Chapter 35 : Should Have Done It Long Ago (2)
Leading two people, Seok Miryong left the residence.
Now, her younger brother’s position had risen to the point that even she had to be cautious when summoning him. Seok Miryong walked, partly to take a stroll as well.
“I didn’t think he’d grow this much.”
“As expected, your ladyship has a keen eye.”
“That was just my intuition. I just got lucky this time.”
“There’s a saying that luck is also a kind of skill.”
Seok Miryong smiled faintly at the words of Mun Jeok-hyeon, the strategist. She knew all too well how much influence luck could have.
“Still, I didn’t expect him to go to the Hoga Group and cause such a commotion.”
“It was necessary. Once you start letting someone slide, people will continuously push their limits. If they sense weakness, they’ll try to take advantage. That’s human nature. Martial artists need no explanation.”
“So that’s the world of martial artists?”
“Yes. Those who enforce their will through strength are the martial artists of our world.”
Hearing Mun Jeok-hyeon’s words, Seok Miryong nodded with a serious expression.
Indeed, Seok Jin-ho’s approach was that of a martial artist.
If it had been her, she would have tried to start with dialogue first, following proper procedures to raise the issue.
‘But Jin-ho didn’t do that.’
After assessing the situation, he had stormed directly into the Hoga Group’s residence.
Then, in front of everyone, he subdued Bong Woorung, the seventh elder of the Hoga Group.
‘He wants what he desires. No matter how loyal the guards are, in the end, they are still just others.’
Having her blood brother Seok Jin-ho by her side would have felt incredibly reassuring.
Moreover, her younger brother’s abilities weren’t just about skill. In a short period, he trained a mere servant to the point that they could overpower a Hoga Group member.
Even if the subdued Hoga Group member was a third-rate martial artist, the important point was that he had turned the perpetrator into a martial artist.
“It won’t be easy, Lady.”
“Of course not. If it were easy, he would have surrendered the last time. But look, he’s still resisting. That’s why I have to go personally. Sigh… I can’t believe I, the elder sister, have to move myself just to see my younger brother.”
“You must recall the story of the Three Visits.”
“I know. That’s why I’m going. Father also took his time later because of that.”
News that the chief eunuch had visited Seok Jin-ho’s residence spread throughout the manor within half a day.
Although the outer chief eunuch was important, he could not compare to the inner chief eunuch.
This meant that Seok Jin-ho had become an important figure in the Seok family estate—important enough for Seok Myeong-il to personally send the inner chief eunuch.
“This isn’t just a one-time thing, Lady. You must think long-term. It’s great if it goes well this time, but don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t.”
“I understand very well. So you don’t need to worry.”
“I will serve you diligently.”
“I’ve always trusted you, Mun Hak-sa.”
Seok Miryong smiled brightly, and Mun Jeok-hyeon also gave a faint smile.
Meow.
During their conversation, a familiar meow was heard.
As usual, Heuk-hwi was perched proudly on the wall, basking in the sunlight.
“Heuk-hwi!”
Seok Miryong’s eyes sparkled at the low greeting from Heuk-hwi.
But unlike Seok Miryong’s excitement, Heuk-hwi’s expression was indifferent.
Though it recognized her face, it clearly had no intention of showing welcome, lifting its nose haughtily. Seok Miryong quickly slipped her hand into her sleeve.
From her sleeve, she produced jerky made from Heuk-hwi’s favorite beef.
Sniff sniff.
As soon as the neatly wrapped jerky was revealed, Heuk-hwi’s nose twitched. Even the proud Heuk-hwi could not resist instinct.
“Come here!”
Seok Miryong shook the jerky with a triumphant smile, confident that Heuk-hwi would approach, as it had never resisted the special beef jerky before.
Plop!
But her confidence vanished like a mirage.
Heuk-hwi sniffed a few times, then leapt into the front yard, as if rejecting the treat entirely.
“Eh? Uh, uh?”
Seok Miryong was flustered by the scene. But Heuk-hwi had already disappeared.
“Hello.”
“Oh, it’s Tak Yoon.”
“Are you here to see the young master?”
“Yes. And also to see Heuk-hwi, while I’m at it. But hasn’t Heuk-hwi eaten recently?”
Seok Miryong seemed unable to believe that Heuk-hwi had resisted temptation.
Tak Yoon shook his head.
“He ate breakfast this morning and hasn’t had anything since. Sometimes he catches birds, but he hasn’t hunted today. He hasn’t had any snacks either.”
“Wow, really?”
Seok Miryong’s eyes widened as if hearing an unbelievable fact.
At that moment, Seok Jin-ho appeared outside, carrying Heuk-hwi on his shoulder.
“What are you talking about out here?”
“Heuk-hwi ignored my snack.”
“Guess it’s not that appealing. He’s not always hungry, you know.”
“Still, it’s a snack he usually loves…”
Seok Miryong’s eyes fell on Heuk-hwi comfortably draped over Seok Jin-ho’s left shoulder.
It looked adorable and cute, purring contentedly as if completely at ease.
