Chapter 250: The Time of Resurrection (6)
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“So that was it.”
Murong Jun smiled bitterly.
“To interfere in the Murim Alliance Leader election…… As I thought.”
Surprisingly, Yang Cheon obediently answered Murong Jun’s question.
And looking at such Yang Cheon, Murong Jun had no choice but to feel an even greater burden.
‘He has nothing to hide anymore.’
The Black Dragon Manor was an organization that had not yet revealed itself to the world.
Now it has all become a futile effort, but at least it wasn’t a situation completely impossible to salvage. If so, normally Yang Cheon should also approach more cautiously.
However, Yang Cheon didn’t do that.
He was extremely angry, and he wanted the truth. That’s why he sought him out directly, risking his efforts so far going down the drain.
And that proved one chilling fact.
‘I could die.’
The moment he realized that inescapable reality, Murong Jun felt his lower back becoming damp.
He had run all his life to become the best, and actually, the position of the best was right in front of his eyes. There were many various obstacles, but he had been steadily stacking up moves to crush them.
But all of that was in danger of becoming bubbles.
“It is a truly bold and dangerous method. You were trying to use a method literally no different from gambling.”
“Now, speak.”
Yang Cheon lifted his chin.
“Why did you attack the headquarters? From the circumstances, it seems you already knew of the headquarters’ existence, but how much do you know? What did you intend to gain by touching us? Don’t tell me you thought a mere Murong Clan could handle the headquarters?”
It was an extremely arrogant tone.
Murong Jun shook his head.
“The strength of my clan discusses being the best among the Six Great Clans. However, even if only half of the Black Dragon Manor’s strength I investigated is true, it would be difficult for my clan to handle the Black Dragon Manor.”
Yang Cheon’s eyes flashed.
Murong Jun just said, ‘the Black Dragon Manor I investigated’. That meant the Murim Alliance might not know of the Black Dragon Manor’s existence.
“And yet you touched it? Why?”
For a moment, Murong Jun almost unconsciously blurted out Yeon Ho-jeong’s existence.
‘Cunning bastard.’
He inwardly ground his teeth at Yeon Ho-jeong.
Revealing Yeon Ho-jeong’s true identity here right now is the worst move among bad moves. Yeon Ho-jeong had gained Yang Cheon’s trust in a short period, and furthermore, achieved the brilliant feat of snatching a core position in the Black Dragon Manor.
In other words, he had completely deceived Yang Cheon. In the midst of that, if he revealed the truth now, would Yang Cheon say thank you? Rather, his anger erupting, he would kill him first, strike the Murong Clan, and even go as far as declaring war on the Murim Alliance.
At least he himself would do so. If it’s an unavoidable fight, one should shave off the enemy’s strength at least.
‘I absolutely must not let it be known that this matter was a mission of the Murim Alliance.’
He had no intention of doing so in the first place, but he really couldn’t back out now. He had to take the act of killing the Department Head of Information and bombing the entrance of the Black Dragon Manor fully onto his own will.
It was truly an absurd situation.
‘Did that bastard foresee up to here.’
Even while thinking it couldn’t be true, a thought arose in a corner of his mind that it could well be so.
‘Scary bastard.’
Murong Jun calmly opened his mouth.
“It’s a similar intention to the Manor Lord.”
“A similar intention to me?”
“That is so.”
“Explain.”
“Didn’t you send the Department Head of Information instead of the Manor Lord? Having talked to him, he was no ordinary bloody bastard.”
Yang Cheon’s face contorted noticeably.
He tried hard not to think about it, but Jeong’s face kept coming to mind.
A confident expression, yet the face of a Hidden Dragon possessing cautious and sharp discernment.
“……So?”
“But I didn’t know he was someone the Manor Lord cherished. Honestly speaking, it wouldn’t have mattered even if I did.”
“What?”
