Chapter: 656
The time when the sun seemed to want to rise gradually.
When the wind blew gently, birds that had been asleep woke up, and the insects started to flutter.
Over the central plains, particularly above Hanam, a gigantic object was passing by at an astonishing speed.
Whoooooooo—!!
The speed was unbelievably fast for such a large size.
Although its noticeable dimensions should have made it apparent to the people below, for some reason, the citizens of Hanam weren’t particularly interested in the sky.
It looked as if they had no clue about what was up there.
It was quite a mystery how no one was aware of such a colossal object.
On top of the Murim Alliance building in the center of Hanam, a man was staring intently at this strange phenomenon.
“Hmph.”
“Why are you doing that?”
In response to the inquiry, the man, Beomdong, pointed his finger into thin air.
“Vice-captain.”
“Yes.”
“Can’t you see that?”
The man frowned at Beomdong’s words and gazed into the vacuous space. He focused his qi but still couldn’t see anything in the emptiness.
“…I apologize.”
“No need to apologize. Hmmm…”
Beomdong nodded in acknowledgment of the man’s reply.
The vice-captain is invisible.
Beomdong stared into the void, channeling his energy into his eyes as if concentrating hard.
Suddenly, the space in the distance began to warp, revealing something.
Is that a dark cloud?
No, it couldn’t possibly be.
These are dark clouds visible only when you’re filled with energy?
That would be even stranger.
It was nighttime, so there was only so much he could amplify his qi.
The sun was beginning to rise, but that alone wouldn’t suffice.
However, soon enough, light would shine down properly.
At that moment, it felt as though he would know for certain, so Beomdong quietly sat and continued to observe the area.
But then—
“Hm?”
Beomdong frowned at something.
A huge entity was being sucked into somewhere.
To Beomdong’s eyes, it appeared as if black smoke was rapidly being drawn towards the ground.
Seeing that, Beomdong propped himself up.
“Vice-captain.”
“Yes, my lord.”
In response to the vice-captain’s answer, Beomdong pointed downward in the direction he had been looking.
“Over there. Do you recall what was there?”
“’Over there’, you say…?”
The vice-captain followed Beomdong’s finger as it pointed.
There lay a forest facing west. Additionally, it was land that was still in the process of being developed.
Recalling that, he quickly added to his lord, “That area is currently under development.”
“Development?”
“Yes. The owner is likely…”
After a few seconds of thinking, the vice-captain provided an answer.
“I know it as Baekhwasangdan.”
“Baekhwasangdan.”
That was a place he was quite familiar with.
It was situated among the top tier merchant houses in the central plains.
While they provided financial backing to the alliance, it was ambiguous to label them as allies of the martial arts community.
Moreover,
A place connected to that clan.
It was said that the leader of the merchant house was the wife of Ho-hyeop, the head of the Shanxi Gu clan.
So, perhaps—
There could be a connection.
There might be some relation to those ‘troublemakers’ who had been causing a stir in Hanam for the past few months.
The recent incident and its curious proximity to Baekhwasangdan made Beomdong turn away and start walking.
“I’ll be back shortly. Wait here.”
“Huh? Where do you mean…? My lord? My lord!”
Just as the vice-captain called out in a hurry,
Beomdong had already vanished without a trace.
Two days had passed since we departed from the North Sea, and it was now the early dawn of the third day.
Before we knew it, we had arrived at our destination.
It was much faster than before.
I looked down at the forest that was passing by below while simultaneously observing my own condition.
I think I’ve spent about half of the energy from the bet.
That’s a half portion of all the bets I made.
In terms of volume, it was quite considerable, but in terms of cost-effectiveness, it felt borderline adequate.
Considering this speed and using stealth, it’s not bad at all.
Given the massive size of the little critter, if I flew around freely, there would be too many eyes on us.
So, whenever possible, I navigated to areas with fewer people. Even so, I had to mask my presence with a full cloak of qi.
Thus, half of the qi I used over several days had now been depleted.
Not too shabby.
This was a satisfying outcome that clearly showcased my growth in skill.
Phew.
I lifted my head, feeling the breeze.
I sensed that the air’s scent had changed.
Unlike the air in the North Sea, the atmosphere of the central plains had a different feel.
Perhaps it’s because it was where I was born and raised? Or is it because the North Sea’s air is just… well, “otherworldly”?
Regardless, inhaling the familiar scent made me feel at ease.
I turned my gaze and gently stroked Tottoli’s scales.
“Let’s descend slowly.”
Krung.
As if he understood, Tottoli gradually lowered his altitude.
There was an ideal spot for landing just ahead.
As if he had sensed my wishes, Tottoli decreased his speed and landed at the desired location.
Swish.
