Inevitability Born from Coincidence (2)
Namgung Shin's eyes, fixed on Yeon Hojeong, brimmed with honest admiration.
"So you're Yeon Hojeong?"
"You know me?"
Whoooong.
A chilling sword intent poured from the swordsmen standing behind Namgung Shin.
Namgung Shin was the last direct-line elder among the Namgung family's eight great elders. His status was on par with the family head.
Yet this young punk, who couldn't be much older than his mid-twenties, had a tone that was downright insolent. It was needling the swordsmen's nerves.
But Namgung Shin himself nodded as if unperturbed.
"Of course I know you. Just looking at that massive axe you're carrying tells me plenty. And this aura unconsciously emanating from you—it's hardly what you'd expect from someone so young."
Surprisingly, Namgung Shin seemed delighted. Pure admiration and joy lit up his face.
"They say you had the guts to face the world's greatest alone. Indeed, you're a remarkable talent. The moniker Azure Mountain Tiger General suits you perfectly."
Azure Mountain Tiger General?
Not even funny.
They'd been calling him the Mad Wind Lion just a while back, and now it was Azure Mountain Tiger General. He was a martial artist himself, but he had to admit, the Murim world's flair for nicknames was something else.
"Ah, my apologies. I've kept you standing without even introducing myself. I'm Sin from the Anhui Namgung family."
Yeon Hojeong blinked.
Namgung Shin smacked his lips.
"Never heard of me?"
"I don't pay much attention to others."
No matter how he spun it, that wasn't something to say to a Murim senior. Especially since Namgung Shin was older than even Yeon Wi, the family head.
The swordsmen's gazes grew colder. The subtle sword intent they exuded intensified.
Namgung Shin burst into hearty laughter. "Kekekeke! What a bold young man. Yes, a true man needs that kind of spirit."
"Anyway, I'll be on my way. Make way."
"Before that."
"...?"
"That fellow at your side—is he Myeong Heo-rim?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed.
For a split second, he wondered, How did he know?
But the Namgung family was a pillar of the Martial Alliance. It made sense they'd know Myeong Heo-rim was heading to Anhui.
"That's right."
"Just as I thought. The young hero who exposed the true face of the infamous Myeong family has now captured the son of their criminal too. Your fame will shake the great river and lands north and south once more."
Yeon Hojeong shook his head, annoyance plain in the gesture.
"Make way now. I have places to be."
"Ha! Of course. We were planning to nab him ourselves—such a pity. But who cares who catches him, as long as he's caught."
Namgung Shin glanced at Myeong Heo-rim with faint regret, then stepped aside.
"Clear the path."
The thirty swordsmen parted to either side.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes sharpened. Impressive.
The sword intent radiating from both flanks was extraordinary. This wasn't some ordinary fighting force. It had to be one of the Namgung family's elite units.
But that was none of his concern. He strode forward steadily.
That was when it happened.
"By the way, young man."
Yeon Hojeong halted.
"I heard you gave my nephews quite the thrashing not long ago."
"..."
"Haha, no need to tense up. Even I think those boys went too far. Hyeon pulled some shady tricks, and Sanghwa acted like a spoiled brat, resorting to childish antics."
"And?"
"And..."
Namgung Shin's smile remained.
"I can understand those two incidents, but there's one more that even I can't comprehend."
Yeon Hojeong turned.
He furrowed his brow. "Stop beating around the bush and say what you mean."
Namgung Shin nodded. "Since you're so straightforward, I'll drop the formalities."
The smile vanished from Namgung Shin's face in an instant, turning icy cold.
"You're acquainted with the girl who's to be Hyeon's fiancée?"
Yeon Hojeong immediately thought of one person.
"Jegal A-yeon?"
"Yes, Jegal A-yeon. That's the one."
"Acquainted... it's not that deep."
"Haha, don't think you can brush it off like that. Truth be told, how close you are to that girl is none of my business. But the circumstances are... awkward."
Namgung Shin frowned. He seemed reluctant to meddle in this himself.
But he had no choice—as an elder of the family and as an uncle.
"You may not know, but we've sent a matchmaker to the Jegal family. To her."
"I know."
"You know? Haha, that makes this easier then."
Namgung Shin's voice turned frigid.
"Stay away from the Jegal family's eldest daughter from now on. She's to be the wife of our second young master."
Yeon Hojeong couldn't help but chuckle.
Namgung Shin's eyes deepened.
"Why the laugh?"
How could he not laugh?
The Jegal family seemed intent on rejecting the Namgung marriage proposal. Yet here the Namgung were, insisting she was their daughter-in-law-to-be and telling him to back off. It felt like needless provocation, but it didn't seem like that exactly.
They knew I was here after all.
What mattered to Yeon Hojeong wasn't Jegal A-yeon's betrothal to Namgung Hyeon.
They knew I was here.
This matter was supposed to be known only to Moyong Gun and himself. At least on the surface.
Had the Namgung family also dispatched forces to capture Myeong Heo-rim? Possible.
But that didn't prove this encounter was coincidence.
Moyong Gun.
It was obvious. Moyong Gun was surely behind this.
The reason? Because even if they knew, they couldn't call him out. No evidence, no need to stir needless rumors and strife.
And the same went for the Namgung side.
Yeon Hojeong shrugged.
"Don't worry. I've never approached her first anyway. She came to me."
Good thing, at least. Though it was oddly irritating.
If Yeon Hojeong had feelings for Jegal A-yeon, that'd be one thing—but the reverse would give the Namgung a headache too.
"So no need to glare like that."
Tzztztzt.
