Chapter 196 : With the Heart of One Who Sows Seeds. -03
Chapter 196: With the Heart of One Who Sows Seeds. -03
“Seojang?”
Ban Hojin’s eyes widened slightly as he lifted his teacup.
At the same time, a peculiar light flickered within them.
However, the Hao Sect Leader failed to notice that subtle change.
It had appeared and vanished in an instant.
“Yes. I happened to learn of it by chance, but they say the atmosphere of the Seojang Murim is subtly different from usual.”
“Isn’t the Potala Palace holding Seojang Murim firmly in its grasp?”
“That’s true. But the situation is a little different from Miaojiang, the Northern Sea, or the Great Desert. The Great Desert fell into chaos after the Ironblood Fortress collapsed. The era of warlords has arrived there, and it’s complete turmoil.”
“I have heard.”
In his previous life, the Ironblood Fortress had occupied one seat among the Four Tyrants of the World.
Now, it was gone.
And the Great Desert had entered an age of disorder.
With the fall of the once-dominant Ironblood Fortress, countless factions had risen up to seize its place. A bloody wind blew almost every day.
“Then I’ll move directly to Seojang. While the Potala Palace all but rules it, its position isn’t as firmly secured as the Ironblood Fortress once was. Compared to the Potala Palace, the Leiyin Temple may be slightly weaker, but its power is still considerable.”
“Though the two factions keep each other in check, they haven’t fought in the past hundred years, have they?”
“They haven’t yet. But I believe that could change at any time. And just like the Great Desert, Seojang Murim has enjoyed a long peace. I see the Great Desert as a precedent.”
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Ban Hojin drummed his fingers against the table.
There was certainly merit to her words, so he considered them carefully.
“It may be mere speculation, but I believe we must assume even the worst-case scenario. The world is a place where unimaginable things happen.”
“I agree. It’s not uncommon for yesterday’s enemy to become today’s ally. Depending on interests, even grudges can be brushed aside.”
“Exactly.”
The Hao Sect Leader nodded firmly.
Whenever she saw moments like this, she found Ban Hojin remarkable.
Regardless of age, his thinking was broad and open-minded.
He had little stubbornness or obstinacy.
“Or perhaps the Nine Heavens Gate and the Potala Palace could join hands.”
“…Pardon?”
The Hao Sect Leader’s eyes widened to the size of oil lamps.
She was truly startled by something she had never imagined.
She had focused solely on Seojang Murim and had not spared a thought for the Nine Heavens Gate of Miaojiang. Thus, she blinked blankly.
“It just occurred to me as a possibility. Historically, the two sects haven’t had much exchange, but that doesn’t guarantee it will remain so.”
“That’s true. All possibilities should remain open. Miaojiang and Seojang do border each other. Though both regions are vast…”
The Hao Sect Leader narrowed her brows.
If it had been someone else, she would have laughed it off.
She might even have told them not to spout nonsense.
But since it was Ban Hojin who spoke, she could not dismiss it lightly.
“It is merely a hypothesis. As you said, Sect Leader, I am only considering the worst-case scenario.”
“Still… now that I think about it, it doesn’t seem entirely impossible.”
“The Beggars’ Sect and many others are keeping a close eye on Miaojiang. I believe we’ll soon uncover even the smallest movements.”
“Not only us. The Geum Family Estate is watching as well.”
Though their reasons differed, both the Hao Sect and the Geum Family Estate were closely observing the situation of the Neo-Outer Murim.
They simply did not reveal it openly.
The Hao Sect Leader resolved to investigate Seojang more thoroughly.
Creak—
“Come in, Master.”
After leaving Ban Hojin’s room, the Hao Sect Leader headed straight downstairs.
Her disciple, Nan Hee-ju, had her room there.
The conversation had lasted longer than expected, but for either of them, time was of little importance.
“You look much better. If anything, your skin seems to be improving even more.”
“I’ve been paying extra attention to skincare lately. There are many people to show it to, after all.”
“Oh my? Look at you? You’re not even shy anymore?”
“Have I not passed the age of being shy?”
Nan Hee-ju twisted her waist slightly, wearing a seductive expression and gaze.
She positioned herself so that her chest and hips were subtly accentuated.
Any ordinary man would have been captivated by the sight, but unfortunately, the one witnessing it now was the Hao Sect Leader.
“Hohohoho!”
The Hao Sect Leader, who was old enough to be called a grandmother without it sounding strange, saw nothing more than cute coquettishness in Nan Hee-ju’s actions.
She had seen it countless times already and had raised her since she was a little child.
To her, it was simply adorable.
“Have I not reached my full bloom now?”
“At nineteen, you still lack mature allure. How could true sensuality emerge when you don’t even know men?”
“They say it’s possible even without knowing.”
“That’s only for those born with it. Some girls naturally exude sensual charm. The kind men flock to for no reason. But that’s not you. You’re simply a classic beauty.”
“Tch!”
Nan Hee-ju pouted.
If she could, she wanted to have it all.
Others envied her for her face and figure, but she felt differently.
She thought herself somewhat incomplete.
“What could possibly displease our Rumor Lord now?”
“It’s nothing. Shall I pour you a drink?”
“Why alcohol all of a sudden?”
“You just had tea with Oppa.”
“I still can’t get used to it. Calling Young Master Ban ‘Oppa.’”
