[Chapter 49]
The next day.
"Master of the House."
"Enter."
Taekyung entered the master's chamber, presenting a document.
"These are the papers organized last night. I believe this should be the budget."
Yeon Wi quickly scanned the documents.
"Hmm, you've worked hard."
"Not at all."
"You may leave now."
Taekyung hesitated for a moment.
"Master."
"Do you have something to say?"
Yeon Wi's gaze was as indifferent as ever.
Taekyung cleared his throat.
"It's about the business internship with the Moyong family."
"I'm still considering that matter."
"Ah, yes! Of course, you should take your time to deliberate."
Yeon Wi's eyebrows twitched. Taekyung's face seemed unusually talkative today.
He bowed his head quickly, maintaining his usual demeanor.
"It's just that…"
"Speak your mind."
Taekyung continued cautiously.
"What about changing the person?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, instead of the lady Moyong Yeonhwa, how about considering someone else?"
Yeon Wi frowned openly.
"Why would you think that?"
"It's just that, no matter how I think about it, Moyong Yeonhwa seems too exceptional. Ah! Of course, I don't mean to underestimate the young master, but what if she harbors other intentions?"
"Other intentions?"
"Yes."
Taekyung spoke as if he had made up his mind.
"Moyong Yeonhwa is a talent recognized by the Moyong family head. She must have grown up receiving nothing but praise. We cannot dismiss the possibility of her being arrogant. To be involved in the family's major affairs at such an age, how ambitious she must be."
"Hmm."
"The young master is no less talented than Moyong Yeonhwa. However, a wife who brings peace of mind might suit him better than one with outstanding abilities."
Yeon Wi looked at Taekyung with a chilly gaze.
"It was you who mentioned Moyong Yeonhwa. Why change your tune now?"
Taekyung spoke with an awkward expression.
Yeon Wi's eyes grew colder with the natural shift in his demeanor.
"I overlooked one thing."
"What's that?"
"What if, unlikely as it may be, the Moyong family head rejects this marriage proposal?"
"…?"
"Before it becomes a matter of losing face, the Moyong family head might not feel too pleased. It's a public matter, and while he may understand, he might be displeased at the thought of giving away his beloved daughter."
"If the Moyong family head is so small-minded, then perhaps we shouldn't proceed with the business internship."
"Of course. But in expanding our influence, the fewer complications, the better."
"Hmm."
"I speak for the good of our house and the young master. I apologize for speaking hastily a few days ago without sufficient thought."
Taekyung looked at Yeon Wi with a subtle gaze.
Yeon Wi's expression remained stark, but he noticed a slight change in his eyes.
'Even if it's about laws and justice, it must be hard to remain detached when it concerns his own son's marriage.'
Yeon Wi, deep in thought, finally spoke.
"Steward Taekyung."
"Yes, Master."
"I have a question for you."
Taekyung tensed inwardly but did not hide his feelings.
He was such a person, knowing when to conceal his thoughts and when to be honest.
"Is this business internship with the Moyong family truly a good idea?"
Taekyung's eyes sparkled.
He couldn't read Yeon Wi's expression. Even for someone as perceptive as him, Yeon Wi's indifference was hard to interpret.
But this time was different. Yeon Wi was visibly troubled.
Taekyung spoke without hesitation.
"As I've said before, I am in favor. Money is power. Depending on how we handle it, we can contribute to peace or disrupt public sentiment."
"..."
"I must speak frankly," Taekyung began, his voice steady and respectful. "The master I have served all these years wields power with more justice than anyone. If we use more funds to ensure the safety of the people, other clans will surely join us in our efforts."
Yeon Wi sighed softly, a sound rarely heard from him.
Taekyung's eyes sparkled with realization.
'Was it such a grave concern?' he wondered. It was only the second time he had seen Yeon Wi sigh—the first being five years ago when a rift had grown between the Yeon brothers.
'It must be a significant event in his generation, then.'
Suddenly, the face of Yeon Hojeong came to mind.
'Now that I think about it, it's quite peculiar.'
He couldn't forget the way Yeon Hojeong had came to him last night.
Arrogant posture. A smile on his lips, but his eyes betrayed an ambition that could not be concealed.
'Yeon Hojeong despised Yeon Jipyeong terribly. But recently, things have changed. Could it be a ploy for the future?'
After seeing him yesterday, Taekyung thought it was entirely possible.
'Is it not easy to think such thoughts at a young age? Not at all.'
From the moment they are born, the Moyong clan is embroiled in fierce power struggles. It's not instigated by anyone; it's their nature, proving their Moyong bloodline.
There was one who had avoided this nature.
'Moyong Woo.'
He was inherently kind, more suited to the Yeon clan than the Moyong. Especially similar to Yeon Jipyeong.
'An interesting coincidence.'
The eldest son was becoming more like the Moyong, while the outcast of the Moyong clan acted like a Yeon.
"That's right," Yeon Wi nodded, his back against the chair.
"Alright, let's proceed that way."
Taekyung's gaze shifted.
"Will you join hands with the Moyong clan?"
"Truthfully, there's no harm in joining hands. If we can complement each other's weaknesses, it would be beneficial."
