Chapter 50 - Jang Cheon Feels Extremely Unsettled
Jang Cheon's face, which rarely betrayed his inner thoughts, flushed bright red with rage.
Jang Hoe asked, "Did something bad happen?"
"That brat got the better of me again."
"Pardon?"
"It seems I underestimated him after all."
"What on earth happened?"
Jang Cheon gave a curt summary of the Elder Council meeting.
After hearing the explanation, Jang Hoe fell silent for a moment, as if utterly astonished.
Jang Cheon forced down his boiling anger and drained a bowl of cold water.
Finally, Jang Hoe spoke up. "Are you just going to sit back? If the Southern Defense Army falls to him like the Northern Legion did, we'll be in real trouble."
"No need to worry too much. Ma Ui Tae had a terrible relationship with the previous lord. He was vehemently opposed to the eldest young master succeeding simply because he was the legitimate heir, without any real competition. He won't join hands as easily as Yun Hoe did."
"Even so..."
"Still, we should take precautions."
"How?"
Thud! Jang Cheon shot to his feet. "First, I need to meet with the Elder Council Chairman."
"I'll come with you."
Jang Cheon headed straight for Song Gyeom's residence.
The council chairman and elders' quarters were far from the Elder Council hall, and not just anyone could enter freely. But that posed no problem for Jang Cheon. His people were planted throughout the council grounds, and the captain of the guard force was already in his pocket.
"Come in, family head."
Song Gyeom greeted Jang Cheon from his sickbed.
Jang Cheon first noted the man's pallid complexion before offering a greeting. "How are you feeling?"
"Perhaps it's my age, but I'm not recovering easily. Still, at my age, surviving a poisoned blade is a miracle in itself, isn't it? And how are you, family head?"
"Thanks to your concern, I'm almost fully healed."
"That's a relief. We were all quite worried when we heard you'd been injured."
After the exchange of polite formalities, Song Gyeom rose from the bed with his guard's assistance.
"Please, just rest, Chairman."
"They say even painful movement helps recovery if done little by little. And how could I lie here with such an important guest?"
Once Song Gyeom was seated with help, Jang Cheon finally took the opposite chair.
"It doesn't seem like you're here just to check on my health... Do you have something to discuss with this old man?"
"I have a question."
"Speak freely."
Jang Cheon took a deep breath. What he was about to say was crucial, and his expression and gaze naturally grew solemn.
"I want to know the Chairman's intentions."
"My intentions... That's rather vague. Are you asking about my stance on the next family head?"
"Yes."
Just then, tea arrived, pausing the conversation. Jang Cheon watched Song Gyeom slowly savor the aroma, an inexplicable unease stirring within him.
Clink.
"My thoughts haven't changed."
"Then..."
"Whoever demonstrates the qualities and ability to lead Northern Murim admirably will naturally have my support."
Jang Cheon felt a quiet relief inwardly. But he couldn't take the words at face value.
"There was a council meeting just now. I saw the Chief Elder addressing the young master as 'lord.' I'd been wondering if the Chairman's mind was made up."
"He's not officially in the lord's seat yet, nor has punishment been formally lifted, but he holds the sword symbolizing the lordship. Calling him 'lord' isn't strange. Nor is calling him 'young master'—titles are a matter of personal choice."
Not a word was wrong. Yet Jang Cheon's unease lingered. Something felt off about Song Gyeom's demeanor today.
"Now that your health is improving somewhat, shouldn't you return to your duties? The family head's role is too vital for anyone else."
"I'll resume soon. By the way, there's a strange rumor circulating in the markets."
"Strange rumor?"
Jang Cheon briefly explained the rumors about Yeon-hoo, watching Song Gyeom's reaction closely.
After hearing it all, Song Gyeom wore an odd expression and asked back, "A tyrant in the making... What do you make of it, family head?"
"Obviously nonsense. Though the brutality he showed on the northern front does give me pause. Witnesses say he was merciless to a degree that made them question if it was necessary."
"Do you know that young warriors are thrilled by that very ruthlessness and mercilessness toward enemies?"
"..."
"Someone said it: We might finally see a powerful lord we've never witnessed before. I partly agree with that."
At "partly agree," Jang Cheon calmly lifted his teacup to his lips, feigning composure.
Something's definitely off. Normally, he'd never show even a hint of agreement...
His suspicions about Song Gyeom deepened.
If this continues, that brat might end up with the whole pot we've stirred.
Thud. Jang Cheon set down his cup and stood.
"I must visit my sister now. I'll take my leave."
"Take care, family head."
Song Gyeom narrowed his brow, staring at Jang Cheon's retreating back as he exited.
"He's sharp—he must have sensed some shift in this old man's feelings."
"He tried to play it cool, but his eyes changed a bit."
The voice belonged to the warrior who had brought the tea earlier—Songyeong.
"You could just come out and say we're fully backing our lord."
