Chapter 375: Your Father is Terrifyingly Scary (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 375: Your Father is Terrifyingly Scary (1)
“Ugh…!”
My eyes snapped open as consciousness returned.
Had I actually passed out?
A dull ache pounded in my head as I struggled to steady my breathing. It had felt like only a moment, but I had no idea how long I’d been unconscious.
I quickly straightened up, only to realize I had been leaning against something. When I glanced over to see what it was…
“…Huh?”
“…”
I was met with a pair of sharp, terrifying eyes.
To my horror, I realized I had been using my father’s shoulder as a pillow.
“…”
“…”
A heavy silence fell as I stared into his gaze.
I’m fucked.
That single, damning thought echoed in my mind. There was even a damp spot on his shoulder—I must have drooled in my sleep.
My father didn’t say a word. He just kept staring.
Was this his silent way of demanding an apology? So this was what it felt like to be scolded with a look alone.
My pupils trembled uncontrollably; I could feel them shaking. Was my back breaking out in goosebumps?
Yes, definitely goosebumps.
“I’m sorry…”
An apology was the only way forward—excuses wouldn’t cut it. Never in my life had I imagined I’d fall asleep on my father’s shoulder.
He didn’t acknowledge my apology. Instead, he simply turned his head away. Thankfully, he didn’t seem too angry.
This bastard…
I gritted my teeth and whipped my head toward where the Blood Demon had been, but he was already gone. And it wasn’t just him—the Alliance Leader and his forces had vanished as well.
…Did that mean?
I quickly scanned my surroundings.
“…”
Only then did it hit me. The meeting was over. Everyone had already left the room.
Which meant I had slept through the entire discussion.
I’m fucked. I seriously am.
I’d been invited as a blood relative of a noble clan, only to disgrace myself by snoozing through the meeting, drooling on my father’s shoulder, while the other lords debated weighty matters.
A cold sweat trickled down my temple. I couldn’t even begin to guess what my father was thinking.
Why was he still here, after everyone else had left? Was it because I’d been asleep all this time?
I didn’t know. Still, I found it hard to believe he’d stay behind just for my sake.
“…Yangcheon.”
A listless voice came from beside me. It was Cheol Jiseon, who looked utterly drained.
“…Why… do you look like that?”
“Why… you ask?”
Confusion washed over me as I took in Cheol Jiseon’s expression. His face was bad enough, but his eyes held a look of pure resentment, as if I’d personally wronged him.
“Why, did something happen?”
“…”
He seemed completely soulless, like a man who’d witnessed something unspeakable. What in the world could have happened to leave him like this?
“…Do you even know what went on in the meeting?”
“No?”
“Of course you don’t! Because you were asleep…!”
“Uh… Yeah, you’re not wrong.”
I responded awkwardly. It was true—I had fallen asleep. But for Cheol Jiseon to be this upset… something major must have occurred.
Just as I was about to ask him for details—
Slide—
My father stood up.
I flinched at the movement.
“The meeting has ended. Let us go.”
“…U-Understood.”
Cheol Jiseon answered before I could. Why was he reacting faster than me?
I shot him a questioning look as he hurried to his feet. “Hey… What’s wrong with you?”
What was his problem? Had my father beaten him while I was asleep? But that wasn’t like Father—he wasn’t the type to resort to violence without cause.
“…Let’s go for now.”
Instead of answering, Cheol Jiseon tapped my shoulder, urging me to follow. Seriously, what was going on?
Baffled, I stood up. Given the atmosphere, it was best to leave first.
Outside the meeting room, members of various clans and sects milled about in a crowd. Among them, I spotted Lady Mi and Gu Huibi.
And…
That person is?
A familiar face stood out—the Head of the Wudang Sect, an elder known as the Sword of Wudang.
My father walked toward them without hesitation, while I hung back.
The Sword of Wudang noticed him and turned his piercing gaze in our direction. Though his physique was unassuming, his eyes were razor-sharp.
“It has been a while.”
“Have you been well, Lord of Gu?”
“I have.”
I approached cautiously as they spoke. It was only proper to show my respects.
“I greet the Head of the Wudang Sect.”
The Sword of Wudang shifted his sharp gaze to me. “He is my son,” my father said by way of introduction.
“Ah, so this is the young man they call the Lesser King of Hell.”
“…I am called that, though I find it undeserved.”
