Episode 136
The price of greed (6)
Blooming tea incense filled the room.
The color was vivid, but the scent was not overwhelming. It was a scent that had a distinct presence but did not strain one’s nerves.
The same was true of Zhuge Munho, as seen by Yeon Ho-jeong.
The head of the family living in Yongzhong Mountain in Hubei, one of the six families praised as the best martial families in the vast world, and carrying on the legend of Gong Ming, had such an impression.
Zhuge Wenhu took a sip of tea.
“It’s a nice car.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Even if the tea leaves are good, if they are not handled properly, they will not be able to produce this much aroma and taste. “It seems like you have great knowledge of the tea ceremony.”
“Not to that extent. “I’ve tried it a lot, but I haven’t been able to learn it deeply.”
Zhuge Li’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“Have you ridden a lot?”
“yes.”
Usually, riding a car is the job of a subordinate. Unless you are a very distinguished guest, it is not common for someone to personally serve you with tea.
Nevertheless, Yeon Ho-jeong said that he has driven a lot of cars.
“It’s a noble hobby.”
“It’s not a hobby. “I just thought it would be better to drink it myself at that time rather than asking someone else to do it.”
“is it?”
“That’s right.”
“Haha, I don’t know whether to call him impatient or reasonable.”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“It’s just an oddity.”
Why?
Is it because he was the young man who saved his daughter’s life? Or is it because he is my daughter’s friend?
He was a strangely affectionate young man. Maybe it’s because of his appearance, which is closer to that of a civil servant than a military man.
“The six generations live in Chilseonggak. However, even in Chilseonggak, the places where each person stays are so far apart that it is not easy to come and go. “I was really busy, but I was really busy.”
“….”
“I really wanted to come visit you once. “I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you once again.”
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
“All right.”
It’s a strange answer.
The reason why I don’t feel any discomfort even though it is not a humble remark is probably due to the nature of the voice.
It seemed like he had a clear personality of making and breaking things. In other words, it was also one of the types favored by Zhuge Liang.
‘Besides, I know what you’re thanking me for. ‘He’s quick-witted too.’
It was a somewhat different impression from what I heard from my daughter. Even though he didn’t seem particularly nervous, the atmosphere was quite stiff.
“Hehe, I guess I’m uncomfortable.”
“Not really.”
“hmm? is it? “Then I’m glad.”
There were deep wrinkles around the corner of Zhuge Li’s mouth.
He always had a smile on his face. It was the expression of a strategist who disarmed the hearts of those who encountered him.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.
‘I knew we’d meet someday, but I didn’t know we’d meet this early.’
The brain of the Baekdo Murim Alliance.
In the past, before the Saeumgyo Rebellion broke out, Heukjeseong clashed with the Murim Alliance at every turn.
Heukjeseong was in the midst of expanding its power, and the Murim Alliance felt the need to keep the Heukdo Murim, which was suddenly gaining power, in check.
It was fate that inevitably led to this collision. Thanks to this, many warriors under his command died.
And from then until his death as the Emperor of Darkness, Zhuge Wenhu was in charge of the military of the Murim Alliance.
‘indeed.’
This is the first time I have seen insight that has been refined to this degree since my return.
Although he has outstanding wisdom, his eyes are different from his father, who values loyalty more than anything else, and from Mo Yong-gun, who thoroughly uses his outstanding wisdom for his own greed.
It is the crystallization of knowledge. That’s why Zhuge Li’s eyes were so impressive.
“You are amazing.”
“hmm?”
Although the words came out unconsciously, Yeon Ho-jeong did not hide her feelings.
“As people become more knowledgeable and learn how to use cunning, they tend to lose their innocence.”
“….”
“The head of the family is different.”
“Huh, different?”
My daughter’s friend and Kangho’s junior is openly evaluating me.
It wasn’t a common experience. Is that why? Zhuge Mun-ho was very curious about how Yeon Ho-jeong viewed him.
“So, what do you think of me?”
“well.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“I don’t know anything else, but today I finally understand why A-yeon and Jun are good.”
“what? ha ha ha!”
Zhuge Wenhu burst out laughing.
