Three Years of Grace
The decision hit me like a thunderbolt.
“Uh….”
Caught completely off guard by the unexpected proposal, I could only stare blankly at Mugyeong Gakju. He must have sensed my confusion clearly, because he spoke again in a reassuring tone.
“You may take your time to consider it here. I’ll give you all the time you need.”
“…….”
This isn’t a question of whether time is given or not…
The words rose all the way to the tip of my tongue, but the resolute look in Mugyeong Gakju’s eyes forced me to swallow them back down.
Besides, I never even considered tying myself to someone in the first place.
With no other choice, I began weighing the matter right then and there. My thoughts drifted back to the recent incident at the Eunha Merchant Group.
The elder from the Sichuan Tang Clan who had visited the main family, and the events surrounding my former fiancée, Dang Yehwa.
Hmm… At the time, one misfortune after another had struck the household. And since I had never interacted with the Tang Clan’s daughter before, I saw no reason to continue the engagement.
I nodded slowly to myself.
After I eliminated the Cheonma Divine Cult’s expert, Jeeumma, and the family’s troubles were settled, Dang Yehwa had come to see me in person. We had been childhood friends, and our bond had apparently run deep. Naturally, she was strongly determined to reunite with me.
Elder Dang Hyuncheol of the Tang Clan also seemed to be quietly hoping for it…
A strategic marriage with the Eunha Merchant Group—which had cleared the dark clouds hanging over its house and was guaranteed to dominate Shaanxi in the future—was clearly seen as a golden opportunity by the Tang Clan’s leadership. No, even before that, the martial display I had shown in the family hall had left Dang Hyuncheol eagerly anticipating my union with Dang Yehwa.
But… I refused.
When Dang Yehwa came all the way to the pavilion where I was staying and made her proposal, I politely declined. I could feel the shock radiating from her. At the same time, the situation must have been unbearably humiliating, because her face turned deathly pale in an instant. Even so, I could only shake my head.
To be blunt, the memories and affection I once shared with Dang Yehwa don’t exist in my mind at all. That connection originally belonged to the original owner of this body—Eun Haseong.
If we were starting from scratch, that would be one thing. But choosing a lifelong partner based on someone else’s past was completely against my will.
Besides, I had already decided not to even date, let alone marry, until I reached a certain realm.
Having thoroughly read through the original protagonist’s dazzling array of romantic conquests, it was only natural that I felt a strong sense of rejection. That didn’t mean I intended to avoid women and live a life of eternal chastity. I wasn’t without experience, and when I recalled my previous life’s memories, the decision wasn’t particularly difficult.
Still, even back then, I didn’t have anyone I’d call a proper lover.
At any rate, this was a matter that required serious thought.
“Hmm…”
As I continued to mull it over with a low groan, Mugyeong Gakju cleared his throat with a deliberate hem-hem.
“There’s no need to take it too seriously. I only brought it up to gauge your thoughts. I’m not forcing you to answer immediately.”
“…….”
“Even if you express your refusal right here, I would simply feel regretful. I have no intention of getting angry or punishing you.”
“…….”
Still, I couldn’t possibly act rudely toward a man who might one day become my father-in-law.
After agonizing for a long time, I finally came to a difficult decision. Letting out a long sigh, I murmured in a voice barely above a whisper.
“Three years should be enough.”
“…What?”
“If, after three years, your intentions remain unchanged and your only daughter still feels the same… then at that time, shall we form the connection?”
“Mmm…!”
It was a clear answer with a time limit. Rather than a vague refusal, I had chosen to postpone the decision.
Mugyeong Gakju’s eyes widened sharply for a moment at my response, then returned to normal. But he clearly understood that I had not rejected the proposal outright. A faint smile touched his lips.
“I was certain you would refuse this offer without hesitation.”
“…….”
When I remained silent, Mugyeong Gakju let out a small chuckle and asked,
“May I ask why you specifically chose three years?”
“…Because I believe three years is sufficient time to accomplish my existing goals.”