The massive body touched the ground gently this time; no winds violently gusted, nor did the earth shatter as it had in the past.
After being scolded so many times, this time he seemed to be more obedient.
As soon as we landed safely, those aboard finally set foot on solid ground.
“Uuuuk…!!”
As soon as he dismounted, someone jumped off Tottoli’s back and bolted into the bushes.
Of course, it was Yuri.
Perhaps because she had the lowest skill level, she certainly looked like she was struggling to endure the ride.
Given that the speed was much greater than last time, it was no surprise she had reached her limit.
Thank goodness.
If she had thrown up from above, I would have tossed her out!
But she held it together, which allowed her to survive the ordeal.
Otherwise, it would have been curtains.
“Wow… This is quite fun. Who knew I’d experience something like this again?”
Next to me, the casters Goeseon and the White Lotus Sword came down.
Despite the forlorn expression on Baekryeongeom’s face, her excitement was palpable, while Goeseon gazed at Tottoli with a look of fascination, as if he had just spotted candy.
“I’ve lived long enough to even ride a beast!”
Krrrrung-!
Did the term ‘beast’ ruffle some feathers?
Tottoli growled at Goeseon, causing him to startle.
“I apologize; I didn’t mean to offend!”
Krrrr…
Only after hearing the apology did Tottoli turn his head away.
Is he at least somewhat satisfied?
Regardless, he was an easygoing creature.
Goeseon found all of this amusing, chuckling as he turned away to glance at something else.
“This guy’s kinda funny, isn’t he? Right?”
“…yeah.”
Someone hesitated a moment at Goeseon’s banter before responding.
This time it was Woohyuk.
How could he flinch at the words of his master?
I clicked my tongue watching that unfold.
’Tsk tsk.’
His hesitance stemming from unresolved guilt was quite the mirror of my own shortcomings.
It was frustrating, sure, but nothing I could address.
This was purely a matter Woohyuk had to contend with by himself.
Knowing this, Goeseon likely kept attempting to engage him in conversation.
Of course, I imagined it wasn’t easy for him to accept with one arm literally blown off.
Ah, you fool.
That was a sentiment aimed at Woohyuk.
And it was an echo of how I felt about my own weaknesses too.
Determined to ignore it, I swung my hand.
Whoosh.
As energy flowed from my fingertips, it wrapped around Namgung Bi-ah and Dang So-yeol, who were just descending.
With a gentle lift, I floated them down softly.
Dang So-yeol appeared slightly surprised but quickly broke into a smile, while Namgung Bi-ah, who seemed half-asleep, remained largely unaffected.
“You do all sorts of things these days.”
Upon observing this, the elder Pae looked on in disbelief; I chose to brush it off lightly.
’Looks like we arrived safely.’
Next up, I should probably head back to Baekhwasangdan to file a report.
“This way… If we head east… Hey, someone grab her!”
Just then, Dang So-yeol grabbed onto Namgung Bi-ah, who was trying to wander off on her own.
Alright, I just needed to go in the opposite direction of where Namgung Bi-ah was headed.
Fired up with confidence, I was about to lead everyone when—
Crack.
“Hm?”
I sensed a presence from a distance.
I didn’t feel particularly tense. It was just one person and a low-level one at that.
Maybe just a passing herbalist, I figured.
“Pardon my intrusion.”
To my surprise, the person who showed up belonged to the Baekhwasangdan.
“I’m Seokhon from Baekhwasangdan. Am I in the presence of the Duke Gu Yang-cheon from the Shanxi Clan?”
He stepped forward, seemingly astonished by my accurate name call.
“That’s correct… but how did you find me?”
You hadn’t even sent word that you were coming.
Curious about the strange situation, I prompted him with questions, and Seokhon replied, “The branch manager sent me.”
“…The branch manager?”
If he was talking about the branch manager around here…
That would be Mo Yong-hee!
How did she know to send someone to fetch me?
In a situation that was utterly baffling, Seokhon spoke to me again.
“The branch manager anticipates your return and has sent personnel to the potential locations you might arrive at. We’ve been instructed to greet you properly as soon as you land.”
“…Huh.”
I couldn’t help but sneer at that.
Not only had she predicted when I would arrive, but she even speculated on where I would land and stationed someone ahead of time. What kind of meticulous and spookily efficient behavior was that?
’Anyway…’
I struggled to keep a straight face at her unexpectedly impressive planning.
A ghostly woman was right on the nose when I thought about her.
“Would you like me to assist you with guidance?”
Hearing Seokhon’s offer, I suppressed a laugh and nodded.
“Let’s go.”
After hearing Mo Yong-hee’s name, it finally started to sink in.
The reality that I was back in the Central Plains.
’It didn’t take too long.’
