“How is it? Tastes good?”

“Yes, it does.”

Mo Yonggun burst out laughing.

“The fresh seafood you had on the coast must have been decent enough. But I still find meat suits my palate better than anything from the sea.”

“I see.”

Mo Yonggun looked at Mo Yong-woo with a gaze full of satisfaction.

Even as he ate this exquisite food, Mo Yong-woo’s expression barely changed.

It wasn’t that he was pretending not to enjoy it. To Mo Yong-woo, food was simply intake for the proper functioning of the body—nothing more, nothing less.

He had been “tempered” that way. To keep his body in optimal condition at all times.

Even while serving as Zhejiang Branch Chief, he had never lost the bearing of a martial artist. Mo Yonggun found that remarkable.

“By the way, are you still working on Scorched-Wilds True Qi?”

“Yes.”

“Tsk. Judging from your qi, it looks like you reached great completion quite some time ago.”

“Even after a martial art reaches great completion, it must be refined endlessly. In that regard, I still have far to go.”

“Of course. But Scorched-Wilds True Qi is a martial art that doesn’t even fill half your vessel. You’ve come this far because your talent and effort are outstanding. Anyone else wouldn’t even dream of reaching that level of growth.”

Still murmuring in admiration, Mo Yonggun reached under the table and took out four thick books.

“I wrote these myself this morning. From now on, you’ll polish these arts instead.”

“What are these?”

“You’ll know when you look.”

Mo Yong-woo examined the booklets.

A moment later, his eyes flew wide.

“Isn’t this the Heaven-and-Earth Martial Canon?”

“That’s right. The Clan-Lord’s Discipline of the main house. It’s an absolute art—one we don’t pass on even the first half of, except to the heir and a few chosen geniuses.”

Mo Yong-woo’s eyes trembled.

Watching his youngest brother like that, Mo Yonggun laughed. For all his constant poise and courtesy, he was still a martial artist at heart.

“You’re the one who said it, weren’t you? That I should pass the Clan Lord’s seat to you once I become Alliance Leader.”

“...”

“With your talent, you can reach great completion within ten years. No one in the clan will be able to oppose you inheriting the Clan Lord’s position.”

“...Thank you.”

Mo Yong-woo forced down the pounding in his chest.

“I’ll make it mine within five.”

“What?”

“Hahaha!”

Mo Yonggun was delighted by his youngest brother’s audacious answer.

That was how it should be. Not merely chasing, but vowing to overtake—that will was easy to say, but only a handful ever lived it out.

Mo Yonggun had no doubt that Mo Yong-woo would master the Clan-Lord’s Discipline faster than anyone.

“And there’s something else I need to tell you.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“You, marriage—”

Just then—

“Clan Lord. It’s the White Wind Captain.”

“Mm. What is it?”

“The eldest son of the Yeon Clan of Green Mountain is here to see you. What should we do?”

Mo Yonggun’s eyes flashed.

“Yeon Hojeong?”

Mo Yong-woo was greatly startled—and he didn’t bother trying to hide it.

Mo Yonggun asked,

“You know Yeon Hojeong as well?”

Mo Yong-woo answered calmly. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

“He’s that rising young prodigy they call the Green Mountain Tiger General, isn’t he?”

“A prodigy of the next generation, yes... quite right.”

“Then what brings him to you, Brother...?”

Mo Yonggun shook his head.

“It’s about time you knew just how frightening that brat is.”

“...?”

“He’s young, but his martial skill already surpasses Elder level in the Nine Sects and the Six Great Clans. And his mind and stratagems are on par with my own.”

“...!”

“Martial strength, cunning, nerve, ability to execute—he’s a second genius who lacks nothing in any of those. I’ve met countless talents in my life, but I’ve never seen a monster like him.”

It was an extraordinary evaluation. The fact that such praise came from his brother’s mouth honestly surprised Mo Yong-woo.

Mo Yonggun smiled.

“In a way, he might be a good rival for you. That is, if you become ruthless enough.”

“...”

“Ha, enough pointless talk. We’ll save the rest for later.”

“Understood.”

Rising to his feet, Mo Yong-woo bowed.

“Thank you for the martial manuals.”

“Good. I’m expecting great things.”

Mo Yonggun raised his voice toward the door.

“Let him in.”

KREEEAK.

The door opened and Yeon Hojeong stepped inside.

The moment their gazes collided, sparks flew in the eyes of Yeon Hojeong and Mo Yong-woo both.

Yeon Hojeong dipped his head slightly. Mo Yong-woo likewise gave a small bow, then walked past him.

“Been a while.”

“It has.”

“Sit. I’ll have them brew fresh tea.”

“No need. I just had some.”

“Haha, is that so?”

THUD.

The moment the door shut, Yeon Hojeong spoke.

“Who was that?”

“Mm?”

“The person who just left.”

Mo Yonggun suddenly felt curious. What would Yeon Hojeong’s first impression of Mo Yong-woo be?

“How did he look to you? Seem decent?”

“How am I supposed to know someone I haven’t exchanged a single word with?”

“Heh, I’m just curious how he struck you at a glance. I’d very much like you to answer.”

Yeon Hojeong tilted his head slightly.

“He doesn’t seem like someone who should be sharing a table with you.”

“Mm?”

“His martial skill is outstanding, but his nature looks a bit soft.”

This brat’s eye for people really isn’t normal.

Smiling, Mo Yonggun answered frankly.

“You saw him well. He’s a child with great talent in many areas.”

“I’m surprised. I’d taken you for someone who values a cold, venomous heart more than talent.”

