Unexpected Return
Baek Mu Yeong briefly sated his hunger before returning to the Suzaku Hall encampment. As he entered, Cha So-ryeong and the face-veiled woman were sharing tea.
Cha So-ryeong stopped Baek Mu Yeong just as he turned to leave. "I have something to discuss."
Baek Mu Yeong sat across from her. "Shall I pour you some tea?"
"I've had enough."
Cha So-ryeong cut straight to the point. "Does the Iron Blood Clan have an exceptional physician?"
Baek Mu Yeong thought of Dongbang Ri. "I'm not sure what level of skill you mean by 'exceptional,' but yes, we have one. Why do you ask all of a sudden?"
"That's a relief." Cha So-ryeong let out a breath before continuing. "I need a physician's help for something. Could you request assistance from the Iron Blood Clan Lord on our behalf?"
All of a sudden? Baek Mu Yeong furrowed his brow. Needing a physician out of nowhere like this. "Has someone fallen ill?"
"Well..." Cha So-ryeong hesitated, and the face-veiled woman spoke up.
"I'm not feeling well. I thought I'd hold out until our destination, but it looks like it'll be harder than expected."
"In that case, we'd have to turn back to the Iron Blood Clan. Is that alright? You don't need to trouble my lord for this—we could just find a physician nearby. Surely the Geom Clan camp here has military healers..."
Cha So-ryeong replied, "All I can say is that circumstances demand it right now."
Baek Mu Yeong had more questions than he could count, but he held his tongue. From what he'd seen traveling with her, Cha So-ryeong was the type to do anything for the face-veiled woman. "Understood. Then we'll depart at first light tomorrow."
"No. We'll leave as soon as preparations are ready."
"Your health isn't great—won't you rest more?"
"It's not that serious. Don't worry."
"The Northern Navy commander and the Geom Clan forces are leaving soon anyway. We should go with them. With skirmishes breaking out everywhere, it's safer that way."
"Agreed."
Baek Mu Yeong stepped outside and headed straight for Ma Ui Tae. Baek Do-ryang had just left, leaving only Ma Ui Tae and Gwak Hong. Baek Mu Yeong asked Gwak Hong, "Can you send a dispatch to my lord?"
"Yes. We always carry two messenger pigeons for emergencies, so I can send it right away."
Baek Mu Yeong grabbed paper and brush from the tent, wrote the dispatch, rolled it into a tube, and handed it to Gwak Hong. "Send it now."
"The warriors outside have the pigeons on standby. I'll take it and dispatch it immediately."
As Gwak Hong left, Baek Mu Yeong turned to Ma Ui Tae. "The Geom Clan forces are heading to Wall Thunder Manor?"
"Yes. But why...?"
"Plans have changed—we'll be going there too. Since we're headed the same way, traveling together would benefit both sides' safety..."
"Ah, I see. I'll inform the Geom Clan forces. However, we must return directly to the Southern Defense Army, so we can't join you."
"Understood. Farewell."
Baek Mu Yeong returned to Cha So-ryeong's group, then suddenly let out a chuckle. Why am I going this far...?
Just then—"Instructor!"
A voice called from behind. Baek Mu Yeong turned and, recognizing the speaker, cupped his fists and bowed slightly. It was none other than Geom Clan's young master, Bukgung Cheon.
They'd met only once before, but Bukgung Cheon approached with a beaming smile. "What brings the instructor here?"
"Ah... just some business. Had to stop by briefly."
"Of course you would. Are you alone?"
"I have companions, but we're leaving soon. And you—are you joining the fight?"
"I just arrived today. Should've come sooner, but things got delayed."
Baek Mu Yeong noted the shadow on Bukgung Cheon's face. Still as gloomy as ever.
In truth, he didn't think much of Bukgung Cheon. Setting aside his status as Geom Clan's heir, the man lacked the spirit every true warrior of the rivers and lakes should possess. For such a person to be in the heart of a battlefield was surprising to Baek Mu Yeong.
"I wish you good fortune."
"Thank you. When you return, please convey my regards to your clan lord."
"I will."
Even this polite demeanor rubbed Baek Mu Yeong the wrong way. He headed straight back to Cha So-ryeong's group.
Meanwhile, Bukgung Cheon headed east with Maeong Ho. With Yellow River Lily forces in a standoff, the east was the front line.
"Young master." Baek Do-ryang approached. Dressed now in official robes rather than martial attire, he was ready to depart for Wall Thunder Manor.
"Heading to Wall Thunder Manor?"
"Yes. It pains me that you made this arduous journey, only for us to leave immediately."
"It's fine. I'll stay here until the war ends, so travel safely and return well."
"Did... your lord permit it?"
"No. But this time, he won't stop me. Don't worry—go safely."
Baek Do-ryang smiled faintly at the uncharacteristic resolve. "I've always supported you, young master."
"Thank you, strategist."
Bukgung Cheon smiled back. Pointing at Baek Mu Yeong walking ahead, Baek Do-ryang asked casually, "Do you know much about that man?"
