Reversal (1)
“What... what did you say?”
Gadeuksang swallowed hard.
“So what you’re saying is...”
Yeon Hojeong spoke calmly.
“The informant for Muk Ryong Bu was a fake. And I’m the one who assassinated that fake.”
“You mad bastard!”
BAM!
Gadeuksang slammed the table and shot to his feet.
“Are you out of your mind?! Tricking the entire Martial Alliance and dragging it into a swamp of chaos!”
The person disguised as the Muk Ryong Bu informant was naturally Jam Yeong-il-ho. But locking Jam Yeong-il-ho in the prison wouldn’t mean Moyong Gun could do whatever he wanted with him. On the contrary, if everyone swarmed in to dig into the truth, grilling Jam Yeong-il-ho relentlessly, Yeon Hojeong would be the one in trouble.
In other words, before they could gather solid suspicion that Moyong Gun had joined hands with Muk Ryong Bu leader Yang Cheon, Yeon Hojeong might end up getting hit from behind.
If Moyong Gun tried to kill or approach Jam Yeong-il-ho, that would be fine. But if he used official duties as a pretext to uncover Jam Yeong-il-ho’s truth, it would put Yeon Hojeong in danger instead.
That’s why Yeon Hojeong had killed Jam Yeong-il-ho on his way to the prison.
When Moyong Gun and Yang Cheon’s connection eventually came to light, this crime could be pinned entirely on Moyong Gun—a nice little seed planted for the future.
“You didn’t come at me as aggressively as I’d hoped. Moyong Gun’s abilities are undoubtedly exceptional. But he’s human, after all, and when he goes on the offensive, he exposes unexpected gaps.”
“And?”
“With the Alliance Leader election looming and him playing defense, I couldn’t tail him properly. So I provoked him and set up an illusory board.”
Gadeuksang was flabbergasted.
“You’re insane! This isn’t just political infighting! It’s scheming and trickery!”
Yeon Hojeong gave a wry smile.
“I know.”
“What the hell were you thinking...!!”
Gadeuksang started to snap back but let out a deep sigh instead.
Well, what was the point now? The deed was done.
But telling Yeon Hojeong to confess at the council of elders? Too much was at stake.
One wrong move, and the entire Martial Alliance structure could crumble. Moyong Gun might seize the chaos to burn down the Jegal family led by Jegal Munho, starting with the Yeon family, and ultimately claim the top seat.
It wasn’t an overblown worry—Moyong Gun’s past actions had been too dangerous and greedy.
Only someone like Yeon Hojeong could toy with him. If Yeon Hojeong vanished, so would his greatest rival.
“Damn it all!”
Gadeuksang’s face twisted in frustration.
“To witness this dogshit stunt and be powerless to say anything!”
Yeon Hojeong sighed.
“I’m sorry.”
“You should’ve kept your damn mouth shut! Then I wouldn’t be this disappointed in you!”
“My people need to know eventually. How else can we work together?”
Gadeuksang finally exploded.
“Hey, you crazy fuck! You pull this bullshit and still want to team up?! Do more crazy shit together from now on? You want me to sign off on this filthy crap?!”
Yeon Hojeong understood Gadeuksang’s rage.
He’d always viewed Yeon Hojeong favorably, building their bond, because the man never crossed the line.
Sure, he could be radical or brutally ruthless at times. He walked a razor’s edge without leaping over it.
And even his risky political maneuvers had their reasons. Gadeuksang had seen the greater good in Yeon Hojeong’s responses—the justice for the world.
But not this time.
“This is dragging an innocent bystander into the mud by force. Scheming, pure scheming!”
“...”
“Yeah, Moyong Gun’s dangerous! A once-in-a-generation villain hiding behind the mask of an upright white path elder! But what makes you any different from him now?!”
Whenever Moyong Gun stirred trouble or attacked, Yeon Hojeong stepped in. He read every intent, dismantling the schemes.
But this time, he’d dragged in Moyong Gun—who’d done nothing—and beaten him down without provocation.
He’d even set up a board so vicious it put the entire Martial Alliance on high alert.
No matter how charitably you spun it, this crossed the line.
Of course, Yeon Hojeong had his own clear boundary: protect his own people.
Gadeuksang had his: act for the greater good.
That’s why Yeon Hojeong knew he’d face this backlash—and why Gadeuksang couldn’t comprehend it.
No matter their deep brotherhood, their natures were worlds apart.
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry won’t cut it!”
“I’ve got nothing to say.”
Yeon Hojeong offered no excuses beyond regret for his deed.
Gadeuksang glared at him with blazing eyes.
