[Chapter 55]
"Master of the House, a letter has arrived for the eldest son."
"Let me see."
Yeon Wi's eyes sparkled as he unfolded the letter.
'So fast.'
He has already reached Hanam. Even if he rode on horseback, the speed was remarkable. He must have changed horses several times.
'It seems he's trying to rush the Moyong Clan.'
Yeon Wi could instantly grasp what Yeon Hojeong intended.
He was newly impressed by his son's initiative. He himself had become the head of the household and accumulated countless experiences, but his son had not.
With swift movements, he confuses the opponent. The bewildered foe will inevitably reveal an unexpected weakness, and at that moment, when the gap is exploited, the enemy's defenses are dismantled.
It was a tactic well-versed in the old rivers and lakes. Even Yeon Wi found such a response hard to come up with immediately.
Moreover, when capturing this spy, he had infiltrated the enemy lines himself, playing them to reveal the truth.
It was a bold method. A wise propulsion. A strategy that did not shy away from danger to defeat the enemy.
As a father, he worried, but as a warrior, he couldn't help but admire such a response.
'In any case, since Hojeong has moved like this, the Moyong Clan will try to make contact somehow. But given the distance, it's likely we'll receive support from a reliable ally.'
Yeon Wi's gaze deepened.
He recalled the conversation he had with Yeon Hojeong before leaving.
'It's definitely a prestigious family.'
'And why do you think that? In truth, there are plenty of forces that could join hands with the Moyong Clan. There's no need to specifically ally with a clan called the best under heaven.'
'But it is a prestigious family. It has to be.'
'So why do you think that?'
'…I can't give you a definite answer. But it will become clear during this trip to Hanam. Where the Moyong Clan has joined hands.'
It was still a question. Why did he think the Moyong Clan had allied with the prestigious family?
Yeon Wi himself didn't believe the Moyong Clan had acted alone in this matter. The risk was too great.
But the organization they joined hands with didn't necessarily have to be a prestigious family.
'…'
However, there must be a reason his son said so. Through a series of events, he had come to trust Yeon Hojeong's exceptional insight and judgment.
Lost in thought, Yeon Wi called for Lee Baek-hyun.
"Contact the branch leader of Cheolgonkae. Ask him to check if there are any sects or organizations related to the prestigious family near Jiangsu and Zhejiang."
"Understood."
Yeon Wi, fingers interlocked, sank into contemplation.
A clear premonition swirled in his eyes.
"…What if there really is a connection with the prestigious family?"
Then, without hesitation, he would draw the Sword of the House Master.
* * *
The young man led Yeon Hojeong to a secluded spot in the forest.
As the sunset painted the sky, they ventured deeper into the woods. Even knowing where the other came from could be uncomfortable.
Yet, Yeon Hojeong's expression was the epitome of indifference.
There was no trace of fear, anxiety, or doubt. Nor did he seem tense or excited.
He was simply calm, at least outwardly.
The young man, Myeong Do, frowned.
'Isn't he nervous at all?'
He had been summoned by the foremost family, the Goojumyeongga. Even for the eldest son of the Byuksanyeonga, it was normal to feel tense.
But this man showed no such signs.
"What's that?"
"What?"
"The axe."
"It's my weapon."
Myeong Do was incredulous.
"You use that huge axe as a weapon? Not a sword?"
"Yes."
The primary martial art of Byuksanyeonga was the sword.
Their swordsmanship was so renowned that it prompted such questions.
"It's neither as smooth as Wudang's sword nor as intricate as Huashan's. It doesn't carry the weight of Namgung's sword, nor the ferocity of Moyong's. Yet, the sword of Yeonga is strong. Its honesty is the essence of orthodoxy, making it, in a sense, the most suitable for the purest martial arts."
Yeonga's fame wasn't merely due to its righteousness, despite being recognized as one of the seven great families for only fifty years.
It was because of their strength. Their swordsmanship could represent the central plains.
Despite such remarkable swordsmanship, they were the smallest among the seven. A gentleman does not flaunt himself, which is why the martial artists admired them.
"You're the eldest son, and you use an axe as a weapon?"
"What's wrong with that?"
Myeong Do's frown deepened.
"I've been meaning to say this, but could you change your tone?"
"Do you think your tone is full of courtesy?"
"…"
After all, it was rude to demand someone's time at the first meeting.
But Myeong Do openly showed his displeasure.
The prestigious family was the foremost under heaven. Although one of the seven great families, they were on a different level from the other six.
In the martial world, power is authority, and fame is status.
In other words, Goojumyeongga was akin to the highest nobility of the martial world. Perhaps the Shaolin could overlook it, but not a family like Yeonga, which was too small in power.
'Is it time for him to be full of himself?'
He inwardly sneered at Yeon Hojeong.
He had heard of his impressive performance at the late-stage martial artists' gathering.
It was enough to stiffen one's neck. The same man who was ridiculed by the world and called a 'young fool' had not also acquired the respectable title of 'Storm Rider'?
'Enjoy it while you can.'
There were many skilled masters who vanished without a trace after showing promise. Myeong Do thought Yeon Hojeong would be no different.
As they walked past the second watch of the night, they saw the light of a campfire.
Myeong Do gestured towards the fire with his chin.
