Chapter 51
Ch. 51 .｡.:✧ Return ✧:.｡.
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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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“You’re not wrong.”
I said, meeting Ha-sol’s gaze with a steady, unwavering look.
Eun Ha-seol stared back at me.
“If you’re truly in the wrong, then those who use threats and intimidation, those who are barely human, deserve whatever comes to them.”
“…Oppa.”
“If feeling anger towards someone who threatened your family is wrong, then it’s not humanity that’s flawed, but the world itself.”
Plip-Plop~
I poured water into my teacup, the gentle sound echoing in the quiet room.
Ha-sol seemed lost in thought, with her brow furrowed.
She let out a deep sigh.
“Haa…”
“Feeling better?”
I asked gently.
“Yes, Oppa. I’ve been feeling guilty ever since it happened, but talking about it… it helps.”
“I’m glad.”
A faint, bittersweet smile touched Ha-sol’s lips.
“Now, about getting back… Oppa, you should return to the family estate first. Without me.”
She said, with her voice regaining its usual composure.
“…Why?”
“We received a message by carrier pigeon. Elder Brother’s condition is worsening… you need to get back as soon as possible. I still have to finish up here, settle accounts, and take care of some other matters.”
“Hmm.”
Ha-sol continued,
“I don’t think you’ll run into any trouble, not with your current skill… but things have been… chaotic at the estate lately. Be careful.”
“Chaotic?”
I tilted my head, with a question in my eyes.
Ha-sol’s brow furrowed again, her voice tight with suppressed frustration.
“…You’ll need to… sort things out when you get back.”
“…?”
“The engagement with the Zhongli Clan… and Father… he’s been secluding himself. Even I haven’t been able to see him.”
“…”
“And then there are the retainers… well, it’s better if you see for yourself.”
I let out a low whistle.
“Retainers, huh?”
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Some time after my unsettling conversation with Ha-sol, the main gate of the Silver River Trading Company came into view.
It had been over a year and a half since I’d left.
I walked slowly towards the entrance, where the family’s plaque hung proudly.
Thump. Thump…
I dismounted, the rhythmic sound of my boots echoing on the paved path.
‘I wonder if anyone will come out.’
I stopped just within sight of the gate, my gaze fixed on the guards.
‘Ha-sol said things were chaotic…’
I nodded to myself.
It would be more effective to reveal myself gradually, from within the estate, rather than causing a scene at the gate.
My priority was to return and treat my brother’s illness with the Red Lotus.
Once I was inside…
‘I’ll deal with this “chaos” Ha-sol mentioned.’
A cold glint entered my eyes.
If I was returning home, I might as well set things straight before heading back to Mount Hua.
I subtly assessed the qi signatures within the estate, then approached the gate.
“Hmm…?”
“Who goes there…?”
The guards at the gate stirred, their expressions wary.
Some of them were familiar faces, men I’d seen around the estate before leaving for Mount Hua.
I smiled faintly, continuing my approach until I was just a few paces away.
One of the guards, a newcomer I didn’t recognize, stepped forward.
“State your business with the Silver River Trading Company.”
“Outsiders are not permitted without prior authorization.”
“…”
I glanced at them, then said simply,
“I’m not an outsider.”
“…?”
“If you’re not an outsider… then state your name.”
“Inform the family that the Second Young Master has returned.”
“…?!”
The guard’s body stiffened.
He’d sensed something in my demeanor, a subtle shift in the air.
I had changed considerably in the past year and a half, enough that they didn’t recognize me immediately.
But something about my presence had clearly unsettled him.
He turned and hurried inside.
I watched him go, lost in thought.
‘If Father is still in charge… he’ll welcome me back.’
I peered through the slightly open gate, but saw nothing.
I didn’t have enough information to make any accurate predictions. But…
‘If, and it’s a big if, Father has neglected his duties and allowed riffraff to take root within the family…’
The thought sent a chill down my spine, a flicker of killing intent flashing in my eyes.
I waited.
After a while, I heard a commotion from within the estate.
Creak…
A small window in the gate opened slightly.
“Can you provide proof that you are the Second Young Master, heir to the trading company?” a voice called out.
“…”
A guard, dressed in the black uniform of the Silver River Trading Company, peered out at me.
I studied him, tilting my head slightly.
I’d never seen him before.
‘Who is this…?’
Judging by his qi, he was at the initial stage of First-Rate, stronger than even second-generation disciples of major sects like Mount Hua.
His presence here was unsettling.
‘I didn’t see him around before I left for Mount Hua… Something’s definitely changed.’
I narrowed my eyes.
A First-Rate expert was not to be underestimated.
His appearance here was unexpected.
I pushed aside my thoughts and responded to his question.
“Why are you questioning my identity? Shouldn’t you call a member of the family to confirm?”
“…Without proof, we cannot allow you inside. The family members are all currently away on business.”
“…So, what do you suggest?”
“Then… unfortunately, you’ll have to return tomorrow.”
I scoffed.
“Ridiculous. Even the gate guards recognize me… and yet a mere retainer dares to question my right to enter my own home?”
“…!”
I turned my gaze to the guards standing beside the newcomer.
Their eyes were wide, fixed on me.
They seemed to recognize me now, their bodies trembling slightly, perhaps with fear.
“S-Second Young Master…”
“…”
‘As I suspected, those who’ve been with the family for a while still remember me…’
I smirked slightly, deciding to observe the situation further. Something was amiss within the Silver River Trading Company.
There was no other explanation for this strange reception.
Whatever had happened, it was clearly significant, whether for better or worse.
The First-Rate warrior at the gate seemed to grow impatient with my silence.
He frowned, his voice sharp.
“…Wait here.”
“Hmm. I am the heir to this family, the son of the head of the trading company. Whose permission do I need to enter my own home?”
“…!”
My lips curled into a sneer.
The warrior faltered, realizing the truth in my words.
Thump. Thump…
I continued walking towards the gate.
“…Do not approach any further.”
“Why not?”
“If you take another step…”
He looked at me as if he were the master of this house, and I, a trespasser.
His eyes hardened, a predatory glint flashing within them.
The full force of his First-Rate cultivation pressed down on me, a silent warning.
But…
“Ha. You think you can stop me with that level of skill?”
“…!”
“Please. Know your place.”
Woooong—!
I met his pressure head-on, amplifying it with my own formless qi and pushing it back at him.
The warrior, who had moments before seemed so self-assured, now staggered back, his face pale, beads of sweat forming on his brow.
“G-Gah… How…!”
‘He can’t even gauge my cultivation. I doubt he’s even capable of emitting sword qi.’
I had intended to keep my true strength hidden, but now, I needed to show him, and whoever was behind this charade, just how powerful I had become.
I needed to get inside, and this was the quickest way.
‘If I’m turned away at the gate, my entire plan falls apart.’
It was best to end this quickly, with minimal fuss.
I focused my intent and sent a message directly into his mind, a silent command.
[Escort me inside. Now.]
“…!”
[And refrain from speaking out of turn. You’re nothing but a hired sword, leeching off a wealthy trading company. How dare you question me?]
“K-Kah…!”
A trickle of blood escaped the warrior’s lips.
He’d suffered internal injuries from the force of my mental attack.
I looked down at him, my gaze cold and indifferent.
He’d brought this upon himself.
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