Chapter 69
Chapter 69: There Are Rivals, But No Equals (4)
In the blink of an eye, Yeon Hojeong’s presence had vanished, completely leaving this place behind.
Moyong Jun, who had been laughing heartily until then, gradually reined in his laughter.
He calmly filled his cup.
“Yeonhwa.”
“Yes, Father.”
“What did you think?”
Moyong Yeonhwa sighed softly.
“To be honest, I can’t quite grasp it.”
“Haha, that’s understandable.”
“One thing is certain. He’s much ruder than I thought.”
“Without power, one cannot afford to be rude.”
“It seemed you were quite impressed with Yeon Hojeong.”
“I’m not sure how to put it.”
Moyong Jun thought of Yeon Hojeong.
Eyes so transparent, they sent shivers down the spines of those who saw them. A face so indifferent, lacking leisure but not showing desperation.
And the terrifying audacity to speak of annihilating the greatest family without a second thought.
The laughter he had suppressed now leaked out on its own.
“He is a true powerhouse. It’s not about martial arts, intelligence, or insight. I felt an innate strength in him.”
“That much?”
“I can’t even imagine the life he’s lived. He must have crawled up from the worst of hells. It’s hard for even a strong nature to overcome the cunning that experience brings. He has both.”
Moyong Yeonhwa’s face hardened.
She knew her father held Yeon Hojeong in high regard, but not to this extent.
Moyong Jun, who had been smiling at the thought of Yeon Hojeong, now grew cold.
“That’s why… he’s dangerous.”
“What?”
“He’s a dangerous man. In him, I saw another version of myself.”
Crunch.
The cup he was holding turned to dust.
It was an incredible display of internal energy. Unconsciously manifested, his power had reduced the jade cup to powder. The mastery of his internal energy was beyond imagination.
It was an enhancement gained through practicing Neujeonggong.
“In truth, I joked, but seeing him made me greedy for a moment. With such talent, I thought he’d be a good match for you.”
Moyong Yeonhwa’s eyes wavered.
“But.”
Moyong Jun, having dusted off the powder, looked out the window.
Suddenly, a white moon had risen.
“He’s just like me. He wouldn’t know satisfaction. Even if I married you to him, he’d always covet our home.”
Moyong Jun’s eyes deepened.
“It’s a pity. If he had taken our family name, I would have made him the head long ago.”
Unbeknownst to Moyong Jun, Moyong Yeonhwa clenched her fist.
Why was she upset? Her father always praised her, but he had never given such high praise to anyone else.
Moyong Yeonhwa spoke in a forced, calm tone.
“If he’s a talent that can’t be made one of our own, shouldn’t we eliminate him early?”
“Of course.”
Was it the moonlight?
Moyong Jun’s white smile seemed eerily chilling.
“I will take over the world. Then, the world will become my garden to tend. But he will never be a flower that blooms beautifully in my garden. Better to uproot him early.”
After gazing at the moon for a while, Moyong Jun stood up.
“Whatever the reason, it was a meaningful encounter. We’ve become busy. Let’s go now.”
“Yes.”
* * *
With a heavy sigh, he sat upon a rock bathed in the cold moonlight, deep within the dark forest.
Thud.
He meant to stand his axe upright, but it tilted and buried itself into the earth. His hands were devoid of strength.
“It’s been tough,” he muttered.
Fresh from a life-or-death struggle with those cursed wolves, he had exchanged sharp words with Moyong Jun. The exertion had drained him.
Whooosh.
He summoned the energy of the Byukrajin technique, slowly mending the internal injuries that deepened with each breath.
The damage was more severe than anticipated. His meridians were torn, and his blood vessels were clogged with impurities.
Yeon Hojeong took a deep breath.
Whirrr.
Activating the Baekhogi, he inhaled the dense natural energy.
Qi is the healer of the body. With Baekhogi’s rich energy, he accelerated his healing, and by opening the Hyeonmugi, he expelled all remaining impurities.
After circulating his energy for over half an hour, he finally felt alive again.
“Damn, I should’ve drunk water instead. Why did I agree to drink alcohol?”
His internal injuries churned his stomach, and the few shots of strong liquor threatened to make him vomit.
This is why one should never be swayed by nostalgia.
‘Indeed, youth was different.’
During his days as the leader of the Martial Alliance, Moyong Jun was both a seasoned politician and a leader supported by all, the head of the White Path.
He was ruthless in his methods for his goals, but he always took care of his own. Within his domain, he was a respected sovereign and a capable administrator.
‘We drank a lot back then.’
It was during the invasion of the Central Plains by the Fanatical Three Sects, specifically the Saeum Sect, that the White and Black Paths first joined hands.
The leaders of both paths formed an alliance against the foreign invasion. Even amidst the war, they found time for several drinking sessions.
He had lived a ruthless life to reach that position, but he was not without charm. That’s why he was wary of him, and yet, he felt a sense of kinship.
But Moyong Jun of today was different.
He was a man ablaze with ambition, a schemer who would not hesitate to employ treachery and murder for his dreams.
‘And back then, I didn’t know. I didn’t know that the Moyong family played a part in the annihilation of my clan.’
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes grew cold.
