Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 33 - Jo Chung's Choice
"A lawyer? If it's about violating military orders, I already explained that thoroughly just moments ago."
Jo Chung's eyes, which had flickered momentarily, had now settled into an icy calm.
"Beyond that, there's more than enough for you to account for."
Yeon-hoo spoke indifferently as he drew a single sheet of paper from his bosom and placed it on the table.
Smoothly, Jo Chung's gaze shifted naturally to the paper. It was densely packed with tiny script detailing his corrupt dealings—confessions extracted from the Blue Dragon Merchant Guild's leader, of course.
A scoff escaped him.
"Is this why you've come to my estate?"
Jo Chung's expression and tone had shifted. A sneer curled his lips, as if daring Yeon-hoo to try something.
"This alone would be enough to drag you down from your position. But that's not what I want."
"Are you proposing a deal right now?"
"Nonsense. How could I, as your lord, bargain with a mere underling?"
Jo Chung's brow twitched like a blade.
Yeon-hoo ignored it, leaning back deeply into his chair and interlacing his fingers.
"What I want is your life."
"......What?"
"No, not to kill you. You have two choices: end it here, or entrust that life to me for a time. Naturally, I trust you'll make the wise decision."
"What if I refuse both?"
A cold laugh from Yeon-hoo this time.
"You don't seriously think the sins on that paper are everything, do you?"
"If you're going to threaten me, show all your cards."
"Got the stomach for it if I do?"
"Plenty."
That was when shadows flickered across the window. Directly in front of where Yeon-hoo sat, making it easy to count them—several figures.
Clang.
Yeon-hoo drew the precious sword gifted by Song Gyeom and set it on the table.
Thud!
"I haven't tested how sharp this sword—symbol of my lordship—truly is... but I hope you won't be the first. And furthermore..."
Yeon-hoo trailed off.
Men in blue robes slipped silently through the window. Yeon-hoo fixed them with a cold stare before turning back to Jo Chung.
"It would be unfortunate if I had to wipe out the Jo family line with my own hands, wouldn't it?"
"Hahaha. That sounds almost like you're accusing me of treason."
"It will soon enough. Or rather, since those men dared enter a lord's presence armed, doesn't that already constitute half the crime of rebellion?"
The blue-robed men circled behind Yeon-hoo with a rustle.
But Yeon-hoo didn't spare them a glance, staring straight at Jo Chung.
Jo Chung's eyes grew ever more venomous. His resolve was set.
He spoke.
"Let me make a counteroffer."
"A deal, is it..."
"Leave quietly now. Stop chasing a lordship that doesn't suit you and vanish somewhere no one will find you. You and I both go back to living as before, yielding to fate—no more mishaps. This is the last courtesy I can offer you, Young Master Yeon."
"Hahaha."
A low chuckle came from one of the blue-robed men behind Yeon-hoo. Unmistakably mocking.
"I told you."
"......"
"My lord never deals with underlings."
Shing.
The sword on the table slid from its sheath on its own, floating into the air. It pivoted rearward, then shot like a beam of light.
Thud!
"Gah!"
With a strangled cry, one blue-robed man tumbled—the very one who had scoffed. His right arm severed clean at the wrist, dropping with a clunk.
Jo Chung's eyes trembled.
Imperial Sword Arts... and executed while seated, mid-conversation...
He was a martial artist worthy of the title expert himself. He knew full well how extraordinary that single move had been.
Even more astonishing: the cross-section of the severed wrist was frozen white.
"If you push further, even I won't be able to hold back. So figure out what I want and obey. And you lot..."
The blue-robed men, hands on their sword hilts upon seeing their comrade wounded, froze mid-motion.
"Remember: draw those, and your clan leader's head flies first."
"......!"
"Don't believe me? Try drawing one."
The sword floated up again, halting right before Jo Chung's face.
Gulp.
Someone swallowed dryly. Jo Chung's voice followed.
"Stand down."
As the blue-robed men retreated, Jo Chung stared silently at Yeon-hoo for a long moment, then let out a quiet sigh before speaking.
"......What do you want me to do?"
* * *
Yun Hoe and Seomun Gyeom sat together, sharing a meal.
Seomun Gyeom tilted his head.
"The conversation seems to be dragging on. Hasn't several shichen passed already?"
"Jo Chung holds shares in the Grand Assembly. Whatever they're discussing, the outcome had better be favorable..."
"Indeed."
Yun Hoe gazed toward the main hall where Yeon-hoo had entered. Being early morning, the area around it was eerily still.
Seomun Gyeom asked again.
