Discovery of Fire (4)
“It’s been a while since we’ve faced each other like this, hasn’t it?”
“Indeed.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled as he spoke.
“You’ve been through a lot in the meantime.”
Jegal Munho waved a hand dismissively.
“You’re the one who’s suffered the most. Tricking the Heaven King of Earth and extracting all that intelligence—no one but you could have pulled off something like that.”
Jegal A-yeon pouted.
“I suffered too, you know?”
“I can see it without even looking, you rascal. It’s a miracle you didn’t drag down Commander Yeon’s ankles out there.”
“Father!”
Jegal Munho burst into hearty laughter. Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Without A-yeon, it really would have been impossible.”
“Haha, quite right. No one here has been spared hardship.”
“Exactly.”
“That said, the Myeol Sa Army is truly impressive.”
“Pardon?”
Jegal Munho gazed out the window with an admiring expression. The soldiers were clustered in small groups, taking a rest. From their serious faces, it seemed they were discussing the sparring match they’d just finished.
“I heard that while you were away, Division Head Muk Bi put them through some pretty realistic training. But I didn’t expect them to take it that seriously.”
“Haha.”
“Even in a mock battle meant to simulate real combat, to exchange killing blows like that... I was genuinely shocked. What if one of them had gotten seriously hurt?”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“It might be presumptuous to say, but when it comes to attitude toward combat, I don’t think there’s a single group in the entire Martial Alliance that can match the Myeol Sa Army.”
“Ho!”
“Life and death can turn on a dime if you slip up. They all know that, so going easy on them would just be an insult to the soldiers.”
Jegal Munho smiled.
“Like commander, like soldiers. I’m impressed.”
“Not at all.”
Yeon Hojeong took a sip of tea to wet his throat, then asked with a puzzled look.
“So, what brings you all the way here?”
“You’ve already guessed, haven’t you?”
“......Mm.”
The corner of Yeon Hojeong’s mouth curved upward.
“It’s about Moyong Gun, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Though that’s not the only reason.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“I’ll get straight to the point.”
Jegal Munho spoke calmly.
“The intelligence we seized from Muk Ryong Bu—is that all of it?”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
“Do you think I held some of it back?”
“I’ve never thought that. It’s just that when we analyzed the information, it was all over the place in quality.”
Jegal Munho raised both hands as if to say there was no misunderstanding.
“Of course, it wasn’t all low-quality. There were plenty of details we wouldn’t have uncovered for years without your infiltration. You undoubtedly completed the mission successfully.”
“Then why do you think there’s more?”
“Well......”
Jegal Munho tilted his head.
“I don’t know why I feel that way myself. But something tells me that if it were you, you could have brought back something even bigger.”
“You’re overestimating me.”
“Heh heh, maybe so.”
Jegal Munho sighed.
“I’m not doubting you. I just had the thought and asked. Sorry if I’ve troubled you.”
“No need.”
Of course, there was intelligence he hadn’t passed on to the Martial Alliance—information related to the Mad Faith Three Sects, particularly Saneumgyo.
I’ll have to discuss that with Father soon enough.
Yeon Hojeong met Jegal Munho’s gaze. The scholar’s eyes brimmed with knowledge and wisdom, harboring concern for the future of the martial world and a fierce passion that didn’t show on the surface.
I need to tell the Military Strategist too. It’s meaningless if only I know—once we share it, it has to be between us.
Yeon Hojeong smiled and continued.
“Sorry to disappoint you.”
“Not at all. Hearing you say that makes me feel worse.”
“That said, I did make connections with someone who might yield more black path intelligence.”
“Mm?”
Jegal Munho glanced at Jegal A-yeon.
Jegal A-yeon scratched her head.
“Well, you see... Um... Anyway, I’m part of the Myeol Sa Army too.”
“......?”
“I figured I should keep quiet until Jeong said something... Sorry. Though I was out cold for days anyway, so no chance to speak up.”
“What are you talking about?”
Yeon Hojeong spoke evenly.
“I assume you’ve heard about the destruction of Gwi Cheol Geom Mun.”
“Ah, yes, of course. It was a while ago, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“But why bring up Gwi Cheol Geom Mun?”
“The sect was wiped out, but there’s one survivor.”
Surprise flashed across Jegal Munho’s face.
“A survivor? You don’t mean the sect’s heir, do you?”
“You knew?”
“Naturally. After dispatching the operations team, I’ve been keeping tabs on Hunan’s movements. Moyong family head and I discussed it before he left.”
“I see.”
“That’s not the point. Don’t tell me you......?”
“That’s right.”
Yeon Hojeong jerked a thumb toward the window.
“I’ve brought the heir of Gwi Cheol Geom Mun, Gang Ryang.”
“......!”
Jegal Munho’s expression shifted dramatically. He stared silently at Yeon Hojeong for a moment before speaking in a lowered, grave tone.
“You know how dangerous that is, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“And you brought him anyway?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because there’s a common enemy called Muk Ryong Bu.”
Jegal Munho’s eyes flashed.