"Ah! He's the Iron Blood Clan's martial instructor. Though that's not his full role— if you travel with him, be cautious in speech and action."
"Do you know his nickname?"
"No idea. But I've heard no one in the North, save the lord himself, treats him lightly. Farewell then, strategist—I'll see you upon return."
"Yes. Be exceedingly careful, young master."
Baek Do-ryang watched Bukgung Cheon's retreating figure with affection, then sighed softly and turned away. 'Someone no one in Northern Murim treats lightly...'
Blood King Army encampment.
What had been a vast plain not long ago had transformed into a massive fortress. Yeon-hoo inspected the site with satisfaction.
"Not bad at all."
"Wait and see. I'll make it even stronger."
Yeon-hoo and Sin Hwi rode side by side on warhorses toward the south gate, followed by five thousand Blood King troops. They were en route to Wall Thunder Manor.
The Blood King Army, now expanded to thirty thousand, had only these five thousand elites accompanying because the late joiners hadn't yet matched the originals. These were the true veterans.
Thud-thud-thud! Woooah!
The garrison warriors beat drums and cheered as the troops passed through the parted crowds. Among the Blood King riders was an unexpected face: Jeong Cheong, the warrior whose prisoner release had led to his reassignment to the Blood King Army at Sin Hwi's request.
Jeong Cheong's face was stiff. The dozen other young men reassigned with him looked equally tense. It was their first deployment, after all.
One youth asked Jeong Cheong, "Are we really going to attack Yellow River Lily?"
"...How should I know? Just shut up and march."
Irritated, Jeong Cheong snapped, and the youth fell silent. But the looks the youths shot him weren't friendly. They blamed him for their reassignment—and they weren't wrong.
"Damn it! We were living easy lives—why end up in the Blood King Army...?"
"Tell me about it. Hope we don't end up as headless ghosts on the battlefield. Shit!"
Their grumbling reached Jeong Cheong's ears clearly, but he could only flush red and say nothing. Though he lashed out, he was the most terrified.
Damn it, how did I end up like this...?
Jeong Cheong had vowed to prove himself in the Blood King Army. But life there made his old desk-job days—where a sharp word fixed any issue—seem like paradise. It was hell. His tent was right next to Sin U's, the brother as fearsome as Sin Hwi, making even breathing a ordeal.
Shouldn't have mouthed off about military law in front of the lord...
He regretted his bravado, but it was spilled milk. He'd steeled himself for battle, but his first fight was against the ferocious Yellow River Lily. He wanted to cry.
"Hey!"
A rough voice barked from behind. Jeong Cheong whipped around. A Blood King soldier glared at him with axe-like eyes.
"Get your head straight!"
"...!"
Only then did Jeong Cheong realize he'd fallen out of line. He yanked his horse's reins rightward. Just then, a messenger pigeon descended from above, landing on Yeon-hoo at the vanguard.
Yeon-hoo removed the tube from its leg, unrolled the dispatch, and read the brief message. His brow furrowed slightly.
I'm heading to Wall Thunder Manor too. I'll explain the details when I arrive.
— Dongbang Ri
Sin Hwi asked, "Something wrong?"
"Dongbang Clan's lady is coming to Wall Thunder Manor."
"Heh heh heh."
"What's so funny?"
"Can't I laugh if I want?"
"I told you no idle thoughts."
"How do you know what I'm thinking?"
Their bickering drew grins from Sin U and Seobaek riding right behind.
While snow fell every other day up north, the southwest had been battered by rain for two days straight—an unusual weather for the onset of winter.
Whoosh!
"Strategist! Sunset's soon—we should find the nearest city and camp for the night!"
A Geom Clan expert shouted to Baek Do-ryang over the downpour. He glanced back at the Suzaku Hall group. Cha So-ryeong, at the front, met his eyes.
"The weather's foul—best head to the nearest city."
Cha So-ryeong turned back without answering, seeking Baek Mu Yeong's input. He nodded, so she called to Baek Do-ryang, "We'll follow the strategist's lead!"
"Understood."
Baek Do-ryang was puzzled inwardly. The mighty Suzaku Hall leader consulting him first...?
Cha So-ryeong felt the same confusion. Why did I check with him first? It had been instinctive.
As the two puzzled over her, Baek Mu Yeong rode with eyes closed amid the torrent. Baek Do-ryang eyed the iron rod at his waist, his gaze steadying. Is it really him?
Death began the moment that plain rod bared its edge... A wandering rivers-and-lakes ditty had haunted him since meeting Baek Mu Yeong, referring to a figure rivaling the Blood King.
No. He's no one's subordinate. Not even the North's lord could keep him under command.
Baek Do-ryang firmly dismissed the thought and looked ahead—then stiffened. A group of riders emerged from the front.
The escort warrior's grim voice followed. "Strategist, Yellow River Lily forces."
Baek Mu Yeong opened his eyes at that exact moment.