Chapter 524
Chapter 524
Chapter 524. Facing Each Other Yet Again (5)
At my words, the Palace Head of Zhurong Palace nodded.
“As you said. The matter of deposing the Young Palace Head has not yet been officially announced. And if that fellow had approached the black faction in a fit of anger, would they have launched an attack this quickly?” (Palace Head)
The Palace Head was right.
In other words, they had been preparing to attack Zhurong Palace at any time.
And in the midst of that, after hearing the news of Young Palace Head Meng Hyun’s deposition, they quickly approached him.
In other words, there was someone who informed them of this matter.
“Who do you think it is?” (Palace Head)
There is a place I suspect.
But the Palace Head would know the circumstances of Zhurong Palace better than I do.
“Why are you asking me that? Would you not know better, Palace Head?” (MC)
“……True. It is absurd to ask an outsider about the affairs of this palace.” (Palace Head)
After pondering for a moment, the Palace Head raised his head and looked at Chief Administrator Hae Dalman.
“Immediately arrest everyone working in Hyun’s residence.” (Palace Head)
“I shall obey your command.” (Hae Dalman)
At that, I asked him.
“Do you believe there is a rat among those working in Mister Meng Hyun’s residence?” (MC)
“None of my children have personal guards, so if they wish to go out, they must request a personal guard. Naturally, a report would come to me. But I received no report.” (Palace Head)
“In other words, he secretly went out without guards.” (MC)
“That is right. That would only be possible if there were a rat among those working in Hyun’s residence.” (Palace Head)
“Is there not also that man called Hae Hong?” (MC)
“Ah, I did consider the possibility of that fellow for a moment, but it would not be him. If it were, there is no way Chief Administrator Hae would have failed to notice. He seems indifferent, but he is stricter than one would think when it comes to educating his son.” (Palace Head)
“I see.” (MC)
“And decisively, that fellow is currently undergoing forced isolated training because of the crime he committed.” (Palace Head)
Ah…… then it would not be him.
But this is strange.
When I looked around last time, there was no one with the aura of the black faction.
“……!”
One thought suddenly came to mind.
“By any chance, is there anyone from Mister Meng Hyun’s residence who had gone out for several days and returned yesterday?” (MC)
At this, the Palace Head looked back.
A man who seemed to be the inner chief administrator immediately answered.
“There is one called Ok Gun. He went out for a while because of a family matter and returned yesterday evening.” (Inner Chief Administrator)
At that answer, the Palace Head nodded.
What happened afterward proceeded with lightning speed.
We immediately arrested every last person in Mister Meng Hyun’s residence and began interrogating them.
Among them, the key figure was the one called Ok Gun.
“When the First Young Master wakes up, he will tell us everything. So if you confess your crimes on your own before then, we will lighten your punishment a little.” (MC)
“…….” (Ok Gun)
“But if you keep your mouth firmly shut until then, you will receive an extremely cruel punishment.” (MC)
The punishments of Zhurong Palace are certainly cruel.
And perhaps because the man called Ok Gun knew that well too, he eventually confessed about it.
“In truth, I was the one who lured the Young Master. Because my father had incurred a massive debt to a place called the Black Lotus Gang…….” (Ok Gun)
The name of the place I had expected came from his mouth.
The Black Lotus Gang.
They are people who run rampant in the Yunnan region, and they are an extremely vicious group.
They earned income through cunning methods and, based on that, created the Ultimate Martial Awakening Pill.
Their goal is a Black Lotus world.
They call themselves descendants of the Black Lotus, and they are a place mixed with a somewhat religious aspect as well.
They called the Ultimate Martial Awakening Pill the mercy of the Black Lotus.
Mercy, my foot.
In any case, their end was not good.
In this life, their mistake was touching Mister Meng Hyun and Zhurong Palace.
The Palace Head deposed his son from the position of Young Palace Head for the future of Zhurong Palace.
But that does not mean he does not love his son.
Honestly, he annoyed me and brought shame to Zhurong Palace, but that was not a crime deserving death.
However, luring that son, making him eat the Ultimate Martial Awakening Pill, and turning him into a cripple is a different story.
And since Zhurong Palace is a place more sincere about revenge than anyone else, the Palace Head is certainly someone who will make them pay the price.
The next day,
The Palace Head immediately summoned all the leading figures.
And there, he declared war against the Black Lotus Gang.
It was called a war, but in truth, it was practically a punitive expedition.
Because of that, the conference was postponed, and so I ended up staying a little longer at Zhurong Palace.
After seeing off the Palace Head and his disciples as they set out toward the Black Lotus Gang, I came to my residence, the guest hall.
And I wrote a letter to Master.
Because the events had unfolded so frantically that I had not been able to report to Master what I had discovered.
An ordinary person would not be able to send a letter from here, but I have Geumryeong.
“Geumryeong.” (MC)
“Kui!” (Geumryeong)
“Deliver this to Master.” (MC)
“Kui!” (Geumryeong)
Geumryeong quickly stuck out his tail. As expected, he is truly serious when it comes to earning money.
