Aiming at the Light (1)
The tea tastes excellent.
“Quite well-brewed, isn’t it?”
“I’m surprised. I was under the impression you kept your distance from the tea ceremony.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa smiled.
“I learned it while I was there. They said that immersing oneself in the tea ceremony helped calm the mind, so I decided to study it. The effect, however, seems rather minimal.”
Moyong Gun let out a hearty laugh.
“Controlling the mind ultimately depends on one’s own resolve, does it not?”
“That’s true. Still, it helped in the beginning. I was quite tense at the time.”
“That makes sense.”
“Yes. It proved surprisingly useful for easing tension.”
When Moyong Yeon-hwa had gone to the Black Dragon Department, she had staked her entire life on the decision.
It was not as someone’s hostage. With that single determination, she had grown further, eventually earning Yang Cheon’s recognition and reaching her current position.
Moyong Gun spoke calmly.
“So, the fact that you have come to see your father now—does it mean you have made up your mind?”
After Moyong Woo had proven his worth through his overwhelming presence.
Moyong Gun had summoned his daughter and severely reprimanded her. Since they were now on the same boat, she should have set aside past grudges and tried to learn whatever she could. Yet Moyong Yeon-hwa had still been trapped in the past.
Of course, scolding his own daughter had not been easy for Moyong Gun. In the end, he bore part of the responsibility for how she had turned out. After all, he had been the one who taught her that possessing true ability made such matters trivial.
Even so, he hoped she would change now. He wanted her to stand beside Moyong Woo and accomplish great things at his side.
After receiving the scolding, Moyong Yeon-hwa had declared she would remain in her quarters and reflect until her heart had settled.
And now, his daughter had come to him of her own accord and even prepared the tea herself.
“I will speak honestly.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face was deadly serious.
Her eyes did not waver in the slightest, and every trace of arrogance had vanished from her expression. That alone left Moyong Gun deeply satisfied.
“My feelings toward Uncle have not yet been resolved. I made an effort in my own way, but it was not easy.”
“Such is the nature of the human heart. Making a decision is simple enough, but truly letting go is never that straightforward.”
“Yes. However, I cannot remain like this forever. As you said, Father, since we are on the same boat, looking down on an ally because of past enmity is the act of a petty person.”
“Hmm.”
“I will try. I cannot erase the past grudge completely, but I will work to set it aside. At the very least, I will ensure it never leads me to disrespect Uncle.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa was still an incomplete talent in many ways.
Yet the reason Moyong Gun acknowledged his daughter was that she at least took responsibility for the words that left her lips. It was also proof of her honesty.
Moyong Gun smiled and nodded.
“A wise decision. Knowing you have resolved yourself this way puts this father’s heart at ease.”
“I am sorry for causing you worry.”
“Not at all. You have returned far more mature than before. Whatever mental anguish I endured in the meantime is insignificant.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa smiled.
“There may be more moments like this in the future. Please continue to scold me when necessary.”
“Hahaha! Very well. I shall do exactly that.”
Father and daughter smiled at each other.
Whether Moyong Yeon-hwa could truly change remained to be seen, but she had at least taken the first step. For Moyong Gun, that was enough.
“Now then, since you are already here, let us speak of the things we have not yet discussed.”
“Yes.”
The smile that had filled Moyong Gun’s face vanished in an instant, replaced by cold calculation.
“Vice-Lord Yang instructed you to bring information from the Martial Alliance, correct?”
“Yes. Those were his exact words.”
“I see.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa let out a small sigh.
“I am not unaware of how unreasonable the request is. Moreover, he continues to demand information even though the matter has already concluded. That is…”
“Insurance.”
The corners of Moyong Gun’s mouth curved upward.
His smile was ice-cold.
“I promised him solid support in his bid to make me Alliance Leader. Yet if I fail to claim the position, it would mean he spent his resources for nothing. Vice-Lord Yang has performed his own cost-benefit analysis.”
“I was somewhat disappointed by that. I did not think he was the type to go back on his word.”
“He is testing us.”
“Pardon?”
“He wants to see whether we will truly provide the Martial Alliance’s information or not. Even if we refuse, our relationship will continue.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa’s eyes flashed.
“So he gave me that order to secure the upper hand in our relationship.”
“An equal relationship cannot exist. Once you hold the advantage, many things become simpler.”
“Then what do you intend to do?”
“Well.”
Moyong Gun rested his chin on his hand.
“If either Vice-Lord Yang or I begin crossing the line, we will both be destroyed. Setting aside talk of relationships or superiority, a light pat on the rear at an appropriate level should be acceptable.”
Tension rose on Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face.
“Are you planning to leak information from the Martial Alliance?”
“I am.”
“…!”
“Naturally, we cannot hand over truly classified information. However, we must throw him a reasonably large and tempting piece of meat.”
Moyong Gun smiled.
“If possible, it would be best if the information also benefits me.”
“Information that benefits you…”
Moyong Yeon-hwa’s gaze sharpened.
“Are you planning to eliminate a political rival?”
Though she still had many shortcomings, bloodlines truly ran deep. Moyong Gun gave a satisfied smile at his daughter’s keen insight.
“It would be good for me if my political enemy disappeared, and good for Vice-Lord Yang if he could remove an eyesore from the righteous faction. Truly killing two birds with one stone, is it not?”
“It could be dangerous, Father.”
“It is dangerous. But we are always walking on thin ice. While the risk is real, the potential gain for me is equally great.”
Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.
“Of course, before that, it would be wise to prepare a suitable shield.”
“A shield?”
After taking a sip of tea and organizing his thoughts, Moyong Gun closed his eyes.
Who was he speaking to?
Moyong Gun opened his eyes once more.
He spoke.
“I hear the Kongtong Sect’s sect leader will be leaving the alliance in one month.”
“You mean Sect Leader Deung Cheon-gyo?”
“Correct.”
Moyong Gun gazed steadily at his daughter.
Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face gradually lost all color.
“Father, you cannot mean…?”
“To claim the enemy’s bones, one must first cut out one’s own flesh.”
“…!!”
“Sect Leader Deung is a possessor of remarkable martial prowess. However, he is also someone who frequently creates problems due to his excessive radicalism. In some ways, he becomes even more troublesome as an ally.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa swallowed hard.
When eliminating an enemy, one does not choose means or methods. That was the aesthetics of battle.
Yet sacrificing an ally merely to capture an opponent’s piece was something that should never be done lightly. Regardless of utility, if such a fact were ever exposed, who would willingly stand beside him?
After a moment of careful thought, Moyong Yeon-hwa lowered her head.
“The reason you are sacrificing Sect Leader Deung is not simply to avoid suspicion. It must also be because he has caused numerous incidents over the years.”
Moyong Gun gave a small chuckle.
“Of course. But I have no intention of using that as an excuse. Whatever the case, he is my man. Even if he is a notorious troublemaker, once he has entered my fold, it is only proper to protect him.”
“…!”
“Yet now I am declaring that I will not uphold that natural duty. It is unlike me.”
“Father.”
“However, I feel no hesitation in my heart.”
Moyong Gun’s eyes grew chillingly cold.
Moyong Yeon-hwa had never seen her father’s eyes so ruthlessly determined. While she had been away from the alliance, Moyong Gun had clearly undergone his own profound transformation.
“You said you were disappointed that Vice-Lord Yang went back on his word?”
“…Yes.”
“I understand him. If one clings too rigidly to principles, progress becomes slow. This is not an excuse—it is fact.”
“……”
“Until I stand at the very peak, I will sacrifice even my own people if necessary. I will scheme. If I must act the fool, then I will live as one.”
Moyong Gun looked directly at his daughter.
“Even knowing this, will you still believe in your father and follow him?”
The shock on Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face slowly gave way to a small smile.
“The reason you ask me such a question is because there is a chance I too could become a sacrifice, isn’t it?”
“It is possible. In fact, I have already used you as one before.”
The man who had sent his own daughter to the Black Dragon Department for the sake of his future was Moyong Gun himself. And now he was declaring he would live even more ruthlessly.
Moyong Yeon-hwa lowered her head.
“The fact that you told me this is itself a great gift. Even blood relatives can be cast aside if they lack ability or usefulness. Simply knowing this truth will allow me to reduce the mistakes I might make twice into one.”
Moyong Gun smiled.
His daughter had truly inherited the blood of the Moyong Family—and quite strongly at that.
“Then let us begin.”
“Yes. Ah! Before that.”
“Hm?”
Moyong Yeon-hwa tilted her head.
“If you are using Sect Leader Deung as a shield, which political rival do you intend to eliminate?”
Moyong Gun’s smile faded slightly.
He spoke a name. The moment Moyong Yeon-hwa heard it, deep tension settled over her face.
“…It will not be easy.”
“Vice-Lord Yang will know that as well. He will handle it properly. It would be best if the target dies, but even if he survives, it is acceptable. This will also be an opportunity to gauge Vice-Lord Yang’s true ability.”
“I understand.”
“Find out Sect Leader Deung’s travel route. Deliver the information to Vice-Lord Yang tomorrow.”
“…Yes!”
The two men walked down the path at a brisk pace.
How much time had passed?
“Patriarch.”
“What is it?”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
“What exactly is the matter that has you acting this way?”
He had already agreed to follow, so such a question should have been unnecessary.
Even knowing that, his curiosity was difficult to suppress. Had his father been the one asking for help, it would be one thing, but given Dang Gwan’s personality, how many matters would be important enough for him to specifically bring Yeon Hojeong along?
Swish.
Dang Gwan stopped walking. Naturally, Yeon Hojeong, who had been following, stopped as well.
“Rude brat.”
“My name is Yeon Hojeong. Please address me by my name.”
“I understand you were the one who placed Sang-ah in the Tangma Army. Moyong Woo merely approved the decision.”
“That is correct, but…”
“I will ask you only one thing.”
Dang Gwan’s eyes deepened.
“You bastard—are you close with Moyong Woo?”
A rather sharp question had come out of nowhere.
Of course, Yeon Hojeong’s expression remained unchanged. Only a hint of puzzlement appeared in his eyes.
“Why do you ask?”
“Just answer the question, rude brat.”
It was not an easy answer to give. The deep friendship he shared with Moyong Woo was something he had not yet revealed even to his father. Of course, his father had probably noticed something.
In other words, revealing this fact meant exposing everything about himself to Dang Gwan.
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Yes, we are close.”
“……”
“I trust you will not speak of this elsewhere.”
Dang Gwan’s eyes deepened further. He too understood the weight carried by such an honest answer.
But only for a moment.
“Then bring her back.”
“Who?”
“Sang-ah.”
“…Suddenly?”
Dang Gwan’s expression grew complicated.
“There is a reason.”