Chapter 326: Legitimacy (3)
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I ordered Zhuge Yan to organize even the personnel who would go to Gansu. While I could select them myself, I also wanted to see Zhuge Yan’s capability, and I thought that if I picked them directly, complaints might arise about why someone wasn’t taken along.
“Lady Zhuge. Why was I left out?”
Sure enough, even though I hadn’t made the selection, Peng Chae-hyang objected.
Peng Chae-hyang was absent from the lineup Zhuge Yan had drafted.
Leaning her upper body over the table toward her, Zhuge Yan looked up at Peng Chae-hyang from across the table.
“Because Lady Peng has grounds for disqualification.”
“I do?”
“Yes. You are a person of the Hebei Peng Clan, aren’t you? The Hebei Peng Clan is not affiliated with the New Justice Association, right? Although the Peng Clan is barely resisting through closed-door seclusion, they are in a position that can never be free from the influence of the Palace of Heavenly Worship.”
“B-But I have already traveled around with Brother a lot.”
“Back then and now are different. Right now, the Society Leader is going to meet Prince Xian of Gansu. If it is said that someone from the Hebei Peng Clan is in our party, Prince Xian might be on guard. If discovered by the Palace of Heavenly Worship, the position of the young lady or the Peng Clan will also become awkward.”
At Zhuge Yan’s well-reasoned words, Peng Chae-hyang looked at me with teary eyes. She seemed to be asking me for help. However, I had no choice but to avert my gaze. Because every single word Zhuge Yan said was correct.
“Monitoring and coordinating the state of the Central Plains from the New Justice Association is also important.”
I barely managed to add a word. When I spoke, Peng Chae-hyang immediately nodded as if resigned.
“If Brother says so, it cannot be helped.”
“Right, right. Rather, it is because I trust you that I am leaving you inside. This journey to Gansu might be dangerous as well. Because I do not want Chae-hyang to get hurt.”
When I told her that, Peng Chae-hyang’s expression became noticeably better. Of course, she was still sulky. Having managed people for several decades, it always feels like a new and difficult task.
“I selected as rationally as possible.”
“It seems so.”
I nodded at Zhuge Yan’s words. Looking at the roster, I could not help but agree with the statement that they were chosen rationally.
First, Senior Brother Myeong-gyeong. As the current Prince of Jianzhou, Myeong-gyeong was a princely king on equal footing with Prince Xian. He was an absolute necessity.
Next was Master. A role close to my bodyguard. Using one’s master as a bodyguard—I wondered what kind of unfilial impiety this was, but it could not be helped.
“Originally, I considered assigning the Taiji Sword Emperor, but just as important as the Society Leader is our main headquarters. We also need someone to protect the main headquarters.”
“Right. Even for me, the Sect Leader is burdensome. The Sect Leader ought to remain inside the Wudang Sect.”
Someone of Master Cheong-hwa’s caliber was the best bodyguard the Wudang Sect could provide me. In truth, it had been a long time since I crossed blades with Master, so I didn’t really know what level Master was at right now.
“Then Master, Senior Brother Myeong-gyeong, and I—is that all?”
“No. Young Master Namgung will also go.”
“Really?”
“Yes. We need someone to attend to the Society Leader, don’t we?”
Zhuge Yan said nonchalantly. She was treating the legitimate eldest son of the Namgung Clan like a servant. However, unable to even refute, Namgung Hwi sorrowfully nodded his head.
“There truly is no one to attend to him. Since Daoist Myeong-gyeong is said to be the Prince of Jianzhou. And he is also the Society Leader’s senior brother.”
“Yes. That makes four.”
Zhuge Yan clapped her hands, concluding the personnel arrangement. Naturally, we would move in secret. If the number exceeded five, it could draw attention, so she seemed to have condensed it to four.
Since we were currently going to plan a rebellion, there was no benefit in drawing attention. Furthermore, there were many people aiming for me right now, including the Blood Cult.
“Then I will choose the departure date for five days and nights from now.”
“Three days and nights from now would be enough, wouldn’t it?”
“Looking at the celestial patterns, five days and nights from now was an auspicious day. It is also the first day of the month.”
“You even read the celestial patterns?”
“I am at a level where I could serve as a court astronomer.”
Zhuge Yan shrugged her shoulders. Namgung Hwi and Peng Chae-hyang looked at Zhuge Yan in admiration.
From the perspective of martial artists, someone who knew how to read things like the stars could only be fascinating.
