Somehow, It Feels Good
Trembling…… Son Gyeom's eyes quivered.
The subordinate he'd sent to scout the upstream river lay sprawled with his body and head severed. The direction of his shaking eyes pointed to the tree behind the corpse.
Abandon Yeon-hoo and go back. Or I'll kill you all.
'What kind of bastard……'
Son Gyeom ground his teeth in rage and bewilderment. He'd lost two men without even getting a chance to fight back. He didn't even know who the enemy was. Yet the foe knew they were targeting Yeon-hoo.
What threw him most was that losing those two men meant he could no longer execute the final joint sword formation attack he'd prepared as his trump card. For Son Gyeom, it was as if he'd lost his most powerful move to kill Yeon-hoo.
'Damn it……'
Squeeze! Blood dripped from Son Gyeom's bitten lip.
The Black Cloak who never hesitated to speak frankly looked at him with pitying eyes, his lips twitching. He had to stop him now. Otherwise, not just them, but Son Gyeom himself would die. Finally, steeling himself for death, he spoke.
"As the saying goes, a gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years. We'll strive to grow stronger. We'll select even finer men to fill the vacancies. So please, Lord Commander, bide your time for the future."
Son Gyeom didn't respond. As the Black Cloak opened his mouth again, another shook his head at him. The man shut his mouth.
Then Son Gyeom turned.
His eyes, boiling with killing intent moments before, had unexpectedly sunk into profound depths.
"You two, go back from here. Tell the Strategist that the one I'm pursuing is Yeon-hoo."
"Lord Commander!"
"If I don't return, you cut off Yeon-hoo's head someday."
"……!"
Boom! Son Gyeom kicked off the ground and vanished into the forest beyond. The two Black Cloaks stared blankly at where he'd disappeared.
Meanwhile, eyes watched the entire scene. It was Hwangtae. He narrowed his brow, staring at Son Gyeom vanishing into the northern woods.
'If you want to die, I'll grant it. But first……'
Hwangtae's eyes shifted to the remaining two Black Cloaks. His unusually small, pitch-black pupils filled with thick killing intent.
But it was fleeting.
'No need to waste energy needlessly.'
It was the moment their lives hung in the balance.
* * *
Further upstream, another camp slowly came into view. It was the navy camp newly under construction at Yeon-hoo's command.
The sight of countless people sweating profusely as they worked diligently made Yeon-hoo's heart race.
Thud thud thud! Clang clang clang!
"It's tipping!"
"Fall back!"
Splash!
Whoosh……!
"Whoa, that's refreshing!"
Massive logs toppled one after another into the water with thunderous roars, and the laborers around them deliberately doused themselves in the sprays to cool their overheated bodies.
Dongbang Ri stood beside Yeon-hoo, watching the scene.
"That spot will be the navy's main camp."
"What makes you say that?"
"For one, it's the widest part of the river, and the surroundings are perfect for stationing a large force. Plus, it's close to headquarters, so communications and supplies will flow smoothly…… Shall I go on?"
"That's enough."
"So you are planning to make it the main camp?"
"Yes."
As Yeon-hoo confirmed it, Dongbang Ri smiled faintly.
"I was just guessing from the terrain, but nailing it feels good."
"Let's head down."
"Yes."
Yeon-hoo disembarked from the flagship with Dongbang Ri. Bukgung Pae and the other Geomga experts followed, unable to hide their awe at the enormous construction site.
Yeon-hoo turned to Bukgung Pae.
"Rest here a bit, then we'll go."
"Understood."
Yeon-hoo headed straight for the site. Mostly ordinary folk were working, and since Yeon-hoo had changed into simple merchant robes, no one recognized him.
Then—
Ding ding ding! A bell rang loudly, and everyone dropped their tools, surging toward the field behind the riverbank.
"Alright! Time to eat!"
"Wonder what sides we have today? Hope there's meat again."
"Hey now! Even without meat, this is way better than what we eat at home. Don't ask for the moon!"
Yeon-hoo could see the laborers' spirits were high.
'They're managing well.'
Hyeon Jin came to mind. Before leaving for Baekya-beol, Yeon-hoo had put him in charge of all northwest construction, and ordered Songhak—well-versed in administration and repairs—to assist.
Perhaps because of that. He hadn't noticed before, but the buildings around the camp were forming a massive formation array.
Yeon-hoo followed the crowd. After a few steps—
"My lord!"
Songhak came running from ahead, his face and body caked in dirt—he'd clearly been lending a hand.
"How did you end up here, my lord……."
"Circumstances led me this way. Where's Hyeon Jin?"
"He just returned to his quarters. I'll guide you."
Moments later, Yeon-hoo entered Hyeon Jin's lodging. Hyeon Jin, fresh from washing his face, spotted him and widened his eyes before bowing deeply.
