Shaking the Foundations (2)
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
Yang Cheon's eyes gleamed.
'He's smiling?'
Surprisingly, Yang Cheon couldn't read Yeon Hojeong's true intentions from that smile. Even without vast worldly experience, someone at Yang Cheon's level could grasp a person's essence at a glance without much difficulty. And in fact, Yang Cheon was confident he had pierced the core of this young man named Yeon Hojeong.
'Ultimate tyranny. He has his own firm principles, but he'll do anything necessary if the need arises.'
That was the Yeon Hojeong that Yang Cheon saw. It was similar to Yeon Hojeong's actual personality, too. But why? He had clearly read the essence, yet he couldn't fathom what this guy was thinking right now.
No one but a god could read another's thoughts, but this was the first time he'd encountered someone who could hide themselves so thoroughly.
Yeon Hojeong opened his mouth.
"What do you think, Vice Leader?"
"What I think means nothing."
"It does have meaning."
Yang Cheon's eyes flashed sharply.
"What meaning? If it turns out you really pulled off that stunt, are you trying to gauge how I'll react?"
"No."
"Then?"
Yeon Hojeong's expression turned indifferent in an instant.
"As I said before, I want you to be someone who sees far ahead, Vice Leader. And as someone who does, I hope you have firm convictions."
"Ho?"
"That's why I'm curious. What value does a question like this even have?"
Yang Cheon smiled faintly.
"It's different from the confident front you've shown so far. I hope you're not trying to muddy the waters by straying from the point."
"I'm not trying to muddy anything."
"Then?"
"My answer means nothing. If you find me suspicious, Vice Leader, just investigate deeper and seize the truth. That's all there is to it."
"……!"
"If my name turns up in that truth, then capture me and do whatever you want with me. But if your reaction changes based on my words, that means you lack confidence. So asking such questions is truly meaningless."
Moyong Gun was a prime example. Of course, even he occasionally probed directly, but he rarely grilled someone so bluntly. Usually, he investigated alone, made his plans, and only then tossed out words to decide whether to cook the target or not.
He made a virtue of leaving no room for escape. Though his brilliant talents were used solely for gaining power, earning him little praise, his vessel was by no means small.
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
"I'll say it again. My answer means nothing. What's important is your ability and resolve, Vice Leader."
"……."
"So it's not straying from the point. It can't be. From the moment we first met until now, everything that's come out of my mouth has centered on you, Vice Leader."
Yang Cheon let out a hollow laugh.
"You really intend to teach me, don't you?"
"A true gentleman finds lessons even in a child's tantrum. Don't be embarrassed."
"Hahaha!"
Yang Cheon burst into roaring laughter again, then abruptly stopped and stared at Yeon Hojeong. He asked once more.
"The heir of Guicheol Sword Sect—did you take him?"
It was the same question. Surprisingly, this time Yeon Hojeong answered straightforwardly.
"No."
A smile spread across Yang Cheon's lips.
"Not you?"
"That's right."
"Can I believe you?"
"That's for you to judge, Vice Leader."
"A clever answer. Usually, that's the kind of line someone desperate to hide their crimes spits out as a last resort."
A similar smile appeared on Yeon Hojeong's face.
"Got it. I won't try to teach you anymore, so believe whatever you want."
"Stubborn, are you?"
"I can't beat you in martial arts, but in stubbornness, I can take you, Vice Leader."
"Kuhahat!"
Now, finally, a hearty laugh filled with genuine sincerity erupted. Yang Cheon spoke with satisfaction.
"I believe you."
Once he believed, he believed to the end. If there was doubt, he never believed in the first place.
That was Yang Cheon. He had annihilated innocent sects and caused harm even to common folk while uniting the black path, but he was a man of outstanding personal charisma. People always lived with duality.
To Gang Ryang, Yang Cheon was the blood-sworn enemy who killed his parents, but to his subordinates, Yang Cheon was the hope of the black path.
That was why Yeon Hojeong felt no qualms about deceiving such a man.
"Well, logically speaking, it doesn't make sense anyway. Why would someone who came intending to make me his lord risk ruining the deal over something pointless?"
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"I could still be a spy."
It was a single line that completely erased the other's doubts.
Yang Cheon shook his head.
"What idiot in the world would waste a talent like you as a spy?"
It was logically sound. But he overlooked one thing: spies could be expendable resources.
"Fine, that's settled. I was just testing the waters, and you threw it right back at me."
"You seem in a good mood."
"I am. The deal is already more than ninety percent sealed. All that's left is confirmation."
"It's also the moment to be most tense."
"Do you even know tension?"
"When necessary."
A flicker of seriousness crossed Yang Cheon's smiling face.
"Truth be told, there's quite a bit more I really want to ask. Well, I can get to that gradually."
"……."
"Since the deal's about to close, let me ask this much."
Yang Cheon's eyes flashed.
