Chapter 137: Now Is the Ti to Choose. -02
With the Chief Steward’s reply, the door opened and Ban Hojin, dressed in a neat black martial robe, revealed himself.
He looked no different from when they had parted last ti.
Staring at Ban Hojin, who had not changed in the slightest—to the point it seed he might even be wearing the exact sa robe—Geum Harun rose from his seat with a smile.
“It has been a long ti, Hero Ban.”
“You must have been surprised by my sudden ssage. Thank you for receiving so warmly.”
“I was not surprised. Rather, I should be the one expressing gratitude—that you have co to see , Hero Ban. I still hear news of you from ti to ti. Especially regarding the Eight Evils—I am quite grateful for that matter as well. I have a bit of ill fate with them myself.”
“They are people who involve themselves everywhere. They live entirely as they please.”
“Please, have a seat. I had so precious Longjing Tea prepared when I heard you were coming.”
Though far younger in age, Ban Hojin was now a great figure of the Murim.
He was not soone who could be regarded as a re Later-Generation Expert, so Geum Harun courteously offered him a seat as though he were addressing the heads of the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families.
“I am fine with anything. There was no need to prepare such precious tea.”
“In truth, it is my favorite tea. Hahaha.”
“In that case, I have no choice.”
At Geum Harun’s light jest, Ban Hojin smiled faintly and took his seat.
As if she had been waiting, the door opened, and a maid entered carrying a tray with freshly heated Longjing Tea.
“I believe it does no harm to try a variety of teas, just as with people.”
“It is good to have many experiences. In many ways.”
“Indeed. There is no asset more valuable than experience. In that sense, I think Hoyeon still has a long road ahead.”
“I heard marriage discussions are being exchanged.”
“They are. But it seems there is no young lady who truly catches his interest. Or perhaps he already has soone in his heart.”
Like any parent, Geum Harun lanted about his child.
Though he was called the greatest magnate of the Central Plains, Geum Harun was still, in the end, a father.
However, as it was a sensitive matter for a third party to comnt on, Ban Hojin avoided going into depth.
“I think that could very well be the case.”
“Hero Ban, do you perhaps know sothing? Since you are of the sa age, I imagine you might have spoken about such matters. I heard you also stayed together at the Namgung Family.”
“I apologize, but I do not believe this is sothing for to speak of. To be honest, I have not heard anything in particular either.”
“I see.”
Though Ban Hojin declined tactfully, Geum Harun did not appear offended in the slightest.
Rather, a curious smile lingered on his lips.
From that answer, he had glimpsed a little of how Ban Hojin regarded Geum Hoyeon.
“I believe it would be quickest if Estate Lord were to ask him directly. The Young Estate Lord may also sort out his thoughts because of it. In truth, is it not often the case that people do not even properly understand their own hearts?”
“Hoh. Indeed. So you are aware of that?”
“After all, I am half a monk. Though I am a Lay Disciple, I morized and recited the Buddhist Scriptures every day from childhood.”
Geum Harun showed a faintly surprised expression.
Ban Hojin seed to possess a deep and dense understanding of life and humanity.
The affairs of life could not be comprehended through the Buddhist Scriptures alone, yet Ban Hojin appeared unexpectedly well-versed in that aspect.
“They say all matters of the world are contained within the Buddhist Scriptures. It seems that is not entirely wrong.”
“There is that, and also, through observing myself, I have co to realize quite a great deal. I ditate often as well.”
“ditation is truly good. It allows one to see within oneself. I, too, make ti for it each day, even if only a little. Though it cannot compare to you, Hero Ban, I also train an Inner Cultivation thod. Hahaha.”
Perhaps feeling awkward saying such things before Ban Hojin—whose naless fa shook the world—Geum Harun laughed sheepishly.
Unlike his usual composed self, he scratched the back of his head as he spoke.
That gesture, however, greatly resembled Geum Hoyeon.
Especially when he smiled.
“For the sake of your health, it would be good to practice consistently every day. Would it not be best to see even your great-grandchildren?”
“In my heart, I would like that, but great-grandchildren seem unlikely. Even I did not manage such a thing. Judging by how Hoyeon is now, it seems difficult.”
“The future is unknown. He might bring soone to marry as soon as tomorrow.”
“That would be a problem in its own way.”
Geum Harun’s expression turned serious.
It was true that he wished the Young Estate Lord to marry soon now that he had taken his position, but he did not wish him to form a bond with just anyone.
At the very least, she had to et his standards—soone worthy of standing beside Geum Hoyeon.
Whether in personal ability or family background.
“Marriage truly seems difficult. It is not called one of the great rites of humanity for nothing.”
“It ans becoming family. Especially when she would be the Principal Wife of the future Geum Family Head—she must possess the proper qualifications, must she not?”
“That is not wrong.”
“And what of you, Hero Ban? I hear marriage proposals are pouring in for you as well.”
Geum Harun’s eyes sparkled.
Though Geum Hoyeon’s popularity had been considerable of late, it could not compare to Ban Hojin’s.
Geum Hoyeon’s status was by no ans lacking anywhere, yet beside Ban Hojin, he inevitably paled.
And personally, Geum Harun was curious.
“More people than I deserve have looked upon favorably, but I have no such thoughts for now.”
“Indeed. One may lead a horse to water, but one cannot make it drink. What may appear to others as a fine opportunity is aningless if the person himself does not desire it.”
