Lying on Brushwood and Tasting Gall (2)
As he chased after Gang Ryang, Yeon Hojeong's mind raced.
That was definitely the Ghost Shadow Divine Step.
The figure was wrapped in a wind-defying cloak. Tall and sturdy-looking. His gait was light and nimble, yet his aura felt oddly unstable—out of sync with that effortless stride.
Yeon Hojeong took it all in at a glance. Having broken through Mujongjibyeok, with all four gods' qi fully matured, his senses could dissect anyone he spotted in an instant.
But I couldn't read his true energy.
The distance was too great, the terrain too open, and the crowds too thick. No matter how strong Yeon Hojeong had become, pinpointing the nature of a moving target's true energy from that far was impossible.
But that movement... He could never forget the unique Ghost Shadow Divine Step of Gang Ryang—one of the Five Great Divine Generals of Heukje-seong, the iron-blooded gambler renowned across the black path.
The extraordinary hidden in the ordinary. A distinctive rhythm that only reveals itself upon close scrutiny. Even Gang Ryang himself hadn't mastered that rhythm until the final stages of battle.
In other words, this Gang Ryang probably hadn't achieved great accomplishment in the Ghost Shadow Divine Step. History might have changed, but enlightenment's depth didn't shift that easily.
Is that you?
Yeon Hojeong's eyes blazed with turmoil as he cleaved through the whipping winds.
Is it really you?!
The destruction of Guicheol Sword Sect had been Muk Ryong Bu's doing—Muk Ryong Bu, under Yang Cheon's orders.
If it's him, then yeah... he could do it.
Yeon Hojeong pictured Gang Ryang. Experience and age had tempered him into someone unshakable by ordinary events, but those eyes burned with innate ferocity and unyielding obsession—once he set his mind to something, he'd see it through by any means necessary.
If it's him, he'd have come scouting the enemy camp just to steel his resolve.
It took real guts to prowl enemy territory like that. Just knowing Tu Wang Yang Cheon—Muk Ryong Bu's master—was involved would deter most martial artists from even approaching.
But Gang Ryang? He could pull it off. That's who he was. Strong or weak, once he marked a foe, he'd hunt them down even if it cost his life.
If it's really you...
Was this fate? He'd crossed paths with Gang Ryang by chance before. He'd crushed him with raw power and taken his hand, but without fate's meddling, they never would have allied. In that era, under those circumstances, he might not have even spared the man's life.
And now, returned to the past, was destiny reuniting them like this—another fleeting coincidence?
...!
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed. Far off, the black-clad figure in the wind-defying cloak stared intently at Ak Lok Mountain, radiating intense killing intent.
His expression twisted.
Ghost King True Qi!
That savage edge laced into the killing intent. Far cruder than he remembered—less refined, more turbulent with unchecked emotion.
But it's definitely Ghost King True Qi!
One of the pinnacle inner arts of the black path's elite, counted among the top ten. A secret technique passed only to Guicheol Sword Sect's sect leader and heir—not even the introductory stage to others.
It's you!
It really was Gang Ryang. Overwhelmed, Yeon Hojeong nearly lunged forward on instinct. He forced down his pounding heart.
Smoothly, he gathered his Azure Dragon Qi—not unleashed at full throttle, but meticulously refined into an intangible yin form.
A low hum vibrated the air as the Azure Dragon Qi swept outward, scanning every presence nearby.
With so many people around, countless presences registered on his qi—no surprise there.
Nothing.
But nothing suspicious. No one among those caught in the Azure Dragon Qi bore dubious inner arts or concealed powers.
So...?
Can I relax?
Yeon Hojeong's eyes sharpened.
No way.
Moyong Gun was meticulous to a fault. For him to suddenly show up in Hunan Province? No chance it was innocent. Beyond this mission, he was surely weaving some scheme.
Moyong Gun doesn't move alone unless he has to. But according to Huigae, he came without escorts.
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
He must have brought stealth experts.
It wasn't just Moyong Gun. High-ranking figures always traveled with guards, just like officials with their escorts—whether they showed or not.
If he really brought top-tier stealth guards, they wouldn't have let my expression slip unnoticed.
A bitter taste filled his mouth. Someone his Azure Dragon Qi couldn't detect? That was peak-industry level.
He's brought someone monstrous.
Then—
The black-clad figure presumed to be Gang Ryang moved.
Whoosh!
Not a full sprint, but fast. Heading straight for the eastern woods. Yeon Hojeong felt a surge of exasperation watching him go.
That, that idiot!
Was he dumb? If Guicheol Sword Sect's heir slipped away, Muk Ryong Bu would be hunting him tooth and nail.
Yet that idiotic gait? It screamed elite martial rhythm—anyone could see it.
A man who'd glared at Ak Lok Mountain with killing intent, now vanishing with flashy footwork. Who wouldn't suspect him?
Yeon Hojeong froze for a split second.
There you are.
His Azure Dragon Qi hadn't snagged anyone suspicious. But that was because no eyes had been on him.
