Chapter 56. Where the Wind Blows (6)
Myeong On-ji recalled the conversation with her father before coming here.
'There's no way he'll know.'
'Do you really think so?'
'Let's say the Yeon family really did capture all the spies. None of those spies are connected to our main family.'
'What's the possibility that Lord Murong spoke of it?'
'Zero. Lord Murong is a man of his own principles. He has great ambitions, but he also knows how to bow before a stronger opponent. He would never have told his subordinates that he was connected to our main family.'
'Then, even if the Yeon family captured and tortured the spies, the name of our main family wouldn't come up.'
'That's right.'
'Then, there's no reason to dispatch the Shadow Death Squad…'
'The Murong family won't bare their fangs at us. They know they can't win with force. But do you think we can take the Murong family lightly?'
'That's… not true.'
'Lord Murong is not a bad person to join hands with. They've gone out of their way for us so far, so this time we have to step up.'
'What reason should we give?'
'Business. Since the Murong family sent a letter to the Yeon family head, use business as the reason for this meeting.'
'What if the Yeon family's eldest son suspects us?'
'That won't happen. From the start, Gangseo and Jeolgang are places that powerful martial arts factions are eyeing. There's no reason to suspect. But…'
'…'
'It doesn't matter if he suspects. The Yeon family will fall anyway.'
That's right.
The Myeong family had already finished many preparations for expanding their power. The work in the distant Daebyeolsan was also completed.
The Yeon family will fall. It's inevitable.
However, Myeong On-ji couldn't help but be inwardly flustered by Yeon Ho-jeong's aggressive words.
'He knows?!'
Yes, it doesn't matter if he suspects. The Yeon family will fall anyway.
But there's a world of difference between suspecting and knowing.
A suspicious person is not scary. Since it's not a certainty, it takes time to deal with things. They can't use their strength at the crucial moment.
But if he's certain, it's a different story.
"What are you talking about?"
Contrary to her thoughts, Myeong On-ji tilted her head. She had a genuinely puzzled expression.
"I don't know what you're talking about, little brother? Are you saying that our main family joined hands with the Murong family?"
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
"You know it's all been exposed, yet you're still putting on this pathetic act?"
"Exposed… I really don't know. Anyway, you're saying that the Murong family sent spies to your family, and you caught them?"
"You're really something."
It couldn't be helped.
Myeong On-ji realized that Yeon Ho-jeong had read her inner thoughts. She was so surprised that she couldn't control her expression for a moment.
The problem wasn't with her as Myeong On-ji, but with her as the leader of the Shadow Death Squad.
'How do I handle this?'
If he was suspicious, she could just confirm that the Yeon family had caught the spies and leave.
But who told him? This guy was completely certain.
She couldn't just let him go. The fact that he knew meant that information had leaked, and if information had leaked, she needed to know where it had leaked from.
In other words, she had to capture Yeon Ho-jeong and take him away.
'I can deal with the aftermath later. Even if Hugae stirs things up, I can just play dumb.'
In Henan, there were the Nine Great Families and the Shaolin Temple.
But the Myeong family's actual influence was much stronger than Shaolin's. Shaolin was a Buddhist sect, but the Myeong family was a powerful clan that pursued worldly fame and fortune.
Even the Beggars' Union, with all its power, would find it difficult to uncover the Myeong family's information manipulation in Henan Province.
'The problem is…'
Myeong On-ji looked into Yeon Ho-jeong's eyes.
His eyes were unwavering. They were impressive eyes that gave the viewer an unknown chill, and at the same time, they held a penetrating gaze that was difficult to see through.
'This guy knew we were coming. At least he suspected it. Because he knew that we and the Murong family had joined hands.'
Then?
'Did he throw himself out as bait?'
Just how strong of a backing does he have?
"I can hear your brain working from here."
"..."
"Wondering what I'm relying on to be so defiant?"
Myeong On-ji remained silent.
Talking about this matter now was a loss. Both sides already knew. Since the truth was out, the best course of action was to keep her mouth shut as much as possible.
Yeon Ho-jeong felt the Myeong family's strength in Myeong On-ji's silence.
Whether in her twenties or thirties, she was too young to be the head of an intelligence organization.
Myeong On-ji's talent must have played a big role in her becoming the head of the intelligence organization. But it was the Myeong family that had raised her in such a textbook manner.
The Myeong family, which claimed to be righteous, had turned a family member into a professional spy. That alone showed that the Myeong family was a difficult family to deal with.
That's right. If you don't know about them, they can be tricky.
Yeon Ho-jeong's mouth opened.
"What else could it be? In the end, a martial artist can only rely on their own skills."
"…Skills?"
"You want to capture me, right? But of course, I don't want that."
"…!"
"Let's see the power of the Myeong family's intelligence organization, which is called the best in the world."
Myeong On-ji's eyes turned cold.
She slowly rose from her seat.
"Yeah, since you know everything, there's no need to deceive you anymore, right?"
Tssssss.
Killing intent rose from the bodies of the warriors standing behind her. They had thoroughly controlled their killing intent, but now they were releasing their aura.
Pararak!
Birds hidden throughout the forest flew away in fright. That's how fierce the killing intent was.
Myeong On-ji said in a calm voice.
"I heard you defeated Noe Hyeop Chu-seong."
"That idiot?"
"Yes, an idiot. Anyone can die in the martial world, even from a child's dagger. And he underestimated the eldest son of the Byeoksan Yeon family and got caught, so he deserves to be called an idiot. But you see."
Srrreuk.
