Chapter 266: Confession (4)
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“Will you drink with this?”
“Yes, Army Commander.”
“…This is a private setting now.”
“Understood.”
Murong Yu filled Tang Sang-ah’s cup.
Tang Sang-ah emptied the cup just like that. From the beginning, she didn’t seem to have any intention of pouring alcohol for the other party.
Murong Yu awkwardly filled his own cup.
Tang Sang-ah just sat quietly and looked at him. After drinking a cup, it would be natural for her to pour one for him, but she didn’t say a word.
It was certainly quite an embarrassing moment. However, Murong Yu did not turn his head or drink alcohol to get rid of the awkwardness.
“Will you receive one more cup?”
“Sounds good.”
Having received the cup, Tang Sang-ah did not drink first this time around.
Thus, the two people sat facing each other.
Murong Yu opened his mouth.
“Right, for what reason did you ask me to buy you a drink?”
“Because I have something I want to ask straightforwardly.”
“Please ask.”
“You know, right? That our two Clan Heads tried to pair us up.”
She brought up a matter they both knew about but had never mentioned openly.
If it was daring, it was a daring attack. However, considering the ages of the two people, it was also not that awkward of a matter.
Murong Yu nodded.
“Of course I know.”
It was a calmer reaction than expected.
Tang Sang-ah said with a smile.
“It’s nice that you’re straightforward. Honestly, I thought you would be a little flustered.”
“I was sufficiently flustered. It’s just that I’m trying not to show it.”
“You can show it. It’s not an embarrassing thing or anything.”
“Of course it is. However, I do not easily show my true feelings to a person I haven’t accepted in my heart.”
It was sharp.
Spitting out such words with a calm face, Tang Sang-ah rather felt her mind settling.
“You are correct. It’s surprising. You were a much more solid person than I thought.”
Murong Yu smiled bitterly.
“We didn’t have time to share friendship, but anyway, I am the commander of the Demon-Sweeping Army. When spending that long time together with the soldiers, even a fool is bound to learn something.”
Tang Sang-ah smiled.
Her smile was incredibly attractive. After going through the matter with her father, Tang Kwan, it seemed she had grown in her own way, albeit in a short time.
Although she didn’t have a firm perspective in that confident smile yet, the possibility of shining even brighter in the future was open.
“So, did you come to talk about that part?”
“Yes.”
Murong Yu nodded.
“I think it is a conversation we had to have someday.”
“That’s right. That’s why I came.”
“So, what is it that you wish to ask?”
“What do you think of me?”
Murong Yu smiled.
“I think you are a highly skilled soldier.”
It meant he didn’t see her as a woman yet. And it also meant that this state would be maintained in the future if there was nothing to entangle them with each other.
Tang Sang-ah nodded.
“I too think of Army Commander Murong as a superior officer with outstanding skills.”
“Thank you for the generous evaluation.”
“I am curious what you think about our marriage arrangement.”
Murong Yu rested his chin on his hand and fell into thought.
It was an appearance from which seriousness naturally leaked out. It was not a fabricated appearance meant to show off.
Tang Sang-ah could tell just by looking at that appearance. The character of Murong Yu.
‘At the very least, he is not a person who would lie in a setting like this.’
Even purposefully evaluating him lowly, it was to that extent. Looking purely at the raw feeling, she could naturally tell he was a serious and upright man.
A moment later, Murong Yu opened his mouth.
“I don’t know if Miss Tang also thinks so, but I am opposed to a loveless marriage.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right. Someone might mock my words as sounding spoiled. But isn’t it a life you only live once? You’ll be together with a life companion for the remaining decades, so you can’t be together with someone without affection.”
“…”
“Even if you live caring for each other, I feel like I would regret every day feeling sorry for not being able to do more for them. I do not want to present that love and passion that I will pour out for my whole life to someone I don’t even have romantic feelings for.”
“…”
“Although I wouldn’t be able to in the first place, either.”
It was a statement that plainly revealed Murong Yu’s values.
He was always sincere to others. He drew a line in relationships that were not sincere, and if it was a relationship entangled with sincerity, he was a person who gave his all.
It was a naive nature that was hard to believe for the head of an organization. Tang Sang-ah was inwardly surprised by Murong Yu’s words and actions that were much more serious than she thought.
Murong Yu spoke with a smile.
“Does that answer your question?”
“Sufficiently.”
“I am glad you are satisfied.”
Tang Sang-ah tilted her head.
“Aren’t you going to ask about me?”
“I was just about to ask. What does Miss Tang think about this marriage?”
“I would have been a little sad if you hadn’t asked.”
“As if. I too am a man. I cannot help but be curious about my counterpart.”
He was truly incomparably honest.
Even so, it was hard to find a person who spoke so truthfully in front of a woman. Tang Sang-ah liked that character of Murong Yu.
“If I could marry a man I harbor romantic feelings for, there would be nothing better than that.”
“Of course that is so.”
“But passively waiting until my destined partner appears, I think that is also a funny thing.”
Murong Yu’s eyes widened.
“Then?”
“Only I can take responsibility for my life. If so, I should actively pioneer it.”
“Hmm.”
“I will look for him myself. The person who will become my spouse. So if I think I like someone, I will reach out my hand without thinking of the consequences.”
Tang Sang-ah smiled bitterly.
“I only realized a short while ago that patience isn’t everything.”
“…”
“I’ve spent my whole life enduring and suppressing myself. I don’t want to do that anymore. The main character of my life can only be me. If so, I should decorate the stage as gorgeously as possible.”
What a bold woman.
While surprised by Tang Sang-ah’s change, Murong Yu couldn’t help but admire it.
When he first saw Tang Sang-ah, she was not like this. Rather, she was closer to being timid, and she was busy constantly reading the room afraid she might cause harm to those around her.
