Chapter 625
Every person carried with them a certain aura. For some, it was faint and almost imperceptible. For others, it was immense and overwhelming, crashing down like waves that could subdue anyone who stood before it.
The Beast Miao King, Yal Cheok, was most certainly the latter.
Ssshhk.
As Yal Cheok slowly rose to his feet, it was like watching a great mountain move.
Though he was well past eighty, his body was still wrapped in iron-like muscles, his steps heavy and unyielding, his half-white beard flowing wildly like a lion’s mane.
Step, step.
His bare feet crushed the vine-covered steps as he descended, and now, all could see his imposing figure.
Yal Mok and his guards immediately dismounted and dropped to one knee, their gesture of respect to the lord of the Beast Palace.
“We greet the Palace Lord.”
Yal Cheok’s eyes settled on Yal Mok.
“You’ve run off again without a word.”
“There was a fire in the northeastern pastures. I happened to be nearby, so…”
“Was the fire put out?”
“Yes.”
“And the culprit?”
Though his question was directed at Yal Mok, Yal Cheok’s piercing tiger-like eyes locked onto me.
I stepped forward, meeting his fierce gaze head-on.
“Calling it a culprit might be too much. Let’s just say there were… some mistakes.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Han people. Are you the beast who started the blaze?”
Before I could answer, his voice rumbled like a growl.
“Think carefully before you speak. The laws of the Southern Barbarians show no mercy.”
After a pause, I asked,
“What’s the punishment in such cases?”
“It depends on the damage. In severe cases, you’re fed to the beasts or thrown into a pit filled with venomous creatures.”
“And in minor cases?”
“You’re hung from the vines.”
“That’s considered minor?”
“Of course. At least the corpse remains intact.”
“…Ah, I see.”
I nodded, then shifted aside to gesture at someone else.
“Ta-da. Actually, the culprit isn’t me—it’s this man.”
Any ordinary person might have panicked, but with fifty years of experience in the Silent Heaven Pavilion, Nam Ho was different. He replied calmly.
“Have you lost your damned mind?”
“Not at all. It’s not untrue.”
“You son of a—”
Before Nam Ho could unleash a stream of curses, Yal Cheok spoke, his voice sharp and heavy.
“So, you’d abandon a comrade to save yourself?”
“Mm. Seems there’s been a misunderstanding. I never said I was abandoning him.”
“A misunderstanding?”
“I was just clarifying facts. Honestly, we haven’t known each other long, but he’s a good man. And there’s also the honor of the Murim Alliance to consider.”
Even with my deliberate mention of the Murim Alliance, Yal Cheok’s fierce gaze did not waver in the slightest.
“In the Southern Barbarian Region, one follows its laws. If someone must take responsibility… who will it be?”
“In that case…”
I scratched the back of my head and continued.
“…I’ll have to stop you, won’t I?”
And in that instant—
Whoooosh!
The air itself was sucked away. A heavy fist, packed with the power of a battering ram, struck first.
Kwaaang!
The ground split with a thunderous roar as shockwaves swept in every direction.
I was pushed back a full zhang before exhaling a deep breath.
“Will that do?”
Yal Cheok’s eyes glinted like ice.
“What do you mean?”
“A greeting.”
“What?”
“Before coming here, I was told something. That the Beast Miao King might look brutish and reckless, but deep down, he’s full of warmth and fond of jokes. So, I should go along with it and get along well.”
“… …”
The Fire Dragon Pavilion members stared, their jaws dropping.
Yal Mok and his guards froze, then instantly reached for their weapons.
But before they could act, Yal Cheok’s lips twitched, and then he burst into booming laughter.
“Kuahaha! So, Old Jeok is still the same as ever.”
Rubbing my sore arms, I answered,
“Well, he is spry as always.”
“I’d heard rumors he took a disciple, but I didn’t expect to meet him this soon.”
His eyes gleamed with curiosity as he broke into a broad grin.
“Good to meet you. I am Yal Cheok.”
The man before me wasn’t just the lord of the Beast Palace—he was Jeok Cheon-Gang’s old acquaintance.
I clasped my fists respectfully.
“Jin Taekyung, nineteenth successor of the Yeolhwa Sect, greets the Beast Miao King Yal Cheok.”
“Well said. Hahaha!”
