Chapter 232: Conflict (2)
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“Did you convey it?”
“……Yes.”
“You did well.”
“Young Master Yeon.”
“Please speak.”
“I know Murong Jun crossed the line. But do we really have to go this far?”
“Is there any other problem?”
“There is a problem. Definitely. You know it too, don’t you?”
“Even if there is a problem, I will push through.”
“Young Master Yeon!”
“It’s the order of the Operations Group Leader. I will not tolerate any dissenting opinions.”
“……!”
“I’m sorry. For pulling my authority like this.”
“Ah, damn it. You did it last time too, and you keep using your ultimate move.”
“…….”
“Let’s hear the reason. Of course, that person did something very wrong, but shouldn’t we finish our mission successfully? By overdoing it and hitting his back…….”
“Beggar Successor.”
“Please speak.”
“Murong Jun was originally that kind of person. I knew it too. And it might sound like bragging, but I am not a person who gets hit in the back of the head by an opponent I have already finished analyzing.”
“I know.”
“Even so, we took a massive hit. Do you know the reason?”
“……?”
“Murong Jun considers me the biggest stumbling block in the future. So his attacks were always directed at ‘me’.”
“……Right.”
“But this time it wasn’t. He pushed the obstacle aside for later and just moved radically for his own purpose.”
“…….”
“Do you understand? If he aimed at me, it wouldn’t matter. But he brought his chess pieces to the Go board and was clearing away the stones.”
“……In other words, we have to clear away the chess pieces?”
“That’s right.”
“So that’s what you meant by crossing the line.”
“That person trusts us. Strictly speaking, he trusts our abilities. He is the commander, but he knows that it’s the field agents who actually determine the success or failure of the mission.”
“So that’s why he could pull off such a stunt. Because talented people who could fully cover up his mistakes were deployed.”
“If it’s just this once, it could be possible. But that person won’t stop here.”
“In the end, the reason Young Master Yeon is overdoing it like this is to redirect his consciousness back to you?”
“Not just redirecting, but to tie it down entirely. Forever from now on.”
“…….”
“It’s worth taking the risk even for that one result.”
“Hoo.”
“I’m sorry. I apologize once again.”
“Why?”
“……?”
“Why is Young Master Yeon apologizing? Murong Jun is the one who caused this mess.”
“…….”
“I want the mission to succeed, but I’m afraid of allies dying because of this mission. Achieved the mission and died a heroic death? That’s bullshit. It’s definitely a mission with a lot on the line, but it’s not a mission more important than human lives.”
“…….”
“But Murong Jun dragged an innocent person into this mission and killed them. He didn’t even dirty his own hands. I didn’t say it to you, Young Master Yeon, but this is something a Demonic Person would do.”
“…….”
“Do as you wish, Young Master Yeon. However, please just listen to one request of mine.”
“Please speak.”
“Just please don’t become a more dangerous and vicious monster to kill a monster. What I want now is only that.”
“Hu-gae.”
“……?”
“I’m sorry. I am already becoming a beast more petty and vicious than Murong Jun.”
* * *
“Oh, you came.”
Yeon Ho-jeong knelt down.
“I greet the Manor Lord.”
“Yes, come here.”
Unlike usual, Yang Cheon was drinking alcohol in his residence inside the corridor.
Yeon Ho-jeong walked steadily and sat opposite him.
Yang Cheon spoke mischievously.
“I told you to come, I never told you to sit?”
“You took out a glass for me to sit, so what kind of joke is that?”
“Hahaha!”
Yang Cheon laughed loudly.
Really, the more he looked at Yeon Ho-jeong’s ambitious confidence, the more he liked it.
It wasn’t just because of Yeon Ho-jeong’s abilities.
Yang Cheon was lonely. He had many trustworthy subordinates and had gained the top reputation in the Jianghu, but there was no one he could open his heart and talk to.
In that respect, Yeon Ho-jeong was a truly refreshing companion. Because he found him difficult to approach but did not fear him.
‘I gained a Hidden Dragon among Hidden Dragons. Hoho, is the hardship of wandering the Central Plains for several years finally bearing fruit?’
Yang Cheon smiled and lifted the liquor bottle.
“Have a cup.”
“Yes.”
The liquor filling the empty cup had a beautiful jade color.
“The scent is good.”
“It is called Pine Breeze Liquor.”
“Did you brew it yourself?”
“I don’t know how to brew liquor. It’s just a liquor made in a region I know, and it’s not known in the Central Plains yet.”
“It is an honor.”
“Now, let’s drink.”
Yeon Ho-jeong emptied the cup just like that.
Yang Cheon burst into a hearty laugh.
“You’re truly refreshing.”
“How could I leave the liquor my lord poured for me.”
Yeon Ho-jeong lifted the liquor bottle.
“I will pour you a cup.”
“Sounds good.”
Thus, a few rounds of drinks went back and forth between the two people.
“Right, I heard you were extremely busy these past few days?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“Even a person who has made a great contribution to both literary and martial arts is a newcomer. In order to fulfill my duties, I must put everything about the Black Dragon Manor into this fist-sized head as soon as possible.”
“Hohoho.”
“I went through some hardship, but losing sleep at night was worth it.”
It was a confident voice.
Yang Cheon formed a satisfied smile. Just by listening to his words, he could tell how certain Yeon Ho-jeong was in handling matters.
