Chapter 43
Chapter 43
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Patriarch!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Crunch, crunch.
Kim Yang was visiting Cyber City for the first time.
She had finished the task she'd been asked to handle, and with her time now essentially free, she was munching on some crispy dried fish chips sold nearby.
...The flavor's too intense.
Was it because the 6th Floor's tendency toward heightened stimulation—even compared to the 3rd Floor—was reflected in its food as well?
She barely managed a few bites before tossing the rest in a trash can.
I wonder if it went well.
The Luminous Plaza plan had been a resounding success.
It hadn't been all that difficult, really.
She'd swapped their phones so they could confirm each other's feelings, then rented out one of the giant LED billboards to ensure they'd meet on Christmas.
That must've cost a fortune.
The LED billboard that had read [Nangong Yeon] switched back to [Merry Christmas].
With Hellite's capital, renting the biggest LED billboard in the city for Christmas was no big deal.
Still, it had to have burned through a hefty sum.
Ah, here it comes.
The [Merry Christmas] letters on the LED billboard began fading away one by one.
Like a puzzle reassembling, the letters shuffled positions until, soon enough...
Amid countless worlds, we find your miracle for you.
Hunter specialized marriage agency, Meracle.
3rd Floor, 003-xxx-xxx.
It had changed to a Meracle ad.
And that was exactly why Kim Juseon had thrown everything into this job.
Three seconds of ad time secured through negotiations with Hellite to make this marriage happen—plus an extra line crammed in using the funds Kim Yang had brought from the Freshness Garden, since just helping out wasn't enough.
It really aired.
It was only three seconds, but that single line was what Kim Juseon had worked so hard for.
And it was highly successful marketing, broadcast in a spot swarming with Christmas crowds.
Confirmation complete.
She had heard Kim Juseon's instructions to verify the ad was running properly, so now it was truly, completely free time.
The photo she snapped of the billboard came out great too.
He planned to use it for more marketing—the guy was relentless.
...But it'll be okay, right?
I wonder if they're still fighting.
Under Albridge.
Countless sword scars marred the embankment and slope.
Boulders had shattered into gravel, and the river water churned without cease.
Everything had lost its original form—except for the people, who moved busily amid the chaos.
"Hup!"
At the center holding the line was Ryu Seram. It wasn't for nothing she was one of the Seven Apex Hunters; she was locked in direct combat with Nangong Pacheon.
Of course, even she found herself in peril when the House Nangong's signature flashing swordsmanship thrust a razor-sharp strike at her.
Claaang!
But Nangong Haryeong, fighting alongside her, intercepted it.
All expression had long vanished from Nangong Haryeong's lips.
Heartless Sword Fairy Nangong Haryeong.
Now that she was wielding her blade in earnest, nothing remained in her heart but the sword.
We're pressing him, but...
The momentum of the assault was clearly on our side.
Yet a towering giant of the martial world might sway but would not break.
Pacheon was still defending against our onslaught with minimal movement.
"Hold on a second."
In the end, the one who called for a truce was me.
As I hurriedly spoke up, Ryu Seram, Haryeong, and even Pacheon all turned to look at me.
"Don't you think it's about time we called it quits?"
The clock ticking in my head had signaled timeout long ago.
The goal was to let those two meet on Christmas—not to take down Nangong Pacheon here.
And Pacheon was in the same boat.
"You're not here to fight us, are you, sir?"
"Do you think it so easy to sheathe a drawn blade?"
"I'm not a martial artist. I'm a businessman."
"..."
He looked displeased.
But what could be done?
There was no reason to fight.
"You're shameless as hell."
"Tch, I was just getting warmed up."
For some reason, even my allies Ryu Seram and Nangong Haryeong were cursing me out.
But if we'd kept going, did we even have a chance at winning?
The battle ground to a lull.
I pulled out my phone to check a message.
"Sir, a message says the young heir is on his way back here."
"..."
Nangong Pacheon, who had responded with silence, finally sheathed his sword.
Good.
I'd been worried he might get offended and want to go another round.
He was more mature than the 1,901-year-old elf I knew.
Vrooom!
Moments later, the sound of slicing air echoed from above.
With a noise like an electric car, an "Air Rider"—a vehicle only the ultra-wealthy in Cyber City could afford—parked on the embankment.
"Never thought I'd see one in person."
Hellite sure had money to burn.
For the record, those things were banned from export to other floors.
Even if rarely permitted, they weren't practical since they didn't run on gasoline anyway.
Ryu Seram had an "Air Board" next to her, but she only rode it occasionally.
It was like buying expensive shoes and never wearing them.
Nangong Yeon and Jessica stepped out of the Air Rider, hands clasped.
It felt like a scene from a movie; Ryu Seram whistled and nudged my arm with her elbow.
"Father."
"Father-in-law... hello."
