Monopolizing Fortunes (191)
Monopolizing Fortunes (191)
And so the busy days flowed on. Even with his mind wandering elsewhere, Do Tong-dal worked diligently in his own way.
In the meantime, something wonderful happened for Jang Yeon-seon. Her mother, Nam In-jeong, had returned.
Since Nam In-jeong, whom everyone had believed dead, had come back, Jang Yeon-seon's joy seemed ready to soar into the sky.
Of course, she still harbored some resentment toward her parents, but Jang Yeon-seon could understand that the choice they had made back then had been unavoidable.
Thanks to Jang Bu-ok stepping up, they had also secured a building for the Righteous Chivalry Sect in Paeju County, Hebei Province.
It was a little removed from the city center, but it was a place where roughly fifteen hundred people could live comfortably. It was a scale that did not fall short of the Nine Great Sects.
Do Tong-dal summoned the Revenge Society warriors scattered across the regions to Paeju County.
Do Tong-dal had drawn the big picture, but most of the actual work was done by others. Looking at how things were progressing, it didn't seem like any problems would arise even without Do Tong-dal.
He was wandering around the Righteous Chivalry Sect grounds in Paeju County, where repairs were in full swing, when Namgung Seol-rin, Jang Yu-seom, and Won Dae-yeon came to see him.
"You seem to have your mind elsewhere these days."
At Won Dae-yeon's words, Do Tong-dal put on a puzzled expression.
"What do you mean by that?"
"That's how it looks to me as well."
"I think so too."
Since all three shared the same opinion, Do Tong-dal really must have looked that way. Rather than denying it outright, it seemed better to reveal what was on his mind.
"I think I need to learn some martial arts."
Everyone was startled. The phrase Do Tong-dal always had on his lips was, "For a thug, this much is plenty!" So why was he suddenly talking about learning martial arts?
"You mean you want to become stronger than you are now?"
At Won Dae-yeon's question, Do Tong-dal nodded.
"That's right."
"May I ask the reason?"
"I'm a thug, and there's no doubt I'll keep living as a thug. That thought hasn't changed, but... haah—! How should I put it? The tree wants to stay still, but the wind won't leave it alone. Even if I want to laze around as a thug my whole life, the people around me won't let me. This whole Revenge Society business—I got dragged into it and ended up here."
"It doesn't seem like you were purely dragged along, but if you say so, I'll let that pass. So you're saying that since you don't know what might happen in the future, you need to become stronger than you are now."
"That's right."
Namgung Seol-rin asked.
"Is that really all?"
"What else would there be?"
Jang Yu-seom chimed in.
"It seems like there might be something else?"
In the end, Do Tong-dal spilled everything he had inside.
"Fine. I just want to get stronger! Watching the masters fight, something welled up inside me! Happy now?"
Won Dae-yeon soothed Do Tong-dal.
"Why be embarrassed about that? It's a natural feeling for a martial artist."
"I'm a thug, so that's why."
"A thug who's learned martial arts is still a martial artist, no matter what."
"You've finally had a thought worth having, Tong-dal."
Namgung Seol-rin also patted Do Tong-dal on the back with a pleased expression.
"Once things settle down, I'm planning to do some closed-door training. I tried it for a few days last time, and the results were decent."
Martial arts could grow through fierce sparring, but drawing out one's inner strength alone was also an excellent method. Perhaps closed-door training suited Do Tong-dal.
And since he had been so frantically busy, he wanted some time alone for a while.
"Then why not start right away? The Righteous Chivalry Sect work seems like it can manage without you now."
"Let's do that. Isn't Do Tong-dal the type who can't rest until he does what he wants?"
"I think you two are right. With his mind elsewhere, how well could the work go?"
All three urged Do Tong-dal toward closed-door training with such words. As Do Tong-dal himself had said, all sorts of incidents inevitably came looking for remarkable people.
Moreover, even if unintentionally, Do Tong-dal had become one of the most important figures in both the imperial palace and the martial world.
The world would never leave such a Do Tong-dal alone. Whatever was going to happen would happen, so the stronger he was, the less danger he would face.
"Then let's handle one matter first and then enter closed-door training, Protector Jang."
