Chapter 21: Whirlwind (1)

When Yeon Hojeong saw Je Gal Ahyeon, he turned his head away with a face that said he couldn’t be bothered.

It could have been awkward, yet Ahyeon didn’t mind at all. If anything, her face lit with open delight.

“Have you been well?”

“It’s only been two days.”

“I’m happy to see you, that’s all.”

He had no idea what history she thought they’d built to warrant such cheer.

Hojeong spoke to Peng Daeho.

“My apologies for the discourtesy.”

“Huh? Uh? Oh! N-no, it’s fine! Not as if looking wears anything out.”

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

“Y-you’re going?”

“I am.”

“...Ah—go safely. See you later.”

With that, Hojeong headed for his quarters.

Ahyeon was about to call after him again when—

“Young Lady.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s secure our lodging.”

“Uh, but Jun has all the luggage anyway. I was going to have tea with a friend...”

“Young Lady.”

“......”

“......”

“All right, all right.”

The grizzled warrior bowed with formal care.

“My subordinate was impertinent. I beg your pardon.”

“It’s fine! I remember what Father said. Hey, Jun—go pick a good place to stay. Perfectly.”

“Of course.”

“Eeee!”

“Augh! Wh-why! My hair— you’re messing it up!”

“I do it because I love you, idiot.”

“Love? More like spite! Huh? Why are you being spiteful?”

“......”

“...Let’s just get the lodgings. Come on, move!”

The siblings were about to go when Ahyeon glanced at Namgung Hyun.

“Huh? Brother?”

Hyun answered, a little stiff.

“It’s been a while.”

Ahyeon inclined her head with poise—an entirely different bearing from how she faced Hojeong or Je Gal Jun.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes. And you?”

“Yes.”

“......”

“Then, I’ll see you later.”

Her etiquette was flawless—the very picture of a high house’s gifted daughter.

Still, some faint awkwardness hung in the air. Formality didn’t seem to sit naturally on her.

The Je Gal siblings went in to choose their quarters.

Namgung Hyun watched her recede, his gaze deepening.

Back in their rooms, Jipyeong had already come in by the time Hojeong returned.

“Brother?”

“You’re here.”

“I called and you didn’t answer, so I came in just in case.”

“Good. You did well.”

“Did Je Gal Sister and Jun arrive? I thought I heard their voices from far off.”

His senses truly were keen. Unless one focused, it wasn’t a distance from which voices at the gate should carry.

“They did.”

“That’s good. Knowing someone friendly is here... it’s a relief.”

“Nervous?”

“...A little?”

Honest brat.

Hojeong smiled and jerked his chin toward the window.

“Looks like they’re taking rooms in the west wing. Go have a cup of tea.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll pass.”

Jipyeong scratched ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) his head.

“Can I ask one thing?”

“Anytime.”

“Do you dislike Sister Ahyeon?”

Hojeong cocked his head.

“No. I don’t feel anything in particular.”

“I see.”

“Why?”

“No reason. It’s just—you keep your distance from her, like before.”

“I’ve no reason to dislike her, and no particular reason to like her.”

Jipyeong went blank.

It sounded contradictory and yet made sense. He’d never seen someone draw their lines in human relations so cleanly.

“Uh—then I’ll be off!”

“Go.”

After he left, Hojeong sat at the window.

He looked genuinely pleased. Glancing down, he could already see Jipyeong’s back—when had he slipped out?

He looks happy.

A thin trace of self-reproach crossed Hojeong’s face.

It wasn’t like that before, was it.

So long ago the memory had blurred, but when they’d come to a gathering like this in the past, he’d been in the thick of hating his brother. Jipyeong had likely tiptoed around him, unable to form bonds with others.

I won’t let that happen again.

That was also why he kept his distance from Ahyeon. Je Gal Jun was wary of him; Ahyeon wanted to break through that hard wall.

He was grateful for it, truly. It’s a rare blessing when someone treats you warmly even if you saved their life.

Which is why Hojeong was wary—

Not of others. Of himself.

This time, I won’t fail.

He watched his younger brother’s back bounding away full of joy.

He didn’t want fear and emptiness to shadow that lively figure. Not only for his brother—for their household as well, he would not show them a horrific future.

...At least not until the Uprising of the Three Teachings broke out.

If possible, not even after.

Enemies are everywhere.

With the enemy unknown, he could not afford to relax. By that thinking, even his judgment of the Peng might be premature.

He sat cross-legged on the floor.

His half-lidded eyes looked dark and steel-hard.

“With luck, this won’t reach as far as the Nine Sects and One Union.”

Two hours later—

“First Young Master. The gathering has begun. Everyone is to assemble in the inner compound’s banquet hall.”

“The Mo Yong Clan and the Ming Clan?”

“They’ve just arrived.”

****

“It’s been a while, brothers.”

“Wahaha! A long while! Has it been a year?”

“Seems so.”

“Wow! Only a year, and you’ve gotten even prettier!”

“And you two have gotten bigger.”

“We eat like oxen.”

“Hehe!”

“And we... well, we move our bowels like oxen too.”

“...That’s not something I want to hear.”

Stepping into the outdoor banquet, the first things to draw the eye were certainly the Peng brothers. Their massive builds and thunderous voices pulled every gaze.

But Hojeong’s eyes weren’t on Peng Daeho and Peng Manho. They were on the young woman speaking with them.

Mo Yong.

