Episode 818
Back to the Murim League (4)
Paeyul trudges on as if that is the end.
When Yeon Ho-jeong opened his eyes again, he saw Paeyul’s back.
It looks somewhat light-hearted. It was an impressive back view of Paeyul’s free-spirited yet uniquely sharp style.
Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth.
“Do you not drink alcohol?”
Paeyul, who had been walking languidly, stopped.
He grumbled softly.
“What kind of farewell liquor do you guys drink together? “Just say you’re going and that’s it.”
“He is like that too.”
“Be well.”
“yes.”
Paeyul walked out again.
But even for a moment.
“shit.”
Paeyul’s face was distorted when he turned around.
“Is that the only way you did it, you b*stard?”
Although it was a random remark, Yeon Ho-jeong was able to understand what he meant.
“yes. “This method was the best.”
“What’s better? “I guess I just chose the most convenient way.”
“How is it the most convenient way for the eldest son from a prestigious political sect to become a disciple of the head of the Black Island martial arts sect?”
“…Damn it.”
“My family was harmed by this choice. Of course, there are many people who help.”
Paeyul was at a loss for words for a moment. Even though he didn’t show it, he knew how much Yeon Ho-jeong thought about his family.
It was a choice worth taking even the damage to the family I cared so much about. It was definitely not an easy choice for Yeon Ho-jeong.
“Are you really saying that was the only way?”
“There must have been many ways. “But I thought this was the best way.”
“Why is it best? Do you think the Black Island b*stards will easily bow their heads in front of a successor from a political faction?”
“That’s why I came.”
“what?”
“I came here to make you humble. “With that level of authority and unity, it could be a great help in fighting the three religions.”
“Three Bridges, Three Bridges!”
Paeyul gritted his teeth.
“Do you only have the three religions on your head?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled bitterly without saying a word.
I knew very well why Paeyul said that. I am not saying that the three religions are not important, but I am asking where your life has gone because of the three religions.
“My life can be found after the extinction of the Three Religions.”
“….”
“You know, right?”
“I know that our home could become a sea of fire because of the three religious b*stards. But you don’t have to sacrifice this much on your own just to crush them. “After we destroy them, the sanctuary you seek may disappear.”
Concern for his colleagues is evident in his nervous tone.
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“Rather than worrying about that and hesitating when you have to move, I will do what I can right now.”
“…What can I say to you crazy guy?”
“So, senior, please go.”
“why? “Are you afraid that you might be kicked out of the Jeomchang faction?”
“….”
“You b*stard, I was the one who was put out by Jeomchang in the first place. “If it were not for Jang Mun-in, he would not have been able to become an instructor, let alone an elder.”
“No matter what, there are people who give for you, right? No matter what anyone says, a senior is an elder in fortune telling. “Once you get the position of elder, it doesn’t go anywhere.”
“You’ll actually like it.”
“yes?”
“He said that if I gave up my position as an elder, the executioners who looked down on me would actually like it.”
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
“I don’t know what the circumstances are, but even if it is true, the rumor that a member of Jeomchang is abandoning his position as an elder and joining the successor of the Black Path is a great harm to Jeomchang.”
“Make it so that it does no harm.”
“…?!”
For a moment, Yeon Ho-jeong thought he had heard something wrong.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I told them to make it so it wouldn’t cause any harm. And you will have a way to do that.”
“yes?”
“I made a decision that cost my family blood without any recourse? At least the one I know is not like a wall-to-wall person who just goes out but dances with his sword without any proper precautions.”
That was clearly true. Otherwise, he would have defected to the Murim League as soon as he became Yang Cheon’s successor.
Yeon Hao-jeong was exchanging letters with Zhuge Li. Of course, only Yang knew that fact and no one else knew.
As they exchanged letters, they were convinced that Yeonwi and Yeonjipyeong were safe, so they were organizing Heukdo Island first.
“senior. “That’s not possible.”
“They say he is the king.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s face instinctively distorted.
“Who did you hear it from?”
“Who are you listening to? “The whole world knows.”
“shit.”
“There’s senior Baek Byeong-shin and Makwon next to you.”
“….”
“I’m on my way to see Senior Makwon. And I was sure. “When you head to the Murim Alliance, that senior will be with you.”
“The name of Holy Heaven cannot wash away mistakes.”
“I guess it does, to some extent.”
“That doesn’t mean it won’t stop the window from shaking.”
“Since when did you pay so much attention to the text?”
“senior.”
“The reason why a b*stard like me was able to become an elder was because of the outstanding virtue and ability of the elder brother. “He doesn’t want to step forward on his own, but he will do better than anyone else if he gets promoted to a civil service position right away.”
“….”
“I don’t think you will have much trouble easing the situation.”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“Why on earth are you doing this? Even if you are not with me, you just have to do your best in your own position.”
“know.”
“I don’t think you know. There is no reason to be together despite this threat. Even causing damage to the recluse….”
“No harm to the recluse!”
