Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: A Personal Refusal
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Although he had come all the way to the Zhuge Clan in distant Guangxi to deliver the refusal in person, the Zhuge Clan was not particularly desperate for a marriage alliance with the Golden Name Escort Agency. They were not the only ones who had proposed the match in that manner.
If they accepted, great. If they refused, there was nothing to be done. The Zhuge Clan had long been trading partners with the Golden Name Escort Agency, so this visit was merely to give them face with a direct refusal.
That was why Zhuge Jin did not take the rejection too badly. In the end, such matters hinged on each other's positions and face.
The mere fact that the heir to the so-called World's Greatest Escort Agency had come in person to express their regrets held considerable value.
That said, it was not without regrets. Seated at the head of the table, Zhuge Jin gazed down below with half-lidded eyes. Beyond the lavish banquet that threatened to break the table, Jeong Miju sat demurely.
"What a pity."
He voiced his feelings plainly. The Zhuge Clan had been trading with the Golden Name Escort Agency long before Jeong Miju was even born.
The Golden Name Escort Agency sought the various resources of coastal Guangxi, while the Zhuge Clan desired inland resources. Though the Zhuge Clan had turned its back on the righteous sects centuries ago, a successful marriage alliance with the Golden Name Escort Agency would allow them to reap benefits from both the orthodox and demonic factions.
Beyond that, the wealth of the Golden Name Escort Agency—known as the World's Greatest Escort Agency—was several times that of the Zhuge Clan.
"I have no intention of changing my mind."
Jeong Miju slowly turned her head and said.
Directly below the seat where the clan head sat was the young clan head, Zhuge Uiseok. Unlike Zhuge Jin's eyes filled with regret and lingering attachment, Zhuge Uiseok's gaze was far more overt.
"I have only just graduated from the Heavenly Academy. Having neglected family business for four years at the academy, I wish to devote myself to it from now on."
"It would have been nice if that friend Jeong Seokwoo had at least one more child."
"Even if I had siblings, my nature would not change. I prefer the life of a martial artist over serving a husband, and the life of a merchant over that of a martial artist."
Zhuge Jin let out a low chuckle at Jeong Miju's smooth response. Hearing that only deepened his regrets.
Having dealt with them for so long, Zhuge Jin knew Jeong Miju from her childhood. Her intelligence and boldness had been exceptional even as a child, and he had often thought how nice it would be to have a daughter like her.
"It doesn't have to be right away."
Zhuge Uiseok suddenly spoke up. He glared at Jeong Miju with a stiffly hardened face, captivated by her meticulously adorned beauty.
Zhuge Uiseok cleared his throat lowly and gazed at her with somewhat softened eyes.
"We proposed hastily, but we have no intention of rushing. I don't wish to pressure you, little sister."
"Young Clan Head."
"No need to call me that. Back then..."
"It's been eight years since we last met. I was just a girl not yet twenty then, and you were not yet the young clan head."
"Little sister."
"I appreciate the familiarity, but I don't think I can call you 'big brother' like before."
Jeong Miju spoke with a faint smile, but her words clearly drew a line between them.
At the same time, they made each other's positions plain. Eight years ago, they could address each other casually.
But not now. Zhuge Uiseok had become the young clan head, and Jeong Miju had graduated from the Heavenly Academy, qualifying herself as heir to the Golden Name Escort Agency.
Crunch.
Zhuge Uiseok bit his lower lip. He had thought her beautiful even back then. Eight years had made Jeong Miju even more stunning, igniting a fierce desire in him.
"Is there no room at all?"
"My feelings might change someday, but for now, yes."
She did not say it too definitively. Zhuge Uiseok was destined to become clan head someday. Completely severing ties was not what Jeong Miju wanted. Even she had said it—feelings could change one day.
At least, not today.
"Is it because there's someone else in your heart, little sister?"
Jeong Miju had drawn a firm line, but Zhuge Uiseok did not change his form of address. Zhuge Jin shot his son a glance, but Zhuge Uiseok was equally desperate—and displeased. He tore his gaze from Jeong Miju and glared at Wi Sungcheon. Wi Sungcheon sat quietly beside her.
'The food looked so good.'
The banquet was piled so high it could break the table. Perhaps because of the occasion, the dishes outshone yesterday's by far.
Having only had a bowl of porridge for breakfast, his stomach was growling. It was depressing enough to merely look at such food, but receiving overt glares made it pitiful.
"Who knows."
Instead of a firm answer, Jeong Miju merely lifted the corner of her mouth in a smile. She had brought Wi Sungcheon pretending to be lovers, but she had no intention of declaring it outright. It was merely an excuse for refusal.
"Even if there is, I don't mind."
"I'm grateful for that, but..."
"Do you dislike me, little sister?"
Zhuge Uiseok demanded, eyes bulging. Hearing his voice, Wi Sungcheon inwardly clicked his tongue.
But Jeong Miju showed no sign of embarrassment as she replied.
