Episode 21.
Storm (1)
When Yeon Ho-jeong saw Zhuge Zhen, he turned his head away with a look on his face that everything was a bother.
It was embarrassing, but Zhuge Yan didn’t care at all. Rather, he had a welcoming look on his face.
“How have you been?”
“Only two days have passed.”
“It’s because I’m happy to see you.”
I don’t know why they’re so happy to see us because we’ve developed a close friendship.
Yeon Ho-jeong said to Paeng Dae-ho.
“Anyway, I was rude.”
“huh? huh? uh? ah! It’s okay! “It’s not something that wears out.”
“then.”
“Are you going?”
“That’s right.”
“…Please take a look. See you later.”
Just like that, Yeon Ho-jeong entered the dormitory.
It was time for Zhuge Yan to call him again.
“miss.”
“yes?”
“Now, let’s find a place to stay.”
“Oh, but Jun has all the luggage anyway. I’m having a cup of tea with a friend…”
“Miss.”
“….”
“….”
“Okay, okay.”
The elderly warrior bowed his head respectfully.
“Sokha was arrogant. sorry.”
“Hey, it’s okay! I remember what my father said. Hey Jun. Just choose a good place to stay!”
“Sure.”
“I-Ik.”
“Ahh! Why are you doing this! “My hair is all messed up!”
“It’s all because I love you, man.”
“What is love! You’re grumpy! uh? “But why are you so grumpy?”
“….”
“…ruler! Let’s go find accommodation! Let’s go!”
That was when the Zhuge siblings were about to move.
At that moment, Zhuge Yan looked at Nam Gung-hyeon.
“uh? Brother?”
Namgoonghyun said with a slightly awkward expression.
“It’s been a while.”
Zhuge Yan bowed his head gracefully. It was completely different from when he was dealing with Yeon Ho-jeong or when he was dealing with Zhuge Jun.
“How have you been?”
“okay. How have you been?”
“yes.”
“….”
“I’ll see you later then.”
Zhuge Yan’s formality was perfect. Anyone could see that she deserved to be called a wealthy woman from a prestigious family.
But for some reason, there was an awkwardness. Zhuge Yan did not seem very comfortable dealing with others in a formal manner.
Just like that, the Zhuge siblings also went in to find a place to stay.
Namgoonghyeon’s eyes deepened as he watched Zhuge Yan walking away.
When I returned to my residence, Yeonjipyeong had already arrived.
“older brother?”
“Are you here?”
“There was no answer when I called, so I came in just in case.”
“Okay, good job.”
“But Jegal and Jun came too? “I heard a voice from far away?”
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s senses were definitely excellent. You wouldn’t know it if you were paying attention, but it wasn’t far enough to hear the voice from the front door.
“okay.”
“Good for you. Still, I feel reassured that someone I know is coming.”
“Are you nervous?”
“…little?”
Honest guy.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and gestured to the window.
“It looked like they would be located in the west building. “Go have some tea and come back.”
“What about you, brother?”
“I am done.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong scratched his head.
“Can I ask you just one question?”
“whenever.”
“Do you hate Sister Zhuge?”
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“no? “I don’t have any feelings?”
“I see.”
“why?”
“no. Just like before, I think you’re keeping away from my sister Jegal.”
“There’s no reason to dislike it, but there’s also no reason to like it, right?”
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s expression became blank.
It was an expression that seemed to make no sense, but was understandable. However, this is the first time I have seen someone who establishes personal relationships in this way.
“Okay then, I’ll be back!”
“okay.”
When Yeon Ji-pyeong left, Yeon Ho-jeong sat by the window.
It seemed like he was glad to see me. When I looked down, I could already see the back of Yeonjipyeong.
‘You look happy.’
A subtle feeling of self-reproach appeared on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
‘It wouldn’t have been like that in the old days.’
It was so long ago that my memories are blurry. However, when I came to the late Jisoo meeting in the past, it was a time when I thoroughly hated my younger brother. Perhaps he was unable to build friendships with others because he was concerned about his own opinions.
‘I will never make anything like that in the future.’
That was the reason why I kept my distance from Zhuge Zhen. Zhuge Jun was having a hard time with himself, but Zhuge Yan wanted to break down that hard wall.
