[Chapter 64]
"What, what did you say?!" Myeongcheon's face contorted with shock.
"Kang-rim?!"
"Yes."
"How is he, what's his condition?"
With a trembling voice, Myeong Woosan spoke, "His internal and external injuries are severe. Had the family doctors not acted swiftly…"
"This, this is outrageous!"
"Fortunately, he's past the critical stage, but it will take at least three months and ten days for him to regain consciousness. And even then, it might take a good two to three years for him to recover his former prowess."
Bang!
A fist slammed into the wall, leaving a deep dent.
A murderous intent flashed across Myeongcheon's face.
"What in the world was Myeongchi-san doing while Kang-rim was being attacked?!"
"That is…"
Myeong Woosan bit his lip.
"He's dead."
"…Dead? Myeongchi-san?"
"The warriors of Homyeongjeon have all been seriously injured, and Myeongchi-san lost in a one-on-one duel."
Myeongcheon's face, which had been flushed with excitement, gradually regained its composure.
As the situation escalated, he found his reason again. That was the true mark of the head of the Myeong family.
"The item sent to Yeonga's son, it was clear, right?"
"Yes."
"Yes, sent to investigate the disappearance of the Amsadae. If necessary, to bring them back by force."
"To be precise, to knock them down where no one could see and then bring them back." After all, Yeon Hojeong was the only one who knew about the disappearance of the Amsadae.
"Yes."
"And you're telling me Myeongchi-san died and the warriors of Homyeongjeon returned injured? Does that make any sense?"
Myeong Woosan found it hard to speak.
The truth was, he found it just as unbelievable. In fact, he had thought it was overkill when Myeongcheon decided to send Myeongchi-san.
But the outcome was shocking.
"Myeongchi-san was one of the more capable ones among the collateral lines. I saw his martial arts myself last year. Among the Cheongbaekmubyong, there are less than ten warriors better than Myeongchi-san."
He was a master whose skills had fully matured, even among the peak masters. In other words, if he hadn't been part of the Myeong family, he would have had enough skill to lead any significant martial faction.
"Could it be that Yeonga's son is that strong?"
It was an absurd thought.
Yeon Hojeong was a young man who hadn't even reached the age of maturity. No matter how talented, there were limits to what one could achieve.
Of course, there were true geniuses bestowed by the heavens.
They were known as the Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes. Although they were all well past thirty, if one were to name the strongest young masters, these five would be mentioned.
The Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes were indeed geniuses sent by the heavens. In a way, they were the recognized successors to the Thirteen Seats of Saintly Heaven. Some of them had already cultivated martial arts that were not inferior to the heads of the great sects.
And one of the Twin Dragons was the eldest son of the Myeong family, Myeongcheon's own son.
"Could it be that this child Yeon Hojeong is comparable to the Twin Dragons…"
"Nonsense."
Myeongcheon shook his head.
"The Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes are geniuses among geniuses. It's not because my son is among them that I say this. Those guys have talents that surpass even the Thirteen Seats of Saintly Heaven."
"…"
"Even the Thirteen Seats are talents hard to find in history. The owners of talents that surpass the Thirteen Seats are the Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes. And you're saying a boy who hasn't even reached the age of maturity is already comparable to them?"
"…"
"Even if he had learned the demonic arts of the destroyed Demon Sect, it would be impossible."
It wasn't a wrong statement. Myeong Woosan fully agreed with Myeongcheon.
But the result was too shocking. Without the martial arts of the Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes, it would be impossible to defeat so many masters.
A gleam appeared in Myeongcheon's eyes.
"There must have been a hidden master."
That was the only explanation.
But then there was another problem.
"According to our informants, there were no traces of a hidden master helping Yeon Hojeong. He acted entirely alone…"
"Then there must be a high-level master invisible to our informants protecting him."
Myeong Woosan fell silent. Myeongcheon was unwilling to acknowledge Yeon Hojeong's abilities.
'After all.'
The hypothesis that Yeon Hojeong was a genius surpassing the Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes was more convincing than the existence of a master protecting him.
'Besides, until recently, he was just a brat who was called a mere spectator.'
With that thought, it seemed certain.
"So, what will you do?"
"What can I do?"
Myeongcheon's eyes turned cold.
"My child has returned severely injured. Even annihilating that scoundrel's entire family might not be enough to quench my anger."
"…"
"You must feel the same."
Myeong Woosan remained silent.
In truth, he was more anxious than Myeongcheon.
MyeongOnji was one of his many children, but also one of his favorites.
And that child had gone missing. He hadn't shown it in front of Myeongcheon, but he had been unable to sleep lately.
Moreover, Myeong Kang-rim had returned beaten to a pulp, and Myeongchi-san had died in Gaebong.
He wanted to go to Yeon Hojeong himself.
"So, whom will you send?"
"We must send those who wouldn't dare resist."
"Then…?"
"Release the Cheonglang (Blue Wolf)."
At that moment, Myeong Woosan felt a chill run down his spine.
"Head of the family."
"Do as I say."
"But, we must also consider the public eye. The Cheonglang might be too dangerous a choice?"
Myeongcheon erupted in anger.
"Are you telling me to worry about public opinion when catching the beast that did this to the head of the family's child?!"
"…"
"What kind of family is the Goojumyeong family! A family established by the peace envoys who drove out those barbaric Blood Sect scoundrels! The greatest family that earned the highest reputation in the world by swallowing the blood and sweat of our ancestors!"
He was always frank with his emotions. But he had never been this angry.
