Special Side Story Episode 10
“I lost.”
A pond where golden koi fish swim.
A stylish pavilion sits on top of it.
While sitting across from Sohyeongeom (昭賢劍) and playing baduk, I sighed softly and declared my surrender.
“You’ve increased a lot.”
“thank you.”
“These are not empty words. “I’ll have to be more nervous from now on, too.”
I felt proud to see Sohyeongeom joking that he might lose if he was not careful.
It was worthwhile to invite Namgung Gyeongjun, the elder of the Namgung family, to Wolhwajang (月華莊) several times and ask for his teachings.
In the past, it was difficult to win even against Namhakgeom, but now he has gained recognition from Sohyeongeom.
Except for Sohyeongeom and Master Baekmang, there was no longer anyone in the Senate who could guarantee victory against me.
“I will continue to work hard. “So that I can become a worthy rival to my senior.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
The waiting maid put away the checkerboard and brought out the drinks table.
Flower wine with a delicate scent and rich snacks.
Sohyeongeom poured alcohol into an empty glass and asked as if throwing it.
“okay. “Did you have a good time at the police station?”
“yes. “Thanks to your concern, I came back safely.”
“Why are you even worried? “Is there anyone in the world who can do anything to you?”
“You never know. The world is wide. I definitely felt that during this journey.”
“Excessive humility can lead to deception.”
“When you say that, I get the feeling that the world is different. “I don’t know if you remember, but he said the same thing to me when I came to Honam to attend the Yongbong branch meeting.”
“Is that so? “As I get older, my memory isn’t what it used to be.”
I grinned, picked up the chopsticks, shoved the piece of meat into my mouth, chewed it, and was absorbed in my appreciation.
Having such a leisurely time, I felt good as if my hard work was being rewarded.
My gaze met the white horned deer looking at me from the grass in the distance.
A Jeonseo-eung with beautiful stains, worthy of being called a spirit creature, flapped its wings vigorously.
Looking around from the top of the pavilion, I was able to clearly see the scenery of the Senate full of luxury and pleasure.
‘It’s the same with the precious animals and plants everywhere, and the musicians lined up in the back playing.’
Huge operating funds flowing into the Senate each month.
A huge amount of money, which ordinary people could not even dream of, was being wasted all the time.
Ting.
I clinked my glass with Sohyeongeom and nodded with a satisfied expression.
Just sitting still was a delight to my eyes and ears.
My past efforts to become an elder were not in vain.
“Anyway, there was something I wanted to tell you when you came back.”
“Please speak.”
“The princess of the Beast Palace. “How long are you going to put it off like that?”
“······.”
“Isn’t it time to make a decision?”
* * *
[To put it bluntly, isn’t it possible to leave the princess like that forever?]
[······.]
[When the non-aggression pact with the Beast Palace expires, or when the power struggle within Namman is over, will you send her back to her hometown?]
Namhakgeom once said something like that to me in the past.
Be sure to establish a relationship with Woo Hwa-yeon, the princess of the Beast Palace.
I had a clear memory of being dumb because I kept saying the right things.
‘I never thought I would hear the same thing from Sohyeongeom.’
It was a glimpse into how important the upper echelons of the Murim League view this issue.
Sohyeongeom’s point was extremely valid.
I couldn’t put off this issue any longer.
There was no need to postpone it.
“Elder?”
Since he had a serious face, the man and woman sitting across from him looked puzzled.
Seo Ho-seon and Yu So-hwa.
I wondered what business they had come for, and it seemed like they were planning to hold a ceremony soon.
When I heard that my favorite subordinates were getting married for 100 years, I couldn’t help but congratulate them.
It was really amazing how people connected.
Seo Ho-seon, who was wandering after destroying the murderer, and Yu So-hwa, who left the Manjang family, ran into each other by chance, which led to the two becoming lovers later on.
“Anyway, congratulations again. Have you decided on a date and location?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“Please tell me when. “I will definitely attend.”
“thank you. The baby in your stomach will be happy too.”
“······Child in the womb?”
I ended up making a blank expression at the unexpected story.
As the energy expanded, just as Seo Ho-seon said, the birth of life was felt in Yu So-hwa’s stomach.
Seo Ho-seon said, scratching the back of his head with a shy expression.
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“So it happened.”
“There was more to celebrate.”
“I wanted to be the first to convey this news to the elders.”
A laugh escaped me.
I thought it was strange.
This seemed to be the reason why they came to report to me about the wedding ceremony, which had not even been set on a date.
“You two will make good parents.”
“I will try to make that happen.”
* * *
Sending away Seo Ho-seon and Yu So-hwa, who delivered the good news.
I lay down on the bed and looked up at the ceiling, lost in thought.
‘I’ve been ignoring it for a while with the excuse that I’m busy…’
Namhakgeom said.
