Chapter 56: To Where the Wind Blows (6)
Myeong Onji recalled her conversation with her father before coming here.
'They won't know.'
'As expected?'
'Even if the Yeon family really rounded up all the spies, none of them are connected to the main house.'
'What about the Moyong family head mentioning it?'
'Zero chance. The Moyong family head has his own code of honor. His ambitions are vast, but he knows when to bend before a stronger foe. He would never breathe a word of his ties to the main house to his underlings.'
'Then even if the Yeon family tortured those spies, the main house's name wouldn't come up.'
'Exactly.'
'In that case, why bother dispatching the Dark Death Squad...'
'The Moyong family won't bare their fangs at us. They know force won't work. But do you think we can afford to underestimate them?'
'No... we can't.'
'The Moyong family head is someone worth allying with. They've gone out on a limb for us so far—now it's our turn to step up.'
'What's our pretext?'
'Business. They've already sent a letter to the Yeon family head anyway, so cover the contact as a business matter.'
'What if the Yeon eldest son suspects us?'
'No chance. Gangseo and Zhejang are prime targets for any major martial faction with power. No reason for suspicion. However...'
'...'
'Even if he does suspect us, it doesn't matter. The Yeon family is doomed anyway.'
Indeed. The Myeong family had already completed extensive preparations for expansion. The operation at distant Dae Byeol Mountain was wrapping up as well.
The Yeon family would fall. They had no choice but to fall.
Yet hearing Yeon Hojeong's aggressive words, Myeong Onji couldn't help but panic inwardly.
'He knows?!'
Yes, suspicion didn't matter. The Yeon family was doomed anyway.
But suspicion and certainty were worlds apart.
A suspicious person wasn't scary. Without proof, they hesitated, wasting time on decisions.
They couldn't muster full force at the critical moment.
But if they were certain? That changed everything.
"What do you mean?"
Myeong Onji tilted her head, feigning genuine confusion despite her racing thoughts.
"I have no idea what my little brother's talking about. You don't seriously think the main house allied with the Moyong family, do you?"
Yeon Hojeong snorted.
"You're putting on this pathetic act even though it's all out in the open?"
"Out in the open...? I really don't know. Anyway, the Moyong family sent spies to your clan, and you caught them, right?"
"You guys are into all sorts of things."
She had no choice. Myeong Onji realized Yeon Hojeong had read her like a book. She'd lost control of her expression in shock—it was only natural he'd notice.
The problem wasn't Myeong Onji the daughter, but Myeong Onji the Dark Death Squad leader.
'How do I handle this?'
If it was mere suspicion, she could confirm the Yeon family had the spies and leave it at that.
But this guy knew for sure—somehow. She couldn't just let it slide.
Him knowing meant a leak. And a leak meant tracing the source.
She had to capture him alive and drag him back.
'Deal with the fallout later. Even if the beggars poke around, I can play dumb.'
Henan had the Guzhou Myeong family and Shaolin. But in reality, the Myeong family's influence dwarfed Shaolin's. Shaolin avoided worldly affairs, while the Myeong family chased fame and profit.
Even the world-spanning Beggar Sect would struggle to pierce the Myeong family's info manipulations in Henan.
'The issue is...'
Myeong Onji met Yeon Hojeong's gaze. His eyes held no tremor—deep, chilling pools that pierced the soul, impossible to read.
'He knew we were coming. At least suspected it. Because he knew about our alliance with the Moyong family.'
Then?
'He used himself as bait?'
How solid was his backing to pull that off?
"I can hear your brain grinding from here."
"... "
"Curious what gives you the balls to act so bold?"
Myeong Onji stayed silent. Talking further was a losing game. Both knew now—the truth was out. Best to shut up.
From her demeanor, Yeon Hojeong sensed the Myeong family's depth. Whether in her twenties or thirties, she was too young to lead a spy network.
Talent had propelled her there, but the Myeong family had molded her perfectly.
A righteous White Path clan turning its own daughter into a full-time spy? That alone made them a tricky foe.
Yes. Tricky if you didn't know them.
Yeon Hojeong spoke.
"What else? In the end, all a martial artist can trust is their own skill."
"...Skill?"
"You want to take me in, right? But I'm not keen on that."
"...!"
"Shall we see what the so-called world's best spy outfit from the Myeong family can do?"
Myeong Onji's eyes turned icy. She rose slowly.
"Fine. No point hiding anymore since you know."
Tzztzztz.
Killing intent rose from the warriors behind her. They'd restrained it perfectly until now—finally unleashing their full pressure.
Flutter flutter!
