Chapter 149: Tianjin is Clear Today After the Rain (5)
Chapter 149: Tianjin is Clear Today After the Rain (5)
Yunnan is the farthest Han Chinese territory from Hebei. In this era, within the Ming Dynasty's borders—where administrative districts like Qinghai and Xinjiang do not yet exist—Yunnan belongs to the most remote frontier of the Han people.
In practice, it is no different from the lands beyond the borders. The distance is impossible to cover on foot, and even by water, one must change ships several times and attempt coastal navigation just to barely reach it.
In terms of geographical distance, it isn't much different from traveling from modern-day Korea to the Middle East. Thus, even from my perspective, I had never once considered going to the Yunnan region.
‘Even if we take the shortest route, it’ll take at least a month.’
Two months for the round trip alone. If I included the time spent searching for the Hao Clan Leader in that vast land of Yunnan, there was no telling how long it would take. It would be wise to set aside at least half a year for the journey.
And so...
"You want me to stay in Hebei...? By myself...?"
"It’s too far from Liaoning."
"No! Is the distance what matters right now?"
"It matters, of course it does."
I didn't know what kind of under-the-table negotiations were currently taking place between the Murong Family of Liaoning and my own family. Part of it was a conscious effort to stay out of it, and part of it was simply not caring because it was a situation beyond my control anyway.
If a marriage was decided, there was nothing I could do. Conversely, the family wouldn't give up on the marriage proposal just because I intervened.
The benefits the Murong Family could provide to our house would return as enormous interests, even at a perfectly rational level. It wasn't as if they were asking to take me in as a live-in son-in-law, either.
Therefore, I couldn't take Murong Cheong with me.
"But why!"
"If I die abroad, it ends with the marriage talk being canceled. But if you die abroad, a war will break out."
Ninety percent of the reason the Murong Family was currently friendly toward Hebei was thanks to the relationship between Murong Cheong and me. To begin with, the Murong Family had been in a fierce, hostile relationship with the Dragon Slaying Alliance for nearly sixty years.
Because the Murong Family Head looked upon me favorably and took the marriage proposal with Murong Cheong seriously, we were able to maintain control over the northern Hebei region despite the strikes from the Heavenly Thunder Alliance.
The Heavenly Thunder Alliance was born from the Green Forest. With the acting leader of the Heavenly Thunder Alliance dead and the leader himself still in closed-door cultivation, the reason the mountain fortresses under their command remained quiet was that the Murong Family, who shared their sphere of influence, supported us.
What if Murong Cheong died in the midst of that? I didn't even want to imagine it. War with the Murong Family, the fragmentation of the Heavenly Thunder Alliance...
And then there were my brothers, those precious troublemakers who might pull God-knows-what, the White Lotus Cult hiding somewhere doing who-knows-what, and even the Zhuge Family Head, who was constantly watching for an opening.
Murong Cheong was one of the precarious weights holding Hebei in balance. I couldn't take her to Yunnan, where three of the Fifteen Lords had already gone missing.
When I explained this indirectly, Murong Cheong looked at me with a very complicated expression.
"That... uh... I am happy, I really am, but..."
It was essentially an admission that I recognized her as my marriage partner and would treat her as such. It meant I judged the relationship between our families to have a high probability of success and that I would comply without any particular objection.
Murong Cheong muttered in a low, troubled voice.
"But is that woman going with you too?"
"That woman?"
"...Lady Im."
"Ah."
Hwa-yeong?
"Well, she is going, but we have to travel through Jiangnan via the Grand Canal. It’s practically impossible without the support of the Heavenly Merchant Guild."
"If it's a sea route, the Maritime Prohibition Fleet could..."
"In the spring?"
To begin with, it was problematic for the Maritime Prohibition Fleet to even come down to Hebei. Why did the Commander-in-Chief of Liaodong allow a massive force like the Maritime Prohibition Fleet to be operated privately? It was under the command to control coastal smuggling.
It didn't matter in the winter. Smugglers didn't dare move through the winter seas recklessly. But now that the weather had softened into spring, it was the season when smugglers became active.
