Chapter 190 – To the Hometown (2)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“Have you come?”
“Have you been well.”
“Hehe, thanks to you.”
“May I take a seat?”
“Of course. By the way, we will see each other at the meeting today, so why have you come to this person’s residence again?”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes sank deeply.
“It is to give you a word of request.”
Murong Jun smiled faintly.
“I am already looking forward to it. Please wait a moment. A guest has come, so I must at least serve a cup of tea.”
A moment later, teacups giving off a good fragrance were placed between the two.
Zhuge Wen-hu did not touch the tea.
“At the Honored Guest Meeting today, all matters regarding Yang Cheon will be sorted out.”
“I thought so.”
“As you might have guessed, the direction will be set towards handing over the command of this operation to the Murong Clan Head.”
Murong Jun smirked.
“Isn’t one of the essential elements of command speed? A person who has drawn all the strategic maps in his head is the one suitable for command. I naturally guessed it.”
Zhuge Wen-hu nodded his head.
“I will speak frankly. The Murong Clan Head’s strategy and discerning eyes are outstanding. In a sense, you could be called the best among the Honored Guests.”
“Heo, how could you say such words? Even if my strategy is outstanding, it’s only at a level that works on ordinary people. It’s not to the extent of comparing to the chairperson of Divine Mystery Zhuge.”
“As you know, just in case, I will tell you once again.”
A strong light surfaced in Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes.
“In military operations, the military strategist is the highest decision-maker. Even if all other Honored Guests acknowledge the Murong Clan Head as the commander, if I do not give permission, you cannot become the commander.”
Murong Jun made a meaningful smile.
“I know. Of course, enduring that much political pressure would be the military strategist’s share.”
“That is so.”
Zhuge Wen-hu leaned his upper body forward.
The light in his eyes as he looked straight at Murong Jun was hotter than ever.
“Promise me just one thing. That this operation at least will not be entangled with the Alliance’s power struggle.”
“Hehe, what kind of regretful words are those?”
“I think we have already grasped each other’s abilities and personalities to some extent. That is why I am saying this.”
It meant he was a person sufficiently capable of doing so.
It was a considerably rude remark, but Murong Jun didn’t even blink an eye.
“Was this Murong Jun, reflected in the Clan Head Zhuge’s insightful eyes, such a person without common sense?”
“I am more afraid because you are a person with common sense. Because if such a person truly comes out without common sense, it is hard to respond.”
“Hehehe!”
Finding those words amusing, Murong Jun laughed.
Surprisingly, it was hard to find any displeasure in that laugh. Rather, it was a hearty laugh that even showed goodwill toward the opponent.
Listening to the sound of that laughter, Zhuge Wen-hu thought.
‘He has become more frightening.’
In the past, Murong Jun had countered criticism beyond a certain degree with his own sharp responses.
But not now. Murong Jun had become a person who knew how to truly laugh even after hearing scathing criticism and facing obvious gazes of suspicion.
It was as if the most venomous snake under heaven had grown into an Imoogi.
‘What on earth makes you become such a monster.’
Of course, he already knew the answer to that.
‘Commander Yeon…’
More precisely, he was surprised by the unconventional attack of the opposing faction headed by Yeon Ho-jeong.
But Murong Jun was not a person to cower because he was surprised. Rather, taking it as an opportunity, he was a person who knew how to look back on his own problems.
He was a truly frightening and yet pitiful person. If he had turned that eye of self-reflection toward his personality, it would have been good, but he wondered why he had turned it toward political strife.
Murong Jun said with a laugh.
“Do not worry. This person, although a petty person who does not hesitate to use trickery depending on the time, is at least someone who knows how to distinguish the stage on which to fight.”
“…”
“I do not care about the existence of the Combat King Yang Cheon. However, if he unites the Black Path and builds a massive faction, that will truly become a problem.”
“That is so. Even if the Murong Clan Head grasps the greatest power of the Orthodox Path in the future, it is certain to become a problem.”
“That is correct. In other words, this fight at least has nothing to do with the interests of factions.”
