Chronicles of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 68: The Yacha King Akso
The man rose slowly. For some reason, the two yellow-robed warriors simply watched him stand, their eyes shaking violently.
"Is this how you Northwest mongrels always operate? Keeping an old man's death a secret by poisoning innocent people... This is beyond the pale. You've crossed the bare minimum line that even we martial artists must uphold."
The man's hands touched the chests of the yellow-robed warriors.
A smirk crept across his face. His previously impassive eyes narrowed into slits. Then, a terrifying demonic energy poured from his pupils, chilling like the gaze of a true devil.
"I'd love to slaughter every last one of your underlings, but my liege ordered me to hurry. Your two heads will pay the debt for today."
Thud! Thud!
Dull thumps echoed as the two warriors collapsed limply. Massive holes gaped in their backs, spilling blood and entrails in a gory cascade.
They hadn't even screamed. As their horrific deaths sank in, the man's eyes brimmed with vicious demonic qi.
"No. Might as well kill the ones who need dying sooner rather than later."
His demonic gaze turned toward the yellow-robed warriors blocking the entrance. A devilish smile spread across his lips.
Crash!
Those who had witnessed the deaths burst through the door.
A smirk.
"When you meet Yama in hell, tell him Yacha King Akso sends his regards. Heh heh heh."
Yacha King. A man who should have been called a mere Yama's minion earned the title of "king" because the list of those who died by his hand was truly extraordinary.
Blood and death. He embodied those two words completely—a rogue master who wandered the world unaffiliated with any group, feared as the synonym for terror and brutality even among the Eight Great Families who surveyed the realm from afar.
Whoosh!
Letting the fierce wind carry him, Akso gazed at the city's nightscape. Not a trace remained of the terrifying demonic qi from the inn.
He shook the liquor bottle in his hand once, then hurled it toward the city. It soared into the darkness, shattering with a crisp crack that startled a flock of birds into the sky.
Flutter!
"No choice but to wait for him in the next city."
Muttering cryptically, Akso started walking north. His steps looked like those of any ordinary man, but he glided three zhang per stride—like the immortal shrunken ground technique.
After cresting one mountain, another city's night view unfolded ahead. Despite the late hour, it blazed like a massive flower in the endless night.
Akso headed straight for it without hesitation.
Moments later, descending into the city's bustling streets, he made for an inn. This city lay just fifty ri from the neutral zone where the Red Wolf Corps and Northwest Murim had recently waged fierce war—practically the Northwest's front line.
The streets overflowed with heavily armed warriors. Unlike the previous city, their faces weren't just grim—they radiated outright menace. Common folk were nowhere to be seen.
Akso furrowed his brow.
"The atmosphere feels off."
Then—
"Hey, you! Hold it!"
A sharp shout rang from behind. Akso stopped and turned.
Two warriors with fierce expressions approached. They scanned him head to toe, then thrust out a hand.
"Show us your travel permit."
Akso obediently pulled a forged one from his bosom. Made with exquisite care, it had never failed him before.
"What's your business in this city?"
"Meeting a friend here."
"I asked what your business is."
"Just traveling."
Twitch.
One warrior's eyebrow arched sharply.
"We're fighting tooth and nail against those Red Wolf bastards and Northern scum, rotating shifts day and night—and this prick's mouth spits out 'traveling' like it's nothing."
"Enough."
The other warrior reined in his comrade and gestured at Akso.
"Martial law's in effect citywide. Don't wander too late."
"One drink okay?"
"Drink if you want, but stay inside the inn as much as possible. Plenty of hotheads like this guy around. Got it?"
"Got it."
Akso resumed walking. A rough voice barked from behind.
"Fuckin' hell. Who do these spoiled shits think they are, born with silver spoons, faces smeared in grease from daddy's money, gallivanting on tours while we bleed? Ptoo! Filthy world!"
Akso touched his cheek. No grease—just a smudge of dust.
Soon, he entered a shabby inn. Unlike its rundown exterior, it was packed inside. Mostly ordinary folk, cautious even clinking cups under the patrolling warriors' watch.
The waiter approached.
"One bottle of liquor, one boiled chicken."
"Closing time's soon—no dishes ready now."
Polite words, but his eyes screamed get out.
Akso ignored it.
"Liquor then."
"Sir, closing time..."
"Want me to cut your throat and use your blood instead?"
