Chapter 293. The Path of the Beast (3)
“We’ve been seeing quite a bit of each other lately.”
At Moyong Gun’s words, Jegal Munho smiled faintly.
“There’s a saying in the world: keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer.”
“Heh.”
“If only the family head would abandon that boundless ambition of his, we might even become friends.”
Moyong Gun let out a hollow chuckle.
“Is having ambition a crime now?”
“Ambition isn’t a crime, but then you must understand the greed of those who seek to crush it.”
“Of course. Didn’t I tell you before? I understand you all. It’s just that you’re blocking my path, so I have no choice but to strike you down. No personal grudge involved.”
“Not much of one… meaning there’s still some, then.”
“I’m only human.”
Jegal Munho burst into hearty laughter. “Indeed. Being human means harboring desires, and being human means keeping each other in check.”
Moyong Gun smirked. “So, what brings you to me today?”
Jegal Munho pulled a document from his robe and held it out.
Moyong Gun tilted his head. “What’s this?”
“Things have been quite lively in Hunan lately.”
“Hm?”
Moyong Gun examined the document. Moments later, the corner of his mouth curved upward.
“Guiju Merchant Group is expanding its influence… and quite aggressively at that.”
“That’s right.”
“But why show this to me?”
“I looked into Guiju Merchant Group.”
“Oh?”
“And I discovered the sects they’ve been secretly trading with.”
Moyong Gun shrugged. “My own family trades with them too, of course.”
“Yes, I know.”
“So what’s the big deal? Any capable sect needs to trade with merchant groups. The Jegal family does the same, doesn’t it?”
“True.”
Jegal Munho smiled. “That’s why I have a favor to ask of you, family head.”
“A favor?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know what it is, but know this: I won’t grant the strategist’s request easily. For reasons I can’t fathom, you’ve done background checks behind my back and now shove documents in my face. It doesn’t sit well with me.”
“Please forgive me. Guiju Merchant Group’s sudden expansion left us no choice but to pay attention.”
“Fine. So, what’s the favor?”
“Introduce me to Guiju Merchant Group.”
Moyong Gun blinked in surprise. “You want me to connect you to Guiju Merchant Group?”
“Yes.”
Jegal Munho maintained a remarkably calm expression. Moyong Gun, peering at him with narrowed eyes, asked bluntly, “The Martial Alliance? Or the Jegal family?”
“The latter, naturally.”
“……”
“If it were on behalf of the Alliance, we’d have called a council to pressure you. I wouldn’t come personally asking for an introduction.”
It made sense.
What’s his game?
Moyong Gun knew Jegal Munho wouldn’t make such a request for money or power alone. Staring silently, he suddenly furrowed his brow.
“Must you go this far?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb. If the Jegal strategist starts trading with Guiju Merchant Group, you’ll scrutinize my family’s dealings. And if anything suspicious turns up, you’ll strike immediately.”
“Is Guiju Merchant Group so untrustworthy? Client trades are naturally confidential.”
“If you set your mind to it, you’d crack it open.”
“Even if possible, the effort required is the issue. And if I truly meant to dismantle them, I wouldn’t ask you for an introduction.”
Not wrong. But Moyong Gun had already seen through Jegal Munho’s aim.
“You’re aiming for mutual destruction, aren’t you?”
Jegal Munho’s eyes deepened.
As expected.
In the realm of schemes, Moyong Gun wielded skill on par with the Thirteen Seats of the Heavenly Realm. He pierced one of Jegal Munho’s intentions in an instant—not as a possibility, but with certainty. A gaze honed to perfection.
It was a pity such a man burned with petty ambition for the Alliance Leader’s seat.
“At least that much insurance seems necessary.”
Moyong Gun sneered coldly. “No need to discuss it. Leave.”
Jegal Munho, who had been watching him silently, rose smoothly.
“Think it over. It’s a radical move, but not one that harms you greatly.”
“Sure. If I gave up the Leader’s seat, it’d benefit you.”
Jegal Munho burst into laughter again. “A shame. If you had righteousness and a spirit of camaraderie, we could’ve been great friends.”
“Out.”
“Understood. But know this one thing: I, and the Martial Alliance, hold you in higher regard than you think.”
“……”
“Mutual prosperity and harmony will inevitably topple absolute power. I hope you come to understand the politics of harmony.”
With that, Jegal Munho left.