“That is correct. For now, I also prefer being alone. There is a goal I personally wish to achieve.”
“Are you referring to what you ntioned last ti?”
“That is correct. There is one more thing, however.”
“One more?”
“Yes. It is sothing everyone dreams of.”
“Ah.”
Geum Harun smiled faintly.
He understood at once what was being implied.
At the sa ti, he nodded inwardly.
A true man of great resolve ought to have a grand ambition.
“As you have guessed, I also have the dream of becoming the Greatest Under Heaven. However, that is not the final goal—rely one step in the process.”
“Hoh.”
At Ban Hojin’s continued words, Geum Harun showed a look of admiration.
Once again, he realized that this young man’s way of thinking differed from that of ordinary people.
“However, what matters most is peace. There is nothing more important than peace. Most people say that an unchanging daily life is boring, but in other words, it ans there are no major incidents or disasters. I cannot say such a life is overwhelmingly happy, but I wish to live that way. In truth, happiness can only be found within a peaceful daily life.”
“I agree. I think so as well.”
Geum Harun nodded.
Now that he heard it, every word rang true.
One could not find happiness in war.
Unless one were a madman or a murderer.
“That is why I have co to see you, Estate Lord. The peace I desire depends upon your choice.”
“Depends upon my choice?”
Geum Harun looked puzzled.
He did not understand what that ant.
But at Ban Hojin’s next words, Geum Harun’s face stiffened.
“Yes. Ironblood Fortress, Nine Heavens Gate, Northern Sea Ice Palace. Has not one among them co to see you?”
“……!”
Geum Harun’s pupils trembled violently for an instant.
He did not answer, but that alone was enough for Ban Hojin.
“So they have co.”
“……How did you know?”
“I had a feeling they might. And since I am close with the Young Estate Lord, I ca to ask, just in case.”
“Do the Beggars’ Sect or the Hao Sect know as well?”
Geum Harun’s voice turned heavy.
He had not joined hands with the forces beyond the border, but rely exchanging contact with them was enough to invite suspicion.
And the people of Murim would not hesitate to attack the Geum Family Estate on suspicion alone.
“I did not hear it from the Beggars’ Sect or the Hao Sect.”
“……Is that truly so?”
“I see no reason to lie. The Geum Family Estate and I are not in such a relationship.”
“Mm! I misspoke. My apologies.”
“It is all right. I understand why you would think so. However, I cannot reveal my source. What I can say with certainty is that I did not possess firm confirmation either. I ca rely to ask, just in case.”
“Whew.”
After a low murmur, Geum Harun let out a deep sigh.
In truth, this matter had been troubling him the most of late.
The Geum Family Estate belonged to the Central Plains Comrcial World, not to the forces of Murim.
Yet the powers of the Neo-Outer Murim kept forcing him to make a choice.
“Let add this—I did not co to force you to choose. I ca simply because there is sothing I wished to ask.”
“You an you will respect my decision.”
“Yes. Whatever choice is made, it must be made by the one concerned.”
“If I were to take Ironblood Fortress’s hand, what would happen?”
“We would not be able to et like this again in comfort.”
Ban Hojin answered without the slightest hesitation.
There was no anger, no sense of betrayal in his voice.
Yet his calm tone struck Geum Harun as far more chilling than any fury.
“I see.”
“I believe that is only natural. If our positions were reversed, would you not make the sa choice?”
“I believe I would.”
“However, there is one thing I personally wish to ask of you.”
Geum Harun, who had been staring at his teacup with a complicated expression, lifted his head.
It was neither coercion nor a demand—rely sothing he wished for. That alone stirred a strange emotion within his chest.
“Sothing you wish from ? I am curious what that might be.”
“I hope you will uphold neutrality.”
“Hm!”
Perhaps because it was not what he had expected, Geum Harun’s brows twitched.
At the sa ti, his heart tilted sharply.
Unlike Ironblood Fortress, which had skillfully combined threats and persuasion, Ban Hojin asked for very little.
He rely wished him to remain where he had always been.
Considering his closeness with Geum Hoyeon—and the fact that the second son had been made Young Estate Lord—Ban Hojin could have easily persuaded him to support the Orthodox Martial World.
Yet he did not.
That fact struck Geum Harun deeply.
“I know what concerns you, Estate Lord. And I do not wish for that outco either. The Orthodox Martial World possesses the strength to protect the Central Plains. I will see to it myself. Therefore, I hope you will remain in your place as you always have.”
“Are you confident?”
Geum Harun asked cautiously.
The Orthodox Martial World knew nothing of Ironblood Fortress or Nine Heavens Gate.
But he was different.
As his trading company dispatched caravans to Miaojiang, Tibet, and the Great Desert, he was well inford of the situation beyond the border.
“Have you not considered this? That perhaps they contacted you because they lack confidence?”
“What?”
“If they truly had confidence, would they bother trying to grasp another card? I do not think so. If one can simply win, why complicate matters?”
Geum Harun looked dazed.
The more he reflected upon it, the more it rang true.
If they were truly confident of conquering the Central Plains, they would not have concerned themselves with the Geum Family Estate.
If they could achieve it with their own strength, there would be no need to divert their ntal fortitude elsewhere.
“……It seems I had overlooked this point.”
“Then please trust us. As always, we will win this ti as well. I will make it so.”
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