Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 210 - The Revealed Identity of Baek Mu Yeong
Thud thud thud! About fifty riders thundered toward them, shaking the earth. Each wore heavy armor and a ghastly demon mask that instinctively put onlookers on edge.
Baek Do-ryang calmed his gaze and murmured softly.
"Ghost Face Corps of the Yellow River Lily. They call themselves sons of demons, known for cruelty surpassing actual devils. They usually move in full units, so this small group of fifty must be scouts."
As Geomga's guards reached for their sword hilts, Cha So-ryeong stepped forward.
"Avoid conflict if possible."
"If they don't let us pass..."
"I'll handle it."
Meanwhile, Baek Mu Yeong eyed Baek Do-ryang and Geomga's guards. The guards wore common martial robes, easily mistaken for any street warrior, so their identity was safe. But Baek Do-ryang was the issue—he stood out in official Geomga robes.
Just then, Baek Do-ryang turned and met Baek Mu Yeong's gaze. Realizing the concern, he flashed a sly smile.
"I prepared for this. No Geomga robes, so they won't recognize me."
"Still, someone might know your face."
Baek Do-ryang was Geomga's strategist, one of the world's top figures. Enemies like the Yellow River Lily likely had his portrait.
"No worries there."
Baek Do-ryang pulled something from his bosom and draped it over his face. He transformed into a completely different person.
"That's convincing enough."
Baek Mu Yeong nodded silently and stared at the fiercely charging Yellow River Lily riders.
Ghost Face Corps...
Their aura matched their fearsome name. With their massive builds, they seemed specialized in external martial arts.
The lead rider spotted Baek Mu Yeong and drew his sword with a shout.
Clang!
Thud thud thud!
They were now thirty zhang apart. Cha So-ryeong called out lowly.
"Everyone, stay calm!"
Thud thud thud!
Neigh!
The leader yanked his reins as he closed in. His eyes gleamed with feral savagery beyond the mask.
"I need to know who you are."
Cha So-ryeong promptly drew a plaque from her bosom and presented it. It bore the White Night Cartel's emblem.
The masked eyes flashed, but his voice remained rough and savage.
"White Night Cartel? Then why no banner on the carriage? And your clothes don't match ours!"
Cha So-ryeong replied calmly.
"We're on a mission by the Great Earth Sovereign's order. And you... watch your tone."
"Heh heh heh. Quite the impudent wench, matching your looks."
"Shut your mouth! This is Suzaku Hall Leader, Cha So-ryeong!"
A Suzaku Hall female warrior snapped sharply.
Murmurs rippled through the Ghost Face Corps up close. Cha So-ryeong, Suzaku Hall Leader, was renowned across the jianghu. No one expected her in this remote spot, so their surprise was natural.
But the leader scoffed in disbelief.
"How do I know she's the Suzaku Leader?"
"What?"
"Prove it. If anything seems off..."
The leader eyed Cha So-ryeong lecherously, raising two fingers. The Ghost Face Corps behind drew weapons in unison.
Clang clang clang!
Then Baek Mu Yeong's transmission voice flowed into her ear.
[He doesn't want proof.]
[What do you mean?]
[They want you and all of Suzaku Hall.]
Cha So-ryeong's brows sharpened like blades, her eyes chilling.
"I am Cha So-ryeong, Suzaku Hall Leader of the White Night Cartel, on the Great Earth Sovereign's mission! Believe it or not, but if trouble arises, Yellow River Lily—not you—bears the blame!"
"Heh heh heh. Think we'll bow to empty threats?"
"Heh heh heh!"
"Kekeke!"
Mocking laughter erupted from the ranks.
That was when Baek Mu Yeong spoke.
"You should've bowed. Might've lived."
All eyes turned to him.
"What did you just say?"
"I'm killing you all."
"You mad bastard..."
Baek Mu Yeong transmitted to Cha So-ryeong.
[No passing now. You take the leader.]
Before she could reply, he launched at the Ghost Face Corps.
Flash!
The stunned leader swung at him, but Baek Mu Yeong ignored him, targeting the rear.
Thud thud thud!
"Argh!"
"Gah!"
Back in his true form, Baek Mu Yeong's spear sent two Ghost Face riders flying in sprays of blood.
"Defensive formation!"
At Cha So-ryeong's shout, Suzaku Hall swiftly encircled the carriage in a ring.
Boom!
Cha So-ryeong kicked off. All but one Geomga guard charged the Ghost Face Corps.
Screams tore from their ranks amid the chaos.
"Argh!"
