Chapter 69: Opponents Exist, But Absolutes Do Not (4)
Sometime during their exchange, Yeon Hojeong's presence had vanished completely. He had slipped away from the place entirely.
Until then, Moyong Gun had been bursting into laughter for quite some time, but he gradually reined it in. He calmly refilled his cup.
"Yeonhwa."
"Yes, Father."
"What do you make of him?"
Moyong Yeonhwa let out a quiet sigh.
"Honestly, I can't get a read on him."
"Heh heh, that's hardly surprising."
"One thing's for sure. He's far ruder than I expected."
"Without power, one can't even afford rudeness."
"You seemed quite impressed with Yeon Hojeong."
"I hardly know how to put it."
Moyong Gun thought back to Yeon Hojeong.
Those eyes, so transparent they sent chills down the spine of anyone who met them. A face utterly indifferent, showing no haste despite lacking leisure. And the terrifying audacity to casually declare he'd wipe out the world's greatest clan.
The smile he'd forcibly suppressed leaked out again.
"He's a strong one. Beyond martial prowess, intellect, or insight. I sensed an innate strength in him."
"...That much?"
"I can't even imagine the life he's lived. He's clawed his way up through hellish battlefields most would never survive. Even innate talent struggles against the cunning forged by experience. And he's got both."
Moyong Yeonhwa's face hardened.
She knew her father held Yeon Hojeong in high regard. But she hadn't expected this level.
Moyong Gun, smiling as he recalled Yeon Hojeong, saw his expression gradually cool to an icy chill.
"Which is exactly why... he's dangerous."
"Pardon?"
"A dangerous man. In him, I saw another version of myself."
Fsssh.
The cup in his hand crumbled to dust.
Tremendous inner power. Unconsciously unleashed, his energy had pulverized the jade cup. The purity of his qi defied imagination—a boon from cultivating the Thunderclap Divine Art.
"Truth be told, though I said it in jest, seeing him stirred a fleeting greed. A talent like that... I thought he might even make a fine match for you."
Moyong Yeonhwa's eyes wavered.
"But."
Moyong Gun brushed off the powder and gazed out the window. A pristine white moon had risen unnoticed.
"He's the same breed as me. He'll never know contentment. Even if I married you off to him, he'd always eye our main house with hunger."
Moyong Gun's eyes deepened.
"A pity. Had he borne our family name, I'd have named him young master long ago."
Unseen by Moyong Gun, Moyong Yeonhwa clenched her fist.
Why? It irked her, for no reason.
Her father always praised her lavishly, but he'd never given anyone such high acclaim.
Moyong Yeonhwa forced a calm tone.
"If we can't make him one of ours, shouldn't we eliminate him now?"
"Of course."
Bathed in moonlight, Moyong Gun's white smile carried an eerie edge.
"I will seize the world. Then it becomes my garden to tend. But he won't bloom prettily in it. Better to uproot him early."
After staring at the moon for a long while, Moyong Gun rose.
"Whatever the reason, it was a meaningful encounter. We've much to do now. Let's be off."
"Yes."
* * *
"Hoo."
In the dark forest, he sat on a rock where the cold moonlight shone clearly and set down his axe.
Thud.
He'd meant to prop it up, but it wobbled and embedded itself in the ground.
His hands had no strength left.
"Exhausting."
Right after his life-or-death clash with those damned wolves, he'd traded sharp words with Moyong Gun. The mental strain was no joke.
Woooong.
He circulated his Bi-ra Jin-gyeol, mending the worsening internal injuries bit by bit.
The damage was worse than expected. His meridians torn in places, his acupoints clogged with stagnant qi.
Yeon Hojeong took a deep breath.
Weeeeng!
Opening his White Tiger Qi, he drew in thick natural qi. Qi healed the body. With ample qi via White Tiger, he accelerated his recovery, then unleashed Black Tortoise Qi to expel the remaining impurities.
After over half a shichen of meditation, he finally felt alive again.
"Damn it, should have just chugged some water. Why'd he have to suggest drinks?"
His gut churned from the injuries. Add a few cups of strong liquor, and he felt like vomiting.
This was why one shouldn't get sentimental about old memories.
'Younger days were different, indeed.'
Back when he was Martial Alliance Leader, Moyong Gun had been a seasoned politician and the revered head of the righteous path, backed by all.
He spared no means for his goals but cared fiercely for his own. To those under him, he was a respected lord and capable ruler.
'We drank plenty then.'
During the Divine Faith Three Sects' invasion—Saneumgyo specifically—righteous and demonic paths allied for the first time against a common foe. The black-and-white leaders forged bonds amid war, sharing drinks more than once.
Both had lived ruthless lives to reach their thrones, but neither lacked charm.
