Chapter 291. The Path of the Beast (1)
“Vice Leader.”
“Hm, you’ve arrived.”
Yang Cheon flashed a faint smile. Standing before him was Moyong Yeonhwa, dressed in her dark crimson robes that accentuated her refined elegance.
“So, what do you have to report?”
“Right here.”
Moyong Yeonhwa placed a few documents on the floor with a deferential bow. Yang Cheon crooked a finger.
Whoooong.
A gentle breeze stirred, and in an instant, the papers floated into his hand.
It was a sight she had witnessed many times before, yet Moyong Yeonhwa felt a fresh surge of awe and terror.
This is the realm of the Thirteen Seats of Heavenly Might.
To summon documents from over three zhang away with a mere gesture. It was an astonishing mastery of internal energy.
A technique so profound that even calling it “impressive” felt like an understatement.
He could probably lift a person just as easily. That’s the confidence radiating from him.
With that kind of power, he could snap a man’s neck without laying a finger on him, if he so desired. It wasn’t a strength permitted to mere mortals.
There was good reason the Thirteen Seats of Heavenly Might were hailed as the suns of the martial world.
Could I ever reach such heights?
Moyong Yeonhwa’s eyes blazed with ambition.
A moment later.
“You’ve handled this well.”
“Thank you.”
Yang Cheon smiled in satisfaction.
“As expected of the talent the Moyong family head sent with such confidence. Of course, he wouldn’t have parted with his own blood so readily without absolute certainty. I had my doubts, but you’ve proven yourself in less than three months.”
“Thank you.”
It was praise from the Heaven’s King of Earth, Tu Wang himself. Yet Moyong Yeonhwa remained composed.
“However.”
“……?”
“You still fall short of the previous Intelligence Chief’s revolutionary efficiency and insight.”
Moyong Yeonhwa’s expression stiffened slightly. She knew exactly who Yang Cheon meant by the former Intelligence Chief.
Yeon Hojeong!
In that instant, a fierce wave of hatred and jealousy surged from deep within her chest.
She knew she couldn’t reveal to Yang Cheon that it was Yeon Hojeong.
Doing so would mean not just her father, but she herself wouldn’t survive his wrath.
Yet every time she received such an evaluation, an impulse welled up to blurt it all out.
How dare he!
Yang Cheon wasn’t just superior in martial prowess. His knowledge, discernment—everything outshone her own.
But she refused to accept it. She didn’t want to admit she was inferior to Yeon Hojeong.
She wanted to believe that, in this one regard, Yang Cheon’s judgment was flawed.
Of course, she knew better. It was merely jealousy clouding her assessment.
To claim Yeon Hojeong was inferior would be to insult Yang Cheon and her father. Their insight far surpassed her own.
What exactly about that bastard earns him such high praise?
Brilliant mind, bold decision-making. She acknowledged Yeon Hojeong as a rare genius.
But in her eyes, plenty of people possessed such talents.
So why was Yeon Hojeong singled out for acclaim? Was there truly something special about him that she couldn’t see, something only Yang Cheon and her father perceived?
“Does it wound your pride?”
Yang Cheon pierced her thoughts at a glance.
Moyong Yeonhwa let out a quiet breath.
“Yes, it does.”
Yang Cheon smiled. She didn’t resort to clumsy lies. He liked that about her.
Moyong Yeonhwa was an exceptional talent. But she cared about her reputation and grew jealous of those superior to her—universal traits in most people.
Yet what drew Yang Cheon to her was her honesty in admitting her shortcomings and her drive to soar higher.
Negative emotions like anger, jealousy, and disgust, when properly channeled, could fuel growth. That was one reason he resolved to elevate her greatly.
“Don’t compare yourself to him. A beauty’s fate is ever thin; his brilliance cost him his life at your father’s hands.”
“……”
“What matters isn’t raw ability, but whether you can grow while wielding it. In that regard, you far surpass the former chief.”
Moyong Yeonhwa gave a wry smile.
If that’s how you see it, then yes, I’m definitely beneath him.
She had no need to deceive Yang Cheon. She simply had to prove her worth with all her might in this environment.
Yeon Hojeong had been different. He’d deceived Yang Cheon, orchestrated the Martial Alliance’s strategies, and executed a flawless escape at the perfect moment.
Yet he’d captivated Yang Cheon in that very crucible. To leave such an indelible mark while hiding his true capabilities meant she hadn’t even touched the heels of his shoes.
Fine, I’ll admit it. I haven’t yet entered the realm of true genius.
To become a real genius. To stand out even among monsters. She needed to study harder, train more relentlessly.
“In any case, you’ve exceeded my expectations. Reviving a dying silk business to this level in so short a time—impossible for an ordinary person.”
“Thank you.”
Yang Cheon nodded.
