Chapter 273: Receiving Guests (5)
“Hmm.”
Yeon Wi looked around.
Snow was falling again. Even though he had drawn up his internal energy to sweep it away in an instant, one or two layers of snow had piled up on the ground in the meantime.
“It is pouring down quite a bit.”
He wondered if there was a need to sweep the snow that would just pile up again anyway, but in the end, sweeping it would make walking more comfortable. Furthermore, since it piled up to almost a foot high once it snowed, it would eventually become harder if he kept leaving it alone.
Swish, swish, swish.
Yeon Wi swept the snow again.
He had plenty of time, and there was nothing in particular to do. Furthermore, as he kept sweeping the snow, distracting thoughts didn’t enter his mind, so it surprisingly had a meditative effect.
How much time had passed like that?
‘Hm?’
Yeon Wi, who had paused, started sweeping again.
A moment later.
“What a bizarre sight.”
Yeon Wi looked at the main gate.
Beyond the open main gate, Tang Kwan wearing fur clothing could be seen.
“To think that the Clan Head of the Six Great Clans is sweeping the yard, do you have that little to do?”
Yeon Wi spoke calmly.
“I have some time left today.”
“Are you not thinking of making your subordinates do it?”
“There are no subordinates here. And whether a subordinate does it or I do it, if it is something someone has to do eventually, wouldn’t it be better for me to do it?”
“Your words sound nice.”
His distinctively sarcastic tone was the same. His voice was also sharply on edge just like before.
Yeon Wi placed both his hands on the end of the broom.
“So, what brings you all the way here without any prior notice?”
“Do you have alcohol?”
Yeon Wi smiled.
“There is very good alcohol.”
Tang Kwan snorted.
“I will give you a chance to apologize. If it is not good alcohol, I will not accept your apology for the rest of my life.”
“Do not worry. There is Confucius Family Liquor brought directly from Shandong. I heard the production amount was only one-third compared to last year. I sweated quite a bit to obtain it.”
Tang Kwan sneered.
“You called it a renowned liquor under heaven, but it was just Confucius Family Liquor in the end?”
“This one is exceptionally better. You will understand what I mean if you drink it yourself.”
“Hmph!”
Tang Kwan entered the Army-Destroying Pavilion.
“Stop sweeping and set the drinking table. You do not need to bring out snacks.”
“Let us do that.”
Tang Kwan looked around.
“I cannot feel any energy. I heard he went to escort the wench called the Divine Maiden of the Western Regions, but it seems he has already left?”
It must be referring to Yeon Ho-jeong. Yeon Wi nodded his head.
“He left three days ago.”
“It is good that there is no offensive bastard around.”
“Hahaha.”
“Why are you laughing like that?”
“Does that not mean that this person is fine? I am sorry to my son, but surely I am better than him, am I not?”
“You are free to have your delusions. I will only know whether you are truly a fine person or not after receiving a glass.”
“Good.”
Yeon Wi, who tapped the broom, guided Tang Kwan to the first-floor door.
“Please come in.”
* * *
“Heok! Heok!”
Gang Ryang’s eyes were completely unfocused.
That was not all. His entire body was full of unusual stab wounds, and every single wound was incredibly deep. They were stab wounds so deep that his bones would have been severed if the blade had gone in just a little deeper.
“That is it for today.”
“Keoheok! You, you worked hard!”
“You worked hard too.”
Thud!
Gang Ryang collapsed just like that.
The purely white snowfield without a single blemish was completely dyed red with blood. It was a sight that anyone might mistake for a massacre scene.
Murong Yu, who was watching the two people’s match from afar with his arms crossed, clicked his tongue.
“Commander Yeon.”
“Just call me like usual. You don’t have to hide it in front of them.”
“……Brother Yeon.”
“What?”
Murong Jun shook his head.
“Isn’t it too brutal no matter how you look at it? You really almost killed Swordsman Gang.”
Yeon Ho-jeong sneered.
“If he is going to die from this much, it is better for him to just die.”
“Ha! Brother Yeon is truly vicious.”
“The Ghost Sword that guy learned pursues a tyrannical yet practical strong sword. That is also his nature, and if he is not pushed in this manner, he will not be able to reach the True Intent even if he spends his whole life.”
