To Where the Wind Blows (4)
“Family Head. We've received word from Huangfeng Pavilion.”
Huangfeng Pavilion was an intelligence network directly operated by the Moyong family. Having been established during the Moyong family's time of activity in Liaoning Province, it boasted a long history and unwavering loyalty.
“What did they say?”
“They say they can't get a read on it.”
“What?”
“A large-scale information blackout has hit the entirety of Jiangsu Province. Huangfeng Pavilion's agents can't pierce that wall.”
Moyong Gun's eyes deepened.
“A large-scale information blackout? Across all of Jiangsu?”
“Yes.”
“Jiangsu is vast and wide. No matter how great the Yeon family's power, can they pull off a massive information control like that? And in such a short time?”
“From what we've gathered on the Yeon family's strength so far, it's judged impossible.”
“Of course it is. Not even any of the Seven Great Families could manage it. Even if two forces combined their power, it'd be difficult.”
“Yes.”
“They couldn't reach the Tongcheon Group either, I assume.”
“Correct. Unless our agents physically rush into Jiangsu and pound the pavement themselves, there's currently no way to make contact with them.”
“In other words...”
Moyong Yeonhwa spoke in a cold voice.
“It means someone is helping the Yeon family. A group that professionally handles information.”
“For a scale like this, it means one of the top organizations has gotten involved.”
“Then...”
“The Beggar Sect, Heukmun, or Sangui Gyeol. It has to be one of those three.”
The Beggar Sect was the pinnacle of information in the orthodox martial world, while Heukmun was a major player in the unorthodox world's intelligence. Sangui Gyeol was an information group that moved purely on money—pay them, and they'd hand over intel of equal value, like merchants of secrets.
“It won't be Heukmun.”
“The least likely, yes. Heukmun's intelligence capabilities are the weakest of the three. And given the Yeon family head's nature, it's unlikely he'd reach out to them.”
He was wrong. The unorthodox martial world's intelligence surpassed the orthodox in many areas. That was the driving force allowing the powerless to survive until now. It simply wasn't widely known. Even Moyong Gun, lord of a thousand realms, couldn't know everything outside his interests.
“That leaves the Beggar Sect and Sangui Gyeol.”
An unmistakable tension clouded Moyong Yeonhwa's face.
“Either one is dangerous.”
“Indeed.”
If the Beggar Sect was aiding the Yeon family, that alone would be a massive incident. Though they appeared free-spirited and lax, the Beggar Sect had always revered chivalry across generations. Handling information made maintaining a righteous heart all the more crucial. While most sects had fallen to corruption at some point, the Beggar Sect never had. Naturally, their influence rivaled the top among the Nine Great Sects and One Gang. Holding the greatest voice among them meant immense sway over the orthodox martial world.
If the Beggar Sect was deeply involved in the Moyong family's scheme this time, it would spell headaches in every direction.
And Sangui Gyeol? Was that any better? Absolutely not. In some ways, it was even more dangerous than the Beggar Sect. Because for the right price, they'd sell information on anyone.
That meant groups keeping the Moyong family in check could buy intel on this incident too. Of course, it'd cost an astronomical sum.
The Beggar Sect meant immediate danger; Sangui Gyeol meant endless headaches.
“This has gotten interesting.”
Even in this dire situation, Moyong Gun didn't lose his composure. He stroked his beard with an intrigued expression, as if he truly found the crisis amusing.
“Yeonhwa.”
“Yes, Father.”
“I heard that Huigae from the Open Gang attended the last later-generation summit.”
“He did.”
“Do you think Huigae has any ties with the Yeon family heirs?”
Moyong Yeonhwa pondered briefly before shaking her head.
“The chances are low. If anything, he'd be wary of them.”
“Wary?”
“Yes. The Yeon family's eldest son, Yeon Hojeong, showed a ferocity and brutality at the summit that went too far. He nearly killed the former sword corps leader of the Namgung family.”
“Hm, I heard about that. Impressive lad for his age.”
“It was Huigae who stopped his hand. Yeon Hojeong seemed to take a liking to him, but given Huigae's personality, he'd harbor resentment toward Yeon Hojeong at best—no goodwill.”
Moyong Gun nodded.
“Then the odds of them joining hands with the Beggar Sect are even higher.”
“Yes.”
Anyone would be cautious of a group they deemed dangerous. If Gadeuksang had observed the Yeon family through Yeon Hojeong, the high probability was that the Beggar Sect handled this information blackout.
“Whatever it is, it's still a problem. Ha! Suddenly stiffening up like this has me flustered.”
“Indeed.”
At that moment—
“New word from Huangfeng Pavilion!”
“What is it?”
“The Yeon family's eldest son has left Jiangsu Province!”
Moyong Gun's eyes gleamed.
“Where to?”
“Henan.”
“...Henan?!”
The Yeon family was based in southern Jiangsu. Henan lay northwest of Jiangsu. No one knew when he moved, but even counting from when contact with informants cut off, it was an astonishing speed.
“To Henan, of all places, in this situation? And so quickly?”
Urgency flickered across Moyong Yeonhwa's face.
“We need to make contact first.”
“Of course, but...”
Moyong Gun furrowed his brow.
Why Henan of all places?
Without knowing the situation there, even speculation was difficult. After a moment's thought, Moyong Gun spoke.
“Contact the Myeong family immediately. Tell them everything on this side. Before the Yeon family's eldest son pulls some stunt, we must make contact.”
“Yes!”
* * *
“Huff! Huff!”
“Tired already?”
