Chapter 313
True Intention (7)
The Namgung Family.
It was the absolute powerhouse of Anhui Province, a prestigious martial family among secular clans, always regarded as number one when it came to swordsmanship.
“Namgung, huh…”
Maeng Haseong’s eyes deepened.
“If even Namgung is supporting me, then there would be nothing more I could wish for.”
In theory, the Six Great Families of the secular clans were equal, but the world did not work so simply.
Even among friends, hierarchy was naturally formed, and in the martial world ruled by power, true equality was almost impossible.
Among them, the Namgung Family stood at the very top even within the Six Great Families.
“If Shaolin and Wudang, the peak of the orthodox sects, and Namgung and the Zhuge Family, the leaders of the Six Great Families, all support the Sect Leader, then four of the Nine Sects and Six Families are already raising shields for the Martial Alliance.”
Shaolin and Wudang.
And Namgung and Zhuge.
“And one more thing.”
“Hm?”
“The Tambo Ryu Lord exists.”
Maeng Haseong unconsciously smiled.
“Right, him.”
“Although the Murong Family has lost its past glory, their power is still significant. Of course, their influence alone isn’t overwhelming, but they are rapidly expanding in Hubei, aren’t they?”
“That’s right.”
“Moreover, the Sima Family is supporting Murong. And Murong’s position is Hubei’s Wuhan, which controls the lifeline of the Yangtze River.”
“……”
“If Hubei, the center of the Central Plains, is firmly established and supported by Shaolin, then even Henan becomes our shield. If we dominate both Henan and Hubei, no force in the world will dare challenge the Sect Leader lightly.”
“And Anhui as well.”
“Anhui is directly adjacent to Hubei. And Anhui borders Jiangsu and Zhejiang, which control the eastern sea.”
Zhuge Dan’s eyes flashed.
“If things go exactly as planned, even in the worst case, we can still form a counterbalance.”
In other words, they intended to gather only the strongest, most useful forces among the greatest martial powers as allies.
At the same time, the regions they controlled would stretch beautifully around the Martial Alliance. If that succeeded, it would be no different from building an iron fortress.
Maeng Haseong nodded.
“Then where should we start?”
“Both.”
“…?!”
“Not Shaolin first, not Namgung first. You must handle both at once.”
“Why?”
“So that they become firmly united as one.”
If they approached one first, the other might think it had been given lower priority.
“Of course, like Wudang, Shaolin may not place much meaning in being personally visited or summoned. They are pillars of the martial world, but also a sect of monks.”
“True.”
“But Namgung is different. The current generation of Namgung is full of righteous warriors, but also extremely proud people.”
“I suppose so.”
“If you reach out first, they may see it as arrogance. If you reach out too late, they may feel insulted. It is best to approach both simultaneously.”
Zhuge Dan was more delicate in understanding these subtle relationships among the Nine Sects and Six Families than Maeng Haseong.
Maeng Haseong nodded.
“I understand.”
“Prepare thoroughly, but do not be slow. You must act quickly.”
“I know. We already have conflicts with the Hoyeon Family. It is their fault, but people don’t care about such things.”
“Correct.”
“I will discuss it with the Chief Strategist today. We will contact them tomorrow.”
“I will personally send a letter to Wudang today.”
“Thank you.”
Once the flow started, everything moved swiftly.
No matter how difficult something was, once the path was set, one could run without hesitation. Zhuge Dan could now feel his heart pounding at the thought of doing something for Mo Yongbi, for the Martial Alliance, and ultimately for the world.
Then—
“Alliance Leader. The Tambo Ryu Lord requests an audience.”
After sending Zhuge Dan away, Maeng Haseong brought Mo Yongbi to the rear garden of the Alliance Leader’s residence.
“……”
The two remained silent for a while.
Maeng Haseong looked up at the sky with intense emotion, while Mo Yongbi stared down at the ground as if it were an abyss.
After some time—
“You’re saying Mok Yangho used the Murong Family’s martial arts?”
“That is correct.”
“The Hoyeon people have taken everything from Murong. From your perspective it may be shocking, but it is not necessarily a big issue, is it?”
Mo Yongbi did not know where to begin.
Already, Seo Yeohyun and Hwan Gui knew that he was Murong Cheon.
Perhaps even Maeng Haseong might learn the truth someday. Should he reveal his identity now?
Mo Yongbi silently shook his head.
“Not yet.”
Perhaps that “time” would never come.
After organizing his thoughts, he spoke.
“It is impossible.”
“Why?”
“That martial art called Jajeon-gong was my… grandfather’s younger brother’s technique. My great-uncle’s.”
“Your great-uncle? You mean the previous Alliance Leader?”
“No. Murong Moon, my great-uncle.”
Maeng Haseong’s eyes flashed.