"It's not time yet. We must proceed step by step."
"When will that time come?"
"Wait. True lordship comes when mighty force, warriors' loyalty, and the people's support unite as one. In that sense, he hasn't yet shown something everyone can acknowledge. It's only been a few months since his return."
"One thing we don't need to worry about..."
"His martial prowess?"
"Yes. That's for Northern Murim's enemies to fret over. He's shown only a gentle side so far, but if he ever snaps..."
Songyeong shuddered mid-sentence.
Songyeong's eyes widened. "Did you just say... gentle side?"
"Yes. How gentle is he? Like a spring breeze."
"..."
Song Gyeom recalled the Yeon-hoo he'd seen so far. He wondered if that could truly be called gentle.
The answer was no.
If that's gentle...
His mind was now fully made up.
"Does Baekya-beol ever refuse to recognize a lord?"
"It's happened a few times in history. Never in our Northern Murim, though."
"Then what happens?"
"We elevate someone else."
"What? So if Baekya-beol doesn't approve, it's over right then?"
"Essentially, yes. No one they've rejected has ever become lord. Talking too much has made me dizzy. Help me lie down?"
"Ah, yes."
Songyeong eased Song Gyeom back onto the bed.
So light.
"You should rest now too."
"Sleep well, then. I'll check back around dinner."
Songyeong covered him with the blanket and stepped out.
The Elder Council warriors greeted him warmly. He smiled and returned the gestures. They'd started as targets of his approach, but now they were genuine friends.
Leaving the council grounds, Songyeong headed north to the training grounds.
I'd rather teach martial arts than rack my brain like this.
He'd taken only a few listless steps when Jang Cheon and Jang Hoe appeared ahead, en route to the great lady's quarters. Spotting him, they halted.
Jang Cheon asked abruptly, "You're Songyeong, right?"
"And?"
"You punk! Show some respect!"
Jang Hoe growled, but Songyeong just stared back blankly.
Jang Cheon continued, "I'll arrange a meeting sometime."
"Dunno. I'm pretty busy..."
"I'll send word when you're free."
"Whatever."
As Jang Hoe stepped forward again, Jang Cheon held him back. "Let it go."
Casual talk after one meeting? Cheeky.
Songyeong bit back a retort, ignored them, and continued to the training grounds.
Once he was gone, Jang Cheon muttered with an odd expression, "They say the family's income doubled since that guy arrived?"
"I heard even more than that."
"He must have real talent, despite his looks."
"Word is, everyone the young master brought is exceptional. That one aside, there's the great archer and the martial instructor—their skills are terrifying, from what I hear."
"Even so, they're just bodyguards."
"Ah... right."
The "bodyguard" was none other than Cheol-u.
Jang Hoe pressed on anxiously. "It'll be trouble if he brings in more like them."
Just then, two young men approached. It was Yuksoon and Seo-wi-ryang, who had joined the Wall Thunder elder assassination.
Not recognizing Jang Cheon, they passed by nonchalantly.
Jang Cheon's eyes flashed with sharp insight as he watched them.
Were there guys like that here?
At first glance, Yuksoon and Seo-wi-ryang exuded a peculiar aura—not quite extraordinary, but something else.
Two familiar retainers approached. Jang Cheon knew them.
"Who are those two?"
"We're not sure. They arrived a few days ago, and we heard they're the young master's men."
"No idea what they're capable of?"
"No, sir."
"Got it. You're dismissed."
Jang Cheon furrowed his brow, staring at Yuksoon and Seo-wi-ryang as they rounded the corner.
He's gathering his people bit by bit... That's the play?
An unsettled feeling gnawed at him. If his eyes weren't deceiving him, those two were no ordinary fighters. If elites kept flocking to Yeon-hoo, he'd be at a disadvantage.
"Brother, let's go see Aunt. She's waiting."
Jang Cheon headed to Jang Yeong's residence, unease churning within.
As Yeon-hoo prepared to depart for Takju, a faint smile played on his lips.
No rest for the weary.
He'd planned to take time to plot the future political landscape. But he couldn't ignore the clash between the Red Wolf Corps and Northwest Murim.
Equally vital was bringing the mighty Southern Defense Army—second only to Yun Hoe's Northern Legion—under his command.
If he succeeded, he could gain the edge over Jang Cheon without even summoning his waiting subordinates.
"Cheol-u."
"Yes."
"You should rest."
"I'm fine."
"Where do you think you're going in that condition?"
"I can heal on the way."
"So stubborn..."
"I learned from you, my lord."
"..."
Dongbang Ri entered then. "You called?"
"We're going to Takju. Prepare."
"...Takju?"
"I'll explain en route. Meet at the main gate in two hours."
"Understood."
As Dongbang Ri left, Cheol-u asked, "Why bring Lady Dongbang?"
"No training beats real combat."
"Isn't it too dangerous?"
"She'll endure. If not, she can't stay by my side."