Chapter : 64
The next day, Yeonhwa went to Munryeonggak.
Sak Gisun welcomed her.
After exchanging a greeting with a glance, Yeonhwa stopped in front of Moyong Yunhwan’s office.
“Come in.”
With permission granted, Yeonhwa opened the door and entered, walking straight to the desk. When her shadow fell across it, Moyong Yunhwan stopped what he was doing and lifted his head.
“You’ve grown impudent.”
Frowning, he leaned back in his chair and tossed out the words.
“Was I blocking the light?”
“The fact that you presume to decide on your own what you’ve done wrong—that alone displeases me.”
“Ah.”
Yeonhwa nodded as if she understood.
So it’s not just one thing. He dislikes my very existence, from head to toe.
Accepting that, she immediately stepped aside, and the overlapping shadow between them receded.
“I came because I have something to tell you.”
Her voice followed at the same time, but Moyong Yunhwan, who had been staring absently at the shadow that had slipped from his hand, delayed his reply for a moment.
“…What did you say?”
It was rare for him—he hadn’t done it on purpose. However, since it was a method he often used to pressure others, Yeonhwa misunderstood.
“It won’t take long. It’s something I must inform you of in advance.”
She hurried to clarify. After saying this much, if he refused to listen and trouble arose later, it could only be called his fault. She thought it might be better if he simply told her to leave quickly…
But he did not seem inclined to do so.
Looking at Yeonhwa as though she were a headache, he pressed his temples and asked,
“What is it?”
“I believe I need to leave the Alliance for a while.”
“Girl, how long has it been since you returned to the Alliance from Uichang Office, and you’re already saying you’ll go out again?”
“It concerns an internal matter of the Namgung Clan.”
At that answer—that it was something she must handle herself, unrelated to the Alliance’s agreements or the rules set by the Three Commanders—Moyong Yunhwan’s brows shot up.
Again.
The words bloodline and clan disrupted the balance between them.
Before he could speak about the clearly drawn line, Yeonhwa continued,
“I am aware that you warned me the Demonic Cult might target me. However, that is precisely why I believe I must go to Anhui.”
“Why? Do you find me laughable?”
Though laced with mockery, Yeonhwa did not waver.
“If I allow myself to be shaken by the Demonic Cult and neglect the affairs of the Namgung Clan, would I not be unworthy of bearing the Namgung name?”
“As a member of the Three Commanders, I cannot expose you to danger.”
“But the claim that the Demonic Cult is targeting me is only speculation, is it not? Without concrete proof, I cannot show fear and hold back.”
“Hm.”
“Or else, show me definite proof. Then I will trace it back, capture and eliminate the enemy faction that dared to harm a member of the Martial Alliance, display the Alliance’s righteous spirit to the world—and proceed proudly to Anhui.”
To speak such ambitious words in such a dry, flat tone—Moyong Yunhwan let out a hollow laugh.
Does that girl know that the Demonic Cult matter was merely an excuse I fabricated to go to Uichang Office, and yet she still talks like this…?
No.
More precisely—she talks like this because she knows.
Removing his hand from his temple, Moyong Yunhwan spoke.
“If it is an internal matter of the Namgung Clan, are you referring to the dispute with Danri Escort Agency? They requested assistance from Namgung Manor several times before. I was observing, uncertain how you would respond, but if it is serious enough for you to leave the Alliance at such a sensitive time, I will help.”
It did not seem as though she would come pleading desperately as before. So Moyong Yunhwan extended his hand first.
But Yeonhwa shook her head.
“It is not only about that.”
“Then?”
His tone suggested he would listen to whatever excuse she planned to use this time.
“The Grand Elder Namgung Gyu and the eldest son Namgung Hyechan have fled.”
For a moment, Moyong Yunhwan felt as though he were experiencing several rare events in one day.
His gaze hardened. His thoughts halted.
“Ha. Ha.”
A laugh escaped him in disbelief.
All expression drained from his flawless face. Even the scholarly, refined irritation that usually marked him vanished, leaving him looking chillingly numb.
