Chronicles of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 60: I Met the Lord of the North
The camp's tents buzzed with lively clamor. Was it a drinking party? A thick scent of alcohol wafted through the open doorway.
"Those bastards. They're really fired up, huh. Heh heh heh."
Gwak Hong, who had stepped out for some fresh air, glanced back at the tent with a faint smile. His face was flushed from the booze.
Indeed, this was the quarters of the warriors who had claimed a crushing victory in the canyon. With Yeon-hoo's and Ma Ui Tae's permission to drink today—and only today—the revelry was in full swing.
The warriors still couldn't contain their excitement. Emerging victorious without a single casualty despite being outnumbered had filled them all with boundless confidence, the kind that made them feel like they could take on anything from here on out.
"Hey! Did you see our lord in battle?"
"Hell yeah. He was like a tiger ripping through a flock of sheep!"
"Those Northwest dogs panicked under the lord's fierce assault, letting us seize the momentum right from the start! Anyway, I've decided—as of today—to serve the lord of the North!"
"Me too!"
It was as if they were about to burst into a full-throated hymn for Yeon-hoo.
Gwak Hong looked up at the moon hanging in the sky and let out a quiet sigh.
"Haa... That moonlight's something else tonight."
"Why are you out here?"
"...!"
Gwak Hong stiffened at the sudden voice from behind, quickly composing himself before turning around. He bowed his head.
"Welcome, my lord."
Yeon-hoo approached, parting the shadows. He glanced at the rowdy tent, then asked Gwak Hong, "Not running low on liquor?"
"No, my lord. Thanks to your generous supply, we have plenty."
"Let's head in."
"...Pardon?"
"Am I not allowed?"
"N-no, of course not. Please, come in."
Yeon-hoo entered the tent with Gwak Hong.
"Whoa! Everyone, stand!"
The warrior who spotted Yeon-hoo first shouted, and they all leaped to their feet in unison.
"Loyalty!"
"Sit."
The warriors sat back down. The raucous atmosphere from moments ago vanished, replaced by utter silence.
"Anyone care to pour me a drink?"
"Right here!"
Glug glug.
Yeon-hoo raised his cup.
"Shall we have one together?"
"Yes!"
Yeon-hoo and the warriors drained their cups in sync. Gwak Hong, who hadn't refilled in time, ended up chugging straight from the bottle in a fluster.
Yeon-hoo scanned each warrior one by one, then spoke in a solemn tone.
"You all fought exceptionally well today. Thanks to your bravery, we routed the enemy far more easily than expected."
The warriors exchanged grins.
"But I saw some shortcomings too."
"Teach us!"
One bellowed in a booming voice.
"Shut it, you fool. The lord is speaking."
Thwack!
His comrade smacked him on the head. Laughter erupted, and even Yeon-hoo chuckled. Gwak Hong grinned broadly, teeth flashing.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you a formation perfect for group battles—one you can put to real use. I'll handle the training personally."
"Wooah!"
"Whoa!"
The tent nearly shook with cheers. Yeon-hoo waited for the roar to die down. Watching them go wild like this tugged at something in his chest.
"Quiet down, everyone!"
Gwak Hong hushed them.
"Continue, my lord."
Yeon-hoo pressed on. "The training will be so brutal you'll beg for mercy... You ready?"
"Yes! We're ready!"
"Yes!"
"Who's the leader here?"
"Me, sir!"
A young man in his late twenties sprang up. Compact but sturdy build, eyes burning with life.
Gwak Hong explained, "He's exceptionally talented— the commander holds him in high regard. No official post yet, though."
"Then you're squad leader starting today."
"Squad... leader?"
"Yes. Discuss a name with your men and pick one. I've already cleared it with the commander, so no worries."
"Yes, sir!"
The tent thundered with the young man's reply. His eyes reddened, misting over.
"Drink in moderation and get some early rest. For the hellish training starting tomorrow."
True to his word, the hellish training began.
Yeon-hoo's thirty elites were the test group. Once they mastered group tactics, he'd roll it out army-wide depending on the results. Ma Ui Tae had already approved.
And so the southern hell-training commenced. It was pure torment.
Even those confident in their stamina collapsed within half a day. Most ended up vomiting too.
But their eyes burned bright. For warriors, the burning desire to grow stronger—in skill, inner energy, whatever it took—was an irreplaceable drive.
Three days later, Seobaek returned from the city, where he'd gone to commission stronger weapons at Yeon-hoo's order.
