Chapter 68. There is a counterpart, but no absolute (3)

Moyong Jun gazed at Yan Hozheng with a stern look.

Yan Hozheng did not avoid his gaze.

After a long while of staring at each other, the food and wine were finally served.

"Place it on the table."

"Yes."

The waiter, trembling with fear, placed the food. It was understandable to be scared, given that a young man covered in blood was sitting there.

Once the waiter left, Moyong Jun picked up the wine bottle.

"Have a drink."

Moyong Jun filled Yan Hozheng's cup and then his own.

"Cheers."

The two drank their cups in one go.

The wine was more bitter than expected. Moyong Jun, who had momentarily grimaced, soon resumed his expressionless face and said,

"You were too quick."

"What do you mean?"

"Hehe, I feel our conversation was too rushed. Don't you think so?"

Moyong Jun smiled and relaxed his posture.

"Let's put the conversation we just had on hold for a moment. So, you're Yan Hozheng, right?"

"..."

"I am the head of a family, a renowned swordsman in the Jianghu, and a key figure in one of the Seven Great Families."

"I know."

"You asked me to come to Henan."

Yan Hozheng shook his head.

"That's incorrect. If you intended to join forces with me, I asked you to come to Henan then."

"Regardless of the reason, you called me."

"Is there a problem with that?"

"There is no problem. It could just be a casual meeting where a family head and his daughter run into another member of the Seven Great Families by chance."

Yan Hozheng's eyes sparkled.

Moyong Jun smiled and asked,

"Whether you eliminated Qinglanggui or called on Shaolin, it seems we need to clarify our relationship before proceeding."

Experienced.

Yan Hozheng had taken control of the atmosphere with his bold appearance and bold words.

However, Moyong Jun was not to be underestimated. He cleverly paused the conversation at a crucial moment to ensure everything was clear. This was a way to prevent losing control of the conversation to the other party.

It was a seasoned negotiation technique. He aimed to gain benefits without incurring losses, more like a merchant than a martial artist.

Yan Hozheng smiled.

"Pour me another drink."

"Hmm? Hehe, that's not a problem."

Moyong Jun filled his cup.

Yan Hozheng drank again and coughed.

Moyong Jun clicked his tongue.

"Are you okay?"

"My stomach is a bit sore."

"To drink such strong wine with internal injuries, don't push your body too hard just because you're young."

Yan Hozheng shook his head.

"Then, does this mean you have no intention of joining forces with me?"

"This person? We need to consider who will take the stakes in this gamble, who will place the stakes in the next round, and who will decide the final round. Isn't it said that no deal is made without a little negotiation?"

"But I thought there was no need for negotiation between us?"

"Even in the most unfair deal, one must take a cut. That's what a deal is."

Yan Hozheng smiled.

'Still the same.'

A seasoned head of a powerful family. A seasoned top expert.

Moyong Jun was just as he was in the past. The more the other party rushed, the more relaxed he became. He never showed any weakness and used the other party's psychology to his advantage.

The Moyong Jun he saw during the Black Darkness Era and the Moyong Jun he saw now as Yan Hozheng were the same.

The only difference was that he knew Moyong Jun, but Moyong Jun did not know him.

'What is it?'

Moyong Jun was inwardly puzzled.

The young man smiling at him showed no signs of nervousness.

'Does he have confidence?'

Apart from that, he had never seen anyone face the head of the Moyong Family so calmly.

If nothing else, his nerve was top-notch. This kind of person would cause trouble and leave.

Moyong Jun finally realized.

'There is no hidden hand helping this guy. The letter was definitely written by him.'

Moyong Jun was impressed.

'Head of the Yan Family. You've raised your child well.'

Yan Hozheng spoke.

"To cut to the chase, I have no intention of going with you forever."

"Hmm?"

"I can applaud your goal-oriented life for your dreams, but I don't think others will do the same."

Moyong Jun's smile deepened.

But his eyes turned cold.

"Why do you think so?"

"What do you mean?"

"Top family in the world, and the leader of the martial alliance. These are not easy words to say. I believe there was a reason you wrote those dangerous and alluring words in your letter."

"Is that so?"

"That's not an answer to my question."

"An answer requires a reason. Knowing your ambition to be the top family and the leader of the martial alliance, what else could I say?"

"..."

"I didn't put much meaning into each word of the letter. Rest assured."

Moyong Jun's eyes sparkled.

He instinctively realized that Yan Hozheng was confident.

Even if he scoffed or denied it, Yan Hozheng would not believe him. Why? Because he knew it was true.

So Moyong Jun admitted it straightforwardly.

"How did you know?"

"About the head's ambition?"

"Yes. How did you know I want to make my family the top family in the world and ultimately become the leader of the martial alliance?"

Yan Hozheng shook his head.

"Any head of one of the Seven Great Families could dream of it."

"Since we've laid all our cards on the table, let's just split the stakes. I'll ask again. How did you know?"

"Then this round seems to be my victory?"

"..."

"If you're curious, you should find out yourself."

Moyong Jun, who had been staring at Yan Hozheng, smiled.

"Flawless. I'm impressed."

"It's nothing."

Moyong Jun filled Yan Hozheng's cup.

This time, Yan Hozheng also filled Moyong Jun's cup.

"Isn't it quite strange when you think about it?"

Moyong Jun, who had drunk his cup in one go, continued.

"I was quite shocked when I received your letter. You seemed to have read my mind, touching my thoughts, dreams, and even my heroic spirit."

"It's an honor."

"Let me ask one thing."

Moyong Jun leaned forward.

"If I refuse to make a deal, what will you do?"

