Chapter 60. The Justification for Battle (4)
Whoosh. Claaang!
A blue sword wind split a boulder in half.
Only then did a satisfied light flicker across Murong Gun's face as he examined the cleaved surface of the rock.
"Now it's somewhat presentable."
The cut surface of the boulder was incredibly smooth. If water were poured on it, it would likely slide off without scattering at all.
'At this rate, I can advance the timeline by several years.'
The Murong Clan had many secret techniques.
Although the sword was their primary weapon, the Murong family possessed countless other martial arts. In fact, only half of the past family heads had been swordsmen.
However, like the Myung Clan, the Murong Clan also had a hidden ultimate technique passed down from their ancestors.
It was an absolute sword art that no one had ever mastered. It was discovered by the great-grandfather, interpreted by the grandfather, and currently being learned by the current family head, Murong Gun.
The Emotionless Heavenly Thunder Art.
It was an invincible sword technique that utilized an ancient divine art called the Thunder Art. Its sharpness and power were indescribable. Just reading the secret manual was enough to send chills down one's spine, such was the impact of this martial art.
With this martial art.
With such a high-level martial art, he would soon reach the level of the Sungcheon's Thirteen Seats. Ten years at most.
"Huu. Still, it consumes an extraordinary amount of inner energy. I need to increase the density of my Qi..."
Murong Gun fell into deep thought, staring at the split boulder.
Then, someone interrupted his contemplation.
"Family Head."
Murong Gun's eyebrows furrowed.
It was a crucial moment. He didn't want to be disturbed by anyone right now.
'It can't be helped.'
Once broken, concentration doesn't return easily. Murong Gun replied in a calm voice.
"What is it?"
"An urgent letter has arrived from the Beggars' Union."
Murong Gun's eyes instantly flashed.
'The Beggars' Union?!'
What business could the Beggars' Union possibly have with him?
'There is.'
Yes, there is.
It was related to the Yeon Clan. Otherwise, there would be no urgent letter from the Beggars' Union at this time.
'So it was the Beggars' Union that helped the Yeon Clan.'
The fact that the letter was urgent was enough to confirm it. He felt so certain that he almost didn't need to read the contents.
'Hah! At this rate, I'll have to move faster than planned.'
Murong Gun clicked his tongue inwardly.
'It would have been better if they hadn't sent a letter at all. Yeon Family Head, you've needlessly hastened your own demise.'
In any case, since the letter had arrived, he had to read it.
"Give it to me."
"Yes."
Murong Gun unfolded the letter.
His mind, which had been filled with tranquility.
That calm mind began to churn with waves as he read the letter.
Fwa-ba-bak!
Sword marks appeared on the ground around where Murong Gun stood.
Zing. Zing.
A yellowish electric light flickered repeatedly from his body.
It was the involuntary manifestation of his Thunder Qi. This showed how deeply shocked Murong Gun was.
"...This?"
His face remained expressionless, but he was greatly flustered.
The letter contained a lot of information.
The problem was that each piece of information was incredibly shocking. Even Murong Gun, who usually remained unfazed by most things, was startled.
He read the name written at the end of the letter.
"Yeon Ho-jeong?!"
It was shocking.
Given the content, he had his doubts, but he never expected the letter to be from the Yeon Clan's eldest son, not the Yeon Family Head.
He calmed his racing heart and carefully considered each part of the letter.
'I've thoroughly enjoyed the spies you so kindly sent. By the way, shouldn't you have at least gagged them before sending them? What confidence did you have to send them as is? If you plan to send spies again, send ones with heavier mouths.'
It was a meaningful statement.
He had expected them to catch the spies. But the next part was troubling.
Send ones with heavier mouths? What exactly did those spies say?
'Even in your haste, you sent the Myung Clan's entire intelligence network. Of course, it doesn't seem like the Family Head specifically requested it. But, what did you want to confirm through me so urgently?'
From this point on. From this point on, Murong Gun realized that something was going wrong.
'He knows about the alliance with the Myung Clan? How?'
He hadn't even told the spies about that. Naturally. The fewer people who knew about this, the better.
But where did this guy hear about it? How did he find out?
How could he be so sure?
And the most impressive part was this.
'Thinking about it, Family Head, you seem overly greedy. Not only your own clan, but you also seem intent on burying the Myung Clan. You want to be the number one clan, and even the leader of the Murim Alliance?'
Thud.
He unknowingly applied force with his thumb. The edge of the letter, where his thumb rested, tore slightly.
The number one clan. Leader of the Murim Alliance.
He couldn't ignore these words because they were, in fact, his dream and goal.
Of course, anyone could have such a dream. The problem was that he had been devising all sorts of strategies to reach the top.
The letter seemed to say:
'I know everything, you see.'
'Well, it's fine. I respect those who use any means necessary to achieve their dreams. Because I am such a person myself. So, I have a proposal.'
'I heard he hasn't even reached the age of majority yet. Such a young man speaking to a senior of the martial world, who is almost fifty, in this manner, is truly arrogant.'
But Murong Gun didn't pay much attention to his tone. The content of the letter was far more shocking.
'You sent spies, but I understand. However, those who are actually sharpening their swords are different. I have no intention of forgiving the Myung Clan. It seems you have a decisive move, Family Head, so let's bury the Myung Clan together.'
Let's bury the Myung Clan.
It was a truly provocative and thrilling statement.
Leaving aside Yeon Ho-jeong's arrogance, the thrill of that one sentence was immense. As someone aiming to be the number one clan, the Myung Clan was his biggest obstacle.
Why else would he consider burying them with malicious rumors instead of force? It was the best strategic option, but if he had the power, he wouldn't have resorted to such a strategy.