At this time, the Maritime Prohibition Fleet could not leave Liaoning. If such a fleet were used for deep-sea navigation all the way to Jiangnan, or perhaps even to the distant kingdom of Dai Viet, the Imperial Court would very likely charge them with treason.
Unless it was winter, the support of the Maritime Prohibition Fleet was out of the question. Recalling this, Murong Cheong bit her lip and lowered her head.
"Don't be like that. I'll be back as quickly as possible."
"That's right. Don't worry too much, Lady Murong. Hoho."
"......?"
"???"
Hwa-yeong, who had appeared out of nowhere as if rising from the shadows behind my back, laughed while covering her mouth. With a very slow movement, she lightly leaned her arm on my shoulder and looked at Murong Cheong.
"What could possibly happen? It is merely a grown man and a woman of marriageable age enjoying a six-month boat trip together."
"E-Eek! As I thought, I can't allow this! Don't go! Don't go! How can I trust you and let you go!! No! Over my dead body, I won't allow it!!"
"Shall we test that theory?"
Hwa-yeong began to scoop up dirt from the ground using telekinesis, so I had to quickly clear out of the area.
*
Zhuge Jeong-yeong, who had been spending peaceful days at the Sima Family, received two letters on a day when spring was in full bloom. One was from his rival-friend, and the other was quite unexpected.
He had anticipated the first letter. It was about time to move, and in the current political climate, there were only a few things that could be the next move on the board.
Sichuan, where the Tang Family resided; Yunnan, where information was being suppressed; and Hebei, which would be experiencing a period of chaos after just expanding its territory.
No matter which of the three they started with, his help would be needed. Zhuge Jeong-yeong nodded as he read the neatly folded letter.
"Yunnan, I see. Not bad."
It had been a good half-year since the Bloody Incident of Yunnan occurred. Despite three of the Central Plains' Fifteen Lords being deployed in the meantime, the Blood Cult's movements had yet to be quelled.
Yunnan was a battlefield directly overseen by his father, Zhuge Yeon-seon. With the main force of the Martial Alliance dispatched in that direction, Zhuge Yeon-seon would be busy filtering out those favorable to him.
The method was simple. As someone who could directly intervene in the operational authority of the Martial Alliance's combat units, Zhuge Yeon-seon had the ability to dispatch whatever troops he wanted to whatever region he desired.
Simply by pushing those hostile to him into dangerous territories, Zhuge Yeon-seon's grip on power would be solidified.
The deployment to Yunnan was one of Zhuge Yeon-seon's most core projects for that reason alone. If they could ruin it, it wouldn't be a loss even if they failed to find the Hao Clan Leader.
However, there was one more letter tucked in that he hadn't expected at all.
"Lady Murong...?"
Since he had essentially received a letter from his former fiancée, Zhuge Jeong-yeong swallowed hard—unlike his usual self—as he tore open the sealed envelope.
Until the marriage proposal was canceled, they had been too young to exchange letters, and after it was canceled, there had been no reason to contact her. With a slightly trembling hand, he held the letter and read through it.
—Brother Seon, I apologize for sending such an urgent letter.
—By any chance, do you remember the last words you spoke to me on the day the marriage proposal was canceled?
—You said you would pray for my happiness wherever I might be.
—If that is so, please, just this once, help me.
The handwriting dripped with desperation. Zhuge Jeong-yeong gulped and finished reading the rest of the letter.
—Please watch over Hui-lang (郞). (Note: Hui-lang is an affectionate term for a younger male lover).
—There are other women by his side who are after him.
—If there is still anything resembling friendship left between us, I beg of you.
Zhuge Jeong-yeong ended up wearing the expression of an ex-boyfriend who had been asked by his ex-girlfriend to keep the other women away from her new boyfriend. The fact that she had sent this to him of all people was extremely unpleasant, but—
‘Come to think of it, this is that bastard Peng Hyeon-hwi’s fault.’
The very fact that she had sent such a letter meant that the relationship between Lady Murong and Peng Hyeon-hwi had already been formalized to some extent. Considering the Murong Family's position and the status of their direct lineage's precious daughter, it was certain.
