Chapter 656: Plan.

A time when the sun seemed like it would gradually rise.

Amidst the quietly blowing wind, sleeping birds were waking up, and insects were stirring.

Above the Central Plains, specifically the skies of Henan, a massive object was passing at high speed.

Whoooooosh-!

An incredibly fast speed compared to its size.

Moreover, given its noticeable size, people should have recognized it immediately, but for some reason, the people of Henan weren’t paying much attention to the sky.

They seemed completely unaware of what was in the sky.

It was a puzzling thought, how no one seemed to notice such a massive object.

Above the buildings of the Martial Arts Alliance in the central part of Henan Province.

A man was staring intently at the anomaly.

“Hmm.”

“What is it?”

To the question, the man.

Beomdong pointed his finger towards the empty air.

“Squad Leader-nim.”

“Yes.”

“Can’t you see that?”

At Beomdong’s words, the man frowned and looked towards the empty air. He even raised his energy sensing, but still, nothing was visible in the sky.

“…I apologize.”

“No, there’s no need to apologize. Hmm…”

At the man’s reply, Beomdong nodded.

‘Squad Leader-nim can’t see it.’

Beomdong looked towards the sky, focusing his energy into his eyes.

Then, far above in the sky, space distorted, and something became visible.

Is it a storm cloud?

It couldn’t be.

‘A storm cloud that can only be seen by focusing energy.’

Actually, that would be stranger.

It was nighttime, so even raising his energy sensing further had its limits.

The sun was gradually rising, but it wasn’t enough.

However, soon the light would shine properly.

Since he thought he would be able to see clearly then, Beomdong sat still, watching that spot.

But.

“Hm?”

Beomdong frowned upon seeing something.

Because something massive was being sucked somewhere.

To Beomdong’s eyes, it looked like black smoke rapidly being sucked towards the ground.

Seeing that, Beomdong sat up straight.

“Squad Leader-nim.”

“Yes, Leader-nim.”

In response to the Squad Leader-nim’s reply, Beomdong pointed towards the direction he had been looking, but downwards.

“That way. Do you remember what was there?”

“If you mean that way…”

The Squad Leader-nim looked at the direction of his fingertip.

It was the forest in the west. Also, it was land that hadn’t been fully developed yet.

Recalling that, he immediately added to the Leader-nim’s words.

“It’s land currently under development.”

“Development?”

“Yes. The owner is probably…”

The Squad Leader-nim pondered for a few seconds before answering.

“I believe it’s the Hundred Flowers Trading Company.”

“The Hundred Flowers Trading Company.”

It was a place he knew well.

It was ranked among the top trading companies operating within the Central Plains.

Although it sponsored the Alliance financially, it was ambiguous to call them pro-Martial Arts Alliance.

Moreover.

‘A place connected to that Gu Family.’

The head of the company was said to be the wife of the head of the Shanxi Gu Family, Hu Xie.

Therefore, perhaps.

‘There might be a connection.’

It might be connected to ‘those guys’ who have been causing a stir in Henan for the past few months.

The recent event and the fact that it fell near the Hundred Flowers Trading Company.

At that subtle overlap, Beomdong turned his back and started walking.

“I’m going out for a bit. Wait here.”

“Huh? Where are you going… Leader-nim? Leader-nim!”

By the time the Squad Leader-nim urgently called out to him.

Beomdong had already vanished.

---

In the early dawn hours, as the second day after departing from the Northern Sea turned into the third.

We had finally arrived at our destination.

The speed was much faster than last time.

I looked at the forest below and simultaneously observed my body.

‘I think I’ve used about half my energy.’

Half of the abundant energy I had.

In terms of quantity, it was quite a lot, but in terms of cost-effectiveness, it was borderline whether it could be called a lot.

‘Considering the speed and the use of stealth, this isn’t bad.’

Since that guy Ddolddoli is so huge, flying around recklessly attracts too many eyes.

So, we traveled through less populated areas whenever possible, and even then, I had to cover ourselves completely in energy to minimize our presence.

The energy used continuously for several days amounted to half.

‘It’s fine.’

This was a reasonably satisfying result, as I could clearly feel the increase in my cultivation level.

Whoooosh.

I lifted my head at the feeling of the wind.

I sensed that the scent of the air had changed.

Unlike the air I felt in the Northern Sea, the air in the Central Plains felt somewhat different.

Is it because this is where I was born and raised? Or was it because the Northern Sea was a foreign land?

Either way, breathing the familiar air made me feel comfortable.

I looked around and stroked Ddolddoli’s scales.

“Let’s go down slowly.”

Krreung.

As if understanding, Ddolddoli slowly lowered its altitude.

There happened to be a perfect spot for landing.

