Chronicles of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 171: Let's Take It Off Once
Rumble! Crack! Lightning ripped through the darkness, bleaching the world white in jagged streaks.
Whoosh! Rain hammered down in sheets, whipping into a torrent as fierce winds emptied the streets of passersby.
Yet inside the inn, the clamor continued unabated. Most were lodgers seeking shelter anyway—no storm or gale would deter them.
Yeon-hoo, having finished his meal, brushed off the Death Envoys' plea for one more round of drinks with a curt excuse of fatigue and headed to his room. Their leader, O Chun-bang, was dumbfounded.
"Unbelievable..."
He'd visited the Eight Great Families countless times as a Penalty envoy, always leaving with lavish hospitality—and pockets stuffed with gold and jewels. He'd amassed a million nyang in silver from it, buying up manors and land around Baekya-beol, flipping them for double the profit.
This trip, he'd come to Yeon-hoo with high hopes. So far? Impeccable service, but he was footing the bill for dinner and drinks—no treasures in sight.
'With the Golden Merchant Group on the move, that bastard's as good as dead before he reaches the Penalty. Fine—better squeeze something valuable out of him first...'
O Chun-bang racked his brains, but nothing clever surfaced. Then an idea struck; his lips twisted into a grin, eyes gleaming.
'Right. If not gold or jewels, then that sword of his. A northern lord's blade won't be ordinary.'
His mood lifted. Add Yeon-hoo's sword to his Penalty payout from the Golden Merchant Group, and this journey would be quite profitable.
And one more thing.
'That cold beauty hides it well, but groomed right, she'd be a matchless stunner.'
He'd been drawn to Dongbang Ri from the start. During dinner, stolen glances had him straining so hard against his pants he hadn't dared visit the outhouse.
"Heh heh heh."
The mere thought excited him; he chuckled aloud without realizing.
A subordinate asked, "Something good on your mind, sir?"
"Ahem! Nothing. I'm beat—heading up. Take your time with the drinks."
"Yes, sir. Rest well."
Yeon-hoo stood by the window, gazing at the rain-swept streets. Lantern light spilling from the inn's open door reflected off the downpour, casting an eerie charm.
Enthralled, perhaps? He stared motionless, eyes fixed outward.
Rumble! Crack! Lightning shattered the gloom.
His eyes flashed white in the glare. In that instant, they swept the opposite inn's fourth floor.
"My lady."
"Yes."
To his surprise, Dongbang Ri was in his room, preparing tea.
"The rainy night view has a certain poetry to it."
"Does it?"
She set down the cup and joined him. He'd half-pulled the curtain for a clear view; now he slid it aside fully.
She peered out, then frowned delicately.
"To me, it just looks grim."
"How was dinner? To your taste?"
"Yes. A touch bland, but quite good."
She answered while wondering at his unusual mood. Her heart fluttered faintly too.
"Memorized the formulas?"
"Yes. Planning to practice them properly now. I'll ask if I get stuck. That form, though... Did you create it yourself?"
"Adapted from ones I've mastered, tailored to your internal energy."
"Master those, and I'll be called an expert?"
"You're one already, my lady. Just need more power depth, forms to protect against superiors, and real combat experience."
"These will cover that?"
"More than enough."
Her pulse quickened. Yeon-hoo never spoke idly.
She started to ask more, then caught a glint in his eyes—sharply scanning somewhere.
The inn across the way. Lights blazed on the first two floors, but from the third up—sleeping quarters—pure blackness.
"Something off about that inn. Guess what?"
"..."
"All rooms dark is suspicious. Sure, if everyone's downstairs heading up later... but still."
"Before I came up, two tables emptied here and below. One more since. Four per table—twelve men went up. No lights? Worth suspecting."
"Maybe they weren't staying—went home."
"They didn't leave the inn."
"Out back, then?"
"All twelve at once?"
"..."
"Even if, the boys cleared tables—they'd finished and gone up."
"Then..."
Dongbang Ri's eyes widened. Yeon-hoo nodded silently.
"Watching us. One even met my gaze."
"Blood Clan or Golden Merchant Group."
"Likely."
"What now? If targeting you, they're prepared. We're outnumbered."
Yeon-hoo turned to her.
"Let's take it off once."
"...Pardon?"
Her already large eyes grew doe-like.
'Damn.'
"Ah, sorry. I meant the Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell ploy."
"Ah... yes..."
He chided his phrasing, but her neck was already flushing crimson.
She wasn't some ordinary woman, though.
"You've got an escape planned?"
"Carriage soon."
As if on cue, Seobaek's voice drifted from outside.
"My lord, carriage ready."
Yeon-hoo glanced at Dongbang Ri.
"Time to go."
"...Yes."
Opening the door, Seobaek stood alone. As they emerged, Cheol-u materialized like a ghost.
Seobaek said, "Run to the carriage."
Moments later, they slipped out a rear window into the storm.
How far they'd gone—
Rumble! Crack! Lightning split the dark, revealing a lone carriage in the rain. Not Iron Blood—no, an ordinary one. Jo Yeong gripped the reins of four horses.
She understood now—no further surprise.
"You first."
"No, I'll ride."
"Storm's fierce. Get in."
"Training."
She mounted. As Cheol-u moved to board with Yeon-hoo, he hesitated.
"Other purpose?"
"What brings that on?"
"Slipping away like this... not your style."
"Sometimes easy's best. Can't fight every fool who charges."
"..."
Rumble! Crack! Soon, Yeon-hoo and his group pierced the tempest, vanishing from the city.
Meanwhile, eyes watched Yeon-hoo's room. As he and Dongbang Ri talked side by side, the voyeurs licked their lips.
"Look at those tits."
"Just slam... urgh."
"Focus!"
"Y-yes."
Curtain drawn, lights out—they pulled back. Knowing what came next, they retreated enviously to their posts.
Someone asked, "Tonight?"
"Second waypoint as planned. Sleep well."
"Yes!"
"Good night!"
As their leader turned to leave, another spoke.
"That guy from dinner... let him be? Looked like an assassin gunning for Lee Yeon-hoo."
"How many in the world want him dead? Ignore—do our job. Interfere? Eliminate."
"Yes, good night."
Next morning, rain gone, sun blazing.
O Chun-bang, nursing grudge over poor hospitality, headed downstairs early for breakfast. Subordinates had browbeaten the cook into preparing it.
"He up?"
"Quiet—still dreaming. Saw a girl head up last night... won't rise soon. Heh."
O Chun-bang's face twisted oddly.
"Gutsy. Called by summons, and he beds a whore..."
"Right?"
"Whatever—feed yourselves."
"Yes."
The envoys feasted heartily, dragging out the meal. No sign of Yeon-hoo or group—O Chun-bang scowled.
"Him, fine—but guards should've stirred."
"Shall I wake them?"
"Second waypoint on schedule—don't piss them off."
"Got it."
A subordinate dashed upstairs. O Chun-bang sipped tea leisurely, basking in sunlight.
"Once Lord Won-gae seizes power, ditch this envoy shit—land a cushy post, live it up. Heh heh."
Grinning at his future—
The subordinate returned, face ashen.
"Gone!"
"Gone? What?"
"All vanished! Left this..."
O Chun-bang unfolded the note.
I have an urgent errand and must leave first...
[Omitted]
We'll meet at Baekya-beol.
Tremble... The note shook—as did O Chun-bang's eyes. Red crept from his neck, flushing his face scarlet.
"That dog bastard...!"