First Encounters
Gwan-ryang withdrew with his subordinates to a spot about ten li from the battlefield. The place they stopped was within the territory of the Northern Murim.
Enemy pursuers had hounded them along the way, but they hadn't suffered major losses. Gwan-ryang turned to the young men who had arrived ahead of them. Standing before the youths was Cheol-u.
Gwan-ryang felt a sudden illusion, as if he were seeing yet another Yeon-hoo. The two men's auras were so strikingly similar.
In a polite tone, Gwan-ryang asked, "Might you be from the Northern Murim?"
Cheol-u nodded curtly in response.
Gwan-ryang asked no more. He could tell Cheol-u wasn't the type to elaborate even if pressed.
He simply waited for Yeon-hoo to arrive. And soon enough, Seobaek descended like the wind ahead of the others.
Incredible archery, Gwan-ryang thought. He'd seen it clearly from the battlefield—how Seobaek's bow skills had tied down the Northwest Murim reinforcements.
Were there young masters like this in the Northern Murim?
Gwan-ryang's mind held extensive knowledge of the Northern Murim's experts. Yet there was no record anywhere of young talents like Cheol-u or Seobaek.
That was when Yeon-hoo emerged, parting the forest with ordinary steps rather than lightness skill. From him emanated an overwhelming pressure that made it hard for Gwan-ryang to breathe.
Yeon-hoo glanced briefly at Gwan-ryang before approaching the youths first. "Everyone all right?"
"We're safe, but many others..." The young man who replied reddened around the eyes.
Recalling the corpses he'd seen earlier, Yeon-hoo drew a quiet breath. "We'll hear the full story later."
As Yeon-hoo turned to leave, one youth called out, "We don't know who you are, but thank you for saving our lives!"
Seobaek stepped forward. "He is the lord of our Northern Murim."
"...!"
Everyone was stunned. Gwan-ryang and the Iron Wolf Unit were no exception.
Only then did Yeon-hoo turn toward Gwan-ryang. Still reeling from the revelation that Yeon-hoo was the lord of the Northern Murim, Gwan-ryang quickly composed himself and cupped his fists in salute.
"I am Gwan-ryang of the Iron Wolf Unit. We owe you our lives. We will never forget this grace."
"No need for thanks. I fought to save those youths, not you."
"..."
"I mean no interference in your war. Don't misunderstand."
There was a rumor circulating the world: the Iron Wolf Unit rejected any intervention in their wars and would immediately deem the intruder an enemy if they dared.
Yeon-hoo, who intended to recruit them, had no desire to violate their unspoken rule. He added one more thing.
"Thanks to you, those youths survived. We'll repay that debt later."
Gwan-ryang swallowed words about how they hadn't fought to save the youths. Yeon-hoo had already turned away, denying him the chance.
Into Gwan-ryang's ear flowed Yeon-hoo's indifferent voice. "Good luck."
Gwan-ryang watched Yeon-hoo's group vanish into the forest, then let out a low breath. "Hoo."
One of his centurions spoke up. "Rumor has it the Iron Blood Family's second young master returned and is vying with Jang Cheon for the lord's seat. That must be him."
Gwan-ryang had heard the rumors too but dismissed them as nonsense. Most in the world—and Gwan-ryang himself—saw Jang Cheon as the next lord of the Northern Murim.
If Jang Cheon is a wolf, that man is a tiger.
"Captain, look over there." The centurion pointed to the cliffs opposite.
Northwest Murim forces were appearing one by one. At the sight, Gwan-ryang's eyes blazed fiercely, as if nothing had happened.
But now was a time to hold back. "What do we do? To return to base, we'd have to plunge back into neutral territory, but those bastards outnumber us."
"We'll figure it out step by step. Tend to the wounded first."
"Understood."
"We'll rest here and reorganize."
"Yes, sir!"
At Gwan-ryang's command, the Iron Wolf Unit warriors openly settled in for a break. Northwest Murim fighters hurled curses and bared their hostility, but they didn't cross into neutral territory. Doing so would pit them against not just the Iron Wolf Unit but the nearby Southern Defense Army of the Northern Murim.
Gwan-ryang quenched his thirst with liquor handed over by a subordinate.
Gulp, gulp!
Draining a bottle in one go, he flopped onto the grass without a care for the encroaching Northwest forces.
"I'm catching some sleep. Don't wake me unless it's urgent."
"Got it. Sleep well, sir!"
The centurions exchanged glances and chuckled. This was Gwan-ryang's true nature.
Southern Defense Army command tent.
Ma Ui Tae and Sama Song sat facing each other with a teapot between them. They chatted idly while awaiting Yeon-hoo.
In the midst of conversation, Sama Song realized anew the lingering ill feelings Ma Ui Tae harbored toward the Iron Blood Family—Yeon-hoo's house—and its former lord, Yi Yeom.
No need for me to step in. Leave it to my lord.