The situation had resolved as expected, but the atmosphere remained tense.
Especially depending on how Nangong Pacheon would react next.
But I can't resolve their family conflicts or in-law friction for them.
It was out of my hands now.
Kim Yang's follow-up message confirmed the promo had gone off without a hitch.
There was nothing more I could do—and no need to.
Nangong Yeon took a deep breath.
Drawing courage from the hand she gripped tightly, he opened his mouth.
"Father, I—"
"Don't explain."
"...!"
"Young Heir Nangong Yeon, your actions over the past fortnight have been utterly disappointing."
"Ah."
The head he'd raised with resolve drooped lower and lower.
"You've accomplished nothing properly, shown no resolve, and brought before me a woman who disgraced the family honor by reneging on her word."
"..."
"Young Heir Nangong Yeon, answer me. Are you fit to be patriarch?"
Without Jessica steadying him from the side, Nangong Yeon would have collapsed.
Pacheon's words shook his world to its core.
"No, sir."
"The patriarch of House Nangong is not a reed that bends with the wind. I trust you now realize you are not patriarch material, Young Heir Nangong Yeon."
"...Yes, you are right, Patriarch."
There was no pity or mercy in the gaze Nangong Pacheon leveled down at him.
As if it were the most natural progression, he continued.
"By rights, I should cast you out this instant. But as your father, I will grant you one chance—"
Nangong Pacheon's eyes shifted to Jessica. After glancing at their clasped hands, he spoke flatly.
"If you can sway the hearts of the family elders, protectors, and stewards... I will not strip you of your position as young heir."
"...!"
That was worlds apart from outright rejection or demanding proof of acceptance.
Nangong Yeon's pupils shrank as his eyes widened.
"F-Father..."
"A true patriarch protects and leads the house. He listens to the voices of many, yet steadfastly pursues the convictions he believes right."
Even at the tender call, Pacheon clasped his hands behind his back and turned, showing his back.
"I will watch if you can truly reverse this undercurrent threatening House Nangong."
Thud!
"I will—I swear I will!"
Nangong Yeon dropped to his knees, bowing deeply toward Pacheon's retreating back.
Jessica beside him followed suit, showing the Old Martial World's formal respect to Pacheon.
Now it truly began.
The path ahead would surely be arduous.
But the two would walk it together.
The martial artists of House Nangong departed with Nangong Pacheon.
"Guess I should head out too."
Nangong Haryeong followed her father—the man she'd just crossed blades with.
Was that just how sword sects were? From her reaction, it didn't seem like it would escalate into a major incident.
She had earnestly implored me several times to find her a husband.
"Ugh! So, is it really all over now?"
Ryu Seram stretched beside me as she asked.
I was grateful she'd come despite my sudden call, but I wasn't about to show it.
"Thanks for the hard work. Dinner on me?"
"Buying dinner on Christmas? Check out this matchmaking CEO's smooth moves."
"Screw off..."
As she chattered beside me, I pondered where to eat.
"Why bother thinking? Just ask a local. You there—what's your name?"
"Jessica."
Nangong Yeon and Jessica were still there.
They apparently didn't want to return to the family home just yet, so they hadn't followed Pacheon.
Going with him probably would've just made things awkward anyway.
"Well, care to join us for—"
"No."
Ryu Seram, ever the social one, started to invite them, so I quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"You two should eat alone. It's Christmas."
"..."
"..."
They didn't reply, but they averted their gazes with embarrassed expressions.
The two practically radiated an aura screaming they wanted to be together.
"I-I can reserve a nice restaurant for you. Hellite has several affiliated spots, and they always hold VIP seats for us."
Jessica's proposal carried her determination to shake us off somehow.
Ryu Seram and I accepted, and the pair took off again in the Air Rider.
Before leaving, they bowed repeatedly to me, thanking me profusely.
Moments like this filled me with pride and satisfaction in the job.
Not that a regular marriage agency would handle anything like this.
Hope they pay a fat success fee.
As the two departed, Ryu Seram immediately started grumbling and circling me like a Maltese.
"Let's go already. I'm starving. Do you work your employees this hard too?"
"Oh, right. Kim Yang."
In the post-festival cleanup haze, I'd forgotten to check in.
She'd messaged earlier and must've been waiting since.
"Damn! Where's Kim Yang at?"
"Shut up and wait. Why are you whining like this?"
"I'm hungry! Should've just gone to a hunter party. Ugh, Kim Juseon, you con artist bastard."
That was just Ryu Seram being Ryu Seram.
I dialed Kim Yang's number and warned her.
"I said shut it—I'm calling. And stand still. What are you, a dog jumping around like that?"
"Woof!"
She picked up right away.
- Y-You wanna die?
"..."
- A-Answer me.
"Sorry."
- T-Too short?
"...I'm sorry."