Zhuge Wen-hu, who had been quietly looking at Murong Jun, nodded his head.
“I will believe you.”
“It is fine to believe. And you may also believe in this person from now on.”
“I cannot be confident about that.”
“Hehe, whether crossing a mountain or taking the official road, one only needs to reach the sea. I will not deny that I have personal greed, but I too am a person who wishes for the prosperity of the Orthodox Path Murim.”
“I will believe exactly up to that part.”
“Hehehe!”
Zhuge Wen-hu stood up from his seat.
“Murong Clan Head.”
“Please speak.”
“Do you know why this person believes the Murong Clan Head’s words? We didn’t even stamp a signature.”
Interest arose on Murong Jun’s face.
“Yes, I am curious. You are not a person to believe readily at a single word asking to be believed, so why do you believe my words?”
“It is to show my resolve.”
“Resolve, you say…”
“That is so.”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s face became cold.
“As a military strategist, I must maintain neutrality. For that neutrality, I have been blocking the party members headed by the Clan Head.”
“Heo.”
“However, the moment even the slightest suspicion is raised in this operation.”
Flash!
Killing intent arose from the light in Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes.
“At that time, you will come to realize how severe the attack of a military strategist who has laid down the value of neutrality can become.”
Murong Jun did not erase his smile.
However, his gaze too had become as chilling as Zhuge Wen-hu’s.
Zhuge Wen-hu took a cupped fist salute.
“I committed much rudeness due to needless worry. If you have time someday, please drop by my residence. As an apology for today’s matter, I will serve you good liquor.”
Murong Jun laughed heartily.
“Don’t they say men grow fond of each other while fighting? Please do not mind it too much.”
“Then.”
Zhuge Wen-hu left the room.
Murong Jun, looking at the empty chair, grumbled in a low voice.
“Heo! Truly a person. I steeped expensive tea leaves with much effort, but why didn’t you drink even a sip?”
It probably meant he was being that careful of him. If it was a matter related to this side at all, he wouldn’t properly trust anything.
Murong Jun smirked.
“Do you know, Clan Head Zhuge? The fact that just your doubting everything about me could drop both you and all those who follow you into a pit?”
Coming out of Murong Jun’s residence, Zhuge Wen-hu called Zhuge Ah-yeon.
“Did you call for me, Father.”
“Did you perhaps hear? The story about Commander Yeon.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon-yeon’s face stiffened.
“Yes. I heard.”
“Somehow, contrary to my expectation, Commander Yeon seems to have no intention of bringing the Evil-Annihilating Army.”
“…Because it’s not an operation to annihilate the enemy.”
Even if it wasn’t an annihilation battle, a military force on the level of the Evil-Annihilating Army would be a great help.
Especially, the Evil-Annihilating Army absolutely obeys Yeon Ho-jeong’s words. They act like friends in private, but the moment they enter a mission, they know how to immediately react to the Commander’s orders.
If it was a military force giving that much trust, even if they didn’t fight together, it could be a psychological help.
Yeon Ho-jeong thought even that was unnecessary.
‘So like you.’
However, there was nothing she could do about being worried. The opponent was one thing, but the difficulty of the operation itself was high.
Looking at his daughter sighing with such a complicated face, Zhuge Wen-hu said.
“Will you join him?”
“Yes?”
“I am saying, will you also try going with Commander Yeon.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon-yeon’s eyes widened.
“I, is that really okay?”
Wasn’t he the father who said he would exclude her at least, even if it meant abusing his power.
But now, he was saying the opposite. Because he was a person who rarely changed the words he once spat out, it was even more surprising.
Zhuge Wen-hu said.
“Commander Yeon’s abilities are definitely outstanding. Both martial arts and strategy cannot be thought of as belonging to someone of his age. However, it’s easy for such a person to reveal an opening at a crucial moment.”
“Ah…”
“In reality, I too do not want to send my daughter to a place of death. However, because I have cleared away one problem I was most concerned about, I can at least breathe a little.”
“The problem you were concerned about?”
“There is such a thing.”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes shone.