Ddolddoli seemed to know this already, as it slowed down and headed towards the location I desired.

Ssssseeeeuuuu.

Its massive body touched the ground, but this time, unlike before, there was no gale-force wind or ground shattering.

It seemed like it listened well this time after being pushed so hard.

Immediately after the safe landing, the passengers finally set foot on the ground.

“Ugh…!”

As soon as we disembarked, someone jumped off Ddolddoli’s back and dashed into the bushes.

Naturally, it was Yuri.

Perhaps because her cultivation level was the lowest, enduring it seemed incredibly difficult.

Moreover, the speed was much faster than last time, so as expected, she seemed to have reached her limit.

It was fortunate.

‘If she had thrown up while on top, I would have thrown her off.’

Still, she managed to endure. Thanks to that, she was able to keep her life.

Otherwise, I would have killed her.

“Wow… This is quite fun. To think I’d experience something like this again.”

Those who disembarked next were Goe-seon and Baekryeon Sword.

Baekryeon Sword had a somewhat sullen face, yet excitement was evident, while Goe-seon simply looked at Ddolddoli with excited, interested eyes.

“Living life, I never thought I’d ride a demonic beast.”

Krreureung-!

Did the word ‘demonic beast’ bother him?

Ddolddoli growled at Goe-seon.

Surprised by this, Goe-seon quickly gestured.

“My apologies. It seems you were offended.”

Krreureung…

Only after hearing the apology did Ddolddoli turn its head.

Was it satisfied?

Anyway, he was an easy fellow.

Goe-seon chuckled, finding the sight amusing, and looked somewhere.

“Isn’t this fellow a bit amusing? Right?”

“…Yes.”

At Goe-seon’s words, someone flinched and then replied.

This time, it was Woo-hyeok.

To flinch in surprise because his master was talking to him.

Seeing that, I clicked my tongue.

‘Tsk tsk.’

His hesitant demeanor, unable to shake off his guilt, was exactly like mine.

That made me even more pissed off, but I couldn’t interfere.

This was purely a problem that Woo-hyeok had to solve himself.

Knowing that, Goe-seon was likely continuing to talk to Woo-hyeok.

Of course, seeing him speak with an arm missing, it wouldn’t be easy for him to accept it readily.

‘Sigh, what an idiot.’

This was said to Woo-hyeok,

And also to myself, reflected in his appearance.

I tried to ignore it and waved my hand.

Woong.

Energy flowed from my fingertips, enveloping Namgung Bi-ah and Tang Soyeol, who were just descending.

I kept them suspended in the air and gently landed them on the ground.

Tang Soyeol was slightly surprised by this but quickly burst into laughter, while Namgung Bi-ah, who was half-asleep, showed no particular reaction.

“You really do all sorts of things.”

Seeing this, Pac-jon reacted with disbelief, but I lightly ignored him.

‘Looks like we arrived safely.’

Next, should I just return to the Hundred Flowers Trading Company and give my report?

“If it’s this way… roughly heading east… hey, catch that person.”

Tang Soyeol caught Namgung Bi-ah, who was subtly trying to walk off on her own.

Great, that means I should head in the opposite direction Namgung Bi-ah was going.

Just as I was confidently about to lead the group away.

Pasak.

“Hm?”

I sensed a presence from afar.

I wasn’t particularly tense. It was just one person, and their cultivation level was low.

I thought it might just be a passing herbalist.

“Excuse me.”

The person who appeared was, surprisingly, someone from the Hundred Flowers Trading Company.

“I am Seok-hon, belonging to the Hundred Flowers Trading Company. Are you perhaps Young Master Gu Yangcheon of the Shanxi Gu Family?”

At the accurate address, I stepped forward, looking intrigued.

“That’s correct… but how did you find me?”

I hadn’t even sent word that I was arriving?

Feeling strange, I asked, and the man named Seok-hon replied.

“The Branch Manager-nim sent me.”

“…The Branch Manager-nim?”

If the Branch Manager here refers to…

‘It’s Moyong Hi-ah.’

How could she possibly know and send someone?

In a situation I couldn’t comprehend at all, Seok-hon said to me.

“The Branch Manager-nim predicted you would be returning soon, so she deployed personnel to likely arrival locations. She instructed us to escort you respectfully upon arrival.”

“…Hah.”

Hearing that, I let out a hollow laugh.

Not only did she predict the arrival time, but she also anticipated the landing spot and sent people in advance. What kind of thorough and terrifying foresight is this?

‘Seriously…’

The jaw-dropping response almost made me laugh.

The phrase ‘ghost-like woman’ was perfectly fitting.

“May I assist you with guidance?”

At Seok-hon’s words, I nodded while suppressing a laugh.

“Let’s go.”

Hearing about Moyong Hi-ah finally made it feel real.

