Entering the White Night Cartel
“A clash with Hwangha Suryeon? What nonsense is this?!”
Wi Yeon Gwang, on the verge of entering the White Night Cartel while awaiting news of the Heavenly Net operation, erupted in fury at the report of a major conflict with Hwangha Suryeon beyond the mountains.
“They attacked our forces first, slaughtering nearly fifty men before fleeing. Elder An tried to avoid confrontation to the end, but their actions crossed the line, forcing him to strike back.”
Wi Yeon Gwang's facial muscles twitched violently.
For him, who had been waiting for glad tidings of Yeon-hoo's capture, this clash with Hwangha Suryeon was like a bolt from the blue.
Before conquering the North, he must not make enemies of any faction—yet here they were, colliding with none other than Hwangha Suryeon. That group was on an entirely different level from the Red Wolf Corps.
Elder Go Taebo, watching with a hardened expression, spoke gravely.
“We should first ascertain the full details and then seek resolution. If the fault lies with them, we can settle it politically.”
“Do you not know who leads Hwangha Suryeon? That man would commit murder in broad daylight and brazenly deny it!”
“True, but we have no other options now. If by some chance the blame falls on us...”
Go Taebo trailed off. There was no need to voice the rest.
At that moment, strategist Yang So stepped forward.
“Leave the aftermath to Elder An for now, my lord. Enter the Cartel without delay. If the Hwangha lord presses you, feign ignorance. That will give us room to maneuver later.”
“Room to maneuver?”
“If the Hwangha lord questions you, claim complete ignorance. If he persists, shift the blame to Elder An. If he still pushes, take a firm stance. He'll back down demanding compensation—he won't want war with us when victory isn't assured. Of course, the latter assumes our fault is proven true.”
Wi Yeon Gwang's expression finally eased slightly at Yang So's seamless words.
But one matter remained.
“What of Yi Yeon-hoo?!”
The messenger who brought the report looked troubled.
“We... still haven't located him. Deploying forces at the mountain pass beyond the path to the Cartel seems to have been Elder An's final gambit to catch him.”
“With all those troops mobilized, and they can't even track his movements...”
Wi Yeon Gwang's face flushed red again. This irked him more than the clash with Hwangha Suryeon.
He had mobilized vast manpower and funds for the Heavenly Net, vowing to capture him at any cost.
To Wi Yeon Gwang now, Yeon-hoo was no mere thorn in his side—he was an archenemy.
Yang So spoke again.
“My lord, delaying entry will arouse suspicion. Make haste.”
Wi Yeon Gwang swallowed his boiling rage and made his decision.
“Relay to An Gong: disband the Heavenly Net immediately and withdraw all forces! Forbid any further clashes with Hwangha Suryeon!”
“Understood!”
In the end, Wi Yeon Gwang failed to capture Yeon-hoo this time as well.
The massive Heavenly Net, fueled by troops and gold, had instead birthed the calamity of conflict with Hwangha Suryeon.
And though Wi Yeon Gwang did not yet know it, Han Song-i returned to Northwest Murim seething with rage.
In pursuing one Yeon-hoo, he had turned two of the Eight Great Families into enemies—the worst possible outcome.
The next day, at dawn.
The sun rose as always.
The fickle weather cleared to a cloudless blue, as if blessing the start of the grand assembly.
As crowds gathered in the plaza once more, Wi Yeon Gwang's Northwest Murim forces entered, leaving only the Iron Blood Family and Ghost Family unaccounted for.
Wi Yeon Gwang passed leisurely through the cheering throng, eyes fixed on the massive white fortress.
The majestic sight was unchanged, but his feelings toward it differed starkly from before.
A bastard like that can't lead the Cartel as Earth Sovereign. Even with the Elder Council Chairman as his backer, he'll be busy consolidating power for a while. At this assembly, I must use every connection to nullify the North's truce treaty.
That was his primary goal in coming here.
“Strategist.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“We begin work the moment we enter. Understood?”
“Worry not. I've already contacted all our allies in advance. With their aid, your desires will be easily attained.”
Wi Yeon Gwang smiled faintly for the first time in a while.
Then two men in blue robes hurried from ahead—liaisons from Northwest Murim stationed in the Cartel.
“Welcome, my lord.”
“You've worked hard. Has the Iron Blood whelp arrived?”
“Neither Iron Blood nor Ghost Family has arrived yet.”
“Ghost Family?”
“Yes. I just sent someone to check—they haven't arrived.”
Wi Yeon Gwang, unaware of the circumstances, couldn't hide his puzzlement.
The Ghost Family had been more proactive than any other at recent assemblies.
For them to miss the opening day was odd.
“Send someone again to learn why they're absent.”
“Yes, my lord. Please, proceed.”
Wi Yeon Gwang dismounted his carriage and headed for the main gate.
Warriors bowed to him.
“Welcome, family head.”
“May we enter?”
“Yes, please do.”
Wi Yeon Gwang ascended the stairs to the fortress with his retinue.
Of course, Yang So, Go Taebo, and the rest had to surrender their swords before climbing—only heads of the Eight Great Families could enter armed.
