Tremors (1)
Moyong Woo was busy.
He had always been busy even when he was at the Martial Alliance, but here it was even more so.
After losing over two hundred comrades in the recent operation, the Tangma Army had thrown their lives into training. They had always been known for their brutal regimen, but now training and life had truly become one and the same.
By the time the Tangma Army’s training ended, the sun was already beginning to sink below the horizon.
And that was precisely when Moyong Woo’s own training began.
His sleep was fixed at two hours. Each training session, he squeezed out every last drop of his internal energy and physical strength until he collapsed from exhaustion.
Even then, there was no time to rest. If he wasn’t in a meeting with Yeon Hojeong, he immersed himself in analyzing the current state of the Jianghu. And if even a sliver of time remained, he would read at least one more line of a book.
It wasn’t because he was obsessed with living diligently. It was simply because he believed that whatever he put into his body and mind would become a tremendous asset in the future.
That kind of life had already passed one month and was now approaching two.
“Huuu…”
Clang!
The tip of the Tangma Greatsword stabbed into the ground.
He had poured out every ounce of his internal energy and exhausted every bit of physical strength he could muster.
The greatsword, which usually felt as light as a whip, now felt as heavy as an iron pillar.
Breathing heavily, he sheathed his blade—only to stagger violently.
Did I push it too far?
He had always trained without holding back, but today seemed especially harsh. He didn’t even have the slightest strength left to steady himself.
Thud!
Moyong Woo collapsed to the ground and immediately assumed a lotus position, circulating his energy once more.
Half an hour later.
“Now I feel alive again.”
To fill a vessel, the vessel must first be emptied.
A vessel that repeatedly filled and emptied would naturally grow larger and stronger. That was exactly what was happening to Moyong Woo’s body and dantian.
Perhaps that was why—while the amount of internal energy itself was important—his rate of accumulation had become far faster than it was two months ago. His body, which met its limit every single day, greedily devoured qi in order to keep from collapsing.
Once he grew accustomed to that, he could now unleash dozens of slashes in a single breath.
It wasn’t that he had gained enlightenment and reached a higher realm, but this too was an enormous gift for a martial artist. The greatest reward that could be earned through sheer effort.
“Are you alright?”
Even at the sudden voice, Moyong Woo did not flinch. He had sensed the presence while circulating his energy.
“You’ve come?”
When he turned his head, he saw Yeon Hojeong standing with his arms crossed, backlit by the moonlight.
……
For a moment, Moyong Woo thought his sworn brother looked incredibly mystical.
The sight of his younger brother bathed in cold yet comforting moonlight truly gave off the aura of a mysterious figure from another world.
Well, I suppose that makes sense.
Moyong Woo inwardly accepted it.
Yeon Je’s presence has always been like that.
A night filled with starlight.
A world without even the slightest breeze was utterly silent.
It feels just like my suffocating situation back then.
For some reason, the time before he had met Yeon Hojeong came to mind.
The days when he had been pushed out of the power struggle with his brothers and was leading a merchant guild in Zhejiang.
His heart had been truly miserable then. No one understood his feelings, and even if they had, they wouldn’t have been able to sympathize.
Yeon Hojeong had appeared at exactly that moment.
Right before the darkness reached its peak and turned into an abyss where not even a single star could shine through.
He really was arrogant.
Moyong Woo unknowingly smiled.
The man had shown up in the middle of the night, shouting at him to become a giant of the righteous path and to get his head straight. He had heard every kind of scolding imaginable.
To hear such a gut-wrenching rebuke from someone he had just met for the first time. Moyong Woo was only human—how could he not have been offended? Yet at the same time, it had been ten years since anyone had managed to shake him so deeply.
That must have been the moment his life began to change.
Not because Yeon Hojeong had done anything for him, but because he had felt the sincere concern carried within those shouts.
Strangely, Yeon Hojeong’s voice had a persuasive power to it. Beyond logic, even though it was rather low, it possessed a mysterious magic that ignited people’s emotions.
He really does appear out of nowhere.
Just like now, Yeon Hojeong had always been sudden.
