Chapter 148. Invisible Battles Are More Frightening (3)
“Crunch crunch.”
“Whoa, this is delicious! Seriously so good!”
“Senior brother! Give me more salt!”
“Hey! You there! Leave some of that wild boar leg meat!”
It was a sight straight out of a painting.
Over fifty beggars were scattered about, tearing into freshly hunted wild boar and rabbit meat with gusto. They looked like they were savoring the finest delicacies in the world, tears streaming down their faces. In fact, at least ten of them were sobbing outright, snot and all, as they gnawed away.
Whoa…
Paeng Manho felt utterly overwhelmed by the scene. Watching them, he couldn’t help but think life might just be worth living properly at least once.
They devoured gamey wild boar and rabbit—freshly killed and reeking of the wild—like it was heavenly ambrosia. Paeng Manho wasn’t picky about food, but even he wouldn’t eat something like that with such bliss.
How many days have they gone without eating?
If he knew they hadn’t skipped a single meal the whole time, Paeng Manho’s expression would have twisted even more bizarrely.
Jegal A-yeon scratched her head.
“How long did you put them through it?”
Yeon Hojeong, who had been chewing on a rabbit leg, looked at her quizzically.
“What?”
“How brutal were you that every single one of them turned into ravenous beasts?”
“As much as needed.”
“And how much is that?”
“Enough to make them useful.”
She should just stop talking.
“So, they’re finally useful now?”
“More or less.”
Jegal A-yeon couldn’t even imagine what “more or less” meant. But she knew how ruthless Yeon Hojeong was and how high his standards were. If they met his approval, they must have suffered beyond words.
“You should just stop. Hey! Don’t eat it all—give me some too.”
“No conscience? We’ve been rolling in the mountains for three months, and you’re gonna steal our food…”
“I skipped lunch! Hand it over!”
Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips regretfully and tossed her a rabbit leg. His eyes brimmed with reluctance.
Jegal A-yeon, who had been devouring her meat ferociously, glanced at Paeng Manho.
“Bear boy. Want one?”
“…I’m good.”
“Why? Not hungry? With your massive build.”
“I’m so overwhelmed it killed my appetite.”
“You’re no fun.”
After gnawing away for a good while, Jegal A-yeon patted her belly.
“Ah, now I feel alive.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“Anyway, I got the message, but why’d you come with the Paeng kid?”
“Hm? Didn’t you hear the details?”
“Just a single letter tossed my way. Said you and Manho were coming today.”
“I see.”
Having finished eating, Yeon Hojeong wiped his hands, turned, and shouted over his shoulder.
“No good. We’ve got a lot to discuss here, so eat up and rest. No swordplay today.”
Yun Ho stared at him in horror.
“You weren’t planning to drill us again, were you?”
“Yeah.”
“…”
“I said we’re not. Rest up.”
With one reply, Yeon Hojeong chilled the mood, then turned back to Jegal A-yeon and Paeng Manho. His face was smudged with grime, cheeks a bit hollowed, but his eyes were as clear as ever—no, deeper and sharper than three months ago. The intense training had honed not just the Myeol Sa Army, but Yeon Hojeong’s own martial arts as well.
“I can guess why they sent you two.”
“Of course you can, with that sharp intuition of yours.”
“Cut it. First, tell me how things are going at the Alliance.”
As Yeon Hojeong, Jegal A-yeon, and Paeng Manho dove into a deep conversation—
“Huh? Big sis.”
“Yeah?”
Perhaps because she’d sweated blood alongside them, Muk Bi was treated like the senior-most in the Myeol Sa Army. At first, the “big sis” calls had made her shiver in disgust, but now she seemed used to it.
Dong Ho looked at her curiously.
“Not eating more?”
“I’m fine. This is enough.”
“I’ve always thought so, but you really eat like a bird, sis.”
“Eat too much, and your movements get sluggish.”
The entire Myeol Sa Army flinched. They stole glances at her. They knew Muk Bi was kind and innocent, but when she took on the drill instructor role, she was a demon even fiercer than Yeon Hojeong.
Muk Bi added awkwardly, sensing their unease.
“That’s just me. Everyone’s different.”
“…R-right?”
“Yeah. I’m an archer. I need more precision than most.”
Only then did the Myeol Sa Army relax and return to their meals.