But only for an instant.
Soon, Moyong Yunhwan twisted his lips upward.
“Have they gone mad? Fled? And it is only because I covered for them to a considerable extent that things remained quiet. The trouble they caused was no small matter. How can you confine that to an internal affair of the Namgung Clan?”
Though it was a rebuke, Yeonhwa stood firm.
This is all thanks to the Clan Head.
She had never imagined she would benefit from her parents’ position like this.
Even if it was they who had pushed her into becoming what she was.
In any case, Yeonhwa voiced the justification the Clan Head had created.
“It has been claimed that everything occurred during a succession dispute for the position of Namgung Clan Head.”
“And you expect me to overlook it just like that?”
“Many major powers cause problems by aligning with outside forces during succession disputes. And in most cases, they extend mutual understanding. It seems they hope you will show a similar degree of tolerance and understanding.”
“Was I such a merciful man?”
“Please think of the Clan Head. Does he not wish only for the clan to prosper, so that Seonyu Oppa’s name will be remembered forever?”
“Then, girl, what about you?”
If the incident through which she had built her reputation as a member of the Inspection Unit were smoothed over as an internal Namgung matter, her own standing could be ruined.
“Indeed. It seems the Clan Head has not considered that far. So I have no choice but to find my own path. And would that not be better for the Alliance as well?”
If left alone, the Grand Elder and his son might cause who knew what sort of trouble. It could disrupt not only the Namgung Clan but the balance among the great powers within the Alliance.
Therefore, it would seem more reasonable to accept the risk of her becoming even more unrestrained after rising above the Namgung Clan…
Yet his eyes did not agree.
As expected, he was a difficult opponent.
Not that Yeonhwa herself was easy.
“There is no telling how long the Clan Head can endure. To say it is still far off would be wrong—the succession issue in the Namgung Clan is truly urgent. I will safeguard my reputation and position myself. For now, please simply watch.”
“Last time you told me not to interfere. Now you ask me to merely watch. Girl, you ask much of me. Do I look like Uijun? Or perhaps Musung?”
“I am aware I have received much. From now on, I will not ask for special treatment. I only ask that you treat me the same as the other great powers.”
Having said all she intended, Yeonhwa closed her mouth and waited for his decision.
However, this was a delicate matter—one that could give other great powers cause to protest that the Three Commanders were infringing upon and disrespecting their inherent authority.
Moyong Yunhwan let out a hollow laugh and waved his hand.
“Go. But, girl—by the time you return, Musung’s mission will also have ended. After Musung comes to the Alliance, I will see whether you still run wild like this. If he takes action then, neither Uijun nor I will stop him.”
“You would only intervene if the issue caused greater harm to Musung Oppa than to me, would you not? It would not be much different from now. I will handle it alone.”
Though Yeonhwa’s actions were courteous, her tone was sharp.
She bowed to Moyong Yunhwan and left the office.
He attempted to resume his work, but the writing displeased him.
Crash!
The paper, smeared with spreading ink, was crumpled and tossed aside.
After leaving, Yeonhwa headed to Hapyong Hall.
She reported to the Inspection Unit Leader Do Hyeongrye and Deputy Leader Lee Dujin that she would be absent for a time.
They rejoiced, saying that if she was gone, at least she would not cause trouble.
Even Yeonhwa, usually composed, felt irritation surge within her and stared at the two of them. Only then did they flinch and awkwardly look away.
After staring at them for a moment, Yeonhwa spoke flatly,
“Who says that just because I’m not here, there won’t be problems?”
“U-uh?”
Do Hyeongrye blanched, and Lee Dujin stiffened, trembling slightly. Yeonhwa paid them no mind.
“The Inspection Unit is the Inspection Unit wherever it goes.”
“R-right. That’s true.”
To the two men who forced agreement, she promised that since she was stepping away due to personal matters, she would make up for it—either by contributing more while away or by working twice as hard upon her return.
Then she left.
She paid no particular attention to their shouts that she might as well take some rest while she was at it.
