Chapter 36: The First Mission (5)
Chapter 36: The First Mission (5)
Rewinding time to ten days ago.
Wiji Cheon-yeong, the Leader of the Hao Clan, sat hunched over her desk, a long pipe held between her lips.
It was the hour she spent reviewing reports piled up at the Zhengzhou branch in Henan and organizing intelligence gathered from across the Central Plains.
"Zhuge Yun headed to the Divine Spear Yang Family? For the Family Head’s seventieth birthday feast?"
"Yes, Big Sister."
"Hmm... He’s certainly having his fun."
Wiji Cheon-yeong tapped the desk rhythmically, lost in thought. Her fingertips moved without hesitation as she synthesized the information streaming in from various regions.
She set down several urgent dispatches and bamboo scrolls, a smirk playing on her lips.
Zhuge Yun, the Fifth Strategist of the Martial Alliance’s General Military Affairs Bureau, was a man notorious for his guile and schemes. Having clashed with him several times in the past, his reasoning was as clear to her as day.
Likely recruited a small-to-medium Unorthodox sect in Anyuan.
Currently en route to attend the Divine Spear Yang Family’s birthday feast.
A martial artist from the Peng Family’s Tiger Hunting Battalion made contact with Zhuge Yun in Anyuan.
From this data, Wiji Cheon-yeong could read the intentions of the Peng Family’s second son, Peng Hyeon-jeong.
The Tiger Hunting Battalion had recently become little more than Peng Hyeon-jeong’s personal retainers. If such men had made contact with Zhuge Yun...
"He intends to rally the Shanxi martial world using the Yang Family’s feast and pit them against the Peng Family’s martial units? That’s a rather ruthless scheme. The Pengs don't usually expend their vassals like that."
"Perhaps the second young master is just that desperate?"
"Well, when the eldest is so outstanding, what choice does he have?"
Zhuge Yun would likely take it a step further. He was the type to weave two or more intentions into a single stratagem.
So, what would he do?
"To pull off something of this scale, he would have borrowed the hands of the Shanxi Beggars’ Sect and drawn martial power from the Martial Alliance’s Dark Dragon Unit. His goal is to destroy the Divine Spear Yang Family while ensuring the Peng Family’s forces are wiped out in the process. Hebei is a land of plenty, after all. Perhaps the Jinju Eon Family is even lending a hand."
"What will you do?"
"What is there to do?"
The Beggars’ Sect was the first to grasp information within the Orthodox society, and the Martial Alliance’s General Military Affairs Bureau used that information to set the board for the grand game.
In contrast, within the Black Path Demonic Alliance, the Hao Clan was the first to grasp information on the Orthodox sects. However, the Hao Clan did not play the grand game.
They simply collected information.
Some information held immense power just by being possessed. The fact that they never used information for personal gain was exactly what bolstered the Hao Clan’s credibility.
This was why they were called the bridge between the Orthodox and Unorthodox. Even the Orthodox sects did not dare to antagonize the Hao Clan.
This incident was no different.
The Hao Clan could gain many concessions from the Martial Alliance simply by leaking the fact that they 'knew' everything—and by promising never to use that knowledge.
This was the power of collection. The Hao Clan were the collectors of stories.
"Let them run wild. Unless the Heavenly Roar Fist of the Jinju Eon Family loses its mind, they won't cross the line. It’s not as if that brat would dare challenge the Blade Emperor."
"True. Even if they are both among the Fifteen Lords, it would be difficult for the Fist King to make a move in Hebei."
"From what I see, the Blade Emperor likely knows what’s happening within his own family as well."
"Pardon?"
"That wicked old man is the type to pit his own kin against each other to separate the wheat from the chaff. He’s been condoning the competition between his grandsons for years. Even if it chips away at the family’s prestige, he won't lift a finger unless it becomes fatal."
She thought she understood the root of that impatience.
The Peng Family’s current prestige was derived almost entirely from the martial prowess of its head, the Blade Emperor Peng Ik-jin. But as long as Peng Ik-jin was human, he had a fixed lifespan.
The next generation had to be raised for the Peng Family to continue reigning as the greatest clan of the Black Path. To this end, the Peng Family Head was forcing his bloodline to compete.
