Chapter 196 - The Letter Left by My Brother
Whoosh!
The wind, laced with sleet, raged so fiercely that no ordinary person could even keep their eyes open. Yeon-hoo gazed at the tomb gradually emerging through the blinding sleet. The grave and its surroundings looked utterly distinct from any other in the Central Plains, and the path leading to it was cleared wide, without a single dangling branch in sight.
With each step upward, the tomb's form grew sharper. How many more paces had he taken? Just as the base, lined with marble, came into view, Yeon-hoo halted.
A figure clad in snow-white mourning garb stood before the tomb. Back turned, their face was hidden, but the bony hands protruding from the sleeves hinted at their age.
Yeon-hoo scanned the area around the grave. It was impeccably clean—not a weed, not a single displaced stone.
"Hold a moment."
At Yeon-hoo's words, the figure in mourning slowly turned. Unlike the gaunt, charred hands, their face suggested mid-thirties. Yeon-hoo didn't recognize them.
The man bowed his head low.
"I see my lord."
Yeon-hoo searched his memory again. No, a complete stranger—and certainly no one from the Iron Blood Family.
"Are you the caretaker of this tomb?"
"No dedicated caretaker was appointed here. Warriors would come periodically to tidy the surroundings."
"……."
The lack of a caretaker was news to him. No, more accurately, he'd never even paid attention to his brother's grave. It was heartbreaking. His brother, who could have ruled the North—left without even a dedicated watcher. And he himself only learning of it today.
Yeon-hoo drew a quiet breath.
"Then you handled it alone?"
"Yes."
"I need to know your connection to my brother."
"The eldest young master saved my life. He gave me a new one. To this lowly wretch, he bestowed an immeasurable grace I can never repay, so I vowed to serve him until my dying day. And……."
Janghan trailed off, lifting his gaze to meet Yeon-hoo's. Yeon-hoo noted the wild turbulence in the man's eyes.
Janghan continued. "I've waited all this time to deliver something to my lord."
"……."
Janghan drew a slender metal tube from his bosom, holding it aloft with both hands.
"He said to give it to you when you came."
Tremble…….
"……My brother told you to give this to me?"
"Yes. He said it was vital—show it to no one but you."
Twitch.
Yeon-hoo's eyes turned icy.
"If it was so important, why didn't you seek me out sooner?"
"I couldn't trust a lord who wouldn't even visit his own brother's grave."
"……!"
Janghan's words stabbed like a dagger into Yeon-hoo's chest. He was speechless.
Janghan regarded him with eyes brimming with regret, then bowed deeply and turned away.
"Will I find you here if I return?"
"I'll serve the eldest young master until my last breath. If you come to see him, you'll see me too."
Janghan headed toward the woods. Yeon-hoo finally spotted it—a small, shabby thatched hut behind the trees.
"Wait."
Janghan paused and turned. Yeon-hoo met his eyes squarely and voiced the words he'd held inside.
"Thank you…… for looking after my brother."
Tremble…….
Janghan's eyes shook violently. He dropped to his knees, hands pressed into the muddied earth. Thick tears rolled down his cheeks.
"From now on, it falls to my lord to care for him. How desperately the young master waited…… Uh-heh-heong!"
Was it the dam of pent-up grief breaking? Janghan wailed, sobbing uncontrollably.
Yeon-hoo turned to the tomb. Memories of time with his brother flashed by like a lantern show.
‘Did you really miss me that much?’
* * *
Whoosh!
Cheol-u surrendered his body to the sleet atop a pavilion roof overlooking the Ancestor Hall's main gate. Soaked through, he ignored it, eyes fixed solely on the hall.
A figure landed silently beside him—Baek Mu Yeong.
"Still at the Ancestor Hall?"
"Yes."
"Hm……."
Baek Mu Yeong furrowed his brow. Yeon-hoo had returned from the eldest young master's grave and entered the hall, remaining inside for a full day.
"No word for you either?"
"None."
"Something must be up……."
Then it happened. Baek Mu Yeong, idly watching the gate, narrowed his eyes. A carriage and a sizable entourage approached the Iron Blood Family's main gate.
Baek Mu Yeong channeled his energy to discern the flag fluttering on the carriage roof.
"What brings the White Night Cartel here?"
Only then did Cheol-u shift his gaze.
Baek Mu Yeong muttered with a troubled look. "If they're from the Cartel, my lord should meet them personally……."
Cheol-u glanced at the hall. Its doors remained firmly shut.
No one enters.
Recalling the Ancestor Hall manager's words, Cheol-u turned back to the gate. His eyes flashed at the sight of one rider breaking ahead toward it.
Thud-thud-thud!
A woman. Clad in blood-red battle robes, golden helmet and pauldrons gleaming, armed with sword and spear—her appearance alone drew the eye.
