Chapter 188. The Unbroken Thread (6)
The wind was biting. It swept along the mountainside, cool and unrelenting regardless of the season, especially at night.
On his way back to his quarters, Yeon Hojeong was lost in thought.
'He's changed.'
He pictured Moyong Gun. The legendary swordsman who kept lightning itself sheathed in his blade, a sight that sent chills down the spine just to behold. And those deeply sunken eyes of his.
'Like Father or me, Moyong Gun has changed too.'
Moyong Gun was a man of exceptional talent. Whether in martial arts, strategy, or politics, he lacked in nothing.
But Yeon Hojeong knew his flaws as well.
'That lazy arrogance of his is gone.'
Yes, arrogance. Moyong Gun was arrogant. And he had every right to be.
Born and raised in the Moyong family, he had learned how to dismantle his opponents before he ever knew sibling affection.
Moyong Gun—and the Moyong family by extension—were fundamentally lacking in humanity. Except for Moyong Woo.
'That lack breeds ruthlessness. It's what made him master of the Moyong house and dream of standing at the pinnacle of the White Path martial world.'
A life of unbroken triumphs.
Then, for the first time, a real obstacle appeared in Moyong Gun's path: Yeon Hojeong.
'Must have been a novel experience. He called me a threat to watch out for, but deep down, he still saw me as beneath him.'
Moyong Gun acknowledged Yeon Hojeong. But he didn't see him as superior.
If he had, he wouldn't have suffered so many setbacks. He would have hidden himself more thoroughly, donning a mask until he could land a decisive blow.
Of course, Yeon Hojeong wouldn't have just sat idle either.
'But from the moment the Tang Ma Myeol Sa Army set out, he sank beneath the surface.'
Did he finally recognize Yeon Hojeong as a true adversary? Or even someone superior?
Impossible to say.
But one thing was clear: Moyong Gun had grown more insidious, sharper.
'He won't try any petty tricks for a while. But he's not the type to stay quiet without preparing something.'
Yeon Hojeong let out an involuntary sigh.
'And Yang Cheon is headache enough on his own.'
Tu Wang Yang Cheon. The man who had been the final barrier to Yeon Hojeong's conquest of the Black Path, one of the most perilous foes in his life.
Astonishingly, that enemy was connected to the otherworldly factions.
'So that's how it was.'
His thoughts shifted naturally from Moyong Gun to Yang Cheon.
Fierce light flashed in Yeon Hojeong's eyes.
'He was already in league with them.'
Unbelievable.
Little was known about Yang Cheon. Even Yeon Hojeong, in his past life, had dug for information using the Black Path's vast network but hit a wall beyond a certain point.
'Which means, setting aside any alliance with the otherworlders, he might originate from there.'
That was why he intended to dive into this matter personally.
Yang Cheon demanded caution. He possessed both reckless ferocity and cold prudence in equal measure.
And his martial prowess. Even with his terrifyingly amplified Hong Cheon Qi and refined Sasinmu, Yeon Hojeong had nearly died several times.
Yang Cheon's power was that fearsome.
As Yeon Hojeong emanated quiet killing intent at the thought of him, a sudden realization made him tilt his head.
'But did Yang Cheon reveal his hand this quickly?'
No.
In the past, Yang Cheon hadn't shown himself alongside the Black Path until years after Yeon Hojeong had clawed his way up.
'This is much faster. Even accounting for the changed times...'
History had shifted.
The Martial Alliance had formed far sooner, and Yang Cheon's emergence was advanced by seven or eight years.
So?
'If Yang Cheon truly belongs to the Three Sects...'
His fist clenched unconsciously.
'It means they've been watching the Central Plains closely for decades.'
He had suspected as much. Otherwise, they couldn't have assassinated the Central Plains' top masters in secret or obliterated half its forces in the opening assault.
But confirmation sent a chill down his spine.
'Cautious lot. Even with that much power.'
It had taken the righteous and unorthodox factions uniting to crush just Saneumgyo.
They wouldn't have needed to if it had been a straight clash from the start.
The problem was the Three Sects' strikes: sudden, lethal.
Yet the remaining two hadn't fully committed.
'Even with proper defenses and a counterattack, victory isn't guaranteed.'
Yeon Hojeong sighed again.
'Moyong Gun. What a pity.'
If he'd used that talent for peace instead of power, they might have been close allies.
'Hm?'
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head again.
"Something's off..."
A fact he'd overlooked until now, dismissing it as natural for Moyong Gun. It suddenly resurfaced.
"What the hell gave him the confidence to try killing me?"
Black Dark Emperor, Lord of Heukje-seong, Grand Master of the Black Path.
The first to unify the unorthodox factions—a title no one before or since had claimed. Not an aged supreme master, nor a publicly acclaimed supreme under heaven.
Those myriad titles proved his unparalleled ability.
And Moyong Gun had tried to kill him. Right after slaying the Saneumgyo leader.
