Chapter 44: Resolving to Retaliate
Geonjung's eyes trembled. The moment he saw Songyeong's smile directed at him, he instinctively knew something was wrong.
Songyeong grinned at him again, baring his teeth.
Sneer.
"What the hell are you?"
Geonjung backed away wordlessly, lowering his sword into an attack stance. But deep down, he was just biding his time to escape this place.
'This bastard isn't alone. I'll get out first and regroup.'
But Geonjung's plan shattered in an instant. A chilling aura emanated from behind him. He turned to see Baek Mu Yeong emerging from the underbrush.
At that very moment, Geonjung lunged at Songyeong.
Flash!
His sword gleamed with light. It wasn't a killing blow. The intent was to momentarily blind Songyeong and bolt into the forest behind.
'If I can just make it into the woods...'
Geonjung trusted his stealth skills. Once in the forest, he was certain he could vanish completely.
That was when it happened.
Sneer.
"You think I'm a joke, huh?"
Dozens of hand shadows materialized in the air. They perfectly blocked Geonjung's escape route, swelling massively and radiating an eerie green glow. One of them shot toward his chest.
Geonjung hastily recalled his sword, which had strayed off course from the feint, and swatted at Songyeong's hand shadow.
Boom!
The clash of a sword infused with qi against a hand of flesh and blood erupted with a thunderous explosion, like a thunderbolt detonating.
Crackle!
The shockwaves shredded their robes into tatters.
Songyeong staggered back several steps. Geonjung reeled from the impact as well.
Right then, Baek Mu Yeong moved.
Thud!
"Gah!"
A searing shock shot up from Geonjung's leg, drawing a sharp gasp as he lost his balance and collapsed. His left leg had been cleanly severed below the knee.
Thud!
A follow-up strike to the back of his head knocked Geonjung unconscious.
Baek Mu Yeong sealed several of Geonjung's acupoints and narrowed his eyes at Songyeong. Songyeong's face was pale, blood trickling from his mouth. The single clash had inflicted internal injuries.
"You've just been slacking around all this time?"
"This guy's strong. And I didn't want to risk killing him by going all out. Ugh... my guts."
That was when it happened.
Rustle.
Song Gyeom emerged from the bushes. Songyeong's eyes widened. Song Gyeom's entire body was drenched in blood.
"Are you alright?"
"It's not my blood, so don't worry."
Song Gyeom glared coldly at the fallen Geonjung, then turned to Baek Mu Yeong.
"There are still quite a few of them left. We need to hurry before they swarm us."
"Understood."
Baek Mu Yeong stared at Songyeong. Songyeong shrugged and flashed a goofy grin.
"As you can see, my stomach's acting up. Ugh... my guts."
"......"
In the end, hauling Geonjung away fell to Baek Mu Yeong.
Yeon-hoo savored a rare moment of rest. Mountains of tasks loomed, but he had no urge to rush them. Still, he didn't idle completely.
He began reshaping the mental states of the five clans' heirs he'd practically dragged back as hostages and worked to publicize Dongbangga's position to everyone. But he put off dealing with the captured corrupt elements. He had his own plans, and the timing wasn't right yet.
Whish.
They said no winter could defy spring. The wind carried a gentle warmth.
'Time to get started?'
Gazing out the window at the Iron Blood Family's sprawling grounds, Yeon-hoo reflected on the relentless path he'd run thus far, methodically reviewing what lay ahead.
How much time passed like that? Suddenly, the main gate grew noisy. Yeon-hoo looked up.
Warriors working nearby were rushing toward it in droves. He sharpened his gaze.
First, he spotted Elder Council Chairman Song Gyeom, soaked in blood. Then his eyes shifted as Songyeong and Baek Mu Yeong crossed the gate one after another.
"Brother Mu Yeong has arrived."
Cheol-u's voice rang from the rooftop. Before the echo faded, Yeon-hoo leaped out the window.
Song Gyeom approached him directly. Yeon-hoo first scanned the chairman's bloodied, tattered form. Blood oozed steadily from splits in his robe.
"An ambush?"
Song Gyeom nodded grimly in silence. Yeon-hoo looked past him. Songyeong and Baek Mu Yeong drew near.
Thump!
Baek Mu Yeong dumped Geonjung unceremoniously on the ground and bowed his head.
"My lord."
"Who's this?"
"The leader of the ambushers."