For some reason, it felt far longer than it really was.
Under Seokhon’s guidance, we arrived at Baekhwasangdan.
Given that it was early morning, there weren’t many people around, and thanks to Seokhon leading us to a spot with fewer folks, we managed to arrive undetected.
Swish.
I felt a tingling in my forearm.
Ugh…
From my sleeve, a blue-black serpent emerged, flicking its tongue.
Surprisingly, this snake was Tottoli.
By scaling down its massive size, I was able to revert to a more manageable shape reminiscent of before.
Originally, no matter how much I tried to shrink it, there was always a limit, resulting in it having to be let out. But with my level having increased, it could now be small enough to hide in my arms.
’I’ll probably let it roam after I get tired of managing it.’
In the past, that may have been different, but now, he hunts on his own and finds food.
Having it constantly around could turn noisy and annoying, so I decided it was easier just to toss it into the nearby bushes.
Currently, I was holding onto it because I had expended so much energy and needed to verify several things.
“Tea is served.”
As I sat quietly waiting, a servant approached with tea.
Since Goeseon and Namgung Bi-ah required treatment, I presumed they had already sent them to a heavenly accommodation ahead of time.
I dragged along the remaining group and waited in the branch manager’s office above.
I took a quick glance around the room.
Since he was the branch manager, the space was quite spacious.
Looking at the impeccably organized environment alongside the heaps of letters and documents, I reflected that it was a very ‘Mo Yong-hee’ kind of room.
But then,
’Where is she?’
The actual owner of this room, Mo Yong-hee, was absent.
I hadn’t waited long, but it felt off, knowing that the person I was waiting for was Mo Yong-hee.
’It’s peculiar for her to keep anyone waiting.’
No, typically, Mo Yong-hee arrives late as a tactic to hamper her opponent’s spirit or for logistical reasons.
Occurrences like this were rare.
As curiosity bubbled up, I turned to Seokhon standing beside me.
“What’s taking her so long?”
Seokhon replied, wearing a sheepish expression, “The branch manager mentioned that something urgent came up…she might be a bit delayed.”
“Delayed?”
“Yes.”
After that, Seokhon fell into silence.
He likely withheld information intentionally.
Watching quietly, I slowly rose to my feet.
Seokhon called after me, clearly flustered by my sudden movement.
“Your Grace?”
“Oh, I need to use the restroom.”
“Then let me guide you…”
“Why would you guide me for that? Would you like to watch me while I do my business?”
“…”
Seokhon paused, momentarily taken aback.
Seeing his reaction made me chuckle as I swiftly darted out the door. Fortunately, this time Seokhon didn’t attempt to stop me.
Oh, but I wasn’t lying, I genuinely did need to relieve myself.
’However…’
I intended to take the opportunity to seek out Mo Yong-hee.
Yeah.
This was a two-birds-one-stone situation.
On the first floor.
In the space designated for VIPs, a teacup sat unattended.
The tea was still steaming, and oddly, only one cup was left for two individuals.
Across the empty table, a strikingly beautiful woman with a cold demeanor, Mo Yong-hee, gazed intently at the individual across from her.
She regarded him with that signature gaze of hers.
Despite Mo Yong-hee’s penetrating stare, the man appeared unfazed, taking a sip of tea.
Huruk.
As he moved, the insignia on his shoulder shimmered lightly.
Noticing this, Mo Yong-hee’s brow furrowed slightly.
She quickly masked her expression and opened her elegant lips.
“I apologize for the meager hospitality.”
“It’s no trouble. I’m grateful for even this humble tea. My apologies for visiting you at such a sudden time.”
“…Thank you for your understanding. If I may ask…”
Mo Yong-hee focused her enchanting light blue eyes on the man.
“Could I inquire why the lord of the Meng would come by today?”
Directly under the Murim Alliance.
The leader of the Biryongdae.
The man, Beomdong, nodded at Mo Yong-hee’s question.
“Nothing out of the ordinary. I received reports of some unusual occurrences in the vicinity.”
“Nearby?”
“Ah, not precisely here… I was informed of anomalies regarding the development on the grounds above.”
Upon Beomdong’s words, Mo Yong-hee’s expression soured.
“Therefore, it means you’ve come here?”
“No, not exactly. I’m also, by coincidence, curious about how the association is being managed.”
Beomdong’s cunning grin only served to chill Mo Yong-hee’s expression further.
“Unless you acquire investigative rights from our headquarters, isn’t this considered disrespectful to our association?”
“Haha, you truly are sharp. Let me reiterate, I’m not here to investigate. I merely stopped by for a casual look around.”
While conveyed somewhat differently, the intention remained undeniably transparent.
Doubt.
A distinct sense of skepticism was present in his words.
