“Clan Head, the preparations are complete.”

“Mm. You’ve worked hard.”

Mo Yonggun took a sip of liquor.

The fragrant strong liquor felt as though it were setting fire from his throat all the way down to his stomach. It was so concentrated it was almost no different from drinking it straight, and even he had only tasted such liquor a few times in his life.

Mo Yonggun’s face as he looked down at the cup was extremely serious.

I never imagined I would end up meeting the Fighting King like this.

He had been the one who agreed to meet him, but now that the meeting was really happening, the feeling was strangely hard to describe.

The Fighting King.

One of the Thirteen Seats of the Sacred Heavens.

That name proved that they were called the very greatest in the martial world, beings who stood on a completely different level from other masters.

Among the Seats of the Sacred Heavens, it was known that the ten Immortal Sovereign Kings were older than the Three Lords and superior to them in martial arts by at least one step.

The Fighting King was one of the youngest among those Immortal Sovereign Kings. Of course, even “young” still meant he was already past sixty.

A Dark Path hero who proved his strength to the world with nothing but his two fists, regardless of any innate enlightenment in the path of martial arts.

The reason Yangcheon the Fighting King stood out so sharply among the Immortal Sovereign Kings was because of his utterly rough martial arts and his nature as a gambler in battle.

The Immortal Sovereign Kings were generally seen as immortals beyond the heavens. The same was true of the Three Lords.

But the Fighting King was not.

With a personality and martial arts that felt as though they could exist in the real world, he had overturned the entire Central Plains in his generation.

To meet such a legendary master alone...

After taking a deep breath for a moment, Mo Yonggun smiled faintly.

Am I actually nervous?

The great Clan Head of the Mo Yong Clan was feeling tension before a meeting with another person. That was rather damaging to his pride.

But Mo Yonggun accepted that unfamiliar feeling just as it was.

It isn’t anything to hurt my pride over. The opponent is who he is.

Even if the other party were not someone of that stature, tension would still be proper. This was not a private meeting, but a public one.

At that moment, Muyeon asked,

“He doesn’t seem like the type, but... if something happens, I’ll blow this entire area apart immediately.”

Mo Yonggun shook his head.

“Of course you should. But someone on Yangcheon’s level won’t make a move just because things don’t go his way.”

“But he is a Dark Path man.”

“And at the same time, he is the Fighting King.”

“This may be an impertinent question, but... you haven’t even seen his face once, so how can you be so certain?”

“It’s less certainty than trust.”

He seemed to be feeling not only tension, but also that same degree of anticipation. Mo Yonggun’s face flushed slightly red.

“When you reach this level, there are things you come to know naturally even without meeting someone. Yangcheon is one of those. He is a completely different sort of man from the infamous Blood-Jade Demon Lord or the Mad Soul Ghost Lord.”

He was of the Dark Path, and yet he had gathered together that many sects and created a massive alliance.

Of course, he would have had help. Even so, the fact that he was still the head of that enormous organization did not change.

To become the head of a group, a person had to possess a certain bearing. Yangcheon was worthy of high regard for the fact alone that, even after becoming the Lord of Ink Dragon Manor, he had still never revealed himself.

Compared to the Three Lords who were counted among the same Thirteen Seats of the Sacred Heavens—especially the worst of them, Kwak Jun the Blood-Jade Demon Lord and Gok Gyeong the Mad Soul Ghost Lord—Yangcheon was truly a man of an entirely different dimension.

“Still, no one can guarantee how the world will turn. If there is even a one-pun chance of something happening, then it is only right to prepare for it thoroughly.”

It was Mo Yonggun who had chosen this location. And throughout this building, countless explosives and hidden weapons had been concealed.

Of course, devices of this level could not kill Yangcheon. Mo Yonggun himself was confident that even if he were severely wounded, he could still escape somehow.

But buying time would be enough.

He likely would never have to use them, but if by some chance he did, every measure had already been taken so that he could leave this county within half a gak.

“Ah, and.”

Mo Yonggun frowned.

“There hasn’t been any separate contact from Yeon Hojeong?”

“There has not.”

Strange.

He could have at least given me a word or two.

This was a meeting with Yangcheon himself. Considering how Yeon Hojeong had handled matters so far, even if it had nothing to do with stealing information, it seemed likely he would have sent some further word.

