“What do you think?”
At Bisabeol’s question, Yoo Seongwoon shrugged.
“Just as you expected.”
“And how would you know what I expected?”
“I trust your eyes, Guild Master.”
Bisabeol released his characteristic laugh at Yoo Seongwoon’s trust.
“Apparently, you do not trust me as a person?”
“I have long known that you lack a conscience.”
“How coldhearted.”
“Please. I am tired.”
“Then I should finish quickly.”
Bisabeol tapped lightly upon the desk with his ringed fingers.
“I knew he was not someone who would yield easily to temptation.”
They were discussing Juhyeon.
“Even when an easy path lies before him, he refuses to touch it if he considers it an unfair advantage.”
“He did appear somewhat foolish in that respect. He seems to possess convictions of his own.”
“Considering that aspect of him, perhaps one might say he resembles a Confucian scholar from the Joseon era.”
“…May I interpret that as praise for Mr. Juhyeon?”
“Interpret it however you wish. I meant that he is inflexible.”
“Well, that upright, unbending nature must be what Gio liked about him.”
Yoo Seongwoon nodded.
“He did not consider using Gio to secure benefits for himself.”
“Nor is he a man who would allow such petty greed to dull his judgment.”
“I do not consider greed particularly petty.”
Such was the nature of human desire.
This thing called decency was consciously created, not an instinct granted at birth. If an unfathomably immense Mystery, of all beings, declared that he would become one’s ‘friend,’ it was only natural to want something.
Unlike decency, greed was instinctive.
“Gio occupies the position of the powerful in a great many respects. Even Mr. Seo Gio possesses more authority and a higher position than Mr. Juhyeon. Gio is extravagant enough to use rare elixirs that would make a human’s eyes burn red with envy for the mere preparation of a meal.”
Thus, Juhyeon could have thought as follows:
“What…