hwangtae filled a cup but left it untouched on the table, turning back—
'Hm?'
Something prickled his senses. He looked up slowly.
Men in plain white and yellow robes—mid-thirties, burly—glanced toward Yeon-hoo's inn.
Hwangtae's pupils sharpened, scanning them head to toe.
One turned, meeting his gaze.
He grinned, baring teeth.
Hwangtae's brow twitched.
The man spoke first.
"If you're after that one, give up now. We're not the type to yield prey. Heh heh heh."
Hwangtae paused before replying. Countless gazes poured toward him.
He realized: everyone in the inn was in league with those two.