[Chapter 89]
In the deep of night, past midnight,
Moyong Jun, having sent away Yeon Hojeong, sat alone, nursing his drink amidst the cold remnants of his meal.
"Ha, when was the last time I indulged in drink like this?"
He had deliberately let his inner power wane to feel the intoxication. His neck and face flushed a deep red.
A faint smile played on Moyong Jun's lips as he reminisced about his conversation with Yeon Hojeong.
"But this permit… Isn't it utterly useless?"
"Ha! What an impertinent thing to say. It bears the seal of the Moyong Family Head."
"I don't trust others easily, nor the evidence they provide. Before trust, comes analysis of the situation. Both you and I, we're too greedy to proceed on trust alone, aren't we?"
"…"
"I'll leave this here. Buy me a drink sometime."
Moyong Jun glanced at the permit lying beside him.
"…Sly as a serpent."
Impressive.
No matter how many times he said it, it wasn't enough to describe such an extraordinary talent.
"Listen, Yeon Hojeong. You're commendable, but you've overlooked one thing."
Tss, tss, tss.
The permit fluttered in the air, caught in a surge of killing intent, before landing atop the greasy food.
"A protruding nail gets hammered down. 'A sharp tool in the bag,' they say, meaning true talent will be recognized without showing off. But that's not how it works in the martial world. Know why?"
He murmured as if Yeon Hojeong were right beside him.
"Martial artists are a worrisome lot. They can't leave a protruding awl alone. Once it sticks out, they'll grab and twist it till it breaks."
Too exceptional to be left alone.
Smart and perceptive. Able to grasp the essence of a matter in an instant, and combine situations to create a flow.
Such a person shouldn't be given too much information. They'd analyze and combine it to uncover the true intentions lurking beneath.
Nor should they be given too much time. Even without information, they'd somehow figure out what's happening.
A troublesome fellow indeed. That's why he can't be ignored.
"I wish he'd taste bitterness in Anhui. Or wouldn't that be the case?"
Moyong Jun turned around.
Shockingly, in a corner of the room stood Jang Han, arms crossed, a formidable presence.
"Did you know?"
"Ha! Of course. How could I not recognize your unique, wind-like inner power?"
Jang Han's eyes darkened.
The moment he made his presence known, a subtle but intense pressure emanated from him, like fog. He was no ordinary expert.
"If only you'd come earlier. You could've seen Yeon Hojeong, that friend of yours."
"Not interested."
"Ha, as stubborn as ever."
"So, I just need to spread this to the Namgung Clan?"
"That's right. But you know, the source of the information must never be revealed."
"Namgung, the Family Head, is a sharp one. He won't trust information without a source."
"And he's not one to just take things lying down. Curiosity alone will spur him into action."
"May I ask one thing?"
"Go ahead."
"This Yeon Hojeong… why are you so concerned about him?"
Moyong Jun's gaze turned icy.
"Because he's too exceptional."
"Is that all?"
"He's not even of age yet. And here I am, on edge because of him. Even when I ousted my brothers and took over as Family Head, there was no one like him."
"…"
"Do you understand? At his age, he sees what I see. A monster who even excels in martial arts."
"…"
"If he continues to grow, who knows how terrifying a monster he'll become."
Jang Han felt a chill in his heart.
He knew Moyong Jun well. His capabilities, his character.
That's why he didn't trust him, yet couldn't break away from him either.
'A talent that makes even Moyong Jun of the world nervous…'
Jang Han spoke up.
"What if he realizes it's a trap?"
"It doesn't matter. Even if he knows, he won't retaliate."
"How can you be so sure?"
Moyong Jun smiled.
"Because he knows the terror of public opinion. That's why we're leaking information to the Namgung Clan, isn't it?"
"…"
"Fear is a powerful thing. And pride is just as fearsome. To the Namgung Clan, Yeon Hojeong is such a man."
"…"
"Let's begin."
Moyong Jun raised his cup.
"The outcome isn't important. What matters is the conflict. Whether he dies, gets shattered, or returns alive, it's going to be quite the spectacle."
* * *
Yeon Hojeong, having dispatched Chang-eungdae back to the capital, found himself alone for the first time in a while.
Boom!
His steps were light as he ascended the mountain path, not hindered by the eighty catties of iron he carried on his shoulder. His pace was worthy of a first-rate Light Body Technique.
'Indeed, it's quite challenging.'
He was practicing his technique using the least amount of internal energy.
This was different from when he returned from the post-warrior assembly and trained in Jingeok. Back then, he had used maximum strength to lift heavily, but now, he was pushing lightly with minimal force.
Lightness, Push, Disperse, Release, Flexibility—these five characters were the essence of the Light Body Technique.
Only when one fully masters these five essences and can activate them unconsciously can one be said to have reached the pinnacle.
'Still not enough.'
The assassination techniques Yeon Hojeong mastered were second to none in the world.
However, he had never learned a separate Light Body Technique. Even during his days in the Black Mist Sect, it was the same.
The important thing was fighting and killing, not chasing. Besides, even if his Light Body Technique wasn't exceptional, his stamina was the best in the central plains, so he never tired, even after days of running.
But now, things were different.
'I need to enhance my Light Body Technique. I can't leave behind the same regrets as before.'
At least during his Black Mist Sect days, he had subordinates he could trust and delegate to. But now, he had to do everything alone.
