The Dream and Hope Left by Yeon-hoo
The relentless downpour that had lasted for days suddenly ceased. The Cangchuan River emerged, its dazzling sunlight turning the rain-soaked mountains and rivers into a glittering jewel. As the grass blades, battered by the floods, shyly lifted their heads under the brilliant sun's encouragement, a single bird plummeted above them, scattering feathers like snowflakes.
Thud!
Cheol-u pulled a small bamboo tube from the bird's leg, unrolling the tightly wound letter inside.
"Ma the Commander-General fell for that bastard's scheme and swore his loyalty... [rest omitted]"
He smirked.
"My lord's palm is vaster and deeper than the boundless sea. There's no way those rats can escape it. Heh heh heh."
Cheol-u tucked the letter into his bosom and glanced toward where the messenger pigeon had descended—from the left flank of the camp, where the commanders' tents clustered.
"Just as expected?"
A clear voice rang out as Seobaek emerged from the woods behind him. It was his doing that had brought down the flying pigeon—with a tree branch, no less, not even an arrow.
"Precisely as my lord predicted."
"My lord truly has a ghost's intuition. He pinpointed the pigeon's flight path last time too, and now again without a hitch. So, what now? Round up every last one of the Jang Family scum?"
"He said there's no need."
"My lord did?"
"Yes. Just leave them be."
"Leave them? They're the type to scheme some dirty trick when we return to the Iron Blood Family, and you're saying let them roam free?"
A faint smile tugged at Cheol-u's lips.
"Do you believe the saying that even a tiger hunts a rabbit with all its might?"
"That's not about belief—it's the sages' wisdom urging us to give our all in everything."
"Then do you think a tiger would hunt a rabbit?"
"If prey runs scarce, even a rabbit will do."
"And if prey is plentiful?"
"Why bother with a mere mouthful like a rabbit whe— Wait, are you saying my lord views Jang Cheon as insignificant as a rabbit?"
"That's how I see it."
Seobaek tilted his head, mumbling.
"With my lord's abilities, sure, but Jang Cheon still warrants caution... Well, once my lord ascends to his rightful place, maybe not."
"My lord forgoes the swiftest, surest path. He sees no need for it. You grasp what that means?"
"He believes he can claim his throne without even striking off Jang Cheon's head."
"And if things turn dire?"
"He'd take it then, of course. Nothing's more certain. Anyone else obstructing his path would follow."
"Exactly. With that absolute trump card guaranteeing victory, he chooses the longer road—securing the unwavering support of Northern warriors who form its foundation. Jang Cheon is merely a tool to fulfill my lord's will. Or rather, a supporting role to make him shine. Only after seeing Ma the Commander-General's oath did I truly understand my lord's intent—why forsake the easy path for this arduous one."
"Obviously. Conquering by force alone breeds inevitable rebellion. By the way... hmm."
Seobaek wore a peculiar expression, furrowing his brow before continuing.
"Just like big brother."
"What?"
"Realizing it only now. My friends and I saw it from the start. That's why people call you a cold-blooded killer who knows only death..."
Crack!
"Gah!"
Cheol-u smacked the back of Seobaek's head with his palm. Hit dead-on, Seobaek teared up, rubbing furiously where no hand should have reached.
"I'll go ahead. Bring three logs as thick as your scrawny neck. Length: one jang. Short by even a chi, and that's one smack per chi."
"Logs? Out of nowhere?"
"Got a use for them."
With that, Cheol-u vanished. Seobaek glared daggers at his retreating figure.
"Just duke it out and reset the pecking order?"
"You serious?"
'Gasp!'
Cheol-u's voice rode the wind.
"...No way. Just kidding, obviously. As if I could challenge big brother."
"Forgot one—need a fourth log now. Don't dawdle. Late means an extra smack each."
Smack!
Training grounds.
True to his word, Yeon-hoo personally oversaw the warriors' drills. The cocky grins faded from their faces after just one gak into the session; limits dawned around one sikgyeong later.
"Huff!"
"Pant... pant!"
The warriors heaved ragged breaths. Lungs burning, legs quaking, they clenched their jaws and endured. "If you can't bear it, you can't stand with us," Yeon-hoo had said.
