Casting the Net to Catch the Fish
The second day of the grand banquet dawned not with the ceremonies for the White Night Cartel's elite, but with spectacles tailored for the throngs of martial heroes who had converged from across the land.
Leading the way were Somubaek and the cartel's key leaders, flanked by representatives from the White Night Eight Great Families. They made their way to the vast plaza, where a towering martial arena stood at the center, already alive with fierce duels as warriors vied to showcase their prowess.
There were no rigid rules. Contestants faced off against a single White Night warrior, rewarded based on how many seconds they could endure. Those who shone exceptionally were even offered positions among the cartel's ranks—a prize that ignited explosive enthusiasm.
Anyone would dream of becoming a White Night warrior. Hordes clamored to participate, but most fell at the qualifying gates. Even those who passed rarely lasted twenty seconds, contenting themselves with modest prizes crafted specially for the event.
“Woooah!”
“Over thirty seconds!”
“Whoa! That guy's got such a refined look, but damn, he's tough!”
Finally, a contestant broke the thirty-second mark, pushing all the way to fifty. He claimed the honor of the first special recruitment.
A fine method, Yeon-hoo thought, observing the tournament. The Northern Region could use something like this one day.
The atmosphere thickened with excitement. After some time, Umunjeok abruptly rose and bellowed toward the head table.
“To liven things up further, how about a duel between the escorts of the Eight Great Families?”
The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers. Umunjeok shot a smug glance at Somubaek.
Somubaek turned to Cheol Gun-ak, who shook his head.
“It could spark needless conflict.”
As Somubaek prepared to refuse, Wi Yeon Gwang stood and declared, “The Northwest shall gladly accept Hwangha Suryeon's challenge!”
“Challenge? Who issued one?”
“You spoke first—doesn't that make it a challenge? Withdraw if you're scared.”
“Heh heh. What nonsense.”
Umunjeok smirked and fixed his gaze on Somubaek again. With the two factions clashing egos, Somubaek reconsidered and polled the others.
“What say you to Hwangha Suryeon's proposal?”
“We refuse.”
“Our house refuses as well.”
“Likewise.”
Everyone but Yeon-hoo voiced clear rejection. Umunjeok and Wi Yeon Gwang's faces twisted subtly. All eyes turned to Yeon-hoo.
He replied calmly, “We refuse.”
Disappointed murmurs rippled through the crowd, but Yeon-hoo paid them no mind.
Heh heh. Lacking confidence, are we?
Yeon-hoo smiled faintly in response.
To heat things up even more, how about you and I duel? A true life-or-death battle, of course.
Umunjeok flinched, his face paling. But he soon bared his teeth in a grin.
Heh heh. You must be itching to die.
Just say yes or no.
I don't know what you're scheming with your drivel, but why bother with a fight where victory's just breaking even? What do I gain from beating the likes of you? Heh heh.
Yeon-hoo smirked openly. But Umunjeok didn't bite.
He's sharper than I thought, Yeon-hoo mused.
Somubaek's voice rang out. “All others have refused. Will you two still have your escorts duel?”
“If the Earth Sovereign permits, so be it,” Wi Yeon Gwang replied first.
Umunjeok upped the ante. “No accountability even in death—we accept a thousand times over!”
Somubaek eyed Wi Yeon Gwang, who smiled coldly. “We accept.”
They're handing me the assist on a silver platter, Yeon-hoo thought with amusement as the unexpected duel between the two factions took shape. Whoever wins, resentment festers. With the schemes from beyond the mountains already pitting them against each other, this will amplify the rift tenfold.
Dung-dung-dung!
Woooah!
Drums thundered amid roars as the Wall Thunder and Hwangha Suryeon escorts ascended the arena.
Yeon-hoo turned calmly to Somubaek. “To test true skill, they should be allowed their weapons.”
Somubaek nodded silently, then asked Wi Yeon Gwang and Umunjeok, “Your thoughts?”
“Accepted.”
“This one accepts as well.”
Clang-clang!
Kaboom!
The duel raged fiercely. What was billed as a friendly match had ignited into a bloodthirsty clash, fueled by Yeon-hoo's divide-and-conquer ploy. The escorts unleashed killing blows without restraint.
