Chapter 136: Return

A moment later, I was guided directly to Father's office.

Father, who had been looking at me with his usual stern expression while other warriors were present, approached me with a deeply moved expression the moment everyone left and the office door closed.

"Jin-ah! You've returned safely! You've come back safely! Thank you! Truly, thank you!"

The sight of Father embracing me with tears welling in his eyes was something I had never seen in two lifetimes.

No, I had never even imagined it.

The feeling of being welcomed home, Father holding me with that expression... .

Something hot surged up from my chest.

Moreover, Father was moved purely by the fact that I had returned, not that I had lost weight.

Unlike the countless people of the clan I had met on the way to the office.

All the clan members I had encountered on my way here had been astonished by my thinner appearance.

But that was all; none of them had shown any sign of welcoming my return itself.

Watching Father express such genuine joy at my return made me finally feel as though I had truly come home.

Father, who had been holding me tightly and thanking me for a long while, cautiously caressed my face after a moment and spoke.

"You've lost far too much weight. You've become so gaunt. How severe your hardships must have been... ."

While losing weight was a desirable state for a martial artist, it seemed Father's first thought was that I must have suffered terribly.

My chest swelled with emotion again at the pitying look in his eyes.

But I forced a smile and spoke.

"No, Father. I met good people, learned a great deal, and grew significantly. I only lost weight intentionally to become a martial artist; I didn't suffer that much."

"Is that so? Well, if that's the case, I'm relieved. Truly relieved. You've endured much hardship."

After saying that, he suddenly murmured as he gazed at me with a distant, wistful look.

"Now that you've lost weight... you look exactly like your mother."

Father's eyes, as he slowly examined my face here and there, were so deep and wistful, a sad gaze as if he were looking at someone else, not me.

Overcome with a surge of emotion and unable to hold back any longer, I opened my mouth.

"Father, why did Mother pass away?"

At that, Father's eyes wavered violently for a moment before freezing over.

Then, he struggled to force words out.

"Jin-ah, that is... ."

But upon seeing my earnest gaze, Father, who was about to say something, could not bring himself to speak.

And with that, I was able to confirm it.

'So it really was because of First Mother and Second Mother.'

At my words, spoken as if confirming a certainty, Father shut his eyes tight for a moment.

And when he opened them again a moment later, he spoke to me as if trying to soothe me.

"Jin-ah, no. Your mother simply... ."

But I shook my head and spoke firmly.

"Father, I am living a life on the frontline where I could die at any moment. I was able to return home on leave this time, but I cannot guarantee there will be a next time. So please, tell me the truth now. At the very least, do not let me die without knowing the truth of my mother's death."

It was an extreme gamble.

To speak of death before my father—I was unquestionably an unfilial son.

But even so, I had to hear the full story.

At that, Father could not bring himself to continue, utterly at a loss.

His lips quivered for a long while before he finally spoke with exhausted eyes.

"...It is my fault. It is all my fault. At that time, I should have given her up. It happened because I could not give up the family, nor could I give her up."

Everything that followed was exactly as I had anticipated.

He told ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me that First Mother and Second Mother had tormented my mother as if they would devour her, and that Mother, unable to bear it, had wasted away from a lingering illness and passed away.

After those words ended, we shared no conversation for a while.

And after a moment, Father asked me with a heavy expression.

"Do you wish to take revenge?"

The way Father asked, the atmosphere suggested he would simply nod in acceptance even if I said I would seek revenge.

But I shook my head.

"I now have some inkling of the heart with which you have protected the Seonwoo family, Father. Having come to understand that, I cannot now say I will destroy everything you have safeguarded."

At that, Father looked at me with surprised eyes.

It seemed it was an answer he had never expected.

However, my answer did not end there.

I continued, my eyes burning as fierce as a wild beast's.

"But! If there exists a force that threatens the Seonwoo family you have striven so hard to protect, must we not cut it down without mercy?"

Then, to Father who was looking at me with a questioning gaze, I relayed the story that the branch head of the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Hao Gate's Uibin Branch had told me.

"When I inquired about the Seonwoo family at the Hao Gate, they described the family thus: a precarious scale barely supported by the pillar of its family head, Seonwoo Jung. A scale that would collapse in an instant if the weight tipped to either side."

At that, Father stared at me with a shocked expression before finally letting out a helpless sigh.

"That is how they view us? The Seonwoo family? The eyes of the world are far too sharp. It is all... my fault."

Father's sigh, acknowledging my words, was thick with profound fatigue and self-reproach.

It was likely self-blame, knowing that despite all the sacrifices he had made to protect it, it had ultimately become a place swayed by external forces.

But I had not said this to blame Father.

Shaking my head, I spoke as if to console him.

"I have heard of the circumstances at the time. They say it was a situation where you could not endure without outside assistance. I believe the judgment itself was excellent. It is merely that, now that we have regained our strength, you have not yet cast out those who need to be cast out."