A subtle blue true energy rippled from the swordsmen's bodies. It was Azure Firmament Qi.
All of them had mastered the Namgung family's pinnacle art, Azure Firmament Qi—and deeply at that.
The waves of pressure crashing from both sides were shockingly intense.
Namgung Shin, who had been glaring at Yeon Hojeong for a long while, regained his smile.
"You're arrogant, but at least you don't seem like a liar."
I'd lie in a heartbeat if needed.
"I'll take your word for it. Just be mindful from now on."
"Don't worry. I have no interest in wrecking someone else's marriage."
"Haha, quick on the uptake. Good lad."
Namgung Shin raised his hand. The auras flowing from both sides instantly subsided.
"Sorry for holding you up. Go on your way."
"Take care."
"You too. Ah, one more thing."
Namgung Shin frowned.
"Have you seen any archery masters around here by chance?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed.
"Archery?"
"Yes. You might know of the Anhui Blood Bow, the demon who annihilated the Jinjian Gate five years ago. Word is he's shown up near Bagong Mountain lately."
"...!"
"Myeong Heo-rim's caught, courtesy of you, so that's fine. But we have to be the ones to get the Anhui Blood Bow."
Namgung Shin scratched his head.
"We spotted some brutal traces not far from here. Couldn't investigate closely, but it was archery fused with qigong—immense power. Has to be the Anhui Blood Bow's art."
"..."
"Weren't you waiting around to catch Myeong Heo-rim? Didn't sense any powerful auras like that?"
Yeon Hojeong replied innocently. "Haven't seen him. I only arrived yesterday myself."
"Is that so?"
Namgung Shin smacked his lips.
"Alright. If you spot anyone suspicious with a bow, let the local branch know."
"Got it."
"Be on your way. Congrats on Myeong Heo-rim again."
"Good luck to you."
And so Yeon Hojeong parted from the Namgung forces.
How far had he descended the mountain?
"Huff huff! Y-Yeon young master?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes widened.
"Branch Head So Cheong?"
"Cough! Huff huff! J-Just... give me a moment to catch my breath..."
So Cheong collapsed on the spot, panting raggedly.
Behind him stood Baek Hyang, her expression serene and detached.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes lit up.
"Muk... Baek Hyang?"
Baek Hyang gazed at Yeon Hojeong wordlessly. Her eyes were unfocused.
The aura of profound emptiness emanating from her whole body was utterly dark.
So Cheong gasped out, "Th-this lowly one brought her to find you, young master. Huff! Huff!"
Yeon Hojeong set Myeong Heo-rim down.
"Didn't expect you'd find me this quick."
Baek Hyang, who had been staring blankly, bowed her head.
"I came to say goodbye."
"Goodbye?"
"I'm going back to Gwanil Valley."
Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips. "To become that prophet or whatever?"
"No."
"...Then?"
Baek Hyang spoke horrifying words with a blank face.
"To wipe them out with my own hands."
"...!"
Yeon Hojeong's face hardened.
"Brother Gung-cheon told me. That you could protect me. But Gwanil Valley is strong. And they'll do anything to recapture their escaped prophet."
"I see."
"Yes. I don't know the jianghu well, but no ordinary sect can stand against Gwanil Valley."
"So you're going to wipe them all out yourself?"
Baek Hyang's eyes darkened further. Beneath that deep darkness lurked faint rage and killing intent.
"I hate them. My family is all gone anyway, and they'll hunt me no matter what."
"..."
"Better to eliminate them first."
Truly venomous. Few could make such a vow lightly.
But wasn't Gwanil Valley her home?
Yeon Hojeong looked into Baek Hyang's eyes. They seemed to suck in all the light of the world. Incredibly, impossibly dark.
It's not just because of this.
This prophet fiasco had merely ignited it, but she'd hated Gwanil Valley all along, he suspected. Pure conjecture, of course.
"Can you handle them alone?"
"I know the terrain inside out. There are masters, but none stronger than those in the prophet contest."
"Still a tough fight."
"..."
"One you might not come back from? That's why you're saying goodbye."
"...Yes."
Baek Hyang bowed again.
"Thanks to you, Brother Gung-cheon passed peacefully. I've received your grace too, so I wanted to at least say farewell before what might be my last."
Yeon Hojeong sighed. "I advised her to take charge of her life, and now she's off to die."
"I don't want to die."
"Hm?"
"I don't want to die. But if I don't wipe them out, living won't be living."
"..."
"They're that vicious."
"So this is your only choice?"
"...Yes."
"Is it now?"
A sly response.
Yeon Hojeong abruptly threw an arm around Baek Hyang's shoulders.
She flinched.
"Hey, Muk... no, Baek... ah, forget it! You're Muk Bi from now on. That's what I'll call you."
"Y-Yes?"
"I've got a great idea. Want to hear it?"
"...A great idea?"
Yeon Hojeong gazed up at the distant ridgeline. His eyes deepened.
"Advice for the you who's about to step into the world: one piece."
"...?"
"If you're going to dirty your hands anyway, better to do it yourself. But if it's messy, it's fine to borrow someone else's."
"What? What does that mean?"
"No need to feel bad about not doing it yourself. Especially if the enemy's begging to die."
Yeon Hojeong turned to So Cheong.
"Branch Head. Grab Myeong Heo-rim for me. Got something to discuss with this one."
"Huff huff! M-Me?"
"Please."
"Huff! Huff. Y-Yes, sir."
Yeon Hojeong turned back to Baek Hyang with a grin.
"You ever hear of kill with a borrowed knife?"