After a long silence, Gadeuksang spoke in a subdued tone.
“Young Master Yeon.”
“Speak.”
“There’s something I’ve been wondering about for a while. Just one question.”
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
Gadeuksang continued with a sigh.
“Moyong Gun... yeah, plain and simple, he’s a bad guy. If he becomes Alliance Leader, countless innocents will die to solidify his power.”
“...”
“But by that logic, plenty of others shouldn’t lead either. You know that, right?”
“...”
“Let me be blunt. I don’t want Moyong Gun as leader. And he’ll pull every dirty trick in this election to sway opinion. But...”
“...”
“An election is an election. Step in when he commits clear wrongdoing—not bury him preemptively. That’s putting the cart before the horse.”
When someone commits a crime, constables arrest them. But no constable drags in and whips someone with no crime just because of past records.
Gadeuksang was preaching due process—and it aligned perfectly with the greater good.
“Tell me. Why are you so desperate to stop Moyong Gun from becoming leader?”
“...”
“Like I said, I don’t want him either. But that’s just my personal wish. I wouldn’t want any incompetent, characterless fool leading.”
“...”
“Your actions make it seem like anyone but Moyong Gun is fine.”
Yeon Hojeong gave a wry smile.
“Anyone but Moyong Gun... yeah, for now, that’s spot on.”
Ultimately, he’d push Moyong Woo for leader.
But not yet.
No matter Yeon Hojeong’s talents, the world wasn’t that forgiving. In a realm crawling with veteran old-timers, elevating a promising youth to head the white path was as tough as facing the Three Sects at once.
So Yeon Hojeong had little interest in this election.
Precisely: anyone but Moyong Gun was fine.
More honestly...
He even hoped an incompetent fool would win.
Moyong Gun is too damn smart.
If Moyong Gun became leader, as Gadeuksang said, he’d spend years—shortest a few, longest over a decade—on dirty tricks to secure absolute power.
That couldn’t happen.
For Moyong Gun, maintaining power trumped external threats.
If he could abandon that greed and ambition, he’d actually make a decent leader.
But Yeon Hojeong was certain: Moyong Gun would never let go.
He spoke calmly.
“Whatever the reason, I’m sorry for worrying you with this. What more is there to say?”
“...”
“At least I’ve slowed Moyong Gun’s momentum. That’s enough for me.”
Gadeuksang, face drained of energy, closed his eyes.
“Just once.”
“...”
“I’ll understand this once. No, I can’t understand, but I’ll let it slide.”
“Thank you.”
“But if you pull this crazy shit again... even you, Young Master Yeon, I won’t treat like a person.”
Gadeuksang meant every word.
And as always, sincerity held more power than a thousand lies.
Yeon Hojeong bowed his head.
“My heart was heavy, so I overdid it this time. It won’t happen again.”
Gadeuksang bit his lip, watching the bowed head.
Damn it, he’s no pretty girl—why do I go soft for this reckless punk?
He’d spoken from the heart, but he knew: even if Yeon Hojeong did it again, his nature wouldn’t let him hate the man.
He could force a break, but he’d still try to understand him.
So he had no choice but to reply:
“Yeah, please. My heart’s weak. Stop making it skip beats.”
Gadeuksang grumbled.
“A madman did mad shit, but as a madman, that’s normal for him. Fine, how do you see things playing out now?”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“No clue. But Moyong Gun will be far more cautious now. Even if he’s plotting dirty tricks, he won’t act rashly.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I overreached too, and he’ll know someone could always squeeze his throat anytime.”
Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips.
“Probably won’t be any bloodshed from his schemes for a while. Not certain, though.”
“...Yeah, after that dogshit stunt, you’d better get that much out of it.”
“Even so, the opponent’s Moyong Gun. He’ll turn this election into chaos to win somehow.”
Gadeuksang asked seriously.
“You’ve just slowed his rise, but he won’t scrap his own schemes entirely?”
“I’m certain of it.”
“If he tries to surge again, when do you think?”
“Can’t say. But I can read the signs.”
“Signs?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.
“Wait a few days. Something big to shake the board will happen.”
Three days later.
“Army Commander Yeon. Ah! The intelligence advisor’s here too.”
“Military Strategist.”
Jegal Munho spoke gravely.
“Straight to the point. Remember what you asked me before? To monitor southern Hubei.”
Yeon Hojeong and Gadeuksang’s eyes lit up.
“Someone connected to Moyong Gun was caught?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“Moyong Yeonhwa.”
“...!”
“Moyong Gun’s daughter, Moyong Yeonhwa, is heading to the Martial Alliance.”