Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Part 11: Zhang Sheng
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Second Young Master's camp.
One of the many reception rooms.
Though called a reception room, the place Elder Sun invariably used whenever he visited was practically his office.
“My apologies for keeping you waiting so long.”
True to form for Elder Sun, who always wore a friendly expression, he greeted the two men entering with his usual hearty “Heh heh.”
“...”
“...”
But the two merely stood and bowed their heads, not daring even to meet Elder Sun's gaze.
Seeing them like that, the kindly-faced Elder Sun stroked his beard and spoke.
“Both of you, raise your heads. As the saying goes, victory and defeat are commonplace in war.”
Still, the two could not lift their heads.
Elder Sun gazed at them steadily before asking in a subtle tone.
“…This won't happen again next time, will it?”
Only then did the two raise their heads.
They were Han Myeong-hwi, in charge of the Eldest Young Master, and Strategist Choi, in charge of the Fourth Young Master.
“Yes.”
“Of course.”
Elder Sun's thinly smiling eyes scanned their faces.
The resolve and venom flickering in their eyes were most satisfactory.
“Good, very good.”
Elder Sun gestured for the two to take seats.
As they sat down gingerly, only then did he say the words they most wanted to hear.
“Our lord has decided to trust you once more. Your positions will remain unchanged.”
The two strategists inwardly let out great sighs of relief.
“But.”
Just as they relaxed, Elder Sun raised a finger with a tap.
“From the start, blocking the joint venture between the Eldest and Fourth Young Masters has become difficult. In truth, we now need a more fitting strategy.”
The two strategists fell silent.
“To that end, we've brought in talent who will focus on dismantling that joint venture. Once he arrives in Luoyang, put your heads together with him.”
“...”
After a long hesitation, Han Myeong-hwi spoke up.
“…Does this mean we'll have a commander above us?”
Elder Sun waved it off.
“No, no. He'll merely help you two coordinate more organically and constructively. Ultimately, you two remain the ones responsible.”
It was all the same thing.
The two strategists barely kept their sour expressions in check.
Pretending not to notice, Elder Sun asked innocently.
“So, Yeom Elder has entered Won-gak Pavilion?”
“Yes. He hasn't come out yet.”
“I see…”
Elder Sun tapped his fingers on the desk a few times, then shrugged lightly.
“Well, it's probably due to the mission the Elder Council assigned him. The Eldest Young Master… clever move.”
He nodded to himself, muttering question and answer.
“I hear the Eldest Young Master's connections are quite solid. From his position, wanting to quickly build rapport with the elders, the sooner he approaches, the better the deal. Yeom Elder is certainly shrewd.”
Han Myeong-hwi asked cautiously.
“…Might Yeom Elder swear loyalty to the Eldest Young Master?”
Elder Sun's eyes widened for a moment before he burst into laughter.
* * *
By now, the reddened sun was sinking languidly toward the west.
“Wouldn't you like to at least have a simple meal?”
Ilryeong politely asked Elder Yeom, who showed no sign of leaving, but he just shook his head.
How could she not understand his feelings?
“Then I'll leave this here for now.”
With a pitying expression, Ilryeong placed the prepared rice balls on the table, quietly closed the door, and left.
Steam rose gently from the rice balls, their glossy sheen making them look utterly appetizing just to behold.
Yet neither White Tiger sprawled on the floor, nor the captain clutching his sword in a cross-legged seat, nor Elder Yeom pacing aimlessly about the room paid them any mind.
Their gazes never overlapped, merely wandering the empty air pointlessly.
“…My daughter.”
Elder Yeom suddenly halted and spoke.
“White Tiger… said that…?”
How long had that silence lasted? Even Elder Yeom's superhuman frame had his voice cracking.
“…Yes.”
At the curt reply, Elder Yeom looked up at the ceiling.
“That child…”
Due to northern wastelands and frequent expeditions, Elder Yeom had scarcely shown his face to his daughter in her childhood.
When he did see her occasionally, frightened, she would hide behind her mother, clutching her skirt hem.
“That child…”
Elder Yeom's words trailed into a sigh laden with too many meanings.
At that moment, White Tiger's ears, who had been lying still, perked up.
Someone was approaching.
The door burst open, revealing Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon in pristine white robes.
“Eldest Young Master!”
All eyes in the room turned to his somewhat weary figure.
As Elder Yeom moved to speak to him, the Medicine King appeared, also in white robes.
He slyly stepped in front of Yeon So-hyeon and said.
“With this Medicine King here, what could you possibly be worried about?”
“What do you mean…?!”
The Medicine King grinned.
Then, Yeon So-hyeon subtly blocked in front of him and replied.
“The procedure was a success. Now…”
The Medicine King cut him off.
“Now all that's left for that child is to live healthily without a care.”
At those words, Elder Yeom knelt right there, shedding tears of joy.
The captain, breathless until then, collapsed as his legs gave out, while White Tiger wagged his tail furiously, hopping in place.
“Hey now, why do you keep interrupting?”
