Chronicles of the Lazy Sovereign Chapter 434

#434

Taejonbirok Volume 18, Episode 9

Chapter 99: The Lazy Man, Intimidated (4)

“How reckless.”

Zhuge Yan could only click his tongue.

I was only away for a few days, but in that time, the world's greatest Zhuge family was completely played around by a young man.

“So you’re saying that you just pulled away without saying anything?”

“Your Majesty.”

Zhuge Liang bowed his head deeply.

"If it had been something else, I wouldn't have backed down either. But I can't afford to cause friction with the inspector."

“Hmm…….”

"The current Dochalwon, trusted by His Majesty the Emperor, wields absolute power. Any friction with such a place would result in great inconvenience."

“Were you afraid of discomfort?”

"no."

Zhuge Liang spoke firmly.

"What I feared wasn't inconvenience. The current state of affairs in the martial world is more tense than ever before, as we prepare for the battle against the Demonic Cult. If we create friction with the Taoist Temple in this situation, our relationship with the Guan could erode. If that delays Guan's assistance in a future battle against the Demonic Cult, the damage could be unbearable. We will have to bear the full brunt of that blame."

“Hahaha.”

Zhuge Yan burst into a hollow laugh.

“It seems like the person who causes the accident is someone else, but we are the ones who get blamed.”

“My lord…….”

"If heaven isn't helping him, how ironic! Doesn't everything seem to be working out for him?"

Zhuge Liang bowed his head.

I felt terribly ashamed that I had caused great trouble to my family by not being able to handle even one Wei Yanho.

“Are you saying that you weren’t involved in any provocations?”

“Yes.”

“Wei Yanho, Wei Yanho…….”

Zhuge Yan stroked his beard.

"It's even more impressive than I've heard. If you look closely, it seems like this guy's trying to play on the heads of our Jegal family."

Zhuge Yan did not like that fact.

Being overwhelmed by Wei Yanhu's power was tolerable. No matter how much the Zhuge clan emphasized intellect over brute force, they, too, were a powerful family in the martial arts world. They knew that the logic of power took precedence over anything else.

If Wei Yanhu had tried to suppress them all with force, they might have fallen flat on their faces. But now, Wei Yanhu was toying with them.

This fact was hurting Zhuge Yan's pride.

'It's not just a matter of pride.'

There's a difference between a copycat and a drone. A drone doesn't lose value when pushed by force, but a copycat loses value the moment it's pushed by the brain.

If such rumors spread, the reputation of the Zhuge family will be ruined.

Perhaps the Tang family will be criticized more than the Tang family, who were humiliated by their defeat by Wi Yeon-ho.

'This isn't good.'

Zhuge Yan quietly stroked his beard.

"I heard even that new investigator is having trouble controlling Wei Yanho. I heard they've practically given up."

“Since Shin Gi-su couldn’t do it, does that mean I can’t?”

“……That’s not what I meant, my lord.”

"hmm."

Seeing Zhuge Yan making an uncomfortable sound, Zhuge Yu realized his mistake.

Zhuge Yan was deeply dissatisfied with the fact that the Shin Gi-su-sa was considered the greatest martial artist in the world. That position should have been his, of course.

I think that the reason Shin Gi-su took the position of the best martial artist in Gangho was simply because he was born a dozen years earlier and joined the political alliance.

If someone else were to think this way, they would be considered arrogant and ignorant, but Zhuge Yan was more than qualified to think such a thing.

“That means that Wi Yeon-ho is a difficult person to deal with.”

“I guess so. Yes, I guess so.”

Zhuge Yan nodded quietly.

After dealing with him directly, I think I understand why Wi Yeon-ho is difficult to deal with.

'He's a guy with nothing to lose.'

Fighting is always like that.

To win a fight, you need to target the areas your opponent doesn't want to lose. However, Wi Yeon-ho had no real weaknesses. If you target him, he's too strong, and if you target his surroundings, they're just as formidable.

If you try to suppress them with power, you will be suppressed with power instead, and if you try to suppress them with wealth, the wealth of Wi Yeon-ho is several times greater than that of the Jegal family.

“The trinity of wealth, power, and force… What should I do with this?”

The feeling was completely different from what I'd vaguely expected from observing it from the side. If you were intent on conquering it, the fortress of Wiyeonho was an impregnable fortress.

'For a young boy to have this much power in his hands.'

That force alone is difficult to handle, so how can he possess so many abilities?

furthermore…….

'No matter how different their powers may be, the fact that Munin-i was unilaterally defeated without even being able to fight back shows that he is an incredibly clever guy.'

Zhuge Yan opened his mouth quietly.

“Munin-ah.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“As the head of the household, I would like to ask the head of the household.”

“Please give your order.”

Zhuge Yan hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“Can you persuade Wei Yanhu?”

Zhuge Liang couldn't answer readily. Not because he was desperate for an answer, but because he knew the gravity of the question. After a moment of fiddling with his fingers, Zhuge Liang asked again.

"It's beyond my capabilities. But if the family were to step in, it's hard to predict what would happen."

