News from the White Night Cartel
Yeon-hoo sat face-to-face with Seok-ho-jin without even a proper moment's rest. There, he learned from the man that Somubaek had ascended to the position of Dae Ji-jon. Even the order Somubaek had given Seok-ho-jin to aid him personally.
Yeon-hoo thought of Somubaek.
Can he truly bear the weight of the Dae Ji-jon?
The Dae Ji-jon symbolized the mightiest authority under the heavens. No matter how much Cheol Gun-ak supported him at his side, enduring the immense pressure of that seat would never be easy. If he faltered, the realm would inevitably plunge into utter chaos.
Yeon-hoo took a sip of his tea and fixed his gaze on Seok-ho-jin. The man's expression had been rigidly set from the start.
"You seem worried."
"...Frankly, yes."
"Then go and assist the Dae Ji-jon. I'll speak to him properly on your behalf later."
"Is that truly all right?"
"Do you think you'll be of any use to me in that state of mind?"
"..."
"Leave before you change your mind. The sooner you go, the more help you'll be to the Dae Ji-jon."
"Thank you. Then I'll depart immediately. Do you have any other message for me to relay?"
"Just pass on my regards."
"Understood."
Seok-ho-jin left at once. Yeon-hoo drained the rest of his tea, then sank deeply into his chair, his eyes cooling to a calm intensity.
Cheol-u asked cautiously, "How do you see the political landscape unfolding from here?"
"As I desire."
"...Pardon?"
"One gains more opportunities in turbulent times than in eras of peace. Every new dynasty in history was born from turning chaos into chance. It's just that fellow who worries me..."
"The young master... no, the Dae Ji-jon?"
Yeon-hoo nodded silently, and Cheol-u continued.
"There may be some disorder, but he ascended without a major vacuum. With the Elder Council—the strongest faction—as his backing, it should be fine, no?"
"I'm not so sure."
"You're quite pessimistic."
"There's nothing optimistic about the situation right now. There's no guarantee the Elder Council will truly support him, and Cheol Gun-ak alone can't properly aid the Dae Ji-jon."
"If it were you, my lord, you would find the best path."
Yeon-hoo started to reply but closed his eyes instead. A stabbing pain pierced his eyes like a blade.
"Rest now."
"You rest too. Have your wounds checked again."
"Understood."
Once Cheol-u withdrew, Yeon-hoo pressed several acupoints to ease the eye pain. Soon after, as the ache faded and exhaustion washed over him, he leaned back in the chair and drifted off to sleep. But as always, it was fleeting. His chronic insomnia, like an incurable disease, persisted.
Yeon-hoo shook off the drowsiness and flung open the window.
Whoosh.
He let the cool wind wash over him for a moment as he surveyed the Iron Blood Family grounds.
In that case, I owe the Red Wolf Corps even more gratitude.
If they hadn't turned over a hundred thousand troops' worth of provisions to ash, Wi Yeon Gwang was the sort to seize the chaos and raise an army.
If any other family head harbors ambitions as great as his...
Just the thought weighed heavily on his chest. If someone shattered everything they'd held together thus far, the realm would enter an age of war. To survive such times, Northern Murim needed far greater might than now.
In the end, time is the issue...
Rumble.
Thunder echoed faintly from the distant sky. Looking up, the moon and stars that had shone moments ago were now shrouded in thick clouds.
Plip plip.
Rain began to fall in fine sheets carried by the wind, soon thickening into a downpour.
Whoosh!
Yeon-hoo stared toward the Elder Council hall. A light burned in Elder Council Chairman Song Gyeom's residence. Two shadows flickered in the reflected glow of the window. The upswept hair meant it wasn't Songyeong.
Then—
"My lord!"
Songyeong's voice rang out from the courtyard below. Looking down, Yeon-hoo saw him grinning broadly up at him.
"Did everything go well?"
"A guest at the Chairman's residence?"
"Yes. Someone from our side stationed in the White Night Cartel, I hear. He was going to see you first, but arrived after heading to the Elder Council instead."
Someone stationed in the White Night Cartel?
Yeon-hoo furrowed his brow for a moment.
Right. I'd forgotten we have people residing there all this time.
"Songyeong."
"Yes?"
"Go tell the Chairman I'll visit shortly."
"You've just returned from a long journey and must be tired. Rest tonight. He seems like he'll stay a few days."
Snap!
Yeon-hoo shut the window without a word. Songyeong scratched his head and leaped toward the Elder Council.
"Songhak pays respects to my lord."
Yeon-hoo eyed the young man bowing deeply. Late twenties, perhaps? An air of refinement and extraordinary poise emanated from him, far from ordinary. He was Song Gyeom's grandson, representing the Iron Blood Family in the White Night Cartel for the past three years.
"Report everything in detail to my lord."
"Yes."
