The Genius Youngest Disciple of the Wudang Sect

Chapter 243

"You bastard! You confess with your own mouth that you tried to harm this father of yours with a formation!"

Jeong Il-hak was dumbfounded.

Because he had been in extreme fear until just a moment ago, he couldn't even properly understand what was going on.

But the tingling pain he felt on his cheek is teaching him that he is not dreaming right now.

"F-Father...!"

"Don't even call me father. You worthless thing!"

Minister Jeong shouted, his cheeks trembling.

He, as if he couldn't control his anger, even felt as if a light was being emitted from his eyes.

Jeong Il-hak, in that gaze, could feel the gaze of a man who had survived in the midst of the court intrigues and schemes of the imperial court in his prime, not an old man who had retired.

"W-Wait a minute... how are you alive, father?"

"How? You bastard. You still haven't come to your senses."

At that moment, someone's words flashed through Jeong Il-hak's mind.

'How about spreading a rumor that he faked his death to escape the immediate danger and to find out who the culprit is?'

It was what Taoist Master Unhwi, who he had only thought of as his helper, had said to him yesterday.

'N-No way. Did he suspect me of being the culprit from the beginning and plot this to lure me out?'

He was engulfed in a considerable shock.

Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, he was a person with a quick head.

So he thought he knew what this situation was.

"W-Wait a minute, please listen to my explanation. Father."

"Don't even call me father! You are worse than a beast."

"Please listen to me just once. Please!"

He, almost grabbing Minister Jeong's pants and begging, said.

But, Minister Jeong, who was truly enraged, coldly pushed Jeong Il-hak away.

"I don't even want to hear your story."

"Father. Please, just once!"

Although it would be reasonable to listen to him once if he begged that much, Minister Jeong was really firm.

He, coldly shaking his head, said to Jeong Il-hak, "I have no intention of listening to you. All you can do now is choose."

"Choose... you say?"

"Will you take responsibility for your words and die like a man? Or will you live a wretched life?"

"......!"

Jeong Il-hak had a surprised expression.

It's not that he had that expression because Minister Jeong's words were so firm.

It was an expression as if he were surprised that there was a choice for him to live even in that.

"I want to live, I want to live. Father. Please save me!"

He, like lightning, knelt down and clung to Minister Jeong.

Minister Jeong, who was looking at such a son, felt a rough feeling in his mouth as if sand had entered.

'To think I could only raise him like this...'

His eldest son, who had passed the provincial examination at a young age, was one of his great prides.

Although he knew that he had an excessive greed and desire for power, he had only thought that it was a youthful whim.

He had thought that as time passed and experience and seniority accumulated, he would surely let go of his desire for power...

"But saving you is not something I can do."

"Then who can save me?"

Jeong Il-hak, with a dumbfounded expression, asked him back.

He still hadn't come to his senses.

Because he had thought that his father's words that he would save him actually meant that he had the family heirloom, and that he would give him that family heirloom.

But.

At that time, the door that had not even thought of opening until just a moment ago opened, and a man revealed himself through that door.

Jeong Il-hak, upon seeing that man, was startled.

Because he was Ryu Ju-guk, who was wearing a deep bamboo hat.

"H-How are you here?"

Jeong Il-hak already knew that Ryu Ju-guk was watching him.

Because yesterday, Ryu Ju-guk had revealed himself and, after telling him to find the Art of War of Wu Zi, had disappeared again.

So there was also the fact that he had tried to cling to Unhwi and find the Art of War of Wu Zi.

But why was he revealing himself in front of his father?

Because as far as he could think, he could not recall a connection between Ryu Ju-guk and his father.

"Jeong Il-hak."

"Hup!"

At Ryu Ju-guk's cold voice, Jeong Il-hak let out a gasp.

To Jeong Il-hak, who did not know martial arts, the master Ryu Ju-guk is no different from fear itself.

Because right now, he is not the Hanlin Academy Reader-in-waiting Jeong Il-hak, but a patricide who lied to the Left General, Jin Baek, and Ryu Ju-guk, and tried to harm his father.

"You have insulted me and the general with an item that does not even exist. It seems you did not value your life."

Jeong Il-hak, for a moment, looked back at Minister Jeong.

Even though Ryu Ju-guk was talking about his life in front of him, Jeong Il-hak seemed to have no interest.

Whether he thought that since he had done wrong, he should be punished, or whether he had lost all affection for him, Jeong Il-hak could not help but feel confused.

"That's not it. Please listen to my story for a moment."

"There is no need to hear any more of your story. Moreover, to even harm your father with a formation to get that item... the face of the general who trusted a patricide like you and gave you an official position has become a mess!"

At Ryu Ju-guk's stern voice, Jeong Il-hak could not answer anything.

The fact that Ryu Ju-guk now knows all of this means that this content will eventually reach the Left General, Jin Baek.

And not only Jin Baek, but it is also a matter that could spread to all the officials of the court and even the imperial family that he knows.

A Reader-in-waiting who tried to buy an official position with patricide. Since that word itself is a contradiction, it felt as clear as day that he would lose everything and be ruined.

"Please save me. Please just save my life!"

Jeong Il-hak immediately knelt down without any hesitation.

He made a quick judgment.

Right now, there is nothing more important to him than to save his life.