Suddenly, Myeong-do appeared behind Yeon Ho-jeong.
In the dark forest, where the light of the campfire spread, Myeong-do's face was utterly eerie. He looked like a ghost with only his face floating.
"We're not idiots like that."
"You sure look like it."
"The Myeong family's Shadow Death Squad is an intelligence organization. It's not a combat unit. But there are many times when we have to suppress with force."
"Strong?"
"It's not difficult to capture at least one peak-level expert. And we don't let our guard down."
Myeong On-ji smiled.
In the midst of the murderous atmosphere, her bright smile looked eerie in its own way.
"So don't waste your energy and come with us quietly."
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
Myeong On-ji shook her head.
"I know you're skilled. I also know that your guts are as good as your skills. But once the fight starts, you won't even last five exchanges."
"Really?"
"Yes. It's not for nothing that the Shadow Death Squad…"
It was then.
'Huh?'
Myeong On-ji was momentarily puzzled.
'But how did he know we're an intelligence organization?'
The Shadow Death Squad was not a publicly known organization. Some people knew, but those people couldn't talk about it. They were either dead or threatened by the Myeong family.
But how?
"You, how did you know we're an intelligence organization?"
"It's obvious if you look."
Tssss.
A powerful energy flowed from Myeong On-ji's body. It was the strongest energy among everyone here.
"You, I really can't let you go. I have to capture you."
Pabababak!
Five of the warriors scattered into the forest. They were checking for any potential 'eyes' in the surroundings.
'So textbook. Too much so.'
Only then did Yeon Ho-jeong pick up his axe. It was because he was aiming for the exact time when the Shadow Death Squad had their warriors scout the surroundings.
Myeong On-ji said in a cold voice.
"Kneel."
Paaak!
Myeong-do rushed in from behind Yeon Ho-jeong. Surprisingly, the warriors didn't move.
It was a surprise attack from the start. Myeong On-ji's words that they wouldn't let their guard down, no matter who the opponent was, were true.
If the opponent wasn't Yeon Ho-jeong, anyone would have been caught by this surprise attack.
Thud!
Myeong-do's eyes shook.
His outstretched fist hit empty air. The attack that had accurately aimed for his back had failed.
'Where?!'
Thwack!
"Kugh!"
Hit in the back by the spear shaft, Myeong-do staggered and stepped on the campfire.
Myeong On-ji shouted.
"Be careful!"
Kwaang!
Myeong-do groaned again and flew towards Myeong On-ji.
Whoosh.
Myeong On-ji's hand grabbed Myeong-do's wrist and moved smoothly. Then, Myeong-do's body floated up and, before he knew it, he was behind her.
It was a high-level technique of Yihwajeopmok. It was a martial art ingrained in her body to the point that she could use it unconsciously.
At that moment, a huge axe blade struck the campfire.
Kwaaaang!
A strike of tremendous power extinguished the campfire in an instant.
The surroundings suddenly darkened. The eyes of the Shadow Death Squad members, accustomed to the light, couldn't adjust to the darkness for a moment.
'Oops!'
Peeooook!
With a terrible sound, a warm liquid splattered everywhere.
'Blood?!'
Wooooong!
Everyone instinctively raised their internal energy. The internal energy that spread throughout their bodies enhanced their vision. Only now did their vision finally clear.
But Yeon Ho-jeong was nowhere to be seen.
'What? Where did he disappear to?!'
Hwooooong!
A cold wind blew in from the north.
A cold and heavy wind. The pressure that made it hard to breathe was a bonus.
Myeong On-ji shouted.
"North! Catch him!"
Chachachang!
Fourteen warriors swiftly drew their swords. Fourteen swift and sharp swordsmanship attacks were fired at a single point.
That was their mistake.
Kwaaaang!
"Kugh!"
"Aaaagh!"
Surprisingly, all fourteen warriors screamed and retreated. Half of them even fell and landed on their backsides.
Myeong On-ji's eyes widened.
'What?!'
Hwooooong.
A transparent blue energy shimmered in the blowing wind.
Kuoeeoeo!
A bizarre cry could be heard from somewhere far away.
It was the cry of a beast that had never been heard before. The eerie cry sent shivers down the spines of everyone present.
It was the roar of a divine beast that did not exist in reality.
The master of the North Sky, Hyeonmu, had awakened.
"If even one of you escapes, I'll kill you all."
"…!"
"Kneel."
***
Having left the forest and finished checking the surroundings, the Shadow Death Squad members turned back the way they had come.
It was then.
Thwack! Crack! Thwack!
In an instant, three Shadow Death Squad members fell.
Blood flowed from their heads. Their heads had been cracked open by the blows of clubs.
If there was any consolation, it was that they weren't dead.
"What the, who are you?!"
The two members who had avoided the surprise attack looked around in panic.
'Gasp!'
Before they knew it, dozens of beggars were standing around them with clubs. It was a perfect encirclement.
"Khaaak! Ptui! Ah, damn it. I got some on my sleeve."
Ga Deuk-sang, who had roughly wiped his chest, swaggered over.
"When I think about it, that guy was right. The result is important, what does the process matter? Right, you bastards?"
"Hugae?!"
"Wow? You recognize me at once? You guys really knew everything, huh?"
Unlike his smooth expression, Ga Deuk-sang's eyes were terrifyingly cold. That chill surpassed even Yeon Ho-jeong's.
He was extremely angry.
"Take down that 'best in the world' sign, and cut off your balls, you damn bastards."
Paaak!
The beggars rushed in.
