Chapter 337: Aiming at the Light (5)
“Have you come?”
“Yes.”
Song Guk-hyeon’s eyes widened.
‘An axe?’
A slender young man with a scholarly aura who, except for his tall height, did not suit that bloodthirsty axe he carried on his shoulder at all.
‘What is this?’
Zhuge Wen-hu is the Strategist of the Murim Alliance.
The position of Strategist is the highest-ranking position that can exercise more authority than even the Honored Guests depending on the situation. In wartime situations, it is sometimes considered more important than the head of the organization.
Let alone this is the Murim Alliance. It might be a hasty remark, but it would not be an exaggeration to say that Zhuge Wen-hu was the actual top executive of the Murim Alliance.
But to boldly bring that incredibly vicious axe into such a person’s residence?
Yeon Ho-jeong glanced at Song Guk-hyeon.
‘…!!’
For a moment, Song Guk-hyeon almost turned his head without realizing it.
He hadn’t particularly put strength into his eyes, nor did he emit killing intent like Zhuge Wen-hu a moment ago, but his gaze was so intense that it was hard to face.
That gaze seemed to pierce right through a person’s heart and meticulously analyze their inner thoughts. Such a mysterious and intimidating gaze was the second time in Song Guk-hyeon’s fifty-five years of life.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
A smile whose meaning was hard to understand, yet Song Guk-hyeon did not turn his head until the end. Before being a giant of the merchant world, it was a matter of human Song Guk-hyeon’s pride.
“There was a guest.”
Bururureu.
The air in the room seemed to vibrate strongly.
Even though it wasn’t a very low voice, it felt like the atmosphere was shaken. Just hearing the voice seemed to drain all the strength from the muscles in his entire body.
‘What kind of young man is this…?!’
An unusual presence. Sweat began to form on Song Guk-hyeon’s palms hidden by his sleeves.
“Greet him. This person is Bank Lord Song Guk-hyeon, the head of the Central Plains Bank. He is a giant of an era who is responsible for one axis of the Central Plains’ economy of this age.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes sparkled.
“My, a great person has come.”
Thud!
Leaning the Crazy Dragon Axe against the wall, Yeon Ho-jeong briefly cupped his fist.
“I am Yeon Ho-jeong, the eldest son of the Jiangdong Yeon Clan, leading the Evil-Annihilating Army of the Murim Alliance. It is an honor to meet the Bank Lord.”
It was quite a formal greeting. Prior to the other party’s status, it was all the more courteous because he was Zhuge Wen-hu’s guest.
Song Guk-hyeon opened his mouth.
His lips were strangely trembling.
“I am called Song, leading the Central Plains Bank. It is more of an honor for me to meet the highly renowned Tiger General.”
“You flatter me.”
The greeting ended with that.
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke to Zhuge Wen-hu.
“I did not know an important guest had come. I will visit again next time.”
“No, it’s fine. I let you in because my official conversation with the Bank Lord has ended.”
“Is that so?”
“Setting that aside, what brings you here?”
Faint questioning arose on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
He must know that his visit was also due to official business. But to ask him in front of an outsider meant that it was fine to discuss the Alliance’s official business in this place.
“I am on my way after hearing the news from the information advisor. But I heard he reported to the Strategist first.”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes shone.
“Assistant Provincial Military Commander?”
“…!”
Surprise appeared on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
“Is it okay?”
He meant if it was okay to speak about the Divine Fire Cult in this place.
As quick-witted as he was, Yeon Ho-jeong wouldn’t have normally asked such a question. Since the issue was such a major one, he probably wanted to confirm it one more time.
Zhuge Wen-hu smiled bitterly.
“The Bank Lord will be staying at the Alliance for a few days.”
“Yes?”
“It seems he will have to have many conversations with me.”
Yeon Ho-jeong turned his gaze to Song Guk-hyeon.
Song Guk-hyeon’s eyes deepened.
‘Truly…’
The gaze of the young master looking down at him changed.
From a mysterious yet intimidating gaze to a bloodthirsty gaze that was so terribly indifferent that it didn’t even feel cold.
‘He could kill a person with just his gaze.’
Song Guk-hyeon inwardly clicked his tongue.
He, too, did not fall behind anyone when it came to deep cultivation, but meeting eyes with Yeon Ho-jeong was far too burdensome. If it weren’t for his internal energy trained through life-nourishing arts and decades of experience, he would have long since been intimidated and profusely sweating cold sweat.
“I see.”
“Since you’ve come anyway, I will tell you why the Bank Lord came all the way here.”
Zhuge Wen-hu detailed his conversation with Song Guk-hyeon from a moment ago.
The corners of Yeon Ho-jeong’s mouth rose.
“The Left Provincial Administration Commissioner, huh… It was worth the Strategist throwing a winning move.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Song Guk-hyeon listened to their conversation speechlessly.
He didn’t feel disappointed or that his pride was hurt. Seeing the bloodthirstiness felt in their conversation now, he could tell how serious the issue was.
However, he was worried.
‘No matter how much I am the head of the Central Plains Bank, they are discussing the Alliance’s top-secret information in front of me, who has no direct connection to this matter.’
The Left Provincial Administration Commissioner? An unknown organization?
The situation had moved past such problems. What was important right now was what they thought of him.
‘Do they want money? Do they want to keep me tied up completely? Or…’
Do they want my life.
Even Song Guk-hyeon, who was quick at calculating, found it difficult to analyze the current situation. It was the reason why he quietly listened to the conversation of the two people despite being in a position where he bowed to no one.
“You should not think of this case like the case of Garrison Commander of the Twelve Martial General. Although he is acting independently, because of his position, we cannot touch him easily.”
