Shadow War (2)
“Hmm, this tea is quite fine.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“That said, for some reason, I find myself craving liquor today.”
“The sun is high in the sky. It hardly seems the right time for drinking.”
Moyong Gun smiled at Jegal Munho’s polite refusal.
“The days of fussing over the hour before taking a drink are long gone, Military Advisor.”
“Is that so?”
“You don’t seem particularly moved. I came here hoping for a proper, heartfelt talk after all this time.”
Jegal Munho’s eyes gleamed.
“……I see. If you have something important to discuss, it would be terribly remiss of me to offer mere tea.”
“Hahaha.”
“Fortunately, I have some Gongbu Gajoo that the Yeon family head gave me. How about a round with that?”
“Excellent.”
Moments later, a modest drinking setup was arranged between the two men.
“Here, have a drink.”
Moyong Gun took a sip after receiving the cup, and his eyes widened.
“Well now, I heard production of this year’s Gongbu Gajoo had dropped sharply, but it seems there was good reason. The flavor and aroma are so much smoother.”
“Indeed. It’s such a rare brew that I don’t bring it out unless for a most honored guest.”
It was a signal: one drink down—now get to the point.
Moyong Gun chuckled and refilled Jegal Munho’s cup.
“Military Advisor.”
“Speak, Moyong family head.”
“Are you acquainted with the Tongcheon Divine Physician?”
Jegal Munho’s eyes sparkled again.
“Acquainted might be too strong a word. We’ve shared tea a few times by chance. A figure of his stature wouldn’t easily mingle with an ignorant fool like me.”
“Hah, back when Yeon General was on the brink of death fighting the Myeong family, didn’t you summon the Tongcheon Divine Physician to treat him?”
“Of course. But even then, he came not at my request, but my daughter’s.”
“Regardless, it’s clear there’s some connection between your family and the Tongcheon Divine Physician.”
“If that counts as a connection, then yes, a precious one.”
There was no need to commit prematurely when he didn’t yet know what the man wanted. Jegal Munho proceeded with caution.
Moyong Gun nodded.
“As you know, the Tongcheon Divine Physician is infamous for his eccentric temperament, but his skills are unrivaled in the Central Plains.”
“A remarkable man.”
“Yet he is still a physician. I don’t know where he learned his craft, but if it were unorthodox, he’d have been buried long ago.”
Jegal Munho frowned.
“Judging his abilities by his quirky nature is an overgeneralization.”
“I know. I believe he upholds the orthodox lineage of Central Plains medicine. Otherwise, no matter his status as the medical world’s elder statesman, he couldn’t still be active.”
“So, what are you getting at?”
Moyong Gun lifted a cloth bundle from under his chair and placed it on the table.
“What is this?”
“Millennium Snow Ginseng. Three roots, no less.”
“……?!”
“There’s a renowned physician in Henan called Hagok—one of the top three there. He gave these three roots of millennium snow ginseng as a so-called bribe.”
Jegal Munho’s gaze sharpened.
Moyong Gun waved it off.
“Don’t misunderstand. If I truly intended to take bribes, would I flaunt it before you?”
“Then what do you mean?”
“Do you know of the Uisin Society?”
“Uisin Society?”
Moyong Gun nodded.
“Allow me to explain.”
He succinctly relayed what he’d heard from Hagok.
Jegal Munho furrowed his brow.
“An alliance of physicians claiming the orthodox Central Plains lineage.”
“Didn’t you dispatch the Tangma Myeol Sa Army commanders to retrieve the Western Divine Maiden?”
“Indeed.”
Jegal Munho stroked his beard.
“I already had my suspicions. Her skills are unquestionable, but many Central Plains physicians envy her—and some have even plotted harm.”
“It’s more than plotting.”
“I see. If what you say is true, these self-proclaimed orthodox physicians have systematically tormented her.”
“Exactly. And they maintain close ties with the government.”
Jegal Munho’s eyes grew keen.
“Is this confirmed?”
Moyong Gun smiled.
“What do you take me for?”
“……”
“You can trust it. Moreover, from what Hagok said, the Uisin Society approached the commanders and committed some grave discourtesies.”
“What?!”
Moyong Gun didn’t gloss over this part. After hearing him out, Jegal Munho let out a sigh.
“To make such a blunder.”
“Precisely.”
“Hah, I told Yeon General this: if anyone so much as touches her, smash them without mercy. I never imagined they’d organize to pull something like this……”
“You know Yeon General’s temperament. He never forgets a slight. And his abilities outshine anyone.”