Yun Ho cleared his throat repeatedly.
“But, sis.”
“What?”
“Shouldn’t you join the Army Leader’s talk?”
Muk Bi glanced at Yeon Hojeong. His face was deadly serious as he listened to Jegal A-yeon. He was all ears for once.
Muk Bi shook her head.
“I don’t know much about worldly affairs. Even if I listened, I wouldn’t get it.”
“Ah…”
Most martial artists hid their shortcomings—they could become weaknesses. But Muk Bi was different. She was brutally honest about her own limits. It was her strength, but could also be a vulnerability.
As she looked around, her eyes met someone’s. Ok Cheong.
“Hm…”
Ok Cheong scratched his head sheepishly. Scratching his head with greasy hands from tearing into meat—three months ago, unthinkable.
“Uh, Vice Commander Muk…”
“Eat your meat.”
“Pardon?”
Muk Bi’s face was full of confusion.
“You haven’t had meat in three months, right? Weren’t you living off that Wall Valley Pill or whatever?”
Immediately, indignant shouts erupted from all around.
“Sis! Don’t fall for it! That Taoist snuck rabbits!”
“Rabbits? No, with me it was deer…”
“What? With me it was pheasants!”
“That bastard ate everything. Calls himself a Taoist? He’s just a butcher.”
Ok Cheong’s face flushed beet red.
“We were always in life-or-death training. The Army Leader said it himself: even ghosts look better with a full belly.”
“Then why sneak around instead of eating openly?!”
“I was embarrassed…”
After enduring the group’s jeers for his absurd excuse, Ok Cheong spoke up again.
“Anyway, Vice Commander.”
“Yeah?”
“You should still go listen.”
“Me too?”
“Yes.”
Ok Cheong’s face was uncharacteristically serious.
“We don’t have a full system yet, but you’re the Myeol Sa Army’s number two. When the Army Leader’s away, you lead us.”
“Ah…?”
“Not my place to say, but if you’re not used to it, start learning from the Army Leader now.”
Muk Bi panicked.
“Sh-should I?”
Ok Cheong smiled gently.
“Yes. That’s what I think. If you put your mind to it, you’ll learn faster than anyone. Right?”
He sought agreement from Yun Ho, who cleared his throat.
“I think so too.”
At that moment, Yeon Hojeong, deep in discussion, raised his hand.
“Muk Bi!”
“Yes?”
“What’re you doing over there? Get over here. I was wondering why it felt so empty.”
“Me too?”
“Who else, you fool? Hurry up! Hey, you done eating?”
“Yes.”
“Just a mouse tail’s worth again? There’s meat left. Come eat more.”
Muk Bi shuffled awkwardly toward Yeon Hojeong.
Yun Ho chuckled.
“Her martial arts are devilishly sharp, but why’s she so innocent about this stuff?”
The warriors snickered. In three months of hellish training, nothing was tougher than sparring Muk Bi. But afterward, she’d always check their bodies. Quiet, but deeply caring. Her gentle nature had won over the entire Myeol Sa Army.
“By the way.”
“Me?”
Song Yeon-gyeong and the Ami Pa spear users tilted their heads.
Ok Cheong asked cautiously.
“I’ve always wondered—can monks eat meat?”
Pfft. Song Yeon-gyeong and the spear users removed their bamboo hats. Long hair cascaded down their backs.
“We’re secular disciples of Ami Pa.”
“…?!”
“You’re just now realizing?”
Ok Cheong gaped like a fish. Training had been so grueling he’d barely talked to the Ami Pa folks. Plus, he was awkward around women.
“J-just found out…”
“Good lord.”
Yeoguk, patting his satisfied belly, spoke up.
“Yeon-gyeong, don’t expect anything from him. First time I’ve seen someone so oblivious.”
Ok Cheong whipped his head around with a crack.
“You’re already on nickname terms…?!”
“Day three. Your beatings from Yeon-gyeong’s spear made me try age seniority.”
“…”
“What’s wrong?”
“…Nothing.”
“You seem upset?”
“No!”
“Got it.”
With some leisure now, the soldiers gathered in groups, bantering away. Meanwhile, Yeon Hojeong’s group grew increasingly grave.
“It’s already that intense?”
“Yeah.”
Jegal A-yeon sighed.
