the Twelve-faced Moon: A Loona fanfiction

Chapter 50 To Prune a Branch

"He's ready." Said High Priest Byunghun,seated near Haseul inside the temple nearby Nakdong Delta Castle of Pohang. The two of them are counted amongst the attendees of a sermon conducted by Jo Hyeonwoo,a cousin of Haseul. Truth be told,Haseul was not the most pious of person,but,she could tell that Hyeonwoo's sermon made a lot of sense to her. He preach unity,servitude,kindness,all the virtues any Sectarian followers should adhere to. A great orator himself,he preach well,without leaving bad taste to anyone hearing his sermon. Haseul share her father's distaste of preachy and forceful supposed holy individual "Those who forcefully shove their faiths upon others are the worst kind of person" the High King always said disdainfully when he got visited by priests who tried to convert him to the Sectarian way. Haseul could see their intention too,they seek glory and renown first,being remembered as the priest who managed to convert the High King should bring them plenty of prestige,many tried but none succeed. Their faiths are secondary at best.

As Hyeonwoo descend from the altar,Haseul applaud his knowledge and oratory skill,so does High Priest Byunghun.

"By your leave,Lady Jo,i shall took Sir Hyeonwoo with me,to put him as candidate of the Head Abbott,in opposition of the High Owl." the well kept man in his late fifties said in utmost respect towards her.

Haseul looked at Hyeonwoo proudly,as he greeted other attendants. This will serve me well,to rid my uncle of his heir,highborn Head Abbott candidates requires him to forsake his inheritance rights. So Uncle Gwon's land will go towards Hyunwoo,whom easier to control and currently reside near me as my swornsword. Finally,that branch of my family will be held by person of the same goal as i; Stability and unity. Irks her so much,that uncle of hers.

For years Jo Gwon had tried to seize the Governorship of Gyeonggi for himself,bastard pretenders,assasination,claimants,forgery,he tried them all,the latest of his scheme was to sent paltry force to the war effort up north led by incompetent commander while he kept his best soldiers and generals for himself,as her younger brother Hajoon could testify. Still,it amazes her how he always able to cover it all up,his tracks of involvement,the lacks of evidence of treachery is the only thing that hinder the Ministry of Law Enforcement to apprehend him,it is a testament to Jo Gwon's scheme-weaving that he managed to avoid Han Seonghan and Lady Seonnok's watchful eyes all these years. All those attempts also drove him away from Hyunwoo,whom wholly disapproving his own father's treacherous way.

Tirelessly Haseul through her network of spies and trusted individuals within the province thwarted Jo Gwon's scheme time and time again. Her decisive move was now standing in front of her,the amicable priest Hyeonwoo. She managed to drove a wedge between him and his father by instilling the piousness in him,the idea itself was concocted by High Priest Byunghun upon learning Hyeonwoo's interest in the Sectarian teachings and took him under his wing. Plus,placing a Jo as the Head Abbott of the entire Sectarian sect should bring power and influence to her house too. Such powerful authority should be held by someone responsible and level headed. Me

"make our House proud,cousin" Haseul said to Hyeonwoo before he left alongside High Priest Byunghun's retinue. She then returned to Nakdong Delta castle to resume her duty,but before she could gather her council a messenger come bearing news of Jo Gwon's arrival. Here he comes,wonder what bluster he's going to throw at me.

"How dare you! sending off my son and heir without MY consent! Have you forgotten who is the Head of the entire Jo House! ME! And it always have been! You and your side of the family are a mere cadet branch! You should've followed MY command instead!" argued her uncle as soon as he arrived at the main hall of her stronghold.

"my side of the family is governors for plenty of generations and you,dear uncle are a mere count,a mere lord,I have higher authority. Hyeonwoo is under High Priest Byunghun's jurisdiction now,should you interfere in his matter,you'll draw the ire of the High King himself."