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# 199
Taejonbirok Volume 8 Episode 24
Chapter 52: The Lazy Man, Persuaded (4)
“What on earth is going on?”
Seok Moon-cho, the chief instructor of the Jamryongmu-gwan, sighed with a trembling face as he looked at Namgung Hye, who had a ghost-like face in front of him.
'My stomach hurts, my stomach hurts.'
Seokmuncho used to laugh at those who were sick as unmanned, saying that it was because they lacked training. However, recently, he realized that at least stomachache had nothing to do with training.
Seokmuncho, who had been suffering from indigestion and chronic abdominal pain since Wi Yeonho appeared in Jeongmu Alliance, was recently diagnosed with a gastric ulcer that was almost close to perforation.
He had barely recovered from not seeing Wei Yanho for a while, but the moment he saw the poisonous face of Namgung Hye, he began to feel a stinging sensation again.
“……What’s going on now?”
I have a rough idea why you came, but I don't think I can show it.
“Are you asking because you don’t know?”
I know, I should know.
But I can't be the first to say, "I understand why you came, but it wasn't my decision, so you don't need to come here and go to the military elders." People have their own formalities and procedures.
“I think it would be quicker to tell you what’s going on. I’m a busy person.”
Namgung Hye's face turned red at Seokmuncho's gentle response.
'What a great thing.'
It was truly amazing that a person could look so pretty even when he was so angry. They said that Geumbong Namgung Hye was the most beautiful woman in the world, and it seems like that wasn't entirely wrong.
“Why isn’t my name on the list of participants in this martial arts competition?”
“You’re asking the obvious. It’s because I lack the skills.”
“You say my skills are lacking?”
“What can I say?”
“Then why is Jong Mi-ryeo’s name on that list?”
Seokmuncho scratched the bridge of his nose at the thought that what was coming had come. He had no excuse for this either.
“Are you saying that my sword is inferior to Jongmirye? I will formally request an answer.”
“Well, I have nothing more to say about that.”
“Why?”
“It was not me who made that decision, but the military leaders.”
“…….”
It is natural to pass on work through this process.
“If it were me who made the decision, I would have something to say, but since the one who made the decision is a military leader, I have nothing more to say. Let me tell you in advance that I have not conveyed any opinion to him about you or Mubong. I simply received the order that was given.”
“……You chose Mubong over me, Your Majesty?”
“That’s right.”
Namgung Hye bowed her head deeply.
Looking at that sight, Seokmuncho smiled in satisfaction.
'No matter how great the Namgung family is, the military leader's name is not to be underestimated.'
Sadly, even in an academy where everyone is supposed to be equal, it is impossible to completely ignore family. Although we try to be as fair as possible in evaluating performance, the protests of the descendants of famous families do not carry the same weight as the protests of others.
Seokmuncho was also a person who could not be free from such pressure. However, even if Seokmuncho did not know, Jo Hyeon was not someone who could dare to pressure others in the name of Sega.
but…….
Seokmuncho realized from Namgung Hye's subsequent words that children these days are more impudent than he thought.
“How can I meet the commander?”
“…….”
Seok Moon-cho trembled as he looked up at Namgung Hye, who was asking with her head held high.
“The soldier is not a very leisurely person.”
Namgung Hye looked at Seokmuncho quietly and then opened her mouth.
“I know that not only me, but also Jo Hwi Orabeoni fell.”
"……yes."
“Although Namgung Jo-hwi did not enter Samryongibong, his skills are by no means inferior to Samryongibong. And I am definitely stronger than Mu-bong at this very moment.”
“Umm…….”
“It is unacceptable that both of them were rejected by two different criteria. If things continue like this, I will formally protest to the political alliance on behalf of my family.”
Seokmuncho quietly grabbed his upper abdomen.
My stomach hurts.
The stomach.
“So you brought him?”
“……I had no choice.”
“Since when has the position of a military leader in the political alliance become one where one has to listen to and explain every little child’s tantrum?”
It was a soft question. But there was an abstract air to it. Seokmuncho bowed his head deeply and answered.
“I am dissatisfied…….”
"hmm."
Jo Hyun sighed as he watched Seok Moon-cho, who didn't know what to do. It wasn't a problem that could be solved by urging Seok Moon-cho.
'Namgung Segara… … .'
The Jeongmu Alliance is a collection of the Gupaeilbang, various sects, and small and medium-sized schools.
The Gangho, which had to fight against external enemies, such as the Demonic Cult and various other forces, created the Jeongmu Alliance to gather its own strength. However, as the period of peace became longer, the need for the Jeongmu Alliance was now greatly reduced.
'The old faction has already practically left.'
Although the old faction was still formally under them, they were not currently sending successors to the Jamryongmu-gwan.
It means that an independent path will be respected more than the authority of the political alliance.
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Although Sima Qianshi and he were doing their best to prevent a split, if time passed at this rate, it would not be long before the old faction completely withdrew from the political alliance.
In the meantime, if Namgung Se-ga, who has the greatest influence among the Five Great Clans, is defeated, the influence of Jeongmu Alliance will inevitably weaken even further.
Seokmuncho also knew that, which is why he couldn't just reject Namgung Hye's request.