“The Manor Lord broke the promise. In front of the name of the Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats, the title of Murong Clan Head is bound to fade, but I too am the master of a family and an Honored Guest of the Murim Alliance. I couldn’t help but be displeased.”
The corners of Yang Cheon’s eyes trembled finely.
“You killed the Department Head of Information of the headquarters for a mere reason like that?”
“The one who poured oil on a burning house was that guy.”
“……?!”
“That guy, it’s clear he’s an outstanding talent, but he was still young. He couldn’t manage his snout well. When he appeared without notice at a meeting between the heads of both groups, it’s proper to apologize first, but he provoked me instead?”
Murong Jun’s eyes became cold.
Actually, thinking about Yeon Ho-jeong, he couldn’t control his boiling emotions.
“Not just me, but anyone would have drawn their sword.”
Yang Cheon closed his eyes.
‘This guy.’
It didn’t seem like Murong Jun was lying. Well, he wouldn’t concoct a lie in a place where he could die if he made a slight mistake.
Actually, listening to Murong Jun’s words, it made sense too.
‘Why did a guy who was so delicate make such a mistake.’
Jeong was a guy who knew his own politics. However, his disposition itself was focused on strength rather than softness. As Murong Jun said, it meant he could fully commit a mistake.
Perhaps Jeong lost his precious life due to that single mistake.
‘If you were going to go so emptily, you shouldn’t have come to my side in the first place.’
Flash!
Yang Cheon opened his eyes.
At the incredibly sharp gaze, Murong Jun had to taste a chill running down his liver and gallbladder.
“The bombing of the headquarters’ entrance was also because you were angry?”
“No way. Didn’t I say? It’s a similar reason to the Manor Lord.”
“What did you say?”
Murong Jun smiled coldly.
“I wanted to see how you would react.”
“……?!”
“Though I never thought the Manor Lord would come directly.”
Yang Cheon let out a hollow laugh.
“You bombed the entrance of the headquarters just to check my reaction? Are you telling me to believe that now?”
“If not that, is there a need to go out of my way to touch the Black Dragon Manor? Frankly speaking, if I intended to smash the Black Dragon Manor, I would have prepared more secretly and buried everyone alive at once.”
This time it was Yang Cheon’s turn to flinch.
‘This guy, he’s serious.’
He couldn’t help but acknowledge his boldness.
‘To unabashedly say he would have buried the headquarters alive right in front of this Yang Cheon.’
He recalled his conversation with White Rat.
‘If they knew of our existence, they wouldn’t have gone out of their way to extract Murong Clan troops separately to only blow up the entrance.’
Clearly, White Rat said that.
And Yang Cheon also agreed with those words. If they intended to touch them properly, they would have struck with determination, and if not, they wouldn’t have laid a finger at all.
In other words, the Murim Alliance likely doesn’t know of the Black Dragon Manor’s existence. At the same time, Murong Jun wants something from the Black Dragon Manor.
Come to think of it, didn’t he himself come directly to this place to confirm exactly that.
Murong Jun smacked his lips.
“The reason young boys play harsh pranks on girls for no reason is because they want attention. It’s a somewhat embarrassing comparison, but what I did is similar to that.”
“…….”
“And right now, I am greatly seeing its effect. For the Manor Lord to seek me out directly, it is truly an honor.”
“Touching the headquarters for whatever reason cannot be overlooked. Moreover, you killed the Department Head of Information and three of the Twelve Earthly Branches of the headquarters.”
Killing intent lingered on Yang Cheon’s face.
“Now, tell me the reason why I shouldn’t kill you.”
In an instant, Murong Jun inwardly cheered.
‘Done.’
A reason not to kill him?
There is no need to necessarily say such words in the current situation. If Yang Cheon was truly angry, he would have launched an attack already.
In other words, Yang Cheon was giving him a chance right now.
A chance to return alive safely, it was a remark confirming that they could start negotiating.
His pride was hurt, but now wasn’t the time to think about such things. Rather, it was a situation that could become a move turning misfortune into a blessing.
