Yeon-hoo's Letter
"Demon Corps?"
The Demon Corps. That was how Baek-un had introduced the young men he'd brought with him.
"Did you come up with that name?"
"They named themselves. Since my nickname is Demon Leader, they insisted it had to have 'demon' in it too..."
"Pfft."
"Heh."
Seobaek, Yuksoon, and the others burst into laughter. Baek-un shot them a fierce glare, but when even Cheol-u and Baek Mu Yeong cracked smiles, he scratched his head awkwardly.
"...If you don't like it, I'll tell them to change it."
"No need. Names aren't what matter. But are they any good?"
"There are only thirty of them, but their combat prowess rivals a thousand men. Give them a mission sometime, my lord."
Yeon-hoo slowly scanned the young men of the Demon Corps. They all bowed their heads in silence, but the feral aura radiating from them around him was quite to his liking.
In truth, these were people even Yeon-hoo didn't know. He'd heard from Baek-un, whom he'd coincidentally taken under his wing, that he had friends who followed him, but this was the first time seeing them in person.
"Who's in charge?"
"Me, naturally."
"Besides you. Who takes over when you're away."
"Ah... Hey, you mad pig. Get up and greet the lord properly."
At Baek-un's words, a burly young man with a massive build shot to his feet.
Baek-un continued boastfully. "He looks the part, but his martial arts are top-notch, and he's pretty sharp too."
"Now that you're standing, state your name."
"Bu Cha, my lord!"
His name was as unusual as his appearance, drawing fresh laughter from Seobaek and the others.
Bu Cha twitched his nose and glared at them. "Quit laughing already."
His odd speech only made Seobaek and the rest laugh outright.
"Hahaha!"
"Kekeke!"
Baek-un glared at them again, but with Cheol-u, Baek Mu Yeong, and Akso watching, he swallowed the curses rising in his throat.
"Quiet."
Yeon-hoo's single word silenced the room.
He fixed Bu Cha with a steady gaze. "Your captain will soon leave with me on a long journey. Manage the men well until he returns. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
Yeon-hoo turned to Baek Mu Yeong. "While I'm gone, follow this man's orders."
Only then did the entire Demon Corps raise their heads to stare at Baek Mu Yeong.
Bu Cha tilted his head this way and that before speaking. "Well... we Demon Corps don't listen to anyone weaker than us."
A faint smile tugged at Baek Mu Yeong's lips.
Baek-un scratched his head. "Sorry, brother. They're a bit blind when it comes to judging people."
"To survive this long with eyes like that."
"That's 'cause I've got their backs. Heh heh heh."
Baek-un grinned and shot Bu Cha a warning look. "He's stronger than me. So obey whatever this brother says, no questions."
"For real?"
"You little shit... You gonna make me repeat myself?"
"Sorry, captain!"
Everyone laughed again at how Bu Cha turned meek as a mouse before a cat in front of Baek-un.
Just then, Dongbang Ri and Sama Song entered the hall, followed by several horses and carriages. The Iron Blood Family's leaders had also appeared. It was time to begin the journey to Baekya-beol.
Cheol-u said to Baek-un, "You'll drive the carriage, Baek-un."
"Yes, sir!"
"Let's go, my lord."
Moments later, amid everyone's farewells, Yeon-hoo set off on his second journey to Baekya-beol. Two were still missing, but they were meant to meet elsewhere, not at the Iron Blood Family anyway.
Meanwhile, among the farewell crowd was Jang Cheon. He watched Yeon-hoo's receding back with a meaningful smile.
It'll be a tough road, yet he's so full of confidence... Let's see how long that lasts, you brat.
Jang Cheon was convinced everything would go his way this time. The chaos starting from Baekya-beol would work utterly in his favor.
All I have to do is wait for the tragic news that will plunge them all into grief? It'll be the best news for me, of course. Heh heh heh.
Then someone approached Jang Cheon. Song Gyeom.
"That smile on the family head's face suggests some good news?"
"Seeing our lord head to Baekya-beol so boldly fills me with emotion. It's been ages since the young master's untimely death that we've seen such confidence... Don't you agree, Elder?"
"Indeed. Though many still worry, this old man is certain. He will become the greatest lord in Northern history."
"I had no idea you held our young lord in such high regard."
"Age is just a number, isn't it? Already, many in the North share this old man's view of the lord. I'm sure you do too, family head."
Song Gyeom turned with Songyeong and headed straight back to the Elder Council.
Watching their backs, Jang Cheon's expression twisted unlike moments before. He knew Song Gyeom had deliberately praised Yeon-hoo for him to hear.
Poison gleamed in Jang Cheon's eyes.
Many cheered killing Wall Thunder's Elder Council Leader, but that will drag the brat down. Wi Yeon Gwang will go all out to kill him more than ever—can the brat escape Wall Thunder's full might? He'll learn the hard way that regrets come too late. Heh heh heh.
Baekya-beol.