“The real problem is if he pushes his way into the Murim Alliance. We don’t even have physical evidence that he is a figure from the Divine Fire Cult in the first place, so if he resolves himself and comes pressing us, we won’t be able to respond.”
“If we catch him, how much damage do you expect?”
“He is an Upper Third Rank Assistant Provincial Military Commander. At that level, rather than lower-ranking officials, his movements have greater restrictions. Since it must be after he reported to his superiors, even the Provincial Military Commander will step forward.”
“If the Provincial Military Commander steps forward…”
“An emergency will be declared in the Five Chief Military Commissions.”
“Which means, even the Imperial Family will intervene.”
“With a probability over nine tenths, I view it as such.”
Song Guk-hyeon’s face hardened.
Catching the Assistant Provincial Military Commander? To think such dangerous talk would even come up? And in front of him, an outsider?
He intuited that the situation was far more dangerous than he had thought.
“It is a situation where we cannot be certain yet if he is a figure from the Divine Fire Cult’s side. We will have to watch a little more.”
“But we should move assuming the worst-case scenario.”
“That is also true.”
“Regarding that part, I have nothing to say. I should have anticipated the assumed scope to some extent, but I never thought they would have even swallowed an Assistant Provincial Military Commander.”
“How could that be called your fault. No matter how exceptional your abilities are, you cannot know what you haven’t seen and heard.”
“Whatever the reason may be, now it wouldn’t be strange no matter what government post they sit in.”
“I think so too.”
“Let me summarize the current situation. The problem that needs to be handled as top priority is not killing the Assistant Provincial Military Commander, but preventing him from entering the Murim Alliance, right?”
“Exactly. We must put out the urgent fire first.”
“I do not wish to approach this one-dimensionally. Figuring out his identity is the urgent priority, preparations must be made accordingly, and going one step further, we must formulate a plan to reach their roots.”
“Do you have a plan in mind?”
“Not yet. But before creating that plan, there is a matter that needs to be handled.”
“Handled?”
“Yes.”
“Please speak.”
“…”
“Why? Is it a difficult part to talk about?”
“Yes. It’s a thought that only came to me after arriving here, so I need to organize it, but.”
“Your creativity and unconventionality have always brought me great surprise. I will give my agreement or rejection after listening, so please speak without hesitation.”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been groaning inwardly for a moment, spoke of what he had thought.
“…!!”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes trembled as if an earthquake had occurred.
Yeon Ho-jeong sighed.
“In order to properly deal with them, our attention must not be distracted elsewhere. No, rather, I think just dragging this fight out until now is a miracle in itself.”
“…”
“My thought is… like that.”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes deepened.
“Army Commander Yeon.”
“Speak.”
“Do you truly think that is possible?”
“I will have to go and meet him personally to find out.”
“The opponent is by no means easy. And you must consider the one-in-ten-thousand chance. Do you think we brought up the story about the Three Cults at the Honored Guest Meeting for no reason?”
“I know.”
“…”
“If you agree, I will personally go and look into it.”
“I am not doubting your abilities. But… what if he is also connected to the Divine Fire Cult, what do you plan to do then?”
“If that connection is seen even a little bit…”
“…”
“I plan to kill him by any means and methods.”
“The opponent is strong.”
“I said I would use any means and methods. I believe you understand that meaning.”
Zhuge Wen-hu let out a sigh.
“Is it to that extent? The terrifyingness of the existence called the Three Cults?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t know how surprised I was to find out that the evil villains called the Divine Fire Cult had infiltrated the government. But it is a situation where the enemy’s military power hasn’t even been properly grasped yet. No matter how much we assume the worst, we should be able to infer to some extent…”
“Please believe in me. If they all jump out at once even now, at that moment the Central Plains becomes hell.”
“…”
Zhuge Wen-hu, who was looking at Yeon Ho-jeong with confused eyes, suddenly turned his gaze to Song Guk-hyeon.
In an instant, Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes flashed.
“Look here, Army Commander Yeon.”
“Speak.”
“To say you came here and thought of that scheme, could it be?”
“That is correct.”
Yeon Ho-jeong also turned his gaze to Song Guk-hyeon.
The hidden actual powers of the Murim Alliance were watching him. Honest tension was revealed on Song Guk-hyeon’s face.
A moment later, Zhuge Wen-hu nodded.
“If the Bank Lord permits… alright, let’s take a gamble.”
“Do not worry.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled while looking at Song Guk-hyeon.
“Am I not a master of negotiation?”
Cold sweat beaded on Song Guk-hyeon’s forehead.
At that moment, he felt simultaneously the anxiety of having come to a place he shouldn’t have come, and the certainty that the adventure of a lifetime was about to begin.
* * *
That night.
“Hmm?”
Murong Jun, who was drinking tea, suddenly widened his eyes.
Murong Lotus Flower asked with a questioning face.
“What is it, Father?”
“…”
“Father?”
“Lotus Flower.”
“Ah, yes.”
“We will have to postpone this conversation for a bit.”
“Yes?”
“A quite troublesome guest has arrived.”
A troublesome guest? Who on earth?
Murong Jun frowned and stood up from his seat.
“How did that bastard come at this late hour? I thought there would be no reason to meet him for the time being.”
He looked out the window.
Huk.
A dark night, they were two people who accurately recognized each other even from a distance of dozens of zhang.
Murong Jun’s eyes, like lightning, and Yeon Ho-jeong’s gaze, firm as steel, clashed in mid-air, striking sparks.
Murong Jun, who had been quietly looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, reached out his hand toward the wall.
Huuuuung. Clack!
Grasping his precious sword, he stepped out of the room.