The One Who Lights the Sacred Fire (2)
Dong-gak's eyes sharpened.
"They're coming."
Flap flap flap!
A bird perched on the windowsill and chirped shrilly at Dong-gak. An old man carefully scooped it up into his hands and untied the message tube from its ankle.
Dong-gak, puffing away on his pipe, wrinkled his nose in disgust.
"That damn woman. If she's infiltrated as a spy, she should at least send even trivial reports promptly."
He figured she'd send word again within the next forty-five days. If she failed to adhere to that principle by some slim chance, he'd report it upward and have her punished.
The old man spoke up.
"It's a letter from Chil-ho in Sogangdan."
"Mm."
There were currently four contact agents stationed in the outer castle of the Mu Rim Meng. They worked in the ironworks, stables, infirmary, and food supply warehouse, respectively, and all possessed first-rate skills.
Among them, the leader was Chil-ho, who had infiltrated Sogangdan, the food supply warehouse. This first report must have prompted the leader to make direct contact.
Dong-gak knocked out his pipe ash and asked.
"What sort of information is it?"
"Detailed intel on the commander of the Myeol Sa Army, the reserve force of the Mu Rim Meng."
"That's all?"
"Yes."
Dong-gak's face visibly twisted.
"Even for a first report, it's not from one of the Bonggong, and they only sent personal details on the commander of some reserve unit?"
He knew full well that the commanders of the Myeol Sa Army and Tang Ma Army were hailed as the greatest late-stage prodigies in the Central Plains. But they were still just late-stage talents.
That level of martial prowess wouldn't hold up against true masters. And given their youth, they weren't immediate threats worth prioritizing.
To send info on such a figure—and only one of them, at that? He was utterly dumbfounded by Gi U-hui's handling of the matter.
The old man extended the letter to Dong-gak.
"It doesn't seem like information we can simply dismiss."
"What?"
"The volume is substantial for details on a single individual. And the content is more serious than expected. You should read it yourself."
"Mm?"
Dong-gak eyed the old man curiously. The elder's expression was grave. Unlike his appearance as a common farmer, the old man possessed a brilliant mind. Dong-gak didn't drag around an unskilled geezer for nothing.
Dong-gak silently took the letter and read it. Moments later, his eyes widened.
"What? The core of the Mu Rim Meng's political strife?"
The old man's eyes gleamed.
"If we take the letter at face value, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the central figure in all the major internal conflicts within the Mu Rim Meng to date."
Dong-gak was incredulous.
"Does this even make sense? The core of the Mu Rim Meng's political strife? At just over twenty years old?"
"……."
"Could this be a smokescreen?"
The old man shared Dong-gak's suspicions. But he couldn't flatly declare yes or no on uncertain matters.
"Smokescreen or not, the Holy Maiden wouldn't send a letter like this without reason. The information's unpredictability makes it too significant to ignore outright."
"Mm."
"I think our first step should be a thorough investigation into this Yeon Hojeong."
Dong-gak frowned.
"I already know a fair bit about him. A young expert who lived like a fool for over a decade before suddenly making his mark, right? He led the charge in toppling the Gu Ju Ming Family and even claimed major merits in annihilating the Hwarang Group, tied to Saneumgyo."
Despite his somewhat hasty demeanor, Dong-gak was no slouch in intellect. When serious, he demonstrated above-average brainpower. He had memorized all the major incidents and key intel in the Central Plains.
And in recent years, the most tumultuous event in the Central Plains murim had been caused by Yeon Hojeong, the so-called Tiger Lord of Bi-san.
"Even so, the core of political strife...? "
Muttering to himself, Dong-gak turned to the old man.
"If our church exerts influence without revealing itself, how much intelligence can we mobilize?"
"Far superior to any middling Central Plains intel group. And... "
The old man's eyes flashed.
"If the Supervisor moves, we could uncover quite detailed information—even if not quite on the level of the Beggar Sect."
Dong-gak shook his head.
"Can't use the Factory Guards. The imperial palace is a fiercer den of demons than murim right now. Full control would take three to ten years at best."
"As expected, too much."
Dong-gak clicked his tongue.
"Shame about Saneumgyo. If we'd handled Yang Cheon properly, we could've had Muk Ryong Bu in our grasp by now. Then we'd have far better insight into murim's power dynamics."
He'd heard Yang Cheon's recent movements were suspicious. From the flow of events, it seemed he'd seen through Saneumgyo's intentions.
'Saneumgyo will have to tread even more carefully now.'
A head-on clash of forces? Muk Ryong Bu could never match Saneumgyo. But murim wasn't just Muk Ryong Bu.
The Mu Rim Meng was a colossal power incomparable to it, and the hidden veteran experts of the Nine Great Sects and Six Great Families were beyond even estimation.
In short, the Three Sects hadn't fully grasped the Central Plains murim's total strength. They could anticipate victory in all-out war, but at devastating cost to their own side.
Better not to fight at all than settle for such a pyrrhic win.
The old man ventured cautiously.
"In that case... "
"Got a good idea?"
"How about seeking help from the Mad Blood side?"
Dong-gak's gaze deepened.
"Mad Blood is out too. No—in fact, far riskier than the Factory Guards."
"As expected."
Gwanghyeolgyo (Mad Blood Sect).
