The Time of the Freezing Wind (4)
Crackling softly.
Crackling softly.
The man climbing the mountain path looked up at the sky.
"Snow, is it."
A breath of mountain wind could make even summer feel cool. In winter, there was no need to mention it. The twisting gusts could make even the world's greatest masters shiver.
But today, even that fierce mountain wind was subdued. Instead, snow was falling.
Each flake drifting down resembled scattering petals. The fairly thick snowflakes were blanketing the entire mountain in white.
"How poetic."
He had seen this scenery last year too, but today, the view of Dae Byeol Mountain struck him as exceptionally beautiful. Nothing had changed when examined piece by piece, yet it felt strangely fresh.
Perhaps it wasn't the mountain that had changed, but himself.
The man closed his eyes.
Crackle!
A single bolt of lightning flashed through the quiet mountains.
Fwooooong.
The snow on the ground scattered in all directions.
Parararak!
The hem of his elegantly tailored robes fluttered in the wind. Though the day was unusually calm, the air churned from the man's blistering speed.
And moments later.
Slipping softly.
Moyong Gun landed lightly and gazed up at the massive fortress.
Even viewed up close, its scale was immense. From high above, it would evoke the walls of a small kingdom.
Suddenly, Moyong Gun felt a dazzling light in his eyes.
'Indeed, the Mu Rim Meng is now no different from a nation unto itself.'
When had it started?
Due to the treaty of mutual non-aggression between the court and the martial world, they had refrained from encroaching on each other's domains. Sharing the same world yet avoiding each other's territories was hard to comprehend.
In fact, he had heard that for over a decade after the treaty was signed, all sorts of disturbances had persisted.
But as time passed, the court and the martial world had reached a point of mutual indifference. Two groups that seemed utterly incompatible had finally achieved coexistence.
'The rivers and lakes of the martial world may look fine on the surface, but it lacks a clear governing body.'
Moyong Gun's eyes grew cold.
'Into such a world came the Mu Rim Meng. As it becomes the holy site of not just the White Path but the entire martial world, the Alliance Leader will be the emperor of the martial world—the ruler of its freewheeling chaos.'
Moyong Gun imagined himself as the Alliance Leader.
himself ascending a grand dais amid the blessings of all.
himself wielding power that could shift the earth with a mere gesture.
'......Excellent.'
He could see it. His own form.
And the countless steps leading there.
"Gasp! Y-You wouldn't be...?"
Moyong Gun opened his eyes. The face of the gate guard paled.
"Moyong family head?"
That's right, for now. Moyong Gun smiled as he spoke.
"Open the gate."
"Ah! Apologies, but... could you show your token?"
He knew his identity, but procedure couldn't be ignored.
Moyong Gun handed it over without hesitation.
"Verified! Welcome back!"
"Thank you."
Rumble rumble rumble!
The massive White Tiger Gate swung open.
Before entering, Moyong Gun turned to the guard.
The tense guard cautiously spoke.
"Is there... anything else you need to instruct?"
Moyong Gun shook his head.
"What's your name?"
"Jeon Gang."
The head of the Moyong family was asking his name. Though he didn't show it outwardly, Jeon Gang was at a loss.
Moyong Gun smiled.
"You guards are the face of the Mu Rim Meng. It must be grueling, but continue upholding principles as you do now, so the Alliance's dignity remains untarnished."
"Th-Thank you!"
He couldn't tell if it was praise or mockery. Jeon Gang's face flushed deeply.
Moyong Gun pulled a small pouch from his bosom.
"Take it."
"Wh-What is this?"
"You've suffered in this cold winter. When your shift ends, share a good drink with your comrades."
"Gasp! N-No, it's fine!"
Moyong Gun burst into hearty laughter.
"Come now, do I look like a man who'd offer a mere bribe as the head of the Moyong family?"
"Urk! Th-That's not what I..."
"Don't worry—just take it. The higher-ups are already discussing welfare for the guards anyway. We should have addressed it sooner; my apologies for the delay."
Gratitude dawned on Jeon Gang's face. Not just him—the warriors inside the gate and on both sides all felt a surge of emotion.
Jeon Gang bowed deeply.
"Then... I gratefully accept."
"No need to thank me. We should be the grateful ones. We can discuss the Alliance's vital matters carefree because of you."
Moyong Gun's gaze turned earnest.
"Don't forget: in a world of high and low status, noble and lowly professions, your work is just as arduous and vital as ours."
"......"
"Keep it up."
Jeon Gang and all the guards bowed.
"We are all prepared to lay down our lives for the Alliance at any moment."
"Hahaha, good."
Patting Jeon Gang's shoulder, Moyong Gun finally entered the Alliance. His dignified stride carried a majestic presence that contrasted with his noble grace.
Envy flickered across Jeon Gang's face.
"How harmonious must the Moyong family's warriors be under such a leader. With a lord like that, he is truly worth following."
"The Moyong family head has returned to the Alliance!"
"The Moyong family head is back!"
"That damn bastard's here, they say?"
"Hm, his return was quicker than expected."