Songhak began his account. Most matched what Seok-ho-jin had shared. But certain details piqued interest—especially the fierce clash among the eight great families' delegates in the White Night Cartel, resulting in casualties. It was more than enough to stir curiosity. At the same time, Yeon-hoo's concern for Somubaek deepened.
To keep his enemies from questioning his leadership, he'll need to handle things carefully from now on...
Casualties from infighting within the cartel was unimaginable before. For Somubaek, it was a trial right at the start of his reign.
"What of movements in Northwest Murim?"
"No unusual activity related to us until I departed."
"Any limits on personnel?"
"I believe each family may station up to ten."
"Certain?"
"That's my understanding."
"And we have six now?"
"Yes."
A sense of relief washed over Yeon-hoo, like a blockage clearing. Now he had room to fill the remaining four with trustworthy souls.
"Planning to send more?"
Song Gyeom asked, glancing between Yeon-hoo and Songhak with a pleased smile.
"In such turbulent times, nothing matters more than information. I should send reliable allies and secure more messenger birds than now."
"Quite right. Heh heh heh."
Song Gyeom couldn't stop grinning. Songhak found his grandfather's demeanor odd but held his silence given the occasion. He was astonished too.
Grandfather truly trusts him completely.
The Song Gyeom he knew was a thorough pragmatist. Even in Patriarch Yi Yeom's era, he'd maintained strict neutrality for political gain. Yet here he was, treating Yeon-hoo with utter sincerity. But what shocked Songhak more was Yeon-hoo's overwhelming presence.
He's around my age, yet where does this crushing aura come from?
When Yeon-hoo asked something, it felt like he had to answer with total honesty. Meeting those eyes gave the illusion they pierced straight to his guts.
Even the eldest young master, called a once-in-a-generation genius, wasn't like this...
"When do you head back?"
"In four or five days, I suppose. As you said, with the chaos, I can't be away long."
"I'll decide the departure time. Wait."
"...Pardon?"
Songhak blinked in confusion, and Song Gyeom chided softly.
"Tch, just obey whatever my lord commands without question."
"Ah... Yes, understood."
Yeon-hoo rose.
"You've returned after so long—forget duties and rest deeply for now."
"Thank you, my lord."
As Yeon-hoo reached for the door, he turned back to Song Gyeom.
"With Northwest Murim's intentions unknown, we should issue an alert to the full army as soon as possible."
"Given the situation, yes. I'll relay my lord's will to the elders, so return and rest easy."
Once Yeon-hoo departed, Songhak voiced his curiosity.
"Have you fully decided on him as lord?"
"This old man has, but without a formal assembly, it will take a bit more time officially."
"The Jang family head and his supporters will have much to say."
Song Gyeom countered, "What do you make of my lord?"
"His presence is utterly extraordinary."
"Beyond extraordinary. This old man guarantees it... He will not only be Northern history's finest lord but achieve what our North has never done."
As Song Gyeom spoke, a distant gleam entered his eyes, astonishing Songhak anew.
What on earth happened to make my ever-cool-headed grandfather show such an expression?
"Hak-ah."
"Yes."
"We'll talk later when there's time. Rest for today."
"Yes. Then this grandson will take his leave."
Leaving Song Gyeom's residence, Songhak headed to his old quarters. But he halted after a few steps. Ahead, Yeon-hoo stood facing a single man. Staring unwittingly, their eyes met—and Songhak blinked rapidly, struck by the illusion of a honed blade piercing his pupil.
How can a man's gaze be so terrifying...?
The one who startled Songhak so was none other than Cheol-u. Songhak averted his eyes and continued on. Tempted to glance back, he resisted. He couldn't bring himself to meet that gaze.
Who is he anyway? Never seen him at the main house...
Whoosh.
A fierce wind whipped around the wall, clawing at Songhak's face. He stopped again. People approached from ahead—six in total, the front five drenched in sweat. Their acrid odor rode the wind, but Songhak's eyes fixed on the man at the rear.
Zing...
He shuddered involuntarily. The man exuded a similar yet distinct aura to the one with Yeon-hoo—equally impossible to face head-on.
Who is this one?
The man was Baek Mu Yeong. Another unfamiliar face, leaving Songhak deeply curious. As they drew nearer, Songhak slyly looked away, just as with Cheol-u.
Then—
"A new face."
A voice utterly devoid of inflection slipped from Baek Mu Yeong's lips.
Songhak blurted louder than usual, "I-I'm Songhak. The Elder Council Chairman is my grandfather."
"Did the Chairman have a grandson like you?"
"Ah, well... I've been stationed in the White Night Cartel these past few years and just returned moments ago for this matter..."
Songhak trailed off, eyes widening. Among the five sweat-soaked men, he spotted a familiar face: Jo Yeong.
Jo Yeong recognized him too, his face rounding in surprise.
"Huh? Brother Song."