Chapter 325: Legitimacy (2)
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The conference room was filled with an uncomfortable atmosphere. The only person with a serene face was Zhuge Yan. Zhuge Yan was naturally sipping tea.
No matter that her roots were in a branch family, how many gatherings had she attended representing the Zhuge Clan as Outer Court Master? Her demeanor, including her tea ceremony, was peerlessly elegant.
“It’s uncomfortable because of me, isn’t it?”
Zhuge Yan was the first to open her mouth.
“Ha, haha. How could that be?”
“T-That’s right. Not at all.”
Peng Chae-hyang and Namgung Hwi waved their hands in denial. But if Zhuge Yan was a rat snake, these two were closer to baby snakes that had just shed their skin compared to her. There was no way Zhuge Yan would miss that.
“I understand as well. Because one of the people you treated as your primary enemy until now is suddenly sitting like this. You might think there could be pointless resentment left over. Because one never knows what lies in a person’s heart.”
“I told you that’s not it, good grief……”
Even while saying so, Namgung Hwi did not stop being on guard against Zhuge Yan.
“Hwi.”
“Yes?”
“Pick just one. If you are going to be on guard, be on guard; if you are going to accept her, accept her. Being ambiguous isn’t being wise, it’s being naive.”
Unable to watch any longer, I delivered a sharp rebuke. As if embarrassed, Namgung Hwi’s face flushed red.
“Ahem, I am sorry, Older Brother. I showed an unsightly side for a moment.”
Even so, Namgung Hwi admitted it immediately. It was also the reason I liked Namgung Hwi. Despite being a young master from an illustrious family, he had no hesitation in learning. It might be limited only to me, but how Namgung Hwi treated others aside from me was not a major concern.
“It is truly like that, Lady Zhuge. To be completely honest, I thought you would hate our Older Brother more than anyone else. Of course, saving your younger brother and Lady Zhuge was a great deed, but I do not believe that alone built enough trust to handle the core intelligence of the New Justice Association.”
I nodded. Right. Speaking like that was a hundred times better. After all, they were front-line practical administrators. If grudges remained between front-line staff, the organization’s efficiency would naturally plummet. Resolving such things was my role.
“Yes. I agree with those words too. But that is not something I can solve right this moment. Right now, I have neither goods nor money to secure trust, nor do I have enough sociability to become close with everyone quickly.”
Zhuge Yan said in a low voice.
“In that respect, I am simply doing the work Benefactor assigned to me. What I can show is nothing other than handling matters cleanly. As that accumulates, everyone will likely come to trust me as well.”
“That is the issue before that. If you are entrusted with a crucial task from the very start, we cannot help but feel uneasy.”
“That is a matter for the Society Leader to judge.”
At Zhuge Yan’s words, Namgung Hwi fell silent. As expected, there was no way Zhuge Yan would lose to Namgung Hwi in a war of words.
While Namgung Hwi had been swinging a sword, Zhuge Yan had spent that much time wielding a brush, meeting people, and speaking. That experience could not be ignored.
“And speaking that way is not good, Young Master Namgung. If you were truly reluctant to utilize me, you should have prepared proper evidence before speaking. Right now, Young Master is simply leaning on personal friendship to appeal to the Society Leader. In terms of an organization, that is a poor method of communication.”
“It’s not entirely like that either. Certainly, if trust isn’t established between administrators, that alone has plenty of potential to become a problem. Being uncomfortable oneself is the very ground for it.”
Seeing Namgung Hwi fumbling for words, I spoke on his behalf. Zhuge Yan covered her mouth and smiled lightly.
“You are indeed a good Society Leader. If only the Zhuge Clan Head had been as wise as you, the Zhuge Clan wouldn’t have fallen that far.”
It seemed only I understood Zhuge Yan’s remark. Still, Namgung Hwi was someone close to a founding contributor to me.
If I took Zhuge Yan’s side here saying she was more logical, Namgung Hwi’s already crumpled face would be crumpled even further. In the sense that she recognized my consideration for a subordinate’s feelings, she called me a wise Society Leader.
“My words were excessive. I apologize, Young Master Namgung.”
“Ah? Ah. No need to go as far as an apology.”