"...Cast them out. Yes, that is so. I should have done so... but it is already too late."

I smiled faintly and replied.

"No, Father. It is not too late at all. In fact, right now might be the most opportune moment."

At my supremely confident words, Father looked at me with a puzzled expression.

I grinned at him and asked.

"Would you care to hear my proposal?"

And as Father listened to the story that followed, his eyes gradually began to shine with a clear light.

***

The family members of the Seonwoo clan received a sudden summons from the family head, Seonwoo Jung.

It was a summons for everyone to dine together for the evening meal.

Because of this, the children of the Seonwoo family, who bumped into each other on their way to the main hall after being suddenly called, opened their mouths with dissatisfied expressions.

"Do you know what this is all about? A meal all together? What's suddenly gotten into him?"

At the eldest Seonwoo Seong's grumbling tone, the second son, Seonwoo Hyeok, shrugged his shoulders in agreement.

"If you don't know, hyung-nim, how could I? A meal all together—I can't even remember the last time we did such a thing."

Then the fourth son, Seonwoo Gi, who had been following behind, interjected.

"Could it be because the pig has returned? I heard he came back on leave from the frontline."

At his words, the two older brothers frowned and retorted.

"Pig? Don't tell me you're talking about that brat Jin-i?"

"What? The third son returned without dying? Does that even make sense?"

At their reaction, Seonwoo Gi shrugged his shoulders and answered.

"Unbelievably enough, they say so. They say he's lost all his weight and become a completely different person."

"Heo, truly something I never imagined."

"Indeed. The frontline turned out to be a more disappointing place than I expected."

At that moment, the fifth younger sister Seonwoo Yeon-ha, who had been following behind Seon-woo Gi, flinched upon hearing those words and stopped in her tracks.

For some reason, her complexion had also grown pale.

Then the eldest, Seon-woo Seong, who had suddenly noticed her, asked.

"But Yeon-ha, why does your expression look so unwell?"

"N-Yes?!"

"Didn't you, at least, treat Jin-i kindly because you felt sorry for him? I thought you would be pleased?"

"Oh, no. That's not it... I'm just feeling a bit unwell today..."

Among all of them, the one most shocked by Seonwoo Jin's safe return had been her.

But there was no way the other siblings could know that fact.

Then the fourth, Seon-woo Gi, approached her and asked with a worried expression.

"Oh dear, Yeon-ha. Where do you feel unwell? Have you taken any medicine?"

Then she quickly smiled gently with a flushed face and answered.

"No, Gi oppa. It's not something you need to worry about so much..."

That was when it happened.

Suddenly, someone's voice rang out.

"It seems you are all heading to see the family head?"

It was a clear voice, like jade beads rolling.

At that, the three brothers' heads whipped around in that direction.

And simultaneously, as if in chorus, they cried out.

"Je-Jegal Sojeo?!"

Standing where their gazes landed was a woman.

A woman dressed in sky-blue robes, so beautiful and dignified she seemed to have descended from the heavens—it was none other than the treasured jewel of the Zhuge Clan, the Heavenly Wisdom Sword Peak, Jegal Seoyul.

The moment she appeared, all three brothers rushed toward her with bright expressions.

Even Seon-woo Gi, who had been worrying about Seonwoo Yeon-ha, was the same.

"Sojeo! You've come outside after so long!"

"Sojeo! You are so beautiful again today!"

"Sojeo, will you perhaps be dining with us this evening?"

The blatant attention of grown young men should have been burdensome, but Jegal Seoyul merely smiled faintly, as if accustomed to it, and answered.

"The Seonwoo family head apparently invited even my uncle and me to dinner for some matter. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠So I am on my way to the main hall."

Then the Zhuge Clan elder standing behind her, Jegal Ji-yong, gave a dry cough with an uncomfortable face.

"Ahem, ahem."

It was because he found the three brothers distasteful—though he, a clear senior elder, was standing right beside her, they rushed only toward Jegal Seoyul as if he were completely invisible.

Then the three brothers, who had indeed not noticed him, awkwardly offered him greetings.

"Ah, Jegal Daehyeop, have you come as well?"

"I greet you, Jegal Daehyeop."

"I greet you, Jegal Daehyeop."

Though their greetings could never have satisfied him, Jegal Ji-yong merely nodded his head slightly as if he had no choice.

Jegal Seoyul, who had been watching the scene with a faint smile, suddenly asked them.

"What matter is it, anyway? Why would the family head invite even us to a meal?"

Then Seon-woo Gi answered quickly.

"It's probably because the pi—no, our third elder brother has returned from the frontline."

"Pardon? The third elder brother...?"

At that moment, Seon-woo Seong, who had his chance to answer stolen by Seon-woo Gi, hurriedly interjected.