I stumbled mid-sentence, unused to saying such a title aloud. To make matters worse, Gu Huibi was clearly fighting back laughter as she stared at me.
…This crazy sister of mine.
I’d get her back for this. I already knew the embarrassing title she’d earn in the future, and I wouldn’t hesitate to use it. I’d remember this humiliation.
“I’ve heard much about your talents, and I can see the truth of it at a glance. It seems the Lord of Gu is blessed with exceptional children.”
“You flatter me.”
“Flattery would be an understatement.”
The Sword of Wudang then turned to me. “I heard that you were close with our Hyuk.”
He was referring to the Sleeping Dragon.
“Ah, yes… I am.”
Satisfied, he gave a small nod. “Friendships are very important in life. I hope that you remain his friend. He lacks more than you would think.”
“Gladly.”
I smiled politely, but inwardly, I laughed hollowly. His attitude toward me now was a world apart from how he’d treated me in my past life.
What was it he’d said back then? That people could only get along with those of similar rank? This was the same man who had once belittled me, claiming I wasn’t worthy of standing beside the Sleeping Dragon.
And now he was asking me to look after him. The irony was almost too much to bear.
The Sword of Wudang offered a light smile and turned to Lady Mi. It seemed the two had business to discuss.
“Well then… I will wait for a favorable response.”
“Yes, I shall certainly consider your offer.”
With Lady Mi’s polite reply, the Sword of Wudang bowed respectfully and departed with his sect members.
Judging by the exchange, he had made some kind of proposal to the White Flower Merchant Association merchant association.
Wudang Sect making an offer to the White Flower Merchant Association merchant association, huh.
I couldn’t help but wonder what the sect leader could possibly want from a merchant group.
“Yangcheon.”
“Yes?”
“Are you hungry at all?”
Lady Mi’s unexpected question broke my train of thought.
Am I hungry…?
“Ah… No, I’m not.”
Given my current state, I could go days without food and feel fine.
Lady Mi nodded. Wait, was that really all she wanted to ask?
As I wondered about her intentions, she turned to my father. “Yeonseo, you’ll come with us to go see her, right?”
She was asking him to accompany her to visit Gu Yeonseo. It was phrased as a question, but it carried the weight of an ultimatum.
Whether he noticed or not, my father simply nodded.
I was still processing his reaction when Lady Mi spoke to me again. “After we are done, we are planning to borrow an inn to have a meal.”
“Borrow… an inn?”
“That’s right.”
Was it really necessary to rent an entire inn for one meal? Then again, the White Flower Merchant Association merchant association and Lady Mi had more than enough wealth to manage it.
But it makes it a bit uncomfortable.
When it came to meals, comfort was my top priority—and dining with my family was the farthest thing from comfortable.
As I considered making an escape, Lady Mi’s gaze suddenly turned sharp. “This time,” she said, her voice low, “I hope that everyone comes.”
The message was clear: if I tried to run, I wouldn’t hear the end of it.
Even though Lady Mi was an ordinary person without a hint of qi, her presence felt overwhelmingly intimidating in that moment.
Because of that…
“…Understood.”
All I could do was nod in the end.
Satisfied, Lady Mi turned and headed for the exit.
As she left, I sent a telepathic message to my father just as he began to follow her.
\- My Lord.
Pause.
He halted mid-step, acknowledging my message. Though he didn’t turn, I could sense he was waiting for me to continue.
\- Could you spare me some time after the meal is over?
I had many questions, and there was no point hesitating.
\- I would like to ask you about my mother.
“…”
At the mention of my mother, my father slowly turned and met my gaze. His eyes were as unreadable as ever—I still couldn’t discern the emotions behind them.
It was impossible for me to know.
After a moment of silence…
\- Yes.
With a short nod, he resumed walking toward the exit Lady Mi had taken.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief. Even though I’d only asked for a moment of his time, I’d been so nervous I’d broken out in a sweat.
“Sigh…”
This was honestly more nerve-wracking than any battle. It was mentally exhausting.
Anyway… that’s one thing done… what’s left.
With my request to my father settled, only one task remained.
I turned to Cheol Jiseon, who still stood there looking utterly lost.
“Hey.”
“Huh…?”
“Now tell me.”
“Hmm?”
“About the meeting.”
The meeting I’d missed because I’d fallen asleep.
“Did something happen?”
I needed Cheol Jiseon to fill me in on what I’d missed.