21
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- 21 - Bukcheonju - Bukrimugeuk
Chapter 21: Bukcheonju – Bukrimugeuk
Bukcheon is composed of eight regions.
The northern regions, namely Cheongju, Hyeolju, and Heukju, are the northernmost, guarding Bukcheon from the fierce battles at the extreme northern front. These regions are the frontline where constant bloodshed occurs.
In the central region of Bukcheon, known as the “waist of Bukcheon,” are the fertile and prosperous regions of Nokju, Jaju, and Baekju, where the Three Great Sect Families reside.
The southern region of Bukcheon, guarding the Great Wall and bordering the Empire, is Gwangju.
These seven regions make up the vast land of Bukcheon, with the last region being ‘Bukju,’ the center, where Bukcheonju resides.
Typically, Bukju is referred to as the capital city, Hwaryeom.
— “The ones who will shine in Bukcheon’s Eight Provinces will be the Great Lords of the Regions!”
The ruler of Cheongju is the Cheongmyeongdaejoo.
The ruler of Nokju is the Nokmyeongdaejoo.
In these seven regions, the Great Lords hold power equivalent to that of kings.
Finally, Bukcheonju, who guards Bukcheon and oversees the grand city of Hwaryeom, is protected by the Bukmyeongdaejoo.
— “The guardians of the night.”
— “The great stars of Bukcheon, carried on their backs.”
— “The eight are the Great Lords of Bukcheon.”
The Great Lords of Bukcheon, including the Bukcheonju, possess a unique garment that has been passed down through the generations, called the Seongpo (Star Robe).
Each region’s Seongpo is embroidered with the stars of that region’s night sky: the Hyeolya Seongpo of Hyeolmyeongdaejoo, the Baekya Seongpo of Baekmyeongdaejoo, and the Palya Seongpo of Bukcheonju, which has all eight stars of Bukcheon’s night sky embroidered upon it.
This robe indicates not only the region but also the individual’s status—just by looking at the robe, one could tell which Great Lord or Bukcheonju it belonged to.
Just like now.
“B-Bukcheonju!”
Cheol Woo-seng stammered.
He was reminded of the forgotten fear by the sight of the Bukcheonju, who had shattered the Pacheonchu (Heavenly Hammer) with a mere gesture.
After the Gukbuk Expedition, the Bukcheonju had become reclusive, and his presence had faded over time.
Nevertheless, those who had encountered Bukcheonju never acted recklessly, even years after.
With one strike, rivers were cleaved.
With another, mountains were cut.
With the third, the sky was sliced. He was the true absolute being.
— “And he killed Mukwang, leaving Amaje incapacitated for years.”
Cheol Gun-ak observed the Bukcheonju with unfamiliar eyes.
Despite his clear signs of illness, it was hard to believe that this old man had accomplished feats greater than what the combined strength of the martial world had achieved.
However, Cheol Gun-ak could feel it.
No matter how frail and injured he seemed, he was still Bukcheonju.
The air of dominance that emanated from Bukrimugeuk was so vast and awe-inspiring, it was beyond description.
“Arrogant.”
Bukcheonju’s low voice stirred Cheol Woo-seng’s heart.
Sweat poured from his body.
“When did I say it was okay for you to stand and speak?”
With a soft thud, Cheol Woo-seng kneeled and lowered his head to the ground, trembling as he spoke.
“No, Bukcheonju!”
Whoo─.
The wind blew, carrying the dampness of the rain and the chilling cold unique to Bukcheon.
It brushed past the kneeling Cheol Woo-seng and tousled Bukcheonju’s thin hair.
Slowly, Bukcheonju, standing with his back to the shattered clouds and the starry night sky, began to survey his surroundings. His eyes fell on Halmeom, who was lying on the ground.
“…It’s broken.”
Halmeom said nothing but looked at him.
The regret reflected in their gazes was too deep and dark for Cheol Gun-ak to even guess at.
“…”
Bukcheonju walked toward Halmeom.
Swish─.
He slid the sword he was holding back into its scabbard. With each step, the Palya Seongpo fluttered gently.
The step of a being who shouldered Bukcheon was difficult to describe—almost like a stagger.
Thud─.
Bukcheonju knelt before Halmeom, picking up the broken jade ornament piece by piece.
