The Moment of Resolve (1)
Clang! Clang! Clang! The sound of iron hammers striking rang out with surprising cheerfulness.
Looking down from the window of a five-story building, a faint smile crept across Moyong Gun's face.
"Truly full of vigor."
Countless laborers were repairing the buildings of the White Path Martial Alliance. The alliance headquarters stood on Dae Byeol Mountain in Henan Province. With walls spanning dozens of li in circumference, filled with grand and humble structures and castles, the alliance was like a nation unto itself.
Yet in this era of peace, it remained little more than an empty stronghold, with no one living inside. Still, the Nine Great Sects, Six Great Clans, and their affiliated factions contributed monthly maintenance fees. Perhaps because of this, the buildings were well-preserved, requiring only minor repairs.
"Those laborers sweating away look so full of life. There's vitality in that. Those who don't sweat have no right to demand reward."
"……."
"But we are different from them. When those who make enemies in the jianghu martial world sweat for the wrong cause, they lose everything they have."
"……."
"What do you think?"
"……."
"I know you've suffered much under incompetent leaders. No proper treatment, not even a cloth to wipe the blood from your blade."
Moyong Gun smiled faintly.
"How about it? Why not join my family now?"
The dark-faced man finally spoke.
"You saying you're better than my former contractor?"
"That's for you to judge. I'm merely making the offer."
The man's eyes darkened, a significant shift stirring within him.
Moyong Gun seized the moment.
"If your discernment is as keen as they say, you must know I'm a fitting lord for you."
"Quite confident."
"I only practice humility and virtue as needed."
Moyong Gun lifted his teacup.
Ziiing!
A thread-thin blue light flickered, and the cold tea steamed anew.
Rare surprise crossed the man's face.
"Lightning Qi?"
"You recognize it."
Lightning essence was said to be a power granted only to the heavens. No matter how profound a martial artist's internal energy, they could not generate it themselves. That was common knowledge.
Yet Moyong Gun shattered it utterly.
"Not true lightning. But if I refine this power to rival the real thing, no one in this world could stand against me."
He added with a wry smile, "Among people, that is. Whether anyone could even reach such a realm is doubtful."
"……."
"But as a warrior, I believe I possess the qualities to be your lord. What say you?"
The man fell silent. He had once served the Myeong family, hailed as the world's greatest house. To expand their influence, they had spared no effort, even recruiting shadowy warriors unfit for public display.
Cheongrang was one such shadowy group. They could be called the dregs of humanity, but that also meant the family hungered for talent.
And this man, Mong Ui, was among their most formidable.
After some time,
"One question."
"Ask away."
"The Myeong family experts imprisoned here number in the thousands, regardless of faction."
"Exactly two thousand six hundred seventy-two. As of yesterday. Originally two thousand six hundred ninety-nine, but some couldn't endure the shock of defeat and died."
Mong Ui's eyes gleamed.
"You know not just you, but most leaders of the Nine Great Sects and Six Great Clans are recruiting usable forces."
"Haha."
"That's what intrigues me. Out of so many, why me?"
Moyong Gun inwardly sneered. Overconfident fool.
He had held six such meetings today alone, turning them all to his side. Mong Ui was no exception.
But Mong Ui held value as both a 'gift' and a 'warning.'
Moyong Gun smiled softly. "I simply value your abilities. Too fine a skill to rot in a thunder prison, wouldn't you say?"
"I take pride in my strength, but a clan head like you must have greater talents at hand."
Moyong Gun shook his head. "No need to reveal my or my clan's circumstances."
"……."
"But this much I'll say: my late brother was the greatest talent in Moyong clan history."
His smile chilled with killing intent. "And I rose by crushing that greatest talent."
"……!"
"I'm no clan head obsessed with expansion like Myeong Cheon. I won't spout empty words about ruling the world. But those under my protection? I guard them without fail."
"Anyone can say that."
"Anyone can, but few truly keep their word."
"You do?"
"I do. I don't waste words on those who won't join me. Unless I'm burning bridges to keep others from taking them first."
Chilling words. Even the fearless Mong Ui felt a shiver down his spine.
Moyong Gun's voice rang with sincerity. He was greed incarnate.
"Ah, yes—one exception."
"……?"
"My much younger sister. Nearly twenty years my junior. I've spared her life."
A temperament that would slay kin without hesitation if they blocked his path. Mong Ui felt overwhelmed by Moyong Gun's cold-blooded resolve as the conversation deepened.
