Chapter 85: The Wind Does Not Break (3)
Quite a rough way to greet a stranger.
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
"Have rumors spread that I'm a dog butcher?"
He took it in good humor.
Hwajincheon burst into booming laughter. "You think word wouldn't get around? They say your axe work is a work of art. That you used the Ming family bastards' heads for firewood instead?"
"Not even fit for kindling."
"With their heads full of shit, I suppose not."
"Exactly."
"And you even went after Myeong Cheon?"
"Surprised?"
"Not at all. Spare an enemy trying to kill you? Sounds noble on paper, but to anyone on a real battlefield, it's bullshit daydreams."
Hwajincheon tilted his head.
"The real issue is this: after the fight was already decided, you went berserk chopping off limbs."
Jegal A-yeon glanced at Yeon Hojeong in shock.
Yeon Hojeong admitted calmly, "That's right. He collapsed midway, so I didn't quite finish the job."
"Why? The outcome was set, everything wrapped up—why heap on that kind of humiliation?"
"You're joking, right?"
"Joking?"
"I don't insult foes unless it's necessary."
"And hacking someone to pieces isn't?"
"He threatened to hack off my limbs, sever my head, salt it, and dump it at my father's feet."
"……."
"I can stomach most things, but not that."
Hwajincheon, who had been eyeing him appraisingly, shrugged. "Best not to mess with you, then."
Yeon Hojeong smiled faintly. "Saw right through me, huh?"
Hwajincheon's eyes gleamed. "You knew?"
"Disciples take after their masters. It was just like the first time I met Huigae."
"Comparing me to that louse? I've still got a ways to go."
He said it lightly, like a joke, but inwardly Hwajincheon was impressed.
Sharp kid.
Those who handle information always prioritize gauging the temperament of the key players in an incident before unraveling its causes. Something he'd drilled into his disciple endlessly.
In the end, incidents are caused by people—if you read them right, you grasp the thread of events.
And this young latecomer seemed to know it too.
No ordinary guy. Didn't even flinch when I showed up. He didn't predict it exactly, but he knew it wouldn't be weird if I did.
Hwajincheon sighed. "Who knows what'll become of the Beggar Sect from here."
"Pardon?"
"When a tiger starts thinking like a man, the world turns to hell. My disciple's buddy is a tiger with human smarts, so that fool won't die quietly either."
Yeon Hojeong smiled. "Don't worry. He's not some rabid dog biting everyone."
"If he were, you two wouldn't be buddies."
"Fair point."
Chucking lightly, Hwajincheon turned to Jegal A-yeon. "The Jegal family's eldest daughter?"
Jegal A-yeon bowed at the waist. "I hesitated to interrupt your conversation, so my greetings are late. I'm Jegal A-yeon of the Jegal family, honored to meet the Leader of the Open Gang."
Hwajincheon scratched his head. At least this one didn't shed dandruff like his disciple.
"You okay sticking around here?"
"Pardon? Me?"
"Yeah, you."
Jegal A-yeon looked flustered.
Hwajincheon chuckled. "Heard the Namgung sent matchmakers?"
"……!"
"Dunno if the marriage'll happen, but till then, you'd best watch your step, right? Even if you're not of age yet, a man's a man—and the Namgung won't like it."
Jegal A-yeon's face hardened.
She hadn't expected him to bring up such a major family matter out of nowhere.
Too stunned to speak.
Hwajincheon laughed heartily. "Hah, did I say something out of line?"
"……."
"Sorry about that. This old mouth of mine never learned manners at my age. Just forget I said anything."
"It's... fine."
Hwajincheon raised both hands. "Looks like this old beggar's just ruined the mood. I'll be off. Sorry for barging in uninvited."
Yeon Hojeong cupped his fists in respect. "Take care."
"We'll cross paths again if fate allows."
As Hwajincheon ambled away, he paused. "Oh! But do you know this?"
His gaze shifted to Jegal A-yeon.
Her eyes widened.
"Would your father not know?"
"……Pardon?"
"Sending his daughter to the Yeon family's heir—think the Namgung won't notice what that looks like?"
"……!!"
"As you know, your father's one of the sharpest minds in the martial world. The head of the Divine Strategist Jegal."
Shock etched across Jegal A-yeon's face.
Hwajincheon grinned. "Parent-child bonds are something special, eh?"
With that, he departed.
Yeon Hojeong grimaced uncomfortably. "Things are gonna get messy from here."
Sin Mo asked curiously, "You mean the Open Gang Leader?"
"Yeah."
"Why……?"
Yeon Hojeong, lost in thought, shook his head. "Nah, forget it. I'm overthinking."
That look in Hwajincheon's eyes as he sized him up was anything but ordinary.
He'd stepped back from the front lines long ago, and rumors said he'd soon pass the leadership to his disciple.
But the Open Gang Leader's divine insight wasn't dead.
In just a few exchanges, he'd pierced Yeon Hojeong's true nature—what Gadeuksang had pieced together over months.
Impressive.
In Hwajincheon, he saw echoes of Gadeuksang.
