ALL NOVEL Chapter 48 - The Wind Blows (3)
Chapter 48: The Wind Blows (3)
Yeon Wi escorted Yeon Hojeong to the front of his residence.
Throughout their journey, Yeon Wi, who had remained silent, finally spoke.
“Is it heavy?”
Yeon Hojeong showed the axe he was carrying.
“It’s good because it’s heavy.”
“I thought so.”
Yeon Hojeong wanted to express his gratitude. But before he could, Yeon Wi spoke first.
“There’s something I want to ask.”
“Yes?”
It seemed like it wasn’t a light question. Yeon Wi struggled to continue.
“Have you thought about marriage?”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes widened.
“Marriage?”
“Yes.”
What is this all of a sudden?
Not understanding why he was asked this, Yeon Hojeong answered honestly.
“I haven’t thought about it yet.”
“I see.”
“Why do you ask? Has a good match come along?”
“It’s not that a matchmaker has been sent. I just wanted to know your thoughts.”
“I have no immediate plans to marry, but surely who the other party is matters, doesn’t it?”
After a moment of silence, Yeon Wi spoke.
“What about the Moyong family?”
Yeon Hojeong was inwardly surprised.
“That Moyong family?”
“Yes.”
“Uh…”
Yeon Hojeong was rarely flustered.
“By Moyong family, whom do you mean?”
“I’ve heard they participated in the recent Huigiji Water Gathering. Moyong Yeonhwa, the current head’s daughter.”
In an instant, Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.
‘Moyong Yeonhwa?’
Moyong Yeonhwa.
The daughter of the current head, Moyong Jun, she was a heroine involved in the family’s major and minor affairs despite her young age due to her outstanding abilities.
‘I never expected Moyong Yeonhwa to be mentioned.’
Moyong Yeonhwa was someone he had clashed with countless times during the era of the Black Darkness Emperor.
At that time, Moyong Jun, the leader of the martial alliance, was too preoccupied with the family to care. Therefore, a stand-in head was needed.
Surprisingly, he chose not his sons but his daughter, Moyong Yeonhwa.
Her abilities were exceptional enough to entrust her with the vast Moyong family. She had inherited her father’s blood, and in just a few years, she had expanded the Moyong family’s size by more than threefold.
Naturally, her martial arts talent was also outstanding. She was taught the family’s secret techniques, which says it all.
“Her talents are said to be exceptional in many ways. You’ve seen her at the gathering, so you know.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Of course, I think character is more important than talent or ability. From what I’ve heard, her character is also without fault.”
Could that be true?
Yeon Hojeong remembered Moyong Yeonhwa’s venomous gaze. Not the Moyong Yeonhwa of the present, but the one from the era of the Black Darkness Emperor.
Nature is important, but so is the environment. A single event can change a person’s character and values.
However, if Moyong Jun cherished her so much, it was hard to believe that Moyong Yeonhwa’s nature was also good. That’s what Yeon Hojeong thought.
“I’m sorry. I have no plans to marry yet.”
Unexpectedly, Yeon Wi did not show disappointment.
“I understand. Actually, I too had a reason for not bringing it up easily. In these times, many marry without even seeing each other’s faces, but I am opposed to such marriages.”
“Is that so?”
“The person you’ll spend your life with is important. It’s important to uphold the family name, but protecting the happiness of my people is equally important.”
“…”
“If you find a girl you like in the future, I hope you won’t worry about her family background.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Did you love my mother?”
It was a somewhat mischievous question, meant to lighten the mood.
“I loved her more than my own life.”
“…!”
Yeon Hojeong’s gaze wavered.
Yeon Wi spoke with an unaffected face.
“You wouldn’t know how sad I was the day your mother died. It felt like the sky was falling. I don’t know how many times I pointed a sword at my neck, wanting to follow her in death.”
“…”
“But sometimes, living can be more painful than dying. I’ve lived with that feeling ever since. I couldn’t join your mother because the sins I committed were too great.”