"Go ahead. Someone there wants to see you."
"Alright."
"Leave that behind."
Myeong Do pointed at the axe.
Yeon Hojeong, with a slight smile, continued towards the campfire without saying a word.
Myeong Do's eyes grew cold.
"There's a limit to tolerating arrogance. Put it down now."
Yeon Hojeong kept walking silently.
Murderous intent flashed in Myeong Do's eyes.
"How dare you…!"
That's when it happened.
"Let him be."
A clear voice rang out from somewhere.
Myeong Do flinched, halting his action. It was a command from someone he couldn't defy.
In the end, he could only glare at Yeon Hojeong's back with eyes full of killing intent.
Yeon Hojeong paid no mind to Myeong Do. He had no interest in small fry.
He thought about the voice he had just heard.
'Impressive.'
The inner power carried in the voice was of uncommon depth. It was safe to say it belonged to a peak-level master.
'You've brought quite a crowd.'
There were more than just one or two presences. Though not precise due to their huddled gathering, there seemed to be at least twenty.
His senses were accurate.
"That's a tremendously large axe. It must be incredibly heavy, yet you manage to carry it around."
Approaching the campfire, a woman sat, surrounded by about twenty warriors.
The owner of the voice was the woman. She appeared to be of similar age to Myeong Do, with delicate features.
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
"So, who might you be?"
"Oh? That's a fresh reaction. They say you're rough around the edges, and it seems they're right," the lady chuckled.
"I am Myeong Onji. Haven't you heard of me?"
"No."
"Ho ho! How embarrassing for me. Usually, people at least pretend they've heard the name."
Thud!
Leaning against a tree with his axe laid down and his hand resting on it, Yeon Hojeong spoke with an indifferent face,
"If you've called someone here, you might as well state your purpose."
Myeong Onji's eyes twinkled like the morning stars.
'He's not your average character.'
Whether rough, timid, indifferent, or wary.
It's not a problem what kind of person one is. The real issue arises when you can't figure out the other person's character.
And by that measure, this young man named Yeon Hojeong was far from ordinary. His tone was rough, but his character was unreadable.
"By the way, where did that dog you came with go? I had the kids check the inn, and they said he vanished."
It meant they had searched the inn in that brief moment.
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
"He's a free spirit; I have no idea. So, what's your business?"
"Oh, is that so?"
Myeong Onji said with a bright smile,
"You came all by yourself? Did you know we were coming?"
"Life's full of nuisances. I figured it was just another bunch of flies buzzing around."
"Flies to be swatted?"
"Are they flies?"
His tone was provocative.
Myeong Onji's face remained calm, but the warriors behind her shifted their gaze.
They didn't exude murderous intent. However, at a single command, they were ready to kill.
Even knowing he was the eldest son of the Byuksanyeonga.
"You've got guts. Didn't Myeong Do tell you we're from the prestigious family?"
"What does it matter if I'm dealing with something worse than bugs?"
"Huh."
At this point, even Myeong Onji found it hard to keep listening without reacting.
"If you keep being so crooked, it won't end well. I haven't even stated my business, and you could get hurt."
"So spit it out already. It seems like I've asked several times now, or is your comprehension lacking?"
Myeong Onji's eyes grew cold.
Even as the leader of the Am Sadae, the secret intelligence organization of the prestigious family, it was hard to maintain composure.
She was over thirty, contrary to her appearance. Yet, she wasn't of the age to lead an intelligence organization.
Which made her all the more remarkable. To be the head of an intelligence organization at her age required exceptional skills and talent.
Maintaining composure was also one of her impressive abilities. But this insolent man was shaking it.
"How interesting. You're an amusing fellow."
Myeong Onji continued with a laugh.
"I don't like wasting time with pointless chatter. Alright, let's get to the point."
"…"
"How's the Yeonga these days? Everything peaceful and well?"
Yeon Hojeong smiled coldly.
Asking about Yeonga while claiming to get to the point. As if they hadn't heard everything from the Moyong Clan.
This is how people involved in intelligence or handling information speak. They claim to get to the point while subtly probing the other party.
It's not to confirm the content but to check the other party's reaction.
Myeong Onji's expression, tone, and manner of speaking were thoroughly trained, or to put it negatively, typical of an intelligence operative.
"It's been chaotic."
"Oh? What happened?"
"Some foolish family planted a few spies. I had to root them all out and clean up, nearly broke my back doing it."
Myeong Onji's expression hardened.
She tried to ask subtly, but he laid it all out. It was surprising because she didn't think he was the type to disclose such things.
"To us…?"
"And."
Ssssssh.
Yeon Hojeong caressed the blade of his axe as he continued.
"There were also some jackals trying to gobble up the main house along with that foolish family, weren't there?"
"?!?!"
Was it the light of the campfire?
Myeong Onji's eyes seemed to flicker unusually.
"Come to think of it, it's curious, isn't it? The most desperate ones right now are the Moyong Clan, but you found me first? The Moyong Clan isn't so incompetent as to let their prey be snatched away."
"That's…"
"The title of 'the best under heaven,' you've clung to it quite pathetically, haven't you?"
Wooong.
A subtle aura of menace began to emanate from the axe.
"It was easily obtained, so I don't think it'll be too hard to split it apart. What do you think?"