That girl from back then was gone now. She still looked a little insecure, but a heroine who had established her own unwavering principles was here.
“So, you see.”
Tang Sang-ah grinned like a mischievous child.
“I’m going to start by getting to know you, Army Commander.”
Murong Yu blinked.
“M-me?”
“Yes.”
“…Why did you have such a thought?”
“Of course I’m not a crazy person who can’t find a spouse. But people say this. Demon-Sweeping Army Commander Murong Yu is fully worthy of being called the number one talent under heaven.”
“It’s a ridiculous overpraise.”
“I don’t know if it’s overpraise, but I can at least tell you are a good person.”
“Ahem.”
“So I’m going to observe you for a bit. Whether this person is a decent person. Then if by chance I come to harbor romantic feelings for you, Army Commander, at that time I might not care about what’s ahead or behind.”
Murong Yu’s face instantly heated up bright red.
If her boldness is at this level, it’s scary. They say Murim people are much more open-minded than ordinary commoners, but still, it’s hard to find a person like this.
An image of a woman hard to find in the Central Plains. That appearance of Tang Sang-ah came across as incredibly fresh to Murong Yu as well.
Tang Sang-ah burst into peals of laughter.
“It seems you really are flustered this time?”
“I was greatly flustered.”
“I just wanted to let you know my honest feelings. If I was rude, I will apologize.”
“That is absurd. Rather, I want to emulate that honest side of Miss Tang.”
“You are also honest, Army Commander Murong.”
The conversation full of tension transitioned quite harmoniously.
“By the way, may I ask you one thing?”
“What is it?”
Tang Sang-ah stroked her chin.
“What kind of relationship do you have with Army Commander Yeon?”
Murong Yu blinked.
“Why do you ask that?”
“I don’t know politics well, but… I think the Yeon Clan and the Murong Clan are in quite a sharp confrontation. But the relationship between the two of you that I saw last time seemed to be quite good.”
“Did it look like that?”
“Yes.”
Murong Yu, who had been quietly looking at Tang Sang-ah, spoke in an even deeper voice.
“We are still nothing to each other. We are merely making an effort to get closer.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
“It is.”
“…I understand.”
Tang Sang-ah held out her cup.
“Please give me one more cup. Ah, shall I pour for you first this time?”
“I will receive it gratefully.”
Receiving the alcohol Tang Sang-ah poured, Murong Yu thought.
‘I must be more careful.’
He definitely felt he had let his guard down.
Of course, Tang Sang-ah’s discernment might be exceptionally sharp, but there were plenty of people in the Murim Alliance with better discernment and faster brains than her.
‘Did I think there was nowhere to rely on? Was that why I wanted to protect at least my relationship with Younger Brother Yeon?’
That couldn’t be known.
The important thing was that if he continued to treat Yeon Ho-jeong like he did now, an incident could erupt at any time.
Yeon Ho-jeong probably knew. That Tang Sang-ah was not a person to spout nonsense to other people. That’s why he was likely still leaving her alone.
However, he must not cross the line beyond this.
‘Being careful is not enough. I must become the subject. I must live with the thought that I take the lead, rather than relying on someone.’
Murong Yu focused on Tang Sang-ah.
The words she had spoken came to mind.
‘The main character of my life can only be me…’
What he learned from the conversation with her was huge.
Murong Yu, who had been quietly looking at Tang Sang-ah, soon bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
“Eh? S-suddenly?”
“Thanks to Miss Tang, there is something I have greatly realized. I cannot tell you, but if it weren’t for you, I would have almost made a mistake in the future.”
Tang Sang-ah let out a dry cough.
“Speaking so grandly makes me flustered.”
Murong Yu raised his cup.
“Let’s have a drink.”
“Alright. Hmm, but I’m curious. What did you realize?”
“It’s a secret.”
“Someone said that a man with many secrets is unattractive.”
“Not having charm doesn’t hinder living.”
Murong Yu, who refreshingly emptied his cup, looked out the window.
‘Younger Brother Yeon. Truly, your suffering was considerable because of this ugly older brother.’
Today of all days, he wanted to see Yeon Ho-jeong.
* * *
“Whew, this winter is truly extraordinary. There are still over two months left, but at this rate, there might be an accident.”
Zhuge Wen-hu, who brushed the snow piled on his head and shoulders, knocked on the room door.
“It’s me. May I come in?”
“…Come in.”
What is it?
Zhuge Wen-hu was inwardly puzzled. Yeon Wi’s voice that could be heard was quite sunken.
‘Is something the matter?’
Deureureuk.
Zhuge Wen-hu opened the door and entered.
He bowed his head.
“I’m sorry it got later than expected. Because there were many things to take care of.”
“It’s fine.”
Yeon Ho-jeong and Muk Bi stood up and cupped their fists.
“You worked hard coming all the way here.”
“What hardship could there be. Take a seat.”
“Yes.”
Thus, everyone took a seat.
Zhuge Wen-hu examined the faces of the three people.
‘…Hmm.’
It felt like his puzzlement was amplifying at a terrifying speed.
‘Did something really happen?’
The atmosphere was quite gloomy.
A look of half-doubt was apparent on Muk Bi’s face, and Yeon Wi’s face was heavily stiffened enough that anyone could notice.
On the other hand, Yeon Ho-jeong’s face was expressionless. Unlike that calm expression, his eyes were somewhat bloodshot.
Zhuge Wen-hu let out a dry cough.
“Ahem! Anyway, since we’ll all be busy, I’d like to get straight to the main topic.”
“That sounds good.”
“Right, now tell me. About the secret you are hiding.”
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke in a hard voice.
“Do you know about an organization called the Three Cults of Fanaticism?”