Chapter 307: Reversal (1)
“W-What did you say?”
Ga Deuk-sang swallowed hard.
“So, what you’re saying is…”
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke calmly.
“The informant from the Black Dragon Manor is a fake. And I am the one who assassinated that fake.”
“You crazy bastard!”
Slam!
Ga Deuk-sang stood up, slamming the table hard.
“Are you in your right mind?! To deceive the entire Murim Alliance and plunge it into a swamp of confusion!”
The person disguised as the informant for the Black Dragon Manor was, of course, Hidden Shadow Number One.
However, it did not seem likely that Murong Jun could do anything to him just by confining Hidden Shadow Number One in the Brain Prison. Rather, if everyone flocked together to dig into the details and harassed Hidden Shadow Number One, Yeon Ho-jeong would be the one in trouble.
In other words, Yeon Ho-jeong could be stabbed in the back before gathering circumstantial evidence that Murong Jun had joined hands with the Black Dragon Manor Lord, Yang Cheon. It would be fine if Murong Jun tried to kill or approach Hidden Shadow Number One, but if he tried to dig out the truth of Hidden Shadow Number One under the pretext of official business, Yeon Ho-jeong would conversely be in danger.
That was why Yeon Ho-jeong had killed Hidden Shadow Number One while he was on his way to the Brain Prison.
It was as if he had laid out a massive bait so that when Murong Jun and Yang Cheon’s collusion was revealed in the future, Murong Jun would have to take the fall for this crime as well.
“He didn’t come out as aggressively as I thought. Murong Jun’s ability is certainly outstanding. However, since he is also a human, he used to reveal unexpected gaps when he took the offensive.”
“And?”
“Since he’s playing a defensive game ahead of the Alliance Leader election, I couldn’t step on his tail even if I tried. So I provoked him, and further created an illusory board.”
Ga Deuk-sang was dumbfounded.
“Are you crazy?! This is not a matter of simple political strife! I’m saying it’s a plot and a fraud!”
Yeon Ho-jeong wore a bitter smile.
“I am aware.”
“Just what were you thinking…!!”
Ga Deuk-sang, who was about to snap at him, soon let out a deep sigh.
Indeed, no matter what he said here, the matter had already occurred. Even so, there were too many things at stake to tell Yeon Ho-jeong to go to the Honored Guest Meeting and confess this matter.
If things went wrong, the entire system of the Murim Alliance could truly be shaken to its core. Furthermore, Murong Jun, seizing that opportunity, could burn down even the Zhuge Clan, starting with the Yeon Clan, and eventually become the supreme wielder of power in the Murim Alliance.
To say it was excessive worry, the things Murong Jun had done so far were too dangerous and greedy. It was because it was someone of Yeon Ho-jeong’s caliber that he could toy with Murong Jun; if Yeon Ho-jeong disappeared, Murong Jun’s opponent would also vanish.
“Damn it!”
Ga Deuk-sang’s face distorted sharply.
“To think I’m in a position where I can’t say a word even after seeing such dog-like behavior!”
Yeon Ho-jeong sighed.
“I am sorry.”
“You should have just not said anything! If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been disappointed in you!”
“My people had to know eventually. Otherwise, we couldn’t have managed the work together.”
Ga Deuk-sang finally exploded in anger.
“Hey, you crazy bastard! You committed such nonsense and yet you’re asking to work together?! You’re asking me to do such crazy things with you in the future? You want me to side with this dirty deed!!”
Yeon Ho-jeong understood Ga Deuk-sang’s anger.
The reason Ga Deuk-sang had looked upon Yeon Ho-jeong favorably and, furthermore, could build a friendship with him was that he did not cross the line.
There were times when he was somewhat radical, and there were times when he committed excessively brutal deeds. He was walking precariously on the line that should not be crossed, but at least he did not stride across that line.
Even so, there was a reason for Yeon Ho-jeong to engage in such perilous political strife. And Ga Deuk-sang saw the Great Cause for the sake of the world in Yeon Ho-jeong’s responses.
But it was not the case now.
“This is, so to speak, a fraud, a fraud intended to drag in someone who was staying still and bury them by force!”
“…”
“Yes, it’s true that Murong Jun is a dangerous person! He’s a rare villain wearing the mask of an elder of the Orthodox Path! But in this way, how are you any different from Murong Jun!”
Murong Jun caused trouble and attacked, and Yeon Ho-jeong was deployed.
And Yeon Ho-jeong neutralized his schemes by reading all of Murong Jun’s intentions.
However, this time, it was no different from dragging Murong Jun, who had done nothing, onto the board and beating him up without warning. Even after setting up such a brutal situation that an emergency was declared throughout the Murim Alliance.
No matter how favorably one tried to look at it, this was clearly crossing the line.
Of course, for Yeon Ho-jeong personally, there was a clear line that he would protect only his people. However, for Ga Deuk-sang, there was a clear line that one must act according to the Great Cause.
That was the reason Yeon Ho-jeong had committed such a thing even though he knew he would be criticized. That was also the reason Ga Deuk-sang could not understand Yeon Ho-jeong.
No matter how deep the friendship between the two was, their inclinations were too different.
“I am sorry.”
“Do you think saying you’re sorry is enough!”
“I have nothing to say.”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who offered no other excuse but an apology even after committing the deed.
Ga Deuk-sang, who glared at him with burning eyes.
After a long time, Ga Deuk-sang spoke in a low voice.
“Young Master Yeon.”
“Please speak.”
“There’s one thing I’ve been curious about for a long time. Let me ask you just that one thing.”
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
Ga Deuk-sang continued as if sighing.
“Murong Jun is… well, to put it simply, a bad guy. If that fellow becomes the Murim Alliance Leader, countless innocent people will die in order to solidify his power.”
