Chapter 48. The Wind Blows (3)
Yeon-wi escorted Yeon Ho-jeong to the front of his residence.
Having remained silent until now, Yeon-wi finally spoke.
“Is it heavy?”
Yeon Ho-jeong lifted the axe to show him.
“I like that it’s heavy.”
“I thought so.”
Yeon Ho-jeong wanted to express his gratitude, but Yeon-wi spoke first.
“There’s something I want to ask you.”
“Yes?”
It didn’t seem like a light question. Yeon-wi struggled to continue.
But it was a question he had to ask. With resolve, Yeon-wi inquired:
“Do you have any intention to marry?”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes widened.
“Marriage?”
“Yes.”
What is this about?
Though puzzled, Yeon Ho-jeong answered honestly:
“I haven’t considered it yet.”
“I see.”
“Why do you ask? Has a good proposal come?”
“I didn’t send a matchmaker. I merely wished to know your thoughts.”
“I have no immediate plans to marry, but wouldn’t the other party’s identity matter?”
After a pause, Yeon-wi spoke again:
“What of the Moyong Family?”
Yeon Ho-jeong was inwardly startled.
“The Moyong Family?”
“Yes.”
“Ah...”
Yeon Ho-jeong rarely showed fluster.
“Who in the Moyong Family do you mean?”
“I discovered she attended the recent Houjisu gathering. Moyong Yeon-hwa, the current family head’s daughter.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s gaze deepened instantly.
Moyong Yeon-hwa?
Moyong Yeon-hwa.
Daughter of Moyong Gun, the reigning family head—a prodigy acknowledged for her exceptional talent despite her youth, involved in all major family affairs.
To think he’d mention her...
This was the same Moyong Yeon-hwa who’d clashed with him endlessly during the Dark Emperor’s reign.
Back then, Moyong Gun—leader of the martial alliance—had no time to manage his family. He needed someone to act as proxy.
Surprisingly, he chose not his sons but his daughter, Moyong Yeon-hwa.
Her capabilities were extraordinary enough to helm the vast Moyong Family. Inheriting her father’s blood, she’d expanded their influence by over thirty percent in mere years through her shrewdness.
Naturally, her martial talent was peerless. That her father taught their secret techniques to a daughter not meant to inherit spoke volumes.
“Her talents are exceptional by all accounts. You saw her at the gathering.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Of course, character matters more than talent or ability. From what I’ve heard, hers is beyond reproach.”
Impossible.
Yeon Ho-jeong remembered the venom in Moyong Yeon-hwa’s eyes. Not the woman of this life, but the one from the Dark Emperor era.
Innate nature matters, but so does environment. A single event can reshape one’s values.
Yet given how dearly Moyong Gun cherished her, her inherent nature couldn’t be virtuous. Yeon Ho-jeong believed this.
“Forgive me. I still have no intention to marry.”
Unexpectedly, Yeon-wi showed no disappointment.
“Understood. Truthfully, I hesitated to ask. Many marry sightless in these times, but I oppose such unions.”
“Is that so?”
“You’ll share a lifetime with this person. Upholding the family’s honor matters, but so does your happiness.”
“......”
“If you later find someone you love, I hope their status won’t trouble you.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“Did you love Mother?”
A mischievous question meant to lighten the mood.
“More than my own life.”
“...!”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes wavered.
Yeon-wi continued calmly:
“You can’t imagine how I grieved when she died. The sky itself seemed to collapse. I lost count of how often I pressed a sword to my throat.”
“......”
“But sometimes living hurts more than dying. This father has endured that pain ever since. My sins were too great to follow her.”
“What sins did you commit?”
“The sin of failing to protect my beloved.”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“That isn’t your sin.”
Yeon-wi didn’t argue. His heart remained inscrutable.
But there was one thing he needed to say:
“I’ve also wronged you.”
“Father?”
“All parents want their children’s success. Yet I only treated you harshly.”
“That’s no sin.”
“It is. I saw you not as my child, but as the family’s heir.”
“......”
“I failed as both husband and father. Thus, I’m a sinner.”
The confession he’d buried daily—words he feared he’d die before speaking—finally found voice.
Yeon Ho-jeong felt no resentment. This confession proved his father saw him as a son.
He’d already known without words.
Yeon-wi shook his head.
“Regardless, since you feel thus, let’s consider this marriage talk void.”
“Yes.”
As Yeon Ho-jeong nodded solemnly, a sudden thought struck him.
“Father.”
“What is it?”
“Why the Moyong Family?”
“Hm?”
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“Of all the Seven Great Families, why them?”
Yeon-wi’s gaze deepened.
“Ah, I haven’t told you yet.”
“Told me what?”
“Six months ago, when you and Ji-pyeong attended the Houjisu gathering, the Moyongs contacted us.”
“Contacted us?”
“Proposing a business collaboration.”
“Business?”
“Yes. We control seventy percent of Gangso Province’s maritime trade. The Moyongs covet this.”
“...!”
The Moyongs reached out first? Now of all times?
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes turned cold.
“Do you intend to collaborate?”
Yeon-wi shook his head.
