Chronicles of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 211: Baek Do-ryang's Self-Reproach
Wall Thunder Manor. Now reduced from the overlord of the Northwest Murim to merely one of the North's key strongholds, the atmosphere there had changed dramatically from before. It was all because they'd remade everything—the warriors' uniforms, the troop formations, the duty rosters—to match the North exactly.
Suddenly, the manor grew boisterous. Yeon-hoo had arrived. And with him came five thousand of the Blood King Army, so nearly everyone except the sentries had to pitch in preparing the meal. But not a single soul grumbled. Instead, smiles lit every face without exception.
Yeon-hoo walked the manor's perimeter with Sinhwi. As Sinhwi surveyed the place, he nodded approvingly.
"It feels like this place is starting to resemble the North now. I don't sense any awkward stares or unease from the people looking at you."
"That's a relief."
"Still, we have to watch for snakes like Jeong-cheong. Nothing's more dangerous than rot from within."
Yeon-hoo nodded silently. The two strolled the grounds, chatting idly. After about two hours, Seo-baek came running up.
"My lord, Geomga's envoy just arrived. But..."
"What is it?"
"Baek Mu Yeong and Jujakjeon came back with them."
Yeon-hoo furrowed his brow. Why had Jujakjeon returned so suddenly when she'd headed off to some distant place? Just then, Baek Mu Yeong emerged from behind Seo-baek.
"What happened?"
"The young lady Jujakjeon was guarding fell ill, so they turned back. She said she couldn't entrust her to just anyone, so I suggested coming here. We only have one carrier pigeon, which we sent to Lady Dongbang, so I couldn't notify you in advance, my lord. My apologies."
Only then did Yeon-hoo understand why Dongbang Ri was coming to Wall Thunder Manor.
"How'd you end up traveling with Geomga's envoy?"
"On the way back, we passed Cheokbyeok and stopped at their camp. That's where I met Ma the strategist and heard the full story."
Yeon-hoo nodded wordlessly and turned toward the main hall. As they walked, he asked Baek Mu Yeong, "Since you came together, you must know who's leading the envoy."
"Strategist Baek Do-ryang."
It was unexpected. Amid the ongoing war with Hwangha Suryeon, he'd never imagined they'd send a key figure like their strategist as an envoy.
Sinhwi grinned. "Sending their strategist, of all people, while facing down the enemy? Geom-sin must be desperate. Heh."
Yeon-hoo shared the sentiment. Moments later, he approached the Geomga envoys gathered at the main gate, along with Jujakjeon.
Cha So-ryeong was the first to clasp her hands in salute and bow. "I see the family head."
"I've heard the situation. You've arrived safely, at least."
Yeon-hoo turned to the Geomga envoys. Baek Do-ryang bowed deeply toward him.
"Baek Do-ryang pays respects to the family head."
"Welcome."
Sinhwi stepped forward next. "Good to see you, strategist."
"......"
Baek Do-ryang glanced at Yeon-hoo with a puzzled look. Even for the famous Blood King, few in the world knew his face. Baek Do-ryang was no exception.
"I'm the Blood King."
"Ah...! I see the Blood King."
Baek Do-ryang's expression seemed a touch graver than when he'd greeted Yeon-hoo.
Yeon-hoo turned to Seo-baek and issued an order. "Escort Jujakjeon and the young lady to the annex."
"Yes, my lord."
As Cha So-ryeong and Jujakjeon followed Seo-baek to the annex, Yeon-hoo signaled Baek Do-ryang toward the main hall and turned away.
Staring alternately at the backs of Yeon-hoo and Sinhwi, Baek Do-ryang felt his breath catch in his throat.
To think it's like this.
In all his life, only one person had ever overwhelmed him with a mere glance: his own lord, Geom-sin Bukgung So. Yet in just a few days, he'd felt that exact same pressure from Baek Mu Yeong, and now Yeon-hoo and Sinhwi as well—three in total. Baek Do-ryang couldn't help but be stunned.
With just these three, no ordinary faction would dare stand against them.
"Strategist."
"Yes, family head."
"How fares your family head?"
"He's well, family head. Your concern honors me beyond words."
"I heard the recent battle in the grand hall claimed many lives. On behalf of all in the North, I offer my condolences."
"Thank you."
Soon, they entered the grand hall. They dove straight into business, and with their interests aligning perfectly, it seemed the talks would wrap up smoothly. But one remark from Yeon-hoo left Baek Do-ryang flustered.
"Before we formalize the alliance, there's a condition."
"Please, speak it."
"As you know, the North has only recently signed a truce with the Golden Merchant Group and Blood Clan. Intervening in your war with Hwangha Suryeon at this juncture would draw warped gazes from the world. Even White Night Cartel wouldn't be different. So, here's my proposal."
Yeon-hoo took a sip of tea before continuing.
"The North will limit its involvement to driving out Hwangha Suryeon's forces lurking in our territory."
"......!"
"No need for disappointment. Our mere mobilization will demoralize Hwangha Suryeon greatly."
"That's true, but..."
Even Baek Do-ryang, famed for never revealing his inner thoughts, couldn't hide his dismay; his face hardened. Limiting involvement to that degree made it less an alliance and more a partial cooperation.
I get that allying with us might draw fire from other families, but still...
Baek Do-ryang wanted to speak up, but the words wouldn't come. Something told him he shouldn't.
Right. Just the fact of the alliance will pressure Hwangha Suryeon enough. Better not get greedy and risk derailing things.
