“It’s been a long time since we’ve faced each other like this, hasn’t it?”

“It has.”

Yeon Hojeong replied with a smile,

“You’ve worked hard all this time.”

Je Gal Munho waved his hand.

“You’re the one who suffered. To deceive the great Fighting King and pull that much information out of him—if not you, who else could have done such a thing?”

Je Gal Ahyeon, with a pout on her face, said,

“I suffered too, you know?”

“I can tell without even looking, you brat. We should just be grateful you didn’t go there and grab Commander Yeon by the ankle.”

“Father!”

Je Gal Munho burst into hearty laughter.

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“It really would have been difficult without Ahyeon.”

“Ha ha, yes, I know. There probably wasn’t a single person who didn’t suffer.”

“That’s right.”

“By the way, the Evil-Smiting Corps really is remarkable.”

“Yes?”

Je Gal Munho looked out the window with an admiring expression.

The soldiers were gathered in little clusters, taking a break. Judging by the seriousness on every face, they seemed to be discussing the spars from a little earlier.

“I heard Vice Commander Mook put them through some very practical training while you were gone. But I had no idea they’d all approach it with that much seriousness.”

“Haha.”

“No matter how much it resembled real combat, to exchange killing moves of that level... I was genuinely shocked. What were you planning to do if someone had ended up badly crippled?”

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“This may sound hasty, but as far as the attitude with which they face a fight goes, I don’t think there’s a single group in the entire Alliance of the Martial World that can match the Evil-Smiting Corps.”

“Oh?”

“If they make the slightest mistake, they can lose their lives in an instant. Every one of them knows that. If anything, holding back would be an insult to the soldiers.”

Je Gal Munho smiled.

“A fitting commander for fitting soldiers. I’m impressed.”

“It’s nothing.”

After wetting his throat with a sip of tea, Yeon Hojeong asked with a puzzled look,

“So, what brings you all the way here?”

“Don’t you already have a guess?”

“...Hm.”

The corner of Yeon Hojeong’s mouth rose.

“Is it Mo Yonggun after all?”

“That’s right. Though of course, it isn’t only because of him.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“I’ll ask directly.”

Je Gal Munho spoke in an even tone.

“Is that all the information you seized from Ink Dragon Manor?”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes flashed.

“Do you think I hid part of the intelligence?”

“I’ve never particularly thought that. It’s just that, after analyzing it, the quality of the information is extremely uneven.”

As if to say not to misunderstand, Je Gal Munho raised both hands.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean it was all low-grade information. There’s an enormous amount there that we never would have learned for years if someone hadn’t infiltrated the place and stolen it directly. You undeniably completed the mission successfully.”

“Then why did you think there might be more beyond that?”

“Well...”

Je Gal Munho tilted his head.

“I don’t know why I had that thought either. It’s just that... if it were you, I felt you might have brought back an even bigger catch than this.”

“You overestimate me.”

“Haha, perhaps that’s true.”

Je Gal Munho let out a sigh.

“I’m not doubting you. The thought just occurred to me, so I asked. If I unsettled you for no reason, then I apologize.”

“It’s all right.”

There really was information he had not delivered to the Alliance of the Martial World.

Namely, intelligence regarding the Three Fanatic Creeds—especially the Perverse Lust Cult.

I’ll have to tell Father about this part soon as well.

Yeon Hojeong studied Je Gal Munho’s eyes.

The eyes of a scholar full of knowledge and wisdom. Within them lay concern for the future of the martial world, along with a powerful passion that never surfaced outwardly.

I need to tell the strategist too. If I were the only one who knew, that would be one thing. But the moment I share this information, there’s no meaning in keeping it only among ourselves.

Yeon Hojeong smiled and continued,

“I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

“Not at all. If you say it like that, I only end up feeling even more sorry.”

“Still, I did build ties with someone who may be able to provide other information about the Dark Path.”

“Hm?”

