Frontal Breakthrough (1)
Twang!
Pfuk!
The arrow slicing through the air pierced the iron plate in a single instant.
Joy bloomed across Muk Bi's face.
'Yes!'
No matter how exceptional the tensile strength of the Hongryeon Palace bow, it couldn't penetrate iron plating without properly channeling internal energy. But not this time.
She had infused only the barest trace of internal energy into the arrow.
An arrow that would have ricocheted off in the past had punched straight through the plate. She had reduced the amount of energy but altered how she circulated it.
'The martial path truly is boundless.'
Just a shift in mindset had transformed the arrow's power. It was a diversity of martial implementation she could never have learned in Gwanil Valley.
Countless battles, relentless effort, and profound anguish had converged to forge her unique archery style, now finally blossoming.
"Impressive."
"Ah! Father, you're here."
"Yes."
Yeon Wi gazed at the holed iron plate and smiled with satisfaction.
"Half the internal energy you used to channel. Piercing the plate with that much power means your focus and energy circulation have advanced a full step."
Genuine delight lit up Muk Bi's face. She had sensed it herself, but hearing her father confirm it eased her mind.
"It's thanks to you, Father. If you hadn't advised me at the right moment, I never would have thought of it."
"Anyone can offer advice. The true test is how you receive it."
Yeon Wi patted her shoulder.
"Your greatest strength isn't your innate talent. It's your attitude—taking every word seriously and pondering it deeply. There's no greater gift in the martial path than avoiding stubbornness in its realm."
Muk Bi's cheeks flushed red.
Yeon Wi was clear in praise and criticism alike. But he weighed criticism more heavily. Praise ended there, but flaws could lead to death in real combat.
Thus, such praise meant her demeanor had truly impressed him.
And knowing that, Muk Bi felt especially joyful.
Yeon Wi asked calmly,
"Do you know?"
"Pardon?"
"Before Lee Jeon-gak left the alliance, Hojeong departed."
Surprisingly, Muk Bi's expression remained serene.
"Yes. He told me earlier before leaving."
Yeon Wi, who had been watching her quietly, spoke again.
"You're not upset?"
A faint smile curved Muk Bi's lips.
"I was at first. I thought I could be of some help, even if not the best. It hurt, wondering just how unreliable he found me."
She spoke so naturally in front of Yeon Wi now. Muk Bi was growing more comfortable around him.
"But you think differently now?"
"Yes."
Muk Bi looked up at the sky.
The weather had turned chilly. The clouds were just right.
"Thinking back, from the moment we met, he's never once belittled me. He teases a lot, but even that had clear boundaries."
"I see."
"He seems rough on the surface, but once he sees you as his own, he never hurts your feelings."
Yeon Wi smiled.
Muk Bi was kind but rarely revealed her inner thoughts. For her to say this meant she trusted his son completely.
"I'm glad the first person I met in this world was Young Master Yeon."
"I see."
Muk Bi slung the Hongryeon Palace over her back.
"Those who must leave have left. Now it's time for those who remain to handle their own duties."
Yeon Wi nodded.
"You're right. With Hojeong gone, things here will get fierce."
Whether political strife or Myeol Sa Army training, it would be grueling in every way.
Yeon Hojeong's shadow loomed large and dark.
His presence had left an indelible mark not just on Muk Bi, but on his father Yeon Wi, strategist Jegal Munho, and even the alliance leadership.
"Off to train the Myeol Sa Army?"
"Yes. I need to deliver the lightweight armor too."
"Understood."
Yeon Wi, about to leave Pa Gun Pavilion first, paused as if remembering something.
"Are you free this evening?"
"Pardon? Ah, yes! I am."
"Around sulsi—the hour of the dog—my work should wrap up. If the timing works, let's share a meal."
Muk Bi beamed.
"Yes!"
* * *
Yeon Hojeong's group, departing the White Path Martial Alliance, passed straight through Hubei and set course for Guizhou Province.
The presumed location of Yang Cheon was Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province.
The shortest route would involve descending through Hubei, crossing the river, and entering Hunan directly—no issues there.
But from the moment they left, Yeon Hojeong insisted on covert movement.
When Dang Sang-a asked why, he replied,
"They're watching the alliance closely. They might even investigate everyone coming and going. If so, they'll pay extra attention to those heading for their main base."
A simple, logical reason.
It meant taking a longer path, but it was necessary.
Yeon Hojeong trusted his judgment, and Gadeuksang and Jegal A-yeon deemed it sound.
"And, Senior."
"Speak."
"Please enter western Hunan first, alone."
Paeryul raised an eyebrow.
"Me, by myself?"
"To reduce suspicion. Secure a position ahead, and we'll follow with a gap."
"Does that even matter?"
"Of course."
"Fine, whatever. I don't get why go to such lengths, but alright."
Thus, excluding Paeryul, the group took a full month to traverse southwestern Hubei and enter Guizhou.
Had they pushed their lightness skills deliberately, they could have arrived several days sooner.
Caution had delayed them.
They entered a modest inn at the northernmost tip of Guizhou Province.
"Whew, now I can breathe."
