Chapter 194 - Hwangtae Turns Back
Yeon-hoo opened the window of his residence. Whoosh. A chill wind laden with cold air clawed across his entire body as if it had been waiting.
"Are you there?"
"Yes."
Cheol-u's voice came from atop the roof.
"Go fetch Yuksoon for me."
"Understood."
Yeon-hoo gazed out at the Iron Blood Family grounds. The footsteps and expressions of the people passing by seemed unusually light and bright. The heaviness he had often sensed before the annexation of the Northwest was nowhere to be found.
We need to make the defensive network around the lord's residence even more impregnable. To do that...
A few days earlier, he had met with Hyeon-jin and engaged in deep discussions about various matters. One of them was strengthening the Iron Blood Family's defenses. They were already sufficiently powerful, but Hyeon-jin wanted a network capable of repelling even intruders at the Absolute level.
If Hyeon-jin pours all his abilities into it...
Yeon-hoo felt pleased. Confirming Hyeon-jin's commitment was a greater achievement than the gains from dealing with Wang-jeok in the White Night Cartel.
Whoosh. As the chill wind swept across Yeon-hoo's face once more,
Screee! An eagle appeared in the sky. It circled above the Iron Blood Family before vanishing into the western forest.
So you've finally tracked me here.
At that moment.
"My lord."
Yeon-hoo schooled his expression and looked down at the clear voice from below. Dongbang Ri was entering the courtyard.
"Come in."
"May I enter?"
"I was just about to go find the family head. Come inside."
Moments later, Dongbang Ri stepped into the residence, and Yeon-hoo closed the window before sitting across from her. Her eyes flickered slightly. Yeon-hoo's complexion was far paler than usual. Curious about the reason but unable to ask, Dongbang Ri waited for him to speak first.
"I've created a new heart method."
"Then all this time, it's been because of that..."
"There were quite a few things I needed to ponder. Of course, creating the heart method was the top priority. It'll be a huge boon to the North's forces."
Dongbang Ri was skeptical. She trusted Yeon-hoo's transcendent abilities unconditionally, but inventing a heart method in just a few days was nearly impossible.
Then Cheol-u and Yuksoon entered. Yeon-hoo regarded Yuksoon. His complexion was still pale, but his overall aura was much improved compared to when he was injured.
"My lord."
Yuksoon bowed with a smile.
"You can see me, then."
"Faintly, yes."
"It'll improve gradually, so no need to worry."
"Yes, my lord."
As Yuksoon sat, Dongbang Ri added via transmission.
[Your current vision is just shy of one-tenth normal. Recovery is slower than expected. But starting today, I'll do my utmost by your side, so don't worry too much.]
Yeon-hoo nodded silently and asked Yuksoon, "How well can you operate your internal energy now?"
"Up to this level."
"Not bad."
"Yes. Honestly, just surviving feels like a miracle to me. Haha!"
Yuksoon grinned broadly, which only made Yeon-hoo's chest ache more. Uninjured, Yuksoon would have been more useful than anyone.
"I've made a heart method. Practice it diligently—it'll aid your recovery. Don't slack off."
"You made it... for me?"
"It's for everyone, but we can say half your share."
"Thank you. I'll cultivate it diligently starting today."
Cheol-u asked, "What kind of heart method is it?"
"The reason my recovery is faster than others' is solely due to the heart method only I practice. I've modified it so others can learn it too. With diligent practice, it'll boost not just recovery but internal energy growth as well. Soon, all Northern warriors will learn it."
"Ah..."
"Wow!"
Cheol-u and Yuksoon exclaimed in admiration. Dongbang Ri, who had witnessed Yeon-hoo's quick recovery from a minor injury during the chase with the Yellow River Lily, nodded in understanding.
If it aids internal energy growth...
Dongbang Ri, who felt the shortage of internal energy more acutely than anyone, couldn't help but feel expectant.
Cheol-u brought up another matter. "The Golden Merchant Group brought the promised funds. But two of them are connected to the Blood Family..."
Cheol-u briefly explained the incident with the Golden Merchant Group's envoys. Once finished, Yeon-hoo thought of Sinhwi and smiled.
"He's not one to let it slide."
"With the truce agreement already signed, we need to uncover why they sent spies."
"From the Blood Family head's perspective, it must sting his pride. He had to sign the truce without achieving anything. Though not officially revealed, everyone knows the Blood Family and Golden Merchant Group are one and the same, so their defeat is his own. Jeokhon is prouder than anyone."
"Hm. That could be."
Dongbang Ri asked, "Will you let it go?"
"I have no intention of touching the Blood Family for now. Our goal is to completely drive the Yellow River Lily out of Northwest territory."
"I'll help too."
"Focus on recovery."
"I can't wield a sword, but poison has nothing to do with my eyesight. Take me along. Sitting idle like this feels like I'm sinning against my comrades."
"I'll think about it."
