Chapter 271: Receiving Guests (3)
“Hmm, the scent is good.”
Murong Jun spoke with a smile.
“So, how is the Demon-Sweeping Army’s training recently?”
“It is proceeding smoothly. Of course, I think a few more actual combats are needed though.”
“If it’s to the point where you are confident, it is truly worth anticipating.”
Murong Yu shook his head.
“If it doesn’t work in actual combat, it is of no use. We could probably somehow manage an all-out war in a wide-open area, but I’m not sure about battles in special environments like street battles or mountain warfare.”
“Aren’t they all troops clad in heavy armor and riding horses. It doesn’t suit street battles or mountain warfare in the first place.”
“The Evil-Annihilating Army was different.”
“Um?”
“The Evil-Annihilating Army is also skilled in street battles and mountain warfare. Their skills in all-out wars in open areas will probably also be outstanding.”
Murong Jun snickered.
“Most of those affiliated with the Evil-Annihilating Army are from prestigious families. The more prestigious the martial arts, the more distinct their individuality. Rather than banding together as one to crush the enemy, tactics that utilize their respective individualities would be more effective. There is a reason why Yeon Ho-jeong clad his subordinate soldiers in light armor.”
“I think so too.”
“The Demon-Sweeping Army as an organization specialized in all-out wars with overwhelming firepower, and the Evil-Annihilating Army as an organization specialized in special warfare with skillful response abilities. It is good for both organizations to develop by utilizing their respective strengths.”
Murong Yu thought.
Murong Jun at times like this truly seems like a person who devotes himself to the Murim Alliance.
Because sincerity was evident in that remark, he felt that way even more.
“By the way.”
Murong Jun smiled.
“You handled this matter well.”
Murong Yu’s eyes deepened.
“Thank you.”
“Your business talent is certainly not ordinary. It must have been quite tricky to handle this matter, but you did truly well.”
“The Guizhou Merchant Association is one of the hidden powerhouses in the merchant world as well. If I hadn’t suppressed their momentum at once, I feel I would have suffered quite a headache over this matter.”
“You saw it well.”
“Transactions with the main family will become much smoother in the future. You may set your mind at ease.”
“Hahaha!”
Murong Jun burst into loud laughter.
“I could tell your change since the time you said you would help me. But this matter was truly unexpected. Because I didn’t know you had such decisiveness.”
“Cultivating one’s character is important. However, failing to do what must be done because of one’s character is a sin.”
If someone knew what Murong Yu was aiming for, this remark would have sounded truly significant.
Murong Jun smiled with satisfaction.
“You are right. Heo! Now it seems you are truly fully prepared as well.”
Murong Yu spoke as if cutting it off.
“I shouldn’t just wait for the times when elder brother throws me food. Now I will also try running in my own way.”
“Keu-ha-ha-ha!”
It was Murong Jun who was deeply tightening himself up due to a single mistake.
In other words, while reorganizing, such decisiveness from Murong Yu was truly a welcome thing. He newly wondered if his younger brother’s existence had ever been this reassuring.
It was then.
“Clan Head.”
“What’s the matter?”
“Excuse me, but a letter has arrived for the Demon-Sweeping Army Commander.”
“To Yu? Come in.”
Murong Yu received the letter and opened it.
In an instant, his eyes sparkled.
“Who is the letter from?”
“It’s the Evil-Annihilating Army Commander.”
Murong Jun’s eyes immediately became sharp.
“From Yeon Ho-jeong, that bastard?”
“Yes.”
“What does it say.”
“Elder brother.”
“What?”
Murong Yu got up from his seat.
“I will go meet Army Commander Yeon. I will tell you the details after I return.”
* * *
“Yo.”
Yeon Ho-jeong waved his hand by the window on the second floor.
Murong Yu snickered.
“Should I go up to the second floor?”
“Then were you going to drink outside on this cold day?”
“Liquor?”
“If liquor is missing from a conversation, it’s no good. Hurry up.”
Did that guy like liquor that much?