That's why he'd been wary—and felt a kinship.
But now? Moyong Gun burned with ambition, a scheming tyrant who'd scheme and kill without hesitation for his dreams.
'And back then, I didn't know. That the Moyong clan had a hand in destroying my main house.'
Yeon Hojeong's eyes chilled.
Memories were just that. This drinking bout was a farewell toast to a past comrade.
Now that he knew, the Moyong clan was an irreconcilable enemy. Just like the Myeong clan.
'Look forward to it, old man. I'll sweep away every foundation you've built, not leaving a speck of dust.'
He was deep in thought when—
"Hoo, why'd a wounded guy climb this damn high mountain? I'm beat."
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
"What brings you all the way here?"
"You think I wanted to come? I wanted to lounge and sift through intel too."
The newcomer was Gadeuksang.
"Where's Chaeng-eungdae?"
"Man, there's barely anyone left. We reunite after ages, and no hello?"
"You held them off well."
"Obviously? When I say I'll do it, I see it through, man."
"Good work."
Gadeuksang grinned.
"You've had it rough too, Young Master Yeon. Seeing you this banged up, they must've been real monsters."
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"Bloodthirsty bastards are all the same. Not strong, just vicious. Took some effort smashing them one by one."
"Still impressive. How many in the martial world could take down Cheongnangwi solo?"
"Tons. You just don't look hard enough."
"...You always gotta say it like that, huh?"
"So, what's up?"
"Huh? You really are hurt bad?"
"Hm?"
Gadeuksang thumbed behind him.
"Take a look."
Yeon Hojeong glanced where he pointed. His eyes widened.
"Got word straight from the family head. Truth is, I was curious how you'd held out too, so I tagged along as guide."
A hundred swordsmen emerged from the shadows one by one. Leading them was Sin Mo.
"Chaeng-eungdae pays respects to the eldest young master!"
"Pays respects to the eldest young master!"
Their voices boomed, echoing through the mountain.
Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips.
"Tone it down. Don't want rumors flying."
Gadeuksang snorted.
"Better to spread some rumors with that getup."
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
"Anyway, how'd you get here?"
Sin Mo spoke in his characteristic low voice.
"Sent by the family head himself. From now on, your guard duty is ours."
Father did?
Yeon Hojeong sighed.
"You're swamped there too. Why send you all the way here?"
Gadeuksang chided him.
"Hey, these guys busted their asses running here barefoot. That's how you talk to 'em? Be grateful."
"Ahem!"
Yeon Hojeong hopped off the rock.
"Anyway... thanks for coming."
"Not at all."
Yeon Hojeong scratched his head awkwardly.
"Problem is, where do we house this many? Huigae, mind scouting a good inn?"
"See? Can't do without me."
"Don't want to? Fine."
"Nah, got a nice manor nearby already booked. Rest there. Myeong clan's eyes won't reach it."
"Thanks."
"Yeah, yeah."
Gadeuksang asked casually.
"So, how'd the chat with Moyong family head go? Still can't believe he came to Henan."
"Ended well."
"That's it? No details?"
Yeon Hojeong chuckled. Gadeuksang had a knack for livening things up, giving him energy.
He recounted the conversation in detail.
Interest sparked on Gadeuksang's face.
"Authority, huh... Means the Great Assembly Right."
"Great Assembly Right?"
"The Nine Great Sects and Seven Great Families' heads have this Great Assembly Right. Calls the righteous path leaders for major discussions."
Yeon Hojeong frowned. He'd never heard of it.
"Something like that exists?"
"Yup. Rarely used, though. Gathering leaders from across the land? If no resolution, the proposer eats the blame—and covers losses from absent heads."
"Called for something important, then blamed?"
"Basically, don't call for trivial shit. Compensate sects for head absences."
What a bizarre power. Demonic world had no such thing—alliances were pointless anyway; everyone stabbed backs.
Yeon Hojeong had built Heukje-seong for sole rule because alliances always crumbled.
"In other words, Moyong family head's damn confident."
"Exactly."
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
"Makes sense now, 'provisional alliance.' But can heads gather in a month?"
"Some have excuses, but otherwise, mandatory."
Shocking to Yeon Hojeong, used to demonic chaos.
"Anyway, since it went well, what's next?"
"Rest. For now."
"You're not one to idle without plans."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed.
"You heard? Myeong clan's secretly entrenched near Jiangsu."
Gadeuksang smiled.
"Yeah."
"A month's long and short. Time to slowly choke their necks, no?"
"They'll deny and resist."
"Obviously."
"I'll stir the pot. Not sure if it'll hold a month."
"When rumors die down, I'll step in."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed.
"A fishing boat's borrowed, but the catch is yours alone."