The False King (4)
“Deputy Leader.”
Yang Cheon opened his closed eyes. They looked somehow hazy. Those eyes held deep fatigue and confusion. But the old man could tell. His lord’s eyes were filled with weariness and turmoil, yet the desire burning within them blazed far hotter than it had half a day ago. The flames of ambition threatened to consume his entire body. Even Muk Ryong Bu itself.
“What is it, Baek Seo?”
Baek Seo. The leader of the Twelve Branches Gods, the most loyal servants under Yang Cheon’s command. The old man, Baek Seo, bowed his head.
“The guests have requested a temporary external residence. Since you’ve given your permission, we’re escorting them to a suitable estate……”
It was a way of asking if that was truly alright. Yang Cheon’s response was shocking.
“Grant them whatever they desire.”
“……!”
A glint flashed in Baek Seo’s eyes. Grant them anything they wanted? To that extent?
“He’s not the type to make unreasonable demands to begin with. And if he does, there must be a valid reason. So fulfill any ordinary requests immediately.”
“……Understood, Deputy Leader.”
Baek Seo bowed once more and rose, retreating with utmost courtesy. At that moment, Yang Cheon asked,
“Aren’t you curious?”
“……?”
“Why I’m treating the heir of Mujongmun—no, that man named Jeong—so favorably?”
Baek Seo turned back and bowed deeply once again.
“You are my lord, Deputy Leader. A subordinate does not question his lord’s judgment.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Yang Cheon smiled. It was a smile far from satisfaction, tinged with an inexplicable bitterness, yet it clearly conveyed his fundamental fondness for Baek Seo.
“Baek Seo.”
“Yes, Deputy Leader.”
“The justice cried out by the powerless is nothing but empty noise, isn’t it?”
“I believe so.”
“Then, what of one who is swayed by the ambitions cried out by the powerless?”
“…….”
“And one with power whose heart races at those words—is he a fool?”
“Deputy Leader.”
Baek Seo lifted his head and met Yang Cheon’s gaze directly. It was a seriousness the usual Baek Seo never showed. Perhaps because of that, it didn’t seem rude but rather dignified.
“No matter what path you choose, Deputy Leader, I believe you are more than qualified to seize the world.”
“…….”
“Do as you will. We of the Twelve Branches Gods, led by myself, and the black path sects beyond—none of us bowed our heads merely to your martial prowess.”
Yang Cheon’s eyes gleamed.
“Not because of my martial arts?”
“The survival instincts of the black path mirror those of the common folk enduring chaotic times, in a way. We lack raw power, but not wisdom.”
“So you expect something from me?”
“Yes. We believe you are worthy of ascending to greater heights. And that serving such a lord will improve our own lives.”
“…….”
“The path you tread is the world itself, and our hopes lie upon it.”
Yang Cheon nodded.
“I understand.”
“I’ve spoken out of turn and disturbed you. My apologies.”
“It’s fine. You may go.”
“Yes.”
With that, Baek Seo withdrew. As Yang Cheon gazed toward Hyeon Am Mun, a sneer briefly crossed his face.
“Everyone’s aspirations rest on these shoulders? Fine words to hear.”
He recalled his conversation with Yeon Hojeong.
‘You utter words too heavy for any man to bear.’
‘If you find them too heavy, then there’s no need for further talk.’
‘What gives you such confidence? You came to me because even you lack the power to claim the world alone, didn’t you? If you had that ability, you wouldn’t have bothered with such theatrics just to lure me in.’
‘That’s true.’
‘Your talent and vision are exceptional. But in this vast world, how many like you are there? In the end, you’re just another arrogant fool blinded by your slightly superior abilities, turning your eyes to the throne.’
‘Ability and ambition are separate matters.’
‘Separate, yes. But among the countless who harbor ambition, how many truly achieve their dreams? A mere handful.’
One might expect such cold rebuke to cow him, but instead, the image of that man smiling icily floated before Yang Cheon’s eyes.
‘You’re dodging the question. What I asked was whether your ambitions are confined to the Central Plains or extend to the outer lands.’
‘No need to answer. It’s not worth discussing now. One who can’t even manage his own courtyard—how could he build a village?’
‘Wrong.’
‘What?’
‘You diminish the reality before you too much, Deputy Leader, and turn a blind eye to what you should truly see.’
He never imagined hearing such words from a mere youth. With his face stiffening involuntarily, demanding an explanation, Yeon Hojeong had replied without batting an eye.
‘The Central Plains is no mere front yard to claim with a whim. Even a divine immortal king would stake his life for a tenth of it—a fortress impregnable without such resolve.’
‘……!’
‘But encompassing the Central Plains and the outer lands alike? That’s a matter of breadth and resolve. You’re too fixated on devouring the Central Plains to look beyond.’
‘You don’t understand.’
The emotions from that moment surged back, leaving a bitter taste in Yang Cheon’s mouth.
‘You truly don’t know what the outer lands are like.’
‘……!’
‘Surprised? Doubt my words?’
‘……No.’
‘The world holds far more facets than you imagine. A so-called saint may commit vile deeds in secret, and one branded the world’s demon may merely bear false accusation. Such cases abound.’
‘…….’
‘The rivers and lakes, the world itself, is suffering what you know. To eye the outer lands too? That’s arrogance. The greed of a novice blinded by desire, ignoring reality.’
‘The Central Plains is the same.’
‘What?’
