Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 111: One Must Look Up to See the Sky (5)

That morning.

“Goodness! Chief, have you been up all night?”

Moyong Woo smiled, a hint of fatigue on his face.

“Just had some things on my mind.”

A look of concern washed over Lee Gun’s face.

“Why don’t you take the day off? I’ll handle the trade union representatives.”

“It’s fine. It’s not the first time.”

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I’ve been busy splitting my time and even honing my martial arts skills. Don’t worry too much. If I can’t find the answer, I might as well draw my sword.”

Lee Gun couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“That’s the spirit. Maybe you should draw your sword. Who would dare to stop you?”

He wished he could mean it sincerely.

Of course, Lee Gun knew that wasn’t possible. Although their livelihoods had sharpened them to a point, they were victims too.

“Then, just rest for an hour. I’ll wrap up the morning’s work.”

“Should I?”

“Yes.”

But Moyong Woo did not sleep.

He was clearly tired, but his mind was sharper than ever. There was no need to force sleep.

‘It’s like I’m bewitched.’

Moyong Woo thought of Yeon Hojeong.

Was he just reaching his prime? Thanks to his inner strength, his unlined face brimmed with vitality.

Overall, he had a sharp yet incredibly handsome appearance. There was something stiff about him, yet he had a strange charm that drew people in.

But that was only on the surface.

‘What exactly is his identity?’

Moyong Woo was accustomed to seeing beyond appearances to a person’s inherent nature.

It was natural. The Moyong clan was a hellish stage where even kin killed for power. To survive there, one had to develop an eye for people.

From his perspective, Yeon Hojeong was already a man lacking nothing to lead a family.

A power more precious and stronger than martial arts. It was the ability to see the flow of the world and to control it at will.

‘It would have been less surprising if his martial arts were stronger than my brother’s.’

It was still astonishing enough. To Moyong Woo, Yeon Hojeong’s martial arts were at a level where even he couldn’t guarantee victory.

Such monstrous talent.

‘A prey…?’

Moyong Woo suddenly felt uneasy.

Yeon Hojeong, what exactly does he intend to do with the trade union? What does it mean to make them beg?

‘Surely… he wouldn’t threaten them with force?’

That wouldn’t be the case.

Though he seemed rough, he appeared to at least know the basics of humanity. Moyong Woo decided to trust his judgment.

Some time passed.

The sun was slowly moving to mid-heaven.

“Chief, Chief!”

“What’s the matter?”

“The representatives of the trade union have arrived!”

Moyong Woo’s eyes sparkled.

“Understood.”

“But there’s something odd about the atmosphere.”

“Odd? What do you mean?”

“I… I don’t know. For some reason, they all look pale…”

Could it be…?

Moyong Woo hurried outside.

“Gasp! Chief, Chief!”

“You’ve arrived!”

“Oh, we should have come to see you sooner…”

Moyong Woo blinked.

What’s with these utterly servile reactions?

“I don’t know why you’re acting like this, but come inside.”

The three men glanced at each other.

Moyong Woo tilted his head.

“Is there a problem?”

One of the men cautiously spoke up.

“Are… Are you alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well…”

“?”

“Will you continue to stay here?”

What in the world?

Moyong Woo looked at their faces.

Their faces were ashen. But there was something peculiar about their expressions.

‘Me?’

It wasn’t that they had been threatened by someone; they seemed to be intimidated by Moyong Woo himself.

‘Asking if I’ll stay? What does that mean…?’

Then, the eldest, who appeared to be in his fifties, spoke up.

“We didn’t realize how hard you’ve been working, Chief Moyong. When we think about it, you’ve been taking on difficult tasks for us when you didn’t have to.”

“…”

“It’s all our fault. We’ve been negligent. However, we’ll try to coordinate among ourselves from now on, so could you just stay?”

Moyong Woo felt an immense frustration.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. What does my staying here mean…”

Though Moyong Woo was oblivious to the situation, his words struck the three men like a bolt from the blue.

“We’re sorry! Please spare us just this once!”

“If you leave, Chief, we’ll truly starve!”

“We’ll even give you our shares!”

What, what?

Moyong Woo was taken aback by the merchants’ fervent reactions.

As the chill settled in his mind, Moyong Woo pondered, “Yeon Hojeong?”

It was clear that Yeon Hojeong had played some trickery.

Yet, it seemed not to be a threat of force. They feared not Yeon Hojeong, but Moyong Woo himself.

In a flash, Moyong Woo recalled Yeon Hojeong’s words:

“Don’t let them come demanding food, make them come apologizing and begging.”

“When you see an opportunity, go for the jugular.”

Hmm, not sure what it means, but should I probe?

Pretending ignorance, Moyong Woo said, “Aren’t you three the representatives of the trade association? Even without me, you should be able to lead well enough.”

Instantly, Moyong Woo felt the atmosphere freeze.

The faces of the three men turned from pale to a ghastly purple, as if gripped by extreme terror.

“We’re sorry! So sorry, Chief! Please, just this once, forgive us!”

