Chapter 226. The Emperor's Return (1)
Moyong Gun, who had secretly made his way to the northernmost tip of Hunan Province, boldly revealed himself at a fairly renowned tavern. He was the picture of leisure.
Sipping his drink alone in the top-floor deluxe private room of the tavern, he suddenly gazed out the window.
“What a view.”
True to its reputation, where merely securing a seat cost twenty silver taels, Dong Jeong Lake sprawled out before him in all its glory. The sunlight shattered dazzlingly across the vast, sea-like surface of the lake, creating a sight so mesmerizing it overwhelmed the senses.
The very names of Hubei and Hunan Provinces derived from this lake—Hubei for the north side of Dong Jeong Lake, Hunan for the south. It was one of the most famous lakes in the inland regions. Seeing it like this, one could understand why people praised it so highly.
“Even after setting up base in Hunan Province, this is the first time I've had the leisure to enjoy the scenery like this. Ha! It seems I've led quite the harsh life myself.”
The lake stretched endlessly, the land fertile. Far below in the city, children sang joyfully. It was a paradise straight out of legend.
As Moyong Gun stared at the lake in a trance, a chill crept over his face.
'By now, it should be about done.'
It was mid-mi hour. With Yeon Hojeong's skills, it would have wrapped up an hour ago.
'Sorry for dumping the cleanup on you. But what can be done? It was just too tempting an opportunity to pass up.'
He had killed off all the real merchants of the Guizhou Merchant Group. The ones disguised as merchants were shadow warriors under Moyong family's command, planted to dismantle nearby sects and merchant groups.
'I was wondering when to deal with them anyway.'
Shadow warriors—frankly speaking, they were more like fixers. Dressed in the garb of the righteous White Path, they handled the dirty work that proper folk could never touch. Human butchers, if you will.
Moyong Gun had raised these butchers himself. He believed borrowing outside hands would leave vulnerabilities later. He had even selected only those with families from the start, fearing betrayal. A dog with something to protect never bites its master.
And now, they had outlived their usefulness.
Moyong Gun smiled coldly.
'For the next Alliance Leader, their existence is far too risky. The rot in the The affected area is starting to stink. Better to cut them out now while they're festering.'
Slaughter the real merchants to blind the Guizhou Merchant Group. Then disguise the shadow warriors as merchants, let the task force eliminate them, and guide the task force to "success." Meanwhile, reveal his presence to the Black Path to draw eyes away, lure Yeon Hojeong to pursue him, and orchestrate the task force's annihilation.
That way, the task force could return to the Alliance safely. To the outside world, they'd be "dead talents," so Yang Cheon wouldn't pursue them further either.
This was the plan drawn by Moyong Gun, the mission's commander.
'Not much of the year left. Next year, the elections begin.'
Moyong Gun tilted his cup. It was cheap baijiu, unfit for such luxury, but even its harsh bite left him unmoved.
'With factional power, of course, and as commander of a mission that shakes the martial world, succeeding in this will secure it. It may not be merit enough for the top seat alone, but no one else has racked up comparable achievements during the commendations.'
Reputation mattered in elections. But ability was just as crucial.
'Perfect timing. Yang Cheon stepping up right when it suits me. Excellent.'
Turning crisis into opportunity was essential for a politician. At first, he had genuinely feared Yang Cheon. He still did, to some extent. But at Jegal Munho and Yeon Wi's request, he had intuited how Yang Cheon could benefit him.
'They won't hesitate to ask even a rival to handle what they can't. The more intractable the problems, the more they value ability over reputation.'
In peaceful times, the most beloved took the throne. In chaotic ones, the most capable. It wasn't full chaos yet, but the Black Path's rise with the Alliance's founding meant peace was illusory.
'When the time is right, I'll start fanning the flames gently.'
To prepare, he had come to Hunan himself. Fortunately, things were progressing smoothly so far.
“Life is unpredictable, as they say. One must open their heart and learn. Military Strategist Jegal, you've taught me something profound.”
He was truly grateful. Without Jegal's request, he would have waged this war more primitively. But events had unfolded this way, granting him elegant flight over wallowing in the mud.
'That's what makes life interesting.'
Filling his empty cup, Moyong Gun chuckled at a sudden thought.
“Listen, Hojeong. Truth be told, I despise you enough to wish you dead, yet I still can't let go of my lingering hopes. You have no idea how badly I want you under my wing.”
This was sincere. He had told Dang Gwan the same: Yeon Hojeong was no mere youth to be underestimated by age. If anything, his ability to engage in such political intrigue at that age deserved even higher praise.
If Yeon Hojeong joined him... If that happened, they could aim beyond the White Path martial world—to the very empire itself.
“But I know better. You would never join hands with me. That's what makes you all the more desirable, perhaps.”
