Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 82: The Heads of the Seven Great Families Gather in One Place
At the Yellow River Lily Base's headquarters, Lianju Umunjeok let out a booming laugh. The grand banquet was set to begin in less than half a shichen, yet he paid it no mind, tilting his cup back again and again.
"We've ushered in a new era, so how can I not be thrilled? Come on! Raise your cups and let's toast in advance to the prosperity awaiting our Yellow River Lily!"
Umunjeok, born with the blood of a wild beast. His first impression was even rougher and more savage than the rumors suggested. Every time he laughed, his long, slanted eyes gleamed with feral ferocity, as if they'd been plucked straight from some beast and jammed into his face.
Umunjeok's younger brother and the Yellow River Lily's second-in-command, Umunhong, bellowed loudly.
"Now that the troublesome former leader's reduced to a handful of ashes, it looks like your true era is finally dawning, brother. Hahaha!"
"This isn't just my era—it's ours, all of ours. So keep your wits about you and stay sharp for the coming shifts in the political landscape. Understood?"
"Yes, my lord!"
As if his own era had already dawned, Umunjeok's face refused to lose its grin. It was then, after several rounds of drinks, that someone flung open the door and strode in.
It was Janghan, exuding an aura as vicious as Umunjeok's own.
"My lord! Disaster has struck!"
"Disaster? What kind of disaster could possibly happen here?"
"Son Ho-bup, who went to investigate the incident on the river a few days ago, clashed with Northwest Murim forces beyond the mountains... and lost his life!"
"What?!"
"What did you say?!"
"Son Ho-bup sensed the beast's tracks heading toward Mount Beol and positioned troops at the pass. But the Northwest Murim bastards launched a sudden ambush, slaughtering fifty of our men, which sparked the clash. In the chaos, nearly two hundred of our base's troops fell!"
Bam!
With his infamous savage temper, there was no way Umunjeok could sit still for this. One punch splintered the table in half, sending bottles of liquor and plates of food flying everywhere.
"Wi Yeon Gwang, that mad bastard dares..."
"He's just arrived too—let's go confront him right now!"
As tempers flared and outrage boiled over, a middle-aged man spoke up calmly.
"Calm your anger, my lord, and let's respond with cool heads."
When most people thought of the Yellow River Lily, they pictured brutish savagery first. But this man had the refined air of a scholar, his demeanor deep and serene.
Ga Hoe. He claimed descent from Jia Hui, the strategist who served Cao Cao in the Three Kingdoms era, and served as the Yellow River Lily's military advisor.
He continued. "First, we must verify the sequence of events. Then, if the Northwest bears responsibility, we can settle accounts. Rushing in now would only provoke Wi Yeon Gwang predictably, and we risk ruining the grand banquet."
"The advisor's right. Let's handle this coolly, brother."
With Umunhong chiming in, Umunjeok finally sat back down. But his flushed face suggested one wrong word, and he'd charge straight at Wi Yeon Gwang.
Ga Hoe turned to Janghan with his report and continued. "You head to Mount Beol immediately and find out exactly what happened."
"Understood."
As Janghan withdrew, Ga Hoe looked back at Umunjeok. He was red up to the tip of his nose, suppressing his rage.
"You just said our Yellow River Lily's era has dawned. For that era to flourish, we must gain much from this grand banquet. That means it must proceed without incident."
"Hmph! Fine, let's get back to the drinks!"
"The banquet's about to start, so perhaps we should stop with the liquor. As I said, this gathering is crucial for our base, my lord."
"Can't I have just one more bottle?"
Ga Hoe couldn't help but chuckle at Umunjeok's crude demeanor.
"Very well. Then have exactly one more. I'll step out for some air."
Ga Hoe headed outside. With most clans already arrived, the corridors buzzed with lively energy.
He walked along until he reached the courtyard behind the VIP quarters. Even the rear yard sat high enough to overlook the entire White Night Cartel.
Gazing out at the panorama, Ga Hoe's eyes held an inscrutable glint. Then, sensing something off, he turned left—and flinched.
At the Iron Blood Family's quarters in the rear yard, a man sat leaning back in a chair he'd made by splitting logs and weaving bamboo.
It was Akso.
Their eyes didn't meet directly, but Ga Hoe felt a chill like dozens of blades hurtling toward him. He soon sneered inwardly, embarrassed by his momentary flinch.
'Must be one of the Iron Blood Family's guards.'
Then Akso turned his way, and their gazes locked in midair. Ga Hoe flinched again, struck by the illusion of plunging into abyssal depths.
He'd never seen eyes like that in all his life. But pride forbade him from looking away.
A flat voice slipped through Akso's lips. "Staring like that at people—does it get you anywhere?"
Ga Hoe bristled inwardly at the sudden informal address but replied with a composed smile. "The Iron Blood Family seems ignorant of manners."
"Guilty as charged."
"Then you should correct that with some respect right now. This is the White Night Cartel, after all, and most here outrank you."
"Outrank..."
Snort.
Akso rose with a chuckle, adding one more barb. "A mere strategist like you talking of nobility... Think it suits you?"
