Chapter 279: Where Does Conflict Arise? (4)
“Hmm, this tea is exquisite.”
Moyong Gun savored the tea with a smile. “It truly is different. Perhaps because it's brewed by the physician himself, but just the aroma alone makes my blood feel clearer.”
“Haha, you're too kind.”
“So, what brings you to summon a man like me?”
Ha-gok waved his hand dismissively. “How could I presume to order the head of the Moyong family around? I simply had some fine tea and wanted to treat you to a cup, that's all.”
“Hahaha!”
Moyong Gun burst into loud laughter before settling into a smiling expression. “Physician Ha.”
“Speak, family head.”
“Let's set aside useless formalities and trivial chatter.”
“……”
“I'm a busy man, and you seem quite occupied yourself. If you have something to say, get to the point. If there's haggling to be done, let's prepare the abacus right away.”
Ha-gok thought to himself that he had chosen his man well.
He had heard that Moyong Gun, contrary to his public image, was someone who spared no means or methods to seize power. There were even rumors of no qualms about exchanging bribes. Of course, this was top-secret information. If even a whisper leaked to the Assembly of Divine Physicians, it could provoke an assault from the Moyong family, who vied for supremacy among the Six Great Families.
Ha-gok smiled and placed a large bundle on the table. “First, please accept this.”
Moyong Gun didn't ask what it was. Unwrapping it immediately, his eyes widened at the contents.
“Isn't this Millennium Snow Ginseng? And three roots at that?”
“Haha, I may know little of the martial world, but I know you're a man of great deeds, family head. With all the matters ahead, it seemed fitting to offer these for those tiring days—one brew at a time.”
A peculiar smile crept across Moyong Gun's face.
Millennium Snow Ginseng was an exceptional spiritual medicine. It paled in comparison to the legendary Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, Shaolin's Great Return Pill, or the inner cores of mythical spirit beasts, but it was no small bribe—especially three roots.
The Moyong family possessed some, but only six roots in total. It was a lavish gift, yet Moyong Gun showed no surprise. He pushed the ginseng aside and asked with a smile, “So, what would you have this Moyong Gun do for you?”
Ha-gok let out a hearty laugh. “Haha, how refreshingly direct! No wonder the world calls you a hero of the age—rumors have their reasons.”
“You flatter me.”
“Then, this old man will speak shamelessly.”
Ha-gok's voice grew solemn. “You're well aware of the Martial Alliance's reserve forces, the Myeol Sa Army, I presume?”
A glint flashed in Moyong Gun's eyes. “Of course.”
“I've heard the commander of the fellow reserve force, the Tang Ma Army, is your younger brother.”
“That's right.”
“To be blunt: our people had a bit of a conflict with the two commanders of the Tang Ma Myeol Sa Army this time.”
“Oh? A conflict, you say?”
“To explain……”
Ha-gok briefly recounted the prior incident.
Moyong Gun stroked his chin. “The Assembly of Divine Physicians…… I didn't know such a group existed.”
“Haha, it's hardly a sect. Not even an organization, really. Think of it as a gathering of physicians carrying on the Central Plains' medical lineage, united to benefit the world.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Indeed. In any case, there seems to be quite a tangled conflict with those two commanders……”
“Yet I've heard nothing of it until now.”
“Pardon?”
“Given the secrecy, even the Beggars' Sect seems ignorant of the Assembly of Divine Physicians.”
Ha-gok smiled. “It's not so much secret as simply out of the public eye. It's hardly a sect or interest group—just a casual assembly of nearby physicians.”
“Impressive.”
“What do you mean?”
“A mere gathering of friendly physicians? Yet they approach the commanders of the Martial Alliance's reserve forces and even request they defy formal orders—that suggests bonds thicker than blood.”
Ha-gok struggled to maintain his smile. “You seem to misunderstand; we merely……”
“Moreover, even the head of a prestigious house vying for the lead among the Six Great Families hands over three roots of Millennium Snow Ginseng on a whim…… Haha, no matter how I look at it, the Assembly of Divine Physicians is no ordinary group.”
“Family head, don't misunderstand. We're far from a grand organization.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. What power could powerless physicians muster in their little circle?”
“They may lack real martial might.”
Moyong Gun smiled slyly. “But they've joined hands with the government, haven't they?”
Ha-gok nearly cried out in shock. He stifled the sound, but his face betrayed his alarm.
Moyong Gun nodded. “I figured as much. In today's black-and-white martial world, no group rivals the Martial Alliance's power. To challenge such a behemoth without fear of reprisal requires a backer even they can't touch lightly—and who else but the government?”
