NOVEL NEXT Chapter 155
Chapter 155
Infamy and Reputation
A night illuminated by moonlight.
The faces of the two people having a drinking session on a bench in a secluded garden looked quite bright.
“No need for long words. Let’s have a drink first.”
“Sounds good.”
Clink.
The glasses made a clear and beautiful sound as they clinked together.
Yeon Hojeong emptied his glass in one go.
“Ah!”
Refreshing.
The weight on his shoulders was momentarily lifted, and all his accumulated fatigue melted away. His body felt light, the moonlight was lovely, and with a drink in hand, the world felt wonderfully lazy.
Moyong Woo smiled faintly.
“You drink so heartily.”
“Well, there’s no chance of an ambush while drinking.”
He spoke of grim matters with a smiling face. Moyong Woo spoke with a slightly sour expression.
“Have you been through a lot?”
“Not really.”
In truth, compared to the days under the Black Emperor, it wasn’t that tough. Fighting and killing are all the same wherever you go.
However, during the entire fight, he had to be concerned about the safety of the soldiers, and he meticulously observed the dark forces to see if there was anyone he knew from the past.
Perhaps because of this, he felt mentally drained. The physical fatigue was less than the mental exhaustion.
“It’s fine. I feel like I can let go of everything from now on.”
Moyong Woo smiled.
“I don’t know what happened, but you look much better now. That’s all that matters.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“It’s obvious what I’ve been up to, but I can’t imagine how you’ve been holding up.”
“……”
“Tell me how you’ve been. We don’t have any snacks, so let’s use that as a side dish for our drinks.”
Moyong Woo gave a clear laugh.
He’s the same but also subtly different.
He seemed more human than the last time he saw him. Moyong Woo liked this change in Yeon Hojeong.
He hadn’t met Yeon Hojeong many times, but it was clear he wasn’t a bad person. Moyong Woo genuinely thought so.
‘A dependable younger brother.’
Not because he wasn’t a bad person. Even if Yeon Hojeong were a ruthless villain, he would probably still think of him sometimes.
Why? Because he was the one who helped him regain his senses when he was crouched down?
‘No.’
Moyong Woo’s clear eyes reflected the starlight.
‘Yeon-jae has something that makes people admire him.’
Yeon Hojeong wasn’t like the eldest son of a family known for its reputation and justice. Sometimes he was rough and unconventional; other times, soft and humane.
These contrasting characteristics combined to create a unique atmosphere around Yeon Hojeong.
He seemed as if he had wings, free to go anywhere once he moved.
“What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”
“No. It’s just that after seeing you after a long time, I feel like you are a dependable brother.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“Silly.”
“We should finish talking business first before we relax and drink more, right?”
“Right.”
Moyong Woo began to explain in detail how he had been and what had happened over the years.
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes widened.
“Tang Family?”
“That’s right.”
“Leaving Jungwon Bank and suddenly going to the Tang Family?”
“They probably thought the Tang Family was better than Jungwon Bank.”
“Hmm.”
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
“Sure, if you’re considering a power struggle, the Tang Family is better than Jungwon Bank. Besides, the head of the Tang Family is also a Bonggong, so it would be easier to push something through during the Bonggong meeting.”
Moyong Woo nodded.
“I think so too. But…”
He couldn’t continue easily.
Yeon Hojeong smiled faintly.
“Why? Is it awkward to marry someone you’ve never met?”
“Yes, it is.”
Moyong Woo sighed deeply.
“In this world, how many people get married for love? I never thought I could escape such a rigid relationship. But…”
“Because of Moyong Gun?”
“Yes.”
They planned to oust Moyong Gun someday.
However, Moyong Gun was trying to ally with Tang Kwan, the head of the Tang Family. In other words, they were becoming political allies.
If they couldn’t exclude the Tang Family in the process of ousting Moyong Gun…
Moyong Woo would have to cut off not only his brother but also his in-laws.
“It’s worth worrying about.”
Yeon Hojeong didn’t criticize Moyong Woo’s hesitation, saying he had joined him without such resolve.
It was a problem worth worrying about. Also, it was because of Moyong Woo’s humanity that he considered making him the leader of the Murim Alliance.
“Actually, I was surprised when the issue of the eldest daughter of Jungwon Bank came up. I didn’t expect him to seek new alliances through me.”
“It’s a common way to solidify power through marriages between powerful families.”
“I know. But it’s hard not to worry when I’m the one involved.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Let’s be clear. It’s a useless worry.”
“Why useless?”
“You haven’t even met the Tang Family’s daughter yet, right?”
Moyong Woo replied with a flustered expression.
“Of course. But my brother and the head of the Tang Family will push…”
“That won’t happen.”
“Hmm?”
Unlike Moyong Woo’s starlit eyes, Yeon Hojeong’s eyes were as intense as the sun.
“The Moyong Gun I know never abandons his people when faced with a choice.”
“……!”
“Moyong Gun’s words are sincere. If you don’t like the Tang Family’s daughter, he will cancel the marriage.”
“I think so too.”
“Then there’s nothing to worry about.”
Yeon Hojeong grinned.
