Chapter 68
Chapter 68: There May Be Opposites, But No Absolutes (3)
In the dimly lit chamber, Moyong Jun’s gaze was as sharp as the blade he wielded, unwaveringly fixed on Yeon Hojeong.
Yeon Hojeong met his stare without flinching, an unspoken challenge hanging between them.
Amidst their silent standoff, the awaited meal and drinks finally arrived.
“Place it on the table,” Moyong Jun ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
Jeom Soyi, trembling with fear, set the food down. The sight of a young man, bloodied and seated, was enough to instill terror in anyone.
With Jeom Soyi’s departure, Moyong Jun grasped the wine bottle.
“Pour us a drink.”
After filling Yeon Hojeong’s cup, Moyong Jun filled his own.
“Cheers.”
They drank heartily, the liquor more bitter than anticipated. Moyong Jun’s face twisted momentarily before returning to its usual impassiveness.
“That was rather quick.”
“What do you mean?”
Moyong Jun chuckled, relaxing his posture. “Our conversation hastened a bit too swiftly, don’t you think? Let’s set aside our earlier exchange for now. You’re Yeon Hojeong, correct?”
Yeon Hojeong remained silent.
“I am indeed the head of a family. A swordsman of some renown in Jianghu, and also a figure responsible for one of the Seven Great Sects.”
“I am aware.”
“And yet, you summoned such a person to Hanam.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head. “Incorrect. I said to come to Hanam if you intended to join hands with me.”
“Regardless of the reason, you called for me.”
“Is there an issue?”
“No issue at all. It’s merely a gathering of a family head and his daughter, which coincidentally intersects with the heir of another of the Seven Great Sects.”
A spark ignited in Yeon Hojeong’s eyes.
Moyong Jun asked with a smile, “Whether it’s eradicating Cheongrang Ghost or summoning Shaolin, shouldn’t we clarify our relationship before proceeding?”
Cunning.
Yeon Hojeong, with his bold demeanor and words, shifted the atmosphere to his favor.
But Moyong Jun was not easily outdone. He skillfully interrupted the conversation, ensuring clarity on each point. It was a move to prevent losing the lead in their dialogue, a seasoned tactic of negotiation.
Yeon Hojeong smirked.
“Another round, please.”
“Hmm? That’s easy enough.”
Moyong Jun refilled his cup.
After another drink, Yeon Hojeong coughed dryly.
Moyong Jun clicked his tongue. “Are you alright?”
“My stomach burns.”
“To drink such strong liquor with an injured body, don’t overexert your youth.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“So, do you still have no intention of joining hands with me?”
Moyong Jun replied, “Who will claim the stakes in this gamble? Who will raise the bet in the next round? And whose hand will decide the final game? Isn’t it premature to conclude without tossing the abacus beads?”
“I thought there would be no need for an abacus between us.”
“In any transaction, even the most unfair, one must take their three coins’ worth. That’s the nature of deals.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
‘Still the same.’
The seasoned patriarch of a powerful clan. A master of the highest caliber.
Moyong Jun remained unchanged from the past. The more urgent his opponent, the more composed he began. He never showed weakness, always steering the situation to his advantage.
The Moyong Jun that Yeon Hojeong knew as the Sword God during the Black Darkness Era and the current clan leader were one and the same.
The only difference was that Yeon Hojeong knew Moyong Jun, but Moyong Jun did not know him.
‘What’s this?’
Moyong Jun was puzzled.
The young man smiling at him showed no sign of panic.
‘Does he have confidence?’
Regardless, Moyong Jun had never seen someone so unfazed in the presence of the mighty Moyong Clan leader.
If anything, the young man’s audacity could be considered unparalleled. Such a person was bound to cause a stir.
Moyong Jun finally realized.
‘There’s no hidden hand aiding this lad. He must have written that letter himself.’
Moyong Jun couldn’t help but admire.
‘Yeon Clan Leader. You’ve raised quite the son.’
Yeon Hojeong spoke up.
“To be frank, I have no desire to walk with your side forever.”
“Hmm?”
“While I applaud your goal-driven life, others may not share the sentiment.”
Moyong Jun’s smile deepened, but his eyes grew cold.
“Why do you think so?”
“What are you referring to?”
“The greatest family under heaven, and the ambition to be the Martial Alliance Leader. Those aren’t words one uses lightly. You must have a reason for including such enticing yet dangerous terms in your letter.”
“Is that not so?”
“A non-answer, then.”
“I can only respond if there’s something to answer. Knowing your ambition to become the greatest and to seize the position of Martial Alliance Leader, what else is there to say?”
Moyong Jun’s eyes gleamed.
He instinctively knew Yeon Hojeong was certain.
Even if Moyong Jun scoffed or denied it, Yeon Hojeong wouldn’t believe him. Why? Because he knew it to be true.
Thus, Moyong Jun conceded.
“How did you know?”
“Your ambition?”
“Yes. How did you know I wish to make our clan the greatest and ultimately become the Martial Alliance Leader?”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Any leader of the Seven Great Sects would dream of such things.”
“Now that all cards are on the table, let’s split the stakes. I’ll ask again. How did you know?”
“If that’s the case, it seems I’ve won this round.”
“…”
“If you’re curious, you’ll have to find out yourself.”
Moyong Jun watched Yeon Hojeong intently, then grinned.
“You leave no openings. I’m impressed.”
“It’s nothing.”
Moyong Jun filled Yeon Hojeong’s cup once more.
This time, Yeon Hojeong returned the gesture.
“Isn’t it curious?”
Moyong Jun continued after a refreshing drink.