But the Gadeuksang from his Black Dark Emperor days had been similar yet different—blunter, more genuine, perhaps due to his personality. More human charm, you could say.
Still, for running an organization like the Beggar Sect, Hwajincheon's caution might suit better.
Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips.
Thought I'd hooked a good patron, but might not see those benefits anytime soon.
Gadeuksang might get strict orders to steer clear.
Can't be helped. Come to think of it, I've been a bit too burdensome.
Sighing deeply, Yeon Hojeong turned to Jegal A-yeon. "Let's grab some food."
"……."
"Hey."
"Eek! M-me?"
"Who else?"
Jegal A-yeon looked flustered. "Is what the Open Gang Leader said true?"
"What, the matchmakers?"
"Yeah."
Yeon Hojeong nodded. "High chance. Even without the Seven Great Families angle, any family head knows what it means to send his daughter into a warzone."
"……!"
"So, in that light, your father used me. Maybe that Small Heaven's Mechanism Pill was less 'repaying a favor' and more 'sorry for the trouble' gift."
Jegal A-yeon's jaw dropped.
Yeon Hojeong headed for his room. "I'll change my bandages and come out. Think about what you wanna eat. Sin, help me with the bandages."
"Understood."
Then Jegal A-yeon called out. "Wait!"
Yeon Hojeong turned. "What?"
"Well……."
She hemmed and hawed. "What do you think?"
"About?"
"The Namgung sending matchmakers."
"What to think? It happens."
"It happens……."
"You're the Gongzi, right? The one they're after?"
"Yeah."
"The Namgung are the supreme sword family, top reputation. But they're stifled by the Nine Great Families and the rising Moyong—can't spread their wings."
"……."
"Link up with another pillar of the Seven Great Families through marriage, bolster their base. And conveniently, their son's got a crush on you—perfect excuse."
"Hm."
Yeon Hojeong grew serious. "No one knows the Namgung family head's real thoughts. But the moment the marriage happens, surrounding powers tense up. Slack off, and you'll just get squeezed."
"Probably."
"A man like the Namgung head won't take it lying down. He knows. Means he's nursing some grand ambitions too."
Jegal A-yeon asked bluntly, "What about the Yeon?"
"My house?"
"……You say it so casually."
"What about my house?"
"Are the Yeon planning to expand through marriage too?"
Sensitive question if there ever was one.
Yeon Hojeong chuckled. "Father always said, 'The one you'll live with forever—don't judge their house, judge their heart.'"
"……!"
"Cool, right? In this fake chaotic world, not many live by that romance. That's why I like my old man."
Jegal A-yeon smiled. "Your father's really something."
Yeon Hojeong turned away. "Wait up. Bandages first."
He vanished into his room.
Jegal A-yeon's giggling smile faded to seriousness.
"……Is he pushing too hard?"
* * *
"Woof!"
Thwack!
"Argh! Why hit me again?!"
"Oh, you? Thought some rabid mutt was barking."
Gadeuksang rubbed his head. "Gonna go bald, damn it."
"Damn it?"
"……Heh heh, must've misheard. Would I curse at my master?"
"Bullshit."
Hwajincheon strolled down the hallway.
Gadeuksang smacked his lips and followed. "How was he?"
"Yeon Hojeong?"
"Yeah."
"Beyond the rumors."
Gadeuksang's eyes lit up. "See? Even you think he's extraordinary, right?"
"Yeah. Rumors downplayed him. Too extraordinary—downright dangerous."
Gadeuksang's face fell.
Hwajincheon shook his head. "Guess what impression I got?"
"……."
"Demon."
"……!"
"Grows in a barren wasteland where not even weeds thrive, shrouded in mystery. To fertilize it, he'd drown the world in corpse mountains and blood seas. Seen countless martial artists in my time—no one as dangerous."
Irritation flickered across Gadeuksang's face. "He's not like that."
Surprisingly, Hwajincheon nodded. "Could be."
"Huh?"
"Barren at core, but up close, he smells human. Whether the Yeon head tamed him or he's cultivating himself, who knows."
Gadeuksang brightened.
Hwajincheon tossed casually, "What, happy 'cause I praised your buddy?"
"He's not my buddy—I'm ten years older."
"Age is past for friends, disciple."
"Heh heh."
"Watch him close. I figure I did right by your mental training to keep you from evil. If he veers demonic, smash his skull."
"If I had the strength."
"Tch, that's why practice Descending Dragon Eighteen Palms instead of slacking."
"When the time comes."
"Keep it up, and I'll boot you from Huigae for real."
"Fine by me."
"Ugh, what a disciple."
Gadeuksang probed slyly. "Handled the Jegal A-yeon thing okay?"
"Think I'd take the heat for you at my age? Handle your own from now on."
"Haha! I'll think about it."
His disciple's cheekiness finally drew a chuckle from Hwajincheon.
Gazing at the sky as they walked the hallway, a vague unease stirred in Hwajincheon.
Heaven's secrets, huh…….
Time to pay that fortune teller a visit.