Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 136 - Price of Greed (6)
Chapter 136 – Price of Greed (6)
===================
Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
===================
The fragrant tea aroma rising in plumes filled the room.
It was a scent with a vivid color but not burdensome. It was a scent that had a distinct presence but did not put one on edge.
Zhuge Wenhu, as seen by Yeon Ho-jeong, was also like that.
The head of the clan that inherited the legend of Kongming residing in Mount Longzhong, Hubei, one of the six clans praised as the best martial families in the vast world, had such an impression.
Zhuge Wenhu took a sip of tea.
“It is good tea.”
“I am glad it suits your taste.”
“Even if the tea leaves are good, if they are not handled properly, they cannot produce this level of fragrance and taste. It seems you have an expert opinion on the Way of Tea.”
“Not to that extent. I have brewed it a lot, but I could not learn it deeply.”
Zhuge Wenhu’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“Brewed it a lot?”
“Yes.”
Usually, brewing tea was a task for subordinates. Unless it was a very distinguished guest, it was not common to personally brew and serve tea.
Yet, Yeon Ho-jeong said he had brewed tea a lot.
“It is an elegant hobby.”
“It is not a hobby. I just thought it would be better for me to brew and drink it in that time rather than asking someone else.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Haha, I do not know whether to say you have a hasty temper or if you are rational.”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“I am just merely an eccentric.”
Why was it?
Was it because he was the young man who saved his daughter’s life? Or was it because he was his daughter’s friend?
He was a strangely affectionate young man. Perhaps it might be because of his appearance, which was closer to a scholar than a martial artist.
“The Six Great Clans reside in the Seven Stars Pavilion. However, even within the Seven Stars Pavilion, the places they each stay are so far apart that traveling back and forth is not easy. I was also incredibly busy.”
“…”
“I really wanted to visit you at least once. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you once again.”
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
“Understood.”
It was a strange answer.
Even though it was not a statement of modesty, the reason no particular sense of incongruity was felt was probably due to the innate nature felt from his voice.
It seemed he had a clear-cut personality of starting and finishing things. In a way, it was also one of the types Zhuge Wenhu preferred.
‘Furthermore, he also knows what I am thanking him for. He is also quick-witted.’
It was an impression somewhat different from what he heard from his daughter. Even though he did not seem particularly tense, it was a fairly stiff atmosphere.
“Hoho, it seems I am making you uncomfortable.”
“That is not so.”
“Hm? Is that so? Then that is fortunate.”
Deep wrinkles were carved around Zhuge Wenhu’s mouth.
It was a face that never lost its smile. It was the expression of a strategist that disarmed the opponent’s heart.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.
‘I knew we would meet someday, but I did not know we would meet this early.’
The brain of the Orthodox Murim Alliance.
In the past, before the rebellion of the Evil Lust Cult occurred, Dark Emperor Castle clashed with the Murim Alliance at every turn.
Dark Emperor Castle was in the midst of expanding its influence, and the Murim Alliance felt the need to check the Unorthodox Path Murim that was suddenly gaining power.
It was an inevitable destiny that they had no choice but to clash. Because of that, many subordinate warriors also died.
And from then until he died as the Dark Emperor, Zhuge Wenhu took charge as the military strategist of the Murim Alliance.
‘Indeed.’
After returning, this was the first time he had seen an eye of wisdom this well-refined.
Eyes different from his father, who possessed outstanding wisdom but valued Chivalry more than that, and different from Murong Jun, who thoroughly used his outstanding wisdom for his own greed.
It was the crystallization of knowledge. Zhuge Wenhu’s eyes were impressive for that reason.
“You are amazing.”
“Hm?”
It was a word that came out unconsciously, but Yeon Ho-jeong did not hide his feelings.
“As one gains more knowledge and learns ways to utilize petty tricks, a person is bound to lose their purity.”
“…”
“You are different, Clan Head.”
“Hoho, different?”
His daughter’s friend and a junior in the Jianghu was openly evaluating him.
It was not a common experience. Was it because of that? Zhuge Wenhu was greatly curious about how Yeon Ho-jeong viewed him.
“Yes, how do you see me?”
“Well.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“I do not know about other things, but only today did I understand why Ah-yeon and Jun are good-natured.”
“What? Hahaha!”
Zhuge Wenhu burst into a hearty laughter.
“In your eyes, I must look like a pure and kind person?”