“What sins did you commit, Father?”
“The sin of not being able to protect my people.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“That’s not your fault, Father.”
Yeon Wi didn’t agree with his son’s words, nor did he argue. After all, his own heart was difficult for anyone to understand.
But there was one thing he wanted to say.
“I’ve sinned against you too.”
“Father?”
“Every parent wishes for their child’s success. But I’ve been too harsh on you.”
“That’s not a sin either.”
“It is. I saw you not as my child, but as the heir to carry on our lineage.”
“…”
“As a husband and as a father, I’ve failed. That’s why I am a sinner.”
It took me all this time, buried deep in my heart, wondering if I could ever say these words before I die, to finally muster the courage to speak them to my eldest son.
Yeon Hojeong wasn’t upset upon hearing his father viewed him not as a son but as an heir. Such a confession meant his father did see him as his son.
He could feel that even without such a confession.
Yeon Wi shook his head.
“Regardless, if that’s how you feel, let’s consider this marriage talk as if it never happened.”
“Yes.”
With a bitter face, Yeon Hojeong nodded, and then a strange thought struck him.
“Father.”
“What is it?”
“But why the Moyong family?”
“Hm?”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
“It’s curious that you mentioned the Moyong family specifically, not any other of the Seven Great Families.”
Yeon Wi’s eyes deepened.
“Now that I think about it, I haven’t told you yet.”
“What is it?”
“Half a year ago, when you and Jihyeong went to participate in the Huigiji Water Gathering, the Moyong family contacted us.”
“They did?”
“They asked if we were interested in doing business together.”
“Business?”
“Yes. We hold seven-tenths of the maritime trade rights in Jiangsu Province. It seems the Moyong family has set their sights on the trading business as well.”
“!”
The Moyong family reached out first? At this particular time?
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes grew cold.
“Do you plan to collaborate with them?”
Yeon Wi shook his head.
“I’ve declined twice already. But they’ve contacted us again. It seems like this is their last offer, so I’m considering it carefully.”
The Moyong family, maritime trade.
And the invasion of the prestigious family.
There seemed to be no connection, yet an odd sense of dissonance lingered.
‘I don’t know how the prestigious family fell from grace. All I know is that it happened suddenly. And the fall of the prestigious family occurred not long after the main house was destroyed.’
And as time passed, Moyong Jun rose to the position of leader of the martial alliance.
Thus, the Moyong family became the foremost family under heaven.
‘The information is lacking. It’s insufficient, but…’
Yeon Hojeong asked again.
“May I ask one more thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“Even if you were considering joining hands with the Moyong family, you wouldn’t plan to marry me off to one of their heirs.”
“Hm.”
“Who recommended it?”
“It was Taekyung, the steward.”
“…!!”
Yeon Wi, noticing his son’s grave expression, added,
“He’s the steward. He considers anything that could benefit the main house, regardless of the reason. Since you’ve declined anyway, don’t think too poorly of him.”
“Yes? Oh, yes.”
It wasn’t about the marriage proposal.
Yeon Hojeong thought of Taekyung. The man who managed the family’s finances with a naive expression, barely noticeable despite being under forty.
‘I suspected it. That there was a traitor within our family.’
Father’s discernment is exceptional. He’s not the kind to easily place someone with a different heart in the position of family steward.
But as shown earlier, Father is human too. Humans can make mistakes. Moreover, if the other party thoroughly deceives oneself, it’s not easy to notice unless one digs deep with intent.
“Father.”
“Speak.”
“Please postpone the business apprenticeship with the Moyong family.”
“Hm?”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.
“There’s something I need to investigate.”
* * *
“Whoa?!”
Taekyung was startled out of his wits.
“Sorry for visiting so late without notice.”
“Huff, huff! No, it’s not like that!”
“I saw the light on and stopped by. I hope I’m not intruding?”
“Of course not. Please, have a seat.”