The crowd howled in awe and shock as swords clashed, shattering the arena floor into flying debris. But some watched with displeasure: Yang So and Ga Hoe, the strategists commanding each faction's forces.
Why stir this up...? they both wondered. Ga Hoe even shook his head with a sigh.
Yeon-hoo noted their reactions keenly.
There they are—the brains of the two factions.
Cheol-u.
Yes, my lord.
Memorize those two faces well.
Understood.
By the way, what do you think?
Of what?
Their skills. They seem a match for you, from what I see.
You truly see it that way?
Joking.
......
Clang!
The duel remained brutally unpredictable. If forced to pick a slight edge, Wall Thunder's escort held it—barely.
Hwangha Suryeon suffered more from the divide-and-conquer schemes. They need to lose again, miserably, for things to unfold as I desire.
Yeon-hoo casually brushed back his hair—a perfectly natural gesture that aroused no suspicion.
Moments later.
“Gaaah!”
A guttural death cry pierced the air. Hwangha Suryeon's escort crumpled, blood gushing from his chest—impaled straight through, the opponent's sword protruding from his back.
Woooah!
“Hwangha Suryeon lost!”
“What? It looked like they could go longer—why collapse like that?!”
The arena shook with uproar. Umunjeok and his faction leaped to their feet; Wi Yeon Gwang threw back his head in triumphant laughter.
The head table recoiled in disbelief. It was an anticlimactic end. In a clash of true experts, such outcomes were rare—unless one deliberately yielded.
Hwangha Suryeon knew better.
Bam!
Umunjeok slammed the table, roaring, “Sorcery! That bastard used sorcery!”
“Lose gracefully and admit defeat.”
“You filthy curs! Think I'll just swallow this?!”
“Not swallowing it means war? You begged for this duel first, and now that you've lost, every excuse under the sun. Heh heh heh.”
Wi Yeon Gwang lounged smugly, taunting the raging Umunjeok.
“Sit down already,” Ga Hoe urged. Miraculously, Umunjeok—the wild boar—obeyed, though glaring murderously and heaving with fury.
Somubaek felt a pang of unease. He hadn't anticipated real blood. Fearing he'd soured the mood, he soon realized otherwise.
Woooah!
The crowd was in a frenzy of ecstasy.
Martial artists of the rivers and lakes... A wry smile tugged at Somubaek's lips as Cheol Gun-ak spoke.
“The excitement's peaked. The VIPs should retire to the main hall.”
“Agreed.”
Cheol Gun-ak addressed the Eight Great Families. “A feast awaits in the main hall. Please proceed.”
As they rose, the crowd groaned in regret. Yeon-hoo stood as well.
Did you do something?
To catch fish, you cast the net first.
I knew something was off. But what exactly did you do, and how?
Answers later.
......
That night, a furious bellow erupted from Somubaek's quarters.
“Do you think this is your private bedroom?!”
Somubaek's rage echoed far beyond the residence.
“One more time, and I'll exile you all north! Get out—I can't stand the sight of you!”
“What happened?”
Heo Do, discussing escort rotations nearby, hurried over. Baek-un was just stepping out.
“What occurred?”
“My mistake.”
“What blunder could anger the Earth Sovereign so?”
“I thought he'd return late, so I napped on his bed... and overslept. No excuses.”
Heo Do chuckled in disbelief. Unthinkable for any escort. Yet Somubaek's reaction was surprisingly human.
The Earth Sovereign has such a side? I thought him merely unpretentious.
Baek-un scratched his head. “He demands your lord... er, the Northern lord's presence. Must go.”
“The Earth Sovereign said that?”
“Probably to chew him out over me. Farewell.”
Heo Do watched Baek-un head to Yeon-hoo's quarters, chuckling again.
Even so, scolding the Northern lord himself...?
Soon after, Yeon-hoo arrived at Somubaek's quarters. Heo Do bowed at the door.
“Welcome.”
Yeon-hoo nodded curtly and entered. “Escort captain, step out briefly.”
Somubaek's voice drifted from within. Heo Do sighed softly and withdrew.
Somubaek and Cheol Gun-ak greeted Yeon-hoo—no trace of anger. Somubaek beamed, rising warmly.
“My shortcomings make private meetings such a hassle.”
“No trouble at all.”
Yeon-hoo smiled back. It was all premeditated—a ploy to meet without drawing suspicion.