Chapter 164: The Nature of the Shadow War (4)

The inauguration ceremony for the Demon-Sweeping Corps was carried out on a far grander scale than expected.

It was different from the Evil-Smiting Corps from the very start. Not only Commander Mo Yong-woo, but all five hundred warriors under him were dressed in luxurious light armor, each holding ceremonial weapons as well.

Those who attended the ceremony couldn’t stop admiring the Demon-Sweeping Corps’ outstanding presence.

Maybe because they hadn’t yet undergone training that truly qualified as training, each man’s individuality still stood out—but the stern momentum they emitted was more than enough for them to be called an elite force.

And standing before them, Mo Yong-woo was, unquestionably, the finest of them all. Countless people watched Mo Yong-woo’s bearing and cool vigor, unable to hide their admiration.

And just like that, the inauguration ceremony for the Demon-Sweeping Corps ended.

Of course, that day wasn’t only the Demon-Sweeping Corps’ inauguration. After it, the inauguration ceremonies of organizations under the Alliance continued, and the event that had begun at noon didn’t conclude until the sun was setting.

As soon as the long inauguration ceremony ended, a festival erupted. Martial artists gathered in small groups, eating meat and drinking.

At that lively gathering, the Evil-Smiting Corps was absent.

*****

“Hohoho!”

On the way back to his quarters.

Mo Yonggun kept bursting into hearty laughter, as if everything in the world pleased him.

“Well done. Truly well done. I knew you weren’t ordinary, but you engraved your presence properly in front of all those people.”

Mo Yong-woo gave a thin smile.

“It was for show.”

“Many fall behind because they can’t even do that kind of showing. With your plain temperament, you must have suffered for it, but that, too, is all necessary.”

“I know.”

“Hohoho!”

He really seemed in a splendid mood. From the Hall of the Martial Sage all the way to here, his laughter hadn’t stopped once.

Mo Yong-woo lowered his head.

“Then I’ll be going now.”

“Hm? Where do you think you’re going? At least today, let’s drink ourselves drunk together.”

“The Demon-Sweeping Corps is a formidable force. But a unit that can’t unite as one is nothing more than a rabble.”

“Hoh. Wouldn’t it be fine to rest today, at least?”

“I intend to let the soldiers rest, but I cannot do that. Only if I do my work properly will the Demon-Sweeping Corps shine. And if I bring them under control even one day sooner, won’t I be able to become your strength sooner, older brother?”

“What did you say? Hahaha!”

Mo Yonggun smiled in deep satisfaction.

“You don’t need to push yourself that far. Wouldn’t you know how to handle it well on your own?”

“Whenever everyone gets excited and loosens their guard, trouble always breaks out. Even just to steady myself, I think it would be best for me to spend tonight alone.”

Mo Yonggun smiled.

Mo Yong-woo was right. An enemy always aims for the moment the other side relaxes their guard. Of course, who inside the Alliance could truly be called an “enemy”—but that kind of tension wasn’t bad.

“If that’s what you think, then good. If my little brother says he’ll work hard, his older brother shouldn’t be the one to block him.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Before you go, there’s something I want to ask.”

“Speak.”

Mo Yonggun asked casually, as if slipping it in.

“Do you intend to be with the Tang Clan Lord’s daughter?”

It was one of the reasons he was in such a good mood.

Mo Yong-woo had accepted Tang Sang-a into the Demon-Sweeping Corps. It was the same for other organizations, but due to the nature of the Field Forces, the commander’s order was absolute. If Mo Yong-woo hadn’t wanted it, she wouldn’t have been able to enter the Demon-Sweeping Corps.

Mo Yong-woo smacked his lips.

It wasn’t what he had wanted—but since he’d accepted her, he had no choice but to carry her along.

“No matter how good a person is, it’s hard to know their true face after seeing them once. Still, her first impression wasn’t bad, and her abilities are outstanding, so she will be of help to the Demon-Sweeping Corps as well.”

“Keuheuhahaha! Well done. Truly well done.”

Now he had something to say to Dang Gwan as well. Hadn’t this matter been dragged out for quite some time? It felt like a long-aching tooth had been yanked out clean.