"Indeed. They may be powerful martial arts clans, but they are also part of the righteous path. They will maintain at least the minimum standards of decency."
"I don't trust the Moyong clan. I only trust myself."
"Even if the Moyong clan schemes, they cannot escape your discerning eye, my lord."
Yeon Wi nodded again.
"Send a letter to the Moyong clan. Let's set a date for the meeting."
Taekyung's eyes widened.
"Should I deliver it personally?"
"This decision took a long time. I thought I was being cautious, but they might not see it that way."
"Ah, yes."
Yeon Wi looked at Taekyung.
"Your words have merit. There's no need to stir up unnecessary trouble. However, I don't want to say things I don't mean, so write the letter in a way that benefits both families' internships."
Taekyung smiled.
"Understood. I'll draft the letter and come for your review."
"No need."
Yeon Wi turned away, his expression showing he had no desire to read such a bothersome letter. Taekyung's eyes gleamed with determination.
"Understood. I'll write it as gently as possible. Oh! What about the young master's marriage prospects?"
"It doesn't have to be Moyong Yeonhwa."
"Understood."
Taekyung bowed and headed for the door.
Then, Yeon Wi spoke.
"Chief Taekyung."
Taekyung turned around.
Yeon Wi's back was to him, facing the window, a subtle restlessness apparent in his stance.
"You've worked hard."
"Haha! Not at all."
"No, this time your contribution was significant. Don't hesitate to share your opinions in the future."
"Of course."
"You may go now."
Taekyung left the master's chamber.
He couldn't see it. The storm of thoughts swirling in Yeon Wi's eyes.
"Send this to the Tongcheon Group. Urgently."
"Yes!"
The Tongcheon Group was an intelligence organization that had dealings with the Yeon clan. Since it was urgent, it would fly straight to the Moyong clan.
After handing over the letter to a member of the Tongcheon Group, Taekyung stretched mightily.
The fatigue seemed to vanish. The day was still cold, but the sky was exceptionally clear.
Looking up at the sky, Taekyung's eyes curved into circles.
'Finally, it's over.'
The Yeon clan would fall anyway.
The key was how much it could benefit 'this side.' Fortunately, the master had approved the business internship, making it easier to take over the Yeon clan's territory.
Taekyung admired Moyong Yeonhwa anew.
'A marriage alliance… She could have been troubled by rumors, yet she pushed for it? Truly a warrior woman.'
The marriage proposal was initiated by Moyong Yeonhwa herself.
Of course, she had no intention of marrying Yeon Hojeong. It was just that such a proposal was necessary to sway the heart of the Yeon clan leader.
'It's a pity. If she had been born a man, she would have already been appointed as the young clan leader.'
Who knows? The master might entrust the clan to Moyong Yeonhwa.
Because the master was looking beyond, not intending to end his dreams within the clan.
'The world! If born a man, one should have such dreams.'
And to stand beside such a master and gaze upon the world would be the ultimate honor.
Smiling as he let his imagination soar, Taekyung suddenly called the gatekeeper.
"Where is the young master?"
"He went out with the second young master. They said they were going to eat…"
"I see. You may go."
"Yes."
Taekyung frowned openly.
"He's quick. In that regard, he might be even more so than Lady Yeonhwa."
* * *
That night.
Well past midnight, Yeon Hojeong made his way to Taekyung's residence.
"Have you arrived?"
"Mm."
"You've sweated quite a bit."
"What would you expect from martial arts honed to such a degree? One must practice whenever time allows, mustn't they?"
His venomous ambition, if nothing else, was commendable.
Taekyung had witnessed Yeon Hojeong's training on several occasions. Though he had never trained in such a manner himself, it was clear that without a certain ruthlessness, one could hardly endure such rigorous practice.
He had wondered why the man had changed so drastically, but as of yesterday, he understood.
'He's desperate to become the clan leader. Well, it's understandable.'
His life had been ruined by the rising talent of his younger brother. Whatever stroke of fate he had encountered, it was only right to stake his life on this newfound opportunity.
After all, being of the Judge's Sword lineage, it would be difficult for him to be anything but exceptional.
"It's Longjing tea. The fragrance is pleasant, isn't it?"
"Ha! Longjing? Where did you manage to find such a treasure?"
"Ha-ha! I managed to acquire it with the money I've saved up. I was thinking of offering it to the clan leader."
To offer tea meant for the clan leader to you.
It's a sign of trust. Yeon Hojeong smiled triumphantly.
"Indeed, I've always thought you were no ordinary man."
"Ha-ha-ha! That's too generous a compliment. I am but a humble scholar."
"To call someone who can sway an entire clan a 'humble scholar'?"
Though the words carried weight, Taekyung failed to grasp the profound meaning in Yeon Hojeong's voice.
"That's not the case now. But in the future, I intend to undertake significant tasks. By the young master's side."
"So you've finally made your decision?"
"Ha-ha! I kindly ask for your support."
"I ask the same of you."
Chrrrk.
Taekyung's gaze shifted.
Yeon Hojeong, holding a teacup, was pouring the Longjing tea onto the floor.
"Doesn't the thought of beating down a pack of mangy strays make your heart race? I hope you'll play a significant role."