Chapter 345: Alliance (5)
The movement techniques of the three men and women running across the Dabie Mountains were both stealthy and fast.
Tang Kwan glanced at Yeon Ho-jeong.
Yeon Ho-jeong was running along the mountain path with a calm face. For stealthy maneuvers, he had left the noisy Flood Dragon Chain behind, but he had the Crazy Dragon Axe slung over his shoulder for all to see.
He thought that even with such armament, he managed to hide his presence and run well. An axe of that size receives a lot of air resistance by itself, so it is just as detrimental to stealthy maneuvers as an iron chain.
‘Hmm.’
Tang Kwan, who was quietly watching Yeon Ho-jeong, asked as something suddenly occurred to him.
“Where on earth did a guy like you pop out from?”
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
Even though it was a speed that a considerable peak master would barely be able to catch up with using all their might, the expressions of the two people were full of ease.
“Isn’t the Green Mountain Yeon Clan well-versed in Sword Studies? But how did you end up carrying such an atrocious object? That’s what I’m saying.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“For my temper, this is better. It’s not like a sword clan has to strictly wield only swords.”
“What a ridiculous guy. Not being suited for it means you don’t have the talent. Even if you lack talent, you should naturally strive to continue the clan’s tradition even if it means shedding blood and sweat.”
“The Tang Clan might be like that, but my clan is not. My father is thorough with the family laws, but he is flexible in parts like this.”
“…You Yeons are truly an incomprehensible bunch.”
“From our point of view, the Tangs are even stranger.”
“Be quiet.”
Yeon Ho-jeong grumbled in a small voice that even Tang Kwan couldn’t hear. Roughly interpreting the meaning, it was words like, ‘He talks to me first and then tells me to be quiet.’, ‘Anyway, those Tang guys.’
Tang Kwan didn’t care about Yeon Ho-jeong’s muttering. He couldn’t hear it in the first place, and didn’t want to hear it either.
However, he wanted to ask this one thing.
“No matter how different the clan customs are, there is a line that should be kept.”
“That is so.”
“Someone who hasn’t mastered the clan’s traditional martial arts doesn’t have the qualifications as a successor. A guy who uses his brain well like you wouldn’t not know that, right?”
“I know.”
“Then? Are you saying you learned the Yeon Clan’s sword techniques behind your father’s back?”
“What do you take me for? I am still the eldest son of the Yeon Clan. I have memorized most of the clan’s sword studies.”
“But?”
“However, I haven’t properly trained in them.”
Tang Kwan frowned.
“Are you messing with me right now? With such a mindset, how can you be called the direct descendant of the clan?”
“Isn’t there another direct descendant besides me?”
“……?!”
“Rather, Ji-pyeong is probably more well-versed in our clan’s Yeon Clan Sword Techniques than I am. Perhaps, as far as Sword Intent is concerned, he might even be better than me.”
Absurdity was cast over Tang Kwan’s face.
“What do you mean?”
“About what?”
“Are you perhaps planning to yield the successor position to your younger brother?”
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke with a sullen face.
“Then did you think a dog butcher like me could take charge of the clan’s succession?”
“……?!”
“Even if I were well-versed in sword techniques, an unqualified guy shouldn’t inherit the clan. Ji-pyeong is more suited to be the clan head than me.”
Yeon Ho-jeong stroked his chin.
“Ji-pyeong is indeed better. Perhaps he could become the best clan head in the clan’s history…”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes?”
Tang Kwan’s face distorted to an indescribable extent.
“I asked if you are serious about yielding the successor position to your younger brother.”
“Then why would I even try to lie about this?”
“……!!”
“Ji-pyeong will do well. I have that much faith.”
“Are you saying you have no greed for the clan head position?”
Yeon Ho-jeong snorted.
“If I become the head of a martial clan, does someone give me money? Or do my martial arts improve just by playing around? Or does the heavens look favorably upon me?”
This crazy.
Tang Kwan was so dumbfounded that he couldn’t even open his mouth.
Yeon Ho-jeong continued his words in a monotonous voice. His voice even sounded leisurely at first glance.
“I don’t look down on the position of a clan head. No, rather, I see it as amazing. That’s why I say Ji-pyeong is better than me.”
“Are you saying you have no desire to sit in that amazing position?”
It was a meaningless statement to Yeon Ho-jeong, who had already commanded tens of thousands of Unorthodox Path folks as the master of the Dark Emperor Castle.
Also because of that, Yeon Ho-jeong knew. What it meant to be the head of an organization.
Perhaps as Tang Kwan said, becoming the head of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan could be more difficult and valuable than being the master of the Dark Emperor Castle.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled bitterly and said.
“I am someone who knows his place. It might be different if I were the boss of scoundrels, but becoming the head of a clan is unreasonable for me. Rather, it seems my mind would be more at ease aiming for Absolute Invincible.”
Tang Kwan’s eyes flashed.
“Is your dream to be the Number One Person Under Heaven?”
“Becoming the strongest in martial arts in the world. That would also be a meaningful thing. Because it’s special. Well, people who don’t know the compatibility between martial arts and real combat wouldn’t know that a true Number One Under Heaven can never exist.”
“…….”
“It’s just like that. To me, aiming for Absolute Invincible seems easier than becoming the head of an orthodox organization.”
If one listened to it twistedly, he could be called a truly arrogant guy.
However, that was Yeon Ho-jeong’s true feeling.
The Dark Emperor Castle was not an organization created intentionally. Coming through blood-splattering carnage, strong people gathered by his side before he knew it, and the organization created to rule the Black Path with them and wage a brawl against the world was the Dark Emperor Castle.
Of course, in the process, Yeon Ho-jeong also grew greatly. He couldn’t count how much he learned about the qualities and responsibilities a boss of an organization should have.