“Mmm…!”
Mugyeong Gakju swallowed a low groan at my answer, then nodded slowly. Seeing his reaction, I added,
“I cannot tell you what those goals are right now.”
“…That’s fine. In your case, it’s something I can fully understand.”
It seemed he had already guessed what I was aiming for. Mugyeong Gakju smiled bitterly for a moment and shook his head.
“Just like Mu Yeong, you’re no ordinary person either. Somehow, all of you who are the sect’s greatest disciples give off the feeling that something about you is… twisted.”
“Twisted, huh…”
“Don’t misunderstand. I don’t mean that flaw is necessarily bad. On the contrary, those of us who stand at the upper realms have already realized that such a defect is far more of a gain than a loss.”
“…….”
“However, from the perspective of ordinary people… it can hardly be considered normal.”
I could only agree with Mugyeong Gakju in my heart. I had heard similar words many times before, but hearing them from someone in a similar position carried a strangely deep resonance.
That aside, I never expected him to accept a three-year deadline so easily… This can only be interpreted as Mugyeong Gakju placing an enormous amount of trust in me.
I glanced up at the empty air for a moment. Three years might sound short, but from the perspective of a family patriarch, it was by no means a brief period. It was highly likely he would leave his daughter free until she reached marriageable age, without arranging any other engagements until the deadline expired.
That’s just the kind of man Mugyeong Gakju is.
Considering the personality I had observed from him so far, it was obvious he would act that way. Mugyeong Gakju was the type who would honor any promise he made, no matter what happened. Knowing that, I couldn’t help but feel a touch of complicated emotion.
At any rate, since time had been granted, I needed to work hard to achieve the goal I had set.
And… even if things eventually lead to Seol Ayeon, I don’t think I’ll regret it later.
I nodded slowly.
For now, the feelings I held for her were closer to goodwill. In my entire life—including my previous one—I had never harbored anything resembling love, let alone considered a lifelong partner. The biggest reason was that I simply hadn’t had the luxury. But an even greater factor was that I had never felt the need to create such a relationship.
But… now.
If I became strong enough to rule the world. If I grew close enough to the heavens that I could leave the earth behind—
Maybe there would be no need to completely shut myself off from the world.
That was what I thought.
It was at that moment.
“…Ah, and there’s one more thing I should mention.”
Mugyeong Gakju, who had been maintaining a satisfied expression, spoke to me.
“It was decided at the recent elders’ meeting… It seems you may have to spar with several disciples.”
“Spar…?”
“It’s a rather complicated matter…”
Mugyeong Gakju smiled bitterly and continued his explanation.
“The most notable one is Jae So Dangju. He has always been a man of great greed and ambition. For the past few years, he has been doing everything in his power to make his son the greatest disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.”
“If it’s Jae So Dangju…”
“He is the father of Lee Tae-ryang, one of the three great disciples you know well.”
“…I think I can guess what’s going on behind the scenes.”
“Anyway, ever since the sparring competition with the Jongnam Sect, many elders have begun to question you. And you’ve rarely revealed your true martial prowess in any official setting, haven’t you?”
“That… I cannot deny.”
When I nodded, Mugyeong Gakju smiled faintly, as if relieved.
He continued,
“Therefore, an official sparring competition is scheduled to be held soon. After the intensive training, we also need to objectively assess the levels of the second and third generation disciples…”
“I see.”
“…To be honest, neither the sect leader nor I saw any reason to interfere with or reject this matter.”
“…….”
When I answered with silence, Mugyeong Gakju chuckled softly before speaking again with firm conviction.
“I simply cannot imagine you being pushed back or losing.”
“Hmm.”
“This is a good opportunity to thoroughly crush the momentum of those who oppose the sect leader’s will and engrave it into their minds so they will never dare disregard you again.”
“…….”
At Mugyeong Gakju’s words, I remained quiet for a moment before murmuring in a low voice.
“In other words, I have permission to run wild as I please.”
“That’s correct.”