The Essence of Shadowy Strife (3)
Moyong Woo's face lit up with surprise.
"You...?"
"...Ha, haha."
Thoroughly flustered, Dang Sang-a finally let out an awkward laugh. Of course, a single chuckle like that couldn't defuse the situation.
Yeon Hojeong glanced sidelong at Moyong Woo.
"Someone you know?"
"..."
"Hey."
"Eek! Uh, yes?"
"Is she someone you know?"
Before long, Moyong Woo's face was filled with bewilderment as well.
"Ah, this lady is... well..."
This lady?
Hmm?
Definitely.
Yeon Hojeong scanned Dang Sang-a's attire. It wasn't as meticulously chosen as the archer's uniform Muk Bi wore, but the fine silk and delicate, antique embroidery suggested she came from a prominent family.
And moreover.
This deep, subtly sharpened inner energy feels oddly familiar?
Surprisingly, her cultivation level nearly matched Moyong Woo's. Moyong Woo had greatly advanced his internal energy through the Moyong family's heir techniques, so for someone to rival that was no small feat. Such people were rare—even in the Martial Alliance.
She looks early twenties, but there's a seasoned glint in her eyes. Probably around thirty.
That was when it happened.
Dang Sang-a shot to her feet and clasped her hands in a near-reverent fist salute.
"I'm sorry. I intruded secretly and caused you trouble. I sincerely apologize."
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
"Shouldn't you introduce yourself first? So, who the hell are you?"
His tone wasn't overtly rough, but it carried a roguish, carefree edge like some wandering ruffian.
Dang Sang-a faltered at his speech but didn't show it. Regardless of the reasons, she was the one in the wrong. That was what mattered.
"I'm someone who goes by the name Sang-a. Um, so..."
"...?"
"Let me apologize once more. My curiosity got the better of me, and I followed Lord Moyong. It was a breach of propriety."
Dang Sang-a bowed at the waist, folding nearly in half.
"I'm truly sorry."
"...Hmm."
She's an oddly amusing one.
Yeon Hojeong felt intrigued by her words and demeanor.
At least, no malicious intent.
Having encountered so many people, he could now gauge a person's character from their eyes alone. And after breaking through Mujongjibyeok, his internal energy had qualitatively advanced, harmonizing essence, qi, and spirit—sharpening his intuitive senses to a keen edge.
To him, this woman named Sang-a harbored no grand ambitions or sinister scheming to tail others. At least, that's how she felt.
Hm? Sang-a, you say?
I've definitely heard that name somewhere.
At that moment, Moyong Woo spoke up.
"Lady Dang."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed.
Dang? Dang Sang-a? Then the Dark Heaven Divine Maiden?!
One of the One Dragon Three Phoenixes, the eldest daughter of the Sichuan Dang family—rumored to be even more cherished by Patriarch Dang Gwan than his own son. And undoubtedly the one Moyong Woo had met yesterday.
No wonder.
Her inner energy's quality and hue were utterly different from Dang Yangseon's. It even resembled Dang Gwan from his Black Dark Emperor days—though far inferior, of course. The flow and potency mirrored her father perfectly.
As Yeon Hojeong stared at Dang Sang-a in a daze,
"You said you followed me?"
"Yes?"
Moyong Woo's expression had hardened somewhat. A shadow crossed Dang Sang-a's face as well.
"...Yes. I'm sorry."
"Why?"
"Ah, well..."
That was when it happened.
"Muk Bi."
"Yes?"
Yeon Hojeong grinned darkly.
"Mind brewing some tea?"
Muk Bi, about to ask why she had to do it, flinched instead. It was that inscrutable expression on his face—like something scheming was brewing in his head.
What's he plotting now?
Muk Bi nodded.
"Got it. Give me a moment."
"We've got time. Take it slow."
"Tch. As if."
As she turned to leave, Muk Bi glanced at Dang Sang-a. Dang Sang-a bowed her head silently in apology.
Muk Bi smacked her lips and exited the room.
Yeon Hojeong clapped his hands.
"Alright, let's sit."
"Yes?"
"Sit, I said. No point standing around."
Moyong Woo looked at Yeon Hojeong in bewilderment.
Yeon-je?
Yeon Hojeong ignored his gaze.
"Lady Dang, was it?"
"Yes? Ah, yes."
"Have a seat."
There was an odd commanding weight to Yeon Hojeong's voice. Dang Sang-a hesitated before sitting.
Thus, the three sat around the table.
Yeon Hojeong asked, "So, what relation do you have with Lord Moyong that you'd tail him in secret?"
"Eek! None at all!"
She blurted it out involuntarily and seemed flustered by her own words. Dang Sang-a quickly continued.
"Ah, I mean! Not none exactly, but how to put it... um..."
"Aha? Perhaps?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed slyly. He twitched his nostrils with a peculiar smile, prompting Dang Sang-a to rush on.
"It's not like that! Absolutely not! I just...!"
"What did I say?"
"Pardon?"
"I didn't say anything."
"Ugh."
Dang Sang-a's face flushed red.
Yeon Hojeong said with evident delight, "Ah! The season turns to autumn, yet the breeze carries the warmth of spring sunlight. Heh heh, warms the heart nicely!"
Moyong Woo spoke in a deeply restrained voice. "Lord Yeon, don't tease her too much."
"Tease? What makes you think we're close enough for that?"
"It's not about me."
"Then who?"
Moyong Woo faltered.
"Why keep at it? In any case, if there's nothing more, let's wrap this up."
Wrap it up? Things are just getting fun.
Still, the mood needed lightening. Yeon Hojeong spoke up.
