Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Father's Fury
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The Namgung Baek father and son returned to their residence.
Gulping down the chicken soup the maid had brought, Namgung So let out a breath.
With his hunger sated, his body felt languid, and he wanted nothing more than to lie down.
“……Phew, I really thought I was done for.”
Remembering the days he’d been captured by those thugs and hung in the darkness sent shivers down his spine even now.
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Namgung So spoke.
“I have no idea where those bastards even came from. For scum like that to be wandering around Hefei territory so boldly, it’s just…….”
Thinking back to being kidnapped again made his chest tighten.
If he hadn’t made it back, he wouldn’t be enjoying this chicken soup right now, nor would he have seen his father and brother’s faces again.
“I never thought I’d end up feeling grateful to Namgung Hyeok. Thanks to him, I made it back alive and get to see you both again.”
“Namgung Hyeok…….”
Namgung Baek’s demeanor shifted, but Namgung So, caught up in his own emotions, kept rambling on.
“How about we set up a dinner to thank him? Clear the air from past grudges and settle the debt.”
“Debt?”
“We’ve got to separate personal and official matters. He saved my life, so shouldn’t I at least treat him? I’m your son—letting it slide without doing anything feels off…….”
“Treat him?”
Scratching the back of his head, Namgung So nodded vigorously.
“Yes. And you have to catch those guys no matter what. There were definitely more of them. We can’t let a single one slip away.”
“And if we don’t let them slip?”
“We uproot them! They threatened my life. If it weren’t for Namgung Hyeok…….”
Thud.
Namgung Baek set down his teacup.
“You think that’s fine?”
“Huh? What do you mean fine or not? I owe him my life, so of course…….”
“Why didn’t you go kowtow and thank him yourself?”
“Come on, Father, I’m still his older brother…….”
“You utter fool!”
Bam!
Namgung So flinched and shrank back at Namgung Baek slamming the table and raising his voice.
“F-Father?”
“Don’t you know what’s wrong with you! Grateful for help? Happy to be back alive?”
An overwhelming aura crushed Namgung So.
Under the immense pressure that made it hard to even breathe, Namgung So’s hands trembled.
Namgung Baek glared at him with fierce eyes, not letting up.
“Do you have any idea what your father’s gone through because of you? Do you know what I’ve sacrificed, and yet you spout this nonsense!”
He’d been blackmailed by Guiyeong and humiliated, and now owed a debt to Namgung Hyeok.
Namgung So could never understand how pathetic and horrific that was.
Thinking of the ordeals ahead, Namgung Baek wanted to slap his son’s face and rip out his tongue right then.
If he knew, even Namgung So wouldn’t dare speak so carelessly.
But unfortunately, Namgung So had no inkling of Namgung Baek’s inner turmoil.
He could only think the anger had come out of nowhere.
‘Why all of a sudden?’
No, his son had been kidnapped, presumed dead, and come back alive—wasn’t that cause for celebration?
He couldn’t fathom why Namgung Baek was lashing out when they should be feasting and encouraging him.
Stammering, Namgung So barely managed to speak.
“Wh-Why are you suddenly like this? I came back alive—is that reason to get so mad? Do you know what I went through……!”
“I wish you’d died instead! Then I wouldn’t be saddled with this disgrace!”
“What? Father!”
What was this?
He wished he’d died?
Namgung So stared at Namgung Baek in shock.
“……You wish I’d died? You mean that? Is that how you’ve felt all this time!”
“You pathetic fool. You’re proud of owing that man your life?”
“Why is owing Namgung Hyeok my life such a big deal?! I’m alive—that’s what matters! What family debt is there? Why are you yelling at me when I suffered!”
“Shut your mouth!”
At Namgung Baek’s roar, Namgung So shouted back in a surge of emotion.
“Now I get it. Yeah, I understand. I was never your son to begin with! Then why did you even raise a guy like me?!”
“I don’t even want to look at you—get out!”
“Yes, sir! I was planning to leave anyway. Damn it!”
Namgung So bit his lower lip hard and spun on his heel.
Namgung Baek coldly watched his limping son leave.
Watching this, Namgung Jeong let out a sigh and said to Namgung Baek.
“Shouldn’t So know too?”
Namgung Baek sneered.
“What good would it do telling that dimwit?”
“But…….”
“Enough. You keep your mouth shut too.”
“……Yes.”
Namgung Jeong nodded obediently and stood.
“I’ll go calm So down.”
“…….”
Namgung Jeong bowed his head and left the room.
Namgung Baek pressed his temples.
‘Things are getting worse by the day.’
It felt like the noise was only growing louder.
His eyes grew cold.
* * *
The Family Head’s office.
The Namgung Jangcheon trio sat around the table.
Slurp, slurp.
Sipping the finest Dragon Well tea, Namgung Hyeok stared out the window with a bored expression.
He didn’t need to look to know the heavy gazes from both sides.
Namgung Hyeok glanced at Namgung Jangcheon.
Silently savoring his tea, Namgung Jangcheon took a few breaths.
The mood was oddly subdued—normally, he’d be clearing his throat by now, stroking his beard to hide his twitching cheek, but today there was no sign of it.
