“……” Hong Wumun’s face visibly stiffened.
Seo Ryang shook the bottle. “I drank almost all of it, and there’s just this one left. Come over quickly if you want some. The taste is amazing.”
“……”
“Not coming? I’m really not going to eat you, you know?”
Hong Wumun glanced around. From a distance, the passing disciples were sneaking glances at the two of them. In the past, they would have rushed over and bowed their heads immediately, but now they didn’t. It was because of the rumors that had spread throughout the sect a few days ago.
The rumors said that the Third Prince, Seo Ryang, and the Fourth Prince, Hong Wumun, had engaged in a power struggle.
Clench.
Without realizing it, Hong Wumun clenched his fist and walked toward Seo Ryang with his usual leisurely gait.
Seo Ryang smiled faintly. “Good.”
Drip.
A thin thread of blood trickled from his tightly clenched fist. He had gripped it so hard that his nails had dug into his palm.
‘No need to act so sensitive.’
He was spouting such words in front of so many people. If it were the usual him, he wouldn’t have even batted an eye, but now he kept reacting impulsively. It showed just how much his mental composure had deteriorated.
Hong Wumun took a slight deep breath.
‘Anyway, he won’t do anything rash.’
He was the one who had immediately agreed to the mediation of the Punishment Hall Master. Whether he was sincere or not, at least he wouldn’t cause any trouble right now.
‘Even though we’re far away, we’re still within the Punishment Hall’s territory. He knows that too.’
If he tried to pull something here and now?
‘His life in the sect would become quite difficult.’
He didn’t know about the other side, but at least on his side, he had no intention of yielding to the Punishment Hall Master’s threats. However, to save face, he needed to buy some time.
Hong Wumun knew very well how important face was. Thinking about it, he even wished Seo Ryang would act out a bit.
Thud.
As Hong Wumun reached Seo Ryang, the latter pointed to the ground with his chin. “Your cup is there. Don’t step on it.”
Flap!
Hong Wumun, who had flapped his robe dramatically, sat down on the ground.
Whoosh!
The gust of wind caused dust to settle perfectly into the cup.
Seo Ryang smiled. “That guy, really.”
It felt like an older person looking at a childish younger one. He maintained his expression, but it was impossible not to feel annoyed.
“Take a cup.”
Hong Wumun silently held out his cup.
Pour.
The wine that was poured out gave off a luxurious aroma. The scent alone was enough to tell it was good wine. Even in this unpleasant situation, he couldn’t help but inwardly admire it.
“Not bad, right?”
“Not bad.”
“Let’s have a drink.”
Seo Ryang held out his cup.
Hong Wumun, who had been staring at the cup, emptied his own in one go.
“So narrow-minded.”
Seo Ryang chuckled and emptied his own cup as well.
Clench.
Inside his long, wide sleeve, Hong Wumun’s fist clenched once more.
He didn’t understand why he was reacting so sensitively. He had always disliked him, but not to this extent.
‘Since when was it? Since when did just hearing his voice make me so irritated?’
After pondering for a moment, he easily recalled the time.
‘Since then. Since I met Hwanhui Wonju.’
Before that, he had been an annoying but manageable presence, someone he could crush at any time. A strange guy who showed unexpected sides. Ruthless and strong, but not particularly smart.
But when he lost Hwanhui Wonju to him, he genuinely felt anger toward Seo Ryang.
If he had lost in a martial arts contest, he would have been frustrated but gritted his teeth. But losing Hwanhui Wonju without even being able to lift a hand left him momentarily stunned.
It wasn’t like Seo Ryang had used some amazing rhetoric to win Hwanhui Wonju over either.
‘No matter the reason, he’s just someone I can crush, then and now.’
Hong Wumun picked up the wine bottle and filled Seo Ryang’s cup.
“Oh? What’s this about?”
“……”
“When someone suddenly changes, it’s hard to know how to react. Are you trying to reconcile?”
“Would you believe me if I said I was?”
“If the conversation seems believable, then yes.”
Hong Wumun filled his own cup and emptied it in one go. Indeed, as Seo Ryang had said, the wine brewed by the Punishment Hall Master was exceptionally good.
“Why did you call me here?”
“No particular reason. It just feels like we’ve never had a conversation like this before.”
Hong Wumun frowned. “We’ve had plenty of conversations. When we were younger, at least.”
“Did we? Well, let’s say since we grew up then. That’s not the important part.”
Right. That wasn’t the important part.
But for some reason, Seo Ryang’s words this time felt strangely grating to Hong Wumun.
‘What is it? Why?’
It felt like there was a small bug wriggling in his ear. Even though he knew it wasn’t there, the annoying feeling kept bothering him.
What is it? Why am I so bothered by his words?
“What are you planning?”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you planning to keep living like this, causing chaos?”
A rather direct question.
In the past, he would have been flustered, but having experienced Seo Ryang’s behavior a few times now, Hong Wumun wasn’t fazed.
“Is that what you’re curious about?”
“I thought you’d dodge the question, but you’re being straightforward. Yes, that’s what I’m curious about.”
“What does that have to do with you?”
“It does. If you keep causing chaos, I’ll definitely be your first target. How can I not be concerned?”
“……”
“It seems like you have no intention of stopping.”
“Of course not.”
“Why do you live so rigidly?”
This wasn’t teasing. Seo Ryang’s voice was as serious as his expression.
A spark of anger flashed in Hong Wumun’s eyes.
