War Clouds Over Cheokbyeok
Thud thud thud!
Baek Do-ryang, the strategist of Geomga, felt the momentum of the Blood King Army charging forward with his entire body, shaking the very earth. Though they numbered only five thousand, their aura was so overwhelming it tricked the senses into imagining a hundred thousand-strong host on the move. It went beyond impressive—it was downright terrifying.
The North is no longer what it once was. With the Blood King Army alone, the North now possesses a force no power in the world can dare ignore.
Baek Do-ryang stared at the backs of Yeon-hoo and Sinhwi leading the vanguard, and one person came to mind: Great Young Master Bukgung Cheon.
He possesses talents superior to anyone else. If only he could open the door he has sealed shut in his heart and awaken from his stupor, he would become a leader rivaling even my lord.
Thud thud thud!
The dust kicked up by Yeon-hoo and Sinhwi turned Baek Do-ryang's face and hair yellow. But he didn't bother brushing it off, relentlessly whipping his warhorse's flanks to avoid falling behind.
About half a day passed like this. In the distance ahead, a mountain range began to faintly emerge. Leading up to it was a vast plain, with a single river flowing leisurely to the left.
Sinhwi raised his hand. A long trumpet blast echoed, and the Blood King Army gradually slowed.
Sinhwi issued orders to his captains. "Enter the plain and take a half-hour rest."
The plain by the river was the perfect spot for a large army to rest. With grass and water for the warhorses, it was even better for the cavalry-exclusive Blood King Army.
Sinhwi gestured to Baek Do-ryang. "Come, have some tea."
"Thank you."
Baek Do-ryang sat across from Yeon-hoo and Sinhwi. Facing the era's greatest titans felt like sitting on a knife's edge, but he strove to maintain his composure. Still, the tea tasted like saltwater—salty enough to turn bitter.
Yeon-hoo addressed him. "Have you gauged the size of Hwangha Suryeon's forces stationed at Cheokbyeok?"
"From what I gathered before heading to Wall Thunder Manor, they number around fifty thousand. However, we couldn't scout the mountainous region west of Cheokbyeok, so there may be more."
"How many troops do you have?"
"With the reinforcements joining soon, about fifteen thousand."
Fewer than expected, but not unusual. Considering Geomga's focus on elite few, it was almost generous.
"Is the Great Young Master at Cheokbyeok as well?"
"Yes. He joined before I left."
"Did Geom-sin permit it?"
"Well..."
Baek Do-ryang trailed off, then steadied his expression and spoke firmly. "The Great Young Master's resolve to fight is unshakable. My lord had no choice but to allow it."
"Good that he's changed his mind."
"...Pardon?"
Baek Do-ryang looked puzzled at Yeon-hoo's murmur.
"Nothing. In any case, it's time we part ways. As per your request, we'll head north of Cheokbyeok and sever Hwangha Suryeon's supply lines."
"Understood. Then I wish you martial fortune and take my leave."
"Go carefully."
Moments later, Baek Do-ryang departed first. Sinhwi watched his retreating figure on horseback, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"That fellow doesn't look too pleased. Probably disappointed because you were too passive. He must have hoped for our full commitment when he came to ally."
"To fool any Hwangha Suryeon spies in Geomga, we had no choice."
"Of course. By the way, Gwan Baek must be quite busy right now. No rest for him if he wants to time it right like us."
"That guy and the Red Wolf Corps are war fiends who love battle more than anything. Even with time to rest, he'd just charge ahead."
"True enough. Heh heh heh."
Yeon-hoo drained his tea and stood.
"Where to?"
"The river."
"Why the river?"
"My head's throbbing. Need to splash some water on my face."
Yeon-hoo headed toward the river on the plain's left side but halted. He spotted Jeong-cheong and his friends eating rations on one edge of the plain. Jeong-cheong glanced at him, their eyes met, and he slyly looked away.
Pfft.
Yeon-hoo chuckled at Jeong-cheong's face, charred black beyond recognition compared to their first meeting. He seemed thinner too.
Yeon-hoo continued to the river. Then, his eyes sharpened at a figure standing north of the plain—where the Blood King Army had passed.
Too distant to notice without focus; it could pass for a rock. But it was unmistakably human.
Could it be...?
An image flashed in Yeon-hoo's mind: the woman of blood jade, Seorung.
The thought that it might be her sank his mood like a boulder.
If it's really you, abandon your revenge and leave now. Or you'll die by my hand too.
At that moment, the figure vanished.
Yeon-hoo headed to the river, hoping it wasn't Seorung.
* * *
Hwangtae gazed at the resting Blood King Army on the plain, swigging liquor. The potent aroma spread on the wind.
He never drank before, but since learning the secret behind his brother's death, he had started.
Still, I'll kill you with my own hands, Yeon-hoo.
Jeokhon had pushed his brother into danger to lure him out, but Yeon-hoo was the one who killed him.
And after him, that man will answer too.
Having severed all ties, Jeokhon was now another enemy who killed his brother—perhaps including vengeance for his subordinates slaughtered mercilessly in the past.
Gulp! Gulp!
