Chapter 27 - Now It Begins
"I hope we meet again someday."
Two days later, So Mu-baek and Cheol Gun-ak departed from the Iron Blood Family.
"Do you have a place to go?"
"For a while, I want to wander aimlessly and savor my freedom. That's why I came out into the world, after all."
So Mu-baek's eyes were slightly swollen. Recalling how he had sobbed uncontrollably at his brother's ancestral tablet the day before, Yeon-hoo felt a strange emotion wash over him.
Cheol Gun-ak bowed his head deeply.
"I sincerely pray that you achieve everything you desire. Then we shall take our leave."
Yeon-hoo saw them off, watching their retreating figures for a long while with an inexplicable sense of reluctance. Though they had traveled together only briefly, their shadows lingered deeply in his heart.
Yun Hoe asked, "They could have been a great help if they'd joined us. Why didn't you say anything?"
"He said he wants to savor his freedom, didn't he?"
"……."
"If it's meant to be, we'll meet again later."
Turning away, Yeon-hoo headed straight for the Elder Council. Warriors passing by bowed their heads to him. Was it because rumors from the front lines had spread? He could feel that the way they looked at him and behaved was markedly different from when he had first returned.
But Yeon-hoo thought otherwise.
'For now, it's awe directed at the Commander, not me.'
He was still just the exiled second young master who had come back. But Yun Hoe was a warrior revered by all in Northern Murim, an outstanding commander. Even now, though the warriors bowed to him, their gazes were fixed on Yun Hoe.
He felt relieved. If Yun Hoe had sided with Jang Cheon instead, it would have been a massive obstacle to his future plans.
Moments later, Yeon-hoo pushed open the door to the Elder Council chamber and entered.
"Come in."
Song Gyeom greeted him with a smile. Unexpectedly, no one else was there.
"My greetings are late, Council Chairman."
"You've been on a long journey; you must be exhausted. Don't worry about this old man—sit down. Commander Yun, you too."
Yeon-hoo sat across from Song Gyeom. The seat next to him was empty, but Yun Hoe deliberately chose a spot a little farther away. Song Gyeom's eyes flickered slightly at the sight, but that was all.
After exchanging brief formal pleasantries, Yeon-hoo got to the point.
Thud.
He placed a single sheet of paper on the table. Song Gyeom looked down at it with puzzled eyes.
"What is this?"
"A list of those who colluded with Cheongryongbang Leader Hong Mun for illicit gains."
"……Did Hong Mun confess?"
Yeon-hoo nodded silently. Song Gyeom scanned the names on the paper thoroughly, then furrowed his brow and leaned back deeply in his chair. They were all important figures, and a few were even close acquaintances of his.
"Will you hold a trial?"
"We should, but with so much to do first, I think the Elder Council should handle this matter."
"The Elder Council?"
"That way, whatever the outcome, everyone will accept it."
Yeon-hoo's tone toward Song Gyeom had changed greatly from his previous roughness. It was polite and deferential, yet the atmosphere remained unchanged.
'He's passing this hot potato that no one wants to touch to this old man?'
Having seen through Yeon-hoo's intent, Song Gyeom suppressed his inner discomfort.
For him, it was a tricky issue. If he accepted it outright, he'd have to bear all the consequences. People might leave him over the results, and many more would turn against him. Yet he couldn't refuse. If he did, he might forever be criticized for turning a blind eye to corruption.
'This cunning little…….'
"If it's difficult for you to step in directly……."
"No. How could I ignore the young master's first request? I'll handle this, so don't worry."
"Thank you, Council Chairman."
Yeon-hoo bowed his head slightly. Song Gyeom felt a strong urge to smack that head.
At that moment, a warrior rushed in with urgent steps. He bowed sequentially to Song Gyeom and Yeon-hoo before speaking.
"They say Jang Family Head was gravely injured by an ambush from mysterious assailants on his way back."
"……What?"
"We don't know Jang Family Head's condition for certain yet, but it seems several of his escorts lost their lives."
"Have they identified the assailants?"
"No word on that from the Jang Family yet."
"How could this……."
As Song Gyeom trailed off in dismay, Yeon-hoo issued a command to the warrior.
"Send someone immediately to check on Jang Family Head's condition."
"Understood."
Yeon-hoo stared at the warrior's retreating back, his eyes cooling.
'It has to be Wall Thunder Family's doing…….'
Jang Cheon's unexpected injury was no help to Yeon-hoo's plans at all.
'If it were a serious wound, the Grand Matriarch would be in an uproar. But her residence looks as usual. So…… is he using the injury as an excuse to buy time?'
"Young master."
"Yes, Council Chairman."
"Since there are Jang Family people on this list, we may need to delay handling it a bit."
"You've taken it on, so I won't interfere further."
"Thank you."
