Chapter 333: Aiming at the Light (1)
“The tea tastes good.”
“I brew it quite well, don’t I?”
“I am surprised. I thought you only distanced yourself from the Way of Tea.”
Murong Lotus Flower smiled.
“I learned it while staying there. I heard that immersing myself in the Way of Tea could help me govern my mind, so I tried learning it, but the effect doesn’t seem that great.”
Murong Jun laughed heartily.
“Governing your mind is up to your own determination, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. Still, it was okay at first. I was quite tense.”
“That is understandable.”
“Yes. It was quite helpful in relieving tension.”
Murong Lotus Flower had bet her life when she went to the Black Dragon Manor.
It meant that she hadn’t gone as Yang Cheon’s hostage. With that single mindset, Murong Lotus Flower was able to grow further, and eventually, receiving Yang Cheon’s recognition, she was able to reach this place now.
Murong Jun spoke calmly.
“So, seeing that you have finally come to see this father, have you made up your mind?”
After Murong Yu proved his own worth with his intense presence.
Murong Jun had called Murong Lotus Flower and scolded her quite severely. If they were in the same boat, it was right to forget past ill-fated relationships and try to learn even a little more, but Murong Lotus Flower was still captivated by the past.
Of course, the heart of Murong Jun who scolded his daughter was not comfortable either. Ultimately, her growing up like that was also partly his fault. He was the one who had taught her that if one’s abilities were good, such things were merely trivial problems.
However, he hoped she would change even now. He hoped she would be able to accomplish great things by his left and right sides together with Murong Yu.
Murong Lotus Flower, who had been scolded by Murong Jun, had said she would reflect on herself in her residence until her mind was set.
And now, his daughter had personally come to see him and brewed tea for him.
“I will speak honestly.”
Murong Lotus Flower’s face was extremely serious.
Her eyes did not waver in the slightest, and the arrogance disappeared from her expression. With just that, Murong Jun was satisfied.
“My feelings toward my uncle have not yet been resolved. I tried in my own way, but it wasn’t easy.”
“The human heart is like that. Making up one’s mind is an easy thing, but resolving one’s feelings is not so simple.”
“Yes. But I cannot stay like this forever. Just as Father said, looking down on the other party because of a past ill-fated relationship when we are in the same boat is something only a petty person would do.”
“Hmm.”
“I will try. I cannot completely forget the past ill-fated relationship, but I will try to be able to ignore it. At the very least, I will make sure that I do not look down on my uncle because of it.”
Murong Lotus Flower was still a talent lacking in many ways.
However, the reason Murong Jun acknowledged his daughter was that, at the very least, she knew how to take a certain level of responsibility for the words she had spoken. And that was also proof that Murong Lotus Flower was just as honest.
Murong Jun smiled and nodded.
“You thought well. Since you have made up your mind like that, this father’s heart has also become much lighter.”
“I am sorry for making you worry.”
“No. Seeing as you have returned having become a level more mature, the mental suffering up until now is nothing.”
Murong Lotus Flower smiled.
“Things like this might happen again in the future. Please reprimand me often.”
“Hahaha! Yes, I will surely do so.”
The father and daughter smiled while looking at each other.
It would have to be seen whether Murong Lotus Flower could truly change, but hadn’t she at least taken one step? Murong Jun was sufficiently satisfied with just that.
“Right, since you’ve come anyway, let’s share the stories we haven’t been able to talk about.”
“Yes.”
Murong Jun’s face, which had been full of smiles, became cold in an instant.
“Did Manor Lord Yang tell you to bring the Alliance’s information?”
“Yes. He definitely said so.”
“Hmm.”
Murong Lotus Flower sighed.
“He is not someone who doesn’t know that it is a considerably unreasonable task. Besides, even though it’s an already finished discussion, he is demanding information. That is…”
“It must be insurance.”
The corners of Murong Jun’s mouth rose.
His smile was cold.
