Chapter 61. The Eldest Son of Beksan (1)

"Lord of the household. A guest from the丐帮 (Beggars' Gang) has come to visit."

"Please show them in."

A moment later, Iron Staff Dog entered the lord's chamber.

Even the notorious Iron Staff Dog, known for his cunning, dared not act frivolously in front of the head of the Yan family.

"I am Iron Staff Dog. It seems this is our first meeting."

His face was so dirty that sweat and grime were streaming down it. Yet, Yan Wei's expression remained unchanged.

"I am Yan Wei. Welcome."

A brief greeting, but it carried a powerful aura.

Iron Staff Dog felt a tingling in his throat.

'Incredible.'

It was as if he were looking at a divine sword. The oppressive feeling was overwhelming.

'Judge Sword. They say he will be one of the Thirteen Celestial Seats in ten years. It seems the people's words are not exaggerated.'

One Roar to Split the Sea, Iron Sword to Drive Away Evil.

A single roar to part the sea, and a sword technique as strong as iron to drive away evil.

These were the words used to describe Yan Wei, the head of the Yan family. Today, it seemed there was no exaggeration in his terrifying nickname.

"I have to leave soon due to some matters, so I will only report what I have investigated so far."

Yan Wei's eyes sparkled.

It had not even been a month, let alone half. Yet, it seemed Iron Staff Dog had discovered something.

"Very well."

"Please take a look at this."

He took out a neatly folded letter from his tattered clothes and respectfully presented it.

His appearance was that of a beggar, but the letter he brought was very exquisite.

Yan Wei's eyes shone as he opened the letter.

"I intended to investigate as far as Zhejiang, but due to the urgency, I have only selected the forces in Jiangsu for now."

"These forces listed here?"

"Yes. They are all in league with the Ming family. The forces listed on the right have a higher connection to the Ming family."

Yan Wei's eyes gleamed as he quickly scanned the letter.

"Gu Jianfang?!"

"A familiar force, indeed?"

"Surely, they have also allied with the Ming family?"

"More accurately, they seem to have received a large sum of money from the Ming family. There is evidence that they are reporting the Yan family's activities."

Yan Wei felt a sense of despair.

Gu Jianfang was a place where the Yan family conducted business. More than half of the weapons used by the family's warriors were made by Gu Jianfang.

'The main house has been quietly crumbling away like this all along.'

Iron Staff Dog spoke up.

"Therefore, I came to ask you directly."

"What do you mean?"

"There are certainly Ming family-related elements in Zhejiang as well. However, I believe there is little point in investigating them."

"Why do you think so?"

"Because the Murong family has already extended their reach into Zhejiang."

"......"

"Indeed, the Zhejiang branch is making a huge profit through maritime trade. No matter how powerful the Ming family is, they won't dare to provoke Zhejiang."

"I see."

"Yes, I believe it is better to focus on the forces in Jiangsu and delve deeper into them. That's why I came here."

Yan Wei nodded.

"Your thinking is correct."

"Shall we start immediately?"

"Before that."

Yan Wei took out a letter from his robes and handed it over.

"Please deliver this to my son."

"Ah, to the eldest son?"

"Yes. I apologize for the trouble."

"Haha! It's fine. I'm not working anyway."

Iron Staff Dog, who had stuffed the letter into his robes, suddenly asked.

"Um... by any chance..."

"About food, I've already told you. If you go to the guest hall, they will guide you."

Iron Staff Dog swallowed. Does this gentleman really think I'm a beggar?

"That's not it. Have you received any separate letter from the eldest son?"

"Besides the news that he has arrived in Henan, I haven't received anything else."

"Ah......"

Iron Staff Dog was genuinely flustered. He didn't tell his father? Isn't that a bit much?

Yan Wei's eyes flashed.

"Has something happened to him?"

"What? Ah, no, it's not that......"

"......"

"......I have no choice. I'll tell you."

Iron Staff Dog cleared his throat repeatedly and recounted the current situation of Yan Hozheng.