“The Moyong family probably knows by now. That the Jegal and Paeng families are backing the Myeol Sa Army.”
“Hm.”
Yeon Hojeong stroked his chin.
“Just like your father said. Better to bolster our side than drain theirs right now.”
“Honestly, at first I thought we were making the board too big.”
“The Alliance is newly formed. Top-level clashes will trickle down no matter what. Later, maybe, but no need to provoke now.”
“Yeah, Father said the same.”
“My dad’s sharp. Thinks in terms of greater justice, unlike me.”
“Praising your father or yourself?”
“Both.”
“Anyway, you’re pretending otherwise, but things are sharpening. Especially the Tang Ma Army’s leader—he’s making his presence felt.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
“Oh?”
“I figured he’d be no slouch since Moyong family head pushed him forward, but he’s way more impressive.”
Yeon Hojeong didn’t pry. He trusted Moyong Woo. Any news now was just process. Gadeuksang would fill him in on notables.
“And the Tang family.”
Jegal A-yeon grimaced openly.
“I wondered why they were so quiet—turns out they were playing both sides. Father got a message too.”
“What happened?”
“Not surfaced yet… but they’re probably tied to the Moyong family somehow.”
Yeon Hojeong’s gaze turned icy.
Dang Gwan.
The Martial Alliance vice-leader who’d die on his own, yet stabbed a thorn in Yeon Hojeong’s chest anyway. Moyong Gun planned it, but Dang Gwan executed. To Yeon Hojeong, they all deserved death.
“That guy I beat at the meeting?”
“Dang Yangseon? He didn’t come. Sent his eldest daughter instead.”
“Eldest daughter?”
“Amcheon Singnyeo. Dang Yangseon’s older sister.”
“…?”
“…You don’t know her?”
“Cough.”
“Hey!”
Jegal A-yeon flailed punches at the air, as if itching to grab Yeon Hojeong’s collar.
“Please, at least remember famous people! Who doesn’t know Amcheon Singnyeo?!”
“Hey.”
Yeon Hojeong pointed at Muk Bi.
“She doesn’t either.”
Muk Bi said awkwardly.
“I only lived in the mountains.”
“See? You don’t either.”
Jegal A-yeon took a deep breath. Couldn’t look bad in front of someone she’d barely greeted.
“Sorry. Got excited.”
“N-no, it’s fine.”
“You have my sympathies. Doesn’t your stomach turn hanging with this idiot?”
“…Sometimes.”
Yeon Hojeong clacked his teeth sharply.
“Cut the nonsense. So, is this Amcheon Singnyeo a big deal?”
“One of the Three Phoenixes. Her martial arts are strong, but her talent in poison and hidden weapons is insane. Her killing power rivals the best of her generation.”
“Martial arts don’t matter. What’s her character like?”
Jegal A-yeon shook her head.
“Not sure. But I hear even Dang family head favors her over his eldest son.”
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
Favors her…
Back as Heuk-amje, he’d spoken with Dang Gwan a few times. The man was a toxic mix of Tang selfishness and ruthlessness. Loyal in his way, but no scruples for his goals. For him to trust a daughter over his heir?
“Might have Hwagae look into her.”
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“Anyway, good work getting here.”
“Work? Please.”
“You’ll suffer plenty ahead. Ready to die?”
“Why do you always say it so murderously?”
Jegal A-yeon slapped her forearm.
“I’m Yungjung Mountain’s craziest bitch.”
“Noted.”
Yeon Hojeong glanced at Paeng Manho, who casually flexed, his bulging bicep rock-hard.
“Add Hebei lunatic.”
“Got it.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Truly welcome to the Myeol Sa Army.”
Jegal A-yeon thrust her fist.
“Take care of me.”
Yeon Hojeong bumped his against hers.
“You too.”
“So, starting the black path cleanup now?”
“Have to.”
“Where first?”
Whoosh.
The clearing’s air turned frigid. The chattering soldiers all fixed cold stares their way. They’d been listening all along.
Jegal A-yeon felt a chill down her spine. Their eyes and auras were wolf-like, feral—beyond anything from the Nine Great Sects disciples.
The man whose gaze alone matched them all spoke.
“Mountain warfare, then urban combat.”
“…?”
“Green Forest bandits first.”