It was because his child had been hurt. Who wouldn't be angry?
"Soon, we will take over Gangsoseong with our own hands. Once we have Gangsoseong, we can take Zhejiang Province. If we hold both land and sea, we can become the greatest power in the world, surpassing even the first family."
Myeongcheon arrogantly raised his head.
"We, who will soon grasp the hegemony of the world, should not fear the eyes of the public."
"…"
"Release the Cheonglang immediately."
"I obey your command."
Leaving the head of the family's office, Myeong Woosan couldn't hide his unease.
'Is this really okay?'
He understood Myeongcheon's anger. Even the command to release the Cheonglang, in fact, could be considered trivial in the grand scheme of things.
Yet he felt uneasy.
It was like stepping into a quagmire from which there was no escape. Before going any deeper, he should have pulled out, but it felt as if he had already taken the next step.
'Let it just be an unfounded worry.'
Myeong Woosan entered a building.
Flash!
In the dark interior, where not even a sliver of sunlight penetrated, dozens of pairs of blue eyes glowed.
Myeong Woosan spoke calmly.
"It seems we have quite the fierce prey. It's time for you to step in."
* * *
The Flying Tiger Beggar felt the tension peak within him.
At first, he didn't understand why he was tense. He even wondered if his body had weakened due to unfounded stress.
But now, he realized why he was on edge.
A soft white energy began to emanate from Yeon Hojeong, who sat cross-legged in meditation.
This white aura undulated, forming an enigmatic shape. Was it a tiger or a lion? It seemed to glare right at him.
Uncomfortably, he sidestepped five paces.
The translucent beast's head turned as well.
'Ha!'
What was that? Some kind of sorcery?
Of course not. Why would the eldest son of the Byuksan Yeonga learn such things?
It was unsettling, yet fascinating.
What martial art was he mastering?
With a deep breath, Yeon Hojeong's breathing intensified.
Flash!
His eyes snapped open.
The Flying Tiger Beggar felt a momentary daze. Yeon Hojeong's gaze held a profound mystery.
It was almost dreamlike. He never thought he'd lose his composure over another man's eyes.
"Have you come from the Beggar Sect?"
"Eh? Oh! Yes."
"Give me the letter."
"Yes. Here…"
Yeon Hojeong unfolded the letter with a smile.
"I'm in trouble."
The letter was from his father.
Two pages, seemingly written at different times, conveyed subtle emotional differences in handwriting and content.
'At least there's a silver lining.'
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. A temporary alliance for a common goal isn't bad.
But he was scolded for being too violent. The letter was tinged with parental concern.
Fortunately, his father supported his methods.
'He had no choice.'
The game was afoot, and stopping now would only invite greater problems.
'I'm sorry. Any delay in communication could miss the opportunity.'
His father must have understood that part too. Hence, the letter lacked any reprimand.
Yeon Hojeong spoke calmly.
"You've worked hard. You may go now."
"Eh?"
The Flying Tiger Beggar looked bewildered.
"Is there nothing else you need? Delivering a message, or a situation report…"
"Nothing."
"Ah… Yes."
The Flying Tiger Beggar bowed.
"Then, I shall take my leave."
"You've done well. Oh!"
Always like this.
Despite grumbling inwardly, the Flying Tiger Beggar maintained a friendly expression.
"What would you have me do?"
"Call off all the Beggar Sect members secretly guarding me."
"…?!"
"Tell Hugae that I ordered it directly. Don't worry, just call them off."
The Flying Tiger Beggar's face hardened.
"You knew?"
"Yes."
"They are masters laid in place for unforeseen circumstances. Among the Beggar Sect, they are renowned for their skills, ensuring your safety…"
"The moment they reveal themselves, this plan collapses."
"Eh?"
"They think the Beggar Sect is aiding me, not that we are in alliance. That difference is significant."
"…"
"Having defeated skilled opponents, they will send even more formidable ones. Such masters might detect the Beggar Sect's stealth."
"…I see."
The Flying Tiger Beggar sighed.
"Understood. I will call them off immediately."
"Thank you."
"And Yeon Hojeong."
"Speak."
The Flying Tiger Beggar saluted with his fists.
"I haven't said this before, but we all support you. Please be careful."
Yeon Hojeong replied with a smile.
"That's something you should say to them."
* * *
Five days later.
"Ha! It's been a while since I've been to Hanam."
Moyog Jun's face was filled with a smile as he surveyed the majestic and ancient buildings.
"In truth, Hanam is quite a desirable place. Had Shaolin not settled here, I would have attempted to conquer it long ago. Don't you agree?"
"Indeed."
Moyog Yeonhwa was also beaming with joy.
"Hanam is home to Shaolin and the prestigious families. It's rightly called the heart of the Central Plains. Even if both Shaolin and the noble families were to vanish, people would still regard Hanam as a sacred land."
"That's true."
"And that's why I covet it even more."
Moyog Jun burst into hearty laughter.
"Your ambition surpasses even mine."
"One must be ambitious to succeed."
"Ha-ha, you're right. I pondered whether to entrust the clan to the steward, but it seems I've brought the right person. As a child of Moyoungjun, you should have such a spirit."
"Ho-ho."
Moyog Jun gazed at the distant mountain standing tall.
Sungsan (Sacred Mountain), where the thousand-year-old Shaolin had entrenched itself.
"Let's take in the scenic beauty of Sungsan on our way back."
"I'd like that."
Clap!
Moyog Jun clapped his hands.
"Now, let's go meet that spirited young man."