“Have you come?”

“I hope you’ve been well.”

“Heh. Thanks to you.”

“May I sit?”

“Of course. But still—why come all the way to this man’s quarters when we’ll be seeing each other at today’s meeting anyway?”

Je Gal Munho’s gaze sank coldly.

“I came to give you a word of warning.”

Mo Yonggun smiled faintly.

“I’m already looking forward to it. Wait just a moment. A guest has come—at least let me offer you a cup of tea.”

A short while later, teacups were set between them, fragrant steam rising.

Je Gal Munho didn’t touch his.

“At today’s Councilors’ Meeting, we will organize every matter concerning Yangcheon.”

“I assumed as much.”

“As you’ve likely guessed, the direction will be to hand this operation’s command authority to you, Clan Lord Mo Yong.”

Mo Yonggun bared his teeth in a grin.

“One of the essential elements of command is speed, is it not? The one who has already drawn every strategic diagram in his head is the one suited to command. Of course I guessed it.”

Je Gal Munho nodded.

“I’ll speak frankly. Your strategy and judgment are outstanding. In a certain sense... you could be called the greatest among the councilors.”

“Oh? Why would you say such a thing? Even if my schemes are sharp, it’s only enough to work on ordinary men. It’s nothing compared to the left-palm of Divine-Mechanism Je Gal.”

“As you know—still, I’ll say it again, just in case.”

A fierce light rose in Je Gal Munho’s eyes.

“In a military operation, the Strategist is the ultimate decision-maker. Even if every other councilor acknowledges you as the commander, you cannot become the commander unless I grant it.”

Mo Yonggun wore a meaningful smile.

“I know. Of course, bearing that much political pressure will be the Strategist’s burden.”

“That’s correct.”

Je Gal Munho leaned forward.

The heat in his eyes as he stared straight at Mo Yonggun was brighter than ever.

“Promise me one thing. That in this operation, you will not entangle it with the Alliance’s power struggle.”

“Heh. What a hurtful thing to say.”

“I believe we understand each other’s ability and temperament well enough by now. That is why I’m saying it.”

Meaning: You are exactly the sort of person who would do it.

It was a thoroughly rude statement, but Mo Yonggun didn’t even blink.

“So the Mo Yonggun reflected in Clan Lord Je ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) Gal’s discerning eyes was a man with no sense of propriety at all?”

“You’re frightening precisely because you do have propriety. When someone like you truly decides to act without it, it becomes hard to respond.”

“Hehahah!”

Mo Yonggun laughed because it amused him.

Strangely, there was no trace of displeasure in that laughter. If anything, it was a hearty laugh with something like goodwill toward his counterpart.

Hearing it, Je Gal Munho thought—

He’s become more frightening.

In the past, Mo Yonggun had answered criticism beyond a certain line with a sharpness of his own.

But not now. Now he was the sort of man who could laugh sincerely even while being slashed with accusation, even with an open gaze of suspicion held right in front of him.

It was as if the most venomous viper under heaven had swollen into something like a hornless dragon.

What, exactly, is it that turns you into such a monster?

Of course, he already knew the answer.

Commander Yeon...

More precisely: he’d been shocked by the drastic, relentless strikes from the opposing faction centered on Yeon Hojeong.

But Mo Yonggun wasn’t the kind of man who shrank back in surprise. He used it as an opportunity—someone who could look back at his own flaws.

Truly frightening. And truly regrettable. If only he’d turned that self-reflection toward his character as a person—why did he turn it toward political struggle instead?

Mo Yonggun said, smiling.

“Don’t worry. Depending on the moment, I’m a petty man who won’t hesitate to scheme... but at least I know how to choose the stage on which I must fight.”

“.......”

“I’m not concerned with the Fighting King, Yangcheon, in himself. But if he gathers the Dark Path and amasses a massive force... then that truly becomes a problem.”

“That’s right. Even if, someday, you seize the Orthodox Path’s greatest power, it’s obvious it would still be a problem.”

