Tying Up Loose Ends (2)
Dang Gwan's eyes wavered.
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
"Did an earthquake hit or something? Your eyes are shaking like that."
Honesty was both Dang Gwan's strength and his weakness. Unfortunately, today that honesty was working against him as a vicious flaw.
Yeon Hojeong, who had been staring silently at Dang Gwan, crossed his legs. An utterly indolent posture. But Dang Gwan couldn't easily open his mouth.
"At first, with the Hongyo Society, I thought those bastards had lost their minds. Trying to bury the remnant forces of the Martial Alliance, which hadn't even been established long? When all eyes in the world would be on them? Wow, these guys really live up to their reputation as a reckless bunch."
"……."
"But no matter how I thought about it, it didn't make sense. They'd smashed several prominent black path sects in that short time, so the black path folks must have felt the crisis. But commissioning the Hongyo Society? Wouldn't they be the first suspects?"
"……."
"No one in their right mind would do that. So who commissioned the Hongyo Society? Really the black path? Or……."
"……."
"Someone who doesn't like the Myeol Sa Army—more precisely, me?"
"……."
"The first one that came to mind was the Moyong family head. A bit too aggressive even for him, but if he sets his mind to it, nothing's impossible. But……."
A smile crept across Yeon Hojeong's lips.
"He knows full well that crushing them using the Tang Ma Army would paint the prettiest picture. No, the Moyong family head isn't the type."
Dang Gwan was strangely silent. He just glared at Yeon Hojeong as if he wanted to kill him.
Yeon Hojeong pointed at Dang Gwan with his toe.
"I'd already heard you'd joined hands with the Moyong family head before that incident blew up. The answer came naturally."
"……You're an interesting bastard."
"Hm?"
Dang Gwan twisted his lips into a smile.
"Got any proof?"
"Proof?"
"Yeah, proof."
Yeon Hojeong said with a gloomy face.
"Sadly, no proof. They blew up my base before I could find any. You bought yourself a pretty vicious blade."
"So that's it. The eldest son of the Yeon family, clueless about his place, harassing the master of Sichuan without evidence and asking the Moyong family head to set up a meeting."
"Is that how it is?"
Dang Gwan's eyes grew icy.
"You should've just died there. It would've hurt less."
Wuuuuung.
Poisonous energy rose again from both of Dang Gwan's hands.
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
"What? No proof, so wanna smack me first and get started?"
"……."
"That sounds good too. The master of the Sichuan Dang family using lethal force on the Yeon family eldest son…… Yeah, that'd make for an intriguing picture."
"……What?"
"What?"
Dang Gwan's eyes deepened.
"What's got you so cocky?"
Yeon Hojeong inwardly cheered. Got him.
Dang Gwan was arrogant, but quick-witted and knew how to read the bigger picture. He'd been truly intent on smashing Yeon Hojeong because he had confidence in cleaning up afterward, one way or another.
And Yeon Hojeong had many enemies. The Yeon family's reputation was outstanding, but the Dang family's history and influence were even greater.
If worst came to worst, he might even consider withdrawing from the Martial Alliance.
That was how Dang Gwan—and the Sichuan Dang family—had always lived.
But now his thinking had changed.
This guy…….
He didn't know why Moyong Gun called him a monster. But one thing was clear.
He's got something up his sleeve.
This wasn't the act of someone charging in without preparation.
Of course, whatever he'd prepared, the Dang family's power could smother it.
But somehow, it felt like a headache waiting to happen.
That nagging unease was holding back Dang Gwan, on the verge of exploding.
Flash!
Yeon Hojeong's pupils flared red again.
Roarrr.
Vermilion Bird Qi ignited, stirring up murderous intent.
"What're you doing?"
"……."
"You drew your blade—might as well chop some firewood. Gonna keep those hands idle?"
"……."
"You're disappointing."
Yeon Hojeong relaxed his stance.
"Here's some advice. Don't bare your fangs if you can't bite. Kid."
Dang Gwan's cheeks trembled.
It was utterly outrageous insolence.
Who in the world could hurl such abuse at the Dang family head?
Wuuuuuung.
The poisonous energy writhed violently.
"……This is the only time."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes sparkled.
Slither.
Dang Gwan lowered his hands. The poison that had blazed like flames quieted down.
"Consider it heavenly luck. I've never spared a punk this arrogant before. Be grateful to the heavens."
Yeon Hojeong no longer provoked him.
He did want Dang Gwan to come at him seriously. It would be a chance to rally his father, Jegal Munho, and others to corner the Dang family after making a big scene.
Just as there was no proof for the Hongyo Society incident, there'd be no proof for provoking Dang Gwan.
What mattered was that the master of the Sichuan Dang family had unleashed lethal force on a much younger junior.
He couldn't destroy the Dang family. But he could diminish Dang Gwan's influence.
Handled right, he might even get them booted from the Martial Alliance.
Yet Dang Gwan chose patience over rage.
Folding here…….
Impressive. Even back in his days as vice leader, he'd made the right calls at crucial moments.
You couldn't become vice leader without that kind of insight.
No point pushing further.
Moyong Gun and Dang Gwan needed different approaches.
With Moyong Gun, it was like playing go—thinking several moves ahead to get what he wanted.
With Dang Gwan, it was about overwhelming momentum. Only then would he stay in line.
"Get out."
"Can't do that."
