Chronicles of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 24: Taking the Azure Dragon Hall Leader into Custody
Yeon-hoo stared straight at Hong Mun's face as he emerged from the building, flanked by his warriors. The arrogance etched into his features and the restless flicker in his eyes marked him as exactly the type Yeon-hoo despised.
"Come on in, Young Master."
Hong Mun had never laid eyes on Yeon-hoo before, but the resemblance to the late hall leader Yi Yeom, combined with Yun Hoe's presence, made it easy enough to guess his identity.
"I'll let it slide this once. But from now on, you'll treat me not as a young master, but as your lord."
"Even if you're the late leader's legitimate heir, a lord is—"
Hong Mun's words trailed off. His gaze had fallen on Dongbang Ri standing behind Yeon-hoo. In an instant, his eyes sharpened.
Thwack!
Something flashed. A sword embedded itself in the pillar right beside Hong Mun's head.
"...!"
Hong Mun's eyes bulged in shock as he instantly recognized the trembling blade. It was the treasured sword, the symbol of his lord.
How does this bastard have that...?
As Hong Mun reeled, the sword pulled itself free and flew back into Yeon-hoo's hand with a metallic clink!
Yeon-hoo sheathed it indifferently. "As I said, I'll overlook it just this once."
"...!"
"And are you going to keep me standing out here?"
"...Please, come in."
Yeon-hoo strode inside. Yun Hoe, Cheol-u, and Dongbang Ri followed.
As she passed Hong Mun, Dongbang Ri shot him a frigid glare.
Upon entering Hong Mun's residence, the Twin Swordsman rose, bowed his head, and yielded the seat of honor where he'd been sitting.
"I've come to pay my respects to the young master."
His manner and tone were polite enough, but his eyes betrayed otherwise.
Yeon-hoo ignored it and brushed past him, heading straight for the head seat—Hong Mun's rightful place. He sat and fixed the Twin Swordsman with a steady gaze.
"You're from the Jang Family."
"They call me the Twin Swordsman."
"I know. Sit down."
Hong Mun entered just then and glimpsed Yeon-hoo in his own seat. His eyes flashed with fury, but he said nothing and took a seat beside the Twin Swordsman.
Without preamble, Yeon-hoo held out his cup. "Pour me one."
Hong Mun and the Twin Swordsman exchanged hesitant glances. But soon Hong Mun lifted the bottle and filled Yeon-hoo's cup.
Glug, glug.
Yeon-hoo drained it and held it out again. Hong Mun refilled it.
Rage boiled within Hong Mun at the brazen display, but the sight of the treasured sword left him no choice but to endure.
Thud!
Yeon-hoo downed two cups in quick succession and locked eyes with Hong Mun. "I hear you've been squeezing my maternal clan dry. Is that true?"
"It wasn't squeezing—it was the rightful exercise of authority over unpaid debts."
Hong Mun's tone had already shifted. The power of that sword, no doubt.
Dongbang Ri cut in coldly at his words. "Lies! He hounded the clan with outrageous interest rates and intimidated the merchants we dealt with into giving false testimony!"
"How dare a wench like you—"
Slap!
"Gah!"
Hong Mun's head snapped to the side. A clear handprint bloomed on his cheek—Yeon-hoo's, of course.
"Daring to call the head of my maternal clan a 'wench.' You're begging to die, Hong Mun."
"Young master! What is the meaning of this?! Even you can't treat me this way!"
"This?"
Slap!
"Kuh!"
Hong Mun's head whipped around again. This time his cheek split open, lips bursting.
As the Twin Swordsman flinched and half-rose from his seat beside him, a sword pressed against his throat—Cheol-u's.
Looking up at Cheol-u, the Twin Swordsman quailed before the man's eyes, fierce enough to shred his pupils.
"Cheol-u."
"Yes, my lord."
"If that one moves again, you may take his head."
"Understood."
Shing.
Cheol-u's blade bit into the Twin Swordsman's flesh. Blood dripped steadily, but he couldn't twitch a finger.
Yeon-hoo stared into Hong Mun's dazed eyes, clouded from the blows. "I showed you the treasured sword symbolizing my lordship first, suspecting you might doubt my status. Yet you dared deny it and flap your mouth. And in my presence, you hurled unspeakable filth at the head of my maternal clan..."
"I lost my temper and misspoke! But even so, for you to humiliate the leader of a subordinate sect like this—no lord would ever—"
Hong Mun refused to back down. He glared at Yeon-hoo and spat his defiance.
Shadows flickered outside the window. Warriors from Azure Dragon Hall had gathered at the commotion, swords drawn even without entering.
Yeon-hoo smirked coldly. "Now resorting to threats?"
Just then, the Twin Swordsman's urgent voice transmission slipped into Hong Mun's ear.
