Chapter 318: The Wheels Turn (6)
After wrapping up a casual drinking session with Dang Gwan, Yeon Hojeong entered Pa Gun Pavilion and immediately sensed a subtle killing intent.
Shiiik!
Thud!
He instinctively turned his head to dodge, and a wooden arrow thudded into the ground right in front of him. The strike was so sharp and powerful that even the fletching sank into the earth. Considering the frozen ground from the cold weather, it was a terrifying display of strength.
Yeon Hojeong looked up at the third-floor window with an incredulous expression. There stood Muk Bi, indifferently lowering her Hong Ryeon Palace bow.
"Are you insane? Shooting an arrow out of nowhere like that!"
"Hmph. Been off doing something fun behind my back again, huh?"
"Fun? My head's killing me... Hey! That's not the point! Were you aiming right for my forehead? Trying to kill me?"
"You dodged it fine."
"You think this is a joke? I'd been drinking! That was a close one, damn it."
"Martial artists have to stay alert at all times—fights can break out anywhere, anytime. That's what you taught me."
"Can't I relax a bit at home? Huh?!"
"Tch."
With a rustle, Muk Bi leaped from the window and landed gracefully in front of Yeon Hojeong in one fluid motion. She grumbled curtly.
"Myeol Sa Army training's all done."
"Yeah, good work."
"You gonna keep wandering around outside like this? You'll forget what your own soldiers look like at this rate."
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
"I've done everything I can for now. We can handle the rest as things unfold."
"That a lie?"
"No lie."
"Hilarious."
"Why are you so twisted? You weren't like this before."
"You're the one who made me this way, Young Master Yeon. And what's wrong with me?"
Yeon Hojeong threw up his hands in exasperation.
"Fine, I apologize. What do you want me to do?"
Only then did Muk Bi burst into a grin.
"Nothing, really. But someone wants to see you."
"Hm?"
"Divine Healer Gi."
Gi U-hui's residence was located south of the inner castle's center. Past the hour of the Dog, Yeon Hojeong and Muk Bi arrived at her place.
"You've come."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes lit up. As if she'd anticipated his visit at this hour, Gi U-hui sat dressed in elegant robes, two cups of steaming tea prepared before her. She smiled—a serene expression that suggested she'd sorted her thoughts. Her exotic beauty made the smile alone enough to chase away the winter chill.
"Sit."
"Right."
The two settled opposite her. Yeon Hojeong cut straight to it.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes. But..."
Gi U-hui tilted her head curiously.
"Have you been drinking?"
"Huh?"
Yeon Hojeong cocked his head.
"That obvious? I circulated my qi to burn it all off."
Gi U-hui tapped her nose with a smile.
"I can smell the alcohol."
"Your nose is something else."
"To properly treat patients, the five senses must be honed as well."
"Never heard that one before."
"There are diagnostic methods based on it. I simply strive to observe patients more closely."
Regardless of her background or beliefs, she was a top-tier physician. Reaching that level must have demanded unimaginable effort. Yeon Hojeong nodded.
"Fair enough. So, why'd you want to see me?"
"Yes."
"What's up?"
Gi U-hui moistened her throat with tea. It seemed a difficult topic, yet her expression remained steady. Yeon Hojeong's gaze deepened.
She's made up her mind properly.
Her eyes, expression, and aura—all perfectly refined. The look of someone who'd set their path firmly.
In a way, more resolute than even Muk Bi or Gang Ryang. Yeon Hojeong felt certain this conversation would prove meaningful.
A moment later, Gi U-hui spoke.
"Army Leader Yeon."
"Speak."
"You once said the Three Sects would burn the Central Plains and drag countless innocents into hell."
"Yes."
"I agree. No—I admit it. I already knew, but I'd been willfully ignoring it."
Not "seemed to ignore," but "ignored." Spoken with conviction. Her eyes gleamed.
"I told the Chief of Staff the same. I'm not here for the Martial Alliance—I'm here for the nameless people who'll bleed from the Three Sects' invasion."
Yeon Hojeong's lips curved up.
"Sounds like you'd bolt the moment the Alliance goes astray."
"Yes. I'd kick this place to the curb and denounce it. If it goes astray, that is."
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
"Good mindset. That's righteousness and chivalry. Though I'm still a long way from true heroism myself."
Gi U-hui smiled.
"The Chief of Staff said the same."
"He did?"
"Yes. He said I could leave anytime if the Alliance strays. Absolute confidence in his words. He must be certain it won't."
"Not certainty."
"Pardon?"
"No one knows the future. That's why we're stirring up all this fuss, right?"
"Then how do you interpret the Chief of Staff's confidence?"
Yeon Hojeong mimed slitting his throat.