Sama Song calmly sipped his tea. "May I ask the family head something?"
"Speak, Chief."
"I've heard rumors about our lord. Do you know of them?"
"Yes, I've heard."
Sama Song smiled faintly. He was inwardly delighted that Ma Ui Tae referred to Yeon-hoo as "lord." In this delicate situation, calling him "young master" could have sparked issues.
"They say he'll become a tyrant upon ascending the throne, that war with the Northwest Murim is imminent... and worse absurdities beyond what's reached here. Heh heh heh."
"So we can dismiss them as baseless?"
"Of course. You'll see for yourself upon meeting him, Chief, but our lord is no such man. Though I must admit rumors exaggerate because he shows no mercy to enemies. And..."
Sama Song trailed off and took another sip. Ma Ui Tae, not touching his cup, awaited the rest.
"We can't rule out someone deliberately spreading these falsehoods."
"You suspect the Jang Family?"
"It's plausible enough. Ah, I hear Jang Family affiliates are here too. I wonder if they're engaging in political maneuvering."
Ma Ui Tae denied it firmly. "Never. We've strictly cracked down on any political speech that could divide the camp."
"As expected of you, Chief."
Just then, Gwak Hong's voice drifted in. "Chief, it's Gwak Hong."
"Enter."
Gwak Hong stepped inside. "The lord is arriving. He'll enter the camp shortly."
"Understood."
Gwak Hong watched Ma Ui Tae exit with Sama Song, praying nothing would go wrong.
Ma Ui Tae reached the camp's main gate and peered beyond the stockade. On the path from the forest, dozens of people approached.
"Is that the lord?" Ma Ui Tae pointed to the figure at the lead—Yeon-hoo.
"Yes."
"He brought many escorts."
"No, only two guards."
Sama Song replied, eyes widening. Only Cheol-u and Seobaek had gone with Yeon-hoo. Yet nearly thirty people followed behind him.
Northwest Murim prisoners, perhaps?
Setting aside his questions, Sama Song waited. When they drew close enough to recognize faces, he stepped out first.
Ma Ui Tae and the Southern Defense Army's command staff held their positions. Northern Murim ironclad rule: camp leaders never left the grounds, no matter the circumstance.
Sama Song asked, "Lord, who are they?"
"Our people kidnapped by the Northwest Murim."
"...!"
"We'll discuss details inside."
"Yes, this way."
As Yeon-hoo walked toward the main gate, he scanned the gathered crowd. His gaze fixed on Ma Ui Tae's face.
"Southern Defense Army Chief Ma Ui Tae greets the lord."
"Pleased to meet you, Chief Ma."
"Then to the tent."
Ma Ui Tae gestured to the tent with both hands, subtly clearing the path. Watching from behind, Gwak Hong breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Ma Ui Tae had so naturally addressed Yeon-hoo as "lord."
Phew...
Moments later, Yeon-hoo sat with the command staff in Ma Ui Tae's tent. No sooner had he taken his seat than he fixed Ma Ui Tae with a cold stare and asked in an icy tone, "Does the Southern Defense Army handle security in nearby cities too?"
"Yes. All towns and cities within fifty li are under our jurisdiction."
"Then you knew our people were being abducted to the Northwest Murim from various cities?"
"...!"
Ma Ui Tae's expression changed drastically. Clearly, this was news to him.
"The ones with me are just some of them."
"Some, you say..."
"Many more were dragged off and brutally killed."
Tremble...
Ma Ui Tae's eyes quivered faintly. Meanwhile, Sama Song grew anxious at Yeon-hoo's ominous aura. It seemed certain Yeon-hoo meant to hold Ma Ui Tae accountable for the abductions.
"Who should be punished, then?"
Yeon-hoo's voice carried a frostbite chill matching his sunken gaze.
"Naturally, the responsibility falls to me as chief. If true, I deserve punishment."
"Chief!"
As Gwak Hong's eyes widened in shock, Yeon-hoo turned and snapped coldly, "This isn't a place for adjutants to interject."
"...My apologies, lord."
Yeon-hoo turned back to Ma Ui Tae. "You must bear responsibility for this incident. But with the war between the Northwest Murim and Iron Wolf Unit raging in nearby neutral territory, I'll hold off on punishment for now."
Ma Ui Tae bowed his head, lips pressed tight, offering no excuses.
"Now, begin your report."
Ma Ui Tae looked up at Yeon-hoo. "Even though it's neutral ground and involves unrelated factions, the Northwest Murim is our blood-sworn enemy under the same sky. Surely you've conducted at least minimal intelligence?"
Finally grasping Yeon-hoo's intent, Ma Ui Tae replied in his characteristically terse manner. "Yes. Since hostilities began, we've gathered intel via scout teams. Allow me to report what we've secured so far."
Ma Ui Tae began his briefing. Throughout, Gwak Hong stole glances at Yeon-hoo's face, unable to hide his inner astonishment.
What overwhelming pressure...