Chapter 48. The Wind Blows (3)

Yan Wei accompanied Yan Hezheng to the front. Throughout the journey, Yan Wei had not spoken a word, but now he finally opened his mouth.

"Is it heavy?"

Yan Hezheng lifted the axe to show.

"I like it heavy."

"I thought as much."

Yan Hezheng wanted to express his gratitude, but before he could, Yan Wei spoke.

"I have a question."

"Yes?"

It seemed to be a serious question. Yan Wei struggled to continue.

But it was a question that had to be asked. With a determined look, Yan Wei asked,

"Do you have any intention of getting married?"

Yan Hezheng's eyes widened.

"Marriage?"

"Yes."

What are you suddenly talking about?

Although he didn't understand why Yan Wei was asking such a question, Yan Hezheng answered honestly.

"I don't have any plans for marriage yet."

"I see."

"Why are you asking? Have you found a good match for me?"

"It's not a matchmaker who has come. I just wanted to know your thoughts."

"Even if I don't plan to get married right away, isn't it important to know who the person is?"

After a moment of silence, Yan Wei said,

"What about the Murong family?"

Yan Hezheng was inwardly surprised.

"The Murong family?"

"Yes."

"Um..."

Yan Hezheng was rarely at a loss for words.

"Who in the Murong family are you referring to?"

"I found out that you also participated in the recent meeting of the young generation. Her name is Murong Yanhua, the daughter of the current family head."

At that moment, Yan Hezheng's eyes deepened.

'Murong Yanhua?'

Murong Yanhua.

The daughter of the current family head, Murong Jun, she was recognized for her outstanding abilities despite her young age and was involved in the family's affairs.

'I never thought he would mention Murong Yanhua.'

Murong Yanhua was also someone he had clashed with countless times during the Black Shadow Era.

At that time, Murong Jun, the leader of the martial arts alliance, had no time to pay attention to his family. Therefore, he needed someone to act as the head of the family.

Surprisingly, the person he chose was not his sons but his daughter, Murong Yanhua.

Murong Yanhua's abilities were so outstanding that she was entrusted with the massive Murong family. In just a few years, she had increased the size of the Murong family by a third. She was also a talented martial artist, as evidenced by the fact that she was taught secret techniques, which was rare for a daughter who was not the heir.

"Her talents are exceptional in many ways. You saw her at the meeting, so you know."

"Ah, yes."

"Of course, character is more important than talent or ability. I heard that her character is also impeccable."

Is that so?

Yan Hezheng remembered Murong Yanhua's fierce eyes. The Murong Yanhua of the Black Shadow Era, not the current one, was like that.

Nature is important, but so is the environment. A single event can change a person's character and values.

However, if Murong Jun cherished her so much, it was hard to believe that Murong Yanhua's nature was inherently good. Yan Hezheng thought so.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have any plans for marriage yet."

Surprisingly, Yan Wei did not show any disappointment.

"I understand. Actually, there was a reason I hesitated to bring this up. In this era, many people get married without ever meeting, but I am against such marriages."

"Is that so?"

"A marriage is a lifelong commitment. While it's important to uphold the family name, it's equally important to protect the happiness of the person you love."

"..."

"I hope that when you find someone you like, you won't hesitate because of their family background."

Yan Hezheng smiled.

"Did you love Mother?"

It was a somewhat mischievous question, intended to lighten the mood.

"I loved her more than my own life."

"!"

Yan Hezheng's eyes wavered.

Yan Wei said with a calm face,

"You can't imagine how sad I was when your mother died. It felt like the sky was falling. I don't know how many times I put a sword to my neck, ready to follow her."

"..."

"However, sometimes, living can be more painful than dying. I have lived with that feeling all along. The sins I have committed are too great to join her."

"What sins did you commit, Father?"

"The sin of not protecting the one I loved."

Yan Hezheng shook his head.

"That's not your sin."

Yan Wei did not agree with his son's words, nor did he argue. After all, no one could truly understand his heart.

But there was one thing he wanted to say.

"I have sinned against you as well."

"Father?"

"Every parent hopes for their child's success, but I was too strict with you."

"That's not a sin."

"It is. I saw you not as my child but as the heir to the family."

"..."

"As a husband and a father, I have failed. That's why I am a sinner."

These were words he had kept in his heart day by day, worrying if he would ever have the courage to say them before he died. Now, he finally had the courage to speak to his eldest son.

Yan Hezheng was not disappointed to hear that his father saw him as an heir rather than a child. Confessing such inner thoughts meant that his father saw him as a child.

Of course, he could feel that without the confession.

Yan Wei shook his head.

"Regardless, if your heart is set, we will not pursue this marriage proposal."

"Yes."

Nodding with a bitter expression, Yan Hezheng suddenly had a strange thought.

"Father."

"Why?"

"Why the Murong family?"

"Hmm?"

Yan Hezheng tilted his head.

"Among the seven major families, why specifically the Murong family?"

Yan Wei's eyes deepened.

"I see, I haven't told you yet."

"Tell me what?"

"Six months ago, when you and Zhiping went to the meeting of the young generation, the Murong family contacted us."

"Contacted us?"

"They asked if we were interested in a business partnership."

"A business partnership?"

"Yes. We control seventy percent of the maritime trade in Jiangsu Province. It seems the Murong family is also interested in the trade business."

"!"

The Murong family initiated contact? At this point?

Yan Hezheng's eyes turned cold.

"Do you plan to partner with them?"

Yan Wei shook his head.

