The False King (5)
A vicious killing intent flared in Hwa Won's eyes.
"Where is he?"
"I told you, I don't know."
"……."
"That old man's always sneaking off here and there without telling us. Nothing new about it."
Despite Gadeuksang's gruff retort, Hwa Won's expression didn't change. The only difference was that the murderous glint in her eyes had deepened.
It was the kind of gaze that could make even a master of the world instinctively turn away. A look that could kill with eyes alone.
But Gadeuksang was no slouch in boldness either.
"What, you got night pearls embedded in your eyes or something? Pretty spooky."
"……."
"Glare all you want, I don't know means I don't know. Time to get lost."
Hwa Won finally spoke. Her voice was low and chilling, utterly unlike a woman's—eerie in a way that belied her title.
"We've been ordered to protect and monitor you."
"So?"
"There's no protection or surveillance without a target. Last chance: where is Mu Jongmun's Jeong?"
At that moment, Paeryul, who had been tending to his sword off to the side, spoke up.
"I'll say it once, and only once."
Hwa Won, who had been glaring at Gadeuksang, shifted her gaze to Paeryul. He didn't even glance her way, merely wiping down the blade with a dry cloth.
"Your tongue's more than enough to make me sick—hell, it's overflowing. Annoy me one more time, and I'll lop off your heads before going to the vice leader myself."
A sinister light flashed in Hwa Won's eyes. Paeryul sheathed his sword.
Shing!
Thud.
"If you get it, then scram."
Hwa Won, still eyeing Paeryul coldly, turned her gaze back to Gadeuksang. He shrugged.
"That's what he says?"
"……."
"See you later, monkey girl."
Hwa Won turned to leave. Before stepping out of the manor, she said,
"If this happens again, by authority of the escort captain, I'll kill one of you."
Paeryul snorted.
"Please do. My joints are rusting from all this downtime."
Creeeak.
Bam!
The manor door slammed shut. Gadeuksang stared blankly at it before letting out a deep sigh.
"Intense, huh."
Paeryul scoffed through his nose.
"Just beasts sizing each other up. The moment you flinch, you're lunch."
"Still, wasn't that poking the bear a bit too hard?"
"So I should've just ignored that rude bitch's mouth?"
"Well, ignore might be too strong, but yeah, felt like overkill."
"Overkill? If they fuck up the job over words like that, they're the ones lacking."
It's not that simple... Gadeuksang swallowed the rest. No point arguing; the guy wouldn't listen anyway. What good was lecturing a rough-born brute on manners?
Besides, I'm no saint either.
"And she backed off 'cause of me, not you."
"Huh?"
Paeryul jerked his chin toward the manor roof. Following his gesture, Gadeuksang spotted Dang Sang-a prepping her dagger. She flashed a grin.
"Got something to say?"
"……Nah."
Gadeuksang cleared his throat awkwardly.
Damn, this is awkward.
Whether Paeryul, Dang Sang-a, or even Jegal A-yeon—headache deep in Mok Ryong Bu's reorganization— they all followed Yeon Hojeong's word unquestioningly, no matter how unreasonable. But he wasn't Yeon Hojeong.
How the hell do I wrangle these lunatics?
Gadeuksang sighed inwardly.
Not a sane one in the bunch.
He steadfastly refused to admit he was one of them.
As Yeon Hojeong strolled through the bustling market street, he thought,
Lively place.
The martial world might bicker white path versus black, but ordinary folk couldn't care less. Living in the same world, yet immersed in utterly different stages, each playing their roles. That was the jianghu, the Central Plains.
"Tiger pelt from Ak Lok Mountain—twenty taels of silver!"
"Finest silk just in! The kind top ministry officials crave!"
"Come on in! Pigs caught at dawn!"
Merchants bellowed themselves hoarse, while the crowded street buzzed with sparkling eyes darting about. A peaceful scene.
If only the lines were clear-cut.
If the blood-soaked martial world and the commoners' lives were neatly divided, with firm boundaries—how nice that would be.
But the world wasn't so kind. Martial wars inevitably shattered civilian peace. No, countless innocents died unjustly.
Bitter.
One reason he'd built Heukje-seong was civilian safety. Or rather, to impose some minimal rules. Fighters had their stage; it wasn't about lines or territories.
But one man's will couldn't change the world. Not when others' wills were just as ironclad.
Still, I have to stop it.
The western barbarians' invasion, black versus white clashes—none could touch these lively folk on their stage.
But well...
Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips.
Handle what's in front of me first.
