Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Subduing the Second Brother
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"Shall we check it out?"
In response to Geom Mojam's question, I nodded.
'When it comes to schemes and sowing discord, I've got the upper hand.'
I knew roughly what the future held, and I could even read people's innermost thoughts from the way their eyes turned red.
That meant I could stay one step ahead. Of course, I'd still need to tread carefully.
"It's like walking on thin ice."
For now, I decided to tighten things up inside the household first and prepare for the future ahead. Survival came before anything else.
'I've prepared the Yeon Clan Cannons and the crossbows to fire the bolts. Now I need to hurry up and make those Instant Legolas devices. I should also look into improving some of the armor and weapons.'
A short while later, Geom Mojam reappeared.
"He's at the polo field right now."
I was surprised they even had a polo field inside the house, but I nodded anyway.
"Let's go."
Geom Mojam stepped aside by the door.
The polo field was surrounded by a low wall. Mounted warriors dashed about, wielding mallets that looked like hammers as they drove their horses this way and that.
Fist-sized balls rolled between the horses' hooves. At each end stood a pair of wooden posts.
'Those must be the goalposts.'
As I entered with Geom Mojam leading the way, the atmosphere on the field grew tense. Geom Mojam must have sensed it too, because he stuck close to my side.
"What, you think someone's gonna try to take me out here?"
"Enemies are often closer than you think."
Geom Mojam scanned the surroundings with a curt reply. Nam-geon, wearing a blue headband, rode over on his horse.
"What brings you here, brother?"
"Does an older brother need a reason to visit his younger sibling?"
"You're not usually this friendly."
He had the silver tongue to tempt even Nam-san.
And since his eyes weren't turning red, he was good at hiding his true feelings too.
This guy's no pushover, I thought, just as Nam-geon dismounted and spoke.
"What're you thinking so hard about?"
Nam-geon laughed heartily and slung his polo mallet over his shoulder. That's when I saw his eyes turn red.
'Same as the others.'
Now that I knew his thoughts, I needed to find an opening to break them one by one.
I approached Nam-geon and placed a hand on his shoulder. His eyes were still red, but I took the risk.
I figured a shrewd, calculating guy like him wouldn't do anything stupid. As expected, he flinched but that was it.
"Brother."
"Let's take a walk. Along the wall."
I led the way, with Nam-geon following half a step behind.
Geom Mojam and Nam-geon's retainers trailed a few steps back. After catching my breath, I gazed at the wall and spoke.
"I'm very interested in the world beyond these walls."
"As the eldest son of the Yeon family, that's only natural, isn't it?"
"To do that, I plan to clean up everything inside these walls first."
"How exactly do you plan to clean things up?"
"I'll keep only those who nod along when I point west and call it east."
"Isn't that the 'pointing at a deer and calling it a horse'?"
I was impressed inwardly by his quick retort.
"You know your history. Zhao Gao, the eunuch of China's Qin Dynasty, once pointed at a deer and called it a horse. He killed all the ministers who said 'deer' instead of playing along."
"So you'll kill everyone who doesn't call west 'east'?"
"Of course. That's the only way to see beyond the walls."
"What's the point of turning the inside into a bloodbath just to see the outside world?"
He was on a whole different level from the youngest, Nam-san. No wonder he could deceive his brother Nam-saeng and seize power.
But he'd been betrayed by his own subordinate, Sin-seong, so he was just a smooth-talking fool in the end.
"Truth be told, tidying up the inside to see the outside world is just an excuse."
"Then what's the real reason for turning it into a sea of blood?"
"Because I want this world to be mine."
"That won't be easy."
"I've been worrying about that, but thanks to our youngest brother Nam-san, I can breathe easier now."
"Don't trust the youngest."
"Of course not. He came to me saying you might betray me."
"He'll be the one to betray you."
"Even if you two team up, you won't beat me."
"You're joking, brother."
I burst out laughing at Nam-geon's serious tone.
"A while back, someone tried to kill me at the market."
"I heard Geom Mojam and Channo took care of them all."
"Oh, pity, but I captured a few alive."
I could see Nam-geon's expression stiffen slightly.
"I thought they were all dead."
"They confessed that you ordered them to commit suicide if they failed. But people have one blind spot."
"What's that?"
"How desperately they cling to life. No matter how much you train them, pulling it off is another story."
"So they talked?"
"You're looking worried, little brother."
