Conflict (1)
Yeon Hojeong entered his quarters within the Muk Ryong Bu and sat on the edge of the bed for a moment.
“……”
His face was utterly impassive. His eyes were as dry and cold as a desert night.
“……So it was true after all.”
He had tried not to jump to conclusions. He had suspicions, but he had resolved not to be certain without solid proof.
Now, it seemed he could be certain.
Because it had come straight from Yang Cheon’s own mouth—no one else.
Saneumgyo.
The Three Fanatic Sects (Three Religions). Mysterious religious groups coiled somewhere in the outer reaches of the world. Known individually as Saneumgyo, Gwanghyeolgyo (Mad Blood Sect), and Sinhwagyo (Divine Fire Sect), they all worshipped the same god but in their own distinct ways.
Different methods of worship meant different scriptures and doctrines. They shared countless martial arts, yet the temperaments and personalities of their followers varied wildly.
But beyond worshipping the same god, they shared one other common trait.
Power.
So it was them after all. The reason those bastards were able to erupt all at once and turn the Central Plains into a sea of blood in an instant wasn’t just their superior forces—it was decades of meticulous groundwork.
The Bi-san Yeon Family was strong. Yet in his past life, the Yeon Family had been annihilated with humiliating ease.
The reason? A traitor inside feeding them information.
That spy had been Taekyeong. Without him, the Yeon Family could have fought far more effectively.
This time was no different. If the Myeong Family had planted spies in the Yeon Family in league with the Moyong Family, then the Three Fanatic Sects had been using Muk Ryong Bu to monitor the Central Plains, adjusting their plans accordingly.
And when they deemed the moment ripe—when they judged it ripe for conquest—they would strike like lightning, turning the Central Plains into a bloodbath.
A scheme both cunning and insidious, bold and vicious.
I won’t blame you for your methods. In the end, the world is about eating or being eaten. Before morality and ethics, there is no glory for the loser.
Yeon Hojeong’s cheek twitched repeatedly. He was suppressing the surging killing intent.
With his suspicions resolved in one stroke, his mind cleared—but an even fiercer killing intent blazed within.
So don’t feel too hard done by. Even if we make a bigger mess of things.
He hadn’t yet decided how to respond.
But he vowed it. No matter the criticism or condemnation, he would drive them out.
No—he would burn their very roots to the ground, leaving them no place to stand.
Wuuuuung.
The killing intent he couldn’t fully suppress stirred his Vermilion Bird Qi.
Hwaruruk.
It felt like fire igniting in his heart.
The crimson, flickering Vermilion Bird Qi quickened his pulse. As his body temperature rose, the fiery energy flooded through his meridians like an overflowing river.
“Huu.”
Yeon Hojeong drew up his Black Tortoise Qi with a light breath.
Chiiik.
The Vermilion Bird Qi protested. Aren’t you angry too? Let’s go kill them right now! it wailed in grief.
Calm yourself.
Yeon Hojeong smiled. He used the smile to steady his emotions.
Getting angry now is pointless. This rage and grudge—we can unleash it when those bastards show themselves. It won’t be too late.
Suddenly, he thought of the black-masked warriors.
Come to think of it, that guy.
Among the many leaders gathered in the Muk Ryong Hall, one in particular caught his eye.
Heuk Yang.
An elite in a special position under Yang Cheon, one of the Twelve Branches Gods, possessing a unique temperament.
The ones I faced then were under Heuk Yang’s command. They used the Three Sects’ close-combat art, the Brutal Fist Break, and that peculiar wheel formation that pushed Gang Ryang—it was originally a Saneumgyo formation, refined…
A chilling edge crept into Yeon Hojeong’s smile.
He recalled Heuk Yang’s perpetually stoic face.
I already know you’re a Saneumgyo pawn. Duty or no, how could I let you walk away?
Sruruk.
The Black Tortoise Qi fully subdued the Vermilion Bird Qi.
Yeon Hojeong rose after another deep breath. Emotions steadied, now it was time for business.
At that moment, a voice came from outside.
“Intelligence Director.”
An odd voice. It sounded like it belonged to someone of considerable age, yet somehow younger than expected.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Hwan Sa of the Twelve Branches Gods.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
Kugugung!
The door opened, and Hwan Sa entered.
Hwan Sa bowed his head.
“Greetings, Intelligence Director.”
Yeon Hojeong returned a brief nod.
“I’m Jeong, newly appointed Intelligence Director as of today. Greetings, Senior Hwan Sa.”
Hwan Sa bowed deeper.
“Please don’t say that. We of the Twelve Branches Gods rank below the heads of Muk Ryong Bu’s Four Great Organizations.”
Muk Ryong Bu’s Four Great Organizations were exactly as the name implied: four major divisions.
The Intelligence Division handling information; the Inspection Division, which oversaw internal surveillance, monitored the black path martial world, and planned responses; the Dragon Fang Academy, commanding all combat forces; and the Dragon Horn Academy, managing finances.