Yan Wei's eyes wavered.

"The Ming family?!"

"Yes, that's right. He even involved the Murong family."

Yan Wei felt a sense of disbelief.

He could overlook the fact that his son didn't tell him, given the chaotic situation.

But the idea itself was absurd. To ally with the Murong family and attack the Ming family? What kind of ridiculous strategy is this?

'This is serious.'

Upon reflection, this was a very serious issue. If things went wrong, it could lead to a war between families!

"If he provokes the Murong family head......"

"I, I had the same concern."

"Hmm?"

"He is really coming."

"......?!"

"Murong Jun, the head of the Murong family, has truly set out from Hunan."

Iron Staff Dog elaborated further.

All the information about what Yan Hozheng had experienced was now in the hands of the Beggars' Gang. It was natural, given that Hou Kai was working with them.

"Umm."

Yan Wei's eyes sparkled.

"Yes, now that I hear this in detail, I understand what Hozheng is aiming for."

Of course, he couldn't know the specifics.

He didn't know how Hozheng found out that the Ming family was behind it. And now, it seemed Hozheng had even captured the Ming family's intelligence network.

When he heard this part, he felt a momentary dizziness. He thought Hozheng had finally gone too far due to his rough nature.

But after hearing the entire situation, he understood how Hozheng planned to deal with the Ming family.

The only concern was:

"Is he involving the Ming family?"

"Yes. And it is likely to be... very dangerous."

Iron Staff Dog added hastily.

"Of course, the Beggars' Gang has sent experts to surround him, so there should be no problem."

"I see."

"Really?"

"I said I see."

"Ah... Yes."

"Thank you for your efforts. Go to the guest hall and have a meal."

Iron Staff Dog scratched his head awkwardly. Although he had said he would leave soon, he couldn't refuse a meal that was being prepared for him.

"Then, I'll shamelessly have a meal. Hehe!"

With that, Iron Staff Dog left.

Yan Wei immediately called for Xin Mo.

"Did you call for me, Lord of the household?"

"How many members of the Changying Team are currently outside the family?"

"All members of the Changying Team are currently within the family."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Xin Mo asked, puzzled.

"May I ask what this is about?"

"Go to Henan."

Yan Wei's eyes turned cold.

"Send the entire Changying Team to Henan to protect Hozheng. If necessary, you may unseal your seal."

* * *

Rustle, rustle.

Kaifeng in Henan was a historical capital.

Being close to the capital city of Zhengzhou, it had a huge floating population. It was crowded during the day and even more so at night.

As people walked through the bustling market, they would occasionally glance at a particular spot while laughing and chatting.

"Um, how much is this?"

"......Two taels."

"Two taels? For this?"

"Yes, yes!"

"Is it really that cheap? That can't be right?"

"Ah......"

"If you sell it too cheaply, you won't make a profit. Here, I'll give you five taels, so give me that as well."

"Ah! Thank you!"

The young man, smiling, carried the food he had bought and walked on.

His hair was freely untied, and his neatly dressed appearance was striking. He was tall, but his build and attire made him look like a well-mannered scholar.

However, what he carried on his shoulder was far from ordinary.

'That's an axe?'

'Yes, it is an axe, but......'

'Good heavens, I've never seen such a large axe! It looks like it can't even be used on a battlefield.'

'Can a person even lift it?'

'His face doesn't change at all. How strong is he?'

The young man carried a massive axe on his shoulder.

It wasn't a sword or a spear, but an axe, and its size was enormous.

The handle was as long as six feet and quite thick. The axe blade was especially impressive, being about twice the width of an average adult's shoulders.

It was almost as large as a person's upper body, exuding an overwhelming presence. The fact that it was carried by someone who looked so unassuming made it even more imposing.

Kaifeng, with its large floating population, also had many martial artists. Therefore, people didn't particularly fear or find martial artists unusual.

This young man was different. His appearance was eye-catching.

