Stagnant Water Rots (5)
Pararararak!
Though spring had fully arrived, the wind sweeping through the mountains remained fierce and sharp.
Five massive banners fluttered against that wind, announcing the departure of the Uijeong Army.
The atmosphere was markedly different from when the combined Tangma and Myeolsa forces had marched out before. The number of troops was the same, and the stated purpose of the operation was identical, yet one crucial thing had changed.
They had become one.
It was no longer a matter of each unit performing its role on equal footing. They now had to function as a single army executing a single mission.
That burden and sense of dissonance had honed the eyes of every soldier in the Uijeong Army to a razor edge. Their auras sharpened in turn, and their march exuded such overwhelming force that it made it difficult for onlookers to breathe.
“Quite the sight.”
Jegal Mun-ho’s gaze deepened as he looked down at the Uijeong Army from the ramparts.
“Their tension reaches all the way up here. Yeon Hojeong is truly remarkable.”
Dang Gwan snorted.
“If that brat were the real deal, he’d have reined in that excessive fighting spirit a bit more. Looks like he still hasn’t fully unified them.”
“That couldn’t be helped. The young master has been far too busy. Still, given his character and ability, I believe this mission will finally forge the Uijeong Army into a true single force.”
“Hah! If that actually happens, that rude brat’s nose will stick even higher in the air.”
Though he grumbled, Dang Gwan’s eyes as he watched Yeon Hojeong at the head of the column were calmer than ever.
His words aside, he too trusted in Yeon Hojeong’s capabilities. Especially after the recent military discussion where Yeon Hojeong had pointed out the shortcomings of the Mancheon and Hwau techniques, Dang Gwan’s view of him had grown even more favorable and profound.
“By the way……”
Dang Gwan glanced sideways at Yeon Wi.
“Are you all right?”
“With what?”
“That brat’s axe work is famous enough that I’m not worried, but he took his younger brother along on this bandit-like expedition.”
“……”
“From what I saw before, the second son’s talent isn’t ordinary either. But he still looks young.”
It wasn’t merely a matter of age. Dang Gwan meant that experience and martial prowess were still lacking.
Yeon Wi shook his head calmly.
“The second son’s talent is the greatest in the history of our clan. However, as the Dang Family Head said, he is still far from sufficient.”
“And yet?”
“I trust in the second son’s talent. And I trust in the eldest son’s judgment and ability. They will surely return safely.”
“For those two to return safely, the mission must succeed. Does the Yeon Family Head believe they can accomplish it?”
“I simply believe in Hojeong.”
Though he answered steadily, the complexity of his feelings was clear in his tone.
Dang Gwan stared at Yeon Wi for a moment before turning away.
“Let’s go. Have a drink with me.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m not. There’s no meeting today and nothing else to do. This is the perfect time to loosen up with a drink.”
Yeon Wi gave a bitter smile. He was grateful that Dang Gwan was trying to look out for him, but no parent who had just sent their children to the battlefield could possibly find any appetite for alcohol.
Just then—
“It’s still too early for a toast.”
Dang Gwan’s eyes turned cold.
The man ascending the ramparts was none other than Moyong Gun.
“This mission isn’t something that can be handled with only the Uijeong Army’s strength and the Martial Alliance’s intelligence. The southern Central Plains is a region where the dark factions hold greater power than the orthodox ones. The difficulty will depend entirely on how the Black Dragon Department chooses to act.”
“That’s an interesting thing to say.”
Dang Gwan openly sneered.
“Isn’t that why we sent our ever-so-capable Moyong Family Head to the Black Dragon Department?”
“Yang Cheon is a dangerous man. He has his own pride as a hero, but he has already tasted the sweetness of power. I believe he will handle things well, but if he makes even one wrong move, the entire Uijeong Army could be endangered.”
“You seem to know him very well. So you two really were comrades who joined hands to reach the peak of the martial world?”
Moyong Gun met Dang Gwan’s gaze directly.
“I have never joined hands with him.”
Dang Gwan snorted.
“Of course not.”
It was a truth that could never be revealed publicly. Moyong Gun knew that they were aware of his past connection with Yang Cheon, yet he could never openly admit it.
Besides, that connection was now a thing of the past anyway.
Moyong Gun continued.
“In any case, the Moyong Family, based in Hunan like the Black Dragon Department, is best positioned to monitor their movements. While the Uijeong Army passes through Hunan toward the southernmost regions, the Moyong Family will guard their rear. In the meantime, the rest of you should assist the army by filtering the gathered intelligence for what is truly important.”
“You’re acting like you’re in charge.”
“I merely proposed the most reasonable division of roles.”
As Dang Gwan opened his mouth to retort again, Jegal Mun-ho spoke.
“The Moyong Family Head is correct. This is not the time for us to bicker among ourselves. It is time for all of us to support the Uijeong Army so that they may complete their mission successfully.”
Yeon Wi asked,
“Military Counselor.”
“Yes?”
“Could you spare me a moment?”
Jegal Mun-ho could guess why Yeon Wi was asking. He wanted to know the reason behind the forced deployment of the Uijeong Army.
Jegal Mun-ho smiled.
“Of course. But before that, I have something to discuss with the Moyong Family Head. Would you mind stepping aside for a moment?”
“……Understood. I’ll be waiting in the office.”
