Chapter 28: Grandmaster of a Generation
People become eerily calm when they're shocked beyond belief.
That was Baek Jin-hwan right now.
The words 'nephew' and 'aunt' finally clicked in his mind.
'Mother's sister is an aunt. Her sister's kid is a nephew. Ah, so that's how they were related.'
Baek Jin-hwan nodded—then shook his head furiously.
Related my ass!
Jeong Gwang was definitely an orphan!
Years ago, when he'd gone to Kunlun, hadn't Heo Yeo-min nursed the starving infant out of pity?
"Nephew. All grown up and won't even hug your aunt anymore?"
"Even as a kid, you were forcing hugs on me."
"How hurtful."
"You're not well—why come out in this weather?"
"It's all thanks to you, nephew. I can even take walks now. How happy do you think that makes me? Everything's because of you. I heard you came down the mountain, so how could I not come out?"
Baek Jin-hwan recalled the rumors about Lady Yeon.
'The only daughter of Xining's great landlord, frail since childhood.'
Perhaps she'd traded beauty for health at birth.
No treatment helped beyond maintenance.
Eventually, she'd resigned herself and begun making pilgrimages to Kunlun Mountain by palanquin to pray.
Over a decade ago, she'd married the newly appointed Qinghai Province Lord, who doted on her and tried everything—but to no avail.
She'd kept climbing Kunlun, praying...
'Ah! A few years back, I heard her health improved dramatically. Could it be...?'
Exactly as Baek Jin-hwan thought.
Each visit, she'd cared for baby Jeong Gwang and insisted he call her 'aunt.'
Time passed, the grown Jeong Gwang treated her with medicine and internal energy.
"It's not a full cure. Cold winds aren't good for you—go back inside."
"Sigh. We meet after so long, and all you say is bad news."
"Oh. Should I say something nice?"
"...?"
"Aunt, you haven't aged much."
Lady Yeon's eyes widened.
It wasn't much of a compliment, but it was the first time she'd heard it from Jeong Gwang.
She clapped in delight.
"Infinite blessings. To hear that from you— the Primeval Lord of Heaven must be watching over us. Who taught you that?"
"My wet nurse."
"Not the mountain goat, I hope."
"Of course not."
"Introduce me?"
"She's right here."
Heo Yeo-min, listening with wide-eyed curiosity, startled.
"Ah, hello. I'm Heo Yeo-min of the Baek Merchant Group."
"Oh, nice to meet you. Thank you for teaching my nephew such sweet words."
"No, no. The young master was always kind-hearted."
"Young master? What did he do for you?"
"Well..."
Women with shared interests can talk forever.
They swapped Jeong Gwang stories, losing track of time.
They looked like lifelong friends already.
Baek Jin-hwan clenched his fists.
'Lady Yeon knew the young master! And now she's bonding with Yeo-min too. What luck!'
Just then, Lady Yeon's gaze turned to him.
"Ah, forgive my rudeness. As the group leader said, Lord Yeon is my husband."
"Wh-what an honor to meet you!"
"Just an elder in the Jade Dragon Escort Corps. Silly at my age, right?"
The wife of Qinghai's Province Lord.
Only an emperor could call that 'silly.' Who else dared?
Baek Jin-hwan shook his head wildly.
"Not at all! Absolutely not! It's a noble, upright pursuit—I believe it wholeheartedly!"
"Thank you for the kind words. I'd love to chat more with your wife—mind if we continue?"
"Of course! Naturally! Take all the time you need! With the chill, why not talk somewhere warm?"
Heo Yeo-min caught his intent, excused herself to Lady Yeon, and dashed to the manor.
To tidy up for such a guest.
'Hahaha. Things are falling into place.'
Baek Jin-hwan's grin threatened to split his face.
'The Province Lord's wife on our side?'
Qinghai's lord was king here.
Officials didn't meddle in murim, but influence lingered.
One word from him...
'Who in Qinghai dares block our business then!'
Lost in rosy visions, Jeong Gwang's voice cut in.
"Knew this would happen. Aunt, hold still."
He'd turned, grasping Lady Yeon's wrist, channeling qi.
Color returned to her pale face.
"Thanks, nephew."
"Get inside the manor quick."
"More importantly, I heard you're heading to the Central Plains. You'll stop by our home first, right?"
"No."
"Why?"
"You know the elders dislike Uncle."
"Because of those silk robes he sent before?"
"That, and his fuss over expanding Kunlun—everyone's fed up."
Lady Yeon had no retort.
The lord had showered gifts on Jeong Gwang's Kunlun for her treatment. Even gold-leafing every Taoist shrine on the mountain.
"Mm. I'll make sure he doesn't send anything this time."
"That stubborn uncle? Sure."
"Sigh. Probably not. But I can't let you go empty-handed. Something... Ah, trouble with those Zhou Manor folks? Want me to mediate?"
Baek Jin-hwan nearly yelled 'Yes!'—but Jeong Gwang beat him.
"No."
"What then?"
"Just beat 'em up."
"They've got Kongtong Sect backing. Even I know they're big shots."
