Chapter 49. The Wind Blows (4)

The next day.

“Lord of the House.”

“Come in.”

Taekyung entered the Lord's room and extended a document.

“These are the documents I organized last night. I think the budget should be set around this level.”

Yeonwei quickly scanned through the documents.

“Hmm, good work.”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Go on, then.”

Taekyung hesitated for a moment.

“Lord of the House.”

“Do you have something to say?”

Yeonwei's eyes were as indifferent as ever.

Taekyung cleared his throat.

“About the business training with the Murong family.”

“I’m still considering that part.”

“Oh, yes! Of course, you need to think it over carefully.”

Yeonwei's eyebrows twitched. He looked as if he was wondering why Taekyung was being so verbose today.

He was his usual self. Taekyung hurriedly bowed his head.

“I have another matter to discuss...”

“Speak your mind.”

Taekyung spoke cautiously.

“What if we change the person?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, instead of Murong Yanhua, perhaps we should consider someone else.”

Yeonwei frowned openly.

“Why do you think that?”

“Well, no matter how I think about it, Murong Yanhua seems too outstanding. I’m not belittling the First Prince, but if she were to have other thoughts, what would we do?”

“Other thoughts?”

“Yes.”

Taekyung spoke with determination.

“Murong Yanhua is a talent recognized by the Murong Lord. She probably grew up receiving only praise. There’s a chance she might be arrogant. Given her age and involvement in family affairs, it’s not surprising.”

“Hmm.”

“The First Prince is also a talented person, not inferior to Murong Yanhua. However, I think a wife who can bring him peace would be more suitable.”

Yeonwei looked at Taekyung with a cold gaze.

“You were the one who mentioned Murong Yanhua. Why are you changing your mind now?”

Taekyung said with an awkward expression.

His natural change in expression made Yeonwei's eyes even more menacing.

“I didn’t consider one thing.”

“What is it?”

“What if, by any chance, the Murong Lord refuses this marriage proposal?”

“...?”

“Before it becomes a matter of losing face, the Murong Lord might not be in a good mood. Even though it’s a public matter, asking him to give up his cherished daughter could be unpleasant.”

“If the Murong Lord is so petty, it would be better not to do the business training in the first place.”

“Of course. However, in expanding our influence, the fewer problems, the better, wouldn’t it?”

“Hmm.”

“For the sake of the main house and the First Prince, I believe this is the best course of action. I apologize for speaking rashly a few days ago without sufficient consideration.”

Taekyung looked at Yeonwei with a subtle glance.

Yeonwei's expression remained bleak, but Taekyung noticed a subtle change in his eyes.

‘Even if he talks about principles and justice, it’s hard to be cold when it comes to his own son’s marriage.’

After much deliberation, Yeonwei spoke.

“Supervisor Tae.”

“Yes, Lord of the House.”

“I have a question.”

Taekyung was inwardly tense. He didn’t hide his feelings.

He was that kind of person. He knew when to hide his true thoughts and when to reveal them.

“Do you really think the business training with the Murong family is a good idea?”

Taekyung's eyes sparkled.

He couldn’t read Yeonwei’s expression. Even someone as perceptive as him found it hard to read Yeonwei’s indifference.

This time was different. Yeonwei was troubled.

Taekyung’s mouth opened involuntarily.

“As I said before, I am in favor. Money is power. Depending on how it’s used, it can promote peace or cause unrest.”

“...”

“Allow me to say this. The Lord of the House I have served is the most just person in using power. If we use more funds to improve the safety of the people, other sects will be willing to help.”

Yeonwei sighed softly.

Taekyung's eyes gleamed.

‘It was a big decision for him.’

This was the second time he saw Yeonwei sigh. The first time was five years ago when the Yeon brothers had a major falling out.

‘Considering it’s the biggest event of his generation, it’s understandable.’

Suddenly, Yeonhojeong’s face appeared in Yeonwei’s mind.

‘It’s a strange coincidence.’

Taekyung couldn’t forget the appearance of Yeonhojeong who came to see him last night.

His arrogant posture. The ambition in his eyes, even as he smiled.

‘Yeonhojeong hated Yeonjiping intensely. But recently, he has changed. Could it be a strategic move for the future?’

Seeing him yesterday, he thought it was entirely possible.

It’s not easy for someone so young to think that way? Absolutely not.

The Murong family starts a fierce power struggle from the moment they are born. It’s not because someone incites them, but it’s in their blood.

There was one person who avoided this nature.

‘Murong Wu.’

He was a kind person. He was more suited to the Yeon family than the Murong family. He especially resembled Yeonjiping.

‘What an interesting coincidence.’

The eldest son is becoming more like the Murong family, while the person treated as an oddity in the Murong family is acting like someone from the Yeon family.

“Is that so?”

“That’s my opinion.”

Yeonwei, leaning back in his chair, nodded.

“Good, let’s do it that way.”

Taekyung's expression changed.

“Are you going to ally with the Murong family?”

“In fact, there’s no harm in forming an alliance. If we can complement each other’s weaknesses, it will be beneficial.”

