Chapter 656: Plan (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 656: Plan (2)
As the sun began its ascent.
Amidst the quiet breeze, as sleeping birds awoke and insects stirred, a colossal silhouette streaked across the sky over the Central Plains—specifically, above Henan.
Whoosh—!!
Its speed was staggering for its size.
Ordinarily, such a conspicuous mass would have drawn immediate attention, yet for some reason, the people of Henan paid the sky no mind. It was as if they were completely oblivious to its presence. How such a massive object could go unnoticed remained a mystery.
Atop the Murim Alliance building in the heart of Henan, a man stood staring intently at this anomaly.
“Hmm.”
“Is something the matter, Captain?”
At the question, the man—Beomdong—pointed a finger into the empty air.
“Vice-Captain.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You don’t see that?”
At Beomdong’s words, the Vice-Captain squinted at the sky. He even heightened his senses, but still, nothing was visible in the air.
“…My apologies, sir. I see nothing.”
“No, there’s nothing to be sorry for. Hmmm…”
Beomdong nodded at the man’s response.
‘So, even the Vice-Captain can’t see it.’
Beomdong focused his gaze, infusing his eyes with Qi. Then, far above, he saw space distort as something came into view.
Dark clouds?
No, that couldn't be it.
‘Dark clouds that are only visible when I circulate Qi to my eyes...’
That was even stranger.
It was still early dawn, so there was a limit to how much he could enhance his senses. The sun was gradually rising, but the light wasn't yet sufficient. He felt he would be able to see it clearly soon, so Beomdong sat still and watched the spot.
But then…
“Hm?”
Beomdong frowned. The massive object was being drawn toward the earth. To his eyes, it looked as if black smoke was being rapidly sucked toward the ground.
Seeing this, Beomdong straightened up.
“Vice-Captain.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Beomdong pointed toward the area below where the object had vanished.
“Over there. Do you remember what lies in that direction?”
“Over there, you say…”
The Vice-Captain followed the fingertip with his gaze. It was a forest to the west—land that had yet to be fully developed. Recalling the details, he quickly added to his report.
“It is land currently under development, sir.”
“Development?”
“Yes. The owner is, if I recall correctly…” The Vice-Captain thought for a few seconds before answering. “The White Flower Merchant Association.”
“The White Flower Merchant Association.”
He knew the name well. It was one of the top merchant associations in the Central Plains. While they provided financial support to the Alliance, it was a stretch to call them pro-Murim Alliance.
Moreover…
‘They’re connected to the Gu Clan.’
The leader of the merchant association was said to be the wife of the Tiger Warrior, the Lord of the Gu Clan of Shanxi.
So, perhaps…
‘There might be a connection.’
They might be linked to ‘those bastards’ who had been causing a stir in Henan for the past few months. The incident just now, and the fact that it occurred on land owned by the White Flower Merchant Association—the overlap was too subtle to be a coincidence.
Beomdong turned and began to walk away.
“I’ll be back shortly. Remain on standby.”
“Yes? Where are you… Captain? Captain!”
By the time the Vice-Captain called out, Beomdong had already vanished.
At the dawn of the third day, two days after our departure from the North Sea, we finally arrived at our destination.
We were much faster than last time.
I looked down at the forest below and simultaneously checked my own condition.
‘I’ve burned through about half my internal energy.’
Half of that immense reservoir. It was a considerable quantity, but in terms of cost-effectiveness, it wasn't a bad trade.
‘To maintain this speed while keeping stealth active… this is acceptable.’
Ttolddoli was so massive that simply flying around would attract far too many eyes. I had to stick to sparsely populated areas and shroud us completely in Qi to minimize our presence. The energy required to sustain that over several days amounted to half my total.
‘Not bad.’
It was a satisfying result that made me keenly aware of my increased realm.
Fwoosh.
I lifted my head as the wind shifted. I could feel the scent of the air changing. Unlike the frigid air of the North Sea, the atmosphere of the Central Plains felt different. Was it because this was where I was born and raised? Or simply because the North Sea was a foreign land?
In any case, breathing the familiar air felt comforting. I looked around and stroked Ttolddoli’s scales.
“Let’s descend slowly.”
Krrrung.
As if understanding, Ttolddoli gradually lowered his altitude. He found a perfect spot for landing; as if he already knew the terrain, he slowed down and descended toward the location I had in mind.
Swoosh.
His massive body touched the ground, but this time, there was no explosive wind pressure or shattering of the earth. It seemed my constant nagging had finally paid off.
