Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 23 - The Head of the Dongbang Family
"That's right. We are warriors of the Dongbang Family!"
The Dongbang Family was the clan of Yeon-hoo's mother. Once a prominent house in Northern Murim, it had been driven to ruin after she became the principal wife, by the decree of her husband, Patriarch Yi Yeom, who sought to distance himself from his wife's relatives.
"What happened?"
"Well..."
The young man began pouring out his grievances. His heartfelt lament lasted fully two shichen.
Yeon-hoo listened in silence. Even he felt his eyes flicker with emotion when the man revealed that their ancestral home of centuries had recently fallen into the hands of creditors.
Those creditors were none other than the Blue Dragon Hall.
"Those vile bastards used the debt as an excuse to seize even the patriarch's residence. All our family's warriors steeled themselves for death and fought back... but... ugh!"
The young man choked up, breaking into sobs before he could finish.
"You still have a patriarch?"
Regaining his composure, the young man continued. According to him, Yeon-hoo's maternal uncle had, in his lifetime, taken in a girl and entered her into the family register. She had since voluntarily assumed the role of patriarch to prevent the lineage from dying out, eking out its survival alongside the few remaining warriors.
"Where is your patriarch now?"
"..."
The young man hesitated. Yeon-hoo assumed it was because the man didn't fully trust him yet—a reasonable suspicion, given that his own father was the one who had pushed the Dongbang Family down the path of decline.
"No one loved this place more than I did. So trust me."
At Yeon-hoo's words, the young man steadied his breathing and pointed toward the northern mountains.
"She fled there with the household, evading the clutches of the Blue Dragon Hall's fiends."
"How many are with her?"
"Around a hundred, give or take. And most of them are wounded..."
Tears streamed down the young man's face again. His deep-seated resentment made his entire body tremble. The injured youth beside him shook just as violently.
"Cheol-u."
"Yes, my lord."
"Tend to that man's wounds first."
"Understood."
Yeon-hoo turned his gaze to the Blue Dragon Hall warriors. Already cowed by his presence, they stared at him in wide-eyed terror.
"Go tell your hall leader that I'll visit tomorrow, and he had better stay put. Add that if he dares leave, he'll be executed for defying the patriarch's command."
"Y-yes, sir!"
Yeon-hoo watched them scamper off like rabbits before turning back to the two young men.
"I'll go to your patriarch."
It was a deep gorge. From outside, it was completely hidden by the forest—no one who hadn't been there before could possibly find it. The perfect place to hide.
Guided by the young man, Yeon-hoo entered the gorge. Faint presences soon prickled at his senses from not far off. They were holding their breath, aware of the intruders.
A little farther in, the first young man reappeared, accompanied by several others.
Yeon-hoo focused on the woman leading them. She was strikingly beautiful. She walked straight toward him, meeting his eyes without flinching. But her gaze held no warmth—only the wariness of one facing an enemy, mingled with bewilderment.
Clank.
Clank.
With every step, the metallic jangle echoed from the arsenal of weapons strapped to her body.
A true warrior woman.
She halted about thirty feet away, then cupped her fists in salute and bowed her head slightly. No words of greeting.
Yeon-hoo asked calmly, unperturbed.
"Are you the head of the Dongbang Family?"
"Dongbang Ri greets the young master."
Though Yun Hoe would normally object to being called "young master," he held his tongue this time.
"I need to see the others."
"I'll guide you."
Dongbang Ri turned first. Yeon-hoo followed her deeper into the gorge.
Soon, makeshift shelters appeared, ingeniously built into the cliffs and foliage. Even without channeling his energy, Yeon-hoo could hear the groans emanating from them—undoubtedly the wounded from the clash with Blue Dragon Hall.
Twitch.
His brow furrowed like a blade. The rage surging from within was not aimed at Blue Dragon Hall, but at his father.
Then—
"Young master!"
A voice like retching blood rang out from the left. Yeon-hoo stopped and turned.
It was an old woman, her palm-sized face etched with wrinkles.
Yeon-hoo recognized her at once. She was the Dongbang Family's nursemaid, who had cared for his mother since childhood—like a grandmother to him.
"Grandmother!"
Dongbang Ri leaped to support her.
"I told you not to come out in the cold wind, Grandmother."
"How could I stay lying down when our young master has come? Is it really him?"
"It's been a long time, Nanny Soso."
Soso was the nickname he'd given her as a child—a playful moniker because she smiled so brightly around him that time flew by unnoticed.
"Waaah!"
The old woman, Nanny Soso, burst into loud wails.
Yeon-hoo took her bony hand.
"Young master! You've really come! Waaah!"
Her voice grew faint, her strength ebbing.
Yeon-hoo placed his palm on her back, slowly infusing qi and pressing several acupoints.