Halmeom watched him briefly before biting her lower lip and turning her face away.
Bukcheonju looked at her for a moment.
“I will fix this and give it back.”
He placed the broken ornament pieces into the pocket of the Seongpo.
“No, it’s fine.”
“My gift broke, so it’s only right that I give it back.”
“Only now—”
Halmeom paused, struggling to suppress her emotions, then continued.
“Are you not blaming me for calling on you now, when you needed me?”
Bukcheonju closed his eyes.
His hand, which had been on the ground, clenched into a fist. He briefly squeezed the dirt beneath him, then released it, smiling gently.
“Maybe a little.”
Halmeom’s eyes widened.
The strongest man in Bukcheon.
The one closest to the “Bukcheon man” Cheol Gun-ak had always spoken of, Bukrimugeuk, spoke so honestly, something Halmeom never expected.
“But seeing you now, not at all.”
“I’m sorry.”
Bukcheonju smiled again.
He seemed to feel regret, but when he was young, he had charmed all the women of Hwaryeom.
“The world may apologize to me, but you don’t have to.”
Swish─.
Bukcheonju slowly turned his head.
At the end of his gaze was Cheol Gun-ak, gripping Heukya tightly in his left hand.
“You look like Seol-yeong’s eyes.”
Seol-yeong skill.
The Grand Lady of the Manbyeongcheolga.
The woman Halmeom had cared for.
And Cheol Gun-ak’s mother.
No one in the Cheol family ever spoke her name or even looked at her, yet Bukcheonju gently called it.
Cheol Gun-ak hadn’t expected that Halmeom and his mother had such a deep connection with Bukcheonju.
“That child is the grandson she raised with her heart.”
“Indeed. She’s his son.”
“By the way, where is Seol-yeong?”
“…”
Whoosh.
Bukcheonju looked down at Cheol Woo-seng’s crown.
Halmeom’s tearful expression and tightly pressed lips told him everything.
Swish─.
Bukcheonju stood up and walked toward Cheol Gun-ak.
Cheol Gun-ak, watching him approach, felt cold sweat running down his back. Despite how frail Bukcheonju appeared, he knew with certainty:
“I’ll lose.”
He was sure that, even at his peak, Cheol Gun-ak would never defeat Bukcheonju.
He was a person of that caliber, worthy of bearing Bukcheon’s eight heavens. Except for Amaje, he had never felt so overwhelmed.
Sword.
Cheol Gun-ak felt Bukcheonju’s gaze land on Heukya.
Bukcheonju alternated between looking at Heukya and Cheol Gun-ak, nodding.
“You like dangerous things, just like Seol-yeong.”
“…Do you know my mother well?”
“She was adorable. A little girl barely taller than my waist.”
That woman gave birth to Cheol Gun-ak.
Bukrimugeuk, reflecting on the time that had passed while in seclusion, smiled bitterly.
“What’s your name?”
“Cheol Gun-ak.”
“Like a man. Is Daeno still in good shape?”
“You’ll see tomorrow. He’s at Manbyeong Forge.”
“Right, it’d be strange not to visit since you’ve come this far.”
Bukcheonju nodded slowly.
Thud─.
Then, placing his hand on Cheol Gun-ak’s shoulder, he tilted his head and whispered in his ear.
“There’s a strong scent of blood.”
“Today is that kind of night.”
“Like a true Bukcheon man.”
Bukcheonju nodded slowly.
Having observed and felt it, he patted Cheol Gun-ak’s shoulder, stained with blood.
“Thank you for saving my woman.”
“…!”
Cheol Gun-ak’s eyes widened.
Bukcheonju’s deep voice conveyed the warmth of his feelings for Halmeom, making Cheol Gun-ak realize that Halmeom was much more important to him than he ever knew.
Though Cheol Gun-ak didn’t know why Halmeom had hesitated to call for him, he knew now.
Bukcheonju once again turned away.
“Have you ever been to Mukbaekrim?”
“No.”
“Let’s go together next time. I owe them a great debt, but I’ve never properly attended to it.”
Thud─.
And turning his head, Bukcheonju’s gaze fell upon Cheol Woo-seng, who was trembling and kneeling.
He then flashed a bright look.
