Hoping It Flows As I Desire
[We should retreat to the forest first.]
At Sama Song's transmitted words, Dongbang Ri unleashed her lightness skill and slipped into the woods. She quietly drew her sword, scanning the direction of the approaching presences. There were about four of them. The unknowns were heading straight for the spot where the two had stood.
[They don't seem to be targeting us.]
Sama Song turned to her at Dongbang Ri's transmission.
[If they were after us, they'd have concealed their presence. And even if they were, anyone revealing themselves this openly isn't strong enough to worry about.]
Sama Song was inwardly impressed. He hadn't expected her to possess such keen and cool-headed judgment.
Rustle, rustle.
The sound of brushing foliage grew closer. Moments later, four Black Cloaks emerged, parting the underbrush.
[Northwest guys, right?]
[No skull emblem, so probably... Whoa!]
Sama Song's reply cut off as his eyes widened. Dongbang Ri had shot forward like lightning.
'Damn...'
Sama Song leaped after her. By then, Dongbang Ri had already severed one's head and was striking at the second.
"Argh!"
In an instant, two collapsed, spurting blood. The remaining Black Cloaks, terrified by the sudden assault, tried to flee. But misfortune struck—their escape path was blocked by Sama Song.
Flash!
"Gah!"
"Kuaaagh!"
Had they fought, it might have been different. But intent only on flight, the Black Cloaks didn't even draw their swords before crumpling lifelessly.
"Blame your enmity with us."
Sama Song muttered coldly to the fallen, then turned to Dongbang Ri. She was staring behind where the Black Cloaks had emerged. Then, facing him, she said,
"These were all of them."
"Why risk an attack like that?"
"They're our enemies. Killing them early is a gain in itself."
"Even so, shouldn't we prioritize the family head's safety? What if more were following?"
"There aren't."
"Hah..."
Sama Song let out a hollow chuckle, though inwardly shocked once more.
'To think she has such bold qualities...'
Dongbang Ri approached the cliff's edge and peered below. All was silent. No more screams echoed.
Sama Song drew near.
"Looks like the operation's over."
"Let us wait and hope all return safely."
"You should have just obeyed quietly. Heh heh heh."
Blood gushed from Son Geon's mouth in thick streams. He glared up at Yeon-hoo, who grinned like a demon with a sword plunged into his chest, and wailed,
"You bastards... Do you think you'll get away with this? Your actions will ignite a war of blood!"
"You think we'd fear some Yellow River Lily riffraff just because you babble about war? Not in the slightest."
Sching! Spurt!
Pulling the blade free unleashed a fountain of blood, staining Yeon-hoo's mourning garb—the white robes of the White Ghosts—crimson.
"War? Bring it on, then."
Flash!
"Gaaah!"
Son Geon's right arm severed clean from the shoulder. Yeon-hoo's gaze upon the writhing man was that of a fiend incarnate. Even Baek Mu Yeong might not have shown such eyes to a dying foe.
"Tell your boss: Never underestimate the Northwest again. Ah, out of mercy, I'll leave your left arm so you can at least eat till you rot. Heh heh heh."
Yeon-hoo vanished after those words. Son Geon slammed his head to the ground, howling demonically.
"Raaagh!"
A warrior's right arm was as vital as life itself. To him, this was punishment worse than death.
From the shadows, Yeon-hoo watched, smiling coldly.
"I hope it all flows as I desire..."
Baekya-beol.
The plaza before its fortress-like main gate teemed with crowds. Open to all ranks, it drew warriors from across the land who admired the White Night Cartel, forming a sea of people.
Pii-rii-rii! Dong-dong-dong!
Renowned performers danced vibrantly, while flags and flowers adorned every corner, crafting a festive air. This alone hinted at Baekya-beol's efforts to quell the current chaos.
"Geomga!"
"Woooah!"
Leading the entry was Geomga. As they advanced, the throng roared in acclaim. Bukgung So and Geomga's stellar experts strode boldly, earning awe-filled gazes and cheers. Toward the realm's supreme beauty, Bukgung So-hye, gasps erupted.
