The Unbroken Thread (5)
“Did you have a safe trip?”
“Yes, Father.”
“No injuries?”
“Of course not. I’m a strategist, remember? I don’t fight on the front lines.”
“A strategist moving with the troops becomes the enemy’s top priority. The reason is simple: lose the strategist, and the army loses its head. A headless force can’t help but see its combat strength plummet.”
“Unfortunately for them, the Myeol Sa Army has another ridiculously brilliant mind besides me.”
Jegal Munho smiled faintly.
“You mean Yeon Gunjang?”
“Yes.”
Jegal A-yeon let out a sigh.
“He hasn’t even formally studied strategy or tactics, yet he wields tactics so ingenious it’s uncanny. In terms of localized maneuvers, he might even surpass the scholars back home.”
“Everyone knows Yeon Gunjang’s brilliance. But the enemy doesn’t, so as the strategist, you must always stay vigilant.”
“They were just bandits anyway. They’ve probably never faced an army with its own strategist before.”
“That’s what makes it fortunate.”
Jegal Munho took a sip of his tea.
“So, what was the Hwarang Group like? What impression did they leave on you?”
Jegal A-yeon’s response was a masterpiece.
“A pack of tough bastards.”
That single phrase brimmed with her fury and disgust toward the Hwarang Group.
“Strong against the weak, weak against the strong. I know how horrific they become toward the powerless. But those scum crossed the line.”
Jegal Munho nodded.
“They’ve roamed from Shaanxi to Qinghai and Gansu—a domain spanning thousands of li—for a full decade. Ten years of stagnant waters... one can scarcely imagine the density of evil accumulated there.”
“Either way, it feels damn good to have vented it all.”
“Hahaha.”
His daughter was bold as ever, but he hadn’t expected such crude words from her. Was it from campaigning with the Myeol Sa Army? Or had she finally peered into the world’s true darkness? Jegal A-yeon had changed a great deal. Her aura was sharper now, her strategist’s gaze—aimed at evil—as keen and cold as a tempered sword.
“So, are you taking a break for a while?”
Jegal A-yeon blinked.
“Who knows? Unless new orders come down, we might enter provisional rest. Though I won’t be lounging around idly, of course.”
“Hm.”
“You’re heading into the council yourself, Father. Shouldn’t I be the one asking you?”
Jegal Munho gave a wry smile.
“True enough. But I wanted to say this.”
“What is it?”
“If...”
“...?”
“...”
“Father?”
Jegal Munho let out a deep sigh.
“Just in case Yeon Gunjang suggests joining him on another mission... this time, I’d rather you didn’t.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
Even Jegal Munho couldn’t fully grasp his own words. It wasn’t reason or logic—it was pure instinct rearing its head. A gut feeling that, in handling this Black Path matter, Yeon Hojeong would step to the forefront.
“I don’t know myself. But soon, Yeon Gunjang might take on another assignment.”
“An assignment?”
“Yes.”
Jegal A-yeon smiled.
“Father, I’m with the Myeol Sa Army. Hojeong is my friend, but he’s also my superior. If the gunjang orders me to join, I have no choice but to obey.”
“I know.”
“Then why say it?”
“But I’m the Muryeong Alliance’s strategist. With no alliance leader chosen yet, the elders issue the commands. That gives even this father a little authority.”
A puzzled look crossed Jegal A-yeon’s face.
“This isn’t like you, Father. What’s going on?”
“It feels that dangerous.”
“Huh?”
Jegal Munho closed his eyes.
‘Am I overthinking this?’
They were devising multifaceted strategies to probe Yang Cheon. Soon, those would narrow to one. But why? He had a nagging premonition that Yeon Hojeong would insert himself into it.
It was an absurd notion. True, Yeon Hojeong had moved ceaselessly since the alliance’s founding, seen and unseen. Yet countless other maneuvers had unfolded beyond his gaze. There was no guarantee he’d involve himself this time. The Myeol Sa Army was a reserve force, not a special ops unit, after all.
But why? He couldn’t shake the sense that Yeon Hojeong had his eyes on this affair.
‘Why do I feel this way? It has nothing to do with that young man.’
As he pondered, Jegal Munho suddenly realized the reason.
‘Moyong Gun.’
Yes. The core of this plan had been devised by Moyong Gun. And wherever Moyong Gun was, Yeon Hojeong was never far behind.
Moyong Gun and Yeon Hojeong. Yeon Hojeong and Moyong Gun. Whichever one set foot in a place, the other followed suit. It had been that way even before the alliance formed. When they toppled the Nine Great Clans, the two had joined hands.
‘They’ve always been together. Pushing each other higher, give and take.’
Tangma Army Leader Moyong Woo? Impressive talent, no doubt, but Yeon Hojeong was surely watching Moyong Gun through him. In other words, Moyong Woo was just a chess piece wielded by his father.
Jegal Munho sighed once more.
“Forget it. This father spoke nonsense for a moment. Pay it no mind.”
“...Okay.”
He gazed out the window. A chill wind was blowing.
‘Yeon Gunjang. What drives you to move so swiftly? Is it truly to prevent power from concentrating in Moyong Gun’s hands?’
Creeeeong!
A thunderous clash of steel rang out from the sword strike that whipped through the empty air.
