Chronicles of the Northern Heavens 177 - Unexpected Conclusion
"Let us begin immediately."
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Even though Seomunhoe had yet to arrive, Yeotaeryang signaled the start. He alternated his gaze between Yeon-hoo and Wang-jeok before continuing.
"Then, let us first hear the conditions each of you desires."
"I've prepared a detailed document here."
Wang-jeok was the first to hand over a bundle of papers to Yeotaeryang. Yeon-hoo remained silent. Yeotaeryang stared at him pointedly.
Only then did Yeon-hoo speak. "Since the Golden Merchant Group requested this mediation, I'll hear their conditions first and decide."
"Does that mean... if their terms displease you, you won't accept?"
"Precisely."
"Hmph!"
Wang-jeok snorted derisively, while Yeotaeryang's eyes gleamed with interest. He studied Yeon-hoo for a moment before unfolding and reading through the papers Wang-jeok had given him, one by one. It took a full incense stick's time just to verify them all—likely due to the sheer number of demands listed.
Seomunhoe still hadn't arrived by then.
Having finished his review, Yeotaeryang abruptly stood and approached Yeon-hoo. "There are so many conditions; it might be best if the family head inspects them personally."
Yeon-hoo glanced down at the bundle Yeotaeryang had set aside. The very first page demanded the return of assets seized from their five branches in Northwest Murim.
They're relying on the Elder Council Chairman for this...
Yeon-hoo flipped through page by page, his review taking less than half the time Yeotaeryang had needed.
Thud!
He set the papers down and fixed Wang-jeok with a steady gaze. Wang-jeok glared back without flinching.
"I cannot accept any of the Golden Merchant Group's demands."
"...!"
Wang-jeok's expression changed in an instant. Yeotaeryang's eyes gleamed once more. He glanced at Wang-jeok before turning back to Yeon-hoo with a grave tone. "Exercising veto power over every single clause is tantamount to continuing the war. I urge the family head to reconsider."
"They declared war first. And from these absurd demands, it seems they have no intention of stopping... Nor do I consider this war over."
At that moment, Wang-jeok raised his voice. "How is requesting the return of unjustly seized assets absurd?!"
"You swung your sword first, charging in with threats to kill—only to tuck tail and run when defeat loomed, now demanding compensation afterward... Isn't that ridiculous? That's exactly how you look right now."
"...!"
Wang-jeok was momentarily speechless, his face flushing crimson. Clink. Yeon-hoo slowly drained the teacup before him. His eyes sharpened as he continued.
"You invaded at will, and now that Northwest has fallen, you play the victim and demand compensation for losses. Hah. You seem to be under some delusion... I've never declared a ceasefire. Nor do I intend to agree to any armistice."
"Then why are you even here?!"
"Because you schemed to force me into it."
"Schemed?! Mind your words!"
Bang!
Unable to contain his rage, Wang-jeok slammed the table. A teacup flew, and the water bowl shattered before Yeotaeryang.
Yeotaeryang immediately warned him. "Wang Group Leader, restrain yourself. This is the Punishment Hall."
He turned to Yeon-hoo. "Family head, please refrain from provoking remarks as well. And choose your words with care."
Yeon-hoo nodded silently, finished his remaining tea, and held up the empty cup. A Punishment Hall warrior swiftly refilled it.
"Clean this up at once!"
As the warriors tidied the mess under Yeotaeryang's orders, silence fell briefly. Yeon-hoo sipped his tea, watching Wang-jeok, whose face still burned red as he brooded.
He hasn't realized it yet. That locking eyes with me excites him involuntarily...
In truth, Yeon-hoo had been subtly deploying his inner arts against Wang-jeok, who had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. His easy agitation was proof. Fortunately, Yeotaeryang hadn't noticed so far, but pushing further risked exposure. Still, the effect had been sufficient.
I need to uncover what he truly wants...
Wang-jeok's real desire remained unclear amid the laundry list of demands—likely a smokescreen. Unmasking it was essential. Seomunhoe's absence also gnawed at him. If he and Wang-jeok were allies, the delay suggested some ulterior motive.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
"Let us resume."
Yeotaeryang broke the silence, announcing the restart. He fixed his gaze on Yeon-hoo. "We've reviewed the Golden Merchant Group's demands. Now it's time for the North's conditions."
"Before we discuss that, I'd like a private word with Wang Group Leader... Is that possible?"
"If he agrees."
Yeotaeryang glanced at Wang-jeok, who hesitated. Yeon-hoo prodded him via transmission.
[Afraid to be alone with me?]
Flash! Flames sparked in Wang-jeok's eyes.
"I agree!"
"Very well. I'll escort you both to a separate chamber. Note that your time is limited to one incense stick. This way—take them to the inner room!"
The warriors approached. Yeon-hoo rose and headed down the corridor behind the hall, Wang-jeok following.
Moments later, they sat face-to-face. Had he regained his composure? Wang-jeok's flushed face had returned to its usual oily sheen.
Yeon-hoo cut straight to it. "Speaking plainly about our true desires would benefit us both more than this pointless war of attrition..."
"Hmph! If you're so desperate, you speak first."