“Yes, I heard there was someone who passed away long ago.”
Hearing that, Mo Yongbi felt a quiet bitterness.
Even Maeng Haseong knew of Murong Moon’s existence. It was just so long ago that people had forgotten, but he was still remembered as someone who had existed.
And yet, Mo Yongbi had lived forgetting that fact.
“Moon…”
His heart was complicated.
And there was something even more complicated he had to tell Maeng Haseong.
“Hoyeon Gyeong…”
“Speak.”
“His face…”
As he was about to continue, Mo Yongbi felt troubled.
Only a very small number of people had ever seen Murong Moon in person. Seok Ung’s memory was likely faint, and only someone like Gwak No might remember.
For a young man who had never met such a person to recognize him was absurd.
“No… I felt something strange from his presence.”
In the end, he had to phrase it differently.
“Why? Did you sense remnants of Murong in him?”
Mo Yongbi looked surprised.
Maeng Haseong gave a faint smile.
“You coming here with such a troubled expression is already unusual. If you suddenly bring up Hoyeon Gyeong, that would be the only explanation.”
“…I see.”
“Do you think your great-uncle Murong Moon’s blood has been passed into the Hoyeon Family?”
“…Honestly, I don’t know.”
He truly did not know.
Even if that were true, it would not change the fact that the Hoyeon Family was evil. Even if not evil, for Murong, they were still irreconcilable enemies.
Maeng Haseong chuckled.
“Listen, Tambo Ryu Lord.”
“Yes.”
“Even if your thoughts are complicated, I cannot understand why you cannot shake them off quickly.”
“What?”
“Even if your great-uncle’s blood might be in them, does that erase their crimes?”
“!”
“Of course you don’t think so either. Blood is blood, and sin is sin. And Murong has a debt to collect from the Hoyeon Family.”
“……”
“Even if your great-uncle Murong Moon were alive and well in Hoyeon, Murong and Hoyeon cannot coexist. Am I wrong?”
He was not wrong.
It was natural to have complicated thoughts. But did that change what must be done?
If Murong Moon was truly connected to Hoyeon—if he had faked his death and become their agent—
Then even more so, he must be judged.
“The world is truly chaotic. Demonic sects try to bring down gods and treat human lives like livestock. People who have forgotten their duties rot the world in darkness just to grasp a bit of power.”
“……”
“Do you know why I trust you?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Not because you are the former Alliance Leader’s bloodline, or because you are strong and intelligent. Not that.”
Maeng Haseong turned around.
“You never forget what must be done, even when you are shaken.”
“……”
“And you act. While others calculate endlessly to minimize harm, you move first and then do your best to make your judgment right.”
“…Was that so.”
“That is why I trust you. Who else would I trust if not you?”
Mo Yongbi let out a bitter smile.
“I guess I was just whining for no reason.”
“There is no such thing as ‘no reason’ in this world. Even the strongest in the world can sometimes break or bend.”
Maeng Haseong’s face grew serious as he released his hands behind his back.
“What I am more curious about is your martial arts.”
“Ah.”
“I cannot believe it. What exactly happened when you captured Mok Yangho?”
Though he did not show it openly, Maeng Haseong was truly shocked.
‘Ogi Jowon…’
He expanded his senses.
Within Mo Yongbi’s body, he felt a terrifying vortex of power.
Two opposing forces coexisted, restraining yet acknowledging each other. Completely different energies were living together.
If the total amount had been small, it might have been understandable—but it was not.
‘It feels like the power of two peak masters combined.’
Two powers. Two divine techniques.
And yet no collision—rather, they amplified each other.
Maeng Haseong had only seen such a being once before.
“Have you… learned another divine art of the previous Alliance Leader?”
“I know all of my great-uncle’s martial arts. I have analyzed them completely.”
“…!”
“What mattered was timing. Fortunately, I had luck on my side and was able to cultivate it during the process of capturing Mok Yangho.”
“What…?”
He could barely speak.
“Is that even possible?”
It was not impossible. If he tried, even Maeng Haseong could do it.
But there was no reason to. The risk of internal imbalance was extremely high, and even if stabilized, efficiency would be poor and it could lead to deviation into qi deviation.
Yet Mo Yongbi had, from a much lower realm, mastered two era-defining divine arts simultaneously and stably.
‘This is truly…’
There might be another martial art of the previous Alliance Leader capable of merging two divine techniques.
Even so, making two opposing arts coexist was not easy.
Mo Yongbi sighed.
“In any case, the situation is mostly settled. The Internal Affairs Bureau has already captured most of the spies from the Hoyeon Family.”
“……”
“From now on, for the Martial Alliance…”
“I need to confirm something.”
“Hm?”
Maeng Haseong slowly rolled up his sleeves.
“Your identity… I need to confirm it once again.”
