Infamy and Fame (5)
A fine moonlit night. The two men, who had set up a drinking session on a pavilion in the secluded rear garden where no prying eyes could reach, looked remarkably cheerful.
“No need for long talks. Let's have a drink first.”
“Sounds good.”
Clink.
The glasses touched with a clear, resonant chime. Yeon Hojeong drained his cup in one refreshing gulp.
“Kyaah!”
Refreshing. He set aside the burdens weighing on his shoulders for a moment, washing away the accumulated fatigue. His body felt light, the moonlight was beautiful, and with a drink on top, the world felt utterly languid.
Mo Yong Woo smiled faintly.
“You drink with such gusto.”
“No need to worry about ambushes while drinking.”
He tossed out a grim remark with a grinning face. Mo Yong Woo looked a bit taken aback.
“Was it that tough?”
“Just average.”
In truth, compared to his days as the Black Dark Emperor, it wasn't all that grueling. Battles of kill or be killed were all much the same. But throughout the fighting, he'd had to watch over his soldiers' safety, and he'd even checked each black path warrior one by one, wondering if any might be someone he knew from his past life.
That was probably why. Every moment had drained his mental energy. The mental fatigue outweighed the physical toll on his body.
“I'm fine. From now on, it feels like I can shake it all off.”
Mo Yong Woo smiled.
“I don't know what happened, but your face looks much brighter. Good, that's what matters.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled softly.
“What I did is obvious, but I can't quite picture how you held out.”
“……”
“Tell me how you've been. No proper snacks, so your story will have to do.”
Mo Yong Woo let out a clear laugh. Still the same. Yet something subtly different. He gave off a more human vibe than before.
Mo Yong Woo liked this change in Yeon Hojeong. They'd only met a few times, but he was certain Yeon Hojeong wasn't a bad person. He truly believed that.
A reliable little brother.
Because he wasn't a bad person? No, that wasn't it. Even if Yeon Hojeong were the worst villain, he'd probably cross his mind now and then.
Why? Because he was the one who had snapped him out of his huddled despair?
No.
Starlight sparkled in Mo Yong Woo's clear eyes.
There's something about Yeon-je that inspires admiration in those who see him.
Yeon Hojeong didn't fit the image of the famed eldest son of the Yeon family, renowned for law and righteousness. Sometimes rough and unconventional, other times soft and humane. Those contrasting traits wove together into a unique aura. He felt like a man with wings—free to go anywhere with a single move.
“What's with that look? Something on my face?”
“No. Just seeing you after so long makes me think what a dependable little brother you are.”
Yeon Hojeong snorted.
“Boring.”
“I'd love to drink more carefree, but better finish business first?”
“Yeah.”
Mo Yong Woo explained in detail how he'd spent the past years and what had happened. Yeon Hojeong's eyes widened.
“The Dang family?”
“Yes.”
“What about the Central Plains battlefield? Suddenly the Dang family?”
“They must have thought the Dang family better than the Central Plains front.”
“Hmm.”
Yeon Hojeong furrowed his brow.
“If we're talking faction wars, yeah, the Dang family edges out the Central Plains. Plus, the Dang family head is a fellow Bonggong, so it'd be easier to push things at the Bonggong Council.”
Mo Yong Woo nodded.
“I thought the same. But……”
He hesitated to continue. Yeon Hojeong grinned.
“What? Marrying someone you've never even seen?”
“Exactly.”
Mo Yong Woo sighed deeply.
“In this day and age, how many marry after building romance first? I've never expected to escape such rigid ties. But……”
“Because of Moyong Gun?”
“……Yes.”
The two planned to oust Moyong Gun someday. But Moyong Gun was reaching out to ally with Dang family head Dang Gwan. In other words, merging politically with the Dang family.
If they couldn't exclude the Dang family in removing Moyong Gun? Mo Yong Woo would have to cut down not just his brother, but his in-laws too.
“Something to agonize over.”
Yeon Hojeong didn't chide him for half-hearted resolve or lacking the guts to join hands without that commitment. It was a legitimately troubling issue. And it was precisely because Mo Yong Woo had such humanity that he'd decided to make him the Martial Alliance Leader.
“I was surprised when talk of the Central Plains Commandery's eldest daughter came up too. Never thought they'd use me to link with a new faction.”
“Marriages between great families to solidify power bases—it's an old trick.”
“True. But being the target makes it hard not to worry.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Straight talk. Unnecessary worry.”
“Unnecessary?”
“You haven't even met the Dang family daughter yet, right?”
Mo Yong Woo looked flustered.
“Of course. But Father and the Dang head will push……”
“They won't.”
“Hm?”
Unlike Mo Yong Woo's starlit eyes, Yeon Hojeong's burned like the sun.
“The Moyong Gun I know never abandons his own when forced to choose.”
“……!”
