The Answer Is One (4)
“Huh? Big brother?”
“What?”
“What's that?”
“It's an axe.”
“I know that much... but where's the Gwangryongbu? Why are you carrying around such a cute little hand axe?”
“Cute little hand axe? It's a fine piece of craftsmanship.”
“Compared to the Gwangryongbu, it's cute. That's a hand axe.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, with your skills, you'd make anything work... but why the sudden switch to a hand axe?”
“Just trying out a hand axe for once. My martial arts are completely different from before. I need to experiment with all sorts of things to know my limits.”
“I, I see.”
“Anyway, you ready?”
“Kinda nervous. Meeting the Moyong family head and all.”
“He's a sharp one. I've been burned more than once or twice by that scheming bastard.”
“If even you say that, he must be no ordinary man.”
“Depending on the situation, he might even be harder to deal with than Muk Ryong Bu's leader, Yang Cheon.”
“......”
“Keep your wits about you. One slip, and you'll get dragged in.”
“Got it. But brother, why do I need to come along to meet the Moyong family head?”
“You'll see when we get there. And it's not just about beating him down. Stick by my side from now on—broaden your horizons.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Alright, let's go.”
“You're a truly fascinating man in many ways.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“In what way?”
Moyong Gun replied with a reluctant expression.
“I figured we wouldn't cross paths like this for a while.”
“Is that so?”
“You always exceed expectations somehow. That's why you're so hard to deal with.”
“I'll take that as a compliment.”
“No need to be modest.”
Moyong Gun looked much the same as before, at least on the surface.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed.
“Impressive.”
“What is?”
“Your presence... it's been refined even more subtly than before. Had some enlightenment in the meantime?”
Moyong Gun let out a sigh of admiration.
“You're remarkable. To sense the changes in a superior master's realm so keenly. As I felt before, your senses are truly the best under heaven.”
It was a misunderstanding on Moyong Gun's part.
Yeon Hojeong's talent had never surpassed Yeon Jipyeong's to begin with. Yet he could detect Moyong Gun's changes—and even discern the inner energy qualities of countless martial artists—because his upper dantian was more vast than anyone's.
When properly cultivated, the upper dantian yields overwhelming growth in all brain-related functions. Continued development could even grant supernatural perception beyond human limits.
Little was known about upper dantian utilization even now. The key point was that Yeon Hojeong's was the most expansive in the current martial world, granting him immense advantages.
“Your own martial arts seem to have advanced as well.”
“Had a minor enlightenment recently.”
“Minor enlightenment... that's humbly put, even for you. I can't gauge your current skill, but your presence has changed night-and-day. Must be a major breakthrough in qi circulation.”
“Depending on how you handle it, you could regress or progress. But the change itself? Definitely growth.”
Moyong Gun smirked.
“Don't hold back. At this rate, you'll catch up in two or three years.”
Yeon Hojeong grinned back.
“You're not the type to let that happen, are you? You'll try to crush me somehow. If not, you'll just kill me outright.”
“Of course.”
Moyong Gun was frank before Yeon Hojeong.
“Your temperament, martial arts, and growth speed are a grave threat to your enemies. And I'm not one to watch an enemy's rise with open eyes.”
A faint killing intent flickered in Moyong Gun's eyes.
“Be careful. You and I can't share the same sky anymore. You're no pushover, so I'll have to bury you somehow.”
“Same here.”
“Fair enough.”
Moyong Gun relaxed his expression.
“So, what brings you here today?”
“Curious if the spot I punched is healed. And to probe what mischief you're planning next.”
“Hm? Punched?”
“Gong Gong-daesa and Dang Gwan.”
“Ah, that.”
Moyong Gun burst into laughter.
“It was a close call. And regrettable. Never thought Dang Gwan would cut ties like that.”
“He had reason.”
“I knew you incited him. At first, I pondered revenge. But once tempers cooled, I had another thought.”
“......?”
“Dang Gwan isn't one to be swayed easily. Your words were just the spark—he's always been the type to complicate things.”
Impressive insight, as expected. He'd grown complacent amid successes, but his abilities remained sharp.
“In that light, I should thank you. And the Gong Gong-daesa move? Reckless in hindsight. I was desperate, made an uncharacteristic mistake.”
“I see.”
“Thanks to you. Without your intervention, I'd have faced disaster.”
Yeon Hojeong smirked.
“Too bad. Should've let it play out.”
“That's what puzzles me.”