Furthermore, the fact that it arrived at the same time as Peng Hyeon-hwi’s letter confirmed it. Peng Hyeon-hwi was not a man foolish enough to go around advertising his every move to everyone.
He would only communicate his movements to a few of his most trusted allies. This meant Murong Cheong was among them.
If so, it naturally followed that Murong Cheong was in a position to hear Peng Hyeon-hwi’s story right by his side. In other words, she was in Tianjin. If he had the confidence to leave her, a direct descendant of the Murong Family, alone in Tianjin...
‘Is a marriage proposal proceeding between the two families?’
He thought, setting aside his personal feelings. A strategist must be able to treat even himself as a single pawn to engage in the grand game. He set aside his personal relationship with Murong Cheong as a separate matter.
The advantages that would arise if the marriage between the Murong Family and the Hebei Peng Family was finalized...
If the Murong Family took over the position of the Heavenly Thunder Alliance and grew, they would be able to exert influence not only in Liaoning but also in Hebei. The Peng Family could secure the stability of their rear and begin expanding the Dragon Slaying Alliance's territory in earnest.
That would include Jiangnan. If they expanded their sphere of influence to Jiangnan and the Shanxi martial world, they could bring nearly half of the Central Plains under the authority of the Peng Family.
It was an enormous power. If Peng Hyeon-hwi ascended to the position of Family Head with that power behind him, achieving his own goals would be as easy as flipping his palm.
Yes, so this was an action based purely on calculating gains and losses without any personal feelings. It wasn't because he was annoyed by Peng Hyeon-hwi’s behavior or because he still had feelings for Murong Cheong.
Zhuge Jeong-yeong threw the letter into the brazier to burn it and stood up.
"You are busy from such an early hour, Husband."
"I am going to Jiangnan."
He smiled softly as he approached Sima Yeon-sang, who was rising groggily from the bed at the commotion.
"My rival-friend sent an invitation."
"Are you speaking of Young Master Peng?"
"I am."
"Then it must mean you have set your sights on a great purpose for this journey."
Sima Yeon-sang knew his goal. In fact, that was the reason the Sima Family supported him: to overthrow the Zhuge Family and reclaim the position of Family Head.
The Sima Family intended to control the Zhuge Family through Zhuge Jeong-yeong. Zhuge Jeong-yeong himself knew this, yet he had married Sima Yeon-sang. The Great Martial Gate of Luoyang was worth that much.
Thus, it could be said they had joined hands for each other's benefit, but...
"However, please return safely."
"I shall. Get a little more sleep."
After kissing the clear forehead of Sima Yeon-sang, whose voice was thick with sleep, Zhuge Jeong-yeong slowly straightened up.
A strategist must be able to treat even himself as a piece on the board. He had been taught to keep personal feelings out of his ambitions, and he had lived that way.
But humans are not like that. He knew Sima Yeon-sang’s heart, and he himself had taken her into his heart. Unlike the deviousness of the Sima Family Head, she followed him without asking for anything in return.
So, if it was something he could do...
Zhuge Jeong-yeong ruffled the hair of the nodding Sima Yeon-sang once more before leaving the annex.
*
The Jiangnan White Forest Association is a massive alliance of martial sects in Ying Tian Prefecture, Southern Zhili, Jiangnan, centered around the Mount Mao Sect, the Duanmu Family, the Shang-gwan Family, the Putuo Sect, and the Namgung Family.
In the Martial World, there are many alliances formed by joining hands according to their interests. Such as the Taecheong Alliance, formed by the powerful sects of Shaanxi—Zhongnan, Mount Hua, and Kongtong—or the Righteous Heaven Alliance, formed by the union of Qingcheng, Emei, Xueshan, and the Tang Family in Sichuan.
The White Forest Association was one such alliance.
However, the scale of the Jiangnan White Forest Association was on a different level from other sect unions belonging to the Orthodox Martial Alliance. Jiangnan had been the most stable land throughout its long history, and even now, under the rule of the Ming Imperial Court, it was the most prosperous region.
