The Eldest Son of Bi-san (4)
“What? What did you say?!”
Myeong Cheon’s face twisted in shock.
“Gang-rim?!”
“Yes.”
“What’s his condition? What did they say about his state?”
Myeong U-san spoke in a trembling voice.
“His injuries, both internal and external, are severe. If the family physicians hadn’t acted quickly…”
“This, this can’t be!”
“Fortunately, he’s passed the crisis, but it’ll take at least three months and ten days for him to regain consciousness. Even then, recovering his full prowess will likely take two or three years.”
Bam! The wall caved in under the punch. Murderous intent flared across Myeong Cheon’s face.
“What the hell was Myeong Chi-san doing while Gang-rim was getting beaten like that?!”
“Well…”
Myeong U-san bit his lip.
“He’s dead.”
“…Dead? Myeong Chi-san?”
“All the warriors from Homen Hall are critically wounded, and Myeong Chi-san was defeated in a one-on-one duel.”
Myeong Cheon’s highly agitated face gradually regained its composure. As the situation grew dire, his reason sharpened. That was the mark of the Myeong family head.
“It was definitely sent to the Yeon family brat, right?”
“Yes.”
“Right, to press them on the disappearance of the Dark Killer Squad. And to bring them back by force if necessary.”
To be precise, the order had been to take them down where no one would see and drag them in. After all, Yeon Hojeong was the only one who knew about the Dark Killer Squad’s disappearance.
“Yes.”
“But Myeong Chi-san ends up dead, and the Homen Hall warriors come back crippled? Do you think that makes any sense?”
Myeong U-san couldn’t respond easily. Truth be told, he found it just as hard to believe. He had even thought sending Myeong Chi-san was overkill when Myeong Cheon first decided on it. But the results were shocking.
“Myeong Chi-san was one of the most capable even among the branch family. I saw his skills myself last year. Among the Blue-White Warriors, fewer than ten surpass him in prowess.”
He was a peak master whose skills had ripened to perfection. To put it bluntly, if he weren’t part of the Myeong family, he could have been the leader of any decent sect.
“Are you saying the Yeon family head’s son is really that strong?”
It was absurd. Yeon Hojeong was a youth who hadn’t even reached his twenties yet. No matter how exceptional his talent, there were limits.
Of course, the world did have true heaven-sent geniuses. The so-called Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes were such examples. Though all five were over thirty—too old for the later generation—they were the top picks among the young elite.
The Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes were genuine prodigies blessed by heaven. One might call them the acknowledged heirs to the Thirteen Heavenly Seats.
Rumor had it some had already cultivated arts rivaling the heads of great sects. And one of the Twin Dragons was none other than the Myeong family’s eldest son and Myeong Cheon’s heir.
“Could it be that this Yeon Hojeong kid is on par with the Twin Dragons…”
“Nonsense.”
Myeong Cheon shook his head.
“The Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes are geniuses among geniuses. It’s not just because my son is one of them. Their talent alone surpasses even the Thirteen Heavenly Seats.”
“…”
“The Thirteen Seats are talents rare in history. The Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes possess talent that eclipses even them. And you think a kid not yet in his twenties can already match that?”
“…”
“Even if he’d mastered some demonic art from the fallen demonic cult, it’s impossible.”
He wasn’t wrong. Myeong U-san fully agreed. But the results were too shocking. Without prowess on the level of the Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes, one couldn’t defeat that many experts.
Myeong Cheon’s eyes gleamed.
“There must have been guards.”
He had no choice but to think so. But that left one problem.
“According to the informants, there were no traces of guards aiding Yeon Hojeong. He acted completely alone…”
“Then a master hidden from our informants’ eyes must have been protecting him.”
Myeong U-san fell silent. Myeong Cheon clearly refused to acknowledge Yeon Hojeong’s strength.
Well, fair enough.
The hypothesis of Yeon Hojeong being the Central Plains’ greatest genius, surpassing the Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes, was less convincing than the idea of elite guards shadowing him.
Besides, until recently, he was known as a good-for-nothing freeloading off his stepmother.
That line of thinking made it seem certain.
“So, what will you do?”
“What can I do?”
Myeong Cheon’s eyes turned icy.
“My son came back gravely wounded. Killing that brat and exterminating his entire clan might not even sate my rage.”
“…”
“I’m sure you feel the same.”
Myeong U-san remained silent. In truth, his anxiety ran deeper than Myeong Cheon’s. Myeong On-ji was just one of his many children. But she was among his most cherished. Her disappearance had left him sleepless, though he hid it from Myeong Cheon. And now Myeong Gang-rim had returned on the brink of death, while Myeong Chi-san had died in Kaifeng. He wanted to confront Yeon Hojeong himself.
“Then who will you send?”
“Ones who’d never dare resist.”
“You mean…?”
“Release the Blue Wolves.”
Myeong U-san felt the hairs on his neck stand on end.
“Family head.”
“Do as I say.”
“B-but we must consider the eyes of the world. Isn’t unleashing the Blue Wolves too dangerous a choice?”
Myeong Cheon erupted in fury.
“You’re telling me to worry about prying eyes when we’re catching the monster who did this to my son?!”
“…”
“What is the Nine Provinces Myeong family? It’s the house founded by the heroes who drove out those godless Blood Cult bastards and brought peace! The greatest clan, forged by swallowing the blood and sweat of our ancestors to claim the supreme fame under heaven!”
He was always frank with his emotions. But Myeong U-san had never seen him this enraged. It was because his son had been hurt. Who wouldn’t rage?
