Natural Enemy (2)
“Do you really think that?”
“Yes.”
“……”
“Just so you know, it’s not because my life was saved.”
“I know. You’re like a thunderbolt-headed rascal, but you’ve got a good sense of judgment.”
“……Is that a compliment?”
“Truth be told, I wouldn’t have even asked if it were anything ordinary. My children received a life debt. It’s only natural to help their benefactor in distress.”
“Then please help, quickly.”
“If it were ordinary.”
“That’s why I told you. That guy—he’s absolutely not the type.”
“I trust your eye. But the matter has grown too big.”
“The Myeong family’s actions are excessive. Even if he really did it, sending experts to escort him without a shred of evidence?”
“Excessive indeed. And he’s the heir of one of the Seven Great Families. But the Myeong family has that much power. If the rumors are true, their rashness deserves condemnation, but we can’t touch the Myeong family.”
“Exactly! You have to urge the Myeong family to restrain their aggressive moves. As you said, Father, he’s the heir of one of the Seven Great Families. This can’t go on.”
“It can’t. But you know why I can’t act aggressively, don’t you?”
“……”
“That young man, Yeon Hojeong…… he’s gone too far. It would’ve been better if he’d been captured by the Myeong family. But instead, he wounded their experts.”
“They drew their blades to seize an innocent man—they deserved to fight!”
“Reasons don’t matter now. They’ve pointed swords at each other, ready to kill. It’s turned into a war between the Yeon and Myeong families.”
“……!”
“At least there’s no full pretext for unleashing total force yet. It’s a razor-sharp standoff on a knife’s edge. But the moment one side seizes a solid justification, one of the families will face annihilation.”
“Annihilation……”
“And nine times out of ten, it’ll be the Yeon family.”
“……!”
“I’m the family head. As a father, I should aid the benefactor, but as the patriarch, I can’t move rashly. The main house is already weakened. We must be cautious.”
“……”
“So you go.”
“Me?!”
“Your younger brother is exceptional, but he lacks your flexibility. I must attend the grand assembly. Go and help the benefactor yourself.”
“C-Can I really do that?!”
“No.”
“Then why……?”
“As family head and father, I want to stop you. But as one who follows righteousness and chivalry in the righteous martial world, I understand your heart.”
“……”
“Go. Follow what your heart tells you. If you believe it’s the righteous path, stake your life on it and show the world the spirit of a true righteous martial artist.”
“……Thank you, Father.”
“Don’t say that. I’m a failure of a father who couldn’t even ensure his daughter’s happiness.”
“……”
“You’ll see the Namgung family head at this grand assembly. I’ve put it off, but I can’t anymore.”
“I understand, Father.”
“I’m sorry. I have nothing else to say.”
“It’s okay. I’m really okay.”
“I’ve informed Eunhaksim. Go with her.”
“Yes! I’ll be back.”
Whoooosh!
The wind was cold. Even though summer was near, today felt unusually chilly. After a few days of this chill, the real heat would set in.
Gadeuksang, walking along the official road, thought to himself.
‘Damn, I got here fast.’
His eyes caught the circular formation of the Cheong-eungdae. And in the center, a massive axe stood tall.
‘I was a bit uneasy, honestly. From the moment I accepted that request.’
Yeon Hojeong had asked him for three things.
First, intelligence on the outer martial world.
Second, all information on Moyong Woo, the youngest brother of the Moyong family head.
Third, the existence of the Sageom, the Death Sword nurtured in secret by the Myeong family.
Handling information and digging into people hones a certain skill over time: discerning priorities. In simple terms, it sharpens your ability to read the big picture—or quickens your instincts.
When Yeon Hojeong listed what to investigate, Gadeuksang knew instantly.
‘The first two are important, but there’s leeway. The third is different.’
The Myeong family’s secret Sageom. That was what Yeon Hojeong wanted to know right away.
And when he shared it, Yeon Hojeong’s reaction was explosively intense, as expected.
‘That’s when I knew. I’d be tangled up deep with this mad bastard.’
Gadeuksang grinned.
He’d cursed him as a lunatic, a killer, but truth be told, he’d enjoyed being with Yeon Hojeong. Even in situations not meant for enjoyment.
The reason? It was his first time rampaging alongside someone like this. And because it was for righteousness and chivalry, it felt even better.
To Yeon Hojeong, it was probably revenge, not righteousness.
Shing.
“Who are you?”
One Cheong-eungdae member half-drew his sword and asked.
They couldn’t not know him. Yet they treated him like a suspicious stranger. That meant the Cheong-eungdae was on high alert.
“Huigae of the Beggar Sect, Gadeuksang. Here to see the young master of the Yeon family.”
Then—
“Clear the way.”
Tak!
The Cheong-eungdae member sheathed his sword and stepped aside. A path opened in the circular formation.
Gadeuksang walked silently through.
‘Sharp.’
The swordsmen’s gazes from both sides were murderous. It felt like hundreds of blades slicing his body.
Don’t provoke them. The Cheong-eungdae was ready to cut down even a Shaolin high monk.
“You’re here?”