Geumryeong immediately tied the letter to his tail and vanished, running like an arrow.
Watching Geumryeong turn into a distant dot in the blink of an eye, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
Would Master truly be able to keep up with Geumryeong’s speed?
I certainly cannot.
Just then, Pal-gap came in and said,
“Young Master, um…….” (Pal-gap)
Pal-gap seemed to hesitate slightly. What is it?
“What’s the matter?” (MC)
“Someone has come from Mister Meng Hyun’s residence. They request an audience with you, Young Master.” (Pal-gap)
Pal-gap seems not to like the idea of my meeting him.
“Do you wish I would not meet Mister Meng Hyun?” (MC)
“He is the bastard who tried to make trouble for you, Young Master, and this time, he tried to kill you. On top of that, you were injured fighting him too, Young Master…….” (Pal-gap)
“You see, I am the narrowest-minded bastard in the world.” (MC)
At my words, Pal-gap gave a faint laugh.
“Are you saying that sincerely? Of all the people I have seen who say they are narrow-minded, I have never seen one who was truly narrow-minded.” (Pal-gap)
“It is just a figure of speech.” (MC)
I continued speaking.
“But a merchant must be able to treat even yesterday’s enemy with a smile today. And honestly, he is not exactly an irreconcilable enemy.” (MC)
“Mm, that is true.” (Pal-gap)
An irreconcilable enemy.
That means an enemy with whom one cannot live under the same sky, a phrase that appears in the Qu Li chapter of the Book of Rites.
To me, such enemies are the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Martial Alliance.
But the Baekcheon Trading Company has been quiet lately, has it not?
I said to Pal-gap,
“So I’m telling you not to worry.” (MC)
I rose from my seat and went outside. Then the person waiting out front quickly bowed his head.
“I heard you were looking for me. Let us go.” (MC)
“Yes, thank you for granting the Young Master’s request.” (Messenger)
A short while later,
I arrived at Mister Meng Hyun’s residence.
He was sitting in a place with a good view of the scenery and drinking tea.
Since he was the very person who had dragged the black faction into Zhurong Palace, he would have deserved execution, but he was able to keep his life.
Because he had been used through the man called Ok Gun.
Also, he was the son of the Palace Head of Zhurong Palace. Is this why one must be born with a good spoon in one’s mouth?
However, due to the side effects of the Ultimate Martial Awakening Pill, all the muscles and meridians in his body had been severed, his qi and blood had been twisted, and even his qi center had been shattered.
Fortunately, he was still able to walk or wash himself, but…….
His teeth were so loose that he could only eat soft food or porridge.
Since his body is probably a wreck, he will likely not live very long.
The hollow complexion and the darkened area around his eyes now prove that.
“I heard you called for me.” (MC)
“Ah! Welcome.” (Meng Hyun)
He welcomed me.
“It would be proper for me to rise and greet you, but as you can see, I cannot, so I ask your understanding.” (Meng Hyun)
“I do not expect it.” (MC)
Saying that, I sat in front of him.
“So, what did you wish to say that made you ask to see me?” (MC)
At my question, he bit his lip, then opened his mouth after a moment.
“How did things end up like this?” (Meng Hyun)
That was what I wanted to ask.
In my previous life, he became the Palace Head of Zhurong Palace, and though he ended up ruining Zhurong Palace, he still lived while commanding Yunnan in his own way.
But now, he had been deposed from the position of Young Palace Head and had become a cripple, making the fact that he had once been a promising prodigy meaningless.
“Now that my body has become like this, I find myself thinking too much.” (Meng Hyun)
“…….” (MC)
“And when I looked back on myself, I was able to realize that all of this began with me. I one-sidedly courted the Young Palace Head, who was not free from the laws of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, and I disregarded those laws…….” (Meng Hyun)
“Do you not remember insulting the disciples of the Northern Sea Ice Palace?” (MC)
“I did? I have never done such a thing.” (Meng Hyun)
“At that time, you clearly said, ‘It is merely that you do not formally marry. Do you think I would not know that you roll around with other men when your hearts align, and speak so?’” (MC)
“Keok!” (Meng Hyun)
Seeing that reaction, it seems he only now remembered.
I told you.
I have an incredibly good memory. And I am narrow-minded and hold grudges too.
So where do you get off playing dumb?
“T-that was, I am truly sorry.” (Meng Hyun)
He apologized in embarrassment.
“It was fortunate that I was the only one who heard it. If Young Palace Head Bing Haerin had heard that, there would have been an uproar.” (MC)
“……I am truly sorry.” (Meng Hyun)
Well, that is enough of an apology toward the Northern Sea Ice Palace, and what I need to hear is something else.
“You have done plenty wrong to me as well, have you not?” (MC)
“I am sorry for that as well.” (Meng Hyun)
“But there are people you should be even sorrier to than me or the Northern Sea Ice Palace.” (MC)
At my words, he sighed and nodded.