"Then I'll take my leave."
Leaving the Elder Council, Yeon-hoo headed straight for the warriors' mess hall. Now it was time to begin his real moves. And for that, he needed to start by inspecting the warriors, the foundation of the Iron Blood Family.
It was lunchtime, and the mess hall buzzed with warriors. As Yeon-hoo entered, those near the entrance rose from their seats and bowed in unison.
Yeon-hoo examined their meals. Rice, soup, and two unidentified vegetable dishes—that was it. The meager fare made him sigh inwardly.
'How can they fight like this…….'
Yeon-hoo gestured for the warriors to continue eating and turned to leave. Yun Hoe followed, letting out a quiet sigh.
"I knew finances were tight, but I didn't realize the warriors' meals were this poor."
"Let's go to the officers' mess."
"……Yes."
Yun Hoe led him to the hall for division commanders and above, inwardly anxious.
'This is going to blow up…….'
Moments later, Yeon-hoo entered a grand hall utterly different in atmosphere from the warriors' one.
"Loyalty!"
"Loyalty!"
Those who recognized him stood and bowed. Yeon-hoo nodded in acknowledgment and inspected their meals first. His eyes, burning with anger, trembled faintly.
Their food was no different from the warriors'.
Yun Hoe breathed a quiet sigh of relief. He'd been worried what would happen if the officers were feasting while the warriors starved.
Yeon-hoo's shaken gaze soon returned to its characteristic indifference.
'At least it's not completely rotten to the core.'
The fury that had surged at the warriors' mess eased. If the officers had been gorging on delicacies, he would have turned the place upside down.
"Welcome!"
The head cook rushed over in a fluster.
"Do you have anything for me to eat?"
"How could the young master eat in this humble place……."
"It's fine. Bring me the same as theirs."
Yeon-hoo deliberately chose an out-of-the-way corner seat. He didn't want to make them uncomfortable by being too visible.
Soon, he began eating the same meal. How much time passed? Two men in armor entered. As they did, a thick bloody scent overpowered the food smells and spread through the hall.
"Hey! Made it back in one piece?"
"If we're alive, that's a win."
"Good work!"
Everyone greeted them warmly. Through a slight gap, Yeon-hoo eyed the five settling at a table. Dried bloodstains on their armor caught his eye first.
"Judging by the armor, they're division commanders returning from a mission."
The two who had just sat glanced Yeon-hoo's way and shot to their feet.
Clank! Clank!
Yeon-hoo liked that metallic sound. Their bloody aura was more fragrant than any incense, and their heavy footsteps felt as reassuring as a heavenly host.
"Loyalty!"
"Sit down."
"Yes, sir!"
Clank! Clank!
"Back from a mission?"
"Yes, sir!"
"What kind?"
"Suppressing bandit gangs rampant near the Northwest Murim border……."
The conversation began. He hadn't meant to interrupt their meal, but he got caught up listening and forgot himself—Yeon-hoo didn't even realize it. He was that immersed.
This is what they said:
Bandit gangs had long plagued the border with Northwest Murim, causing heavy damage to villages. It had worsened since the truce, so Elder Council Chairman Song Gyeom had dispatched troops to suppress them. But the bandits operated over such a vast area that efforts yielded little result, and allied casualties mounted.
"They didn't seem like mere bandits. Their formations in group fights resembled those used by Northwest Murim elites. And there were far too many powerful experts for bandits."
This changed Yeon-hoo's gaze. Yun Hoe, who had listened silently, narrowed his eyes.
"Likely Northwest elites disguised as bandits. They're probably skirting the truce like that."
Yeon-hoo nodded and asked one division commander, "How many troops are out there now?"
"Three division-level units and one vanguard rotating……."
The commander trailed off. Yeon-hoo pressed, "You need reinforcements."
"Yes. The area is too vast for our numbers, and it's far from Northern Legion bases…… We'll have to head back tomorrow morning with more weapons."
"Can't you ask nearby sects for help?"
"We've sent countless dispatches, but no one's stepping up. A few send rations at best."
Anger flashed on the commander's face. Yeon-hoo understood fully.
"How many days to get there?"
"Three on horseback."
"Commander."
"Yes, young master."
"Send military orders to all sects near the operation zone. I'll go personally—meet me there in three days. Add that their loyalty will be judged by the size of their support force."
"Understood."
"Not dispatches—military orders."
"Yes, young master."
Yeon-hoo personally poured drinks for the two commanders.
Pour.
One asked, "……You're really going to the operation zone?"
"From your faces, no high-ranking officers have ever joined a mission."
"……Yes."
"Drink."
"Yes, sir!"
Yeon-hoo downed his own cup.
Thud.
He then pulled a money pouch from his bosom and placed it on the table.
"Tonight, drink your fill with your men."
"Thank you, sir!"