“You call... cough... this tired?!”
“Catch your breath. The Beggar Sect's successor has pathetically poor stamina.”
Gadeuksang snapped in anger.
“You bastard! You're riding a horse!”
“That's why I told you to ride one too.”
“A beggar in rags riding a horse? You wanna spread word that Beggar Sect members are around?!”
Yeon Hojeong was indeed going too far. The pair had taken a boat up to central Jiangsu, then charged overland straight to the northern edge. The issue was the timeline. In just five days to Jiangsu's northernmost point, they'd ridden nonstop except for minimal sleep and rest. And the two days crossing from Jiangsu to Henan? Not a wink of sleep.
Gadeuksang wasn't exaggerating.
Yeon Hojeong replied indifferently.
“Think of it as stamina training.”
What madman trained stamina this brutally? Gadeuksang flopped onto the ground right there.
“Can't go! Kill me if you want! Just end it!”
“That rough?”
“You wanna fight right now?”
“Half a shichen more.”
“Get real, you lunatic! Today one of us is heading to the afterlife...!”
“We'll rest a few days at an inn. Gotta wait anyway.”
“...Inn?”
“Eat as much as you want. My treat.”
Gadeuksang swallowed hard. He hadn't eaten properly since they set out.
“If you're that beat, rest here a few days.”
“...Damn it.”
Gadeuksang sprang up energetically.
“If this is another lie, I'll smash your teeth with an axe blade. Got it?”
Neigh!
“Wait up!!”
After another half shichen of riding, the pair arrived in Shangqiu, Henan.
Shangqiu was a county close to Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui. In Henan, it saw heavy eastward foot traffic.
They entered a quiet inn a bit removed from the county center. Gadeuksang attacked his food like a man possessed the moment he sat. He ignored the stares.
The onlookers' faces filled with discomfort. A filthy beggar shoveling food bare-handed? It was understandable.
But they couldn't tell the owner to kick him out.
Thud!
“Ah, set that axe straight. One slip and it's lights out.”
“Sorry. Finish your meal.”
“Yeah. While you're at it, order one more.”
A young man in his early twenties calmly propped the fallen axe against the wall. A youth who looked scholarly hefting a man-sized axe single-handedly? Terrifying. His slender frame made it worse.
Thus, the patrons ate with deeply uncomfortable expressions.
“Burp! Good eats.”
“All done?”
“Stuffing in days' worth of food nearly burst my gut.”
“Twelve catties of pork, huh? No exaggeration.”
Countless plates cleared. Yeon Hojeong ate plenty too, given his activity, but nothing compared to Gadeuksang.
Now relaxed, Gadeuksang glanced around.
“This place is pretty remote, huh?”
“Never know what might happen.”
“Fair. Still impressive. Out of the way, yet decent crowd.”
“Never been here?”
“Passed through once long ago. Barely remember.”
“I see.”
Gadeuksang's face turned oddly serious.
“So, how long we staying?”
“Till the other side shows.”
“Just waiting?”
“Won't be long. If the Beggar Sect handled the info blackout well.”
“Don't worry about that.”
“No concerns here.”
“Yeah, the Moyong family, blind to this side, must be tearing their hair out. And now the Yeon heir pops up in Henan—they'll scramble to make contact.”
“Still don't know which house approaches first.”
Moyong family or Myeong family. Moyong held Hunan; Myeong, Xuchang in Henan.
Gadeuksang's eyes darkened subtly.
“I still don't get it.”
“What?”
“I saw the Moyong involvement myself, so that's clear, but...”
“Why'd I task you with the Myeong side otherwise?”
“Fair enough.”
Gadeuksang leaned back, arms crossed, suspicion flickering in his gaze at Yeon Hojeong.
“Why stare like that?”
“Still not gonna spill?”
“Spill what?”
“The Myeong family. Why they're targeting the Yeons, how you sniffed it out early—time to share, no?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Process matters less than results here. Once we get satisfying ones, I'll tell you.”
Gadeuksang's eyes chilled. Yeon Hojeong's did too.
Their stares held no warmth.
After a long look, Gadeuksang stretched.
“Whew! Full belly's making me sleepy. Room?”
“Paid ahead. I'll stay longer—go on in.”
“Right.”
“Wash up and crash.”
“Think I'm filthy for nothing?”
With that, Gadeuksang dashed to the inn's room.
Sipping tea, Yeon Hojeong gazed out the window.
Peaceful.
Full spring now. Gentle breeze, clear skies.
But Yeon Hojeong's eyes were dark and cold, opposite the weather.
Came with Huigae on purpose. Pushed hard and fast. Knowing that, the Moyong family should be desperate.
And far from Hunan too.
They could send underlings, but no time to think. Moyong Gun doesn't move without at least seventy percent certainty.
Even as Alliance Leader.
That cost Black Emperor Castle dearly fighting Saneumgyo alone.
In short...
High chance the Myeong family approaches.
His lips twitched upward.
Moyong was enemy, sure. But the one he wanted to smash first was Myeong.
His strike aimed at Myeong, not Moyong.
Shaking Myeong would panic Moyong anyway—same difference.
...
Just thinking of Myeong stirred killing intent. Gripping his thigh to suppress it, Yeon Hojeong slowly closed his eyes.
Six days later.
“Yeon family eldest son?”
“And you are?”
“They said your tongue was sharp—spot on.”
The man in his mid-twenties scowled fiercely.
“From the Myeong family. Someone wants to see you—make time.”
Yeon Hojeong grinned brightly.
“I'll carve out time even if I don't have it.”