The Price of Greed (1)
“How is it? To your taste?”
“Yes, it's good.”
Moyong Gun burst into laughter.
“Fresh seafood straight from the coast would have been quite decent too. But I still prefer meat over fish.”
“I see.”
Moyong Gun looked at Moyong Woo with eyes full of pride. Even as he ate this delicious food, Moyong Woo's expression didn't change in the slightest. He wasn't pretending it tasted bad. To him, food was merely intake for proper bodily function—nothing more, nothing less.
That's how Moyong Woo had been trained.
To maintain peak physical condition at all times, anywhere, anytime. Even as the branch head of the Absolute Stronghold Division, he never lost the bearing of a true warrior.
Moyong Gun thought his youngest son was remarkable.
“By the way, are you still practicing the So Hwang Jin Gi?”
“Yes.”
“Tch, from the look of your qi, it seems you've reached great accomplishment quite some time ago.”
“Even after achieving great accomplishment, one must endlessly refine their martial arts. In that sense, this little brother still has a long way to go.”
“Of course. But the So Hwang Jin Gi isn't even enough to fill half your vessel. You've come this far thanks to your exceptional talent and effort—most others wouldn't even dream of reaching this level.”
Moyong Gun, still marveling, pulled out four thick books from under the table.
“I wrote these myself this morning. From now on, cultivate these martial arts.”
“What are these?”
“You'll see when you look.”
Moyong Woo examined the books. Moments later, his eyes widened in shock.
“Isn't this the Geon Gon Mu Hae?”
“Correct. It's the family head's exclusive art. Aside from the heir and a select few geniuses, not even the first half is passed down.”
Moyong Woo's eyes trembled. Watching his youngest son's reaction, Moyong Gun chuckled. Even this always composed and polite boy was still a martial artist at heart.
“You said it yourself, didn't you? That when I become leader of the Martial Alliance, I'd pass the family head position to you.”
“……”
“With your talent, you could reach great accomplishment within ten years. No one in the family would dare oppose you inheriting the seat.”
“……Thank you.”
Moyong Woo steadied his pounding heart.
“I'll make it my own within five years.”
“What? Hahaha!”
Moyong Gun loved his youngest son's bold response. That's exactly how it should be. The resolve to not just chase but surpass—easy to say, but few could actually do it.
Moyong Gun had no doubt that Moyong Woo would master the family head's art faster than anyone.
“And there's something else I need to tell you.”
“Please speak.”
“You, marriage……”
That was when it happened.
“Family head. The White Wind Group leader is here.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“The eldest son of the Bi-san Yeon Family Estate has come to see you. What should we do?”
Moyong Gun's eyes flashed sharply.
“Yeon Hojeong?”
Moyong Woo was greatly surprised—and he didn't bother hiding it.
Moyong Gun asked, “Do you know Yeon Hojeong too?”
Moyong Woo answered calmly. “Isn't he the later-generation prodigy called the Bi-san Tiger lately, whose fame is spreading far and wide?”
“Later-generation prodigy…… Yes, a later-generation prodigy indeed.”
“But why would he come to see you, brother……?”
Moyong Gun shook his head. “It's time you learned too. Just how terrifying that guy is.”
“……?”
“Young in age, but his martial prowess already surpasses the elders of the Nine Great Sects and Six Great Families. And his mental fortitude and stratagems rival my own.”
“……!”
“Martial arts, stratagems, guts, execution. He's flawless in every aspect—a genius like no other. In all my years, I've met countless talents, but never a monster like him.”
It was an extraordinary evaluation. Moyong Woo was genuinely shocked that such words had come from his brother's mouth.
Moyong Gun smiled. “In a way, he could be a good rival for you. Provided you become ruthless enough.”
“……”
“Haha, I've said too much needless talk. We'll continue later.”
“Understood.”
Moyong Woo rose and bowed. “Thank you for the martial arts.”
“Good. I have high expectations.”
Moyong Gun called toward the door. “Let him in.”
The door creaked open, and Yeon Hojeong entered. In that instant, sparks flew from the clashing gazes of Yeon Hojeong and Moyong Woo.
Yeon Hojeong gave a slight bow. Moyong Woo returned a light nod and passed by him.
“It's been a while.”
“Indeed.”
“Sit there. I'll have more tea brewed.”
“No need. I just had some.”
“Haha, is that so?”
Thud.
As soon as the door closed, Yeon Hojeong asked, “Who was that?”
“Hm?”
“The one who just left.”
Moyong Gun suddenly grew curious about Yeon Hojeong's first impression of Moyong Woo.
“What do you think? Does he seem decent?”
“How could I know someone I've never even spoken to?”
“Haha, I'm just curious about your first impression. Please, humor me.”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head. “He doesn't seem worthy of sitting with the family head.”
“Hm?”
“His martial arts are exceptional, but his personality looks a bit soft.”
This guy's insight is no joke.
