Chapter 117: Let's Make a Bet (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 117: Let's Make a Bet (3)
Once our parents started talking, Namgung Bi-ah and I could only squirm uncomfortably in the oppressive atmosphere.
Typically, families in our position would exchange formalities and maintain a veneer of respectful discourse. But the air between them felt less like a polite meeting and more like a battlefield.
“How have you been?”
“Not bad.”
The exchange began with a subtle, albeit standard, greeting. So far, so good.
Everyone greets each other, right?
The trouble started immediately after.
“Well, I’m glad to hear it. For a moment, I thought something was wrong, judging by your expression. I must have been mistaken.”
I internally gasped at my father’s words. On the surface, they were innocuous, but his tone and expression stripped them of any goodwill. He wasn’t expressing concern; he was outright insulting Namgung Jin’s face. And in response, Namgung Jin fired back without missing a beat, completely unfazed.
“I was worried about you as well, judging by those eyes of yours. But then I remembered your eyes have always looked like that. I’m relieved you’re doing well.”
Thorns. Their words were laced with them. They made no attempt to hide the bad blood between them, being blatantly hostile in a setting where one would expect at least some restraint.
Moreover, I had never seen my father speak to anyone with such open contempt. This was completely unlike his usual demeanor.
Namgung Jin wasn't finished. “If that isn’t your normal face, then perhaps something truly is bothering you?”
“What are you implying?”
“You know, perhaps a problem with your child, or something of the sort.”
…This fucker?
He was deliberately using me as a tool to provoke my father. It was a low blow, but an effective one. After all, the only person in the Gu Clan who caused any real trouble was me.
My older sister, Gu Huibi, had a notoriously shitty personality, but her immense talent made people dismiss it as an eccentricity befitting a powerful martial artist.
But what about me?
I had no reputation to speak of. I’d never sought fame, even after reaching my current level of strength, so I remained an unknown in the martial world. This was by design, but I couldn’t believe he was using my anonymity as ammunition.
Upon hearing this, my father merely raised an eyebrow and took a calm sip of his tea. Is he getting angry?
No, I don’t think so.
The corner of his mouth, hidden behind the teacup, twitched upward into a slight smile. It wasn't the smile of someone who had lost ground. After swallowing his tea, he spoke.
“I suppose you could call it a problem.”
A faint smile touched Namgung Jin’s lips, but it quickly soured as my father continued.
“My uncouth son is still young and immature. His recent… altercation with the Lightning Dragon was regrettable. I sincerely apologize for his conduct.”
Holy…
I was stunned. I never knew my father could retaliate with such precision.
What he really meant was crystal clear: My son is much younger than yours, and he still beat the shit out of him.
In essence, he had called Namgung Jin’s son a joke.
“I heard the Lightning Dragon is a prominent martial artist who takes after his father greatly. I hope this incident hasn’t caused you too much distress.”
…Just like you.
He might as well have said it aloud.
-Crack-!
Right on cue, a sharp cracking sound came from the table where Namgung Jin sat. It seemed we’d need a new one tomorrow. The servants' workload had just increased unnecessarily.
“You… haven’t changed one bit, Lord Gu.”
“Thank you for the kind words. I’m glad to see you are also the same, Lord Namgung.”
-Zap-!
I could almost see an electric current arcing between the two men.
[I always wondered where you got that shitty way of speaking from. Now I know the source.]
…
I couldn't argue with Elder Shin’s observation. But it couldn’t be true. I was never close enough to my father to learn anything from him, especially in my past life—we barely spoke.
People often said I looked just like him, but no one ever said our personalities were similar. The only thing I heard repeatedly was that I should strive to be even half the man he was.
That was a major reason I spiraled downward.
Not that it’s an excuse, in the end.
I made my own choices. I alone was responsible for my actions. I vowed to live this new life remembering that.
Regardless, my father and Namgung Jin showed no signs of ending their war of words, continuing their pointless bickering. The situation was getting absurd, so I seized the first opportunity to interrupt. It felt like this would never end otherwise.
“Uh… Aren’t we going to discuss the engagement?”
A heavy silence fell after my blunt question. After a moment, Namgung Jin cleared his throat awkwardly and smoothly changed the subject.
“…When would be a suitable time?”
“Do you have a preference?”