But even with all the treats given before, Heuk-hwi had never acted like this.
“He might be bored of it. Anyway, let’s go inside.”
“Excuse us.”
As Seok Jin-ho’s gaze finally met him, Mun Jeok-hyeon bowed politely.
Afterward, Seok Miryong’s bodyguard also saluted. Unlike the scholar Mun Jeok-hyeon, he was a martial artist and greeted in a martial artist’s fashion.
“The snack table is so elaborate. Thanks to the inner chief eunuch?”
“I think the guests are the real beneficiaries.”
“You should eat too.”
“I don’t snack much. Still building my body.”
Seok Jin-ho poured tea for Seok Miryong and Mun Jeok-hyeon, then for himself, and drank it with elegant posture.
“You look great already.”
“Still far from done. At least another year needed.”
“I don’t know much about martial arts, but I heard you negotiated with Father?”
“Yes.”
Seok Jin-ho said casually. For others, it might have been impressive, but to him, it was nothing special.
In Sanggye, the father was a giant, but compared to the world, there were many with greater influence than the head of the Seok family.
He was one of them, though that was in the past.
Seok Myeong-il and Seok Bi-gang were just the head and retired head of the Seok family to him—simply his kin.
“Impressive. Not easy to say that.”
“There’s almost no way to force it. Even if someone else, yes. But since it’s my child, I can’t expect obedience. The best way is to turn my decision.”
“From an efficiency perspective, that’s smart. But negotiating in reality is impressive. Thinking logically is one thing; executing is another.”
“You could do it too, Lady.”
Seok Jin-ho offered words of encouragement, sincere though not flattery.
Among the three, he regarded Seok Miryong’s abilities the highest.
But the mountain she had to climb was steep. No woman in Seok family history had ever become the head.
“You still don’t say ‘elder sister,’ huh? Need more time?”
“I always say ‘young master’ to first and second young masters as well.”
“Big brother aside, little brother still hasn’t come?”
“He probably has his reasons.”
“True, he overthinks everything sometimes.”
Seok Miryong pouted. She didn’t understand why there was still no movement despite all the overthinking.
‘Or maybe he thinks it’s already been taken care of?’
After her grandfather and father were rejected, she might have thought her visit wouldn’t change anything.
But it felt suspicious to her.
“So, what brings you here personally?”
“My brother’s position has changed completely. Naturally, I have to come. The one who is desperate to cling must move first.”
“Hmm.”
“But isn’t Peng So-jeo not coming today?”
Seok Jin-ho chuckled. He understood why Seok Miryong came all this way herself.
“Seems like you haven’t met her yet.”
“No. Even though it’s our house, I can’t just go around randomly. First impressions matter.”
“So you aimed for a natural encounter.”
“Right. Also, benefiting from my brother a bit. Beingfriend the youngest daughter of the Peng family in Hebuk can’t hurt. And we’re both women.”
Seok Miryong smiled slyly. Though it seemed cunning, Seok Jin-ho didn’t see it as bad.
With her skills, a mutually beneficial relationship wasn’t impossible.
And he was part of that connection.
‘Seok Jin-ryong can’t manage it, though. At that age, overwhelmed by passion and desire, maintaining composure is difficult.’
Having lived as a prince for over twenty years, Seok Jin-ryong could achieve almost anything with a word. Peng Na-yeon and the Hebuk Peng family might have thought the same.
And such misconceptions, unless corrected, would persist.
“If you want, I can introduce you.”
“Just an introduction? Not helping?”
“Human relationships rarely go as planned.”
“You act like an old soul for your age.”
Seok Miryong grumbled. She had hoped, even as an empty promise, for some help, but Seok Jin-ho drew a clear line. She pouted.
“Regrettable, but true. Hebuk Peng family is known for their generosity, but they’re not foolish. They’re just pure.”
“So I approach purely too?”
“Pure people recognize other pure people.”
“So that’s why we can talk. Both of us are clever.”
Seok Jin-ho didn’t answer, just smiled and sipped his tea.
Plop.
“What’s that?”
“A gift. Can’t come empty-handed to my brother’s residence.”
“Oh?”
“Not anything grand.”
Seok Jin-ho opened the modestly wrapped package, his eyes brightening.
As she said, nothing was expensive. But small necessities that Seok Jin-ho hadn’t thought of were gathered carefully.
“Thank you.”
“Since you’re the only woman here, the nanny might have some inconveniences. Women understand these things better. Not expensive, but not cheap either. Use them freely.”
Seok Jin-ho bowed at the practical gifts—underwear, hairpins, sewing kit, and other daily necessities.
He truly appreciated the thoughtfulness of the gift.
“I’ll use them well.”
“Glad you like it. I was worried you wouldn’t.”
“With gifts like these, they’re always welcome.”
Seok Miryong breathed a quiet sigh of relief. They naturally began to chat about trivial matters, not work.
‘Step by step, start closing the gap.’
Mun Jeok-hyeon smiled quietly to himself, watching the two converse comfortably.