And more than that, he liked the guts of using even the person who might become his spouse for advantage.

‘I really did pick the right man.’

Good. Very good. Lately, Mo Yong-woo—who hadn’t shown his presence for so long—was beginning to prove his ability in earnest.

Mo Yonggun was deeply satisfied with the sight of his younger brother like that.

“The night is deep. Don’t overdo it.”

“I understand.”

Mo Yong-woo lowered his head.

“Then rest well, older brother.”

“Alright. Let’s have a meal tomorrow at lunch.”

“Yes.”

After sending Mo Yong-woo off, Mo Yonggun smiled as he headed for his quarters.

How long had he walked?

Around the time the front gate of his residence came into view—

‘...’

Frost settled over Mo Yonggun’s smile-filled face.

Tssst—tssst—tssst.

A presence, faintly wafting out, stirred his five senses.

An aura that had deepened to something frightening. Whoever it was, they were trying to rein it in, but the murderous pressure that seeped out still crossed over the wall and reached even here.

It was an aura even a peak master would find difficult to sense. Only by reaching Transcendent Peak, crossing the Martial End Wall, with one’s sixth sense developed and the density of qi increased, could one feel a presence like this.

‘Interesting.’

A cold smile surfaced on Mo Yonggun’s face.

‘To come at this hour. You always step outside expectations.’

A moment later, Mo Yonggun arrived before the gate.

At «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» the same time, inside the gate, from a shadowed place, a young man stepped out into view.

“Have you been well?”

Mo Yonggun smiled. It was as if the chill from a moment ago had never existed—his face was filled with ease.

“Have you been well?”

“As you can see.”

Yeon Hojeong spread both hands. The flapping hem of his long robe looked like wings.

Mo Yonggun’s eyes deepened.

‘He really is something.’

That body, which looked slender at a glance, would be tightly forged from extremely compressed muscle. And with that luxurious robe draped over him, his atmosphere was once again different from before.

Like a scholar with lofty ideals.

Just looking at him like this, it was hard to imagine him swinging a brutal axe that weighed over eighty geun.

“At such a late hour, what brings you here?”

“If it weren’t this hour, people’s eyes would gather too much.”

“Do you have something you want to say?”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“They called it a grand festival, but I haven’t had a single sip of alcohol yet. If the one who removed the Evil-Smiting Corps’ place from the inauguration ceremony would give me a cup of consolation, I’d be grateful.”

Mo Yonggun cut him off cleanly.

“There is no consolation drink for you.”

“You’re coming out stiff.”

“Haha. I don’t think we’re in a relationship where we can exchange cups with smiles.”

“That doesn’t mean we’re so cold a relationship we can’t pour each other a single drink.”

A strange way to put it.

Mo Yonggun felt a peculiar atmosphere in Yeon Hojeong’s words and actions.

‘It doesn’t seem like he came to pull some trick.’

From the moment he formed the Evil-Smiting Corps and played the card called Meng Yi, there was no longer any reason for the two of them to face each other. They would simply labor from their own positions for their own desires.

‘And you know that, too.’

Yeon Hojeong was a genius of fighting.

Whether in martial arts or politics, he seized victory with deft methods. And he was bold enough not to swing between joy and sorrow over trivial things.

He wasn’t the type of vessel to come and complain just because he’d been excluded from an inauguration ceremony. Enemy or not, Mo Yonggun acknowledged Yeon Hojeong.

‘So did he come to demand something? Or...’

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“If you’re curious, let’s go inside.”

It was as if he had been reading Mo Yonggun’s thoughts.

Mo Yonggun let out a small laugh.

“A man who commands the Evil-Smiting Corps can’t be served ordinary liquor. Come in. There’s no consolation drink, but there is fragrant alcohol. I recently got my hands on something decent.”

“Fine.”

A moment later—

“Oh? The aroma’s fairly heavy.”

Mo Yonggun burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! It’s Wuliangye from Sichuan. Heavy, yet the finish is strangely light.”

“A famous liquor from Sichuan?”

“I received it from the Tang Clan Lord.”

Yeon Hojeong let out a small laugh.

“So now you don’t even bother hiding it?”

Mo Yonggun spoke as if there were nothing to be troubled by.