He believed that the most outstanding individual—whether in schemes, martial arts, or anything else—should inherit the position of Family Head.
I think it would be better to just pick a decent one from the start and teach them properly, but... well, I’m not interested enough in that family to interfere with their home schooling.
Unless I can snatch that boy, Peng Hyeon-hwi.
Three days later, as Wiji Cheon-yeong was preparing to leave Zhengzhou, new word reached her.
"Peng Hyeon-hwi’s first official outing?"
"Yes. They say he is heading for Anyuan..."
"Anyuan? The same Anyuan where Zhuge Yun is playing his games?"
"Yes. What are your orders?"
"Tell the Anyuan branch to... no, wait. The timing won't work. No matter how fast we move, we’ll be slower than Hwi reaching Anyuan. Hmm..."
Wiji Cheon-yeong closed her eyes for a moment to organize her thoughts. Soon, she nodded and stood up.
"Tell the Pavilion Master of the Assassination Pavilion that I wish to see his face in Pyeongseong."
"The Pavilion Master?"
"Yes. If Hwi asks me for help, it won't be too late to move then. I should arrive in Pyeongseong first and keep watch."
"What if... um... what if the young master doesn't ask for your help, Big Sister?"
"If he’s that stubborn, then I’ll have no use for him anyway."
Wiji Cheon-yeong gave a bright smile as she packed her bags. And five days after that...
On the top floor of the Seonrae Pavilion, the Hao Clan’s branch in Pyeongseong, she stared at the dagger Murong Jeon had handed her.
"He asks for the bond of master and disciple?"
"That is correct, Hao Clan Leader."
"Haha... Ahahaha!!"
Wiji Cheon-yeong let out a clear, ringing laugh for a long time before standing up. She meticulously dressed herself in her finest palace gown.
"Well then, shall I go greet my new disciple?"
With a lighthearted laugh, she stepped onto the railing.
*
Yang Jeok-yo, the Head of the Divine Spear Yang Family known as the Moon-Slaying Spear, wore a troubled expression as he looked at the crowd gathered before him.
It was now the tenth day.
No matter how much the Divine Spear Yang Family was respected as a prestigious clan of Shanxi, the guests were also masters of their own dojos and sects. It seemed they felt they could no longer leave their posts vacant.
They struggled to hide their dissatisfaction as they crowded around to offer their farewells to Yang Jeok-yo.
Damn it, when on earth are those Peng Family bastards going to arrive?
Feeling a surge of irritation, Yang Jeok-yo glanced anxiously to his side.
Zhuge Yun, who had come directly from the Martial Alliance, was also deep in thought, tapping his brow.
Three days ago, they had confirmed that two martial artists from the Peng Family had departed Anyuan. One of the Yang Family elders sent to stop them had not returned. He was likely dead.
A hole had been punched through the surveillance network of ronin they had scattered across the mountainside. At least fifteen were dead.
Considering the direction, it was a straight line to Pyeongseong... and their speed was not to be ignored.
Ruthless execution and quick judgment.
If they had rushed here so urgently, it meant the Peng Family had grasped the full scope of the situation.
In that case, should they move the bodies from the dungeon sooner?
"Strategist. The Beggars' Sect disciples have spotted them."
"Where are they?"
"They say they have just entered the Pyeongseong main road."
"Finally."
Only then did Zhuge Yun smile and look at the Family Head. Seeing his smile, Yang Jeok-yo also laughed heartily with a sense of relief.
The moment the Peng Family martial artists reached Pyeongseong, the plan would commence.
In Yang Jeok-yo’s mind, he saw the glory of the Divine Spear Yang Family reigning as the overlord of the Shanxi martial world after repelling the Peng Family’s forces.
And in Zhuge Yun’s mind, he envisioned a future where both the Divine Spear Yang Family and the Peng Family’s forces were mutually destroyed.
The Martial Alliance would then move into the power vacuum of the leaderless Shanxi martial world. It had already been promised that the Jinju Eon Family and the Huangfu Family would expand into the destabilized Hebei region.
Though they hadn't received official approval from the Eon Family Head, Fist King Eon Do-cheon, the Jinju Eon Family’s Council of Elders was said to be actively participating.
