Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 216 - I Will Kill You
Thud thud thud!
For a time, the Blood King Army, which had held position north of Red Cliffs, resumed its advance. Their direction: straight toward Red Cliffs.
Sin Hwi was nowhere to be seen. He had moved out with a small detachment of the Blood King Army to strike at the Yellow River Lily forces lying in ambush.
Yeon-hoo led the Blood King Army from the vanguard.
It worked perfectly.
He already knew from reports that everything had unfolded exactly as planned. All that remained was to drive out the Yellow River Lily forces confronting Geomga at Red Cliffs.
Drive them out without a fight.
The most crucial objective of this campaign was to achieve their goals without spilling blood. Minimizing casualties would blunt the scrutiny from White Night Cartel and the other families, preventing them from turning their full attention northward. That was the optimal path.
"My lord!"
Seobaek, who had been out on reconnaissance, came galloping up.
"Yellow River Lily is beginning to retreat!"
"Did you confirm it clearly?"
"Yes!"
"What about Geomga's movements?"
"Just as you predicted, my lord. They're gearing up for pursuit. I confirmed a large force chasing after the retreating Yellow River Lily."
"Of course they would."
Yeon-hoo had Geomga's Sword God, Bukgung So, pegged perfectly. The man he knew wouldn't let retreating Yellow River Lily forces slip away unchallenged.
His pride wouldn't allow it.
"Shall we aid Geomga?"
"We've already fulfilled our role as allies. And Sword God isn't the type to expect our help even in this situation. We'll just watch."
"Then where does this army head?"
"We turn back."
"Pardon?"
"We resumed the march ostentatiously just to flush Yellow River Lily from Red Cliffs. Now that they've started retreating, there's no need to descend all the way."
"Then..."
"We'll return once Blood King rejoins us."
"Understood."
Bwoooong!
The long blare of the horn echoed, and the Blood King Army halted its advance. Yeon-hoo turned to Sin U.
"Wait here, and return immediately when Blood King arrives."
"Aren't you returning with us, my lord?"
"I have a bit more business. Seobaek."
"Yes, my lord."
"Go back with the Blood King Army."
"I'll go with you, my lord."
"No need. I prefer to travel alone."
"...Yes."
Yeon-hoo promptly departed from the Blood King Army. Sin U watched his retreating figure, his face etched with profound awe.
"Even if Zhuge Liang himself returned to life, he couldn't have achieved a more flawless victory. Just by maneuvering the troops, he expelled Yellow River Lily from the northwest and Red Cliffs entirely..."
Seobaek picked up the thread.
"After serving alongside the lord, feats like this barely stir the blood anymore. Still, everyone seems a bit bored?"
At Seobaek's words, Sin U glanced at his aides.
"Bored?"
"Yes. Bored and a bit anticlimactic... We came all this way and might head back without swinging our swords once."
"Agreed!"
"Me too."
Sin U grinned at his aides' complaints.
"This is the first time the Blood King Army has won without fighting. Etch this campaign's lesson deep in your hearts."
"...Yes."
While most reacted with indifference, some stifled cheers of relief—Jeongcheong and his friends. Tense during the resumed march, fearing the worst, they nearly whooped at the order to withdraw.
Grit.
Jeongcheong bit his lip hard.
Once we're back, I'll get out of the Blood King Army no matter what it takes.
That was when it happened.
"Enemies on the left!"
"Enemies!"
In the sudden chaos, Jeongcheong's head snapped left reflexively. Hundreds, by rough count, burst from the woods. Their attire marked them unmistakably as Yellow River Lily.
And by ill fortune, they charged straight toward Jeongcheong and his friends' unit.
"Battle formation!"
Clang clang clang!
The surrounding Blood King Army drew weapons in unison. Jeongcheong and his friends followed suit, but their faces were rigid as stone.
Of all places, here...
Drip.
Cold sweat trickled down Jeongcheong's cheek in that brief moment.
"Perfect timing—we were getting bored! You bastards!"
"Wipe them out, not a single one spared!"
"Hahaha!"
The Blood King warriors around them seemed to welcome the fight. The sight intimidated Jeongcheong and his friends as much as the enemy.
Damn it, laughing in a situation like this... These guys are mad for battle down to their bones!
"Hey, you lot!"
Jeongcheong turned at the gruff voice. His unit's captain bared his teeth in a grin.
"First campaign?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Then hang back today. You know what happens if you shrink away in fear, right?"
"...Yes!"
"Charge!"
The captain bolted first. His unit surged after him in a frenzy, sweeping Jeongcheong and his friends along.
Notably, no other Blood King Army units stirred. Sin U merely observed, issuing no further orders.
Seobaek asked, puzzled.
"Why only that unit engaging?"
