Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 187 - Hwangtae Moves Again
The pirates eyed Namgon with strange looks. Ever since he'd emerged from his drinking session with Yeon-hoo in the captain's cabin, he'd been grinning like a madman, repeatedly vowing to serve his lord with utmost sincerity from now on. When asked if he'd received some reward, he snapped back that he was just doing his duty and what kind of man would expect a prize for that—leaving some pirates sighing that the man had truly lost his mind.
Meanwhile, Yeon-hoo narrowed his eyes at the military camp slowly taking shape ahead. The progress was far slower than expected. He summoned Namgon.
"Why haven't you built more than that by now?"
"Driving pillars into the riverbed is far harder than it seems, my lord. To withstand the strong currents, they must be set firmly from the start. Once that's done, erecting the camp itself is child's play."
"Is there anything you need?"
"No... actually, yes, there is."
"Speak."
"We need more warships optimized for river combat, but we're short on manpower. Sourcing timber and iron takes too long. If you could spare two hundred men, we could easily build twenty ships in half a year."
Yeon-hoo nodded silently and surveyed the camp. It was being constructed with the river in the center, the two halves facing each other, backed by a forest that opened onto vast grasslands beyond.
"We could pitch barracks there for a thousand men easily."
"Pardon?"
"I'll send you a thousand. Make haste—but don't cut corners."
"A thousand... Thank you! Thank you, my lord!"
"I'm not finished."
"Ah, yes."
Yeon-hoo continued without pause. "These thousand won't return once the work's done. I'm placing them under your command. Train them well and forge a river navy that surpasses Yellow River Lily on water—not sea, but river."
"...!"
Namgon's eyes bulged. A thousand men under him?
"No confidence?"
"...I have it!"
His chest swelled, voice cracking with emotion. Yeon-hoo placed a hand on his shoulder.
"From now on, whenever there's a naval battle, make the whole world think first of Sea King Namgon."
"...!"
Cheol-u added flatly, "It's entirely possible."
"...!"
Namgon was speechless. His heart pounded, throat tightened, eyes reddening. Last night's words from Yeon-hoo echoed in his mind.
You're no longer just a pirate boss. Live properly now as commander of the Northern Navy.
Pride as a pirate had pierced the heavens for Namgon. He harbored even grander dreams as Sea King. But hearing it from Yeon-hoo had left his heart racing uncontrollably for ages. He'd lain awake plotting his son's entry into the navy after rigorous training—position to be decided by Namgon himself, though not too high at first, of course.
At those words, he'd tossed all night and vowed at dawn's light: Yes. For my son, more precious than life, I'll live a proper life from now on.
The vow made the world look different. Even Yeon-hoo, whom he'd mentally torn apart a thousand times, felt utterly changed. Namgon pictured himself in armor, barking orders, his son Namho commanding a warship. Tears welled up.
Yes. That boy must become someone all respect—not a pirate, but a man they admire.
Thud!
Namgon slammed his forehead on the deck. Blood trickled from the gash, but Yeon-hoo merely watched impassively. Namgon said nothing.
Thud thud thud!
His subordinates followed suit, foreheads pounding the deck. Dongbang Ri, just emerging from the cabin, jumped in surprise. Seobaek and Jo Yeong, trailing her, gaped wide-eyed.
"They've busted their heads open. Tsk tsk tsk."
Due to the unexpected wildcard of Geomga and Yellow River Lily, Hwangtae—who'd been forced to halt his pursuit—now resumed heading north. Only about twenty followers remained. He sent them all back and proceeded alone along the riverbank where fierce fighting had raged last night.
Corpses snagged everywhere and charred remnants of swift boats bore stark witness to the night's brutality.
"P-please... spare me."
An injured man ahead, breath ragged, stretched a hand toward Hwangtae, flailing. His garb marked him unmistakably as Yellow River Lily. Hwangtae ignored him and passed by.
How much farther he walked, more groans arose—this time from Geomga warriors.
Hwangtae started to bypass them but slipped into the woods at sensing presences beyond. Moments later, Black Cloaks emerged from the brush. They approached the moaning Geomga elites at once.
"Who helped you last night?"
"Wh-who?"
"Low Executioner."
"Argh!"
"Gah!"