Cheers soon burst from elsewhere.
"Jeonga!"
"Where? Where!"
Half the crowd surged to the opposite side. Jeonga's experts arrived in ornate carriages.
Soon, the two powers reached the gate blocking the lofty stairs, exchanging curt nods. Bland for such titans, yet the masses cheered fervently.
Watchers observed: Somubaek and Cheol Gun-ak.
"They're late."
"Wait a bit longer."
Somubaek's focus was solely on Yeon-hoo. His absence stirred visible anxiety. Anyone could guess it stemmed from enmity with the Northwest Murim.
Baekya-beol's official stance forbade disputes during the grand banquet, but they couldn't police every road.
'All eight families must attend...'
Cheol Gun-ak fretted as much over the eight clans' presence. Any absence would undermine Somubaek's position.
Perfect endorsement from all—that alone would comfort his precarious footing.
Then—
Woooah!
Thunderous roars shook the plaza again.
"Yellow River Lily has arrived."
The contentious group entered, far larger than the prior two, their carriage rivaling an emperor's in grandeur.
"Even under the previous lord, they were the least cooperative. During the banquet, we must tread carefully in word and deed. They could storm off at the slightest offense."
"Senior Brother, do you think they qualify for a seat among the Eight Great Families?"
"Power is the prime criterion. Yellow River Lily commands a force none dare ignore. They dominate the Central Plains' lifelines—the Yellow River and Yangtze—amassing wealth topping even the Eight."
"Father recognized them for that reason."
"The previous lord bound them under Baekya-beol to preempt the chaos they'd sow."
"Ridiculous. A mere bandit horde..."
Cheol Gun-ak trailed off, spotting an unfamiliar intensity in Somubaek's eyes—fierce resolve unseen before.
'To forge the martial world the Lord desires, he must first grow strong himself. Attain unyielding might that forces all heads to bow. I, Cheol Gun-ak, vow to aid him, body and soul.'
The pair watched the Eight Great Families enter one by one through the grand gate. Soon after Wolga came the southern mountain lords—Sipman Daesan and Hyeolga—heightening the mood.
Three remained: Iron Blood Family, most awaited by Somubaek; Wall Thunder Family; and Ghost Family. All attending would complete it.
Cheol Gun-ak gazed down the long avenue to the plaza, steadying his eyes.
'Please, no incidents...'
Iron Blood and Wall Thunder's delays unnerved him. He trusted Yeon-hoo's strength, but time deepened the dread. Somubaek felt it too.
Then—
"Lord, it's me."
Seok-ho-jin's voice came from outside.
"Enter."
As Seok-ho-jin opened the door, Somubaek asked eagerly,
"What news?"
"Skirmishes erupted multiple times beyond the mountains—Wall Thunder and Yellow River Lily."
Somubaek and Cheol Gun-ak's faces hardened. Not Iron Blood, but Northwest clashing with Yellow River Lily?
"Reason for the clash?"
"Apologies, we haven't learned that yet. Tried capturing one from each, but tempers were too foul..."
"Good work. No need to overreach and risk misunderstanding with the Cartel."
"Yes."
Cheol Gun-ak asked,
"Any word on our Northern lord?"
"Nothing yet. But the kids are combing every path to the Cartel. Wait a bit more."
"Push harder, despite the hardship. If he's in peril, the entire Night Wolf moves."
"Yes, sir."
Seok-ho-jin withdrew. Bewilderment clouded Somubaek's face, laced with anger.
"Incomprehensible. Clashing with Yellow River Lily now, of all times."
"No surprise they'd clash anytime. But yes, precisely now..."
Cheol Gun-ak shared the dismay. A misstep could doom Somubaek's investiture banquet.
"Lord, time for dinner."
A maid's voice drifted in. Somubaek, mind elsewhere, moved to decline, but Cheol Gun-ak spoke first.
"More than anyone, you must steady body and mind. Have the meal brought."
"Not sure it'll go down."
"You must eat."
Cheol Gun-ak called softly outward.
"Bring the meal."
By dinner's end, night had fallen. Even late into the night, no word of Iron Blood Family's arrival.