Chapter 314: The Wheels Turn (2)
“Hmm.”
It was only after a full half shichen—about an hour—had passed, as Moyong Gun sipped his tea and reviewed dozens of documents, that he finally spoke.
“Things are proceeding smoothly, as expected. But considering the upcoming election, I’m torn between whether to apply the brakes now or let it roll on.”
Moyong Gun glanced sideways. There stood Mo Yong Woo, hands clasped behind his back. He had remained in that exact position for the entire half shichen, not even blinking once.
“What are your thoughts?”
“On what, exactly?”
“On the matters detailed in these documents.”
“I haven’t the foggiest idea what’s written in them.”
Moyong Gun clicked his tongue.
“Of course not. I’ve never shown them to you. These are all brought by Yeonhwa—straight from Muk Ryong Bu.”
“That much I knew.”
“And yet you chased away the attendant who came with Yeonhwa?”
It was a rare rebuke from Moyong Gun. Had it been anyone else, he might have dealt with them on the spot. But since it was Mo Yong Woo, he held back, wondering if there was some deeper reasoning. Still, his rising anger was unavoidable, which was why he had made his brother stand there for half a shichen to cool his own temper.
“You have no idea what’s written here or what they want from us. And yet you sent their man packing on your own whim—without even asking my permission.”
“That’s correct.”
“Was there a reason?”
“Do you really think I’d stir up trouble like this without cause?”
Curiosity flickered across Moyong Gun’s face. Setting aside his anger, this sudden boldness from his inherently kind and gentle younger brother was both surprising and puzzling to him.
“What on earth possessed you to do such a thing? Come on, let’s hear it.”
“It was dangerous.”
“Dangerous how?”
Mo Yong Woo met Moyong Gun’s gaze directly. For a moment, Moyong Gun couldn’t hide his inner surprise.
So Woo can make eyes like that.
Mo Yong Woo’s stare was utterly cold. It carried an inexplicable fury, its origin a mystery.
“Brother.”
“Speak.”
“You said just yesterday that you’d reflected on yourself. I think it’s pointless to bring this up now, but I’ll say it anyway.”
“……?”
“See the situation clearly.”
It felt like a sudden blow. Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.
“See the situation clearly?”
“Yes.”
“Explain.”
“Yeon Hojeong already suspects you’ve joined hands with Muk Ryong Bu. In that context, do you truly not realize how dangerous it is to bring one of their men into the Alliance?”
“Of course I know it’s dangerous. But if you think I overlooked that, then you see your brother as far too careless.”
“You’re still wrong.”
“Why?”
“What if, by some chance, Yeonhwa had entered the inner quarters and found Yeon Hojeong there instead of me?”
Moyong Gun’s face hardened instantly.
“I’ve roughly tracked that bastard Yeon Hojeong’s movements and position. That’s why I timed it for then.”
“What about Jegal Munho the strategist? Yeon Wi the family head? Dang Gwan the Tang patriarch? And the countless other eyes watching?”
“……”
“Boldness shown at an unexpected moment can be a masterstroke. But grow accustomed to that boldness and neglect the small details, and you’ll find yourself mired in disaster at the critical juncture.”
Wrinkle lines formed at the corners of Moyong Gun’s eyes.
“I know what worries you. But I’ve prepared countermeasures for every aspect of that. Let me say it again: every countermeasure. I wouldn’t invite Muk Ryong’s people without such preparations.”
“That’s the problem too. Why push yourself into such reckless endeavors?”
“……!”
“Don’t create situations that require contingencies in the first place. When the time calls for waiting, wait thoroughly. With each self-inflicted risk, the enemy gathers sharp daggers one by one.”
Moyong Gun felt his words catch in his throat. Mo Yong Woo continued.
“Joined hands with Muk Ryong? Does that mean we advance as equals with them?”
“……”
“Muk Ryong can only grasp our situation through reports—they can’t feel it firsthand. Which means you must dominate this deal completely. There’s no need to watch their eyes.”
“……Do you truly believe that?”
“Of course. In any transaction, if one side’s power exceeds bounds, it becomes plunder, not trade. But leading from an appropriate line secures maximum gain and minimum loss simultaneously.”
Mo Yong Woo’s eyes hardened.
“Think back on why I’ve never properly stepped into your affairs until now. You handled everything in the optimal way without my involvement. But now… I’m not so sure.”
“……Is that how it looks in your eyes?”
“Yes.”
“Hah!”
Moyong Gun let out a sigh. Not from exasperation, but because each of Mo Yong Woo’s words stabbed deeply into his chest.
“You’re right. There’s no need to create problems needlessly.”
“And if you plan to keep Yeonhwa around, you’ll need to retrain her from the ground up.”
It was a chilling statement. In any ordinary household, it would cross a line. Moyong Gun tilted his head.
“In your view, is Yeonhwa that deficient?”
“Fine iron unrefined becomes mere firewood. That’s Yeonhwa. She was born with great talent, but lacking experience and patience, she utilizes less than half of it.”