Yeon Hojeong, seated, surveyed the room.
“Now that I think about it, it’s my first time in the steward’s office.”
“Ha, that’s right. No one visits except for the head of the family and the subordinates.”
Taekyung quickly prepared tea.
“Here, please drink.”
“Thank you.”
After taking a sip of tea, Yeon Hojeong casually asked.
“By the way, are you working?”
“Yes. Who knows what natural disasters this year might bring? It’s time to start budgeting.”
Jiangsu Province often suffered from floods. The Yeon family annually distributed funds to help the victims and ensure public safety.
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“You have a lot on your plate.”
“Ha, what hard work? I receive a generous salary, so I should at least earn my keep.”
His laughter was bright and carefree.
Yeon Hojeong, watching Taekyung, casually broached the subject.
“I heard you brought up the topic of marriage.”
“What?!”
Taekyung tensed up.
“Uh… that is…”
“…”
“…Did you hear it from the head of the family?”
“Yes.”
Taekyung cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Well, you see. It was just a suggestion for the prosperity of the Yeon family…”
“…”
“If you were offended, I apologize.”
He was an enigmatic man.
He oscillated between being clear and pure-hearted to fearful and timid.
A common type in the martial world. Given the rigid atmosphere of the Yeon family, it was understandable.
Yeon Hojeong relaxed his expression.
“I wasn’t offended. I’ve seen the lady Moyong Yeonhwa at the gathering.”
“Ah?!”
“She truly lives up to the term ‘talented woman.’ I even thought she might be too good for someone like me.”
Taekyung, flustered, replied.
“Oh, come on! How could that be? You are the eldest son of the Yeon family! You’re no less than the eldest daughter of the Moyong family.”
“Ha, is that so?”
“Absolutely! Trust me.”
“I trust you. Of course, I do.”
Yeon Hojeong continued calmly.
“But what can I do? I have no intention of marrying right now.”
“Ah…”
“If it would benefit the family, I’d do anything, but this doesn’t seem right.”
“Ahaha, can’t be helped. If the eldest son doesn’t like it…”
“It’s because Miss Moyong is too exceptional.”
“Really?”
Yeon Hojeong leaned back in his chair with a nonchalant expression, appearing somewhat arrogant.
“I do have an eye for people. Miss Moyong I saw at the gathering isn’t the kind to serve a husband. She’s more likely to devour him.”
“Is that so?”
“I’ve never seen a talented person who truly acts in the best interest of others.”
Taekyung scratched his head, looking embarrassed.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have interfered…”
“Well, maybe for someone else.”
“Yes?”
“Besides the head of the Moyong family’s offspring, isn’t there another girl in the Moyong family? One who may lack ability but has a kind nature and is a direct descendant?”
Taekyung’s eyes sparkled.
“What do you mean?”
“Eventually, I’ll have to marry. When I do, I’d prefer a virtuous person. Besides, if it helps the family, wouldn’t my father see me differently?”
“The head of the family already regards you highly…”
“Let’s be honest. I’ve been fortunate with martial arts, but my father has watched me for the past nineteen years. He’s likely marked my younger brother as the next family head.”
Taekyung didn’t know what to do.
Yeon Hojeong spoke softly.
“Let me make a request to the steward.”
“…A request?”
“Speak well of me to my father. Ask him to choose another as his daughter-in-law, not Moyong Yeonhwa.”
“Me?!”
“Yes, and of course, she must be beautiful.”
“…”
Yeon Hojeong stood up. Taekyung also rose awkwardly.
“Steward Taekyung. You’re in your prime, aren’t you? To succeed, you must choose your alliances wisely.”
“…Yes.”
“Let’s prosper together. I’ll be counting on you.”
Taekyung bowed deeply.
With his head bowed, he spoke with cold eyes but a frightened voice.
“If that’s the case… I will trust only in the eldest son.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes blazed with determination.
“Good, trust in me and let’s proceed.”