"Do I seem desperate?"
"Nor am I!"
"Are you truly?"
"...!"
Yeon-hoo's knowing gaze made Wang-jeok flinch inwardly. Yeon-hoo smiled coldly. "What if word spread of your plot to poison me?"
"...!"
Wang-jeok nearly screamed. How does he know...?
Yeon-hoo stared him down leisurely. "Attempting to assassinate a family head of the Eight Great Families—and within White Night Cartel, no less. Beyond punishment, do you think the other families, excluding Blood Clan, would stand idly by?"
"Wh-what nonsense is this?! Who's plotting poison?!"
"If you deny it, I'll have to bring witnesses."
"...!"
Wang-jeok suddenly recalled his missing nephew. Could that fool have fallen into their hands...?
His mind went blank. If this hunch proved true, the situation would spiral beyond salvage, just as Yeon-hoo warned.
"You don't seriously think the Elder Council Chairman would risk everything to aid you, do you? If so, by all means, hold out to the end."
"...!"
This struck the fatal blow, crumbling Wang-jeok's resolve. Yeon-hoo softened his tone. "I have no desire to kill you. Nor do I wish to see the Golden Merchant Group destroyed. Unless, of course, you oppose my will."
Shiver...
Wang-jeok's eyes trembled. Escape might still defuse things, but with Yeon-hoo's knowledge and evidence unknown, the risk was too great. Exposure of a poison plot against an Eight Great Family head within White Night could erase the Golden Merchant Group entirely.
How did it come to this...?
The tremor spread from his eyes to his entire body. Quake...
"...What do you want?"
Wang-jeok had folded.
* * *
Yeon-hoo entered the hall first, Wang-jeok close behind. Seomunhoe was now there, waiting. He glanced between them and asked in his characteristically smooth tone.
"How did your talk go?"
"Yes. It seems we've reached a favorable resolution, thanks to you."
"Oh ho! Is that so?"
Seomunhoe and Yeotaeryang's eyes both sharpened. What shocked them more was Wang-jeok's immediate declaration upon sitting.
"The Golden Merchant Group withdraws its mediation request."
"...Wang Group Leader, say that again?"
"We withdraw the mediation request."
"...!"
Yeotaeryang stared between Yeon-hoo and Wang-jeok in bewilderment. Even Seomunhoe looked taken aback. After all the bribes and fuss, Wang-jeok now withdrew out of nowhere.
Wang-jeok continued. "Instead, we request a ceasefire from the North's lord."
"What in the world..."
Yeotaeryang openly showed his confusion. Seomunhoe shared it.
Yeon-hoo regarded them calmly. "The North accepts the Golden Merchant Group's ceasefire request."
* * *
"How did you know the parties could settle privately without informing anyone?"
"I asked Songhak about it beforehand."
"Ah..."
"Thanks to the intel you brought, things wrapped up smoothly."
"I'm glad we achieved your desired outcome, my lord."
Yeon-hoo's steps toward his quarters felt endlessly light. His body and mind matched that buoyancy.
In truth, he'd had a separate plan en route to White Night Cartel. But learning of Wang-jeok's poison plot forced a complete overhaul—and the result exceeded expectations. No, it couldn't have gone better.
This buys ample time to drive Yellow River Lily from Northwest territory.
Securing trade routes had been Yeon-hoo's top priority since pacifying the Northwest. With an official ceasefire treaty, Blood Clan and Golden Merchant Group attacks were off the table for now. Breaching it would violate ironclad rules; neither would dare move troops unless mad.
Cheol-u asked, "What did you demand of him?"
"I'll explain on the way down. Tell everyone to prepare to depart at once."
"Understood."
As Yeon-hoo and Cheol-u headed to their quarters, eyes watched from behind: Elder Council Chairman Seomunhoe and Punishment Hall Leader Yeotaeryang.
"Heavens, what a sight! They say possession by a ghost fits this. Wang Group Leader, who demanded return of seized assets, now offers ten million silver taels in compensation instead."
"Hm."
While Yeotaeryang remained baffled, Seomunhoe's gaze deepened. He'd realized it: Wang-jeok hadn't signed the ceasefire or agreed to the massive indemnity of his own volition.
He must have been caught in some major weakness. Otherwise, that cunning fox wouldn't act this way.
He'd subtly probed Wang-jeok earlier, but he'd insisted the ceasefire was his true desire and paying indemnity was only right as the aggressor—then hurried back to his quarters. En route, he'd even canceled the lavish banquet he'd personally funded and taken some of the exquisite dishes for his quarters.
Nothing like the usual Wang Group Leader. Quick-tempered and greedy, yet unmatched in judgment and discernment... to see him so flustered...
Yeotaeryang's voice snapped Seomunhoe from his reverie. "What do you make of it?"
"Of what?"
"The young North lord. I'm curious how you see him."
Seomunhoe furrowed his brow without immediate reply. Then he spoke. "Undeniably exceptional, but still just a cub tiger. If he grows wings later, who knows—but otherwise, he'll follow his father Yi Yeom's footsteps. This jianghu isn't so forgiving. Hahaha."