Entering the White Night Cartel
In the White Night Cartel, Great Earth Sovereign So Mu-baek tilted his teacup in his residence. Cheol Gun-ak, who was always by his side, had left the cartel temporarily on some errand. Thus, Guard Captain Heo Do sat with him today, while Akso and Baek-un handled the outer perimeter.
So Mu-baek wanted to call them in and share tea, but with so many eyes watching, he couldn't. He had been cleared of wrongdoing in the incident where he killed envoys from Northwest Murim—ruled self-defense—but he couldn't escape confinement. He was effectively under house arrest, unable to take a single step beyond his residence.
Heo Do spoke cautiously. "You've been looking much healthier lately, Your Excellency. Has something good happened?"
"Is that how I appear to you, Guard Captain?"
"Yes. You're eating more than before, and your eyes and expression are brighter when you speak."
At Heo Do's words, So Mu-baek offered only a faint smile, saying nothing more. In truth, joy and worry coexisted within him. The cause was Yeon-hoo.
He was simply glad the man was coming. But not knowing how things would unfold filled him with anxiety. He also resented his own powerlessness.
'A Great Earth Sovereign, and yet I can't do a thing to help...'
The White Night Cartel had become Seomun-hoe's world, as the Elder Council Chairman. Even those who once followed the Great Earth Sovereign had mostly defected to his side. A few tried to check his dominance, but it was like an egg striking a rock. Those who stepped up were demoted to minor posts, and So Mu-baek could only watch, helpless. He was little more than a figurehead.
That's why he was starting to regret returning to the cartel.
'I shouldn't have come back...'
The resolve and determination he felt upon returning had faded quickly. Cheol Gun-ak had argued he must endure and grow stronger somehow, but So Mu-baek lacked confidence.
"What do you think, Guard Captain?"
"About what, Your Excellency?"
"Rumor has it the Elder Council plans to completely overhaul the leadership structure... Have you given it any thought?"
"That's nonsense. With you, the Great Earth Sovereign, still here? Even if the Chairman has seized full control of the cartel, he couldn't possibly."
Heo Do's voice rose in agitation. So Mu-baek didn't take it at face value. Rumors that Heo Do was the Chairman's man had long spread throughout the cartel.
"Don't believe the rumors."
"What do you mean?"
"I've known for ages about the rumors that you're the Chairman's man."
"They're baseless."
"Good to hear."
At So Mu-baek's dry response, Heo Do's eyes flickered briefly. Then—
"Your Excellency, the lord of the North has just passed through the gates."
"...!"
* * *
Yeon-hoo rode a horse, not a carriage, through the White Night Cartel's gates. The disguised carriage—swapped for deception—had been sent in a completely wrong direction to mislead pursuers.
'Impressive no matter how many times I see it.'
Yeon-hoo felt the cartel's grandeur with his whole body as he headed for the famous Eight Hundred Steps. Cheol-u and the others accompanied him, and unlike before, they could carry weapons. The Chairman had altered a few ironclad rules of the cartel, one being that guards of faction leaders were permitted arms.
"Welcome!"
Someone ran toward them from afar. It was Yeo Gwang, the escort from the envoy group that had met Yeon-hoo in the North. Promoted, perhaps? Four warriors followed him now, his attire far more ornate than before.
"It's been a while."
"Yeo Gwang greets the family head. From here, I'll guide you."
Yeon-hoo and his group began ascending the Eight Hundred Steps behind Yeo Gwang. Looking around as they climbed, the atmosphere felt markedly different from before.
Yeon-hoo glanced toward Jijeon Palace. Too far to be sure, but he thought the figure at the window might be So Mu-baek.
"You're earlier than expected."
"Were you anticipating my arrival?"
"Everyone thought it'd take at least two more days. The higher-ups prepared the banquet for the morning after tomorrow on that basis."
"And the Golden Merchant Group?"
"Not here yet."
'They're probably debating my survival right now.'
Then—
"My lord, the Golden Merchant Group is entering."
At Cheol-u's voice, Yeon-hoo turned. Sure enough, an extravagantly ornate carriage, escorted by dozens of riders, crossed the gates. He stared at the lead carriage, presuming Wang-jeok rode within.
A massive flag on a golden field, embroidered with the word "Golden" in blood-red thread, seemed to proclaim them masters of the world. As they entered, crowds gathered from all sides—a stark contrast to the reception Yeon-hoo's group had received, despite not belonging to the Eight Great Families.
This sight reminded Yeon-hoo anew: Northern Murim still hadn't breached the massive fence of the established powers.
"As expected, plenty from the Elder Council to greet them."
It was Yeo Gwang's voice. Yeon-hoo resumed his halted steps.
Walking beside him, Yeo Gwang said, "Head to the Elder Council first. The banquet hasn't started, but it's wise to greet the Chairman beforehand."
