[Chapter 88]
Two days later.
"Oh, have you arrived?"
"Here we meet again."
"Ha-ha, indeed."
Moyong Jun remained unchanged.
Despite the sweltering summer, he was clad in luxurious garments that covered his sleeves and legs completely. Given his remarkable attainment, the cold and heat likely had no effect on him.
Yeon Hojeong gazed at the table.
Laid out on the table were several freshly prepared dishes, each one extravagant and costly.
Moyong Jun gestured to a chair.
"Take a seat there."
"Very well."
As Yeon Hojeong took his seat, he looked around.
"By the way, aren't you accompanied by your daughter today?"
"Yeonhwa? She's back at the main house. Unlike you, she still has much to learn."
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
"I'm not sure about martial arts, but her strategic mind seems exceptional."
"Ha, does she appear so in your eyes too?"
Of course.
During the era of the Black Shadow Emperor, Moyong Yeonhwa exhibited strategic acumen that rivaled even Moyong Jun's current prowess. In fact, her strategies inflicted significant damage on the Sa-eum Sect's forces.
Though, the Black Shadow Castle also suffered losses, albeit covertly.
"If she hones her skills well, she could become a renowned sword of the realm."
"How wonderful that would be. Indeed, had she been a boy, she might have been appointed as the young clan leader in the near future."
"That's unexpected."
"Hm? What is?"
"I'm aware of how you ascended to your position. Given who you are, I thought you wouldn't discriminate based on lineage or gender."
Moyong Jun smiled.
So, you know how I became the clan leader. Despite the profound implications of that statement, he remained unshaken.
"It doesn't concern me. But the world thinks otherwise. If a girl becomes the clan leader, many would point fingers at our family."
"Is that so?"
"The position of clan leader isn't just about ability. Martial arts, strategy, character—all are important. However, when it comes to men…"
"…"
"An aptitude fitting the times is also necessary. I consider gender a part of one's talent. It's the unfortunate talent Yeonhwa was not born with."
That was a lie.
After becoming the leader of the Martial Alliance, Moyong Jun passed the clan leadership to Moyong Yeonhwa.
To be precise, he never relinquished his position as clan leader. He simply put Moyong Yeonhwa at the forefront as acting clan leader.
And before the battle at Hyeongsan unfolded, he entrusted her with the clan leadership and went to his final fight.
Was it a battle with no promise of tomorrow that weakened his resolve? Not at all.
It was a battle with high odds of victory. He likely never thought he would die.
'He's keeping me in check.'
Indeed.
He might not intend to pass the clan leadership to Moyong Yeonhwa now. But Moyong Jun never considered gender in relation to talent.
It was merely to put others at ease. A talented child, but regrettably not fit to be the clan leader. An outsider once married off, so no need to worry too much.
'Things have changed. He's more cautious now.'
After a series of events that buried the prestigious family, his wariness towards himself heightened.
So, he hides things. Even the most trivial matters.
'I need to focus on today's conversation.'
Moyong Jun picked up a bottle of liquor.
"Have you fully recovered?"
"Completely."
"Ha, youth must be nice. To think you've recovered from such a severe injury already. You surprise me in many ways."
That was sincere. Moyong Jun was genuinely amazed by Yeon Hojeong's recuperative powers.
Yeon Hojeong lifted his cup with a bitter smile.
"I'm still far from it."
"Don't say such things elsewhere. You'll be criticized. Though, it's not easy to criticize someone who's purged the rotten core of the White Path Martial World."
Yeon Hojeong grimaced.
"You have no idea how tiring that has been."
People see the outcome, not the process. Had it been Yeon Hojeong from a lesser family who had fallen, he would have been branded as a villain in history.
But the prestigious family fell, and Yeon Hojeong survived.
Only then did people begin to see the process. Why Yeon Hojeong fought alone against the prestigious family, how he confronted them.
And so, the three characters of Yeon Hojeong's name were firmly etched in the minds of the martial artists of the era.
"It can be tiring. But accept it. If you worry about every gaze, you won't get anything done."
A chill ran through Yeon Hojeong's smile.
"I'm well aware."
And thanks to you, I'll feel it once more.
"Let's drink."
The two emptied their cups with gusto.
"What brings me here today?"
