Chapter 34 - Nothing Comes Free
The rain had ceased, and the moon had risen. Beneath the sickle moon curved like a blade, shadows raced like the wind. It was Cheol Gun-ak and Somubaek, who had altered their course to aid Yeon-hoo.
Were they being pursued by someone? They kept glancing back, running northward without pause. After about half a shichen, a fairly wide river blocked their path.
"We shake them here."
"Is there a way?"
"Follow me."
Without a moment's hesitation, the two crossed the river. But instead of continuing north, they recrossed it and plunged into a dense forest. After watching for about a shichen, shadows finally dropped to the riverbank. Six in total. They precisely traced the direction Somubaek and Cheol Gun-ak had taken and forded the river.
Only then did Cheol Gun-ak observing from hiding let out a quiet sigh.
"Hoo…."
"Have some water, senior brother."
Cheol Gun-ak quenched his thirst with the waterskin Somubaek offered, then furrowed his brow and muttered, "Something feels off."
"What do you mean…?"
"It doesn't seem like they're just chasing to retrieve the junior brother. If that were the goal, they wouldn't have come themselves in a group of six—they'd have contacted the branches in each region…."
"Maybe they got orders to kill me?"
A wistful smile spread across Somubaek's lips. Cheol Gun-ak placed a hand on his shoulder, shaking his head firmly with resolute eyes.
"The Great Earth Sovereign would never do that."
"You don't know everything, senior brother."
"Whatever it is, he's not the type to be that ruthless toward a junior. However…."
Cheol Gun-ak trailed off, closing his eyes tightly. He was thinking not of the Great Earth Sovereign, but someone else. Guessing his thoughts, Somubaek said weakly, "His older brother?"
"Not the eldest young master himself, but his followers—those who've staked their lives on him ascending to the throne. It's entirely possible."
"I can't understand it. Why go this far for someone like me…."
Somubaek lay back and gazed at the night sky. Cheol Gun-ak started to say something but simply watched in silence. After some time passed, he urged, "Time to get up."
The two emerged from the forest and headed north. Suddenly, a massive eagle appeared overhead, screeching fiercely.
Kyaaak!
"Into the forest—hide!"
Cheol Gun-ak practically dragged Somubaek into the woods. The eagle circled above their hiding spot several times before vanishing somewhere. Cheol Gun-ak's eyes trembled as he tracked its direction.
Moonlight shimmered on the river. There, six shadows leaped across it. Somubaek's face hardened too.
"…We've been spotted."
"Damn it… Run!"
Papapok!
Kyaaak!
The eagle that had vanished reappeared with a roar. It tracked their path precisely, and the six shadows pursued the eagle at tremendous speed, slicing through the darkness.
* * *
Moonlight bathed the roof of a pavilion. Yeon-hoo sat there, savoring the night's quiet as he drained the cup Cheol-u offered.
Each time his cup emptied, Cheol-u refilled it cautiously before asking, "There are still places that haven't answered the military summons… What do you plan for them, my lord?"
"Subjugate them."
"Like the Jo family?"
"That would be ideal, if possible."
"Even if they bow now out of necessity, they'll turn again at the first opportunity. In that case…."
"Wipe them all out?"
"Considering future troubles, that seems the surest way."
"Do you want me to become a tyrant?"
"Once you're on the throne and rule with benevolence, the past will fade. Even the greatest sages in history often started from bloodstained seats."
"I'll consider it."
"When will you summon them?"
"The time hasn't come yet."
"If they came, everything would be easier…."
"Enough. That's all."
"…Understood."
Yeon-hoo drained his cup and gazed into the distance. Just then, a massive bird entered his view.
Kyaaak!
Channeling his energy to sharpen his vision, he recognized it as an eagle. Was it hunting prey? It swooped low to the ground then soared up repeatedly, moving swiftly.
"Did you see it?"
Cheol-u suddenly turned to Yeon-hoo, his aura flashing. Yeon-hoo nodded silently.
From the eagle's direction of flight, two shadows raced across the ground below at considerable speed. Unless it was a two-legged beast other than a human—which it wasn't—they were people.
'Surely not hunting humans….'
Then it happened. The two fleeing the eagle seemed to shake it using the forest, only to dash into a rundown manor on the outskirts of the Jo estate. It was a warehouse used by the Jo family.
'People chased by an eagle….'
Yeon-hoo's interest piqued. It was the first time even he had seen such a sight.
"I'll go check what—"
Cheol-u couldn't finish. Yeon-hoo had already launched into the air.
