NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 108
Chapter 108: Only by Looking Up Can One See the Sky (2)
“It’s been a while.”
“Indeed, it has. It’s the first time since we met in Hanam.”
“Is that so.”
“I never thought we’d meet again. Fate works in mysterious ways.”
Hmm? Whether this fate is mere destiny or a deadly feud, no one can tell.
“And who might this be?”
Mokbi looked up at Moyong Yeonhwa with a flustered expression.
“Ah, I am…”
She felt the need to introduce herself but was at a loss for words. She had formed bonds with the people of Yeonga, but interactions with others still felt awkward.
Yeon Hojeong spoke up.
“A friend.”
“A friend?”
Moyong Yeonhwa’s expression turned curious.
“…I see. A friend.”
She thought it unlikely for Yeon Hojeong, given his personality, to have many friends. His confident introduction piqued her curiosity.
“Anyway, it’s a strange coincidence. Do you have business in Zhejiang as well, Young Master Yeon?”
Zhejiang.
Yeon Hojeong realized something from Moyong Yeonhwa’s words.
‘Not Hangzhou, but Zhejiang. That means this fellow will soon leave Hangzhou.’
It’s hard for someone in the prime of their youth to resist the allure of Hangzhou.
But Moyong Yeonhwa was different. Though not extensively experienced in the martial world, she was clever. Clever enough for the Moyong clan to entrust her with family matters.
What could her purpose be?
‘…I wanted to rest, but it seems that won’t be possible.’
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“I came to sightsee.”
“Haha, sightseeing… Sightseeing is wonderful. Zhejiang is home to many famous attractions.”
A probing light flickered in Moyong Yeonhwa’s clear black-and-white eyes.
She didn’t believe Yeon Hojeong would travel to Zhejiang just for sightseeing. This was a separate issue from acknowledging her opponent.
Yeon Hojeong wasn’t one to act without reason. That’s how she saw him.
“Then, enjoy your meal. I have companions waiting for me.”
“Will do.”
“If fate allows, we shall meet again.”
With those words, Moyong Yeonhwa returned to her group. Knowing Yeon Hojeong’s sharp nature, she deemed it difficult to pry anything from him.
Her judgment was correct.
But it was too slow.
“What shall we eat?”
“Huh? Oh, you mean the dishes? There are so many to choose from…”
“Let’s order a few then.”
“Isn’t that expensive?”
“What does it matter? When else will we get to enjoy such a feast? And…”
Yeon Hojeong glanced at Moyong Yeonhwa.
Moyong Yeonhwa, who had been smiling gracefully among the young men and women, suddenly caught Yeon Hojeong’s gaze.
Their eyes met in mid-air, sparking a silent clash.
“…It’s best to eat heartily now to avoid regrets later.”
“What?”
“Finish your meal and rest. I have a place to visit. It’ll take about a day.”
Mokbi was taken aback.
“You’re not going together?”
“It’s better for me to go alone right now. And you should rest too, shouldn’t you?”
“Well, if it’s better alone… I suppose there’s no helping it.”
“Take care of your meals.”
“I’m not a child.”
“If you were, I’d have somewhere to leave you.”
“Tch.”
Yeon Hojeong looked out the window.
Concentrating his inner strength, he could see a few beggars shuffling about in the southern part of West Lake in the distance.
That night.
Returning to his quarters, Yeon Hojeong donned a rather luxurious robe and picked up an axe.
‘Let’s go.’
Whoosh!
The moment he thought to step on the windowsill, his body was already slicing through the air.
Smooth and silent. Yet, amidst the quietude, an understated dignity was felt. The scent of a nobleman blooming in the stillness, the Heavenly Pure Cloud-Walking Technique, was a skill that showcased the essence of Yeonga’s martial arts.
In an instant, he arrived near West Lake.
That’s when it happened.
‘Caught up.’
The Wall-Crushing Force heightened his senses even further.
“One, two, three. Three it is.”
