The Strong Survive (2)
The tavern Yeop Seong led him to was located not far from the Black Dragon Department at all.
It wasn’t particularly shabby, but it wasn’t especially clean either. Since it wasn’t a place many people frequented, the interior felt empty and hollow.
The location itself was rather peculiar. It wasn’t the kind of spot one would easily notice while passing by. Even if someone deliberately searched for it, the position was so subtle it could be overlooked. Broadly speaking, it sat close to the forest.
“This is a secret tavern that only I and a few others know about.”
“Hmm.”
Yeon Hojeong glanced at the server dressed in attendant’s clothes.
Surprisingly, the man had cultivated inner energy. And at a fairly high level, no less.
That wasn’t all. As if they had been warned in advance, the two people busily cooking in the kitchen were also formidable experts.
They could easily be considered first-rate. Two such masters were preparing the food, while another guided the guests.
“Have a seat. The view here is the best.”
Though it was a single-story building, the scenery outside the window was indeed beautiful. The breeze blowing in was refreshingly cool, and the swaying tree branches created a subtle, artistic charm.
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“It’s a nice place.”
“Right?”
“Calling it a place only those in the know are aware of feels almost too secretive.”
Yeop Seong spoke honestly.
“I built it in secret. I use it occasionally when I want to invite people I’ve taken a liking to.”
“Really?”
The nuance behind the word “invite” was peculiar.
It wasn’t a simple invitation. This was the place he would bring people when trying to win them over as his own. Whether through alcohol, food, women, or gold and treasures, he would conduct all his dealings here.
Yeon Hojeong leaned back in his chair with a languid expression.
“I’m hungry, so bring the food quickly.”
“No need to worry about that. Just take a whiff. They’re preparing some excellent dishes.”
The aroma drifting from the kitchen was truly exceptional. It was so captivating that simply smelling it seemed to banish any sense of hunger.
“Shall we start with a drink?”
“Sounds good.”
A short while later, the server brought two elegant porcelain bottles.
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled.
“This isn’t ordinary white liquor.”
“How could I serve cheap swill to an honored guest of the main department?”
“Fair enough.”
“It’s Geumjoncheong. Have you tried it before?”
“A few times.”
“If you’ve had it, this conversation will go quickly. I enjoy my drinks quite a bit, but I’ve never tasted anything better than this.”
Indeed, Geumjoncheong was famous for its flavor. And it was just as expensive as its taste suggested.
“Have a cup.”
Yeon Hojeong held out his glass without hesitation.
“Pour one for me too.”
“Gladly.”
Yeon Hojeong filled Yeop Seong’s cup.
“Shall we drink?”
The two men emptied their glasses at the same time. Neither bothered with a toast.
“How is it? Not bad, right?”
“The aroma is excellent. The finish is smooth too.”
“I feel rewarded for my hospitality.”
Yeon Hojeong wiped the corner of his mouth and asked.
“Now that we’ve had a drink, let’s get to the main topic. What do you want to say to me?”
“You’re quite impatient.”
“Impatient and hot-tempered. I like honesty and hate beating around the bush.”
“Hoh, is that so.”
Yeop Seong stroked his chin.
“Refreshing. Lately I’ve met far too many sly old snakes. You really are different.”
“So, what’s your point?”
He asked naturally, his expression almost leisurely.
Yeop Seong’s eyes gleamed. ‘He’s sincere.’
At a glance, Yeon Hojeong was clearly different from the cunning veterans he had dealt with before.
If Yeop Seong didn’t speak his desires plainly, the man would simply leave. The atmosphere made that clear.
‘Well, that’s fine too.’
Yeop Seong filled his own cup and asked.
“Before I answer, let me ask you one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Vice-Commander Yeon, have you ever thought about the future of the Black Dragon Department?”
Yeon Hojeong let out a short laugh.
“Not deeply. I’m not even one of your people.”
“I see.”
“Well, even if both the Martial Alliance and the Black Dragon Department survive the war intact, they’ll certainly become a significant burden to us.”
Yeop Seong’s eyes gleamed once more.
“So you’re saying the orthodox and unorthodox factions can never truly coexist?”
“Isn’t that obvious? They can coexist, but unification is impossible. At least in this era, that’s what I believe.”
“Coexistence…”
“Was that a sufficient answer to your question?”
“More than enough.”
Yeop Seong, who had been lost in thought, suddenly emptied his cup and spoke.
“It seems my master has taken quite a liking to you.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Desiring what one cannot possess is only natural.”
“That is exactly what favoritism is. It means my master wants to possess you.”
“He’s a greedy man.”
“Though my master is greedy, his eye for people is frighteningly sharp. He doesn’t even glance at half-baked talents.”
“Is that so?”
“In other words, you are a talent even the King of Combat would covet. The problem is that you are not the kind of person who would willingly serve under an absolute powerhouse like the King of Combat.”
“You see clearly.”
Yeon Hojeong filled his own cup and asked.
“So, what exactly do you want to say?”
Yeop Seong smiled.
“Can you support me?”
“Support?”
“That’s right.”
Yeon Hojeong stared quietly at Yeop Seong’s face for a moment, then tilted his head.
“No matter how much favoritism you receive from the vice-lord, I am clearly a man of the Martial Alliance. Receiving support from someone like me? It would likely be poison to you rather than any benefit.”
“Not at all.”
“I’d like to hear an explanation.”
Yeop Seong filled his own cup as well. At some point, the two men had each placed a bottle beside themselves and were pouring their own drinks.
“What does the Martial Alliance look at when selecting a leader?”
“Many things. Martial prowess, righteousness, the person’s history, public recognition, popularity, and so on. They’d hold a vote as well.”