“……!”
“But, Physician Ha.”
“……Speak, family head.”
“I care not if the Assembly has allied with the government or some other faction. But of all people, why provoke those two?”
Ha-gok interjected hastily. “That's why we've come to you, family head. Especially since your brother was there, we felt our rudeness demanded this gesture of sincerity……”
“My concern isn't Woo.”
“Pardon?”
“Woo's my brother; a word from me, and he'll cool off. He's no fool—he sees the big picture. Not called a genius for nothing.”
“Th-then……?”
Moyong Gun smirked mockingly. “Do you know what kind of man Yeon Hojeong is?”
“……?!”
“In the Martial Alliance, there are exactly three I fear and guard against most. First is Abbot Gong Gong-daesa, second is the strategist Jegal Munho. Who do you suppose is third?”
“No way……”
“That's right. Yeon Hojeong.”
Ha-gok's face stiffened.
The lord of the Moyong house feared and wary of a mere later-generation disciple? The words were unbelievable, especially given rumors of Moyong Gun's unparalleled martial prowess, political acumen, and cunning. For him to fear a youth barely past thirty, even hailed as the world's top later-generation talent?
“As I said, Woo's a once-in-a-generation genius. Talented in force, insight, commerce—nothing he can't do. But Yeon Hojeong is different.”
“……”
“If Woo's a prodigy, Yeon Hojeong's a three-headed, six-armed monster. How such a freak came to be eludes even me.”
Ha-gok swallowed involuntarily.
A three-headed, six-armed monster. He'd heard the phrase before, but from Moyong Gun, it carried immense weight.
“You must have thought: even brilliant talents couldn't make the Martial Alliance hesitate.”
“……”
“Half right. My brother Woo, yes. But not Yeon Hojeong.”
Moyong Gun laughed chillingly. “Government ally or not—even if tied directly to the emperor himself—he'll smash it to pieces if it irks him.”
“Th-that's absurd!”
“Oh? You truly believe that?”
“Even if Yeon Hojeong's the monster you say, how could one man challenge the government?”
“Do you think I fear his martial power, Physician Ha?”
“Pardon?”
“I dread his terrifying insight, drive, unfathomable schemes, and execution. That's why.”
“……!!”
“Once he sets his mind to something, he never forgets. In that, he's like me. Politicians never forget slights—they merely ponder the timing of retaliation.”
Ha-gok swallowed again.
Moyong Gun shook his head. “You've picked the wrong foes this time. If that mad monster rampages, even I might struggle to stop him. From the main alliance's view, he'd merely have followed orders to the letter.”
“……!!”
“And you've come to the wrong man.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
Moyong Gun smiled bitterly. “I'm tied down at present. I attend alliance politics meetings, but I'm wary amid my own schemes.”
“That's……”
“I could act directly, of course.”
Moyong Gun tapped the Millennium Snow Ginseng with a chuckle. “But three roots won't budge me. I have my own preparations.”
“Family head.”
“Even Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng would spark conflict now. Such is my position.”
“Then……”
Ha-gok ventured cautiously. “Given your situation, could you not use the Tang family members allied with you?”
“……”
“W-we'd of course show our sincerity.”
Moyong Gun snorted. “Another mistake on your part, Physician Ha.”
“Pardon?”
“I'm not swayed by bribes handed directly. They're mere keys to open talks. If you truly wanted something from me, you'd have brought a gift of the 'future.'”
“The future?”
“Are you willing to sever ties with the government and join me?”
“……!!”
“See? You didn't even consider it, wasting three roots of Millennium Snow Ginseng.”
Moyong Gun picked up the bundle and rose. “As you said, Physician Ha, I'll take this as atonement for offending my brother.”
“F-family head!”
“Neither I nor the Martial Alliance desires enmity with you. I'll drop a subtle word on your behalf.”
Moyong Gun turned with a smile.
Ha-gok, nose cut wide open while watching, stared blankly at his back.
Before opening the door, Moyong Gun spoke. “Physician Ha, we've some acquaintance from a few meetings, so I'll offer advice.”
“……?”
“From now on, that mad monster Yeon Hojeong will rampage.”
“……!”
“Harsh as it sounds, just take it. Don't provoke him further. Touch him more, and your so-called assembly, the Assembly of Divine Physicians, may be uprooted entirely.”
Moyong Gun shook his head. “Cease all activity. Tell your high government contacts you'll handle this internally. Otherwise, a few pillars of the government will crumble.”
“……”
“Heed my words well.”