“That’s true. Although they are a powerful family in the martial world, they are still part of the righteous path. They will adhere to the minimum standards.”

“I don’t trust the Murong family. I only trust myself.”

“Even if the Murong family tries to manipulate things, they won’t escape your keen insight.”

Yeonwei nodded.

“Send a letter to the Murong family. Set a date for the meeting.”

Taekyung's eyes widened.

“Should I send it myself?”

“This decision took a long time. I was cautious, but they might not see it that way.”

“Oh, yes.”

Yeonwei looked at Taekyung.

“You have a point. There’s no need to cause unnecessary trouble. However, I don’t want to say things I don’t mean, so write the letter in a way that benefits both families.”

Taekyung smiled.

“Understood. I’ll come back for your review after writing the letter.”

“There’s no need.”

Yeonwei turned his head.

He seemed to dislike the idea of reading such a troublesome letter. Taekyung’s eyes shone brightly.

“Understood. I’ll write it as smoothly as possible. Oh! What about the First Prince’s marriage?”

“It’s fine if it’s not Murong Yanhua.”

“Understood.”

Taekyung bowed and headed towards the door.

Just then, Yeonwei spoke.

“Supervisor Tae.”

Taekyung turned around.

Yeonwei’s back was visible, facing the window, showing a hint of his troubled mind.

“Good work.”

“Ha! No, it’s nothing.”

“No, this time, you’ve been a great help. If you have any more opinions, don’t hesitate to share them.”

“Of course.”

“Go on, then.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Taekyung left the Lord’s room.

He couldn’t see it. The storm of cold winds in Yeonwei’s eyes.

“Send this to the Tongtian Group. It’s urgent.”

“Yes!”

The Tongtian Group was an information organization that had dealings with the Yeon family. If it’s urgent, it will be sent to the Murong family immediately.

After handing the letter to the Tongtian Group member, Taekyung stretched widely.

The fatigue of the past days seemed to vanish. Although the weather was still cold, the sky seemed particularly clear today.

Taekyung’s eyes widened as he looked up at the sky.

‘It’s finally over.’

The Yeon family will eventually fall.

The key is how much it benefits ‘this side.’ Fortunately, the Lord has approved the business training, making it easier to take over the Yeon family’s territory.

Taekyung marveled at Murong Yanhua once again.

‘A marriage proposal... If it goes wrong, it could lead to gossip, but she pushed for it? She’s a true heroine.’

This marriage proposal was initiated by Murong Yanhua herself.

Of course, she had no intention of marrying Yeonhojeong. However, she believed that such a proposal was necessary to sway the Lord of the Yeon family.

‘What a pity. If she were a man, she would have been appointed as the Second Lord by now.’

Or who knows? The Lord might entrust the family to Murong Yanhua.

The reason being, the Lord has his eyes set on something greater. He doesn’t intend to end his dreams within the family.

‘The world! If he were a man, he would have such dreams.’

And if he could look at the world by the Lord’s side, it would be the best possible outcome.

Smiling and letting his imagination run wild, Taekyung suddenly called the gatekeeper.

“Where is the First Prince?”

“He went out with the Second Prince. They said they were going to eat...”

“Understood. You may go.”

“Yes.”

Taekyung frowned openly.

“He’s quick. In that aspect, he’s even more than Murong Yanhua.”

* * *

That night.

Past midnight, Yeonhojeong visited Taekyung’s residence.

“You’re here.”

“Hmm.”

“You’ve been sweating a lot.”

“How can I not, with such intense training? I should practice whenever I have time.”

There’s no denying the intensity of his determination.

Taekyung had seen Yeonhojeong train a few times. He had never trained that way, but he could tell it was a training that required a lot of determination to endure.

He couldn’t understand why Yeonhojeong had changed so much, but it became clear yesterday.

‘He’s desperate to become the Lord. Well, it’s understandable.’

His life had been ruined by his talented younger brother. Whatever opportunity he had, he should have seized it to change his life.

Being from the Pan Guan Jian lineage, he couldn’t be completely useless.

“This is Longjing tea. The aroma is excellent, isn’t it?”

“Really? Where did you get such a rare tea?”

“Ha! I managed to get it with the money I saved. I intended to give it to the Lord.”

Giving the tea meant for the Lord to you.

It’s a sign of trust. Yeonhojeong smiled smugly.

“I’ve always thought you were no ordinary person.”

“Ha! That’s too much praise. I’m just a lowly scholar.”

“Calling someone who can influence a family a lowly scholar?”

Though it was a veiled compliment, Taekyung couldn’t read the deeper meaning in Yeonhojeong’s voice.

“It’s not true now, but I plan to take on important tasks in the future, by the First Prince’s side.”

“Finally made a decision, have you?”

“Ha! Please treat me well.”

“I also ask for your cooperation.”

Clack.

Taekyung’s eyes changed.

Yeonhojeong, holding the teacup, poured the Longjing tea onto the floor.

“Thinking about how to deal with those troublesome stray dogs, my heart is already racing. I hope you can play a big role.”