‘Putting on airs like that doesn’t suit you.’
The air in the office hung heavy, matching Namgung Jangcheon’s grave demeanor.
How much time passed?
Namgung Jangcheon set down his teacup and asked.
“What happened?”
“Just a coincidence.”
“You’re saying you coincidentally found Namgung So?”
She was just there.
How to explain this?
‘He’ll interpret it however.’
But why does he look so grim?
As Namgung Hyeok tilted his head, Namgung Jangcheon continued.
“So you rushed in without any plan.”
Well, it fell into my lap.
Namgung Hyeok shrugged.
“Are you insane?!”
Namgung Hyeok’s eyes widened at Namgung Jangcheon’s sudden bellow.
He was dumbfounded.
‘……He yelled at me?’
Why?
Just putting on a stern act again?
But he was dragging it out too long for that.
Namgung Hyeok stared at Namgung Jangcheon in bewilderment.
No, why yell out of the blue?
Was there really cause for this?
Why was he angry?
As Namgung Hyeok gawked blankly, a vein bulged on Namgung Jangcheon’s forehead.
“There were unknown dangerous thugs involved. I’m asking why you chased after them! We have the main house, and I’m here—why did you step up for something like that?!”
Because they were annoying……
“You’ve only been out of bed for half a year. I knew your frustrations, so I didn’t say a word about your activities. But this is too much! What if those thugs had gotten you?!”
“I wouldn’t lose to scum like that…….”
“That’s not the point!”
Namgung Jangcheon’s roar shook the office.
Namgung Hyeok looked dazed.
What’s going on?
It was truly baffling.
Hadn’t he handled something the Namgung family should care about and rescued kin?
Normally, Namgung Jangcheon would be praising his merits effusively, but instead he was angry—Namgung Hyeok couldn’t make sense of it.
No one was hurt, and the outcome was good—what was the big deal?
Namgung Hyeok eyed Namgung Jangcheon oddly.
Namgung Jangcheon sighed.
“How could I let you go out when I’m so worried?”
“…….”
“From now on, don’t get involved in things like this. Don’t put yourself in danger. Understand?”
“…….”
“Answer me. Do you understand?”
Namgung Hyeok gave Namgung Jangcheon a sullen look, then nodded.
“……Yes.”
He still didn’t get it and was mulling over the emotions in Namgung Jangcheon’s voice, so he didn’t want to stir up more trouble.
Beside him, Namgung Ryong lightly took his hand.
Namgung Hyeok yanked it away in surprise and looked at Namgung Ryong.
‘What’s with everyone?’
Act normal!
Apparently unsatisfied with Namgung Hyeok’s response, Namgung Jangcheon fiddled with his teacup a few times before saying.
“I’ll take that as understanding. You must be tired—go rest.”
“……Yes, sir.”
Namgung Hyeok shot him another strange look, then abruptly stood.
After a perfunctory bow, he left.
Silence settled over the office for a moment.
Namgung Jangcheon furrowed his brow repeatedly, then turned to Namgung Ryong.
After mulling it over several times, he spoke.
“……Something’s not right.”
“…….”
“You’re right. This incident has too many suspicious parts—there must be a connection.”
“…….”
“We need to keep a closer eye on things around us.”
Namgung Ryong nodded and took a sip of tea.
His eyes calmed to a serene stillness.
Glancing out the window, Namgung Jangcheon muttered.
“I wonder what they’re plotting…….”
“…….”
“I’ll make preparations, so don’t worry.”
Namgung Jangcheon let out a sigh.
“Yeah, got it. You can go.”
Namgung Ryong bowed at the waist and left.
Through the window, Namgung Jangcheon saw Namgung Ryong walking away steadily.
His mind felt tangled in knots.
His complex feelings twisted every which way.
‘Events keep unfolding.’
Something was brewing within the clan or beyond.
The odd undercurrents he’d sensed before were now crystallizing.
He’d planned to identify the source first and prepare, then respond—but that was naive.
Now, the origin didn’t matter.
Unknown thugs had appeared in Hefei territory.
Not just appearing—they’d audaciously kidnapped Namgung blood.
He could no longer afford a passive approach.
A resolute glint hardened on Namgung Jangcheon’s face.
The Namgung clan’s scenery visible outside the window.
They would never tolerate threats to that view and would punish them without mercy.
Strength gathered in Namgung Jangcheon’s eyes.
He turned his head.
In an instant, his aura shifted, exuding a heavy presence.
“Chief Steward Geum. Come in—we need to talk.”
Chief Steward Geum Gwangmo entered cautiously.
“Did the talk go well?”
Namgung Jangcheon took a sip of tea and said quietly.
“My aching child is finally starting to give me headaches—I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”
“That’s how it is with them.”
“Another worrisome matter has arisen.”
“……And?”
Namgung Jangcheon said with a serious gaze.
“Gather the elders. I have important matters to discuss.”
“Yes, Family Head. I’ll summon them right away.”
Geum Gwangmo bowed and left.
Something flickered in Namgung Jangcheon’s eyes, then vanished.
‘Dark clouds.’
With a low groan, Namgung Jangcheon downed the cold tea.
A bitter taste lingered on his tongue before fading.