“I refused twice. Yet they’ve approached again—likely their final offer. I’m considering it carefully.”
The Moyong Family. Maritime trade.
And the Ming Family’s invasion.
Though seemingly unrelated, unease prickled his instincts.
I don’t know how the Ming Family fell in my past life. Only that it happened suddenly, shortly after our main house’s destruction.
Later, Moyong Gun rose as martial alliance leader.
Thus the Moyongs became the “World’s Foremost Family.”
Too little information...
Yeon Ho-jeong pressed further:
“May I ask one more thing?”
“Speak.”
“Even if you allied with the Moyongs, you wouldn’t traditionally marry me into their family.”
“Hm.”
“Who suggested this match?”
“Chief Administrator Tae-gyeong.”
“...!!”
Noticing his son’s expression, Yeon-wi added:
“He’s the Chief Administrator. He prioritizes the family’s benefit regardless of means. Since you refused, don’t judge him harshly.”
“Ah... Yes.”
His concern wasn’t about the marriage.
Yeon Ho-jeong recalled Tae-gyeong—a man nearing forty with plain features, managing the family’s finances unobtrusively.
I’ve suspected a traitor in our ranks.
His father’s discernment was keen. He wouldn’t appoint a disloyal person as Chief Administrator.
But Yeon-wi was human. Humans err. Especially when deceived thoroughly.
“Father.”
“Speak.”
“Please delay the collaboration with the Moyongs.”
“Hm?”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes darkened.
“There are matters I need to investigate.”
“Huh?!”
Tae-gyeong jumped in shock.
“Apologies for visiting so late.”
“N-no! Not at all!”
“I saw your light. Am I interrupting?”
“Of course not! Please, sit.”
Yeon Ho-jeong surveyed the office as he sat.
“Strange—I’ve never visited the Chief Administrator’s office before.”
“Haha, true. Only the family head and staff come here.”
Tae-gyeong hastily prepared tea.
“Here, please.”
“Thank you.”
After sipping, Yeon Ho-jeong casually asked:
“Working late?”
“Yes. With potential disasters this year, I’m budgeting relief funds.”
Gangso Province suffered annual floods. The Yeon Family allocated funds yearly for disaster victims.
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
“You work hard.”
“It’s nothing! I’m well-compensated. Shouldn’t I earn my keep?”
His cheerful laughter seemed genuine.
Studying him, Yeon Ho-jeong abruptly asked:
“I heard you proposed a marriage.”
“Wha—?!”
Tae-gyeong stiffened.
“Th-that is...”
“...”
“...Did the family head tell you?”
“Yes.”
Tae-gyeong coughed awkwardly.
“I-it was for the family’s prosperity...”
“...”
“If I overstepped, I apologize.”
An odd man.
Shifting between innocent cheer and timid anxiety—common among Jianghu’s less remarkable figures. The Yeon Family’s rigid atmosphere likely fostered this.
Yeon Ho-jeong relaxed his expression.
“No offense taken. I saw Moyong Yeon-hwa at the gathering.”
“Ah?!”
“She’s every bit the prodigy. If anything, I’d be unworthy.”
Flustered, Tae-gyeong protested:
“Nonsense! You’re the Yeon Family’s eldest son! You outshine even the Moyong heiress!”
“Haha, you think so?”
“Absolutely! Trust me!”
“I do. Entirely.”
Yeon Ho-jeong continued calmly:
“But what to do? I’ve no wish to marry now.”
“Ah...”
“While I’d do anything for the family, this feels... misguided.”
“Ahaha, understandable. If you’re unwilling...”
“The lady’s too exceptional.”
“Pardon?”
Yeon Ho-jeong leaned back arrogantly.
“I’ve an eye for people. The Moyong heiress I saw isn’t the type to serve a husband. More likely to devour him.”
“Is... is that so?”
“Talented people rarely sacrifice for others.”
Tae-gyeong scratched his head sheepishly.
“My apologies for presuming...”
“Unless there’s another option.”
“Hm?”
“Does the Moyong Family have other daughters? Less capable but kinder. Preferably direct lineage.”
Tae-gyeong’s eyes lit up.
“You mean...?”
“I’ll marry eventually. A gentle partner would suit me better. And if it benefits the family, Father might reconsider me as heir.”
“B-but the family head already...”
“Let’s be frank. Though my martial arts improved luckily, Father’s seen me for nineteen years. He’s likely named my brother as successor.”
Tae-gyeong looked torn.
Yeon Ho-jeong lowered his voice.
“I’ll ask a favor.”
“A favor?”
“Persuade Father. Find me a different Moyong bride.”
“M-me?!”
“Preferably pretty, of course.”
“...”
Yeon Ho-jeong stood. Tae-gyeong scrambled up awkwardly.
“Chief Administrator Tae. You’re in your prime. A bright future awaits those who choose wisely.”
“Y-yes.”
“Let’s thrive together. Do this for me.”
Tae-gyeong bowed deeply.
His voice trembled with fear, but his lowered eyes gleamed coldly:
“Then... I’ll trust only you, Young Master.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s gaze burned.
“Good. Trust me alone.”