“Exactly. Which means this fight, at least, has nothing to do with factional interests.”

Je Gal Munho watched him for a moment, then nodded.

“I will trust you.”

“You may. And you may trust the Mo Yonggun who comes after this as well.”

“I can’t promise that.”

“Heh. Whether you cross mountains, take the official roads, or sail the seas—so long as you reach the same destination. I won’t deny I have personal ambition... but I too am a man who desires the prosperity of the Orthodox Path martial world.”

“I’ll trust you only up to that point.”

“Hehahah!”

Je Gal Munho rose.

“Clan Lord Mo Yong.”

“Speak.”

“Do you know why I believe your words? Even without sealing it in writing.”

Interest lit in Mo Yonggun’s face.

“Now I’m curious. You’re not the sort to swallow it whole because I asked you to. So why do you believe me?”

“To show you my resolve.”

“Resolve...”

“Yes.”

Je Gal Munho’s face turned cold.

“As the Strategist, I must keep neutrality. And for that neutrality, I have been stopping you and your faction members.”

“Heh.”

“But the moment even the smallest suspicion is raised about this operation—”

FLASH!

Killing Intent burst from Je Gal Munho’s eyes.

“Then you will learn just how vicious the Strategist’s attack can become when he throws away the value called neutrality.”

Mo Yonggun did not erase his smile.

But his eyes, too, were just as cold as Je Gal Munho’s.

Je Gal Munho cupped his fist.

“I committed many discourtesies out of needless worry. If you find time during the day, stop by my quarters. As apology for today, I will treat you to good liquor.”

Mo Yonggun laughed loudly.

“They say men grow fond of each other while fighting, do they not? Don’t take it too much to heart.”

“Then.”

Je Gal Munho left the room.

Staring at the now-empty chair, Mo Yonggun muttered softly.

“Hah! What a man. I brewed expensive tea—and he doesn’t take even a single sip?”

It meant he was that wary of him. If it involved anything on this side, he would trust nothing cleanly.

Mo Yonggun let out a short laugh.

“You know it, Clan Lord Je Gal? That just from the fact you doubt everything about me, I could throw you—and everyone who follows you—into an abyss?”

*****

Je Gal Munho left Mo Yonggun’s quarters and summoned Je Gal Ahyeon.

“You called for me, Father.”

“Have you heard? About Commander Yeon.”

Je Gal Ahyeon’s face hardened.

“Yes. I heard.”

“Contrary to what I expected, it seems Commander Yeon intends not to bring the Evil-Smiting Corps with him.”

“......Because it isn’t an operation to annihilate the enemy.”

Even if it wasn’t an annihilation campaign, a force like the Evil-Smiting Corps would be a great help.

Especially because the Evil-Smiting Corps obeyed Yeon Hojeong absolutely. In private they lived like friends, but the moment a mission began, they responded instantly to the commander’s orders.

With troops that trustworthy, even if they weren’t fighting at his side, just having them there would provide psychological stability.

Yeon Hojeong believed he didn’t even need that.

That’s so like you.

Even so, worry was unavoidable. The enemy was one thing—but the operation itself was difficult, and on a different level.

Watching his daughter sigh with that complicated expression, Je Gal Munho said,

“Will you go with him?”

“...What?”

“I’m asking whether you want to go with Commander Yeon.”

Je Gal Ahyeon’s eyes went wide.

“I-I can? Really?”

Hadn’t he been the one who said he’d abuse authority if he had to, just to keep her out?

But now he was saying the opposite. He was the sort of man who rarely changed words once spoken—so it was all the more shocking.

Je Gal Munho said,

“Commander Yeon’s ability is certainly exceptional. Martial arts, strategy—none of it can be believed to be the work of someone his age. But the more exceptional the person, the easier it is for them to reveal an opening at the decisive moment.”

“Ah...”

“In truth, I don’t want to send my daughter into a place of death, either. But I’ve removed one issue I feared the most, so I can breathe—just a little.”

“One issue you feared?”

“There is such a thing.”

