Mo Yonggun, who had slipped secretly up to the far northern edge of Hunan Province, openly revealed himself at a tavern famous enough to have a name.

He was, in a word, utterly at ease.

On the highest floor, occupying a lavish private suite, he drank alone—then casually turned his gaze out the window.

“What a view.”

True to a place that cost twenty silver taels just to take a seat, Dongting Lake spread out in a single glance.

Sunlight struck the lake’s surface—vast as the sea—and shattered into brilliant fragments. The sight was so dazzling it was almost overwhelming.

Even the names Hubei Province and Hunan Province came from that lake. North of Dongting Lake was Hubei; the southern region embracing Dongting Lake was Hunan.

In other words, it was one of the most famous lakes even in the inland lands. Looking at it now, he could see why people praised it in unison.

“Even though my clan put down roots in Hunan, I think this is my first time taking in the scenery with this much leisure. Hah. Looks like I’ve lived a pretty harsh life too.”

The lake was wide, the land fertile. Far below, beneath the city, children were singing merrily.

It was like a paradise.

As Mo Yonggun stared as if enchanted, a chill settled across his face.

It should be about done by now.

It was already past the middle of Goat Hour. With Yeon Hojeong’s skill, it would have ended an hour ago.

I’m sorry I dumped the cleanup on you. But what could I do? It was a moment far too enticing to just let pass.

He had killed every last member of the Guizhou Merchant Guild’s real trade caravan.

And those who had disguised themselves as that trade caravan were shadow warriors—fighters under the Mo Yong Clan who had been ruining nearby sects and merchant groups.

I was already wondering when I should deal with them.

Shadow warriors.

Calling them shadow warriors was just dressing it up. To say it plainly, they were closer to fixers—human butchers who did the things Orthodox Path martial artists, hiding behind a righteous mask, could never do.

Mo Yonggun had raised those butchers with his own hands.

He believed that if he borrowed an outside hand, someday he would inevitably be exposed.

He had even selected only those with families from the start, fearing betrayal along the way.

A dog with something to protect never bites its master.

And now—

They had outlived their usefulness.

Mo Yonggun smiled coldly.

For someone who will become the next Alliance Leader, their existence is far too dangerous. The infected spot is starting to stink. If they’re the kind of vermin that could sicken my body at any time, then it’s better to carve them out while I have the chance.

First, kill every merchant in the real trade caravan, clouding the Guizhou Merchant Guild’s eyes.

Then disguise the shadow warriors as merchants, have them die by the operational team’s hands, and guide the operational team into accomplishing the mission.

In the meantime, reveal his own presence to the Dark Path and make them turn their eyes—then lure Yeon Hojeong into coming after him, and stage the deaths of the entire operational team.

If that happened, the operational team could return to the Alliance safely.

More than that, they would become dead talent in the eyes of outsiders, so even Yangcheon wouldn’t try to keep searching for them.

That was the picture Mo Yonggun had drawn as the one holding command authority over this mission.

There isn’t much left of this year. Once next year comes, the election will start before long.

Mo Yonggun tipped his cup.

It was cheap white liquor that didn’t suit a top-class suite at all. Even after drinking that harsh alcohol, he felt nothing.

With the Tang Clan’s power—and with me succeeding at this as the commander of a mission capable of shaking the martial world’s balance—this isn’t enough to call it merit worthy of seizing the highest seat. But I’m an Alliance Service Officer. There isn’t a single person who’s built merit comparable to mine anyway.

What mattered in an election was public support.

But ability mattered just as much as public support.

Perfect. Yangcheon is stepping out at exactly the right time. Perfect.

The ability to turn crisis into opportunity was essential for a politician.

At first, he had truly been wary of Yangcheon’s existence. And that hadn’t changed.

But the moment he received Je Gal Munho and Yeon Wi’s request, he sensed that Yangcheon’s existence could benefit him.

When it’s something they can’t resolve themselves, they won’t hesitate to ask even a rival. In other words—the harder the problems are, the more they judge ability over public support.

In peaceful times, the one with the best public support takes the highest seat.

In chaotic times, the one with the greatest ability does.

It wasn’t quite chaotic times yet, but with the Dark Path rising because of the Alliance of the Martial World’s founding, it couldn’t be called an era of peace either.

When the timing is right, I should start fanning the flames—slowly.

He had come to Hunan Province himself to prepare for that. Fortunately, the groundwork was proceeding smoothly so far.

“Fortunes rise and fall, don’t they? A man really does have to open his mind and learn. Je Gal Munho—you made me realize something big.”

He truly couldn’t be more grateful.

If Je Gal Munho hadn’t asked him for this, he would have tried to wage this next battle with a far more primal method.

But things had flowed this way, and instead of rolling in the mud, he had gained the chance to beat his wings with elegance.

That’s why life is fun.

Mo Yonggun refilled his empty cup, then chuckled at a thought that came to him.

“Listen, Hojeong. The truth is, I hate you enough to kill you—but at the same time, I still can’t let go. I don’t even know how badly I want to bring you under me.”

He meant it.

He had told Dang Gwan too—Yeon Hojeong wasn’t the kind of talent you could devalue just because he was young. If anything, the fact that he could wage political struggle like this at his age deserved even higher evaluation.

If Yeon Hojeong joined hands with him—

If that truly happened, it might not be ridiculous to aim beyond the Orthodox Path martial world and reach for the whole world.

“But I know as well. You’ll never take my hand. Maybe that’s why I want you even more.”

After draining his cup again, Mo Yonggun stared at Dongting Lake.

The lake’s mystery beneath the sunlight—inside it, there was no ugly conflict of human affairs.

A flicker of bitterness surfaced on Mo Yonggun’s face.