“He promised solid support so that I could become the Murim Alliance Leader, but if I end up failing to become the Alliance Leader, wouldn’t it be like he spent money in vain? Manor Lord Yang has done his own calculation of profit and loss.”
“I was a little disappointed in that aspect. I thought he wasn’t a person who would speak two words with one mouth.”
“He is testing the waters.”
“Yes?”
“He wants to see if our side will truly provide the Alliance’s information or not. Even if we do not provide the information, our relationship will continue.”
Murong Lotus Flower’s eyes flashed.
“He gave me such an order to gain superiority in the relationship.”
“An equal relationship cannot exist. If you gain superiority in a relationship, many things become easier.”
“Then what are you planning to do?”
“Well.”
Murong Jun rested his chin on his hand.
“Whether it’s Manor Lord Yang or me, if either of us starts crossing the line, we will both perish. Setting aside the relationship or superiority, it should be fine to pat his rear a little within a reasonable line.”
Tension appeared on Murong Lotus Flower’s face.
“Are you planning to leak the Alliance’s information?”
“Yes.”
“…!”
“Of course, I cannot hand over top-secret information. However, I will have to throw him an appropriately large and appetizing piece of meat.”
Murong Jun smiled.
“If possible, information that could be beneficial to me as well would be good.”
“Information that could be beneficial…”
Murong Lotus Flower’s eyes changed in an instant.
“Are you trying to eliminate a political enemy?”
Although she still lacked many things, indeed, bloodline didn’t go anywhere. Murong Jun showed a satisfied smile at Murong Lotus Flower’s sharp discernment.
“For me, it’s good that a political enemy disappears, and for Manor Lord Yang, it will be good to eliminate an eyesore-like master of the Orthodox Path, so wouldn’t this be killing two birds with one stone?”
“It could be dangerous, Father.”
“It is dangerous. However, we are always walking on thin ice. It is definitely a dangerous matter, but it will be of great benefit to me in proportion.”
Murong Jun’s eyes shone.
“Of course, before that, it would be good to create a decent shield.”
“A shield?”
Murong Jun, who had organized his thoughts while drinking a sip of tea, closed his eyes.
‘I am sorry.’
To whom was he saying this?
‘Your choice to join me was good. However, you are excessively radical. There were many times when all of our faction members were embarrassed because of you.’
Murong Jun opened his eyes again.
Having made a certain decision, a faint killing intent dwelt in Murong Jun’s eyes.
‘I will not make the excuse that it is a sacrifice for the great cause. Resent me.’
He opened his mouth.
“I heard that the Sect Leader of the Kongtong Sect will leave the Alliance a month from now.”
“Are you talking about Sect Leader Deung Cheon-gyo?”
“Yes.”
Murong Jun looked intently at Murong Lotus Flower.
Murong Lotus Flower’s face gradually turned pale.
“Father, don’t tell me…?”
“If you want to take the enemy’s bones, you must cut off your own flesh.”
“…!!”
“Sect Leader Deung is the possessor of astonishing martial arts. However, he is also a person who frequently causes problems by being excessively radical. In a way, he is someone who is even more of a headache because he has become an ally.”
Murong Lotus Flower swallowed her saliva.
Unscrupulous regarding means and methods in eliminating the enemy. That was the aesthetics of battle.
However, taking the opponent’s pieces even at the cost of sacrificing an ally was something that shouldn’t be done in most cases. Setting aside efficiency, if this fact was discovered, who would want to be with him?
Murong Lotus Flower, having organized her thoughts for a moment, bowed her head.
“The reason you are trying to sacrifice Sect Leader Deung must not be simply to avoid suspicion. It must be because Sect Leader Deung has caused several accidents during that time.”
Murong Jun chuckled.
“Of course, that is true. But I don’t plan to use that as an excuse. No matter what, he is my person, and even if he is the biggest troublemaker in the world, if he came into my embrace, it is only right to protect him somehow.”
“…!”