“Hahaha! That depends entirely on what I do with him, doesn’t it?”

Mo Yonggun wet his throat with tea, then asked,

“Well then, what brings you here to me in broad daylight?”

“You know, don’t you?”

A faint smile curled Mo Yonggun’s lips.

“Why? Is it so suspicious that I recommended you as commander of a combat unit?”

Yeon Hojeong returned the smile.

“It was so blatantly suspicious I almost wondered if it might actually be a pure act of goodwill.”

“Hahaha!”

Yeon Hojeong got straight to the point.

“What post were you promised?”

“Mm?”

“When the Alliance of the Martial World is founded, what position will you be taking?”

“Haha, I don’t know that either. I doubt I’ll be Alliance Leader, at least.”

“Are you thinking of serving as head of the organization that oversees the combat units?”

Mo Yonggun only smiled.

But his two eyes were razor-sharp.

“...”

After a brief silence, Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“There’s no need to overreach already, is there?”

“Overreach?”

“You rendered tremendous service in driving out the Ming Clan of the Nine Provinces. You’re quite literally riding a tiger now, but if you charge ahead without even glancing to either side and trip over a weed, what then?”

“Hah. I haven’t lived a life so trifling I’d trip over a weed.”

“So you mean to keep pressing forward like this?”

“Of course. My dream is only just beginning.”

“Are you confident?”

“The future is something no one knows. All I can do is my best from where I stand.”

Mo Yonggun let out a small laugh.

“Isn’t that how life is?”

Yeon Hojeong’s gaze deepened.

He’s got something to lean on.

Mo Yonggun was not alone. He had clearly joined hands with several among the Nine Sects and the Six Great Clans.

And in just this short time? He really is something else.

Mo Yonggun cocked his head.

“Why are you staring so hard?”

“...”

“If you came to test where I truly stand on that matter, I have nothing more to say. I simply couldn’t stand to see a capable talent left to rot, that’s all.”

“You’re trying to shove a young man barely of age, with the blood still wet in his hair, into a post far beyond him.”

“Age and ability are separate things. You squared off against the Ming Clan of the Nine Provinces and captured Ming Heorim. You’ve already proven your capability.”

“...”

“Nothing more to say?”

“Who knows.”

“If not, you can leave.”

“Independent Field Force.”

“Mm?”

Yeon Hojeong’s expression relaxed.

“You’ve already recommended me, so I doubt you’ll be able to quietly withdraw it now. For my father’s face alone, you shouldn’t.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“The combat unit I command will operate as an Independent Field Force. It’ll belong to the Alliance of the Martial World, of course, but it won’t be a hothouse flower. It’ll roam the open fields freely, and when some major incident shakes the martial world, it’ll move as an independent organization under its commander’s judgment.”

“...?”

“Of course, excessive laissez-faire is no different from indulgence. The only one who can give us orders will be the Alliance Leader. If some separate decision-making body is established, we could move according to a majority vote of that council.”

“Hahaha!”

Mo Yonggun laughed, half in disbelief.

“Do you actually think I’ll grant your demands?”

“Is it impossible?”

“Of course it is. Even if I wanted to, I’m only a clan lord. I can’t push something like that through on my own authority.”

“This is our third meeting, but we know each other fairly well. Wouldn’t you say?”

“I’ve thought this for a while, but your manner of speaking is far too rude to just let slide.”

“Set aside the cumbersome mask and talk.”

Yeon Hojeong’s pupils turned a cold blue.

The color of Jade Wave True Qi, usually so beautiful, ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) looked especially eerie today.

“You can do it, can’t you?”

“...”

“Neither of us knows the other’s limits yet. But we both know this much: you’re not so incompetent that you can’t exert that level of influence.”

Mo Yonggun’s expression chilled.

For the first time, he showed Yeon Hojeong the true face of a ruthless aspirant.

“If I put my mind to it, it’s not impossible. But why should I attach such a force to you? I’m not a philanthropist who does good for others out of pure goodwill.”

“That’s exactly why I’m doing this.”

“So you want me to run my abacus one more time?”

“How are things between you and AZURE MOUNTAIN SECT?”

Mo Yonggun’s face hardened.

“What are you talking about?”

“I told you once before, didn’t I? If you’re going to use a man, use one with a tight mouth.”

“...?!”

“If you meant to plant a sense of danger in me, you did a brilliant job. Thanks to that, I spent a good couple of months shut in at home, swinging my axe.”

“...”

“They say fortune and misfortune trade places. You landed a blow, so now it’s my turn. That arrow you fired—if I hone it well enough, I might just be able to shoot it back from this side.”

A wide smile spread across Yeon Hojeong’s face.

“Should I fire the arrow named Meng Yi into your chest? Or should I use AZURE MOUNTAIN SECT for the target? Order to your taste. I’m the one handling the cooking.”

A faint tremor ran along the skin around Mo Yonggun’s eyes.

He realized Yeon Hojeong wasn’t lying. And even if it was a lie, once the name “Meng Yi” had appeared, he couldn’t ignore it.

“Do you have him?”

“He’s being kept nice and safe in my dungeon. Though he is in pretty rough shape.”

In a voice gone cold, Mo Yonggun spoke.

“Even if you send him to AZURE MOUNTAIN SECT, will that really sway the grand game? If he’d been capable of that, I’d never have sent him out.”

“He was using Shooting-the-Sun Sword Art.”

“...!!”

“Did you not know? Meng Yi never told you?”

Mo Yonggun’s face twisted openly.

In a cheerful tone, Yeon Hojeong said,

“My stake’s ready. Bring out your abacus.”