Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 8 - Yun Hoe's Tears
The next day, an envoy from the Northwest Murim arrived at the camp once more. This time, it was not Yang So, but someone else. He delivered Wi Yeon Gwang's letter to Yeon-hoo, which stated their acceptance of the conditions.
Celebrating the return of the mongrel.
Yeon-hoo let out a cold laugh at those words adorning the letter's close. He severed the envoy's head who had brought it and tied it to his horse's tail, sending it back with a mocking reply.
Fifty li west of Wall Thunder Manor stood a grand, opulent palace piercing through the forest like a towering edifice. The Jang Family estate. Now the undisputed greatest clan in Northern Murim, its main gate was the destination of a lavish six-horse carriage escorted by dozens of warriors galloping toward it.
Thud thud thud!
Family head Jang Cheon and all of the Jang household had come out to the main gate, staring at the approaching carriage. Moments later, the carriage halted, and from within emerged a middle-aged beauty in splendid palace robes, her allure undiminished by age.
"Welcome, sister."
"We greet the Grand Lady!"
All those lined up bowed their heads to the woman. Jang Yeong. The late lord Yi Yeom's second wife, Yeon-hoo's stepmother, and the true power pulling the strings behind Wall Thunder Manor from the shadows.
Her icy gaze swept over the crowd, softening into a smile only when it reached her nephew Jang So.
"You're growing more handsome by the day."
"Thank you."
"Is there anything you need?"
"No, ma'am. I'm deeply grateful for your excessive affection."
"Good. Don't slack off even for a day—work hard."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Jang Yeong turned her gaze back to Jang Cheon.
"Let's talk."
"Please, to my quarters."
Shortly after, the two sat facing each other in Jang Cheon's residence. No sooner had they settled than Jang Yeong spoke.
"An invitation came from the Cartel. They want us to attend the Dae Ji-jon's sixtieth birthday celebration, to be held soon."
"Did they specify personnel?"
"Not exactly, but..."
Jang Yeong trailed off, furrowing her brow. Jang Cheon continued with a faint smile.
"You're worried about who should go?"
"Before, it would have been you without question. But now that that boy has returned..."
"Just send the Second Young Master."
"How can you say that so lightly? What if the Cartel and the other clans acknowledge him as lord of Northern Murim?"
"That won't happen. And I'll go too, so rest easy."
Unlike the anxious Jang Yeong, Jang Cheon was utterly relaxed. He pressed on.
"It's important to make him realize his own shortcomings, but even more so to make the Cartel and Eight Great Families see his incompetence. The latter might be crucial. That way, when I ascend to the lord's seat later, they'll accept it without dissent. In that sense..."
Jang Cheon trailed off with a meaningful smile. Jang Yeong finished for him.
"The Dae Ji-jon's birthday will be a fine opportunity."
"Exactly."
As Jang Yeong's expression finally eased, Jang Cheon smiled faintly.
"Even so, he carries the late lord's blood—I'll be cautious, ever cautious. So trust me and worry no more."
"Insolent brat. He should've come to pay respects the moment he returned."
"We don't know where or how he's lived these years, but he's surely overheard plenty. Including plenty of negativity about you and the family—so he won't feel warmly toward us. When we meet later, at least pretend to be kind, for the sake of appearances."
"Handle everything with care. Remember, the family's fate rests on you."
"Yes, I will."
At that moment—
"Family head, it's me."
Jang Hoe's voice drifted in from outside.
"Come in."
Jang Hoe entered, his face etched with surprise.
"Northwest Murim... has accepted the truce. They're even ceding the northwest mountainous region to us."
"What?"
The leisure vanished from Jang Cheon's face. Frowning, he muttered.
"Why would Wi Yeon Gwang accept a truce?"
"On the Second Young Master's way to the battlefield with the envoy delegation, assassins from Northwest Murim appeared, killing a few."
"Is that true?"
"Yes. It's directly from our clan's boys on the front lines, so it must be."
Here, Jang Cheon felt a strong sense of unease.
No fool would pull such a stunt when they hold the advantage. Which means someone orchestrated it...
Commander Yun Hoe naturally came to mind. To claim the lord's seat, Jang Cheon had to either crush or win him over.
A truce... Yun Hoe, you've pulled off quite the feat.
