Episode 783
Blood of the Empire (8)
As expected, the emperor readily accepted Yeon Ho-jeong’s request.
However, it was stipulated that the criminal must be thoroughly met in prison and that his closest associates would be included in the conversation with him.
It was a very natural thing to do. That Taoist was a high traitor who had harmed the imperial palace by helping the Blood Jade Demon Lord Kwak Jun, who was still unable to come to his senses. It was absolutely forbidden for the martial arts people to harm the Taoists.
It was time for the group to head to the prison.
“hey.”
Everyone in the group turned their heads.
There, a cold-faced Gok-gyeong stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall of the half-destroyed building.
“…!!”
There was surprise on the faces of Hwa Jin-cheon and Peng Mu-gang.
All of them were experts who could safely represent Gangho. However, no one knew of his existence until the unknown man opened his mouth.
However, Peng Wugang immediately recognized who he was. It was because I had only seen it briefly during the battle.
“you are…!”
Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth.
“Are you here?”
Gok-gyeong frowned openly.
“The way you talk has changed? “Are you even being polite in front of adults?”
At that moment, Full Sang’s eyebrows twitched. The other person’s tone was too provocative to just listen and ignore.
However, I couldn’t just open my mouth without knowing who the other person was. Full-sang just quietly looked at Gok-gyeong.
Yeon Ho-jeong said with a smile.
“Didn’t you go from being an enemy to being a comrade in arms? “We will treat you in our own way.”
“F*ck you. Is it always like this? “It means playing with the other person and shaking it off with a smile when they lose interest.”
“Your words are harsh. When have I ever played with a senior?”
“Anyway, he’s a funny guy. “I don’t know why His Majesty made such an offer to a guy like you.”
Yeon Ho-jeong shrugged his shoulders.
“Are you doubting His Majesty’s insight?”
Gok-gyeong’s eyes became cold.
“He’s such a cocky guy. “They say there is no way a wolf grows under a charm, but it seems that a sinister wolf like you is born, right?”
“I don’t care how you look at me. “So, why did you go to such lengths to hide your presence and come to me?”
Gok-gyeong looked around at the group and turned around.
“Follow me.”
That was the end of those words. He walked forward without hesitation, as if he was confident that he would follow.
Yeon Ho-jeong sighed.
“You’ll be fine without me. Since this was approved by His Majesty, the jail would have been contacted long ago.”
Hwa Jin-cheon nodded.
“Sure.”
Full Sang asked.
“Who is it that you have such a stiff attitude?”
Paeng Mu-gang answered on behalf of Yeon Ho-jeong.
“Light spirit demon.”
“…It’s a good thing I didn’t wake up.”
Hwa Jin-cheon clicked his tongue.
“Don’t be swayed by personal feelings. This is the imperial palace. “If you set things up the way they did outside, even if they bring an entire 100,000 swords, they won’t be able to save you.”
“So you didn’t say anything harsh.”
“You’re very good.”
Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth.
“Then I’ll see you again later.”
“Okay then. “Take care of yourself.”
“It’s not like I’m going to fight. Do not worry.”
Like that, Yeon Ho-jeong left the group and followed Gok-gyeong.
Gok-gyeong’s steps were fast. Even if he walked without consciously thinking about it, his walking speed was as fast as that of an ordinary person. Yeonhojeong’s gait was also not inferior to Gokgyeong.
How long did you walk?
Saaaaaa.
The howling cold wind sharply scratched the bare trees.
It was quite a remote place even outside the imperial palace. It was a clean space during this battle, but I thought it was justifiable because it was so far away.
It was bare, but there were lots of trees. It was a small forest.
And in the center of the forest, there was a large clearing.
Slurp.
Only then did Gok-gyeong stop walking and dig out the base of a particularly large tree.
‘hmm?’
What came out of the dug-up ground was a fairly large box.
Gok-gyeong roughly shook off the dirt scattered on the box and placed it on a flat surface. And sat in front of him.
“Sit down.”
Yeon Ho-jeong obediently did as he asked and sat across from him.
Sigh.
Gok-gyeong’s hand movements as he opened the box and took out something were very careful.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was watching wondering what was going on, soon burst into laughter. What Gok-gyeong took out were two liquor bottles made of high-quality porcelain.
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Gok-gyeong said with a frown.
“why? “Is this funny?”
“It’s funny. “Well, how precious is it that someone worthy of being a nobleman in the world is so careful?”
“It’s not just alcohol. “This liquor bottle, which looks like ordinary porcelain, is also a 100-year-old Hanok.”
“I don’t know what it is.”
“I wish I was ignorant.”
Yeon Ho-jeong snorted.
Gok-gyeong handed a bottle of alcohol to Yeon Ho-jeong.
“There is no cup. Drink it.”
Yeon Ho-jeong opened the stopper.
‘Hoo.’
A noble and heavy scent flowed from the bottle.
It has a strange scent that somehow seems to be mixed with the smell of leather. But it wasn’t that bad. Although it was a completely different type of alcohol than I had ever drank, I could tell that it was a famous liquor that was difficult to find.
Yeon Ho-jeong was surprised as he put the spout of the bottle to his mouth and slowly poured out the alcohol.
“Huh, this is pretty harsh, isn’t it?”
When did you drink it? Gok-gyeong said, letting out an exclamation.
“It’s something that came over from the West Station. “I don’t know the name, but it’s completely different from Joongwon’s liquor.”