“If you’ve come this far, it wouldn’t be right to just turn you away. Tell them to come in.”
“Yes, sir.”
Seokmuncho bowed deeply once more and went out. After a while, a pretty woman opened the door and came in. Seokmuncho did not follow her.
“Your Majesty, I greet you. The girl is Namgung Hye of the Namgung Se family.”
“You are the swordsman.”
“Although I am weak, I am called that by the people of the world.”
'You're a child who knows manners.'
This is natural, but recently, I got involved with a guy who was so rude, so I suddenly felt that Namgung Hye was very polite. Jo Hyun looked at Namgung Hye, feeling somehow happy.
“Did you say you had business with me?”
“First of all… I would like to apologize for meeting you in such a rude manner. If the girl’s behavior upset you, please forgive me, as it is because I have not been able to let go of my childish nature.”
“Okay, I won’t blame you. Just tell me what’s wrong.”
If he kept that kind of attitude, Jo Hyun would probably laugh it off even if someone came to cut his throat.
'I feel like my eyes are being opened.'
Even though he was receiving the respect he deserved, he felt so happy. Jo Hyeon realized once again how much pain Wi Yeon-ho had caused him.
“I was not selected for this martial arts competition.”
“So that’s what happened.”
“But Mubong was chosen.”
Jo Hyun nodded silently.
“I don’t understand. I am stronger than Mu-bong. So why is that kid going to the Non-Mu competition instead of me? I can’t accept that. That’s why I came to see you, sir.”
“You don’t understand?”
“Yes, that’s right?”
Jo Hyun clicked his tongue.
“You seem like a smart kid, so I can’t help but think you understand. Tell me what you really want from me.”
“The girl…….”
As Namgung Hye hesitated, Jo Hyeon opened her mouth again.
“You yourself know very well that even if you and Moobong participate in the competition, you won’t be able to achieve high results.”
Namgung Hye bit her lips without answering.
“You are stronger than Mubong now. But next year? Can you be sure that you will be stronger than her the year after that?”
“…….”
Namgung Hye couldn't answer.
“That’s what a friendly competition is all about. Those who will definitely improve their performance are already decided. So what about the rest? The significance lies in giving the experience to those who have high potential for improvement, even if they can’t achieve results right away.”
Namgung Hye raised her head.
“So does that mean that Mubong has greater potential for development than me?”
“Yes.”
Jo Hyun answered in one breath. It might sound cruel, but if things like this were left unattended, it could end up hurting everyone.
“The girl cannot understand the criteria for that judgment. How can you make such a judgment when you have not even observed me and Mubong?”
“It’s simple. Just look at your grades when you were the same age as Mu-bong. Isn’t it easy to see that the one who got better grades at the same age has more potential for improvement?”
Namgung Hye's body trembled.
Jo Hyeon sighed softly as he looked at Namgung Hye who was unable to continue speaking.
It was never a pleasant task to teach reality to a child at an age when he or she should be dreaming a lot.
'Besides, I didn't actually choose it because of that… … .'
If it was in order of grades, it should have been Peng Do-hyung, not Wi Su-ryeon. The reason Wi Su-ryeon participated in this non-competition competition was purely to attract Wi Yeon-ho.
'If you think about it, you can't say that kid didn't have a chance.'
If it's about grades, it's Pungdo-type, but it wouldn't have been easy for Pungdo-type to get a top ranking anyway. In that situation, in terms of gender ratio, Namgung Hye might have taken the last spot.
Jo Hyun opened his mouth as he recalled that fact.
“But it’s true that it feels unfair from your perspective.”
“…….”
“So what do you think? Would you like to go together?”
"yes?"
Namgung Hye raised her head.
Jo Hyun smiled brightly as he looked at Namgung Hye, who was looking surprised with her eyes wide open.
“Although everyone who will go has already been decided, it is a long journey, so there is no way to know what might happen. In case of an accident, it would not be bad to include a replacement. Besides, even if nothing happens, just going there and watching the competition between the world’s best later-generation leaders will be of great help to you. Do you have any thoughts?”
Namgung Hye nodded vigorously.
“Yes, I will go! Please let me go.”
“Good.”
I liked that attitude of actively trying to seize opportunities that came to him, no matter what the intention.
'But you never know. Whether that will be a blessing or a curse to you.'
I thought it would be okay since he was a kid who had already been with Wi Yeon-ho to the Jeongmu Alliance, but Wi Yeon-ho was not the kind of person who you could become immune to just by knowing him.
Rather, the person who is more awkward and therefore more anxious is none other than Wi Yeon-ho.
“Anyway, get ready.”
“Yes! Thank you, sir!”
Jo Hyeon smiled happily as she watched Namgung Hye bow her head and run out.
'I think I'm almost done with the preparations… … .'
Namgung Se-ga would be convinced by this, and everyone who will participate has already been decided. Furthermore, the winner is already a given, so he should be grateful to Cheon Eui-ryeon for making this happen.
however…….
“But why am I so anxious?”
Jo Hyun trembled with an unknown anxiety coursing through her body.
“I guess your body is weak.”
Jo Hyun tried to escape reality by trying to erase the face that kept coming to his mind.