Even if Ryu Ju-guk were to kill him now and punish him, it seems his father will never protect him.

That's why he has no choice but to lie flat on his face now.

"Save you? You are more shameless than I thought. Even though you tried to harm your father."

"No. I never had such an intention. I just wanted to threaten him a little and get the family heirloom. All of this was done for the sake of the Left General. Please believe me!"

"No matter how much the Left General likes rare items, he is not so greedy as to covet an item obtained in such a dirty way. Are you trying to insult the general now?"

"Absolutely not! I was wrong. It was all because I thought wrongly!"

After Jeong Il-hak's heartfelt cry, a moment of silence passed.

He, who did not even dare to raise his head, with his face buried in the ground, quietly waited for someone to speak.

As if to test his patience, Minister Jeong and Ryu Ju-guk do not say anything.

How much time has passed like that? Jeong Il-hak felt his arms and legs go numb and his neck become stiff.

Although sweat was trickling down, he thought he could not raise his head here.

Because it might be his last chance to live.

"Minister Jeong."

At that time, Ryu Ju-guk called Minister Jeong.

Minister Jeong answered him in a cracking voice.

"What is it?"

"Please choose, Minister Jeong. No matter how much of a capital crime Jeong Il-hak has committed, and even though he has committed patricide... I can't kill Jeong Il-hak in front of you, the person involved, can I?"

“……”

"So if you ask me to save Jeong Il-hak, I will find a way, and if you say it doesn't matter if he is killed, I will take him to the general."

Jeong Il-hak, who was listening to his own story, could not even breathe loudly, and he could not raise his head.

Because if he were to do anything now and get on his father's nerves, his life would be over.

"Martial artist Ryu..."

"Yes, minister."

"Although it was for a very short time, we also have a connection in the imperial court, don't we?"

"That's right. That's why I'm saying this."

"Although he is a very foolish person... although he has done something he shouldn't have, can't you think of a way to save this child for my sake?"

Minister Jeong said in a voice as if all his soul had left him.

At that expression and tone, Ryu Ju-guk's heart also felt heavy.

"It's not that there is no way. But, shouldn't he do something to the extent that it can turn the general's heart in order for the general to forgive him?"

"That's right. Of course, I am also thinking of that much. A compensation that will not disappoint the general..."

A ray of hope began to shine on the face of Jeong Il-hak, who was prostrating.

Because if his father compensates for something, he will be able to live.

At that time, Minister Jeong called Jeong Il-hak.

"Il-hak-ah."

"Yes, father!"

He finally raised his head and looked at Minister Jeong.

His eyes, which were looking at Minister Jeong with a sweat-soaked and red face, were very heartfelt.

"Can you do anything to be forgiven by the Left General?"

"Yes. I can do anything."

"And can you give up anything?"

"... Yes. I can."

Although the answer did not come out immediately, Jeong Il-hak answered with all his heart.

Because he had the mindset that he could give any answer if he could just turn his father's heart.

But the words that came out of Minister Jeong's mouth next were completely different from his expectations.

"Then give up your official position."

"Yes?"

"Given the Left General's personality, his heart will be relieved only if you return what he gave you. Before he makes a move, you should return your official position first."

"F-Father...!"

Minister Jeong, with a frown, raised his head.

It meant that he would not listen to any other answer.

"You have no choice. It means that this is the only way to live."

"Ah... I understand."

"And dispose of all your property in Beijing now and give that property to the Left General as well."

"Yes?!"

"I'll say it again, this is the only way for you to live. Don't you think his heart will be relieved only if you show your sincerity like that? The Left General is a person who is sure of his gratitude and resentment. Although I don't know if his heart will be completely relieved just because you give up your official position and give him all your property... can you, martial artist Ryu, help with that?"

Ryu Ju-guk nodded his head slightly.

"I... will try to persuade the general well for Minister Jeong's sake. But if young master Jeong doesn't keep his promise..."

"Then take him. Take him and kill him or imprison him as you please. If I hear that news, I will consider that I have one less son from then on."

"I understand, minister."

The two of them, without any regard for Jeong Il-hak's thoughts, finished their conversation, and a look of injustice flashed in Jeong Il-hak's eyes for a moment.

At that time, Ryu Ju-guk, with a hint of anger in his voice, said, "Jeong Il-hak. You still haven't come to your senses. Your official position and your wealth are trivial things that the general doesn't even need. But the reason he said he would save you just by receiving that is all because he is looking at Minister Jeong. You have received your life from your father once when you were born, and now again, twice!"

"I-I know well! Thank you very much for saving me. I am sincere. And father..."

Jeong Il-hak, after walking a few steps in front of Minister Jeong, as if he were shouting, said, "Thank you very much, father! Although I cannot be forgiven for the patricide I have committed against you, I apologize. I am really... really sorry, father!"

At his shout, Minister Jeong, as if he were tired, said to talk again later and waved his hand, and Jeong Il-hak, at Ryu Ju-guk's words to follow him to talk about handling his official position, hurriedly followed him and left the room.

And so, the situation was settled for now.

And Unhwi, who had been watching this whole situation through a small hole in the roof, smiled a bitter, but still somewhat satisfied smile.

Although not everything was resolved according to his personality, he felt that at least this much was enough for everything to go back to its place.

(End of Chapter)