"I have declined twice. But they have sent another message. It seems this is their final offer, so I am considering it carefully."

The Murong family, maritime trade.

And the attack on the Ming family.

Although they seemed unrelated, a strange sense of unease arose.

'I don't know how the Ming family fell. I only know that it happened suddenly, and it was shortly after the main family was destroyed.'

And over time, Murong Jun ascended to the position of the leader of the martial arts alliance.

Thus, the Murong family became the first family in the land.

'Information is lacking. It is insufficient, but...'

Yan Hezheng asked again,

"May I ask one more question?"

"Go ahead."

"Even if you planned to partner with the Murong family, you wouldn't consider marrying me to one of their children."

"Hmm."

"Who recommended it?"

"The Chief Manager, Tai Jing."

"!!"

Yan Wei added, seeing his son's unusual expression,

"He is the Chief Manager. He thinks about what benefits the main family, regardless of the reason. Since you have already declined, don't think too badly of him."

"Yes? Ah, yes."

It wasn't about the marriage proposal.

Yan Hezheng thought of Tai Jing. The man in his forties with a simple expression, managing the Yan family's finances without much presence.

'I was suspicious. I thought there might be a traitor within the family.'

Father has a keen eye. He wouldn't place someone with ulterior motives as the Chief Manager.

However, like the moment he showed earlier, Father is human. Humans can make mistakes. Moreover, if the other party thoroughly deceives them, it's hard to notice unless one investigates deeply.

"Father."

"Speak."

"Please delay the business partnership with the Murong family for a while."

"Hmm?"

Yan Hezheng's eyes deepened.

"I need to investigate something."

* * *

"Ah?!"

Tai Jing was startled.

"I'm sorry for coming so late."

"Ah, ah, no problem!"

"I saw the light on, so I thought I'd drop by. I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Of course not. Please, have a seat."

Yan Hezheng, sitting in the chair, looked around the room.

"Come to think of it, this is the first time I've been to the Chief Manager's office."

"Ha ha, that's right. No one except the family head and the subordinates ever comes here."

Tai Jing quickly brought tea.

"Here, please."

"Thank you."

After taking a sip of tea, Yan Hezheng casually asked,

"Are you working?"

"Yes. We never know what natural disasters might occur this year, so I need to start planning the budget."

Jiangsu Province often suffered from floods. The Yan family provided financial support to flood victims every year to ensure their safety.

Yan Hezheng nodded.

"You work hard."

"Ha ha, it's not hard work. I already receive a high salary, so I should at least do my job well."

His smile was very cheerful.

Yan Hezheng, looking at Tai Jing, asked bluntly,

"I heard you brought up the marriage proposal."

"Ah?!"

Tai Jing's neck stiffened.

"Um... that is..."

"..."

"Did you hear it from the family head?"

"Yes."

Tai Jing cleared his throat.

"Well, what can I say. I only suggested it for the prosperity of the Yan family..."

"..."

"If it made you uncomfortable, I apologize."

He was a strange person.

Seemingly pure and innocent, yet also timid and cautious.

A common type in the martial world. Given the strict atmosphere of the Yan family, it was understandable.

Yan Hezheng relaxed his expression.

"I wasn't uncomfortable. I've met Miss Murong Yanhua at the meeting."

"Ah?!"

"She is a true talent. I felt she was too good for me."

Tai Jing, flustered, said,

"Ah, no! How could that be! You are the eldest son of the Yan family! You are no less than the eldest daughter of the Murong family, if not better."

"Ha ha, is that so?"

"Of course! Believe me."

"I do. I believe you."

Yan Hezheng continued calmly,

"But what can I do? I don't have any plans for marriage right now."

"Ah..."

"Even if it benefits the family, I don't think this is right."

"Ah ha, there's nothing we can do. If you don't like it..."

"It's because Miss Murong is too outstanding."

"Really?"

Yan Hezheng leaned back in his chair, adopting a somewhat arrogant posture.

"I have a good eye for people. The Miss Murong I saw at the meeting was not someone who would serve a husband. She might eat him alive."

"Is that so?"

"I've never seen a talented person who genuinely cares for others."

Tai Jing scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have meddled..."

"Well, if it were someone else, I might not have said this."

"Really?"

"Besides the head of the Murong family, are there any other suitable women in the Murong family? Someone with good character, even if they lack ability, and from the direct line."

Tai Jing's eyes sparkled.

"What do you mean?"

"Marriage is something that has to happen eventually. If so, wouldn't it be better to choose a good person? Moreover, if it benefits the family, Father might see me differently."

"Does the family head... still see you as..."

"Let's be honest. My martial arts have improved due to luck, but Father has known me for nineteen years. He might have already chosen my younger brother as the next head."

Tai Jing was at a loss.

Yan Hezheng spoke subtly,

"Let me ask you a favor, Chief Manager."

"A favor?"

"Please speak to Father. Ask him to consider a different woman for a daughter-in-law, not Murong Yanhua."

"Me?!"

"Of course, she should be beautiful."

"..."

Yan Hezheng stood up. Tai Jing also stood up awkwardly.

"Chief Manager, you're in your prime, aren't you? With such a bright future, you need to choose your allies carefully to succeed."

"Ah, yes."

"Let's work together. I need your help."

Tai Jing bowed deeply.

With a cold look in his eyes but a fearful voice, he said,

"If I do... I will only trust the eldest son."

Yan Hezheng's eyes blazed.

"Good, let's trust each other and move forward."