Yan Hozheng tilted his head.

"Is there a way? I'll have to act alone."

"Act alone... against a prestigious family?"

"And the Moyong Family as well."

Moyong Jun smiled and asked,

"How?"

"I've heard that a family aspiring to be the top has planted spies everywhere. In the case of the Yan Family, they not only aimed to吞并其他门派的业务，还计划与名门联手，彻底消灭对手？”

“……”

“我或许会以一场孤独的战斗结束我的生命，但您呢？一个传言就足以让您放弃梦想了？”

Moyong Jun's smile deepened.

“把您的生命和本家的名誉放在天平上？”

“还需要加点砝码。”

“加什么？”

“我身后有燕家和丐帮。即使慕容世家的名誉再大，也比不上九大门派之一和七大世家之一联合起来的价值吧？”

“……如果您一个人，或许还行，但加上两个团体的力量，确实是个难题。”

“这一局还是我赢了。”

“哈哈！”

Moyong Jun burst into laughter.

Moyong Yanhua was surprised. She had never seen her father laugh so heartily.

Moyong Jun sincerely admired him.

“You are truly remarkable.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“It’s not an exaggeration. I heard you haven’t even reached the age of twenty, yet how did you develop such experience and insight at such a young age?”

“Living through various challenges naturally leads to such growth.”

“Ha ha ha.”

Moyong Jun was genuinely pleased.

He was willing to use any means to achieve his dreams. If necessary, he could turn a sect into ashes overnight.

His character was ruthless, but people are never simple.

Unexpectedly, Moyong Jun liked Yan Hozheng. He admired the young man's exceptional composure, intelligence, and sharp insight, which had confidently given him a defeat.

He was a charming young talent. Normally, such a bold approach would be seen as arrogant, but not in this case.

It was as if he had found another comrade.

It felt like seeing a friend who had navigated the chaotic world and shared similar insights and ideals.

Moyong Jun smiled and filled Yan Hozheng's cup and his own.

Raising his cup, he said,

“Let’s take down the Ming Family.”

Yan Hozheng also smiled and raised his cup.

“Agreed.”

Clink!

The two clinked their cups for the first time.

Moyong Jun, who had drained his cup in one go, said,

“Since we’ve decided to join forces, let’s not drag this out.”

“That’s what I hoped for.”

“Do you really intend to involve Shaolin?”

“They are based in the same province as us. Moreover, with Shaolin’s status, the Ming Family won’t dare to challenge them.”

“That’s true. But if I were you, I’d add one more element.”

“What do you have in mind?”

Moyong Jun spoke calmly.

“I’ll secretly convene a temporary martial alliance.”

Yan Hozheng's eyes sparkled.

“A temporary martial alliance?”

“Yes. While Shaolin’s power and status are unmatched, they are not enough. Shaolin is like a celestial being above the clouds. They are strong, but also infinitely weak.”

Yan Hozheng smiled.

“I have a good idea of the decisive move the Moyong Family has.”

Moyong Jun smiled back. His smile was genuine.

“It’s easier to talk with smart people.”

“Have you also planted spies in the Ming Family?”

“Didn’t you already know? I thought you had already guessed from what I said earlier.”

“I had a hunch, but no certainty.”

“Ha! You got me again.”

“I’m already full without any appetizers.”

“Ha ha ha!”

Moyong Yanhua’s expression became peculiar as she watched the two.

She could feel her father’s genuine pleasure. He had recognized that the other party was a worthy match.

‘Is he that good?’

In fact, Moyong Yanhua couldn’t keep up with their rapid conversation. She could understand if she thought about it deeply, but the progress was too fast in that short time.

It was like a conversation between seasoned politicians, seeing two or three moves ahead.

And she was not yet at their level.

A small wound appeared on Moyong Yanhua’s pride.

“Then, when do you plan to move?”

“There’s no need to drag it out. You’ve already dealt with the Ming Family’s secret agents, Qingbai Wubing, and Huoming Hall, and even Qinglanggui. That’s enough to establish a just cause.”

“Convening a temporary martial alliance will take some time.”

“It will be faster than you think. The head of one of the Seven Great Families has many privileges.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“Still, it will take at least a month. How do you plan to survive the Ming Family’s reach during that time?”

At that moment,

Yan Hozheng turned his head to the window.

“Leave it there.”

Swoosh.

A beggar outside the window bowed and placed a letter before disappearing.

Yan Hozheng unfolded the letter.

His eyes sparkled.

“...I’m quite tired. A one-on-one battle might be manageable, but a group attack would be difficult.”

“Then?”

Yan Hozheng showed the letter to Moyong Jun.

Moyong Jun’s eyes widened.

“The Ming Family in Jiangsu Province?”

“I didn’t know. I thought you were investigating this part.”

“Hehe, to achieve great things, one must seize the right moment. While this isn’t on the same scale, it’s more than enough to deal with the Ming Family.”

Yan Hozheng stood up.

“I’ll go rest now.”

Moyong Jun also stood up.

“You’ve worked hard. Go and rest well.”

“Yes.”

“And don’t die. If you die, today’s meeting will be meaningless.”

“I won’t worry about that. Even if I’m covered in poison from the Tang Family, I can still survive.”

“Ha ha! You’re joking, why poison from the Tang Family? Ha ha ha!”

Yan Hozheng picked up the axe he had left by the entrance.

“I’ll be going.”

“Take care.”

Yan Hozheng turned and opened the door.

Moyong Jun’s laughter echoed from behind.

His face, which had been full of smiles, turned cold.

‘Laugh while you can. Next, it’s your turn.’