"I don't dislike you. Nor do I harbor affection. We're simply not close enough for such feelings, and as I said, I wish to devote myself to the family business for now."
"Then what about the Hidden Dragon?"
Zhuge Uiseok's voice grew icy. The gathered Zhuge Clan retainers looked at him askance.
It was obsession bordering on excess. Yet clan head Zhuge Jin did not rebuke his son.
He wanted Jeong Miju as a daughter-in-law that badly.
"I don't understand why you're asking."
"Little sister, are you truly asking because you don't know? Or do you want me to spell it out blatantly?"
"I'm merely hesitant to bring it up in such a setting, as it might be rude."
"What is your relationship with the Hidden Dragon?"
Zhuge Uiseok demanded in an agitated voice. The glances had been obvious from the start, but now attention surged.
Wi Sungcheon subtly turned his head to glance at Jeong Miju's profile.
[Stay put.]
Jeong Miju sent a transmission.
"We're senior and junior."
"A graduated senior bringing him to a place like this can't be mere senior-junior ties."
"I also asked him to act as guard. Hasn't the Hidden Dragon's reputation reached even Guangxi?"
"Just a guard? When you rode in the same carriage?"
"You're under several misconceptions."
"Do you think she intended to make you misunderstand..."
"Brother."
Zhuge Ihyeon, who had been silent, finally spoke. Startled by the quiet call, Zhuge Uiseok turned to his younger brother.
Seated across from him, Zhuge Ihyeon tilted his head crookedly as he stared at Zhuge Uiseok.
"Your behavior is becoming unseemly."
"What...?"
"I can understand. Though I only saw her as a child, the lady has become far more beautiful. But brother, she clearly refused this marriage proposal from the start."
Zhuge Uiseok clamped his mouth shut and glared at his brother. Zhuge Ihyeon slowly rose, picked up a wine bottle, and knelt beside the seated clan head.
"I know nothing of women's hearts, but this much I do know. Your current display is unsightly."
Zhuge Uiseok's eyes widened. But Zhuge Ihyeon no longer looked at his brother.
He poured wine into his father's empty cup, then rose again and looked toward Wi Sungcheon and Jeong Miju.
"They are guests who came all this way from afar. If you have any awareness as the young clan head of the prestigious Zhuge Clan, show no further disgrace."
He voiced the reprimand without sparing another glance. Zhuge Uiseok's shoulders trembled.
Though publicly insulted by his much younger brother, Zhuge Uiseok could not retort.
"Shall we prepare fresh food?"
Zhuge Ihyeon approached Jeong Miju and Wi Sungcheon and asked. Jeong Miju shook her head with a faint smile.
"It hasn't gotten cold yet, so no need."
"Thank you for understanding. Ah, was calling you 'lady' displeasing?"
"Not at all. I'm grateful you so generously forgave my rudeness."
"Haha, I didn't consider it rude at all. The whole world knows how busy the leader of the great Golden Name Escort Agency is. I'm grateful you came in person to deliver the answer to the proposal."
Zhuge Ihyeon smiled softly as he courteously poured wine into Jeong Miju's cup.
"And if possible, after the meal, would you walk in the clan gardens with my brother alone? To discuss things unfit for this setting."
"Of course."
"Thank you for saying so."
Grind.
The sound of Zhuge Uiseok gnashing his teeth rang clearly. But Zhuge Ihyeon paid it no mind. Wi Sungcheon blinked vacantly as Zhuge Ihyeon offered him the wine bottle.
'I see.'
Wi Sungcheon slowly raised his cup toward Zhuge Ihyeon. Clear wine poured in with a trickle.
'The real power lies with the younger brother.'
The designated young clan head was the elder brother, Lightning Zhuge Uiseok. Yet the clan head and others valued Zhuge Ihyeon more highly.
Wi Sungcheon's assessment matched. Zhuge Uiseok's overt hostility was merely uncomfortable.
"You're accepting a drink today."
"When it's offered so openly, refusing would be rude."
Zhuge Ihyeon's smile, devoid of enmity, felt chilling. There was a saying: a smile hiding a blade.
Hiding a knife in laughter... He had seen such smiles before.
'But it's a bit different from Jin-u sunbae.'
Jin-u's smile did not quite hide a blade.
And what lay within Zhuge Ihyeon's smile was...
'A blade? Or...'
Something else.
The belated meal proceeded without further talk. Zhuge Uiseok barely touched the food, downing wine relentlessly, while Zhuge Ihyeon leisurely enjoyed his meal across from him. The stiff atmosphere hastened the end.
"Now that the meal is done, this old man should tactfully make himself scarce."
As Zhuge Jin rose, the other retainers followed suit. Wi Sungcheon awkwardly began to stand, but Jeong Miju subtly reached out and pressed down on his knee.
Once Zhuge Jin and the others left, only the Zhuge brothers, Wi Sungcheon, and Jeong Miju remained in the vast room. Only then did Jeong Miju release his knee and send a transmission.