Gadeuksang scratched his head vigorously.
"You've all suffered. This inn's run by our main branch, so rest easy."
To shake off their accumulated fatigue, the group first bathed in hot water.
One surprise: Gadeuksang went to wash first.
Jegal A-yeon teased slyly,
"What if you really get kicked out of Huigae position like that?"
"Heh, that's what I'm hoping for."
To infiltrate enemy territory personally, he couldn't be recognized as Beggar Sect.
In the end, Gadeuksang had no choice but to violate sect rules.
Shedding all his grime, he emerged in perfectly fitted martial robes topped with a white overcoat. His transformed appearance was stunning.
Jegal A-yeon's mouth gaped like a crucian carp.
"Whoa! You're really Huigae?"
"Who else?"
"Heavens, hiding a face like this under beggar filth? You do wash up normally!"
"Why would a beggar waste water washing?"
Gadeuksang grumbled, but it was understandable.
His tall frame, solid build, and sharply defined features were impressive. Being so youthful-looking, dressed up, he could pass for a noble young master.
Dang Sang-a whispered to Yeon Hojeong,
"Is Huigae entering enemy territory too?"
"He has to. We need quick intel exchange between sides. Beyond that, few match his adaptability."
"I see."
"Why? Something bothering you?"
"Something crucial."
Yeon Hojeong blinked.
"What's that?"
"The disconnect between his looks and speech."
A sharp observation.
His appearance screamed refined noble, but his speech was rougher than a street thug's.
This was a far graver issue than expected.
Gadeuksang eyed Yeon Hojeong pitifully.
"You can't mean I have to change my speech too? No way, right? Tell me no."
Yeon Hojeong replied haltingly,
"The world's full of strong personalities. It might even come off as endearingly honest."
"Hehe, knew you'd get me, Young Master Yeon!"
"Still, I'd recommend staying quiet as much as possible..."
Thus refreshed, the group finished their meal and gathered in one room.
Gadeuksang smacked his lips.
"Guizhou's definitely humid. Even with winter closing in."
Jegal A-yeon picked up,
"I hear even experts can catch local diseases here if careless. High humidity, dense vegetation—bugs everywhere."
"Bugs make fine emergency rations when starving."
"Eww."
"What's that reaction? Starve to death otherwise? Chew bugs and endure. Right, Lady Dang?"
Dang Sang-a smiled awkwardly.
"I've never tried..."
"Eh?"
Gadeuksang tilted his head.
"But you train poison arts, no? Never eaten any during practice? World's full of venomous critters."
"Learning poison arts doesn't mean eating bugs. I have no aversion to them, though..."
"Haha, really?"
Dang Sang-a cleared her throat.
She wasn't picky, but Gadeuksang's brazen camaraderie was overwhelming.
"Alright, let's get organized."
Yeon Hojeong clapped to refocus them and continued.
"As you may have heard, from now on, we're from the Mujongmun."
Mujongmun was a mysterious sect said to have been wiped out a century ago.
Remarkably, their martial arts were deemed comparable to the Nine Great Sects.
No weaklings had ever claimed descent from it.
However, their arts lacked uniformity.
Sect arts had defining flows—like Shaolin's or Hwasan's—but Mujongmun's were eclectic.
As if masters from various schools had banded together, their techniques boasted diverse depths.
Yet a century ago, for some reason, they vanished from the world.
"Forgotten by history, and with such varied arts, no one will suspect us using different styles."
The three nodded.
Yeon Hojeong pointed at Gadeuksang.
"But mind your titles. From now on, Huigae is our eldest martial brother."
"Why me?"
"You're the oldest."
"What about Great Hero Paeryul?"
"Senior's our martial uncle."
"I'm baby-faced—make me the youngest!"
"Moving on."
"Tch."
Yeon Hojeong looked at Dang Sang-a.
"Dang Sang-a, you're second. Same reason."
"Yes."
"I'm third. A-yeon is fourth."
Jegal A-yeon bristled.
"Hey, why am I youngest? I'm a year older than you! Friends with benefits, and you forget I'm your noona."
"I'll be the most active here. Plus, anyone perceptive will see my arts are deepest. Third is plausible, but youngest would feel off."
"Grr."
It wasn't wrong, but her lips still puffed out in protest.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes turned serious.
"From the intel so far, Yang Cheon's likely in Changsha, Hunan. But given the black path forces he's subjugated, assume his eyes cover all of Hunan."
Gadeuksang nodded.
"Matches our sect disciples' reports. Eyes on us the moment we enter Hunan."
"They won't use mountain or river paths."
"Official roads to avoid suspicion?"
"Exactly."
Yeon Hojeong told Dang Sang-a,
"The instant we enter Hunan, we need your skills."
"Pardon? My skills?"
Come to think of it, she hadn't heard her role in this mission.
Dang Sang-a flustered. How had she overlooked something so obvious?
"What should I do?"
Yeon Hojeong smiled chillingly.
An ill-boding grin. Gadeuksang clicked his tongue—'Here we go again.'—while Jegal A-yeon shuddered.
"When black path eyes turn our way, shoot them dead with hidden weapons."