Chapter 49: The Wind Blows (4)
The next day.
“Family Head.”
“Enter.”
Taekyung stepped into the family head’s office and presented documents.
“These are the papers I sorted last night. The budget should be sufficient at this level.”
Yeonwi swiftly scanned the documents.
“Hm, you’ve done well.”
“Not at all.”
“You may go.”
Taekyung hesitated briefly.
“Um, Family Head…”
“Do you have something to say?”
Yeonwi’s gaze remained as detached as always.
Taekyung fake-coughed.
“It’s regarding the business exchange matter with the Moyong family.”
“I’m still deliberating that issue.”
“Ah, yes! Of course, thorough consideration is necessary.”
Yeonwi’s eyebrow twitched. His expression seemed to question why Taekyung was being unusually verbose today.
Taekyung hurriedly bowed his head.
“It’s not that there’s anything else, but…”
“Speak.”
Taekyung carefully continued.
“What if we… change the person?”
“Elaborate.”
“Rather than Moyong Yeonhwa, perhaps consider another candidate?”
Yeonwi openly furrowed his brows.
“Why suggest this?”
“Well, no matter how I look at it, Moyong Yeonhwa is too exceptional. Ah! Not to disparage the Young Lord, but what if the lady develops… ulterior motives?”
“Ulterior motives?”
“Yes.”
Taekyung spoke with resolve.
“Moyong Yeonhwa is a talent acknowledged by the Moyong Family Head. Likely praised since childhood. We can’t rule out arrogance. At her age, managing major family affairs—her capabilities are undeniable.”
“Hm.”
“The Young Lord is equally talented. But rather than a brilliant wife, wouldn’t someone who brings him peace be more suitable?”
Yeonwi’s frosty eyes pinned Taekyung.
“You were the one who proposed Moyong Yeonhwa initially. Why reverse your stance now?”
Taekyung wore an awkward smile.
The natural shift in expression sharpened Yeonwi’s gaze further.
“There’s one factor I overlooked.”
“Which is?”
“However unlikely… what if the Moyong Family Head rejects the marriage proposal?”
“……?”
“Before mutual embarrassment occurs—from their perspective, demanding their treasured daughter might cause resentment. Official matters require understanding, but…”
“If Moyong’s leader has such petty resolve, we shouldn’t collaborate at all.”
“Of course. But minimizing discord benefits our expansion.”
“Hmm.”
“For our family and the Young Lord’s sake, I offer this counsel. I apologize for speaking rashly days ago without proper contemplation.”
Taekyung glanced at Yeonwi with meaningful eyes.
Yeonwi’s face remained stern, but Taekyung detected subtle shifts in his gaze.
‘Law and justice aside—this concerns his son’s marriage. Remaining objective must be difficult.’
After prolonged silence, Yeonwi spoke.
“Chief Taekyung.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
“I have a question.”
Taekyung tensed internally but didn’t hide it.
He knew when to conceal and when to reveal—a crucial skill.
“Is pursuing this alliance with the Moyong family truly advisable?”
Taekyung’s eyes lit up.
He couldn’t read Yeonwi’s impassive face—usually unreadable even to sharp observers.
But today differed. Yeonwi radiated unease.
Words spilled from Taekyung’s lips.
“As I’ve said before—I support it. Money is power. Handled well, it nurtures peace. Mishandled, chaos.”
“……”
“With respect—you’ve always wielded power more justly than any. Greater funds mean better public welfare. Other factions will follow your lead.”
Yeonwi released a soft sigh.
Taekyung’s eyes gleamed.
‘Was it truly such a weighty decision?’
This was only the second time he’d witnessed Yeonwi sigh—the first being five years ago during the brothers’ fallout.
‘The defining event of his generation. Understandable.’
Suddenly, Yeonhojeong’s face superimposed over Yeonwi’s in his mind.
‘How peculiar.’
He couldn’t forget Yeonhojeong’s visit last night—the arrogant posture, smile laced with naked ambition.
‘He used to despise Ji-pyeong. Recent changes… were they groundwork for this?’
Yesterday’s encounter made it plausible.
Too young for such schemes? Nonsense.
Moyong heirs began power struggles at birth—not from upbringing, but blood-deep nature.
Only one exception existed.
‘Moyong Wu.’
A naturally kind soul—more suited to the Yeon family than his own. Particularly resembling Yeon Ji-pyeong.
‘An amusing coincidence.’
The eldest son grows more Moyong-like, while the black sheep acts like a Yeon.