Having immediately caught my intention, Zhuge Yan went so far as to apologize to Namgung Hwi. Having received an apology, Namgung Hwi seemed to have his mood eased a bit. As expected, Zhuge Yan was quick on the uptake. Peng Chae-hyang and Namgung Hwi lacked this sort of sharp, agile movement.
“Hwi, and Chae-hyang too. You might find it a bit hard to rely on, but just hear her out once. If Lady Zhuge cannot handle the work, I will dismiss her.”
Now that Zhuge Yan had set the stage like this, I needed to direct the situation a bit as well. When I took a humble posture, Namgung Hwi and Peng Chae-hyang sprang up from their seats.
“No, no. Not at all. Come to think of it, it is something Older Brother decided, yet it seems I pointlessly voiced dissatisfaction. That was not my intention.”
“I didn’t say anything, Brother.”
“No, Lady Peng. Then what does that make me?”
“I wouldn’t know……”
At Peng Chae-hyang’s deflating answer, everyone burst into laughter. At any rate, I was glad it had been settled amicably. Since neither Namgung Hwi nor Peng Chae-hyang were particularly stubborn in front of me, it could pass smoothly.
Having said this much, there likely wouldn’t be major problems even once work began on the front lines. Most likely.
“Let me state this clearly here. For now, I notified the elders that I was resigning from my post as Outer Court Master of the Zhuge Clan before coming. Knowing various classified secrets of the clan, from the elders’ perspective, they will naturally want to keep a tight rein on me. In that respect, leaving the New Justice Association right now would actually be an act of suicide for me. Having already left, the Zhuge Clan will not place me in an important position again as they did before.”
Zhuge Yan continued.
“And I truly feel limitless gratitude toward Benefactor. Not only did you save my younger brother and me, but you also resolved the Gu poison. Though I do not know how you resolved it. The Society Leader knows: the most expensive kindness is kindness without price. Having received that, I lack the nerve to dare run away. Furthermore, the New Justice Association is the only place where I can settle down after leaving the shadow of the Zhuge Clan.”
“What about the Palace of Heavenly Worship?”
Peng Chae-hyang asked. Zhuge Yan shook her head.
“You might not know, but the Palace of Heavenly Worship is merciless toward breakaway groups. They virtually sever all support and exert omnidirectional pressure so that no way to survive remains. The Zhuge Clan barely held out because of what they had previously built, but ordinary small or medium sects could never endure it.”
“Really?”
This was high-grade intelligence again. Being internal information, it was information even the Demonic Cult could not provide.
“In truth, there were many groups that casually relied on the Palace of Heavenly Worship, only to become disappointed by the Ink Sword Hero’s conduct and attempt to leave. Almost all of them were probably wiped out. Because they erased them without a trace, but if you dig, it will all come to light.”
“They are truly a terrifying group.”
Peng Chae-hyang rubbed both her arms as if getting goosebumps. As expected, the Imperial Palace was a bunch one could not feel at ease with. They still retained the habit from when they wiped out the Heavenly King Sect. We, too, could be ambushed at any time. Of course, unlike the Heavenly King Sect, because the New Justice Association was a massive power supporting one pillar of the orthodox martial world, considering the aftermath, they could not do so right away.
“It might still be difficult to trust everything, but that is something I will gradually build. At any rate, whether logically or humanly, there is no possibility of me betraying the Society Leader at present, so I would be grateful if you could trust me.”
Making her final remark, Zhuge Yan placed a hand over her chest and bowed to Namgung Hwi and Peng Chae-hyang.
To begin with, Namgung Hwi, Peng Chae-hyang, and Zhuge Yan were acquaintances hailing from the Five Great Families. As such, with Zhuge Yan taking such a humble posture, they could not refuse to accept her.
As expected, Zhuge Yan was an extraordinary person. Grasping my intentions, she immediately switched to a deferential attitude. That was Zhuge Yan’s respect toward me.
“Understood. Brother is like that too, and since you speak to that extent, it cannot be helped.”
“Understood.”
Ultimately, Namgung Hwi and Peng Chae-hyang accepted Zhuge Yan. Out of sight from Namgung Hwi and Peng Chae-hyang, Zhuge Yan subtly flashed a smile at me. I also subtly nodded to Zhuge Yan when they were not looking at me.