"Beat them together."
Baek Jin-hwan doubted his ears.
Beat them?
Kongtong Sect?
One of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, lords of Gansu?
Lady Yeon smiled warmly, unlike his shock.
Jeong Gwang tilted his head.
"Why smile?"
"It's so you."
"What brought that on?"
"Hahaha."
After laughing, Lady Yeon raised her hand.
The tiny infant was now a tall young man, so she stood on tiptoe to pat his head.
"Follow your path, but always take care."
Jeong Gwang grinned.
"You too, aunt."
Against Baek Jin-hwan's despairing face, they smiled long.
*
Kunlun disciples and Jade Dragon Escort members knew Lady Yeon already—but others didn't.
Women whispered excitedly upon learning her identity, gossip spreading faster than galloping horses across the clearing.
Zhou Huansul's group was most stunned.
'The Province Lord's wife!'
'Linked to Kunlun's Jade Dragon?'
As Zhou Huansul pondered, Kongtong disciple leader Yeongchuja's transmission sounded.
-Things are going sideways. Your plan?
A raspy voice that grated just hearing it.
Zhou Huansul forced politeness.
-Surprising, but no worry, martial uncle.
-Why?
-Our foe is Baek Merchant Group, not Kunlun. The lady offered mediation, but Jade Dragon refused. No official meddling.
-Jade Dragon? Hmph. Arrogant nickname.
-Young, but slew Qinghai Four Evils, Yellow River bandits, Tanggula thieves. Recently flew into the sky, they say.
-Qinghai Evils? Demonic scum Kunlun ganged up on. Bandits? Trash you herded to the escort agency. Flying? Ha! Kunlun's desperate for a divine figure.
Zhou Huansul agreed rumors were exaggerated.
Except his looks—those were understated.
-Wait it out?
Yeongchuja scowled at the crowd. He hated waiting.
-Better this way.
-How?
-Kunlun took escorts, so Jade Dragon ambush is settled-ish.
-If they push?
-Disagreements drag talks. Inevitable.
-Explain.
-Kunlun heads to Henan for Murim Alliance revival. No time to linger.
-Ah. Stall with back-and-forth?
-Yes. They'll leave soon. Hit Baek then.
-Good. Very good. Rumors Kunlun backs Hebei Pang—grab their ankle now.
-Headquarters decided support?
-...Not your concern. Don't pry.
Zhou Huansul bowed his head fast after the rebuff.
"Forgive my overstep, martial uncle."
"Ahem. Understood. Be cautious."
"Of course."
Yeongchuja relaxed, eyeing heads.
"Two or three shichen more?"
"Enough. Just endure a bit."
*
Endure a bit? Hardly.
Tents weren't for show.
With crowds napping in shifts, every woman got Jeong Gwang's blessing.
Meanwhile, Kunlun Taoists held rites for Xining notables seeking ties. So sincere, even ill-intentioned ones left with respect for Kunlun.
It took a full day.
'Finally gone!'
Zhou Huansul, tormented by exploding Yeongchuja, nearly wept joy.
He requested talks with Baek Jin-hwan immediately.
They sat amid empty tents.
Zhou Huansul opened.
"Let's go point by point."
Grudge-fueled nitpicking?
He circled endlessly, never core issues—usually infuriating...
'...Unfazed?'
As Zhou puzzled, Jeong Gwang brought bandaged-arm escorts.
'Whatever ploy, it's a blunder.'
Escorts were bandits at heart.
Captured by Kunlun, they leaned on Zhou Manor.
'Have them condemn Baek.'
Zhou transmitted to leader Ji Jaewon.
-You ambushed Jade Dragon?
-Never!
-Knew it. Lucky alive. How'd Baek threaten you? Speak to save you.
-...
-Hurry.
-...Sorry. Understand.
-Understand what?
Soon, escorts shouted unison.
"We attacked Baek on his orders and ambushed Jade Dragon!"
"...!"
Fingers pointed at Zhou Huansul.
"...What is this?!"
Zhou gaped.
Attacking Baek? True—but Jade Dragon?
Baek Jin-hwan pressed leisurely.
"Zhou Escort names you culprit. Explain?"
"Group leader Baek! How much did you bully them for such lies?"
Zhou turned politely to Un Hak.
"Immortal, don't believe them. I never ordered that."
"I'm no immortal."
"...!"
Zhou reeled like struck.
Not an immortal? Iron-faced denial!
'Trouble.'
Real trouble was coming.
Jeong Gwang stepped forward, staring.
"Confess quick."
"...What?"
"You ordered my ambush."
"Absurd! I never..."
Escorts chorused.
"He did!"
"When I..."
"Yesterday!"
Zhou neared madness.
"Jade Dragon! You threaten them? Else why frame me?!"
Escorts replied.
"No threats! Just truth!"
Same words simultaneous? Impossible naturally.
'Someone's orders. Transmission?'
Transmissions were qi waves to one ear. Not this.
But he couldn't imagine.
Past-life Jeong Gwang: True Heavenly Demon.
Grandmaster of a generation.
Innovator of mass transmissions!