As if their previous hostility had been an act, they instantly switched to discussing engagement plans. I guess they do know there’s a time and place for everything.
[Didn’t they just spend the last ten minutes proving otherwise…?]
…Right?
Surely, as clan leaders, they wouldn’t continue that childish squabbling now that serious matters were at hand.
“To start, the specific date of the ceremony isn’t a major concern for me. However, I would prefer the wedding not be too delayed. As you can see, my daughter is already of marriageable age.”
I nearly flinched when Namgung Jin said ‘wedding.’ By the standards of noble clans, Namgung Bi-ah’s marriage was somewhat late, but for a martial artist of her caliber, it was hardly remarkable.
Given her current strength, she would age far slower than a normal person. Considering her prodigious talent, it wouldn’t matter if she married late—or even if she never married at all.
There’s no way he doesn’t know that.
Namgung Jin, of all people, was fully aware of his daughter’s extraordinary talent with the sword. Yet, he seemed inexplicably eager to marry her off.
Is there a reason he’s rushing this?
Is there some problem within the Namgung Clan?
My father nodded at his words, then looked toward me.
-Do you want this?
My eyes almost popped out of my head. Since when could he communicate telepathically? And did it not occur to him that I might not be able to respond in kind?
After a moment of hesitation, I decided to answer—he seemed to know everything anyway.
-I think it’s too early.
-I see.
The fact that he was asking for my opinion was more shocking than the telepathy itself. This was unprecedented. But was it really okay for me to answer so frankly?
“Regarding the marriage, I would prefer it take place after my son is officially named the clan successor.”
“…So it’s already decided that he will be the successor?”
“Yes.”
My father responded casually, as if it were a foregone conclusion. Namgung Jin looked shocked. Being named the young lord was tantamount to being declared the next clan leader. Such a thing wasn't announced lightly, yet my father said it without a second thought.
I guess that’s what sets our clan apart.
“And when will that be?”
“I believe it would be best after he turns twenty.”
“But the timing…!”
Namgung Jin started to protest but abruptly cut himself off. He seemed to realize that arguing further would be futile. He clearly had his reasons for pushing the timeline, but he wasn't willing to overextend himself here. Arguing would only make things worse.
It was also possible he already knew the succession was inevitable.
Namgung Jin let out a deep sigh. “…Sigh. Understood. Then when do you propose for the engagement ceremony?”
“Since you’re flexible on the date, spring of next year seems appropriate.”
“Very well. I will confer with the elders and send a formal letter.”
“I look forward to it.”
Their earlier verbal brawl had been endless, but the actual decision was made in moments.
Food was soon served, and alcohol was brought out for the clan leaders. However, only Namgung Bi-ah touched the meal. I had no appetite in such a dreary atmosphere, and my father only drank tea. Namgung Jin made some comment about having no desire to drink with a ‘bothersome individual.’
So, the only one diligently working her way through the spread was Namgung Bi-ah.
…You can eat at a time like this?
She did have a personality largely unconcerned with others, though I had to admit she was eating with a modesty ten times more refined than her usual style. Still, I was amazed she could eat in such a tense setting.
Has she been influenced by Wi Seol-Ah lately?
It was certainly possible.
“Then we are agreed on a spring ceremony. I will take my leave now with my daughter.”
Namgung Bi-ah’s chopsticks froze mid-air. Namgung Jin noticed and shot her a sharp look.
“I have no intention of letting you wander about any longer. Your misconduct normally warrants punishment, but I am lenient due to the circumstances. You understand, don’t you?”
“…Yes.”
She put her chopsticks down completely. Her appetite seemed to have vanished, though she’d been eating fine before the talk of her departure. It was understandable—she had, after all, run away from home and traveled with me without permission.
But… I couldn't ignore the sad look on her face.
[Sad…? She looks the same to me. What are you talking about?]
Elder Shin didn’t understand, but I could see the change clearly. Whether it was the slight droop of her mouth or the subtle shift in her eyes, I could read her emotions.
She had told me she wanted to participate in the Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament with me and Tang Soyeol. It seemed that was no longer possible.
As I watched her, Elder Shin spoke up.
[What are you going to do?]
About what?
He responded playfully, as if smirking.
[Don’t play dumb. You already have something in mind, don’t you?]
Hmm.
I had thought of something, as he said, though it was hardly a grand plan.
