Chapter 148
Chapter 148
The Invisible Fight is Scarier
“Chomp chomp.”
“Wow, this is delicious! Really delicious!”
“Senior Brother! Give me more salt!”
“Hey! Over there! Save some of the boar leg!”
It was a sight to behold.
Around fifty beggars were scattered around, eagerly chewing on the freshly hunted wild boar and rabbit meat.
It seemed so delicious that some of them were in tears. About ten people were eating the meat with tears and snot running down their faces.
“Woo…”
Peng Manho felt overwhelmed by the scene.
Watching them, he couldn’t help but realize that life was indeed worth living to the fullest, at least once.
They devoured the freshly hunted wild boar and rabbit meat, reeking of gamey smell, as if it were a gourmet delicacy. While Peng Manho could eat it, he didn’t find the food worth eating with such joy.
‘How many days did they go without eating?’
If Peng Manho knew they hadn’t skipped a single meal, his expression would have been even more bizarre.
Jegal Ahyeon scratched his head.
“How long?”
Yeon Hojeong, who was chewing on rabbit meat, looked at her curiously.
“What?”
“How long did you drill them to the point where they’re all ravenous like this?”
“As much as necessary.”
“How much is that?”
“Enough to be useful.”
No point in arguing.
“So, are they useful now?”
“More or less.”
Jegal Ahyeon found it hard to imagine how much that was.
However, he knew how determined and ambitious Yeon Hojeong was.
Considering Yeon Hojeong’s standards, they must have gone through hell.
“No point in arguing. Hey! Don’t eat it all, save some for me.”
“Don’t you have any conscience? You’re stealing food from people who’ve been rolling around in the mountains for three months…”
“I didn’t have lunch! Hand it over!”
Yeon Hojeong reluctantly handed over a piece of rabbit meat, a look of regret evident in his eyes.
Jegal Ahyeon, chewing the meat aggressively, looked at Peng Manho.
“Big guy. Want some?”
“…I’m good.”
“Why? Not hungry? For a guy of your size?”
“I’m so overwhelmed, I’m not hungry at all.”
“How bland.”
Jegal Ahyeon, after chewing the meat for a while, patted his stomach.
“Ah, I feel alive again.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“By the way, I got the message, but why did you come with Peng’s brother?”
“Hmm? You didn’t hear the details?”
“They just threw a letter saying you and Manho were coming today.”
“I see.”
Yeon Hojeong, having finished eating, turned around and shouted.
“No way. We have a lot to talk about over here, so rest well after eating. No sword practice today.”
Yoon Ho looked at Yeon Hojeong in shock.
“Were you planning to drill us again?”
“Yes.”
“……”
“But I said we won’t. Rest.”
With just one word, Yeon Hojeong made the atmosphere tense again and turned back to Jegal Ahyeon and Peng Manho.
His face was a bit dirty, and he had lost some cheek fat, but his eyes were still clear.
No, they seemed deeper and sharper than three months ago. The three months of training had not only honed Myeolsagun but also Yeon Hojeong’s martial arts.
“I can roughly guess why they sent you.”
“Of course, with your perception.”
“Anyway, tell me how the league is doing first.”
Yeon Hojeong, Jegal Ahyeon, and Peng Manho were having an in-depth conversation.
“Hey? Sister.”
“Hmm?”
Perhaps it was because they had been sweating blood together.
Mok Bi was treated as the highest senior in Myeolsagun. Initially, being called sister made her cringe, but she seemed to have gotten used to it.
Dong Ho looked at Mok Bi curiously.
“Aren’t you eating more?”
“It’s okay. This is enough for me.”
“I’ve always thought so, but you really eat very little.”
“If you eat too much, you become sluggish.”
The entire Myeolsagun flinched.
They cautiously watched Mok Bi. They knew she was inherently kind and gentle, but when she took on the role of instructor, she was more of a demon than Yeon Hojeong.
Mok Bi, feeling embarrassed, added.
“I’m just saying that’s how it is for me. It varies for everyone.”
“…Right?”
“Yeah. I’m an archer. I need to move more delicately than others.”
Only then did Myeolsagun relax and focus on their meal again.
Yoon Ho kept clearing his throat.
“But, sister.”
“Yes?”
“Shouldn’t you be listening to the conversation with the leader?”
Mok Bi looked at Yeon Hojeong.
Yeon Hojeong, listening to Jegal Ahyeon, seemed very serious. It was rare for him to be so attentive.
Mok Bi shook her head.
