Chapter 159: v7c9 - The Second Button
Volume 7 Chapter 9 – Part 9 The Second Button
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“I do not know how long it has been since I felt the aroma of tea.”
The Gong Family’s former patriarch let out a hearty laugh, “Hehe,” smiling from the bottom of his heart.
“It seems the effects of the treatment are manifesting a bit more.”
At Yeon So-hyeon’s words, he merely nodded with a pleasant expression.
“Is it only that? Tea drunk with a welcome and precious guest has an aroma beyond what one can simply smell with the nose, after all.”
The old man, Gong Ryang, placed the teacup on the table.
“In the future, our Gong Family will not spare support in all directions the Eldest Young Master needs.”
“That is…”
Before Yeon So-hyeon, who was concerned that the Gong Family would get caught up in the succession struggle of the Luoyang Sword Family, could express his declining intent, the old man waved his hand.
“Thinking that a time like this might come someday, I maintained the name of the Sixteen Imperial Capital Families, which is full of nothing but empty shells.”
Gong Ryang smiled bitterly.
“I only hoped that a child who could properly utilize these legacies would be born, but…”
Without daring to speak on the internal affairs of another family, Yeon So-hyeon quietly listened to the old man’s words.
“Any of my children, and even my grandchildren, were only fellows of insufficient caliber.”
It meant it was obvious just by looking at the fact that, ending with himself, Gong Ryang, a prime minister serving for three generations was no longer produced.
“My eldest son, who is currently in the Imperial Capital, may harbor great ambitions, but he lacks backbone, so he lacks the will to carry out his plans.”
Clicking his tongue, the old man tapped the blanket covering him as if unsatisfied.
“Even if that fellow receives the legacy of this family, he will merely be busy maintaining it. There is no way he would accomplish proper grand deeds with this legacy.”
It was a harsh evaluation.
However, in the words of Gong Ryang, who could be called one of the symbolic figures of the reformists in the Imperial Capital, a will that could absolutely never make a single point of compromise was felt.
“Eldest Young Master.”
The old man’s gaze, burning from deep within, turned toward Yeon So-hyeon.
“To rectify Luoyang, one must rectify the Luoyang Sword Family, and to rectify this empire, one must rectify the Imperial Capital.”
His hand grabbed Yeon So-hyeon’s hand with unprecedentedly strong force.
“The only one who can do that is the Eldest Young Master.”
Although it was a story too massive for individuals to share, Yeon So-hyeon replied without hesitation.
“I will keep that in mind.”
At that immediate reply, Gong Ryang smiled.
“Indeed, you answer immediately. When the Eldest Young Master said he ended his seclusion, this old man was certain.”
He spoke as if reading Yeon So-hyeon’s mind.
“If he were not prepared to rewrite the Luoyang Sword Family and rewrite the world, there is no way that great man named Yeon So-hyeon would have ended his seclusion.”
“……As expected of Elder Gong, you are precise.”
The old man, who had served as prime minister for a short period after the start of the war and prevented the worst situations, roared with laughter.
“Good. That is it. That is precisely why the legacy of this family must be used for the Eldest Young Master, rather than anyone else!”
From where did such strength surge?
The old man’s passionate speech continued.
“If it is this old man’s name, it does not matter where or for what reason it is used in the future. Whether it is this Gong Family’s wealth or empty reputation, it means it does not matter if you draw and use it as you please. Regard the people of this Gong Family as your own people.”
Gong Ryang beat his chest.
“In the future, this old man will support all of the Eldest Young Master’s steps.”
“That is…”
“Are you worried about my eldest son in the Imperial Capital? Are you worried that this old man will have no power?”
The old man took out a small and luxurious box from beneath the thick pillow he was leaning against.
“Look closely, Eldest Young Master.”
And when he opened that box, was there not a seal made of jade contained inside?
“This is the official seal of the Gong Family Patriarch.”
“…!”
“Unlike what is known to the outside, the current patriarch of this family is still this old Gong Ryang.”
Indeed, even Yeon So-hyeon could not help but be surprised.
“This old man has waited only for a day like today, and has not handed over the patriarch’s seal to anyone until now.”