"What made him so sure?"
There were still two other organizations besides Saneumgyo.
No need to kill an ally like Yeon Hojeong. He shouldn't have.
Common enemies remained.
'Just a worry? Or...?'
That was when it happened.
"When'd you croak?"
Yeon Hojeong whipped his gaze forward in surprise.
Gadeuksang stared at him with blank eyes.
"When'd you get here?"
"A bit ago. Called out, but you were mumbling to yourself."
"Ah..."
"What d'you mean croak? You're alive and kicking."
Yeon Hojeong shook his head. No point brooding now anyway.
"Nah. What's up?"
"What d'you think?"
Gadeuksang grinned wide.
"Drinking buddy's back—time for a proper round, right?"
Tree leaves danced in the chill wind. Moonlight glowed softly, starlight shimmered mysteriously. The cloudless sky poured faint radiance, weaving elegant charm.
Yeon Hojeong glanced around the pavilion.
"Inner castle's got spots like this?"
"Plenty. Haven't even seen it all myself. Damn place is huge."
Gadeuksang kept chuckling, buzzed from the booze after so long.
"Here, have a drink. Rough work smashing those bandit bastards."
"Thanks."
They clinked cups.
No fancy snacks, but the view was prime, the company timeless. Enough to empty the glasses.
"Whew, that's potent stuff."
"Gift from the Jegal strategist."
"Strategist?"
"We're pretty tight now. Cold and scary in meetings, but chill in private."
"Yeah, saw that."
"You never know till you meet 'em. Heard he was sharp but spineless, easy to push around."
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
"Central Plains has countless martial houses. He's the head of one of the chosen six great families. Can't be ordinary."
"True that."
Gadeuksang burst into laughter.
As Yeon Hojeong refilled his cup with a smile, he asked, "So, what'd the Jegal strategist want you to ask me?"
Gadeuksang flinched.
Yeon Hojeong couldn't help but smirk. So honest.
"How'd you know? Ghost?"
"Guessed."
"World's full of guesses—why the strategist?"
"People don't know their own habits best. You too, Huigae."
"What's my deal? Habits?"
"Tracks me down with booze from the strategist himself? When you're too swamped for leave?"
Yeon Hojeong topped off his own cup. Full.
"You're the mooch type, not the host. Gotta play the part to avoid suspicion."
"Damn!"
Gadeuksang stuck out his tongue.
"You scare me sometimes."
"I'll take it as a compliment."
"Scary's a compliment?"
"So, what'd the strategist want me to check?"
Gadeuksang's face turned serious.
"Coming from meeting Moyong Gun?"
"Yeah."
"You're tangled with that bastard, but not close enough to visit right after returning."
"Exactly. We're more like mortal enemies."
"Meaning..."
"Right."
"Huh?"
"Your hunch is spot on. He wants me as overall commander for probing Yang Cheon."
Gadeuksang eyed Yeon Hojeong's face, then sighed deeply.
"Strategist said you might step up."
"His insight matches his knowledge. Impressive."
Gadeuksang downed his cup in frustration, sighing.
"You know this op's dangerous."
"..."
"For anyone. Especially since failure's not an option."
"I know."
"Don't think you do. Plus, you're famous in the White Path. Swinging that man-sized axe—Black Path's heard of you."
"Probably."
"What're you gonna do? Ditch the axe?"
"Have to."
His voice was subdued, detached—almost transcendent.
Gadeuksang watched with trembling eyes, then exploded.
"You idiot! Even a genius like you—it's Yang Cheon! You'll die for real!"
The outburst brimmed with worry for Yeon Hojeong.
"The Seongcheon Thirteen Seats rank with—or above—the top masters from three hundred years ago, martial world's peak! And it's Tu Wang! You know how vicious he is!"
"Never picked my foes by strength."
"What?!"
"Moyong Gun's stronger than me. The Nine Great Clans, no contest. Still moved."
"...!!"
"Don't worry. Too unjust an end for this life."
"...Ugh, stubborn bastard."
Gadeuksang grumbled bitterly.
"Listen for once. Sheesh."
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
"That worried?"
"Hell no?"
"..."
"Younger, cockier, reckless—but you're my friend."
"...!"
"Friend charging into hell? Gotta stop you, dumbass."
Yeon Hojeong faltered, at a loss for words.
Gadeuksang gripped the bottle roughly, chugging it.
"Gah! Cough! Damn, that's harsh."
"..."
"Knew it."
"Knew what?"
"You'd jump in. So I took leave too."
Surprise crossed Yeon Hojeong's face.
"You mean... together?"
"Stay cooped in this damn alliance forever? Crazy?"
"..."
Gadeuksang stood.
Looking down, he smirked.
"We synced well against the great clans, right?"
"..."
"Take care of me."
Yeon Hojeong stared blankly, then smiled helplessly.
"Don't drag me down."
"Piss off."