Moyong Gun laughed and spoke honestly. “You saw right through him. He's a child with outstanding talent in many areas.”
“That's unexpected. I thought someone who values ruthless venom over mere talent would see through that.”
“Hahaha! That depends on the situation, doesn't it?”
Moyong Gun quenched his throat with tea and asked, “So, what brings you here in broad daylight?”
“You already know.”
Moyong Gun grinned. “Why? Do you doubt my recommendation of you as commander of the combat forces?”
Yeon Hojeong grinned back. “It was so blatant that I wondered if it was genuine goodwill.”
“Hahaha!”
Yeon Hojeong cut straight to the point. “What position did you get promised?”
“Hm?”
“Once the Martial Alliance is formed, what seat will you take?”
“Haha, who knows? At least not alliance leader.”
“Planning to lead the organization overseeing the combat forces?”
Moyong Gun just smiled. His eyes gleamed coldly, though.
“……”
After a brief silence, Yeon Hojeong shook his head. “No need to push so hard already, right?”
“Push?”
“You've made a huge contribution expelling the prestigious families—it's like you're riding a tiger. But if you charge ahead without watching your flanks and trip over weeds, what then?”
“Haha, I've never lived an easy life where I'd trip over weeds.”
“So, you'll keep pushing forward like this?”
“Of course. My dream is just beginning.”
“Confident?”
“No one knows the future. I can only do my best from my position.”
Moyong Gun smirked. “Isn't life just like that?”
Yeon Hojeong's eyes deepened.
He has something to rely on.
Moyong Gun wasn't alone. He must have allied with some of the Nine Great Sects or Six Great Families already.
Already, in this short time? As expected, not ordinary.
Moyong Gun tilted his head. “Why are you staring so openly?”
“……”
“If you're here to verify the truth of that matter, I have nothing more to say. I just hate seeing talent wasted.”
“You're trying to put a young man barely twenty, whose blood hasn't even dried, in a heavy position.”
“Age and ability are separate. You've proven yours against the Nine Prestigious Families and capturing Myeong Heo-rim.”
“……”
“Nothing more to say?”
“Well.”
“If that's all, you should go.”
“Independent Mobile Force.”
“Hm?”
Yeon Hojeong relaxed his expression. “You've already recommended me, so it's hard to retract now. Even for Father's face.”
“What are you getting at?”
“The combat force I'll lead as commander will operate as an Independent Mobile Force. Officially under the Martial Alliance, but not hot-house flowers. We'll roam freely, and when a major incident shakes the murim, we move at the commander's discretion—an independent organization.”
“……?”
“Of course, excessive freedom is no different from anarchy. The only one who can command us is the alliance leader. If a separate council is formed, we might follow majority vote.”
“Hahaha!”
Moyong Gun laughed in disbelief. “Did you think I'd grant that demand?”
“Can't you?”
“Of course not. Even if I wanted to, I'm just one family head. I can't push something like that on my own.”
“This is our third meeting, and we know each other well enough. Right?”
“I've thought this before, but your manner of speech is too rude to just tolerate.”
“Drop the annoying mask and talk.”
Yeon Hojeong's pupils turned an eerie blue. The beautiful hue of the Bi-ra Jin-gyeol looked particularly chilling today.
“You can do it, can't you?”
“……”
“Neither you nor I know each other's limits yet. But we know this: neither is incompetent enough to lack that much power.”
Moyong Gun's face grew icy. For the first time, he showed Yeon Hojeong the true face of his ruthless ambition.
“If I set my mind to it, nothing's impossible. But why should I give you such authority? I'm no philanthropist doing favors out of kindness.”
“That's why you're doing this.”
“Want to tally the abacus one more time?”
“How are things with Point Cang Sect?”
Moyong Gun's expression hardened.
“What do you mean?”
“I told you before. If you're going to use someone, pick a tight-lipped one.”
“……?!”
“If you meant to instill fear, you succeeded spectacularly. Thanks to that, I holed up at home swinging an axe for a couple months.”
“……”
“Life is unpredictable, isn't it? You struck first, so now it's my turn. That arrow you loosed—polish it up, and I could fire it right back.”
Yeon Hojeong grinned widely.
“Shoot the arrow named Mong Ui into your chest? Or use Point Cang Sect as the target? Order as you like. I'll handle the cooking.”
Moyong Gun's eyelid twitched. He realized Yeon Hojeong wasn't lying.
Even if it was a bluff, the name 'Mong Ui' couldn't be ignored.
“You have him?”
“Safely locked in the prison. A bit broken, though.”
Moyong Gun spoke coldly. “Even if you send him to Point Cang Sect, do you think it'd affect the big picture? I wouldn't have sent such a man.”
“He used the practical Sail Sword Technique?”
“……!!”
“You didn't know? Didn't Mong Ui tell you?”
Moyong Gun's face visibly twisted. Yeon Hojeong spoke in a cheerful tone.
“My stake is ready. Bring your abacus.”