Ziiing!
Ziiiiiing!
Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.
The sword thunder that painted brilliant afterimages in the air sputtered sparks and faded.
‘It’s growing stronger.’
The lightning arcing across the blade’s surface grew ever clearer. Not only that—the bolts thickened, and the electric current enveloping the sword amplified dramatically.
Even without deliberate refinement, the culmination of his Thunderclap Art deepened. With that depth, the density of Thunderclap Supreme Qi surged the moment he channeled his sword force.
Ziiing!
Ziiiiiing!
Gazing down at the menacingly flickering blade, Moyong Gun spoke.
“You must know it’s poor manners to spy on another’s training uninvited.”
A young, vigorous voice replied as if it had been waiting.
“You knew someone was here and ignored it, so I figured it was fine to watch.”
A smile tugged at Moyong Gun’s lips.
“Not long apart, and your tongue’s grown even sharper.”
“While my tongue sharpened, your sword seems fiercer than ever.”
“Is that so? You couldn’t have gauged my full strength from that spar back then.”
“Not fully, but I saw a bit. Your inner energy density wasn’t that profound then.”
Truly incorrigible.
‘A genius is a genius.’
To peer even into the density of inner energy from a superior cultivator—what razor-sharp insight that demanded.
Suddenly, a spark of competitive spirit ignited in Moyong Gun.
“What say you? Since you’ve seen my sword, care to meet it with your axe?”
“No thanks.”
“Afraid?”
“Damn right. One hit from that destructive thunder qi, and I’d be bedridden for months.”
“Oh ho.”
“You wouldn’t hold back, right? No one around—no reason not to go all out in a bout.”
Moyong Gun burst into laughter.
“Truly incorrigible.”
Whooooong.
The menacing lightning gradually subsided. The heated air cooled in an instant.
Shing.
Moyong Gun sheathed his sword and turned. There stood Yeon Hojeong.
“Long time no see.”
“Indeed.”
“Heard you’ve been behaving yourself.”
Moyong Gun roared with laughter.
“What choice did I have? Some fellow tossed me the poisoned chalice of vice leader of the Muryeong Alliance and vanished. Tail between my legs, all I could do was sleep it off.”
Yeon Hojeong grinned.
“Good to know that shot landed properly.”
“The hardest punch you’ve thrown yet. My head spun for a moment.”
“Then set aside your ambitions. Let’s join hands and tend the flower garden properly.”
“My clan’s backyard garden has nary a weed. In my garden, not a single petal or insect escapes my approval.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled bitterly.
“Is that right?”
“It is.”
“So that’s why you’re helping? Yang Cheon gathering power would be a headache in many ways?”
Moyong Gun smiled.
“No matter who becomes alliance leader or seizes power, Yang Cheon remains a problem. On this front, how could I not lend a hand?”
“Pure intentions?”
Moyong Gun replied matter-of-factly.
“Of course not.”
“Knew it.”
“Neither you nor I are the type to aid others without motive.”
“Sorry, but don’t lump me in with you. I still have some purity I haven’t shown you yet.”
“Don’t paint me as the sole villain. In some ways, you’re far more ruthless than I.”
Moyong Gun sat on a flat rock. Yeon Hojeong leaned against a tree, arms crossed.
“So, weary from the road, what brings you all this way?”
“You know why.”
Moyong Gun, who had been studying him quietly, chuckled.
“Keep that up, and you won’t live to see your fate.”
“Hm?”
“I know your skill, your father knows it, the entire alliance knows it. But why do they say geniuses die young? Overreach your limits, and before you know it, you’ve tumbled into the Yellow Springs.”
“Could be.”
Moyong Gun’s expression turned serious.
“Do you want to be the core of this operation?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to.”
“Need to? I don’t see it. What gift does stirring up Yang Cheon bring you?”
“Beasts don’t just move for prey. They move when a rival predator appears.”
“Not to gain something, but to escape danger?”
“Exactly.”
“There are plenty of masters without you.”
“I know.”
Moyong Gun looked up at him steadily and spoke.
“Let me be clear. The mastermind of this strategy isn’t Jegal Gunsa—it’s me. And to get what I want, I’m prepared to accept some sacrifices.”
“...”
“You knew?”
“If I didn’t, I’d have gone to Jegal Gunsa. Why come to you?”
Moyong Gun’s lips curved upward.
“You trust me?”
“I trust your ability.”
“I could pretend otherwise and drag you into the jaws of death. I dare say, this time you wouldn’t escape.”
“Sure you would.”
“And still, you’ll fight under my command?”
“To minimize the sacrifices.”
Moyong Gun roared with laughter.
“A saint has arrived. Don’t go acting out of character.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled wryly.
“In these uncertain times, who knows when or what might happen. This isn’t about screwing you over—it’s for ‘us.’”
“...You mean it.”
“Then let me ask one too.”
Yeon Hojeong’s face grew serious.
“Do you trust me?”
Moyong Gun, watching him intently, gave a bitter smile.
“No. But I trust your ability.”
Yeon Hojeong clasped his hands in salute.
“Looking forward to working with you. This time, at least.”
Moyong Gun waved him off.
“Rampage to your heart’s content. Just this once.”