NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 136
Chapter 136
The Price of Greed
The fragrant aroma of tea filled the room.
It was a vivid but not overwhelming scent. It was distinct yet not sharp, much like Jegal Munho in Yeon Hojeong’s view.
Jegal Munho, the head of one of the six most revered martial arts families, residing in Hubei Yongzhongsan and inheriting the legend of Kongming Kuntong, possessed such an impression.
Jegal Munho took a sip of tea.
“It’s a good tea.”
“I’m glad it suits your taste.”
“Even if the tea leaves are good, if not handled properly, you can’t bring out this level of aroma and flavor. You seem to have a deep understanding of tea.”
“Not that much. I’ve brewed it often, but I haven’t learned it deeply.”
Jegal Munho’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“You’ve brewed it often?”
“Yes.”
Usually, brewing tea is a task for subordinates. It’s rare for someone to personally brew tea unless they are entertaining an esteemed guest.
Yet Yeon Hojeong claimed to have brewed tea often.
“A refined hobby.”
“It’s not a hobby. I just think it’s better to brew it myself than to ask someone else.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Haha, I don’t know whether to call you impatient or practical.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“I’m just an oddity.”
Why was that? Was it because this young man had saved his daughter’s life? Or because he was her friend?
He had a strange fondness for this young man. Perhaps it was because he looked more like a scholar than a warrior.
“The six great families reside in Chilseong Pavilion. However, even within Chilseong Pavilion, the places where they stay are so far apart that it’s not easy to interact frequently. And, of course, we are always so busy.”
“……”
“I’ve always wanted to visit. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you again.”
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“Understood.”
It was a peculiar answer. Although it wasn’t a humble response, it didn’t feel out of place, probably due to his inherently clear voice.
He seemed to have a clear-cut personality. In other words, he was the type that Jegal Munho preferred.
‘Moreover, he knows why I am thanking him. He’s perceptive.’
The impression was slightly different from what he had heard from his daughter. Although he didn’t seem particularly tense, the atmosphere was quite rigid.
“Haha, I seem to make you uncomfortable.”
“That’s not true.”
“Hmm? Really? Then I’m glad.”
Jegal Munho’s face bore deep wrinkles from always smiling. It was a strategist’s expression, one that disarmed those who faced him.
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.
‘I knew I would meet him someday, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon.’
The brain of Baekdo Moorim Alliance.
In the past, before the rebellion of Sa Eumgyo, Heukjesung constantly clashed with the Moorim Alliance.
Heukjesung was in the midst of expanding its power, and the Moorim Alliance felt the need to check the sudden rise of the dark faction.
It was inevitable that they would clash. As a result, many of his subordinates had died.
And from then on, until his death as the Heukamje, Jegal Munho served as the strategist of the Moorim Alliance.
‘Indeed.’
Since his return, he had never seen such a well-refined insight.
He possessed great wisdom but valued chivalry more than his father, and his eyes were different from Moyong Gun, who used his intelligence for his own greed.
He was a crystallization of knowledge. That’s why Jegal Munho’s gaze was so impressive.
“You are remarkable.”
“Hmm?”
Although the words came out unconsciously, Yeon Hojeong didn’t hide his thoughts.
“When one gains a lot of knowledge and learns how to use tricks, they tend to lose their innocence.”
“……”
“But you are different, Sir.”
“Haha, different?”
A daughter’s friend and a junior in the martial world were openly evaluating him.
It wasn’t a common experience. Perhaps that’s why Jegal Munho was greatly curious about how Yeon Hojeong saw him.
“Then, what do you think of me?”
“Well.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“I didn’t know why Ah-yeon and Jun were so kind until today.”
“What? Hahaha!”
Jegal Munho burst into laughter.
“To you, I seem like a pure and kind person?”
“People see what they want to see. Maybe I deeply hope that you are such a person.”
“Haha! Why do you hope for such a person in me?”
“Wouldn’t it be nice to have a strategist who isn’t cold to lead the Moorim Alliance for once?”
“……!”
“A strategist often has to use his subordinates and troops like chess pieces. Therefore, strategists usually become cold. If they aren’t cold, it’s hard to come up with effective military strategies, even with a good mind.”
Yeon Hojeong grinned.
“That’s why a good-hearted strategist is rare. Unless one is strong enough, one cannot protect their purity and righteousness.”
Jegal Munho made a curious expression.
“How did you know that I was appointed as the strategist of the Moorim Alliance?”
“Isn’t the Jegal Family known as the Divine Strategists? They wouldn’t make the mistake of appointing anyone other than you, the head of the Jegal Family, as the strategist.”
“Hahaha.”
Jegal Munho simply laughed.
His laughter contained admiration and surprise for the other.
“It seems the rumors were understated. I knew you were passionate, but I didn’t expect you to say something so risky.”
“Did you?”
“You don’t believe me?”
“To act boldly against the greatest family in the world, one must always be ready to risk everything. To others, it might seem quite risky.”
“Haha.”
“You must not have seen me only as an overly passionate junior.”
Jegal Munho, who had been quietly watching Yeon Hojeong, lightly tapped the table.
“You pass.”
“……”
“You can’t just be quick-witted, kind, overly combative, or too timid.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, you are reliable enough to lead the Independent Yoo Army.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled.
“The Independent Yoo Army…”
“This morning, Moyong Ga-ju clarified the purpose of establishing the Independent Yoo Army. There were various opinions, but regardless of the reasons, it was clear he intended to establish it.”
“I see.”
“I thought he would have informed you beforehand.”
“I won’t deny it.”
Jegal Munho smiled faintly.