"Lady Dang."
"Yes?"
"Did you come because of your brother, by chance?"
Brother?
Dang Sang-a's eyes deepened instantly.
"You mean Yangseon?"
"Yes."
Yeon Hojeong's expression had turned solemn.
"You've heard, I'm sure. What that fool did, and who smashed him for it."
"...Wall Mountain Tiger Lord Yeon Hojeong. Lord Yeon himself."
"Correct."
A chill flickered in Yeon Hojeong's eyes.
"He was clearly in the wrong first. Letting an enemy who unleashed killers live—not once, but twice—was mercy enough, in my book."
"..."
"But as blood kin, regardless of cause and effect, it's natural to harbor grudge against the one who ruined your brother. I'd probably do the same."
Dang Sang-a replied in a now-calm voice. "Are you saying, Lord Yeon, that I might have targeted you instead of Lord Moyong?"
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
"The Dang family are masters of poison and hidden weapons. Killing one person would be child's play compared to most assassins, no?"
It was a highly provocative statement. No matter the initial fault, no scion of a prestigious house could easily swallow such words. Anyone with family pride might explode in rage.
What would Dang Sang-a's reaction be?
"Yangseon's wrong was clear-cut."
"Hm?"
"To his victim, it must've felt like a bolt from the blue. As you say, Lord Yeon, sparing him was already a blessing."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes sparkled. Dang Sang-a's calm expression rang true. Yet she didn't seem to hate or despise her brother either.
So what did it mean that she could say such a thing?
"Straight to the point: did you come to kill me?"
Dang Sang-a gave a faint smile.
"The young tiger of Gangdong. The hot-blooded youth who challenged the world's greatest alone, commander of the Myeol Sa Army, and the youngest in his generation to break through Mujongjibyeok—a genius master."
"..."
"Someone like me couldn't touch you. I'd end up just like my brother."
Sincere in atonement, unshaken by provocations. She had the wisdom to soothe aggressors and earn their heartfelt acceptance of her innocence. She knew how to draw clear lines.
Such people were rare in the martial world, man or woman.
I like her.
A fine character. No, to Yeon Hojeong, Dang Sang-a was refreshingly human—unlike the venomous stereotype of Sichuan Dang folk.
"So I wasn't your target?"
"No. I hate conflict to begin with."
"Never expected the Dark Heaven Divine Maiden herself to say that."
Dang Sang-a replied bitterly. "Right? Everyone thinks so."
"Guess you have to meet people to know them."
Yeon Hojeong nodded—then his face turned sly again.
"Then why tail Lord Moyong in secret?"
"Ugh."
Dang Sang-a fiddled with her hair unnecessarily.
"W-Well..."
"Well?"
Moyong Woo eyed her subtly, inwardly curious too.
Dang Sang-a's cheeks pinked slightly.
"You might not believe it."
"Out with it."
"...I was bored."
"...?"
Yeon Hojeong blinked like a fool. Moyong Woo stared at her in blank deflation.
Dang Sang-a's face reddened further.
"I-I know it sounds ridiculous even to me. But it's true. I was really bored. I happened to spot Lord Moyong, and he looked so serious. Curiosity struck, no plans in sight, so I just..."
"And ended up hiding in the ceiling?"
"Gah! I was about to leave! Believe it or not, once I get hooked, I can't control myself—it's a serious affliction. Some mad unconscious impulse takes over..."
"I believe you."
"...Pardon?"
"I believe you."
Dang Sang-a's eyes bulged like saucers.
"F-For real?"
She'd expected ridicule. Instead, her expression turned more baffled than theirs.
Yeon Hojeong asked Moyong Woo, "You don't buy it?"
Moyong Woo shook his head.
"No reason not to."
"Yeah?"
"Indeed."
Moyong Woo meant it sincerely. Not from quick wits, but genuine belief that boredom could drive such antics. Sure, rare in a blade-filled jianghu, but with such earnest delivery, why doubt? People varied wildly. Weirder folks than her abounded. That was the world.
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
"Anyway, I see you mean no harm."
"Eek! Thank you! You really believe me!"
"I do. But belief and forgiveness are different matters."
Dang Sang-a's beaming face—bright as a bloom—withered like drought-stricken weed in an instant.
"R-Right. I did mess up big time."
"You did."
"...I have no face. Within bounds of propriety, I'll pay any price."
Both Yeon Hojeong and Moyong Woo smiled. She was good people. Unique, but earnest, no lies. A steadfast personality.
To Yeon Hojeong, a rare purity since Muk Bi or Yeon Jipyeong. To Moyong Woo, an utterly novel type.
"Lord Moyong."
"Hm?"
"How long till the founding ceremony?"
"Huh? Eek!"
Moyong Woo bolted up.
"Noon already? Time to go."
"Indeed."
Yeon Hojeong nodded, then chin-pointed at Dang Sang-a.
"Take her with you."
"...Huh?"
"Take her, I said."
"M-Me?"
"Should I? Didn't you tell her to scram?"
"That's true, but Lady Dang doesn't need to attend the ceremony..."
"She does. She's Tang Ma Army as of today."
Moyong Woo's eyes widened. Dang Sang-a, clueless, just rolled hers in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"Lady Dang said she'd pay the price. A powerhouse like you would bolster the Tang Ma Army greatly, no?"
"Eek?!"
Yeon Hojeong grinned.
"Wrongdoing demands recompense. Right, Lady Dang?"
"..."
"Bored? Then work."
Dang Sang-a's eyes glazed blankly. For the first time, she cursed her own curiosity.