Chapter 193 - Just Probing on a Whim
Thanks to Yeon-hoo's long-awaited return, the Iron Blood Family brimmed with a festive air, like a banquet hall in full swing. But Yeon-hoo exchanged only brief greetings before barricading himself in his quarters and sinking into deep contemplation.
Everyone in the Iron Blood Family held high hopes for this latest bout of his brooding. Unlike the go proverb that warned of a losing handshake at the end of prolonged thought, Yeon-hoo always emerged with stellar results. Once he entered that state, no one—not even he himself—would see him until he threw open the doors on his own.
Even Baekdojeon Leader Jang Pae, who had returned to the Iron Blood Family on business, couldn't get an audience with Yeon-hoo and had to depart straight for his post.
Three days passed like that, and then visitors arrived from the Golden Merchant Group. They had come to deliver the ten million taels of silver that Wang-jeok had promised from Baekya-beol.
Sama Song received them in Yeon-hoo's stead.
Thud!
Sama Song narrowed his eyes at the two massive chests before him.
"We were told it was ten million taels. Is this all you've brought?"
"Silver is too bulky for transport, so we brought gold instead. Come, open the chests and verify it!"
"No need. The renowned Golden Merchant Group wouldn't shortchange us on the amount."
"We're grateful for your trust. But when might we see the family head?"
"Unfortunately, my lord won't be meeting you. He's tied up with important matters, so I hope you'll understand."
"……."
As the Golden Merchant Group's envoys showed signs of fluster, Sama Song chuckled heartily.
"Not even I, the Elder Council Chairman, or anyone else in the family has laid eyes on my lord. So don't take it too personally."
"Ah…… Understood."
That was when someone pushed open the doors and strode in. It was Sinhwi.
Sama Song rose from his seat at the sight of him. The envoys blinked in confusion, glancing back and forth between Sama Song and Sinhwi. In any faction, the Elder Council Chairman held a position equal to the lord's. For Sama Song to treat Sinhwi with such deference was baffling.
"Welcome, Blood King."
The envoys shot to their feet, bowing their heads in haste.
"W-We greet the Blood King!"
At the appearance of Sinhwi, a figure of terror rivaling Yeon-hoo himself, they froze solid, nerves on edge.
"Good to see you."
Sinhwi took the seat beside Sama Song. A warrior swiftly brought tea and withdrew. Sinhwi lifted his cup to his lips, gazing indifferently at the envoys.
Gulp.
Someone swallowed dryly. Sama Song watched with a faint smile.
'Of course. To the people of the world, the Blood King is still more terrifying than my lord. His legend has burned brighter for far longer.'
Sama Song felt anew how reliable Sinhwi's presence was. How many in the world could freeze even these arrogant Golden Merchant Group envoys with mere appearance?
Clink.
Sinhwi set down his teacup. One middle-aged envoy flinched at the sound, his face paling.
"I wonder how things stand with the Blood Family."
"Forgive us, but that's beyond even our knowledge……."
"Is that so?"
"……."
Sinhwi stared at the envoys, now rigid with fear, then turned to Sama Song.
"I'd like the Blood King Army to host them. Any objection?"
"If that's your wish, Blood King, so be it."
The envoys blanched. Better to starve on the journey home than face "hospitality" from the dreaded Blood King Army.
"Escort the envoys."
"Yes, sir."
At Sinhwi's command, two Blood King Army thousand commanders entered. Their overwhelming, domineering auras alone made hearts pound. The envoys shot desperate glances at Sama Song, but he merely smiled faintly and looked away.
"This way."
"W-We must hurry back, so we'll gratefully decline, Blood King."
One middle-aged envoy mustered his courage. Sinhwi turned to him, narrowing his eyes ever so slightly. That reaction said more than a hundred words.
"N-No, on second thought, we have time for a day. Th-Thank you!"
"Thank you!"
As the Golden Merchant Group envoys filed out, Sama Song smiled warmly.
"Do you have some plan in mind?"
"There might be Blood Family spies among them. Better to ensure they don't spout nonsense back home. Until the Golden Merchant Group officially severs ties with the Blood Family, we should eliminate any sparks of misjudgment early."
"Ah……."
"I didn't expect Wang-jeok to honor the promise so promptly. Three days ahead of schedule, no less."
Sama Song chuckled.
"When facing my lord, Wang-jeok's heart probably quakes just like those envoys did before you."
"True. If that guy sets his mind to it, even King Yama would flinch. Wang-jeok's lucky if he didn't piss himself."
"Is that right? Haha!"
* * *
The Golden Merchant Group envoys peered through their carriage windows at the Blood King Army training on the vast plains, kicking up clouds of dust. Their faces were as stiff as when they'd seen Sinhwi.
"So that's the Blood King Army we've only heard about."