Alone, Moyong Gun tapped the table with his index finger.
“Mutual destruction, eh…”
He frowned. “Coming out of nowhere to ask for an introduction to Guiju Merchant Group? If the Jegal family truly trades with them, they’ll start targeting my house in earnest. I’d counterattack the Jegal, and if that reaches the Alliance…”
Mutual destruction indeed.
If word spread of the two families wallowing in the mud, their political influence would crumble.
Jegal Munho meant to block him that way.
“But.”
Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed dangerously.
“That sly fox wouldn’t think I couldn’t see through it.”
Meaning there was more to it than mutual destruction.
After deep thought, Moyong Gun spoke.
“You outside?”
“Yes, family head.”
“Send word to the Hwasan sect leader. Invite him for a meal.”
“Understood.”
Thud.
Moyong Gun lightly struck the table with his fist and smiled.
“I don’t know what you’re after, but it means they’re starting to move too.”
* * *
Dang Gwan tilted his head, wondering if he’d misheard.
“What did you just say?”
“I asked you to run as a candidate for Alliance Leader.”
“……”
“Is that impossible?”
Staring coldly at Yeon Hojeong, Dang Gwan openly scowled.
“You want to make me your puppet?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled. “Puppet is such an ugly word. Think of it as becoming an iron shield for a better future.”
“Pretty words. In the end, you want to use me to check Moyong Gun and keep his eyes on me.”
The heads of the Six Great Families were no ordinary folk.
Vicious, cold, prideful, and at times hot-tempered. That was Dang Gwan.
But his temperament didn’t make him dull. Far from it—his sharp insight surpassed most sect leaders.
Stubborn and pigheaded, perhaps, but his abilities matched anyone’s.
Yeon Hojeong nodded. “Yes.”
Straight admission.
Dang Gwan gave a chilly smile. “Let me ask: did you really think I’d accept your proposal?”
“Honestly, no idea. You might accept or refuse.”
“Why? Just because I clashed with Moyong Gun?”
Yeon Hojeong’s face grew serious. “I wouldn’t think the prideful head of the Dang family would throw himself into this over a mere quarrel.”
“Then?”
“But a power broker in Sichuan who wants real influence in the martial world’s political arena? He might accept.”
Dang Gwan’s eyes narrowed. “Power broker in Sichuan… an interesting phrasing.”
“You’ve been playing both sides.”
“……”
“No? Didn’t you weigh the Jegal and Moyong factions to see which would boost the Dang family’s influence?”
Dang Gwan scowled. “You know too much.”
“In the end, you chose. And this is the result.”
“So? Forget the failed choice and join you?”
Yeon Hojeong grinned. “You know politics is full of mistakes. But once you’re off the stage, you can’t return. That’s why you tried heading back to Sichuan, right?”
“……”
Yeon Hojeong spread his arms. “Few get a second chance. And it doesn’t come just anytime.”
“……”
“Join us. On the real stage the Martial Alliance has built.”
“Become a bat?”
“Something uglier, dirtier, and more vicious.”
“What?”
“I’m already on that path. That’s how a young man like me wields this much influence.”
If Dang Gwan knew Yeon Hojeong’s past, he’d be truly shocked.
Yeon Hojeong had died by Dang Gwan’s hand. Precisely, in his previous life, to an assassin sent by Moyong Gun’s orders—but Dang Gwan was the direct cause.
To Yeon Hojeong, he was no different from an archenemy.
Even if it hadn’t happened in this timeline, he couldn’t dismiss it.
Yet here he was, smiling at Dang Gwan. Even inviting him to join.
The change, the endurance—it demanded unimaginable mental fortitude, beyond Dang Gwan’s imagination.
“You said before: poison well used is medicine, medicine poorly used is poison.”
“……”
“Be our medicine. And poison to our enemies.”
“And you’ll arrange the meeting with the Western Divine Maiden?”
“Truth be told, if that’s what you wanted, you didn’t need us. But you proposed a deal anyway—hinting you wanted to join us, no?”
Dang Gwan, staring fixedly, turned away.
“Follow me.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled. “Thank you…”
“You didn’t bring your axe.”
“Pardon?”
“That damn axe you always carry.”
“Yes. I left it in the training grounds.”
“Good?”
Dang Gwan shook his head. “No excuses about losing because of your axe.”
“……?”
“I’ll test your vessel through martial arts. Follow.”