It just means he’s that busy.

He found it odd for a moment, but quickly let it go. There were more than enough reasons for that to be the case.

Still, since separate word had come from Hu Gae Ga Deoksang, nothing serious should have happened.

“Clan Head.”

“Mm?”

“We’ve just received word from the other side. They say they’re half a shichen away.”

Mo Yonggun took a deep breath.

Just why did Yangcheon ask to meet me?

*****

There it is.

From atop the peak, Yeon Hojeong’s eyes as he looked down at the county were cold beyond measure.

Just like Mo Yonggun.

Even though it was a fairly large county, he identified at once the building Mo Yonggun had chosen for the meeting.

It’s ideal for securing an escape route. The alleys aren’t especially complicated, but the paths connect directly to the river and mountains. He’s probably posted experts all along the escape routes.

There were likely Mo Yong Clan warriors lying in ambush throughout every route of retreat.

I don’t know how many men he’s deployed, but before Yangcheon’s martial arts, it would mean nothing. Mo Yonggun knows that too. Still, it should be enough to buy time.

Yeon Hojeong smiled coldly.

He’s going to be quite flustered.

He had not informed Mo Yonggun of Yangcheon’s condition. Naturally, he had not told him that he himself would be coming in Yangcheon’s place either.

It was not simply to catch Mo Yonggun off guard. Of course, seeing his flustered face might be fun in its own way, but he had no intention of taking a risk for such a trivial reason.

I trust you’ll respond properly, Mo Yonggun.

At that moment, Blue Tiger approached.

“Director of the Intelligence Division.”

“Go ahead.”

The first of the Twelve Zodiac Gods Yeon Hojeong had met after entering Hunan had been Blue Tiger. But neither Yeon Hojeong nor Blue Tiger was the sort to drag past friction into a mission.

“You should be able to head down soon, shouldn’t you?”

The meaning was: was there really any reason to keep standing here and waiting?

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“Wait just a little longer. Word will arrive soon.”

“Pardon?”

“There’s such a thing.”

Blue Tiger found it strange, but soon stepped one pace back.

Being one of the Twelve Zodiac Gods did not mean knowing everything about Ink Dragon Manor. In fact, since they had no organizations under their authority beyond their own personal subordinates, they were not particularly well-informed about the Manor’s internal affairs.

Water Dragon said,

“The moment the Director of the Intelligence Division makes contact with Clan Head Mo Yonggun, we should place our personal subordinates one hundred jang away. What do you think, Blue Tiger?”

Blue Tiger nodded.

“That would be best.”

Mad Dog scratched his head.

“Is anything even going to happen? Unless Clan Head Mo Yonggun has gone insane, he won’t try to touch us.”

“You never know. Clan Head Mo Yonggun thinks the Lord of Ink Dragon Manor is the one coming.”

“Huh?”

Mad Dog looked at Yeon Hojeong with startled eyes.

“You didn’t contact Clan Head Mo Yonggun separately?”

Yeon Hojeong nodded.

“It was the Lord of Ink Dragon Manor who first sent word asking for the meeting. If it had been said that the Lord of Ink Dragon Manor was sending a proxy for one reason or another, there was a high chance this meeting itself would have fallen through.”

“Hmm.”

That was not wrong.

Mad Dog’s eyes lit up.

“In that case, instead of keeping them one hundred jang out, how about bringing them within fifty? I don’t think it’ll happen, but if Clan Head Mo Yonggun does try something, even by some one-in-ten-thousand chance...”

Sending a proxy without even giving prior notice? From the other side’s perspective, that could easily be infuriating.

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“The subordinates of the four Seniors should stay one hundred jang out. Only the unit of the one person entering with me should be placed within thirty jang.”

All of the Twelve Zodiac Gods nodded. Given the structure of the county and the roads, that was the most effective arrangement.

“Then who are you thinking of taking inside with you?”

Yeon Hojeong smiled and looked at Fire Ape.

Fire Ape, who had been looking at him with mixed feelings, was startled inwardly.

“Senior Fire Ape.”

“...Yes.”

“Let’s have you come inside with me.”

Fire Ape was flustered. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

“M-me?”

“Is there a problem?”

“...No.”

Mad Dog cleared his throat and stepped forward.

