Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 57 - Ma Ui-tae's Confusion
Gwak Hong bit his lip hard as a fierce emotion boiled up from the depths of his chest while watching the exchange—not quite an argument—between Yeon-hoo and Ma Ui-tae.
Yeon-hoo's attitude, declaring he'd even wage war. Others might see it differently, but it set Gwak Hong's blood aflame.
'He's different from the previous lord.'
Whenever he thought of Yi Yeom, who had been overly moderate and passive—sometimes even criticized as weak—Gwak Hong felt like his world was collapsing. How many warriors had bled and fallen because of Yi Yeom's policy of enduring enemy provocations simply due to their own weakness compared to the foe?
Yeon-hoo's words from moments ago still echoed in Gwak Hong's ears.
'War with Northwest Murim... If all of Northern Murim is prepared to die, and we have such a powerful lord fighting alongside us, there's nothing we can't do.'
Gwak Hong suppressed his surging emotions with effort and stared at Ma Ui-tae. The commander's hardened face and sunken gaze revealed his inner turmoil all too clearly.
Gwak Hong let out a quiet sigh.
'At this rate, the commander's heart will tilt toward Jang Cheon.'
At that moment, Ma Ui-tae turned to Gwak Hong.
"Deputy."
"Yes, Commander."
"Send a messenger to headquarters requesting reinforcements."
"Understood."
After issuing the order, Ma Ui-tae turned back to Yeon-hoo. The young lord was already moving ahead, tracing the pursuit's path.
Crunch.
Ma Ui-tae ground his teeth.
'This once, I'll follow your command. But if the operation fails, warriors die needlessly, or this sours relations with Northwest Murim and casts the shadow of war... I won't call you lord anymore.'
Ma Ui-tae launched himself after Yeon-hoo. Gwak Hong and the warriors followed.
One warrior whispered,
"Damn it, what if war breaks out because of us?"
"Northwest Murim struck first. We can't just let it slide out of fear. Honestly, how many times have they screwed us over? Let's do this."
"Yeah. Time to show those bastards we're not pushovers."
"Quiet, all of you."
Gwak Hong's sharp word silenced them.
Yeon-hoo advanced to the northern side of White Tiger Mountain. Northwest Murim's forces had pursued the Red Wolf Corps there.
They'd taken a long detour, but it was less than ten li in a straight line to the Southern Defense Army camp.
'Do they plan to rely on our aid?'
The Red Wolf Corps was heading straight for the Southern Defense Army camp.
Then it happened. Both the fleeing Red Wolf Corps and their pursuers halted, pausing the chase.
Yeon-hoo stopped as well. Ma Ui-tae and the warriors landed beside him.
Sama Song said with disbelief,
"They dare climb this far? Do they think so little of us?"
Ma Ui-tae silently gazed down at the Northwest Murim forces.
After scanning the surroundings in silence, Yeon-hoo turned to Ma Ui-tae.
"Set up camp there with the warriors."
He pointed to a gorge on the northern side of White Tiger Mountain. Sheer cliffs stretched like a folding screen, but it was too wide to call a true gorge. Dense forest upfront hid its nature until one approached closely.
Ma Ui-tae asked,
"What guarantee do we have they'll come that way?"
"They'll come. Without fail."
"......"
"Sama family head, Cheol-u—you move with the commander too."
"Yes."
"Understood."
With his orders given, Yeon-hoo leaped down the mountain.
Ma Ui-tae's eyes darkened with doubt as he watched.
Sama Song offered,
"Trust the lord, Commander."
"It's not about trust. Why doesn't he consider the aftermath? What if this escalates—can we handle it?"
His tone grew heated.
But Sama Song smiled instead.
"Not long ago, our Elder Council Chairman was gravely wounded by an assassin. Sent by Northwest Murim, of course."
"......!"
Ma Ui-tae looked stunned—it was news to him.
Sama Song continued,
"What do you think the lord did?"
"......What did he do?"
"He sent his experts to Wall Thunder Manor and took the Chairman's head. And he deliberately left traces pointing to your retaliation."
"......!"
Ma Ui-tae's eyes widened. Gwak Hong and the warriors were equally shocked.
"Yet Wi Yeon-gwang hasn't retaliated. If word spreads that we struck them, the backlash would be immense—he's scrambling to hush it up."
"Was there... really such an incident?"