“I don’t know much about the world. Even if I listen, I won’t understand.”
“Ah…”
Most martial artists didn’t reveal their weaknesses, as it could become a disadvantage.
But Mok Bi was different. She was very objective about herself. While it was a strength, it could also be a weakness.
Mok Bi, looking away from Yeon Hojeong, glanced around and met someone’s eyes.
It was Okcheong.
“Hmm…”
Okcheong scratched his head awkwardly. Using the same hand that had been tearing greasy meat, he scratched his head—a behavior unimaginable three months ago.
“Well, Deputy Mok…”
“Are you eating meat?”
“Excuse me?”
Mok Bi’s face was full of curiosity.
“Didn’t you refrain from meat for three months? Didn’t you eat something called byeokgokdan?”
Immediately, there were loud accusations from all around.
“Sister! Don’t be fooled! He secretly ate rabbits!”
“Rabbits? No, he ate deer with me…?”
“What? He ate pheasants with me?!”
“He’s eaten every piece of meat imaginable. Isn’t he just a butcher pretending to be a Daoist?”
Okcheong’s face turned red.
“We were training under life-and-death circumstances. The leader said, ‘A well-fed ghost looks better.'”
“Then why did you always eat secretly?”
“It’s embarrassing…”
Receiving jeers for his absurd words, Okcheong spoke again.
“Anyway, Deputy Mok.”
“Yes?”
“Shouldn’t you be listening too?”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
Okcheong spoke earnestly, which was unusual for him.
“We haven’t established a clear system yet, but you are the second-in-command of Myeolsagun. When the leader is absent, you must lead us.”
“Ah…?”
“I’m not in a position to say this, but if you’re not used to it, you should learn from the leader now.”
Mok Bi felt flustered.
“Should I?”
Okcheong smiled kindly.
“Yes. I think so. If you decide to, I believe you can learn faster than anyone. Right?”
Okcheong sought Yoon Ho’s agreement.
Yoon Ho cleared his throat.
“I think so too.”
Just then, Yeon Hojeong, who had been deep in conversation, raised his hand.
“Mok Bi!”
“Yes?”
“What are you doing over there? Come here. I wondered why it felt so empty, and there you are slacking off.”
“Me too?”
“Who else would listen, fool! Come here! Oh? Did you finish eating?”
“I finished.”
“Did you eat so little again? There’s more meat here. Come and eat some more.”
Mok Bi walked awkwardly over to Yeon Hojeong.
Yoon Ho chuckled.
“Her martial arts are fearsome like a ghost, but why is she so naive in these situations?”
The martial artists chuckled softly.
During the hellish three months of training, sparring with Mok Bi had been the most difficult. Yet, after each spar, she would always check on her partner’s condition.
Despite her quiet demeanor, she was a very considerate person. Mok Bi’s gentle nature had endeared her to all of Myeolsagun.
“By the way.”
“Yes?”
Song Yeongyeong and the spearmen of the Ami Sect tilted their heads in curiosity.
Okcheong cautiously asked, “I’ve been wanting to ask for a while, can monks eat meat?”
Pfft.
Song Yeongyeong and the spearmen all removed their hats. Their long hair, previously tied up, flowed down to their backs.
“We belong to the secular branch of the Ami Sect.”
“…?!”
“Did you just find that out?”
Okcheong gaped like a fish.
The training had been so intense that he hadn’t spoken much with the members of the Ami Sect. Besides, he was notoriously awkward around women.
“I just found out now.”
“Oh my.”
Yeoguk, patting his satisfied belly, spoke up.
“Yeongyeong, don’t expect much from that guy. I’ve never seen anyone as clueless as him.”
Okcheong turned his head so fast it cracked.
“You’re already speaking informally…?!”
“That started on the third day. After getting beaten by Yeongyeong’s spear so much, I thought I’d at least win with age.”
“……”
“What’s the matter?”
“……Nothing.”
“Feeling left out?”
“No!”
“Got it.”
Feeling more relaxed, the soldiers gathered in groups of three or five, engrossed in their jokes.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere around Yeon Hojeong’s group was quite serious.
“So, it’s already that intense.”
“Yes.”
Jegal Ahyeon sighed.
“By now, the Moyong Family probably knows too. That the Jegal Family and Peng Family are supporting Myeolsagun.”
“Indeed.”
Yeon Hojeong stroked his chin.
“As Jegal Munho said, it’s better to strengthen our side than to weaken theirs.”
“Honestly, at first, I thought we were expanding too aggressively.”