"If the Alliance ever sinks that low, he'll be the first to die."
"...!"
"He might look like some bookish strategist to others, but his sense of justice is top-tier even in the Alliance. And it points straight at the Alliance. If it ever strays, he won't be long for this world."
Gi U-hui gave a wry smile.
"That faith in the Chief of Staff... impressive."
"For now, at least. Like I said, the future's unpredictable. For him, for me—no one knows how we'll change."
"True enough."
Gi U-hui drew a deep breath.
"You took in Jam Yeong-il-ho before."
"And killed him."
"I know."
She paused, gazing steadily at Yeon Hojeong.
"Jam Yeong-il-ho wasn't the only one who came to the Martial Alliance."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes sharpened.
"Yeah, I heard."
"There's a contact in the outer castle. I don't know how many, exactly."
"They didn't tell you that much."
"No. Guess I wasn't trustworthy enough in his eyes."
It wasn't just that. Beyond Jam Yeong-il-ho's judgment, her existence was a thorn for Sinhwa Church—like a bastard child of the Church Leader. They couldn't coldly discard the bloodline, yet accepting her risked upheaving the succession. Plus, she practiced medicine in the Central Plains. A headache from every angle.
"From what I've seen, most don't even know about the main church—except a few."
"They're holding back. Just in case."
"In case someone among the Bonggong is colluding with the Three Sects?"
"Exactly."
"Not the Chief of Staff, though."
"Not from where I stand. And if he were, none of this would even be possible."
"Fair point."
"So, what're you getting at?"
Gi U-hui smiled faintly.
"We catch them. Starting with the contact."
Sssrrk.
In an instant, Yeon Hojeong's aura shifted. His face smiled, but his presence turned razor-sharp. Just thinking of capturing them set his qi surging.
Muk Bi gripped his shoulder.
"Young Master Yeon."
"...Hoo."
He exhaled lightly, steadying himself. But his eyes burned redder.
Gi U-hui continued.
"That's why I wanted to see you, Army Leader. Truth be told, I know little of Sinhwa Church—and even less of these shadowy intrigues."
"I see."
"But catching the contact won't end it. As you said, if we want more than that, grabbing them all rashly could be a problem."
"True."
"What I'm saying is..."
"Leak false info."
"Exactly."
Gi U-hui forced a smile.
"If we do, Sinhwa Church will eventually find out. That I betrayed them."
"Probably."
"Can you protect my life?"
Yeon Hojeong tapped his teacup.
"We can't lure out Sinhwa Church without you. The moment you chose to join us, we became one organization."
"I see."
"Don't worry. I won't be alive if your head rolls."
An absolute vow of protection. Gi U-hui smiled.
"No need for such grim promises, but... fine. I'll protect you too, Army Leader."
Yeon Hojeong—and even Muk Bi—tilted their heads.
"Protect me? Who from whom?"
"You'll face many battles ahead. Can't have you dying from festering wounds."
"Ho? Planning to be my personal physician?"
"I treat all patients equally—that's my creed. But for the one who holds my life in his hands, it's only natural to lend an extra hand."
Muk Bi swallowed dryly. Somehow, everyone who got close to Yeon Hojeong or made deals with him ended up... off.
"That's why I'm moving residences."
"Moving?"
"You have to protect me, right? To Pa Gun Pavilion. There's spare rooms, yeah?"
Muk Bi's jaw dropped. Yeon Hojeong frowned.
"I'm not just focused on the Three Sects. Factional infighting in the Alliance is heating up. You coming to our place now would stir up all kinds of talk."
"That's not my concern."
"..."
"Besides, I've been informally backed by Tang family head. So I'm not just targeted by the Three Sects—your political rivals too."
"Hm, true."
"Uiseon Pavilion opens formally in four days. I'd like to move beforehand and settle my nerves."
Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips. Yeon blood kin, Muk Bi, Gang Ryang, now Gi U-hui. Pa Gun Pavilion felt increasingly like a fortress.
"Fine, do it. I'll handle Father."
Gi U-hui beamed.
"Thank you."
"No need."
Yeon Hojeong stroked his chin.
"But if you're feeding false info to the contact, they'll have to approach Pa Gun Pavilion."
"One thing I'm sure of: the contact has no idea what Pa Gun Pavilion is or who lives here."
"Good enough."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes blazed.
"Elections, this and that—been a mess. Moyong family's got their brother handling it, so maybe it's time I charge ahead too."
* * *
Three days later.
A middle-aged man posing as a servant slipped quietly into Pa Gun Pavilion.
"Young Master Yeon."
"I felt it too."
Leaning against the wall by the window with arms crossed, Yeon Hojeong's face twisted into a demonic snarl.
"...Hard to hold back. I could just grab him now and snap his neck."