Immediately after the safe landing, the passengers finally set foot on solid ground.
“Uuuurgh…!!”
As soon as she dismounted, someone scrambled off Ttolddoli’s back and dove into the bushes. It was, of course, Yuri. Perhaps because her cultivation was the lowest, she’d had a miserable time enduring the flight. Given the increased speed, it was no surprise she had reached her limit.
It was a relief, really.
‘If she had puked up there, I would have thrown her off.’
Still, she held it in. Thanks to that, she kept her life. Otherwise, I would have killed her.
“Wow… This is quite fun. To think I’d get to experience something like this again.”
The next to dismount were the Monster of Wudang and the White Ripple Sword. The White Ripple Sword wore a somewhat sullen expression tinged with excitement, while the Monster of Wudang just looked thrilled, staring at Ttolddoli with fascinated eyes.
“To think I’d ride a demon in my lifetime.”
Krrrr-!
Did the word ‘demon’ offend him? Ttolddoli growled at the Monster of Wudang. Startled, the old man quickly gestured with his hands.
“My apologies. It seems I’ve offended you.”
Krrrung…
Only after hearing the apology did Ttolddoli turn his head away. Was he satisfied? What a simple-minded creature.
The Monster of Wudang found the sight amusing and chuckled before looking elsewhere.
“This friend is quite interesting, isn’t he? Right?”
“…Yes.”
Someone flinched at the Monster of Wudang’s words before replying. This time, it was Woo Hyuk. To think he’d jump in surprise just because his master spoke to him.
I clicked my tongue as I watched.
‘Tsk.’
The way he hesitated, unable to shed his guilt, was just like me. That made it even more infuriating, but I couldn't interfere. This was a problem Woo Hyuk had to solve on his own. The Monster of Wudang knew that, which was likely why he kept prodding Woo Hyuk into conversation.
Of course, it wouldn't be easy for Woo Hyuk to accept, seeing his master speaking to him with one arm missing.
‘Ugh, what a fucking idiot.’
The words were directed at Woo Hyuk—and at the reflection of myself I saw in him.
I forced myself to ignore it and waved my hand.
Woong.
Qi flowed from my fingertips, enveloping Namgung Bi-ah and Tang Soyeol as they were dismounting. I lifted them into the air and gently set them on the ground. Tang Soyeol was slightly surprised but quickly broke into a smile, while Namgung Bi-ah, who was half-asleep, showed no reaction at all.
“You do all sorts of things.”
The Dishonored Venerable reacted with a look of disbelief, but I simply ignored him.
‘The arrival went well.’
Next, I suppose I should return to the White Flower Merchant Association and make a report.
“From here… if we go roughly east… Hey, grab her.”
Tang Soyeol caught Namgung Bi-ah, who was slyly trying to wander off in the wrong direction.
Good, now I just have to go in the opposite direction of wherever Namgung Bi-ah was headed.
Just as I was about to lead the group away with that conviction…
Rustle.
“Hm?”
I sensed a presence in the distance. I wasn't particularly tense; it was just one person, and their level was low. I thought it might be a passing herbalist, but…
“Excuse me.”
The person who appeared was, surprisingly, from the White Flower Merchant Association.
“I am Seokhon, of the White Flower Merchant Association. Are you Young Master Gu Yangcheon of the Gu Clan of Shanxi?”
I stepped forward, looking at him with curiosity.
“That’s me… but how did you get here?”
I hadn't sent any word of our arrival. Feeling that something was strange, I asked the question, and the man named Seokhon replied.
“The branch manager sent me.”
“…The branch manager?”
The branch manager here would be…
‘Moyong Hi-ah.’
How did she know to send someone? In the midst of my confusion, Seokhon explained.
“The branch manager said she expected you to return soon. She identified several likely arrival points and stationed personnel there, with instructions to escort you respectfully the moment you arrived.”
“…Hah.”
I let out a dry laugh. Not only did she predict the timing of my arrival, but she also anticipated where I would land and sent people in advance. What kind of terrifyingly thorough foresight was this?
‘Honestly…’
Her response was so astounding it was almost laughable. A woman like a psychic—that description fit her perfectly.
“May I guide you?”
Suppressing my laughter, I nodded.
“Let’s go.”
Hearing Moyong Hi-ah’s name finally made it feel real. I had truly returned to the Central Plains.
‘It wasn’t even that long.’
And yet, it felt like an eternity.
