亚洲欧美日韩在线久一

“You called for me?”

“Yes, I called you because I have something to tell you.”

Father told me about Song Woo-gyeong’s visit. He explained everything – that the Shandong Merchant Association had offered to support the Song clan, that they wanted to form a Shandong Alliance, and that Song Woo-gyeong had come to discuss this matter with Father.

“Since it’s about the Song clan, you should know about it too.”

I could feel that my parents’ attitude towards me had changed. They now recognized me as a proper successor to the Byeok Clan Sword Manor.

“Changes have begun in the Shandong martial world.”

Father spoke only about the Shandong martial world, but the entire Central Plains was changing.

Honestly, I was surprised at how quickly the martial world was moving after news of my death spread.

It’s because my death had such a large impact.

Anyway, I couldn’t make any judgment about this part. There’s no need to get angry about forming an alliance in Shandong. After all, it was only my past self who had prohibited it.

However, I questioned whether Song Woo-gyeong was suitable to lead such an alliance. Once an alliance is formed, everything becomes political from that moment. Managing a single sect and coordinating multiple sects to unite them are completely different matters.

Also, I thought we should take another look at why the Shandong Merchant Association made this proposal. Merchants only move when there’s definitely profit to be made. Especially when they join hands with martial arts sects, it’s a very cautious decision.

I should look into it first.

“Thank you for informing me.”

As I was turning to leave, Mother asked,

“Did Song Woo-gyeong stop by briefly?”

“Yes. He reiterated that breaking off the engagement is not an option.”

Father spoke, seeming troubled,

“That man, really.”

But his expression wasn’t entirely displeased.

Mother said with a bright smile,

“I agree with Song Woo-gyeong.”

Understanding Mother’s feelings, I left without saying anything else.

I feel my relationship with them deepening.

At first, I thought I had to consciously accept them as my parents.

But now, emotion naturally precedes that consciousness. They feel like my real parents. I want to treat them sincerely.

Honestly, I was happy.

To have such good parents.

I think my deceased mother would understand. Even if I show filial piety to these people that I couldn’t show to her.

***

In the afternoon, an unexpected person came to see me.

It was Song Hwa-rin. Her visit was so unexpected that my surprise was clearly visible on my face.

“You seem surprised.”

“I didn’t expect you to come looking for me.”

“I came because I have a favor to ask.”

Her request was unexpected.

“Please persuade the Clan Leader Byeok to make my father reject the Shandong Merchant Association’s proposal.”

“Do you think your father will change his mind if my father tries to stop him?”

“I don’t know. But I’m sure it will have a big influence on his decision.”

It wasn’t unreasonable to think that. Their friendship was special. There’s a saying that when poverty enters the front door, friendship leaves through the window. They were still in the same room.

“Can I hear why you want to stop this?”

“Because I think forming the Shandong Alliance doesn’t suit my father.”

“Aren’t you underestimating your father?”

“I think it’s better than the problems that could arise from overestimating him.”

I agreed with her words. I too had reservations about Song Woo-gyeong forming an alliance.

But there were also positive aspects. Though it feels strange to say this myself.

“Didn’t the previous Alliance Leader stabilize the martial world? Becoming the leader of an alliance during this peaceful time doesn’t seem bad, does it? It could greatly increase the Song clan’s power too.”

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.”

“What?”

“The previous Alliance Leader ran the Martial Righteous Alliance with overwhelming martial prowess for too long. While it’s true that he maintained peace in the martial world, on the flip side, he also nurtured something in the darkness.”

“Nurtured something in the darkness? What’s that?”

“Suppressed desires.”

I flinched at these unexpected words.

“Martial artists are people with the instinct to defeat others and rise to the top. They have an innate violent savagery. We’re wolves or tigers, not rabbits or deer, right?”

“And?”

“But everyone hid that nature because of the Alliance Leader’s strength. They dared not reveal it for fear of being crushed.”

It was a rough and extreme expression, but it resonated.

“They probably spent long years just wishing for the Alliance Leader to die.”

Her next words hit me like a thunderbolt.

I had never once thought of it that way. It was more shocking than any words I had heard so far.

Everyone just wished for me to die?

She spoke clearly and deliberately.

“I’m scared. Of my father jumping into a place where suppressed desires are exploding like lava.”

Now I could understand exactly why she was so opposed. There was a clear reason beyond just telling him not to jump into a dirty political arena.

“Is this why you said you disliked the dead Alliance Leader?”