“As I understand it, the first task I will undertake at the New Justice Association is drafting the Society Leader’s upcoming itinerary.”
Zhuge Yan shifted the topic naturally.
“I only heard the rough outline and drafted it accordingly. Naturally, since the Society Leader’s inclinations and other prerequisite information are shared with the two of you, please let me know if there is anything unreasonable.”
Namgung Hwi and Peng Chae-hyang nodded, subtly glancing at me. They seemed to ask when I had even ordered such a thing.
Glancing at the two, Zhuge Yan continued speaking.
“First, the Society Leader must go to Gansu. That is the most urgent matter. From what I have heard, Prince Xian has implicitly agreed to assist the New Justice Association.”
I, too, had not told Zhuge Yan as far as Prince Xian preparing a rebellion. I had given her curated information to some extent.
“Naturally, the ones best suited to keep the Imperial Palace in check are princely kings. In terms of both justification and position, that is correct. Regardless of how much Prince Xian supports the New Justice Association, it will surely be a great help.”
“Exactly what kind of help do you think it will be?”
I asked. As if she had been waiting, Zhuge Yan poured out her answer.
“First, the Imperial Palace will not be able to touch us easily. Prince Xian of Gansu possesses military power that ranks among the foremost even among princely kings. Even if the Central Plains all belong to the Imperial Palace, because it is so vast, it is not an environment where Beijing, biased toward the northeast, can control everything. Geographically, it is also good that Beijing and Prince Xian are far apart.”
Zhuge Yan continued to speak.
“Naturally, nearby princely kings maintain close relationships with each other. It is a different concept from befriending distant states while attacking nearby ones. In any case, because they belong within the same empire, there is no reason to fight. That point will be advantageous to us.”
“To speak specifically, what kind of advantage would there be?”
“To speak in extremes, it is easy to form a rebellion front.”
Peng Chae-hyang and Namgung Hwi’s eyes widened. Internally, I was astonished as well.
Zhuge Yan had already figured it out. Understandably, for someone like Zhuge Yan, she would have noticed immediately upon hearing that Prince Xian was helping the New Justice Association.
Even so, without insight into the balance of imperial politics and power dynamics, it was something that could not be easily deduced; it was a moment where Zhuge Yan’s ability shone.
“A rebellion front. That is a rather dangerous phrase.”
“To be precise, that is the best path. The New Justice Association cannot walk together with the empire, must not, and likely has no intention of doing so. Since a rebellion will be raised anyway, if Prince Xian watches our back, it will become far more stable.”
“Good.”
I spoke without realizing it. Perhaps sensing the sincerity in my praise, Zhuge Yan smiled lightly and added more words.
“And though I do not know what kind of magic the Society Leader worked, I heard you also have ties with the Great Desert. Then we must immediately create a route connecting Heaven’s Gift Merchant Company, which cooperates with us, the Great Desert, and Gansu. For that reason as well, the Society Leader’s journey to Gansu is urgent.”
Having finished speaking, Zhuge Yan looked around at the room.
“If there is any leap of logic or conjecture in what I said, I would like you to tell me. There must be no errors in this journey to Gansu.”
Receiving Zhuge Yan’s gaze, Namgung Hwi and Peng Chae-hyang shook their heads back and forth.
“In my view, the primary goal the New Justice Association should set is economic pressure on the Imperial Palace. No matter how much the New Justice Association is composed of prestigious sects, if we engage in a direct armed confrontation with the empire, we lack justification. Therefore, this journey to Gansu will also have to be focused on that.”
I crossed my arms and listened to Zhuge Yan’s words. There was no need to even chime in. She was speaking well according to my intentions on her own.
“Applying economic pressure so that the Imperial Palace invades first. Designing it that way before clashing is the best course for the New Justice Association. Only then can we see the next goal.”
“If you say the next goal?”
Namgung Hwi asked. Seeing that he paused briefly, it seemed a bit burdensome to follow the speed of the conversation.
And in my opinion, it was an appropriate pause. Because there was a need to refresh the air at least once.
“Founding an empire.”
For the sake of the shocking statement that followed, that is.
Namgung Hwi and Peng Chae-hyang’s jaws dropped wide open. As if satisfied, the corners of my mouth curled upward.