“Just meet her without the heavy burden of family alliances.”
“……”
“It’s not like they’ll force you to marry just because you meet her. It’s just a meeting.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Why? Do you want to get ahead as soon as you meet her?”
“Yeon-jae!”
Moyong Woo’s face turned red. Just thinking about it embarrassed him.
Yeon Hojeong chuckled. Such an innocent man.
“Don’t be burdened. It’s just a meeting between people. Adding unnecessary meanings to it is just armchair theorizing. There’s a saying that seeing is believing.”
Moyong Woo sighed deeply.
“You’re right. Maybe I’m uncomfortable because the meeting itself lacks pure intentions.”
“How many people meet with pure intentions? Was there any purity in my intention when I sought you out?”
“……”
“It’s all the same. It’s better to abandon the idea that this is different or that is acceptable. Of course, there are issues that can’t be compromised.”
“Ugh.”
It was a good place, but he kept sighing. Moyong Woo’s face showed a bitter expression.
Yeon Hojeong refilled his glass.
“If that’s the case, change your mindset.”
“Hmm? Change my mindset?”
“If you don’t like the Tang Family’s daughter, it can’t be helped. But what if you do like her?”
Moyong Woo’s expression immediately turned serious.
“Then I must not marry her even more. For her sake and for mine.”
Yeon Hojeong had a peculiar smile.
“That’s noble. Romantic even. But you need to think more broadly.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why not consider making her completely your person?”
“……!!”
“Giving up because you like her? Nonsense. If you like her, act on it. If you end up marrying her, that’s a good thing.”
Moyong Woo’s mouth hung open.
“Think about the aftermath later. Aren’t you already having a hard time hiding your true feelings under your brother? Meeting someone you love and relieving your stress isn’t a bad idea.”
“……If.”
“Hmm?”
“What if she gets deeply hurt? No, she definitely will.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled.
“Then you should bear all her resentment.”
“……”
“You’re not meeting her for the Tang Family’s power or for the Moyong Family. You’re meeting her because of the situation. You have no intention of hurting her.”
“……”
“If you’re still troubled, meet the Tang Family’s daughter tomorrow and tell them you won’t marry. That’s all.”
In the end, it meant to meet her and decide.
Moyong Woo looked at Yeon Hojeong silently and then smiled bitterly.
“I’m sorry. As an older brother, I showed a pathetic side.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Hmm?”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“I never acknowledged you as my older brother. Calling me your younger brother is just you doing so on your own.”
“What?”
Moyong Woo looked at Yeon Hojeong in surprise and then burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!”
His clear laughter filled the night sky.
He suddenly realized it had been a long time since he laughed so heartily. It felt as if all the anxiety and worries in his heart had disappeared.
After laughing for a while, Moyong Woo spoke calmly.
“It’s about time to sort out the titles. Call me brother.”
“No.”
“Why not? I know I’m lacking, but I’m confident I can be a good older brother to you.”
“Don’t make me laugh. I won’t consider someone who worries about romantic issues as my brother.”
“Everyone’s awkward at first.”
Yeon Hojeong quietly turned his head and drank.
“Ah, refreshing.”
Moyong Woo coughed awkwardly.
“I was just joking. If you don’t like it, I won’t force our brotherhood.”
“Just meet the Tang Family’s daughter well tomorrow.”
“Hmm?”
“Meet her well and don’t make a fool of yourself.”
In the pouring moonlight, Yeon Hojeong’s eyes shone mysteriously.
“Meet her like a man, and if you come back,
I’ll call you brother.”
Moyong Woo’s face brightened.
“Don’t worry. I may seem this way, but I have my manly side…”
“You don’t.”
“I do! What do you think of me?”
“An idiot who doesn’t know how to use his innate talent?”
“Hey, mind your manners.”
“Quiet.”
Moyong Woo burst into laughter.
It was a good spot. A truly good spot. Moyong Woo was genuinely glad he had come to see Yeon Hojeong tonight.
After a few more rounds of drinks,.
“So, have you seen all the people coming into the Tangma Army?”
“I have.”
“What do you think?”
Moyong Woo’s eyes shone.
“They are all outstanding individuals.”
“I thought so. Moyong Gun must have paid a lot of attention.”
“And there’s one thing we need to discuss.”
“What is it? How to manage the subordinates?”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it.”
“You have a strange charisma in these matters. So, what do you want to discuss?”
Moyong Woo spoke seriously.
“I need to take one of your items.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled.
“Take a lesson?”
“Something like that.”
“Hmm.”
“Regarding this situation…”
“No need to say more.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to know?”
“I understand the relationship with Moyong Gun. Knowing too much could lead to confusion. I might make a mistake when I meet Moyong Gun.”
“Hmm, understood.”
“Doing well?”
“I think so.”
“That’s good. Keep it up.”
Yeon Hojeong stroked his chin.
“Taking an item… Hmm, what should I give that Moyong Gun would like?”
“Don’t overdo it. I just think it’s time to make my presence known to him.”
“If you’re going to make an impression, it’s better to give something substantial without raising suspicion.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled for a moment. He had a good idea.
“When is the Tangma Army’s departure date?”