Chapter 87
87
Murim Alliance Secret Line Hall.
This small building, located behind the Alliance Leader's Hall in the Murim Alliance headquarters, was an intelligence agency secretly operated by the Alliance.
They gathered information from various places, analyzed the trends in the Central Plains, and reported to the Alliance Leader.
Just like now.
With the Alliance Leader absent, Vice Alliance Leader So Ja-gon, who was receiving the report in his stead, listened intently to the words of Lee Jung, the head of the Secret Line Hall, with a serious expression.
The bloody battles unfolding beneath the surface of the Central Plains made even So Ja-gon, who thought he had experienced enough in the Jianghu, shake his head in disbelief.
"So… you're saying that while Mount Hua is in seclusion, the forces of the Sado Alliance are taking root around Xi'an? That's troublesome."
"On the surface, it appears to be a matter of a secular family, so it's difficult for the Alliance to intervene. If we do so carelessly, it may appear that we are disrespecting Mount Hua. But if we leave it as it is, Xi'an will become a den of the Unorthodox Faction."
So Ja-gon, rubbing his forehead, looked at Lee Jung and asked,
"I understand what you're saying. It would be best to discuss this matter again when the Alliance Leader returns. It's not something I can decide. What else?"
"Traces of the Demonic Sect have been found on the border between Sichuan and Hubei."
"Has a Demonic Sect member appeared?"
"It's not that a Demonic Sect member has directly revealed himself, but… we've had a lot of rain recently, haven't we? A farmer reported to the authorities that he had found a corpse in a pile of earth that had collapsed due to the rain. But when the authorities went to investigate, the marks left on the corpse appeared to be traces of Demonic Arts, so they sent a request to the Alliance for investigation."
"Was it Demonic Arts?"
"Yes, the traces of Demonic Arts were indeed present. Faint Demonic Energy remained on the sword wound."
"This is a serious matter. The problem with the Demonic Sect has not been resolved, and these wicked things are running rampant in all directions of the Central Plains…"
"There's one more problem. There were traces of cremation powder used on the corpse. A Flying Dagger was also found nearby."
Lee Jung, who was reporting, took something out of his pocket and placed it on the table.
So Ja-gon frowned.
"Isn't that a Soul-Reaping Flying Dagger? Isn't that a Tang Clan item? Are you saying that the Tang Clan is colluding with the Demonic Sect?"
"We can't be certain. A Flying Dagger was simply found nearby. We need to investigate from now on whether the Sichuan Tang Clan is related to the Demonic Sect."
Lee Jung, who had been muttering in a serious voice, looked straight at So Ja-gon.
"May I send someone to Chengdu in the name of the Vice Alliance Leader?"
"Do so. I will report to the Alliance Leader."
So Ja-gon, nodding his head, fiddled with the Flying Dagger placed on the table.
His eyes, looking at the Flying Dagger with its blunted edge, were filled with worry.
Clang!
The chopsticks collided in the air with a loud noise.
I frowned and brought the chopsticks back to the plate.
But Yeon-ryang didn't let me pick up a dumpling. He lightly flicked my chopsticks away, and then stretched out his left hand and snatched the dumpling away.
"Ah, Brother!"
Who is this guy? Seriously. Who uses Chinna-soo to eat dumplings?
When I shouted, Yeon-ryang, who had taken a bite of the dumpling, shook it as if to tease me.
I glared at the dumpling disappearing into Yeon-ryang's mouth and banged on the table.
"Another plate of dumplings here!"
"Haha, you're eating again, Sister?"
"Are you saying that after eating a whole plate by yourself, Brother?"
He's so annoying. Seriously.
I huffed and puffed and drank my tea.
Yeon-ryang was constantly joking around, trying to lighten my mood.
For a whole seven days and nights.
At first, I was grateful, but now I just wanted to punch him. I only regretted that I didn't have the ability to hit him.
"Here's another plate of dumplings."
"This one's mine."
As I glared at Yeon-ryang and pulled the plate of dumplings towards me, several Martial Artists in Martial attire entered the inn in a rush. They seemed to belong to a secular family of the Wudang Sect.
I flinched and lowered my gaze to the dumplings. It wasn't like I had done anything wrong, but I felt intimidated for no reason.
As I slowly pushed the plate to the center, pretending to eat a whole plate of dumplings by myself, Yeon-ryang said teasingly.
"Did you suddenly lose your appetite? Then I'll eat them?"
"Go ahead."
As I replied in a listless voice, Ju-ryeong, who had already climbed onto the table, firmly grabbed a dumpling in her hand.
That weasel. Her timing for hitting and running is amazing.
I smirked as I glared at Ju-ryeong, who was biting into the dumpling skin.
In Hubei, the power of the Wudang Sect was beyond imagination.
Everywhere we went, there were trading companies, security agencies, and estates established by secular disciples of the Wudang Sect.
It had been a long time since we left Gyunhyeon, but it was still like this.
There was a reason why Yeon-ryang kept trying to avoid trouble. Regardless of his skills, it was a neighborhood where troublesome things were bound to happen.
To think that a Demonic Sect member and a wanted person were wandering around in such an Orthodox Faction stronghold. What a great combination.
I sighed to myself and called the Jeomsoi to pay for the food.
"Are you leaving, Sister?"
"Are you done eating?"
"Yeah. Let's go."