Countless merchant guilds and associations were stationed under the White Forest Association. The Ying Tian Prefecture government, which operated independently from the Imperial Court, had been receiving support from the White Forest Association since olden times. In fact, all officials within Ying Tian Prefecture were subjects of the White Forest Association's indirect patronage.
Just as the Hebei Dragon Slaying Alliance poured massive amounts of gold into all officials in Northern Zhili, the Jiangnan White Forest Association operated in the same way. It was not an exaggeration to place the Dragon Slaying Alliance of Northern Zhili and the White Forest Association of Southern Zhili on equal footing.
At the center of them all stood the Namgung Family.
The youngest among the Four Great Orthodox Masters, and at the same time, the one called the strongest. A peerless master who was considered virtually destined for a seat among the next generation's Three Venerables of the World.
One of the Fifteen Lords of the Central Plains, one of the Four Great Orthodox Masters.
The Sword Empress, One Sword of the Azure Heavens. Namgung Bi-yeon.
Her martial prowess was unbelievable for someone who had just turned forty. Among the masters of the Harmony Realm, there was no martial artist younger than her, and there were certainly not many masters who had experienced more actual combat.
For over a decade, she had personally set out to wipe out all the Black Path and Unorthodox sects near Southern Zhili. Her title was regarded as that of a grim reaper by the Black Path Demonic Alliance.
"You say a young villain of the Peng Family is heading south along the canal?"
"That is correct, Sword Empress."
A young strategist of the Martial Alliance said, bowing his waist deeply.
"The Alliance should have responded appropriately, but because most of the Alliance's martial artists have recently left for Yunnan and Sichuan, our defenses were lax.
What could his intention be in visiting Jiangnan at such a time? Surely, the Dragon Slaying Alliance, having crushed the Ten Thousand Ghosts Alliance and the Jinzhou Yan Family, intends to flaunt its might."
"Hmm."
The Sword Empress quietly observed the strategist. He was a man of scholarly air, neatly dressed in academic robes. She had heard he was from a branch of the Zhuge clan, and his name was probably...
"Zhuge Un, is it?"
"Yes, I am overwhelmed with gratitude that you would remember a nobody like me."
"I shall decide on this matter after verifying it, so you may return to the Alliance," the Sword Empress said with a light nod.
"Tell the Chief Strategist not to worry."
"Thank you, Sword Empress. The Chief Strategist will certainly not take this matter lightly either."
"It is no great matter. You must have worked hard to travel all the way to Nanjing; rest comfortably in the guest hall before you leave."
Only after Zhuge Un had left and his presence had completely vanished did the Sword Empress speak softly.
"Jeong-ha."
"Yes, Aunt."
"Do you know anything about this boy, the Young Master of the Peng Family?"
Though her reputation was that of someone who lived only for the sword, Namgung Bi-yeon was by no means a fool. Especially regarding matters involving the Zhuge Family, there had been many suspicious movements recently.
At her question, Namgung Jeong-ha answered immediately.
"Yes, I have encountered him at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. He fought to a draw with the Little Arhat."
"He's quite something, then. How old is he?"
"He is three years younger than me, Aunt."
"To have that level of martial prowess at that age. A great demon has grown in the Dragon Slaying Alliance."
At Namgung Bi-yeon's half-joking tone, Namgung Jeong-ha shook his head as he replied.
"It is not something to be concluded so hastily. From my short observation, while the Blade Earl can be said to be excessively overbearing, it was difficult to say his character was evil."
"Can you distinguish between 'hegemonic' and 'evil'?"
"If there is no wickedness in the intent he harbors, would that not be the case?"
"That is something I must see for myself to know. Did you have any friendship with him?"
"On a small scale, we are acquaintances; on a large scale, I owe him my life."
"Then I wish to see him all the more. Bring him to me once he arrives in Ying Tian Prefecture."
Namgung Bi-yeon chuckled softly.
"I am curious to see what kind of sprout the Blade Emperor has poured his heart and soul into creating."