Kang Sogun

"That bastard went to see the Prince of Jo? He chose the wrong hill to lean on, and by a long shot."

Bang Yeonso snorted.

"I will personally cut off that bastard's head. Father, you just have to watch."

Bang Ilok had finally come to his senses.

Bang Ilok, the eldest son of a powerful family that had been on a roll, had not been envious of a prince. Moreover, he had personally invited a martial monk from the Shaolin Temple and had inherited the true ultimate learning.

Having both literary and martial skills, his prestige, which everyone had revered as a talent capable of ruling a country, had fallen in an instant.

The Kang Residence had once been a prestigious family that was counted among the powerful families of Nanjing.

Although Kang Ilbu's origins were nothing to look at, he had caught the eye of the previous emperor with his outstanding literary talent. In the end, he had married the Grand Princess, Zhu Yuying, had risen to the rank of Imperial Son-in-Law, and had even received the title of Duke of the state.

However, with the sudden death of Kang Ilbu, the Kang Residence had fallen.

Even Princess Yeongan had died, and her only son, Kang Hwi, had gone missing on the battlefield and had been treated as killed in action, so it had been on the verge of being closed down.

The reason the Kang Residence had not been closed down was purely thanks to the efforts of the chief steward, Mo Sang.

Mo Sang had maintained its existence by petitioning that since Kang Hwi's death had not been confirmed, the manor could not be closed.

As Mo Sang had wished, Kang Hwi had appeared after a few years, but he had soon disappeared. A rumor had spread in the world that he had been captured by the enemy, had been tortured, and had gone mad.

'It was a mistake not to have predicted what that madman would do!'

Bang Ilok believed that he had been caught off guard and had been ambushed.

'I was excited because of the assassin. That's why I was absurdly defeated by that bastard's trick.'

Otherwise, it could not be explained.

Bang Yeonso shook his head.

"No. That bastard has even subdued the Shaolin monks. He is not a bastard to be dealt with by force. Leave that bastard to your father."

"It is my revenge. I must do it with my own hands."

"Before your revenge, it is a matter of the honor of the Bang Residence. It must be resolved honorably."

The father and son had different thoughts.

"Father. Have I ever disappointed you? Please leave it to me."

As his son insisted, Bang Yeonso looked at him blankly.

Bang Ilok found it difficult to handle his father's cold gaze. It was a gaze that said, "What do you have to say when you've been beaten outside and have come in?"

He had gone from being a son who was always trusted to a worthless child in an instant.

Bang Ilok lowered his head.

Bang Yeonso sighed and then said as if to persuade him.

"I am also heartbroken about what happened to you. But now the political situation is on thin ice. That bastard will be dealt with according to reason, so be quiet."

A killing intent filled the eyes of Bang Ilok, who was listening to his father's words with his head bowed.

For him, Bang Yeonso's words were unacceptable. Although he had called a famous doctor and had applied all sorts of medicine, the scar where his cheek had been pierced could not be erased. Above all, his wounded pride would never be healed.

"Everyone is watching the Bang Residence. Since that bastard has openly insulted the Bang Residence, it is a disgrace to stay like this. But responding with force is not the best way either."

"Father!"

Bang Ilok shouted as if he were wailing.

"Be quiet."

Bang Yeonso stood up from his seat.

"Your father will take care of that bastard. You recover your body and prepare to enter public office."

***

"It is a good tea."

Kang Sogun savored the tea and put down his cup.

"You already know the taste of tea. At your age, I knew alcohol. But as I get older, I find myself looking for tea."

Zhu Gaoxu poured tea with a gentle face.

The separate courtyard of the Jo Residence.

A light green light shone in the garden where the spring sun shone warmly.

The spring wind was also calm today, and the heavens and the earth were quiet.

The two sat on the veranda overlooking the garden and drank tea.

"Where on earth have you been and what have you been doing to have come only now? Since you have to protect the Kang Residence, you must come to your senses now."

Zhu Gaoxu lightly scolded him like a family elder.

Kang Sogun picked up his teacup and looked at the garden.