The rules had tightened: within the Cartel, only one escort per person.
One relaxation allowed up to ten retainers inside the grounds.
“A mere bastard whelp, dared to ascend to the Earth Sovereign's seat he could never dream of. No wonder he's fearful of assassins. Heh heh heh.”
At that moment—
Woooaaah!
“Iron Blood!”
Cheers erupted from behind.
Faint compared to other families, but enough to turn Wi Yeon Gwang's head.
Looking back, murderous intent flashed in his eyes.
He had spotted Yeon-hoo parting the crowd.
Yang So frowned and muttered.
“The Heavenly Net was for naught.”
“The road home after the assembly remains. Let us go.”
Surprisingly cool-headed now, Wi Yeon Gwang.
The weight of the White Night Cartel demanded caution in word and deed, even from him.
Wi Yeon Gwang strode up the stairs.
But Yang So, gazing down at Yeon-hoo, couldn't relax his furrowed brow.
Something feels off.
An inexplicable unease washed over him the moment he saw Yeon-hoo.
“Look there, my lord.”
Sama Song pointed ahead.
Yeon-hoo fixed his gaze.
Wi Yeon Gwang's retreating figure climbing the stairs behind the main gate burned into his eyes.
I wonder what his face will look like when he learns not only Hwangha Suryeon, but the Ghost Family has turned against him. He must be waiting impatiently by now...
Yeon-hoo turned toward the Supreme Palace.
Its roof barely visible past high stairs and walls, he pictured So Mu-baek and Cheol Gun-ak seated there.
“Fortunate we arrived on time. Otherwise, it would have been quite uncomfortable.”
Yeon-hoo nodded silently at Sama Song's words.
As planned, they should have arrived a day late.
But the ploy worked more smoothly than expected, allowing an all-night ride to make it.
“Whoa, this is insane.”
“Is this even a place for humans? Feels like immortals should live here.”
Two wide-eyed youths marveled.
They were the ones assigned to aid So Mu-baek.
Then—
“My lord!”
Song Hak came running from ahead.
Having left two days earlier, he had been anxious without word of Yeon-hoo's arrival.
“Welcome, my lord.”
Song Hak bowed, his face haggard from sleepless worry over Yeon-hoo.
“The others?”
“All families save Ghost have arrived. Any incidents on the way up?”
“Quite a few gifts.”
“...Pardon?”
“We'll talk inside.”
“Ah, yes. Please, enter.”
Supreme Palace.
So Mu-baek and Cheol Gun-ak sat facing each other with a teapot between.
The inauguration-cum-assembly would begin in one hourglass.
Yet no report of Iron Blood's arrival.
“Earth Sovereign.”
Escort captain Heo Do entered.
So Mu-baek and Cheol Gun-ak looked at him expectantly.
“Northwest Murim has just arrived.”
“Only them?”
“Yes. Iron Blood and Ghost have yet to arrive.”
“...Understood.”
As Heo Do withdrew, So Mu-baek gulped cold water, stomach churning.
“What could have happened?”
“He's resilient. Even against Northwest, he won't fall easily. Wait a bit longer.”
Cheol Gun-ak spoke calmly, but his own anxiety deepened.
Did he truly fail to shake Northwest's pursuit?
Then—
Creak!
Seok Ho-jin burst in, shoving the door.
Uncharacteristic behavior—both men's hearts sank.
Seok Ho-jin had been tracking Yeon-hoo with the Night Wolves.
“The North's lord has just arrived!”
“...!”
So Mu-baek's eyes widened.
Cheol Gun-ak leaned back, exhaling in profound relief.
“Haa...”
Guided by Song Hak, Yeon-hoo entered the guesthouse.
Strictly guarded for the Eight Great Families' heads, other families' quarters already buzzed noisily.
Soon, Yeon-hoo entered a lavishly appointed chamber.
No mere room—it dwarfed four ordinary halls combined, with three walls of windows overlooking the Cartel's panorama.
“Stay here until the assembly ends. Fortunately, Northwest got the farthest room—no chance of crossing paths.”
“Whose is next door?”
“Ghost to the left, Hwangha Suryeon to the right. I'll have hot water prepared.”
“Any way we can use Ghost's quarters?”
“What...”
“Ghost won't attend. Find a way for Dongbang family head to use it.”
“Understood.”
“No. One room is fine for me—don't. I don't want trouble for the Cartel on my account. Even if yielded, other families might complain.”
“Truly alright?”
“Yes. I've shared far smaller with many.”
Sama Song smiled.
“Spacious enough for four ordinary rooms combined—we can share comfortably. No need for complaints, as family head says.”
“Then so be it.”
Then—
Cheol-u, peering from the window, called Yeon-hoo.
“My lord.”
“What is it?”
“Messenger Cheol Gun-ak is outside.”
Yeon-hoo went to the window.
Below stood Cheol Gun-ak, who bowed smiling as Yeon-hoo appeared.
I wish to come up at once to pay respects, but others' eyes prevent it. See you at the banquet hall shortly.
Let's do that.