< Episode 64 Desire (4) >
On the way back to the accommodation.
The attitude of Ganyang and Okgi of the advance team changed.
Originally he was wary of the late successors but after confirming the true nature of Mok Gyeong-un who was outspoken even to Queen Seo Hwang one of the absolute most powerful people in the country he treated him like a master.
In fact what was most engraved in their minds was the image of Yubong the betrayer cut in half into a cold corpse.
‘Let’s not be intrusive.’
‘If I turn a blind eye something might happen.’
Ok-gi who had promised to take revenge someday had long since lost that feeling.
All we had to do was not disturb him until his mission was completed.
As they were heading to the guesthouse where they were staying Mok Gyeong-un spoke to them at a crossroads.
“I’m going to have some work to do for a bit so you can go in first.”
“My lord I will take care of you.”
Seop-chun stepped forward and offered to escort Mok-gyeong-un.
Mok Kyung-un shook his head at this.
“It’s no big deal so you guys go in first.”
“Are you really okay?”
“Yeah I’m just going to have a look.”
‘ah! ‘You’re talking about that place.’
After hearing these words Nie Chun realized where Mo Qingyun was going.
It seemed like they were going to the workshop of Songa Sojeo a real bast noodle craftsman.
Seopchun confirmed his intention and stepped down saying he understood.
A long time after leaving Mokgyeongun as we were almost arriving at the lodgings Ganyang spoke carefully.
“Brother Seop.”
“Why are you doing that?”
“But are you really okay with it ending like this?”
“What do you mean you’re okay?”
“I mean Queen Hwang.”
“Queen Hwang?”
“exactly. It is said that Confucius Mok finished it well. “If the Empress Dowager harbors other thoughts of her own along the way….”
In fact this was the kind of thing that had been a concern all along.
Although Mok Gyeong-un imprinted fear in the arrogant Queen Hwang from her point of view she was truly humiliated.
Although she had now shown herself giving in to Mok Kyung-un in order to survive her attitude might change once she entered the imperial palace.
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
At that time Meng Wuyak opened his mouth.
“What do you mean there’s no need to worry?”
-Sigh!
Mong Muyak raised his arms and showed them.
The chain bracelet that was supposed to be on his arm was missing.
The reason was simple.
This was because Mok Gyeong-un took out the chain of Ju-eon that he was wearing made it worn by the Queen Mother and received her oath of obedience.
“As long as the Western Empress wears that bracelet she will never betray her lord.”
“…What on earth do you mean?”
“You will find out soon. And don’t try to understand everything.”
He was the only one who had experienced the chains of Zhou Eon.
The person wearing it could never turn their backs on the person they had sworn to obey.
If he does that he could lose his life.
‘Hehehe.’
Meng Muyak was secretly very happy as he was able to take off the chains of Zhou Yan thanks to Queen Xu Hwang.
This had been so difficult for him so far as even the slightest bit of malice towards him would tighten his wrists and cause him pain.
[You can behave well without this right?]
[…I will do my best. Please trust me.]
Meng Muyak once again pledged his loyalty to Mo Gyeong-un.
In the meantime he changed his mind as he went through many hardships and came to think that he might actually become the successor surpassing the Grand Duke or Yulyang.
Maybe that’s why I now truly regard Mo Kyung-un as my lord.
Nie Chun patted Gan Yang on the back and said.
“As Muyak said don’t worry too much. And because of this incident Lady Hwang is also in a difficult position and will be unable to do anything more.”
A dilemma.
It was the word that best suited Queen Hwang’s current situation.
Apart from pledging her obedience to Mok Gyeong-un she was also currently in a situation where she had to voluntarily distance herself from the political faction members.
She said that Paeng Seok-im Paeng Mun Chi-jung’s younger brother tried to rape her in front of everyone and not only that she even killed Gaebong’s government soldiers.
Because of this she was in a situation where she had to cut ties with the Hebei Pan family unconditionally just to clean things up.
Therefore no matter how precious it was from the Empress Dowager’s point of view she had no choice but to continue her relationship with Mok Gyeong-un and Cheonjihoe.
“Thanks to my lord it was unintentional that the justice-minded bastards got into trouble. Hahahaha.”
The Hebei Peng family was one of the seven major families and the main axis of the Justice Alliance.
Thinking about the blow they would receive Seopchun became happy as a member of the Cheonjihoe.
* * *
Same time.
Yeoppung (葉風) guesthouse located in the downtown area west of Gaebong.
Normally it would still be crowded with customers drinking alcohol but the inside of the guesthouse was extremely quiet.
This was because the restaurant was rented by several groups that appeared to be martial arts people.