"I have heard that you, uncle, personally tend to the garden of the Jo Residence. It is truly elegant."

As Kang Sogun changed the subject, the corners of Zhu Gaoxu's eyes trembled slightly.

Although it was a light rebuke, he should have bowed his head and accepted it.

But Kang Sogun had turned to a strange topic. It was not the attitude of dealing with a family elder.

But he, as a person who had always hidden his inner thoughts, did not lose his smile.

"What's so great about tending to a garden? It's just a hobby of an uncle who has nothing to do."

Kang Sogun still said with his gaze on the garden.

"You have spoken well. It must be frustrating for a person with the skill to manage a country to be just tending to a garden."

The corners of Zhu Gaoxu's mouth twisted slightly. Kang Sogun was provoking him.

'This bastard has come with a hidden motive!'

Zhu Gaoxu was also not to be taken lightly. He sighed quietly and said.

"It is frustrating that I am still misunderstood for what happened in the old days."

When the rebellion of Zhu Gaoxu's trusted subordinate, Meng De, was discovered, Zhu Che's anger was great.

If the current emperor, who was the crown prince at that time, had not pleaded, Zhu Gaoxu would have already died. After that, he had been confined in Pengde by the previous emperor.

"But I know that you are not a person who would just stay still. Didn't you come to Nanjing from Pengde to unfold a great will?"

Zhu Gaoxu lowered his gaze and picked up his teacup.

"It seems you are misunderstanding something. I just came back because I missed the manor where I had stayed for a long time."

Kang Sogun did not answer further and changed the subject.

"I met the crown prince on my way back."

He paused for a moment and then continued calmly.

"He was being hunted."

Zhu Gaoxu asked with a surprised face.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It seems my second uncle has thought that he should personally manage the world. He was determined to catch him."

Zhu Gaoxu became serious and said sternly.

"Do you mean to say my second older brother is planning a rebellion? You should be careful with your words."

"It has only been about fifty years since Grandfather Taejo established the Ming. The wars on the northern frontier are still ongoing, and the foundation of the country has not yet been stabilized, but the emperor is weak in literature, so how can it be said that it is wrong for my second uncle to have a will?"

Kang Sogun continued.

"Besides, since the previous emperor has already set a precedent, it is ridiculous to talk about rebellion, citing the way of a subject and a ruler."

Kang Sogun's words were unrestrained. It was not wrong. The previous emperor, Zhu Che, had driven out his nephew and had taken the throne.

Zhu Gaoxu finally raised his voice.

"You bastard! What on earth are you trying to say? Do you think the imperial family is so ridiculous?"

Kang Sogun stared at Zhu Gaoxu straight on and slowly opened his mouth.

"What I mean is that we cannot blame my second uncle for wanting to seize the hegemony of the world."

"You have joined a rebellion! Do you not know that you will also be beheaded for that one word?"

"If my third uncle were to convey my words, it could be so."

A long silence followed.

Zhu Gaoxu found it difficult to guess Kang Sogun's intentions.

He soon sighed and said.

"What on earth is your will? Why are you testing your uncle?"

"Isn't it to find out your will, uncle?"

"Do you mean to say I should also join a rebellion?"

"Well. Wouldn't it just be doing someone else a favor to join my second uncle's great cause?"

"Then do you mean to say I should raise an army myself?"

"I have come to ask if you have the intention to do so."

Kang Sogun's words were very audacious. It was asking openly if he had the intention to commit treason.

Zhu Gaoxu laughed loudly.

"Hahaha. When you were young, I thought you were a very pure child. I didn't know you would be so mischievous. If you were trying to sound out my intentions because you were worried about the imperial family, my answer is one."

Zhu Gaoxu became serious and said.

"I will not take anyone's side, and I will not raise an army myself. I am satisfied with just taking care of this small garden."

Kang Sogun nodded.

"You have thought well."

A sinister light flashed in Zhu Gaoxu's eyes. It was difficult to tolerate Kang Sogun's words, who was just a maternal nephew, being excessive.

"It seems you have lost your manners towards the elders of the imperial family after wandering the world."