Though Nan Hee-ju did not answer, she naturally brought out a bottle and cups.
The Hao Sect Leader found it fascinating once more.
Nan Hee-ju calling Ban Hojin ‘Oppa’ so casually.
As far as she knew, Nan Hee-ju was the only woman who could address him that way.
“For us, that’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
“It is. Absolutely. But somehow, it feels like he’s drawing a line. As if he’s placed you firmly in the category of younger sister rather than woman.”
“There might be some truth to that. But nothing has been clearly stated yet. He’s never explicitly said, ‘We are just brother and sister.’”
Glug—
Bamboo Leaf Liquor could be found anywhere, but the expensive kind was truly expensive.
The one being poured now was of that quality.
It was also a drink the Hao Sect Leader personally enjoyed.
“It’s fortunate. It means there’s still a chance. Even with all those foxes swarming around him. The biggest rival is White Phoenix, isn’t she?”
“Most likely. Young Master Murong is always by Oppa’s side. Though that also makes her a frequent target of jealousy.”
“Perfect as a lightning rod.”
“Hoho.”
Nan Hee-ju laughed awkwardly at her master’s blunt phrasing.
But her expression and eyes showed agreement.
“So? Think you can arrange a drinking gathering?”
Having shared drinks with her master many times before, Nan Hee-ju chose tea today.
Ban Hojin and his group were in the same building, and there was no particular reason to drink tonight.
So she poured liquor only into her master’s cup and tea into her own.
“Can I just make it happen because I want to?”
“Hm. You’ve lost your edge, Hee-ju. You used to boast there wasn’t a man under heaven you couldn’t seduce. Where did that confidence go?”
“There are some who aren’t so easy.”
“Ohohoho!”
The Hao Sect Leader covered her mouth as she laughed.
It was not mockery.
She was genuinely amused.
“The world truly is vast.”
“It is. I was startled myself. I thought he was extraordinary, but not to this extent. It’s beyond imagination. When I first heard he had slain the Iron Blood Demon Emperor, I thought I had misheard.”
“I was there too.”
“We both had the same expression.”
“That’s right.”
Nan Hee-ju sipped her tea.
As the warmth slid down her throat, heat spread through her body.
“That’s why it would be a shame to let him go. If it were utterly impossible, that would be one thing. But it’s not as though there’s no chance at all.”
“They say not to look up at a tree you cannot climb.”
“There is such a saying. But let’s twist our thinking a little.”
“Twist it?”
Nan Hee-ju tilted her head.
She could not grasp her master’s intent.
“Yes. This is only my thought, so don’t take it too seriously. I’m not telling you to act on it.”
“Do you think I can’t tell the difference?”
“It’s a sensitive matter between women. Just consider it another possibility.”
“Alright. Then say it.”
“Must you cling to being the principal wife?”
Nan Hee-ju’s pupils widened slightly.
Not in offense, but because she understood what her master meant.
“It occurred to me. Everyone is competing for the position of principal wife. But think about it. Even the heads of the Five Great Families have both principal and secondary wives. The numbers may differ, but that’s the reality.”
“That’s true. Exclusivity isn’t the only answer. Even if Oppa refuses, there would be women willing to beg to be accepted as concubines. And considering our sect, being a secondary wife might even be better.”
“That’s why I hesitated before bringing it up.”
Nan Hee-ju’s mind began to turn rapidly.
The Namgung Family, the Sichuan Tang Family, and the Hebei Peng Family had already openly declared their intentions.
Many knew they had even gone directly to the Abbot of Shaolin Temple, Damhyeon, to inquire.
But if not the principal wife, then perhaps there was still a chance for Nan Hee-ju—and for the Hao Sect.
“I’m not forcing you. It was simply a thought.”
“I know. Do you think I can’t tell? And in the end, it depends on Oppa’s heart. If he says no, that’s the end of it.”
“Exactly. That’s what makes it strange. Most men would never refuse ten women.”
“Not all men are the same.”
Until recently, Nan Hee-ju had thought the same as her master.
Every man she had known had been alike.
But Ban Hojin had shattered that prejudice.
“You found it strange too?”
“He’s completely different from other men. This is the first time I’ve lived so comfortably without a veil. If anything, he’s so indifferent that it hurts my pride. If not for Young Master Seo and the others, I might have struggled mentally. Young Master Seo lifts my confidence whenever it falls to the bottom.”
“He says his goal is three wives and four concubines. Hohoho!”
The Hao Sect Leader burst into laughter.
There was no sarcasm in it.
She knew Seo Joun had nearly died and come back to life.
When death loomed before one’s eyes, what dreams could not be dreamed?
If anyone had the right, Seo Joun did.
And to someone who had seen all the vicissitudes of life, this was merely cute bravado.
Compared to the true madmen she had encountered, it was child’s play.
“Everyone reacts the same way you do, Master.”
“I’m one of those who support it. He has the ability to back it up. Aside from Young Master Ban, how many of his peers can even compare?”
“That’s why so many have their eyes on him. Young Master Seonwu is exchanging marriage talks with the Hebei Peng Family.”
“He’s worth pursuing. So is Young Master Jeong, and Young Master Murong. More importantly—what about you? Has anyone caught your eye? Has Young Master Ban perhaps mentioned someone in passing?”