Red Wolf Corps
Whoooosh. On a windswept ridge where the gusts howled fiercely, Yeon-hoo and Dongbang Ri stood side by side.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but we can’t abandon our home of hundreds of years. Not just our ancestors, but every survivor here feels the same as I do.”
“I’m not telling you to abandon the bamboo grove. I’m saying I’ll protect you until you have the strength to defend yourselves. As you are now, you couldn’t handle even a faction far weaker than the Blue Dragon Gang.”
“……”
“Think of it not as a command from your lord, but as a son’s resolve to honor his mother.”
Tears trickled down Dongbang Ri’s cheek.
She didn’t want to leave, but she had no choice. Just as Yeon-hoo said, they were far too weak right now.
“Cheol-u.”
At the call, Cheol-u appeared like the wind.
“Accompany the matriarch. We’ll leave a carriage behind, so escort Lady Soso properly.”
“Understood, my lord.”
“It’s nothing grand, but we do have a carriage fit for our grandmother.”
“Traveling in the Iron Blood Family’s carriage will deter any impure thoughts from villains. We’ll see you at the main house.”
With that, Yeon-hoo turned away. Dongbang Ri called after him.
“Wait a moment.”
“More to say?”
“Thank you. And… I’m sorry.”
Yeon-hoo stared silently into her eyes.
“In the world of murim, if those above are weak, those below suffer. Etch those words deep.”
Yeon-hoo and Yun Hoe headed to the inn where Somubaek and Cheol Gun-ak awaited. Passersby whispered as they went. They recognized Hong Mun, being dragged like a criminal.
Yeon-hoo ignored them and entered the inn. A waiter approached.
“The guests you were waiting for left this for you.”
Yeon-hoo unfolded the note the waiter handed him.
Something came up, so heading to Iron Blood Family first.
Will wait in the nearest city.
“When did they leave?”
“About half a shichen ago. Oh… and they said not to worry.”
Yeon-hoo nodded silently, handed the waiter a silver coin, and stepped outside.
“Let’s procure horses first.”
“No. It’s not far—let’s walk.”
“I’m fine, but for my lord…”
Yun Hoe couldn’t finish. Yeon-hoo had already strode ahead.
Moments later, having left the market behind, Yeon-hoo stepped onto the official road. The biting cold kept it nearly deserted. Only occasional merchant caravans passed, and even those were few.
How long had they walked? A faint vibration reached them from ahead. Then, travelers and carriages far in front veered to the roadside all at once.
Yeon-hoo gazed at the gentle curve ahead. Soon, a few riders appeared, and the road quickly turned black with their numbers.
What captured Yeon-hoo’s gaze was the massive flag fluttering at the vanguard.
Red Wolf.
‘Red Wolf Corps…’
The banner of the continent’s greatest and strongest mercenary band.
They had settled in Northern Murim but belonged to no one—free spirits. Though they fought for hire, they never lost their nobility, renowned as peerless warriors, war ghosts, and true fighters.
The previous lord tried to bring the Red Wolf Corps under his command, but they never yielded, Sama Song had said. The best way to swiftly bolster Northern Murim’s forces is to recruit them. Their combat prowess is unmatched among the continent’s countless mercenary groups.
Thud thud thud!
They charged without hesitation. Even on the official road, their speed was impressive, and their numbers seemed endless.
The vanguard was already upon them.
Yeon-hoo stepped quietly to the roadside.
Thud thud thud!
Yeon-hoo eyed the passing leader. Blood-red armor, a blue dragon crescent blade, long black hair whipping in the wind, sword-like brows, and tiger eyes gleaming like jewels—they etched into his mind like a carving.
‘Impressive.’
It was a first. The first time he’d admired someone at first sight.
‘Is that Gwan Baek?’
Gwan Baek, bearer of the Matchless Blade title and leader of the Red Wolf Corps.
Thud thud thud!
The presumed Gwan Baek vanished behind the pursuing riders.
‘We’ll meet again. And you’ll bow your head to me then, Gwan Baek.’
Iron Blood Family.
Laughter from Elder Council Chairman Song Gyeom echoed beyond the garden.
“Ha ha ha!”
The famously stoic man had been laughing often lately. It had started since Songyeong’s arrival, for some reason. Song Gyeom never let Songyeong out of his sight, and their talks drew such booming laughs that the guards wondered.
Today, too, Song Gyeom drank with Songyeong in broad daylight.
“As you said, profits doubled in ten days. Incredible. Where did you learn such talent?”
“Just good timing. Nothing worth boasting.”