The fact that I had returned to the Central Plains.

‘It didn’t take that long, really.’

Yet, it felt like it took a very long time.

---

Following Seok-hon’s guidance, I arrived at the Hundred Flowers Trading Company.

It was early dawn, so there were few people, and thanks to Seok-hon deliberately guiding us through less populated areas, we arrived without drawing attention.

Ssssseeeeuuuu.

I felt a sensation on my forearm.

Sss…

A black-blue snake emerged from my sleeve, flicking its tongue.

Surprisingly, the snake was Ddolddoli.

By shrinking its mountain-like bulk, I could revert it to a form similar to its past appearance.

Originally, no matter how much I shrunk it, there was a limit, so I used to let it out, but perhaps due to the increase in my cultivation, I could shrink it enough to hide it within my embrace.

‘Anyway, managing it is a hassle, so I’ll let it out eventually.’

Not like in the past. Currently, it hunts and finds its own food, plus

Having it nearby means it chatters noisily, so it was easier to just leave it be somewhere.

Right now, I had used too much energy, and there were things to check, so I was keeping it contained.

“I’ve brought tea.”

As I sat waiting, a servant appeared and served tea.

Goe-seon and Namgung Bi-ah needed treatment, so they were likely sent ahead to lodging where a physician would be.

I led the remaining members and waited in the trading company’s branch manager’s office.

I glanced around the room.

Perhaps because she was the Branch Manager, the room was quite spacious.

The neatly organized environment, contrasted with the piles of letters and documents, made me think it was truly Moyong Hi-ah’s room.

However.

‘When is she coming?’

The owner of the room, Moyong Hi-ah herself, was not present.

Although I hadn’t waited long, the fact that I was waiting for Moyong Hi-ah bothered me somehow.

‘It’s strange for her to make someone wait.’

No, Moyong Hi-ah usually arrived quite late to intimidate the other party or used it for commercial reasons, but

This kind of situation was rare.

My curiosity piqued, I asked Seok-hon, who was beside me.

“What’s she doing that she’s not coming?”

To my question, Seok-hon replied with an awkward expression.

“The Branch Manager-nim suddenly had something come up… so she might be a little late.”

“Something?”

“Yes.”

Seok-hon didn’t say anything further.

He was intentionally not revealing it.

I watched him quietly for a moment, then casually stood up.

Seok-hon seemed flustered by my action and called out to me.

“Young Master-nim?”

“Ah, I’m just going to the restroom.”

“Then, shall I guide you…”

“Guide me for what? Are you trying to watch me take a crap?”

“…”

Seok-hon paused.

Seeing that, I smirked and quickly slipped out the door.

Fortunately, Seok-hon didn’t stop me this time.

Ah, and obviously,

It wasn’t a lie, as I was indeed heading to the restroom.

‘However.’

I was just thinking of looking for Moyong Hi-ah on the way.

Right.

It was killing two birds with one stone.

---

The first floor of the trading company.

In the area designated for honored guests, a single teacup was placed.

The tea hadn’t cooled yet, as steam was rising from it, and strangely, there was one teacup between two people.

Beyond the empty table, a beautiful woman who looked exceedingly cold, Moyong Hi-ah, was staring at her counterpart.

With her characteristic sharp gaze.

Even under Moyong Hi-ah’s gaze, the other person seemed unfazed, taking a sip of tea.

Huruuk.

As the man moved, the epaulets on his shoulders emitted a faint light.

Seeing this, Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes narrowed slightly.

She quickly concealed it, not wanting to show it, and opened her delicate lips.

“I apologize for the meager hospitality.”

“It matters not. I am grateful you offered tea. Rather, I apologize for visiting so suddenly.”

“…I appreciate your understanding. Then.”

Moyong Hi-ah focused her light blue eyes and asked the man.

“May I ask why the Alliance’s Grand Leader-nim has come?”

The Martial Arts Alliance’s direct unit.

The Grand Leader of the Flying Dragon Unit.

The man, Beomdong, nodded at Moyong Hi-ah’s words.

“It’s nothing major. I received a report about discovering some anomaly nearby.”

“In this vicinity?”

“Ah, not exactly this vicinity… I received a report of an anomaly at the site your company is developing.”

At Beomdong’s words, Moyong Hi-ah’s brow furrowed.

“So, you are saying you came here because of that?”

“No, not necessarily. I was also curious if the company was operating well, you see.”

As he spoke with a sly smile, Moyong Hi-ah’s expression grew colder.

“Unless the Alliance issues investigative authority, would it be correct to consider your visit here as disrespect towards our company?”

“Haha, my, you are sharp. As I said, this isn’t for an investigation. I merely stopped by while looking around the area.”

Although he said that, anyone could tell his intentions were the same.