* * *
Bursting into the rundown warehouse, Cheol Gun-ak cracked a window to peer behind. Fortunately, their pursuers hadn't appeared yet. The eagle seemed to have lost them, circling aimlessly overhead.
"Hoo."
Cheol Gun-ak took a deep breath and turned to Somubaek. Having run at full speed for so long, Somubaek's face had gone from flushed to deathly pale.
"Did we lose them?"
"The stench in here is overpowering—the eagle won't track us further. Even if they come, this is civilian property; they won't barge in recklessly…."
Cheol Gun-ak cut off mid-sentence, pressing a finger to his lips as his expression hardened. He sensed an aura approaching the warehouse. Somubaek closed his eyes and sighed. They'd allowed the pursuit after all.
"Come out now, Young Master So."
The cold voice drifted from outside. Somubaek opened his eyes and looked at Cheol Gun-ak. Cheol Gun-ak shook his head.
"Don't respond."
"The situation's like this—there's no choice. They want me, so I'll…."
Grip!
"We don't know their intent yet. We hold out as long as we can. Don't worry about me—steel yourself."
"…."
"We've been ordered to escort Young Master So. No ill intent, so please don't misunderstand. Come out."
Cheol Gun-ak bit his lip at the repeated cold demand but said nothing. Then—
"What are you doing here?"
"…!"
At the sudden voice, Cheol Gun-ak whipped around, eyes wide, toward the warehouse interior. A man emerged from behind a stack of hay bales. It was Yeon-hoo.
Cheol Gun-ak's eyes widened impossibly further upon recognizing him.
'How is he here….'
Somubaek, turning late, reacted the same. They had no idea Yeon-hoo had left the operational area and come north.
"I was moon-gazing when I saw people chased by an eagle, so I came to check—and it's you two. Who's outside, anyway?"
"Pursuers from the Cartel after the junior brother."
"Chasing with bad intentions?"
"…We suspect so."
Yeon-hoo turned to Somubaek.
"Want me to kill them?"
"No. They're called the Great Earth Sovereign's shadows. Their power aside, any mistake could bring disaster to Northern Murim."
Yeon-hoo fell silent briefly. But not for long.
"Whatever the case, let's get out first. One question before that… The eagle tracked you?"
"Yes. A specially trained eagle from the Cartel, specialized in scent-tracking humans. For rebellion contingencies, they precondition the eagles with the scents of key personnel."
Yeon-hoo was inwardly surprised. A tracking method like this existed?
"Do they know you're using human-skin masks?"
"We haven't appeared before them, so probably not."
"So they chased relying only on the eagle?"
"Yes."
"No complications then."
"…Pardon?"
Yeon-hoo waved lightly at the bewildered pair.
Tssk.
Their robes tore a ja long and flew into Yeon-hoo's hand.
"Wait a moment."
He walked to the hay-stacked area and returned with two large rats wriggling in his hands.
"Tie the robe scraps to their tails."
Cheol Gun-ak did as instructed.
"Now let's go."
"…Pardon?"
"They won't have time for us—follow without worry. Oh, before stepping out, use body-protecting aura to mask your scents."
"That'll slow us down—we won't shake their pursuit…."
"No need to run. Just do as I say."
"…."
Wooong.
A hazy glow enveloped Cheol Gun-ak and Somubaek. Yeon-hoo strode toward the warehouse rear. The two followed dubiously, clutching the rats.
Then—
Kakang!
"Urk!"
"What?!"
Metal clashed outside, followed by startled cries. As Somubaek gaped to speak, Yeon-hoo cut in.
"No one dies—don't worry."
"…!"
A dog-sized hole was at the rear. Exiting led straight to the Jo estate wall.
"Release the rats."
"…Yes."
Papapok!
The rats bolted for the forest. Instantly—
Kyaaak!
The eagle roared from above, diving like lightning into the woods after them.
Trailing Yeon-hoo, Cheol Gun-ak was beset by doubts.
'They should be guarding this escape route, assuming we'd flee here….'
Six pursuers total. The warehouse was large, but enough to surround it. And they were peak experts each.
'Who's engaging them? His guard, perhaps….'
Cheol-u came to mind first. He'd never seen him fight, but he was undoubtedly a master.
'Even a master couldn't handle six alone….'
Cheol Gun-ak stared at Yeon-hoo walking ahead at a normal pace, as if nothing mattered. His slowness was unnerving, forcing them to match it while pursuers loomed.
Kakang!
Metal rang again. Multiple auras swiftly receded. Certain they were the pursuers, Cheol Gun-ak's eyes bulged.
'This resolved so simply….'
Then Yeon-hoo's indifferent voice flowed into his ear.
"I'll say it upfront: nothing in this world is free."