A swift and stealthy technique it was.
Beside the West Lake, next to a grand willow, Yeon Hojeong stood, heightening his senses as he gazed upon the tranquil waters.
“Twenty paces away. Good, that’s sufficient.”
Yeon Hojeong’s pupils began to tinge with blue.
Within his calm breath, subdued by training with the household warriors, the frenzied killing intent of the Black Abyss Emperor was unleashed.
“Moyong Yeonhwa… one shouldn’t spy so carelessly.”
He returned to the willow, now in a blind spot unseen by the watchers.
Moments later.
Rustle.
A masked figure approached the tree cautiously.
Suddenly, his eyes wavered.
The person who should have been there was nowhere to be seen. In a panic, he scanned the surroundings.
Still, the target was not visible, not even a hint of presence.
That’s when it happened.
“Nice view, isn’t it?”
Startled, the masked man reflexively turned and threw a punch.
Smack!
Yeon Hojeong’s hand caught the fist of the masked man.
Crack!
“Argh!”
The masked man dropped to his knees. A submission technique using the flow of force and joint locks, difficult to escape even with a flexible body.
The masked man looked up at Yeon Hojeong with trembling eyes.
“Gasp!”
He gasped without realizing.
Against the backdrop of the bright full moon, the figure appeared as a dark shadow. Within that shadow, a pair of blue eyes bore down on him.
Eyes like a ghost’s.
“I’ve sent your friends ahead to the River Styx.”
“…!!”
“Hwangpungjeong, right?”
The masked man’s eyes shook.
His heart was already in disarray. The trembling gaze was answer enough.
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
Even secret prayers have their own hue. He had felt these prayers several times before.
“Didn’t the girl tell you? Getting caught could mean death.”
“…Argh.”
“Indeed, you lack the eyes of your father. That’s why you’re so reckless.”
Thud!
Leaning against the willow, Yeon Hojeong brought his index and middle fingers together.
Tap!
The masked man’s eyes became bloodshot.
The vital energy that penetrated the Ammun Point (瘂門穴) severed the flow of Qi connected to the root of the tongue.
Drip.
Saliva soaked the area around the mask’s mouth. A sudden outpour of saliva, and his mouth wouldn’t close. Swallowing was difficult.
It was an extremely delicate manipulation of internal energy. Had the energy been thrust in forcefully, he would have become an imbecile or died.
Spurt!
The masked man vomited blood. His Sea of Qi Point (氣海穴) was shattered.
Severe internal injuries clouded his mind. His legs could no longer support him.
Yeon Hojeong patted his back.
“Go to your master.”
Twitch!
The masked man felt a chill run through his body.
In an instant, his mind froze over. Yeon Hojeong’s words became a coercive command, swallowing his reason.
“Cough!”
Struggling with suffocation, the masked man tore off his mask and ran towards Hoseondaehiru, vomiting blood. His steps were staggered, but he ran desperately.
Drops of blood fell.
Where Yeon Hojeong should have been, amidst the most bloodshed, there was no sign of him.
* * *
“Branch Chief, the letter has been dispatched to the Zhejiang Trade Alliance.”
“Well done.”
Igeon sighed deeply.
“They will send a representative envoy by noon tomorrow.”
“Understood. You should retire and rest as well.”
Igeon bowed his head, as if to say more, but then thought better of it.
“Very well.”
After Igeon left, Moyong Woo put down his brush.
Thud!
Struck by an inexplicable mix of rage and sorrow, he slammed the table and stood up. His breathing grew ragged, and he struggled to calm himself, but to no avail.
He looked out the window.
In the dark night, the distant canal flowed. The quiet murmur of the water seemed to soothe Moyong Woo’s troubled heart.
Moyong Woo sighed.
“Whom can I blame? It’s all due to my own lack of ability.”
He truly believed that. Though he had talent in martial arts and commerce, he had never been able to fully spread his wings.
The reason was simple.