This was Muk Ryong Bu's front yard, crawling with informants. And now, their gazes locked onto Gang Ryang—all at once, so naturally even he hadn't noticed at first.
Black path informants operated on another level from the white path. He felt it anew.
But that wasn't the issue.
You moron!
Unable to steady his nerves, Gang Ryang was unleashing the Ghost Shadow Divine Step in full. Any sharp-eyed expert would clock it as Guicheol Sword Sect's art.
Yeon Hojeong, about to pursue, halted.
...
Damn it.
He's onto me.
No gaze or presence registered. But Yeon Hojeong was certain. Moyong Gun's eyes were on him right now.
Why? Because he'd do the same in his shoes.
Shit. Can't hunt them down and kill them.
Not like he'd find them anyway.
First, get him to meet my demands... Huh?!
In that brief pause, the black-clad figure vanished into the distance.
Yeon Hojeong's urgency spiked. That forest screamed danger. Surrounded on all sides, with a stream suggesting a valley—perfect for encirclement. Or traps, even more likely.
No sending a transmission either. One wrong move, and he'd drag himself into the mess too, judging by the fool's antics.
Couldn't botch the mission to save Gang Ryang. But couldn't let Gang Ryang die for the mission either.
Gang Ryang slipped from sight.
Yeon Hojeong's fists clenched.
What now? Turn back?
Was their bond ending here? Having reunited in this regressed life, was Gang Ryang doomed to pass like a puff of blood-scented wind?
Then—
A subtle twitch from his Black Tortoise Qi, followed by a surge from Vermilion Bird Qi.
Killing intent?!
Killing intent—insidiously sharp and venomous. Emanating from the forest Gang Ryang had entered.
Yeon Hojeong closed his eyes.
...Damn you, you bastard.
A hum rose as his Azure Dragon Qi stabilized his body to the extreme. He'd relied on it most against black path foes. For now, Azure Dragon Qi and close-quarters brawling would have to do.
"Hey."
"I know you're listening."
He spoke as calmly as possible.
"Moyong Ga-ju sent you to watch me, but this is Muk Ryong Bu territory. Every soul here is a black path informant."
It might land, might not. But he'd try everything.
If they still wouldn't look away...
You made your choice—own the consequences.
Flash!
Yeon Hojeong's eyes snapped open.
"From now on, I'll broadcast your master's position to every black path informant indiscriminately. Can't let them know it's me, so it'll be via transmission."
Muyeon, hidden and watching Yeon Hojeong, was inwardly stunned.
Yeon Hojeong pressed on.
"Tell your master or tail me as ordered—your call. But heads up: if Muk Ryong Bu catches wind of Moyong family presence, they'll send serious heat."
"...!!"
"Decide wisely."
Crack!
The words barely left his mouth before Yeon Hojeong shot forward like a gale.
* * *
Craaaack!
Splat!
The massive sword cleaved the black-masked warrior's head vertically in two. A forceful, domineering stroke—simple and honest, but blindingly fast, packing raw sword force.
Whoosh!
Over thirty Heuk Yang Dae members encircled Gang Ryang in an instant. They'd feint a charge, then form an array; form up, then strike. Simple, brutally effective tactics.
A formation tailored against martial artists—impossible without perfect teamwork.
"Hoo."
Gang Ryang's eyes flickered faintly as he scanned his surroundings.
Strong!
Nine kills since the fight began. Those nine had burned over thirty percent of his Ghost King True Qi.
These guys are tough!
Elite enough to rival Guicheol Sword Sect's top hands.
Boom!
Palm strikes rained from all sides, exploiting that split-second breath.
Damn it!
Gang Ryang spun.
Boom boom boom!
His circular slash dispersed the Heuk Yang Dae palms. Not overwhelmingly powerful, but over twenty of them.
Pain throbbed in his sword-grip palm, nearly splitting.
You dogs!
Heuk Yang Dae never lost composure. Methodical, relentless, masters at disrupting rhythm—striking just as power gathered.
So precise it was already fraying his breath. Messy breath meant choppy inner energy flow; choppy flow dulled martial arts' true might.
Worse, their leader—the Black General—watched arms crossed, uninvolved.
Gang Ryang bellowed.
"Come at me properly, you bastards!"
Whoosh!
He lunged left like a beast, swinging down.
Craaaack!
Gang Ryang's arts were formidable. That single stroke scorched the air. Four Heuk Yang Dae had to combine forces to block.
Whoosh!
His body whipped into a storm, sweeping the area.
Craaack! Splat! Thud!
Ghost Shadow Sword Form after Ghost Shadow Divine Step. A ferocious technique guzzling massive inner energy—three more Heuk Yang Dae lives snuffed.
"Cough! Heuk. Heuk."
Gang Ryang's breath grew ragged too.
Rumble!
His Ghost King True Qi roiled his dantian like boiling water.
Damn it!
He'd rattled their formation and killed three more through sheer power. Yet Heuk Yang Dae endured. Those eerie masks, same stances fixed on him—now laced with a menace that clawed at his ankles.
Gang Ryang ground his teeth.
No path forward in sight.