Hwangtae emptied a bottle of fiery liquor without a bite, then sprawled on the grass. Above the drifting clouds, faces of Yeon-hoo and Jeokhon flickered in and out. Garak's pleading face overlapped, but only Yeon-hoo's remained.
I'll find you on the battlefield.
* * *
Cheokbyeok.
Ga Hoe tilted his cup, eyeing Geomga's camp. He sat in a pavilion atop a cliff overlooking it perfectly. An aide refilled his cup each time it emptied.
"Around evening yesterday, three thousand troops joined them."
"Any supply wagons?"
"Scouts report none."
"Makes sense. Small numbers give them supply advantages over us."
"Ah! Great Young Master Bukgung Cheon has joined. With just a handful of guards."
Ga Hoe's eyes flashed at the aide's words.
"Reliable intel?"
"Yes. They confirmed it was Bukgung Cheon."
"Hm..."
Ga Hoe twirled his cup, furrowing his brow. Then he chuckled coldly, murmuring oddly. "A wolf that's lost its cub should be quite the sight. Heh heh heh."
"Planning to send assassins after Bukgung Cheon?"
"Can't pass up a golden chance to shake Geom-sin."
Ga Hoe emptied his cup and continued. "Select a few capable ones and send them to Geomga's camp tonight. Target: Bukgung Cheon."
"Understood."
As the aide left, Ga Hoe poured his own.
Trickle.
Staring at the amber liquor sloshing, his eyes turned the same hue.
Then, a figure appeared ghost-like behind him—cloaked head to toe in pitch-black except for his eyes.
"He's still stubborn, refusing to leave headquarters."
A chilling, emotionless voice leaked from the Black Cloak assassin's lips.
Ga Hoe silently drained his cup.
"Once this war ends, I'll drag that fool out and lead Hwangha Suryeon myself. Let him sulk or throw tantrums—ignore him."
"Shall we clean up his entourage first?"
"Nonsense. They follow him now, but once I'm in charge, most will swear loyalty to me. Leave them be."
"Understood."
"Go."
"Yes."
The Black Cloak vanished like a ghost. Ga Hoe refilled his cup.
Trickle.
He sipped slowly, savoring. Soon, Geomga's camp would be dyed in blood—an appetizer.
"If it were me, I'd have allied with the North long ago. But Geom-sin, your pride won't allow it. That's why we'll win this war. Heh heh heh."
Flutter!
A bird burst from the forest below. Ga Hoe slowly turned, still gripping his cup. A yellow-robed man climbed up.
"Strategist! Disaster!"
"What's with the fuss?"
"Unknown cavalry numbering tens of thousands is marching south toward headquarters!"
"...What?"
"The express report just arrived. Factoring flight time, they'll hit headquarters soon! The leadership is gathering—hurry down!"
Crash!
Ga Hoe shot up, toppling the table. Shattered bottles soaked his shoes in liquor. He descended the pavilion in soaked footwear, then unleashed lightness skill down the mountain.
Soon, he entered the command tent where the leadership gathered. The atmosphere was oppressively heavy.
Bam!
Ga Hoe slammed the table upon entering, raising his voice. "How did our scouts miss tens of thousands approaching headquarters?!"
"They came from the northwest, bypassing our lines."
Tremble...
In truth, before war with Geomga escalated, Ga Hoe had ordered vigilant nets on all paths from the North to headquarters—fearing alliance. The northwest? Ignored. It was solidly Hwangha Suryeon territory.
If it's Northern forces, they detoured an immense distance...
A leader stood. "We must send reinforcements to headquarters immediately. It has twenty thousand defenders, but half are low-tier warriors."
"Yes! Redirect support troops now!"
"Quiet!"
Bam!
Ga Hoe slammed again, silencing the tent. His panicked eyes regained icy calm.
"Pull in forces from the southern northwest sector—they can handle mere cavalry tens of thousands. Stay cool, no panic!"
"...!"
"Geomga's movements?"
"Just basic scouting; otherwise hunkered in camp."
"No Southern forces from the North?"
"None reported."
As the answer ended, someone burst in.
"Strategist! Five thousand cavalry, presumed Blood King Army of Northern Murim, spotted twenty li north of Cheokbyeok, speeding south!"
"Blood King Army, you say?"
"Yes, Strategist!"
The tent erupted in murmurs. Ga Hoe's eyes trembled.
"If Blood King Army heads here, the force on headquarters is likely Northern too."
Sizzle...
Smoke rose from his chair's armrest.
"So Geomga allied with the North after all."
"Then we must prepare countermeasures!"
"I said no panic."
The murmurs died; all awaited orders breathlessly.
Ga Hoe spoke. "Send express to headquarters: defend only until reinforcements arrive—no engagements."
"Strategist! If enemies reach first, the damage to headquarters will be catastrophic!"
"Blood King Army's coming here. Sending support weakens us! They're counting on splitting us—double patrols, set ambushes on their path for guerrilla strikes."
"So Cheokbyeok is their true target?"
"Undoubtedly."
Ga Hoe nodded with conviction. In his mind, Yeon-hoo's arrogant face surfaced.
I'll make you regret meddling in this war.