Moyong Seo accepted Ho Cheon-an’s proposal to resolve the Sacheon situation.
While considering the idea of gaining help from Ho Cheon-an’s cleverness, Moyong Seo didn’t feel the need to actively forge a close relationship with him.
Ho Cheon-an, a martial artist whose reputation was booming in the Martial World, was certainly a worthy ally. However, there was a reason Moyong Seo chose to remain neutral.
It was simply due to the complete opposition between Nangya Sword Jeong Cheol and Ho Cheon-an.
“The Righteous Factions of Sacheon, who have already made enemies with Jeong Cheol, would have no issue mingling with the Brain Knife Outcast, but the Righteous Factions from other regions would see things differently.”
Being close to Ho Cheon-an naturally meant distancing from Jeong Cheol. While the Moyong Clan had no reason to fear Jeong Cheol, there was also no reason to become close with Ho Cheon-an at the risk of making an enemy of Jeong Cheol.
At least, that was until they experienced Ho Cheon-an’s wisdom.
Moyong Mo had set out to inspect the mines, and through investigating the Shengsu Faction, it was easy to deduce information about the situation.
However, after witnessing Ho Cheon-an’s actions, Moyong Seo could only express exclamations of admiration.
Barely a day into infiltrating the mining village, he had already built relations with the miners and unearthed the true conditions of the mines.
But that wasn’t all.
He even discovered and executed a way to encounter Moyong Mo.
“The Brain Knife Outcast was already lying in wait at the inspection point that the merchants would guide Moyong Mo to. This means he completely grasped all information about the Moyong Clan’s mines in just a day and predicted the inspection point perfectly!”
He hadn’t even infiltrated the core level of the mine; he merely disguised himself as an ordinary miner and blended in seamlessly, yet he gathered critical information and finished organizing it.
What kind of trick had Ho Cheon-an played to achieve such results in such a short time?
Moyong Seo couldn’t even dare to guess what Ho Cheon-an had done.
It was natural that Moyong Seo couldn’t fathom the means Ho Cheon-an had employed. Such things were simply impossible, and that Ho Cheon-an meeting Moyong Mo was purely by chance!
“I must seize this opportunity!”
Yet, unaware of this fact, Moyong Seo’s inner greed began to rise.
“A person equipped with fame, martial arts, strategy, creativity, and execution! The fact that I have accidentally crossed paths with such a talent is truly lucky.”
Moyong Seo’s gaze turned to Moyong Yeon-hwa beside him.
Considering their relationship, even if he tried hard to find a flaw, there was practically no defect in her appearance or character.
No.
In comparison to any girl in the world, Moyong Yeon-hwa’s charm was in a league of its own.
How many guys had pursued her, infatuated?
Remembering this fact, Moyong Seo nodded contently.
“Since the Brain Knife Outcast is still in his prime, he can’t help but be interested in Yeon-hwa. If I provide him with a suitable excuse…”
Moyong Seo’s mind raced. No matter how charming Moyong Yeon-hwa was, there had to be a time to experience that charm.
First, they needed to create an opportunity to connect somehow.
“It would be best if Yeon-hwa joined the inspection at the Faction.”
Ho Cheon-an cautiously asked in response to Moyong Seo’s words.
“Wouldn’t my participation in the Faction feel unnatural?”
“No way! Even without Yeon-hwa, if I enter the Faction, the entire place will go into emergency mode. How could there be an opportunity?”
“Hmm. I could persuade my junior to visit the Faction, but staying long enough for an investigation…”
As Ho Cheon-an mumbled, a sudden inspiration came to Moyong Seo’s mind.
“That’s it!”
“Excuse me?”
“You two running into each other inside the Faction by coincidence!”
Moyong Seo felt a rush of inspiration while excitedly explaining.
“You’ll accidentally run into Yeon-hwa inside the Faction! You and she will feel a fateful attraction during this chance encounter!”
“…Huh?”
“Aha! When a handsome man and a beautiful woman meet, they naturally draw closer! Where else could such a natural process occur?”
“???”
Confusion clouded Ho Cheon-an’s mind while Moyong Seo continued to specify the growing inspiration.
“Originally, you were meant to visit the Faction briefly and leave, but now you’ll have a reason to stay longer, all under the pretense of being smitten by Yeon-hwa! And since she won’t see you again after leaving the Faction, she’ll want to stay there as long as possible!”
“No…”
“Ah, ah! The more I think about it, the more perfect it is! From the Faction’s perspective, having Yeon-hwa, who acts as a link to the Moyong Clan, get distracted by you only benefits them, so they’re likely to actively create opportunities for you two to stay close!”