“Right now, I am saying that I will not keep that obvious duty. It is something unlike me.”
“Father.”
“But, I have no hesitation in my heart.”
Murong Jun’s eyes became bleak.
Murong Lotus Flower saw such vicious eyes from her father for the first time. While she had been absent from the Alliance, Murong Jun had also undergone a great change in his own way.
“You said you were disappointed because Manor Lord Yang spoke two words with one mouth, right?”
“…Yes.”
“I understand him. Even principles and rules, if they are not flexible, will slow down progress. This is not an excuse but a fact.”
“…”
“Until I truly become the best, if necessary, I will throw even my own person as a sacrifice. I will engage in trickery, and if I have to be a fool, I will live like a fool.”
Murong Jun looked at Murong Lotus Flower.
“Will you believe and follow even such a father?”
A small smile soon played on Murong Lotus Flower’s face, which had been full of surprise.
“The reason you asked me such a question means that there is a possibility that I, too, will become a scapegoat, right?”
“That could be so. No, I have already used you as a scapegoat before.”
The person who had sent his daughter to the Black Dragon Manor for his own future was none other than Murong Jun. Such a man was saying that he would live more viciously.
Murong Lotus Flower bowed her head.
“The very fact that you told me that is a great gift to me. Even blood relatives can be cast aside at any time if they lack ability and are unhelpful. Just knowing that, I am now able to reduce the mistakes I would make twice to once.”
Murong Jun smiled.
His daughter had definitely inherited the blood of the Murong Clan. And very thickly at that.
“Then, let us begin.”
“Yes. Ah! Before that.”
“Hmm?”
Murong Lotus Flower tilted her head.
“If you are using Sect Leader Deung as a shield, which political enemy are you trying to eliminate?”
Murong Jun’s smile faded.
He opened his mouth and spoke, and heavy tension descended upon Murong Lotus Flower’s face upon hearing that name.
“…It won’t be easy.”
“Manor Lord Yang should also know that. He will handle it well on his own. It would be good if he dies, but it’s fine even if he doesn’t die. I will be able to see Manor Lord Yang’s skills on this occasion as well.”
“I see.”
“I will go figure out Sect Leader Deung’s travel route. Deliver it to Manor Lord Yang tomorrow.”
“…Yes!”
* * *
The two people walked along the path at a quite fast pace.
How much time had passed like that.
“Clan Head.”
“What is it?”
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“For what matter on earth are you doing this?”
Since he had already said he would follow him, there was no real need for such a question.
Even knowing that, it was hard to endure his curiosity. It would be different if he had asked his father for help, but with Tang Kwan’s personality, how many matters would there be where he would specifically take him along?
Swish.
Tang Kwan stopped walking for a moment. Yeon Ho-jeong, who was naturally following behind him, also stopped walking.
“Rude bastard.”
“I am Yeon Ho-jeong. Please call me by my name.”
“I know that you are the one who put Sang-ah into the Demon-Sweeping Army. Murong Yu only approved it.”
“That is true, but.”
“I will ask you one thing.”
Tang Kwan’s eyes deepened.
“You bastard, do you have a close relationship with Murong Yu?”
Quite a sharp question came in out of nowhere.
Of course, Yeon Ho-jeong’s expression did not waver. He merely contained questioning in his eyes.
“Why do you ask that?”
“Just answer, rude bastard.”
It was an answer that was hard to give easily. Sharing a deep friendship with Murong Yu was a matter he had not yet told even his father. Of course, he had probably noticed to some extent.
In other words, telling this fact meant letting Tang Kwan know everything about himself.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“That is correct.”
“…”
“I believe you won’t go anywhere and mention this fact.”
Tang Kwan’s eyes deepened. He also knew the power this honest answer possessed.
But that was only for a moment.
“Then pull her out.”
“Who?”
“Sang-ah.”
“…Suddenly?”
Tang Kwan’s expression became complicated.
“There is a reason to do so.”