“Moyong Gun means it. If you don't like the Dang daughter, he'll call off the marriage.”
“I think so too.”
“Then no worries?”
Yeon Hojeong grinned.
“Set aside the heavy family alliance burden and just meet her first.”
“……”
“They won't force a marriage the moment you meet. It's just a meeting.”
“Th-that's true, but……”
“What? Want to skip straight to the good stuff?”
“Ye-Yeon-je!”
Mo Yong Woo's face flushed red. Just thinking about it embarrassed him. Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
Pure soul. “Don't overthink. It's just two people meeting. All the meanings you attach are armchair theory. Seeing is believing, right?”
Mo Yong Woo sighed.
“You're right. My awkwardness might stem from impure intentions behind the meeting.”
“How many meetings start with pure intent? Was my visit to you pure?”
“……”
“It's all like that. Drop the 'this is different, that one's okay' mindset. Unless it's a dealbreaker.”
“Whew.”
Invited to a good spot, yet he kept sighing. Bitterness crossed Mo Yong Woo's face. Yeon Hojeong refilled his glass.
“If it's that bad, change your thinking.”
“Hm? Change how?”
“If you don't like her, fine. But if you do?”
Mo Yong Woo's expression turned serious.
“Then I mustn't marry. For her sake, and mine.”
Yeon Hojeong smirked oddly.
“Noble. Romantic. But expand your thinking a bit.”
“How?”
“Why not make her fully yours?”
“……!!”
“Like her and give up? Ridiculous. If you like her, follow your heart. Marry her? Great.”
Mo Yong Woo's mouth fell open.
“Deal with the aftermath later. You're already dying hiding your true self under your brother. Wouldn't unwinding with someone you love be nice?”
“……If.”
“Hm?”
“If she gets badly hurt? She will.”
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed.
“Then take all her resentment.”
“……”
“You're not meeting her for Dang power or Moyong family gain. Circumstances led here. You have zero intent to hurt her.”
“……”
“If it still bothers you, meet her tomorrow and say no marriage. That's it.”
Ultimately, meet first and decide. Mo Yong Woo gazed at Yeon Hojeong and smiled bitterly.
“Sorry. Showed my pathetic side as your big brother.”
“What nonsense?”
“Hm?”
Yeon Hojeong snorted.
“I never accepted you as my brother. You calling me little brother is all in your head.”
“What?”
Mo Yong Woo stared in surprise, then burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!”
His clear laughter filled the night sky. How long since he'd laughed so freely? The anxiety and worries nesting in his chest seemed to vanish.
After laughing heartily, Mo Yong Woo spoke calmly.
“Time to settle titles. Call me big brother.”
“No.”
“Why? I know I'm lacking, but I have confidence as your big brother.”
“Don't make me laugh. No way I'm having a guy agonizing over romance as my brother.”
“Everyone's clumsy at first.”
Yeon Hojeong stared at Mo Yong Woo, then turned and drank.
“Kuh, refreshing.”
Mo Yong Woo coughed awkwardly.
“Just testing. If you hate it, I won't force brotherhood……”
“Meet the Dang daughter well tomorrow.”
“Hm?”
“Don't lose tonight's vibe. No dumb fumbling.”
Under the pouring moonlight, Yeon Hojeong's eyes shone mysteriously.
“Meet her like a man, come back fine, and then I'll call you big brother.”
Mo Yong Woo's face brightened.
“Don't worry. I have my manly side……”
“None.”
“I do! What do you take me for?”
“Dunno? Half-baked talent waster?”
“Hey, watch your mouth with your brother.”
“Shut it.”
Mo Yong Woo roared with laughter. What a great night. Truly great. He was sincerely glad he'd come to see Yeon Hojeong tonight.
Several rounds passed.
“So, seen all the Tang Ma Army recruits?”
“Yes.”
“Impressions?”
Mo Yong Woo's eyes lit up.
“All exceptional.”
“Figured. Moyong Gun put effort in.”
“And we need to discuss one thing about that.”
“What? How to wrangle them?”
“I'll handle that. Don't worry.”
“Mysterious charisma there. So, what to discuss?”
Mo Yong Woo said seriously.
“I need one of your key pieces.”
Yeon Hojeong's eyes sparkled.
“Hand over a pawn?”
“Seems necessary.”
“Hm.”
“About your side……”
“Fine. No need.”
“Still, better hear it?”
“I know your Moyong Gun ties without asking. Too much detail might confuse and cause slips later.”
“Mm, got it.”
“Doing well?”
“Think so.”
“Good. Keep it up.”
Yeon Hojeong stroked his chin.
“One key piece…… Hm, what to give to please Moyong Gun?”
“No need to overdo. Just time to stamp my presence on big brother.”
“If revealing presence, better a hefty one he won't suspect.”
Suddenly, Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed. A good idea struck.
“When's the Tang Ma Army's departure?”