Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 212 - Cha So-ryeong's Choice
Cha So-ryeong sat facing the veiled woman.
"It must be stuffy... Feel free to take off the veil when it's just us."
"It's become a habit..."
As she removed the veil, the woman's face—Sohyang's—came into view. Her ivory-white skin and large, doe-like eyes gave her an innocent, girlish look rather than that of a mature woman. If not for her deathly pallor, devoid of any rosiness, she would have been a beauty so exquisite that the phrase flower-like visage, moon-like grace would seem inadequate.
"I'm sorry. Because of me, you've gone through unnecessary hardship with the hall leader and the Suzaku Hall..."
"Miss, didn't you promise me you'd never say that again?"
"I'm just sorry... so sorry..."
As Sohyang's eyes reddened, Cha So-ryeong bit her lip gently. Her own eyes filled with deep pity.
"For now, stay at the Iron Blood Family and focus solely on recovering your health. I'll handle everything else."
"Can we trust the Iron Blood Family?"
"If Cheol Gun-ak's messenger trusted and acknowledged him, then yes. And I've judged the North's lord to be trustworthy as well."
"I understand. I'll just trust and follow you, Hall Leader."
Cha So-ryeong reached out and gently took Sohyang's hands in hers.
"If you trust me, then don't worry and think only positive thoughts. You must, for the sake of your health."
"Yes. I will. Let's promise once more."
"Shall we?"
Cha So-ryeong smiled, and Sohyang smiled back.
A moment later, after Sohyang had returned to her room, Cha So-ryeong flung open the window. The moonlit night sky was breathtakingly beautiful, as if dusted with silver powder, but it stirred no emotion in her.
Please, let my judgment be right...
Sohyang harbored a secret unknown to others. If it were revealed, not only the White Night Cartel but the entire martial world might erupt in chaos. To prevent that and bring her to the safest place in the world, Cha So-ryeong had left the White Night Cartel under the pretext of a mission.
Her original plan had been to take her not to the Central Plains but across the sea to another land. She believed the secret could be kept there forever. But Sohyang's already fragile health had taken a turn for the worse, forcing a change in course.
Of course, she had considered contingencies when they set out, but Sohyang's symptoms worsened far more severely than usual, leaving Cha So-ryeong no choice but to make a different decision.
Her first choice was the Sword Family. She had deemed it the surest hideout, given Sword God Bukgung So's close ties to the previous Great Earth Sovereign. But upon confirming that the clash with the Yellow River Lily would escalate into full-scale war, she abandoned the idea and chose the Iron Blood Family instead.
Cheol Gun-ak's trust in Yeon-hoo might have been the biggest reason. After all, he was the one person Cha So-ryeong trusted most in the White Night Cartel.
But she was afraid.
Though she had told Sohyang he was trustworthy, the Yeon-hoo she had seen was a man forged entirely of domineering aura.
Can the North truly be the miss's safest refuge?
"Haa..."
Cha So-ryeong let out a heavy sigh as she gazed toward the main residence where Yeon-hoo resided. The top floor, presumed to be his quarters, blazed with light.
Recalling Yeon-hoo's utterly impassive face, she bit her lip. At the very least, I must tell the North's lord the truth. But if things go wrong...
Shaking off the worst-case scenario she didn't even want to imagine, she reached to close the window.
That was when it happened.
The window flew open, and Yeon-hoo appeared.
Cha So-ryeong slowly lowered the hand gripping the frame and looked at him. In that instant, her eyes trembled.
A profound solitude emanated from him—something starkly different from the domineering aura that had frightened her. Blended with the moonlight, it stirred a strange emotion within her.
She had felt this before. Once, by chance, she had seen Great Earth Sovereign So Mu-baek standing at his window, gazing into the distance. Back then, too, she had been caught in similar feelings and lingered for a long time.
As Cha So-ryeong lost herself in reminiscence, it came.
[Is your quarters uncomfortable?]
It was Yeon-hoo's voice.
Cha So-ryeong was inwardly shocked. From this distance...!
The gap between them was about fifty jang. Far too great for transmission.
Even more astonishing was how clear it sounded, as if whispered right beside her.
Could I do that?
Shock gave way to bewilderment. She lacked the confidence to send her transmission voice that far.
"No. I just can't sleep..."
In the end, she answered aloud. Though soft, Yeon-hoo would hear it easily.
Should I tell him everything now?
She hesitated. But she soon decided to observe him a bit longer first.
Then Yeon-hoo's transmission came again.
[Then we'll meet tomorrow morning.]
Tak.
As the window shut, hiding him, Cha So-ryeong exhaled softly.
"Hoo..."
* * *
The next day, Cha So-ryeong sat alone with Yeon-hoo.
A subtle tea aroma filled the room as they began a businesslike conversation. Soon, Yeon-hoo got to the point.
"I've heard the young miss's health is quite poor. If you're not returning to the White Night Cartel right away, you'll need a place to stay and rest for a while..."
"That's why I came to ask."
"Speak."
"Please allow us to stay here at the Iron Blood Family for a time. We'll make it worth your while."