"Do you know how Lord Yeon-hoo has lived since leaving the clan?"
"He hasn't spoken of it, so I know next to nothing. Many others wonder too, but what can we do? If he chooses silence, that's that."
"I see. I thought you might know something, Commander."
"Truth be told, I don't even want to know. I'm simply overjoyed that he returned so strong and resilient."
Seomun Gyeom couldn't suppress a chuckle at Yun Hoe's gentle smile.
"You seem utterly devoted to him, Commander."
"Fair to say. And I suspect you'll soon feel the same."
"We'll see. Honestly, I'm still not sure what's going on. Calling him 'lord' when he hasn't formally claimed the seat yet— is that right?"
That was when Cheol-u returned, having vanished without eating.
Yun Hoe asked immediately.
"Is the talk over?"
"I saw food being brought to his quarters, so it seems so."
"Whatever was said, the result had better be good..."
"It will be as my lord desires."
"So certain?"
"My lord never shares chopsticks with someone he dislikes."
"Hm. Then we're fortunate. Ah! Eat first, by all means."
"Yes."
Cheol-u finally began his morning meal.
Then Jin Mu and Yang Mu-seok approached, having finished eating.
"Commander, we'll stand by outside."
"Don't go too far."
"Yes, Commander."
Yun Hoe watched them leave with a faint smile.
"Don't they seem quite changed?"
"You're going to say it's because of the lord again?"
Seomun Gyeom, who had retorted, couldn't hold back his amusement. The Yun Hoe he knew was the most steadfast man in word and deed. Yet when speaking of Yeon-hoo, even his eyes lit up differently.
"Come, let's finish our meal."
"Yes."
Meanwhile, Jin Mu and Yang Mu-seok, having eaten earlier and stepped out, perched on a large rock rising from the center of the Jo estate's garden.
Yang Mu-seok scowled toward the mountainous operational zone.
"Those bastards will get cocky, thinking we've fled now that we're gone."
"With Wang Jeok surrendered and Wi Ji-cheol and his men slaughtered, they won't think our overwhelming victory means we ran. By now, they're likely on high alert, suspecting another scheme."
"Makes sense when you put it that way."
"The fruit of that one decisive win. Thanks to it, we withdrew unscathed all the way here."
"All because the lord arrived right on time. Huh?"
Yang Mu-seok trailed off, eyes widening.
He'd spotted Yeon-hoo emerging from the main hall.
Jin Mu first noted Jo Chung following behind, expression scanned.
"Jo Chung's smiling—looks like it went well."
"Man, this is unexpected. I figured he'd refuse to let us use this as main base."
"Same."
Truth be told, nearly everyone had expected refusal. Jo Chung had opened the gates surprisingly easily, and while he vocally backed Jang Cheon, they had only slight hopes upon hearing him call Yeon-hoo "lord."
"He didn't accept for free, though?"
"Who knows."
"That's Jo Chung we're talking about. He demanded something—gold or otherwise."
"Looks like he's beckoning us."
"Then let's hurry."
* * *
At the Jang estate.
Jang Cheon's expression darkened as he read the missive.
Total steward Jang Hoe asked.
"What does it say?"
"That man's set up his main base at the Jo estate."
"What?"
Jang Cheon tossed the letter down and sank deeply into his chair.
Jang Hoe quickly skimmed it, frowning.
"The Jo estate is ten li from the operational zone—why there? Even if he wanted it, Jo Chung should've refused."
"Hm......"
Jang Cheon drummed his fingers silently—a habit when irked.
Just relocating his base? Or some other agenda?
Something felt off. The Jo estate staunchly supported him and held major shares in the Grand Assembly. Yeon-hoo, eyeing the lordship, couldn't be ignorant of that.
Jang Cheon strongly suspected Yeon-hoo had ulterior motives for basing there.
One more thing.
He should've consulted me first...
A falcon could cover the distance in a day. Yet Jo Chung hadn't even contacted him.
That realization deepened Jang Cheon's unease.
What scheme is that whelp plotting now...
Then.
"Father, it's your son."
"Enter."
Jang So stepped in.
Jang Cheon asked abruptly.
"Did you confirm?"
"Something's wrong."
"What?"
"I checked—no one complied with the military orders. Seems the letters you sent didn't arrive on time."
"Not even the Jo estate?"
"Not a single one mobilized."
Jang Cheon's eyes flashed.
How is this possible? If they ignored orders, that whelp's temper should've led to blades drawn—yet he sets up base there instead...
A chill pierced his chest.
An ominous premonition stabbed through his mind.
No way...