“I see.”

Mo Yonggun gave a bitter smile.

“So it was to interfere in the election for Alliance Leader... I knew it.”

Surprisingly, Yangcheon answered Mo Yonggun’s question without resistance.

And seeing that, Mo Yonggun could not help but feel an even greater burden.

He has nothing left to hold back now.

Ink Dragon Manor was still an organization that had not yet revealed itself to the world.

At this point, that too had become largely pointless, but at the very least, the situation had not become completely beyond repair. If so, it would have been normal for Yangcheon to approach the matter more cautiously as well.

But Yangcheon had not.

He was furious beyond measure, and he wanted the truth. That was why he had come in person, willing to let all the effort so far go to waste.

And that proved one chilling fact.

I could die here.

The moment he awakened to that inescapable reality, Mo Yonggun felt his back grow damp.

He had spent his entire life running to become the best, and the highest seat was now truly within reach. There were many obstacles, yes, but he had steadily piled up enough moves to break through them all.

And yet now, all of it was in danger of turning into bubbles.

“It is a truly bold and dangerous method. In literal terms, it was no different from a gamble.”

“Speak now.”

Yangcheon tilted up his chin.

“Why did you attack the headquarters? It seems you had already known of its existence. How much did you know? What were you trying to gain by provoking us? Surely you didn’t think some Mo Yong Clan could handle Ink Dragon Manor?”

The tone was arrogant beyond measure.

Mo Yonggun shook his head.

“The power of the main house can contend for first place among the Six Great Clans. But if even half of what I investigated about Ink Dragon Manor is true, then even the main house would find it difficult to handle Ink Dragon Manor.”

Yangcheon’s eyes flashed.

Mo Yonggun had just said, what I investigated about Ink Dragon Manor. That meant the Alliance of the Martial World itself might not know of Ink Dragon Manor’s existence.

“And you still touched us? Why?”

For a # Nоvеlight # moment, Mo Yonggun nearly blurted out Yeon Hojeong’s existence without meaning to.

That sly bastard.

Inside, he ground his teeth at Yeon Hojeong.

Revealing Yeon Hojeong’s identity here would be the worst possible move. In a short time, Yeon Hojeong had earned Yangcheon’s trust and gone even further, seizing a central position inside Ink Dragon Manor.

That meant he had deceived Yangcheon completely. If he revealed the truth now, would Yangcheon thank him for it? No. Yangcheon, with his rage exploding, would kill him first, strike the Mo Yong Clan, and then declare war on the Alliance of the Martial World itself.

At least, that was what he would do. If a fight could not be avoided, then one had to shave away the enemy’s strength first.

I absolutely cannot let him know this was a mission from the Alliance of the Martial World.

He had never intended to reveal that in the first place, but now the situation had truly become unavoidable. The death of the Director of the Intelligence Division and the destruction of Ink Dragon Manor’s entrance had to remain wholly his own decision.

It was a truly absurd situation.

Did that bastard foresee even this far?

He thought there was no way.

And yet, one corner of his mind also thought it was entirely possible.

Terrifying bastard.

Mo Yonggun spoke calmly.

“My intention was similar to yours, Lord of the Manor.”

“Similar to mine?”

“That is correct.”

“Explain.”

“You sent the Director of the Intelligence Division in your place, did you not? After speaking with him, I found he was no ordinary vicious creature.”

Yangcheon’s face visibly twisted.

He had tried not to think of it, but Jeong’s face kept rising before him.

That self-assured expression, and yet the face of a hidden dragon with cautious and razor-sharp judgment.

“...And then?”

“But I did not know he was someone you cherished. To be honest, even if I had known, it would not have mattered.”

“What?”

“You broke your promise. Before the name of one of the Thirteen Seats of the Supreme Heavens, even the position of Mo Yong Clan Lord pales. But I too am the master of a great house and a servant of the Alliance of the Martial World. I could not help but be displeased.”

The skin around Yangcheon’s eyes trembled.

“You killed the Director of the Intelligence Division over nothing more than that?”

“The one who poured oil onto the burning house was that man.”

“...?!”

“He was certainly talented, but he was still young. He did not know how to govern his mouth. He appeared without notice at a meeting between the heads of two groups. In that kind of place, the proper thing would have been to apologize first, and yet he provoked me instead?”

Mo Yonggun’s eyes turned cold.

In truth, just recalling Yeon Hojeong made it impossible for him to suppress the boiling emotion inside him.

“Not just I. Anyone would have drawn a sword.”

Yangcheon closed his eyes.

You fool.

It did not seem as though Mo Yonggun was lying. Then again, in a place where a single wrong move could cost him his life, he would not fabricate lies lightly.

In fact, hearing Mo Yonggun’s words, Yangcheon could understand it too.

How did a man that subtle make such a mistake?

Jeong was a man who understood politics in his own way. But by nature, he leaned more toward strength than gentleness. Just as Mo Yonggun said, it was entirely possible he had made that sort of mistake.

Perhaps Jeong had lost his precious life over that single error.

If he was only going to leave so meaninglessly, then he should never have come to my side in the first place.

Flash!

Yangcheon opened his eyes.

At that gaze, sharp enough to cut, Mo Yonggun felt his guts go cold.

“And the bombardment against the entrance to the headquarters as well—was that also because you were angry?”

“As if that were the case. I already told you. For a reason similar to yours.”

“What?”

Mo Yonggun gave a cold smile.

“I wanted to see how you would respond.”

“...?!”

“Though I never imagined you would come in person, Lord of the Manor.”

Yangcheon gave a hollow laugh.

“You’re telling me I’m supposed to believe you blew up the entrance to the headquarters just to observe my reaction?”

“If that were not the case, why would I need to touch Ink Dragon Manor at all? To speak plainly, if I had truly intended to smash Ink Dragon Manor, I would have prepared more secretly and buried every last one of you alive in one stroke.”