But, that is all.
It was only possible because it was the Black Path, where strength is the highest virtue. Yeon Ho-jeong truly thought so.
That is why he thought he was absolutely unsuited for the position of the master of the Yeon Clan.
If he became the clan head, they would turn into an incredibly arrogant combat organization, no different from the current Sichuan Tang Clan.
“What a ridiculous guy. I don’t know whether to call you the greediest guy in the world or a half-witted fool with no ambition or anything.”
“I don’t care what you call me. Whatever it is, my thought that Ji-pyeong is more suited for the clan head position hasn’t changed.”
Tang Kwan’s eyes deepened.
“How can that be?”
“What do you mean?”
“Brothers is just a word defining a relationship. They are merely the first competitors one faces after being born into this bloody world. Your temper isn’t ordinary either, so what on earth do you owe your younger brother to yield like that?”
“Yield…”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s smile turned bitter.
Even Tang Kwan, who was sharply criticizing, closed his mouth the moment he saw his smile, as it was an expression that seemed to have a story behind it.
“I didn’t know that.”
“What?”
“I didn’t know that before being the first competitor faced in this world, he was an affectionate object that I should protect, cherish, and furthermore hope he surpasses me.”
“……!”
“For a time, I hated the brother I should have naturally cherished. So my only desire is to treat him several times better than that.”
“…….”
“Well, my heart is like that, but it wasn’t really easy. Because I’m so busy. Perhaps being busy is also an excuse though.”
Tang Kwan shook his head side to side.
“I truly cannot understand a guy like you.”
“I know right. I also sometimes don’t understand myself.”
“I know one thing. That you’re half crazy.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smirked continuously.
“Isn’t it a world where you have to be crazy to live? Kekekeke.”
“Don’t laugh.”
“Keong.”
“What is that undignified sound?”
“I can’t grapple with the great Clan Head Tang.”
“Crazy bastard.”
“I said I know.”
How long had they run like that?
‘…….’
Tang Kwan’s eyes deepened.
He looked back at Yeon Ho-jeong. Yeon Ho-jeong nodded wordlessly.
Hook!
The three people went down the mountain path at a speed twice as fast as before.
A moment later, Ga Deuk-sang revealed his figure from behind a large rock.
“Can you see it?”
The place where Ga Deuk-sang’s gaze headed was a giant forest surrounded by trees that hadn’t even sprouted buds yet.
Tang Kwan’s mouth corners went up.
“Is it there?”
“That is right. As a result of unleashing the union members to check the area, he has not moved from there yet.”
Tang Kwan looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.
“Then it is certain. That guy expected to be a high-ranking official at the level of Assistant Provincial Military Commander or higher, is definitely a figure from the Divine Fire Cult.”
“I see.”
“…….”
“What is it?”
“…Nothing.”
Tang Kwan did not bother to say it. How brightly your eyes are burning right now.
Yeon Ho-jeong asked Ga Deuk-sang.
“We need to cut off Henan Province first. I believe you know what my words mean.”
“Of course. However, once this operation begins, the Divine Fire Cult will be on alert in one way or another. Furthermore, even the Imperial Palace and government offices.”
“I know.”
“We must not just cut off Henan Province, but finish it all within Henan Province.”
“Don’t worry.”
Ga Deuk-sang nodded.
“Young Master Yeon, and Miss Muk. I wish you good luck.”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who expressed his courtesy with a fist-cup, looked at Tang Kwan.
“I will go first.”
“Do so.”
“Just in case. If by any chance it’s overwhelming…”
“Be quiet. Things like what you’re thinking won’t happen. Just go.”
Yeon Ho-jeong grinned.
“Understood. Then I will await the news of victory.”
Paak!
Like that, Yeon Ho-jeong and Muk Bi dashed west along the lower mountain path.
It was revealed that their movement techniques up to now were not their best. The man and woman running at an even faster speed than when they came here, their movement techniques, disappearing into the darkness before one knew it, were so fast that one would stick out their tongue in amazement.
Ga Deuk-sang let out a big breath.
“Please begin when you want to, Clan Head.”
Tang Kwan’s mouth corners went up.
“Why drag it out as if it’s a big deal? I should finish it off quickly.”
* * *
Rather than being cooped up inside the base, it was better to come out to the yard and look up at the sky. The branches were so dense that even that wasn’t very visible, but Yo-roe’s eyes pierced through the gaps of countless branches and saw the sky full of starlight.
“Huu.”
White steam rose from his lightly exhaled breath.
“The cold of the Central Plains certainly has a unique aspect. It is completely different from the coolness of my unimaginably desolate hometown.”
Uung. Uuuung.
Yo-roe’s pupils emitted a subtle red light.
“Actually, I thought about sleeping a bit since I planned to stay for a few days.”
There was no one around. Nevertheless, he continued speaking in a calm voice, as if talking to someone.
“But I felt a bit strange, you see. It’s ambiguous to pinpoint, but I felt like something fun was going to happen. So I didn’t sleep, and have been pacing around here without even relieving my urges.”
Yo-roe, who slowly closed his eyes, slowly lifted his eyelids again.
His demonic eyes turned as red as blood.
“Indeed, my intuition was right. To think such a fun toy would appear.”
The place he was looking at.
From far away beyond the bushes, a middle-aged man in a dark green robe was approaching with arrogant steps.
Saaak.
A smile spread across Yo-roe’s mouth.
“A unique aura. You must have engraved at least three characters of your name in the world. What is your identity?”
The middle-aged man, Tang Kwan’s answer was a masterpiece.
“It’s a pity that my name is two characters. It will be a name you’ll soon forget anyway, so I advise you to try running away in the time you spend caring about useless things.”