“Not worth boasting? I’ve never met anyone as savvy with wealth. Earning ten thousand silver nyang just sitting—easy feat?”
“This lowly one is grateful for the chairman’s favor.”
Songyeong bowed to the chuckling Song Gyeom and drained his cup.
“Let me pour you one.”
“Thank you.”
Amber liquor filled the cup, tinting Songyeong’s pupils yellow in reflection.
‘Aigoo, hurry back, my lord.’
Irritation flickered in Songyeong’s eyes, but with head bowed, Song Gyeom didn’t see.
Then—
“Chairman.”
“What is it?”
“A message from the young lord.”
“Come in.”
A warrior entered and handed over the message tube. Song Gyeom opened it and read.
People I must protect are coming.
[…]
Prepare a place for them in advance.
“Bringing Dongbang Family people to the main house?”
Song Gyeom furrowed his brow deeply, then scowled.
“This brat… making such decisions without consulting me…”
Pop!
The message turned to ash in his hand. Stray flakes fell into Songyeong’s teacup, but he drank indifferently.
‘Best to obey without question, old man. What’s wrong with this tea?’
“Good work. Dismissed.”
“Yes.”
As the warrior left, Song Gyeom sank into his chair, tapping his temples—a habit when irked.
Songyeong silently sipped his tea.
After a silent pause, Song Gyeom spoke.
“I’ll need more from you.”
“Just say the word.”
“Find lodging for about a hundred. Budget’s tight—keep costs low.”
“Me? I don’t know the area well…”
“The young lord assigned you.”
“From the young lord? Understood. But assign someone familiar with the terrain.”
“Fine.”
“I’ll look right away.”
As Songyeong exited, Song Gyeom drained his cold tea and bellowed outside.
“Someone!”
“Yes, Chairman.”
A middle-aged man entered.
“Tell the elders: meeting in half a shichen. All must attend.”
“Understood.”
“Ah! Tell the chief steward too.”
“He’s away on business. Won’t return until at earliest the day after tomorrow.”
“……Fine.”
“I’ll inform the elders at once.”
As the man left, Song Gyeom sank back, frowning.
“Avoiding in-laws is one of a lord’s key virtues… tsk tsk tsk.”
Northwest Murim border region.
People moved stealthily, evading watchtowers and outposts.
Seobaek and Noegeom.
“Hey, let’s rest here a bit?”
“No time.”
“Shut it! Just one gak to catch our breath.”
Thud!
Seobaek flopped into the grass. Noegeom sat beside him, quenching his thirst from a waterskin.
Their state was wretched. Worried for his sister, Noegeom had pushed them without proper rest, washing, or more than one meal a day to reach here.
“How’d you end up under Wi Yeon Gwang’s dog?”
“Born in Northwest Murim.”
“……Tch. Stupid question. No other family?”
“None.”
“No relatives?”
“Just us two.”
“You’re pretty pitiful, huh.”
Snap!
Seobaek, who’d wanted just one gak, bolted up. Noegeom eyed him curiously.
Seobaek twitched his nose.
“Thinking of you fretting over your sister, I can’t rest more. Let’s go.”
They ran west again. As dusk fell, they reached the outskirts of a sizable city.
“Safe to walk openly?”
“……”
“Wait.”
Seobaek dashed to a vendor, bought two bamboo hats, and returned. They donned them and headed west through the city.
Soon, they entered a quiet outskirts neighborhood. Elegant buildings blended seamlessly with nature.
“Whoa. Pretty fancy for a villain’s haunt.”
“Wait here.”
“What? I’m coming too.”
“Your lord’s seal prevents escape anyway—what’s to worry?”
“I don’t trust villains. Keep going.”
“……”
Noegeom glared at Seobaek and walked on. But after a few steps, they hid in roadside woods.
A group of murim warriors approached.
Seobaek glanced at Noegeom—his eyes widened at the thickening dread there.
[Know them?]
[Iron Blood Family enforcers. They’re… heading to my home.]
Seobaek scanned the Wall Thunder warriors. Five, all exuding menace as they marched.
[They don’t usually come?]
[No reason for them at my house. Probably…]
Noegeom bit his lip. Dread turned to despair.
‘Thought he’d lost his fear…’
Seobaek quietly drew his bow, nocking two arrows with a grin.
[Chin up. I’ll help.]
[They’re terrifying. No archery can handle them—stay out. I’ll bear it all.]
[Villain acting cool… And don’t talk scary in front of me. You can’t imagine the terrifying guy I’ve served.]
Twing!
The nocked arrows glowed blue.
[Do exactly as I say from now. Then you and your sister escape safely.]