episode_0030

Accounting.

Even in a place that could be said to be somewhat prosperous, Hang Liang’s house stood out.

It didn’t mean it was luxurious or extravagant.

Rather, his house was shabby compared to other houses.

The hinges of the old gate were creaking, and the beams that had weathered the passage of time were also shining in an old-fashioned color.

Nevertheless, the reason why Hang Liang’s house attracts attention may be because of his benevolence.

Hang Liang was not stingy in distributing his wealth and had no hesitation in making new friends.

He expanded his network by interacting with numerous prominent people, and solidified his power by making connections with the governor of Gyesan County.

It wasn’t just that.

If there was a family in Gyesan County that was in need of a prize, Hang Liang willingly donated his wealth to help.

They prepared food, hired mourners, and at the same time invited visitors and held a grand ceremony.

Because of this kind of consideration, even low-ranking people in the Gyesan County were able to hold a funeral comparable to that of a high-ranking official.

‘There is no one in this central plain as kind as Hang Liang.’

It was no wonder that Xiang Liang’s reputation in the accounting army grew stronger day by day.

All of those who received favor came under Hang Liang and asked to become his guests.

‘Is the time ripe?’

Hang Liang was lost in thought as he fiddled with the handle of his sword.

To avenge the motherland’s revenge, and to revive the decaying Hangga.

He lay down and bided his time.

However, Jin’s rule was still strong, and their reign seemed to last forever.

Hang Liang just wandered around aimlessly again tonight, trying to quell his ever-growing impatience.

“Huh?”

What tickled Hang Liang’s ears was the sound of the sword being swung.

‘Who is this late in the evening?’

Could it be one of the visitors under Hang Liang?

Among the monks, there were some who had outstanding martial arts skills.

It would not be strange to hear that some of the dogs were gathered in the yard to polish radishes.

‘I guess I should take a look.’

Although he may be old and decrepit, he is also a member of the famous Hang family of Mu.

I was confident that my ability to recognize martial arts was second to none.

Hang Liang turned around and headed toward the source of the sound.

‘…feather?’

However, what Xiang Liang saw was a different person than expected.

His nephew Hang Jeok was wielding a sword and cleaning radishes.

‘Did that kid’s martial arts skills mature so much during this time?’

The Mujae of Haengjeok was a man known a long time ago.

But it was still time for them to bow out.

For that reason, Hang Liang was careful not to let Hang Jeok’s martial arts become known and even restrained her from practicing.

‘It wasn’t just that.’

Of course, that was not the only reason for the arrangement of Xiang Liang.

Xiang Liang cared about the wake, but did not trust it.

Although Xiang Liang had no children yet, that did not mean that Xiang Liang would become his successor.

Hang Liang set up a wake as an escort for his successor who would later find him.

Not the successor who inherited everything, but the swordsman who will assist the successor.

Because that was the role of Heng Zhe, Xiang Liang chose to hide Heng Zhe’s talent rather than polishing it.

‘But look at that kid. Even without my help, you are shining on your own.’

Hang Liang had a bitter taste in his mouth.

If that child was my child and not my nephew!

In that case, I would have to sacrifice everything for that child to make the king’s talents bloom.

However, Hang Jeok was not Hang Liang’s child, so Hang Liang could not quickly raise her as a royal seed.

Because of that, what Xiang Liang gave Xiang Zhi was only extremely fragmentary knowledge.

Not enough knowledge to become a king, but enough knowledge to become a general in the field.

That was the study that Hang Liang allowed Hang Jeok to study.

Swordsmanship, in which Haengjeok showed the greatest talent, was not intentionally taught.

Looking at Heng Jeok’s growth even under such checks, Heng Liang could not hide his complicated feelings.

This is because the sword energy she was wielding contained an intense power that could rival even the greatest swordsman in the central plains.

“Are you here, uncle?”

Hang-jeok belatedly noticed Hang-liang’s presence and offered greetings.

“…It was late. Just take a break.”

“Yes, uncle.”

Haengjeok said this while fixing his red hair.

Her sweat-soaked hair swayed wildly, shining in the moonlight.

“…Is studying martial arts fun?”

Xiang Liang asked.

The wake he knew wasn’t the type of guy who was so intently focused on something.

Rather, she was the type of person who was not interested in everything.

This is not to say that Haengjeok was lazy or stupid.

In fact, it was the opposite.

She was too sincere and too wise.

So much so that one can guess the intentions of the uncle who raised her.

Therefore, Haengjeok stayed away from all studies and remained faithful to his role as a quiet puppet.

Because she knew that was the mission given to her.

“What’s wrong with you, write.”

Because she was that smart, she could feel the hostility lurking beneath Xiang Liang’s question.