“Hmm.”
“Among allies and enemies alike, there are many remarkable talents around you. Perhaps even you find her mistakes distasteful. But objectively, it’s hard to find timber as fine as hers.”
“Too valuable to discard?”
“Exactly. Talent too precious to waste.”
Mo Yong Woo swiftly countered Moyong Gun’s added prod.
“If you intend to keep her, it’s not too late to start now.”
“On the contrary.”
Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed darkly.
“If you don’t intend to keep her?”
“Then.”
Mo Yong Woo’s gaze mirrored his brother’s.
“Use her properly and cast her out.”
“……Haha.”
Moyong Gun stuck out his tongue in astonishment.
“Today I see a new side of you.”
The anger he’d felt toward Mo Yong Woo had vanished without a trace. Instead, he was startled by his brother’s ruthless words.
Is he serious?
Peering closer just in case, it was unmistakably sincere. His brother was never one to speak empty words.
He doesn’t scruple over means or methods for his goals… Well, even if his nature is kind, the blood in his veins carries the Moyong history.
The Moyong clan’s ruthlessness, proven in pivotal moments. It seemed to flow in his brother as well. And at that realization, Moyong Gun felt profound relief mingled with deep joy.
He spoke with feigned sternness.
“No matter how sound the reason, chasing out Muk Ryong’s man without my permission was your mistake.”
“I know.”
“This error can’t be overlooked. Beyond brotherhood, as family head and subordinate, punishment is fitting.”
Mo Yong Woo nodded as if it were only natural.
“Family law must stand firm for household peace. Outside wartime, no exceptions to fairness.”
This was utterly unimaginable. Moyong Gun blurted honestly.
“You’ve truly set out to astonish me today.”
“But don’t forget, brother.”
Mo Yong Woo’s eyes blazed. Even Moyong Gun flinched momentarily at that fierce glare.
“You must become the pinnacle. And the moment you ascend, I will uproot and rebuild the main house from its foundations.”
“……”
“There’s still time. No need to rush. So understand this: just as brotherly love bore fruit without effort on your part, I cannot offer the same to a brother who’s lost sight of his purpose.”
“……”
“I’ll retreat to my quarters for reflection. Inform me once the punishment’s severity is set.”
Mo Yong Woo bowed his head and headed for the door. Watching him silently, Moyong Gun tossed out casually.
“Do you think this brother’s affection for you is mere personal fondness?”
Mo Yong Woo turned back with a wry smile.
“Do you think this youngest brother’s choice, made at thirty, stems from simple sibling sentiment?”
“……”
“Rest well.”
Thud.
Mo Yong Woo left the room. Moyong Gun stared at the closed door and let out a bitter laugh.
“The boy I thought forever young has sharpened his fangs this keenly without my noticing.”
It was astonishing. Admirable, even. Pitiable in one sense, joyful in another.
Woo saw no resentment in my eyes. He wasn’t angry over Muk Ryong or Yeonhwa. He was disappointed—purely in my mistakes and misjudgments.
After a long immersion in thought, Moyong Gun suddenly burst into loud laughter.
“Kuhahaha! What a foolish life I’ve led! Unable to wield the sword at my side properly, I coveted others’ famed blades. Have my eyes become knotholes?”
A sharp self-disappointment surged. At the same time, overwhelming joy and pride swelled.
Moyong Gun gazed out the window. Far off, Mo Yong Woo walked toward the Tang Ma Army’s quarters.
“Woo. Now, at last, I can trust you without reservation.”
It felt as if a too-tight garment had finally fit perfectly. Moyong Gun smiled and said.
“Who’s outside?”
“Yes, Family Head.”
“Where’s Yeonhwa?”
“In her quarters.”
Moyong Gun nodded.
“Summon Yeonhwa. Today, I’ll give that girl a proper scolding.”
Moyong Yeonhwa had much to learn from Mo Yong Woo. Moreover, he needed to properly cultivate the discernment of this wild, vessel-unshaped daughter who rampaged heedlessly.
Only now would he truly begin cultivating virtue and regulating the family. The path to governing the state and pacifying the world was not far off.
“Well now.”
Dang Gwan furrowed his brow.
“Since when has my residence become so lax?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Can a building be lax? If anything’s lax, it’s probably the Family Head’s heart.”
“That three-inch tongue of yours hasn’t changed.”
“Thanks to this venomous tongue and fists, your prestige might rise, no?”
“If you could just shut up, you wouldn’t earn such resentment.”
“Building immunity from all the hate I get everywhere.”
“Enough. State your business.”
“Eh? No tea first?”
“Tea for someone whose grace doesn’t reach your father’s heel? Cut the nonsense and get to the point.”
“Haha, got it.”
Yeon Hojeong’s face turned serious.
“There’s a place we need to go together. Right now.”
“Where?”
“Gong Gong-daesa’s quarters.”
“……?!”