Marrying a princess is not something that should be dismissed as my personal problem.
[Is that all? Baekdo and Murim will also hope that the princess does not return to her southern state. Aside from the Murim Alliance, the martial forces in Yunnan in particular will have a strong desire for it.]
[But it is not right to treat a woman of that status as a prisoner and keep her until she dies of old age. In the end, the most ideal way to solve the problem would be to enter into an arranged marriage and give the princess a reason to remain in the central plain. Was I wrong?]
The intertwined interests centered on Woo Hwayeon could never be taken lightly.
For some, such as the residents of Yunnan, it was a matter of ensuring safety for the next several decades.
‘It’s not just Woo Hwayeon.’
I was aware that I was insensitive to the emotions between men and women.
However, even that country could not have been unaware of the opposite sex’s continued interest in me.
For example, Cheon Ji-ryeong, Zhuge Hui, or Lee Su-yeon.
‘It reminds me of the old days.’
There was a time when I thought Lee Soo-yeon and Dok Go-seong were a good pair.
When I told the story to the person in question, I received a pitiful look.
[Sometimes, when I look at you, I wonder if he is the smart person I know.]
[······?]
[Do you really not know, or are you just trying to pretend not to know?]
[No, I think you have special feelings for Suyeon…]
[It’s a special feeling. It is true that this saucer is special to me. He is a classmate who applied to Cheonan Gambu together, and he is also a comrade in arms who went through the turmoil together. Because he had an angular personality, he seemed similar to my older brother, so I often caught his eye.]
[Is it because of my mood? It seems like he’s subtly swearing at me to my face…]
[But if you ask me if I ever had a rational crush on her, well, I don’t know. My brother said that. My strength is that I see others well.]
[It did.]
[I want to ask the question in reverse. Do you really think I didn’t know? Who is this Sojeo’s favor?]
[······.]
[Even if it wasn’t me in the first place, everyone would know. She has never once shown interest in anyone other than her older brother.]
[Uhm.]
[Let’s keep today’s conversation a secret between the two of us. If this person finds out, he will be greatly hurt.]
‘actually.’
There was no reason for me to push them away.
It would be a lie if I said I had no interest in them at all.
Because they are all attractive women.
In the case of Lee Soo-yeon, it is difficult to regard her as the opposite sex because we have seen her since she was very young.
‘Wu Hwa-yeon’s status, Chen Jiaring’s background, and Zhuge Hui’s status. I want everyone to help me and not harm me.’
[To begin with, I have a fiancé.]
[What does that mean? You’re not planning on only looking at one woman for the rest of your life, right? If that’s really the case, she’ll be disappointed.]
The face of Namhakgeom, who was looking at me with a puzzled expression, came to mind.
I thought maybe I would have made the same face if it were me.
Isn’t the scale completely tilted to one side, with no need to even consider profit or loss?
If I had been in a past life, I wouldn’t have had to worry about things like this.
He must have taken all of them as his companions and solidified the foundation of his power.
‘No, maybe my current self is not that different.’
I knew myself well.
The driving force that moves me in this life is none other than desire.
More money and wealth.
Higher status and status.
A higher level of martial arts.
Even now that I have become an elder, I am the one who sets new goals and moves forward.
‘If it’s according to my original inclination.’
It was impossible for me to give up a relationship that was beneficial to me.
Still, why am I having such a hard time right now?
It was simple.
While in my past life I was a selfish person who only thought about myself, in this life I have come to value the opinions of people around me.
It wasn’t about becoming a person of character.
To begin with, I have never felt guilty about using and discarding people who are not related to me.
It was in the same context that in the past, the honor of Hyogajang and Park Saeng-moon was tarnished by falsely accusing them of ‘hiding Ganja’.
It is said that it was an inevitable method to prevent the division of the allies, but in the end, it was just an excuse.
The method I chose was by no means the best.
That was the only plan I could think of in that situation.
In the end, I was that kind of person.
‘but.’
At least that’s my people’s opinion.
I wanted to respect their feelings.
‘Of course, the wishes of my fiancé, Sojeo Dang, are also important.’
The thoughts of other women were equally important.
No one’s doctor should be left out or ignored.
This wasn’t the kind of problem I could decide on my own.
I had to meet the people involved directly and listen to what they had to say.
‘It’s been a while since I felt sorry for myself.’
You could say it’s cowardly.
I may have come up with a few good excuses, but in the end, I am leaving the decision to others.
Maybe there are people who are disappointed in me like this.
The previously friendly relationship may turn sour.
‘I’m afraid that something like this will actually happen, so I’ve been taking this time.’
Even if I was criticized, I had nothing to say.
But no more.
Someone had to put an end to this sluggish battle of wits.
Of course, I was the one who had to take the lead and take on that role.
‘Tomorrow morning, let’s go visit Sojeo.’
martial arts,