'I must know how to do everything. I must become omnipotent.'
Boom!
He accelerated.
A day passed, then two, but Yeon Hojeong did not stop. When he felt exhausted, he drank water and ate rice balls. He didn't sleep.
It was only on the third day that he collapsed in a starfish pose on an unnamed mountain.
It was a foolish way to train. He was lucky he didn't die.
The next day, after sleeping for more than six hours, he resumed his Light Body Technique training and ran towards Mount Palgong.
Days passed, and he finally entered Anhui.
Whoosh!
A torrential downpour began.
It looked like it would continue for three or four days.
Yeon Hojeong decided to stop his Light Body Technique training. If he had entered Anhui, it meant he was slowly entering the battlefield. Now, he needed to conserve his energy and maintain his best condition.
Splash! Splash!
He slipped several times on the wet mountain path.
After a long descent, he finally entered a large inn called Sanyeomjeong in Taihe County, Anhui.
"Please give me the best south-facing room in the back garden. And prepare some bathwater."
"Ah, understood."
He took out a gold coin, fearing he might be treated like a beggar. The attitudes of the innkeepers changed completely.
The inn was crowded.
But no one recognized Yeon Hojeong as the man from the rumors. Despite carrying an imposing axe, his appearance was too shabby.
Fortunately, he hated being tired.
"Ugh."
Two hours later.
After bathing and devouring a table full of food, Yeon Hojeong collapsed onto the bed.
"…You really train like a brute. Are you sure you're the Black Mist Sect Master?"
The next day.
After sleeping all day, Yeon Hojeong woke up at dusk and felt a strange presence outside the window.
"Hmm. Who's there?"
Surprisingly, a calm voice came from above the window, near the roof.
"I'm from Hwangpoongjeong."
"Hwangpoongjeong?"
"The intelligence organization of the Moyong family."
"Ah."
Yeon Hojeong had requested certain things from Moyong Jun. One of them was information.
Anhui was a region tightly controlled by the Namgung family. However, it was so large that it was impossible to check every detail.
That's why Hwangpoongjeong's informants could exist in Anhui.
"Here's an interim report. I'll come back at this time tomorrow."
"Thank you."
Swoosh.
A well-tied letter flew in through the window.
The way Gaebang handled things was different. Gaebang was more scattered than them, but that was just on the surface; they were much more organized and professional.
Now he understood why Gaebang was called the best intelligence organization in Baekdo.
Yeon Hojeong unfolded the letter.
"Hmm."
Sleepiness and fatigue vanished in an instant.
"They arrived quicker than I thought."
He had chosen mountain paths to practice his Light Body Technique and had arrived faster than Myeong Horim. Myeong Horim was still stuck in Hanam Province.
It couldn't be helped. Myeong Horim must be moving with extreme caution, paying attention to his surroundings.
Of course, Hwangpoongjeong's informants couldn't pinpoint Myeong Horim's exact location. They only had a rough idea based on his traces.
'If I start chasing from behind, he won't stop by Mount Palgong. It's better to go ahead and wait.'
The letter also contained the location of the An family on Mount Palgong.
Of course, even knowing the location, he couldn't enter. A unique method was needed for entry. He just had to wait in front of it.
"Then."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes deepened.
"I might meet him in advance."
In fact, there was no need to accept this task. For him, Myeong Horim was a thousand times less important than Moyong Woo.
But he couldn't ignore the fact that Mukbi was here.
A small smile appeared on Yeon Hojeong's face.
"What was that gentleman's youth like?"
Mukbi was a taciturn person. Naturally, he didn't know about his past. He always wore a mask. Yeon Hojeong was the only one who had seen Mukbi's real face.
The smile on Yeon Hojeong's face gradually turned indifferent.
"Geumgeommun."
Why did Mukbi destroy Geumgeommun?
The Mukbi he knew wouldn't shoot an arrow without reason. Even with extreme martial arts skills that ranked among the top three in the Black Emperor City, he didn't kill recklessly.
He was a man who knew restraint and responsibility. That's why Yeon Hojeong cherished Mukbi.
Yeon Hojeong rotated his wrist.
Crack! His entire arm felt refreshed.
"Time to get moving."
The thought of meeting Mukbi soon made him not feel hungry. Well, he had eaten quite a lot before going to bed yesterday.
He stepped onto the windowsill.
Boom!
Even after days of intense training, the bounce in his Light Body Technique felt more lively.
From the center of Taihe County, he quickly moved to the outskirts and soon found a shabby beggar's den.
Bang!
"Ahh! You scared me! Huh? Who, who are you?"
Yeon Hojeong pulled out a dark token from his bosom.
The beggar's eyes changed in an instant.
"The entire central branch has received a message from Huga. I greet you, Young Master Yeon."
"I stopped by because there's something I want to know."
"Hwangpoongjeong…?"
He knew that he had come with Hwangpoongjeong from the Moyong family. Indeed, their intelligence was impressive.
"I don't get along with those guys. When it comes to information, Gaebang is the best."
The beggar grinned.
"What information brings you here?"
"That Anhui bloodline on Mount Palgong…"
That's when it happened.
A faint scream erupted from the far south.
The faces of Yeon Hojeong and the beggar changed drastically.
Boom!
The two kicked off from the beggar's den and moved forward.