Reaching the gate, her shout rang clear to Cheol-u and Baek Mu Yeong.
"Tell them Suzaku Hall Leader Cha So-ryeong has come to impose on you for the night."
Suzaku Hall Leader Cha So-ryeong.
At the arrival of the woman vying for top among female martial artists, Cheol-u and Baek Mu Yeong exchanged surprised glances.
A peculiar smile tugged at Baek Mu Yeong's lips.
"The future Sword Empress makes her entrance……."
"Is she as strong as the rumors say?"
"Can't trust rumors entirely, but rising to Hall Leader in the Cartel as a woman warrants respect. First in their history. Still, we should inform my lord……."
Cheol-u nodded silently at Baek Mu Yeong's musing. Escorted by Suzaku Hall elites, the carriage's occupant was clearly a major figure in the Cartel. Failing to greet them personally might prove awkward.
Then it happened. Cheol-u's eyes widened slightly at the hall. Yeon-hoo was emerging.
"My lord comes."
"Heh-heh-heh. Right on time."
A gate guard spotted Yeon-hoo and leaped toward him. The two shared knowing grins—they'd seen him head not to the gate, but his residence.
"No one short of the Great Earth Sovereign or Elder Council Chairman merits my lord going to the gate. Time to head to Shaolin?"
"Indeed."
"Be careful. Not all monks are saints."
"Noted."
* * *
Yeon-hoo received the entering Cha So-ryeong seated. No fragrant musk, but a thick scent of sweat assaulted his nose—yet his eyes remained impassive.
Cha So-ryeong clasped her fists in salute, bowing her head.
"Suzaku Hall Leader Cha So-ryeong sees the Family Head."
"Come in."
Before sitting, Cha So-ryeong drew a metal tube from her bosom.
"First, this."
Baek Mu Yeong took it and handed it to Yeon-hoo. He opened it, unfolding the letter inside.
From Cheol Gun-ak.
A certain mission has been assigned to Suzaku Hall Leader…… (abridged).
I know you are exceedingly busy with public duties, but this matter is of such grave importance that I dare request your aid. Awaiting the day we meet again…… (postscript).
Yeon-hoo rolled the letter, replacing it in the tube, and fixed his gaze on Cha So-ryeong. She had stood watching him without sitting.
"Sit."
"Yes."
As she finally sat, Baek Mu Yeong poured tea. Cha So-ryeong stared into the yellowing cup, then lifted her eyes.
"Forgive me, but I'd be grateful if you'd arrange lodging for the honored guest first."
"House the guests in the annex."
"Understood."
As Baek Mu Yeong turned to leave, Cha So-ryeong rose.
"I'll escort them personally and return."
"Do so."
Clank.
Clank.
Yeon-hoo impassively watched Cha So-ryeong depart with Baek Mu Yeong. The metallic jingle of her armor with each step seemed to proclaim her strength.
Yeon-hoo closed his eyes.
Forgive this foolish brother of yours.
The contents of his brother's letter resurfaced word by word. It brimmed with fervent emotion toward him, detailing the family's origins—unknown to Yeon-hoo—and myriad other matters. Some revelations were world-shaking.
If you would avenge this foolish brother's death, I eagerly await it. But more vital than vengeance—seek the place where our family's founding ancestor slumbers as soon as possible…… (postscript).
That much was merely startling. But what tormented him lay at the end.
Perhaps Father cast you out to forge you stronger. I yearn to know his true heart, but time slips away for this brother. If it was truly his design, my guilt toward you might lessen…… (postscript).
‘You saw wrong. Father cast me out solely for you. What design is sending me away without a single guard?’
He'd denied it all day long. Yet a desperate wish that it might be true churned his inner turmoil.
Yeon-hoo breathed deep. As he gripped his teacup hard, Baek Mu Yeong and Cha So-ryeong returned. He set the cup down, steadying his gaze.
Cha So-ryeong bowed to him.
"They thank you for the generous lodging. I too thank the Family Head."
Yeon-hoo wanted to ask who it was. But he refrained. Cheol Gun-ak would have named them if he needed to know.
"Where are you headed?"
"Forgive me, I cannot say."
"Suzaku Hall provides your full escort?"
"Yes."
"I won't pry into your charge, destination, or mission. But know this."
Yeon-hoo sipped his tea.
Clink.
"Cheol Gun-ak's emissary sought my aid. I've agreed, so now I bear responsibility to assist you."
"……."
"I'll assign an escort when you depart."
"Your kindness overwhelms me, but Suzaku Hall suffices."
"If it did, the emissary wouldn't have come to me. Let me say again: I must fulfill my duties, come what may. Don't make me seem irresponsible."
"……."
Cha So-ryeong's lips quivered. Then she bowed her head.
"I thank the Family Head for his consideration."