Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: I Spent a Night with the Murim Alliance Leader's Youngest Daughter
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Moyong Family's mornings started a bit earlier than those of other clans.
Diligence, sincerity.
The guiding principle upheld ever since Moyong Guk had become Family Head.
Even if there had been a banquet running until late the previous night, it wasn't reason enough to postpone the meeting.
"Isn't this giving away too much?"
"We have no choice. Have you forgotten what a scoundrel Namgoong Hyeok is?"
"Even so, do we really need to bow this low?"
The morning meeting was, in the best terms, lively with opinion exchanges—or, put differently, chaotic.
It was all about the supplies to send to the Namgung Family.
An unplanned expenditure, so the debate dragged on.
"Enough. I understand your points, but this is already decided. No more arguing."
"Family Head, but..."
"That friend Namgoong Hyeok seems pretty furious. If we can smooth things over with this much, count ourselves lucky."
With the Family Head speaking thus, no one else opened their mouth.
'What a headache, all because of that damn son of mine.'
Moyong Guk didn't want to silence opinions through his authority as Family Head.
But what could he do?
Moyong Cheon had already caused a massive incident.
They were in the midst of steadily expanding the family's influence lately, so clashing with the Namgung Family and putting a halt to that was something to avoid at all costs.
After handling various other matters...
Moyong Hye caught his eye.
'Hye's deep in thought about something.'
Moyong Hye was tying her long straight hair behind her neck, then untying it, over and over. Each time, her lustrous locks cascaded along her beautifully pale neckline.
It was her habit when lost in deep contemplation.
'Whenever Hye gets like that, she always comes up with a clever solution.'
Moyong Guk looked at Moyong Hye with eyes full of expectation.
His eldest daughter, sharp-minded since childhood.
Moyong Hye was a reliable strategist.
Still too young to directly involve herself in the family's major affairs, but her suggestions often pierced right to the heart of issues.
'She's surely considering the state of the world.'
Youth made her flexible and bold in her opinions.
Without her, they might never have allied with the Jegal Family.
He anticipated what profound strategy his daughter might be devising.
'How exactly do I seduce him?'
However, contrary to her father's hopes, Moyong Hye's mind was filled with thoughts of Yi Se-woong.
She was agonizing over how to get closer to him.
From Moyong Guk's perspective, ignorance was bliss.
"What about the person sent from the Namgung Family?"
"What about him?"
"From the looks of it, he'll be staying in the compound for a while. Shouldn't we at least assign someone to keep an eye on him?"
Keep an eye? They should be treating him like royalty.
An attitude that ignored the Namgung Family's influence entirely.
Moyong Hye found these prideful elders frustrating.
'Wait, maybe...?'
Those words sparked an idea.
An outsider. The family's position.
This could work.
"Hye-ya. What do you think?"
Moyong Guk asked upon seeing his daughter beaming.
Sudden spotlight, but Moyong Hye spoke her mind as if she'd expected it.
"Surveillance? That's out of the question."
"What do you mean by that!"
Her opening was a bit too aggressive, provoking backlash from the elders.
"Of course, I understand why you're thinking that way. You're worried an outsider might poke around the compound, right?"
"Exactly!"
"What I'm saying is, the approach is too crude."
There's a saying: Ah's and Eh's are worlds apart.
Moyong Guk calmed the questioners and asked again.
"Do you have a better idea?"
"Naturally. Just assign a guide."
"A guide?"
"Under the pretext of showing him around the compound, keep an eye on him up close. And while at it, build some rapport. Wouldn't it be good to win over someone from the Namgung Family to our side?"
As long as there were those harboring resentment toward Yi Se-woong, this was the best. Framing it as a family matter made her thoughts flow smoothly.
"Who would volunteer for that? It'd have to be someone from the family."
"The one who suggested it should take responsibility, right? I'll do it."
It quashed complaints and gave her an excuse to spend time with Yi Se-woong. A win-win for her.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Maybe I'd underestimated Moyong Hye.
I'd figured we wouldn't cross paths for a while.
After the situation where she'd blushed and sort of confessed.
I'd have avoided her for days if it were me.
"Young hero, have you had lunch?"
So when I arrived at the Family Head's residence at Moyong Guk's summons and saw Moyong Hye standing beside him, I couldn't help but be startled.
To think we'd meet again after not even half a day.
'No big deal, right?'
What happened that morning.
I wasn't at fault.
Well... if I had to nitpick, maybe not entirely blameless, but anyway.
She didn't seem the type to tattle to Moyong Guk.
"Yes. The maids took good care of me."
"Good. Did it suit your taste?"
"Of course. I noticed at the banquet too, but the flavors are nicely subtle."
Moyong Hye flinched at the word 'banquet'.
She tried not to show it, but the shock hadn't worn off yet.
"You'll be staying in our compound for a while, yes?"
"Yes. Until a reply comes from the Namgung Family, I suppose I'll be imposing."
"That's why I called you."
Moyong Guk said so and glanced at Moyong Hye.
She forced a calm expression and spoke.
"Young master. It must be inconvenient wandering the compound alone, right? It's so vast, you'd easily get lost."