Yeon-hoo almost said no but held back. His mind hadn't changed, though. He had no intention of taking her to the battlefield until she recovered enough to fight.
Cheol-u brought writing materials. "Dictate the incantations, and I'll record them."
"There's something more urgent first."
The dense forest to the left of the Iron Blood Family. Patrols circled frequently, but Hwangtae was there. It was already his third day.
For those three days, Hwangtae had survived on water and rations while watching Yeon-hoo's residence. Yeon-hoo hadn't shown so much as his nose. Any ordinary person would be exhausted, but Hwangtae's gaze didn't waver. He was tenacious, patient, and could endure any hardship for his goal.
Eventually, he'll have to leave the Iron Blood Family.
Hwangtae endured and waited. Another half day passed.
Hwangtae's eyes flashed. The residence window opened, and Yeon-hoo finally appeared.
Hwangtae slipped behind a branch. But through the gaps in the foliage, he kept his eyes fixed on Yeon-hoo's face.
The moment you step out of the Iron Blood Family, I'll end you. Yeon-hoo.
Hwangtae suppressed his surging vengeful fury and steadied his breath. Then, someone appeared from the roof and approached Yeon-hoo. Hwangtae flinched. The roof had been empty from three days ago until just now. Yet someone emerged.
I nearly botched it.
He had been debating whether to climb onto the residence roof that evening to bide his time. Moments later, the man on the roof vanished, replaced by a woman who entered the residence. The window closed, and Yeon-hoo disappeared from view.
Screee! An eagle appeared overhead around the same time.
I'll wait here until he leaves the Iron Blood Family.
Hwangtae sank back into patience. No matter how strong his martial arts, he couldn't move against Yeon-hoo in the heart of the Iron Blood Family. His life was as important as avenging his brother.
Gurgle. Feeling hunger, Hwangtae pulled out rations. Only one meal left. He chewed while sipping from his waterskin.
Then.
Trill-trill. Trill-trill.
A bird call echoed from somewhere. Hwangtae's brow furrowed deeply as he gripped the waterskin. It wasn't an ordinary bird. It was the Blood Family's signal for summoning allies.
I told them to go back...
Ptoo! Hwangtae spat out his ration and moved silently toward the sound.
Trill-trill. Trill-trill.
At the second signal, Hwangtae entered an area where jagged rocks and dense woods formed a picturesque scene. A man stood there: Garak.
Why is that bastard here...
Hwangtae narrowed his eyes again. Garak turned and grinned.
"I was worried something went wrong, but you're safe. Good."
"Why are you here?"
"Have you made an attempt?"
"I asked why you're here."
Hwangtae's attitude toward Garak hadn't changed. If anything, his uninvited arrival at such a critical time made him colder. But Garak smiled faintly, unperturbed.
"It's time to give up and head back."
"Nonsense."
"What if the lord said that nonsense?"
"...!"
"The lord's order is not to kill him. He sent me personally, so something major must have happened."
Tremble...
Hwangtae's eyes shook. Why would Jeokhon suddenly issue such a command? It made no sense compared to the order to kill Yeon-hoo.
"Did the lord really give that order?"
"You think I'm scheming?"
"With you, it's always possible."
"That thick skull of yours hasn't changed."
Garak leaned against a cliff wall, arms crossed. He smirked bitterly at Hwangtae and continued.
"Do I look foolish enough to pass up a chance to eliminate both our archenemy Yeon-hoo and an internal rival by doing nothing?"
"..."
"We brought the witness the lord was desperate to find. Right after meeting the witness, the lord said not to kill Yeon-hoo—no, precisely, we mustn't kill him. What does that mean?"
"You think Yeon-hoo... broke through the Millennium Gate?"
"We have to assume the possibility is very high. The situation points exactly to that. If it weren't related to the Blood Jade, I never would have relayed the order, no matter what the lord said. I wouldn't miss a golden opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, as I said. Heh heh heh."
Damn it...
Hwangtae's face flushed with rising anger. If Garak was telling the truth, he had to abandon and retreat unconditionally. The world might not know, but the Millennium Gate—Blood Jade—was directly tied to the Blood Family's deepest aspirations. And it was deeply personal to Hwangtae as well.
A witness shows up at a time like this.
The revenge he had gritted his teeth for. But Blood Jade was far more important. And if Yeon-hoo truly shattered its secret, he mustn't kill him even without Jeokhon's order. He had to extract what Yeon-hoo took from Blood Jade first.
Clench. Hwangtae ground his teeth and stared down at the Iron Blood Family below the mountain. Yeon-hoo's icy face floated in his mind. A killing intent hundreds, thousands of times colder boiled from within, reddening his eyes.
One more reason to kill you... I'll retreat for today, but the next time we meet will be your end, Yeon-hoo.
In the end, Hwangtae turned away, biding his time. Without glancing at Garak, he brushed past into the forest.
Garak watched his retreating back with a strange smile.
Once you learn why your brother died, you'll wield your sword for me, not the lord. Heh heh heh.