“I know. I have committed an indelible act of unfilial conduct toward my father and mother as well.” (Meng Hyun)
“You may or may not know this, but right now, the Palace Head has led his disciples and headed toward the Black Lotus Gang that used you.” (MC)
“…….” (Meng Hyun)
“Surely you do not think that is merely to wash away the humiliation Zhurong Palace suffered, do you?” (MC)
“Is it for me?” (Meng Hyun)
“What other reason could there be?” (MC)
“I was truly a pathetic son.” (Meng Hyun)
“Did you only realize that now?” (MC)
I did not comfort him or anything. Comfort is something received by those who are qualified to receive it.
The way I see him, he does not have the right to be comforted.
He must clearly regret and reflect on what he himself did.
I cannot lighten that guilt with some half-baked consolation.
“A person goes down the wrong path in a single careless moment. They fail to suppress a moment’s emotion, or fail to suppress their hot blood, and commit an act.” (MC)
I continued speaking to him.
“I do not know what conclusion you reached, but the Mister I saw had too much hot blood. That is the cause and reason for this entire matter.” (MC)
“…….” (Meng Hyun)
At my words, he only let out deep sigh after deep sigh.
“You only stab at the sore spots.” (Meng Hyun)
“That is my specialty.” (MC)
“But thanks to that, my heart becomes at ease. It is truly contradictory.” (Meng Hyun)
He gave a bitter smile.
I could not find in him any of the obstinacy or hot blood I had seen before.
Does he know that acting hot-blooded will be of no use?
Or perhaps it is because acting stubborn or hot-blooded will only make his own body hurt.
The heat that rises when he acts hot-blooded would touch his acupoints, and the pain would be immense.
So he should have reduced that hot blood sooner.
Now, like this, he has been forcibly made unable to act hot-blooded.
“The reason I asked to meet the Young Palace Head is partly to apologize, but there is also something I wish to ask of you.” (Meng Hyun)
“When you say you have a request?” (MC)
“My younger brother, Cheon…… please persuade him.” (Meng Hyun)
“Persuade him about what?” (MC)
“Father will make Cheon the Young Palace Head. Even in my eyes, if that fellow becomes Palace Head, he will do very well. I am certain of that.” (Meng Hyun)
He continued speaking.
“Because I saw the qualities of a Palace Head in that fellow, I secretly harassed him whenever I had the chance. But he is the sort who never even tattled about it to Father.” (Meng Hyun)
“…….” (MC)
“He merely avoided me and shut himself away in the library.” (Meng Hyun)
So that is why Mister Meng Cheon was in the library.
“Thinking about it now, I was truly petty. I should not have been that way…… but it seems I unknowingly felt a sense of crisis.” (Meng Hyun)
“…….” (MC)
“But earlier, Cheon came to visit me while I was ill and said this. He said he has no intention of becoming the Young Palace Head.” (Meng Hyun)
He continued speaking.
“Please persuade that fellow so that he can become the Young Palace Head. This is the atonement I can make.” (Meng Hyun)
I returned to the guest hall and grumbled while strolling through the courtyard.
To make such a request of me! That is truly underhanded.
If he had rather acted hot-blooded or looked down on me like before, my heart would not feel this uncomfortable.
But he made a polite request of me.
On top of that, it is also true that in my previous life, our Eunha Trading Company was able to grow thanks to Mister Meng Cheon.
Just as I do not forget grudges, I do not forget grace either.
And the Mister Meng Cheon I know is a broad-minded person. In other words, he had the qualities of a leader.
On top of that, when he is decisive, he is extremely decisive.
If that Mister Meng Cheon becomes the Palace Head of Zhurong Palace, it would be no different from planting an ally here.
It would mean the Martial Alliance could not run rampant in Yunnan.
And I could also receive help in difficult times.
Yunnan is a frontier, but because it is a production region for copper, it is an important place.
In my previous life too, when problems arose because of the Black Lotus Gang, the supply of copper became difficult for a while, and we suffered for it.
Since our Eunha Trading Company also uses copper to make various things, this place must remain peaceful.
In any case, there is only one conclusion.
Persuading Mister Meng Cheon.
I immediately headed to the library.
Since I had not yet returned my library entry plaque, I was able to enter without any restriction.
Soon, I found Mister Meng Cheon reading a book.
“So you were here.” (MC)
“Ah! Young Palace Head Eun.” (Meng Cheon)
“May I speak with you for a moment?” (MC)
At my words, he stared at me and then said,
“It seems you came to persuade me after receiving my older brother’s request.” (Meng Cheon)
“You are quick-witted.” (MC)
“I have been rather quick-witted since I was young. And I have no intention of becoming the Young Palace Head after receiving my eldest brother’s request.” (Meng Cheon)
He gave a faint laugh.
Hm? Was he someone capable of laughing like that?
But that thought of mine vanished far away at his next words.
“Why should I grant the request of the one who made my brother die?” (Meng Cheon)