‘The Central Plains is no different, I dare say. No matter your wealth or the black path’s strength, devouring the white path righteous sects will be no easy feat.’
‘……Why do you think that?’
‘A cat gaining power doesn’t scheme—it unsheathes its claws rashly. The black path is the same. Beyond your own abilities, black path martial artists will act just so. Do you know why?’
‘……?!’
‘Because you’ve given them half-baked hope, Deputy Leader.’
‘……!!’
‘Before turning eyes to the world, you should have grasped the nature of the blade you wield. That’s why I asked—where your ambitions truly end.’
‘…….’
‘A pity. You’ve failed to prove your worth as a lord to me.’
‘Failed to prove…… Ha, I’m unfit to be your lord?’
‘However.’
‘……?’
‘The bond between lord and vassal isn’t forged solely by proof of ability and ambition. To be frank, though it’s mere first impressions, I like you, Deputy Leader.’
‘……!’
‘In five days, I’ll complete the report on reorganizing Muk Ryong Bu’s structure. We’ll speak then.’
‘Reorganization…… So you’ve already planned it?’
‘I’m no fool who charges into battle unprepared.’
‘And if I swallow your report whole and cast you out?’
‘Then consider it the price of my life.’
‘Ha ha ha!’
Yeon Hojeong’s voice echoed vividly in his ears. Yang Cheon’s eyes deepened.
“Half-baked hope.”
Hope costs nothing to give. But there’s reason it mustn’t be doled out lightly. Abuse it, and ruin is inevitable.
“Ha ha.”
Yang Cheon chuckled unwittingly.
“To think this Yang Cheon would learn the bearing of a ruler from a mere boy not yet twenty.”
He recalled Yeon Hojeong’s final words before leaving Muk Ryong Jeon.
‘I may need various things to complete the report. If so, I’ll demand them at once—please instruct your subordinates accordingly.’
What audacity. He’d thought himself the one observing these intriguing guests, only to find they’d been watching him first. He’d meant to judge their worth upon meeting, yet they’d assayed his own vessel instead.
Truly no ordinary man. He’d boldly declared using Yang Cheon to claim the world, then berated him to mend his mindset if he wished alliance.
Was there another like him in the world?
‘The problem is……’
Yang Cheon’s lips twitched.
‘That his near-arrogant boldness has utterly captivated me.’
Could he cross the line? The man went beyond—it was as if no line existed. Even Yang Cheon, an absolute master rivaling the world’s finest, saw himself as a mere piece on his board.
‘A first.’
It was the first time. The first to see not a puppet obeying orders blindly, but a talent who could ride abreast as a partner.
The first to stir him not by age or experience, but by skill and ideals alone.
Strength entered Yang Cheon’s fist.
“For you and for me, these five days will be unforgettable.”
* * *
Ak Lok San, where Muk Ryong Bu was based, lay just beside Chang Sa, the capital of Hunan Province. Yeon Hojeong’s group had secured a spacious estate in Chang Sa. Naturally, Muk Ryong Bu covered all costs and living arrangements.
“How on earth did you pull that off?”
To Gadeuksang’s question, Yeon Hojeong replied,
“Just ran a little scam.”
An absurd answer. Jegal A-yeon stuck out her tongue.
“Scamming the Iron Bone Evil Buddha? Does he seem like the type to fall for that?”
“He’s human, isn’t he?”
“Even so.”
“It’s always easier to fool someone who believes themselves untouchable. Remove their mental barriers, and tricking even a great figure like him isn’t so hard.”
Paeryul shook his head vigorously.
“You could sell the Yangtze River itself.”
Dang Sang-a blurted out with a dazed expression,
“What can’t you do, Third Young Master?”
Everyone blinked at her. Dang Sang-a scratched her head sheepishly.
“Ah, it just slipped out…… Got too immersed, I guess.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect such good results. Yang Cheon must suffer a severe talent shortage.”
Gadeuksang asked,
“Anyway, does this make things easier for us?”
“Yes. He’s focused on me. He won’t care how the others move. He thinks if I’m handled well, you’ll all follow naturally.”
“Nice.”
Gadeuksang’s eyes sparkled. Now he understood why Yeon Hojeong had gone alone to negotiate. To draw all of Yang Cheon’s attention, leaving the other four free to tackle the situation here.
Jegal A-yeon clapped Yeon Hojeong’s shoulder.
“Good work.”
“It was nothing.”
“Anyway, now the real work begins, right?”
“Something like that.”
“But did you learn anything? While alone with Yang Cheon.”
For a moment, Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.
‘The outer lands.’
He’d mentioned them deliberately, curious if Yang Cheon had ties there. Yang Cheon had said,
‘You truly don’t know what the outer lands are like.’
A loaded statement. He’d wanted to press further, but had to stop. Probing rashly could doom the entire mission.
Yang Cheon wasn’t a fool. He was entranced now, but any odd sign would bring suspicion.
‘Take it slow. There’s still time.’
Yeon Hojeong took a quiet deep breath.
“Need to dig more. Too early to say.”
“Hm.”
Then it happened. Surprise crossed Gadeuksang’s face.
“What……?”
All eyes turned to him. Yeon Hojeong asked gravely,
“A transmission from the main force?”
“Y-Yes.”
“What news has you so shocked?”
Gadeuksang replied, utterly stunned.
“……The commander-in-chief is right nearby?”
“……!!”