“…”
“But, if we put it that way, there are many others who should not become the Murim Alliance Leader. Don’t you know that as well, Young Master Yeon?”
“…”
“I’ll be even more honest. I wish Murong Jun would not become the Murim Alliance Leader. And Murong Jun will try to gain the support of public opinion through all sorts of fraud in this election. But…”
“…”
“However, an election is an election. If Murong Jun commits a clear wrong, one should think about stepping up and correcting it then, but stepping forward to bury him when he hasn’t even done anything is a case of the cart before the horse.”
When a person commits a crime, a constable steps forward to arrest the criminal.
However, just because there is a record of committing crimes in the past, there is no constable who suddenly arrests and beats someone who has committed no crime.
Ga Deuk-sang was speaking of such natural logic. And such natural logic was certainly appropriate for the Great Cause.
“I’m asking you. Just what is the reason you are so desperately stopping Murong Jun from becoming the Murim Alliance Leader?”
“…”
“As I said, I also wish he would not become the Murim Alliance Leader. But that is merely my personal wish, and at the same time, I do not wish for anyone who lacks ability and character to become the Alliance Leader.”
“…”
“But looking at your actions, Young Master Yeon, it feels as if you don’t care who becomes the Alliance Leader as long as it’s not Murong Jun.”
Yeon Ho-jeong wore a bitter smile.
“As long as it’s not Murong Jun, anyone is fine… yes, that’s correct for now.”
The person he would finally push for as the Murim Alliance Leader would definitely be Murong Yu.
But it was not for now. No matter how outstanding Yeon Ho-jeong’s ability was, the world was not that easy. In this world teeming with elderly veterans of the Jianghu, establishing a promising young man as the head of the Orthodox Path Murim was as difficult as dealing with the Three Cults at the same time.
Therefore, Yeon Ho-jeong was not very interested in this election.
To be precise, as long as it wasn’t Murong Jun, he didn’t care who became the Alliance Leader.
To be more honest… rather, he was even hoping that someone without ability would become the Murim Alliance Leader.
‘Murong Jun is too smart.’
If Murong Jun became the Alliance Leader, as Ga Deuk-sang said, he would spend as little as a few years or as long as ten years or more on all sorts of fraud to gain absolute power.
That should not happen. To Murong Jun, maintaining his own power came before external enemies.
If he could only discard that greed and ambition, Murong Jun would actually be not a bad person as the Murim Alliance Leader.
However, Yeon Ho-jeong was certain. That Murong Jun was absolutely not the kind of person to discard his own greed.
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke calmly.
“Whatever the reason, I’m sorry for causing concern with this matter. What else can I say?”
“…”
“However, since I’ve put a brake on Murong Jun’s advancement with this, that is enough for me.”
Ga Deuk-sang, who was looking at Yeon Ho-jeong with an exhausted face, closed his eyes.
“Only this once.”
“…”
“Only this once, I will understand your actions. No, I can’t understand them, but I’ll just let it pass.”
“Thank you.”
“However, if you commit such a crazy thing once more in the future… then, no matter who you are, Young Master Yeon, I will not be able to treat you like a person.”
Ga Deuk-sang was speaking with sincerity.
And as always, sincerity was bound to boast a power more potent than a thousand lies.
Yeon Ho-jeong bowed his head.
“I also felt stifled, so I overdid it this time. I will make sure such a thing does not happen in the future.”
Ga Deuk-sang, seeing Yeon Ho-jeong with his head bowed, bit his lip.
‘Damn it, he’s not even a pretty maiden, so why am I acting like such a ruffian friend is endearing?’
Although he spoke sincerely, Ga Deuk-sang also knew.
Even if Yeon Ho-jeong committed such a deed again, given his personality, it would be difficult for him to hate the man.
Although he could force a break in their relationship, he knew he would still try to understand the person named Yeon Ho-jeong.
Therefore, he had no choice but to answer like this.
“Yes, please let’s do that. I have a weak heart. Stop making my heart skip a beat.”
Ga Deuk-sang grumbled.
“A crazy guy did a crazy thing, but I guess for a crazy guy, that’s normal, so that’s why he did it. Fine, how do you think the situation will turn out in the future?”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“I cannot know. I only know that Murong Jun will become much more cautious, and furthermore, even if there is a fraud he is planning, he won’t be able to commit it easily.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. I also overdid it this time, and Murong Jun must have understood that someone could tighten the noose around his neck at any time.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smacked his lips.
“I suspect the number of people who bleed because of Murong Jun’s fraud will decrease by about ten percent. Well, I can’t even be sure of that though.”
“…Yes, you committed such a ruffian-like deed, so there should be at least that much achievement.”
“Of course, even so, the opponent is Murong Jun. That fellow will create a mess in order to win this election somehow.”
Ga Deuk-sang asked seriously.
“You’re saying it only slows down his advancement, and Murong Jun won’t just stop using the schemes he devised himself?”
“I am certain of that.”
“If that fellow tries to make another leap, when do you think that time will be?”
“That, I also cannot know. However, I can read the signs.”
“The signs?”
“That is correct.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.
“Let’s wait a few days. Something that will change the situation will surely happen.”
Three days later.
“Army Commander Yeon. Ah! The Information Consultant was here as well.”
“Strategist.”
Zhuge Wen-hu spoke with a serious face.
“I’ll cut to the chase. The thing you asked me before. To monitor the southern Hubei area.”
Yeon Ho-jeong and Ga Deuk-sang’s eyes sparkled.
“Was someone related to Murong Jun caught?”
“That’s right.”
“Who is it?”
“Murong Lotus Flower.”
“…!”
“The daughter of the Murong Clan Head, Murong Lotus Flower, is coming to the Murim Alliance.”