Chapter 20 - Departing the White Night Cartel
‘What a shame. It would have been a chance to see what the White Night Cartel is really like…’
Yeon-hoo left Baekya-seong behind, pushing aside his regrets as he headed toward the city's bustling markets to meet Cheol-u.
The grand banquet had been canceled, but the streets outside the castle still teemed with crowds.
What caught Yeon-hoo's eye was a convoy of dozens of wagons. Loaded to the brim with cargo, they rumbled toward the castle gates under heavy, almost murderous guard.
Yeon-hoo fixed his gaze on the flags fluttering atop the wagons.
The bold characters reading Golden Merchant Group revealed their identity.
‘The Golden Merchant Group…’
The Golden Merchant Group. If the White Night Cartel claimed supremacy in power, this merchant cartel could rightfully boast the same in wealth. Over centuries, they had amassed riches and influence beyond imagination—enough, it was said, to topple nations.
“Are we doing business with the Golden Merchant Group?”
“We traded sporadically a few years ago, but it stopped completely after the iron mines collapsed.”
“They must have refused, of course.”
“……Yes.”
“Is restoring the iron mines completely impossible?”
“The collapse was so severe that it's considered nearly impossible.”
“Nearly means there's still a sliver of hope.”
“We exhausted every method at the young master's command, but nothing worked.”
The conversation grew heavy. Just then, as they reached the edge of the market, Cheol-u appeared from somewhere nearby.
“I heard the grand banquet was canceled.”
“That's what happened.”
“Then we're heading back right away?”
“Yes.”
“I'll fetch the carriage immediately.”
While waiting for Cheol-u to return with the carriage, Yeon-hoo scanned the streets. His eyes sharpened at the sight of figures in bizarre attire.
They were cloaked head to toe in black robes, their only visible feature glossy eyes like glass beads.
Yun Hoe's eyes gleamed as he spoke. “Those are experts from the Ghost Family. Heading for the gates—they must have just arrived.”
The Ghost Family. One of the eight great families, yet shrouded in mystery with almost nothing known about them. They were famed for powerful illusions, but their headquarters' location, their forces' scale, and even how they earned their place among the eight remained secrets. Rumors held that only the Dae Ji-jon truly knew their truth.
Alongside the Blood Family, the Ghost Family was deemed the most dangerous due to their obscurity.
‘What a shame. If they'd all gathered, I might have gleaned some insights into them…’
Yeon-hoo felt anew the sting of the banquet's cancellation.
Then it happened.
One of the Ghost Family members glanced their way, and for a split second, their gazes locked.
Zing.
A strange chill raced up Yeon-hoo's body. But Cheol-u's arriving carriage blocked the line of sight, severing the sensation.
“Please board.”
* * *
The Ghost Family experts drew stares with their odd garb alone. The eerie aura they exuded parted the crowds like a blade wherever they passed.
One figure turned his head left. Yeon-hoo stood where his gaze landed.
The moment their eyes met, a blue light exploded deep in the man's pupils—but the intervening carriage snuffed it out.
“Family head, what's wrong?”
“Nothing. Let's hurry on.”
As he resumed walking, he stole another glance at Yeon-hoo mounting the carriage. His eyes flashed.
He had spotted the Iron Blood Family flag on the carriage roof.
‘An Iron Blood Family carriage? Did they have such a young expert?’
Once Yeon-hoo's carriage vanished into the crowd, the black-robed man—the current head of the Ghost Family, Han Song—finally turned away.
Two middle-aged men in bee-like uniforms approached Han Song as he neared the gates.
“Welcome, family head.”
“Why have you come out here to greet me personally?”
“Well……”
One man hesitated, face troubled, before speaking. “Unavoidable circumstances forced the cancellation of the grand banquet. We waited here to inform you.”
“By the Dae Ji-jon's will?”
“Yes, family head.”
Han Song's exposed eyes chilled with frost. “So we're to turn back just like that?”
The air turned icy, the men's faces stiffening.
“Have the others left?”
“Yes. Everyone except the Wall Thunder Family has already departed the cartel.”
Even Han Song had no choice. If the Dae Ji-jon canceled the event, obedience was absolute.
‘What on earth happened to summon the eight family heads only to cancel like this?’
“The Dae Ji-jon asked us to convey his regrets and begged your understanding.”
“One question……”
“Please ask.”
“Who came from Northern Murim?”
“Iron Blood Family's second young master and Jang Family head Jang Cheon attended together.”
