The Price of Insult (6)
Yeon Hojeong glanced down at Muk Bi.
"I should at least treat a guest who's come a long way to some good tea, but with my companions like this, that's not happening."
Mo Yong Woo turned his gaze to Muk Bi.
Tsss.
Grayish haze rose faintly from Muk Bi's body.
Mo Yong Woo's eyes flashed.
'A powerhouse!'
She looked far younger than him at first glance, yet the depth of her internal energy rivaled that of a major sect leader.
Mo Yong Woo shook his head.
"An impressive figure."
"Her potential alone could contend for supremacy under heaven."
"No need to bring up potential—even her current skill is remarkable enough, wouldn't you say?"
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"This level is nowhere near enough. Age, training time, experience—they all matter, but if she doesn't grow stronger, it's meaningless."
"That sounds rather extreme."
"Even more extreme is fine, as long as she gets stronger."
Mo Yong Woo's eyes deepened.
"To prepare for the future?"
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
"To prepare for the future."
A brief silence fell.
Yeon Hojeong broke it.
"Standing's a pain. Sit down there."
"I'm fine."
"Suit yourself."
Yeon Hojeong plopped down right there on the spot.
In that casual motion, Mo Yong Woo envisioned a massive bird soaring freely through the vast sky.
Mo Yong Woo cleared his throat awkwardly.
"How old are you?"
Yeon Hojeong smirked.
"Starting the interrogation?"
"I'm genuinely curious. You look barely into your twenties, but your words and demeanor don't match at all."
"I'm exactly as I appear. Born a good ten years after you."
"Ten years..."
Mo Yong Woo let out a quiet sigh.
Ten years younger? That put Yeon Hojeong around the same age as Moyong Yeonhwa.
Same generation, yet worlds apart.
One squandered her talent, dragging her family down alongside her father.
The other waged war against the world with the soul of a grandmaster.
Mo Yong Woo gave a wry smile.
"Somehow, it makes me envious."
"Of what?"
"What was I doing at your age?"
"What else? Enduring every hardship under the tyranny of your cold-blooded clan."
"...You really leave me speechless."
Mo Yong Woo flicked open his robe.
"Can't help it. Sitting's more comfortable after all."
"Told you to sit."
Once seated, Mo Yong Woo gazed steadily at Yeon Hojeong.
Yeon Hojeong smiled, amused.
"Something on my face?"
"One request."
"Shoot."
"We'll be meeting often from now on. For good reasons or bad."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed.
He'd sensed it when Mo Yong Woo first sought him out, but now he was certain.
'He's made his decision.'
Yes. Mo Yong Woo had finally resolved himself.
The relief and tension in his voice proved it.
And that inexplicable composure—he'd chosen well.
"And?"
"I said I'd make a deal with you. Remember?"
"I do."
"Right, a deal. But as you might guess, I can't fully trust you yet."
"That's natural."
"Still, your help this time has enlightened me greatly."
An interesting man.
Not "gained," but "enlightened." Pure Mo Yong Woo.
"You took control of the trade alliance in one fell swoop. But I'm not grateful for that."
"..."
"What I owe you gratitude for is making me despise the indecisive man I used to be through this incident."
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"No need to think that deeply. Everyone's environment shapes them. You fought a tough battle in yours. No one would call it indecision."
Mo Yong Woo shook his head.
"I appreciate the kind words, but it was wrong regardless. Even without you, I should have opened my eyes sooner."
"What's important is now. Instead of regretting the past, focus on the present to seize the future."
"Well said. That's why I'm expressing my thanks."
Mo Yong Woo bowed his head while seated.
"Thank you. Sincerely."
Yeon Hojeong, watching quietly, nodded.
"I'll accept that sincerity."
Mo Yong Woo smiled.
"It's strange."
"What is?"
"I've joined hands with someone I've only met once after a few words, and now I feel grateful to the one who approached first. My situation amazes me."
"Plenty of strange things out there."
"So, one request."
"Shouldn't it be 'anyway'?"
"I want to get along more comfortably with you."
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
"What're you getting at? Be direct."
Mo Yong Woo cleared his throat.
"Well..."
"Huh?"
"...Not brothers right away since it's our first meeting, but closer. Maybe settle on how we address each other."
Yeon Hojeong scratched his head.
"Does that matter?"
"It does."
"Sheesh."
"Though first time meeting, I trust you won't deceive me."
"Good eye."
"And one more thing."
Mo Yong Woo's eyes shone.
"You never betray your own. If they get hurt, you feel it like your own pain."
"Ugh, you're making me cringe."
"Just my gut feeling."
"Some gut feeling. Way too sappy."
"Anyway."
Mo Yong Woo cleared his throat repeatedly, looking embarrassed even to himself.
"May I call you younger brother Yeon, casually?"