Murong Jun said calmly.
“Whatever the reason, as much as the subordinates under the Manor Lord died, many warriors of my clan also died.”
“It’s incomparable. My subordinates you killed were talents occupying important posts even in the headquarters. Compared to that, what you lost are merely pawns.”
“Then shouldn’t we balance the scales a bit?”
“Balance the scales?”
“If both sides have lost something, I think it’s good to end the emotional fight here. I rather see our relationship becoming closer due to this fight, what is the Manor Lord’s thought?”
Yang Cheon’s eyes shone.
“That means?”
“That is right. I will accept the deal you originally intended to make.”
“……!”
“Intervene in the Alliance Leader election to be held next year. Thus, if I become the Alliance Leader, I will properly back the Black Dragon Manor from behind.”
Yang Cheon smiled coldly.
“You said you’d balance the scales, but aren’t you rather telling us to bear one more loss.”
“In the first place, the Manor Lord intervening in the election itself was an overreach. I’m saying it’s a gamble. However, I am saying I will voluntarily step onto that gambling board and bet my life as the stakes.”
“……!”
“The lives of the subordinates the Manor Lord lost, I will replace them with my life. And my life, depending on how you utilize it, could be a tremendous help to the Black Dragon Manor.”
“…….”
“Of course, that’s not all. A deal must be certain; if you say you will accept this deal…….”
Murong Jun’s eyes deepened.
‘I’m sorry.’
For now, this was the only way.
‘It will be a big shock, but this too will be able to become a foundation for your growth. If you endure this one sacrifice, I will use you greatly in the future.’
He sincerely made up his mind like that.
“……I will send my daughter to the Manor Lord.”
In an instant, Yang Cheon was startled.
“You will send your daughter?”
“Of course, my daughter must not be treated like trash. Although she is still young and lacks experience, she is a child who knows how to use tricks quite well.”
“……!”
“Depending on how she is handled, she could be a great help to the Black Dragon Manor. Please soothe her well.”
The corners of Yang Cheon’s eyes twitched.
It was revealed that Black Sheep sent by the Evil Lust Cult was a traitor. For a trading partner to say they would send a person to him, he had no choice but to find it hard to trust in many ways.
However, if it’s blood relations, it’s a different story.
“You will send your daughter as a hostage to gain your life?”
Murong Jun spoke in a light tone.
“I hope you view me as a person who knows how to make this level of exceptional move. Also, wouldn’t my daughter’s life be of some help in balancing the scales too?”
Murong Jun’s two eyes blazed like fire.
His two eyes full of desire, ambition, and excitement were shining fiercely to the point where even the Yang Cheon of the world would feel burdened to face them.
“Now, what will you do? Will you make up for what you’ve lost so far with this one deal? Or will you kill me and prepare for a battle with the Murim Alliance?”
* * *
“Puhaaaaaa!”
In the center of Hubei Province, as soon as they crossed the Yangtze River, Ga Deuk-sang let out a deep breath.
“Wow, the air itself is different.”
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
“I think we can forget about the existence of pursuers now. Now that we have crossed the Yangtze River, neither the Black Dragon Manor nor any sect of the Unorthodox will be able to chase us.”
He looked around at everyone.
“You’ve all worked hard.”
All the party let out a sigh of relief. Since Yeon Ho-jeong said so, they could really relax their minds now.
Pae-yul grumbled.
“Next time, call me when you go to a somewhat hot-blooded place. I felt like dying from frustration.”
“I understand.”
Tang Sang-ah shook her head.
“It’s rather better to fight an enemy you can’t handle. A penetration battle is really difficult.”
“Well, it’s all like that.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon quietly asked.
“By the way, Jeong.”
“Speak.”
“We are us, but what happened to the commander? Do you think he can escape safely?”
“Well.”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked to the south.
A meaningful light lingered in his coldly sunken two eyes.
“……If he returns alive perfectly fine, there will be a reason for that.”