“Receiving your letter, I was quite shocked. No, that’s impossible. It’s as if you’ve peered into my mind, touching not only my thoughts and dreams but also my magnanimous spirit.”
“It’s an honor.”
Moyong Jun leaned forward, his voice carrying the weight of his clan’s legacy. “What if I refuse this deal? What will you do then?”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head, a playful glint in his eyes. “What can I do but dance alone on this stage?”
“Dance alone… against a noble house?”
“And the Moyong House as well,” Yeon Hojeong added with a smirk.
Moyong Jun chuckled. “How so?”
“It’s said that a clan dreaming of supremacy has its spies scattered across all corners. Even the Yeon clan, not content with just swallowing businesses, planned to obliterate a noble house.”
Moyong Jun’s smile deepened. “Weighing your life against the honor of my house?”
“You’ll need to add more weight,” Yeon Hojeong challenged.
“What more?”
“Behind me stand the Yeon clan and the Open Alliance. Even the honor of the Moyong clan cannot outweigh the value of my life, supported by one of the Nine Martial Sects and one of the Seven Great Sects.”
Moyong Jun laughed heartily, a sound rare and genuine. “Alone, you might be uncertain, but with the backing of those two powers, you indeed pose a formidable challenge.”
“This round seems to be mine as well.”
Moyong Yeonhwa was taken aback by her father’s laughter, having never heard such joyous sound from him before.
Moyong Jun admired openly. “You are truly remarkable.”
Yeon Hojeong humbly dismissed the praise. “It’s nothing. Life’s hardships have honed my vision and experience.”
Moyong Jun was genuinely delighted. He was a man who would stop at nothing for his dreams, even if it meant turning an unrelated sect to ashes overnight.
His nature was ruthless, yet the human character is never simple.
Unexpectedly, Moyong Jun found himself liking Yeon Hojeong. The young man’s unique boldness, intellect, and sharp insight had handed him a dignified defeat.
An attractive adversary indeed. Most would find such stiffness off-putting, but not Moyong Jun. To him, Yeon Hojeong was like another comrade-in-arms, a friend with a similar vision and philosophy in this chaotic world.
Moyong Jun filled both their cups with a smile. “Let’s see if we can shake the noble house.”
Yeon Hojeong returned the smile and raised his cup. “Agreed.”
Clink!
Their cups met for the first time.
Moyong Jun drained his cup and said, “Now that we’ve joined hands, let’s not drag this out.”
“Just what I had in mind.”
“Do you really plan to involve Shaolin?”
“They are a sect within Hanam, just like us. And with Shaolin’s stature, the noble house wouldn’t dare raise its head.”
“True. But if it were me, I’d add one more thing.”
“What would that be?”
Moyong Jun spoke calmly. “I would secretly convene an interim Martial Alliance.”
A spark of excitement flashed in Yeon Hojeong’s eyes. “An interim Martial Alliance?”
“Yes. While Shaolin’s power and status are unmatched, they alone are not enough. They are like immortals above the clouds—strong, yet infinitely vulnerable.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled. “I think I grasp the decisive move the Moyong clan holds.”
Moyong Jun’s laughter was sincere. “This is why it’s comfortable to talk with someone intelligent.”
“Have you planted spies within the noble house as well?”
“Didn’t you already know? I thought you guessed as much from our earlier conversation.”
“I had my suspicions, but no certainty.”
“Hah! Caught by surprise again.”
“I’m full without even touching the side dishes.”
Moyong Yeonhwa’s expression grew complex as she watched the two men. She felt her father’s genuine enjoyment, recognizing that his counterpart was indeed a worthy match.
‘So it’s come to this.’
Truth be told, Moyong Yeonhwa struggled to keep up with their rapid conversation. She could understand if she thought deeply, but the pace was too fast.
It was like listening to seasoned politicians, always several moves ahead.
And she had not yet reached their level.
A small wound opened in Moyong Yeonhwa’s pride.
“So, when do you plan to act?”
“There’s no need to delay. You’ve already defeated the noble house’s secret guards, the White and Blue Warriors, and even the Cheongrang Ghost. You’ve gathered enough justification.”
“Convening the interim Martial Alliance will take time.”
“It’ll be quicker than you think. The head of one of the Seven Great Sects has many privileges.”
“That’s fortunate.”
“Still, it will take at least a month. How do you plan to withstand the noble house’s demonic grasp until then?”
That’s when Yeon Hojeong turned to the window.
“Leave it and go.”
A beggar appeared outside the window, bowed his head, placed a letter, and vanished.
Yeon Hojeong unfolded the letter, his eyes shining.
“I’m quite weary. A one-on-one duel is one thing, but a mob would be troublesome.”
“And?”
Yeon Hojeong showed the letter to Moyong Jun.
Moyong Jun’s eyes widened. “The noble house in Jiangsu Province?”
“I was unaware. I thought my father was investigating this.”
Moyong Jun chuckled. “To conquer the world, one must ride the tides of fortune. It may not be grand, but it’s enough to strike at the noble house.”
Yeon Hojeong stood up. “I shall retire for now.”
Moyong Jun also rose. “You’ve worked hard. Rest well.”
“Yes.”
“And don’t die. If you do, today’s meeting will have been for naught.”
“Don’t worry. Even if I’m covered in wounds from the Tang family’s hidden weapons, I’ll survive.”
Moyong Jun laughed. “Why those hidden weapons, of all things?”
Yeon Hojeong picked up the axe he had left at the entrance.
“I’ll take my leave.”
“Safe travels.”
Yeon Hojeong opened the door and left, Moyong Jun’s laughter following him.
The smile faded from Yeon Hojeong’s face.
‘Laugh while you can. You’re next.’