Memories are just memories. This drinking session was nothing more than a farewell toast to a former comrade-in-arms.
Had he not known, it would be one thing, but now that he knew, the Moyong family was an enemy to the core. They were no different from the infamous clan.
‘Wait and see, old man. I will sweep away everything you’ve built, leaving not a speck of dust behind.’
Lost in thought, he was interrupted.
“Phew, why would an injured man climb this high mountain? It’s killing me.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“What brings you here?”
“Do you think I came because I wanted to? I’d rather be sitting comfortably, playing with the information that comes my way.”
The newcomer was Gadeuksang.
“The secret agents?”
“They’re nowhere to be found. It’s been a while, and you don’t even greet me.”
“I’ve got them well in hand.”
“Of course. Once I start something, I see it through to the end.”
“You’ve had a hard time.”
Gadeuksang smiled.
“You’ve had it tough too, Young Master Yeon. Seeing your injuries, it seems you’ve faced quite the formidable opponent.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Those who reek of blood are all the same. It’s not so much that they’re strong, but they’re so venomous. I overexerted myself taking them down one by one.”
“Still, it’s impressive. How many in the martial world could single-handedly capture a Cheongrang Ghost?”
“Plenty. You just haven’t died enough to know.”
“…You always have such a disheartening way of speaking.”
“So, what brings you here?”
“Huh? You really must be hurt if you’re asking that.”
“Eh?”
Gadeuksang pointed behind him with his thumb.
“Look.”
Yeon Hojeong looked where he was pointing.
His eyes widened.
“I’ve been contacted directly by the family head. Honestly, I was curious how you were holding up, so I came as a guide.”
From the shadows emerged a hundred swordsmen, one by one.
At their forefront was Shinmo.
“Chang-eungdae greets the Young Master!”
“The Young Master is greeted!”
Their voices echoed thunderously through the mountains.
Yeon Hojeong clicked his tongue.
“Lower your voices. Is there a need to spread rumors?”
Gadeuksang snorted.
“It might be better to spread some rumors, looking like that.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“Anyway, how did you get here?”
Shinmo spoke in his distinctively low voice.
“The family head sent us. From now on, we will be your escorts, Young Master.”
Father?
Yeon Hojeong sighed.
“He must be busy too; why send you all this way?”
Gadeuksang chided him.
“You ingrate. These men have run their feet raw to get here, and that’s what you say? You should be grateful.”
“Humph!”
Yeon Hojeong stepped down from the rock.
“Anyway… thanks for coming.”
“It’s nothing.”
Yeon Hojeong scratched his head awkwardly.
“But where will we find lodging for all these people? Gadeuksang, could you find us an inn?”
“Do I have to do everything for you?”
“If you don’t want to, then don’t.”
“Ah, forget it! I’ve already secured a decent manor nearby, so rest there. The eyes of the prestigious clan won’t reach that far.”
“Thank you.”
“Whatever.”
Gadeuksang asked casually.
“So, how did your conversation with the Moyong family head end? I still can’t believe he came all the way to Hanam.”
“It ended well.”
“That’s it? Aren’t you going to tell me more?”
Yeon Hojeong laughed softly. Gadeuksang certainly had a way with words that was amusing. It was invigorating.
He recounted his conversation with the Moyong family head in detail.
Interest sparked on Gadeuksang’s face.
“Authority… You’re talking about the Great Council Authority.”
“The Great Council Authority?”
“The heads of the Nine Sects and Seven Great Families have the right to call a Great Council. It’s for discussing important matters with the leaders of the White Path martial world.”
Yeon Hojeong frowned. He had never heard of such a thing.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Of course, invoking the Great Council Authority is extremely rare. Gathering the scattered leaders of the White Path martial world is no small feat, and if no resolution is reached on the matter at hand, all responsibility falls on the one who called the council.”
“Responsibility for calling them on an important matter?”
“It’s about compensating for the losses each faction suffers due to their leader’s absence. In other words, don’t call them for trivial matters.”
Such a peculiar authority indeed.
The Black Path martial world was not like this. There was no meaning in a coalition force. Yeon Hojeong established the Black Emperor City and ruled alone because alliances were futile when everyone was too busy stabbing each other in the back.
“In other words, the Moyong family head is confident enough to do that.”
“Indeed.”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
“Now I understand what ‘temporary martial alliance’ means. But is it possible for the leaders of each faction to gather within a month?”
“There are leaders who can’t come due to circumstances. But if there are no such issues, they must come.”
For Yeon Hojeong, accustomed to the structure of the Black Path martial world, it was a shocking system.
“Anyway, since the talk went well, what will you do now?”
“I’ll rest. For a while, at least.”
“You’re not the type to rest without a plan.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes shone.
“Do you know, Gadeuksang? The prestigious clan has secretly established a base near Gangso Fortress.”
Gadeuksang smiled.
“I’ve heard.”
“A month is both long and short. Shouldn’t we tighten the noose around the prestigious clan’s neck in the meantime?”
“They’ll probably deny it.”
“I’ll set the mood. Whether they can hold out for a month, I’m not sure.”
“When the rumors die down, I’ll step in.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled.
“After all, even if you borrow someone else’s fishing boat, you have to cast the net yourself.”