‘So that young man is Yi Yeom's second son…’
Han Song had once visited the Iron Blood Family. Yeon-hoo had been ten then. Their encounter was a secret between him and Yi Yeom, unknown to the world.
‘I thought he'd vanished after exile, presumed dead… I wasn't wrong back then.’
That meeting lingered as a profoundly special memory for Han Song—known only to him.
“Family head, shall we head back now?”
“Very well.”
The two men bowed to Han Song as he turned.
“Inquire after the Dae Ji-jon's health on my behalf.”
“Understood. Safe travels, family head.”
Han Song headed south through the markets.
“Chief steward.”
“Yes, family head.”
“Compile and report all information on Iron Blood Family's second young master the moment we return.”
“Why……”
“Must I explain every reason?”
“F-Forgive me!”
“Make haste on the return.”
“Understood!”
* * *
Baekya-beol's north gate. Even amid sheer cliffs stretching endlessly, a path led down to the world below.
As dusk fell, a young man appeared on the swaying suspension bridge whipped by winds.
His eyes, gazing at the world below, brimmed with deep emptiness and profound sorrow.
One man watched him with pity: the covert agent Cheol Gun-ak.
“Senior brother.”
“Yes, young master.”
“If I leave now, will I ever see you again?”
“Then don't leave. Turn back now. Time heals all wounds—endure a little longer……”
“No. I can't bear those contemptuous stares anymore. Watching Grandfather and Father tolerate it is unbearable. With Mother gone too, I'll leave the cartel and wander the world freely until my end.”
“Young master……”
“It's Mother's dying wish. As her son, I want to honor what filial duty I can this way. So don't stop me.”
A heartrending smile touched the young man's lips.
“At least Senior Brother stays by my side to the end. Even in death, I'll never forget you.”
Seeing that smile sadder than sobs, Cheol Gun-ak ground his teeth. His eyes were bloodshot.
The young man before him was not just his junior— he was the Dae Ji-jon's son, of noble blood. But that was mere facade.
From birth, the stigma of bastardy clung to him like an inescapable curse.
Cheol Gun-ak, who had witnessed his wretched life up close, couldn't bring himself to urge him back despite his words.
“Where will you go, then?”
“Wherever my feet take me. First, I should pour a drink at my friend's grave. Aside from Senior Brother, he was the only one who treated me sincerely. I want to atone for never visiting, even knowing he'd passed.”
Crunch.
Cheol Gun-ak ground his teeth again.
‘I can't let him go like this. How has he endured until now…?’
Cheol Gun-ak drew a plaque from his bosom—the emblem of a covert agent. He shattered it in his grip.
Crack.
“Senior brother……”
Smirk.
Cheol Gun-ak smiled. The young man's eyes shook violently, understanding the implication.
“No, Senior Brother! You're a covert agent. You don't have to do this for me.”
“Truth be told, I was sick of life in the cartel anyway. And now that I've broken the emblem, there's no turning back. Come with me.”
“Senior Brother!”
Whoosh.
Cheol Gun-ak descended the cliff path first. The young man watched, eyes welling with tears.
“Northern Murim's second young master is in a nearby city. If you want to meet him before leaving, hurry.”
“Myeong-hwa's younger brother… has come?”
“Ah, I forgot to mention. Yes. He's grown impressively and entered as a lord in his own right. Since you're heading to Northern Murim anyway, go with him.”
The friend the young man had mentioned was none other than Yeon-hoo's brother, Yi Myeong-hwa.
About ten years ago, Yi Myeong-hwa had come to Baekya-beol for training. The two had formed a bond transcending status, sharing true friendship.
Though only a year, it was the young man's happiest time.
Then news of Yi Myeong-hwa's death arrived. The young man donned mourning robes and grieved for ten days in a northern mountain cave.
Unable to pay respects due to his grandfather and father's opposition, it remained an indelible regret.
“Having second thoughts now that departure looms? Then turn back.”
At those words, the young man leaped down beside Cheol Gun-ak. Their gazes met in midair.
Smirk.
“Don't I look pretty cool?”
“You do. Dazzlingly so.”
“Heh heh heh. Shall we be off, then?”
Two days before the grand banquet was to begin, one of the Dae Ji-jon's concubines passed away.
And Somubaek, the son she bore, turned his back on Baekya-beol.
The covert agent Cheol Gun-ak abandoned everything to leave with him.