Chapter 53
The Goddess Yeo quietly slipped out of Seolgajang, keeping her presence hidden. Once she reached a safe distance, she stopped and looked back at the manor in the distance.
She hadn’t even spent a full day at Seolgajang, yet it felt as if several days had passed.
“…I didn’t even meet any immortals.”
Yeo shook her head and turned around. With a swift motion, she took to the air with light-speed movement, quickly leaving the area.
For a while, she would need to run until her feet burned. She might even have to use every skill available to her.
“There are things I need you to investigate. There’s quite a lot to cover, but you can manage, right? After all, it’s Haomun, isn’t it?”
There were indeed many matters that Haomun requested her to investigate. Yeo realized for the first time just how annoyingly cunning a child’s sweet mouth could be.
“Someone entered Seolgajang as a guest. His name is Mo Jong-baek. He supposedly comes from Taeseonmun in Taiyuan, Shanxi… though it’s highly likely all of that is false. I want you to investigate him.”
Even as Haomun gave the absurd order to investigate someone whose name and origin were likely false, there was no hesitation.
“There’s a lead. He’s apparently acquainted with the head of Jichujeong from Seolwon Pyo-guk. That part should be reliable. If you dig into both of them, something will come up.”
Haomun didn’t forget to warn about the danger involved.
“Hmm… it might be dangerous. Move skilled people, but if it feels risky, pull back immediately. Well, you’re the best at fleeing in the Central Plains, so handle it well.”
Haomun was fully aware of the temperament of its members. Detecting danger and avoiding it was a core tenet of Haomun’s philosophy.
Yet, even while giving this mission, there was a hint of consideration—it wasn’t unpleasant.
“There are two families I’d like you to keep an eye on. The Infinite Seokgajang, headed by Seok Jong-hoo, who likely returned from the imperial palace; and the Jin Gajang of Soju, headed by Jin Se-gung. You’ve already investigated Seolgajang, so you understand. That’s my aunt’s family on my maternal side.”
Even when speaking about family matters, Haomun showed no trace of hesitation. Hardly the behavior of a child.
“Keep a constant watch on these two places. Let me know if anything unusual happens. That’s all for now.”
Even just these requests were extraordinary, yet Haomun finished speaking with an unusually refreshing expression. What exactly did Haomun think of Yeo?
“Ah, worry that information might be insufficient? If so, I’ll give you one more. I know a traitor within Haomun.”
Yeo bit her lip tightly. She knew the gravity behind the word “traitor.”
Haomun was a loosely connected sect. Despite being a large organization, it was structured in a decentralized way, and most members didn’t have a strong sense of belonging. Many didn’t even know who else was part of Haomun.
Thus, the key were the leaders—ranging from lower-ranking leaders managing small branches to high-ranking leaders of Haomun proper.
“How about starting with this as the initial task? The traitor comes first. I’ll tell you now because it seems urgent.”
“First” likely referred to the Grand Master Lee Jin-ak.
She didn’t want to believe it.
But with the Haomun leader incapacitated, she couldn’t dismiss the word “traitor.” She had to inform the Haomun leader of this fact first.
“I know how to fix the Haomun leader’s possession by evil spirits.”
There was no trace of falsehood in Haomun’s calm face.
The most pressing issue for Haomun now was the leader’s possession by malevolent energy. Fixing it would resolve nearly every problem.
“Pagan Technique.”
Whether Haomun truly knew the method was uncertain. But knowing the secret martial arts of the Haomun leader—unknown to the public—left no choice but to trust them.
‘They’ve placed such huge matters on the table… How did they know exactly what was needed now…’
Desperate, Yeo had no choice but to comply with Haomun’s requests.
“Don’t you want to stay at Seolgajang? You won’t be investigating directly anyway. You can just issue commands and stay at Seolgajang.”
Even when Haomun openly stated their intention to use her, Yeo couldn’t bring herself to refuse.
