Chapter 21: Unexpected Companions
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
The carriage carrying Yeon-hoo rolled slowly along the official road. It couldn't pick up speed amid the crowds, but Cheol-u, at the reins, seemed unperturbed. Yun Hoe, seated beside him, wore a troubled expression—not because of the sluggish pace, but due to their direction toward the Iron Blood Family.
He turned to Cheol-u. "Why has my lord chosen this longer route?"
"I do not know. I merely follow orders."
Indeed. Right after departing Baekya-beol, Yeon-hoo had deliberately taken a circuitous path instead of the direct one. By rough estimate, it would add at least ten days to the journey.
Yun Hoe wanted to ask Yeon-hoo directly, but he was resting inside the carriage and couldn't be disturbed.
This time, Cheol-u spoke. "Do you trust my lord?"
"Of course."
"Then trust him to the end. That is all."
"……."
Clip-clop! Clip-clop!
The carriage began to gain speed. As they moved away from the city in the foul weather, the road grew deserted.
Two horse and rider pursued them. They had begun tailing Yeon-hoo's carriage upon entering the road, closing the gap swiftly now that it was empty.
Hearing the approaching hoofbeats, Yun Hoe glanced back, hand instantly on his sword hilt, and murmured low, "Someone's chasing us."
"No malice apparent. Wait and see."
"How can you tell?"
"If their intent was foul, they wouldn't pursue so openly."
"……."
Yun Hoe eyed Cheol-u anew with fresh respect, then turned back to the riders. Dressed in white and blue robes, they looked like ordinary folk—save for the swords at their waists.
Thud-thud-thud!
They drew alongside the carriage in moments. Yun Hoe kept his hand on his sword.
The white-robed man called out softly, "We seek an audience with the Iron Blood Family's young master!"
"State your identities first."
"That, after seeing him!"
Yun Hoe stood firm. "No such person here. Only the lord of Northern Murim."
"Then grant us audience with the lord."
As Yun Hoe opened his mouth to retort—
"Halt the carriage."
Yeon-hoo's voice emerged from within. Cheol-u pulled to the roadside.
Moments later, as it stopped fully, the window opened, and Yeon-hoo leaned out.
Yeon-hoo scanned the mounted figures. Strangers, both.
The white-robed man dismounted first, cupping his fists toward him. "We have private words for you."
Yeon-hoo stared silently, then nodded. "Enter."
"Our thanks."
Only then did the blue-robed man dismount—revealing his higher status.
"Commander."
"Yes, my lord."
"Take a walk with Cheol-u."
It was a dismissal. Yun Hoe hesitated. He couldn't leave Yeon-hoo alone with unknowns.
"Forgot Cheol-u's words already?"
"……."
Yun Hoe finally joined Cheol-u at a distance. As they withdrew, the two boarded.
The carriage was spacious and ornate. They sat opposite Yeon-hoo.
He spoke indifferently. "I do not converse with masked faces. Before your purpose, reveal yourselves first… propriety demands it."
Their eyes wavered. They wore exquisite human-skin masks, masterpieces fooling even peak experts—never detected before.
"We beg pardon for the rudeness."
The blue-robed man removed his first, revealing Somubaek's face. Yeon-hoo, never having seen the Great Earth Sovereign, didn't recognize the resemblance.
The white-robed was, naturally, Cheol Gun-ak. He unmasked and bowed deeply. "Forgive us. Circumstances dictated it—no intent to deceive."
Yeon-hoo knew him from Baekya-beol. "Your reason for seeking the… no, the family head…."
Cheol Gun-ak confessed all. Astonishing revelations, yet Yeon-hoo's impassivity held firm—even at Somubaek's identity.
This stunned Cheol Gun-ak. Is he masking it, or truly unmoved?
As Cheol Gun-ak finished, Yeon-hoo rose, cupped fists to Somubaek, and bowed slightly. "I, Yeon-hoo, greet you formally."
"You resemble Myeong-hwa greatly."
"Brothers, after all."
Having shown due respect to the Great Earth Sovereign's son, Yeon-hoo sat and asked, "If secrecy is paramount, why reveal all to me? I must know that first."
