Chapter 673

It was the first great upheaval since the Great War of Justice and Evil.

In Central Plains, the so-called center of the world—and even in the distant Southern Barbarian Region thousands of li away.

“Huff, huff… Have you all heard the news?”

“Catch your breath and speak. What is it this time?”

With new rumors spreading every single day, the people of Southern Barbarian Region were no longer surprised as they once were.

No—more accurately, they believed there was nothing left that could surprise them anymore.

And that was understandable, for everything that had happened in the past month was a series of shocks far greater than all events that occurred after the Great War.

A Miao Tribe village massacred by Han tribesmen.

The sudden appearance of the Thousand-Year Venomous Horned Serpent in Mount Aino after decades of peace.

And the tale of a young Han tribesman who not only entered the inner palace of Southern Barbarian Beast Palace for the first time in its history, but even attended the grand assembly where only thirty-two tribal chiefs could stand.

Had the chain of events ended there, it would have been manageable.

But only three days ago, over a hundred warriors of the Yao Tribe in the Western Yao Tribe territory were brutally slain, and two highly symbolic great chiefs went missing. From that point, the situation spiraled.

‘The fiend! The fiend of the Western Yao Tribe has been revealed!’

‘It was that young Han tribesman! Jin Taekyung!’

‘Hold on, hold on. Have you already forgotten that Jin Taekyung saved the warriors at Mount Aino the day before? We don’t know the whole truth yet—acting rashly is…’

‘Rash? Ever since those Han tribesmen arrived, nothing good has happened. There’s nothing left to wait for!’

Reason alone can quell anger, yet as reason collapsed for many, the voices of a few were buried helplessly.

‘Drag those Han tribesmen out and tear them limb from limb!’

‘Great Chief Baek Sang! Please punish them without fail!’

The festival music and laughter that always filled the streets during the grand assembly were nowhere to be heard.

Cries filled with fury echoed from all directions, and the names of two men were always included.

Jin Taekyung. And Baek Sang.

Their origins and ages differed, and so did their standing.

For the people of Southern Barbarian Region, this was natural.

One was a foreigner from faraway Central Plains—a sinner who had committed an unforgivable atrocity. The other was the great chief of the Baek Tribe, second only to the Miao Tribe in strength.

The people still respected and loved their palace lord, Yal Cheok, whose martial prowess and humility were renowned across the land. But the incident in the Western Yao Tribe territory inevitably cracked their trust.

The one who brought the Han tribesmen into the inner palace—those at the center of all recent misery—was none other than the palace lord.

Even those who had cheered for Great Chief Baek Sang were shaken when they heard the new report at dawn.

“W-What did you say?”

“Did I… hear that wrong?”

Eyes trembled. Faces froze in disbelief.

Everyone repeated the unbelievable words in their minds.

‘The palace lord… attempted to kill Great Chief Baek Sang last night, failed, and fled?’

At first, everyone dismissed it as nonsense. They knew the palace lord—Yal Cheok, great chief of the Miao Tribe—was not such a man.

He was a good person before he was a great palace lord, someone who cherished Southern Barbarian Region more than anyone.

But the reports that followed were so clear that they crushed the people’s faith and doubt alike.

“Great Chief Baek Sang is being appointed acting palace lord. What in the world does that mean?”

“I… don’t know. But the announcement posted in the inner palace says exactly what we’ve heard.”

“This is absurd! How could that be possible!”

“It’s not over yet. They say the palace lord raided the dungeon with the young master and elite warriors, freeing the fiend Jin Taekyung and the other Han tribesmen.”

“I can hardly believe it either… but the evidence is too clear. The palace lord has always been friendly toward Han tribesmen, and now Jin Taekyung and the young master have vanished. During the emergency assembly last night, this was judged as a betrayal against all Southern Barbarian Region, and a general mobilization order was issued.”

“What? A general mobilization order?”

“Yes. They said it was decided along with the appointment of the acting palace lord. They mean to hunt down the traitors who threw Southern Barbarian Region into chaos. Naturally, the top targets are Jin Taekyung and the palace lord… no, the former palace lord.”

“Former palace lord? What are you saying!”

“I don’t know. I’m still confused myself. But how could ordinary tribesmen like us know more? We only follow the assembly’s decision.”

The contents of the proclamation stamped with the seal of the inner palace spread instantly, and the people divided into three groups:

Those who believed the Beast Miao King had betrayed them.
Those who refused to believe it.
And those who accepted the new reality without question, seeking no truth.

And in the midst of this storm of confusion, fifty warriors—each bearing various wounds—returned to the outer palace through the western gate.

Their bodies shook like aspen leaves. Their faces were etched with fear that could not be erased. In their trembling eyes, the remnants of the massive flames visible from ten li away still flickered.

“M-Monster…”

The voice that slipped out from someone’s lips froze the scorching midday sunlight overhead.

It was nearly noon.

—

Baek Sang stared at his reflection in the large bronze mirror.

Despite being over seventy, he retained the youthful, refined appearance and balanced physique of a much younger man. He wore garments woven from pure white fox fur.

To anyone else, he would look like the ruler of a nation—an awe-inspiring figure worthy of admiration. But Baek Sang only stared coldly at his own hardened expression.

‘So this is the face I’ve been making… for all those years.’

He could not remember the last time he truly smiled.

All he could do now was dust off old memories and look at them again.

‘Yes… that was the last time.’

A memory surfaced—softening his usually cold gaze.

After a fierce battle, the few days of sweet rest they were given. The bold young boy who followed his father to fight the demonic cult was now a fine young man. The lively girl who was always covered in scrapes had grown into a beautiful woman.