“Compared to this, our alcohol is quite fancy.”
“yes.”
After taking another sip, Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and put down the bottle.
“It feels like my whole body is burning, from my throat to my stomach.”
“Are you on an empty stomach?”
“That’s how strong it is. Of course, I also have an empty stomach.”
“Alcohol is meant to be consumed on an empty stomach.”
“How many people have you drunk to death because of that pointless theory?”
“bouncer.”
Gok-gyeong also placed a bottle on top of the box.
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“I guess it’s a drink that’s quite cherished.”
“At least I’m sure it’s a drink that wouldn’t be a waste to put in your mouth.”
“Why are you pouring that good wine into this beautiful spout? “Do you have anything else to say?”
Slurp.
Raise your left knee and place your right hand on the floor.
Gok-gyeong, who was looking at Yeon Ho-jeong with a fairly relaxed attitude, asked as if throwing a question.
“I heard you rejected His Majesty’s offer?”
There was a strange look of fatigue on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face as he sighed as if he had lost steam.
“Was that really it?”
“Did you think there was any other reason?”
“I guessed.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes became slightly sharp.
“Are you trying to persuade me?”
“persuade? That’s a funny thing to say. “Why would I persuade you?”
“to?”
Yeon Ho-jeong scratched his head.
“It wasn’t?”
“There is no need to persuade. “Of course we will have to get married.”
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
“Do you use the word ‘obvious’ so easily?”
“Everything is natural before His Majesty the Emperor. Do you know why?”
Gok-gyeong’s expression was somehow drowsy. At least it seemed more relaxed than Yeonhojeong.
“I said it was a suggestion, but in reality, it is no different from the imperial decree. “If you don’t want to give up being a human being, at least if you live in this land called Jungwon, you must never disobey the Emperor’s orders.”
“It was a suggestion, not an imperial decree. “Let me make that clear.”
“No matter what your Majesty says, everything that comes out of the mouth of the Emperor is a command and fate. “I knew you had a big liver, but I never thought of you as an innocent person.”
“Don’t lie.”
“…Yeah, honestly, I often thought there was no case. But that was only when the target was me.”
Yeon Ho-jeong laughed without even realizing it.
Gok-gyeong continued.
“I know what you’re thinking. I don’t know about you, but I know at least this one thing. “You want nothing more than to save the Central Plains from the hands of the Three Schools.”
It is natural to save it, and I plan to completely uproot it.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s thoughts have always been that way and have not changed even once. Gokgyeong knew that.
“You know this, but now it’s impossible with only the power of the martial arts. “Regardless of which organization is superior, it will be difficult to achieve the results you want without the help of the imperial palace.”
“Of course I know. But the imperial palace would also like to destroy the three religions.”
“That’s why His Majesty made such a suggestion to you.”
“I know that trying to read the minds of superiors is not a very good attitude. “What’s more, you are the emperor.”
“Don’t you like conversations that throw away all sorts of useless formalities?”
It seemed like he had come with a plan.
Gok-gyeong was never excited. He is not swayed by Yeon Ho-jeong’s answer, which is a bit like a play on words.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s face became serious.
“I know your Majesty didn’t send you here.”
“of course. “Your Majesty is not a very petty person.”
I wanted to throw away formalities and talk, but I didn’t expect him to say something like this.
“I want to ask you something.”
“I will do what I can to answer.”
“I am not interested in your past or how you came to work under His Majesty the Emperor. “What I’m curious about is why you care so much about me.”
Gok-gyeong laughed as if he was dumbfounded.
“His Majesty wants you, so who cares about you or who? “Should I care about your little brother I’ve never seen?”
“I know. “But it seems too obsessive to be that simple reason.”
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
“Let’s be honest. Yes, I have definitely reached a place that others may find surprising. “Since I opened a martial arts drama before I was born, this is not an easy task for anyone.”
Gok-gyeong’s eyes deepened.
He is angry, sharp, sometimes extreme, and sometimes vicious.
Nevertheless, Yeon Ho-jeong never once boasted about the value of his name or the position he had achieved. Rather, they were busy reducing it. What was important to Yeon Ho-jeong was martial arts, not making others envious.
Yeon Ho-jeong speaks confidently. He says he is an excellent person.
At first glance, it may seem like bragging, but Yeon Ho-jeong didn’t say this to brag.
“But Your Majesty, it would be better for you to choose someone else rather than me. No, you know it’s better.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I am busy. Beyond being busy, you’re always on the firing line. In martial arts, those who are strong in martial arts are treated well? It’s not wrong. However, trying to attract a super expert who may die at any time is never the right decision from a national perspective.”
Military influence, family name value, etc.
In many ways, Yeon Ho-jeong could be said to be the most notable master in the Tanggeum world.
That’s why it can be burdensome. Yeonhojeong was saying that.
“There are many young people whose martial arts skills are lower than mine, but who have potential, are full of determination, have outstanding perspectives, and even come from good families.”
“Before answering, let me ask you one question.”
“Please speak.”
Gok-gyeong’s eyes also became more serious than Yeon-ho-jeong’s.
“Do you simply dislike marriage? Or is it because you feel burdened by forming a relationship with a member of the imperial family? Or is there a wife or child you have in mind?”
“….”
“Why on earth are you refusing this marriage?”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s answer was a masterpiece.
“Because I’m so good.”