“It’s difficult even if the family steps forward themselves…….”

Zhuge Yan stroked his beard as if he was not feeling well.

“I guess I’ll have to admit what I have to admit.”

The gazes of Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Yu turned to Zhuge Yan.

"No matter how much you try to deny it, it's a clear fact that the next generation's hegemony has already passed to Wei Yanhu. We might be able to argue about it now, but if another ten years pass, the world won't be able to tolerate even Wei Yanhu's cough."

“…….”

Zhuge Liang's face was dissatisfied, but he didn't deny the truth. After all, he was the one who most clearly felt Wei Yanhu's power.

My pride was hurt and my anger was rising.

“Control your mind.”

And Zhuge Yan accurately understood the state of Zhuge Liang's disciples.

“Let me ask you, are you a warrior or a scholar?”

“Little one, I can’t pick just one.”

“Then can you surpass Wei Yanhu by force?”

“……It’s difficult.”

“Then can you suppress him with your intellect?”

"I pride myself on my intellect being in no way inferior to his. But it's impossible for me to suppress his power with my intellect alone."

Zhuge Yan nodded quietly.

"It's only when a scholar encounters someone like that that he finally recognizes that someone is above him. Perhaps you've met the person you're destined to serve for the rest of your life."

“Father.”

“Listen until the end.”

"……yes."

When Zhuge Liang closed his mouth, Zhuge Yan continued speaking.

“What do you think is the problem with our family?”

“What exactly are you talking about…….”

“Why do you think the Zhuge family cannot become the leader of the world?”

“It’s powerless.”

Zhuge Yan clicked his tongue.

“Fool.”

“…….”

Zhuge Yan seemed very displeased with Zhuge Liang's answer. His eyebrows trembled.

“If you have power, can you conquer the world?”

"I am……."

Zhuge Liang couldn't definitively answer yes. His head thought yes, but somewhere in his heart, he was saying no.

What is missing?

“What we lack is not force, but popularity.”

“You said it was popularity?”

“That’s right. The world is a place that cannot be ruled by ability alone.”

Zhuge Yan quietly stroked his beard and continued speaking.

“Was Han Xin inferior to Liu Bang? Was the founder truly inferior to Emperor Soryeol?”

“No.”

"But why did someone else ascend to the throne? If what you say is true, the most capable should have ascended to the throne."

“…….”

Zhuge Yan sighed.

"Those who think they're superior are bound to have many enemies. Especially those who scheme and manage people inevitably make enemies. Enemies are bound to come from within as well as from without. This is our fate. Furthermore… we are inherently lacking in popularity. We may excel, but we cannot rise to the top. To rule the world, we need someone to stand above us."

“Are you saying we need a monarch?”

"Isn't that the fate of a scholar? Even our ancestors, before meeting Soyeolje, were nothing more than hermits, idly lingering in the mountains. Soyeolje's role was crucial in enabling his fame to spread throughout the world and be passed down through history. Isn't that right?"

“……Yes.”

"I highly value your ambition to move the world on your own. But realistically, you must distinguish between what is possible and what is impossible."

"underneath……."

Zhuge Liang looked at Zhuge Yan with slightly provocative eyes. The resentment in those eyes stung Zhuge Yan.

“Does your Majesty want me to be under that young man’s command?”

“Idiot.”

“…….”

There was contempt in Zhuge Yan's eyes.

"It wasn't Liu Bang who commanded Han Xin, but Han Xin who unified the world through Liu Bang. It wasn't Liu Bei who commanded Zizha, but Zizha who, through Liu Bei, divided the world into three. Does it matter whose name comes first?"

“No.”

"If I were you, I would have tested Wei Yanho. And if I thought he was worthy, I would have turned my back on my family and tried to join his ranks."

“My lord…….”

"I've never met anyone like that. Besides, I don't have much time left. But you are different. If someone truly worthy of your service appears, don't hesitate."

Jegal Woo also played a part.

"That's right, Sogaju. Don't be bound by your family. What you should be bound by is Sogaju's ideals."

Zhuge Liang sighed deeply and opened his mouth.

“Father.”

“……Tell me.”

The title changed from "head of household" to "father." This wasn't a question the head of household asked the head of household, but rather a son seeking advice from his father.

"Honestly, I'm having a hard time grasping Wei Yanho's character. I see too many sides to him. With my limited knowledge, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment."

“Hmm.”

“So, I’m sorry, but would it be better for you to meet Wi Yeon-ho in person, Father?”

“Am I the one who said that?”

"yes."

Zhuge Liang spoke with confidence.

"Even if he's not the person we wanted, he's the one who will dominate the next era. It wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on him, right?"

"It's been a while since you've said something so relevant. I was planning on going anyway.

"ah……."

Zhuge Yan's face slightly distorted.

“I don’t know about anything else, but shouldn’t we solve the money problem?”

Zhuge Liang became a dumb person who had eaten honey.

Zhuge Yan spoke as if he was monologuing.

"Let's see. Is he truly someone we should join hands with, or is he someone we should eliminate even at the risk of our family's fate?"