"What did you say?"
"See you later, noble strategist."
And with that, Akso vanished.
Ga Hoe's twisted expression softened into a wry smile. "Strategist, huh... Well, that's how you lot must see us. At least until now..."
Muttering cryptically, he scanned the surroundings a bit longer before turning away. Akso's mocking face lingered in his mind like a brand.
Snort.
"But your Iron Blood Family doesn't even reach our toes. Soon enough, you'll realize that ironclad truth—not just you, but the entire world..."
The White Night Cartel's grand hall. Spacious enough to call it a plaza without exaggeration, a massive round table dominated the center.
Eight chairs ringed the table, while upstairs, overlooking it all, loomed a grand throne draped in white tiger pelt, radiating immense dignity.
Somubaek's seat, the Earth Sovereign.
The eight chairs were, naturally, for the lords of the White Night Eight Great Families.
The Yellow River Lily entered first. Almost simultaneously, the Northwest's Wall Thunder Family strode in, instantly chilling the hall's atmosphere.
Umunjeok glared fiercely at Wi Yeon Gwang and spoke. "Chasing some Northern upstart and making a fool of yourself, only to swing your blade in the wrong place."
"We'll see who drew first. If it turns out the Yellow River Lily provoked it, I'm curious how you'll take responsibility. Heh heh heh."
"And if it's the other way around?"
"As if."
"We'll see, just as you say. By the way, rumors are swirling that your Elder Council Chairman was assassinated—right in your own backyard pavilion, no less."
Umunjeok mimed slitting his throat, and murderous light flashed in Wi Yeon Gwang's eyes.
Then, new arrivals entered: the Sword Family and the rulers of the night, the Moon Family.
The cold tension between Wi Yeon Gwang and Umunjeok eased slightly.
"Welcome, both of you."
Umunjeok greeted them first. Wi Yeon Gwang merely nodded curtly.
Seeing it, Umunjeok jabbed. "Some no-account always full of himself. Heh heh heh."
The Sword Family patriarch and lord of Southern Murim, Sword God Bukgung So, sat beside Wi Yeon Gwang. As he settled, he addressed Umunjeok.
"It's a fine day—let's skip the needless bickering, Lianju."
"We were just chatting among ourselves..."
Their exchanged glances were far from friendly. They'd never gotten along.
That didn't mean Bukgung So was close to Wi Yeon Gwang. Southern and Northwest Murim were ancient enemies, liable to clash at any moment.
Seating them side by side was deliberate provocation.
Everyone traded barbs, but the Moon Family lord sat, crossed his arms, and closed his eyes. He looked like an ordinary villager, but no one in the world saw him that way.
The Moon Family, masters of the night itself rather than mere territory. Shrouded in the utmost mystery alongside the Ghost Family and Blood Family, their true power remained unknown.
Even their patriarch went by the moniker Yayul instead of his real name, which not even the former Sovereign knew.
"If you're here, a greeting is basic courtesy, no?"
At Umunjeok's words, Yayul cracked his eyes open briefly before shutting them again.
Smirk.
Umunjeok's eyes filled with madness at the blatant dismissal. But he held back from further provocation.
This was the Earth Sovereign's Palace hall. Even a fearless brute like him couldn't run wild here.
Then, red smoke drifted into the chamber. Two figures in blood-red war robes followed.
The crimson mist emanated from their entire bodies. A bizarre, eerie sight—but all watched impassively.
The Blood Family. Alongside the Ghost and Moon Families, one of the Central Plains' three great enigmas had arrived.
Like Yayul, the Blood Family lord was known only by his chilling moniker, Jeokhon; his true identity was a total secret.
He too sat and closed his eyes in silence.
For some reason, Umunjeok held his tongue this time. Instead, tension crackled between the escorts—one per lord.
With their masters present, they only glared, but the air warped with a razor-sharp aura that could sever limbs on contact.
"Cut it out."
The low growl came from Bukgung So. The Blood Family and Yellow River Lily escorts glanced his way and ceased.
The Sword Family escort flashed them a sly smile, while the Wall Thunder escort scoffed mockingly.
Only one remained still: the Moon Family escort, eyes closed like his lord Yayul, silent.
"That brat who hasn't even properly claimed his lord's seat should be the first to show his face, yet he dares..."
Umunjeok spoke again, referencing Yeon-hoo.
New entrants appeared: the War Family patriarch Jeok In-hoe and his escort captain Jeok Taesan.
The War Family. True to their name, a kingdom of battle ghosts and the first to ascend to the ranks of the Eight Great Families, a traditional powerhouse.
Theirs was the sole seat directly facing the Sovereign's throne. No one objected—it had always been so, and they all acknowledged the qualification.
"Hmph! With the Ghost Family still absent, we'll set them aside... but it seems the brat plans to strut in like the star of the show. Unbelievable."
As Umunjeok's gravelly voice grated on everyone's ears, a chilling spark ignited in Wi Yeon Gwang's eyes.
He'd spotted Yeon-hoo entering the hall.