Chapter 86 - Somubaek's Remorse

Yeon-hoo treated Somubaek with utmost respect. Now that he was the Great Earth Sovereign of the White Night Cartel, it was only natural. Yet Somubaek didn't treat him any differently than before. He, too, showed Yeon-hoo the same deference, filling his words and actions with sincerity and propriety.

"Now that you've become the Great Earth Sovereign, you should use the same title for me in public as you do with others. It'll make me more comfortable and prevent any potential suspicious glances from arising."

"Understood."

The Great Earth Sovereign originally addressed the heads of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Eight Great Families as "Family Heads." The exception was Yellow River Lily, whom he called "Lily Lord." Sometimes he might call them "Duke," but that was entirely at the Great Earth Sovereign's discretion.

"That said, you need to officially ascend to the Lord's seat as soon as possible... It would be so simple if that Jang Cheon fellow just stepped down of his own accord."

"That day will come soon."

"I'm looking forward to the day at the Cartel's Round Table Conference when the Family Heads approve you as Lord."

"I have a vote to cast there as well. Haha."

Cheol Gun-ak chuckled in agreement. For him and Somubaek, this was a precious time to reconnect. Throughout their conversation, a smile never left Somubaek's face, and watching it brought a lump to Cheol Gun-ak's throat, his eyes even reddening slightly.

The talk lasted about half a shichen. To some, it might seem long or short, but for Somubaek and Cheol Gun-ak, it flew by faster than the blink of an eye.

As Cheol Gun-ak prepared to leave, he bowed toward Yeon-hoo.

The final day of the grand banquet began. On his way to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the grand hall, Yeon-hoo ran into Wi Yeon Gwang in the corridor.

"I heard it was quite noisy last night... Looks like your little gift fell flat, eh? Heh heh heh."

He was referring to the events of the previous night. Yeon-hoo ignored him and headed straight for the hall. In such cases, the best strategy was to let the man stew in his own imaginations.

'So there really is a mole inside the Cartel.'

This was what Yeon-hoo had been most curious about. Just how much intelligence did the Eight Great Families have planted within the White Night Cartel? Wi Yeon Gwang alone knew of last night's incident—something only the Supreme Palace's guards should have been aware of. It meant there was a guard feeding information to Wall Thunder Manor.

'They'll have their hands full now.'

Yeon-hoo thought of Akso and Baekun as he walked toward the hall. Just then, he spotted them moving with the Supreme Palace guards. Now serving as guards themselves, they couldn't openly show their true feelings in public, so they exchanged subtle glances of greeting.

Yeon-hoo smirked and patted Akso's shoulder before entering the hall. Several Family Heads were already seated, sipping tea. Unlike before, Yeon-hoo took the seat next to Sword God Bukgung So. Gazing at the man who exuded an icy chill, the image of Bukgung Cheon—his face etched with anguish—naturally came to mind.

'I wonder how he's doing.'

Thinking of Bukgung Cheon, tormented by his father, felt like looking at his past self. A sense of kinship, perhaps? For whatever reason, Yeon-hoo simply hoped Bukgung Cheon would fare well.

No sooner had Yeon-hoo sat than Wi Yeon Gwang took the seat directly opposite. It forced them to face each other, but Yeon-hoo paid it no mind.

Soon, the other Family Heads arrived, and shortly after, Somubaek, Cheol Gun-ak, and Seomunhoe entered one after another, commencing the final day of the grand banquet.

The agenda was simple. With all ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠families except Ghost Family having already submitted oaths of loyalty to Somubaek following their pledges to the previous sovereign, only formalities remained. The difference today was that the Cartel's mid-to-high-ranking leaders, along with everyone from the Eight Great Families who had been barred entry due to numbers, were all present. It was the Cartel's intent to turn the last day into a festive celebration.

People began filing into the hall. The Northern contingent consisted only of Dongbang Ri, Cheol-u, Sama Song, and a female warrior from Dongbang Family. Excluding Akso, Baekun, and two young men, their numbers were noticeably sparse compared to others.

Dongbang Ri scanned the packed hall and steadied her breath inwardly. With the world's renowned masters gathered in one place, even she couldn't help feeling tense despite her boldness. At the same time, she steeled her resolve.

'Someday, I have to become someone who can attend these gatherings with confidence. I will.'

Dongbang Ri downed a cup of liquor first. Then she gazed at where the Eight Great Families' heads were gathered. Coincidentally, her eyes met Yeon-hoo's, who had been looking her way.

The distance was considerable amid the clamor, yet his transmission voice pierced her ear as clearly as if spoken right beside her.

Dongbang Ri nodded. It was a realm her own power couldn't even dream of. Distance wasn't an issue, but the noise would have buried it otherwise.

'Amazing. How can he be so composed?'