"That's what you were dragging out for? Call me whatever."
"..."
"Doesn't matter how you address me. Like you said, we're in a deal. I help you, you help me your way. That's it."
A rather cold statement.
One that might hurt some people's feelings.
But not Mo Yong Woo's. He brightened with a smile.
"Looking forward to working with you, little brother."
Yeon Hojeong gave a wry smile, then noticed his fist clenched.
...Was I about to sock him without thinking?
He gently unclenched his fist before speaking.
"Let's get to some constructive talk now."
"Agreed."
"..."
"Something wrong?"
"Nah. Just starting to understand that girl's feelings."
"Pardon?"
"She caught on quick. Called me an old soul in a kid's body because of how I talk."
"Amusing friend."
Amusing? Not sure about that.
Yeon Hojeong's expression turned serious.
"So, how'd it go? Explain your response."
Mo Yong Woo's face grew grave as well.
"Well..."
Mo Yong Woo detailed his exchange with Moyong Yeonhwa.
"That's how it ended."
"..."
"Why the blank look?"
Staring dazedly, Yeon Hojeong asked in a deflated tone.
"So you're saying you half-destroyed Moyong Yeonhwa?"
"Ahem! Your language is a bit rough, brother."
"...You bastard."
Yeon Hojeong pressed his temple hard.
"Just say you'll handle it and show results, then send her off. Why make such a reckless declaration?"
Mo Yong Woo shook his head calmly.
"Couldn't do that."
"Why not!"
"I don't know what you expected, but I couldn't hide my true feelings even before Yeonhwa."
"Hah!"
"Pool strength in secret from the clan? Sure, possible. But it's just tightrope walking. Who knows when we could normalize the main house that way."
"..."
"Sorry to disappoint you, brother. Maybe following your advice is safer and faster."
Mo Yong Woo's eyes gleamed.
"But now that I've decided, I don't want half-measures. I won't be your puppet, blindly following orders."
"...Is that so?"
"Might seem frustrating. But this concerns both of us—we both need to act."
"True."
"Let's deliberate and decide together. Blind faith in one side's view will cause problems later, I believe."
Mo Yong Woo sighed.
"Anyway... I apologize for this mess."
"No."
Yeon Hojeong smiled genuinely, a refreshing breeze in his expression.
"Don't want to live as a puppet..."
Absurd at first, but the more he heard, the better he felt.
'That's more like it.'
This was the baseline.
With that subjectivity and guts, working together felt worthwhile.
Passively dragged along, one only goes as far as ordered.
But someone like Mo Yong Woo, with his own will, seeks out tasks unprompted.
The difference was vast—far beyond vague imaginings.
"Thought you were just naively pure. Turns out not. Good— that's the level for the next Martial Alliance Leader."
Mo Yong Woo's face stiffened.
"Drop that talk."
"I'll keep saying it, so plug your ears if you hate it."
Speechless, Mo Yong Woo shut his mouth instead.
Yeon Hojeong crossed his arms.
"Things just got busier. If you went that far, Moyong Gun won't stay quiet."
"Hm?"
"Moyong Yeonhwa will report every word verbatim. Moyong Gun won't let you off. At latest, Moyong family forces enter Zhejang within two months."
"Don't worry about that."
"Why? With his temper, he'll never tolerate it."
"Father isn't at the main house right now."
"What?"
"Temporary Martial Alliance."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes sharpened.
Mo Yong Gun continued.
"Busy with construction for the alliance's founding. Buys us more time."
"I see. But the outcome won't change."
"Exactly. So here's the thing."
Yeon Hojeong would never forget this moment.
Mo Yong Woo's eyes shone brighter than ever.
Even Yeon Hojeong, the Black Dark Emperor who swept the black path, flinched momentarily.
Those eyes evoked a hidden dragon poised to soar.
"Before heading here, I sent Father a letter."
"A letter?"
"Yes."
"What'd it say?"
"That I'll properly develop Zhejang. Double the trade business by next year."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes widened.
"Double...?"
"Yes."
"You actually plan to?"
"Wouldn't have written it if I couldn't."
Yeon Hojeong's face turned serious.
'Double the business?'
Bold letter, but the issue was Moyong Gun's reaction.
Regardless of reason, Moyong Yeonhwa would spill everything.
Mo Yong Woo pressed on.
"Father's sharp on finances. With a full business plan, he'll buy time..."
"No, that's too soft."
"Hm?"
Yeon Hojeong eyed Mo Yong Woo.
Mo Yong Woo flinched instinctively.
"You."
"Speak."
"The moment you decided to deal with me, you staked your life. Right?"
"Naturally."
"Then shall we go all in this time?"
"Got a winning move?"
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
His next words stunned Mo Yong Woo.
"You've strayed for over ten years—time to straighten up."
"...?"
"Go under Moyong Gun."