One Black Cloak mercilessly severed a man's throat, then pressed his bloodied blade to another's.
"Speak, or this one's head rolls."
"Th-the North's... lord... it was him."
"What? The North's lord himself?"
"Y-yes."
Hwangtae, watching from the woods, was more shocked than any. He'd never dreamed of finding Yeon-hoo's trail here, thinking him long gone.
The Black Cloak slew the wounded with single strokes and turned to the others. "The North's lord travels with Bukgung Pae. They're on boats, so lightness skill will catch them swiftly."
"The North's lord changes everything. The strategist didn't know and ordered us after Pae—"
"Exactly. He abandoned Pae fearing Northern meddling. Targeting their lord on our own is too risky."
"Return empty-handed and we'll be laughingstocks. Will you?"
"But the foe..."
"Hide that we're Yellow River Lily—no issue. Killing the North's lord now secures our future. When else such chance?"
"... "
Moved, the objectors' expressions shifted.
"United, none can stand against us. Even if some die, success brings glory undreamed for survivors and our clans."
"So shift target fully to the North's lord, not Pae?"
"Of course."
"Agreed."
"My thinking was shortsighted. Let's go."
Whistle.
An eagle appeared from nowhere at the signal, circling before flying north.
Screech!
Hwangtae's eyes gleamed oddly. He watched the Black Cloaks vanish north, then emerged and trailed them. He'd follow for now—but wouldn't let them strike Yeon-hoo first. In this world, he must be the one to kill Yeon-hoo.
Mere numbers dare decide his fate...?
Yeon-hoo treated wounds from the underwater fight. Mere scratches, no real need—but Dongbang Ri insisted to prevent infection, so he yielded to her care.
"How's the pain?"
"Bearable."
"Avoid movement till scabs form—no alcohol at all. Got it?"
"Understood."
She applied salve and bound tightly with cloth. Yeon-hoo gazed indifferently, then asked, "Heard you slew an underwater freak. Did you use the new form you're learning?"
"No, not ready for real combat yet. Used the one you taught last time."
This revealed Yellow River Lily's freaks weren't uniformly mighty. His foes had been terrifyingly strong in water. No slight to her, but not ones she'd bisect in one stroke.
Then he spotted white cloth on her wrist peeking from her rolled sleeve.
"Injured?"
"Shock from slashing him—nothing to worry."
Pure internal power gap. Weak foundation meant injury from pure impact, sans counter.
"Heading to Iron Blood Family now?"
"Must. Been away too long. And Yuksoon's state needs checking..."
"When departing?"
"Tonight."
"Rest till then. Sleep some."
"Fine."
Alone, Yeon-hoo lay on the bunk—but didn't sleep. Dreams would just bring nightmares. Better sort thoughts.
Recalling Namgon, he smirked. Fought them in the water, not out. Cheol-u's report had surprised him. He'd pegged Namgon as mere pirate; hadn't guessed such skill.
Remembering Namgon's gaze shifting at the navy commander offer, then reddening at Namho's mention—trustworthy now.
Quite useful.
A light presence approached outside.
"My lord, Bukgung Pae."
"Enter."
Bukgung Pae opened the door. Yeon-hoo guessed his purpose.
"Leaving?"
"Yes. Danger passed; must return home."
"Danger passed?"
"...Pardon?"
"Saw odd pursuers in the chase. Moved apart from main force, dogging only you. If still trailing, your return's perilous."
"Assassins don't scare me."
"You, maybe. Not your warriors. Don't want more suicides to save you—come north with us, then go."
"... "
Bukgung Pae's face hardened. Subordinates' self-sacrifices to avoid slowing him haunted deeply. Yeon-hoo prodded knowingly—to keep him safe.
"Regretting enmity with Yellow River Lily for aiding us?"
"Frankly, yes. They overlap vast with old Northwest territories."
"Don't fret. No worry. Geomga won't stop attacks; they can't gripe."
"True, but their chief Umunjeok's unpredictable..."
Yeon-hoo read sincerity in his face. Overly courteous since meeting—not just gratitude.
Good character.
Liked him; wanted him safe.
"Drink?"
"Sure."
"No alcohol, I said."
"......"
"Tea better than liquor. Leaving afternoon."
"Ah, yes."