Chapter 46. The Wind Blows (1)

“Gggggh!”

He let out a loud burp, feeling as if his soul was escaping through his mouth.

“Wow, I’m so full! I ate so much I thought I might die.”

Yeon Jipyeong puffed out his cheeks like a fish.

“Oh, it’s a good thing you didn’t die, isn’t it?”

“Huh? Hahaha! Young Master, you underestimate me too much? A beggar’s stomach far surpasses that of an ordinary person. This is just a fraction of what I used to eat; in my younger days, I could easily eat twelve pounds of pork.”

Yeon Jipyeong’s weight, converted to kilograms, was around 100 kg. Gadeuk-sang had eaten more than a tenth of that weight.

Yeon Jipyeong shuddered. It wasn’t easy to be frightened by someone eating, but this was different.

Yeon Hojeong pointed to the rice bowl with his finger.

“You left three grains of rice.”

“This is a gesture, a gesture.”

“Finish it all.”

Gadeuk-sang smacked his lips.

“You’re so strict.”

He put the remaining grains of rice in his mouth. Even while being so full, he savored each grain, which was quite surprising.

“Would you like some tea?”

“What tea for a beggar? If it were alcohol, maybe.”

“It’s still daytime.”

“Do you distinguish between day and night when drinking? You have a unique personality, don’t you?”

Yeon Hojeong couldn’t help but chuckle.

Gadeuk-sang said slyly.

“By the way, I noticed that Young Master can drink quite a bit, can’t you?”

Yeon Jipyeong waved his hand as if he were tired of it.

“How much I suffered the next day. It’s good when you drink, but the aftermath is the problem.”

“Hahaha! Enjoying even the hangover is the true way of drinking. Young Master, you’ve just taken your first step.”

“Is that so?”

Yeon Hojeong said bluntly.

“Don’t teach the child strange things.”

“What strange things? What’s strange about this? You’re making me feel bad.”

“Alright.”

Yeon Hojeong said to Yeon Jipyeong.

“Go ask for some alcohol and clear the table.”

“Of course!”

Yeon Jipyeong was quick to catch on. He had known from the moment Gadeuk-sang arrived that he had something to discuss with his brother.

Thus, only the two of them were left in the guest room.

Gadeuk-sang exaggeratedly looked around.

“By the way, the family atmosphere seems quite tense, doesn’t it?”

“It’s always been strict. Not very fun.”

“Well, the Yan family’s strict rules are notoriously severe.”

“Is it that famous?”

“It’s famous among beggars. Other families might not know.”

It was a fact known only to the Beggar Sect. Given their control over the information network, it wasn’t surprising.

“Has anything bad happened recently? It seems a bit extreme, even if that’s the case.”

“Nothing special.”

“Nothing special, and yet the atmosphere is like this? Everyone bows deeply when you pass by.”

“The main family members are known for their etiquette, the best in the Central Plains.”

“From their expressions, they seem genuinely afraid. It’s as if a ghost is passing by.”

“I’m just not a fully human, as you can see.”

Gadeuk-sang chuckled.

“I understand. Given the nature of your work, you tend to delve deep.”

“I understand.”

A moment later, the alcohol was served.

Indeed, Gadeuk-sang was a monster. Even before the alcohol was poured, he was tasting the appetizers, and it was hard to believe he had just said he was full.

Yeon Hojeong lifted the wine bottle.

“Have a drink.”

“Huh? Why put it in a cup? Just give me the bottle.”

“...”

Gadeuk-sang grabbed the bottle and drank from it like a canteen.

“Wow! The alcohol is good! It seems even better than Ye Ahong. Oh, my throat is warming up!”

“It’s strong, so take it slowly.”

“Sure. We have a lot to talk about.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled.

Gadeuk-sang, looking into those deep eyes, thought.

‘Indeed, this person...’

Is different.

Gadeuk-sang, as a leader of the Beggar Sect, had met countless people, most of whom were major figures in the martial world.