“Mmm.”
“Otherwise, he would have to learn in a bloody real battle, but rather than that, it is better to learn while getting hit a few times by a skillful master.”
Murong Yu’s eyes shone.
“I heard your Four Gods Martial Arts is also a martial art of the battlefield.”
“It is nothing compared to the Four Gods Martial Arts. That is exactly what is amazing about the Ghost Sword. Despite being extremely strong and practical, its Sword Intent is incredibly deep. He will probably become a powerhouse second to none in his later years even if he only devotes himself to the way of the sword.”
“But why are you pushing him so viciously?”
“Because both me and that guy are too impatient to wait until our later years.”
It was truly something Yeon Ho-jeong would say.
Murong Yu smacked his lips.
“Let us stay at a tavern today. At this rate, Swordsman Gang will really die…… Hm?”
Rustle.
Gang Ryang staggered up. His breathing was still rough, but a certain amount of strength was showing in his hand gestures brushing off the snow from his body.
Murong Yu’s mouth fell wide open.
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
“Scary, right?”
“H-how?”
“On top of having naturally excellent stamina, the Ghost King True Qi he learned boasts a recovery power almost at the level of a Demonic Art when focused. He should be able to revert all the wounds he just suffered as if they never happened in about three or four days.”
“Heok!”
He could recover from those terrible internal and external injuries in just three or four days. Murong Yu could not believe it.
“Huu.”
Gang Ryang exhaled deeply. Even though his recovery was good, his complexion was pale, perhaps because he had shed too much blood.
“Big Brother is truly merciless.”
“Recover as much as possible by tomorrow. We will fight again. You must also know how to confront someone when you are not in perfect condition.”
“Yes.”
They were two people who casually exchanged nonsensical words.
Yeon Ho-jeong shrugged his shoulders.
“Anyway, as Big Brother said, it would be better to stay at a tavern today. We’ve run out of food too.”
The one who welcomed it the most was not Gang Ryang, but Muk Bi.
“That sounds good. You should have done that earlier.”
“Do you want to wash up?”
“……Ugh, seriously.”
“I was just asking, aren’t you overreacting too much?”
“Be quiet!”
Like that, the party headed to a tavern in Zaoyang County, Hubei.
The tavern was larger than expected. There were many people, and thanks to that, the atmosphere was also very lively.
“Take a good rest. I’ll go to the Beggar’s Gang branch for a bit.”
“Are you going alone? Wait a moment. We’ll wash up and go together.”
“No, it’s fine. Go ahead and wash up first.”
Yeon Ho-jeong headed straight to the Beggar’s Gang branch.
The branch was not far from Zaoyang County. After all, the branches of the Beggar’s Gang were spread like spider webs all over the Central Plains, so there was always a hidden place no matter where one went.
“I am Yeon Ho-jeong, Commander of the Evil-Annihilating Army, a mobile unit of the Murim Alliance.”
“I received advance notice. Thank you for your hard work coming a long way. Which information should I give you first?”
“First, the Divine Maiden of the Western Regions.”
The Branch Head spoke as if he had been waiting.
“The Divine Maiden of the Western Regions is currently staying in Shanggao County, Jiangxi Province. She likely intends to care for as many patients as possible until Commander Yeon arrives.”
“I see.”
“However…….”
“Hm?”
The Branch Head frowned.
“It seems the information that the Divine Maiden of the Western Regions is heading to the Murim Alliance has spread secretly. It is said that the Jiangxi Province Medical God Society is controlling the medicinal herbs.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s face also heavily scowled.
“Are you saying they are doing such a thing even when there are sick patients?”
“They are saying that if they are sick, they should come to them instead of getting examined by her.”
“What kind of crazy bastards are they?”
“Exactly. However, the Medical God Society exists all over the Central Plains, and their influence is so powerful that it is difficult to openly scold them.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes turned cold.
“I could understand if they were just a bit jealous, but those people are crossing the line.”
“I am saying this just in case, but if there is even a ten-thousandth of a chance that you intend to touch them, it is better for you to move carefully.”
“I have seen many cases where people could not do what they had to do because they were weighing their caution.”