News of Moyong Gun's return spread like wildfire through the Alliance.
Entering boldly without stopping at his quarters, he headed straight for the conference hall to report on recent events.
Half a shichen later, the Bonggong had gathered.
"Heh heh, you must have suffered greatly."
Moyong Gun smiled at Abbot Gong Gong-daesa's plain praise.
"It was nothing worth mentioning. What I did was trivial. The real work was done by the task force members."
"Heh heh heh."
"Moreover, with the task force leader's exceptional abilities, there was little left for me to do once we reached Honam. A few adjustments aside."
"I see."
"The mission was important, but most crucially, everyone returned safe and unscathed. Truly a blessing."
Gong Gong-daesa smiled faintly.
"Hearing such words from Bonggong Moyong warms the heart. Indeed, nothing is more precious than lives; no casualties is a great relief."
"Hahaha."
Moyong Gun addressed the Bonggong.
"Anyway, since you're all busy, I'll give a brief report on events."
He concisely explained the sequence in Honam. Naturally, he omitted his own deceptions, the clash of nerves with Yeon Hojeong, and his meeting with Yang Cheon.
"Heavens."
Taoist Yonghwa exclaimed in admiration.
"Truly remarkable. Frankly, I thought the reputation of Bi-san's young leader was somewhat exaggerated for his age, but what an extraordinary talent."
Moyong Gun smiled.
"He's the later-generation prodigy spoken of as the world's best. His martial prowess aside, his quick wit in contingencies and bold approach to Yang Cheon deserve utmost praise."
"Heh heh, quite so."
"A genius who wields martial skill and strategy freely in real combat. Who could have imagined such an absurd genius existed?"
Jegal Munho's eyes deepened.
'What is this?'
Moyong Gun lavished praise on Yeon Hojeong as if in genuine admiration.
'Though an enemy, the Moyong family head acknowledges the Myeol Sa Army leader more than anyone. But the praise feels excessive.'
Of course, Yeon Hojeong was a talent deserving endless acclaim.
But coming from Moyong Gun, it aroused suspicion. Others might not notice, but Jegal Munho, aware of their rivalry, couldn't take it at face value.
Jegal Munho glanced at Yeon Wi.
Yeon Wi's expression was impassive, but Jegal Munho, who had built a close friendship with him, read the subtle doubt and unease in his eyes.
'The Yeon family head senses something off too. What is he playing at?'
A brief moment passed.
'......?'
Jegal Munho noticed some Bonggong's expressions turning subtly odd.
'No way......'
Jegal Munho's face subtly hardened.
'So that's it.'
To a parched man, a cup of water is pure bliss. But if the thirst is quenched and water keeps coming, it becomes torment.
'The unaffiliated minority Bonggong are growing uncomfortable.'
A hollow chuckle escaped inwardly.
'Attack isn't just slander. Excessive praise sows unease, inciting internal discord......'
Yeon Hojeong's fame had already spread across the entire White Path martial world, and rightly so. In his early twenties, he had broken through Mujongjibyeok, become the Alliance's first elite army commander, and led the vanguard in toppling a Nine Provinces famed family.
Age, martial arts, intellect, lineage, even his bold personality—nothing was lacking. A perfect target for envy.
'Moyong family head. How soon after returning do you resort to such petty tricks?'
As Jegal Munho moved to interject.
"The Tang Ma Army Leader is impressive too."
All eyes turned to Yeon Wi.
Yeon Wi moistened his throat with a sip of tea and continued.
"Tang Ma Army Leader Mo Yong Woo broke through Mujongjibyeok recently, didn't he? At an age not yet twenty, that's a genius not inferior to the Myeol Sa Army Leader."
Surprise flashed across Moyong Gun's face. Even the worldly Moyong Gun couldn't conceal his emotions this time.
"My Woo—no, the Tang Ma Army Leader broke through Mujongjibyeok?"
"Yes."
"Heavens!"
The uncomfortable Bonggong finally relaxed.
"Congratulations, Bonggong Moyong."
"The Tang Ma Army Leader's talent is the martial world's fortune."
"A fitting twin pillars of the Alliance's combat forces. As the name Tangma Myeol Sa suggests, talents to illuminate the White Path like the sun."
The Bonggong each added their praise for Mo Yong Woo.
Moyong Gun's face, frozen in shock and joy, softened. He looked at Yeon Wi.
Yeon Wi sipped his tea quietly.
'......Impressive.'
Moyong Gun smiled.
'Tigers beget tigers. Not inferior to his son, eh?'
Yeon Wi met Moyong Gun's gaze.
"Is there something on my face?"
"Of course not. I was merely struck anew by how radiant Bonggong Yeon's complexion is."
"Thank you."
Then Jegal Munho spoke up.
"We've received all the classified intel on Muk Ryong Bu. Some texts are hard to decipher, but we should have full translations within a fortnight."
"Oh!"
"Best to reconvene the Bonggong meeting then. Bonggong Moyong must be weary; shall we end today's session here?"
"Agreed."
Moyong Gun's sudden return. Winter, the time of the Freezing Wind, had arrived.