As Soso went limp, Dongbang Ri's eyes widened.
"What did you do?"
"If her emotions flare up more, it could be dangerous. Let her rest peacefully until morning."
Dongbang Ri exhaled in relief. Yeon-hoo scooped up Soso.
Yun Hoe stopped Cheol-u from stepping forward. Yeon-hoo carried her into her shelter.
It was pathetically barren—nothing but clothes on the wall and a blanket to suggest anyone lived there.
Yeon-hoo gently laid Soso down, covered her with the blanket, and wiped the tears from her face.
From behind, Dongbang Ri's voice trembled.
"She said she couldn't die until she saw you again. She prayed to the heavens without fail, every single day... for fifteen years."
Her eyes reddened as she trailed off.
Yeon-hoo said nothing. Dongbang Ri started to speak but fell silent.
Time passed quietly.
How much time? "Cheol-u, come in."
Yun Hoe opened the door and entered.
"Can you send an express messenger to the main house?"
"All sects under Northern Murim use the main house's messenger birds. You can send one right away from Blue Dragon Hall."
Yeon-hoo released Soso's hand and stood. Sensing the ominous shift in his demeanor, Yun Hoe worried blood might flow.
"Tell me the message, and I'll go to Blue Dragon Hall first to send it."
"I'll go myself."
"...Understood."
Blue Dragon Hall lay relatively southwest in Northern Murim, wielding the greatest influence in the area. Since Patriarch Yi Yeom's era, they had forged close ties with powerhouses like the Jang Family. After his death, they began their bold moves in earnest.
Hall Leader Hong Mun had sworn blood brotherhood with Jang Cheon—the man certain to become the next patriarch—aiming for a foothold in the center.
The first step in that ambition: absorbing the Dongbang Family.
Though now decayed, it was still revered as the house that produced the principal wife of the patriarch. Bringing it under his wing would elevate his political standing.
But things hadn't gone as planned. He had met unexpected, fierce resistance.
Thud!
Hong Mun set down his teacup roughly.
"What a mess, all because of that wench with no Dongbang blood in her veins!"
His fury-filled voice made Chief Steward Hong Seop, seated opposite, look flustered.
"Just give it a little more time. We've learned the wench and her followers are hiding in the northern mountains. We'll round them up soon enough."
"How do you expect to find them if they've dug in across those vast mountains?!"
"That's why I'm saying... give me some funds, and I'll move the Beggars' Clan. With their numbers, we'll pinpoint the remnants in days."
"How much?"
"Silver taels, probably..."
"Hall Leader!"
A urgent shout from outside cut Hong Seop off. A warrior burst in, another trailing behind.
Hong Mun scowled at the second man.
"Why the long face? Did you botch it again?"
"Well... the second young master of the Iron Blood Family appeared out of nowhere. He said he'd visit the hall tomorrow and warned you to stay put."
"What? The Iron Blood Family's second young master?!"
"Yes. We didn't recognize him, but he said it himself. And the man with him called him 'my lord'—we heard it clearly."
Creases formed on Hong Mun's brow. Rumors had swirled lately of the second young master's return. He'd sent a messenger to the Jang Family to verify, but no reply yet.
Hong Seop said gravely, "The Dongbang Family is his maternal clan... If it's really him, we need a plan. Considering what we've done to them..."
"Shut your mouth! 'What we've done'?!)
"Forgive me! I spoke out of shock!"
Thud!
"Hmph! Even if it is the second young master, he can't touch us lightly. The Iron Blood Family has fallen so low it's no longer the patriarch's house. With the Jang Family behind us, what can he do?!"
Hong Mun sneered arrogantly, chastising Hong Seop. It was overconfidence born of ignorance. Had he known Yeon-hoo had received the Iron Blood seal from Elder Chairman Song Gyeom, and that even Jang Cheon had yielded a step, his reaction would have been entirely different.
Then, a deep voice drifted in from outside.
"Hall Leader, guests from the Jang Family have arrived."
"The Jang Family?"
Hong Mun, who had been lounging like an emperor, straightened his expression and shot to his feet.
A man entered. Early forties, sharp-featured, dual swords at his side.
Hong Mun's eyes bulged in astonishment. This was a renowned expert and heavyweight from the Jang Family.
"What brings the Dual Sword Master to this humble place?"
"I was passing by on business and thought of you, so I stopped in. It wouldn't be right to come this far without paying my respects."
"Heavens, for the great Dual Sword Master to think of me—I'm at a loss. Please, take the seat of honor."
Hong Mun yielded it readily; the Dual Sword Master sat as if it were natural.
"You there! Prepare wine for our esteemed guest!"
Soon, maids brought in the table, and the drinking began.
As they uncorked the second bottle, a warrior entered with a stiff face.
"Someone's here... I think you should see them yourself."