"She possesses talent rivaling that brother's."
"……Then why spare her?"
"Who knows?"
Moyong Gun scratched his head. "I can't say precisely. But her nature assures me she'll never strike me from behind."
"……."
"Sentimental, especially toward blood kin."
Moyong Gun gazed out the window. His expression unchanged, but a faint wistfulness in his eyes proved his humanity.
"A thorn in my side, perhaps. Or maybe I secretly hope she'll come to me of her own accord."
Mong Ui shook his head. "Best abandon that vain hope."
"True, a vain hope. But not you."
Moyong Gun's eyes sharpened. "I see unquenched desire in yours."
"……."
"Join me. I'll keep your blade ever thirsty for blood, and wipe it clean before it dulls."
Then—
Whoosh!
A large pigeon flew toward Moyong Gun's side.
Flap flap!
The blue-qi infused messenger bird perched on the windowsill.
"Pardon me a moment."
A thick scroll was tied to its leg. Moyong Gun unrolled it.
The small paper was densely packed with tiny script.
……Expand Zhejang operations twofold?
'……?!'
Moyong Gun's eyes lit up. "……Oh ho?"
He examined the letter repeatedly. The content remained the same. No mistake.
"Hahaha!"
He burst into hearty laughter. "What a fine day! Contact from the one I least expected—the very youngest I mentioned."
"……?"
"A letter from my little sister."
Moyong Gun handed it to Mong Ui. "Care to read?"
Mong Ui flinched. Clearly a missive on clan matters, yet offered boldly.
This man.
He met Moyong Gun's eyes. Laughter masked raging flames of ambition.
Mong Ui took the letter. Moyong Gun's smile deepened.
"……Expand Zhejang operations twofold?"
"She's the Zhejang branch head. Talented in business, never lacking."
"……."
"She always followed orders, but now steps up to expand. Some change of heart, I suppose."
Moyong Gun shrugged. "Today must be an auspicious day for me."
"I see."
Mong Ui set the letter down. The moment he received it, he had decided to pledge himself.
Moyong Gun knew it too.
Mong Ui rose, knelt beside him.
"I greet my new lord. As long as you do not betray me first, I shall never betray you."
Moyong Gun laughed loudly. "I'll rely on you. I'll put you to great use."
"I'll do my utmost."
"Hahaha!"
Still chuckling, his eyes sparkled. "Since it came up, care to take on a task right away?"
Mong Ui bowed. "A lord doesn't request of subordinates. He commands."
Rigid hierarchy. Moyong Gun knew choosing him was right.
At least his lips are sealed.
"With you gained today, and word from my sister—how could I, as her brother, refuse support for her ambitions?"
"……?"
"Incorporating Jiangsu merchants near Zhejang would ease expansion. But Jiangsu has a great pillar standing firm."
"Bi-san Yeon Family Estate."
Moyong Gun's smile vanished. "Indeed. And their eldest son helped me topple the Myeong family."
Killing intent flashed in Mong Ui's eyes.
A cold expression settled on Moyong Gun. "No ordinary foe. I know not their internal affairs, but the Yeon family's future may hinge on him, not the patriarch."
"……."
"Once recovered, capture Yeon Hojeong."
"……Not the patriarch, but the eldest son?"
"Yes. Bi-san Yeon Hojeong. Catch the young tiger of Gangdong."
Moyong Gun shook his head. "Don't think of it as a warmup. He's strong—outstanding beyond anyone I've seen. It won't be easy."
"……."
"Lose the heir, and the patriarch loses his mind. Strike then, and my sister's task becomes simpler, no?"
Mong Ui bowed. "I accept your command."
"I trust the skill that slew Point Cang's former sect leader."
Point Cang was one of the Nine Great Sects, above the Six Great Clans—the pinnacle of the orthodox martial world. Killing its head marked a supreme expert.
Moyong Gun trusted Mong Ui's prowess. He trusted the killer sword said to bear Point Cang's worst talent in history.
"I'll depart now."
"Your body's not fully recovered."
"I'll heal en route."
"Haha, fine. If you say so."
"Just locate Yeon Hojeong."
"No worries. I've been keeping tabs."
"Then."
Mong Ui bowed once more and vanished.
Moyong Gun gazed out the window. The sunlight was clear.
"Here's a gift. Rest easy till year's end, Young Master Yeon."