It’s a shame the Murong Family didn't join, but it can't be helped.
The Murong Family was a massive clan enjoying great prosperity even among the Five Great Clans, but even without them, the Huangfu and Jinju Eon families were equally formidable. With their active support, Zhuge Yun could advance into the core of the General Military Affairs Bureau.
This was an opportunity to step away from these petty regional schemes and directly participate in the grander game of the world. He could not let such a chance slip by.
"Everyone, listen!!" Yang Jeok-yo shouted.
He clasped his hands in a respectful greeting toward the assembled guests and spoke.
"This Yang has something to say to my fellow comrades of the martial world! The chivalrous brothers of the Beggars' Sect have informed me that the Black Path scoundrels of the Peng Family are currently swarming toward Pyeongseong. We do not know what wicked scheme they intend to bring over our walls, but wherever they tread, blessings are few and calamities are many!"
At the mention of the Hebei Peng Family, a stir rippled through the crowd.
Hebei was a stone's throw from the Shanxi martial world, and Shanxi was the region that had suffered the most when the Hebei Dragon Slaying Alliance ignited the Righteous-Demonic War.
Hebei, Shanxi, Henan, Shaanxi... in the previous generation, countless sects had been reduced to ash by that war.
If Shaanxi was the land that resisted most fiercely, Shanxi was the land that had been most desolately ruined.
And now, martial artists from that Peng Family were coming. The guests' first thought was retreat.
"This Yang has lived his whole life in Pyeongseong and intends to be buried in this soil. Though the power of the Black Path may be great in Hebei, this Shanxi has been the home of heroes since ancient times! If there are any comrades willing to break the Peng Family’s vanguard and perish with me like shattered jade, then draw your blades and step forward!"
The old Family Head’s cry was desperate and sincere.
The Divine Spear Yang Family was a prestigious clan respected in Shanxi not for the level of its martial arts, but for its history. They were a family of notables who were the first to take up spears to defend the Song Dynasty during the invasions of the Jin and Yuan.
The head of such a family, an old man on the verge of retirement, was calling out.
Though his realm had regressed because he failed to penetrate the Upper Dantian and achieve Rejuvenation, the gaze of a master who still maintained the Peak Realm by keeping his Middle Dantian open shone brilliantly even in the early dawn.
The Pear Blossom Spear gripped in his hand gleamed brightly under the rising sun.
The Shanxi martial artists murmured, deeply moved, while the Martial Alliance spies hidden among them incited the crowd’s response.
It was almost done.
Zhuge Yun smiled darkly behind the Family Head. If he could incite them to destroy themselves along with the Peng Family’s forces, then his future would be—
—Peeeeeeeeing!
Suddenly, a strange, flute-like sound pierced the air toward the inner courtyard where the crowd was gathered.
The masters present all looked up simultaneously toward the source of the sound.
A tiny black dot was visible in the distance.
The dot soon became a shadow the size of a fingernail, which then transformed into a bolt of black lightning streaking toward them.
And then.
BOOM!!!
It slammed into the courtyard, shattering the paving stones.
As the long pole swayed violently, a black robe fluttered beneath the morning sun. A thick scent of blood wafted from the pitch-black fabric.
Those with keen eyes among the martial artists could see that the sleeves of the robe were stained crimson. It wasn't fresh blood; the fabric itself had been dyed red from the start.
It was a garment recognizable to anyone, anywhere in the world’s martial forest. Just as government officials recognized the dragon robes of royalty, this was the most famous martial uniform in the current world.
"Hebei... Peng Family...!"
The Peng Family uniform fluttered like a war banner, soaked in blood.
The Family Head stood up in shock. "Who dares!!"
"Peng Hyeon-hwi of the Mountain Moon Hall, Great Hebei Peng Family."
Tap. A short footstep echoed in the courtyard.
The sound of feet hitting the stone floor was not loud, yet it was not light either. Carrying the weight of more than one person, heavy and deliberate, he stood before the gate of the inner courtyard.
"Grandson of the Blade Emperor, one of the Three Peerless Masters, the Bloodhound Asura Peng Ik-jin."
The crowd parted.