Actually, it was something I was thankful for. Even if it is a benefactor who saved your life, it is a great blessing to have someone who approaches you so readily.
That’s why Yeon Ho-jeong was wary of others.
To be precise, I was wary of myself.
‘I won’t fail this time.’
The back of Yeon Ji-pyeong running away with joy.
I didn’t want to cast fear and emptiness on that lively face. I did not want to show a terrible future not only to my younger brother but also to my family members.
…At least, I wanted to make it that way until the Rebellion of the Three Religions broke out.
If possible, even after the Rebellion of the Three Religions.
‘The enemy is everywhere.’
You can’t let down your guard in a situation where you don’t know who the enemy is. If you think about it that way, the evaluation of Panga was too premature.
Yeon Ho-jeong sat on the floor cross-legged.
His half-opened eyes looked as hard and dark as steel.
“If possible, I hope you don’t go all the way to Gufileilbang.”
After one hour.
“Grand Duke. The meeting has begun. “I ask everyone to gather at the Naewon banquet hall.”
“What about Moyong and Myeongga?”
“We have just arrived.”
* * *
“It’s been a while, brother.”
“Wahahah! It’s been such a long time! Has it really been a year?”
“I see.”
“Hey! “It’s only been a year, but you’ve become so much prettier!”
“So your brothers have grown bigger?”
“Because you eat so well.”
“Ho ho ho!”
“It’s really cheap too.”
“…I don’t want to hear about that.”
As I entered the outdoor banquet hall, the first thing I noticed was the Peng brothers. His massive size and his booming voice that seemed to take the sky away were elements that caught everyone’s attention.
However, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes did not go to Pang Dae-ho and Pang Man-ho. He turned to the woman who was talking to the two people.
‘Moyong!’
She was a neat and beautiful woman who looked to be no older than twenty. However, the magic hidden within the body was truly amazing.
His potential was actually greater than that of the Peng brothers. And Yeon Ho-jeong knew very well what kind of power that was and who that woman was.
‘She is Prince Moyong’s daughter.’
Moyong Yeonhwa (慕容蓮花).
She was a heroine of the first generation who led the Moyong family on behalf of the Murim lord Moyonggun. Regardless of her nature, she was a talented woman whose abilities were so outstanding that Prince Moyong recognized her.
Yeon Ho-jeong turned his head.
She was a woman who had a lot of trouble in the past when she was leading the Black Emperor. But that wasn’t important right now.
‘First of all, the famous family…’
That was the time.
“Who are you looking for?”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked back.
Zhuge Yan was standing smiling.
“Are you here?”
“…I think I’ve said it before, but the way you talk really sounds like an old man.”
“No work.”
“And again.”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Jegal A-yeon’s outfit.
“What are you wearing?”
Zhuge Yan smiled.
Her smile, which seemed to always be bright, had a hint of bitterness.
“It’s pretty fancy, isn’t it?”
When I first saw him at Choseongru and when he entered the manor, Zhuge Yan’s attire was simple. Because she was so beautiful, the clothes she was wearing felt extravagant, but in reality, they were more like moderately luxurious activewear.
It was different now.
Her appearance wearing a gorgeous palace dress was truly amazing. The dress, with red plum blossoms embroidered on a high-quality light green silk background, matched her bright and pretty beauty very well.
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
“It’s okay.”
“really?”
“Yes, it suits you well.”
Zhuge Zhen looked into Yeon Hojeong’s eyes.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes were transparent. It was so clear and insensitive that it had the power to make the viewer feel strangely intimidated.
However, Zhuge Zhen’s expression was bright.
She had been told that she was pretty since she was young. However, behind such praise, negative emotions such as jealousy and desire were often included.
It was my first time receiving such a simple compliment from someone other than my family. Naturally, I couldn’t help but feel better.
“yes? I think it’s a bit excessive, but…”
“It’s not excessive?”
“Is that so?”
“It’s not like your whole body is decorated with gold. “There are a lot of people walking around wearing clothes 10,000 times more flashy than you.”
It was true.
In Heukdo, there are many people who go around dressed up in flashy clothes that do not suit their style. This is because there are a lot of people who try to gather power by showing off their abilities and wealth. Compared to that, Zhuge Yan’s outfit doesn’t even fit into an ordinary outfit.