Kang Sogun shook his head.

"I am not your nephew now, but I am just doing this under the order of the previous emperor. Please understand."

"The previous emperor's order?"

Kang Sogun took out a document from his bosom and unfolded it.

"The previous emperor was worried that the imperial family would be unstable due to the princes after the current emperor ascended to the throne. So he gave a secret order."

"Hmph! What do you mean by that? How can you, who have been missing, receive a secret order?"

"He gave it not to me, but to my father. Shouldn't I, as a son, continue the order that my father received?"

When Zhu Gaoxu looked, it was really the previous emperor's own handwriting and seal.

"He said it was alright to kill if one plotted a rebellion. If you, uncle, had harbored a rebellious heart, I would have carried out the previous emperor's order and would have executed you on the spot."

Kang Sogun's gaze was cold. A chill ran down Zhu Gaoxu's spine.

'This bastard? He didn't just come to sound me out!'

But Zhu Gaoxu believed in his hidden guard.

Kang Sogun looked blankly at one corner of the ceiling and said.

"It is fortunate that you, uncle, have no rebellious heart. I will get up now."

"Hmm. Today's meeting was very unpleasant. I will not see you off far. Let's see each other for a better matter next time."

Zhu Gaoxu did not even get up from his seat.

"It is natural that you would be displeased. But I hope you will know that my suspicion has not been resolved."

Kang Sogun finished his words and stood up.

As Kang Sogun came out of the garden, Cho Hagyeong followed behind.

"Why did you provoke the Prince of Jo?"

"Since there is a hidden meaning, but it is not visible, shouldn't I touch it?"

Kang Sogun answered briefly and walked ahead.

After Kang Sogun left, the Prince of Jo said to a corner of the ceiling.

"Do you think he has noticed your presence?"

A sound was heard from the ceiling.

"It seems so. There is a rumor that Young Master Kang has defeated the Shaolin monks. He is certainly a master."

"What do you think would happen if you were to step up?"

"..."

There was no answer.

"I am sorry if you were displeased."

The Prince of Jo said. The one who was hiding was a master of the time.

He was a person whom the Prince of Jo had brought after three visits, and he usually did not move from the guest's residence.

Since the Prince of Jo did not know Kang Sogun's intentions today, he had hidden him instead of dismissing his guards.

"I have no talent for hiding."

The person on the ceiling answered reluctantly.

"You may go now."

Although he had no talent for hiding, he was still a great master.

Although Zhu Gaoxu had also learned martial arts, he did not feel the presence of him disappearing.

'That bastard should have died there.'

Zhu Gaoxu's gaze shone coldly.

'He is a bastard with a long life.'

Zhu Gaoxu went somewhere in the manor and then personally took out a carrier pigeon.

-Flap!

Three carrier pigeons flew up.

The direction was where the Heavenly Martial Faction was.

***

"Hiyah!"

A small fist cut through the air.

"You're putting strength in your shoulder. You have to relax."

Cho Hagyeong lightly touched Jinyeon's shoulder.

Jinyeon, who was now six years old, was learning martial arts, pestering Cho Hagyeong.

Kang Sogun, who had come out of the garden, saw that scene.

Cho Hagyeong saw Kang Sogun, bowed, and then said.

"He is a child with outstanding talent."

Kang Sogun approached.

"Do you want to learn martial arts?"

"Yes."

"Why do you want to learn martial arts?"

"I will avenge my father."

Jinyeon answered as if asking why he was asking something so obvious.

Kang Sogun nodded.

"I see. Uncle Cho will teach you well."

As Kang Sogun was patting Jinyeon's shoulder, Mo Sang came.

"The captain of the guards, Ho Geukgeom, has come. He says he would like to see you, Young Master."

Ho Geukgeom was waiting in the guest hall.

As Kang Sogun entered, he performed the proper etiquette and said.

"What is the matter?"

"I am investigating the case of the attack on Young Master Bang."

"You mean Bang Ilok."

"He said that you, Young Master, assaulted Young Master Bang without reason. Right after the ambush."

"So?"

(End of Chapter)