“Do they not say people see what they want to see. Perhaps I am deeply hoping within my heart that you are such a person, Clan Head.”
“Hoho! Why do you wish for such an appearance from me?”
“Would it not be fine at least once? For a military strategist who is not cold-hearted to take control of the Murim Alliance.”
“…!”
“A military strategist often has to use subordinate soldiers and followers like chess pieces. That is why military strategists usually become cold-hearted. Because if they are not cold-hearted, it would be difficult to devise an efficient military strategy even with a good brain.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled brightly.
“That is why a good-natured military strategist is rare. Because if they do not become strong enough, they cannot protect their own purity, nor their righteousness.”
Zhuge Wenhu made a strange expression.
“How did you know that I was internally appointed as the military strategist of the Murim Alliance?”
“Do they not say Divine Mystery Zhuge. Leaving a Clan Head like you, the pinnacle of the Zhuge Clan, there is no way they would commit the folly of appointing another person as the military strategist.”
“Hohoho.”
Zhuge Wenhu ended up just laughing.
That laughter was tinged with admiration and surprise for his counterpart.
“It seems the rumors were understated. I knew you were hot-blooded, but I did not think you would be a person to abruptly say such dangerous words.”
“Was I?”
“You, you do not believe my words?”
“To have the guts to face the Nine States Myeong Clan, the Number One Clan under Heaven, one must basically have the thought of killing everyone without looking back or forward. To others, it could look sufficiently dangerous.”
“Hoho.”
“There is no way you, Clan Head, only viewed me as an endlessly hot-blooded rising star.”
Zhuge Wenhu, who was quietly looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, tapped the table lightly.
“You pass.”
“…”
“You should not just be quick-witted, and you should not just be kind. You should not just be completely belligerent, and you should not be overly timid.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means you are trustworthy as someone capable of leading the independent mobile unit.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shined.
“Independent mobile unit…”
“This morning, Clan Head Murong revealed the significance of establishing the independent mobile unit. There was a lot of talk, but whatever the reason was, I felt his intention to definitely create it.”
“I see.”
“I thought he would have told you beforehand.”
“I will not deny it.”
Zhuge Wenhu gave a bitter smile.
“In truth, I oppose the establishment of the independent mobile unit. That is no different now.”
“…”
“However, if it is you, it would be fine.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“It seems you are finding it beyond your power.”
“Hm?”
“Clan Head Murong’s prestige is not ordinary.”
Zhuge Wenhu’s eyes flashed.
“Prestige… Yes, it is not ordinary.”
“The existence of the independent mobile unit could potentially become a bad precedent when organizing organizations under the Murim Alliance in the future. Both my father and you, Clan Head, I think you have good reason to worry about it.”
“…”
“I will not show an excessively outstanding appearance, nor will I spread the stigma of being a useless unit. I think that will be the best I can do.”
With those words as the end, Yeon Ho-jeong moistened his throat with tea.
Zhuge Wenhu, who was quietly looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, shook his head.
“I was wrong.”
“Pardon?”
“I thought you were a tiger who had just shed his childish appearance. Looking at it now, you were an incredibly experienced Great Tiger.”
“Thank you for the undeserved evaluation.”
“Undeserved? It is to the point that I resent my vocabulary for not being able to express more than that.”
Zhuge Wenhu also swallowed a sip of tea. With that one sip, he was able to shake off his past worries and anxieties to some extent.
“I will ask you one thing.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shined.
‘This is it.’
It was clear that Zhuge Wenhu had come to ask what he was about to say now. Strength went into both of his eyes without him realizing it.
“I want you to tell me this one thing clearly. Truthfully, without lies.”
“Please speak.”
“Did you make some kind of deal with the Murong Clan?”
“…”
“Please tell me honestly.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“This is the third time dealing with Clan Head Murong.”
Zhuge Wenhu’s face stiffened.
And at Yeon Ho-jeong’s ensuing words, his stiffly hardened face was filled with puzzlement.
“And I won all three times.”
“…You won?”
“So far, it has been a streak of consecutive victories. Since he is such a formidable person, I do not know when it will be broken, but.”
Zhuge Wenhu frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“In the past, Clan Head Murong was pushing a plan to swallow our clan.”
“W-What?!”
This was the first time he heard such a story. Honest surprise settled on Zhuge Wenhu’s face.
‘It should be fine.’