Draining his cup again, Moyong Gun stared at Dong Jeong Lake. Its mystery, veiled by sunlight. No ugly human conflicts lurked within.
A flicker of bitterness crossed his face.
“......What can be done? Born a beast, one must follow the beast's path. You're a fierce predator like me, fangs bared from birth, so I trust you'll understand.”
At that moment—
“Family head.”
It was Muyon's voice. Moyong Gun refilled his cup and asked,
“How did it go?”
“The task force annihilated the merchant escort.”
“As expected.”
He had never doubted the task force would fail. If he had, he wouldn't have schemed this.
Yeon Hojeong had to survive. At least until this mission.
Yeon Hojeong could not die. Not on Black Path soil, at least.
“It must have surprised them, since it wasn't in the plan. I'll need to soothe them. Tell him the door is always open. Come anytime he wishes.”
* * *
“Hahaha!”
Yang Cheon burst into laughter.
“I knew it. I knew you'd succeed.”
Yeon Hojeong bowed his head.
“Thanks to your faith in me, Vice Leader. I'll continue to meet your expectations.”
“Of course you will. If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have called you here.”
Yang Cheon spoke with satisfaction.
“So, how do you want the aftermath handled? Just block the information?”
“We've staged it to look like a mysterious master attacked. Even if the Guizhou Merchant Group headquarters sends people, they won't figure out who did it.”
“Hahaha.”
Yeon Hojeong replied cheekily.
“But if you handle it, Vice Leader, I won't refuse. Cleaner the better.”
“Kuhaha! You're more amusing than I thought.”
Yang Cheon slapped the armrest.
“Fine. We'll handle the information blockade at the Muk Ryong Bu level. Guizhou Merchant Group won't hear a whisper.”
“......Thank you.”
As Yeon Hojeong bowed in gratitude, his eyes blazed with unbridled ferocity.
'So that's it.'
The corner of Yeon Hojeong's mouth curled up. He felt like his killing intent would erupt if he didn't smile.
'Handle it yourself... Right, even if you kill them, we'll clean it up, so you can escape scot-free. Is that it?'
What a brilliantly scheming bastard. This time, truly impressive. He was so awed he wanted to tear him apart.
“You know this already. The transported goods you brought hold great value, but compared to headquarters' funds, it's not earth-shattering for Muk Ryong Bu.”
“I know.”
“So, monetary value aside, it's proof of your ability.”
“Indeed.”
Yang Cheon nodded.
“The bearer bonds you brought—they're yours to use.”
Yeon Hojeong's head snapped up involuntarily. Unlike his rage moments ago, this was pure shock.
“What do you mean?”
Yang Cheon roared with laughter.
“Didn't know you could make that face. You're full of surprises.”
“......?!”
“You're meant for great things. I was already pondering a fitting gift after your haul.”
“But......”
“You're Muk Ryong Bu now. Can't mistreat a talent working for wealth by making him just take scraps.”
Yang Cheon leaned forward.
“I cherish talent. Cherish it, and treat it right. As long as you don't err, I won't cast you out.”
Yeon Hojeong stared at him, then bowed again.
“Thank you for your generosity, Vice Leader.”
“Enough. You were so fierce before joining—now look at you.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“I didn't think you'd really accept me.”
“Hahaha!”
Yang Cheon seemed genuinely delighted, his laughter brimming with joy.
“Enough chit-chat. Business time.”
“Yes.”
“You've proven your ability. With such skill and merit, placing you high won't draw much backlash.”
Not much. Meaning some would.
“I'll bear it.”
“Of course.”
Yang Cheon's eyes gleamed.
“So, what position do you want?”
Yeon Hojeong answered instantly.
“Intelligence Division Chief, or Senior Inspector in the Inspection Division or higher.”
Yang Cheon's eyes sparkled.
“Intelligence Chief or top dog in Inspections?”
“Yes.”
“I figured you'd want a flashy combat role, but not these.”
“Is that odd?”
“Not odd, but I thought you'd command a battle unit. Your martial prowess and temperament suit it.”
Even with issues in qi and inner energy control, his insight from reaching that realm remained sharp. If Yeon Hojeong truly meant to join Muk Ryong Bu, he'd have aimed for combat leadership.
“We need Hunan Province first. Internal management beats frontline for that.”
“Hm, fair point.”
Yang Cheon smacked his lips.
“As you guessed, creating a spot in Inspections is tough. I can quash backlash, but outsiders disrupt the vibe there.”
Yeon Hojeong feigned ignorance.
“Is that so?”
“It is. Wouldn't you feel the same?”
“And if I did?”
Yang Cheon eyed his gaze, then nodded readily.
“A lord who disappoints retainers with empty words won't do.”
“......!”
“In three days, reorganization begins.”
Yang Cheon smiled.
“Work hard, Intelligence Chief.”
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed.
“......I won't disappoint you.”