Yeon-hoo didn't answer immediately but stared straight at her. Feeling the weight of his gaze, Cha So-ryeong kept her head slightly lowered.
"Understood. Do so."
"...!"
Cha So-ryeong grew uneasy at how readily he agreed. She finally lifted her eyes to meet his squarely.
"Why don't you ask anything?"
"Ask what?"
"..."
Cha So-ryeong was at a loss for words. Yeon-hoo continued.
"I have no desire to doubt the Suzaku Hall Leader of the White Night Cartel, of all people. Nor do I think you'll bring trouble to our North. So stay as long as you need, without worry."
"..."
Cha So-ryeong lowered her head and bit her lip. The conflict from last night tormented her anew.
Especially his words: Nor do I think you'll bring trouble to our North.
Regardless of his sincerity, his trust in her shook her resolve.
We can't cause innocent people trouble. That would be wrong.
Cha So-ryeong raised her head again and met his eyes.
"We might cause trouble for the North and the family head. Of course, if you keep the secret, nothing will happen."
So there is something.
Yeon-hoo subtly schooled his expression.
"If I keep the secret, nothing happens... Understood. But I'll hear the details once you fully trust me."
"...!"
Cha So-ryeong's face flushed hot.
"Seobaek."
Seobaek opened the door and entered at Yeon-hoo's call.
"Tell the Blood King to hurry. We're leaving soon."
"Yes, my lord."
As Seobaek withdrew, Yeon-hoo stood and donned the long robe hanging on the wall. Cha So-ryeong rose as well.
"I have business and must leave immediately. It'll take time, so Baek Mu Yeong—that fellow—will assist you while I'm gone. Ah, how is that fellow, by the way?"
"...Pardon?"
"Was he helpful?"
"More than helpful—excessively so."
"Good. Then."
Yeon-hoo stepped outside. He had somewhere to stop first.
She'll be disappointed.
He had to tell Dongbang Ri she couldn't come along. With Cha So-ryeong and the veiled woman heading to the main house, Dongbang Ri needed to stay for the woman's sake.
Meanwhile, Cha So-ryeong watched Yeon-hoo's retreating back as he left the hall, her eyes trembling.
To think there's someone in this world who can make me feel so small...
She felt ashamed, as if her innermost thoughts had been laid bare—she wanted to crawl into a hole.
But that wasn't all.
My choice was right.
In their brief exchange, trust in Yeon-hoo had taken root. It washed away her anxiety that her decision might be wrong.
That was when Baek Mu Yeong and Dongbang Ri entered.
Dongbang Ri had just been told she couldn't go to Cheokbyeok with Yeon-hoo, but her expression remained unchanged.
Baek Mu Yeong spoke.
"We must leave soon as well."
Cha So-ryeong gazed at Dongbang Ri. Unable to miss the meaning in her eyes, Dongbang Ri replied calmly.
"Fortunately, she's much more stable after resting all night. She should be fine to travel."
* * *
Cha So-ryeong mounted her warhorse. As always, she led from the front.
The only change was Dongbang Ri joining them.
"Move out."
Clang.
Clang.
As the Suzaku Hall began to march, passersby stared. But unaware they were the Suzaku Hall, they paid little mind—save for the young warriors' curiosity at the all-female group.
Passing the main gate, Cha So-ryeong's eyes widened.
She saw the Blood King Army blanketing the plain ahead in black.
"It's the Blood King Army, Hall Leader."
One of her subordinates said tensely.
Cha So-ryeong stared at their symbolic banner, steadying her breath. The mere sight choked her with pressure—a feeling not experienced since her girlhood, overwhelmed by the White Night Cartel's elite.
Her eyes naturally turned to Yeon-hoo and Sinhwi standing side by side at the fore.
Seeing Yeon-hoo made her face heat again. But looking at Sinhwi beside him filled her with involuntary tension.
And that wasn't all.
How strong is the Blood King?
Deep within, a warrior's instinct stirred.
Clang, clang.
The distance between the Blood King Army and Suzaku Hall shrank.
Despite the crushing pressure, Cha So-ryeong maintained her composure. But her subordinates could not. As the gap closed, they grew gripped by extreme tension, one after another.
How many forces in the world could make the White Night Cartel's Suzaku Hall tense just by their presence?
The Blood King Army's reputation was that formidable.
A moment later, passing within twenty jang, Cha So-ryeong cupped her fists toward Yeon-hoo and bowed her head slightly.
[See you at the main house.]
[I'll be waiting.]
Twenty jang was within Cha So-ryeong's transmission range.
Raising her head, she spotted Geomga strategist Baek Do-ryang. As he cupped his fists in greeting, she returned the gesture.
The aura she exuded was markedly different from when facing Yeon-hoo.
That was when it happened.
Dong, dong, dong! Pooo!
Drums and horns blared, and the Blood King Army began to move. The ground trembled faintly, dust clouds rising like smoke in their wake.
Cha So-ryeong and her hall were momentarily entranced.
Their eyes clearly captured Yeon-hoo and Sinhwi charging ahead on splendidly armored warhorses.
"Whoa..."
A gasp escaped one subordinate's lips at that instant.