Je Gal Munho looked at Je Gal Ahyeon.

Je Gal Ahyeon scratched her head.

“Well, um... anyway, I’m part of the Evil-Smiting Corps too.”

“...?”

“I figured I should keep my mouth shut until Jeong said something first... I’m sorry. Though to be fair, I was collapsed for days, so I never really had the chance to say anything.”

“What are you talking about?”

Yeon Hojeong answered calmly.

“I assume you heard the news that the Ghost-Iron Sword Gate was wiped out.”

“Ah, of course I heard. It’s been quite a while now, hasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“But what about the Ghost-Iron Sword Gate?”

“The gate was destroyed, but one survivor remains.”

Surprise spread over Je Gal Munho’s face.

“If you say survivor... don’t tell me you mean the gate’s heir?”

“You knew?”

“Of course. After dispatching the operational team, I kept watching the situation in Hunan the whole time. Before the Mo Yong Clan Lord left, the two of us discussed that point together.”

“I see.”

“That isn’t the important part. Surely you don’t mean...?”

“That’s right.”

Yeon Hojeong pointed out the window with his thumb.

“I brought Gangryang, the heir to the Ghost-Iron Sword Gate.”

“......!”

Je Gal Munho’s expression changed instantly.

He stared silently at Yeon Hojeong for a while, then spoke in a voice that had sunk several degrees colder.

“You do understand how dangerous that is, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“And you brought him anyway?”

“I did.”

“Why?”

“Because we have a public enemy called Ink Dragon Manor.”

Je Gal Munho’s eyes flashed.

“I heard the Ghost-Iron Sword Gate was annihilated by mysterious masters. We couldn’t identify them exactly, but we were convinced Yangcheon was behind it.”

“As expected of you.”

“Fine. As the surviving heir to the sword gate, he must have wanted revenge on Ink Dragon Manor more than anyone else. But wasn’t the Alliance of the Martial World his enemy as well?”

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“Bringing Gangryang into the Alliance was certainly dangerous. But if I had judged that he would turn against us, I would never have brought him in.”

“There’s no need to say it again, but I know your eye for people is superior to anyone else’s. And as the strategist of the Alliance of the Martial World, I trust the ability and achievements of the Evil-Smiting Corps Commander.”

“Thank you.”

“But this is not a matter of belief or disbelief.”

Tension appeared on Je Gal Munho’s face.

“If that fact becomes known on the other side, not only you but Clan Lord Yeon as well will take a fatal blow.”

It meant that regardless of whether Gangryang was trustworthy, the mere fact that he came from the Dark Path would become a political burden.

“You know as well as I do how much the Mo Yong Clan Lord...”

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but you don’t need to worry about that.”

“Hm?”

Yeon Hojeong smiled coldly.

“If he touches this side, this side has a bomb to gift him in return.”

“......!”

“There’s no physical evidence, but evidence is something we can always make if we need to, isn’t it? Even just letting it leak little by little that we know would be enough. He wouldn’t dare do anything unnecessary.”

“What does that mean...?”

“Of course, unless I absolutely have to, I won’t let him know we know. I intend to keep this buried as a final move.”

A final move.

It was a rather chilling phrase, and one that made the heart pound. Honest curiosity rose on Je Gal Munho’s face.

“What exactly is this bomb?”

“Hmm.”

After a moment of thought, Yeon Hojeong spoke.

“In three or four days, if I contact you, would you be able to come to our quarters? It will probably be in the middle of the night.”

“...?”

“There are things I need to tell Father separately as well. At that time, I’ll tell you everything I know.”

There must be a reason Yeon Hojeong was saying this much.

Je Gal Munho examined Yeon Hojeong’s expression with deep eyes, then nodded.

“Very well. I’ll trust that on that day, all the questions I’m taking with me today will be thoroughly answered.”

“Thank you.”

“Still, please keep a close watch on the heir to the Ghost-Iron Sword Gate for a while. Though I’m sure you’ll handle it.”

