Jeokhon's Regret
Half a shi had passed since they set out—perhaps?
Whoosh!
With the blizzard intensifying and fierce winds joining the fray, Yeon-hoo judged it impossible to press on. He scanned for shelter and soon spotted a deep, towering cave not far off.
Yeon-hoo laid Hwangtae inside the cave and gathered branches to build a fire. A chase between Geomga and Hwangha Suryeon was unfolding nearby, making it risky, but he had no choice with Hwangtae in tow. In his wounded state, he couldn't sustain Hwangtae's body heat with internal energy alone.
Crackle, crackle.
As the flames devoured the wood, the cave rapidly filled with warmth. Yeon-hoo leaned against the wall, eyes closed, reviewing the weaknesses and countermeasures exposed in his duel with Hwangtae.
If he'd neglected the family arts, I might have struggled.
Hwangtae had relied solely on the Blood Jade Demonic Art, which Yeon-hoo knew inside out, making it an easy matchup. But the decisive victory came from the Iron Blood Family's techniques. Still, that final unforeseen ploy had left him injured—a point to mull over endlessly.
How strong is Jeokhon?
Even after subduing Hwangtae, a heavy weight lingered in Yeon-hoo's heart, all because of Jeokhon. A man who commanded elites like Hwangtae had to be far superior. If Jeokhon favored the Blood Jade Demonic Art as his mainstay, there'd be little worry—Hwangtae proved its limits. But if not, complacency was suicide.
Among the White Night Eight Great Families' heads, Jeokhon was as enigmatic as the lords of Ghost Family and Jeonga, with scant rumors to his name. Even Cheol Gun-ak had once named him the most troublesome foe.
I need to master the Mad Demon Sword freely, and soon.
Crack!
A flock of birds burst from the trees outside the cave. Yeon-hoo rose and approached the entrance, peering out. Beyond the wind-tossed forest, a wild boar suddenly charged into view.
Sensing potential trouble, Yeon-hoo extended his ki sense to probe the surroundings. Nothing stirred.
Then—
"Ugh..."
A groan echoed from behind. Hwangtae had opened his eyes, writhing in agony.
Yeon-hoo returned and examined Hwangtae's eyes. They were clouded with pain, focus shattered and pupils murky.
"Guh..."
As Yeon-hoo pressed an acupoint, Hwangtae slumped unconscious once more. Yeon-hoo leaned back against the wall, eyes shut, channeling his unique breathing method to restore his depleted stamina and internal energy.
How much time passed?
Clang!
"Argh!"
"Uwaaak!"
The clash of weapons and agonized screams rang from outside.
What a nuisance.
Gripping Hwangtae's sword, Yeon-hoo moved to the entrance and took position there.
Clang!
Kaboom!
"Kraaak!"
"Uwaaak!"
"The bastards are fleeing! Pursue them!"
The chase drew ever closer to the cave—an unwelcome interruption for Yeon-hoo, who craved rest.
After about an incense stick's time—
Whoosh!
The forest ahead shuddered as around ten Black Cloaks burst forth—Hwangha Suryeon warriors. Geomga elites pursued, slashing fiercely.
Splat!
"Argh!"
"Ugh!"
Two Hwangha Suryeon fighters spewed blood and tumbled. In the chaos, one Geomga elite lost his head.
Enraged by their comrade's death, the Geomga experts leaped to block the Black Cloaks' path. By ill chance, they landed squarely between Yeon-hoo at the cave and the fleeing foes.
In the heat of pursuit, neither side noticed Yeon-hoo.
Then, a figure emerged from the right-side woods. Yeon-hoo's eyes sharpened.
It was Geomga's heir, Bukgung Cheon.
He's a mess.
Yeon-hoo gave a wry smile at Bukgung Cheon's blood-soaked form—long robe and hair matted, utterly unlike the man he'd known.
"Huh?!"
Bukgung Cheon gaped, spotting Yeon-hoo at the cave mouth.
Yeon-hoo spoke calmly. "Ignore me and finish your business."
"Please wait a moment."
"Fine."
Bukgung Cheon bowed to Yeon-hoo, then whirled toward the Black Cloaks. At that instant, one charged him, while two behind hurled hidden weapons.
"Young lord! Danger!"
"Gasp!"
The Geomga experts cried out in shock. But Bukgung Cheon, unflinching, erected a sword barrier and thrust his left palm at the charging foe.
Thud!
"Gah!"
Clatter!
His palm pierced the man's chest as the projectiles ricocheted off his sword screen, scattering wildly.
Impressive.
Yeon-hoo admired the battlefield savvy—no green recruit could match such veteran improvisation.
"No prisoners. Kill them all!"
At Bukgung Cheon's icy command, the Geomga experts surged forward.
"Argh!"
"Uwaaak!"
It was no fight—a one-sided slaughter. Two tried to flee, only for Bukgung Cheon's blade to sever their heads.
