Chapter 87 - Cheol-u's Hollow Laugh
"It would be better to take them with you for my protection than to guard me alone, Hoewijang."
"They've been excluded from close protection duties for the time being."
"I never gave such an order. What do you mean by that?"
Somubaek raised his voice, but Heodo continued in an unwavering tone, unperturbed.
"It's only been two days, so I'll observe them a bit longer and inform you once I'm certain."
"I trust the lord of the North. These are people he recommended for me, so I trust them as well."
"Supreme One. This is a separate matter. Your safety is directly tied to the peace of the jianghu. Forgive me, but please leave the protection to me."
At that moment, Akso and Baekun approached. Heodo rebuked them sharply.
"Why have you left your posts and come out here?!"
"The Elder Council Chairman was worried and told us to check on him."
"Tell him you've gone out for some air due to indigestion."
Akso stared at Somubaek. He'd sensed something off about the mood between the two as he approached.
"You seem a bit better now, so let's head back inside."
Somubaek finally turned toward the grand hall. He'd felt uneasy about going to the Ancestor Peak alone with Heodo.
Heodo followed behind Somubaek. Akso and Baekun tilted their heads, watching the pair's retreating figures.
Akso took the lead in walking away. He stared at Heodo's back as he followed Somubaek, his gaze cooling.
'If you show even the slightest suspicious sign, you're the first to die.'
No one could be trusted as the Supreme One's guard except for the deceased Cheol Gun-ak. Akso recalled Yeon-hoo's words and let a faint smile play on his lips.
'An unwanted guard duty... Annoying and troublesome, but it'll be pretty fun. Heh heh heh.'
The performances of the world's finest entertainers continued, heating up the banquet's atmosphere to a fever pitch. Even the heads of the White Night Eight Great Families showed a more relaxed demeanor than usual today.
Everyone except one: Umunjeok.
Was it wounded pride from his defeat in the martial display? Throughout the banquet, he sat with a rigidly hardened expression, merely tipping his cup.
Wi Yeon Gwang sat across from him, but strangely, Umunjeok didn't glance his way once, focusing solely on his drink.
What caught Yeon-hoo's attention wasn't Umunjeok's attitude, but Ga Hoe sitting beside him. It felt like most of Yellow River Lily was paying more attention to Ga Hoe than to Umunjeok.
Even Umunhong, Umunjeok's own blood brother and Yellow River Lily's second-in-command, seemed more intent on conversing with Ga Hoe than gauging his sullen brother's mood.
It was as if Ga Hoe, not Umunjeok, was the true lord of Yellow River Lily.
'Well, now...'
Yeon-hoo instinctively sensed something brewing within Yellow River Lily.
Then he subtly furrowed his brow upon realizing Ga Hoe kept glancing elsewhere. The direction he turned his head toward time and again was where the Iron Blood Family and Geomga people sat.
Yeon-hoo alternated glances between Dongbang Ri and Bukgung So-hye, then smirked.
He'd intuited that Ga Hoe had taken an interest in one of the two women.
In truth, it wasn't just Ga Hoe—many in the hall were stealing glances that way. Especially the younger ones, who openly stared at the women and whispered among themselves.
That was when it happened.
"I've heard the rumors of fierce strife with Jang Cheon over the lord's seat... I hope you become the North's lord, you bastard. It'll make killing you all the more satisfying."
Wi Yeon Gwang was openly provoking him in a loud voice.
Yeon-hoo drained his cup and met Wi Yeon Gwang's gaze with a leisurely smile.
"I hear a good chunk of your provisions went up in smoke during the war with the Red Wolf Corps... Shouldn't you secure rice to feed your troops before wasting effort on killing me? No matter what, fighting with starving, scrawny soldiers would tarnish the North's reputation."
"War... Heh heh heh. To think you'd utter those words first. Just wait a little. Soon enough, I'll dry up your Northern seed."
"Before that, you'd better guard that hideous thing on your shoulders well. It might end up losing its head in your own bedroom, like some people."
Pop.
Wi Yeon Gwang's eyes flashed with killing intent, having provoked first yet gained nothing in return.
Yeon-hoo added one more line.
"Before that, worry about whether you can safely return to Wall Thunder Manor after the grand banquet ends. Wi Yeon Gwang."
All eyes in the hall turned to Yeon-hoo. Their conversation had been in loud voices, impossible not to hear.
The gazes varied, but without exception, they held a faint shock at his bold retort. After all, Yeon-hoo was mere son or nephew age to everyone present.
Among them, Geom-sin's gaze was particularly peculiar. He'd harshly scolded his son Bukgung Cheon for trying to ally with Yeon-hoo, viewing Yeon-hoo's future pessimistically—or rather, the future of Northern Murim itself.
'It could be bravado to avoid losing face, but standing up to Wi Yeon Gwang like that in this setting isn't easy...'