“Illusion Snake clicked his tongue. Saying you worked without resting for a moment.”
“Senior Illusion Snake exaggerates a bit.”
“Senior?”
“He is a senior. Unless it’s a public setting, his age is older, and he has served the Manor Lord longer than me, so it is proper to call him senior.”
“Hoho, you know a thing or two. The more outstanding a person is, the easier it is for them to become arrogant, and such people usually face unexpected threats. But since you planned to bow and enter from the beginning, the gazes looking at you will soon soften.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“The mission entrusted to me is too heavy to act according to my temper. In order to become a pillar supporting this massive organization, I must make my waist and knees flexible.”
“Kuahahaha!”
Yang Cheon, who burst into mad laughter, filled Yeon Ho-jeong’s cup again and said.
“Yes, anyway, it is a relief that you are living well. By the way…….”
“Please speak.”
“You must have seen and felt many things at the Information Department during this time.”
“That is so.”
“How was it? I’m very curious about what kind of organization you see the Black Dragon Manor as, and how we should proceed in the future.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.
‘You shouldn’t have joined hands with the Evil Lust Cult in the first place.’
Actually, he had a mountain of things he wanted to say.
No, he wanted to argue. If he truly intended to grasp the world, he shouldn’t have received help from an organization of unknown identity. He wanted to drive him into a corner, asking if he didn’t feel it was a waste of his reputation as the Combat King.
‘You’ve already come too far.’
Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth.
“I will say just one thing.”
“Hmm?”
“As things stand now, even if we reorganize the organization, it will be difficult to narrow the gap with the Orthodox Murim Alliance.”
Yang Cheon’s eyes flashed.
“The reason?”
“The Murim Alliance is literally an alliance, so its pros and cons are clear. However, one of its pros is so huge that it is inevitably burdensome as a hostile force.”
“A pro?”
“Great cause.”
“Great cause?”
“Regardless of what the actual minds of the leadership leading the Orthodox Orthodox factions are, they move for chivalry and morality. In other words, there are many sects that will hand over money and troops for chivalry and morality without any conflict of interest.”
“……!”
“What is as important as martial power is funds. So to speak, they are inflating their storehouses for free by putting up the signboard of chivalry and justice.”
Yang Cheon nodded.
“I suppose so.”
“That is correct. Furthermore, there are far more people who desire peace than those who want to conquer the world. The growth rate of the Murim Alliance will be as formidable as the growth rate of the Black Dragon Manor.”
“…….”
“If the growth rates are similar, the Black Dragon Manor will never be able to surpass the Murim Alliance.”
Yang Cheon’s face hardened.
“Then, what do you think we should do?”
“There are three methods.”
“Three? Please tell me.”
“First, the first one.”
Yeon Ho-jeong raised his index finger.
“It is a method of drawing in an external organization for a noticeable growth rate.”
“What organization can we draw in any more than this?”
Yeon Ho-jeong had to put all his effort into not letting killing intent seep into his voice.
“The Evil Lust Cult.”
“……!”
“There must be a clear reason why they are supporting the Black Dragon Manor. The Manor Lord did not tell me about that.”
“Hmm.”
“Regardless of the reason, if we can absorb them, we will be able to face even the Murim Alliance. Even if we lag behind in troop strength, if we overwhelm them in financial power, we can seize victory without shedding blood.”
Yang Cheon shook his head.
“That is impossible.”
“Is it really so?”
“It is.”
Yeon Ho-jeong did not ask for the reason.
“Then there is also a second method. However, I do not recommend this method to you.”
“Tell me.”
“Public sentiment.”
“Public sentiment?”
“Even pottery made by the greatest artisan in the world is bound to get dirty, and there is no person who doesn’t gather dust when shaken.”
Yang Cheon frowned.
“Are you saying we should dig into the backgrounds of the Murim Alliance leadership?”
“That is correct.”
“It’s not easy. Even if it were possible, an enormous amount of funds would be required. Furthermore, I don’t know if it’s worth pouring that much financial power into.”
“There is value. However, only under the assumption that this side’s patience is sufficient. Moreover, we might have to release more money for the commoners south of the Yangtze River.”
Yang Cheon shook his head.
“I am not someone who doesn’t know the importance of public sentiment. But as you said, that is a task that requires excessively great patience. In addition, although public sentiment is an indispensable element, it cannot be called a decisive factor that determines victory or defeat.”
“You just have to endure enough to determine victory or defeat. However, as I mentioned earlier, I also do not recommend it.”
“I see. I am also against it.”
“Then there is only the last method.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s face became serious.
Yang Cheon had a premonition. That the words Yeon Ho-jeong was about to say now were the real method he wanted to recommend.
“The last method, what is it?”
“It hasn’t been a year since the Murim Alliance was established.”
“Right.”
“And the Alliance Leader position is still vacant.”
“That is so. I heard they will elect the Alliance Leader next year.”
“…….”
“……Could you be?!”
“Yes, exactly that.”
Yeon Ho-jeong wore a chilly smile.
“Interference in the election.”
“……!!”
“We just need to set up the Murim Alliance Leader with a figure that suits our tastes.”
“That is…….”
“And surprisingly, I heard a strong candidate for the next Alliance Leader has entered Hunan.”
Yang Cheon’s eyes widened.
Yeon Ho-jeong raised his cup.
“How about trying to use Murong Jun, the Murong Clan Head?”