This time, it was Yangcheon’s turn to flinch.

This bastard... he means it.

He really had no choice but to acknowledge the man’s nerve.

To stand before me, Yangcheon, and say without hesitation that he would have buried the entire headquarters alive.

He recalled his conversation with White Rat.

If they had known of our existence, they would never have detached Mo Yong Clan forces just to blow up the entrance.

White Rat had certainly said that.

And Yangcheon had agreed. If they had truly meant to strike, they would have committed themselves and driven in. If not, they would never have touched it at all.

That meant the Alliance of the Martial World most likely did not know of Ink Dragon Manor’s existence. At the same time, Mo Yonggun wanted something from Ink Dragon Manor.

Come to think of it, was that not exactly why he himself had come here in person?

Mo Yonggun smacked his lips.

“When young boys play cruel pranks on girls for no reason, it is because they want their attention. It is a somewhat embarrassing comparison, but what I did was much the same.”

“......”

“And right now, I am seeing the full effect of it. For the Lord of Ink Dragon Manor to come in person... it is truly an honor.”

“No matter the reason, touching the headquarters cannot be overlooked. And on top of that, you killed the Director of the Intelligence Division and three of the Twelve Zodiac Gods.”

Killing Intent stained Yangcheon’s face.

“So then. Tell me why I should refrain from killing you.”

At that instant, Mo Yonggun rejoiced inwardly.

Done.

A reason not to kill him?

There was no need to say such a thing in this situation. If Yangcheon had truly intended to kill him in his rage, he would have attacked already.

Which meant Yangcheon was now giving him a chance.

A chance to return alive. A single sentence confirming that negotiations could begin.

His pride had been wounded, but now was not the time to care about such things. If anything, this could become the move that turned disaster into fortune.

Mo Yonggun spoke calmly.

“Whatever the reason, as many of your subordinates died, many warriors of the main house died as well.”

“They are not comparable. The subordinates of mine that you killed were talented people holding key positions even within the headquarters. Compared to that, what you lost amounts to nothing but pawns.”

“Then why not balance the scales a little?”

“The scales?”

“If both sides have suffered losses, then I believe it would be best to end this clash of emotions here. In fact, I believe this conflict could instead strengthen the relationship between us. What do you think, Lord of the Manor?”

Yangcheon’s eyes gleamed.

“That means?”

“That is right. I will accept the bargain I originally intended to make.”

“...!”

“The Alliance Leader election to be held next year—interfere in that election. And if I become Alliance Leader, I will properly support Ink Dragon Manor from behind the curtain.”

Yangcheon laughed coldly.

“You speak of balancing the scales, yet are you not instead asking us to bear one more loss?”

“From the beginning, your interfering in the election itself was an excessive move. A gamble, in other words. But I am saying that I myself will step up onto that gambling table and stake my life as the wager.”

“...!”

“The lives of the subordinates you lost—I will replace them with my own life. And my life, depending on how it is used, could become an enormous help to Ink Dragon Manor.”

“......”

“Of course, that is not all. A bargain must be certain, and if you agree to this deal...”

Mo Yonggun’s eyes deepened.

Forgive me.

At this moment, there was no other way.

It will be a great shock to you, but this too will become nourishment for your growth. If you endure this one sacrifice, I will make great use of you in the future.

He meant it sincerely.

“...I will send my daughter to you, Lord of the Manor.”

For a moment, Yangcheon was startled.

“You will send your daughter?”

“Of course, you must not treat my daughter like common trash. She is still young and lacks experience, but she is a child who knows how to use her wits to a fair extent.”

“...!”

“Depending on how you handle her, she could be of great help to Ink Dragon Manor. I ask that you guide her well.”

The corner of Yangcheon’s eye twitched.

Black Sheep, the man sent by the Perverse Lust Cult, had been exposed as a traitor. For someone in his position, hearing the other party say they would send a person to him could not help but sound deeply suspect in many ways.

But blood was different.

“You would obtain your own life by sending your daughter as a hostage?”

Mo Yonggun answered in a light tone.

“I would appreciate it if you would think of me as the sort of man willing to make a move this drastic. And would not the life of my daughter help, at least to some degree, in balancing the scales?”

A fire burned in Mo Yonggun’s eyes.

Filled with desire, ambition, and excitement, his eyes shone so fiercely that even Yangcheon found it burdensome to meet them head-on.

“Well then, what will you do? Will you recover what you have lost through this one bargain? Or will you kill me and prepare for war against the Alliance of the Martial World?”

*****

“Puhahhhh!”

As soon as they crossed the Yangtze in central Hubei Province, Ga Deoksang let out a long, deep breath.

“Wow, even the air feels different.”

Yeon Hojeong nodded.

“I think you may forget about pursuers now. Once we’ve crossed the Yangtze, neither Ink Dragon Manor nor any sect of the Dark Path will be able to chase us.”

He looked around at everyone.

“You have all worked hard.”

Everyone in the group let out sighs of relief. If Yeon Hojeong said so, then they could truly set their minds at ease now.

Pae Yul grumbled.

“Next time, call me when you’re going somewhere more straightforward. I thought I was going to suffocate from frustration.”

“I understand.”

Tang Sang-a shook her head.

“I’d rather fight an enemy I can’t handle. Infiltration warfare is really difficult.”

“Well, that’s how it is.”

Je Gal Ahyeon asked slyly,

“By the way, Jeong.”

“Speak.”

“We’re one thing, but what about the one who held command authority? Do you think he’ll be able to get out safely?”

“Who knows.”

Yeon Hojeong looked to the south.

A meaningful light flickered in his coldly sunken eyes.

“...If he comes back alive and well, there must be a reason for it.”