"You? Ha, you and I joined hands to bring down the prestigious family. You should know what punishment they'll face."
"I'd rather not concern myself with the aftermath."
"Not worried about the scraps left on the bones you've picked clean?"
"I don't leave scraps to begin with."
Moyong Jun shook his head.
"You're mistaken. The prestigious family has long carried the title of 'the best under heaven.' Though branded as public enemies and unable to boast about it, they should be watched for at least a few years."
Moyong Jun couldn't know why Yeon Hojeong said this.
Even if their energy centers were destroyed, the fake death energy they cultivated would remain in their bodies. And that energy, depending on its nature, would reside in either the heart, liver, lungs, or kidneys, continuously harming the body.
Being labeled a public enemy meant at least ten years in the brain prison. None of them would survive the full sentence.
"The esteemed leaders of the martial world will take care of it."
Moyong Jun smiled.
He realized Yeon Hojeong genuinely had no interest in that matter. At the same time, he was urging him to state the real reason he had been summoned.
'Such a sharp fellow.'
The more he saw, the more he desired him.
And the more wary he became. The more they talked, the less he felt Yeon Hojeong was someone who would submit to him.
"You are quite remarkable."
"You flatter me."
"Good. Since you're glaring so fiercely, I suppose I should get to the point out of fear."
Moyong Jun refilled his cup and continued.
"Do you know of Huainan Modu?"
"I'm not sure."
"Hm, I forgot. He's known by a more famous moniker."
"…?"
"How about Anhui Xuegong?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed.
Moyong Jun smiled.
"You seem to know of him."
Indeed.
'To think I'd hear that name here.'
Anhui Xuegong.
The first time he heard that name was when he swept through the dark martial world.
Before his family was destroyed, he had never heard the name. He had no interest in the world then, to the extent that he didn't even know of the Segal family's Socheon Energy Pill.
But after the destruction, while learning martial arts from his master and sweeping through the dark martial world, he heard of Anhui Xuegong's infamy.
And it wasn't just that. He had met Anhui Xuegong and even exchanged blows with him.
And later, when he established the Black Emperor Castle.
Yeon Hojeong appointed him as the leader of the Five Great Divine Generals, the vanguard of the Black Emperor Castle.
'Mukbi!'
Anhui Blood Bow, or rather, the Divine Bow Mukbi.
In the martial world, where it's rare to achieve greatness, he honed the seldom-used art of archery to its utmost limit, becoming an unparalleled archer.
A sniper with unerring accuracy, he was a reaper who, even bare-handed, could match the other five great generals in combat prowess.
Why does his name, his moniker, now spill from Moyong Jun's lips?
"Anhui Blood Bow, or simply Blood Bow for short. He began to infamy five years ago in Huainan, Anhui, due to a bloody incident."
"…"
"He single-handedly annihilated the Jin Sword Sect that was based in Huainan. Do you know of the Jin Sword Sect?"
"…I do not."
"Hmm, the Jin Sword Sect was quite renowned in the northern parts of Anhui. They were powerful, and as their name suggests, they had significant financial strength."
"…"
"The Jin Sword Sect was known for their chivalrous path. With their wealth, they opened their granaries during famines to feed the common folk. When they were destroyed, the people of northern Anhui wept and wailed, didn't they?"
"…"
"Of course, the martial world of Anhui was in an uproar. There was a clamor to capture and kill Blood Bow immediately."
"So it was."
"But Blood Bow vanished without a trace. Despite deploying professional trackers and investigators, not a single footprint of his was found."
Naturally.
An archer must excel in agility to truly showcase their skills. Keeping distance and continuously pressuring and shooting at the enemy is the way of the archer.
'That gentleman, his agility alone could be considered the best in the world.'
Mukbi had another infamous nickname besides Divine Bow: the Ghostly Specter. Once he moved, he could neither be seen nor caught.
"And now, he has recently shown himself in Baxian Mountain, Anhui."
Baxian Mountain was a mountain range south of Huai River, in Huainan.
Moyong Jun frowned.
"The reason is unknown. Whether he wanted to revisit the grounds of the sect he destroyed, out of some perverse hobby, or for some other reason, I don't know. What's important is that he has been there for quite some time."
"Not many would know of this."
"Well spotted. If the rumor spreads, Blood Bow might flee. We're keeping the information tightly controlled."