“To be honest, I oppose the creation of the Independent Yoo Army. That hasn’t changed.”
“……”
“But, if it’s you, it’s okay.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“It seems you’re feeling pressured.”
“Hmm?”
“Moyong Ga-ju’s influence is quite strong.”
Jegal Munho’s eyes sparkled.
“Influence… Indeed, it’s not ordinary.”
“The existence of the Independent Yoo Army could set a bad precedent when organizing future subordinate groups under the Moorim Alliance. I think your concerns and my father’s concerns are justified.”
“……”
“I won’t show an overly outstanding performance, nor will I allow the unit to be labeled as useless. That seems to be the best I can do.”
After those words, Yeon Hojeong took a sip of tea.
Jegal Munho, who had been quietly observing Yeon Hojeong, shook his head.
“I was wrong.”
“Excuse me?”
“I thought you were just a young tiger who had just shed its cub stripes. But now I see, you are a seasoned great tiger.”
“Thank you for the high praise.”
“High praise? I feel frustrated that I can’t express more than that.”
Jegal Munho also took a sip of tea. That one sip seemed to dispel some of his worries and concerns.
“I have one question.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled.
‘Here it is.’
It was clear that Jegal Munho had come to ask this question. Unconsciously, he focused his eyes.
“I hope you can answer this one question truthfully, without deceit.”
“Please ask.”
“Have you made any deals with the Moyong Family?”
“……”
“Please be honest.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“This is my third deal with Moyong Ga-ju.”
Jegal Munho’s face hardened.
And as Yeon Hojeong continued, the stiffness on his face turned to confusion.
“And I’ve won all three times.”
“…Won?”
“Until now, I have won every time. He is a formidable opponent, so I don’t know when I might lose.”
Jegal Munho frowned.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Moyong Ga-ju was planning to take over my family in the past.”
“What, what?!”
This was news to him. Genuine surprise appeared on Jegal Munho’s face.
‘He’s reliable.’
Yeon Hojeong scrutinized the other’s expression, eyes, emotions, and personality.
‘Even if he isn’t a strategist, he is reliable.’
He recounted everything he had experienced over the past year without holding back.
Meeting Hu Gae at the posthumous gathering of the Aftermath Intelligence Group, joining forces with the Moyong Family to deal with the famous families, and almost clashing with the Namgung Family during the capture of Myung Hyeo-rim.
Moreover, he explained how Moyong Gun tried to use him as a useful pawn by recommending him as the unit leader while keeping him under surveillance.
After hearing all this, Jegal Munho’s face contorted with shock.
“Moyong Ga-ju… truly a dangerous person.”
“Dangerous, indeed. And highly skilled.”
“Then, what do you mean by dealing with Moyong Ga-ju?”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“I couldn’t just sit and take it. For revenge and to regain my freedom, I negotiated.”
“Haha, haha!”
Jegal Munho looked at Yeon Hojeong with admiration.
“You negotiated with Moyong Ga-ju? Haha!”
What was so amusing? He laughed heartily without saying a word.
“What on earth are you?”
It was a laughing question, not expecting an answer.
“Even with your martial arts, you don’t seem your age. And now I see you’ve been involved in all sorts of incidents across Jungwon.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“I do like causing trouble.”
After observing Yeon Hojeong for a while, Jegal Munho smiled.
“It’s a pity. A real pity.”
“……?”
“You don’t have to be so stiff. I’ve just given up.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“I’m talking about Ah-yeon.”
“…….”
“You are an excellent person. As a father, it would be an honor to have someone as outstanding as you as my son-in-law.”
“……Cough.”
“But I don’t think you could make Ah-yeon happy. You’re too talented.”
Yeon Hojeong licked his lips.
“I have no intention of marrying.”
Jegal Munho laughed and stood up.
“Continue being good friends with Ah-yeon. If you ever feel differently, you’re welcome as my son-in-law.”
These people seemed desperate to marry off their children.
“Today’s meeting was very interesting. Thank you for your time.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“I’ll be off now.”
“Have a safe trip.”
“Oh! Before I go, let me tell you one thing.”
“Yes?”
Jegal Munho’s face turned serious.
“There might be more than one Independent Yoo Army.”
“……?!”
“Besides the one you’ll lead, another might be formed.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.
“Will the Nine Sects be in charge?”
“If Moyong Ga-ju doesn’t get too greedy.”
“……”
“Take care.”
Jegal Munho left Pagun Pavilion.
Seeing him off, Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“Sir Moyong, in gambling, you can lose everything if you’re too greedy. Aren’t you pushing it too far?”
At that moment, a puzzled voice came.
“Yes?”
Yeon Hojeong blinked. Okcheong was already there.
“What?”
“……?”
“Didn’t you go to your quarters?”
“I came for guidance.”
“Guidance?”
“……Yes?”
“Am I your master? Why do you seek guidance from me?”
Okcheong was flustered.
“Well, you said yesterday…”
“To receive guidance, you have to pay the price.”
“……The price?”
Yeon Hojeong grinned wickedly.
Having nothing to do for a few days, you came at the right time.
He draped an arm over Okcheong’s shoulder as if in camaraderie.
“Your master is the Sword Master, right?”
“Yes? Ah, yes.”
“A master of Wudang martial arts! You must have learned some wonderful insights.”
“Yes.”
“Beautiful, enchanting. He might not be familiar with the secular ways, but since it’s come to this, why not learn about the world?”
“I don’t quite understand…”
“You’ll understand soon enough. Shall we start the guidance now?”
“Yes? Oh, yes! Thank you!”
“First, demonstrate Wudang martial arts from start to finish. In detail, very thoroughly, so even a child could grasp the subtlety.”