Another sikgyeong passed. Most stabbed swords into the earth to stay upright; some spat blood. Yeon-hoo's gaze on them was chillingly indifferent.
Beside him, Ma Ui Tae and Gwak Hong—watchers from the start—nodded in satisfaction. They'd expected most to collapse by now. Yeon-hoo's regimen was brutally severe.
'Picked some solid ones.'
Yeon-hoo was quietly pleased. Holding on through sheer will at the brink wasn't easy. One slip, and human nature crumbled uncontrollably—a sight he'd witnessed countless times.
"Still manageable?"
"Yes, sir!"
At their hoarse, resolute reply, Yeon-hoo finally smiled faintly.
"Good. That's enough for today."
As he turned, they collapsed like felled trees. Ma Ui Tae approached.
"Well done, my lord."
"You chose well."
"I'm honored you think so."
"From tomorrow, you take over personally. Everything they need to learn is in the manual—follow it."
"...Me, sir?"
"Must head back sooner than planned. Meant to linger, gauge Northwest Murim's state, but the Red Wolf Corps changes that."
Ma Ui Tae glanced at the warriors.
'They'll be disappointed...'
He recalled their joy at Yeon-hoo's personal guidance.
"Commander."
"Yes, my lord."
"Unprecedented chaos may come. Prepare the Southern Defense Army at peak strength."
"I shall fulfill my duty."
"One more task."
"Your command."
"Cheol-u."
Cheol-u materialized like a ghost. Ma Ui Tae no longer flinched.
Yeon-hoo handed Ma Ui Tae the letter from Cheol-u. Reading it, a subtle fury flickered in the commander's eyes.
"Watch closely, but no punishment unless they commit open treason."
"Leaving them could stir trouble."
"If even that chaos overwhelms you, how will you rule the Northwest? If it grows excessive in your judgment, wield your authority freely."
"Understood. When do you depart?"
"Now."
"This instant...?"
"Say urgent matters called me away. Eases their disappointment."
Yeon-hoo eyed the warriors, still sprawled motionless, some snoring deeply, oblivious.
"Tell them I'll bring stronger techniques next time."
Sama Song, Dongbang Ri, and Seobaek arrived with horses—ready to go. Regret shadowed Ma Ui Tae's face.
"No send-off; slip away quietly. Until next time, Commander."
"Safe travels, my lord."
Ma Ui Tae watched Yeon-hoo's receding figure. Gwak Hong stood beside him.
"Honestly, it's surreal."
"What is?"
"In the short time with my lord, so much happened. Feels like a dream."
"He left us a dream that could become reality."
"Can we truly topple the Northwest?"
"When Sama the Family Head first spoke those words, I dismissed them as grasping at clouds. But after witnessing... hope stirs. Hope that burns the chest."
Ma Ui Tae's face twitched with emotion. Gwak Hong smiled softly.
"I cherish this side of you as much as the dream my lord bestowed."
"Sounds like you never trusted me before."
"You know that's not it. Hahaha."
Gwak Hong bellowed. A rare faint smile graced Ma Ui Tae's lips. He gazed at Yeon-hoo's vanishing speck, regret deepening.
"I forgot to confess my disloyalty in failing to serve the previous lord properly. Should have begged forgiveness..."
Whoosh.
Wind clawed at Ma Ui Tae. He stood rooted like a post until Yeon-hoo faded entirely.
Whoosh.
Sudden fierce winds shook the surrounding woods. Yet in Yeon-hoo's heart blew only the warmest spring breeze.
'Gained much.'
Events had unfolded swiftly, mostly favorably. Securing Ma Ui Tae's voluntary oath alone warranted endless smiles.
All from refusing to rest on laurels, moving decisively.
Sama Song nodded repeatedly at Yeon-hoo's back.
'Incredible. Making that rigid Ma Commander swear loyalty of his own accord...'
A doubt lingered: All per Yeon-hoo's design, or coincidence?
'What does it matter? Heh heh heh.'
Sama Song suppressed a urge to laugh skyward uproariously.
How much farther did they go? The woods ahead rustled; someone emerged.
Sensing it beforehand, all halted, bracing. Cheol-u gripped his sword hilt, shielding Yeon-hoo.
But Yeon-hoo remained utterly calm.
"Step back, Cheol-u."