That's why Yeon Ho-jeong's letter was as captivating as it was shocking.
Let's bury the Myung Clan. Let's destroy the current number one clan.
'Actually, even I don't think you'll trust me based on just this letter. I also find it hard to fully trust you, Family Head. That's why I sent it urgently. The sooner we meet, the better.'
Apart from everything else, he thought he was a truly remarkable fellow.
He was toying with people through a letter. If he hadn't known who the sender was, he would have mistaken him for a seasoned veteran of the martial world.
The fact that he wanted to meet in person suggested he had some confidence. It seemed possible that it was indeed Yeon Ho-jeong himself, not someone impersonating him.
'Come to Henan. I will be accumulating bad karma against the Myung Clan. As someone known for your great wisdom, I trust you understand that delaying the decision will only harm both of us.'
Murong Gun closed his eyes.
'Accumulating bad karma against the Myung Clan...'
Accumulating bad karma against the Myung Clan.
With that one sentence, he decided to drastically raise his assessment of Yeon Ho-jeong, contrary to the rumors circulating in the world.
'There's someone like this.'
How long has it been? Since he was this impressed by a junior.
He had never been this impressed even by his daughter. He had only found her admirable; she had never surprised her father.
If he had to choose, he might pick his youngest brother, Murong Woo. But Murong Woo was someone to be wary of, not someone whose abilities could be compared on an equal footing.
'Yeon Family Head... incredible. With that stiff face, when did he raise such a monster?'
To some, it might be 'just' a letter.
But Murong Gun could read countless things from this letter. That was why he highly valued Yeon Ho-jeong.
'So the Yeon Family Head wasn't someone to be underestimated either? Hah! There are so many remarkable people in the world.'
Murong Gun chuckled unknowingly.
Having many worthy opponents was both tiring and exhilarating. He thought that perhaps the rumors about the Yeon Family Head might not be true either.
"Summon the Chief Steward and Yeon-hwa."
Shortly after, Murong Yeon-hwa and Neung Jeok-so appeared.
Murong Gun smiled and handed them the letter.
"This letter is from a fellow named Yeon Ho-jeong. Read it."
The two read the letter.
After a moment, their faces hardened noticeably.
"How...?"
Neung Jeok-so said with a look of disbelief.
"How did the Yeon Clan's eldest son know this?!"
He was talking to himself without realizing it. Considering his usual personality, this was unimaginable. That's how great the shock was.
On the other hand, Murong Yeon-hwa remained silent. Her expression was serious, suggesting she was deep in thought.
Murong Gun asked.
"Yeon-hwa, what do you think?"
"Before I give my opinion, I have a question for you, Father. I need an answer to this question before I can share my thoughts."
"Ask anything."
"What is the probability that this is a trap?"
Murong Gun stated flatly.
"Zero."
"I thought so."
"Did you think differently?"
"Either zero or a definite trap. I thought it was meaningless to consider any intermediate probability."
Murong Gun smiled.
"I see, so what is your opinion?"
"Go."
Neung Jeok-so looked at Murong Yeon-hwa in surprise.
Murong Yeon-hwa smiled.
"It seems you had already made up your mind before calling us?"
"Haha."
"This letter, there isn't a single waver in the handwriting. Is he overconfident or arrogant? No. The underlying message of this letter is that it doesn't matter if this agreement falls through."
"Well observed."
Murong Gun clasped his hands behind his back.
"It's clear that he holds a card to counter our clan. Even the spy incident proves that. With the Beggars' Union's support, if he decides to expose it, our clan will inevitably suffer damage."
"We won't be shaken. We'll be scratched, but not broken."
"Our clan must rise to the pinnacle of the martial world. There's no need to take unnecessary risks. At least not now."
"You are right. Ah! And one thing bothers me."
"What is it?"
Murong Yeon-hwa furrowed her brow.
"Accumulating bad karma against the Myung Clan... What does this mean?"
Murong Gun's eyes sparkled.
'She's not quite there yet.'
Still, she was already impressive. Judging by her growth rate, his daughter would likely catch up to his own strategic mind within five years.
'Then, does that mean this Yeon Ho-jeong is already comparable to me?'
That was uncertain. He might have someone assisting him.
In any case, it had been a long time since he had been so surprised and, at the same time, intrigued.
People say that Murong Gun is a difficult person to meet.
But that wasn't true. Murong Gun wasn't someone who just sat in the family head's seat and ordered his subordinates around. He was a man of drive and boldness, willing to travel ten thousand miles if necessary.
That drive and boldness were about to be displayed for the first time in a long while.
"Henan... It's a suitable distance for a trip."
* * *
"Today marks the third day."
"That's right."
"The Myung Clan will start to become suspicious."
"They will."
"...Are you really going to do this alone?"
"My martial arts are currently in a transitional phase. I consider this a good opportunity."
"Where does this bottomless confidence come from?"
"Experience."
"You're quite young to say that."
"Just keep a good watch on the Shadow Squad."
"Don't worry. They won't escape even if they die and come back to life. Hah! Thinking about it, I've become a criminal. This is no different from kidnapping and confinement, is it?"
Thump.
Yeon Ho-jeong rose from his seat.
"I'll be going now."
"Young Master Yeon."
"Speak."
Gadeuk Sang, looking at Yeon Ho-jeong with trembling eyes, bowed respectfully.
"Please take care of yourself."
"You too."
Clank!
Yeon Ho-jeong opened the door and stepped out into the world.
The veins in his hand, gripping the axe, pulsed thickly.
"Which one will come first?"
It was the first step of the plan to annihilate the Myung Clan.