"Isn't Jijeon Palace first?"
"True, but..."
"To Jijeon Palace."
"Understood."
Yeon-hoo headed for Jijeon Palace. As the distance closed, he confirmed the window figure was indeed So Mu-baek. Their gazes met across the pane.
Yeon-hoo offered a fist salute and slight bow; So Mu-baek beamed back warmly.
Soon after, Yeon-hoo entered So Mu-baek's residence. Heo Do greeted him first.
"Welcome."
"It's been a while."
Yeon-hoo scanned the room. No sign of Akso or Baek-un. Before he could ask, Heo Do explained, "Actually..."
After hearing the full story from Heo Do, Yeon-hoo nodded silently and halted before So Mu-baek's door.
"Your Excellency, the lord of the North has arrived."
The door opened in reply. So Mu-baek himself stepped out.
Yeon-hoo bowed. "I see the Great Earth Sovereign."
"Come in."
Yeon-hoo entered; Cheol-u and the others remained in the corridor—which was no mere hallway. Priceless Persian carpets covered the floor, and walls bore paintings infused with masters' skill. Even an imperial inner chamber couldn't surpass this splendor.
"Whoa..."
Jo Yeong gaped, unable to close his mouth—until Seobaek poked his side. He scratched his head sheepishly.
Meanwhile, Dongbang Ri eyed elsewhere: at the end of the straight fifty-jang corridor, a group of female warriors had gathered, drawing her interest.
Turning to Heo Do, Dongbang Ri asked, "Who are those women guarding?"
"That's the Suzaku Hall leader's residence. They're her elite guards."
Suzaku Hall. The White Night Cartel's sole all-female martial force, its might acknowledged across the world. Hall Leader Cha So-ryeong was among the cartel's top experts.
Dongbang Ri, aware of the rumors, felt a surge of curiosity.
'How strong is she, exactly?'
For women warriors living by the blade in the martial world, Cha So-ryeong was an object of admiration and awe.
Meanwhile, Heo Do's eyes gleamed as he regarded Dongbang Ri.
'To accompany the North's lord on such a critical visit, she can't be ordinary... especially with only four escorts, and she's one...'
But to Heo Do, Dongbang Ri seemed unremarkable beyond her striking beauty.
'Surely not a master who can perfectly conceal her energy...'
She wasn't the only one sparking his curiosity.
'That archer and the lighthearted kid don't look exceptional either...'
To Heo Do, Seobaek and Jo Yeong didn't seem elite enough for such an occasion. Cheol-u was the exception.
Then—
"Hey."
The slightly irritated voice drew Heo Do's sharpened gaze to its source: Jo Yeong, scanning him up and down.
"What've you been eyeing us like that for?"
'Cheeky one. Heh.'
Heo Do replied calmly. "The most famous escorts in the world today—curiosity got the better of me. My apologies if rude."
"Hmph. No need for apologies."
Poke! Seobaek jabbed Jo Yeong's side again.
How much time passed? Yeon-hoo and So Mu-baek emerged. Cheol-u and the others bowed to So Mu-baek, who regarded them warmly.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"See you tomorrow."
Exchanging knowing glances, Yeon-hoo and So Mu-baek parted.
Outside, Yeo Gwang waited.
"Straight to our quarters."
"Not the Elder Council?"
"I thought courtesy calls were reserved for the Great Earth Sovereign. Has that rule changed too?"
"No, but..."
"Guide us to quarters."
"...Understood."
Under Yeo Gwang's lead, they headed for the VIP Pavilion. After a few steps, a noisy group appeared at the corridor's end: Golden Merchant Group members.
Yeon-hoo eyed Wang-jeok striding ahead with puffed-up swagger. Wang-jeok spotted him and froze in surprise.
In that instant, Yeon-hoo read the dismay in Wang-jeok's eyes. No doubt, seeing him alive and well was shocking.
Yeon-hoo ignored him and walked on. Wang-jeok's group resumed. Passing each other head-on created a tense atmosphere.
Sensing it, Wang-jeok snorted instead of greeting. "Hmph!"
Yeon-hoo replied with a cold smile. Wang-jeok's escorts glared murderously.
As they crossed—
"Hold."
Yeon-hoo's command halted everyone. As Wang-jeok turned, a sharp crack rang out—one of his escorts tumbled backward on his rear.
"What is this?!"
"He sneered and glared, so I taught him manners. Seems you need to retrain your escorts first, Pavilion Master."
The other escorts' hands went to their sword hilts in unison.
"Stand down!"
Wang-jeok restrained them, then shot Yeon-hoo a fierce glare before storming off.
Into Wang-jeok's ear came Yeon-hoo's sound transmission.
Wang-jeok's plump face twitched violently.
'Just you wait, you bastard.'