Murong Yu entered Yeon Ho-jeong’s residence. On the table in front of the window, there was fish-flavored shredded pork giving off a plausible scent and two bottles of strong distilled liquor.
Murong Yu clicked his tongue.
“Strong liquor again?”
“What’s wrong with strong liquor?”
“It’s not that I particularly dislike it, but if you keep drinking only strong liquor, it ruins your stomach. Because it’s terribly strong.”
“Strong liquor leaves a good aftertaste.”
“Liquor that is strong yet clean leaves a good aftertaste. This strong liquor, just looking at it, looks like it was made simply to get you drunk?”
“You drink liquor to get drunk anyway, what else do you drink it for? Sit down for now. You probably haven’t eaten either.”
“I will do so.”
Murong Yu picked up a piece of the well-stir-fried meat and ate it.
“Did Younger Brother Yeon cook this?”
“Yeah, it was snowing too much, so it was annoying to go to the dining hall.”
“If you put your mind to it, you can arrive in an instant. What’s annoying about it.”
“I just feel that way. How’s the taste?”
“Fascinating. It’s quite delicious. Younger Brother Yeon is good at cooking too.”
“If you live alone, even an idiot can make this much.”
“I was an idiot…….”
Yeon Ho-jeong filled Murong Yu’s cup.
“How is it? Murong Jun.”
Murong Yu spoke with a calm face.
“He is keeping a low profile. It seems he greatly realized his own mistake this time.”
“As expected.”
“Elder brother’s movement this time was certainly excessively clumsy. It was rash.”
Murong Yu also filled Yeon Ho-jeong’s cup.
“So, is the reason you didn’t properly counterattack because of the Black Dragon Manor?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“Your discerning eye has become very sharp?”
“It’s nothing to call a discerning eye. If I hadn’t heard in advance, I absolutely wouldn’t have been able to infer it.”
Murong Yu fiddled with his liquor cup.
“To prepare properly and detonate it…… it seems you are waiting for next year’s election time.”
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
“You must launch an unexpected surprise attack to reduce the possibility of a counterattack. It will be a somewhat terrifying result for Murong Jun, but what can we do? To win, you shouldn’t be picky about the means and methods.”
“Be picky about the means and methods. Are you trying to become a person exactly like my elder brother?”
“Even if I’m not picky about the means and methods, I will keep minimal ethics. Do not worry.”
“Heo-heo.”
Murong Yu raised his cup.
“Let’s have a drink.”
“Good.”
The two people who clinked their cups swallowed the liquor refreshingly.
“Keu-eu, it’s too strong. It feels like the liquor is uniquely strong today.”
“That’s when snacks are needed. Hurry and eat. I purposely oiled it a lot.”
Murong Yu hurriedly chewed and swallowed the meat. He certainly felt like he could live as grease circulated in his stomach.
“By the way…….”
Murong Yu asked while wiping his mouth with a handkerchief.
“Did something happen?”
“Um?”
“It’s because it feels like your atmosphere has changed. Shall I say you look more stable than before.”
“Really?”
“Have you solved some homework that hadn’t been solved in the meantime?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“It’s not that, I just feel at ease.”
He didn’t know if he really looked that way, but if his atmosphere had changed, it would probably be because his father accepted his past.
He just didn’t show it, but keeping that secret alone without telling anyone was a considerable burden. Since he had to create justifications and reasons every time he handled any matter, it naturally couldn’t be helped.
However, it wasn’t the case anymore. Muk Bi aside, just the fact that his father knew lightened his shoulders considerably.
“It’s a good thing. Yes, there shouldn’t be any burden on your mind.”
“Yet you are looking much sharper, elder brother?”
“Do I look like that?”
“Yeah. Still, well, you don’t look tired. Are you planning to make up your mind and run now?”
Murong Yu smiled bitterly.
“Younger Brother Yeon’s eyes are truly sharp.”
“It’s not that my eyes are sharp, it’s that elder brother is easy to read.”
“Haha, is that so.”
Murong Yu asked while refilling Yeon Ho-jeong’s cup again.