“That’s true. But the unorthodox path is simpler. At least the Black Dragon Department is.”
Yeop Seong emptied his cup in one smooth motion and continued in a low, subdued voice.
“The way to become the supreme leader of the Black Dragon Department is simple. You simply become the strongest.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“I know. It’s a world where the strong survive.”
“Correct. But there are clear limits.”
“Limits?”
“Yes.”
Yeop Seong leaned back in his chair.
“The history of the Black Dragon Department is extremely short. For such a young alliance to grow this large and powerful is entirely thanks to my master’s existence.”
The King of Combat, Yang Cheon.
A man who unhesitatingly called himself a product of the unorthodox path, a living incarnation of struggle who had waged every kind of battle against the world.
“Some structure has been established, but everyone still looks to my master. Why? Because he is the founding supreme leader. And because he is that strong. In the main department, my master’s word is law.”
“I know.”
“However, no matter how powerful my master is, he cannot change the principle of the strong surviving. Nor would he try. The problem is the timing of his retirement.”
“Hmm.”
“The powerhouses of the Holy Heaven, those who have broken through to the Limitless realm, are unrivaled beings beyond human control. No one dares challenge their might. Naturally, their lifespans are also long.”
“…”
“As I said earlier, my master is a greedy man. Until the day his life ends, he will continue to challenge and challenge again.”
“So what’s the main point?”
“I can endure that time. But I cannot endure it without being named the successor.”
Uuuung.
A faint crimson light glowed within Yeop Seong’s pupils.
“Help me.”
“…”
“If I become the successor, I will not provoke the righteous orthodox factions. At least not until the day I die.”
“Hoh.”
The corner of Yeon Hojeong’s mouth curled upward.
“You would choose coexistence?”
“That’s correct.”
“Did you really think I would believe those words?”
Yeop Seong shook his head.
“I know you are an extraordinary person. Even if there are some frustrating aspects, the Martial Alliance is still the Martial Alliance. For such an organization to pass its reputation and responsibility to a single individual is no ordinary matter.”
“…”
“It is an undeniable fact. You are someone who will wield immense influence over the next generation of the righteous path.”
“And?”
“No matter what position you hold, if you are someone capable of exerting great influence, I believe you will at least recognize my sincerity.”
“Quite an optimistic view.”
“Think of it as having a good eye, if you will. There are many things I don’t know, but I at least know that your insight is no less than mine.”
Yeop Seong’s face grew serious.
“Let me ask you this. Looking at me now, do I seem like an ambitious man who would recklessly attack the righteous path in pursuit of unifying the world under one rule?”
Yeon Hojeong stared at him quietly, then shook his head.
“You don’t look that way right now.”
“Yes, I am not…”
“But people change. Who knows what you might become later?”
“That’s not wrong. However, if you support me, couldn’t we make another deal that would serve as a clear promise between us?”
“Well, I don’t see the need. And as I said earlier, pulling me in is not a good choice.”
Yeon Hojeong continued with a smile.
“Besides, I doubt the vice-lord would like it. Instead of focusing on martial training, you’re trying to recruit a dispatched member of the Martial Alliance to your side? If I were the vice-lord, I would consider that truly pathetic.”
Yeop Seong shook his head.
“You don’t know my master. He would actually praise the ability to bring a talent like you to his side.”
“Hoh, is that so.”
“Of course.”
“Still, I have no intention of supporting you. There’s nothing more headache-inducing than getting involved in someone else’s political games.”
Yeop Seong’s eyes narrowed.
“I’m not asking you to get involved. Just…”
“Before that, if we survive this war, the vice-lord will try to devour the righteous path to fulfill his own ambitions. Even if you become the successor, you won’t be able to stop that.”
“…”
“In the end, it’s just pretty words. I can’t find any reason to support you.”
Yeop Seong’s face hardened.
“I spoke my true feelings honestly.”
“I know. I was honest too. The answer is no.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head and stood up.
“And you’d do well to remember what I said. The vice-lord has no intention of naming a successor who plays political games.”
“…”
“If you understand, tear down this cumbersome tavern and turn it into a training ground instead. Becoming endlessly stronger—that is the greatest proof of recognition in a world where the strong survive, isn’t it?”
Yeon Hojeong flipped his cup upside down.
“Eat the food with the people here. Thanks for the drinks.”
He walked past Yeop Seong toward the door.
At that moment, Yeop Seong’s mouth opened.
“In the unorthodox path…”
“Hm?”
“Even a simple spar is a battle to the death.”
“I know.”
“Do you understand what that means? It means we stake our lives on everything we do. That’s why we don’t make requests lightly, nor do we reject them lightly.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“That’s not so different from the righteous path. Actually, isn’t the righteous path even more vicious? Those sly old politicians are masters at twisting people inside out. I’d rather deal with straightforward people like you.”
“Do you truly think so?”
“Of course.”
Bang!
A loud sound rang out as the empty cup struck the table.
A cold voice flowed from Yeop Seong’s mouth.
“Even if you refuse my request, I cannot do anything to you. You are a dispatched member of the Martial Alliance, after all.”
“A fine shield. I’m always grateful for it.”
“But your people will suffer greatly.”
“Will they?”
“Of course.”
Still seated, Yeop Seong turned his body to look at Yeon Hojeong.
“Before I try to win someone over to my side, I investigate many things. To thoroughly understand their strengths and weaknesses.”
“A good habit.”
“Won’t you regret it? Even after refusing? Do you know what I might do?”
“Since you investigated me, go ahead and tell me.”
Yeon Hojeong spoke in a chilling voice.
“Do you truly know just how far I can go when I lose my mind?”