“Then let us do so.”
I wrapped up. Five days and nights. If there was leeway, there was leeway in the schedule, but leeway was at my discretion. If I didn’t want to make leeway, I didn’t have to. And I did not think right now was a time when I could afford to be leisurely.
“Lady Zhuge.”
“Do not speak formally and address me comfortably. You are the Society Leader, after all.”
I hesitated. Because I had truly never thought I would become someone who dropped formalities with Zhuge Yan.
I recalled her being older than me as well. But in the Central Plains, there were many who lived as peers within a range of five years older or younger.
Feeling somewhat awkward, I gave a dry cough.
“Yan-ah.”
“Yes.”
“Senior Brother Myeong-gyeong and Master don’t know they are going with me yet, right?”
“Yes. I intended to inform them after reporting to the Society Leader. Because the Society Leader’s thoughts are most important.”
“Then I will tell them.”
“Will you do that?”
I nodded and rose from my seat. I planned to visit the Hall of Exhausting the Way to see my senior brothers and Master after a long time.
“Have a good trip.”
Peng Chae-hyang bowed first, and Namgung Hwi and Zhuge Yan also stood and gave courteous nods. Acknowledging them, I left the Society Leader’s office.
* * *
Muk Hui-yeong left. After a brief silence, the three sorted out their respective tasks. Since their duties did not particularly overlap, there was no need to speak.
Even when Namgung Hwi and Peng Chae-hyang worked together, they were not ones to joke around much, so with Zhuge Yan—an awkward presence—it was only natural that words flowed even less.
Yet unexpectedly, the first one to open her mouth was Zhuge Yan.
“Lady Peng.”
“Yes?”
“When handling official business, do not use the title Brother.”
“……Pardon?”
At Zhuge Yan’s words, Peng Chae-hyang wore a blank expression. Peng Chae-hyang was fundamentally not an aggressive person. Thus, she could not immediately snap back at such words.
“When it is just us, it might be fine, but doing so when other sect leaders or elders are present is not good.”
“I, I at least wouldn’t do that when elders are present!”
“I said it just in case. Please do not take offense.”
At Zhuge Yan’s words, Peng Chae-hyang clenched her fists and trembled.
“Just now, even Lady Zhuge was called Yan by the Society Leader. Isn’t that also a private form of address?”
“A superior addressing a subordinate is different from a subordinate addressing the Society Leader that way. Besides, it wasn’t me who asked to be called Yan. I do not know what kind of relationship Lady Peng usually has with the Society Leader, but this is a workplace. When conducting official business for the New Justice Association, leave private feelings out of it.”
“Is there any reason I must hear such things from Lady Zhuge?”
Peng Chae-hyang spoke with irritation rising for no reason. While knowing Zhuge Yan’s words were reasonably valid, having the matter concerning her relationship with Muk Hui-yeong touched upon made her displeased.
Zhuge Yan looked at Peng Chae-hyang. As if agitated, Peng Chae-hyang was blushing.
In truth, Zhuge Yan thought she had given valid advice to Peng Chae-hyang. And she thought Peng Chae-hyang was someone who could accept it.
Because Zhuge Yan roughly knew the person named Peng Chae-hyang. This reaction was rather unexpected.
What had touched that gentle Peng Chae-hyang? Zhuge Yan rolled her mind a bit. The answer came quickly. Zhuge Yan covered her mouth and chuckled. Peng Chae-hyang’s face turned even redder.
“What is so funny?”
“Then I will call him Brother as well.”
“What?”
Peng Chae-hyang was flustered.
“It doesn’t matter, does it? Isn’t it fine if I also call him Brother? Then there’s no issue, right?”
“No, more than that, Lady Zhuge’s age compared to Brother is……”
Zhuge Yan swayed. It was Peng Chae-hyang landing an effective blow by sheer luck out of pure curiosity.
“Ahem, ahem. Then may I call him Hui-yeong as well?”
“You cannot do that.”
“Why? Once we become close, we can address each other that way.”
Peng Chae-hyang was at a loss for words. Because saying it undermined official dignity now would be inconsistent even in her own mind.
“……You aren’t even close anyway.”
Ultimately, Peng Chae-hyang had no choice but to answer that way. Just from her diminishing voice, the outcome of this clash was practically decided.
“We just have to get close, right? I feel like I can get close with the Society Leader.”
“When you hated him so much. Brother was also reluctant about Lady Zhuge.”