“Where have I seen that face before?”
“Chung─! I greet Bukcheonju. I’m Im Se-gul from Gwangmyeongdae.”
“Ah, yes. There was a child with the same name that Yanghwa brought back.”
Im Se-gul’s eyes widened.
He never imagined that Bukcheonju would remember such an old event.
Im Se-gul, overwhelmed with emotion, lowered his head once more and said.
“Yes! I’m one of the children saved by the great lord back then.”
“Time has really passed.”
Swish─.
Bukcheonju looked up at the sky.
The dark clouds that had split by his sword began to slowly merge again. The scattered raindrops were returning, and the once sparkling night sky was starting to be covered.
Amidst this change, Bukcheonju, who had been standing straight, shook his head bitterly.
“The child abandoned at the Great Wall became a leader, and the little girl grew up to have a son and passed away.”
Thud─.
Bukcheonju grabbed Cheol Woo-seng by the back of his head and lifted him. His large face was lifted as if by force.
Bukcheonju glared at him with cold eyes.
“And now, the Cheol family’s son, after growing up, treats a promise bearing my name as trash?”
“No, that’s not it. They─”
Cheol Woo-seng scrambled to justify himself, but it was too late.
Bang─!
It was Bukcheonju’s hand.
He slammed Cheol Woo-seng’s head into the dirt and then lifted it again. Spitting the mud from his nose and mouth, he shook his head.
Bang, bang!
Bukcheonju slammed Cheol Woo-seng’s head into the ground several more times, then lifted it again, revealing his teeth as he spoke.
“Who helped us when we were defeated during the Gukbuk Expedition?”
“Mukbaek… Rim.”
“Who was massacred by the Muyeol Army after we were hidden?”
“They… were.”
“The people of Mukbaekrim wanted only one thing from us. They wanted us to make their child happy. And you took that child, Seol-yeong, promising to care for him.”
“……”
Each word from Bukcheonju hit Cheol Woo-seng’s heart like a dagger.
“Because of you, I became the one who repaid kindness with betrayal.”
“Bukcheonju!”
Cheol Woo-seng raised his finger, pointing at Cheol Gun-ak as he screamed.
“You mustn’t think of it like that! That bastard is a murderer who received the blood of the Amaje and killed his brothers and family!”
Im Se-gul hurriedly approached and knelt opposite Cheol Woo-seng, speaking up.
“It’s all just his claim. In my view, the second wife of the Cheol family, Geum Myeong-hwa, and her family, Geumgu Jeonjang, are the true disciples of the Amaje.”
“Baekli Chupung called that bastard. His claims lack objectivity—”
“Cheol Woo-seng clearly has a logical argument, but he sees things only the way he wants to—”
As Im Se-gul and Cheol Woo-seng raised their voices, Bukcheonju interrupted.
“Enough.”
Bukcheonju nodded, signaling that he knew everything.
But Cheol Woo-seng, still frustrated, continued lamenting, his face covered in mud.
“Punishing the fool who’s grown into this monster is the duty of a father. As the family head, I must restore the Cheol family!”
“Father?”
At that moment.
Unable to stand it any longer, Cheol Gun-ak approached him.
Gripping Heukya tightly, he glared at Cheol Woo-seng.
“What kind of husband doesn’t even attend his wife’s funeral?”
“……”
“You abandoned us until the end, and Halmeom and I had to burn my mother in a discarded furnace at Manbyeong Forge.”
Cheol Gun-ak’s killing intent surged.
His energy, muscles, and bones—nothing was untouched, but the anger and sorrow that had festered in his chest had only grown with time.
In this very moment.
Cheol Gun-ak directed Heukya at his foolish father.
“You didn’t even notice the Amaje sect seeping into the Cheol family, and you were playing in your concubine’s skirts.”
“You bastard!”
“The sin of abandoning your wife and child.”
Swish─.
Heukya rose.
“I will forgive everything.”
Everyone blinked in surprise at Cheol Gun-ak’s sudden declaration.
However,
“But the fact that you just tried to kill Halmeom, no matter how much I think about it, is unforgivable.”
Bukcheonju nodded at those words.
He released the grip on Cheol Woo-seng’s neck.
Shhh─!
Heukya fell toward Cheol Woo-seng.