“So you say.”
“That is my assessment.”
Yeonwi leaned back in his chair and nodded.
“Very well. Proceed.”
Taekyung’s expression shifted.
“You’ll join hands with the Moyong family?”
“No harm in mutual supplementation.”
“Indeed. They dominate the martial world as White Path leaders. They’ll maintain minimal decorum.”
“I don’t trust them. Only myself.”
“Even if they scheme, they can’t escape your discernment.”
Yeonwi nodded again.
“Send a missive. Arrange a meeting.”
Taekyung’s eyes widened.
“Personally deliver it?”
“My deliberation took too long. They might perceive hesitation.”
“Ah, understood.”
Yeonwi met his gaze.
“Your counsel has merit. Avoid unnecessary friction. But I won’t mouth falsehoods—draft terms benefiting both families.”
Taekyung smiled.
“Understood. I’ll present the draft for review.”
“Unnecessary.”
Yeonwi turned away—clearly unwilling to read such uncomfortable correspondence.
Taekyung’s pupils glittered.
“I’ll phrase it delicately. Ah! Regarding the Young Lord’s marriage candidate…”
“Moyong Yeonhwa isn’t essential.”
“Understood.”
Taekyung bowed and turned to leave.
Then—
“Chief Taekyung.”
He turned back.
Yeonwi’s silhouette faced the window, exuding strange restlessness.
“You’ve labored hard.”
“Haha! Not at all.”
“No—this outcome owes much to you. Share your thoughts freely henceforth.”
“Of course.”
“Dismissed.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
As Taekyung exited, he missed the blizzard raging in Yeonwi’s eyes.
“Deliver this to Tongcheon Group. Top priority.”
“Yes!”
Tongcheon Group—Yeon family’s intelligence network. Marked urgent, it would reach Moyong Manor immediately.
After relaying the letter, Taekyung stretched mightily.
Fatigue evaporated. Though winter lingered, the sky shone peculiarly clear.
His round eyes reflected the azure expanse.
‘Finally concluded.’
The Yeon family would fall regardless.
The key was maximizing benefits for ‘his side’. With the Family Head’s approval, devouring their territory became easier.
He marveled anew at Moyong Yeonhwa.
‘A marriage pact… Risky for rumors, yet she pushed it through? Truly peerless.’
The marriage proposal was her initiative.
Not that she desired union with Yeonhojeong—but necessary leverage to sway the Yeon Family Head.
‘Pity. Born male, she’d be branch leader already.’
Or perhaps not. Would the Moyong Family Head entrust her with succession?
Because he aimed higher—his ambitions transcended clan boundaries.
‘The world! Any man should dream so.’
And standing beside such a leader, envisioning that world… perfection.
Chuckling at his daydreams, Taekyung suddenly summoned a guard.
“Where’s the Young Lord?”
“He went out with Second Young Lord. For dinner, they said…”
“Understood. Carry on.”
“Yes.”
Taekyung openly scowled.
“Swift indeed. In this regard, he surpasses even Yeonhwa.”
That night.
Past midnight, Yeonhojeong visited Taekyung’s quarters.
“You’ve come.”
“Hm.”
“You’re drenched.”
“What martial artist grows without training?”
If nothing else, his vicious dedication deserved respect.
Taekyung had witnessed Yeonhojeong’s brutal regimen before—exercises only possible with inhuman endurance.
He’d wondered at the transformation—now understood.
‘Obsessed with becoming Family Head. Understandable.’
A life ruined by his younger brother’s rising talent. Whatever opportunity he’d seized, he staked everything on it.
Being Judge Sword’s descendant, incompetence was impossible.
“Longjing tea. Fragrant, yes?”
“Ho! Longjing? Where’d you acquire such rarity?”
“Haha! Saved up. Meant for the Family Head.”
Offering the tea intended for his lord—a trust signal. Yeonhojeong smirked triumphantly.
“I always knew you were extraordinary.”
“Hahaha! You flatter me. I’m but a mere scholar.”
“A scholar who manipulates entire clans?”
The barb held truth, but Taekyung missed its ominous undertone.
“Not presently. But I plan significant contributions henceforth. By your side.”
“Finally decided, have you?”
“Haha! I entrust myself to you.”
“The feeling’s mutual.”
Glug-glug-glug.
Taekyung’s expression shifted.
Yeonhojeong poured the Longjing tea onto the floor.
“My heart races at crushing these meddlesome jackals. You’ll play a crucial role.”