"Welcome, my lord."
The words "my lord" now flowed naturally, drawing a faint smile from Yeon-hoo.
"I saw on the way—the progress is impressive. Did you work some magic?"
"……I took the liberty of raising the laborers' wages without your permission. And for the most crucial housing and food, I added thirty percent more to the budgeted funds."
"No magic, then."
"I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. I was going to grant you that authority anyway. That said, may we impose for a meal?"
Before Hyeon Jin could reply, Songhak jumped up.
"I'll tell the cooks to prepare something special!"
"We'll eat with the laborers, so just secure some empty spots first," Dongbang Ri interjected.
"Won't it make the workers uncomfortable if you go there, my lord?"
"Hm……."
Yeon-hoo immediately instructed Songhak.
"We'll eat here. Have them bring the same food as the laborers'."
"Got it!"
As Songhak left, Yeon-hoo alternated glances between Hyeon Jin and Bukgung Pae.
"Introduce yourselves."
Bukgung Pae clasped his hands in a fist salute and bowed slightly first.
"I'm Bukgung Pae of Geomga."
"Hyeon Jin. It's an honor to meet a renowned hero of the world."
"You're too kind."
Bukgung Pae looked to Yeon-hoo, his eyes asking who Hyeon Jin was.
Yeon-hoo glanced at Hyeon Jin and tossed out casually,
"Our Strategist."
"Oh!"
Bukgung Pae's eyes widened in surprise. It made sense—no faction's strategist was any less vital than its leader. Especially now, with nothing known about the North's strategist, his reaction was natural.
Yeon-hoo fixed his gaze on Hyeon Jin. Cheol-u and the others did the same. They all wondered the same thing: what would Hyeon Jin's response be?
Hyeon Jin, his eyes tinged with bewilderment, soon let out a quiet sigh.
"I'll prepare tea."
As he moved to leave, Seobaek and Jo Yeong hurriedly stepped in.
"We'll handle it, Strategist. Please stay."
"……Thank you."
Cheol-u's transmission voice pierced Yeon-hoo's ear.
[Even his reaction to "Strategist" is different from before. Somehow, it feels good.]
Yeon-hoo nodded silently. Just as Cheol-u said, it felt promising. If Hyeon Jin fully opened his heart and accepted the role, it'd be like gaining a heavenly army.
Then—
"My lord!"
Songyeong burst through the door, with Songhak following.
"If you were coming, at least send word ahead?"
"It just happened that way. What brings you here?"
"Ah! The camp construction was short on iron, so I brought some. And since I was coming, I grabbed liquor for the laborers too. The festival's in a few days."
"Perfect timing."
"Pardon?"
Yeon-hoo turned, and Cheol-u pulled out the carefully wrapped Black Cloak uniform from Hwangha Suryeon.
Thud.
"What's this?"
"You and the Strategist—make something better than this. As many as possible, as fast as possible."
Hyeon Jin's eyes gleamed with interest.
"This is……."
"Seen it before?"
"Something similar in Dongyeong of the island nation. Their assassins, called Inja, mainly use it…… Where did you get this?"
"Picked it up on the way."
"……Pardon?"
"Can't we talk over tea?"
"Ah…… Yes."
Meanwhile, Bukgung Pae grew increasingly astonished inwardly. Traveling with Yeon-hoo, he'd been impressed by Cheol-u and Seobaek more than once or twice. He couldn't know everything, but they were clearly exceptional martial talents and geniuses.
'This one's no ordinary man either.'
The impression he'd gotten from those two resurfaced through Songyeong.
* * *
'A camp here of all places……'
Hwangtae's brow furrowed. He'd tracked Yeon-hoo here, only to find an unexpected camp, and Yeon-hoo had slipped inside. Blending with over a thousand visible workers made pursuit impossible.
'Don't rush. If you lose him here, head to Iron Blood Family. Stay calm, Hwangtae.'
He soothed himself and pulled the waterskin from his belt. But it was empty. Thirsty, he approached the riverbank to refill it, gazing across.
Still unfinished, the camp's scale was overwhelmingly immense just to behold. Moreover, perfect watchtowers of unusual size and form formed a flawless perimeter, instinctively urging him to hide.
'Once that's complete, no faction in the world will cross north by river. And a mere camp exudes this much pressure……'
Hwangtae backed away and lifted the waterskin to his lips. Then, lightning-fast, he spun, hand on his sword hilt.
Whoosh.
Swish.
He'd definitely sensed a presence. But all he saw were reeds swaying in the wind.
'Was it my imagination?'
After staring back a moment longer, he drank again and began moving north. He planned to go further upstream before crossing.
Someone watched his retreating figure. Son Gyeom.
'So it was you.'
Swish. The chill emanating from his entire body mingled with the wind, spreading far and wide.