Chapter 231 - The Road to Gu Ryong Guest Inn (1)
‘Was it really the right choice?’
Umunjeok sank into deep thought. For revenge, he had chosen the North over Geomga. Though his relations with the North had been poor, he had judged it trustworthy enough with Yacha-wang Akso's guarantee. But as time passed, that trust was slowly fading.
Just rip the info out of that bastard's head and smash his skull, bro! Baek-un's words, spoken as if meant for him when they had business to attend to, lingered in his mind. It had been half in jest, of course, but with his faith waning, it grated on him.
‘Yeon-hoo... that guy might actually do it.’
The ruthlessness Yeon-hoo had shown in the war against Northwest Murim and quelling the Jang Family rebellion was already infamous across the world.
‘Damn it... How did I, Umunjeok, end up like this?’
Sudden emotion surged within Umunjeok. With it came the face of his brother, who had met a gruesome end, and hatred and thirst for revenge against Ga Hoe that rose like flames. The overwhelming desire for vengeance, choking the breath from his lungs, even swallowed his doubts about the North.
‘I can't do anything alone anyway. Might as well trust Yacha-wang. A man with eyes like that doesn't spout empty words.’
Kwak.
Umunjeok ground his teeth, shaking off his thoughts, and opened the carriage window.
Tak.
“What? Gotta take a shit again?”
“Need some air.”
“Watch it. Your body's already a mess—if you catch a cold, you might croak before getting proper treatment.”
“I'll outlive you, so butt out, Demon Leader.”
Every word from Baek-un scraped at his nerves. Strangely, though, it didn't piss him off. In fact, he felt more at ease with the chatty Baek-un than the silent Akso.
It was then.
Dudung!
“Kuk!”
The carriage jolted violently, sending pain shooting through him. Umunjeok scowled, glaring at Baek-un's back.
“You do that on purpose?”
“Blame the horse.”
‘At ease my ass. Once my body's healed, Demon Leader or whatever, I'll chew that bastard up first. You dog!’
Umunjeok rubbed his injury and took a deep breath.
“Huwuk.”
He regretted it immediately. The cold air pierced his chest like ice, bringing excruciating pain.
‘Damn it...’
Tak!
Umunjeok closed the window and leaned against the carriage wall. He waited for the pain to subside, then, despite his awkward position, circulated his qi to tend his internal injuries.
How much time passed? The carriage slowed, then stopped. Wondering what was up, Umunjeok cautiously opened the window and peeked out.
A landslide? Ahead on the road, mounds of dirt and rocks piled high. It would take dozens of men days of sweat to clear.
“We'll have to unhitch the horses and ride from here, bro.”
“No choice.”
Baek-un leaped from the carriage and looked back at Umunjeok, who had his head out.
“Get down.”
Umunjeok disembarked, draping himself in the beast pelt from the carriage floor beforehand. With his injuries impairing his qi control, it was the only way to fend off the cold.
Baek-un separated the horses from the carriage. But Umunjeok figured riding wasn't feasible.
“Riding would jostle too much and hurt worse...”
Akso nodded silently.
“Think you can walk?”
“No choice. I'll endure.”
Baek-un released the unhitched horses.
“Make it back alive, you lot.”
If their homing instinct held, they'd return to Geomga safely. Assuming no beasts or hunters got them first.
They resumed on foot. With half a day still to Gu Ryong Guest Inn, it would be a trial for Umunjeok.
About two hours later, the wind picked up fiercely.
Hwiing!
Passeu...
Even the snow whipped by the gale tormented Umunjeok. Unable to breathe properly, his stamina drained twice as fast. Still, he endured. He had confidence that from youth, his grit and tenacity outmatched anyone's—and it had propelled him to lead one of the White Night Eight Great Families. Even if derided as a bandit chief.
‘If not for that chewable bastard Ga Hoe, I wouldn't have been fingered as a bandit chief...’
Truth be told, Umunjeok wanted to elevate Hwangha Suryeon to match its status as one of the great families. It had devolved into banditry because Ga Hoe shunned no robbery for profit.
“Huu, huu...”
Just thinking of Ga Hoe stirred his emotions, leaving him breathless. Unable to hold out longer, he bent at the waist.
“Sorry... can we rest a bit?”
“One hour, then we go.”
Plop!
Umunjeok collapsed into the snow. His body was soaked in cold sweat, and blood seeped anew from his wounds.
Seeing this, Baek-un inwardly admired him.
