Between Peace and Turmoil
At that moment.
Kaaang!
The hand of Sanggak, swinging toward Jong Myeong’s neck, froze in midair.
A thin trickle of blood ran down.
The razor-sharp blade had grazed Jong Myeong’s Adam’s apple, leaving a shallow cut. A single line of blood seeped from the torn skin.
A moment later and the edge would have sliced clean through his throat to the carotid artery. It had been a hair’s breadth from death.
“……!!”
Jong Myeong was so stunned he could not even grasp what had happened.
Sanggak’s face flushed crimson.
“Ugh!”
Rrrrumble!
His arm, bound by the chain, trembled violently.
Yet that much strength was no match for Yeon Hojeong’s raw power. Moreover, the Flood Dragon Chain, infused with inner force, clung to Sanggak’s arm like a blood-soaked cloth despite being made of steel, constricting it mercilessly.
For an instant, shock flashed across Jong Myeong’s face.
“Y-You!”
At that moment, Sanggak swung his remaining hand. His fingertips, sharpened like blades, looked ready to shatter Jong Myeong’s sternum.
Yeon Hojeong yanked the Flood Dragon Chain with all his might.
Shrrrip! Whoosh! CRASH!
Sanggak’s palm strike only tore Jong Myeong’s collar. Bound by the chain, he was hurled into the wall and lost consciousness.
Fwoooosh.
A thick cloud of dust rose.
Jong Myeong was not the only one startled by the sudden turn of events. The guard captain, who had rushed in late, hurriedly drew his sword.
Shiiing!
“You bastard! How dare you in this place—!”
“Stop!”
At Jong Myeong’s sharp command, the guard captain flinched and took a step back.
Jong Myeong turned to Yeon Hojeong.
Yeon Hojeong was looking down at Sanggak with cold eyes. That gaze was so frigid and indifferent that merely meeting it sent a chill through one’s bones.
“What is your name?”
Yeon Hojeong spoke without even glancing at Jong Myeong.
“Yeon Hojeong.”
“Yeon Hojeong?”
“That is correct.”
Yeon Hojeong… The name sounded familiar, yet this was no time to rummage through vague memories.
Jong Myeong spoke again.
“Would you explain what just happened? From the beginning.”
A flicker of interest passed through Yeon Hojeong’s eyes. Impressive. He had nearly lost his head, yet Jong Myeong remained composed enough to question him calmly. No ordinary nerve. As expected of the Left Governor—the man who had risen to the highest administrative post in Guangdong Province starting from nothing. Such composure was not something even most martial artists could easily display.
Yeon Hojeong said, “The largest assassin organization in Guangdong is on the verge of collapse. And they…”
He briefly recounted the chain of events. The key details were all included, allowing Jong Myeong to understand the situation clearly.
“In other words, the leader of that assassin group has been planting subordinates beside high-ranking officials in Guangdong for years?”
“It would seem so.”
Jong Myeong’s eyes deepened.
Sanggak had become his deputy seven years ago.
Though Sanggak had no notable connections, his abilities had been outstanding. Moreover, he was decisive yet possessed a strong humane side, making him seem ideal for the role of deputy.
Yet to think he had been an assassin all along?
“Unbelievable. He handled all manner of affairs at my side for seven whole years.”
“Not seven whole years—merely seven years.”
“What?”
“There are plenty who would devote their entire lives to revenge. Seven years is hardly long.”
“……!”
“Killing the highest authority in charge of Guangdong’s administration. They must have invested considerable time and thoroughly investigated you.”
Jong Myeong felt goosebumps rise across his entire body.
“They intended to assassinate key officials to turn Guangdong into a living hell……!”
It was an unimaginably dangerous scheme.
To assassinate dozens of high-ranking imperial officials—not one, but dozens.
This was outright treason, a direct challenge to the empire. No matter how weakened the empire’s power had become, he had never imagined such a group could operate right under his nose.
“How insolent……!”
“You survived only because it was you.”
“What?!”
“If you had died, Guangdong—currently self-sustaining yet still under imperial rule—would have descended into utter chaos.”
“……”
“A life is a life. However, know that I came here not for your character, but for your ability and position. In the end, what matters most is the lives of the common people.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes grew deeper.
Faced with that pitch-black gaze, Jong Myeong unconsciously clenched his fists.
“From now on, you must move quickly. At least dozens of assassinations we failed to prevent have already occurred. With so many officials dead at once, Guangdong’s administration will be completely paralyzed for some time.”
“This cannot be……”
“Stabilize the chaotic atmosphere in Guangdong as soon as possible. If you cannot, then even if you live, it will not be a true life.”
Clink-clink-clink!
After rewinding the Flood Dragon Chain around his torso, Yeon Hojeong pressed Sanggak’s vital points and slung him over his shoulder.
Jong Myeong asked, “Where are you taking him?”
“That is none of your concern.”
“He is a criminal who attempted to assassinate an imperial official. Leave him here.”
“You lack the means to deal with him.”
“That is not for you to decide! He is……”
“Do I look like I am joking right now?”
Yeon Hojeong looked at Jong Myeong.
In that instant, Jong Myeong felt his legs go weak. An overwhelming pressure radiated from the other man’s eyes.
A single glance made his heart feel as though it might stop. Even he, who had survived decades of cutthroat political strife, had never experienced anything like this.