“I’m actually thinking it might be better to bring him into the Evil-Smiting Corps.”

“Into the Evil-Smiting Corps?”

“That’s right.”

“...Hm. Yes, that wouldn’t be bad.”

Je Gal Munho nodded.

“Very well. We won’t speak any further about that.”

“Thank you.”

This much could be called a fairly smooth resolution. In fact, from the standpoint of the strategist of the Alliance of the Martial World, the very fact that he was smoothing over Yeon Hojeong’s impulsive action like this was extraordinary in itself.

“It seems I let the talk drag on for no reason. Now then, let’s move on to the real point.”

“Please.”

“Before that, there’s one thing I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

Je Gal Munho asked seriously.

“Who do you think should become Alliance Leader?”

An enormously weighty topic had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Yeon Hojeong’s face also turned serious.

“Why would you ask me that?”

“Personal curiosity.”

“That’s difficult to answer. Even if there were someone I had in mind, it isn’t something I could carelessly speak aloud.”

This was a far more dangerous subject than Gangryang entering the Alliance of the Martial World. Yeon Hojeong’s tension was not for nothing.

“I see. Yes, I understand. Then let me ask one more thing.”

“...?”

“What do you think of your father, Clan Lord Yeon, becoming Alliance Leader?”

Yeon Hojeong shook his head firmly.

“My father has no intention of that.”

“I know that as well.”

“And though I’m not sure whether it’s appropriate for me to say this as his son, Father is not the kind of man meant to be Alliance Leader.”

A flash passed through Je Gal Munho’s eyes.

His father was not someone meant to be Alliance Leader? It was not the kind of thing one easily heard between a father and son who got along well.

“Why do you think that?”

“Leaving ability aside, I think he is not a man who suits the clothes of Alliance Leader.”

“Hm.”

“There are other reasons as well, but in any case, that is what I think. Unless something highly unusual happens, I believe the best course is ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) for Father to remain a Service Lord.”

Je Gal Munho nodded.

“I’ve heard your honest answer.”

“But why that question?”

“What about someone else, then?”

“Yes?”

“For example, Venerable Gonggong.”

Yeon Hojeong frowned.

“If Venerable Gonggong became Alliance Leader, there wouldn’t be any uproar in public opinion. But what meaning is there in that question?”

“It seems the Mo Yong Clan Lord has begun laying groundwork.”

“What?”

“Someone brought up in private that Venerable Gonggong is ideally suited to be the Alliance Leader.”

“......!”

“The problem is...”

“That only the rumor that Venerable Gonggong is Alliance Leader material remains, while no one knows who was actually the one who said it.”

“As expected, it’s easy talking to you.”

Je Gal Munho wet his throat with tea.

“After that remark came out, eyes within the Alliance began turning toward Venerable Gonggong. When I first heard the rumor, I thought it sounded plausible enough, but the speed at which it spread was faster than expected.”

“Manufacturing public opinion.”

A sharp light flashed in Yeon Hojeong’s eyes.

“Mo Yonggun?”

“No matter how much we searched for the root of the rumor, we couldn’t find whose mouth that remark originally came from.”

“......”

“So I think it was Mo Yonggun.”

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“The Alliance of the Martial World has already suffered its share of trouble because of Mo Yonggun. But I don’t think it’s good to conclude that this is his doing without clear evidence.”

“I think the same.”

Je Gal Munho smiled faintly.

“So then, do you think it wasn’t Mo Yonggun?”

“As if.”

Yeon Hojeong grinned as well.

“The timing is awfully early, isn’t it? The odds are high that it was Mo Yonggun.”

“But I can’t be certain.”

“Then we should prod him.”

“That’s why I came to see you.”

“You did well.”

“What will you do?”

Leaving Mad Dragon where it was, Yeon Hojeong rose to his feet.

“A direct attack would be a bit much, so I’ll go around and stick him from the side.”