Suspicion leaked from Moyong Gun's eyes.
“You knew too. Why burst it then? You have that patience.”
“Who knows.”
Yeon Hojeong scratched his head.
“I'm not one for distant futures. Seemed best at the time. Plus, my personal matters were messy—I didn't want complications.”
“Hahaha.”
“But that's sorted now. Personal issues handled. Time to run again, right?”
“So you came. To see what the man who might block your path thinks.”
“Aren't you curious too? What plot I'm hatching?”
“I am.”
Moyong Gun wet his throat with tea and shook his head.
“But also not. I'd love to kill you now, but I don't want to clash just yet.”
Yeon Hojeong's eyes sparkled.
“Jegal strategist said the Martial Alliance leader candidates are already three.”
“Don't play dumb. One's Dang Gwan, and you pushed him.”
“Quick on the uptake.”
“Using him to check me—classic you. But it stings my pride a bit.”
“Why?”
Moyong Gun's lip curled.
“Think Dang Gwan's enough to check me? Why not your father, Paeng family, or Ami sect leader?”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Dang Gwan's plenty.”
“If you think so, I won't argue. You have your ways.”
Confident tone.
Moyong Gun never showed his true heart to anyone. But to Yeon Hojeong, he revealed some sincerity—not from provocation, but recognition. As a worthy rival. Yeon Hojeong felt the same.
So Yeon Hojeong struck first.
“Heard Gwi Ju Merchant Association's been active in Honam.”
Moyong Gun's eyes deepened.
“And?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled coldly.
“I know they're trading with Gwi Ju Merchant Association.”
“They are. So? It's Honam—our turf. What's strange about them operating there?”
“It's odd.”
“......?”
“Gwi Ju making noise in Moyong territory, and they're trading partners. Smells suspicious.”
“Is anything not suspicious to you?”
“That's not what I mean.”
“Then?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled coldly again.
“Their flashy moves feel deliberate. Like they want everyone watching Gwi Ju.”
“......!”
“Jegal said he'd stop it even at mutual destruction. Admirable resolve, but using Gwi Ju to hit Moyong seems like pointless death to me.”
Moyong Gun smiled.
“You think so?”
“Yes.”
“Keep thinking that.”
“Of course. Just don't forget this.”
Yeon Hojeong's face turned icy.
“I can strike your house using Gwi Ju anytime.”
Moyong Gun nodded.
“If you want to try with that Muk Ryong Bu incident, go ahead. You're all accomplices anyway—you won't die alone.”
“We'll see later.”
“Do that.”
Moyong Gun had likely intervened directly in Gwi Ju matters. Perhaps erased all weaknesses.
Watching him, Yeon Hojeong soon smiled.
“It's been a while.”
“Hm?”
“These talks—seem serious, but kinda trivial. This tense standoff, threatening to tear into each other.”
Moyong Gun smirked.
“Maybe you missed it. I didn't. I was enjoying peace until you showed up.”
“Music to my ears.”
“Hahaha.”
Yeon Hojeong leaned back.
“Alright, nostalgia sated. Time to play our cards.”
Moyong Gun frowned.
“Pass.”
“Everything so far? We both knew it. Surface talk's done—now for substance.”
“Sorry, but I'm different now.”
“Different?”
“Yes. Before, I thought I controlled things. So I pushed aggressively, dug out roots first.”
Moyong Gun sneered self-mockingly.
“Without you, I might've made interesting history.”
“But no.”
“Indeed. Even rushed Gong Gong-daesa. Reflected after. Why the mistake?”
“Found your answer?”
“Hence this.”
Moyong Gun spread his hands.
“Secure defense before offense. So I have nothing more to ask you.”
“......”
“No questions from me means no more talk. You won't learn anything either.”
“Lame.”
Moyong Gun lifted his teacup.
“Since you're here, finish the tea. It's rare.”
“Can't just drink tea after coming this far.”
“Hoho, is that so?”
He'd grown cautious. Planned to hold this stance awhile.
Of course, Yeon Hojeong had no intention of letting it be.
“Brought someone along.”
“Felt the odd presence. Youthful vitality, solid sword qi owner.”
“Recent sworn brother.”
“I see.”
“Yes.”
“Get along well.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled coldly.
“He's from the black path.”
“......What?”
“And he spotted other black path informants near the Martial Alliance. Even caught one lucky.”
“......?!”
“Looked like Muk Ryong Bu guy.”
Moyong Gun's hand, holding the teacup, trembled faintly.