He bowed his head. "Understood. If that's your will, family head, we'll accept. But I have one request."
"Speak."
"Could you block Hwangha Suryeon's warships and supply ships from descending to Cheokbyeok by acting upstream?"
"No need to worry on that front. All waterways north of Cheokbyeok fall within our planned area anyway."
"My thanks."
"Then let's conclude here."
"Yes, family head."
Moments later, Yeon-hoo and Baek Do-ryang sealed the documents, finalizing the alliance.
* * *
Moonlit night. Baek Do-ryang opened the window of his quarters, courtesy of Yeon-hoo, and drew a deep breath.
I never knew the North's overlord was so shrewdly pragmatic. The rumors painted him as a relentless warrior...
Baek Do-ryang felt uneasy. They'd secured the alliance he wanted, yet he couldn't shake the sense they'd come out on the short end.
Now, even if the North moves to expel Hwangha Suryeon from the former Northwest—now the North's western frontier—the world will see it as them aiding Geomga, not just handling their own issue.
Clearing Hwangha Suryeon's forces from there was the North's top priority. But this alliance would make the world view it as aid to Geomga. The North solved their problem while claiming the moral high ground.
Realizing this, Baek Do-ryang shook his head with a bitter smile.
I might catch hell from my lord when I get back.
Whoosh.
Letting the winter wind wash over him, Baek Do-ryang gazed across Wall Thunder Manor. He'd visited several times before, but now everything felt brand new.
From the patrol nets to the watchtower placements—it's all changed. So this is the North...
The old defenses he'd seen had their flaws. Wi Yeon Gwang and the Wall Thunder folk, secure in their status as one of the White Night Eight Great Families, had grown overconfident.
Maybe Wall Thunder fell not from arrogance, but something else...
The world blamed their downfall on hubris, saying a proper stand against the North from the start might've changed things. Baek Do-ryang had leaned that way himself. But seeing Yeon-hoo, Sinhwi, Baek Mu Yeong, and this near-perfect new defense network... he wondered if that was wrong.
Then—
Where's he off to at this hour...?
Baek Do-ryang's eyes sharpened. He'd spotted Baek Mu Yeong passing by his quarters. To him now, Baek Mu Yeong reeked of thick blood-scent just by sight.
His gaze naturally followed. Baek Mu Yeong headed for the main gate. Moments later, a woman crossed it, and Baek Mu Yeong bowed to her—Baek Do-ryang couldn't hide his shock.
What manner of woman commands such deference from the Dark Demon God himself?
His eyes locked on the woman before Baek Mu Yeong: Dongbang Ri. Seeing her face, Baek Do-ryang felt his breath hitch.
Bathed in moonlight, her figure could melt any man's heart.
Get a grip, Baek Do-ryang.
Dongbang Ri and Baek Mu Yeong headed straight for the annex—the deepest, safest spot in the manor. Yet Jujakjeon's elites guarded it rigorously.
The Jujak squad at the annex gate saluted as Baek Mu Yeong approached. "Welcome."
"I need to see the squad leader."
"Please wait a moment."
Then Cha So-ryeong emerged, opening the door. "Come in."
Baek Mu Yeong entered with Dongbang Ri. Cha So-ryeong's eyes widened slightly at the sight of Dongbang Ri—she remembered her clearly from Iron Blood Family.
"So you're the great heroine she mentioned..."
"That's right."
"I'm Dongbang Ri."
"Cha So-ryeong. We're endlessly grateful you came all this way to help."
"No need."
Cha So-ryeong led Dongbang Ri inside. But Baek Mu Yeong stayed out.
"Forgive me, but it's women only in there..."
"I'll wait in the courtyard."
In the end, Baek Mu Yeong remained in the yard. Jujakjeon's troops, patrolling nearby, stole awed glances at him. Irked by the stares, he sat on a bench, eyes closed.
How much time passed? Dongbang Ri and Cha So-ryeong emerged. Baek Mu Yeong opened his eyes and stood.
Soon, the two departed under Cha So-ryeong's farewell, heading to the main hall—and Yeon-hoo's quarters.
Yeon-hoo, unaware of Dongbang Ri's arrival, had rushed out of his bath; his hair was still wet.
"You just got here?"
"I figured treating the patient first was proper, so I stopped at the annex on the way."
"How was her condition?"
"Is she really ill?"
Dongbang Ri's counter-question made Yeon-hoo eye Baek Mu Yeong. Even he looked flustered.
"She definitely said she wasn't well."
"Strange. My diagnosis found nothing wrong. Though one thing concerns me..."
Dongbang Ri trailed off, then continued. "I suspect it might be a malady of the heart. I'll visit again tomorrow."
"Can pulse diagnosis reveal mental illness?"
"Inquiry works better than pulse for that. Of course, it requires the patient to describe their state honestly... Anyway, we're meeting tomorrow, so I'll examine her more thoroughly then."
"Hm..."
Yeon-hoo frowned, thinking of Cha So-ryeong.
Bad enough to turn back midway... Where was she planning to take someone in such grave condition?
His long-suppressed curiosity about the veiled woman surged anew. Dongbang Ri, watching him intently, asked softly, "Are you heading to Cheokbyeok?"
"Somewhere around there."
"When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow, with Geomga's envoy."
Answering, Yeon-hoo caught Dongbang Ri's gaze and chuckled. "Want to come along?"
"If you'll allow it."
"And if I don't?"
"I believe you will."
Her words, bolder than any plea for permission, drew a laugh from Yeon-hoo at last.
"Fine. Let's go together."