Irritation flashed across Dang Gwan's face.
"You really wanna be carried out in a coffin?"
Yeon Hojeong grinned.
"Nah. I'll leave after I get what I'm owed."
"……If you're asking for liquor, I'll really kill you."
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"Not liquor. You have something to give me."
"Bullshit."
"Then why'd you call us?"
"……What?"
"They said at the merit conference you had something for the Myeol Sa Army. So summon them."
Dang Gwan's face hardened.
"If you'd left us alone, we could've gone rack up more merits. But you drag us here for nothing? Even blocking us from the founding ceremony."
"You blaming me for that?"
"You're in bed with the Moyong family head, aren't you? Share the good stuff, dump the bad on the other guy?"
"……."
"Forget the founding ceremony. Just give us what's owed. If it's not substantial, I'll formally raise an objection at the merit conference."
What an absurd bastard. Where the hell did this guy come from?
"Ungrateful after I let you walk out alive……."
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
"Fine. Nothing to give, huh?"
He stood from his seat.
Dang Gwan's eyes deepened.
Before opening the door, Yeon Hojeong said,
"I figured you'd have a petty viper face, but at least you're a proper serpent. Looking forward to our future clashes."
Clunk!
Yeon Hojeong opened the door.
Then Dang Gwan spoke.
"Wait."
"More to say?"
Dang Gwan smirked inwardly. Today of all days, what a ordeal.
"What do you want?"
Yeon Hojeong grinned widely.
"What can you offer?"
"Stop circling. Spit it out."
"Taking responsibility for your words. Perfect. Wish the Moyong family head would learn from you."
Yeon Hojeong sat back down.
Dang Gwan flinched as he opened his mouth. Yeon Hojeong's gaze was anything but ordinary.
"Take money from the rich, a thank-you from beggars. A warrior gives a sword, a scholar good words."
"You asking for our family's poisons and hidden weapons?"
"My kids can't even use that stuff."
"Then what?"
Yeon Hojeong grinned slyly.
"I want that skill of yours—churning out poisons and hidden weapons like clockwork."
* * *
On the way back to his quarters.
Several warriors glanced sidelong at Yeon Hojeong.
It was inevitable. He was currently the most famous person in the Martial Alliance.
Commander of one of the only two independent remnant armies. A once-in-a-generation genius warrior who'd broken through Mujongjibyeok at a young age, reaching the super peak realm.
There probably wouldn't be bigger news for years.
A single person's fame astonishing the world was rare even in the vast lands under heaven.
But the man at the center of the rumors was lost in deep thought.
Not an easy opponent.
He recalled Dang Gwan.
Considering past grudges, he was someone Yeon Hojeong wanted to beat to death right then. Moyong Gun might have given the order, but Dang Gwan was the one who'd killed him—hard to suppress the killing intent.
It had been a long time since he'd seen the man.
Rougher and more venomous than back when he was vice leader. But he knows when to endure.
A tough foe.
Back in his Black Dark Emperor days, he'd clashed more with Moyong Gun than Dang Gwan.
That held true now.
But somehow, he had a feeling he'd butt heads with Dang Gwan just as much this lifetime.
Hope it's just a feeling.
There was an old Murim saying about the Dang family.
"If the Sichuan Dang family holds a grudge against you, end your life immediately."
It captured their viciousness perfectly. They forgot favors but never grudges. Vicious snakes.
And Dang Gwan ruled at the pinnacle of that Dang family.
He won't bare his fangs right away. He's tied to Moyong Gun, so he'll attack somehow…….
Like before, today's meeting confirmed it.
Dang Gwan was a viper among vipers—one with exceptional hunting prowess.
If he couldn't snap the enemy's neck in one strike, he'd wait for a sure chance.
Sending the Hongyo Society was like probing their capabilities.
Of course, he'd thought it sufficient back then.
No matter the opponent's skill, I'm heading an external remnant army while he wields central power.
A near-vertical structure. Moyong Gun and Dang Gwan held far superior positions.
Father and the strategist alone aren't enough. Need someone to bolster our side.
No one said it aloud, but the merit holders were essentially faction-fighting.
At minimum, they needed a Dang faction member who wouldn't be swayed by the enemy.
For his sake, his allies', and the world's.
Should discuss this with Father…….
Then.
"Hey, isn't that Commander Yeon?"
"Huh?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes widened.
"Huigae?"
Gadeuksang approached with his usual sloppy gait.
"Your face is full of worry—looks like you could use a drink."
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
"Don't make me laugh. What, in broad daylight?"
He'd just brazenly demanded five nyang from Dang Gwan moments ago.
"Anyway, what's a intelligence advisor doing with free time now?"
"Can't even rest as an advisor? Worked my bones off for days, so they gave me a day off. At least they're human."
Gadeuksang kept chuckling, as if something was hilarious.
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
This guy's unchanged.
Moyong Gun had changed. Dang Gwan too.
But Gadeuksang was the same as ever.
That unchanging nature felt deeply reassuring.
…….
Yeon Hojeong's eyes suddenly gleamed.
"Taking the day off today?"
"Yep. Since we ran into each other, how about a quick drin—"
"To my quarters. Got something to discuss."
"Discuss?"
Yeon Hojeong strode ahead.
Gadeuksang watched his back with unease creeping over his face.
"……Even a damn monster would offer booze, right?"