Chapter 628
“Just a few decades ago, we stood together and risked our lives for the Han. But now, you point your swords at us.”
At this moment, Yal Mok was truly furious.
Over two hundred lives lost in this recent massacre—most of them helpless elders, women, and children.
And they were members of Yal Mok’s own tribe, the Miao Tribe.
To commit such an atrocity and then shamelessly come seeking help?
“We’ve already shed too much blood. Not for ourselves—but for you Han.”
Yal Mok continued, his voice boiling with emotion.
“The Southern Barbarian Region will not spill blood in vain ever again. So stop causing trouble and leave.”
His words, sharp and resolute like a blade, were everything he had been holding back. As he looked at the Han man before him, he felt a slight sense of release.
‘Jin Taekyung, was it.’
Until half a day ago, Yal Mok hadn’t known much about him. He vaguely recalled hearing he was a prominent late-stage master from the Central Plains.
But if the outlandish rumor about him being a transcendent-level martial artist was true, then he might very well be one of the top three warriors in the Southern Barbarian Region.
‘He blocked Father’s strike. Maybe the rumor’s true.’
Yal Mok knew better than anyone how powerful his father, Yal Cheok, was.
He had become the greatest warrior of the Southern Barbarian Region before even reaching forty, turned the Miao Tribe into the most dominant tribe, earned everyone’s recognition, and became the lord of the Beast Palace.
More than that, his martial prowess was so incredible that even the Han, who treated Southerners like savages, were left in awe.
That was when he earned the title Beast Miao King.
‘I thought the only one who could trade blows with Father was Uncle Baek Sang…’
But based on what he had just seen, Jin Taekyung’s martial skills were nothing short of astonishing for someone who looked to be around his age.
He had blocked Father’s full-powered strike, which Yal Mok himself couldn’t even see or defend against.
Sure, he had been pushed back nearly a full length by the sheer force, but that didn’t diminish his feat.
‘And… he’s huge. Taller than most, broad-shouldered, and built like a boulder.’
Standing face-to-face like this, he looked less like a man and more like a two-legged beast.
Maybe it was that, or maybe it was the usual smirking eyes and lips now hardened with seriousness—Yal Mok found himself gulping unconsciously.
That’s when it happened.
“Hey.”
“…Huh?”
“What are you so startled about? I just called you.”
Yal Mok flinched at the low voice and replied awkwardly.
“…W-Why did you call me?”
“Why are you stuttering now?”
Because your face just turned dead serious. Up until now, you looked as carefree as a feather, but without the smile, it was like a ten-thousand-jin boulder had landed in front of me.
—Grrr…
Even the white tiger by his side seemed to sense his unease.
Trying to act calm, Yal Mok stroked the neck of his now-intimidated tiger and answered.
“I-I wasn’t stuttering.”
“Then speak up. You called me—what do you want?”
“Uh. It’s not much.”
Jin Taekyung gave him a peculiar look, scratched the back of his head, and said—
“Thanks for telling me.”
“…What?”
“I mean it. Thanks for being honest. I didn’t know everything, but now I understand a lot more. I get what’s going on around here, too.”
What the hell?
This reaction was completely different from what Yal Mok expected. He stared at Jin Taekyung in silence before blurting out—
“So what you’re saying is… you’re just gonna go back?”
“Hm?”
Jin Taekyung tilted his head.
“Is that what you took from this?”
“But… you said you understood.”
“Of course I did. It’s not like I’m empathy-challenged or anything.”
“Then?”
“Understanding and agreeing are two different things.”
“What?”
“It’s a long story, so I’ll keep it short. Let me ask you just one thing.”
Leaning casually against the tree, Jin Taekyung spoke in a quiet voice.
“Do you really believe the Great War of Justice and Evil was a war fought solely for the Han?”
“One more. Do you think the Southern Barbarians who died in that war were nothing but meaningless sacrifices?”
“That’s… that’s, what?”
Yal Mok suddenly found himself at a loss for words. For some reason, an answer didn’t come easily.
And while he searched for something to say in his tangled thoughts, a soft voice slipped into his ears.
“There are two reasons you can’t answer. First, you know I’m right but don’t want to admit it. Second—”
Jin Taekyung raised two fingers and said bluntly:
“You’re still just a clueless brat.”
“What are you—”
“Don’t ask me. Think about it yourself. Why did the Beast Palace send so many warriors all the way to the Central Plains? Just because long ago, the ancestor of Yeolhwa Sect helped stabilize the Southern Barbarian Region? If that were true, that tiger next to you would laugh its stripes off.”
“Most of your people probably oppose joining the alliance for that first reason—because they think they bled for nothing. Because they don’t want to repeat history.”
Jin Taekyung sighed.