By now, it didn’t matter how Haomun knew her identity or all these facts. What mattered was that the tasks Haomun presented were vital for Yeo and Haomun alike.
Sighing deeply, Yeo increased her internal energy and sped forward.
Her heart raced.
Her body stretched across the distance toward Muhan at a speed comparable to lightning.
Inside the room, a humming song echoed. The repetitive tune, full of cheer, lifted the spirits of anyone who heard it.
“Miss, did something good happen?”
The nanny, brushing Haomun’s hair, asked with a smile.
“Oh? Nothing like that…”
Blinking, Haomun shook her head and continued humming, seemingly unaware that she was singing.
The nanny said nothing further, smiling silently.
Since standing up, Haomun had grown considerably. It was good that she was healthy, though her sudden change in behavior had been worrisome.
Yet seeing this childlike demeanor, there was no need to worry.
‘Hehe… I didn’t expect the possession technique to connect so easily. A young one is clumsy, so it’s cute.’
But the reason Haomun was humming was quite different from the nanny’s thoughts.
In the past, Haomun had resisted falling under Cheongung’s control, thanks to Yeo protecting it.
After the sudden death of the current Haomun leader, Haomun faced internal turmoil. The previous leader had designated young Yeo as successor.
The four elder brothers did not recognize Yeo as the leader, and the internal power struggle lasted a long time.
As a result, Haomun failed to detect Cheongung’s covert attacks on the Central Plains martial world.
‘Cheongung’s hands must have reached there too, given how much they’ve infiltrated. Those Cheongung bastards don’t leave anywhere untouched.’
Even before revealing themselves, Cheongung meticulously dominated the martial world from the shadows.
Though Cheongung grew in power, the swift takeover of the Central Plains martial world was due to long-term covert operations.
‘If only we could intervene in Gaebang beforehand…’
After Gaebang fell under Cheongung, the martial world was thrown into shock. Gaebang had long been a cornerstone of the old Eight Directions and handled information. The martial world remained unaware because all intelligence was cut off.
Hence, in the past, even the Grand Commander of the Martial Alliance, Jegal Dam, had suffered greatly due to a lack of information.
‘We don’t even know Gaebang’s current state, so we can’t warn anyone.’
Cheongung must already be operating in the shadows. But Haomun could not reveal Cheongung’s existence easily.
Jegal Dam and Namgung Hwi were still too young. Now was the time to grow their strength for the future.
Haomun had joined the Martial Alliance much later, and thus knew little about current martial world intelligence.
With the present situation uncertain, finding someone trustworthy was difficult.
‘If I speak recklessly, we might draw Cheongung’s attention to Seolgajang or myself. That’s even more dangerous.’
Haomun had to act based on the information available and prepare for inevitable changes over time.
‘First, make Haomun an ally. Ideally, save the Haomun leader. Then Yeo can move freely. Later, controlling Haomun will be easier, and Deung Noya will approve.’
Haomun’s past connection was thanks to Deung Noya, who was close to the current Haomun leader. Saving the leader might strengthen their bond in the future.
‘There will be much I can help with too. Possession technique… So don’t feel too wronged now. Let’s survive together and live in a better world.’
Haomun smiled bitterly, recalling Yeo sprinting like her feet were on fire.
She climbed onto the bed, clutching a basket of eggs. Though thoughts crowded her mind, sleep was important for a young body, just as much as training.
As she caressed the eggs, transferring energy to them, Haomun closed her eyes. Somehow, tonight felt peaceful enough to sleep.
Time passed.
Another presence stirred Haomun awake.
‘Deung Noya?’
She remembered Deung Noya visiting late at night before, but this presence was different.
‘Ah… Father.’
The aura of Seol Ja-dan was felt beside the bed. If he came quietly, there must be a reason. Haomun felt reassured and pretended to sleep.
She sensed Seol Ja-dan’s hand on her acupoints, but carefully redirected her energy and awakened her consciousness.
At that moment, something entered Haomun’s mouth.