Somubaek, who had ascended to the supreme throne of Great Earth Sovereign, wore a dark expression.
Cheol Gun-ak, floating a fragrant petal in his teacup across from him, asked, "You don't look well."
"We're alone. Speak casually."
"No. Now that you've taken the Great Earth Sovereign's seat, I'll discard personal ties and serve you solely as a vassal. It puts my mind at ease that way."
Cheol Gun-ak offered the scented tea. Somubaek gazed silently at the floating petals in his cup.
"These petals feel just like me."
"What do you...?"
"A petal's worth depends on those who drink the tea. If they like it, they'll seek more—but if not, it's discarded without mercy."
Shadows deepened on Somubaek's face as he likened his own plight. A heavy sigh escaped Cheol Gun-ak's lips.
"Didn't you say you'd accept reality? And become a strong lord worthy of the previous sovereign's honor? Yet why show such weakness now?"
"Forgive me. I showed my pathetic side again."
Somubaek smiled wistfully and lifted the cup to his lips. His fingertips trembled faintly.
Cheol Gun-ak's eyes wavered subtly as he watched.
Is this a seat he truly cannot bear?
It had been a full month since officially ascending as Great Earth Sovereign. In that time, Somubaek had only brought disappointment. He couldn't voice his will at grand assemblies, nor advance an inch from his weak princeling days before the top leaders like the Elder Council Chairman.
His initial resolve to accept reality and rule strongly had vanished.
If only he could inherit that man's strength...
Yeon-hoo's face always came to mind at such times. He'd occasionally wondered what if Yeon-hoo became Great Earth Sovereign. He scolded himself, but disappointment in Somubaek always brought Yeon-hoo back unbidden.
"Have some tea too, senior brother."
"Yes."
As Cheol Gun-ak reached for his cup—
"Sovereign, it's your guard captain Heodo."
Heodo's voice drifted from outside.
Somubaek set down his cup and leaned back into the throne. "Enter."
Heodo opened the door and stepped in. Cheol Gun-ak asked on his behalf, "What is it?"
"Night Wolf's head, Seok-ho-jin, requests an audience with the Sovereign."
Somubaek's eyes lit up with rare vitality. "Let him in."
"Yes."
Heodo left, and soon Seok-ho-jin entered. Somubaek rose from the throne to greet him. Cheol Gun-ak also smiled warmly at Seok-ho-jin.
"Your servant Seok-ho-jin pays respects to the Great Earth Sovereign."
"On your way back from the North?"
"Yes. The North's lord sent me to aid the Sovereign."
"Is he well?"
"Yes. I personally witnessed how views of him change by the day. And he asked me to deliver this."
Seok-ho-jin pulled out a sealed tube and offered it. Cheol Gun-ak extracted the letter inside and handed it to Somubaek.
As Somubaek read, his eyes flashed at the end. Cheol Gun-ak wondered at the content but waited.
"He says he's sending people to help me."
"Is that so?"
"Read it."
Congratulations on ascending to Great Earth Sovereign...
...I'm sending a few friends to serve you loyally at your side, in hopes they might help. Try them out—if they're not to your liking, send them back anytime...
"Hahaha!"
Cheol Gun-ak burst into loud laughter. It was welcome news indeed.
Somubaek smiled broadly too. "Some might suspect, so we should prepare in advance."
"You can station guards by sovereign authority without issue. Just keep their Northern origin secret to avoid other families' thoughts. I'll handle it."
"If they're from him, their skills must be exceptional. Is this what gaining ten thousand troops feels like?"
Meanwhile, Seok-ho-jin watched their joy and thought of Yeon-hoo.
To gladden these two so much with one letter...
He realized anew how remarkable Yeon-hoo was. Pity for Somubaek deepened too. How isolated must he be to rejoice like this? The scene before him hinted at his plight.
I hope he pulls through...
"Seok, former hall leader."
"Yes, Sovereign."
"Rest after your long trip. We'll speak tomorrow."
"Then I'll visit in the morning."
Seok-ho-jin left Jijeon Palace.
He and guard captain Heodo were old friends. Barely out the palace, Seok-ho-jin asked, "How's the mood in the cartel?"
"What do you think?"
"Chaotic. Still confused. Just my guess—answer properly."
"Don't ask. I have no answers to give. I just do my utmost for the Sovereign's safety."
"Same as ever."
Seok-ho-jin asked no more. Heodo despised politics down to his bones.
Now Heodo asked, "You've been with Iron Blood Family all this time?"
"Ended up that way."
"Rumors say their returned second young master is no ordinary man. What was he like?"
"Judge for yourself later. But first... whatever you imagine, it'll exceed it."
"Rumors are true, then."
"Judge yourself. See you tomorrow."
Heodo watched Seok-ho-jin head to his quarters, narrowing his brow slightly.
More guards?
Recalling Somubaek and Cheol Gun-ak's talk, Heodo turned back toward Jijeon Palace.
How impressive? I'll see for myself.