Birds hidden in the trees scattered in fright. The killing aura was that sharp.
Myeong Onji spoke calmly.
"Heard you beat Neuha Chuseong."
"That fool?"
"Yeah, a fool. Even a kid's dagger can kill in the jianghu, right? Underestimating Bi-san Yeon family's heir? Deserved the fool label. But you know."
Slither.
Myeong Do appeared behind Yeon Hojeong. In the dark woods, firelight flickering on his face, he looked ghastly—like a floating ghost head.
"We're not that kind of fool."
"You look the part."
"The Myeong family's Dark Death Squad is an intelligence outfit. Not a combat unit. But sometimes we need force to suppress."
"Strong?"
"Catching a peak master? Not hard. And we don't get careless."
Myeong Onji smiled. Amid the bloodthirsty tension, her innocent grin was eerie in its own way.
"So don't resist. Come quietly."
Yeon Hojeong snorted.
Myeong Onji shook her head.
"I know you're skilled. Got guts to match. But once the fight starts, you won't last five exchanges."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. The Dark Death Squad isn't—"
That was when it hit her.
'Huh?'
'How does he know we're an intelligence outfit?'
The Dark Death Squad wasn't public knowledge. Those who knew didn't blab—either dead or cowed by Myeong threats.
So how?
"How'd you know we're spies?"
"Figured it out from looking."
Tzztzztz.
Intense energy poured from Myeong Onji—stronger than anyone present.
"You're hopeless. Gotta take you in."
Pababak!
Five warriors scattered into the woods to check for hidden eyes.
'Textbook. Too textbook.'
Only then did Yeon Hojeong grip his axe. He'd timed it perfectly for when the Dark Death Squad sent scouts.
Myeong Onji's voice chilled.
"Kneel."
Paaaak!
Myeong Do lunged from behind. The warriors didn't move—pure ambush from the start.
Myeong Onji's claim held: no carelessness, no matter the foe.
Anyone but Yeon Hojeong would've fallen.
Thud!
Myeong Do's eyes shook. His fist hit empty air. The back strike missed.
'Where?!'
Thwack!
"Kuh!"
Polearm to the back sent Myeong Do staggering into the fire.
Myeong Onji shouted.
"Watch out!"
Kwang!
Myeong Do groaned again, flying toward her.
Whoosh.
Myeong Onji caught his wrist, redirecting smoothly. His body flipped behind her—advanced Plum Blossom Grafting technique, ingrained reflex.
Then, a massive axe blade slammed the fire.
Kwaaaang!
The devastating chop extinguished the flames instantly. Darkness swallowed them.
Fire-adapted eyes of the Dark Death Squad failed to adjust.
'Shit!'
Splat!
Horrid sounds and warm liquid sprayed everywhere.
'Blood?!'
Woooong!
All instinctively circulated inner energy. Enhanced vision pierced the dark.
But Yeon Hojeong was gone.
'What? Where'd he go?!'
Whoooosh!
Cold, heavy wind surged from the north. Suffocating pressure hit like a wall.
Myeong Onji yelled.
"North! Grab him!"
Ching!
Fourteen warriors drew swords in unison—swift, precise strikes converging on one point.
That was their mistake.
Kwaaaang!
"Kuhk!"
"Aaaak!"
Incredibly, all fourteen screamed, reeling back. Half tumbled, asses hitting dirt.
Myeong Onji's eyes widened.
'What?!'
Whoooosh.
Transparent blue energy rippled in the wind.
Kuooo!
A bizarre roar echoed distantly—unheard before, monstrous.
It chilled spines. The cry of a divine beast not of this world.
The North Heaven's lord, Black Tortoise, had awakened.
"Kill anyone who flees."
"...!"
"Kneel."
* * *
The Dark Death Squad, finishing perimeter checks outside the woods, turned back the way they'd come.
Then—
Splat! Crack! Splat!
Three squad members crumpled instantly. Blood poured from shattered skulls—clubbed to ruin.
At least they lived.
"What the hell are you?!"
The two who dodged scanned frantically.
'Gasp!'
Dozens of beggars surrounded them, clubs in hand. Perfect encirclement.
"Kyaaak! Ptoo! Damn, got it on my sleeve."
Gadeuksang swaggered forward, wiping his chest haphazardly.
"Y'know, that old man's right. Results matter, not the path. Right, you bastards?"
"Huigae?!"
"Oh? Spotted me quick? You all knew anyway?"
His oily grin belied eyes colder than Yeon Hojeong's—furious beyond measure.
"Rip off that 'world's best' sign. And your balls too, you shits."
Paaaak!
The beggars charged.