Jang Cheon was far from pleased with the truce. If there had to be one, he should have initiated it—ideally in a dramatic turn of events. For that purpose, he'd even asked Elder Council Chairman Song Gyeom to delay any response to the Cartel's truce request as long as possible.
Yet it had happened abruptly. Jang Yeong looked puzzled.
"A truce is struck, yet you don't look pleased at all."
"Of course I'm thrilled. Now, let's head to the banquet hall! We've prepared your favorites since you were coming."
Whoosh!
On a mountaintop lashed by biting winds, Yun Hoe gazed down at the vast expanse below, his eyes reddening. The bloody war spanning years... Thinking of the countless Northern Murim warriors who had perished filled him with regret. The image of the late lord Yi Yeom, worrying for Northern Murim's safety even on his deathbed, brought tears streaming down Yun Hoe's face.
Jang Pae stared silently at Yun Hoe's back. His own eyes had long been bloodshot.
Crunch.
Jang Pae's face twisted in spasms as he ground his teeth. But he couldn't stop the tears flowing.
Damn it. I swore I'd never cry again...
Whoosh!
The whirlwind of snow whipped across the two men's heated bodies. Only then did Yun Hoe straighten from his crouch.
"Pae-ya."
"Yes, Commander."
"What do you make of the Young Master?"
"Do you want my honest opinion?"
"Yes. I want to know your true thoughts."
Crunch.
Jang Pae ground his teeth.
"I dare say... he'll become a greater lord than anyone on this land. That's how I see it. And you, Commander?"
Yun Hoe didn't answer immediately. But the pause was brief.
"I see the same. So the loyalty I couldn't give the late lord, I'll give to the Young Master. No—from this moment, I'll call him my lord."
"Heh heh."
Tears traced down Jang Pae's cheeks once more.
"Isn't it magnificent? Who else would dare behead a Northwest Murim envoy and tie the head to a horse's tail to send back? That's when I knew. This is the true lord we've awaited—the great leader who best understands and guides the hot-blooded men of the North."
"You see him clearly."
"...!"
The sudden voice made Jang Pae spin like a top, dropping his greatsword. Seobaek grinned, flashing white teeth.
How the hell did he get here...?
Jang Pae's eyes shook. Yun Hoe's did too. Even with emotions clouding their focus, they'd sensed nothing as he approached this close.
"My lord seeks the Commander."
"Has something happened?"
"No. He wants to discuss something before you depart. Hurry, or I'll be the one in trouble."
"Understood."
Soon, the three headed to the camp. En route, Jang Pae asked.
"How did you end up under the Youn... lord's command?"
"Got recruited."
"..."
"You'll learn in time. Right now it's just me and two ice blocks, but soon plenty like me will flock."
"The lord has more experts like you?"
"Nice to hear you call me an expert."
Grin.
"You'll learn that too in time, so hold your curiosity. I talk too much and spill what I shouldn't... I'll head down first."
Bang!
Seobaek vanished like a ghost, leaving only snow dust. Yun Hoe and Jang Pae's faces hardened in disbelief once more. It defied common sense—this lightness skill.
Yun Hoe headed straight to Yeon-hoo's tent. Inside, Yeon-hoo and one of the envoys were sharing tea. Yun Hoe still found the envoy's deferential attitude toward Yeon-hoo awkward.
"You sought me?"
"Prepare to depart swiftly."
"Back to the clan?"
"No. Straight to the Cartel's headquarters."
"The Cartel's... headquarters?"
The envoy smiled at the wide-eyed Yun Hoe.
"The Dae Ji-jon sent invitations to the Eight Great Families. Northern Murim's likely went to Elder Council Chairman Song Gyeom and Jang Family head Jang Cheon, but now the Young Master should represent us."
"...!"
Yun Hoe's heart trembled. An envoy bearing the Dae Ji-jon's will was acknowledging Yeon-hoo as lord of Northern Murim.
Then, Yeon-hoo and Yun Hoe's gazes met across the space.
"Come with me, Commander."
"Me...?"
"Can't attend something important without at least one trusted ally."
Trusted ally.
Yun Hoe bowed to hide his reddening eyes.
"Understood. I'll prepare to leave at once."
As Yun Hoe hurried out, Yeon-hoo watched his back, then lifted his teacup. His reflected eyes in the rippling tea gleamed strangely.
Clink.
Baekya-beol... sooner than I thought.