“Yes, for what matter did you call me? Seeing that you sent a letter knowing my elder brother was there, it seems like official business.”
“Right.”
Yeon Ho-jeong pointed at Murong Yu with his chopsticks.
“If there’s no special matter, shall we go out for a breath of fresh air together this time?”
“A breath of fresh air?”
“Do you know the Divine Maiden of the Western Regions?”
“Ah, of course. Isn’t she the holy maiden of the generation.”
“Ho-oh, you know her? I didn’t know at all.”
“Indeed, you might not know. As for me, I’ve heard so many various rumors due to merchant world matters. But why the Divine Maiden of the Western Regions?”
Yeon Ho-jeong told him the detailed circumstances.
Murong Yu’s eyes shone.
“An escort?”
“Yeah.”
“Then wouldn’t it rather be better for the entire Evil-Annihilating Army or the Demon-Sweeping Army to go?”
“I also thought so at first, but it’s not any other work, it’s an escort right? No matter how much they are an army guaranteed freedom, it’s a bit much to use them for escort work. Moreover, the kids on our side are right in the middle of polishing their formations.”
“Ho-oh.”
“You said the Demon-Sweeping Army is also busy right? Didn’t you say before that they are pouring blood and sweat to cultivate their response abilities during chaotic battles?”
“That’s right. They are still working hard even now.”
“That’s what I mean. Personally, for the next expedition of the Evil-Annihilating Army, I plan to wander all over the Central Plains before returning to the Alliance. It’s a bit of a waste to kill time with this kind of work.”
“Jjeop, the expression killing time is a bit much. Escorting a person like that in itself could be a tremendous honor.”
“Let’s share that good honor together. We can talk about various things and train while going. Isn’t it good?”
“Hmm.”
Murong Yu’s eyes sparkled.
“An accompaniment using an official mission as an excuse……. Indeed, it wouldn’t make my head hurt.”
“Anyway, my father is also at the Alliance, and the Strategist is also here. Murong Jun probably won’t be able to run wild recklessly for the time being, and I think it’s perfectly fine timing-wise too.”
Murong Yu smiled.
“If there’s nothing else bothering you, it’s good for me too.”
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
“Good. Then we will depart in three days, so prepare steadily until then.”
“Good. Ah! But…….”
“What?”
“Is it just you and me going? Are there no other companions?”
“Well.”
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
“I’m contemplating one guy, but the problem is whether I can trust that guy’s mental state.”
* * *
Three days later.
“Yes, have a safe trip.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Make sure to send letters even if nothing happens.”
“Do not worry.”
Yeon Wi nodded.
“Yes. Ah! And I heard the news that Ji-pyeong has departed. I told him to contact you moment by moment through the Beggars’ Gang, so if you can meet him in the middle, I think it would be fine to bring him along.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
It was then.
“Preparations are complete.”
Gang-ryang and Muk Bi walked out.
Yeon Ho-jeong blinked his eyes.
“Muk Bi, why are you?”
“I’m going too.”
“Where?”
Muk Bi pointed at Yeon Ho-jeong.
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
“If even you go, who will train the kids?”
“Ah-yeon will. And what kids are the soldiers? They do well on their own even without superiors.”
“…….”
“Besides, we are going to escort an honored guest. It wouldn’t be excessive even if a whole mobile unit moved, but if we are leaving them behind to train, at least I should go along.”
Yeon Wi looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.
“I didn’t say it, but I also agree with Bi-ah.”
Muk Bi grinned.
“See, Father says so too.”
Gang-ryang scratched his head.
“Wasn’t it a training trip?”
Yeon Ho-jeong sighed.
“Okay, let’s go together. Indeed, if an incident happens by any chance, your archery will be a great help.”
“Right?”
At that time, Murong Yu rode a horse and approached the main gate.
“Are your preparations complete?”
“……Roughly.”
Yeon Ho-jeong placed the Crazy Dragon Axe on his shoulder.
“Well, we’re just escorting one person back, what could happen. Let’s make it a quick trip.”