NOVEL NEXT I Will Raise It as the Best Family in the World
Chapter 25
Woonyeong, who had been smiling while looking at Jegal Dam, lifted the teacup and took a sip of tea.
The taste of the tea was not much different from when she had it with the General Jegal Dam in the past. It was somehow a nostalgic taste, reminiscent of an era long past. Although they had reached an unspoken agreement to be honest with each other, no one was willing to speak first. Woonyeong, having set down her teacup, smiled again at Jegal Dam. ‘This guy’s expression is so easy to read.’ Jegal Dam’s lips twitched slightly. It seemed like he was trying to force a smile, but Woonyeong didn’t miss it. Seeing that expression almost made her burst into laughter. Woonyeong clenched and unclenched her fist repeatedly to hold back her laughter. General Jegal Dam was not one to reveal his thoughts or feelings in front of strangers. He thought faster and deeper than anyone else, so ordinary people couldn’t read him. He was someone who could perfectly hide his emotions, creating a consistently relaxed expression, to the point where he could even deceive her. ‘It took me a long time to read his emotions back then…’ She remembered that time in the past. – So, I’ve been thinking, you know? When the Sword Demon started to speak about ‘thinking’, the General would always begin with a sigh. At first, even Woonyeong couldn’t read Jegal Dam’s expression. When did it start? Woonyeong gradually began to read his emotions. – No. – No, listen. I told you it was a good idea? – I told you not to think… and yet again, again… That’s what it meant to have spent a long time together. When the Demon Sword thinks, it means that something bad is about to happen. At the same time, it also implies that despite the warning, she will still find a way to resolve it. Even when Woonyeong returned to being ten years old, she still thought about things If it had been General Jegal Dam, he would have wanted to faint, but young Jegal Dam couldn’t read Woonyeong’s thoughts. After confirming that gap, all emotions were sorted out. ‘Yeah, I was just too flustered earlier.’ The friend of the Demon Sword was no longer here. There was no more reason to be displeased or feel hurt. ‘Just… meeting to persuade a comrade to prepare together to stop the Heavenly Palace.’ Woonyeong nodded and cautiously began to speak. “You came here because of the letter, right?” “That’s…right.” “It was interesting, wasn’t it?” “It was. It was really interesting.” Woonyeong nodded at Jegal Dam’s answer. It seemed that he had perfectly interpreted the content, just as expected. “Young Miss, I have a question. Why did you send that song to me?” “Uhm, why do you think that was?” When Woonyeong smiled and asked the question again, Jegal Dam clenched his teeth. Woonyeong’s smile deepened at his impatient appearance. To be honest, it was becoming increasingly amusing to see this younger version of Jegal Dam. It was new and interesting, a side not seen in the General. Seeing his face gradually turn red, it seemed best to stop teasing him. “Before we talk about the song, can I tell you an old story?” “…What are you talking about?” “It’s an old story told to me by someone who is like…a teacher to me.” “I will listen.” “Yes.” Woonyeong chose her words while holding the teacup in her hand. Teacher, huh… Yes, he was indeed a teacher. It’s just that the person who once was a teacher to the Sword Demon now sits in front of Woonyeong as a child. – In those old days, King Min of the state of Qi considered himself virtuous. The Sword Demon’s teacher, who used to tell ancient stories in a gentle tone, was no longer around. “Regarding the King Min of the State of Qi, I’m sure the Young Master also knows about it. Although he was a tyrant, he considered himself a virtuous king. Even as the country was falling apart, he foolishly believed that his own virtue was the reason for the nation’s downfall.” The general was someone who usually did not drink much alcohol. It must have been the day he lost a treasured item to the Heavenly Palace and learned the secret of the song. The General, with a look of resignation, requested a drink and then began to recount stories from his childhood, which he rarely talked about.” – King Min had a son who was just as foolish as him. Although it seemed quite out of place, it was now time for Woonyeong to pass on the story to Jegal Dam. “King Min of the Qi State had a son named Jeong Gwakgun. He was so much like his father that he didn’t even realize how much of a tyrant he was.” Jegal Dam looked at Woonyeong with a surprised expression. “The officials who could no longer tolerate the situation raised a rebellion. However, Jeong