Too Good to Eat Alone, So I Brought It

As the first day of the grand banquet drew to a close, the lords of the White Night Eight Great Families, who had waged their sharp verbal battles throughout, at least showed on the surface that they were enjoying the festivities. Who knew what they truly felt inside. Not everyone played along, though. The escorts who attended their lords kept their vigilance razor-sharp until the very end, eyes locked on one another. They savored the food but touched no alcohol, ever watchful over their charges, braced for any contingency as the banquet dragged on.

One man was the exception: Cheol-u. He, who rarely drank even on ordinary days, had imbibed quite a bit, showing no concern for Yeon-hoo whatsoever. The other escorts, unfamiliar with his nature, smirked now and then, assuming his inexperience was to blame. Only Heodo, the Supreme Lord's escort captain overseeing the escorts' gathering, occasionally eyed Cheol-u with a knowing glint.

"Alright! Since it's the first day, let's call it here. Return to your quarters and rest well!"

With Seomunhoe, head of the Elder Council, wrapping up proceedings, the banquet's opening night came to an end.

Meanwhile, Dongbang Ri, left alone at their quarters, stepped out for some fresh air. She stood at the edge of the vast courtyard of the VIP Pavilion, taking in the nightscape of Baekya-beol. The cartel glittered like a colossal flower, its nighttime allure starkly different from the day's majestic grandeur. If daytime evoked solemnity, night was pure extravagance. The massive paper blooms, glowing like lotus lanterns, transcended splendor to feel like masterpieces of artistry.

The surface is this dazzling... but what's beneath?

Dongbang Ri wondered about Baekya-beol's true power. The cartel, spoken of only in legends, was an unprecedented martial hegemon, an absolute force. To her, the Iron Blood Family was heaven itself. And Baekya-beol commanded not just that, but seven other clans the world deemed even mightier. Imagining its strength was beyond her.

Whoosh.

A noticeably warmer breeze grazed her jade-smooth face. She turned her gaze to the grand hall of Jijeon Palace. The banquet still raged; people streamed in and out, and in the wide courtyard beyond, crowds bellowed in drunken revelry.

Is he holding his own here as always?

Dongbang Ri was intensely curious. The Yeon-hoo she'd seen up close wouldn't shrink before even the Jade Emperor. So how did he fare in Baekya-beol?

Pfft.

A smile suddenly curved her lips. Imagining Yeon-hoo bowing deferentially to the Great Earth Sovereign—it simply didn't fit.

Whoosh.

Another gust swept her lustrous three-tiered hair. Footsteps from behind made her wipe the smile and turn. A man in pristine snow-white robes approached. With so many in the courtyard, she assumed he too was admiring the view and looked away.

"From the North, are you?"

Her half-turned head snapped back to him. His scholarly air—utterly at odds with martial Baekya-beol—extended to his demeanor. She couldn't place his origin.

"Who are you?"

"I am Ga Hoe of the Yellow River Lily."

Dongbang Ri bristled at the name.

"Do you need something from me?"

"Why would I have business with a lady I've just met? We're both here for the banquet, so a greeting at least..."

"I have zero interest in chatting with you. Goodbye."

She shot back coldly and turned toward the quarters. Ga Hoe's gaze ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠on her retreating form flashed icy menace before softening into a hazy smile.

They say the North's flower is peerless... Who knew I'd see her here.

Lust flickered then faded in his eyes as he watched her sensual silhouette. Then a yellow-robed man approached—one of Umunjeok's close aides, and Ga Hoe's as well.

"Investigate that woman."

"She catches your eye?"

"Don't ask pointless questions."

"...My apologies."

"Go."

As the yellow-robe withdrew, Ga Hoe eyed the grand hall where the banquet wound down, crowds spilling out. A faint crease formed between his brows.

"Wonder if there was any trouble."

He scanned the approaching figures from the VIP Pavilion. Though distant, the blaze of lights and his profound inner energy made it effortless.

Unexpectedly, his gaze snagged on Yeon-hoo—the least imposing presence. Handsome, yes. And whether deliberate or not, he exuded the same calm serenity as the other lords.

"Not bad for a wolf among tigers."

A smile tugged at Ga Hoe's lips—one reserved for gazing upon inferiors. He shifted to the others, each radiating the overwhelming aura befitting hegemons of their domains, even from afar.

Finally, his eyes reached his own lord, Umunjeok. The smile vanished; the crease deepened.