“He won’t let it slide.”
“No. The mission comes first, so he’ll secure the Western Divine Maiden before acting.”
Jegal Munho sighed.
“Why tell me this?”
“Because I’m furious.”
“Furious?”
In that instant, killing intent poured from Moyong Gun’s eyes— so vicious that even Jegal Munho flinched momentarily. Such raw malice couldn’t be feigned.
Jegal Munho realized Moyong Gun was genuinely enraged.
“Physicians should stick to mending bodies, not meddling in the Martial Alliance’s affairs and muddying the waters.”
“……”
“The Martial Alliance is the mightiest organization in the current martial world. No one—no group, not even the government—should challenge its authority.”
“Dangerous words.”
“Don’t you think so, Advisor?”
“I’m angry at the Uisin Society too. I didn’t even know they existed, so I’m still reeling. But as the strongest force in the Central Plains, we must bow our heads and bend our backs all the more.”
“Bend when needed, but draw your sword without hesitation when the time comes. Isn’t that why you sent Yeon General?”
It wasn’t wrong. Yet the two men saw different lines.
Jegal Munho’s gaze focused on justice tempered by caution; Moyong Gun’s on the overwhelming authority that defined justice.
Different perspectives meant different responses, even to the same outrage.
“Advisor. Here and now, I’ll speak plainly.”
Moyong Gun fixed Jegal Munho with a piercing stare.
“I don’t like you. Your talents are wasted on refusing to reach higher— that frivolity irks me. The timidity masked as prudence, the pursuit of lofty ideals ignoring reality’s limits—none of it sits well.”
Harsh words indeed. Moyong Gun rarely spoke so brutally, public or private.
“Yet I respect you—not out of fear, nor to check your faction.”
“Then why?”
“Because I know you’re essential to the Martial Alliance.”
Jegal Munho’s eyes deepened.
Moyong Gun continued.
“We both know this, so let’s delve deeper.”
“What do you mean?”
“I crave power.”
“……”
“I seek the supreme authority no one—not the Heavenly Thirteen Seats, not any sect elder—can touch. I have that ambition.”
“I know.”
“But seizing such power alone is impossible. I need talented people.”
“Are you trying to recruit me?”
“From my view, you don’t need recruiting.”
“……?!”
“No matter who becomes Alliance Leader, as long as they won’t plunge the world into chaos, you prioritize the people’s safety first. And I want to stand at the top with the Martial Alliance—not slaughter every opposing faction.”
Jegal Munho’s face hardened.
Blue lightning crackled in Moyong Gun’s eyes. His genuine fury unleashed the suppressed Thunder Essence Art.
“Understand? I check you, strike with daggers or clubs, because you block my path. But if I become Leader, there’ll be no purges of rivals.”
“……”
“That’s who I am. I cherish my own. Likewise, the Martial Alliance I seek is a sacred entity no one should belittle.”
“Family Head.”
“And that—”
Bam!
Moyong Gun slammed the table with his fist. Bottles and cups clattered to the floor.
“—applies to you too.”
“……!”
“Our views may differ, but you should be angry. Why? It’s obvious. Those pathetic physicians, clutching their petty power, dare probe the pinnacle of the White Path martial world!”
“……”
“Caring for the weak is a ruler’s virtue. But if you govern cowering before them, step down now!”
Jegal Munho’s eyes wavered.
Moyong Gun’s cheeks trembled as he glared fiercely.
“Those dogs dared threaten my brother.”
“……”
“Not that leech Yeon Hojeong! My precious brother, returned to my side after ten years!”
Ziiing!
An unnatural thunder qi emanated from Moyong Gun’s body. Though his formidable endurance kept it from fully erupting outward, it resembled a bomb on the verge of explosion.
His rage burned that fiercely.
“For power, I’d discard even blood kin. But every act serves those who join my dream or fall to my silver tongue—my united subordinates.”
“……”
“Martial Alliance commanders were threatened. If this passes, I’ll forsake my claim to Leader—but I won’t forgive you.”
Moyong Gun rose.
After steadying his breath, he spoke coldly.
“I warned Hagok: provoke Yeon Hojeong no more. The Uisin Society—and the government’s roots—will be uprooted. Know why?”
“……”
“They must crumble by our hands.”
“……”
“I’ll watch. To see if you truly deserve the Military Advisor title.”
Bam!
Moyong Gun slammed the door and left.