“And honestly, that’s not entirely wrong. Who the hell wants war? Even if you fight like hell and gain land or gold, people die like ants. And some of those ants are your friends, your family. Your lover. Or maybe you yourself. Speaking of which, you got a girlfriend?”
Caught off guard, Yal Mok shook his head.
“Ex-girlfriend?”
“What exactly do you mean by girlfriend?”
“A lover. Someone of a different anatomical structure who you’re romantically involved with.”
“…No.”
“Oh. So you had one before?”
“No.”
“So you’ve never had one?”
“…Not even once.”
“How old are you now?”
“Twenty-six.”
“Damn. A prime candidate for the Celibate Arts. Just fifty more years and you could be the next Martial God. Guess we’ll strike ‘lover’ off the list of victims.”
As Jin Taekyung smiled contentedly for some reason, Yal Mok felt drained and annoyed.
This guy was impossible to pin down—neither his logic nor his conversation had any clear structure.
“What are you even trying to say? Why are we suddenly talking about lovers?”
“Dunno. But one thing’s certain.”
Jin Taekyung’s playful smile faded as he spoke quietly.
“The Southern Barbarians who left their homeland decades ago and died in the Central Plains didn’t die for nothing. And if it happens again, it won’t be for nothing either. I truly regret what happened with the Heavenly Escort Agency. But if those bastards really existed… I’d have killed them myself.”
“Even though they’re Han like you?”
“What’s that got to do with anything?”
Maybe it was just his imagination, but Yal Mok felt like he’d been rendered speechless several times today.
He stared at Jin Taekyung with tightly pressed lips, then muttered—
“No matter how pretty your words are, the Southern Barbarian Region won’t help the Central Plains.”
“Yeah, sounds tough. But I’ll still try to persuade you.”
“Pointless effort.”
“What?”
“It’s practically decided. The first tribal council already concluded that two weeks ago.”
“First council? So there’s going to be a second?”
“The Southern Barbarian Region is vast. With thirty-two tribes, gathering them all takes time. That’s why my father and the other three Great Chiefs reviewed the matter first.”
“And they opposed joining the alliance? Keep going.”
“In three days, all the tribes will meet here. But aside from my father, the other chiefs have already made up their minds. That won’t change.”
What Yal Mok said was true. The Beast Palace symbolized unity, but that didn’t mean all tribes were equal.
If the other three Great Chiefs, led by Baek Sang of the Baek Tribe, had aligned their stance, even the strongest warrior and Palace Lord, the Beast Miao King, couldn’t act against them.
‘That’s just how things work here.’
Yal Mok muttered in his heart and observed Jin Taekyung with caution.
Now that the Southern Barbarian Region’s participation was virtually off the table—how would this strong young Han react?
He’ll probably be disappointed, right? Or maybe he’ll desperately try to persuade us—
“Well, I’ll try what I can. And if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t.”
“…Huh?”
Yal Mok was thrown off.
Jin Taekyung’s reaction was unexpectedly calm. Too calm.
“But I just said the result’s already decided.”
“Yeah. But it’s not over yet, right?”
“I mean, technically that’s true, but… what?”
Still confused, Yal Mok asked.
“Shouldn’t you be trying harder to convince us?”
“That’s why I said I’ll try. If it doesn’t work, I’ll leave. But first, I’ve got something more important to do.”
“Something more important…”
“Seems like you’re misunderstanding something.”
Jin Taekyung scratched his chin and continued.
“I’m not here as a diplomat. If anything, I’m here as a firefighter.”
“Firefighter? What’s that?”
“Someone who puts out fires.”
“…Didn’t you set fire to the pastures when you arrived?”
At Yal Mok’s sincere question, Jin Taekyung paused before answering.
“Well, that was metaphorical. Look, I’m not exactly the best at persuading people.”
“I can agree with that.”
“…Son of a—damn, that pissed me off. Anyway, if you guys won’t join, that’s unfortunate. But if it’s impossible, then fine.”
“But you’re Han. And part of the Murim Alliance. From what I know, the Central Plains is in trouble. Shouldn’t you be begging for help instead of offering it?”
Yal Mok looked at him like he was a strange creature. Jin Taekyung snorted.
“What if another pasture catches fire like last time?”
“I’d put it out.”
“Why?”
“Because if I don’t, the flames will spread everywhere.”
“There you go.”
“Don’t overthink it. There’s a fire, so I’m trying to put it out. Just like the Southern Barbarians who once left their homes for the Central Plains decades ago.”
After a moment of silence, Yal Mok spoke with a conflicted expression.
“So you came here expecting nothing in return… just to help us?”
“What if I did?”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then think what you want. But before that—”
Jin Taekyung turned around, took a few steps, and then spoke sternly.
“Start by giving us proper meals, you son of a bitch.”