Through the open gate of the inner courtyard, a young man wearing the Peng Family uniform walked forward. He looked as if he had just barely reached adulthood, his face still youthful.
However, his tall stature and the well-defined muscles etched into his frame were those of a fully realized martial artist.
The young man lifted a blade with his right hand and rested it on his shoulder. He held a posture that could be seen as either a mountain bandit out for loot or a third-rate thug wandering the back alleys.
He let the gauntlet on his left hand hang loosely.
As if he held no hostility, he walked leisurely among the numerous Orthodox martial artists. He walked like a mountain lord, like a fierce tiger commanding the landscape.
His steps were light and ethereal.
"My father is the Mad Blood Saber Demon, Peng Wi-cheon. You, the strategist of the Zhuge family. And Yang Jeok-yo of the Divine Spear Yang Family. You two owe a debt."
"A debt...?"
"Where did such an insolent brat come from!"
"You bastard! Do you know where you are standing?!"
The momentum of the martial artists was menacing, but no one stepped forward readily. It was partly due to the shock of his sudden appearance, but even more so because of the fear of the Peng Family’s vengeance.
The Peng Family was famous for being meticulous about the blood-price of their kin.
Amidst their hesitation, Peng Hyeon-hwi moved. He walked toward the fluttering, blood-stained pole.
Standing before the pole, he turned his gaze toward Yang Jeok-yo and Zhuge Yun.
"I will settle the blood debt of my two kinsmen, Peng Jeong-gyeon and Jeong Hyeon-jin, with both of your heads."
"How dare you...!!"
Sparks flew from Yang Jeok-yo’s eyes.
To him, this young man appeared to have only just surpassed the Second-Rate level. Both the wave of internal energy he felt and the attitude shown in his steps suggested as much.
To a man who had once knocked on the door of the Super Peak Realm and still maintained the Peak Realm despite his age, the boy was nothing more than a fledgling.
Looking at him, Peng Hyeon-hwi spoke.
"Peng Jeong-gyeon was a martial artist of the Peak Realm, and Jeong Hyeon-jin’s martial arts were First-Rate. Zhuge Yun and Yang Jeok-yo. Since your realms are exactly the same, it is fitting to speak of a blood debt. I shall offer your heads before the remains of the deceased."
"And why should I do that, Young Master of the Peng Family?"
Zhuge Yun chuckled and gestured toward the Orthodox martial artists surrounding him.
"The chivalrous heroes of the Orthodox Faction gathered here to protect Pyeongseong are eager to crush the life out of you Unorthodox scum. It seems to me you lack both the qualification to discuss a life-and-death duel and the realm to back it up."
"He’s right! I’ll take that brat’s head and throw it to the Peng Family’s lackeys!"
"I’ll do it! Family Head Yang! Give me the chance!"
The Peng Family’s martial units had not yet arrived, and this was a place where all the Orthodox sects of the Shanxi martial world were gathered. Their killing intent surged toward Peng Hyeon-hwi.
Amidst it all, Peng Hyeon-hwi stood firm without moving, still staring at Yang Jeok-yo.
When a martial artist finally drew his sword at that arrogant attitude—
"If you move any further, I will strike."
A cold voice drifted down from the roof of the Divine Spear Yang Family’s main hall.
The sharp, bone-chilling voice drew everyone’s gaze. A gaunt, middle-aged man looked down at them, holding two daggers in his hands.
Upon spotting him, Peng Hyeon-hwi’s brow furrowed for a moment before he bowed deeply.
"Senior Pavilion Master. It has been a long time."
"Yes, you’ve grown quite impressively. A blessing for the Peng Family."
"The Pavilion Master...?! Soul-Chasing Flying Dagger Seong Ryang-ha!!"
The commotion among the crowd grew even louder.
I heard they had closed their gates? It had been so long since the Assassination Pavilion had made a move in the martial world that the tension among the martial artists intensified.
"Pavilion Master, is this the will of the Hebei Dragon Slaying Alliance? Has the Peng Family Head sent out the Black Letter? Is this an intent to start the Righteous-Demonic War?"
"Hardly. I simply came on my own because I couldn't stand to watch a pillar of Hebei die in vain. I do not represent anyone else."