"They say the Northwest Murim's elite thirty thousand cavalry were annihilated by them in less than half a day. Even more astonishing, the Blood King Army numbered fewer than five thousand at the time, and the Blood King himself wasn't even present—he was fighting elsewhere."
"I heard. I thought it was exaggerated rumor…… But seeing them up close, it's no exaggeration. They're not mere cavalry; every one seems like a martial arts master."
As everyone shrank in awe, murmuring tensely, one man alone watched the training with gleaming eyes. He scrutinized every corner without so much as blinking, as if determined not to miss a single rider's movement.
Then his view was suddenly blocked. A man on a warhorse galloped up, pulling right alongside the carriage.
The rider thrust his spear toward the front and rear carriages, bellowing,
"Hey! If you don't want to go blind, shut those windows now."
"……!"
Clack!
The lead carriage's window snapped shut like a lightning bolt. But the sharp-eyed observer merely glanced at the rider before slowly closing his own.
Clack.
The rider grinned wolfishly.
"That bastard's screaming 'I'm from the Blood Family' loud and clear."
Flashing ivory-white teeth, the man was none other than Sinhwi's younger brother, Sin U.
* * *
Moments later, the envoys entered a building at the heart of the Blood King Army camp. Heavily armed soldiers lined the path, sending chills up their spines.
To their surprise, Sin U awaited them inside.
"You've had a long trip. Wait here until the banquet's ready."
"……."
The envoys, having spotted him en route, exchanged uneasy glances and hesitated to sit.
"No need to fear. We won't harm official envoys."
Only then did they take their seats. Sin U slowly scanned each face. Under his intimidating gaze, all bowed their heads. Even Janghan—the one whose actions had convinced Sin U of Blood Family ties—looked away.
Sin U flashed Janghan a grin and continued.
"Before the banquet, we need to check something."
"Check what……?"
"Our intelligence says there's a Blood Family mole among you."
"……!"
"……What?"
The declaration stunned them all. A middle-aged envoy quickly spoke up.
"There must be some mistake. We've all worked together in the group for years, long before any Blood Family ties."
"I trust our intel over your words. If the investigation proves it wrong, no harm done. Cooperate to avoid trouble, and we'll all be grateful."
"……!"
"My brother will arrive shortly. We'll start then, so bear with any hunger till then. Bring tea!"
Two Blood King Army soldiers delivered tea and left. But no one dared touch their cups.
Snort.
"Afraid it's poisoned?"
"N-No."
"No pressure. If you won't drink, at least smell it."
Sin U sipped his tea, blatantly scrutinizing each face in turn.
Then—
-Chung!
A military salute echoed from outside. Sinhwi entered, followed by three heavily armored Blood King Army soldiers who stood at attention behind.
"Welcome, brother."
Sinhwi sat in Sin U's chair, propping his feet on the table with a thud. The impact rattled cups, spilling tea everywhere.
Sinhwi swept an impassive gaze over the envoys and asked Sin U,
"Did you explain?"
"Yes, brother."
Sinhwi nodded curtly and addressed the group.
"Confess willingly, and we'll consider the circumstances."
"We've all been with the group long before any Blood Family dealings……."
The middle-aged envoy trailed off, his eyes locking with Sinhwi's.
"Refuse, and we'll take you one by one for Blood King Army-style interrogation. Fair warning: once it starts, you won't leave in one piece. Sending you back like that might make your group head scrap the hard-won truce."
"Y-Yes. Our leader's the type."
"You misunderstand. To avoid that hassle, we'd just kill you all and silence the issue. Faking a bandit attack on the road? Trivial."
"……!"
Faces drained of color. Then—
Bang!
Janghan bolted for the door like lightning—the very man under suspicion.
Sin U moved at the same instant.
"Knew it."
Flash! Thwack!
"Argh!"
Janghan's right arm sheared clean off. The severed limb thudded onto the table, spraying blood.
"Gasp!"
"Impossible! Why him……."
The middle-aged envoy leader gaped in disbelief. He'd stared at Janghan with utter shock.
Sinhwi eyed him coldly, smirking.
"Not you, then?"
"……!"
"He glanced at you before bolting. Why?"
"N-No! It wasn't me!"
Shing.
Sin U was suddenly at the envoy's throat, blade drawing blood.
Sinhwi pressed on.
"Last chance: confess, and we show mercy. Hold out……."
"Sp-Spare me!"
Thud!
The middle-aged man leaped up, dropping to his knees. He kowtowed frantically.
Thump!
"The Blood Family blackmailed me! They said they'd kill my family if I didn't memorize the Iron Blood Family's layout and draw a map!"
"So you're not Blood Family?"
"Please believe me! I joined the Golden Merchant Group at fifteen and never left! I swear!"
Sinhwi turned to the others. Crushed by the atmosphere, they were already kneeling. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
'Just probing on a whim…… and it worked.'