“In your eyes, I seem like a pure and good person, right?”
“Don’t they say people see what they want to see? Maybe I myself deeply hope that the head of the family will be that kind of person.”
“haha! “Why do you want me to be like that?”
“Wouldn’t it be okay once in a while? “A soldier who is not ruthless can take control of the Murim Alliance.”
“…!”
“In the military, there are many times when you have to treat the soldiers under your command like pawns in chess. That’s why soldiers usually become ruthless. “If you are not ruthless, it will be difficult to devise an effective military strategy even with a good mind.”
Yeon Ho-jeong grinned.
“So good soldiers are rare. “If you don’t become strong enough, you won’t be able to protect your purity or righteousness.”
Zhuge Wenhu made a strange expression.
“How did you know that I had been designated as a soldier of the Murim Alliance?”
“Isn’t it called Jegal the Divine? “There is no way you could commit the act of enlisting someone else as a soldier over the head of the family, who is the pinnacle of the Zhuge family.”
“Hehehe.”
Zhuge Wenhu just laughed.
The smile was filled with admiration and surprise for the other person.
“There is a feeling that the rumors have been reduced. “I knew he was hot-blooded, but I never thought he would say such dangerous things so quickly.”
“Did you?”
“You don’t believe me?”
“If you want to show off your courage against the world’s best Nine Jus famous family, you must have the basic intention of killing them all regardless. “It may seem dangerous enough to others.”
“haha.”
“There is no way the head of the family only saw me as a passionate late Jisoo.”
Zhuge Mun-ho, who was quietly looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, lightly hit the table.
“I passed.”
“….”
“It’s not enough to just be quick-witted or nice. “You can’t just be aggressive, and you can’t be overly timid either.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means that he is trustworthy as someone capable of leading the independence army.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes lit up.
“The independence fighters….”
“This morning, Moyong family announced the significance of the creation of the independence fighters. There was a lot of talk about this and that, but whatever the reason, I felt the intention to make it.”
“okay.”
“I believe I told you in advance.”
“I won’t deny it.”
Zhuge Munho filed a complaint.
“Actually, I am opposed to the creation of an independent army. “It’s no different now.”
“….”
“But if it’s you, it’ll be okay.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“It looks like you’re struggling.”
“hmm?”
“The power of the Moyong family is unusual.”
Zhuge Wenhu’s eyes sparkled.
“It’s a powerful thing… That’s not normal.”
“The existence of an independent military may set a bad precedent when organizing a group under the Murim League in the future. “I think the head of the family, as well as my father, have something to worry about.”
“….”
“I will not show myself to be more outstanding than necessary and I will not spread the stigma of being a useless unit. “I think that’s the best I can do.”
With those words, Yeon Ho-jeong quenched his thirst with tea.
Zhuge Mun-ho, who was quietly looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, shook his head.
“I was wrong.”
“yes?”
“I thought it was a tiger that had just shed its youth. “Now I see that you are a very skilled tiger.”
“Thank you for the undeserved evaluation.”
“It’s too much? “I almost feel resentful of my vocabulary for not being able to express anything more than that.”
Zhuge Wenhu also took a sip of tea. With that one sip, I was able to shake off some of my past worries and worries.
“I have just one question.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes lit up.
‘This is it.’
It was clear that Zhuge Wenhu had come to ask what he had to say. Without realizing it, strength entered my eyes.
“I want you to tell me this clearly. “Truly and without lies.”
“Please speak.”
“Did you make some kind of deal with the Moyong family?”
“….”
“Please tell me honestly.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“This is my third transaction with Moyong Family.”
Zhuge Wenho’s face hardened.
And at Yeon Ho-jeong’s next words, a look of puzzlement appeared on his stiff face.
“And I won all three times.”
“…won?”
“It’s still a winning streak. “He is such a formidable person, I don’t know when he will break.”
Zhuge Wenhu frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“The Moyong family was pursuing a plan to devour the former main family.”
“What?!”
This is my first time hearing something like this. A look of honest surprise appeared on Zhuge Wenhu’s face.
‘I guess it’ll be okay.’