On the first floor there are Hebei Paengga warriors wearing military uniforms with Paengga (彭家) engraved on the chest.
And a group of Hwasanpa members wearing bright navy blue uniforms with plum blossom patterns.
Lastly a group of members of the Jongnam faction wearing light gray uniforms and scarlet belts mingled together and quietly had a meal.
The leaders of the two clans and one household that led these people were sitting at a round table on the second floor of the guesthouse and chatting.
The mustachioed middle-aged man sitting on the left was Peng Ixian the head of the Hebei Peng family known as Hebei Paedo (河北覇刀).
Paeng Ilhyeon smiled cheerfully and poured a glass of wine for the person across from him.
“Hahahaha. Truly the Jnani is generous. “No matter how much it may be said to be a bet between masters you are really teaching the Fourteen Beasts and Plum Blossom Sword Technique which can be said to be the vision of the Japa to a disciple of another disciple the Communal Sect.”
“Hmm.”
At his words the sharp-looking old monk wearing a dark blue uniform who was receiving the drink coughed as if he was uncomfortable.
He was Ouyangja Jinin an elder of the Hwasan faction one of the nine factions that can be said to be the main axis of the Justice Alliance.
“Hehehe. Paeng the head of the family. Don’t be like that. If you keep doing this how much will Ouyangja Jinin be upset?”
An old man in robes with a grizzled face and a gentle expression who was sitting to the right of Paeng Il-hyeon the head of the Hebei Paeng family spoke.
He was Geonmunja a true figure of the Jongnam faction.
Hearing these words from Geonmunja Ouyangja Jinin an elder of the Hwasan Sect spoke in a bitter voice.
“If he had a sore stomach how would he have taught martial arts? It’s all the child’s blessing. That’s how outstanding his military talent was.”
“Wouldn’t it be enough to say that he is outstanding? “It would not be an exaggeration to say that a person is a genius if he or she can learn all the 14 techniques of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique in just one tea sutra.”
The eyes of Paeng Il-hyeon the head of the Paeng family widened at the words of Geon Mun-ja a Jin of the Jongnam faction.
“You mean within just one view?”
“I see. “You really have a brilliant mind.”
“Huh if that’s true that’s amazing.”
In fact if you are a sword expert with deep knowledge it is not impossible.
However I heard that the disciple of the communal sect earlier had been a layman but had just become an official disciple.
If such a child was able to master the first-class swordsmanship of another school in just one day which was only the time it took to drink tea he could truly be said to be a great martial artist.
Paeng Ilhyeon became curious about this and asked.
“What is the name of the disciple of that communal sect?”
“I received him as an official disciple but he was not registered as a Taoist so I understand that he does not have a Taoist name.”
“Oh really? “The name is….”
“Could it be that the head of the Feng family covets that child from the Gonggong faction?”
The elder of the volcano sect Ouyangja Jinin asked in a grumpy voice.
In response to that question Paeng Il-hyeon waved his hand and spoke politely.
“no. Anyway that’s true. How could I covet an official disciple of the Communal Sect?”
As he said this Paeng Il-hyeon secretly looked at the face of the Hwasan Sect Gu Yang Yang Jin-in.
No matter how you look at it it seems like they are keeping this old man in check.
‘I understand.’
Even though it’s not a big deal I thought it would be difficult to see the swordsmanship of the Hwasan faction as being passed down to the disciples of the other clan without hesitation just for distribution but it seems like he covets that child as well.
A person who is said to be a true Taoist is surprisingly greedy.
One thing I understand.
If he had that level of talent anyone would want him as his disciple.
‘This time if the second guy receives a letter of recommendation from Queen Mother Hwang and comes to see the city council I will have to tell him to take a good look at the boy from the joint faction.’
Because people don’t know what to do.
Then Jinin the nine yangja of the Volcanic Sect opened his mouth.
“But seeing that the head of the Pang family came to the opening in person I guess the hard work of my younger brother who is in the spotlight at the palace has paid off.”
Hearing his words the eyes of Paeng Ilhyeon the head of the Paeng family narrowed.
As expected as expected from the Hwasan faction which is said to be the main axis of the nine factions along with the Shaman faction its information power was not average.
Justice Maeng had long supported the second prince King Zong who was the most powerful candidate for crown prince.
However contrary to such support and expectations Queen Dowager’s young child ascended to the position of crown prince.
From this time on Paeng Ilhyeon the head of the Hebei Paeng family had been in contact with Queen Dowager Hwang through her younger brother Paeng Imun who held an official position in the imperial palace.
‘I need to further strengthen my relationship with Lady Hwang before the old men of Meng interfere.’
If everything goes smoothly today that will happen.