He appeared abruptly and disappeared just as suddenly. Not only to him, but in this rough and brutal world of Murim, the man had suddenly risen to prominence, then achieved explosive growth and engraved his name across the entire world.
The reason Moyong Woo had suggested they become sworn brothers wasn’t just because of loneliness—it was because he had felt a human pull toward him. Yeon Hojeong possessed that kind of charm.
And now, he was traversing the world together with that very sworn brother for the sake of the entire Jianghu.
The realization brought a genuine smile to Moyong Woo’s face.
“What’s with that smile?”
Yeon Hojeong asked in a slightly sour voice.
Moyong Woo stood up and replied, “It’s been a while since I last saw you, so I’m glad.”
“A while? Hardly.”
“That’s the problem with you, Yeon Je. You’re so busy that you’ve lost all sense of time. Last time I suggested we share a drink, you completely forgot and didn’t even show up, remember?”
“Drink? When?”
“See? You don’t even remember.”
Yeon Hojeong clicked his tongue.
“If that’s the case, then I’m sorry. I really need to get my act together.”
“There’s no need to apologize. However, no matter how great a master you are, rest is still necessary. At this rate, you’ll really die from overwork.”
“I didn’t come here to hear ominous things. The reason I came is…”
“Enough.”
Moyong Woo raised his hand, cutting Yeon Hojeong off.
For some reason, Yeon Hojeong felt his mouth snap shut. Normally he would have thrown in a teasing remark, but for some reason, he found it difficult to joke with Moyong Woo today.
“Have you eaten?”
“Half a day ago.”
“Then let’s fulfill that broken promise. Wait a moment. I’ll prepare some drinks and food.”
Yeon Hojeong, who had been quietly watching Moyong Woo, suddenly plopped down on the spot.
“Shall we see how well the commander of the Tangma Army can cook?”
“Hahaha!”
It took Moyong Woo two quarters of an hour to return.
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes widened.
“Not bad at all?”
“Hm?”
“The presentation looks pretty decent.”
On the table were two simple dishes and three bottles of strong liquor.
Just from the aroma, he could tell. It was a simple stir-fried vegetable dish and a meat dish made from rehydrated jerky, yet the scent was better than what most inns served.
Moyong Woo burst into hearty laughter.
“It’s all thanks to the spices. When the ingredients are poor, you have no choice but to cover it up with seasoning.”
“Even knowing how to cover it up is impressive. I couldn’t do this.”
“Does someone of your caliber really need to master cooking as well?”
“Why not? These days they say even men need to cook well to be loved by their wives.”
“Oh?”
Moyong Woo’s eyes sparkled.
“Have you found yourself a woman you like?”
“I suppose one will appear eventually. Though that’s a problem too. Even if I like her, if she doesn’t like me back, it’s all for nothing. Relationships really are difficult.”
“I can’t exactly tell you not to worry. With your fame, countless women must be eyeing you.”
“I hate people who fall for me just because of my name, regardless of age or gender.”
“That’s not what I mean. Even the greatest expert under the heavens is only the best when it comes to swordplay. Relationships are mutual. Even someone far greater than you would inevitably face worries in that area.”
“Was this a counseling session?”
“Just saying. One day, a woman who can move even your heart will appear, Yeon Je. When that time comes, I hope you won’t overthink it and simply act honestly.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“And what about you, Brother? Is Lady Dang still not to your liking?”
Moyong Woo let out a small chuckle.
“Are you still bringing up old stories?”
“Oh? Old stories? So there was something after all?”
“There wasn’t. We were both incredibly busy. Besides, neither I nor Lady Dang liked the idea of an unnatural relationship.”
“You’re saying that with a full stomach. Next time you visit the Martial Alliance, at least invite her for tea.”
“Haha, understood.”
Moyong Woo’s greatest strength was this generosity of his.
No matter how close a younger brother was, constantly throwing out such blunt remarks would normally offend someone at least a little. Yet Moyong Woo never lost his smile.