Gwakgun had a clever coachman. The coachman had anticipated this disaster and had prepared for an escape.” For Jegal Dam, who was born with everything, the world was too easy. An exceptionally brilliant mind and innate martial talent. At first, everything must have been enjoyable. The more effort he put in, the faster he achieved it. The General was said to have been certain of the dangers in the martial world, even in his early teens, while the world was at peace. As he gradually learned more about the world, he was able to understand this. He tried to warn the great clans and the Martial Alliance, but no one listened to him. That was the first frustration that the genius encountered. “When the rebellion broke out, Jeong Gwakgun ran away. After running for a long time, when he was shivering from hunger, the coachman gave Jeong Gwakgun food that he had prepared.” Despite being highly anticipated due to his innate intelligence and talent, the reality of his later achievements was different. And at that time, he didn’t even know what he needed to warn others about. “Jeong Gwakgun, who suspected the coachman, asked. Do you know what he asked?” “How did you know and prepare food?” Jegal Dam answered Woonyeong’s question as if he was possessed by something. “Since the king was ruling with tyranny, the officials had been preparing for a rebellion for a long time.” “Yes, the cruel natured Jeong Gwakgun, upon hearing that answer, threw his food and became enraged.” “I have only ever heard that I am virtuous. Why then… do they call me a tyrant?” Jegal Dam’s voice was getting hoarse as he answered Woonyeong’s story. Woonyeong’s smile also gradually faded. “The coachman, frightened by Jeong Gwakgun’s anger, apologized and kept talking.” “My words… were excessive. The king is a virtuous person, but the subjects are ignorant… It’s because they do not recognize the king’s virtue.” Now, Jegal Dam had a look on his face as if he were someone choking. “Only then did Jeong Gwakgun, with a joyful face, eat the food. He must be really foolish.” Woonyeong continued the story with a bitter expression. “I believe the story of the preparing coachman is more important than that of the foolish tyrant. What do you think, Young Master?” Woonyeong, who had asked the question, tightly closed her eyes. – At that time, I thought I was the coachman. Since there was no way anyone would listen to me, I thought I could prepare on my own. That was also comforting. Even with his eyes closed, the Sword Demon’s friend with the sad expression was still looking at Woonyeong. – In fact, preparation was actually absurd. I was just a foolish Jeong Gwakgun. This must have been exactly when the general had spoken. That was when he thought of himself as a cowardly coachman. The coachman prepared, but in the end, nothing changed, so it was understandable to think that way. At that age, he committed acts that he would long regret and continue to regret. Guilt was a heavy burden and a shackle for the General. – But back then, if I had known this song…. If I had this clue, would I have made a different choice back then? ‘I’m glad I can stop it now.’ Woonyeong struggled to lift her eyelids. When she opened her eyes, she saw Jegal Dam still with a stunned expression. “You said we should talk about the letter, right?” Woonyeong needed to become stern from now on. “Young Master, I will ask you this. Does the Young Master intend to become like Jeong Gwakgun?” “I, I…” “Young Master!” It might not be necessary to go this far. Even if she explained it moderately, Jegal Dam would understand. However, considering the enemies he would have to face in the future, Jegal Dam needed to become stronger than the General that Sword Demon knew in the past. By strategy or force. “Young Master, after receiving the letter, you should not have come here. Don’t you think so? However, the Young Master came here just like Jeong Gwakgun didn’t believe the coachman’s words.” Woonyeong’s hands began to tremble slightly due to her heightened emotions. “What were you hoping to hear? That it was just a meaningless song? Did you expect me to test you and say it was nothing?” Woonyeong let out a small sigh and clasped her hands together. “Yeah, you must have been curious. How I deciphered the meaning of that song, and whether I know anything more about it.” That wasn’t something he could do alone. That’s why, although she was sorry and it would be difficult, Jegal Dam had to become stronger than before. “But, Young Master, what’s important is… what was contained in that song. It was your task to find out more about it.” Woonyeong asked in a firm voice. “Isn’t that right?”
Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.