“You already know everything—why would I need to hide it?”

“You’ve gotten bolder than before.”

“Before or now, I’m the same. Only my evaluation of you has changed.”

“Has my evaluation gone up?”

“I adjusted it upward.”

“I’m honored.”

Mo Yonggun smiled and raised his cup.

“Have a drink.”

CHING!

Cup struck cup, making a clear, fine sound.

After draining his cup in one go, Yeon Hojeong coughed lightly.

“Stronger than I thought.”

“If you keep drinking, you won’t even notice it’s strong. If anything, this is average.”

“I see why they call it a famous liquor.”

“Right? I haven’t really enjoyed drinking all this time, but if I only drank alcohol like this, I feel like I’d become a heavy drinker in no time.”

“Do you have plenty?”

“Keuheuhahaha! Don’t worry. I have enough to get you drunk.”

Yeon Hojeong grinned.

“It’s been a while. Time to scrub the grime off my throat.”

The two traded cups back and forth.

Astonishingly, neither of them spoke a single word about how the world was turning, nor about politics. Most of their conversation was about small everyday topics, or things they hadn’t known about each other.

It was a peaceful drinking table—like a senior of the martial world treating a talented junior to a drink.

At least, on the surface, that was what it looked like.

How much time passed like that?

“Do you know something?”

“What do you mean?”

“I used to think this sometimes. Ah— I want to make this bastard my man. I want to keep him under me. Thoughts like that.”

Yeon Hojeong let out a small laugh.

“You and I are different breeds.”

“Is that what you think? That’s surprising. I thought we were the same breed.”

“Is that so?”

“It is. In the martial world of this era, it’s hard to find people as ferocious as us. You and I—aren’t we beasts, watching for opportunities just to tear off a bite of flesh?”

If nothing else, he could agree with the word “beast.”

The fierce political struggle between Yeon Hojeong and Mo Yonggun was a fight between predators. It looked refined on the surface, but inside, low desires writhed—desires to ruin the other and achieve one’s own purpose.

Burning one’s life to achieve a purpose was right. Yet on the other hand, there was also no need to fight this far.

A beast’s fight, made possible because they were human.

Neither Yeon Hojeong nor Mo Yonggun had a “righteous path.”

“So I’ll ask.”

Mo Yonggun’s eyes shone.

“I won’t tell you to come under me. You’re not a man meant to be under anyone. But what about joining hands with me?”

“Join hands....”

“That’s right.”

It was an extraordinary proposal.

Mo Yonggun had chosen for himself all his life—he wasn’t someone who proposed to others. Especially not when his position was favorable.

That meant he valued Yeon Hojeong that much.

At the same time, he felt regret for Yeon Hojeong.

There was a way to make that terrifying talent bloom faster and easier, yet he insisted on playing mind games against Mo Yonggun. If he went just a little more moderately, he could reach the summit faster than anyone.

Yeon Hojeong smiled faintly.

“If, by any chance—”

“Hm?”

“When the day comes that I bring you down, I’d like you to change your mind. I find your ability a waste, too.”

“Haha.”

“It seems we’re fated to live like this.”

Mo Yonggun snorted.

“Did you really come tonight just to drink?”

“There should be days like this. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s true, but like I said—we’re beasts. We’re not the kind of relationship where you’d come without a purpose.”

“Fair.”

“Say it. Do you want something from me?”

“I want to go about it a bit easier.”

“What do you mean?”

Ting. Ting.

Yeon Hojeong tapped the empty cup with his fingernail.

“The man who gave you this liquor.”

“...?”

“Set me up with him. I feel like if I go to him myself, he’ll shut the door in my face.”

“The Tang Clan Lord?”

“That’s right.”

Interest rose on Mo Yonggun’s face.

“If I grant that request, what will you do for me?”

“I’ll protect the Demon-Sweeping Corps Commander.”

“...?!”

“I yielded the Grand Commander seat, but I was thinking. About how to deal with him.”

“Hm.”

“I won’t be a blade. I’ll be a shield. At least this once.”

Mo Yonggun let out a small laugh.

It really did feel like Yeon Hojeong.

“Tonight, my good mood turned into your profit.”