After Queen Dowager Xu became the crown prince’s mother she wanted to sever her relationship with Cheonjihoe.
If this goes well she will be able to gain the trust of the Queen Mother overcome the old men who are holding on to her rotten peerage and even look to become her next leader.
Just thinking about it made her unable to contain her excitement.
However she did not want to be checked by these old people so she spoke calmly without showing it.
“no. “My brother simply fulfilled his duties in public office.”
“Hehehe. What a humble person. Isn’t your work also Meng’s work? “If things go well for the Paeng family and we even get a letter of recommendation from Queen Hwang this will not be a good thing as the influence of our family will grow even greater.”
“….”
Paeng Ilhyeon stuck out his tongue inwardly.
The elder of the Hwasan Sect Gu Yangja had already figured out more than half of his plan.
He was truly an old man who could not be taken lightly.
Looks like he needs to build up his strength quickly.
I could not allow the Justice League to revolve solely around the nine factions and one faction.
Then it happened.
-Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tak!
Someone hurriedly ran up to the second floor where they were.
In response Paeng Il-hyeon the head of the Paeng family and the nine yangja of the Huashan sect the Jianmun sect of the Jongnam sect turned their heads to look at him.
‘!?’
But Paeng Il-hyeon who saw him frowned in embarrassment.
As expected the person who came up just now was the senior warrior of the outer party of the Paeng family.
The head of the family Paeng Il-hyeon could not help but feel embarrassed as the person he had sent to assist his third brother Paeng Seok-im for a mission suddenly appeared covered in blood.
“Gasp…. Let’s go! “This is an urgent report.”
“What the hell is going on?”
Something was ominous.
I thought the work would have been finished by now.
A senior warrior from the outer party hurriedly approached the head of the family Paeng Il-hyeon and spoke in a whisper.
“Please take a different seat for a moment.”
Paeng Il-hyeon was puzzled by those words but then he asked for understanding from Gu Yang-ja of Hwasan and Jong-nam Sect’s Geon-munja and moved to the outside of the second floor.
Nevertheless the senior warrior of the outer party whispered in his ear.
“house owner. “You must leave the opening immediately.”
“What do you mean? “You’re leaving the opening?”
“Something big has happened.”
“what? Could it be that the warriors of the main family were harmed?”
“…It’s more serious than that. “If you don’t hurry you might get upset.”
“What do you mean you’re angry?”
The voice of the head of the family Paeng Il-hyeon became louder.
Could it be that he was counterattacked by the Cheonjihoe bastards?
Even if he was counterattacked and failed in his work this was Gaebong the imperial capital and the remaining forces of the Hebei Paeng family he had brought with him were there.
“If it’s because of the Cheonjihoe bastards right now….”
“house owner! “It’s not because of Cheonjihoe.”
“Why on earth are you doing that?”
The senior warrior of Oedang who had been hesitating at Paeng Il-hyeon’s urging finally opened his lips.
“…Paeng Seok-im the head of the family had a serious accident.”
“What do you mean accident?”
Was there anything to worry about this time?
The mission was also simple.
At best it was a matter of subduing the later exponents sent by the Cheonjihoe.
No matter how excellent they were they were only late-stage exponents and the prepared power was enough to compete with even small medium-sized factions.
However something completely unexpected came out of the mouth of the senior warrior of the outer party.
“Paeng Seok-im the head of the main clan killed most of the warriors and soldiers of the government army who were on standby.”
‘!?’
At those words the expression of the head of the family Paeng Ilhyeon hardened.
For a moment he couldn’t believe his ears.
“What are you talking about now? “Why did Paeng Seok-im do such a thing?”
“I don’t know. He suddenly became violent like a madman and tried to stop him from going inside…”
“…no. no. “That can’t be possible.”
Paeng Ilhyeon denied this.
No matter how close Peng Seok-im was to the main character and his conduct was not upright as a member of a political faction he did not do anything that crossed the line.
Why would he do such a ridiculous thing?
But the problem did not end there.
“house owner. One thing is true. This injury to me was also done by the owner of the house. Instead of doing this you should leave the theater right now. “Otherwise you could be in really big trouble.”
“no. That can’t be possible. “I’ll go there myself…”
“You absolutely must not go.”
“What do you mean it doesn’t work? If he causes an accident he must take care of it right away or all the work done so far will be in vain…”
Before he could finish speaking the senior warrior of the outer party revealed the truth with difficulty.
“The head of the house tried to forcefully rape Lady Hwang.”
‘!!!!!!!’
The moment he heard this the head of the family Paeng Il-hyeon became dazed as if he had lost his mind and then his legs seemed to lose strength and he stumbled.
< Episode 64 Desire (4) > end
ⓒ Hanzhongwolya