What was remarkable was that Yeon Hojeong’s eyes were as deep as those of the martial world’s giants. It wasn’t because of his character or martial arts, but because the person himself was deep.

‘Truly, he’s a mystery.’

Gadeuk-sang secretly investigated Yeon Hojeong.

But there was nothing to find. Yeon Hojeong’s past had no notable events.

A son raised by a strict father, a firstborn who went astray after despairing over his younger brother’s talent.

A common story. There were no rumors of him being part of a secret organization or the family deliberately spreading bad rumors.

He seemed to have fallen from the sky. Yeon Hojeong’s transformation was sudden.

“Is there something on my face?”

“Huh? Ah, no! I just thought you looked good.”

“Boring.”

“Boring? You can disarm all the women in the world with just your innocent eyes.”

“Enough, let’s get to the main topic.”

“Sure, let’s.”

Gadeuk-sang placed his clasped hands on the table.

“First, about the first request.”

“Go on.”

“The current martial world is like a land without a ruler. There’s nothing particularly noteworthy. The Xiaoleiyin Temple in Shujiang is said to be lifting its seclusion, but it doesn’t seem to pose a threat to the Central Plains.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.

“Was there nothing else? Like a cult causing chaos?”

“A cult? Like the fallen demonic sects of old?”

“Anything.”

“There were no such signs. In a way, it’s strangely quiet. Perhaps the strange ones at Xiaoleiyin Temple are taking advantage of the calm to lift their seclusion.”

Yeon Hojeong nodded.

‘It’s not yet time.’

The Beggar Sect’s eyes weren’t limited to the Central Plains. If there were any signs, Gadeuk-sang wouldn’t have missed them.

“Let’s move on to the second request.”

“Alright. The second request was about the location of Murong Yu, right?”

“Right.”

“As I said before, knowing where that person is isn’t difficult.”

“Tell me.”

“But I have a question.”

Gadeuk-sang’s eyes sparkled.

“Why is the Yan family’s eldest son looking for the youngest brother of the Murong family’s head?”

Murong Yu.

The younger half-brother of the current head of the Murong family, Murong Jun.

There was a significant age gap between them. Murong Jun was nearly fifty, while Murong Yu was only twenty-nine.

Exactly ten years younger than Yeon Hojeong.

“I’ll tell you later.”

“Hmm. Telling me later means you expect me to find out on my own?”

“That’s right.”

Gadeuk-sang scrutinized Yeon Hojeong’s expression with a sharp eye.

‘I can’t tell.’

Yeon Hojeong’s expression was completely indifferent. There was nothing to read, even if he tried.

‘Is it possible for someone his age?’

Eyes, the movement of the lips, gestures, posture, etc.

There are many ways to read someone’s inner thoughts, but there was nothing to read in Yeon Hojeong.

“Alright.”

Gadeuk-sang took out a letter from his chest. Despite wearing tattered clothes, the letter was clean and neat.

“Here it is.”

Yeon Hojeong took the letter and opened it.

His eyes sparkled.

“Zhejiang Province?”

“Right next to Jiangsu Province. It’s in the neighboring area.”

“Maritime trade.”

“That’s right. Murong Yu is in charge of the Murong family’s Zhejiang branch, which handles maritime trade. Surprisingly, the funds from this maritime trade account for a tenth of the Murong family’s total funds.”

Handling a tenth of the funds of a massive organization like the Murong family?

That was truly remarkable. Earning a tenth of the family’s total funds alone was something that couldn’t be done by an ordinary businessman.

“I was personally surprised when I investigated Murong Yu. Though the family kept it quiet, Murong Yu is no ordinary person. His martial talent rivals that of the head, Murong Jun, and his virtue and character are so outstanding that he could be called the best of the family.”

Of course.

Yeon Hojeong remembered the night before Murong Yu’s death. He recalled the deep sincerity in his kowtow to the leader of the Black Path, asking him to take care of his elder brother.

Despite being cast out for being a threat, Murong Yu was concerned about his brother’s well-being. He was a great person who always remained humble despite his overwhelming talent.

‘...He’s like us.’