“...What can I do? If you were born as a beast, you have no choice but to follow the way of beasts. You were born a fierce beast with fangs too—I trust you’ll understand.”

Then—

“Clan Lord.”

It was Muyeon’s voice.

Mo Yonggun filled his cup and asked,

“How did it go?”

“The operational team annihilated the trade caravan.”

“As expected.”

He had never once thought the operational team would lose. If he had, he wouldn’t have schemed this in the first place.

Yeon Hojeong had to live. At least until this mission was over.

Yeon Hojeong couldn’t die—at least not on Dark Path soil.

“It was something that wasn’t discussed in advance, so he must’ve been fairly shocked. I should soothe him a bit. Tell him this—my door is always open. If he wants to come, he can come anytime.”

*****

“HAHAHAHA!”

Yangcheon roared with laughter.

“I knew it. I knew you’d succeed.”

Yeon Hojeong lowered his head.

“It’s thanks to the Lord of Ink Dragon Manor trusting me. I’ll continue to work to meet your expectations.”

“Of course you will. If I hadn’t trusted you from the start, I wouldn’t have even called you here.”

With a satisfied face, Yangcheon said,

“So how are you ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) going to handle the aftermath? Is it enough if we just block the information?”

“I arranged the traces so it looks like an unknown expert attacked. Even if the Guizhou Merchant Guild sends people from their headquarters, it’ll be hard for them to identify who did it.”

“Heh heh heh.”

Yeon Hojeong spoke with easy composure.

“Still, if the Lord of Ink Dragon Manor chooses to take care of it, I won’t refuse. It’s better when things are clean.”

“Kahaha! You’ve got a more amusing side than I expected.”

Yangcheon pounded the armrest.

“Fine. We’ll handle the information at the Ink Dragon Manor level. For this matter, the Guizhou Merchant Guild will never learn the truth.”

“...Thank you.”

As he bowed and expressed thanks, Yeon Hojeong’s eyes were swaying with ferocity beyond measure.

So this is what it was.

Yeon Hojeong’s mouth corners rose.

If he didn’t smile, it felt like his Killing Intent would explode.

You’ll handle it for me... right. So even if you kill them, we’ll handle it on our side, and you can withdraw without a problem—is that what this is?

Truly, for a man who schemed, he schemed disgustingly well.

This time, it was honestly impressive. He was so impressed he wanted to tear him apart and kill him.

“You know it too. The transported goods you brought have tremendous value, but if you consider the main force’s financial power, it’s not something Ink Dragon Manor would call that great.”

“I know.”

“In other words, its value as funds isn’t large. But it can serve as proof that you’ve demonstrated your ability.”

“That’s right.”

Yangcheon nodded.

“The dowry you brought—use it yourself.”

Without realizing it, Yeon Hojeong lifted his head.

Unlike moments ago, when he’d been coated in rage, his expression now was purely startled.

“What do you mean?”

Yangcheon burst into laughter again.

“You—so you can make that face too? I keep seeing new sides of you.”

“......?!”

“You’re someone who’ll do great things from here on. I’d received a great gift already, so I was wondering what I should do for you.”

“But...”

“You’re Ink Dragon Manor’s man now. If you’re talent working for wealth, how can I do anything but give you proper treatment? I can’t just take and take.”

Yangcheon leaned forward.

“I cherish talent. If I cherish it, I have to treat it as it deserves. As long as you don’t make a mistake, I won’t cast you out.”

Staring at Yangcheon, Yeon Hojeong lowered his head again.

“Thank you for your generosity.”

“That’s enough. You were so sharp before you came under me.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“I didn’t think you’d really accept me.”

“Hahaha!”

He truly looked pleased. In Yangcheon’s laughter, overflowing elation was visible.

“Now. That’s enough small talk—let’s talk about work.”

“Of course.”

“You’ve proven your ability. With ability and merit like that, even if I give you a high position, there won’t be many who resist.”

Not many—meaning there would still be some.

“I’ll accept that.”

“Of course you should.”

Yangcheon’s eyes glittered.

“So. What position do you want?”

Yeon Hojeong answered at once.

“Director of the Intelligence Division, or a rank no lower than senior inspector of the Inspection Division.”

Yangcheon’s eyes glittered.

“If it isn’t director of the Intelligence Division, you want the top real power seat in the Inspection Division?”

“Yes.”

“I expected you’d want a bold seat, but I didn’t think it would be Intelligence or Inspection.”

“Is that strange?”

“Not strange, but I thought you’d sit in the seat that commands the combat forces. With martial arts and temperament like yours, that would suit you more.”

Even if there were issues with his True Qi and Inner Qi operation, it seemed the eye he had forged at that realm hadn’t gone anywhere.

If Yeon Hojeong truly meant to devote himself to Ink Dragon Manor, he would have wanted the real power seat over the combat forces.

“We have to take Hunan Province first. To do that, I believe an internal administrative post is far better than going out to the front lines.”

“Hm. That’s true.”

Yangcheon smacked his lips.

“As you guessed, it’s hard to make a seat for you in the Inspection Division. I can suppress resistance well enough, but because of the Inspection Division’s nature, if an outsider enters, the atmosphere will become far too vicious.”

Yeon Hojeong pretended not to know and played it off.

“Is that so?”

“It is. Would you be any different?”

“Then?”

Yangcheon examined Yeon Hojeong’s eyes for a moment—then nodded readily.

“A ruler shouldn’t break one’s word and disappoint his subordinates, should he?”

“......!”

“In three days, we’ll begin the reorganization.”

Yangcheon smiled.

“Work hard, Director of the Intelligence Division.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes flashed.

“...I won’t disappoint you.”