Yan Hozheng looked around.

He had guessed he would stand out, but he was indeed drawing attention.

'Different from the Black Path.'

In the back alleys of the Black Path, all sorts of weapons were carried. Some carried giant scissors, and others carried ten swords.

Of course, both the Black Path and the White Path were spread throughout the Central Plains, but Henan was the territory of Shaolin and the Ming family. There was no place for Black Path martial artists.

Perhaps that's why the gazes of the people were particularly noticeable.

'Having looked around enough, it's time to leave.'

He arrived in Kaifeng four days after leaving Shangqiu. He spent four days wandering the market in Kaifeng. Naturally, the Ming family had already spotted him.

'One, two...... six.'

He had sensed the presence of 'eyes' watching him since yesterday.

The number of eyes increased from one to two, and now there were six. The number had not increased beyond six.

'The pot is ready.'

With the food in hand, he left the bustling center of Kaifeng and walked into a quiet forest.

Choosing a place where no one would enter, the forest was the only option. At least the scenery was pleasant in the forest.

Rustle.

Yan Hozheng's eyes flashed.

He heard the sound of leaves rustling far behind him. It was unclear whether it was the wind or a person.

'They've caught up.'

His restrained gait was mature and well-practiced. It was different from the Assassins' Corps but had a strangely similar aspect.

'The Assassins' Corps......'

Yan Hozheng thought of Ming Wenzhi.

The martial arts of the Vajra Warrior who had broken the family's gate, and Ming Wenzhi, who had mastered those martial arts.

'Do any of them know these martial arts?'

The martial arts that hardened the entire body like iron armor, providing strong defensive power and divine strength.

'If possible, I'd like to see it again...... Hmm?'

A sudden thought made Yan Hozheng tilt his head.

'Strange.'

When Ming Wenzhi unleashed his martial arts, his eyes had turned wild. The unbridled release of killing intent was due to his anger.

But why?

Now, with a calm mind, recalling Ming Wenzhi's martial arts, he felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

Was it because it was the martial arts of the Vajra Warrior who had come to destroy the family?

Not exactly, but there was a strange feeling.

The more he thought about it, the more it felt like a fading dream.

Ming Wenzhi's martial arts gave him a sense of familiarity that puzzled Yan Hozheng.

'......'

Yan Hozheng, lost in thought, smiled.

'With the enemy right in front of me, what kind of leisure is this?'

Entering the forest, he found a large rock.

Thud!

Putting down the axe, he sat on the rock and started eating the rice ball.

It was a well-made rice ball, with just the right seasoning, making it very tasty.

Eating the rice ball, he suddenly thought of Lian Zhiping.

'Are you hungry? Eat a lot. I'll bring more tomorrow.'

Yan Hozheng couldn't help but smile.

"Hey, you. I'm here fighting with ruffians in a distant land, and you're enjoying your meal?"

He wanted to say this in a teasing tone. If Lian Zhiping heard this, he would probably look dejected and kick the ground with his toes.

Thinking of his brother, he also thought of his father.

The deep affection behind the stern face.

'If the world calls my son a demon, I will place that world under my sword.'

'Father.'

He felt good.

It was a feeling he had never experienced during the Black Demon Era. Back then, he had comrades, but no family.

Now, it was different. There was a family he had longed for over decades, not in the back alleys of the Black Path. Having a place to return to made his heart feel solid.

Smiling as he thought of his family, Yan Hozheng spoke calmly.

"This is the first meal today. Wait until I finish eating."

Thud! Thud!

The rice ball he was holding suddenly disappeared. An arrow had flown and knocked the rice ball out of his hand.

Yan Hozheng grumbled.

"This rice ball always has a hard time."

Descending from the rock, he looked ahead. Ten men were already standing there.

The middle-aged man in the center asked.

"Are you Yan Hozheng?"

Yan Hozheng smiled.

"Yes. I am the eldest son of the Beksan Yan family, Yan Hozheng."