"Yes."
"Come with me."
"Where are we going?"
"We have to bring your wife back."
He had been so overwhelmed that he hadn't even thought about bringing Seon Hye-min.
"That's right."
"Don't you want to see Mistress Yeon and Su-yeong?"
"I do want to see them. Heh heh heh...."
* * *
To ease their worries, Do Tong-dal had been sending messenger pigeons regularly to relay news.
But because he hadn't announced this particular visit, everyone was very surprised by the arrival of Do Tong-dal and Jang Yu-seom.
"Tong-dal—!"
Though he hadn't wanted it, Wang Chil came running first and threw his arms around Do Tong-dal. Then Jo Jin-ho also held Do Tong-dal's hand for a long while, expressing his delight.
"You've finally come."
Yeon Ja-yeon put Do Tong-dal at ease with her characteristic warm smile.
Seon Hye-min greeted Jang Yu-seom as if he were a husband who had left in the morning and returned from work in the evening. Despite the long-awaited reunion, Jang Yu-seom didn't make a fuss either.
How dull. That couple seemed like they would cherish each other so plainly until death.
Do Tong-dal, who had been glancing around, asked.
"By the way, I don't see Su-yeong."
Yeon Ja-yeon went inside and came back carrying a letter.
"Su-yeong left this for you, Young Master Do."
"She could have just said it in person instead of going to the trouble of a letter...."
Do Tong-dal's expression hardened as he read the letter. Throughout the reading, his face shifted through various emotions before finally settling into a peaceful look.
"What... does it say?"
At Yeon Ja-yeon's question, Do Tong-dal held out the letter.
"May I read it?"
"Yes. It's not a secret."
Yeon Ja-yeon read the letter slowly, as if savoring each word, then let out a soft sigh.
"So Su-yeong has decided to walk her own path."
"She chose a wiser path than staying tied to me. A court musician named Ja Su-yeong... That's wonderful."
Ja Su-yeong had decided to stake her life on music rather than on Do Tong-dal. She had chosen to enter the imperial palace, where the greatest musician of the era resided, and become his disciple.
Yeon Ja-yeon could vaguely guess why Ja Su-yeong had chosen to convey her feelings through a letter.
Looking at Do Tong-dal's face, she wouldn't have been able to bring herself to say she was leaving. Telling someone you love that you're parting ways is as painful and difficult as swallowing a mouthful of potatoes in one bite.
So Yeon Ja-yeon had chosen the less painful, less difficult method of a letter.
"You can go to the imperial palace anytime, can't you? Do you want to change Su-yeong's mind?"
Do Tong-dal shook his head as if there were nothing to consider.
"No. Being a musician is far better than being the woman of a thug like me. With Su-yeong's talent, she'll surely earn the name of the best under heaven. I should be cheering her on instead."
"Will you be all right?"
Even if it wasn't Ja Su-yeong, there were plenty of women. In fact, there were so many it was giving him a headache.
But the women currently at Do Tong-dal's side were each precious in their own way. Ja Su-yeong in particular had even risked her life for Do Tong-dal.
With such a Ja Su-yeong leaving his side, it would be a lie to say his heart didn't ache. Even so, Do Tong-dal decided to cheer on her path.
"A thug is fine no matter what happens. A thug is a weed-like existence, after all."
Yeon Ja-yeon stroked Do Tong-dal's arm.
"Young Master Do, you'll be all right. Not because you're a thug, but because you're Young Master Do."
"I have something to discuss with Lady Seon, so please make an excuse and go out with Protector Jang for a while."
"We're leaving tomorrow, so we can say we're going to buy supplies."
Yeon Ja-yeon took not only Jang Yu-seom but also Wang Chil and Jo Jin-ho out with her. That allowed Do Tong-dal to face Seon Hye-min quietly.
"I have something important to tell you."
Seon Hye-min brought out fragrant tea.
"If Coordinator Do has something important to say, it must be about my husband."
"I'd like Jang Yu-seom to return to his proper place now."
"What place do you mean by his proper place?"
"He was originally in the military, wasn't he? The military would be good, or perhaps a government post? Since his abilities are so outstanding, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would suit him well too."