Watching the situation unfold, I felt I had reached a point where my father would tolerate me causing a bit of trouble.
[What kind of trouble?]
Nothing major.
I just planned to do what I do best.
I’m just going to try to provoke him.
And so, the conversation concluded. The engagement plans were simple: the ceremony would be next spring, with the wedding date undetermined. Namgung Jin said he needed to discuss the latter with his elders, which revealed something important…
The clan lord doesn’t have as much power as I thought.
Namgung Jin’s authority within his own clan seemed surprisingly limited, a stark contrast to his title, the Azure Heavenly Sword.
It was strange that he had so little say in his own daughter’s engagement.
Is it because of the Heavenly Venerable?
The man hailed as one of the Three Venerables, arguably the strongest, who currently presided over the Namgung Clan. I recalled the man who had been unable to prevent his clan's destruction and was killed by the Heavenly Demon.
Not that it’s any deep concern of mine.
As the meal ended, Namgung Bi-ah stood up with her father. Her gaze met mine.
It held a clear disappointment. Or was it apology? What did she have to be sorry for? That she couldn’t go to the tournament with me? That she was leaving my side? We hadn’t spent nearly enough time together to warrant such an apologetic look.
It was probably just disappointment. I didn’t know the exact reason—whether it was affection for me or a longing for the freedom she’d briefly tasted. But the look in her eyes was what mattered.
I did feel sorry for her. I had no intention of letting her go just yet.
Elder Shin asked me with a smile.
[But what about all those times you pushed her away before?]
I know.
How did it come to this? The human heart is truly selfish. I avoided reading it when I didn't want it, but now that it was in my hands, I was reluctant to let go.
Isn't it all just insolent, selfish, and crude?
I'm well aware.
After my father rose from his seat, I grabbed a dumpling from the table and ate it in one bite. It was my first meal of the day.
I muttered softly through a full mouth. “I’m going to be a little greedy.”
Elder Shin said nothing in reply. If I had to guess, he was thinking: Do as you please.
* * *
The conversation ended, and night eventually fell.
Namgung Jin returned to the guesthouse after concluding his business and receiving reports from his subordinates. His face was twisted into a fierce scowl. The famed Lightning Qi of the Namgung Clan, mirroring his rage, leaked uncontrollably from his body.
…This little brat.
-Crack.
He was restraining himself, acutely aware that he was a guest on another clan’s territory. He had held back during that infuriating conversation and had even shown patience when the Gu Clan’s young prodigy had acted out.
Because even the arrogant and ruthless Namgung Jin felt a grain of gratitude toward the Gu Clan for bearing a burden on their behalf.
However… even so,
He has crossed the line.
-Slam-!
He shoved the gate open and stormed into the guesthouse compound.
“…!”
Before he even reached his quarters, a blistering heat, carried on a sudden breeze, washed over him.
Namgung Jin’s eyes widened at the scene before him.
Dozens of his clansmen lay unconscious on the ground outside the guesthouse. Those who were still semi-conscious were vomiting, barely clinging to awareness.
“You…!”
His gaze snapped to the figure responsible for this carnage, the source of the heat that had engulfed the compound. A boy stood surrounded by a ring of fire, his red eyes fixed on Namgung Jin.
Namgung Jin involuntarily flinched. The sight was terrifyingly familiar.
…Gu Cheolun?
No, it wasn't Gu Cheolun. But it was someone frighteningly similar. Not to the Tiger Warrior who had lost his fangs, but to the Flame Demon of legend that Gu Cheolun once was.
The boy standing within the vortex of flames spoke.
“You’ve arrived, Honorable Lord of Namgung.”
His voice was thin, still that of a young boy who hadn’t yet hit puberty. Namgung Jin recognized it from earlier, but he didn't want to believe it. The thought that such a monstrous existence had been born into the Gu Clan was unacceptable.
“I’m not sure if this is the proper way to greet you under these circumstances…”
The flames began to recede.
…No, they’re not dying out.
The terrifying, destructive fire swirled around the boy and then flowed back into his body, the scorching heat vanishing with it. As if it had all been an illusion, only the boy remained in the courtyard.
His hair, black during the day, was now a flaming red. His eyes glowed with the same hue. Just like Gu Cheolun.
“How about we make a bet?”
Gu Yangcheon smiled ferociously as he looked at Namgung Jin.