If that child was practicing martial arts on a minor whim, it was clear that he would give up his practice at this point.

“There is something I want to have.”

However, the wake’s response was different from expectations.

She did not show the weak appearance of being detached from everything and giving up easily like before.

Rather, she spoke with the face of an ambitious person who did not hide her desires.

“What do you want?”

Xiang Liang asked.

“Yes.”

Haengjeok nodded.

“…What is it?”

“…It’s hard to say yet.”

Haengjeok lowered his head and answered.

“…”

Hang Liang was embarrassed.

My nephew, who did everything he said, refused?

“Is it difficult to tell even me?”

“Yes, I am.”

Hang Liang was troubled for a moment.

Would it be better to investigate this further?

Or would it be better to respect my nephew’s secret?

Since I had never raised a child before, it was difficult to know what the right answer would be.

“Hehe.”

While Xiang Liang was hesitating and immersed in such worries, a woman came up behind him.

The woman had a different appearance from the Central Plains people.

No, to be more precise, Seo-yung and the archers Dongi, Buk-jeok, and Nam-man, who are good at shooting arrows, across that vast desert. Compared to barbarians anywhere else, they had a foreign appearance.

The woman’s ears were long and pointed like those of a deer, her nose was high like that of a sheep, and her eyes were shining gray.

The hair was also gray like the old woman’s, but unlike the old woman’s white hair, it had a shine that seemed not to belong to King Inse.

“Teacher, are you here?”

Xiang Liang bowed and bowed to her.

“Okay, Ryan. I couldn’t sleep so I was taking a walk and saw something interesting.”

The woman smiled brightly and answered.

It was strange.

She, who seemed to have just passed the terms of service, naturally treated Hang Liang poorly, and Hang Liang also endured the treatment without a bad expression.

“That kid is your nephew I’ve only heard about.”

“Yes, teacher. Write a greeting.”

Heng Jeok showed respect to Hang Liang’s words.

“I come to see a renowned immortal.”

At the wake’s words, the woman shook her head as if it were funny.

“To be precise, it is a half line. I abandoned the path of immortality and came down to the secular world.”

“But…”

“That’s it, the body has already abandoned the path of immortality. There is no need to sing loudly. But since I am old, I probably won’t accept it even if you ask me to call you by my name.”

Heng Jeok nodded with a slightly hesitant expression.

“So call me Abu.”

Flattery, meaning one who is equal to one’s father.

As soon as she met Hang Jeok, the woman offered to become her guardian.

“It’s an honor.”

Haengjeok knelt down and showed respect.

“Stop, stand up, child.”

The woman grabbed Haengjeok’s hand and helped her stand up.

“Ryan, can you come in for a moment? I have something to say to this child.”

Xiang Liang hesitated briefly, but then followed her words.

Although she may have abandoned the path of immortality, she is someone who is in contact with heaven.

It was difficult to easily ignore her words.

“Aiya.”

The woman stroked Haengjeok’s face.

“Yes, flattering.”

Wake answered.

“Do you know my name?”

“…I heard that it is a crime.”

“Hehe, right.”

Beomjeung grinned.

“I am someone who abandoned the path of immortality and came down. A person who has given up the opportunity to become a heavenly being and put on human clothes again. Do you know why?”

“…My education is short, so it is difficult to gauge Banseon’s thoughts.”

Fan Jeung lightly chuckled at Haeng Jeok’s words.

“I came here to see a child like you.”

“…what are you saying…”

“Same as you.”

Fan Jeung interrupted Hang Jeok’s words and opened his mouth.

“It was because I wanted to see a clumsy child.”

“…”

“An innocent and beautiful child who is in love but does not know if it is love, and whose body is heated by a rising lust but does not know if it is carnal desire. A foolish child who doesn’t even know pleasure, but is embarrassed by the sensation of it writhing and tries to shake it off by moving his body.”

Hangjeok’s face turned red.

“Aiya.”

Beomjeung whispered.

“Would you like to come with me?”

“…”

“I will make your love come true.”

Hangjeok cautiously opened his mouth.

“Banseon, did you come back to this world for entertainment?”

“Hmm-”

Fan Jeung lifted the corner of his mouth and stroked Heng Jeong’s face.

“You don’t have to know my purpose yet. But,”

Beom Jeung said.

“Somewhere in that messy mixture of my entertainment and your desires, there is my purpose.”

“…”

“So entertain me, child. Please make this flatterer laugh. Then I will give you the most passionate love.”

“…”

Haengjeok nodded.

Because it was too attractive an offer to refuse.

Haengjeok lowered his head as he felt his ears turn red at the sight of Yugye’s face that suddenly came to his mind.

Fan Jeung looked at Hang Jeok’s face and smiled.