‘Worse than a normal man from his injuries, yet he endured two hours in this weather without complaint...’
Baek-un turned to Akso.
“Gu Ryong Guest Inn's town is close. I'll carry him the rest.”
“Sounds good.”
“No need.”
“What?”
“I've never needed anyone's help carrying me. I'll walk on my own.”
“Hey, this ain't the time for pride! Don't regret it—hop on.”
“Regret? Never had...”
Umunjeok trailed off. Before, he could claim it confidently, but since Ga Hoe's betrayal, he lived mired in regret daily.
‘Should've struck first before he moved to claim my seat...’
Hwangha Suryeon held secrets unknown to the world—known only to Ga Hoe, his confidants, and Umunjeok. The utmost secret.
Puk.
Umunjeok shoveled snow into his mouth, then washed his face with it to clear his foggy mind.
“Got any food?”
“This work?”
Akso pulled jerky from his bosom.
“Thanks.”
Umunjeok chewed. Akso and Baek-un did the same, resting.
“Got a question...”
“Ask.”
“Heard you allied with Geomga... Why'd Red Wolf Corps only reclaim three Northwest cities? You could've hit our headquarters for more gains.”
“I think the same.”
“...!”
“Truth is, we were guarding Dae Ji-jon in Baekya-beol. Got a mission en route to the lord's place. Ran into you by chance.”
“Why guard Dae Ji-jon from the North?”
“Not our full job—just lending a hand.”
“So Iron Blood Family head's close with Dae Ji-jon.”
“Something like that.”
Baek-un cut in.
“Hey, villain sir. Quit prying and get up. Hour's up.”
Umunjeok glared up at Baek-un, frowning.
“No matter how I look, Demon Leader, you're one unlucky bastard.”
“Takes one to know one.”
“Let's move.”
Akso led. Baek-un glowered at Umunjeok to hurry.
Then—
“Uwaak!”
“Kuaak!”
Screams rode the wind. Akso raised a hand, halting them. Baek-un approached.
“What now?”
Akso scanned around, then pointed left for Baek-un.
“I'll check. Wait there.”
The spot blended rocks and trees—undetectable unless sought.
“Careful, bro.”
Pat!
Baek-un watched Akso vanish in snowdust, then moved with Umunjeok.
About fifteen minutes later, Akso returned, handing Umunjeok a cloth scrap.
“Know this emblem?”
“This... where from?”
“Torn from a corpse's uniform.”
Umunjeok's eyes trembled.
“Used by Ga Hoe's hounds. Means they passed us...”
“Tough guys?”
“Tracking specialists. Stronger in linked sword formations than individually—their leader's top-tier in Hwangha Suryeon.”
Baek-un asked.
“What's the deal?”
“Looks like Baekya-beol clashed with Hwangha Suryeon. Five corpses—three with this emblem.”
“Those screams...”
“Yeah. Tracks suggest big numbers on both sides.”
“Must be Baekya-beol's special unit we saw at the pass. Impressive to match them... like he said, tough bastards.”
Akso nodded silently. Baek-un grinned.
“Good for us. They bleed each other dry, fewer chasing the main force and him.”
“If no issues on our path...”
Akso trailed off, staring ahead. An hour and a half to the town. Who knew what might happen? With Baek-un, no fear—but Umunjeok was the issue. One blind swing, and all effort wasted.
‘No choice but to go.’
“I'll scout ahead. Follow.”
“Yes.”
They moved. But soon, Akso's worry materialized.
Hududuk!
Snow tumbled from shaking forest trees ahead. Akso drew sword; Baek-un, greatsword.
Ten yellow-robed figures emerged from the snow-laden woods.
“...!”
Umunjeok's face hardened. Ga Hoe's hounds, as mentioned.
His eyes flashed murder at a gray-robe behind them—one of his once-trusted subordinates who defected to Ga Hoe at the end.
The gray-robe's eyes widened briefly, then he smirked coldly.
“Heaven helps us. Detoured around those pests into town, and we find you here. Heh heh heh.”
“Worse than a dog!”
“Says the one who bit his master. Heh heh heh.”
At his signal, yellow-robes formed trios, spreading out.
Umunjeok said gravely.
“Linked assault sword formation. Careful.”
Before he finished, Baek-un was at his side, slowly raising his greatsword.
[Protect Umunjeok.]
That was his mission.
Akso gripped his sword.
Sreung.
His impassive eyes ignited with feral fury.
“Hey, you lot. Know this is Northern territory?”