Not to mince words, the Muryeong Alliance's internal mess wasn't even close to sorted—piles left.
What a tiring life I've chosen.
No choice. If he didn't move, his family would suffer.
Lost in such thoughts as he walked, a strand of transmission voice reached him.
[Head fifteen zhang ahead, turn left at the fork. You'll find a shabby inn. Enter there.]
Yeon Hojeong turned left at the fork as the Open Faction's guide instructed.
That must be it.
Shabby, he'd said, but it wasn't that bad up close. Just blended seamlessly with the surroundings.
Even he'd have missed it passing by, unsure if it was even an inn. Perfect spot—no rich, beggar, or martial artist would wander in.
Yeon Hojeong strode right in.
Creak.
A faint wood scent and heavy incense greeted him. The middle-aged proprietor dozed with his head nodding, even as the door opened.
But Yeon Hojeong knew. That man's consciousness—looking asleep to anyone—was locked on him.
And.
…….
Eyes flicking to the stairs in the inn's corner, Yeon Hojeong climbed without hesitation.
"Even folks who'd snarl and hurl curses unfit for polite ears upon meeting."
Laughter laced the low voice.
"Strangely, encounters far from home always feel so welcoming. Odd, isn't it?"
At the central table on the inn's second floor sat Moyong Gun.
Moyong Gun smiled.
"You too? I'd prefer you were glad to see me."
Glad my ass. Yeon Hojeong grumbled softly.
"Guess our bond's no ordinary blood feud. Head starts aching the moment we lock eyes."
"Ouch, that's harsh."
"Is it?"
"Didn't you say before leaving the alliance? Why not go together? Leader and ops team united boosts success odds."
"Something like that, yeah."
"Hahaha."
Moyong Gun gestured to the seat opposite.
"You've had it rough. Sit."
"Right."
Yeon Hojeong sat lightly. Moyong Gun's eyes gleamed.
He's changed.
He spotted the shift instantly.
No more erratic energy. Stabilized. Balanced somehow.
Yeon Hojeong's new art was unknown. Yeon family techniques, sure—but also some ancient one hard to trace, from their clash.
Whatever it was, rapid progress since leaving the alliance.
"Impressive as ever."
"Out of nowhere, what's that?"
Moyong Gun saw no need to hide.
"Different from pre-alliance. Some enlightenment?"
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"Nothing so grand. Unbalanced energy crumbles anytime. Just worked tirelessly to avoid it."
"If effort alone yielded your results, masters everywhere."
"I'll take the praise."
"Slow down. Scared I'll catch up otherwise."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes swept Moyong Gun's sword.
"Says the one far from ordinary."
"Hm?"
"Out for a stroll and still reeking of blood? Sheathed, yet so thick."
Moyong Gun's eyes flashed.
"You sense that?"
"Sensitive to it."
"Hah!"
Yeon Hojeong grinned.
"Noticing's easy if I care. You're top of my watchlist. Every meeting, I analyze changes, thoughts, moves."
"Honored."
"How many'd you cut?"
Moyong Gun chuckled.
"Not some demonic overlord. No needless kills."
"Better a slaughter fiend. You're too dangerous."
"Pot calling kettle? How'd you turn monster at your age?"
"World's harsh. Gotta protect mine."
Moyong Gun burst out laughing.
"You know? Sometimes hate your guts, but chats like this? No one's more fun. Fighting you? Never dull."
"I'll bore you someday."
"Surrender?"
"Nah, means I'll bury you."
"Hahaha!"
Watching the inn shake with Moyong Gun's laughter, Yeon Hojeong asked calmly,
"What's changed in your heart?"
"Hm?"
"As you said, I proposed teaming up pre-alliance."
"You did."
"Instant yes would've raised flags, but dawdling then waltzing into enemy turf? Can't not suspect."
Moyong Gun smiled—a chill one, laced with sincerity.
"As I said before, this mission? Deadly serious. Crucial for you and me."
"I know. But."
Yeon Hojeong's face went blank. Eerie shift.
"The you I know juggles two, three tasks effortlessly."
"……."
"Pure focus here, fine. But why Hunan? Post-mission chaos?"
Moyong Gun's face matched—impassive.
"We'll see."
"Master at needling nerves."
"The you I know doesn't flake over nerves. Got faith in that."
Yeon Hojeong snorted.
"Traded blows today."
"You or me—till one's smashed, this is our fate."
Yeon Hojeong waved lazily, all annoyed.
"Enough. Report time."
"Listening intently."