“The Murim Alliance has just been established. No matter how much we try to hide it, strong clashes at the top will inevitably trickle down. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, there’s no need to provoke conflict now.”
“Yes, Jegal Munho also said the same.”
“My father is sharp. Unlike me, he thinks based on grand principles.”
“Are you complimenting your father or yourself?”
“Both.”
“Anyway, even though we’re pretending not to, the atmosphere is gradually getting tense. Especially with the leader of the Tangma Army becoming more prominent.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
“Really?”
“I thought Moyong Woo would be extraordinary, but he’s even more impressive.”
Yeon Hojeong didn’t probe further.
He trusted Moyong Woo. Whatever news came about him, it would be part of the ‘process.’ Any noteworthy details would be relayed by Gadeuk Sang.
“And the Tang Family.”
Jegal Ahyeon frowned openly.
“I wondered why they were so quiet. It turns out they’ve been weighing their options between the two sides. My father received a message from them too.”
“So, what happened?”
“Though it hasn’t surfaced yet… they probably have some connection with the Moyong Family.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes turned cold.
‘The Tang Leader.’
Even if left alone, he would die eventually, but he was the deputy leader of the Murim Alliance who had stabbed a thorn into his chest.
The plan was crafted by Moyong Gun, but executed by the Tang Leader. For Yeon Hojeong, each of them was someone he’d be satisfied to beat to death.
“The guy I beat up at the meeting, what about him?”
“Tang Yangseon? He didn’t come. Instead, he brought his eldest daughter.”
“His eldest daughter?”
“The Dark Sky Divine Maiden. Tang Yangseon’s sister.”
“…?”
“…You don’t know her, do you?”
*cough*
“Hey!”
Jegal Ahyeon swung his fists in the air. He looked like he wanted to grab Yeon Hojeong by the collar and shake him.
“For heaven’s sake, keep at least the famous names in your head! Who doesn’t know the Dark Sky Divine Maiden!”
“Hey.”
Yeon Hojeong pointed at Mok Bi.
“She doesn’t know either.”
Mok Bi, feeling awkward, said, “I’ve only lived in the mountains.”
“Anyway, you don’t know.”
Jegal Ahyeon took a deep breath. He didn’t want to make a fool of himself in front of someone he barely knew.
“Sorry. I got a bit worked up.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“You must have a hard time. Don’t you get frustrated traveling with this guy?”
“…Sometimes.”
Yeon Hojeong clicked his teeth loudly.
“Cut the nonsense. So, is the Dark Sky Divine Maiden impressive?”
“She’s one of the Three Phoenixes. Not only is her martial arts exceptional, but she’s also extremely talented with poisons and hidden weapons. In terms of lethality, she’s among the top of her generation.”
“Martial arts aside, I want to know about her character.”
Jegal Ahyeon shook his head.
“I don’t know much about that. But I heard that the Tang Family Head cherishes her more than his eldest son.”
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
‘Cherished…’
In the past, during his days in the Black Shadow, he had several conversations with the Tang Leader.
The Tang Leader was a man who embodied the Tang clan’s characteristic ruthlessness and selfishness. Though he had a sense of loyalty, he would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
For such a man to trust his daughter more than his heir?
“I should ask Hu Gae to look into it just in case.”
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“Anyway, you’ve worked hard to get here.”
“Hard work, nothing.”
“You’ll have a tough time ahead, ready to die?”
“Do you always have to speak so grimly?”
Jegal Ahyeon slapped her arm.
“I’m the craziest woman in Yongzhong Mountain.”
“You look the part.”
Yeon Hojeong looked at Peng Manho.
Peng Manho folded his arms with an easygoing movement. His bulging muscles looked as hard as rocks.
“Add the crazy guy from Hebei.”
“Got it.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Welcome to Myeolsagun.”
Jegal Ahyeon extended her fist.
“Looking forward to working with you.”
Yeon Hojeong bumped her fist with his.
“Likewise.”
“By the way, are we starting to clean up the dark forces now?”
“Of course.”
“Where will you start?”
Whoosh.
Suddenly, the air in the open space turned cold.
The soldiers, who had been chatting in groups, all turned to look at them with piercing eyes. They had been listening to the conversation all along, pretending not to.
Jegal Ahyeon felt a chill in her chest.
Their eyes, their spirit, were as fierce as wolves. Not something one would expect from disciples of the nine major sects.
The person whose gaze was as sharp as all of theirs combined spoke.
“Mountain warfare first, then urban warfare.”
“…?”
“Starting with the Green Forest.”