“Jiangsu Province will soon fall into our hands. Once we take Jiangsu, we can seize Zhejiang too. With both land and sea under our control, we’ll surpass the greatest family under heaven to become the greatest power under heaven.”
Myeong Cheon haughtily lifted his chin.
“We, who will grasp the hegemony of the world, must not fear the gaze of the masses.”
“…”
“Release the Blue Wolves immediately.”
“Understood.”
Leaving the family head’s chamber, Myeong U-san couldn’t hide his unease.
Is this really okay?
He understood Myeong Cheon’s rage. And on the surface, unleashing the Blue Wolves wasn’t a big deal. Yet anxiety gnawed at him. It felt like stepping into an inescapable swamp—one foot already mired, the other following suit.
I hope it’s just my imagination.
Myeong U-san entered a certain building.
Flash!
In the pitch-black interior, where not a sliver of sunlight penetrated, dozens of pairs of blue eyes gleamed.
Myeong U-san spoke calmly.
“A fairly ferocious prey this time. I’ll need you all to step up.”
* * *
The Flying Tiger Beggar felt his tension reach its peak. At first, he didn’t know why he was so on edge. He wondered if recent poor health was fraying his nerves. But now he understood the reason.
Woooong.
A faint white qi current rose from Yeon Hojeong, seated in the lotus position. The pale energy rippled, forming a strange shape. A tiger? A lion? Whatever it was, it glared at him.
Feeling uneasy, he sidled five steps to the side. The translucent beast’s head turned to follow.
What the hell?
What was that thing? Some kind of sorcery? No, of course not. Why would the Yeon family’s eldest son bother with such nonsense? Still, it unnerved him. And intrigued him. What martial art was he cultivating?
“Huuuuk.”
Yeon Hojeong’s breathing deepened.
Flash!
His eyes snapped open. The Flying Tiger Beggar felt his mind haze for a moment. Yeon Hojeong’s gaze held an otherworldly mystery—dreamlike, hypnotic. He’d never imagined a man’s eyes could daze him like this.
“From the Beggar Sect?”
“Y-yes? Ah! Yes.”
“Hand over the letter.”
“Yessir. Here…”
Yeon Hojeong unfolded the letter and smiled.
“You got scolded.”
The letter was from his father. Two sheets, written at different times—the subtle differences in brushstroke and emotion were evident.
At least that’s a relief.
The enemy of my enemy is a friend. A temporary alliance for shared goals wasn’t bad. But he’d been rebuked for being too ruthless. The letter brimmed with paternal worry. The silver lining? His father supported his methods.
You had no choice.
The board was set; stopping now wasn’t an option. Halting midway would invite bigger trouble.
Sorry. Delaying for back-and-forth could miss the timing.
His father must have understood that too—hence the letter’s brevity.
Yeon Hojeong spoke plainly.
“You’ve had a hard journey. You’re free to go.”
“Pardon?”
The Flying Tiger Beggar looked bewildered.
“Nothing else? No reply letter or situation report…?”
“No.”
“Ah… Understood.”
The Flying Tiger Beggar bowed.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Good work. Oh!”
Always like this.
The Flying Tiger Beggar grumbled inwardly but forced a friendly smile.
“What are your orders?”
“Withdraw all the Beggar Sect members secretly guarding me.”
“…?!”
“Tell Hwa Jin-cheon I ordered it myself. He’ll understand. Don’t worry—just pull them all out.”
The Flying Tiger Beggar’s face hardened.
“You knew?”
“Yes.”
“They’re elite experts placed for any contingencies. Top Beggar Sect talents, ensuring Young Master Yeon’s safety…”
“The moment they show themselves, this plan crumbles.”
“Pardon?”
“They think the Beggar Sect is aiding me, not that we’ve allied. The difference is bigger than you think.”
“…”
“I’ve driven off some decent ones, so they’ll send even stronger next time. Experts of that caliber could spot hidden Beggar Sect members.”
“…I see.”
The Flying Tiger Beggar sighed.
“Understood. I’ll withdraw them right away.”
“Thanks.”
“And Young Master Yeon.”
“Speak.”
The Flying Tiger Beggar clasped his hands in respect.
“We haven’t said it before, but we all support you. Please be careful.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled back.
“Save that for them.”
* * *
Five days later.
“Hah! It’s been ages since I’ve come to Henan Province.”
Moyong Gun’s face lit up with a smile as he surveyed the stately, antique building.
“Truth be told, Henan’s quite tempting in its own way. If Shaolin hadn’t claimed it, I’d have eyed this place long ago. Don’t you think?”
“Exactly.”
Moyong Yeonhwa beamed too.
“Henan has Shaolin and the Myeong family. It’s worthy of being called the heart of the Central Plains. Even if both vanished, people would still revere it as a holy land.”
“Likely.”
“That’s why I want it even more.”
Moyong Gun burst into hearty laughter.
“Your greed outstrips mine.”
“Greed paves the path to success.”
“Haha, you’re right. I pondered leaving the clan to you and the chief steward, but it seems I chose well in bringing you. As my daughter, you need that kind of ambition.”
“Hehe.”
Moyong Gun gazed at the distant, towering mountain.
Song Mountain, where the thousand-year Shaolin had nested.
“On the way back, let’s take in Song Mountain’s scenery.”
“Sounds good.”
Clap!
Moyong Gun clapped his hands.
“Alright, shall we go meet this spirited young man?”