Yeon Ho-jeong observed the opponent’s expression, eyes, emotions, and personality.
‘Even if he were not a military strategist, if it is this person, it will be fine.’
He recounted without adding or subtracting the things he experienced over the past year.
The event of meeting the Successor of the Beggars’ Gang at the Gathering of the Rising Stars, the event of holding hands with the Murong Clan while facing the Myeong Clan, and even the event where another conflict with the Namgung Clan almost arose while catching Myeong Heo-rim.
Furthermore, even the fact that Murong Jun tried to recommend him as the head of the unit to monitor him and at the same time use him as a useful chess piece.
After hearing the whole story, Zhuge Wenhu’s face was distorted with shock.
“Clan Head Murong… He is a truly dangerous figure.”
“He is dangerous. And outstanding as well.”
“Then, that you made a deal with Clan Head Murong means?”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“Sitting still and suffering is not in my nature. I settled the negotiations to get revenge and find my freedom.”
“Hoho, hohoho!”
Zhuge Wenhu looked at Yeon Ho-jeong with admiring eyes.
“You settled negotiations against that Clan Head Murong? Hohoho!”
He did not know what was so delightful. He just laughed silently for a long time.
“Just what is your true identity?”
It was a question tinged with laughter. It was not a question thrown out expecting an answer.
“That martial art alone does not match your age at all, but seeing it now, you were crossing the Central Plains and intervening in all sorts of incidents.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smirked.
“I just like causing accidents.”
Zhuge Wenhu, who had been looking at Yeon Ho-jeong for a long time, smiled softly.
“It is a pity. It is a pity.”
“…?”
“You do not have to act so stiff on purpose. Because I just gave up.”
“I do not know what you are talking about, but.”
“I am talking about Ah-yeon.”
“…”
“You are an outstanding person. As a father with a daughter, taking in an outstanding person like you as a son-in-law is something I earnestly hope for.”
“…Cough.”
“However, while you might become a great guest of our clan, I do not think you can make Ah-yeon happy. Because the talents you possess are too outstanding.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smacked his lips.
“I have no thoughts of marriage.”
Zhuge Wenhu laughed and got up from his seat.
“Please continue to remain a good friend to our Ah-yeon in the future as well. If your heart goes to it later, you can become my son-in-law.”
These gentlemen all seemed to be anxious because they could not marry off their children.
“Today’s meeting was very interesting. Thank you for making time.”
“Not at all.”
“I will take my leave now.”
“Please have a safe trip.”
“Ah! Before I go, I will let you know this one thing.”
“Pardon?”
Zhuge Wenhu’s face became serious.
“Perhaps the independent mobile unit might not be just one.”
“…?!”
“Besides the mobile unit you will take charge of, another mobile unit might be created.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.
“Will the Nine Sects take charge of it?”
“If Clan Head Murong does not get greedy.”
“…”
“Get some rest.”
Zhuge Wenhu left the Destroying Army Pavilion.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who saw him off, gave a bitter smile.
“Hey, Sir Murong. In gambling, if you get greedy, you end up losing your own hand as well. Are you not going too far?”
At that time, a dumbfounded answer was heard.
“Pardon?”
Yeon Ho-jeong blinked his eyes. Ok-cheong had arrived at some point.
“What is it?”
“…?”
“Did you not go to your residence?”
“I have to receive… teachings.”
“Teachings?”
“…Pardon?”
“Am I your master? Why would you receive teachings from me?”
Ok-cheong was flustered.
“T-That is… No, clearly yesterday Young Master Yeon…”
“If you want to receive teachings, you have to pay a corresponding price, right?”
“…A price?”
Yeon Ho-jeong laughed insidiously.
He had nothing to do for a few days, and she was caught perfectly.
He familiarly put his arm around Ok-cheong’s shoulder.
“Your master is the Sword Immortal, right?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes.”
“The omnipotent person of Wudang martial arts! You must be realizing wonderful mental comprehensions.”
“Yes.”
“It must be beautiful. It must be fascinating. Since you are a Taoist, you might not be familiar with the calculus of the secular world, but since it has come to this, how about learning about the world?”
“W-What you mean, I do not quite…”
“Hehehe, you will find out. How about it, shall we start the teachings from now?”
“Pardon? Hut, yes! Then I would be grateful!”
“For now, display the Wudang martial arts from beginning to end. In detail, very specifically. Enough that even a child could realize the profound principles upon seeing it.”