“Sobbing!”

“We won’t fight among ourselves again! If anyone dares to meddle in our rights, we’ll deal with them first!”

Moyong Woo stopped probing, fearing it might lead to actual harm.

Then, a man in his fifties, tears streaming down his face, said, “We didn’t realize you were fighting alone, Chief. From now on, we will stand by you.”

“I…”

“So, I ask you shamelessly. Please stop the Moyong clan from coming to Zhejiang!”

Moyong Woo felt a chill down his spine.

“The Moyong clan? Why suddenly mention my family name?”

Trying to remain calm, Moyong Woo asked,

“Are you so afraid of my family coming to Zhejiang?”

“Sobbing! We are truly at a loss for words.”

Moyong Woo felt the same. Without understanding the situation, he was speechless.

Nevertheless, he knew he couldn’t leave things as they were.

“Come inside for now.”

The three men, faces flushed and wiping away tears and snot, entered the guest hall.

Then, as if on cue, someone knocked on the gate of the branch. It was a messenger.

“A letter from Young Master Yeon.”

Moyong Woo hurriedly opened the letter.

If you had made up your mind properly, you wouldn’t have needed this help. But I understand you’ve had your own struggles. You can exclude this matter from the deal.

Such confidence.

The bold statement, suggesting he could resolve such matters anytime, caught Moyong Woo’s eye. He felt fortunate to have formed a connection with such an outstanding person.

Given Moyong Jun’s temperament, he would probably want to cut down all the merchants in the trade union. You mustn’t let them know. They may seem weak, but they’ve lived tough lives. Corner them, and they’ll bare their claws, making things troublesome.

Moyong Woo shuddered.

Could Yeon Hojeong have planted a spy here? Otherwise, how could he see through everything so clearly?

‘Terrifying!’

One thing was clear.

Yeon Hojeong must never become an enemy. His strategies were already discussing the world. Such strategies, coupled with fearsome action, were a bonus.

Had his brother already turned Yeon Hojeong into an enemy?

He had told them that the Moyong clan was releasing funds to take over Zhejiang’s trade business entirely. And that you were the one preventing it. For now, you won’t have any headaches.

“Huh!”

Moyong Woo inwardly clicked his tongue.

The Moyong clan getting involved in the trade business?

Then it’s the end for the Zhejiang merchants. They would lose all their rights to the Moyong clan, one way or another.

If a group with astronomical funds takes over the rights, it’s the small and medium merchants who will die out.

Now he understood why the merchant representatives were groveling. The Moyong clan was trying to swallow them up, and Moyong Woo, a blood member of the Moyong clan, was preventing it. How could they not be grateful?

But now they were disgusted and ready to leave. For the merchants, it was as if the sky had fallen.

“Shaking the board with just a few words… I’ve never seen someone actually do this.”

Moyong Woo shook his head, then his expression hardened.

Do you understand why I had to involve the Moyong clan? When Moyong Yeonhwa comes, you’ll have to make a choice. Will you abandon them, or will you take them with you? Their lives depend on your decision.

Moyong Woo’s nose twitched slightly.

If you truly want to overturn the clan, start with Zhejiang. If you lack the will or ability, bow to Moyong Yeonhwa.

Choose the former, and you’ll officially join Yeon Hojeong. Choose the latter, and from then on, you’re an enemy.

It was an extreme choice. Yeon Hojeong was openly testing Moyong Woo’s mettle.

‘Terrifying!’

While testing Moyong Woo, passing the test would establish a foundation in Zhejiang and, furthermore, seize control of the sensitive Zhejiang trade market in one fell swoop.

If Zhejiang stabilizes, so will Jiangsu Province. Then, the Beiksan Yeonga can proceed much more smoothly with their work.

‘With this one move, he’s set up double, triple benefits…’

Talent recognizes talent.

Moyong Woo clicked his tongue, thinking of the countless benefits Yeon Hojeong would gain from this affair.

‘If I fail… then he’ll bring in the Yeonga’s forces and take over.’

Even in the worst-case scenario, he means to secure his interests.

Impressive. For Moyong Woo, it was a bold tactic he couldn’t have imagined.

Moyong Woo read the rest of the letter.

I plan to stay at Hoseon Daehiru for about a month to survey the Zhejiang market. If successful, come visit for fun.

Folding the letter, Moyong Woo sighed deeply.

‘Have I allied with someone too formidable to handle?’

Then, Lee Gun rushed in.

“Chief, Chief!”

“What is it?”

“The merchant representatives want to nominate you as the Grand Benefactor of the trade union! Why are they acting like this all of a sudden?”

“Grand Benefactor…”

Moyong Woo smiled bitterly.

“He said to go for the jugular when the opportunity arises, but it seems he’s sent them toothless and clawless.”

“Excuse me?”

“Never mind. Let’s go inside.”

Moyong Woo took a deep breath, determination shining in his eyes.

“What can I do? Even if a flower is thorny, if it smells sweet, it must be plucked.”