"And you expect me to believe that?"
"Yang Jeok-yo. You couldn't dare face me even in your prime. Are you going to try and argue right and wrong with me now that your glory days are long gone? If so, I have no intention of ending this with just words."
As the Pavilion Master’s cold eyes turned toward the Family Head, Zhuge Yun took a step forward.
"Have you come leading the assassins of the Pavilion?"
"Is there a need for that?"
"Then we have no reason to stop either. Pavilion Master, you overestimate yourself. Even with you added, two hands cannot face four. Do you think there is no one here who can stop you?"
"I wouldn't dare be so arrogant. That’s a privilege reserved for hot-blooded brats like him."
"Then will you withdraw without seeing blood?"
Before Zhuge Yun could even finish his sentence, a small tinkling of bells was heard.
Jingle, jingle. Along with the cheerful sound of metal clashing, a massive wave of energy swept through the entrance of the inner courtyard.
The martial artists with weaker realms all fell to their knees at once.
It wasn't intentional. Their legs simply gave out before such an overwhelming presence. Like mountain goats facing a predator, the martial artists froze stiff.
With another clear jingle, a woman in a red palace gown entered the courtyard.
"I am more than capable of handling all of you. Little brat of the Zhuge Family. Would you dare speak such words to me?"
"Ink Smoke Hundred Schemes...!"
"Call me the Hao Clan Leader."
Until Wiji Cheon-yeong walked up and stood behind Peng Hyeon-hwi with a gentle smile, no one in the area dared to move.
In that silence, Wiji Cheon-yeong whispered softly.
"Yang Jeok-yo is an old monster you cannot face at your current realm. He once challenged the Upper Dantian, and even in his old age, he is by no means insignificant. Can you endure it?"
"This was the most certain way, Senior."
"Certain, you say. Of what?"
"Killing that man before you, while you guarantee my life-and-death duel. There was no other path that didn't involve the blood of Peng Family martial artists being spilled."
"You would risk your life for your kinsmen? Even for the brothers who are rushing here without even listening to you?"
"They are also members of the family. We do not distinguish between friend and foe in that way. If they studied under the family’s gate, they are allies; everyone outside the gate is an adversary."
"A narrow-minded distinction. How can that be when the world is so vast? But... very well."
The Hao Clan Leader smiled gently and patted Peng Hyeon-hwi on the back. In that brief moment, a powerful surge of True Qi flowed through his veins.
"To protect those one holds dear is the narrow-mindedness of a ruler. Since I guarantee it, you shall be able to carry out your will."
"Thank you, Senior."
"Since you asked to be my disciple, don't you know what you should call me now?"
Peng Hyeon-hwi closed his eyes for a moment without looking away from Yang Jeok-yo. It was a posture that radiated steadfast resolve.
Like a martial artist facing a life-and-death duel.
Absolutely do not think of a pink elephant.
Absolutely.
Absolutely do not think this is meddlesome.
"Yes, Big Sister."
Absolutely.
The Pavilion Master, watching the farce unfolding below, pressed a hand to his forehead.
He had no idea what that old monster was talking about. Though she maintained the beauty of a young woman due to achieving Rejuvenation, wasn't she an elder even older than that aged Yang Jeok-yo?
There isn't a single normal person here.
Thinking so, he let out a sigh and turned around. The two members of the Murong Family, uncle and niece, were standing somewhat stiffly behind him.
"Murong Jeon. Will you draw your sword?"
"I also came today to witness this young man’s path, so I cannot do that."
Murong Jeon shook his head and stood beside the Pavilion Master. Beside him, Murong Cheong stared blankly down at the inner courtyard.
At the young man standing before his enemies to avenge his kinsmen, holding a single blade under the morning sun.
In a place where anyone could see he was destined to die.
The reason he stood there was solely to prevent his other kinsmen from falling into a trap and dying.
She couldn't take her eyes off the young man who stood with his back straight and proud, even before the overwhelming pressure of the masters.
She wondered if she could have stood alone in such a place if her own uncle had been unjustly murdered.
And so, as she watched quietly...
She realized that even among the Han people, there weren't only insidious types who did nothing but plot.