[You're behaving well.]
[Won't it be okay if I leave with you?]
[He'd throw even more of a fit if I took you.]
[You knew full well, so why bring me?]
[I didn't expect him to be this pathetic.]
Was that all? Wi Sungcheon tilted his head as Jeong Miju rose and approached Zhuge Uiseok.
Zhuge Uiseok, still guzzling wine, rose as if unable to resist her approach.
"Don't think it's pathetic?"
The two headed out to the garden together.
A moment later, Zhuge Ihyeon approached with a smiling face. She had said to have fun, but what exactly was he supposed to do?
Wi Sungcheon sat awkwardly, inwardly pleased that the other had spoken first, but the question was hard to answer.
"What answer do you expect?"
"An honest one."
"It is pathetic. Clinging like that after she firmly refused. She must be in a tough spot."
"Indeed. She must desperately want to slap him down, but has to mind all the eyes. That's why she brought you."
"Thanks to that, she's in an even tougher spot."
"If considering only my worthless brother, yes. But from the clan's perspective, not necessarily. The Golden Name Escort Agency is too big a morsel for a political marriage."
Zhuge Ihyeon chuckled and sat close to Wi Sungcheon. He offered a fresh bottle of wine.
"For the lady, you were just a convenient excuse."
"Are you probing now?"
"Not at all. It's obvious there's no romance between you and the lady. My dim-witted brother is too blinded by jealousy to see it."
Wi Sungcheon did not refuse the offered wine.
"For me, it's like sitting on pins."
"I understand. No position to be pleased. But you knew and came anyway, didn't you?"
"I wasn't in a position to refuse."
"You must have made some deal with her. Can't be helped then. Didn't you hear? She values the merchant's life over warrior's, warrior's over woman's. For her, deals weigh heavier than anything."
"That's why it's even more awkward. I worry she'll end up in a bind because of me."
"No need for such worries. You came to the Zhuge Clan because she wanted it, right? If there's fallout, it's on her to handle."
And.
Zhuge Ihyeon smirked as he added,
"The Zhuge Clan has traded with the Golden Name Escort Agency for ages. Such a 'trifle' won't sour relations."
"You think your brother separates public and private clearly?"
"The Zhuge Clan has countless retainers. Even the clan head can't act unilaterally."
"Amazing."
Wi Sungcheon poured wine into Zhuge Ihyeon's cup.
"What is?"
"Why aren't you the young clan head, Young Master?"
A blunt question. But Zhuge Ihyeon laughed without flinching.
"What do you think?"
"Because you're not the eldest?"
"Surely not. The Zhuge Clan is a martial house. We don't overly prize bloodline, but it's not that only the eldest can become head."
"Then why?"
"Simple reason. I refused."
Zhuge Ihyeon turned his head as he spoke. In the vast garden, Jeong Miju and Zhuge Uiseok walked together.
"My brother and I pursue different things. If anything, I'm like the lady. Just as she prefers merchant over warrior, warrior over woman. I prefer warrior's life over clan head's."
"So you yielded to your brother?"
"I take great pride in being part of the Zhuge Clan. But no matter how I thought, I'm no vessel for clan head."
"Isn't the young clan head the same?"
"He is. The difference? I don't want it, but he does. What can be done? I happily yielded."
An irritating voice drifted over. Wi Sungcheon turned to the garden. The walking pair had stopped, quarreling.
No, only Zhuge Uiseok was unilaterally pouring out emotions. He gripped Jeong Miju's hand tightly, pointing furiously toward the room where Wi Sungcheon sat as he ranted.
"That idiot, even."
Zhuge Ihyeon clicked his tongue. Wi Sungcheon rose with a cold expression. Jeong Miju could not carelessly shake off Zhuge Uiseok's hand.
"Because he's my brother. If he wants it, I yield. Since I don't."
Zhuge Ihyeon rose too. He stepped forward with a delighted smile at Wi Sungcheon's hostility.
Thud.
That one step blocked Wi Sungcheon's path. Wi Sungcheon turned and glared at him.
"I'll hold you back for now."
"Do you want me to go around, or over?"
"Either would be fun. But Hidden Dragon, don't misunderstand. I don't condone his pathetic antics. I just don't want to trouble you and the lady."
"...Pardon?"
"Why do you think she's standing there without slapping him?"
"Because of her position."
"If you step in, it puts you and her in a bind."
"So?"
"Don't get so irritated. The answer's simple."
Zhuge Ihyeon grinned.
"Let's have drinks somewhere better tonight."
"...Pardon?"
At the sudden words, Wi Sungcheon tilted his head.
Zhuge Ihyeon moved. His footstep barely sounded on the floor but exploded with speed. Wi Sungcheon whipped his head around.
His senses, sharpened by training in the cultivation cave, caught it. Zhuge Ihyeon was already beside Zhuge Uiseok, and without hesitation, punched his brother's cheek.