Chapter 35: Negotiation (1)
No one with a shred of common sense or understanding of proper conduct would fall for such sweet talk.
However, the Wi Yeonho that Mun Eunji knew had long since buried his common sense somewhere, and it was clear that he had never possessed any notion of proper conduct from the moment he was born.
As expected, Wi Yeonho opened his mouth with a face full of interest.
"Power and wealth?"
"Indeed!"
Sensing danger, Mun Eunji turned to the Second Royal Prince.
Catching the urgency in her eyes, the Second Prince quickly shouted.
"What are you doing! Are power and wealth really that important to you?"
Wi Yeonho glanced back at the Second Prince with a sulky expression.
Then he answered bluntly.
"They’re important."
Nok Mokpung chimed in.
"They are indeed."
Mun Eunji muttered weakly.
"They are important."
The Second Prince’s face turned red.
It seemed he had taken the wrong approach.
At times like this, a quick change of subject was necessary.
"Ahem! They are important! Of course they are! But how much power and wealth do you think he can give you? I’ll give it to you! I will!"
Wi Yeonho’s ears slightly turned in the Second Prince’s direction.
Noticing this, Nok Mokpung sneered.
"Hmph, do you really think that man can offer you anything? Even if he’s the Emperor’s brother, he’s already given up all his wealth, and the most he can get in terms of power is a small seat in the Royal Inspectorate. But my father, Lord Nok, can grant you wealth and power that anyone in the world would envy."
Wi Yeonho looked back at the Second Prince with an even more sulky face.
Feeling that something was going wrong, the Second Prince instinctively looked at Mun Eunji. If there was anyone here who could predict Wi Yeonho’s behavior even a little, it was her.
Sure enough, Mun Eunji was frantically urging the Second Prince with a desperate expression.
The Second Prince quickly shouted again.
"Not me! His Majesty the Emperor will reward you greatly!"
Wi Yeonho’s ears perked up.
"His Majesty?"
"Yes! If you help me, that means you’re preventing a rebellion!"
Nok Mokpung snorted.
"Even if you help me, it’s still stopping a rebellion."
Wi Yeonho’s expression turned sulky again.
"Well, that’s true, but…"
The Second Prince stammered, momentarily at a loss for words.
Unable to bear it any longer, Mun Yuhwan stepped in.
"How can aiding the wicked in plotting treason be the same as exposing an actual rebellion? Didn’t your master ever teach you what’s right?"
"My master?"
"Yes! What did your master say? What did he teach you to do in situations like this?"
Mun Yuhwan had no doubt that a favorable answer would come from Wi Yeonho.
Though Wi Yeonho had always spoken ill of his master, wasn't the very reason he had come here to honor his master's dying wish?
So it was obvious he would value his master’s teachings.
But Mun Yuhwan was only half right.
Wi Yeonho certainly valued the teachings of Baek Muhan.
The problem was, Baek Muhan was far from a normal human being.
"In times like this, my master said..."
"What did he say?"
Wi Yeonho grinned.
"He said to side with whoever pays better."
"...Huh?"
Wi Yeonho nodded.
"He told me, even if you talk about what’s right or humane, all you’ll get is a reputation that can’t feed you and a profit smaller than a mouse's tail. So don’t live stupidly trying to be good—grab whatever you can when you can, that’s the right way to live."
"Ha! Your master knew a thing or two!"
Nok Mokpung clapped his hands.
Mun Yuhwan, half dazed, asked.
"What did you say your master did again?"
"He was a con artist."
"..."
He had thought it was a joke—turns out it wasn’t!
What kind of lunatic master teaches something like that?
If Radiant Sword Baek Muhan were to hear this conversation, he’d probably cough up blood.
At last, Wi Yeonho spoke as if he had made a decision.
"Well, my master had a point. There was this man named Jang who lived next door to us. Always going on about friendship and kindness—he also once lent three sacks of rice to a friend. But before the year ended, that so-called friend ran off with Jang’s wife and all his assets. The world rewards those who live cleverly."
Nok Mokpung laughed heartily.
"You’re young, but you understand how the world works."
Wi Yeonho was weak to compliments.
"Hehe, I’m alright."
Mun Eunji glared daggers at Mun Yuhwan like she was ready to devour him.
"Ahem!"
Mun Yuhwan gave a loud cough and backed away.
He should’ve kept quiet. Instead, he just stirred the pot.
The Second Prince and Mun Yuhwan now looked at Mun Eunji with desperate eyes.
Their only hope now was her.
"Hey."
Wi Yeonho looked at Mun Eunji with dull eyes.
"What now?"
"You’re right. The world rewards those who act cleverly."
"Glad you know."
"So you should help us."
"...What?"
Mun Eunji gave a triumphant smile.
"No matter how powerful Nok Gi is, can he really compare to His Majesty the Emperor? If you really want to score big, help us. If the Second Prince speaks well of you, His Majesty will reward you generously."
"Hmm..."
Wi Yeonho fell into thought.
It did sound reasonable.
He turned to the Second Prince as if to confirm.
