Chasing the Crow (3)
Hyeon Yucheon had a strong intuition the moment he laid eyes on her.
'Nine times out of ten, this is Manrak Palace Lord Baek Ri-hyang, the Haomen leader.'
Of course, it differed greatly from what the world knew.
For starters, the current Haomen leader was estimated to be in her early to mid-thirties at the youngest, yet Baek Ri-hyang looked no older than her mid-twenties, even being generous.
And that wasn't all.
No matter how he examined her, there was no trace of martial arts training on Baek Ri-hyang.
"……."
She wavered briefly at the sudden question, but it didn't last.
"A fascinating query. What makes you think so?"
"What makes me think so?"
Hyeon Yucheon grinned.
'Recalling my master's memories, the current Haomen leader is undoubtedly a woman.'
Just before departing for Manrak Palace, Hyeon Yucheon had recalled one of Demon Sword Ghost Elder Cheon Baeksang's ancient memories.
It was so old and trivial that even he, who had inherited everything, had barely dredged it up.
Long ago, the Demon Sword Ghost Elder had met the previous Haomen leader, Oryeong BiGeom Gwak Seungbaek.
And he had said:
—"Old Cheon, you must keep an eye on this young girl."
—"She will shoulder Haomen's future... and become the world's greatest female master."
The previous leader had boldly declared this before the Demon Sword Ghost Elder, introducing the girl.
At an age full of shyness, she had merely bowed in greeting. By now, she would have grown into a woman in her mid-thirties.
'Honestly, I was skeptical even after the memory surfaced.'
But the moment he faced Moonlight Beauty Baek Ri-hyang, realization dawned.
The reason even he, at the Entering Divinity realm, had been momentarily enchanted.
It was partly her overwhelming beauty, but also the hazy fragrance endlessly emanating from somewhere in Manrak Palace...
"Planning to claim you're just an ordinary courtesan while wielding such exquisite Seophon Technique?"
He smirked as he spoke.
"……Heavens!"
Even Baek Ri-hyang, with her formidable composure, couldn't hide her shock.
'Since becoming Haomen leader, no one's pierced my identity at a glance!'
Indeed.
The true identity of Baek Ri-hyang, the famed top courtesan of the Central Plains beyond Hebei, was Haomen leader Faceless Black Rabbit So Jaun.
Her astonishment stemmed from elsewhere.
'My Dream Seophon Technique fools even super peak masters' eyes, so how...'
Baek Ri-hyang—no, So Jaun—couldn't believe it.
For the record, her alias "Baek Ri-hyang" was also the name of the delicate incense now wafting from the chimney.
"Gasp, no way?!"
So Jaun was sharp-minded.
Staring at Hyeon Yucheon's face, she suddenly recalled what the previous leader, Gwak Seungbaek, had said.
—"Jaun, no matter how exceptional your talents, never use it before Demon Sword Ghost Elder Cheon. Understood?"
Gwak Seungbaek, who adored So Jaun like his own, had one unbreakable rule.
Never deploy the Dream Seophon Technique before Demon Sword Ghost Elder Cheon Baeksang.
Frankly, she hadn't understood. As a child, perhaps—but now, she believed she could fool even him.
Yet here she was, exposed by this fresh-faced youth. Shock gave way to one conclusion.
"Could you be... the new Demon Sword Sect leader, Demon Sword Young Master Hyeon Yucheon?"
So Jaun's eyes widened, her long, lovely eyelids fluttering.
She'd heard he was young and handsome, but not this young.
"As expected of Sapa's premier intelligence chief. Allow me a formal introduction."
The tables had fully turned.
With So Jaun flustered before him, Hyeon Yucheon offered a leisurely smile and a courteous cupped-fist salute.
"I am Demon Sword Sect Leader Hyeon Yucheon."
His majestic poise and striking, upright figure were dazzling.
Even So Jaun faltered before his radiance, but only briefly.
"Wh-why would the Demon Sword Sect leader seek me out...?"
"What do you think?"
Now the situation had reversed; Hyeon Yucheon was testing her.
'Let's see if she's worth allying with.'
In truth, through this question, he was probing both her and Haomen.
Sapa's top intelligence network should rival the Beggars' Sect at minimum, no?
So Jaun hesitated, then spoke.
"Not long ago... you waged full war against Kwaegeomdang. It wasn't widely known—a surprise clash from them, ending with their leader replaced by the young hero Jamnyong Kwaegeom Ok Jangcheon."
"Ho. And?"
Hyeon Yucheon nodded as if intrigued, urging more.
