Chronicles of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 28: Deployment (Part 1)
A single messenger pigeon soared over the roof of the Jang Family estate. The dispatch was promptly delivered to Jang Cheon.
Our esteemed lord has personally led troops to the operational zone...
It announced Yeon-hoo's deployment. Jang Cheon read it and chuckled.
"Heh heh heh. Trying to win over the warriors' hearts first, is he?"
Jang Hoe asked, "What's it say?"
"Our great lord has taken his forces straight to the operational zone. He's even invoked military orders on every sect in the area."
Jang Hoe glanced at the letter Jang Cheon handed him and snorted derisively.
"Hmph! Guess we have to root for the bandits now."
"Strictly speaking, it's the Northwest Murim. They disguised themselves as bandits because of the truce, but they're all elites, from what I hear."
"He must know that much."
"Of course. But going there himself anyway? It's to build a base of support. By now, he's surely felt it—the sheer size of the forces backing me..."
"Will the local sects heed the military orders?"
"Those who've never helped before won't suddenly obey the exiled young master's command. No matter how ironclad the lord's orders, they'll likely ignore them."
Jang Cheon lifted his teacup to his lips. Clink.
"Then maybe I should make a move too."
"Pardon? What do you...?"
"The lord's headed to the battlefield. We ought to offer some aid, don't you think?"
"What?"
Jang Hoe's eyes widened like a calf's.
Jang Cheon laughed. "Who knows? He might pull off some miracle and wipe out the bandits. Better to claim at least a token effort for when that happens."
"Ah, yes. So, how many troops are you thinking of sending?"
"We'll deliberate on the numbers. But you'll lead them, brother."
"Me...?"
"I need someone of your caliber to make it look convincing. I'll give you separate instructions, so go tell the physician to come in."
"...Understood."
Once Jang Hoe left, Jang Cheon drained the last of his tea, sank deep into his chair, and snapped his fingers. Snap!
The back wall parted left and right, revealing a man in a blue robe.
"You heard?"
"Yes, Family Head."
"So, what should we do?"
"It's time for the grasshopper deception ploy. With your permission, I'll leak the info right away."
Jang Cheon grinned, baring his teeth. "The grasshopper ploy... Not a bad idea. Heh heh heh."
* * *
In a city a day's ride from the Iron Blood Family, the marketplace bustled. So Mu-baek and Cheol Gun-ak entered an inn as the sun began to set.
They ordered drinks and food, chatting idly and relaxing.
Then, a conversation from another table caught their ear.
"Heard the Iron Blood Family's second young master personally led troops to crush the bandits."
"Yeah, I heard. Noble types usually avoid danger, but he's something else."
"You think he wanted to go? With his shaky position in Northern Murim and the family, he needs to win hearts however he can."
"If he meets his end out there, the Jang Family head becomes heir without a doubt."
"Even without that, he's the frontrunner. Everyone knows nearly every sect backs him."
So Mu-baek, listening silently, sighed softly and tipped his cup.
"The situation's dire. Doesn't feel like someone else's problem."
"Can't be helped. No matter how legitimate the successor, you can't claim the lord's seat without the vassal families and warriors' support."
"In my eyes, he has every quality to be an excellent lord."
"Those who've met him think like us, but most who haven't won't trust him easily. He hasn't proven his abilities yet, and he was exiled by the late lord."
Cheol Gun-ak now spoke casually, fully adjusted.
So Mu-baek stared at him. "Senior Brother."
"What."
"Shouldn't we help him?"
"You serious?"
"Even for a friend's sake, we can't sit idle. My conscience wouldn't allow it."
He grinned, baring his teeth. "Plus, I'd like to test the results of all that hellish training in the penal colony."
Cheol Gun-ak couldn't bring himself to say no. Deep down, he wanted to aid Yeon-hoo too, valuing their bond. But above all, if So Mu-baek wished it...
"Senior Brother."
He chuckled. "If my esteemed junior insists, what choice do I have?"
"Hahaha! Then let's go—now."
"Plenty of time. Finish your food. Half the bottle's still left."
So Mu-baek snatched the bottle. "We'll drink on the way."
"Hey...!"
* * *
Three days later, the border region. Snow falling since morning blanketed the vast mountains in white.
"Hoo! Damn cold."
The warriors' breath froze white on their mustaches as they scanned ahead.
"It's been quiet so far—probably pass today. Right, Captain?"
"Nonsense. They could strike anytime. No slacking—stay sharp!"
Captain Jin Mu scolded his men, then climbed higher to survey. Yesterday's bloody battlefield was eerily silent now. No sign of the rampaging bandits.
This quiet unnerved him. They're no mere bandits. Definitely Northwest Murim elites.
After several clashes, Jin Mu knew their prowess all too well. Some were terrifyingly strong; dozens of his men had fallen. They'd pushed the front line back ten li, forcing defense over offense.
Even with the late lord gone, no one from a day's ride away lifts a finger...
Requests to nearby sects yielded only meager grain. Some even chased away his messengers, demanding no more pleas.
Damn bastards.
Jin Mu swallowed his rage. Then—a flicker in the forward woods, along the snow-mounded ridge.
He surged his qi, sharpening his vision. Enemies emerged through the snow.
"Battle formation."
At his low command, the Flying Dragon Squad formed ranks, drawing swords. Jin Mu slowly unsheathed his. Shing.
Vice Captain Yong Myeong approached. "How many?"
"Watch longer."
Jin Mu pointed. The enemy had swelled to nearly a hundred.
Yong Myeong's face hardened. "Too many."
"Retreating now endangers the secondary line. Use the terrain, hold as long as possible, buy time."
"Captain."
"What."
"If I die, look after my mother. Deliver the money in my family shrine."
"If you die, I die too. Fight to win."
"I'd love to, but... they're overwhelming."
Jin Mu's eyes trembled. The foes multiplied rapidly, and who knew how many more? Worst, blood-red cloaked elites led them—the ones he feared most.
With this force, we're outmatched.
His squad: twenty men. Terrain advantage or not, impossible odds.
He ground his teeth. No choice—retreat without fighting, or annihilation.
Damn it...
"Captain, what now?"
"Fall back to secondary line."
"Got it."
"Who said retreat?"
A chilling voice rang from behind. Jin Mu and Yong Myeong whipped around.
"...!"
In the unimaginable rear, three blood-cloaked foes appeared, two dozen more behind.
"You the Flying Dragon Captain Jin Mu, the brat?"
A blood-cloaked man stared coldly, his wolfish eyes piercing like they saw into Jin Mu's guts.
"Defensive formation!"
The squad snapped into position.
"You know your lot's hopeless. Don't dream of reinforcements. Drop your swords if you don't want your men dying pointlessly. You live, they live—Jin Mu."
"Sorry. I don't speak bullshit."
Whoosh... Jin Mu's sword aura whipped up snow. Impressive, but the blood-cloaker sneered.
"Northern Murim falls soon anyway. Think of your families waiting. Would they want you dying for a doomed land?"
Jin Mu laughed too. He shouted to his men, "You lot wanna live?"
"Hell yeah!"
"Who wants to die?"
"I haven't even married!"
"Surrender then?"
"Heh, Captain's talking shit too."
"Kekeke!"
"Hee hee hee!"
The squad bared teeth in laughter. The blood-cloaker's brows sharpened like blades.
"If you refuse amnesty, no choice."
"How about I pour you a drink instead?"
A indifferent voice struck every ear.