Suspicion.

His words clearly contained suspicion.

“The very fact that you visited the company without proper investigative authority or evidence already reveals your intentions.”

Beomdong, the Grand Leader of the Flying Dragon Unit.

He was someone Moyong Hi-ah knew well.

He was said to be the second strongest among the Alliance’s five Grand Leaders and ranked among the top hundred martial artists in the world.

Rumor had it that he spared no means or methods for investigations, and the process was known to be somewhat ruthless.

He was quite a troublesome individual.

Especially during times like these, he would be particularly sensitive and on edge.

Moyong Hi-ah had to run through various thoughts internally.

As Moyong Hi-ah pondered, Beomdong waved his hands dismissively, as if denying it.

“Just dropping by like this isn’t a big deal, so it’s possible, isn’t it?”

“But the fact that the Alliance’s Grand Leader-nim himself made the visit makes it difficult for us to accept.”

“Hmmmm. This is quite troublesome.”

At Moyong Hi-ah’s words, Beomdong stared intently at her.

“Young Lady Moyong must know this too.”

“Please use the correct title. I am the Branch Manager here.”

At the correction, the Grand Leader’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

Moyong Hi-ah did not miss that change.

“…Yes, Branch Manager-nim must know this as well. Aren’t things rather noisy lately?”

“I am aware.”

The ‘rumors’ heard throughout Henan and other places over the past month.

They were rumors that the Alliance would inevitably be sensitive about.

“Therefore, we might be reacting a bit excessively. It would be greatly appreciated if you could understand this aspect.”

As Beomdong said this with a smile, Moyong Hi-ah smiled in response.

“Of course. While I don’t know what anomaly occurred, if you bring proper investigative authority, I can cooperate fully. Until then, you are merely a distinguished guest.”

“Haha, is that so?”

“Hohoho. Yes, indeed.”

The brief laughter ended, and silence descended.

Moyong Hi-ah opened her fan, covering half her face, and Beomdong couldn’t stop smiling as he looked at her.

However.

‘This is annoying.’

Internally, they were both busy sizing each other up.

‘What a troublesome woman.’

Beomdong inwardly clicked his tongue repeatedly.

As far as I know, she shouldn’t even be twenty yet, but strangely, she has no openings.

‘They said she was quite smart, and the rumors seem to be true.’

I wondered how the ‘flower’ of the Hundred Flowers Trading Company ended up being a young lady from a prestigious family appointed as Branch Manager.

She seems to possess a spirit that’s not easily matched for her age.

‘What should I do?’

I know there’s something going on.

Beomdong sensed it instinctively.

Whether it was related to the rumors or something else, I didn’t know.

My gut feeling told me it wasn’t related to the rumors, though.

‘It feels unsettling.’

That something I saw in the sky just before.

Just that alone felt like a nagging pain in my head, and it’s related to the company.

Especially with a company that operates in Henan but isn’t pro-Martial Arts Alliance.

‘I smell something.’

A faint, foul smell.

‘Should I probe a little deeper then?’

No matter how outstanding the woman in front of me is, she’s still just a young girl.

If I continue the conversation like this, I might find some opening.

If necessary.

‘Giving her a slight threat might be a good idea.’

Beomdong had various other methods, so I thought I’d provoke her a bit more.

‘First, maybe I should try scaring her a little?’

It was the easiest method.

Especially when dealing with those of lower cultivation, nothing was easier than this.

Casually, just a tiny bit.

Enough to unsettle the opponent just a little.

Thinking thus, Beomdong slowly gathered strength in his lower dantian.

Sssseeeu.

The escaping energy subtly leaked out, gradually heading towards Moyong Hi-ah.

Discreetly, so that even if pointed out, I could escape scrutiny.

Thus, I sent the carefully controlled energy.

Just as that energy was about to reach Moyong Hi-ah.

Kwak.

“…!”

The energy was instantly crushed and vanished without a trace.

The moment Beomdong tried to react.

Tteojyeok-! Jjaeng-!

The teacup on the table cracked in half, spilling hot tea onto the table.

Kuwoooong—-!!!

“Keeuuk!?”

An immense pressure poured into the room, starting to press down on Beomdong’s shoulders.

Simultaneously.

“No wonder. The sound of dogs barking was particularly loud on the way here.”

Someone opened the door to the VIP room and spoke.

“Oh my?”

Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widened upon confirming the person who had spoken.

The person who entered was a young man with sharp-looking eyes.

The slightly upturned corners of his mouth and his obnoxious expression suited him exceptionally well.

The suddenly appearing young man glanced at the seated Beomdong and blurted out.

“There’s a son of a bitch here. And a very noisy one at that.”

Hearing this, Beomdong’s expression contorted completely.