Moyong Seo was thrilled that every aspect of his idea was falling into place.
“If Yeon-hwa and you become a couple, in some way, the Faction will effectively reduce any debts to the main family, and Yeon-hwa, as a part of their family, won’t dare speak harshly against the Faction that created this connection for her! It’s truly a win-win—no, it’s a win-win-win!”
Moyong Seo was in awe of his own brilliant scheme.
If childhood friends could develop romantic feelings from a casual meeting, then what if a handsome man and a beautiful woman acted like they were in love?
Inevitably, feelings for each other would blossom.
“Perfect!”
Lost in his glorious plans, Moyong Seo nodded confidently.
“Um.”
Only then did he realize that Ho Cheon-an seemed to be glancing at Moyong Yeon-hwa and felt a sudden sense of urgency.
He found himself in a situation where he was recklessly charging ahead without even consulting Moyong Yeon-hwa about this plan.
“Ahem. Yeon-hwa, what do you think of your uncle’s plan? If you’re okay with it…”
Moyong Yeon-hwa, now mentally present, glanced at Moyong Seo, who was checking her reaction, then turned her gaze back to Ho Cheon-an.
“Does my uncle wish to connect me with the Brain Knife Outcast?”
As that thought entered her mind, Moyong Yeon-hwa naturally recalled Ho Cheon-an’s companions.
Three people who had shown no restraint in their wariness of her.
“Well, if I only move within the Faction, I guess there shouldn’t be any conflict with them.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa set that point aside for a moment and looked at Ho Cheon-an.
Indeed, he was someone worth capturing quickly, even for Moyong Seo.
Though he was a Sacheon Outcast, as a martial artist from the Hwa-gyeong, he would be an attractive subject for any martial faction. If this led to a marriage alliance, he would naturally integrate into her maternal family’s faction.
“Finding someone with conditions as good as this person before me would be tough if it were a political marriage.”
However, Moyong Yeon-hwa wasn’t looking for a partner solely from a strategic standpoint.
Thus, she opened her mouth.
“That’s a good idea. The girl is fine with it.”
With her agreement, Moyong Seo’s face lit up, while Ho Cheon-an’s expression became one of confusion.
“A remarkable person.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa chuckled, covering her mouth as she observed Ho Cheon-an’s flustered look.
In truth, even if Ho Cheon-an had jumped at the chance, Moyong Yeon-hwa would have found it tough to refuse.
“Having thrown away any semblance of face to help my family business by doing heavy work in the mines… it’s only right to go along with a slightly unreasonable proposal.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa assumed Ho Cheon-an’s group was entirely composed of women, believing him to be a womanizer.
Given that assumption, she thought he’d immediately agree to Moyong Seo’s scheme but was surprised by his quietly respectful attitude toward her opinion instead.
Most notably, his expression had been one of assumption that she would decline.
Was this also a highly calculated move to win her favor?
Considering Ho Cheon-an’s previous displays, Moyong Yeon-hwa felt such thoughts might indeed hold some truth.
Unlike other guys who would endlessly wear their hearts on their sleeves, he was puzzlingly unreadable. This provoked her curiosity.
“While solving the Faction’s issues, pretending to be romantically involved with the Brain Knife Outcast might provide an amusing experience.”
“Hahaha! I knew it! Yes!”
“Um. However, won’t the others in the Faction already know that Moyong Yeon-hwa and I have met?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa stepped in to block Ho Cheon-an’s excuse.
“I might embarrass myself by overestimating my beauty, but when the promised day comes, I’ll make sure to dress up so well that any man would find me irresistible.”
“Ooh! A truly splendid idea!”
Moyong Seo clapped his hands, delighted.
“Hahaha! Then the problem has been solved! Great Hero Ho! Since Yeon-hwa is putting herself out there, you surely won’t be the one to hold back!”
“Well, if the girl’s beauty doesn’t satisfy Great Hero Ho, then there’s nothing to be done.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa’s sad expression and, matching it, Moyong Seo’s deliberate glare at Ho Cheon-an.
In just a moment, Ho Cheon-an felt like he was being treated as the ultimate fool for saying ‘You’re not that pretty!’ to an exquisite lady and quickly waved his hands.
“No, no! Moyong Yeon-hwa is certainly an attractive person!”
“Oh my, thank you for the compliment. Now I can relax.”
“Hahaha! Then I take it this plan will be carried out!”
“…Yes…”
Ho Cheon-an’s awkward smile, Moyong Yeon-hwa’s graceful smile, and Moyong Seo’s triumphant laughter intersected in the air.
With three distinctly different expressions, the infiltration mission of the Moyong Clan into the Shengsu Faction was set into motion.
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