"A handful of them—no need for the whole army to make a fuss."
"Wouldn't more troops minimize casualties?"
"That'd bruise their pride... Besides, no real losses. That unit's damn strong."
"..."
Splat splat!
Clang!
"Argh!"
"Aaaagh!"
Screams rent the air as battle erupted. Sin U watched from horseback, frowning.
"Hope those frozen stiffs can even swing straight. Tsk tsk tsk."
His gaze fixed on Jeongcheong and his friends.
The clash didn't last long. Or rather, it scarcely qualified as a battle—it ended in a blink.
The Yellow River Lily forces surrendered the instant they collided.
They were ambushers who had fled when Blood King Sin Hwi stormed their position, only to blunder into the waiting Blood King Army.
Jeongcheong's captain turned to Sin U.
"Prisoners are a hassle. Shall we just kill them all?"
Sin U delayed his reply, eyeing Jeongcheong. The youth hadn't landed a proper strike, yet he was drenched head to toe—tripped into a pile of corpses amid the chaos.
"Hey, you."
"...Yes?"
"What to do with the surrendered?"
"...!"
Jeongcheong stammered, speechless. His old self would have preached accepting surrender as battlefield righteousness.
"Like your captain says, they're a pain. Kill them all here?"
"I... will follow orders!"
"Will you now?"
Sin U's lip curled faintly at Jeongcheong's response. He then ordered the captain.
"No need for prisoners."
Jeongcheong's eyes flickered. Though a conviction he'd touted for his own gain, a sliver of sincerity lingered—and Sin U's words pricked his conscience.
But Sin U's next command defied expectation.
"Drag them all to Geomga's camp. Geomga took the losses; let them decide the prisoners' fate."
"Understood!"
Sin U fixed on Jeongcheong again.
"If Geomga slaughters them, will you still call it unjust?"
"...!"
Jeongcheong had no answer. Sin U's transmission voice slipped into his ear.
[Never forget: true justice first considers the victim's side. And one more thing... The world may call us battle-mad ghosts, but we're not demons. Remember that.]
"...!"
[I won't forget those words—'I will follow orders.']
Whoosh!
Yeon-hoo raced northwest of Red Cliffs. If pursuit was underway, that direction would be the battlefield. His hunch proved spot-on.
"Argh!"
"Ugh!"
Clang!
"Chase them! Don't let a single one escape!"
Not far off, agonized screams and clash of arms rang out. A rugged mountain zone, ten li northwest of Red Cliffs. Corpses littered the path—mostly Yellow River Lily, though Geomga dead mingled here and there.
The dying writhed and groaned, but Yeon-hoo ignored them, plunging into the mountains.
About two hours later, he halted at a peak sliced flat as if by a blade.
He advanced to the cliff edge, overlooking the slaughter below. Dense woods obscured much, but in sparse clearings, the chase unfolded vividly.
Whoooosh!
A sword gale from the cliff base raked his body. Yeon-hoo turned slowly, meeting the gaze of the man staring him down.
Hwangtae.
He spoke first, locking eyes.
"Did you come here instead of returning north... because of me?"
"Curious why you're chasing me, swearing to kill. Your identity intrigues me too." Yeon-hoo admitted plainly.
Hwangtae eyed Yeon-hoo's sword wordlessly. From scabbard to tip, it was common street iron.
Flash!
Hwangtae's eyes gleamed.
"Draw your Demon Blade, Yeon-hoo."
"...!"
Yeon-hoo concealed his inner shock.
How does he know...?
Shing.
Hwangtae drew his blade. Yeon-hoo masked his surprise with cool indifference.
"How did you know I passed the Millennium Gate?"
"No secret lasts forever."
Yeon-hoo saw further questions were futile and shifted tack.
"You know me, but I don't know you. Fair to reveal your identity first? Make it even, no?"
Hwangtae glared briefly, then complied.
"Hwangtae. Until recently, of the Blood Clan."
"Not anymore?"
Hwangtae nodded admission. Yeon-hoo pressed.
"Did you kill Blood Clan's elder Garak?"
"You could say that."
An odd reply.
"Then not by Jeokhon's order. Why kill me? After the Demon Blade?"
Hiss.
Thick killing intent oozed from Hwangtae.
"My brother died by your hand. Isn't that justification enough to take your head...?"
"I see."
Shing.
Yeon-hoo slowly drew his sword. At the utterly ordinary blade, Hwangtae's eyes flashed again.
"Facing me with mere iron? If you don't want regrets, draw the Demon Blade now."
"This'll suffice. No need."
"Insult me, and I'll make your death agonizing."
"Enough talk. Begin."
Hummm!
Yeon-hoo's sword emitted azure light, spreading to bathe his entire form in a bluish glow.