“The very act of coming to our association without proper evidence implies that you’ve revealed your true aims.”
The leader of Biryongdae Beomdong.
He was an individual well-known to Mo Yong-hee.
Said to be the second-most powerful figure among the five leading lords and ranked highly among the world’s eminent martial artists.
It was whispered that he would resort to anything needed to conduct an investigation, and the means he employed were often considered ruthless.
A rather sensitive character.
Particularly in times like these, he was prone to heightened suspicion and wariness.
Internally, Mo Yong-hee’s thoughts raced.
To Beomdong, genuinely and earnestly, waved his hands as if to dismiss the accusations.
“Asking for such a simple visit should not be an odd request, don’t you think?”
“However, it has become rather complex since the Great Lord of the Meng has arrived in person, making it hard for us to accept.”
“Hmmm, what a predicament this is.”
Upon Mo Yong-hee’s words, Beomdong stared intensely at her.
“Surely, Lady Mo Yong is aware as well.”
“Please address me with the proper title. I am the branch manager here.”
Beomdong raised an eyebrow at the correction.
Mo Yong-hee did not miss that subtle shift in mood.
“…Indeed, the branch manager knows. Haven’t there been unusual occurrences lately?”
“I am aware,” he replied.
Over the course of the past month, troubling rumors had swirled from Hanam and beyond.
Those were rumors particularly sensitive from the perspective of the association.
“Thus, we may be responding somewhat overzealously. I hope you can understand this concern.”
When Beomdong smiled, Mo Yong-hee forced herself to smile back.
“Of course, while I’m not sure what sort of anomaly has arisen, if you could furnish me with the proper authority for investigation, I’d be more than willing to cooperate. Until then, you remain just a notably esteemed guest.”
“Ha, is that so?”
“Hohoho. Yes, well, of course.”
Laughter lingered briefly before silence pervaded the air.
Mo Yong-hee fanned herself, covering half of her face; Beomdong held onto his smile as he regarded her.
Only—
‘What a nuisance.’
Inwardly, they were preoccupied with measuring one another.
‘This woman certainly is bothersome.’
Beomdong silently clicked his tongue.
From what he knew, she shouldn’t have even reached her twenties yet, but there was an uncanny ability to her.
‘Seems the rumors about her intelligence hold true.’
Mo Yong-hee, the flower of Baekhwasangdan, having a young woman of a distinguished family sit in the position of branch manager made some sense now.
She seemed to possess admirable resolve for someone her age.
‘What should I do?’
He sensed there was something more at play here.
Beomdong instinctively registered that.
Whether it related to the rumors or something else was unclear, yet he didn’t believe it was tied to the rumors at hand.
‘It’s uneasy.’
Just thinking of the object seen in the air moments prior sent alarms ringing; it evidently had ties to the upper organization.
And not with the pro-Murim Alliance operating in Hanam either, but with a merchant organization.
‘Something doesn’t smell right.’
There lay a faint but distinct odor of something rotten.
‘Should I dig a little deeper?’
No matter how brilliant the young lady standing before him was, the simple truth was that she was still young.
Continuing the conversation as it stood could yield opportunities to find the weak spots.
In the worst-case scenario—
‘Perhaps I can intimidate her a little.’
Beomdong had various options available, prompting an urge to pry deeper into her thoughts.
‘Let’s start by scaring her.’
It was a straightforward approach.
Especially when dealing with lower-tier opponents, this felt like a walk in the park.
Just a slight hint of pressure.
So that he could ever-so-slightly rattle her confidence.
With that plan in mind, Beomdong gradually focused his power.
Swish.
The energy leaked out subtly and gradually made its way toward Mo Yong-hee.
Unbeknownst to her, he adjusted the output so it wouldn’t be detected.
At the moment when this energy was about to reach her—
Boom.
“…!”
In an instant, the energy was suppressed and vanished without a trace.
Just as Beomdong was about to react to that unexpected outcome—
Crash! Bang!
The teacup atop the table shattered into pieces, scalding tea splattering everywhere.
Boom—!!!
“Ugh!?”
An incredible pressure flooded the room, starting to weigh down heavily on Beomdong’s shoulder.
Simultaneously—
“Now I know why the barking was so deafening on the way here.”
Someone opened the door to the VIP room, causing a ruckus.
“Oh?”
Upon recognizing the culprit, Mo Yong-hee’s pupils widened.
The newcomer was a young man with fierce and piercing eyes.
The smirk at the corners of his mouth made his look playfully irritating.
The young man who unexpectedly entered glanced at the seated Beomdong and then spoke nonchalantly.
“Looks like this loudmouthed bastard is here too.”
Hearing this, Beomdong’s expression contorted in disbelief.
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