His gaze flashed with a momentum that would pierce anything blocking his path.
“In the future, Gong Ryang, the patriarch of this Gong Family, will back the Eldest Young Master, pouring and supporting everything of this family.”
* * *
Of course, there was still a long way to go to bring about the degree of change Gong Ryang and Yeon So-hyeon desired.
However, both Yeon So-hyeon and Gong Ryang knew that each and every step from now on would lead to large and small changes.
And that first step was naturally Luoyang, and the Luoyang Sword Family.
“The Young Patriarch of the Sword Family.”
“That would be the very first.”
Moistening his throat, Gong Ryang nodded heavily and said.
“For the Eldest Young Master to select Mount Beimang as his first step was an excellent decision that even this old man did not imagine. Of course, the result is also very excellent.”
“We have only buttoned the first button now.”
“It was not merely the first button, but buttoning the first button extremely well!”
Gong Ryang struck his knee.
“All the top rulers of Luoyang must have clearly seen what steps the Eldest Young Master took on Mount Beimang.”
It was just that their sphere of influence was Luoyang.
In Luoyang, they were those who could exert influence more easily and greatly than the Sixteen Families whose foundation was in the Imperial Capital.
“And they will not be able to suppress their astonishment at the relationship between the former patriarchs of Mount Beimang and the Eldest Young Master that will be revealed in the future.”
And to that extent, Yeon So-hyeon’s reputation would spread further and grow greater.
“But that is insufficient.”
“Indeed.”
Gong Ryang agreed with Yeon So-hyeon’s words, adding more.
“This Mount Beimang is a very secret place, so what happens here will not go down to the streets.”
“Correct.”
“So it is now the Eldest Young Master’s turn to showcase the ‘second button,’ correct?”
The visit to Mount Beimang was the first button.
And now it was time to button the second button.
“Yes. I have prepared the ‘Valley of Sin’ as the second button.”
Gong Ryang’s eyes flashed with fire.
He had instantly noticed that it was not a story that ended merely at the level of the joint project currently known to the outside.
“Indeed, indeed…”
The old man wore a meaningful smile.
“So that was why you dragged in those old devils…! I see!”
Yeon So-hyeon smiled.
“Even those former patriarchs realized it only after I explained, yet for you to notice immediately at this spot, you are excellent.”
Gong Ryang waved his hand.
“This old man merely guessed the big framework. Who could not make such a simple guess?”
Even so, Gong Ryang’s mood looked much better.
“If the Eldest Young Master can do just that, it will be a highly excellent second button.”
His face flushed.
“Ahem. Excellent. Excellent.”
Even clapping his hands, he nodded his head alone, then soon shook a rope hanging down long beside him.
“Have that fellow come in right now!”
The voice shouting toward the outside rang out.
While Yeon So-hyeon’s treatment was one thing, the revived hope was breathing vitality into his body.
“That fellow…?”
Toward Yeon So-hyeon, who wore a puzzled expression, before Gong Ryang could even answer, a booming voice was heard from outside.
“Grandfather, it is your grandson!”
Even though it was a voice containing not a single shred of internal energy, the tea water in the room shook slightly.
“Come in right now!”
“Yes!”
Along with the loud reply, the door opened.
Then, what revealed its appearance was the figure of a youth so giant that he tightly filled the entrance, which could absolutely not be called small.
“Grandfa…!”
His forehead collided straight into the upper door frame.
“Oops.”
He slammed it so hard that the vibration was felt even to Yeon So-hyeon sitting inside the room.
To the point of wondering if the door frame was going to be shattered as it was.
“You rascal! Do you intend to destroy the whole house?!”
The giant, who lowered his head and entered the room, scratched the back of his head.
“Haha. You should blame the door for being low, why do you scold this precious grandson?”
Would he be around his mid-twenties.
Although he had a somewhat rough face, having passed the situation sociably, he discovered Yeon So-hyeon.
“Oh! This small guest must be the precious guest Grandfather was waiting for.”
“You! You rude rascal!”
An inkstone flew at his head at once.
With a *clack* sound, the inkstone split in half and fell to the floor, but on the contrary, did he not brighten his face and rejoice?