I Yeom, the former lord, had always shown Wi Yeon Gwang minimal courtesy even amid wars. There had been no shortage of people calling that servile. Bukgung So was one of them.
Then Yeon-hoo rose and headed toward the Iron Blood Family's seats. The heads of the Blood Family and Wolga followed suit, moving to their retainers' area.
As if on cue, everyone stood and dispersed, leaving the round table swiftly empty.
As Yeon-hoo headed to his seat, Bukgung So-hye greeted him.
"Fancy meeting you here."
"It's been a while, little miss."
It was their first exchange since entering three days ago. And that was it.
Yeon-hoo sat beside Dongbang Ri, and Bukgung So-hye averted her gaze.
Sama Song asked with a puzzled look.
"Wi Yeon Gwang's expression doesn't look good."
"Gave him a piece of my mind for his nonsense."
"Hohoho. What on earth did you say to twist that insolent brute's face so hideously?"
"Just scratched his nerves a bit."
After downing a cup, Yeon-hoo noticed Dongbang Ri's poor expression and asked,
"Something wrong?"
"No. Just a bit queasy..."
That was when it happened.
Yeon-hoo turned toward Yellow River Lily. Just then, Ga Hoe, who'd been looking their way, subtly turned his head.
'Looks like it was interest in our Dongbang Clan head, not the North Palace miss.'
Yeon-hoo was brimming with confidence. But Cheol-u was skeptical.
The grand banquet finally drew to a close. Fortunately, the feared incident didn't occur. Of course, no one knew what might have transpired behind the scenes, but on the surface, it ended smoothly.
Now, they just had to survive the night before departing Baekya-beol.
The guesthouses buzzed with activity. Though the banquet had ended, many seemed reluctant to let their final night in Baekya-beol pass quietly, continuing drinking parties in their quarters.
In contrast, the Iron Blood Family rested. Dongbang Ri and Sama Song had fallen asleep in their spots, per Yeon-hoo's order to rest fully before their predawn departure.
Were they that exhausted? Dongbang Ri's snoring reached even Yeon-hoo, some distance away.
Yeon-hoo gazed from the window at the panoramic view of Baekya-beol, now aglow with torchlight. Cheol-u watched silently from behind.
What was he thinking? Yeon-hoo maintained a long silence, as did Cheol-u.
After a good while, the noisy guesthouses fell quiet from the drinking.
Breaking the silence, Yeon-hoo muttered,
"Was worried they might not come out. Heh heh heh."
Through the window, two figures emerged from the guesthouse's main gate: Umunjeok and Umunhong.
In truth, he'd stood silently by the window all this time, waiting for someone from Wall Thunder or Yellow River Lily to step out.
"Time to move..."
Cheol-u trailed off, his eyes widening in shock.
Yeon-hoo wore a completely different face. Not even a human-skin mask.
Even more astonishing—it was the face of Wall Thunder elder Go Taebo.
Cheol-u asked in astonishment,
"How did you...?"
"It's called Bone Shrinking Technique. You deform your bones and muscles to disguise as another."
Even his voice was a perfect match for Go Taebo.
"It's useful enough, but it comes with intense pain each time. Limited duration, nasty aftereffects if overused. Plus, you need perfect insight into the target's face and voice..."
"So... that's why you kept watching Wall Thunder?"
"Yeah. Wondered who’d be most suitable. Figured a strong one was best, so I picked him."
Had someone from Wall Thunder emerged first, the target would have been a Yellow River Lily expert instead.
"Stay here and wait. Don't come out."
"Heaven must be aiding me. I’d have been happy with a mere attendant, but the Lianzhu and second-in-command..."
"Too dangerous, my lord."
"You don't trust me."
"I speak because I don't know the opponent's level precisely."
"Sounds like you know my level exactly."
"..."
A faint smile tugged at Yeon-hoo's lips.
"I'm stronger than you think. And I'm not going to fight tonight, so no need to worry. I'll be back."
"Let me assist."
"No. That'd be more dangerous."
Cheol-u watched Yeon-hoo vanish into the darkness, stunned once more.
Yeon-hoo had unleashed a lightness skill he'd never seen before.
'Don't worry. I'm stronger than you think.'
'You've been hiding your true power all this time?'
His eyes trembled.
Deep in those quivering pupils rose disbelief and shock.
'Stronger than what I've seen so far...? Impossible.'
A twitch.
Cheol-u finally let out a hollow laugh.
He stood by the window, waiting for Yeon-hoo’s return. He trusted him, but unease was inevitable.
As time passed, the anxiety grew. After about half a shichen, Umunjeok and Umunhong finally returned, their steps hurried as if fleeing something.
But Yeon-hoo was nowhere in sight.
'No way...'
As Cheol-u's eyes wavered greatly, the door opened behind him. Yeon-hoo entered, back to his true face—not Go Taebo's—and utterly serene, as if returning from a stroll.
Seeing that, Cheol-u finally exhaled in relief.