"You know, that fat pig of a fellow who sparred with Gi before and knocked Gi unconscious."

"That's right! He knocked Gi unconscious and then collapsed from exhaustion himself. It was truly hilarious. Isn't that right, Gi?"

At their efforts to somehow expose Seon-woo Gi's shame and tear him down in front of Jegal Seoyul, Seon-woo Gi's face flushed crimson with rage, and Jegal Seoyul secretly let out a pitiful sigh.

And there was one person glaring at the entire scene with eyes filled with more venomous hatred than anyone else.

It was Seonwoo Yeon-ha, who had been treated as a non-existent person the very moment Jegal Seoyul appeared.

Seonwoo Yeon-ha's tightly clenched fist trembled as she glared at them.

'Jegal Seoyul, I will never, never forgive you!'

But Jegal Seoyul, who had ironically become the target of Seonwoo Yeon-ha's hatred, merely glanced at her and sent her a leisurely smile.

That was because the hatred of the still-young Seonwoo Yeon-ha, who was nothing more than the fifth child of the Seonwoo Clan, was nothing but laughable to Jegal Seoyul.

She was only letting her be because she wanted something from the Seonwoo Clan—if that matter were ever resolved, she had the confidence to ensure Seonwoo Yeon-ha would never dare send such looks at her again.

Was that all?

She had no intention of ever exchanging another word with these pathetic men of the Seonwoo Clan, who were like insignificant flies.

'Yes, if only that matter could be resolved.'

But that matter was showing no signs of being resolved.

Jegal Seoyul smiled appropriately at the Seonwoo brothers while grinding her teeth inwardly.

'If only I could somehow get the Seonwoo Thirteen Swords...'

The reason she had sparred with many martial families and then returned to the Seonwoo Clan was precisely because of the Seonwoo Thirteen Swords.

The Zhuge Clan lacked a martial art that could represent the family.

They possessed exceptional ultimate techniques across many fields—formations, mechanisms, military strategy—but in martial arts alone, they lacked a peerless technique worthy of standing before the martial world.

And that was the long-standing shame of the Zhuge Clan, as well as the limitation that prevented them from entering the Five Great Families.

So when Jegal Seoyul, possessing a martial talent rarely seen in the Zhuge Clan's history, emerged, the family head Jegal Ji-gang resolved that they must acquire an outstanding martial art, even for her sake.

The reason Jegal Seoyul had traveled around many martial clans, sparring with them using the connections of Jegal Ji-gang, the military advisor of the Murim Alliance, was in truth for that purpose.

To obtain the exceptional martial arts that caught her eye.

And the martial art that had caught her eye was precisely the Seonwoo Thirteen Swords.

"Welcome, Jegal Daehyeop. And Jegal Sojeo."

As Jegal Seoyul looked at the rarely bright smile of the family head Seonwoo Jung, who greeted them in front of the main hall, she recalled the memory of that day.

Eight months ago, when she had been about to return to her main family, disappointed by the pathetic skills of the Seonwoo brothers, the family head Seonwoo Jung had personally displayed the Seonwoo Thirteen Swords as an apology for his sons' lacking abilities.

At that time, he had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠lightly performed the stances that his sons had failed to properly execute, as if he were dancing.

And that was...

'Truly fantastical. To a degree that felt divine.'

It had already been astonishing enough when he demonstrated the proper forms his sons had used, performing them in succession from the first stance, Divine Eagle Flight, up to the third stance.

But that final stance called the 'Illusion Sword Realm' that he had shown briefly was truly...

The moment Jegal Seoyul saw that fantastical Illusion Sword, she had her whole heart completely stolen away.

She had made her decision at that moment.

This was it.

This was the sword technique the Zhuge Clan had to possess.

But when Jegal Ji-yong had gently broached the subject, saying they would pay any price if only the Seonwoo Thirteen Swords could be transmitted to them, Seonwoo Jung had merely smiled and answered thus.

'If Jegal Sojeo were to become the daughter-in-law of the Seonwoo Clan, I might be able to teach her.'

Though it was phrased indirectly, it was nothing short of an absolute refusal.

Because the notion that Jegal Seoyul, the treasured jewel of the Zhuge Clan and the renowned Heavenly Wisdom Sword Peak, one of the martial world's Phoenixes, would become a mere daughter-in-law of the Seonwoo Clan—just one of the Guizhou Eight Families—was utterly preposterous.

Jegal Seoyul had swallowed her regret at the time and had no choice but to leave the Seonwoo Clan.

But months later, she had been forced to return to the Seonwoo Clan.

Because no other sword technique now captured Jegal Seoyul's eye.

And having returned, they now had no intention of shying away from underhanded methods.

First, they would try to persuade Seonwoo Jung by any means, but if he remained stubborn, they intended to persuade his successor, or if that failed, even recruit the sons who had been cast aside in the succession struggle.