“Is there some reason you’re specifically taking the monkey—no, Fire Ape? Wouldn’t it be better to take me, or Phantom Snake instead—”

“Senior Fire Ape is quite beautiful. I don’t know how much effect it will have, but if it comes to putting the other side at ease, I think Senior Fire Ape is a better choice than the rest of you.”

Without meaning to, Water Dragon snorted.

“Well, the Director of the Intelligence Division is right. There’s no man who doesn’t like women.”

Everyone started snickering in their own way.

Surprisingly, Fire Ape was quiet unlike usual. With her temperament, she should have flared up and started hurling curses the moment this kind of conversation came out, but instead she was too busy staring at Yeon Hojeong with shaken eyes.

Mad Dog glanced at her and openly sneered.

“What? Feeling burdened? If you are, just say so. I’ll go in your place. I’m pretty good-looking myself, you know.”

Phantom Snake shook his head.

“No matter how pretty a man is, it doesn’t mean much.”

“Well, what, I could just act coy or something, couldn’t I? Who knows? Maybe Clan Head Mo Yonggun likes men.”

“Mad Dog.”

“Ahem!”

Even at Mad Dog’s taunting, Fire Ape did not get angry.

More precisely, she was not in the mental state to get angry.

What is this?

She was genuinely flustered.

Why is he still perfectly fine?

The liquor she had handed to Yeon Hojeong the previous night had contained Half-Corpse Poison, an extreme poison.

Half-Corpse Poison was not an instant poison, but a delayed deadly toxin. At first it merely made a person gradually more fatigued, but after one day, it noticeably reduced physical stamina, and after two days, it even broke down Inner Qi and plunged the victim into a deathlike state. It was a truly bizarre poison.

Unless the target was an absolute master on the level of the Thirteen Seats of the Sacred Heavens, even the Abbot of Shaolin would have no choice but to fall to it without the antidote.

And yet Yeon Hojeong was far too normal.

In fact, the more time passed, the more strangely lively he seemed. Far from looking tired, the smile never seemed to leave the corners of his mouth.

Did he notice?

Impossible. The Half-Corpse Poison Fire Ape had mixed into the liquor was something she had improved many times over. It was not only colorless and odorless, but had no effect whatsoever on the flow of Inner Qi.

And even if he had noticed, there’s no way he could look that fine without the antidote.

Just then—

FWUP-FWUP-FWUP-FWUP!

A black bird flew in from the distant sky.

It was not a crow, but a pigeon. Judging by the strange sheen on its jet-black feathers, it did not appear to be an ordinary messenger pigeon.

Yeon Hojeong received the messenger pigeon and unfolded the letter tied to its ankle.

His eyes gleamed.

It’s done.

Both the operational team and them had taken their positions.

It must’ve started by now.

The group looked at him in confusion. It was a messenger pigeon they had never once seen inside Ink Dragon Manor.

FWOOOOSH!

As Yeon Hojeong burned the letter, the messenger pigeon shot back into the sky at terrifying speed.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

SHRAAAAK!

The group descended the mountain in a single rush and entered the county.

SHFFSHFFSHFF.

Once they were deep enough inside, all of the Twelve Zodiac Gods except Fire Ape scattered in every direction. For all their bickering, they were people who handled their responsibilities properly.

And after two gak—

At last, Yeon Hojeong arrived at the appointed place and pushed the ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) door open without hesitation.

“...?!”

The moment Yeon Hojeong strode inside, he saw Mo Yonggun.

Mo Yonggun was wearing a smile, but his eyes were shaking violently.

THUNK!

The door shut.

Yeon Hojeong performed a crisp cupped-fist salute.

“My greetings. I am Jeong, Director of the Intelligence Division of Ink Dragon Manor.”

Mo Yonggun stared at Yeon Hojeong for a moment, then rose and returned the salute.

“I am Gun of the Mo Yong Clan.”

“I have heard much of your lofty name of chivalry.”

“By the way...”

Mo Yonggun’s smile twisted more and more strangely. Any master with a trained eye would have sensed at once that something was off.

Fortunately, Fire Ape did not notice anything strange. She was in no state to.

“Director of the Intelligence Division... and where has the main guest gone?”

“Due to internal circumstances, I have come as the Director of the Intelligence Division in the capacity of proxy.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled coldly.

“Will you grant your understanding?”

The corners of Mo Yonggun’s eyes trembled.

“...Take a seat.”