Gadeuksang eyed the axe. Its pole-end buried two ja into the ground, yet it stood perfectly straight. An eighty geun heavy weapon, but well-balanced for stability.
He looked at Yeon Hojeong. His complexion seemed fine. Hard to believe he’d fought enemies for over two days in one spot—he looked remarkably intact.
Gadeuksang snorted.
“Look at the blood on that axe. You had a field day, huh?”
“My body’s sore all over.”
“Bullshit’s in season. Why’d you fight? Forgot our plan?”
“Didn’t forget.”
“If you’re gonna smash heads, call ahead. What’s this? I look like the fool.”
“Sorry. No time to contact.”
“Heard your excuse.”
“Haha.”
Gadeuksang chuckled despite himself. Seeing Yeon Hojeong’s rare sheepish grin melted away his pent-up frustration.
“Ugh, whatever! Mind if I sit?”
Plopping down beside Yeon Hojeong, Gadeuksang glanced at the Myeong side. Three hundred experts formed ranks fifty jang away. The Myeong family’s Baekryong Army.
“Told the beggars to gather all intel on the Myeong side.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Knew I could count on you.”
“Bullshit. Whatever happens next, if you pull this again, don’t expect scraps. I’ll bail.”
“Got it.”
“Anyway, thought you’d be in a bloodbath, but it’s a standoff?”
“No need for them to send endless troops.”
“When’d the Baekryong Army arrive?”
“Baekryong Army?”
“Those guys over there. Didn’t know?”
“No. Arrived the evening before last.”
“They didn’t charge?”
“Kept sending a few experts. But those stayed put.”
Gadeuksang’s eyes flashed.
“Dangerous.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled. Gadeuksang’s insight was extraordinary. He grasped the fight’s essence just from a rough rundown.
“With all eyes on us, moving a combat unit like the Baekryong Army is tough. One-on-one duels are fine, but if they move, it’s war.”
“Exactly.”
They wouldn’t just watch the Baekryong Army advance—that’d mean mass casualties and evaporated pretexts.
“The moment they move is total war.”
“Spot on.”
“They won’t move lightly. This standoff’s on thin ice. Without ironclad justification no one can deny, they’re stuck.”
“Probably.”
“Won’t send family elders either.”
“A matter of rank.”
“Yes.”
Yeon Hojeong was the Yeon eldest son. Elders popping up under public scrutiny would mismatch ranks.
“So, they’ve played all usable cards.”
Gadeuksang glanced sideways at Yeon Hojeong.
Exhausted all cards short of elders? Meaning Yeon Hojeong solo-handled the Myeong’s top non-elder experts.
Impressive. Not as a righteous man, but as a martial artist.
“How’d a kid like you turn monster?”
“Still a long way off.”
“Ugh, annoying.”
“Haha.”
Gadeuksang flopped back.
“Might as well scout while we nap.”
“Why rest here, though?”
“We’re tied by fate, right? My presence alone makes the Myeong more cautious.”
“Fair.”
Gadeuksang skipped mentioning I Cheolgyeong or the presence rising from Hubei Yungjungsan. Not confirmed yet.
Yeon Hojeong gazed past the Baekryong Army at distant peaks.
‘I see them.’
They weren’t visible on arrival. Now they were.
His base eyesight had improved. No need to channel inner energy—vision sharpened.
‘Crystal clear.’
White Tiger Qi and Black Tortoise Qi had refined far beyond two days ago.
That’s why he saw.
Yeon Hojeong recalled his battles over two days.
‘All of them trained in fake Sasinmu.’
Even he couldn’t face them all with Black Emperor insights alone.
Yet he’d crushed the Myeong experts solo—thanks to his own arts and theirs.
‘Cheongbaekmubyeong, was it?’
Mingchi Mountain. The one in the bamboo grove hadn’t used fake Sasinmu. The Myeong still had such experts.
But.
‘Now it’s fine.’
Any at that level? No problem.
Black Tortoise Qi had exploded in growth. White Tiger Qi auto-adjusted alongside.
He was a different man from two days ago.
Against derivatives of Sasinmu—even peak experts—he could win.
That was current Yeon Hojeong.
The Myeong sent experts to capture him, but they fueled his growth.
No fear of whoever came. At least from the Myeong.
Yeon Hojeong closed his eyes.
A cool breeze brushed his ears.
“Nice wind.”
Three days later.
“Grand assembly today?”
“Already?”
“Time flies, huh.”
Dududu.
“Huh? What’re they doing?”
Gadeuksang tilted his head.
“Why withdraw?”
Yeon Hojeong was puzzled too. No reason for the Baekryong Army to pull back now.
Then—
“Hm?”
Gadeuksang perked his ears. Receiving a sound transmission.
Moments later, his face paled.
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
Gadeuksang turned.
“Yeon family head dropped a bomb.”
“Father?!”
“Threatened the Myeong head! To protect you!”
Gadeuksang relayed the letter’s contents. Anxiety etched his face.
“Damn, the board’s shaken! No telling how the Myeong’ll move now!”
“I get it.”
“Huh? What?”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.
“I know. How the Myeong—no, the Myeong family head—will move.”