“If you wish to assert your rightful authority, first possess the corresponding ability and strength. I too am a resident of this land and wish for the empire’s prosperity, but with someone like you—reckless and lacking foresight—serving as Left Governor, there is no sign of improvement for the nation.”
“W-What did you say!”
The guard captain shouted furiously.
“How dare you, you insolent wretch!”
Yeon Hojeong’s gaze, which had been filled with killing intent, gradually cleared.
Jong Myeong felt as though the other man could see straight through to his innermost thoughts. He nearly squeezed his eyes shut without realizing it.
“I had investigated you to some extent, but it seems there was no need. It is obvious. Clinging to a hollow dignity while flaunting an empty authority, yet lacking the courage to reach out to those who could truly help—nothing but a fool with an oversized ego.”
“Y-You bastard.”
“If you had not forcibly rejected martial artists, things would never have reached this point.”
“……!”
“If you lacked the courage to smile at them, you should at least have considered using them. In the end, you are nothing more than an imbecile who possesses neither the wit to utilize martial artists nor the boldness to approach them with a smile.”
Jong Myeong roared, “You bastard! There is a limit to my patience!”
“And if I do not stop? Do you intend to kill me here? The man who single-handedly crushed your entire guard detail and reached this place without a single scratch?”
“Ugh!”
“Get a hold of yourself. An official serves the emperor, but also protects and enriches the emperor’s subjects. That is not a right—it is a duty. You have neglected one of those duties and brought Guangdong to the brink of disaster. You are a sinner.”
“……”
“If you wish to satisfy that worthless pride of yours, go raise a dog instead. And instead of wasting time on dogs, start by restoring order and public sentiment in this region.”
Yeon Hojeong turned away.
“I will return whenever I please. If Guangdong is still in this state then, I will take your head.”
It was a terrifying statement.
No threat could be more direct. He spoke of the life of the Left Governor of Seungseon-pojeongsasa under the empire as lightly as a few copper coins in his pocket.
Yet Jong Myeong could offer no reply.
He was extremely flustered, furious, and confused all at once—yet even amid the chaos, he knew one thing: Yeon Hojeong’s words were not empty. Terrifying! The youth did not even look thirty.
Yet his eyes were more frightening than those of any seasoned politician who had weathered decades of turmoil, and the divine light in his pupils ran so deep it seemed to pierce straight to the root of a person’s heart.
Formidable martial arts, boldness to match, and insight that could read a man’s soul at a glance. As expected, martial artists are dangerous. He was not human. The legends spoke of Guan Yu charging through enemy lines and cutting down foes like autumn leaves, but those were merely stories.
This youth possessed the power to turn such legends into reality at any moment. Even Jong Myeong could see that much.
Staring silently at the door through which Yeon Hojeong had left, Jong Myeong suddenly felt his collar grow damp and lowered his head. …… The blood from his neck had already reached his collarbone and soaked his clothes. He had thought it was only a light scratch, yet the bleeding was considerable.
Pressing a handkerchief from the table against the wound, Jong Myeong spoke to the guard captain.
“Immediately determine the status of all high-ranking officials in Guangdong. Pay special attention to the Provincial Military Commission.”
* * *
“Damn it.”
Yeon Hojeong sighed.
“Even at a time like this, I am spouting meaningless words. I still have a long way to go.”
Watching Jong Myeong cling to his pride even in such dire straits had momentarily ignited his anger.
Of course, there was logic in Jong Myeong’s words. If he respected the empire, he should have handed Sanggak over as requested.
But Yeon Hojeong knew better. Once he surrendered Sanggak, Jong Myeong would demand more. He would undoubtedly investigate further, and the time to probe what was truly happening in Guangdong would only be delayed.
Jong Myeong was someone who rejected martial artists. Even before learning this through the Beggars’ Union investigation, a single glance at his eyes had been enough to tell.
That was why he was angry—not because Jong Myeong disliked martial artists, but because of his incompetence in failing to cast them aside despite his dislike, and because of the clumsy pride that prevented him from approaching them amicably despite that incompetence.
If Jong Myeong had maintained even a minimal connection with martial artists, things would not have escalated this far. Well, he still would have been targeted for assassination. His deputy of seven years had actually been an assassin who could take his life at any moment upon receiving orders.
Even Yeon Hojeong himself would have found it difficult to evade that terrifying blade. Trust was always a double-edged sword.
Yeon Hojeong clicked his tongue.
“This is no time for me to dawdle either. Most have likely already been attacked, but if even one more life can be saved, I must move now.”
Just then—
Twitch!
As Yeon Hojeong was about to dash forward, he halted at the subtle presence he felt behind him. ……!! His eyes trembled.
He had never expected to sense such a stealthy yet densely concentrated aura in a place like this.
The density of that energy was truly immense.
So immense, in fact, that it belonged to someone who had taken one step further than his current self—someone who walked the divine realm. The Limitless Realm!
Yeon Hojeong turned around.
There stood an old man in ragged beggar’s clothes, his hair disheveled like a lion’s mane.
“Quite the remarkable young man. Am I too late?”
“……Who are you?”
“Hmm. It seems you saved the Left Governor. Tch. I came just in case, but it appears I wasted a trip.”
The old man grinned.
Though grime streaked his face and his clothes were torn to rags, his exposed teeth were dazzlingly white.
“That aside, you truly are impressive. At your age, with that level of martial arts…… Heh, even Gonggong was not at that level.”