She looked not yet twenty—a clear, delicate beauty. Yet the True Qi concealed within her body was formidable.

Her potential exceeded even the brothers’. And Hojeong knew exactly what that power was—and who she was.

Mo Yong Yeonhwa.

In a former time she led the Mo Yong Clan in place of Mo Yonggun, the Alliance Lord—an extraordinary heroine. Whatever one thought of her temperament, even Mo Yonggun recognized her ability.

Hojeong turned his head.

Back when he led the Black Emperor’s Citadel, they had clashed more times than he could count. None of that mattered right now.

First, the Ming Clan—

“Looking for someone?”

He glanced back.

Je Gal Ahyeon stood smiling.

“You’re here.”

“...I said this before, but you really talk like a grizzled uncle.”

“Get used to it.”

“Again, again.”

He looked over her outfit.

“What’s with the clothes?”

Her smile held a faint bitterness beneath its brightness.

“Pretty flashy, right?”

At Choseong Pavilion and when she’d entered the manor, her clothes had been plain. Her beauty made whatever she wore seem splendid, but in truth it had been modest, well-made traveling garb.

Now it was different.

In a splendid court dress, she was stunning. Fine celadon silk embroidered with red plum blossoms suited her bright, fair looks perfectly.

Hojeong nodded.

“Looks good.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It suits you.”

She searched his eyes.

They were clear—so clear and affectless they put a subtle check on the onlooker.

But Ahyeon’s expression warmed.

Since childhood she’d heard that she was pretty more times than she could count, but such praise usually came laced with jealousy or desire.

To receive a plain, clean compliment from someone outside her family—this was a first. Naturally, it lifted her mood.

“Right? I worried it was overdone...”

“It isn’t.”

“R-really?”

“You’re not draped head to toe in gold. There are crowds who dress ten thousand times louder than this.”

It was true.

On the Demonic Path there were plenty who dressed far beyond their station—peacocks flaunting capability and wealth to gather followers. Compared to that, Ahyeon’s attire wasn’t even in the running.

A relaxed smile spread across her face.

People quick on the uptake manage their expressions well, but she didn’t know how to hide her feelings.

“There’s a spot open. Let’s sit.”

“I’ll pass.”

“Don’t play hard to get even in good seats. Come have a drink.”

He was about to tell her not to pester him—and paused.

Right.

If the house behind the Yeon Clan’s extermination was here, its heir would know. Of course they’d watch him and Jipyeong closely.

No need to act conspicuous by acting aloof.

He nodded.

“Fine.”

“Hehe.”

“Don’t sit right next to me.”

“You’re prickly.”

“Be quiet.”

“Isn’t it tiring living with that temperament?”

“If it were, I wouldn’t live this way.”

“Hm, fair.”

“Then give me some space. It’s hot.”

“How’s it hot on a crisp day like this? And with your level of—”

She caught herself and cleared her throat.

“Sorry. Needless comment?”

Her sense for it really was an art. She didn’t think he was hiding his skill, but she knew he had no desire to trumpet it.

They sat. The dishes had been prepared in advance and were a touch cool, but still tasty.

Hojeong calmly filled Ahyeon’s cup. She smiled and filled his.

“Can I ask one thing?”

“Yes.”

“Is everyone in the Yeon Clan that strong?”

“The Je Gal Clan’s arts should be no less than your main family’s.”

“Aha—so what matters isn’t the art, it’s the person?”

Sharp as ever. She read intentions well.

Ahyeon laughed.

“Subtle self-praise, huh? Well, you’ve earned it.”

“Not strong enough to boast.”

“Modesty?”

“Truth.”

She read it in his face. He truly didn’t think much of his current level.

She studied him a moment longer.

“Do you want to get stronger?”

“It’s every warrior’s desire.”

“True. So is your dream to be the Best Under Heaven?”

The corner of his mouth lifted.

Only the corner—but the weight behind it wasn’t light.

“If it’s ‘moderately strong’ or ‘best under heaven,’ I’ll take best.”

“...Right.”

She murmured without thinking, then nodded again.

“Right. Better the very top than the muddle—or else the absolute worst.”

She smiled brightly.

“Lucky you. You have a dream.”

Being best under heaven isn’t my dream.

He didn’t bother to say it.

“Do you not have one?”

“Me? Hmmmm.”

She clamped her lips and “pondered”—or pretended to.

“You really are grown-up. I haven’t even thought about dreams.”

“Not thinking about dreams doesn’t turn an adult into a child.”

“Huh. Never thought of it that way.”

She nudged his arm with her elbow.

“Talking to you makes me feel like a kid. And I’ve never been called stupid.”

“Quit the nonsense and pour.”

“Eh? When did you drink that?”

“Hand over the bottle.”

“Okay, okay! I’ll pour! What a rush you’re in. You couldn’t even wait for a toast?”

One drank with a blank face; the other giggled and chattered. A common enough pairing—except for the atmosphere between them.

It was truly unguarded. Even with a man and woman trading cups, it felt plain and familiar.

Heirs across the banquet kept sneaking glances.

Whatever the reason, a beautiful woman was smiling wide as they swapped drinks. And the young man beside her—sharp lines or not—was more than handsome enough.

The sight left the gathering’s heirs with a strange sensation, as if there were different protagonists here than themselves.

After who knew how long—

“Looks like you’re having quite the time.”

They turned.

Tang Yangseon strolled over, hands clasped behind his back, smiling.

“I’m short on friends. Mind if I join you?”