But Hong Mun ignored it, continuing to glare at Yeon-hoo.
The Twin Swordsman's eyes wavered faintly. He sensed it—the entire flow of events from the start felt profoundly off.
He stared at Yeon-hoo. Outwardly furious, yet his gaze was terrifyingly deep and serene.
If all this was his design...
A chill raced up the Twin Swordsman's spine. He bit his lip.
"Commander."
"Yes, my lord."
"Escort this man back to headquarters."
"Understood."
"Escort? Hah! Who do you think you are to— guk!"
Hong Mun doubled over with a strangled gasp. An invisible force had slammed into his gut.
Yeon-hoo turned to the Twin Swordsman. "From the Jang Family, you said?"
"...Yes. I was in the area on business and stopped by since I had some time."
"When you return, tell your family head I'll expect a visit to headquarters soon."
"Understood."
Cheol-u withdrew his sword. The Twin Swordsman rose, bowed, and hurried out. As he opened the door, he trembled with rage.
No matter what, we must stop him from becoming lord. If we fail... everyone who crossed the late lord's line may face a bloodstorm they can't endure.
* * *
Bound and gagged like a dog, Hong Mun was dragged out. Azure Dragon Hall warriors surged forward from their encirclement.
Cheol-u's eyes gleamed with icy menace. "Shall I kill them all?"
"Stand down, Cheol-u."
Cheol-u stepped aside. Yeon-hoo advanced, slowly sweeping his gaze over the warriors.
"I understand your loyalty to your leader. But this ends here. Cross the line further..."
"Guk!"
Suddenly, one warrior clutched his throat with a strangled cry and floated into the air. He had glared at Yeon-hoo with the most venom.
"Kaaah!"
Crunch!
The man's head exploded in a spray of blood, brains, bone shards, and hair, raining down on the warriors like hail.
Patter, patter.
"...and you'll taste hell while still alive."
"Ugh..."
The gruesome sight drew groans from the Azure Dragon Hall warriors as they staggered back.
"Step forward, the one who will replace your hall leader."
No one moved. Then Hong Seop shuffled timidly ahead—the chief steward.
"Your position?"
"...Chief steward."
"I appoint you acting hall leader until this matter concludes. Will you obey?"
"If it is my lord's command, I obey gladly."
Hong Mun's eyes blazed through his gag and sealed acupoints, his body shuddering in fury at Hong Seop's emperor-like bow.
Yeon-hoo strode toward the main gate. The warriors parted left and right.
At the gate, he turned to Hong Seop and issued orders. "Today, spare no expense—feed all your warriors their fill of drink and food."
"As you command!"
"One more thing."
"Anything you wish!"
"No more misdeeds. If even a whisper of odd rumors from Dongbang Clan or anyone nearby reaches my ears... this friend will come for you."
He indicated Cheol-u.
"I swear on heaven itself never to trouble my lord!"
"We'll see."
* * *
In a nearby market street, a short distance from Azure Dragon Hall, Somubaek and Cheol Gun-ak sipped tea while awaiting Yeon-hoo's group.
To think he could be this at peace...
The Somubaek from Baekya-beol and this one were like different men. Watching the once stone-faced man chuckle mid-conversation twisted Cheol Gun-ak's heart with fresh pain.
He felt guilty for not caring for him properly back there, knowing how he suffered.
Perhaps that's why abandoning the coveted role of secret enforcer felt like the right choice.
From now on, I'll serve him well.
Cheol Gun-ak resolved firmly. He'd do his utmost to ensure Somubaek's happiness—and start by correcting his speech for safety's sake.
"Junior brother."
"Yes, senior brother."
"Leaving Baekya-beol suits you this well?"
"It does. I'm so thrilled I could dance. Though thinking of you..."
"Don't worry about me. The pressure crushing me daily has lifted—I'm feeling lighter than ever."
"Truly?"
"When have you known me to lie?"
"Then I'm relieved."
Somubaek flashed ivory teeth in a grin. Cheol Gun-ak smiled back.
"What do you make of him?"
"Of whom?"
"Young Master Yeon-hoo."
"While they're here, call him not young master, but lord."
"Ah, yes."
Cheol Gun-ak took a sip of tea before answering. "Do you know who he reminded me of when I first saw him?"
"Who?"
"The Great Earth Sovereign. His first impression was that striking. I've only ever fallen for one at first sight in my life— the Great Earth Sovereign alone. That's why I'm so intrigued and expectant. About what path he'll carve ahead."
Gazing out the window as he spoke, Cheol Gun-ak's eyes suddenly turned cold. His expression hardened gravely.
Somubaek followed his gaze, and his own face soon stiffened.
"Are they after me...?"
"Perhaps..."
Where their eyes met, two figures in white robes walked slowly down the center of the market street.