Guided by Seokhon, we arrived at the White Flower Merchant Association.
It was early dawn, so there were few people about. Thanks to Seokhon deliberately leading us through less populated routes, we arrived without attracting attention.
Sssss.
I felt a sensation on my forearm.
Sss…
A black-and-blue snake poked its head out from my sleeve and flickered its tongue. Surprisingly, the snake was Ttolddoli. By shrinking his mountain-like body, he was able to return to a form similar to his old one.
Before, there was a limit to how much he could shrink, so I usually had to let him roam, but perhaps because his level had increased, he could now shrink enough to hide in my sleeve.
‘It’s a pain to manage him anyway, so I’ll probably let him out later.’
It might have been different in the past, but now he could hunt and find his own food. Besides, when he was near, he would chatter noisily, so it was more convenient to just let him be. For now, I was keeping him with me because he had used too much energy and I had a few things to check.
“I’ve brought tea.”
As I sat waiting, a servant appeared and served tea. The Monster of Wudang and Namgung Bi-ah needed treatment, so they had been sent ahead to the lodgings where the Immortal Healer was likely staying. I was waiting with the remaining members in the branch manager’s office.
I glanced around the room. As befitting a branch manager, the room was quite spacious. The environment was neatly organized, but the piles of letters and documents reminded me that this was very much Moyong Hi-ah’s domain.
However.
‘When is she coming?’
The owner of the room was nowhere to be found. I hadn't been waiting long, but the fact that it was Moyong Hi-ah making me wait felt off.
‘It’s unlike her to make someone wait.’
Moyong Hi-ah would often arrive late to intimidate a counterpart or use it for business leverage, but a case like this was rare. My curiosity getting the better of me, I asked Seokhon, who was standing nearby.
“What’s she doing that she’s not here yet?”
At my question, Seokhon replied with an awkward expression.
“The branch manager said something urgent came up… It seems she will be a little late.”
“Urgent business?”
“Yes.”
Seokhon said nothing more. He was intentionally withholding information. I watched him for a moment before slowly rising to my feet.
Seokhon, flustered by my movement, called out to me.
“Young Master?”
“Ah, I’m just going to the privy.”
“Then allow me to guide you…”
“What’s there to guide? You want to watch me take a shit?”
“…”
Seokhon froze. Seeing that, I smirked and quickly slipped out the door. This time, thankfully, Seokhon didn't try to stop me.
Ah, and it goes without saying… I really was going to the privy, so it wasn't a lie.
‘However.’
I just thought I might look for Moyong Hi-ah while I was at it. Yes. Killing two birds with one stone.
First floor of the merchant association.
In a space reserved for esteemed guests, a single teacup rested on a table. The tea had not yet cooled; steam was still rising from it. Strangely, there was only one teacup, but two people.
Across the table, a beautiful woman with a frosty demeanor, Moyong Hi-ah, was watching her counterpart. She was looking at him with that unique, piercing gaze of hers. Despite her stare, the other person seemed completely unfazed as he took a sip of tea.
Slurp.
As the man moved, the epaulet on his shoulder glinted slightly. Seeing this, Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly. She quickly erased any trace of it and parted her fine lips.
“My apologies for the humble reception.”
“It’s no matter. I’m just grateful you’ve offered me tea. On the contrary, I apologize for the sudden visit.”
“…Thank you for your understanding. In that case.” Moyong Hi-ah’s pale blue eyes sharpened as she asked the man, “May I ask why a Captain of the Alliance has come to visit?”
The Murim Alliance’s direct forces. The Captain of the Sky Dragon Army.
The man, Beomdong, nodded.
“It’s nothing major. I simply received a report of an anomaly in the vicinity.”
“In this vicinity, you say?”
“Ah, not right here, but… I received a report of an anomaly at the site your association is developing.”
Beomdong’s words made Moyong Hi-ah’s brow furrow.
“And that is why you came here?”
“Not necessarily. I was also curious to see if the association was running well, among other things.”
At his slick, smiling words, Moyong Hi-ah’s expression grew colder.
“Unless you have received an investigation warrant from the Alliance, am I to take this visit as an act of disrespect toward our association?”
“Haha, you are quite sharp. As I said, this is not an investigation. I truly was just looking around the area and decided to stop by.”
Though his words said one thing, his true intentions were plain to see. Suspicion. His words were laced with clear, biting suspicion.
“The very act of visiting our association without a proper warrant or evidence seems to reveal your intentions already.”