"A matter outweighs all: seeking Myeong-hwa, begging forgiveness. That requires entering Iron Blood Family's Ancestor Hall… impossible covertly. Thus, we seek the young master's—no, family head's—aid."
"You were close with my brother."
"The only one who treated me sincerely. Short time together, but dearer than family."
Sincerity rang true. Yeon-hoo pondered as he listened: fortune or misfortune to entangle with them?
If no gain, cut ties coldly. But not yet—time remains.
Composed, he continued. "Be warned: if you bring harm to me, my family, or Northern Murim, even I cannot spare you."
"Fear not. Keep our identities secret, and no issue arises."
"Understood. Travel with us, then."
"Our thanks, family head."
"Grateful."
Thus began the unexpected companionship.
Figures streaked like lightning over unmelted snow. Five in total, clad in plain martial robes, but their sharp gazes and extraordinary lightness skills marked them as experts.
Whoosh!
Snow dust scattered in their wake.
How long they ran, one wondered? At a fork with a large signpost, they halted.
The one with unusually narrow, elongated eyes asked, "This the swiftest path to Iron Blood Family, correct?"
"Must pass here by carriage. Detours add ten days."
"We'll catch them soon."
"No worry. Children await in the city at dusk. Inns he might choose are prepared—his tomb."
"Must be beyond Baekya-beol's law."
"Superiors confirmed: Baekya-beol law doesn't apply."
His eyes narrowed further. "Sever his head, whatever it takes. Only then surpass Noegeom."
"Noegeom's fate unconfirmed."
"Irrelevant. Lord ordered his suicide— he's done. Full speed ahead!"
"Yes!"
They raced like wind—Wall Thunder Family assassins, on Wi Yeon Gwang's orders to behead Yeon-hoo.
They pressed on without rest. As dusk fell as expected, they reached the city's edge.
A runner approached. "Which inn did he enter?"
"He… hasn't arrived."
"What? Should've been here by now!"
"True, but…."
"Passed straight through?"
"Placed children on carriage routes—no sighting of Iron Blood carriage."
"Damn it all—what the hell?"
Swish….
Snow on the road scattered by formless energy. All held breath—one word could mean death. Even aides stayed silent.
"Who confirmed Iron Blood carriage left Baekya-beol?"
"……I did."
"Why no tail?"
"Assumed he'd come here… naturally."
Thwack!
The speaker's head flew. "Send urgent missives. Watch all paths to Iron Blood Family!"
"Understood!"
Before Baekya-beol's young master, a brother's friend—ought to yield the carriage? But that invites suspicion; better ride.
Cheol Gun-ak recalled Yeon-hoo's words, a faint smile forming. Strange. Why no arrogance at all?
Impassive face, blunt speech and manner—before Somubaek, Great Earth Sovereign's son. Though illegitimate, none could act so before him.
Yet no displeasure. Utterly natural.
Fallen for him completely.
He'd liked Yeon-hoo from their first Baekya-beol meeting.
"Senior brother."
"Yes, young master."
"Young master again?"
"Ah…."
"If you wish me alive, treat me as junior brother."
"Ahem. Understood."
"Senior brothers honor juniors. For my safety, adapt quickly."
"……Got it, junior brother."
Somubaek finally smiled.
"No regrets?"
"Leaving Baekya-beol?"
"Yes. Senior brother, your future shone brightest. Great Earth Sovereign trusted you greatly."
Sneer. Cheol Gun-ak smiled brighter than ever. "None. Junior brother matters more than any Baekya-beol future. My wife often spoke of you—mostly entrusting you after her passing. Know this… she was like a mother to me. At least, I saw her so. So no more such worries."
"Know this?"
"What?"
"We two… now blood-kinless orphans in the world."
"Since her passing. Heh heh."
Somubaek gazed skyward, murmuring. "Mother would rejoice. With senior brother at my side."
Cheol Gun-ak's eyes softened. Even without her words, I'd guard you. Till my last breath, never leave your side.
Then—
"Hungry?"
Yeon-hoo's voice.
"Liquor over food, family head."
"Then a drink before we go."
"Yes!"