"Gaaah!"
"Attack! Kill them!"
"Ack!"
Heads exploded, necks severed, chests and guts pierced—the air reeked of blood.
Baek Do-ryang's eyes trembled.
I knew he wasn't ordinary at first glance, but this strong...
Baek Mu Yeong was powerful, cruel, merciless. Yellow River Lily's elite Ghost Face Corps fell like autumn leaves.
Boom!
An explosion roared from Cha So-ryeong. Her longsword spat fire repeatedly. The opponent abandoned his horse for ground but couldn't counter, retreating steadily.
Clang!
Three more clashes, then on the fourth, an arm flew skyward in a blood mist.
Next, the head.
Splat!
"Ack!"
As the severed head vanished into bushes, ten Ghost Face Corps charged Cha So-ryeong. Normally they'd retreat on their leader's death, but not these.
They surged fiercer.
"Hmph!"
Cha So-ryeong snorted and charged head-on, drawing a one-ja dagger from her waist with her left hand.
Clang!
"Don't blame me!"
Clang!
Thud thud!
"Ack!"
"Gah!"
The front two crumpled without a proper swing, unable to match her closing speed despite their strength.
Two more veered toward Baek Do-ryang. His guarding Geomga warrior glided forward like on ice, swinging once.
A plain, unremarkable strike. One Ghost Face sneered and parried.
"Hmph! With that?"
Boom!
"Argh!"
Sneer turned to scream as sword and man split asunder.
The other gaped in horror and wheeled, but was in range.
Flash!
Splat!
No scream—head gone. The Geomga guard returned to Baek Do-ryang casually, displaying transcendent skill.
"Argh!"
"Ack!"
Baek Mu Yeong's spear never stopped. Geomga guards aiding him overwhelmed the Ghost Face Corps.
"Retreat!"
"Dodge! Run!"
"Argh!"
They fled the way they came. Some ditched horses for woods, only to be butchered by Geomga guards.
Boom!
Baek Mu Yeong leaped high, pursuing like an arrow.
Baek Do-ryang frowned watching.
Chasing that far...
Unlike Baek Mu Yeong, Geomga guards returned without pursuit, bodies drenched in others' blood.
"Come back!"
Cha So-ryeong's shout echoed. For Baek Mu Yeong.
But he vanished chasing them.
Cha So-ryeong stared troubled, then sighed lowly and ordered Suzaku Hall.
"Hold position!"
Baek Do-ryang turned to her.
"If even one escapes and calls reinforcements, we're in trouble. We must leave now."
"Wait one gak."
"Understood."
They awaited Baek Mu Yeong. Truthfully, Cha So-ryeong couldn't fathom Yeon-hoo's intent assigning just one guard, Baek Mu Yeong. But his prowess against the Ghost Face Corps melted her doubts like snow.
Among masters that strong using spear... only one.
Recalling his spear, her eyes sharpened. Suspicion about one being solidified to certainty.
Dark Demon God...
Dark Demon God—also Dark Demon King or Spear King—a figure of terror. Cha So-ryeong was convinced Baek Mu Yeong was him.
Blood King, Dark Demon God, and the mysterious guard who soloed Wall Thunder Manor, beheading the Elder Council Chairman... If Iron Blood Clan Lord's elites aren't them...
Shivers ran through her; she bit her lip.
Then.
"Hall Leader."
Baek Do-ryang's voice snapped her reverie. She steadied her gaze.
"Did you know his identity from the start?"
Baek Do-ryang had realized too.
"...No."
"I see."
He inhaled deeply.
"Honestly, I'm shocked—heart pounding. Meeting the world's Dark Demon God like this."
Then.
"He's returning."
A Geomga guard pointed ahead lowly.
Baek Mu Yeong approached on foot. Suzaku Hall and Geomga guards gazed in awe.
Cha So-ryeong, watching stiffly, suddenly frowned.
...A bird?
Baek Mu Yeong held a live bird flapping wildly.
Baek Do-ryang caught on, chuckling in disbelief.
"Chased their messenger bird?"
"Letting it go would've brought annoyances."
Baek Mu Yeong glanced at the carriage, then to Cha So-ryeong.
"Some escaped. Hurry before they swarm like dogs."
"Yes."
"Oh, and a healer for the young miss is coming from Wall Thunder Manor. Travel with them as-is. Closer than Iron Blood Clan seat—saves time."
"Thank you."
"No need."
Cha So-ryeong eyed his retreating back oddly.
"Still, stay with us?"
"..."
Baek Mu Yeong moved to the rear again.