“As promised before, I’ll appoint you as Section Chief of the Intelligence Division in Muk Ryong Bu.”
Section Chief of Intelligence. Not Chief or Deputy Chief, but Section Chief. Considering her age, it was still a remarkable promotion, but compared to Yeon Hojeong, it felt woefully inadequate.
Yet Moyong Yeonhwa pushed Yeon Hojeong from her mind. Her anger and jealousy remained, but she had to give her all from her current position. She wouldn’t forget that.
“Frankly, given your demonstrated ability, even Deputy Chief wouldn’t be undeserved. But as you know, you’re destined to leave headquarters one day. Entrusting you with higher roles carries too much risk for now.”
Moyong Yeonhwa understood Yang Cheon’s reasoning.
“I’ll devote myself fully to you, Vice Leader.”
“Good. I’ll count on you going forward.”
“Yes.”
Yang Cheon shifted in his seat.
“Since we’re on the topic, I have an order for you.”
“Please command me.”
“The new year has passed. The day to elect the Martial Alliance Leader is nearly upon us.”
Moyong Yeonhwa’s eyes gleamed.
Yang Cheon smiled.
“No one knows you belong to headquarters. We’ve fabricated and sealed all related information, so even the Alliance’s peak experts won’t suspect a thing.”
“Yes.”
“Go to the Martial Alliance.”
“……!”
“Deliver my gift to your father.”
“……Understood.”
“And one more thing.”
Yang Cheon’s gaze burned fiercely.
“Extract every scrap of information beneficial to headquarters that you can.”
Moyong Yeonhwa’s eyes wavered.
“Vice Leader.”
“I know. Even for your father’s sake, that’s crossing a line. I’m not telling you to steal secrets behind his back.”
“Then……?”
“I’ll send him a letter. The two of you can conspire to send us information that’s safe enough.”
Moyong Yeonhwa swallowed lightly before speaking.
“If I may be so bold, Vice Leader. I’ve heard from Father that headquarters’ support begins only after he becomes Alliance Leader.”
Yang Cheon’s lips curled upward.
“What if the Moyong family head fails to claim the throne?”
“……?!”
“Wouldn’t that mean I’ve thrown away a fortune for nothing?”
“……!”
“Don’t say it won’t happen. Human affairs are unpredictable. Even if the entire world backed him, without luck, that seat is out of reach.”
“How could that be?”
“The leader of an organization as vast as the Martial Alliance isn’t a position for just anyone strong or capable. It can reshape the fate of the world.”
“……Fate.”
“To claim such a seat requires more than ability. Something ineffable, beyond words.”
“……”
“You’ll understand one day, though when, I can’t say. How vital that inexplicable something is. I call it luck, but even that word falls short.”
Yang Cheon’s eyes darkened deeply.
“The world is full of the brilliant, the monstrous, the extraordinary.”
“……”
“Yet the pinnacle is always singular.”
Moyong Yeonhwa’s eyes shook violently.
The pinnacle is always one.
Simple words, easily dismissed. Yet they struck her heart with uncanny force.
Yang Cheon nodded.
“The gift for your father is still being prepared. Make your own preparations; depart in ten days.”
“……Understood.”
“You may go.”
“Yes.”
Moyong Yeonhwa left the hall, her heart pounding.
Yang Cheon rested his chin on his hand, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“That’s why conversations with the young are dull yet endlessly intriguing.”
Chatting with those unworthy of the exchange bred fatigue. In that sense, Moyong Yeonhwa was still far from a fitting interlocutor.
But discourse with a youth of boundless potential was another matter. Yang Cheon saw vast promise in her and knew that with proper guidance, her growth would outpace all others.
If she grew without incident, Moyong Yeonhwa would undoubtedly become a cornerstone talent, shouldering a pillar of the world.
Yes, if she grows without incident.
Then—
Twitch!
Yang Cheon instinctively pressed a hand to his chest.
……Hm.
His eyelids trembled faintly.
This foul sensation.
It was a feeling he’d never known before. It spread from the golden handprint seared into his chest, coursing through his entire body.
Like blood surging through long-blocked veins—a prickling sting.
Too faint for pain, too vivid to dismiss.
“Saneumgyo Leader.”
Tzztztztzt.
The absolute killer’s intent made the illuminating flames flicker wildly.
“I figured there’d be no such thing as free aid. But to try devouring me whole? That I didn’t expect.”
Yang Cheon laughed coldly.
“Wait for it. I may spare the rabble, but you, Saneumgyo Leader—I’ll personally hurl you into the abyss of despair.”
He wouldn’t fall for it twice. Once bitten, he bit back tenfold.
That was Tu Wang Yang Cheon, the world’s acknowledged supreme warrior.
After stroking his chest for a long while, Yang Cheon smacked his lips.
“Still, when the hell are these damned disciples showing up?”