"Are you moving into government service, Coordinator Do?"
"Me?"
Do Tong-dal waved his hand.
"I'm a man whose true calling is being a thug. Where would I go?"
"But you're telling my husband to leave."
"Jang Yu-seom is different from me. Jang Yu-seom doesn't suit the company of thugs. I dragged him onto this path out of selfishness, but clothes that don't fit make a person uncomfortable. It's time for him to go where he belongs."
"You're hoping I'll persuade my husband, aren't you?"
"Something like that."
"Why do you think I would persuade my husband?"
"Well, I mean... isn't a military officer or government official better than a thug?"
"No."
"Pardon?"
"I'm fine with being a thug's wife. Not just fine—it's better. If I became an official's wife, I'd have to worry about other people's eyes, watch what I say, and live in constant anxiety that my actions might harm my husband. But living as a thug's wife, I've found that I can do anything and it's fine. On top of that, he gives me a generous monthly allowance. That's the most important thing. Generously providing a monthly allowance."
"Didn't you used to hate Jang Yu-seom becoming a thug?"
"Back then, I didn't know how good it was to be a thug's wife."
This wasn't the reaction Do Tong-dal had expected. He had thought Seon Hye-min would at least give it some consideration.
"He could even become a Pacification Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
Do Tong-dal threw out the biggest bait he could offer. With Do Tong-dal's influence, that much was possible. It was one of the two highest positions in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
For a government official, it was the highest position one could dream of.
"What? A Pacification Commissioner?"
There was a reaction.
"That's right."
"You're saying Coordinator Do can really put my husband in that position?"
"If it doesn't work out, I'll grab the emperor by the collar."
Of course, such an unfortunate incident wouldn't happen. Jang Yu-seom could be considered a meritorious subject in his own right, and with Do Tong-dal's recommendation added, the position was entirely attainable.
"Wow, Coordinator Do is amazing."
"Ahem! I'm at least that capable."
"Then I'll have to tell my husband to stick close to the amazing Coordinator Do."
"Pardon?"
Seon Hye-min waved her hand dismissively.
"What good is being a high-ranking official? The monthly salary is a pittance compared to now."
In truth, the monthly salary of a high-ranking official was nothing to speak of. Unless one took bribes, being an official was a profession where buying a single house in Beijing was difficult.
"With my husband's personality, he'd never take dirty money, so he'd live poor his whole life. What good is being a Pacification Commissioner? It's all show and no substance."
Having said her piece, Seon Hye-min smiled at Do Tong-dal.
"I understand how you feel, Coordinator Do. You want to see my husband living as a respected official in a good position. Of course, that wouldn't be bad either. If it were before meeting you, not just my husband but I too would have envied such a life. But we did meet you, didn't we? How many lucky people in this world get to enjoy a life alongside Coordinator Do? I don't know about others, but I'm not foolish enough to kick away that luck. If my husband says he wants to be a Pacification Commissioner, tell him to go. I'll stay by your side, Coordinator Do."
Seon Hye-min reached across the table and took Do Tong-dal's hand.
"So please take good care of us from now on."
At that moment, the door burst open and Jang Yu-seom poked his face in.
"Hye-min, the things you asked me to buy...."
Jang Yu-seom looked at the two holding hands with a "Huh?" expression. Seon Hye-min scolded him.
"I was trying to seduce a young bachelor, and my husband isn't helping."
"What am I supposed to help with?"
At that question, Do Tong-dal and Seon Hye-min burst into laughter.
"Then talk it over with your husband. I'll leave you two alone."
Do Tong-dal stopped Seon Hye-min as she tried to stand.
"No. There's no point hearing Jang Yu-seom's answer. I thought going through you might make it possible, but I was a fool. Please take good care of me from now on."
Do Tong-dal bowed his head to Seon Hye-min.
* * *
Yeon Ja-yeon slipped out of bed and put on her outer robe.
"Where are you going?"
"Would you like some tea?"
After enjoying such pleasant intimacy, suddenly tea? It was unexpected, but Do Tong-dal nodded.
"Sure."
By the time Do Tong-dal had dressed and sat down at the table, Yeon Ja-yeon came in carrying the tea.
* * *