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at the other person’s facial expressions, eyes, emotions, and personality.
‘Even if he’s not a soldier, this person would be fine.’
He explained without hesitation what he had experienced over the past year.
After meeting Hu-gae at the Later Ji-su meeting, joining hands with the Mo Yong family while dealing with the Myeong family, and almost having another conflict with the Namgung family while trying to catch Myeong Heo-rim.
Furthermore, it is said that Prince Moyong tried to recommend him as the head of the unit in order to monitor him and at the same time use him as a useful horse.
After hearing the whole story, Zhuge Wenho’s face was distorted in shock.
“Matriarch Moyong… He is truly a dangerous person.”
“It’s dangerous. “It’s also excellent.”
“So what do you mean, you made a deal with the head of the Moyong family?”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“It doesn’t suit my temperament to sit still and suffer. “I made a deal to seek revenge and seek my freedom.”
“Hehehehehe!”
Zhuge Wenhu looked at Yan Haozheng with admiring eyes.
“You made a deal with that head of the Moyong family? “Hehehe!”
I don’t know what’s so pleasant. He just smiled silently for a long time.
“What on earth are you?”
It was a humorous question. It wasn’t a question I asked hoping for an answer.
“Those martial arts skills alone were not befitting of someone of his age, but now I see that he was traversing the central plains and getting involved in all kinds of incidents.”
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
“I really like to mess around.”
Zhuge Mun-ho, who had been looking at Yeon Ho-jeong for a while, smiled.
“It’s a shame. “It’s a shame.”
“…?”
“You don’t have to be so hard on purpose. “I just gave up.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’m talking about Zinc.”
“….”
“You are an outstanding person. As a father with a daughter, I cannot help but wish to have someone as outstanding as you as a son-in-law.”
“…cough.”
“But although you can be a great guest of the family, I don’t think you’ll be able to make Ah-yeon happy. “He’s so talented.”
Yeon Ho-jeong quenched his appetite.
“I have no intention of getting married.”
Zhuge Wenhu smiled and stood up.
“Please continue to be good friends with our Ah-yeon. “In the future, if you really feel like it, you can be my son-in-law.”
All of these noblemen seemed anxious because they could not get their children to marry.
“Today’s meeting was very interesting. “Thank you for your time.”
“no.”
“Let’s go now.”
“Please proceed carefully.”
“ah! “Before you go, let me tell you one thing.”
“yes?”
Zhuge Wenhu’s face became serious.
“Maybe the independence fighters are not one.”
“…?!”
“There may be another Yu army created other than the Yu army you will be in charge of.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.
“Are you in charge of the old faction?”
“If the head of the Moyong family is not greedy.”
“….”
“Rest.”
Zhuge Lianghu left Pagungak.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who saw him off, filed a complaint.
“Look, Moyong, you will get better. If you are greedy, you will lose even your hand, which is gambling. “Aren’t you going too far?”
At that time, I heard a stupid answer.
“yes?”
Yeon Ho-jeong blinked. Before I knew it, Okcheong had arrived.
“What?”
“…?”
“Didn’t you go to your residence?”
“I need to receive teachings…”
“teaching?”
“…yes?”
“Can I be your master? “Why are you learning from me?”
Okcheong was embarrassed.
“That… no, yesterday the practitioner….”
“If you want to receive teachings, you have to pay a corresponding price, right?”
“…is it a stand?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled sinisterly.
I haven’t had anything to do for a few days, but you caught me.
He put his arm around Okcheong’s shoulder as if he were friendly.
“Your master is a Geomseon expert, right?”
“yes? “Oh yeah.”
“He is the almighty of shaman martial arts! “I will be awakening a wonderful mind.”
“Yes.”
“It must be beautiful. It must be fascinating. Since I am a Taoist monk, I may not be familiar with the calculation methods of the world, but since this is how it is, why not learn about the world?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about….”
“You’ll soon find out. How do I start teaching now?”
“yes? Huh yeah! “Then thank you!”
“First, try performing the shaman’s martial arts skills from beginning to end. “It’s so detailed, so detailed that even a child can understand it by looking at it.”