The Branch Head sighed. It was said that the Green Mountain Tiger General Yeon Ho-jeong’s temperament was like fire, and looking at the situation, it seemed the Jiangxi Province Medical God Society would suffer a hard time.
Yeon Ho-jeong waved his hand.
“Do not worry too much. I will observe the situation and respond flexibly.”
“Understood.”
Only then did relief appear on the Branch Head’s face. After all, no matter how fiery his temperament was, it would be difficult for someone called the Number One Rising Star Under Heaven to act entirely out of line.
Of course, the Branch Head did not know the extent of the flexibility Yeon Ho-jeong mentioned.
“Anyway, it would be best to go as quickly as possible. Thank you.”
“Not at all. Is there any other information you would like to know?”
A smile spread across Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
“My father told me that the second son has been continuously delivering news to the Beggar’s Gang.”
“Ah, you are talking about the Second Young Master, Yeon Ji-pyeong.”
“That is right.”
“Please wait a moment.”
The Branch Head, who was rummaging through a pile of documents, soon approached holding a piece of paper.
“It is said that he departed not long ago. He has currently entered Anhui Province, and it is said he will likely pass through Mount Jiuhua, enter Jiangxi Province, and continue heading north.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s expression brightened noticeably.
To go from Jiangsu Province, where the Yeon Clan was, to the Murim Alliance in Henan, one only needed to directly cross the river in Anhui and enter Henan Province.
Nevertheless, the fact that he was deliberately passing through Mount Jiuhua to enter Jiangxi Province meant there was a high probability he was coming to see him.
‘Ji-pyeong.’
Yeon Ho-jeong thought of Yeon Ji-pyeong.
His white and gentle face and clear, deep eyes were full of a boy’s innocence and his subjectivity built on chivalry and righteousness.
‘Have you been well in the meantime?’
He had been so busy that he could hardly think about his younger brother. Come to think of it now, two years had already passed in the meantime.
‘He must have grown a lot by now, right?’
There were less than ten days left until the end of the year. Now, his younger brother would also be eighteen years old.
‘I am curious how much he has grown.’
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was smiling with inner satisfaction, nodded his head.
“Thank you. I will be able to continue hearing news about Ji-pyeong at other branches as well, right?”
“Of course. It is not a very distant area, and orders have also come down from the higher-ups. You will be able to receive news of your younger brother anywhere.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. I pray that your future journey will be peaceful as well.”
Like that, Yeon Ho-jeong left the Beggar’s Gang branch.
People continuously glanced at Yeon Ho-jeong, who was walking down the street, deeply lost in thought.
Not only was he tall and wearing light armor, but he was also carrying an axe the size of a human body on his shoulder. Naturally, attention could not help but be focused on him.
“No way…… Right?”
“Hey, no way. It can’t be.”
“But that large axe…… That looks incredibly heavy, doesn’t it? If it’s not the rumored Green Mountain Tiger General, who would carry such an axe around?”
“Axes are trending these days because of the Green Mountain Tiger General. You don’t think that young man is the real Green Mountain Tiger General, do you?”
“I-is that so?”
Even while sending uncertain glances, no one could readily approach and talk to him.
Whether they did so or not, Yeon Ho-jeong immersed himself only in his thoughts.
‘They are controlling the medicinal herbs……? Was the power of the Medical God Society that strong?’
He only knew about the existence of the Medical God Society. However, he only knew they existed, and did not know the extent of their influence.
‘This is not something to just dismiss as the Divine Maiden of the Western Regions’s matter.’
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
‘In order to create a specialized physician institution in the Murim Alliance, the smooth distribution of medicinal herbs is essential. If the Medical God Society controls that, it would be quite a troublesome matter.’
A sigh naturally came out.
‘I have ended up caring about all sorts of bizarre things. I should just rest well today without thinking about anything.’
That was when Yeon Ho-jeong returned to the tavern.
“Uwaaaaah!!”
Tremendous cheers erupted from the top floor of the tavern.
Looking up at the upper floor, Yeon Ho-jeong felt his vision go dark for a moment.
“……Did you guys come on a picnic, you bastards.”
At the place where those cheers erupted, three familiar presences were wavering.