“My! For Grandfather to become healthy enough to throw an inkstone ‘again’! To think there could be such a joyful thing!”
And then, he burst into laughter, looking ready to dance excitedly by himself.
“We must hold a feast right away today!”
And then, he performed a deep bow toward Yeon So-hyeon at once.
“You must be the distinguished guest who uses the surname Yeon that Grandfather always spoke of. It is an honor to meet you like this. I am Gong Dam-ung.”
“……I am Yeon So-hyeon. Nice to meet you.”
As Yeon So-hyeon replied with a hollow laugh, Gong Ryang covered his face on the side as if embarrassed and said.
“He is a fellow who looks lacking, but since he at least took second place in the palace examination, he will not be a fellow so stupid as to be completely useless.”
At that, Gong Dam-ung, who rose again and sat on the floor, grumbled.
“If it were not for that spectacled fellow surnamed Kang, the top spot would have been mine.”
Gong Ryang flew into a rage.
“What is the point of blaming someone else?! You must know that you yourself are lacking!”
At that, Gong Dam-ung beat his chest.
Each time he beat his chest, it made a sound like a large drum beating.
“Oh, Grandfather! Ever since he was in the academy, that fellow was a monster-like fellow who never forgot what he saw once! It is not right to compare a monster like that on the same line with an ordinary person like me!”
He then wore an aggrieved expression.
“And what about the fact that our entire cohort got in trouble because that fellow took top place in the palace examination and yet refused public office and ran away!”
Yeon So-hyeon asked stealthily.
“Could the name of that spectacled fellow surnamed Kang be…?”
“It is a fellow named ‘Kang Ho.’ Have you heard of him?”
At that reply, Kang Ho of the Inspection Department immediately came to Yeon So-hyeon’s mind.
“Cohort in trouble or whatever, was it not you who kicked away public office and left?!”
Gong Ryang shouted, pointing a finger at his grandson.
“How can a rascal who threw a high-ranking official onto the wall blame someone else?!”
Gong Dam-ung grumbled.
“…If only that fellow had not asked to turn a blind eye to a eunuch from the Min Family who broke the rules of the Imperial Palace, I would not have done so.”
“Stupid rascal! If you were not my grandson, your head would have flown off at once!”
Gong Dam-ung roared with laughter at those words.
“Is that not why I respect and love you, Grandfather?”
At the sight of his grandson who did not back down even a single word until the end, Gong Ryang, who turned his face red with shame and anger, finally let out a sigh.
“Eldest Young Master. This pathetic rascal is the next patriarch of our Gong Family.”
“Does that mean…?”
The old man nodded.
“Since he is a rascal who is a giant in strength alone, has learned martial arts, and has a decent head on his shoulders, he will not hold back the Eldest Young Master.”
He added briefly.
“Since the Eldest Young Master said the next step is the Valley of Sin, you will be able to take him and employ him even as a soldier.”
Gong Dam-ung laughed “haha” at those words.
“I shall watch with anticipation to see with what outstanding talent the distinguished guest, whom Grandfather praised to the skies, will employ this Gong Dam-ung!”
It was a subtle provocation.
‘He is like a warrior of the Sword Family.’
A personality that does not believe others’ assessments until experiencing it directly with his own body.
Yeon So-hyeon, who until recently would have left ‘this category’ alone and chosen a way to surprise him with his own strategy later, smirked and smiled.
‘Now, there is no need to choose a roundabout way.’
“Is there any need to watch?”
“Pardon?”
Yeon So-hyeon said to Gong Dam-ung, who was blinking his eyes.
“How about testing it right now?”
“With what, exactly?”
Yeon So-hyeon smiled.
“With strength.”
Gong Dam-ung’s eyebrows twitched.
His protruding temples and his body, which was trained beyond what he was born with, showed that he had accumulated substantial training.
“…Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
The smile on Yeon So-hyeon’s lips deepened.
The function and stability of the Dual Principles Mind Art, which had reached its peak, were now sufficiently verified.
The path for him to use martial arts with peace of mind had opened.
‘It is also about time to gradually remove the label of “the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family who does not know martial arts.”‘