Most would blanch under that pressure. But the waiter sharpened his glare instead.
Then—
"Hey, you. Why not just leave already?"
A young man at the left table shot Akso a barbed remark.
Akso turned his head. The youth had seemed unremarkable at first glance. Now, his eyes burned with unusual intensity.
Not just him—the entire inn fixed Akso with hostile stares.
A chuckle escaped him.
Been too comfortable lately. My focus is shot.
Normally, he'd scan people first in unfamiliar places—a long-ingrained habit. No one escaped his notice.
Not today. Unacceptable.
"Who the hell are you lot?"
"Doesn't matter who we are. If you value that ugly mug on your shoulders, get lost."
"Now I see... Northwest mongrels disguised as commoners. In that case..."
Akso's eyes slowly filled with demonic qi.
The nearest waiter flinched and staggered back two steps.
Then—
Creak!
The inn door flew open violently as someone entered.
Whoosh!
A gust swept inside, tousling Akso's hair—he sat near the entrance.
"Huh? Hyungnim."
A familiar voice pierced Akso's ear. Instantly, everyone in the inn shot to their feet, bowing deeply.
"Boss!"
"Welcome, boss!"
Akso whipped around reflexively. A massive young man filled his vision.
What if the king of a hundred beasts—a tiger—took human form?
Akso's brow twitched. Not at the youth's entrance, but everyone's reaction.
"Why so late?"
"Couldn't show up empty-handed after so long without the liege. Prepared a gift—sorry for the delay. But why the tension...?"
The youth trailed off, face darkening as he caught on. Everyone else's did too.
To them, this youth was Yama himself—higher than the heavens. And he'd called the man they'd picked a fight with "hyungnim."
Flames erupted in the giant youth's eyes.
"You bastards, don't tell me..."
All paled.
Akso asked, "Your crew?"
"Yes, hyungnim. Did these punks disrespect you?"
"It was heading that way. Sit down."
"What're you saying? If they dared insult you, I'll smash their skulls."
"Boss, we've sinned unto death!"
"We failed to recognize a noble guest and offended you! Forgive us!"
"Mercy!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Everyone leaped up, slamming foreheads to the floor with resounding bangs.
Akso smirked.
"Can I get that drink now?"
"Yes! One moment—best dishes coming right up!"
The waiter vanished like the wind. The giant youth finally sat opposite Akso.
"Sorry, hyungnim. These roughnecks don't know people. Forgive them for my sake, just this once."
"I said it's fine."
"Thank you! Hyungnim!"
"Why bring so many?"
"Every last one eager to help the liege. Scraped 'em all together. You alone, hyungnim?"
Akso gave the wide-eyed youth—big as a calf—a look of disbelief.
"Can't even tell individual summons..."
"Individual... summon?"
The youth's eyes widened further, then he scratched his head with a sheepish grin.
"Sorry. Been so long since you called, I messed up. Send these back then."
"Forget it. They're here—might as well go together. Liege knows your scatterbrain ways; he won't chew you out."
"Really okay?"
"Scared?"
"Who ain't scared of the liege? Even you, who fears nothing, dread him, right?"
The waiter arrived with liquor first.
"Raided a rich Northwest house on the way—they say it's top-shelf. Owner claimed he bought it for ten thousand gold in Sakmok for the Great Earth Sovereign. Food soon."
Akso's brow furrowed again.
"Robbing now too?"
"Not quite. The owner bragged he was tight with Wi Yeon Gwang—donates fifty thousand silver taels to Wall Thunder yearly. Enemy of the liege, no? So we hit 'em as a bonus."
Akso's expression softened. If true, not robbery—execution.
"You killed him, obviously."
"Damn right. Smashed his skull to dust—the vicious prick."
"Pour one."
"Yes, hyungnim!"
Glug glug.
The liquor was exquisite. Akso, a drinker, downed three cups before setting his down.
Clink.
"How'd you snag this inn?"
"Fifty silver taels—rented it whole till lunch tomorrow."
"Didn't kill everyone?"
"Hyungnim, you know I don't touch the weak."
"Can I trust that?"
"Whoa, seriously... that hurts, hyungnim!"
"I trust you. Those guys... manage 'em tight crossing north. One slip-up staining the liege, you're on your own."
"Of course. Drink up, hyungnim—no worries."
The youth, meek as a lamb before Akso.
Demon Blade Baek-un. That was the young man's true identity.