The Second Prince brightened and said,
"I will personally petition His Majesty to reward you greatly!"
"Mm!"
Seeing Wi Yeonho hesitate, Nok Mokpung burst into laughter.
"Hahahahahah!"
Wi Yeonho turned to Nok Mokpung.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Do you actually believe what that woman says?"
"Well, she's not wrong."
"Not wrong?"
Nok Mokpung let out a dry chuckle and opened his mouth.
"Have you ever met His Majesty the Emperor?"
"Of course not."
"If that woman had truly met His Majesty, she would never say such things."
"...Why not?"
Nok Mokpung looked at the Second Prince as he spoke.
"Why would His Majesty go out of his way to reward you handsomely? Everyone in the world has a duty to serve the Emperor. Preventing a rebellion is the bare minimum, and giving your life for His Majesty is only natural. So why should he reward you as if you've done something extraordinary?"
Wi Yeonho nodded.
That made sense, too.
"Have you ever heard of the Emperor giving a huge reward to anyone in your life?"
"I haven't."
"If something like that happened, it would have been announced far and wide to garner more loyalty. But that never happens. Why? Because it's taken for granted—there’s no reason to give out grand rewards. Ask the Second Prince yourself how much of a reward His Majesty will give you. At most, a few paddy fields and a pat on the back."
Wi Yeonho looked at the Second Prince with a frosty gaze. The look in his eyes was so cold, it sent chills down one's spine.
"Th-That can’t be true!"
The Second Prince tried to deny it, but unconsciously, he averted his eyes from Wi Yeonho.
"So it is true?"
From the Second Prince’s reaction, Wi Yeonho could tell that Nok Mokpung wasn’t wrong.
"That’s how those in power are. Especially those born into royalty—they rarely value the achievements of those beneath them. Only a true sage-king is capable of sincerely recognizing and praising his subordinates’ contributions. Do you know why sage-kings are called sage-kings? Because they’re rare."
Wi Yeonho nodded in agreement.
"That’s certainly true."
"But my father is not like that. My father rose to his current position from a commoner’s background. He knows how to value those who help him, and he understands well that generous rewards to talented people are in his best interest. I never make empty promises. So, how about it? Will you work for my father?"
"Work?"
"Yes. What do you think?"
Wi Yeonho’s expression turned sullen.
"I have to work?"
Nok Mokpung tilted his head at the unexpected reaction.
Did something go wrong?
"You're reluctant? I could arrange a government post for you, or if you'd prefer not, I can recommend creating a new martial unit under your command—something like the Black Darkness unit you just defeated."
"......"
Wi Yeonho's expression grew even more sullen.
"Is something wrong?"
At that moment, Mun Eunji seized on Nok Mokpung’s misstep.
"We won’t make you do any work!"
Twitch!
Wi Yeonho’s ears perked up.
"I told you already! We guarantee top-class meals and full days of rest!"
"Full days of rest..."
Wi Yeonho murmured to himself without realizing it.
"Between getting paid to work and not working at all while still getting paid… which is better..."
Others might choose the former.
But Wi Yeonho was clearly someone who would choose the latter.
Nok Mokpung realized his mistake.
"I was just being a fool, wasn’t I?"
"..."
"If you don’t want to work, you don’t have to. Still, I’ll make sure you get the promised reward."
Wi Yeonho's mouth opened again in delight.
"Really?"
"If you don’t want to, there’s no reason to force you. Just stay as a guest on our side and help out a bit if needed."
Wi Yeonho looked troubled.
"But I have to leave soon."
"Why’s that?"
"My damn master left me with a lot of things to do."
"Is that so? Well, that’s fine too. If you can just take care of this one matter, I’ll make sure you get your reward. It might be a bit less, but it’ll still be enough for you to strut around anywhere in the world."
Wi Yeonho was sincerely impressed. Who else in this world would offer such a good deal?
"You’re really generous! You’re a true man!"
"Hahaha! I could say the same about you."
Nok Mokpung gave a satisfied smile.
Nok Mokpung was by no means a fool.
If he were, he wouldn’t have become Nok Gi’s adopted son, nor would he have been entrusted with the critical task of accusing the Emperor’s brother of treason.
He understood very well that winning over Wi Yeonho now—no matter what it took—was what mattered most. Even if it meant losing a great fortune, what he could gain would far outweigh it.
"Do you really believe that man? Once this is all over, he’ll kill you to silence you!"
At Mun Eunji’s urgent warning, Wi Yeonho narrowed his eyes and looked at Nok Mokpung.
Nok Mokpung sighed.
What a gullible guy.
It was working to his advantage, sure—but he couldn’t bring himself to like him.
"If you don’t trust me, I’ll have the reward brought here immediately. After that, you can go about your business as you please. I’m the only one here anyway—just take the reward and slip away quietly."
Wi Yeonho quickly turned his head toward Mun Eunji.
"What! What is it now!"
"How could you speak such ill of someone this kind! That’s no way to live your life!"
Mun Eunji looked like she was about to foam at the mouth and collapse.