Sama Song glanced at Cheol-u instead of answering.
Cheol-u tapped his sword with his finger toward the group—a silent claim that he'd beheaded the Wall Thunder Elder Council Chairman.
Sama Song dropped his smile, his voice grave.
"We all must change. Discard old notions and transform into a new Northern Murim. Shall I tell you what the lord truly desires?"
"......"
"Not mere peace for Northern Murim—but conquering our blood enemies in Northwest Murim, forging a Northern Murim no one dares ignore. That's his goal."
Tremble...
Ma Ui-tae's eyes quivered. An inexplicable excitement surged from his chest's depths—unrelated to his doubts about Yeon-hoo.
Gwak Hong, standing behind, reddened his eyes. Some warriors' breaths grew ragged.
Cheol-u, watching impassively, turned first.
"This isn't the time to dawdle. Let's move."
Gwan-ryang glanced back and chuckled dryly.
"Unbelievable. Chasing us this far?"
"Northwest Murim's always looked down on Northern Murim. And with Yi Yeom dead recently, they've got no restraints. At this rate, we'll really hit the Northern Murim camp."
"They want a fight."
"That's our way, isn't it?"
"Shut it. Our mission is aiding the captain. Dying pointlessly here would be the height of stupidity."
Gwan-ryang resumed movement. Soon, an impossibly vast grassland appeared amid the mountains. Beyond it lay dense forest again.
Gwan-ryang knew what lay ahead.
"Into the gorge."
"Captain, we'll be trapped in there!"
"I've got a plan. Follow without question."
Gwan-ryang led his men into the gorge.
At the entrance—
"Gah!"
Someone cried out in shock. Yeon-hoo stood at the gorge's mouth.
Gwan-ryang's eyes flashed.
'Him again.'
He strode toward Yeon-hoo.
"Waiting for us?"
Yeon-hoo nodded silently.
Gwan-ryang added,
"We don't need more help."
"Maybe not help, but you're heading here to use the nearby Northern Murim camp to your advantage..."
"......"
Gwan-ryang was at a loss, struck true.
Yeon-hoo met his gaze steadily.
"They've abducted and murdered our Northern Murim folk. This is my war too—so no pointless thoughts."
"So you'll attack them?"
"Why else come here?"
"It could escalate..."
Snort.
"That's not your worry."
"Fair enough... Fine. We'll join in. Embarrassing enough fleeing this far—my men are dying of shame."
Shing.
Gwan-ryang drew his sword.
"Don't want to kill them all?"
"Of course."
"Then lure them into the gorge. This open spot lets some escape."
"......"
Gwan-ryang furrowed his brow. He realized he was being drawn in.
"Alone?"
"Think so?"
"Got it. What's the plan?"
"Keep distance, pretend to flee, then 'forced' into the gorge. See you there."
Yeon-hoo leaped into the gorge.
Gwan-ryang's expression was odd as he watched.
'Damn, he pulls you in weirdly.'
The White Unit leader shouted,
"Captain, enemies!"
Gwan-ryang turned. Northwest Murim forces emerged from the forest.
"Dare to catch me, Gwan-ryang?"
Whoosh.
His eyes gleamed murderously.
"Heard what that Northern lord or whatever said? Keep distance, fake fleeing, then into the gorge."
"Follow his lead?"
"Not embarrassing enough fleeing here?"
"Of course."
"Want to slaughter every last one?"
"Damn right."
"Then do as he says. No backtalk."
Ma Ui-tae, arriving at the gorge before Yeon-hoo, waited with his warriors, lost in thought.
'Am I wrong?'
Sama Song's words still rang in his ears. His heart's wild pounding lingered.
He'd led the army believing war must be avoided at all costs—for the good of weak Northern Murim. It had become a deep-seated conviction.
That's why he'd once leaned toward Jang Cheon, advocate of peace. Though he personally despised the man, he'd maintained neutrality.
'Beheading Wall Thunder's Elder Council Chairman...'
Unbelievable. No one had dared retaliate before. Yun Hoe had only defended the north for years against Northwest attacks—preemptive strikes were unthinkable, even in dreams.
The lord seeks to conquer Northwest Murim, forge a Northern Murim no one ignores...
Sama Song's voice echoed like a phantom.
Tremble...
'Am I truly wrong?'
Ma Ui-tae sank deeper into confusion.