He was a man of the Moyong family. No matter how much the clan weighed him down, how could he possibly raise a hand against his own family?
Even if he dared, it would be perilous. He was stronger than any late-stage martial artist in the world, but Moyong Jun’s martial arts were on another level entirely.
Moreover, the power amassed under Moyong Jun’s ruthless politics was formidable. Sending just two of the clan’s elders would make one’s life or death uncertain.
“Brother… Brother.”
Moyong Woo lamented.
“How did you become such a monster?”
He remembered Moyong Jun from his childhood, who used to care for him.
But around the age of ten, after confirming that he had mastered the clan’s basic techniques to seventy percent, Moyong Jun’s kindness vanished.
Years later, Moyong Jun became the new head of the Moyong family after killing or subduing his siblings.
Moyong Jun’s intentions were clear.
He would not forgive anyone who might threaten his authority and throne. To survive in that brutal world, one had to flee or become his man.
Moyong Woo was neither. He had neither fled from his elder brother nor become his man.
Yet, he had survived thus far thanks to his talents.
Recognizing Moyong Woo’s commercial acumen, Moyong Jun had sent him to the Zhejiang branch. Serving the clan in Zhejiang meant sparing his life.
Moyong Woo could neither stop his brother nor end his own life. By the time he thought to eradicate the clan’s cruel traditions, it was already too late.
Thus, he was appointed as the young Branch Chief of Zhejiang and expanded the family’s business significantly over the years. In the end, he lived as Moyong Jun had desired.
“This cannot continue. If the main house does not abandon this path of destruction… it will eventually bring about a great calamity.”
It was bound to happen. Even if the Moyong family was fine, countless others would bleed because of it.
But…
“I am also a Moyong, after all.”
Moyong Woo’s eyes reddened slightly.
“To be in such a state and still worry about kin over the peace of the world… what a pathetic man I am.”
Caring for one’s kin was the proper way. But what if that kin chose a path that could plunge the world into chaos? What then?
Should one fight back with tears in their eyes, or comply and live on?
Should one risk their life to stop it, or hide and help the innocent?
Then, Igeon’s voice came from outside the door.
“Branch Chief.”
Moyong Woo composed his agitated breath.
“What is it?”
“A letter has arrived from the Open Sect.”
“The Open Sect? For me?”
“Yes.”
“Let them in.”
Igeon handed Moyong Woo the letter.
Moyong Woo’s expression turned curious as he read the letter.
“What’s the matter?”
“…”
“Branch Chief?”
“Hm?”
Moyong Woo folded the letter.
“Never mind. You may leave.”
“Yes.”
After Igeon left, Moyong Woo unfolded the letter again.
“They will send someone, so please do not turn them away…?”
It was a letter sent directly by the Open Sect’s Hangzhou Branch Chief.
He remembered the Hangzhou Branch Chief of the Open Sect. They had met a few times, but they weren’t close enough to exchange personal letters.
‘Who could they be sending?’
The letter concluded with the promise that the visitor would arrive before dawn.
In other words, it was asking him to forego sleep. Staying up all night was no issue, but the request seemed unnecessarily rude.
‘Surely they wouldn’t ask without good reason…?’
Moyong Woo sensed something significant. At the very least, he felt that this letter should not be ignored.
Thus, Moyong Woo sat in his office, reviewing documents. Even without the Hangzhou Branch Chief’s words, there was a mountain of work to be done.
How much time had passed?
Well past midnight, nearing the hour of the tiger.
Whoosh.
A chill wind brought with it an odd presence, and Moyong Woo’s face hardened.
“Who’s there?”
From the right window came a voice, surprisingly that of a young man.
“A guest.”
Moyong Woo slowly turned his head.
There, a young scholar with a massive dragon-head axe stood.
Moyong Woo, suppressing his surprise, asked,
“Sent by the Hangzhou Branch Chief?”
“Yes.”
The young man, Yeon Hojeong, smiled.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Yeon Hojeong.”