And because of that personality, Yeon Hojeong could treat him comfortably. To others it might not be obvious, but Moyong Woo was one of the few people to whom Yeon Hojeong showed his true self.
“We’ve talked too long. Shall we have a drink first?”
“Sure, let’s do that.”
The two clinked their cups together.
It had been quite a while since their last drinking session.
Because their bond ran deep, even the liquor tasted strong. Yet that very strength was pleasant. If they drank often, they probably wouldn’t be able to savor such a rich flavor.
Moyong Woo asked calmly, “So, what brings you here at this hour?”
It was a comfortable question asked in a comfortable setting.
Even Yeon Hojeong, whose mind had been somewhat sharp, felt the burden he had been carrying melt away in that comfort.
“Something happened within the leadership of the Martial Alliance.”
“What kind of thing?”
Yeon Hojeong spoke honestly, without holding anything back.
Moyong Woo’s eyes deepened.
“If it’s about Lord Deung Bong-gong… surely not my brother?”
“It’s not Moyong Gun. Of course I can’t be completely certain, but at least I don’t think so.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Whether it’s a tiger or a wolf, they both live with fangs even if their appearances differ. Although Moyong Gun’s fangs are coated with poison, I don’t believe he’s the type to bare his teeth at any random moment.”
It was a harsh assessment, but at the same time a high one. At least in a situation where they shared a common enemy, Moyong Gun was closer to a capable ally than an untrustworthy foe.
“Hmm.”
Moyong Woo stroked his chin.
“Lord Deung Bong-gong is the sect leader of the Kongtong Sect. The Kongtong Sect is located in Gansu. In Gansu, their influence is unrivaled.”
“So obtaining that level of information wouldn’t be strange?”
“That’s what I think, but…”
“……”
“At the same time, I also find it strange.”
“In what way?”
Moyong Woo spoke as if making casual conversation, refilling Yeon Hojeong’s cup.
“How could an organization careless enough to leak information so sloppily have planted spies across the Central Plains for decades, even reaching into the imperial palace and government offices, without ever getting caught?”
Yeon Hojeong grinned.
“This is why talking with smart people is so easy.”
“What do you think, Yeon Je? Do you believe someone deliberately leaked that information?”
“I see it as a near-certain probability.”
“Then that too is strange.”
Moyong Woo frowned.
“Why leak information at precisely this moment? Is there some kind of scheme behind it?”
“Before talking about schemes, we should first discuss how such information could have been leaked in this situation.”
“……!”
Moyong Woo’s face hardened.
Yeon Hojeong emptied his cup. The liquor no longer felt strong.
After staring silently at Yeon Hojeong’s face for a moment, Moyong Woo asked hesitantly.
“Are you saying… you believe there is a spy among the Honored Lords?”
“I’ve thought so for a while. That’s why I told you not to reveal the identity of the Three Sects during the meeting of the Honored Lords.”
“……!!”
“Now I think we can consider it certain. There is a spy of the Three Sects among the Honored Lords, or at least among those extremely close to them.”
“……”
“Good heavens.”
Although he had suspected it, hearing that it might actually be true left Moyong Woo stunned.
These weren’t mediocre practitioners—they were the sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects. To think that among such giants there was a spy? Just where had they sold their honor and pride?
To the visibly shaken Moyong Woo, Yeon Hojeong said, “I’ll probably have to head to the Martial Alliance soon.”
“Yes, you should.”
Moyong Woo nodded, then suddenly flinched.
“Surely… you’re not going alone?”
“That’s right.”
“……”
“That’s why I came. It will be soon, but I don’t know exactly when. So even if I suddenly vanish one day, I wanted to ask you not to panic and to lead the Uijeong Army in my place.”
He appeared out of nowhere, and now he was saying he might disappear just as suddenly.
What a truly difficult man to handle. Setting aside the seriousness of the matter, Moyong Woo knew he himself could never live like that.
After staring quietly at Yeon Hojeong, Moyong Woo eventually smiled and said, “What do you mean, ‘ask’? Just give me the order.”
“……”
“However, make sure you return in one piece. Don’t make your subordinates worry.”