Yeon Hojeong drank his liquor, trying to calm his mind.
"But why mention this man, Anhui Blood Bow?"
"Ming Xu Forest."
"…?"
"The eldest son of the fleeing prestigious family is said to be heading towards Anhui. And his destination, of all places, is Baxian Mountain."
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
"Is it a coincidence?"
"It must be. I also heard it from Ming Wu Shan, who was the steward of the prestigious family."
A coincidence… Is this really a coincidence?
"The prestigious family had secret residences set up all over the central plains. Places like safe houses for assassins."
"Isn't that the same for the other seven great families?"
Moyong Jun scratched his cheek.
"Well, yes. Though not to the extent of the prestigious family."
"So, there's a safe house of the prestigious family in Baxian Mountain?"
"That's right. There's one in Hanan as well, but currently, countless martial artists in Hanan are capturing the warriors of the fleeing prestigious family. Excluding Hanan, the closest place is Baxian Mountain."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes grew cold.
Moyong Jun's smile deepened.
"Why do you look at me like that?"
"Please be frank. Are you pushing for the establishment of the Martial Alliance?"
Moyong Jun felt a chill before admiration.
'What a ghostly fellow.'
Skipping several steps in the conversation, he brought up something unexpected.
The problem was that he was right. It would soon be known, but for now, it was a fact only known to the leaders who attended the grand meeting.
"…Correct."
"You're not planning to celebrate the inauguration of the new Martial Alliance with the head of Ming Xu Forest's eldest son as a toast, are you?"
Moyong Jun burst into hearty laughter.
"Do you think we're some lowly thugs from the dark path? What a dreadful thing to say."
"…"
"Indeed, as you say, the Martial Alliance will soon be established. You know my dream is to become the leader of the Martial Alliance, don't you?"
"Are you planning to push forward with this using the prestigious family incident as a pretext?"
"Ha-ha-ha."
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
"I see."
Though he didn't show it outwardly, Yeon Hojeong was inwardly rejoicing.
'Good.'
One cannot place a person in a position where there is neither organization nor title.
He thought of Moyong Woo.
A chivalrous man who would fit the role of leader of the Martial Alliance better than anyone.
'If the Martial Alliance is established now, it's good for me. This is great.'
While Yeon Hojeong was rejoicing, Moyong Jun's heart was as cold as a block of ice.
'This won't do. I must do something about this after this affair. He's too dangerous, this fellow.'
Yeon Hojeong asked.
"Are you sharing this crucial information with me because you wish to join hands with me once again?"
Moyong Jun smiled faintly.
His eyes were not smiling.
"That's right."
"I'll ask you directly. What can I gain from this?"
Indeed, this man is of the same breed as me.
Concealing his inner thoughts, Moyong Jun produced a document.
"What is that?"
"A permit."
"A permit?"
"Everything belonging to a family declared as public enemies of the martial world is confiscated by the Martial Alliance. Their wealth, martial arts manuals, even the elixirs they possessed."
"…?"
"If you bring in Ming Xu Forest, I'll allow you access to the prestigious family's martial arts manuals. This permit will make it possible."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes sparkled.
"Of course, it can be replaced with something else. That can be decided later, based on what you need."
"…"
"What will you do? Will you try to capture Ming Xu Forest?"
"Before that, I have a question."
"Speak."
"Why me?"
Moyong Jun smiled again.
"The young tiger of the east. The legendary figure who fought alone against the greatest family for his clan. The Little Conqueror or the Reincarnation of Lu Xun."
"…"
"All these terms describe you. You've proven your abilities in the White Path Martial World. Needless to say to me."
"…"
"You have ambitions too, don't you? We should shake off the remnants of the past and help each other grow, shouldn't we?"
Looking at Moyong Jun with clear eyes, Yeon Hojeong suddenly smiled.
"Would you like a drink?"
It was an acceptance.
Moyong Jun laughed heartily.
"Indeed, you're magnanimous. I knew you would accept. Here, take a drink."
The two shared a laugh as they exchanged cups. The look in their eyes revealed a deep sense of kinship and even goodwill.
But both knew. The faces they showed each other were nothing but thorough acts and deceptions.
Thus, another event, woven with both fate and enmity, found its way to Yeon Hojeong.