“Hmm.”

Mo Yonggun, who had been drinking tea while checking through dozens of pages of documents, finally spoke after no less than half a shichen had passed.

“It is flowing well after all. The only question is whether, considering this election, I should put the brakes on now or allow it to keep going.”

Mo Yonggun glanced to the side.

Mo Yong-woo was standing there with his hands clasped behind his back. Even though he had been standing that way for half a shichen, Mo Yong-woo had not so much as blinked.

“What do you think?”

“About what?”

“The matters written in these documents.”

“I still do not know what is written in those documents.”

Mo Yonggun clicked his tongue.

“Of course you do not. I have never shown them to you. These documents were all brought by Yeonhwa. In other words, they were sent from Ink Dragon Manor.”

“I know that much.”

“You knew that, and yet you drove off the attendant who came with Yeonhwa?”

It was a rare rebuke from Mo Yonggun.

In truth, if the other party had been someone else, he might have made a decision on the spot. But because it was Mo Yong-woo, he had not scolded him immediately, thinking perhaps there was some reasoning behind it.

Even so, he could not help the anger rising in him. That was why he had left Mo Yong-woo standing there for half a shichen, calming himself.

“You do not know what is written here or what that side wants. And yet you drove off one of their people as you pleased. Without even receiving my permission.”

“I did.”

“Was there a reason?”

“Did you truly think I would do something like this without any particular reason?”

Curiosity surfaced on Mo Yonggun’s face.

Apart from his anger, this sudden action from his naturally kind and gentle younger brother was surprising and puzzling even to him.

“What exactly did you think you were doing? Let me hear it.”

“Because it was dangerous.”

“Dangerous?”

Mo Yong-woo looked Mo Yonggun straight in the eye.

For an instant, Mo Yonggun could not hide his inward surprise.

Did Woo know how to make eyes like that?

Mo Yong-woo’s gaze was extremely cold. At the same time, it contained an anger whose source was impossible to identify.

“Brother.”

“Speak.”

“It was only yesterday that you said you had looked back on yourself. So I think saying this now may be meaningless, but I will say one thing anyway.”

“......?”

“Look at the situation properly.”

It felt like he had been struck by an unexpected blow.

Mo Yonggun’s eyes deepened.

“Look at the situation properly?”

“Yes.”

“Explain.”

“Commander Yeon already suspects that you may have joined hands with Ink Dragon Manor. In a situation like that, do you truly not understand how dangerous it is to bring one of their people into the Alliance?”

“Of course I know it is dangerous. But if you thought this elder brother had not taken that into account as well, then you have taken me far too lightly.”

“Even so, you were wrong.”

“Why?”

“What if, before Yeonhwa entered the inner district, the person who had been there was not me but Commander Yeon?”

Mo Yonggun’s face hardened in an instant.

“I had a rough grasp of Yeon Hojeong’s movements and location. That is why I told her to enter at that time.”

“What about Strategist Je Gal? What about Clan Lord Yeon? What will you do about Clan Lord Tang, and the eyes of countless others besides?”

“.......”

“Boldness shown at an unexpected moment can become a decisive move. But if you grow used to that boldness and neglect small things, you may find yourself sunk in the mire at the crucial moment.”

Wrinkles formed around Mo Yonggun’s eyes.

“I know what you are worried about. However, I have prepared every countermeasure for that part. I will say it again. I have prepared every countermeasure. I am not so easy a man that I would bring in someone from Ink Dragon Manor without even that much.”

“That is also the problem. Why are you forcing something so unreasonable in the first place?”

“......!”

“Do not create a situation that requires preparation to begin with. At moments when you must wait for the proper time, you must wait thoroughly. With each danger you invite on yourself, the enemy is collecting one sharp dagger after another.”

Mo Yonggun felt his words catch in his throat.

Mo Yong-woo continued.

“You joined hands with Ink Dragon Manor? Then does that mean you must move forward together with Ink Dragon Manor on equal footing?”

“.......”

“In ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) any case, Ink Dragon Manor can only receive information about the situation here. They cannot feel it firsthand. In that case, the one leading this transaction must be you, completely. It means there is no need to watch their mood.”

“......Do you truly think so?”

“Of course. In a transactional relationship, if one side’s power crosses the line, it becomes plunder rather than trade. But taking the lead within an appropriate boundary allows one to seize maximum profit and minimum loss at the same time.”

Mo Yong-woo sharpened his gaze.

“Please think about why I have not properly stepped into your affairs until now. You had been handling everything in the best possible direction without any need for me to step in. But now, I do not know.”

“......That is how it looked in your eyes?”

“Yes.”

“Ha!”

Mo Yonggun let out a sigh.

It was not because he was dumbfounded. Rather, every single word Mo Yong-woo spoke was driving deep into his chest.

“Yes. You are right. There is no need to create problems for no reason.”

“And if you intend to keep dragging Yeonhwa along with you, then you must begin by educating her all over again.”

It was a frightening statement.

Considering an ordinary household, one could easily call it a statement that crossed the line.

Mo Yonggun tilted his head.

“In your view, is Yeonhwa that lacking?”

“Even good iron becomes nothing but a club if it is not properly worked. Yeonhwa is like that. She was born with fine talent, but because she lacks experience and patience, she cannot use even half of that talent.”

“Mm.”

“Among both enemies and allies, there are many extraordinary talents around you. Perhaps even in your eyes, Yeonhwa’s mistakes may look displeasing. But if one looks at her coldly, it is difficult to find material as good as Yeonhwa.”