Yal Cheok’s laugh was rough but hearty. His voice rang with warmth.
“There’s much to discuss. Come with me.”
As he strode away, eyes turned to me, silently asking what was happening.
I shrugged.
“My master and he are close.”
Indeed, life was all about connections.
Yal Cheok looked pleased—no, delighted.
I’d heard from Jeok Cheon-Gang that he was a cheerful man, and now I saw it firsthand. Sitting inside the Beast Palace’s great hall, reminiscing, he was like a giant child.
“I remember the first time I met Old Jeok. He hit me with the Flame God Palm.”
“…Uh. My master told me he almost did, not that he did.”
“No, he hit me. I remember my breath catching and my guts twisting like fire.”
Any patriarch of a great sect I’d met had at least some sense of dignity. But Yal Cheok—wearing nothing but leopard-skin pants—cared nothing for such things.
Showing the scar at his side from the Flame God Palm, he added casually,
“It was quite the first meeting. I even coughed blood twice. When I went back again, he shared a drink with me and told me to disinfect the wound. A magnificent man.”
“…I see.”
Whether that counted as “magnificent” was questionable, but who was I to argue with someone who’d been on the receiving end.
“After the Great War of Justice and Evil, I never saw him again. But meeting his disciple now is a great joy. Do you drink?”
“I do, of course, but not now.”
“Why not?”
“Because there are more pressing matters than drinking.”
Had the world been at peace, I’d have gladly joined him in a round or two, even played drinking games with him to win over his people.
But now was not the time.
“I’m here not as his disciple, but as Pavilion Master of the Murim Alliance.”
At my quiet words, Yal Cheok’s smile dimmed slightly.
“This is about Dark Heaven, isn’t it?”
“So you know.”
“I received word about it. News takes long to reach us, but we are not entirely cut off.”
“May I ask when you received it?”
“Over a month ago.”
Given the distance and timing, the message must have been sent before the Songshan Mountain Murim Alliance declaration.
Which meant…
“You refused to join the Alliance, then.”
They’d had time to reply, time even to send representatives. That they hadn’t was clearly a refusal.
Yal Cheok was silent for a moment, then spoke.
“Not a refusal. Only a decision left unmade.”
“You mean—”
My words were cut off by his raised hand. Stroking his beard, he said,
“Disciple of Old Jeok—Jin Taekyung, was it? Let me ask your companions something. Do you know who I am?”
The hall fell silent. After a moment, Hyuk Mu-jin swallowed and answered,
“You are the Beast Miao King, Yal Cheok. One of the Ten Kings, a supreme master.”
“Correct. And you, the woman—what do you say?”
Ju Hwaran replied smoothly,
“You are the Palace Lord of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, known to all.”
“Also correct. But not the answer I seek. Then you, boy, beside her.”
Before I could stop him, Taesan blinked his round eyes and answered,
“Taesan. Hungry.”
…You little bastard. A living auto-reply machine. Damn it.
Yal Cheok’s face twisted with distaste.
“…And who is this?”
I thought for a moment, then answered honestly.
“To be honest, I’m not sure anymore.”
“A strange one, indeed. Then, old man—you answer.”
Still muttering curses at Taesan under his breath, Nam Ho spoke up.
“You are the Great Chief of the Miao.”
“That’s right.”
Yal Cheok nodded.
“I am the Great Chief of the Miao, representing them, uniting countless clans beneath one banner, and earning the support of other tribal chiefs to become Palace Lord. Mok, tell me—how many clans live within our land?”
Yal Mok answered solemnly,
“Counting the whole of the Southern Barbarian Region, there are thirty-two tribes, with four great tribes including the Miao.”
“Exactly. That is the Beast Palace.”
I realized his meaning. As did everyone else here—except Taesan.
“You mean…”
“I am first the Great Chief of the Miao. The Palace Lord is not a king.”
In other words, he could not decide alone.
Though the Beast Palace resembled a kingdom apart from the Central Plains, it was built on a federation of tribes.
So why tell us this so openly?
‘Does this mean other tribes oppose it, but Yal Cheok himself wishes to join the Alliance?’
Just as I was about to voice my suspicion—
From beyond the tightly shut hall doors, a low voice called out.
“Palace Lord, may I have a word?”