Grasping even this much was impressive.
Quick networks knew of the Demon Sword Sect-Kwaegeomdang clash, but not the why or outcome.
Yet Hyeon Yucheon's standards were higher.
"The Quick Sword Party wouldn’t provoke a rising star like you without reason. Someone must have supplied them with information from the outside. Only your sect or the Beggars’ Sect handles intelligence of that level… and since it wasn’t your side, it must have been the Beggars’ Sect."
He grinned involuntarily at her confident reply.
Her insight and situational acumen were exceptional.
"One more: You seek me to target Beggars', right? Say, to find Dorong Geosa Hong In-gyeol's whereabouts."
She kept astonishing him.
From his mere visit, she inferred so much.
Watching her, Hyeon Yucheon's trust in Faceless Black Rabbit So Jaun and Haomen grew.
"Spot on. You have it right."
He had no choice but to acknowledge her intel and foresight.
Simultaneously, this Haomen leader So Jaun grew ever more appealing.
If her flawless beauty had chilled him at first sight, now it was her abilities that captivated.
"To the point: I want Dorong Geosa Hong In-gyeol's location. Can you help?"
Haomen's prowess tempted Hyeon Yucheon and the Demon Sword Sect.
'My dream is to shatter the righteous sects' rigged Murim and recreate it under Demon Sword Sect rule.'
Such grand ambition demanded Haomen's capabilities.
He had plenty of mighty warriors and fighters.
But sharp intel and wisdom? Comparatively scarce.
"What do you plan for Dorong Geosa if you find him?"
Hyeon Yucheon answered without hesitation.
"Kill him."
"……!!"
Her eyes flashed with vitality at the unhesitating reply, laced with subtle killing intent.
How intriguing.
Isolated in Sapa's backwaters, she'd grown bored—yet here was someone vowing to slay Heaven's Five Venerables' top dog, Beggars' leader.
Nothing more thrilling?
"And you have the power to kill him?"
Her provocative words oddly didn't irk him.
"Better than ten words of bluster—tell me his lair, and you'll see if I can back it up or just talk."
He matched her perfectly.
"Hohoho."
Thus, her silvery laugh rang out.
Rare indeed.
Moonlight Beauty Baek Ri-hyang smiled often but rarely laughed aloud, earning her the moniker "Silent Lass."
"After killing Hong In-gyeol?"
"Chew up Beggars' whole, then claim Hebei's heart."
It grew ever more riveting.
So Jaun couldn't deny her surging interest.
"The Nine Great Beggars' Sects sent talents to Murim Alliance branches, weakening them... but possible? Even if Beggars' falls, what of the Alliance?"
To her query, Hyeon Yucheon revealed his ambition and caliber.
"They'll die by my hand too. Soon."
Even So Jaun was genuinely stunned, gazing long into his clear, resolute eyes.
'This man's either mad or beyond my wildest imaginings. One or the other.'
As Haomen and Manrak Palace leader, she'd met every breed: eccentrics, peak masters, scholars, tycoons.
Yet none matched Demon Sword Young Master Hyeon Yucheon.
She found herself drawn in.
"What gain for Haomen in revealing Dorong Geosa's lair and toppling Beggars'?"
He replied with Sapa lordly flair.
"Haomen rises from intelligence runner-up to unrivaled pinnacle."
Plus massive spillover benefits from Beggars' collapse.
"And if Haomen refuses...?"
"Sapa logic: Subdue by force."
That sufficed.
Haomen leader So Jaun needed no more deliberation.
'A golden opportunity for Haomen.'
Risky, perhaps—but Hyeon Yucheon seemed a reliable shield.
"Very well. I'll tell you where Dorong Geosa hides. But! A condition."
His eyebrow twitched at "condition."
He'd hear it out.
"Let me witness your fight with him firsthand."
"What?"
"His hideout's impossibly remote; I'll guide you. No interference or leaks—permit my company."
Hyeon Yucheon eyed her steadily.
She responded with a courtesan's seductive smile.
'Truly an unpredictable crow.'
He nodded.
"Fine. Follow."
Thus, Sapa's supreme lord and its foremost beauty set forth together.
Both busy sect heads, they departed at once—like ripping a horn from a snorting bull.
"One moment."
Before moving, So Jaun donned a face veil, cloaking her upper body.
This veil, woven from rare silver silkworm thread, was priceless: opaque from outside, yet transparent to the wearer.
"But... where exactly is Dorong Geosa Hong In-gyeol?"
The answer stunned.
"The hidden Seok Family Hebei branch."