"What position do you want? What do you want to do in headquarters?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes sparked like lightning. It was sincere, with no need to hide it. He had been eagerly awaiting this topic.
"With your martial prowess, seating you immediately among the Twelve Branches Gods-level leadership wouldn't be strange at all. But even a nation would balk at such a radical appointment."
"I understand."
"Your wisdom and organizational reform plans suggest outstanding talent as a strategist. Headquarters doesn't have an official strategist position, so giving it to you wouldn't be too out of place."
"The issue is whether the troops under me will follow."
"Exactly."
If Yeon Hojeong took the strategist role, he'd gain authority over the entirety of Muk Ryong Bu's forces. That's what a strategist did. There were even times when the vice leader had to heed the strategist's words depending on the situation.
It was a terrifying power. A position above ten thousand, capable of swaying not just an organization's troops but its very fate.
Of course, Yang Cheon had no real intention of placing Yeon Hojeong there as strategist. The talent was tempting, but not worth the political burden.
"That said, I can't give you a ridiculously low position either. Anything below your ability inevitably hampers efficiency."
Yang Cheon probed subtly.
"What do you think?"
Yeon Hojeong, who had been watching Yang Cheon steadily, shrugged.
"Truthfully, I didn't come aiming for some middling spot."
"I figured."
"But I don't want to work watching over my shoulder for others' opinions either."
"As if someone with your personality would."
"Let me be clear. I want to rise to a top leadership position in Muk Ryong Bu."
"Hm."
"I know it's a burdensome appointment. And long-term, I know it could negatively impact Muk Ryong Bu."
Yang Cheon unwittingly smiled. This confident bastard was looking beyond his own power to Muk Ryong Bu's future.
"Fine. So what do you propose?"
"I hate middling spots, and low ones weren't even on the table. That leaves leadership, but taking one would burden you, Vice Leader, and force me to waste energy on pointless factional strife."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed.
"So, what if I return after achieving a merit that none of them can deny?"
Surprise flickered across Yang Cheon's face.
"Return with merit?"
"Yes."
"You already brought organizational reform as part of the deal, and now you want to add one more?"
"It's just proving myself. Once the deal closes, Muk Ryong Bu becomes the place where I lay down my bones. For the Vice Leader's gain, I'd do anything."
For Muk Ryong Bu's growth, he'd commit any act. To Yang Cheon, it was a line that sent thrills down his spine.
"So, what merit do you plan to achieve?"
Yeon Hojeong stroked his chin.
"I've thought about what Muk Ryong Bu currently lacks."
"……."
"I don't know how you obtained it, but surprisingly, Muk Ryong Bu's funds are immense. I can't say for sure, but at least they don't fall short of the White Path's Mu Rim Meng."
"True."
"Troop quality is an issue, but that's not something solvable short-term. It could take at least five years, or even decades."
"That's right too."
Yeon Hojeong removed his hand from his chin and smiled.
"Funds are plentiful, troops can't be fixed immediately. So there's only one thing I can do."
"……?"
"Steal profits headed to the White Path Mu Rim Meng."
"……!"
"Funds aren't lacking, but siphoning away money meant for future enemies is definitely a meaningful strike."
Yang Cheon's eyes wavered.
"You don't mean to touch the Mu Rim Meng, do you?"
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"That would be too reckless a move. Until we're fully prepared, maintaining the status quo is best."
"Of course. So you mean cutting off funds to them without the Mu Rim Meng noticing? Is that even possible?"
The Mu Rim Meng's eyes extended across the Central Plains. No matter how discreetly they acted, evading them was hard. And one misstep could lead straight to war.
"It's possible. At least in Hunan Province."
"……!!"
"Hunan and Jiangxi are inland regions with developed commerce, so there are many merchant groups and salt farms tied to the Mu Rim Meng. I'll sever them one by one, ultimately turning Hunan into Muk Ryong Bu's world."
Yeon Hojeong shrugged.
"At least better than being a paper king now."
"Heh."
Yang Cheon clicked his tongue in amazement.
"You think you can pull that off without the Mu Rim Meng finding out?"
"So even if the deal closes, don't give me a position right away. I'll move completely independently. If I'm caught, there should be no ties to Muk Ryong Bu, right?"
"Your merit... you mean...!"
"Yes."
Yeon Hojeong's gaze turned icy.
"To prove my worth, I have to stake my life."
"Heh heh heh."
"I'll devour one and return. Give me a position then. After that, I'll sort out Hunan."
At that moment, Baek Seo emerged from the corridor.
"Vice Leader."
"How'd it go?"
"The verdict is perfect in every way."
"Perfect in every way" meant flawless, without defect. In other words, none of the black path's sharp minds had found any flaws in the organizational chart.
Yang Cheon looked at Yeon Hojeong with a smile.
"Welcome."
Yeon Hojeong knelt on one knee.
"The successor of Guicheol Sword Sect, Jeong, greets the Vice Leader."