“You’re not really asking out of curiosity, are you?”
“Don’t deflect. Just answer. Why do you live so rigidly?”
“Isn’t it obvious? The seven of us brothers will inevitably have to fight one day. No, from the moment we became the Sect Master’s disciples, we became each other’s closest yet most deadly enemies.”
“……”
“Our fight started from that moment. Knowing that, why are you bringing this up now? Isn’t it redundant?”
“Even if we fight, there’s no need to kill each other.”
“Are you trying to mess with me?”
“No, I just want to hear your honest answer. At least for this moment.”
Pour.
Seo Ryang filled his cup. Hong Wumun emptied it in one go.
“Look at the royal family of this country. The fate of princes who don’t become emperor is miserable. It’s better to die than live like that.”
“That’s true.”
“If you think we’re any different, then you’re truly foolish. We’re like the royal family. If we don’t want to end up miserable, we have to kill our brothers and become the emperor. In fact, killing them now, while they’re still ignorant, might be an act of mercy.”
Seo Ryang smiled. “Is that what you think?”
“Isn’t it obvious? How peaceful do you think my life has been?”
“I wish for a peaceful life, but the environment isn’t exactly peaceful.”
“True peace for us only begins after we seize power.”
“You’re wrong.”
“……”
“Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts, even if it was brief. Yes, it’s possible. But the idea that a peaceful life only begins after seizing power is wrong.”
Hong Wumun laughed coldly. “Are you trying to teach me the ways of Confucius and Mencius?”
“Confucius and Mencius? Why would I waste time lecturing someone who wouldn’t understand?”
“……”
“You’re from the Jeoksa faction, aren’t you?”
“So?”
“Have you ever been satisfied with anything in your life?”
“……”
“Do you think seizing power will bring you peace? That’s ridiculous. It’s just that the Sect Master’s martial arts are so overwhelming that it seems that way. Sitting in that position won’t change anything.”
“That’s the most absurd and trashy thing I’ve heard recently.”
“That’s why I’m not talking about Confucius or Mencius, but from experience. If you had followed their teachings, would you even be sitting here now?”
“……”
“Are you scared?”
For a moment, a murderous glint flashed in Hong Wumun’s eyes.
“Did you call me here to insult me?”
“Why is asking if you’re scared an insult?”
“You’re ruining the mood.”
“Do you want to seize power? Or are you trying to kill others because you’re afraid of dying?”
“Why do you keep asking such pointless questions?”
“Just answer. Which is it?”
“Of course, the former.”
“You want to be the best?”
“Of course.”
“I see.”
With that, Seo Ryang closed his mouth. He simply kept filling and emptying his cup.
Hong Wumun, who had been staring at Seo Ryang, finally spoke. “What about you?”
“Me? What?”
“Don’t you want to be the best?”
“Are you joking? What a ridiculous question.”
Hong Wumun snorted. “You think so too……”
“Of course, I’m not interested in that kind of thing.”
Hong Wumun’s eyes widened. “Not interested?”
“Think about it. If you seize power and stand at the top of the sect, what then? You’ll have to manage this and that, run around like crazy when something happens, and be stuck in endless meetings. Who would want such a tiring position?”
“……?!”
“Why would you want to sit in such a tiresome position? I don’t understand you.”
“But you’d have absolute power.”
“Power? Can you eat that?”
“……”
“I can’t even take care of myself, how can I manage others with power? Power is just an illusion.”
“An illusion everyone believes in.”
“That’s why those in power and those who blindly follow them end up miserable. They’re chasing an illusion that doesn’t even exist, living unhappy lives.”
Seo Ryang, who had been shaking the bottle, filled his own cup and then Hong Wumun’s.
“We’ve emptied it.”
“……”
“We’ve finished the wine, and I’ve heard your thoughts. Now there’s just one thing left to confirm.”
Despite filling the cups, Seo Ryang didn’t pick his up.
“What I said in front of the Punishment Hall Master was sincere. I don’t want to wrestle with others in the mud. I have no intention of forgiving those who mess with me, but even that depends on my mood at the time. I’m quite capricious.”
“……”
“What will you do? Are you planning to attack me from behind again?”
“What if I am?”
“I’ll leave it to my whims. At least it won’t flow like some beautiful story in a novel.”
“I see.”
“So, what’s your answer?”
Hong Wumun’s eyes deepened.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. The relaxed smile he usually showed to the sect members appeared.
“Even if I give you an answer, you won’t believe me, will you?”
“……”
“If lying is meaningless, then I’ll answer like this. I’ll definitely kill you someday.”
“Really?”
“Is that answer enough?”
Seo Ryang lowered his head for a moment, lost in thought. Then he smiled and nodded.
“It’s enough.”
Hong Wumun also nodded in return.
“Let’s finish the last cup and go our separate ways……”
BOOM!!
A deafening explosion echoed, shaking the area for dozens of yards.
The person who caused the explosion was standing in front of a tree shattered by the shockwave, turning his neck left and right.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Kuh!”
Hong Wumun, who had been pushed back five yards, had both hands red and swollen.
Seo Ryang smiled.
It was a smile of death, completely opposite to the calm and composed expression he had shown earlier.
“I thought deeply about it, but I really can’t stand the uneasy feeling.”
Crack! Crack!
He released all his fingers and activated the Amyeongjin Magong.
“I’ll pull out the roots and go my way, cleanly!”