Paeyul’s loud voice cut through the cold air of the night sky.
“The damage done to things like reputation is not real damage. “The real damage is when the long history and footsteps of our ancestors are trampled by the dirty feet of foreign enemies.”
“…!”
“I don’t know what you think of our relationship with me, but I chose you.”
“…?”
“From the moment I first saw you, I thought I could have a very interesting life hanging out with this guy. And through many struggles, I was able to find myself.”
Uncharacteristically, Paeyul’s passionate eyes were not as cold or dark as before.
“I know my place well. It would be nice to go to the storefront. But in order to be of even more help in this world, it would be better to be with you. I think so.”
Yeon Ho-jeong sighed.
“senior.”
“And I like you.”
“….”
It was an unexpected word.
“The reason I recognized you as a junior and colleague and chose you was not simply for the sake of my goal.”
“….”
“I just enjoyed being busy walking around with you. “The years I spent with you felt much more rewarding than the more than forty years of just cutting and doing nothing productive.”
“….”
“I guess I can live a fulfilling life on my own. But not now.”
Paeyul pointed to Yeonhojeong with his index finger.
“There are some people who are running this world right now. It is the nucleus that creates the flow. And you are one of those few hacks.”
“….”
“It’s embarrassing, but I can’t do it like you. I don’t even want to do that. “I just want to work for the world next to someone who recognizes my abilities and can put me to good use.”
“….”
“If I were to live a life like that with someone I recognized and liked, there would be no such fulfilling life. “That’s all.”
As if the illusion-like spear had blown away the snow and revealed the cold ground.
Paeyul was clearly expressing his true feelings. It was a clear sincerity that had not been said before and did not need to be said.
“You said I had changed. right. I have changed. “After completing my martial arts skills, I feel confident and don’t want to clash with low-level people.”
“….”
“But the reason I’m angry with you isn’t because you made me stick with low-level trash. “If you truly thought of me as your senior and colleague, you should have asked me instead of avoiding Jeomchang and Nabalgo.”
“What do you mean?”
“Can you stay with me in the future?”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes wavered.
Paeyul’s eyes lit up with fire.
“You should have asked honestly and with sincerity, rather than secretly revealing your true feelings like an idiot. “That’s what makes me angry at you.”
“….”
“And that’s why you’ve changed. “I would have understood if you had become Yang Chen’s disciple and become arrogant and greedy for power, but you have become even more strange than that.”
“….”
“A man who gave up all his pride for the destruction of the three religions is not thinking about others without even knowing the topic.”
Yeon Ho-jeong closed his eyes.
Paeyul’s voice continued.
“They say that even if you clap your hands, you have to clap them together to make a sound. “Even if I want to be here, I have no intention of insisting on staying here if it’s difficult for you.”
“….”
“Try again.”
“yes?”
“Say right now what should have come out of your mouth when you saw me again.”
The demand for a loss rate was confident.
And that request was natural as a colleague.
Yeon Ho-jeong sighed.
“Why should I listen to such embarrassing comments when the atmosphere has been ruined like this?”
“A relationship where people understand each other without words is established because they said what they had to say properly.”
“….”
“I am giving you this opportunity because you are a senior. “Because of me, you can confidently make demands that other people would not be able to mention because of your position and harsh personality.”
“….”
“If you don’t want to be labeled as a traitor on top of the stigma of being a traitor, don’t miss this opportunity.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s face, which had been smiling bitterly, became increasingly serious.
Paeyul could see the fatigue on that serious face. Yeon Ho-jeong’s fatigue was so noticeable that it was clearly visible even though it was night.
A feeling of fatigue that I have never shown to anyone. The expression that I thought should not be shown was clearly revealed under the moonlight.
“Are you willing to risk excommunication?”
“If Changsan (蒼山) is safe, will excommunication be such a big deal?”
“There will be a lot of dirty blood on your hands.”
“Please don’t just use a knife in an embarrassing way.”
“You must not die.”
The corners of Paeyul’s mouth rose.
“At this age, I have no intention of smelling the fishy smell of Samdocheon.”
“then.”
Yeon Ho-jeong lowered his head.
“Please join us.”
Faaagh!
The javelin fired at incredible speed stopped right in front of Yeon Ho-jeong.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s hand holding the short spear was trembling slightly. It was an even more powerful attack than the blow he had struck with all his might a moment ago.
Paeyul smiled.
“I’ll join you.”
* * *
next day.
“….”
After receiving the letter from the Murim Alliance, Yeon Ho-jeong visited Yangcheon.
“Were you busy yesterday?”
“Yes, for various reasons.”
“I guess so. “So, what brought you here this morning?”
“I received a call from the Murim Alliance.”
Yang Chen’s eyes lit up.
“What did you say?”
“It is said that an official document regarding the election of the Murim Lord will be announced soon.”
“…at las.”
“And then one of my political enemies showed up.”
“silence?”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.
“Moyong-gun broke out of the closed building and came out.”