She shrugged and then answered,

“There’s a more important reason… but yes, even just this is enough to dislike him.”

There’s an even more important reason than this?

She spoke in an earnest tone,

“Please. It’s the first favor I’m asking of you, so I hope you’ll do it.”

***

I had a dream for the first time in a very long while.

It was a dream of going back to the past and having a meeting at the Martial Righteous Alliance.

Gal Saryang and the heads of each organization were sitting at a long table.

Stiff faces. Rigid behavior and businesslike tones that didn’t allow for mistakes.

It was as if they were wearing expressionless white masks.

Yes, those faces looking particularly stiff must have been because I heard about suppressed desires. Because I heard that everyone just wished for me to die.

Did they really just wish for me to die?

Suddenly, my thoughts echoed throughout the place.

Then everyone sitting there turned their heads to look at me at once.

Their gazes were cold.

A suspicion I had forgotten for a while surged up.

Was I assassinated?

The next moment, I woke up.

“Whew.”

This is all because I listened to her words.

Desire for power clings to people like a parasite. So you can’t even tell if such a thing is living in your body. But I know well what terrifying things happen once it starts to run wild.

That’s why I suppressed it tightly with my martial arts. I ruled with an iron fist to prevent any desire for power from arising in the first place.

I hadn’t thought at all about what would happen after I died.

Suppressed desires.

Will they really burst forth?

No, perhaps they’ve already burst forth?

***

That afternoon, I went to see the Chief Steward.

“Please tell me about the Shandong Merchant Association.”

“Why are you asking about that?”

“There’s something I want to ask related to the Song clan.”

I briefly explained about the Clan Leader Song.

The stubborn Chief Steward narrowed his eyes and scrutinized me. He suspected I was up to some mischief again, but it was impossible to find such intent in my calm face.

“Don’t you dislike me?”

“You misunderstand. I don’t dislike you, Chief Steward.”

“Hmph! Don’t lie.”

He scolded me needlessly, but he seemed not entirely displeased that I had come to him to ask something.

The Chief Steward told me about the Shandong Merchant Association. Indeed, he hadn’t lived his years in vain. Based on his extensive knowledge, he explained in detail not only about the Shandong Merchant Association but also about other merchant associations.

I asked various things about the Shandong Merchant Association but couldn’t find anything special.

“Has there been anything unusual recently?”

“Nothing much.”

“I see. Thank you for your words.”

As I was about to turn around, he spoke as if suddenly remembering something.

“Ah, I don’t know if this will be helpful, but there’s one thing I remember.”

“What is it?”

“A few months ago, I had a chance to drink with their chief steward. I vaguely heard that they might be starting a business with a martial arts sect. He didn’t say which one.”

“Have you heard any news since then?”

“I haven’t.”

“Thank you very much.”

Perhaps feeling awkward about having such a conversation with me, the Chief Steward threw out unnecessary words gruffly.

“Don’t misunderstand that you’ve scored points with me because of this.”

“Yes. I know you still don’t trust me, Chief Steward! I’ll keep that in mind!”

“Cheeky brat.”

As I was about to turn around, I asked one more thing.

“Don’t you have any young person you’re considering as a successor?”

“Why do you ask that?”

“If you do, I was thinking of making them my personal steward.”

“Bah! How preposterous!”

Since he wouldn’t believe me even if I said I was serious, I just left with a smile.

I could feel the Chief Steward’s gaze following me from behind. I sense it’s become a little softer than before.

***

After meeting the Chief Steward, I went to see Father.

“What brings you here?”

“I just wanted to have a cup of tea with you, Father.”

“You rascal.”

After brewing the tea, Father personally served it.

This is the first time I’m drinking tea brewed by Father.

“How is your training going?”

“Well.”

If I really set my mind to it, I could perform the White Moon Sword Arts more exquisitely than Father. If there’s an occasion to show it, I should only show about a quarter of what I can do.

“Your mother has high expectations for you. Never forget that.”

Though he spoke of Mother, Father must feel the same way.

“Yes, I’ll work hard.”

The reason I came to see Father was because of Song Hwa-rin’s request.

Should I really grant her request? She’s right. If Father strongly persuades him, Song Woo-gyeong will reject that proposal.

But is this method really right?

The persistent doubt was already giving me the answer.

I didn’t bring up anything related to the Song clan.

“The tea tastes very good, Father.”

Another method to propose to her came to mind.