The Three Sects were evenly matched in power. If power encompassed more than just martial might, they were equals, each with distinct strengths.
Among them, Gwanghyeolgyo was the most savage and brutal. In a sense, they were the faction that most purely inherited the blood of the Blood God, defeated by the Martial God of the Central Plains three centuries ago.
"Gwanghyeol is a den of beasts. Our Sinhwa and Saneumgyo tamed demonic natures to become human, but not them. They're still demons from three hundred years ago."
"……."
"Even in the worst-case scenario, Gwanghyeol is the last resort. Just my opinion, of course."
The old man nodded.
"Then, since we still have leeway, let's approach more slowly. We'll investigate as cautiously as possible, even if it takes time."
"Yes, that's best."
The old man folded the letter.
"I'll transcribe it and send to the next relay point."
"Do that."
The old man pulled out a fine brush and swiftly copied the letter verbatim—down to the exact brushstroke. It was a spy's technique to erase traces of the original writer from the script.
He whistled.
Pheeek!
His whistle was strangely subtle—barely audible unless one strained, yet piercingly sharp upon focus.
Flap flap flap.
Moments later, a pitch-black crow alighted on the windowsill. Its beak was bronze, its eyes crimson. No ordinary bird.
The old man tied the letter to its leg, and the crow soared off vigorously.
Flap flap flap!
Swoosh!
Dong-gak's eyes flashed.
Clunk!
As the crow took flight, Dong-gak burst through the door and scanned the surroundings.
The old man looked at him puzzled.
"What is it, Division Leader?"
"……."
"Division Leader?"
"……No, nothing."
Dong-gak grimaced.
"Just the wind, I suppose."
He'd heard something off. He'd rushed out just in case, but sensed no presence.
"Guess I'm on edge."
His senses were beast-like. He could detect even skilled assassins from thirty jang away. No one could be there.
Dong-gak closed the door and returned inside.
"I'll hold down here. You go dig up everything on Yeon Hojeong."
"Understood."
* * *
"This tea is excellent."
"Hehe, right?"
Jegal Munho said with a cheerful face.
"I've tasted countless teas, but none beat the one my daughter brews."
"Hmph. Then visit more often. I want to brew you some, but it's hard to even see you."
"Haha, what can be done about busy schedules? You're barely sleeping yourself with the Myeol Sa Army formation training."
Jegal A-yeon smiled.
"Fortunately, it wrapped up yesterday. Now they move organically without needing position or timing cues."
"Already?"
"Yes."
Jegal Munho was startled.
"Didn't you say last time you'd teach them parts of our clan's Cheonmun Geumswae, Sasang Pungun, and Daera Gu-gung formations?"
"That's right."
"Those are renowned formations that take three years of practice each to use in real combat. Five years or more for free deployment. Even simplified, for them to operate without a formation leader already?"
Jegal A-yeon shrugged.
"They're quick studies from prestigious families. And they fight like a single body, so their assimilation is several times faster than our own martial scholars."
"Hah!"
"Plus, these are just fragments, not full formations. Mastering them fully would take too long anyway, and we can't share clan secrets. This is plenty."
"If you say so, then make sure to invite your old man for the demonstration later. I want to see it."
"Sure thing."
Seeing his daughter's confident smile filled Jegal Munho with great anticipation. He knew well how much of a perfectionist she was in these matters.
The father and daughter thus enjoyed a rare, harmonious chat for quite some time.
"Military Strategist."
Jegal A-yeon jumped. It was a familiar voice.
Jegal Munho replied calmly.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Yeon Hojeong entered.
Jegal A-yeon blinked.
"What brings you here at this hour?"
Yeon Hojeong flashed a grin before addressing Jegal Munho.
"Found them all."
Jegal Munho's eyes lit up.
"Sinhwa?"
"Yes."
"How many spots?"
"Four in total."
"Quite a few."
"Means they're paying close attention."
"You weren't spotted?"
"Checked three times in reverse on the way back. No tails."
"Impressive."
Jegal Munho pulled a document from his desk and handed it to Yeon Hojeong.
"My own shortlist. Given the sensitivity, it's mostly clan members."
"Ability is what matters."
Yeon Hojeong skimmed it, while Jegal Munho steepled his fingers in thought.
In between, Jegal A-yeon blinked.
"What on earth are you two talking about?"
"Hm?"
Yeon Hojeong, scanning the list, looked at Jegal Munho.
"Military Strategist. One person's missing."
"Who?"
Yeon Hojeong pointed at Jegal A-yeon.
"Her."
Jegal A-yeon scowled.
"What's going on here?"
Jegal Munho smacked his lips.
"A-yeon’s basically your subordinate anyway. Figured you'd handle her, no need to list."
"Got it."
"……Ahem, don't work her too hard."
"Would I kill her? She's exceptionally capable."
Jegal A-yeon finally burst out.
"What the hell are you talking about!!"
"You. We're building a watchtower together."
"……Huh? Watchtower? What watchtower? And why me?"
"Shut it."
Yeon Hojeong grabbed the back of Jegal A-yeon's collar and hoisted her up. Stunned by the absurdity, she just blinked, her dangling feet looking oddly pitiable in midair.
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
"Then, good luck."
Jegal Munho cleared his throat and waved.
"Always stay cautious."
Jegal A-yeon yelled.
"What the hell are you doing!!"