“Because the Society Leader is a magnanimous person. If he weren’t such a person, he wouldn’t have accepted me either. I just need to do well.”
“Was Lady Zhuge such an amiable person?”
“I think I will have more common ground with him than Lady Peng. Because I know what kind of person the Society Leader is. Clearly, the Society Leader has many points in common with me.”
“Good grief. That is severe self-absorption. How could someone cold like Lady Zhuge be similar to the warm-hearted Brother?”
At the fierce battle between the two women, Namgung Hwi was working with his head buried into the desk. In truth, he was watching the fight with interest, but burying his head because he feared facing disaster if caught by the two women.
“Lady Peng must know as well. What makes the Society Leader remarkable is that when he needs to maintain cold reason, he maintains it. That is something impossible without deeply seasoned inner cultivation. Considering his age group, it is truly astounding.”
“I know that much too.”
“I doubt Lady Peng knows the Society Leader better than I do.”
Peng Chae-hyang felt her head growing hotter by the second. Zhuge Yan, who had just joined, was now acting as if she knew Muk Hui-yeong better than she did.
“Are you saying that sincerely?”
“Yes.”
“That is truly absurd.”
“Why? Do you think that’s not true?”
Zhuge Yan smiled. Peng Chae-hyang slammed the desk and sprang to her feet. Then she stepped toward the seated Zhuge Yan.
“Those are words I cannot overlook.”
“It is merely my thought. Though I believe it to be correct.”
“No. You are wrong.”
“Shall we make a bet?”
Peng Chae-hyang looked at Zhuge Yan. Zhuge Yan wore a face full of genuine confidence.
“What kind of bet?”
“Well? With a topic Lady Peng desires. Among things related to the Society Leader.”
“Ha. You are that confident?”
“Yes.”
Peng Chae-hyang found it absurd. Although Peng Chae-hyang had followed Muk Hui-yeong around a lot, talk of Zhuge Yan had hardly ever come up. And she had rarely seen the two converse.
Yet she had no idea where such confidence came from.
For a moment, Peng Chae-hyang pondered. What could they bet on, and what would be advantageous to her?
Just then, a thought flashed through Peng Chae-hyang’s mind.
“Then shall we bet on who can fluster Brother first? When the three of us are together, that is.”
“Fluster him?”
“Yes.”
Peng Chae-hyang laughed internally. Peng Chae-hyang knew too. That Muk Hui-yeong rarely became flustered. However, she knew when he did become flustered. Had he not been flustered when she used his lap as a pillow, or when he carried her on his back during the walk?
“Very well.”
Zhuge Yan nodded without much thought. Peng Chae-hyang smiled.
“Right. When the three of us are together, whoever flusters him first wins.”
“Sounds good.”
Zhuge Yan smiled as well. The smiles of the two women were chilling the summer sunlight entering the room. Only Namgung Hwi shivered in that cold air.
* * *
“Achoo.”
I sneezed. It wasn’t weather to sneeze in. Suddenly a sneeze came out. It felt as if a chill had drifted from somewhere. But passing quickly, I thought it was my imagination.
When I arrived at the Hall of Exhausting the Way, as was usually the case, my senior brothers were devoted to training.
However, there was a difference from back then. Master, who was usually nowhere to be seen, was also training. Seeing him swinging alone, it was his own training, not guidance.
“Master.”
I approached Cheong-hwa. Cheong-hwa looked toward me.
“I wondered when you would come.”
“Pardon? Were you waiting?”
“Isn’t visiting your master to pay respects a given? I was biding my time to see how long you wouldn’t come.”
Cheong-hwa spoke in a sulky voice. I chuckled softly.
“You were waiting, weren’t you?”
“It’s not that I was waiting; it is a given that you should come.”
“That’s one and the same.”
The edge of Cheong-hwa’s hand chopped my forehead.
“Ow.”
“You are just the same. Come inside.”
“Weren’t you training?”
“I have something important to say.”
Something important. However, because he was such a frivolous master, I didn’t feel particularly tense. At most, wouldn’t it be something like telling me to visit more often?
However, the words I heard upon entering Master’s room were like a bolt from the blue.
“You, learn the Taiji Wisdom Sword.”
“……Pardon?”
Wind blew through the open window. The book placed on the desk flipped and fluttered. It was aged paper that had browned with time.
I could tell instinctively. That was none other than the secret technique of the Wudang Sect: the secret manual of the Taiji Wisdom Sword.