Yeon-hoo was utterly unchanged. His signature impassive expression, calm demeanor—even the way he lifted his cup—all seemed as natural as lounging in Iron Blood Family's inner quarters.

'Can I ever become like that?'

Dongbang Ri couldn't tear her eyes from Yeon-hoo. Then, sensing someone watching her, she turned and spotted Ga Hoe of Yellow River Lily. He was raising his cup with a grin. She frowned.

'What a creep.'

Dongbang Ri whipped her head away as if she'd seen something unpleasant. Just then, Cheol-u, about to refill her empty cup, sensed something off and looked up. Ga Hoe, still staring, met Cheol-u's gaze and slowly turned away.

Ga Hoe stared at him, then smirked.

Ga Hoe turned away. Remember their faces well, Cheol-u recalled Yeon-hoo's order, understanding why he placed such importance on Ga Hoe and Yang So.

'His mood's foul.'

Directly behind the Northern group sat the Sword Family members. Bukgung So-hye, hailed as the Central Plains' top beauty, drew the most attention by far. But the subject herself looked uncomfortable under the onslaught of stares, her expression sour. Her gaze occasionally drifted to one spot: where the Eight Great Families' heads were gathered.

One might think she was looking at her father, Bukgung So, but in truth, it was Yeon-hoo she watched. Though their connection was fleeting, he had left a vivid imprint on her mind. His first impression had been that powerful.

Beside her sat her guard Maeong Ho, who met every leering eye with a fierce glare, repeatedly bulging his eyes in warning.

"That bastard's got some nerve staring. I oughta gouge his eyes out."

Some averted their gazes under his menacing aura, but others glared back with venom. Still, given the occasion, no incidents arose.

The atmosphere was excellent. Perhaps because of it, Seomunhoe and the Cartel's leadership watched from the head table with pleased expressions they couldn't hide.

"How is it, Sovereign? Doesn't it feel good seeing everyone enjoying themselves?"

"How could it not? It's all thanks to the former Lord's boundless virtue."

"Nonsense. They're thrilled at the prospect of you, Sovereign, washing away the old ways and forging a new martial world. You must etch every one of their laughs into your heart!"

"I shall."

"Ha ha ha! Come, let's enjoy ourselves today as well!"

Seomunhoe laughed heartily again and again. Notably, most of the leadership clustered around him. Only Cheol Gun-ak and two middle-aged men sat by Somubaek. It hinted at the current power dynamics.

Somubaek emptied cup after cup with a somewhat forlorn expression.

Then Seomunhoe called out to Somubaek again.

"Sovereign."

"Yes, Cartel Lord."

"What do you think of the people Northern sent?"

"Not quite satisfactory yet, but if I keep them close and train them, they'll at least earn their keep."

"If they don't meet standards, dismiss them at once. Anyone by the Sovereign's side must be the best. The incompetent could tarnish your authority—and yours is the Cartel's authority."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Somubaek rose from his seat.

"Why stand?"

"Need to handle some business."

Somubaek exited through the hall's back door. Cheol Gun-ak started to follow but stayed put to avoid drawing eyes. Instead, guard captain Heodo trailed him.

Outside, Somubaek looked skyward and exhaled deeply.

"Hoo..."

Instead of the privy, he climbed a gazebo in the garden corner and stared north. Mountains rose like a screen behind the White Night Cartel, and midway up, several massive tombs stood in a row. It was the resting place of his father and past Great Earth Sovereigns—the holiest sanctuary and forbidden ground none could tread lightly.

Shadows of remorse darkened Somubaek's eyes.

'I didn't realize... your greatness...'

His father, once an object of love and hate. As Sovereign, he'd been so loathsome that Somubaek couldn't bear even his breathing nearby. But since returning to the Cartel, he'd come to appreciate his father's grandeur. Hailed as history's greatest Sovereign, he'd commanded absolute loyalty from the Cartel and Eight Great Families through iron-fisted rule and political acumen. He'd ushered in the Cartel's golden age, deterring eastern invaders who eyed the Central Plains for a millennium.

'Can I do it? Even half as well as Father?'

He'd asked himself countless times, yet doubted.

"Is your stomach upset?"

Heodo asked.

"A breath of air will settle it. No worries."

"Then visit the Ancestor Hall."

"Ancestor Hall... Won't it take too long?"

"Anything ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Sovereign does is fine. Who would dare complain? The banquet has hours left, and with lightness skill, it won't take long. Do as you wish."

Somubaek gazed at the mountainside again. That was the Ancestor Hall, forbidden to all but him. Then, Cheol Gun-ak's voice echoed in his mind like an illusion.

His thought of ascending evaporated. A bitter smile rose at his own plight.

'Even the guard captain must be watched...'

Then he spotted Akso and Baekun emerging from the hall, heading his way.