The young man’s name was Hwi. The woman’s name was Hyang.

Their names were as brilliant and fragrant as they were. Two blossoms that bloomed amidst a battlefield of blood and death. They’d grown up together, often calling each other enemies while secretly walking side-by-side.

They likely never realized—

That as they slipped away from the revelers drunk on victory and wandered a moonlit hill, someone was watching them.

‘…You again?’

‘…Then what about you, brother? Why are you here again?’

‘Why ask the obvious? I’m here to watch that wolf Hwi so he doesn’t dare touch my delicate, lovely Hyang.’

‘Let me ask you seriously. Do you mean that?’

‘Of course I do.’

‘Then you must know that three days ago, the Little Bird Fiend died?’

‘Little Bird Fiend? That pervert who was said to be so obscene even the Heavenly Demon would slap him?’

‘Yes.’

‘Good. As a father of a daughter, I always wanted to teach him a lesson. But why bring that up now?’

‘Hyang killed him.’

‘Hwi got wounded fighting him first, but Hyang suddenly appeared, took up some random pair of axes she’d found, and smashed his skull.’

‘And she wasn’t done. Apparently, she burst the dead man’s balls, cursed him out, and chopped the corpse to pieces. According to Hwi, she carved him up like a palace butcher possessed by a spirit.’

‘…That’s a lie. My Hyang would never do that.’

‘Five people other than Hwi saw it. Three are still too traumatized to speak.’

‘Good. Tell them to shut up forever. Or I’ll shut them up with—oh no.’

‘What kind of fiend—ugh.’

The adopted brothers, hiding far away in the darkness, accidentally witnessed something.

The two children they cherished like their own lives quietly leaning toward each other.

‘Turn around! Quickly!’

‘Lower your voice, brother! I already turned!’

‘Oh no. Dear heavens. What am I seeing?’

‘What do you think you’re seeing? Did you leave your eyes in Southern Barbarian Region? They’re kissing—mmf. Mmf.’

‘Baek Sang, you sly bastard! Did you set up this scheme with your wolfish son? Are you so desperate to make him the next palace lord?’

‘Mmf. Puh! Me? Palace lord? Are you out of your mind? Maybe after you and I die.’

‘Oh? So this is your dream—to achieve through your son what you couldn’t. Since Hyang could be the next palace lord, you want to snatch her early and make her tie herself to your household?’

‘I’m going insane.’

‘Last chance. Admit it.’

‘I said no!’

‘Swear to the heavens?’

‘To the heavens!’

‘Good. I believe you. Then prepare for their wedding before the year ends.’

‘How many times must I say—it’s not—wait. What?’

‘What do you mean “what”? The kids adore each other. Prepare for the wedding.’

‘Why are you staring at me like that? You knew this would happen. Do you hate it?’

‘O-Of course not. I suspected it already. But somehow… ha.’

‘Good. Then no need for more talk. Once the western front stabilizes before winter, we’ll hold the wedding and send them back to Southern Barbarian Region. And though it’s strange to imagine… if they end up having a child, maybe those two stubborn idiots will finally agree to return.’

‘A child… Ha. Hahaha. Time has flown, hasn’t it?’

‘Young brat acting like an elder. Enough. Promise me one thing.’

‘What promise?’

‘Hyang… that child. She is precious and pitiful. Because of her useless father, she lost two brothers and suffered greatly.’

‘Brother…’

‘Damn it. What I mean is—’

‘Stop. I know what you want to say. You want her to be cherished, because she deserves it.’

‘You don’t need to worry. Hwi absolutely will. Not just as a woman, but as a partner—as a companion—to grow old with.’

‘Hwi… yes, that boy can be trusted.’

‘And if you can’t trust Hwi, then trust Hyang.’

‘What?’

‘Look at her temper. If Hwi ever makes her even a little upset, he’ll end up just like the Little Bird Fiend—’

‘Baek Sang! How dare you compare my Hyang to—!’

That last shout was a fatal mistake.

The shy young couple immediately leaped apart, and the two brothers had no choice but to run for their lives.

When they reached a quiet creek and finally caught their breath, they tried to scold each other—

And laughed until the world shook.

He no longer remembered what was so funny. It wasn’t only because their pale, terrified faces were amusing.

Their children, who grew up together, were becoming one family. And the two men who were brothers in everything would finally be tied by blood.

‘If Hyang… if that child had not left us… then maybe…’

Everything might have changed.

But Baek Sang knew.

This wish echoing inside him was nothing more than a hollow longing.

In that winter when everyone eagerly awaited the wedding—

The western front did not stabilize. Instead, the army of the demonic cult, ten thousand strong, swept in with the cold winds.

And the flower wilted.

Yal Hyang. Beautiful like a blossom, strong like steel—she fell on the battlefield that day.

From that day on, the light vanished from Baek Hwi’s face.

Perhaps that was why—

During the final battle at Great Snow Mountain, he moved as if bewitched, cutting down foe after foe, stepping deeper into danger.

Baek Sang often wondered afterward—did the boy see a single flower blooming somewhere in that narrow ravine?

‘Was it really so?’

As always, no answer came. Baek Sang stared at the blurred mirror.

No—everything he saw in the world now was blurred.

Tap. Drop.

The sky was clear without a single cloud. Yet rain began to fall from somewhere.

And then, someone’s voice pierced his ears.

“Oh my, should I come back later?”

Baek Sang slowly turned.

Reflected in his bloodshot eyes was a woman who had appeared like a ghost.

“…Southern Demon Empress.”

At his words, the woman smiled brightly—radiant like a flower, yet venomous like a viper.