“She is too valuable to discard?”

“Yes. A talent too valuable to discard.”

Mo Yong-woo immediately accepted Mo Yonggun’s even harsher wording.

“If you intend to take her along, it is not too late even now.”

“Conversely.”

Mo Yonggun’s eyes gleamed darkly.

“If I do not intend to take her along?”

“In that case.”

Mo Yong-woo’s eyes turned similar to Mo Yonggun’s.

“Use her properly, then cast her aside.”

“......Heh.”

Mo Yonggun clicked his tongue in astonishment.

“I am seeing a new side of you today.”

The anger he had felt toward Mo Yong-woo had vanished without a trace before he knew it. Instead, he was startled by Mo Yong-woo’s ruthless words.

Is he serious?

He looked closely just in case, and this was clearly sincere.

To begin with, his younger brother was not someone who would put words in his mouth if he did not mean them.

No hesitation over means and methods for the sake of a goal...... Heh. No matter how good his nature may be, the blood dissolved into those veins is most certainly the history of the Mo Yong Clan.

The Mo Yong family’s cold-bloodedness, proven at decisive moments.

It seemed that cold-bloodedness had been passed down to his younger brother as well. And from that fact, Mo Yonggun could feel deep relief along with a profound gladness.

Mo Yonggun deliberately spoke coldly.

“No matter how clear your reason may have been, driving out a person from Ink Dragon Manor without receiving my permission was your mistake.”

“I know.”

“I cannot simply let this mistake pass. Leaving aside that we are brothers, as Clan Lord and a member of the clan, I believe I ought to punish you.”

Mo Yong-woo nodded as if that were only natural.

“Only when clan law stands upright can the household be at peace. Unless it is wartime, do not make exceptions in fairness.”

This was truly something Mo Yonggun had never imagined hearing.

Without meaning to, Mo Yonggun spoke honestly.

“You truly seem determined to surprise me today.”

“However, Brother, you must not forget either.”

Mo Yong-woo’s eyes blazed.

Even Mo Yonggun could not help flinching for an instant before that fierce light.

“You must become the greatest. And the moment you soar, I will tear the main house out by the roots and rebuild it.”

“.......”

“There is still plenty of time. You need not think in haste. So please understand. Since my talent rolling in on its own is what allowed this brotherly affection to bloom, I too cannot offer the same affection as before to a brother who has forgotten his purpose.”

“.......”

“I will go to my quarters and reflect. Please tell me once the degree of punishment has been decided.”

Mo Yong-woo bowed his head and headed for the door.

Watching him silently, Mo Yonggun tossed out a question.

“Do you think this elder brother’s affection for you is merely private sentiment?”

Mo Yong-woo looked back and smiled bitterly.

“Did you think this youngest brother’s choice, made at the age of thirty, was merely because of blood affection?”

“.......”

“Rest well.”

THUD.

Mo Yong-woo left the room.

Mo Yonggun stared at the closed door for a long moment, then broke into a bitter smile.

“I thought he was only a child, but at some point he had sharpened his fangs this much.”

It was surprising. It was admirable as well.

On the other hand, it was pitiful. At the same time, it made him glad.

There was no resentment in Woo’s eyes. He was not angry because of Ink Dragon Manor, nor because of Yeonhwa. He was disappointed, literally, in my mistake and misjudgment.

Mo Yonggun sank into thought for a long time, then suddenly burst into loud laughter.

“Kahahaha! What a truly foolish life I have lived! I could not even swing the blade at my side properly, yet I was coveting another man’s treasured sword. Were my eyes nothing but knotholes?”

He felt a powerful disappointment in himself.

At the same time, he was immensely happy and proud.

Mo Yonggun looked out the window.

Far in the distance, Mo Yong-woo was walking toward the Demon-Sweeping Corps’ quarters.

“Woo. Only now do I think I can trust you without selfish desire.”

It felt as if clothes that had been tight and uncomfortable finally fit perfectly.

Mo Yonggun smiled and said,

“Is anyone outside?”

“Yes, Clan Lord.”

“Where is Yeonhwa?”

“She is in her quarters.”

Mo Yonggun nodded.

“Call Yeonhwa. Today, I must give that girl a sharp scolding.”

Mo Yong Yeonhwa would have to learn from Mo Yong-woo.

Furthermore, he would have to properly cultivate the eye of the daughter who had run wild without knowing how to measure her own vessel.

Only now, at last, would he begin cultivating himself and setting his household in order. Then the road to governing the state and bringing peace under heaven would not be far.

*****

“Well, now.”

Tang Gwan frowned.

“When exactly did my quarters become so easy to enter?”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“How could a building become easy, Clan Lord? If something has loosened, it is probably your heart.”

“That three-inch tongue of yours is as lively as ever.”

“Thanks to this poisonous tongue and these fists, your status may rise, may it not?”

“If only you were bad at talking, I might not dislike you so much.”

“I have earned hatred from all over the place, so I have built up an immunity.”

“Enough noise. Tell me why you came.”

“Oh? You will not even serve me a cup of tea?”

“What tea, with manners that do not even reach the tip of your father’s toes? Stop saying useless things and state your business.”

“Haha. Understood.”

Yeon Hojeong spoke with a serious face.

“There is somewhere you must go with me. Right now.”

“Where?”

“Venerable Gonggong’s quarters.”

“......?!”