Thud!
One rolled to Yeon-hoo's feet.
Soon, all Black Cloaks lay dead. Bukgung Cheon approached Yeon-hoo.
"Lord, why are you here...?"
"Had some business. How fares the pursuit?"
"The enemy's resistance was fierce; we've struggled. But we'll achieve our goals."
Bukgung Cheon widened his eyes again, noticing Yeon-hoo's injury.
"...Are you hurt?"
"It's nothing."
"I don't know the details, but let us escort you to safety!"
"Shouldn't you chase Hwangha Suryeon?"
"No. The pursuit ended moments ago. These I was after fled here, so I followed."
Yeon-hoo welcomed the timing. Moving alone was easy, but hauling Hwangtae would benefit from aid.
"Need to take this one back too..."
"Who is he?"
"My prisoner."
"...!"
Bukgung Cheon nodded after a puzzled blink. "Head to our camp first?"
"No. Straight to the top."
"Ah... Understood. Then I'll escort you to Iron Blood Family myself."
"You'll have much to handle after. Just give me two horses and two warriors."
"Still..."
"It's fine, young lord."
Seeing further insistence futile, Bukgung Cheon turned and pointed to two warriors.
"This is the lord of the North. Serve him with utmost respect."
"...!"
Did they not know Yeon-hoo? The two young experts—and the elites behind—gasped and bowed in unison.
Snap to attention!
"We'll fetch the horses!"
The youths dashed into the woods. Another Geomga expert offered his own long robe with deference.
"Thank you."
Yeon-hoo's disheveled state left no room for refusal. He donned it and met Bukgung Cheon's gaze.
"So, you've fully changed your mind?"
"Yes. Meeting you brought deep realization. Now, as Geomga's heir and heir to South Murim, I've resolved to live properly."
"Good choice."
"All thanks to you, lord."
Bukgung Cheon's eyes gleamed with newfound resolve—utterly transformed. "No prisoners. Kill them all." Words the old him couldn't have uttered.
Sword God will be pleased.
Yeon-hoo didn't particularly like Bukgung Cheon, but his potential was undeniable.
"One question."
"Ask."
"How long is our alliance valid?"
"How long would you like?"
"Ideally, eternal."
"Then earn the family head's approval first. Claim eternal alliance after."
"I want your intent first."
"Mine matches yours."
"Thank you! Haha!"
Yeon-hoo noted the blooming smile across Bukgung Cheon's face, reminiscent of Bukgung So.
Your father would never desire eternal alliance with us.
Soon, the youths returned with horses. Yeon-hoo bid Bukgung Cheon farewell.
"Good fortune, young lord."
"I'll visit soon. Safe travels."
Bukgung Cheon stood watch until Yeon-hoo vanished from sight. A senior expert behind him ventured cautiously, "Do you know what stratagem the North's lord employed?"
"No."
"It's baffling. Hwangha Suryeon, defending Cheokbyeok with all their might, suddenly retreats despite outnumbering us? All we know is Blood King Army reached north of Cheokbyeok—nothing else."
Bukgung Cheon turned with his signature smile. "We'll know soon. Shall we head back?"
* * *
Blood Family headquarters.
Jeokhon, who had abandoned Yeon-hoo and rushed back due to unforeseen events, sat on the throne, eyes tightly shut. His exterior was unchanged, but turmoil churned within.
Tremble...
His eyelids quivered faintly.
All the effort, time, and gold poured into that bastard...
To forge Hwangtae into his secret weapon, he'd imparted the Blood Family's exclusive ultimate secret arts without stint, lavished fortunes on boosting his internal energy, even gifted one of the house's two treasured swords.
Now, Hwangtae might be lost. Worse, they could become blood enemies.
Jeokhon, who knew better than anyone how dearly Hwangtae cherished his brother, could gauge the shock he'd endured.
Damn it...
He regretted sparing Garak on the spot—endlessly. But rage only swelled.
"My lord."
A middle-aged man entered the hall. Jeokhon opened his eyes and fixed him with a stare.
The man approached, bowed, and reported. "As ordered, we searched all towns and villages within fifty ri of headquarters. No sign of former Jeonju Hwangtae. Seems he never intended to return."
Tremble...
Jeokhon's eyelids twitched again. Telling Ilho he was heading back, then vanishing? The implication was clear.
If he watched me abandon even Lee Yeon-hoo to hurry here...
This confirmed Hwangtae had learned the secret of his brother's death through Garak. He'd lied to Ilho to verify it.
Crack!
The throne's armrest splintered, shards clattering to the floor.
The man said, "We must eliminate former Jeonju Hwangtae. He knows too much about our house."
"Leave me. I wish to be alone."
"...Yes."
As the man reached the doors, Jeokhon called him back.
"Wait."
The man turned. In a voice heavy with finality, Jeokhon commanded, "Track Hwangtae's movements first."
"Understood!"