"And?"
"We have places we prefer not to reveal to outsiders, so we've decided on someone to guide you during your stay."
A guide? Really?
"I'm fine. I'm already grateful for the room. I can just stay quietly inside."
"We're not fine with that! Leaving a guest cooped up in his room—what a stain on the Moyong Family's reputation!"
Moyong Hye widened her eyes as if it were a grave scandal and looked to Moyong Guk for agreement.
No, you're the one who made me self-conscious about wandering during the banquet.
Aside from you and Moyong Guk, no one came near me.
"Let me explain further. With an outsider staying in the compound, some are worried."
"......"
"So please understand. Think of it as gaining a companion."
I got it.
At least they weren't assigning a spy outright.
The label might be different, but it felt better.
"Hye-ya will accompany you. She's my daughter, but clever enough to be helpful."
"Lady Moyong Hye, you mean."
Click. I heard the trap spring shut in my mind.
"Please take care of each other, young master. This is a good chance for our families to bond, no?"
"Ah, yes. Likewise."
Moyong Guk watched his volunteering daughter with pride. Beside him, Moyong Hye smiled brightly.
For some reason, the sight irked me a little.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'I need to act boldly!'
Moyong Hye reaffirmed her resolve.
Since he'd already seen through her feelings, all that remained was a frontal assault.
That was why she'd volunteered to guide him to her father.
'What to do first?'
Successfully pushing through and getting Yi Se-woong's approval was great. But that was as far as it went.
Her heart had raced ahead; she'd only pondered how to convince him, forgetting to plan what they'd actually do.
The usual her wouldn't act without a plan.
'The training grounds?'
She'd dressed up nicely—maybe spar?
'The brewery?' Rejected.
No matter how much he liked drink, the brewery was a bit much.
'The library?'
Practically her bedroom, but not a spot martial artists favored.
"How about a walk to aid digestion?"
After racking her brains, a walk was the best she came up with.
She'd heard once.
That lovers enjoy just walking together.
Maybe there was something about strolling that sparked feelings between man and woman?
'Might be better than I thought.'
The Moyong Family's walkways were well-maintained.
A gentle slope perfect for strolling, flanked by pristine snow-capped mountains.
A picture-perfect scene.
'Am I a bit excited?'
Moyong Hye didn't usually enjoy walks.
Better to read an extra line from a book in that time.
She hated wasting time.
Walking was meaningless to her.
'The breeze feels nice.'
Not anymore.
Just walking side by side with Yi Se-woong made her steps feel light.
Floating, even.
'What's this?'
Men's strides were usually longer than women's.
If Yi Se-woong pulled ahead, she'd need footwork to keep up. But he matched her pace.
Stopping whenever the distance grew.
That small consideration made her heart flutter a bit.
'Walks aren't so bad.'
Rustle, falling leaves.
A breeze tickling her ears.
They walked in silence, but she didn't mind it.
Moyong Hye forgot her original goal, simply enjoying the moment.
"Grrrr!"
Then, a beast blocked their path.
A bloodshot-eyed wolf growling, hunting for prey.
"Kyaa!"
Moyong Hye screamed and clung to Yi Se-woong's back at the sight of the wolf. A mere creature she could kill with a flick of her wrist.
'They said wolves appear on walkways sometimes!'
Actually, a familiar sight.
Wild animals occasionally roamed near the compound.
Harmless to martial artists, so they'd left them be to preserve nature.
Now receiving that goodwill in return, so to speak.
Thanks to the wolf, Moyong Hye got her chance.
To show a frail, frightened side!
"Here, eat this."
"Grrrr......"
Yi Se-woong tossed jerky from his bosom, and the wolf snatched it, fleeing from them.
The situation ended anticlimactically.
"Lady, how about getting off now?"
"Ah, sorry."
She wished it could last longer.
Moyong Hye regretfully detached.
"Lady, isn't this a bit much, even for you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Anyone can tell your skill level at a glance. Who'd believe you got scared of a wild beast like that?"
Yi Se-woong said with an incredulous laugh.
"Was it obvious?"
"Don't even think about fooling anyone with acting, lady. You've got no talent for it."
"Who was it that accused me of disguising and complained?"
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
If he'd noticed, just let it slide.
Did he have to point it out?
She wasn't backing down.
"A sister of mine told me. Men get excited when women show vulnerability."
"?"
"Did it make your heart race even a little?"
Moyong Hye tilted her head back, gazing up at him.
"Not at all."
"Not even a bit?"
"I swear on my name."
"......"
His deadpan expression vexed her.
She'd mustered considerable courage.
Did he think acting obvious was easy for her?
"I'll do better next time."
"At what?"
"Making your heart race."
"What do you..."
Yi Se-woong faltered at her sudden declaration.
He'd embarrassed her plenty already, so even knowing it was an obvious ploy, he'd gone along.
'It's just a fleeting emotion anyway.'
Time would sort it.
He'd planned to play along moderately until she composed herself.
He hadn't expected her to come on so aggressively.
"I told you. I said I'd make you feel that thrill."
Moyong Hye's offensive to capture his heart.
This was just the beginning.