Nam-geon shook his head at my grinning question.
"I'm just curious who was behind it."
"I'll decide who the mastermind is."
Nam-san wouldn't have gotten it, but Nam-geon understood immediately.
As he looked flustered, I added leisurely,
"People won't believe it."
"Of course. People choose what they want to believe."
"What choice?"
"Whether to side with me or the assassin. If the assassin confessed, they'll naturally believe me."
"So you'll name the mastermind whoever you want?"
"Exactly. And first up, it'll be you."
"That's going too far."
I roared with laughter at his stern words.
"Trying to assassinate me is what's too far. I've got plenty of reason: you tried to take the eldest son's position."
"How could I, your own brother, harm you?"
"Haven't you heard of the Xuanwu Gate Incident in Tang? Li Shimin killed his brothers and pressured his father to take the throne. Power is enough to make you kill siblings and torment parents."
Nam-geon stopped walking and glared at me.
"Getting rid of me will stir up a storm in the household."
"Less than if the eldest son dies."
I stopped too, looked at him, and added,
"That's what Father will think."
"You're going to tell Father?"
"Of course. And I'll ask him something."
"What?"
"Whether he'll choose me or you. He'll deliberate, but the conclusion's already set."
"Don't overestimate your position."
"That's why I see this as the perfect opportunity. To solidify my shaky standing."
"You think Father won't see through your plan?"
"He might. But from his perspective, that's not what matters."
"I don't follow."
"Let me explain simply. If I tell him you're the mastermind, Father will agonize: side with me or you? Let's predict what happens."
"How?"
"If he sides with me, you're purged. Leaving you alive would be endless trouble, so he'll kill you. And he won't spare Nam-san either."
"He might side with me, brother."
"Sure. Then I die. Want to predict what comes next?"
Nam-geon's face grew stiffer.
"The successor's seat won't be securely yours. I'm the eldest, you're second—so others will scheme."
"Nam-san's nothing to fear."
"Who said Nam-san? I meant Uncle Yeon Jeong-to."
"That's too far."
"Without me, it won't end as a joke. Schemes and plots will swirl. Who else? Our eldest uncle, who's close to the Great King."
"Yeon Jeong-du? How's he our uncle?"
"Right, he won't miss his chance. The Great King will use it as an excuse to intervene, and the other division leaders will eye opportunities. If Father regrets killing me amid all that..."
I stared at Nam-geon silently. He swallowed hard and blinked.
"The gates of hell will open."
"Father's cautious. He'll wait for clear evidence."
"Then I'll keep asking: me or you? Relentlessly, without pause."
"You might lose Father's trust."
"He might cast me out. Then it's hell, as before."
"Why are you doing this to me?"
Nam-geon shouted as we walked along the wall. His distant guards flinched.
"Aw, scared now?"
"It's not fear. I just can't stand your mockery."
"To take my place, you'll endure worse."
"That position wasn't earned by your effort."
"Oh ho, the truth comes out. Then you know being Yeon Gaesomun's second son wasn't your achievement either."
Nam-geon's eyes burned red.
"Whether I secure peace inside these walls with blood and death—or otherwise—is up to you."
"You want unconditional submission?"
"Unconditional. Nice word."
"Even if I submit, will you believe me?"
"As long as I have the survivor of your assassination attempt in my hands."
"I heard they were all killed."
"You didn't see it yourself. Sure your report was accurate?"
"I-I only heard rumors."
He'd probably gotten a report through someone but couldn't admit it. I smirked.
"Relying on rumors to defy me?"
"Defy you? Brother."
"Anyway, think it over."
"What do I get if I submit?"
"I'll let you live."
As Nam-geon looked shocked, I added,
"And treat you as the second son."
"That was my position to begin with."
"You've just realized how precarious it is."
I smiled faintly, and he bit his lower lip. I couldn't hold back my laughter.
Unlike Nam-san, he'd used his head. But he was no match for a 30-something man from modern Korea, who'd seen it all in "Hell Joseon."
I laughed heartily and clapped his shoulder. Nam-geon bowed his head with a cold expression.
"I submit, brother."
"Glad to hear it. Enjoy your polo."
This felt like solid progress in reining in my two younger brothers.
I turned back to Geom Mojam with a satisfied grin.
He grinned back.
A few days after dazzling Nam-geon and Nam-san with my rhetoric, I finally reported for duty at the Central Administration Bureau.