Beomdong, Captain of the Sky Dragon Army. He was a figure Moyong Hi-ah knew well. He was said to be the second strongest among the five Alliance Captains and a martial artist ranked high among the Hundred Masters of the Central Plains. Rumor had it that he would stop at nothing to conduct an investigation, and his methods were known to be rather vicious.
He was a very troublesome person. Especially at a time like this, he was bound to be particularly sensitive and on edge. Moyong Hi-ah ran through various scenarios in her mind.
Facing her, Beomdong waved his hands as if to say it was truly nothing.
“Just stopping by is no big deal, so it should be fine, shouldn't it?”
“The fact that it is a Captain of the Alliance himself gracing us with his presence makes it difficult for us to accept, that is all.”
“Hmmm. This is quite a predicament.”
Beomdong stared at her intently.
“As you must know, Young Lady Moyong.”
“Please use my proper title. I am the branch manager here.”
At the correction, the Captain’s eyebrow twitched slightly. Moyong Hi-ah did not miss the change.
“…Right, as the branch manager must know. Things have been rather noisy lately, haven’t they?”
“I am aware.”
The ‘rumors’ that had been circulating not only in Henan but throughout the land for the past month. They were rumors that the Alliance, in particular, could not help but be sensitive about.
“Therefore, we are reacting a bit over-sensitively. It would be wonderful if you could understand this as well.”
As Beomdong spoke with a smile, Moyong Hi-ah smiled back.
“Of course. I don’t know what kind of anomaly has occurred, but if you bring a proper investigation warrant, we will be more than happy to cooperate. Until then, however, you are merely an honored guest.”
“Haha, is that so?”
“Hohoho. Yes, of course.”
A brief exchange of laughter was followed by silence. Moyong Hi-ah opened her fan, covering half her face, while Beomdong maintained his smile as he watched her.
Only…
‘Annoying.’
Inwardly, they were both busy sizing each other up.
‘What a truly troublesome wench,’ Beomdong thought, clicking his tongue internally. From what he knew, she couldn't be more than thirty, yet strangely, she had no openings. ‘They said she was quite smart. It seems the rumors weren't wrong.’
He had wondered why the leader of the White Flower Merchant Association had appointed a girl from a noble clan as a branch manager. It seemed she possessed a spirit that was not to be trifled with, despite her age.
‘What should I do?’
He knew something was up. Beomdong sensed it instinctively. Whether it was related to the rumors or something else, he didn't know. His gut told him it probably wasn't related to the rumors, but…
‘Something feels off.’
That thing he had seen in the sky just before. That alone was enough to make his skin crawl, and now this merchant association was involved. Moreover, it was an association operating in Henan that wasn't pro-Murim Alliance.
‘It stinks.’
It was faint, but there was a foul smell.
‘Should I dig a little deeper, then?’
No matter how brilliant the girl before him was, she was still just a young woman. If he dragged out the conversation, he might find an opening. And if it came to it…
‘A little threat might not be a bad idea.’
Beomdong had several other methods at his disposal, so he considered pushing a little further.
‘First, let's see if I can rattle her.’
It was the easiest way. Especially when dealing with those of a lower realm, nothing was simpler. Just a little pressure, as if by accident. Just enough to slightly unsettle his opponent.
With that thought, Beomdong slowly gathered power in his dantian.
Sssss.
The released Qi leaked out subtly, gradually making its way toward Moyong Hi-ah. He kept it inconspicuous, so that even if he were called out on it, he could feign ignorance. He sent the carefully controlled Qi, and…
Just as that energy was about to reach Moyong Hi-ah…
CRUSH.
“…!”
The Qi was instantly crushed, vanishing without a trace. The moment Beomdong tried to react…
Crack—! Shatter—!
The teacup on the table broke in half, hot tea soaking the tabletop.
Kuuuuuuung—!!!
“Kugh!?”
An enormous pressure descended upon the room, slamming down on Beomdong’s shoulders. At the same time…
“No wonder. The sound of a dog barking was especially loud on my way here.”
Someone kicked open the door to the reception room.
“Oh my?”
Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widened as she identified the intruder.
The one who entered was a young man with sharp, predatory eyes. The slight smirk on his lips and his infuriating expression suited him remarkably well.
The young man who had appeared so suddenly looked at the seated Beomdong and spat out his words.
“So there was a son of a bitch here. A very loud one at that.”
Hearing this, Beomdong’s expression twisted in pure fury.