“Thank you.”
Once Yeon Wi and Dang Gwan had left, only Jegal Mun-ho and Moyong Gun remained on the ramparts.
Moyong Gun asked in a calm voice,
“What is it that you wish to say to me?”
Jegal Mun-ho spoke.
“Have you completely severed all ties with the Black Dragon Department?”
“An interesting question. I believe I already stated that I have never had dealings with them.”
“I will not discuss this matter any further. In other words, this will be our final conversation on the subject.”
Jegal Mun-ho took several documents from his robes.
“These are documents proving your connection to Yang Cheon, Lord of the Black Dragon Department.”
“……!”
“Of course, they are not decisive evidence. They merely record and analyze the suspicions we have held until now. I have shown these documents to no one.”
Moyong Gun’s eyes turned icy.
“What exactly are you trying to do?”
“They may not be conclusive proof, but if they spread through the jianghu, both you and the Moyong Family’s standing will plummet. You may even face a fatal financial crisis. The merchant guilds that trade with the Moyong Family survive on trust and reputation. Such rumors would likely turn them away as well.”
“Are you declaring war on my family?”
“Why would I do that?”
Fwoooosh!
Blue flames erupted from Jegal Mun-ho’s hand.
The Jegal Family’s divine arts were fundamentally based on wood and water qi. The fact that Jegal Mun-ho could summon the Threefold True Flame as naturally as breathing showed that his martial prowess was in no way inferior to the other family heads.
Shaking his hand, Jegal Mun-ho spoke evenly.
“I compiled these documents systematically because I thought they might prove useful someday. Whether you believe it or not, what I have shown you is all the material I possess on the matter.”
“……”
“I have burned them all. Let us speak openly for the last time.”
“……What do you want to hear?”
“I will ask again.”
Jegal Mun-ho’s expression grew cold.
“Have you completely severed your relationship with the Black Dragon Department—more precisely, with its lord, Yang Cheon?”
“……”
“Answer me.”
“What meaning does my answer hold for you?”
“I burned the documents first to allow for an open conversation. I would appreciate it if you did not evade the question and dilute the seriousness of what I am asking.”
“……”
“I ask you once more. Have you completely severed your ties with the Lord of the Black Dragon Department?”
Moyong Gun stared at Jegal Mun-ho for a long moment before spitting out his words.
“I am the one who provoked Yang Cheon’s reverse scale and returned alive.”
“……”
“I tore open the chest of that man who takes such pride in himself with a dagger. If it were me, I would have let him live for now, but the moment we met again, I would have sworn to tear him limb from limb.”
It was an indirect way of saying that the relationship had completely collapsed.
Jegal Mun-ho’s eyes gleamed.
“Then I will take that as confirmation that your ties with Lord Yang have been completely severed.”
“And why does that matter so much?”
“It matters. The reason I agreed when the Yeon Family Head said he would allow you to go to Yang Cheon alone was because I wanted to see your reaction.”
“……!”
“As you said, since Commander Moyong has joined Yeon Hojeong’s ranks, there could be no better hostage. Nevertheless, I hope you understand why I cannot help but suspect you.”
Jegal Mun-ho nodded and added,
“The Moyong Family Head I know is someone who can lie as naturally as breathing when he sets his mind to it. But right now, at least, it does not seem to me that you are lying.”
“……”
“I look forward to working with you from now on.”
“All this just to confirm that?”
“It is not ‘just’ anything. If our future comrade-in-arms harbors malicious intentions we know nothing about, how could we trust him enough to share the same boat?”
“……”
“I apologize for pressing you so rudely. You may leave now.”
Moyong Gun stared silently at Jegal Mun-ho for a moment before turning away.
“Do not touch Woo. That much is fact.”
“Of course.”
With that, Moyong Gun descended from the ramparts.
Jegal Mun-ho turned his gaze back toward the Uijeong Army. They had already crossed the distant ridge. Their speed was tremendous.
“……Young Master Yeon.”
Jegal Mun-ho smiled faintly.
“It seems we can proceed.”
Half an hour later.
Fwoosh!
A large crow glided with wings fully spread and landed on Yeon Hojeong’s shoulder.
Yeon Hojeong removed the message tube tied to the crow’s leg and read it.
“……Hmm. As expected, no tricks.”
Smiling wryly, Yeon Hojeong took out a piece of dried meat from his robes and fed it to the crow.
“Good work. Return now.”
Caw!
With a powerful cry, the crow took flight and soon approached the distant mountain peaks. Its speed was tremendous.
Moyong Woo and Muk Bi approached him.
“A message from the Alliance?”
“Yeah.”
“What does it say?”
Yeon Hojeong shrugged.
“Nothing much. It just says we can proceed with the orders we received before departure.”
“What?”
Proceed with the orders they had already received? What did that mean?
Yeon Hojeong turned his horse’s reins.
Neigh!
Because of the Mad Dragon Axe’s immense weight, a special warhorse capable of bearing it was required. The horse Yeon Hojeong rode now was a divine steed with a far sturdier and more refined build than any other mount in the army.
“Before passing through Hunan and heading south, there’s a place we need to stop.”
“Stop? Where?”
“The Black Dragon Department.”
“……What?!”
Yeon Hojeong smiled coldly.
“It’s been a while. King of Combat.”