Je Gal Munho’s eyes shone.

“So I’ll ask you. With Commander Yeon—will you lead this dangerous operation together with him?”

Je Gal Ahyeon grinned.

In her lovely face, the smile of a bold hero took root.

“I’ll complete it beautifully and come back, Father.”

*****

“Haah! Haah!”

His breathing broke.

And once his breath broke, his Inner Qi wouldn’t run properly. His stamina began draining at a clearly faster rate, and his reaction speed dulled visibly.

But Yeon Hojeong’s focus did not waver. If anything, facing crisis made it shine more.

Incredible.

VMMMMMMMM.

From within torn sleeves, the dignity of the Yeon Clan of Green Mountain’s strongest—an intangible Sword Qi flaring.

An absurd martial art!

Yeon Hojeong was certain.

Not only compared to his days as the Dark Emperor, but compared to every enemy he’d faced since returning and crossing hands with—this was the hardest opponent he’d ever stood before.

It wasn’t about the level of martial arts itself. As pure attainment, Yangcheon was strong; Mo Yonggun in his days as Alliance Leader, and even the Blood Cult Leader, were strong enough to contend for Under-Heaven’s Number One.

Yet Yeon Wi—without reaching their realm—was giving Yeon Hojeong the worst sense of danger.

It’s not because his real-battle ability is superior. And yet I can’t counter. I’ve never been driven this helplessly before.

Even now, Yeon Hojeong was striking with killing intent.

And still, he couldn’t touch him. Yeon Wi—the Clan Lord of the Yeon Clan of Green Mountain, the Judge’s Sword—had already seen through his son’s martial arts and habits completely, and was methodically carving at nothing but weakness.

Targeting weakness. A move unworthy of an Orthodox Path man who held “fairness” as a virtue.

“Do you understand?”

“Haah... haah! Pardon?”

Sssshk.

The Sword Qi wrapped around Yeon Wi’s hand vanished as if washed away.

“Your real-battle ability is excellent. But the Dark Path is different. In the Dark Path martial world, every cowardly trick under heaven runs wild. The petty attacks your father showed you today are nothing but child’s play compared to their methods.”

It was true.

Still, against any Dark Path master, he wouldn’t be pushed this badly.

Because—

It was his father.

His father had watched, remembered, and understood each fragment of his son’s martial arts and habits. That was why he couldn’t endure it.

That was why you didn’t leave opponents alive if you could help it. Why you didn’t train in front of others.

If someone had enough eyes and enough skill, seeing it once could tilt the weight of victory.

“And the one who stands at the very summit among them is Yangcheon. I pray it never happens—but if you ever cross hands with him, you must run without even looking back.”

Yeon Hojeong’s breathing steadily stabilized.

“Don’t worry. I’m not stupid enough to grab collars with an enemy I can’t beat.”

“Good.”

Yeon Wi nodded.

“That is enough. They call it a warrior’s shame to flee with the enemy before you, but to force yourself against power you cannot bear is nothing but reckless bravado.”

“Yes.”

Yeon Wi studied Yeon Hojeong quietly, then sighed.

“The moment I heard you were joining this operation, the first thing I thought was what I should do for you. Because I know I cannot break your stubbornness.”

“...I’m sorry.”

“Unfortunately, this father can do no more than this.”

Know your place. That was the Dark Path’s way.

That was what Yeon Wi wanted to awaken in his son.

“You must never overreach. More important than the mission is human life—and that includes yours.”

“I understand.”

“Before you infiltrate the mission ground, you must eat well and sleep well. Only then can you produce strength at the decisive moment.”

“Yes.”

“And... and...”

Yeon Wi closed his eyes.

“Don’t die.”

“.......”

“I can close my eyes to all your unfilial acts until now. But the unfilial act of leaving before your parents—I cannot forgive.”

“I will return safely. No matter what.”

“I will believe you.”

Yeon Wi turned and walked away.

Yeon Hojeong remained standing there, and for a long time, he watched his father’s back as it receded.