“So I will ask. Will you try leading this dangerous operation together with Commander Yeon?”
Zhuge Ah-yeon-yeon smirked.
A hero’s smile settled on her beautiful face.
“I will wonderfully complete it and return, Father.”
* * *
“Heok! Heok!”
His breathing was disrupted.
With his breathing disrupted, the operation of his internal energy did not go well. The speed at which his stamina decreased became noticeably faster, and his reaction speed became noticeably slower.
However, Yeon Ho-jeong’s concentration did not drop. Rather, as he faced a crisis situation, it was shining even more.
‘Incredible.’
Wuuuuuuuung.
Inside the torn sleeve, the majesty of the strongest person of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan illuminating invisible sword qi.
‘Tremendous martial arts!’
Yeon Ho-jeong was certain.
Of course, from his past life as the Dark Emperor, and including all the enemies he had exchanged blows with after returning, the most difficult opponent was right in front of his eyes.
He wasn’t talking about the level of martial arts. If it was a simple realm of martial arts, Yang Cheon was also strong, and the Evil Lust Cult Leader, not to mention Murong Jun during his time as the Murim Alliance Leader, could be discussed as the best under heaven.
Yeon Wi, even with martial prowess that did not reach theirs, had given Yeon Ho-jeong the worst sense of crisis.
‘It’s not because his real combat abilities are outstanding. Yet counterattacking is impossible. I’ve never been cornered this helplessly.’
Even Yeon Ho-jeong was in a situation where he was using lethal moves.
Yet he couldn’t touch him. Yeon Wi, the head of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan and the Judge Sword, had already clearly seen through his son’s martial arts and abilities, and was thoroughly attacking only his weaknesses.
Attacking weaknesses. It was a measure uncharacteristic of a person of the Orthodox Path who considered fair play a virtue.
“Do you understand?”
“Heok, heok! Yes?”
Srrrruk.
The sword qi wrapping around Yeon Wi’s hand disappeared as if washed away.
“Your real combat ability is excellent. However, the Black Path is different again. All sorts of cowardly tricks run rampant in the Black Path Murim. The petty attacks this father showed today are merely cute compared to their methods.”
It was correct.
However, no matter which peak master of the Black Path he fought with, he wouldn’t be pushed back this much.
Because he was his father.
Because he was a father who had seen and remembered his son’s martial arts and habits one by one, he couldn’t handle it.
This was the reason why people generally didn’t leave opponents alive in a match, and why they didn’t train in front of others.
Because if it was someone with a certain degree of discernment and skill, they could make the scale of the match tilt just by seeing it once.
“The person standing at the peak among them is Yang Cheon. I hope it won’t happen, but if by any chance you come to exchange blows with him, you must run away without even looking back.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s breathing gradually stabilized.
“Do not worry. I am not a stupid bastard enough to grab the collar of an opponent I can’t even win against.”
“Yes.”
Yeon Wi nodded his head.
“That is enough. It is said that running away with an enemy in front of you is a martial artist’s shame, but forcibly standing against power that is hard to handle is foolhardiness.”
“Yes.”
Yeon Wi, who had been quietly looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, sighed.
“The moment I heard you were participating in this operation, I first worried about what I should do for you. Because I know I cannot break your stubbornness anyway.”
“…I am sorry.”
“Unfortunately, this father can only do this much for you.”
Realize your own position. This is exactly the method of the Black Path.
Yeon Wi wanted to awaken his son to exactly that.
“You must absolutely not overdo it. What’s more important than the mission is human life, and that human life includes you too.”
“I understand.”
“Until you infiltrate the mission site, you must eat and sleep enough. That way you can exert strength at the crucial moment.”
“Yes.”
“And… and…”
Yeon Wi closed his eyes.
“Do not die.”
“…”
“I can turn a blind eye to all your filial impiety so far. But the filial impiety of going before your parents cannot be forgiven.”
“I will definitely return safely.”
“I will believe you.”
Yeon Wi turned his body and walked out.
Yeon Ho-jeong stood in that spot and looked at his father’s receding back for a long time.