“Wasn't it this Medicine King Your Excellency who devised the procedure? You're the one slyly sticking your spoon into a ready meal.”
“I'm the one who made it succeed, aren't I? You old man just assisted from behind…”
“Assisted? I supervised! Supervised! I merely oversaw whether my disciple performed the procedure properly!”
“How many times must I say I'm not your disciple?!”
Sure enough, the two began bickering.
Regardless of the two, the father of one child prostrated himself in endless gratitude.
“Thank you… Thank you…”
* * *
Darkness had fallen, and maids lit lanterns throughout Won-gak Pavilion.
Elder Yeom stepped out into the small courtyard, startled to see the Eldest Young Master standing alone.
“Eldest Young Master?”
He had heard footsteps outside but never imagined it was the Eldest Young Master.
“How is Yeom Sojeo now?”
The Eldest Young Master, who had been gazing at the moon, turned to look at him.
Soft moonlight draped over his smile.
Was that smile the Eldest Young Master's, or Physician Yeon So-hyeon's?
Elder Yeom, habitually probing others' thoughts, gave a wry smile and shook his head.
“She's thrilled at being able to eat regular meals like everyone else from now on. She's making a list of what to eat first.”
Until now, Yeom Baek had only been allowed tasteless nutrient meals.
Elder Yeom smiled at Yeon So-hyeon's small chuckle and stood beside him.
“Once more, allow me to express my gratitude.”
Perhaps finding Elder Yeom's excessive formality burdensome, Yeon So-hyeon turned away to reply.
“Save your thanks for that old man who's probably drowning in liquor by now. Without him, the procedure would have been impossible from the start.”
Likely only Yeon So-hyeon would call the world-renowned Medicine King, whom kings, nobles, generals, and ministers all vied to consult, an “old man.”
Elder Yeom smiled faintly and bowed even deeper.
“Since Your Excellency has treated my daughter, as I promised before, I shall now uphold my oath and…”
“Elder Yeom.”
Yeon So-hyeon cut him off.
“Eldest Young Master?”
As Elder Yeom looked up puzzled, Yeon So-hyeon's calm voice echoed through the courtyard.
“Your daughter was treated non-invasively, so no recovery period is needed. Once her condition stabilizes shortly, you can carry her home just as you brought her.”
“Ah, yes.”
Elder Yeom nodded with a puzzled expression.
“As for not being able to walk right away, that's not due to the illness—build up her strength and it'll resolve. No need to worry.”
“Yes, Eldest Young Master.”
Assuming there was more medical advice, Elder Yeom assented and listened closely.
But the next words were not from a physician.
“So, when you leave with your daughter soon, no one will think you've joined my faction.”
“What do you…?”
Elder Yeom's face, no longer hiding his expression, filled with confusion.
The Eldest Young Master smiled at him.
“No one will know I treated your daughter, and you're not leaving her in my care, so there's no cause for suspicion.”
“...”
The Eldest Young Master pointed toward Won-gak Pavilion's main gate.
“This negotiation is over. No contest occurred. You've lost your only weakness, and 'I' have successfully treated one patient.”
Elder Yeom's pupils trembled.
“Eldest Young Master…”
Unable to form proper words despite calling out, Elder Yeom faltered, prompting Yeon So-hyeon to laugh.
“If I captured that expression in a painting, I'd have leverage over you.”
Yeon So-hyeon chuckled as he started walking away.
“Eldest Young Master! I—!”
Elder Yeom called out, halting Yeon So-hyeon's steps.
“Elder Yeom, be prudent. You're being too sentimental now.”
“...”
Without turning, only Yeon So-hyeon's voice came.
“You're not just one warrior, nor merely one father. You're a leader responsible for the families of countless subordinates.”
Yeon So-hyeon looked up at the night sky.
“Standing by this Eldest Young Master's side means endangering them all. Can you truly gamble with all their lives?”
“...”
“Can you send your subordinates into the jaws of death at my command?”
Elder Yeom could not reply.
Yeon So-hyeon hadn't waited for an answer and was already walking away.
“The old man will stop by shortly to check on her progress.”
His steps leaving the small courtyard showed no lingering attachment—light as could be.
His voice gradually faded.
“It's dark out; head home carefully. I won't see you off later.”
Elder Yeom stood dazed, merely watching his receding back.
* * *
Elder Sun's reception room.
“Elder Yeom has left Won-gak Pavilion?”
“Yes.”
“And his daughter? She was with him?”
The scribe bowed his head.
“Yes, all personnel confirmed they departed together.”
“Understood. You're dismissed.”
The scribe bowed deeply and withdrew.
“As expected, it was just a simple transaction.”
Han Myeong-hwi asked.
“…How did you know?”
“Well, as strategists, it's understandable you wouldn't grasp it.”
Elder Sun spoke without lifting his eyes from the documents.
“To trust your opponent, you must already be trusted by them—thus, no one can truly be trusted.”
A kindly smile played on Elder Sun's lips.
“That is the essence of power.”