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Not when the post is vacant, but not in private either. I have my own position, so I won’t bow further.”
Quite straightforward. With the other party taking the lead like this, there was no reason for Hwan Sa to refuse.
“Understood.”
“So, what brings you here?”
Hwan Sa’s eyes sparkled.
“The Deputy Leader commanded me to assist you personally. Entrust all minor tasks to me.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
“Is that truly fine?”
“Of course. It’s the Deputy Leader’s direct order—I’ll serve you with utmost sincerity.”
In other words, he wouldn’t have come without Yang Cheon’s command.
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“Got it. For now, I need time alone to sort things. I’ll call when the time comes—go rest.”
“Are you retiring for the day?”
“No. I plan to visit the Intelligence Agency and grasp the division’s affairs and history.”
“Then let’s go together. I’ll assist.”
“Very well.”
He needed a distraction anyway. Work was best for that.
With that, the two left the quarters and headed to the Intelligence Agency.
Unable to bear the silence, perhaps? Hwan Sa spoke.
“I heard there was a clash with Hwa Won.”
“That monkey?”
“……Yes.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“I thought it was nothing, but everyone keeps asking.”
“We’re family now—we can’t help but care.”
“Don’t worry. I brush off past matters easily.”
A lie. He forgot trivialities quickly, but anything else? Yeon Hojeong never forgot. One wrong move, and you’d get a knife in the back.
“I told Hwa Won separately—no more trouble.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“You’ve done something needless.”
“What do you mean?”
“From her personality, she won’t listen to anyone. Your warning probably has her itching to bite back.”
Hwan Sa’s eyes gleamed.
Sharp one.
Objectively gauging an opponent’s temperament after friction was hard.
But this extraordinary youth could do it.
The Deputy Leader didn’t favor him lightly.
Hwan Sa said, “If Hwa Won holds a grudge, she’s only shortening her own life.”
“Indeed.”
“As a member of the Twelve Branches Gods, I apologize on her behalf.”
“No need for you to apologize. Besides, that matter’s settled, isn’t it? No point dredging it up.”
“I see.”
“Yes.”
Straightforward from the start. Hwan Sa found himself slightly warming to him.
Of course. The Deputy Leader wouldn’t entrust such a role to some green kid with talent alone. He must have the bearing and insight too.
Most of Muk Ryong Bu’s leadership viewed the new Intelligence Director with disdain.
If not for the Deputy Leader’s warning against conflict, a few would have picked a fight already.
Hwan Sa was the same. Not thrilled, but not hostile either. He’d even wondered if the Deputy Leader was overly indulgent.
But now he understood.
I’ll watch more… but there’s reason for the Deputy Leader’s favor.
Yeon Hojeong noticed Hwan Sa’s gaze softening slightly.
Not to be underestimated.
Yang Cheon’s reason for sending Hwan Sa was clear: bolster his unsupported position, signal his influence by attaching a Twelve Branches God confidant to him across Muk Ryong Bu, and serve as a watchdog against contingencies.
Yang Cheon trusted his judgment utterly, but as an old fox, he knew the world was full of variables.
Sorry, but it won’t go your way.
The shift in Hwan Sa’s gaze meant his wariness had eased.
A fine gift.
Yang Cheon had used Hwan Sa, but Yeon Hojeong could use him too.
And the day to set off fireworks with him wasn’t far off.
“Here it is.”
“Impressive.”
The rock gate was enormous. Three times larger than Muk Ryong Hall’s entrance.
Kugugung.
As the doors parted, a vast cavernous hall yawned before them, jaw-dropping in scale.
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
Time to get started.
* * *
“Family Head!”
“What is it?”
“A letter from the Operations Team Leader.”
Moyong Gun’s eyes sparkled.
“Hand it over.”
Surprisingly, the letter comprised over twenty sheets. Each densely packed with tiny script, smaller than a pinky nail.
Parararak.
As Moyong Gun read each page meticulously, surprise crossed his face.
“Already siphoned this much?”
Any page alone could warrant execution— all were Muk Ryong Bu’s top secrets.
Financial operations, Intelligence Agency activities, troop deployments, even key leaders’ personalities and martial realms—all detailed.
Treasure worth a fortune, unobtainable otherwise.
Receiving it intact meant the mission was already a resounding success.
Impressive.
Moyong Gun was genuinely awed.
Appointed just two days ago, and in that time, he extracted all this?
He’d thought the kid was just exceptionally capable—no more surprises.
Yet each revelation renewed his admiration.
Not only pinpointing key intel amid the flood, but delivering it in two days’ boldness.
A true prodigy.
“The Operations Team?”
“Only the Team Leader entered Muk Ryong Bu. The rest are at the manor; they’ll join soon, probably within days.”
“Likely.”
Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.
“He won’t stop here. There’s more to extract.”
Once Yeon Hojeong committed, no one outdid him.
He’d surely deliver something bigger.
“But sending this first means I should prepare too.”
He rose.
“Time to fan the flames—make him come for me.”