“I heard Gwi Cheol Geom Mun was annihilated by mysterious masters. We couldn’t pinpoint their identity, but we were certain it was Yang Cheon’s doing.”
“Impressive as always.”
“Sure, as the sole survivor and heir, he’d want revenge on Muk Ryong Bu more than anyone. But isn’t the Martial Alliance his enemy too?”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Bringing Gang Ryang into the Alliance is certainly risky, but if I thought he’d turn against us, I wouldn’t have done it.”
“No need to say it—I know your judgment is sharper than anyone’s. And as the Alliance’s Military Strategist, I trust the Myeol Sa Army Commander’s abilities and track record.”
“Thank you.”
“But this isn’t about trust.”
Tension crept onto Jegal Munho’s face.
“If they find out, it won’t just hit you—it’ll be a fatal blow to Yeon family head too.”
Regardless of whether Gang Ryang was trustworthy, his black path origins alone would create a political burden.
“You know how Moyong family head is......”
“Sorry to interrupt, but you don’t need to worry about that.”
“Mm?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled chillingly.
“If he touches us, we’ve got a bomb to send back his way.”
“......!”
“No hard evidence, but we can always make some. Just leak that we know, and he won’t dare try anything stupid.”
“What do you......?”
“Of course, I won’t tell him unless I have to. I plan to save it as a last resort.”
Last resort.
It was a chilling phrase, one that made the heart race.
Genuine curiosity lit up Jegal Munho’s face.
“What’s this bomb of yours?”
“Mm.”
Yeon Hojeong paused in thought before speaking.
“In three or four days, if I contact you, could you come to our residence? Probably late at night.”
“......?”
“There’s something I need to discuss with Father too. Then, I’ll tell you everything I know.”
There had to be a reason Yeon Hojeong was going this far. Jegal Munho studied his expression with deep eyes, then nodded.
“Understood. I’ll trust you to clear up this lingering question that night.”
“Thank you.”
“Just keep a close eye on Gwi Cheol Geom Mun’s heir for now. I know you’ll handle it.”
“I’m actually thinking of recruiting him into the Myeol Sa Army.”
“Into the Myeol Sa Army?”
“Yes.”
“......Hmm, yes. That’s not a bad idea.”
Jegal Munho nodded.
“Got it. We won’t discuss it further.”
“Thank you.”
This had gone smoother than expected. From the Military Strategist’s perspective, smoothing over Yeon Hojeong’s bold move like this was already quite lenient.
“We’ve talked too long. Let’s get to the real point.”
“Please.”
“First, one question.”
“What is it?”
Jegal Munho asked gravely.
“Who do you think should be Alliance Leader?”
The question dropped like a bomb—heavy and out of nowhere.
Yeon Hojeong’s face turned serious.
“Why ask me?”
“Personal curiosity.”
“It’s a difficult one to answer. Even if I had someone in mind, I couldn’t just say it lightly.”
This was far more dangerous than bringing Gang Ryang into the Alliance. Yeon Hojeong wasn’t tense for nothing.
“I see. Fair enough. Then one more.”
“......?”
“What do you think of your father, Yeon family head, becoming Alliance Leader?”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head firmly.
“Father has no intention of doing so.”
“I know that.”
“And as his son, I hesitate to say this, but he’s not Alliance Leader material.”
Jegal Munho’s eyes sharpened.
Father wasn’t suited to be Alliance Leader? That was no easy admission from a close father-son duo.
“Why do you think so?”
“Setting aside ability, he just doesn’t fit the role.”
“Hmm.”
“There are other reasons too, but that’s my view. Unless in some special circumstance, it’s best if Father remains as a contributor.”
Jegal Munho nodded.
“Honest answer. I appreciate it.”
“But why ask?”
“What about someone else?”
“Pardon?”
“Say, Gong Gong-daesa.”
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
“Gong Gong-daesa becoming leader wouldn’t cause much uproar. But what’s the point of such hypotheticals?”
“It seems Moyong family head is laying the groundwork.”
“Pardon?”
“Someone casually mentioned in private that Gong Gong-daesa is perfect Alliance Leader material.”
“......!”
“The problem is......”
“The rumor lingers that he’s leader material, but no one knows who said it.”
“Talking to you is always so straightforward.”
Jegal Munho took a sip of tea.
“After that remark, eyes inside the Alliance started turning to Gong Gong-daesa. At first, I thought it made sense, but the rumor spread faster than expected.”
“Public opinion manipulation.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
“Moyong Gun?”
“We couldn’t trace the source no matter how hard we tried.”
“......”
“That’s why I suspect him.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“The Alliance has weathered plenty of storms because of Moyong Gun. But jumping to conclusions without proof isn’t wise.”
“I agree.”
Jegal Munho smiled faintly.
“So, you don’t think it’s him?”
“Of course not.”
Yeon Hojeong grinned too.
“The timing’s a bit early, isn’t it? High chance it’s Moyong Gun.”
“But no certainty.”
“Then we poke and see.”
“That’s why I came to you.”
“Good call.”
“How will you do it?”
Yeon Hojeong set down his Gwang Yong Bu and stood.
“Direct attack feels off, so I’ll circle around and probe.”