A comfortable smile spread across Zhuge Zhen’s face.
People who are quick-witted are good at managing their facial expressions, but she didn’t know how to hide her emotions.
“There is a seat over there. “Let’s go and sit down.”
“done.”
“Hey, don’t bounce from a good spot. “Let’s go and have a drink.”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was about to tell him not to be a bother, paused for a moment.
‘but.’
If there is a family behind this place that is trying to destroy the Yeonga, the successor of that family will definitely know about it.
Of course, he will keep an eye on himself and Yeon Ji-pyeong.
‘Now that I think about it, there was no need to act in a showy way.’
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
“Sure.”
“Hehe.”
“Don’t stick next to me.”
“That’s very harsh.”
“Noisy.”
“Aren’t you tired of living with that kind of personality?”
“If I were tired, I wouldn’t live like this.”
“Hmm, that’s right.”
“So stay away. hot.”
“It’s such a chilly day, but it’s hot. Besides, if you have martial arts skills like that….”
Zhuge Zinc cleared his throat, thinking it was a mistake.
“sorry. “Was it meaningless?”
Clearly, being smart is an art. She didn’t think Yeon Ho-jeong was hiding his martial arts skills, but she knew he didn’t want to brag about it.
So the two people sat down. Since the food was pre-made, it was a bit cold, but it was still delicious.
Yeon Ho-jeong willingly filled Jegal Zhen-yeon’s cup. Zhuge Yan also smiled and filled his glass.
“Can I ask you one question?”
“okay.”
“Are all the martial arts in Yeonga that strong?”
“The martial arts of the Zhuge family is no less than that of the main family.”
“aha? “What’s important is people, not martial arts?”
If you pretend, you pretend. Zhuge Yan was good at understanding the other person’s intentions.
Zhuge Yan laughed.
“Are you secretly bragging about yourself? Actually, it would be something to be proud of.”
“It’s not a skill to brag about.”
“Is it humility?”
“I’m serious.”
Jegal Yeon read the sincerity in Yeon Hojeong’s face. He truly thought his martial arts skills were not that great.
Zhuge Zinc, who was quietly examining his face, asked.
“Do you want to become stronger?”
“It is the desire of every warrior.”
“That’s right. “So your dream is to become the best person in the world?”
The corners of Yeon Ho-jeong’s mouth rose.
It was a smile that only slightly raised the corners of the mouth. However, the weight it contained was not light.
“Only when you are moderately strong will you be the best in the world.”
“…yes.”
Zhuge Yan, who had been mumbling unconsciously, nodded once again and said.
“yes. The best is better than the average. “It’s better to be the worst.”
Zhuge Yan smiled brightly.
“You are good. “I have a dream.”
Being the best in the world is not a dream.
Yeon Ho-jeong didn’t even bother to say that.
“Don’t you have a dream?”
“me? Hmmmm!”
Zhuge Yan closed his mouth and thought. No, I pretended to be worried.
“Are you sure you’re an adult? “I haven’t thought about dreams yet.”
“Does an adult become a child if he or she has never thought about his or her dreams?”
“Well, I never thought about it that way?”
Jegal A-yeon tapped Yeon Ho-jeong’s arm with his elbow.
“When I talk to you, I really feel like I’m a kid. “I’ve never been called stupid before.”
“Stop talking nonsense and give me a drink.”
“100 million? “When did you drink it?”
“Give me the bottle.”
“okay! I’ll follow you! My personality is extremely impatient. “You mean you drank it without even saying a toast?”
One person drinks with an expressionless face and the other laughs and chatters. It’s a combination that can be seen everywhere, but the problem was the atmosphere of the two people.
It was a truly informal atmosphere. The man and woman drinking together looked simple and familiar.
The reviewers gathered in the banquet hall glanced at the two people.
Whatever the reason, the beautiful woman is smiling brightly, giving and receiving a glass of wine. Moreover, the young man next to him was handsome enough, although his expression was somewhat sharp.
That scene filled the late exponents with a strange feeling. For some reason, it felt like there was a separate protagonist in this banquet hall.
How long has it been like that?
“You look very happy?”
Yeon Ho-jeong and Zhuge Zhen turned their heads.
Dangyangseon was walking with his back to me, smiling.
“I don’t have any friends, so can we sit together?”