Yeon-ryang, who had already put the last dumpling in his mouth, got up from his seat. We left the inn.
Since the carriage overturned, there had been no other attacks.
Yeon-ryang, who had been on guard and staying up all night for a day or two, seemed to have relaxed from the third day onwards and was snoring loudly.
After that, it was eating, walking, sleeping, eating, walking, sleeping… The road, which stretched endlessly, was well-paved, so walking wasn't tiring.
It was also fun to watch the people coming and going.
Actually, I don't know if I was watching them or if they were watching me. Everyone glanced at Yeon-ryang once and then passed by.
"This brother must be handsome. Everyone can't take their eyes off him."
"No. It's just because he's big."
"What? Look again, Kyung-ah. Where else can you find a man like your brother?"
If they weren't looking because he was big, they were probably looking because he looked scary.
I chuckled and ignored Yeon-ryang's words, but an old man who was looking at us spoke to us.
"Are you two siblings? You look alike."
"Yes? Ah, well…"
"We're siblings. Yeon-ryang. This is my sister, Yeon Kyung-ah."
When I stammered, Yeon-ryang answered without a care.
In that moment, my heart warmed with a sense of comfort. Even though I knew that his words had no special meaning, it still felt that way.
My own father had disowned me, saying that I wasn't his daughter, but Yeon-ryang was introducing me as his sister.
I smiled awkwardly and moved on. It was a strange feeling.
After walking for a long time, a large city spanning a river came into view in the distance.
It was Wuhan.
Wuhan was a fascinating city.
The city, which was bisected by the Yangtze River, had lakes and small streams everywhere.
Perhaps that was why waterways seemed to be more developed than land routes. There seemed to be more people traveling by small boats than walking.
On the riverbank stood a tall pavilion that was visible from afar, which I thought might be the Yellow Crane Tower that Yeon-ryang had mentioned.
As I rolled my eyes around, wide with wonder at the strange scenery, Yeon-ryang chuckled.
"Oh, Sister. You can't act like such a country bumpkin when you're walking around alone. They'll steal your nose right off your face if you blink."
"It's not that bad, is it?"
I grumbled and glared at Yeon-ryang, but I thought his words were strange.
'When you're walking around alone.'
But as Yeon-ryang continued to speak, I realized what I had been missing.
"There are Orthodox Faction scholars everywhere in Wuhan, so there won't be many dangerous things. Try not to be alone, and stay in crowded places."
The companionship was only until Wuhan.
Now that we had arrived in Wuhan, there was no need to travel together anymore.
I moved my lips, then slowly nodded. Only then did I realize that I was parting ways with Yeon-ryang.
I had grown quite fond of him, so it was a shame. It was reassuring to have him by my side.
"There are many swindlers in big cities, Sister. Don't trust anyone and be careful of people."
"Yes."
"Be sure to spend a night at the Dragon Gate Inn. And don't forget to visit the Yellow Crane Tower."
"I will."
Yeon-ryang, who had been giving instructions, put his hands behind his head and chuckled.
"Well, it's time to say goodbye."
So suddenly? Without even giving me time to prepare?
But I couldn't hold onto Yeon-ryang. He had helped me so much that I wondered why he was doing this.
I gathered my courage and offered a forced smile.
"Thank you for everything."
"Take care, Sister."
"You too, Brother."
"Kiee."
"Okay. You too, furball. Take care."
Yeon-ryang, chuckling, stroked my head with his large hand.
Then he turned around without hesitation. It was almost disappointing how quickly he turned his back.
The spot where his warmth had touched was cooling down.
Would we ever meet again? I hoped that he would live a long life this time.
I hoped that he wouldn't suffer from loneliness, wouldn't sacrifice himself for others, and would live a peaceful life.
Because he was a good person.
Even after sending Yeon-ryang away, my feet wouldn't move easily.
I stood still and watched Yeon-ryang's receding figure.
He was a head taller than others, so he was so noticeable that he didn't disappear from my sight even when he became a small dot.
Yeon-ryang, who seemed to be blending into the crowd, suddenly stopped walking.
He scratched the back of his head and tilted his head, then turned around.
Next, he craned his neck and looked around in my direction. He seemed to be looking for me.
Soon, Yeon-ryang, who had met my eyes, muttered something and chuckled, then started walking towards me.
I was flustered and waited anxiously for him to get closer.
Maybe he had other business to do and I was just mistaken that he was coming back alone.
Yeon-ryang, who had strode up to me, stood in front of me without a care and reached out his hand towards me.
"Let's go. Kyung-ah."
"Yes?"
"How can I leave you behind with that look on your face, being your brother?"
Yeon-ryang, chuckling, looked at me with clear eyes.
In his eyes, I was reflected with a face that looked like I was about to cry.
Only then did I realize.
Ah… I was afraid of being left alone.
When I couldn't answer readily, Yeon-ryang said again.
"Let's go together."
It was a gentle voice, as if to reassure me. The corners of his lips curved up softly.
I bit my lip tightly.
This, this kind-hearted extra.
There was nothing that he could gain by helping me. It would only add another burden to worry about.
But still, he bothered, he bothered to come back to me…
My face flushed. My nose tingled and my eyes grew hot.
Yeon-ryang didn't rush me and waited for my answer.
After standing there for a long time, I grabbed his hand and barely answered.
"…Yes. Let's go together."