In Ma Ui Tae's tent. He'd yielded the seat of honor to Yeon-hoo and now gaped at the bow, arrows, sword, and saber Seobaek had laid out.
"These are the new weapons?"
"Yes. Shall we test them?"
Ma Ui Tae glanced at Yeon-hoo, who replied calmly, "The sooner the better if they're good, right?"
"Very well."
They stepped outside.
Seobaek picked up the bow and arrows first.
"I'll adjust my inner energy to match the warriors' level."
Creak...
The string drew taut with a sharper sound than before. As the arrowhead caught the sun and flashed skyward, it released with a sharp twang!
Whoosh!
The arrow flew nearly a hundred jang before embedding in a massive tree at the camp's edge.
Thud!
Ma Ui Tae tilted his head. The range seemed no different from their old gear.
Seobaek grinned. "Enhance your vision."
Ma Ui Tae channeled inner energy to sharpen his sight and examined the tree.
"What?!"
A startled cry escaped him. Gwak Hong's eyes bulged like a calf's, mouth agape.
Only the arrow's fletching remained visible—the rest had buried itself completely.
"For bows, accuracy and power matter more than range. On that score, these are at least three times superior to what we've used."
"Three... times stronger?"
"For low-tier warriors, yes. High-tier ones would make them even deadlier. Imagine if the commander used them."
"...!"
Ma Ui Tae's cheek twitched.
Gwak Hong blurted, "How much time and money per unit?!"
A fitting question from the deputy handling finances.
Seobaek flashed his signature bright smile. "With blueprints ready, production time matches the old ones. Cost will be higher, though—we'll need top-quality iron for the tips in bulk."
Yeon-hoo asked, "How much ready cash do we have?"
"About ten thousand nyang in silver taels, my lord."
Yeon-hoo turned to Seobaek. "How many can that make?"
"Plenty of bows and arrows. Swords and sabers would need at least another hundred thousand."
Gwak Hong pressed, "Couldn't we melt down the old ones to cut costs?"
Yeon-hoo answered instead. "That would create a gap in combat readiness."
"Ah..."
Gwak Hong scratched his head sheepishly, having overlooked that.
Yeon-hoo continued, "We'll phase in swords and sabers later. Start with bows now."
"Understood."
"Sama family head."
"Yes, my lord."
"Send a messenger pigeon to the Elder Council Chairman. Tell him to secure a hundred thousand nyang in silver as fast as possible."
"Got it."
"Ask after his well-being too."
"Naturally. I'll dispatch it at once."
As Sama Song dashed off like the wind, Yeon-hoo turned back to Seobaek. "Now, let's try the sword and saber?"
"Yes. Starting with the sword. I focused on durability over the old models..."
Vast rugged mountains stretched under endless green canopy. At the peak stood a man, letting the wind whip his body.
Twin braids, two swords crossed on his back, a massive crescent blade slung across his warhorse's flank. Gwan Baek, leader of the Red Wolf Corps—what the world called an unbreakable warrior.
Whoosh!
Unlike the warming world below, the mountain winds still carried winter's bite. But Gwan Baek's gaze toward the west was colder still.
Screee!
A massive eagle circled overhead, screeching before landing on his shoulder.
A hulking figure stepped forward from behind, untying the message tube from its leg and unfolding the letter inside. His eyes gleamed.
"The First Vanguard Commander is returning."
A faint shift in Gwan Baek's icy eyes—relief.
Another giant approached. "Squad leader, Second Vanguard Commander is back."
Gwan Baek finally turned. In the distance, heavily armored Jeok Yong—the Red Dragon—galloped up on his warhorse.
Moments later, Jeok Yong dismounted and knelt on one knee.
Gwan Baek's cold eyes slowly scanned the blood-soaked figure.
"I'm back, squad leader."
"Report."
"Wiped out the two thousand enemies coming from the south!"
"Injured?"
"Not my blood—don't worry!"
"Good work."
As Jeok Yong withdrew, Gwan Baek's gaze returned west. Silence again.
How much time passed? A stir from behind.
"Squad leader, First Vanguard Commander has returned."
Unlike with Jeok Yong, Gwan Baek didn't turn from the west.
Gwan-ryang approached.
"I'm back."
Gwan Baek said nothing, so Gwan-ryang stared at his back and waited.
Whoosh!
A chill wind clawed past them both. Then Gwan Baek spoke.
"You should have come sooner."
"Took a bit to claim Wi Dong-hoe's head."
Gwan Baek turned. Gwan-ryang bowed his head and continued.
"Also... I met the lord of the North. He helped us."