It reminded him of the relationship between Yeon Hojeong and Yeon Jipyeong.

If he had talent, he would have thoroughly cast out Yeon Jipyeong. In that sense, Murong Jun was like him.

‘That’s why Murong Yu is necessary. To stop them, Murong Yu is the only one who can do it.’

Yeon Hojeong knew his limits well.

He became the Black Emperor because the Black Path was steeped in unrefined violence. But the White Path was different.

‘I must be a shadow, a shield, a spear, and a designer. I cannot become a ruler myself. I couldn’t even if I wanted to.’

Gadeuk-sang sighed.

“Murong Jun is a terrifying person. Few people would cast out their own flesh and blood to preserve power.”

Is that true?

Yeon Hojeong had seen countless people who would kill their parents, siblings, and even their own children for power. Murong Jun was abnormal, but there were even more ruthless people in the world.

“Anyway, the second request is completed.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Hard work? Thanks to you, I learned many things I didn’t know. Now, about the third request...”

Gadeuk-sang’s face became serious.

“I don’t know if I can tell you, but I have one more question.”

“...”

“How did you know?”

“Know what?”

“How did you know that the Nine Provinces’ Famous Family secretly raised dead swords?”

Instantly, Yeon Hojeong’s eyes glowed with killing intent.

‘It was true.’

Indeed.

After exchanging blows with Minghulin, he was certain that the attackers’ martial arts belonged to the Nine Provinces’ Famous Family.

That alone didn’t prove they were the culprits. Someone could have stolen and modified their martial arts.

But after hearing Gadeuk-sang’s words, he was now certain.

‘The culprits were the Famous Family.’

The table trembled slightly.

A blue aura emanated from Yeon Hojeong’s body. It was a level of power that couldn’t be compared to his past. The aura was filled with killing intent, and the temperature in the room plummeted.

‘You dared to kill my father, bury my brother, and burn down the Yan family’s foundation?!’

He remembered his father’s face, sighing at the sky.

He remembered his brother’s face, smiling and trusting him.

And.

He remembered his father’s back, drenched in blood, fighting fiercely against the enemies.

He remembered his brother’s back, his spine breaking under the hands of a masked man.

Roar!

The aura, which had been surging, became more intense like a flame.

The atmosphere in the room turned into a living hell. Gadeuk-sang’s face turned pale.

“Yeon Young Master!”

“Grrr.”

“Yeon Young Master! Hey, kid! My heart is pounding!!”

Startled, Yeon Hojeong controlled his killing intent.

Whoosh.

The terrifying aura that could have overturned the world disappeared instantly.

Gadeuk-sang put his hand on his chest. His heart was beating wildly.

“Who would this guy kill? You! Control your killing intent properly! If it were someone with weaker martial arts, they would have spat blood!”

It wasn’t an exaggeration.

Yeon Hojeong’s spiritual energy was that of the Black Emperor. The killing intent of a master at the pinnacle of martial arts is lethal in itself.

“I’m sorry. I showed a poor side of myself.”

“Can you even speak properly when you’re scared? Everyone was shocked, you know?”

Gadeuk-sang looked around the window.

Fortunately, the passersby’s faces were calm. The killing intent hadn’t spread outside the room.

“Phew, it’s like being in a room with a wild beast. I almost died. Did I almost die?”

“I’m ashamed.”

“Don’t worry! Just be more careful in the future!”

“I understand.”

Gadeuk-sang took a deep breath.

“By the way, is it really something to get so angry about? That the Famous Family is secretly building strength? For a martial family of the Nine Provinces’ Famous Family’s level, it’s not unusual to secretly train martial artists.”

“The problem is what they do with that strength.”

“What do they do?”

“Mr. Gadeuk-sang.”

“Yeah?”

“Let’s make one more request.”

“...Damn, pay me first. What is it?”

Yeon Hojeong said coldly.

“This request might go against the code of honor.”

When the drums of war sound, the law falls silent.

Yeon Hojeong instinctively felt that it was time to temporarily discard the laws and rules.