Yeon-hoo turned to Song Gyeom. The chairman's hardened expression and sunken eyes told him the escorts hadn't made it.
"They're all dead?"
"Hah......"
Song Gyeom bowed his head, unable to reply.
"What in the world happened?!"
Sama Song hurried over, face pale with shock. Yeon-hoo called to him.
"Sama family head."
"Yes, my lord."
"His injuries look severe. Take him to the infirmary at once."
"Understood."
"I have no face to show you, my lord."
"No need to apologize to me. Focus on recovering."
"Let's go."
Yeon-hoo watched Song Gyeom's retreating back as Sama Song led him away, then looked down at Geonjung. The man, fully conscious, met Yeon-hoo's gaze and involuntarily squeezed his eyes shut. It was a piercing stare, sharp as a blade stabbing into his pupils.
Songyeong stepped forward.
"Let me interrogate him and find out who he is."
"No. I'll handle it myself."
"......Pardon?"
"Bring him."
"Understood."
Songyeong blinked at Yeon-hoo's back as he walked ahead, then muttered.
"He seems really pissed......"
He caught Baek Mu Yeong's eye and pretended to flinch.
"This guy... If I hadn't caught him, we would've been in deep shit."
"You two seem close."
"Not really......"
Cheol-u interjected.
"What are you doing? Hurry up and drag him."
"Ah, yes."
Songyeong quickly hoisted the limp Geonjung like baggage. Baek Mu Yeong, watching impassively, smacked the back of his head.
Crack!
"Kuh! Why'd you hit me?!"
"Your internal injuries must be healed already. Weren't your guts killing you just now?"
"......"
Crack!
Song Gyeom's wounds were worse than expected. Poison had seeped in through them.
The physician said gravely,
"We must cut away the flesh and remove the dead blood immediately. If the poison has reached the bone... we'll have to scrape it all out."
One attendant asked,
"Can't we use ma-pye-tang to numb him?"
"The situation is too urgent for that."
Song Gyeom spoke up.
"I'm fine. Get on with it."
"Understood. Bite down on this."
The physician offered a thick cloth, but Song Gyeom shook his head.
"Just start."
"......Yes."
Moments later, the knife sliced into flesh and scraped bone. Pain no man could endure, yet Song Gyeom held firm.
Scrape, scrape.
Shudder...
Song Gyeom's body trembled. But he bit his lips until they bled, not uttering a sound. Instead, the physician broke out in cold sweat.
About fifteen minutes later, the physician sighed and set down the knife.
"Hoo......"
Yeon-hoo entered then. The physician and attendants bowed. Yeon-hoo shook his head at Song Gyeom, who tried to rise, and asked the physician,
"How is he?"
"Fortunately, no further major harm. But he must rest completely for a month, avoiding all strain."
"Good work."
"I'll prepare the herbal tonic."
As the physician left, Yeon-hoo regarded Song Gyeom. His face glistened with sweat, blood trickling from his clenched lips.
"They were assassins sent by Wi Yeon Gwang to kill me."
"That bastard Wi Yeon Gwang......"
"I'll handle the escorts' funerals. Focus on recovering."
At the mention of his escorts, Song Gyeom's eyes reddened.
"I never imagined they'd come this far. My complacency killed those boys. Hah......"
Yeon-hoo quietly watched Song Gyeom's trembling lips. He'd known early on that despite handing over the sword so readily, the chairman had weighed him against Jang Cheon. Yet seeing him so broken stirred anger.
Whatever anyone said, Song Gyeom was the highest authority in Northern Murim without an official new lord.
Song Gyeom composed himself and asked,
"Do you plan to retaliate?"
"I'm considering it."
"In my view, it's best to hold off for now. A misstep could make it look like we're breaking the truce first. We'd face the penalties."
"That's not my concern."
"......"
"I'm pondering how to retaliate. And the issue you're worried about won't happen, so focus on resting."
"My lord."
"I can't let a provocation slide. If I do, it'll repeat. I intend to show the world: touch Northern Murim, and face bloody retribution."
"But......"
"I'll handle it."
"......"
Yeon-hoo addressed the Elder Council attendants.
"Escort the chairman to his quarters."
"Yes, my lord."
Yeon-hoo pressed Song Gyeom's shoulder firmly once, then stepped out. Cheol-u waited.
"Shall we depart immediately?"
"Call a few more on the way."
"Understood."
"Cheol-u."
"Yes."
"Pay them back my way."
"Of course."