"No progress at all."

Ga Hoe muttered cryptically, then turned briskly toward his quarters without another glance. The yellow-robe from before approached.

"I looked into the woman. She's Dongbang Ri, head of the Dongbang family—which produced the Iron Blood Sword Emperor's principal wife."

Twitch.

Ga Hoe's expression soured at the casual report.

"From the guest log?"

"Yes."

"You think I ordered that because I wanted something so trivial?"

"...My apologies. I'll dig deeper."

As the man vanished again, another enigmatic mutter escaped Ga Hoe.

"Soon, I'll have to drain all the stagnant, rotting water."

When Yeon-hoo returned, Sama Song and Dongbang Ri greeted him. Unable to contain his curiosity, Sama Song asked,

"Did everything go smoothly?"

"Why wouldn't it? The Supreme Lord accepted graciously—no issues."

He referred to gifting Baek-un and the others. Yeon-hoo set a bamboo basket on the table. Covered in cloth, an appetizing aroma and warmth seeped through.

"It's for the Supreme Lord and the Eight Families' heads only, so I brought some."

Dongbang Ri lifted the cloth, revealing heaps of unknown delicacies.

"What... is this?"

"No idea. Too good to eat alone, so let's all share."

Dongbang Ri's eyes widened. Sama Song's did too.

"You ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fetched this yourself?"

"Problem?"

"But you're the North's lord..."

Pfft.

"I don't stand on ceremony. Gotta wash up—see you soon."

Yeon-hoo headed to the back courtyard. Sama Song eyed Cheol-u.

"Why didn't you stop him?"

"...I didn't know until he stepped out."

"Sigh... Grateful as we are, he must maintain decorum..."

Sama Song slumped, watching Yeon-hoo vanish through the door. Cheol-u spoke.

"Just... eat. I've never had anything like this."

"Looks delicious."

Dongbang Ri smiled, placing chopsticks before Sama Song.

"Dig in."

"..."

"Then we can too."

Sama Song relented and took a bite. His eyes bulged.

"What's wrong?"

Obviously—the flavor was exquisite.

Somubaek was utterly exhausted. Yet he sought out Akso, Baek-un, and the others. They bowed deeply as Somubaek and Cheol Gun-ak entered their separate quarters.

After greetings, Cheol Gun-ak asked,

"Did the lord say anything else?"

"He asked me to deliver this."

Akso handed over a letter. Cheol Gun-ak passed it to Somubaek.

A faint smile graced Somubaek's lips as he read. Less curious about their exact abilities now, he simply savored the moment—like having Yeon-hoo at his side.

"Senior brother."

"Yes, Supreme Lord."

"Shall we have a drink?"

"I'll prepare it, but you should rest for tomorrow."

"No. I'll join you. Hey!"

Maids entered at his call.

"Bring a liquor tray. The drinks and dishes—same as served to the Eight Families' lords."

"Yes."

As they withdrew, Somubaek called Heodo.

"Escort captain, join us. You were gauging the mood earlier—barely ate."

"Thank you, Supreme Lord."

Heodo approached eagerly, as if waiting. He had one weakness: a love for fine liquor. He abstained on duty, but off-hours, he sought out famed spots—a rare hobby and joy.

Each quarters had a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠private hot spring in the back courtyard—manmade stone pools fed by natural underground waters. Yeon-hoo soaked up to his chin, relishing the comfort. But his mind raced with the other lords' faces, flashing and fading relentlessly.

Seomunhoe claimed a seat too.

Can I topple them?

These titans he'd only heard of. Before meeting them, he'd backed himself against anyone. But face-to-face, the aura hit different. Untouchable presences, perfectly embodying regional overlords. Umunjeok of Yellow River Lily showed the faintest flaw.

Unexpectedly, Wi Yeon Gwang. The most familiar, yet tonight's banquet vibe was utterly transformed—a lord's unassailable pressure, without blemish.

Still, you'll crumble first.

Splash!

A loud dunk nearby. "Grrrah..." Umunjeok's gravelly voice followed. He'd just immersed himself.

A peculiar smile touched Yeon-hoo's lips.

Will you have the leisure to target me on the way back? Heh heh heh.

Imagining Wi Yeon Gwang and Umunjeok tearing into each other, Yeon-hoo closed his eyes. He dozed off briefly, tormented by nightmares as always, then awoke. Lifting his gaze to the night sky, stars gleamed like jewels.

Not a bad night, all things considered.