Chapter 2
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: The Patriarch's Fury
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Bam!
A wrinkled hand slammed down on the table.
“You worthless fools, worse than beasts!”
“…….”
Before the elderly scholar, who was trembling all over with rage, lay the letter from the Nangong Clan rejecting the marriage proposal.
His fury had been anticipated.
In truth, it had erupted the moment the letter arrived, but since he had been away in the capital, it had only boiled over today, three days later.
“As the Young Master taught: ‘Even gold and jade buried deep will eventually see the light of day; do not forget this, and you will never regret it in life!’”
“…….”
The middle-aged man who had delivered the letter avoided the gaze of the raging old scholar, keeping his mouth shut like a mute who had swallowed honey, merely nodding repeatedly.
He too was no stranger to learning—how could he not understand the scholar’s words?
But the analogy was too extreme.
What was the point of debating righteousness? The situation was far too precarious, and remembering a drunken promise from one’s reckless youth was more creepy than anything.
Well, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.
The perfect—no, likely the last—chance to marry off his beloved son, whom he cherished more than his own eyes, had flown away...
Even so, bringing up sages and even the nation itself?
Yet he couldn’t voice his true thoughts outright.
The old scholar was the family elder and his sky-like father-in-law.
“Why are you silent? Aren’t you outraged by the Nangong Clan’s brazen behavior?”
“Yes? Ah... yes. I never expected the Nangong Clan to respond this way...”
“Exactly! Quite right! Of course!”
Who would dare contradict such a demonic glare?
The middle-aged man awkwardly agreed, sighing inwardly.
Being a live-in son-in-law was his sin, his sin... Damn it.
The old scholar’s name was Yu Seong-hwan.
He was the patriarch of the Yu Clan Manor, where the middle-aged man served.
Now a retired old man lounging in the back rooms, finding joy only in watching his son, he had once been the Imperial Tutor.
Even in his youth, his scholarship had reached the heavens, such that the elderly Emperor sought his counsel on great matters.
The epitome of all scholars, a symbol of incorruptible integrity.
In martial terms, the unrivaled master of academia—not just below one man, but above ten thousand.
And how revered was he by the common folk?
Centered on Cheongam Mountain in Anpyeong County, within a hundred li in all directions, no one starved to death. During famines, he emptied his granaries to distribute relief grain, and even built free homes for vagrants.
Did his wealth diminish?
Excess in anything invites its opposite.
The homes built for vagrants became villages, expanding Anpyeong County far beyond its former size.
Word spread of the good life, drawing migrants and swelling the population relentlessly.
Even with tax cuts, income piled up beyond his generosity.
Whether moved by his immense benevolence, security maintained itself without extra effort...
It was said that in Anpyeong County, evildoers met their end not at the hands of officials, but stoned to death by the people.
Even the Emperor’s grandson visited first during holidays to pay respects, and the masses looked up to him in awe.
Yet he had one fatal flaw.
His only son, Yu Hyun.
To all eyes, Yu Seong-hwan’s sole blemish, the seed and culprit of all strife!
The current crisis stemmed entirely from him.
For all his greatness, when it came to his son, Yu Seong-hwan disregarded all propriety.
A late child who had lost his mother young to misfortune—how pitiable. Yet his paternal love was undoubtedly excessive.
If anything happened to his son, he’d bolt upright from sleep and run barefoot; every request granted, every mishap forgiven first...
Seventeen years of indulgence without a single scolding—what else could the boy become?
Not violent, but Yu Hyun was now beyond saving, a utter mess.
Laziness that would shock the heavens, selfishness as if the world existed for him alone.
...Though it was hard to imagine anyone else eating as much.
“No, this won’t do. Prepare ink and brush immediately!”
“Yes?”
At Yu Seong-hwan’s bellow, the middle-aged man—lost in thought, hoping it would pass—widened his eyes.
Ink and brush? Suddenly?
What pointless scheme was this doting old man hatching now?
“What are you waiting for? Hurry!”
“Y-Yes... But what for?”
“To write!”
“……Yes?”
“I’m sending a reply to my friend Chang-seon. We can’t reject a firm promise made in the capital without even meeting face-to-face!”
“…….”
Nangong Chang-seon.
Former patriarch of the Nangong Clan, once called the Sword King for shaking the world with his prowess; Yu Seong-hwan’s longtime friend and sworn brother in righteousness.
And the other culprit behind this mess.
But...
Was a meeting truly necessary?
Rumors about Yu Hyun were more than enough...
“Father-in-law, wouldn’t that be improper? The current patriarch broke the betrothal—questioning the former one about it...”
“All the more reason to write! It violates the Young Master’s teachings! How can a scholar of learning ignore a later generation’s error?”
“…….”
...Didn’t the Young Master foresee this when he taught it?
Dam Cheon-u, the middle-aged man, felt a throbbing headache and subtly pressed his temple with his thumb.
This was trouble, no doubt.
The kind of pointless uproar the son-obsessed old man stirred up now and then.
“Why hesitate? Don’t you find our Hyun’s plight unjust?”
“Uh, yes, it’s unjust. Absolutely! Of course!”
“See? Now grind the ink!”
“……Yes.”
Sighing and tearing up wouldn’t help; he was merely a live-in son-in-law who had long served Yu Seong-hwan. When told to grind, he ground.
“Take this down.”
“…….”
“I, Yu Seong-hwan, respect your clan’s decision. However, to discuss such a grave matter solely through letters without meeting face-to-face defies propriety. I urge you to swiftly visit our manor with the child from our pact, to resolve any misunderstandings through dialogue and correct any errors.”
Dam Cheon-u dutifully transcribed Yu Seong-hwan’s words, sighing endlessly inside.
What good were propriety and formality in the lines? It was rebuke from start to finish.
The Nangong Clan’s reason for rejecting via letter was obvious: reluctance to face him.
Knowing his tiresome temperament, they couldn’t refuse in person after agonizing, so they sent the letter.
Hadn’t they returned the treasured Azure Heaven Sword with it?
It was absurd to think Yu Seong-hwan, wise enough for the Emperor to consult, missed the intent.
Pure stubbornness.
Unable to bear his precious son— the world’s finest in his eyes—being rejected... Outraged and indignant...
Knowing reason wouldn’t sway him, yet lingering hope made Dam Cheon-u steel himself and plead with an imploring look.
“Father-in-law.”
“What?”
“You’re really sending it?”
“You fool!”
“…….”
“Money’s no object—send it express!”
Damn it, his resolve was crumbling.
How to resolve a betrothal doomed to rejection?
Neither side would yield...
He alone would suffer the blows.
“Father-in-law, isn’t this too hasty? Calm your anger first, think it over a bit more...”
“You dare!”
“…….”
His resolve shattered by the fiery roar.
“And you call yourself Hyun’s brother-in-law? I trusted your talents, entrusted all family affairs, even handed over the trading firm rights early!”
“…….”
One word, and he’d be the world’s traitor.
Dam Cheon-u bowed his head in resignation.
“If this is how it is, quit now! Divorce Jeong-hye and live separately!”
“F-Father-in-law, that’s not what I meant...”
“I won’t hear it! Speak sense!”
“…….”
As Dam Cheon-u sighed deeply at Yu Seong-hwan turning away, ears closed,
“Grand Steward.”
A cautious voice called from outside.
It was Ha Saeng, the household Vice Steward who shared Dam Cheon-u’s duties.
“What is it? Unless the house is collapsing, come back later. I’m conferring with the Patriarch.”
“W-Well... it’s... Do...”
Bang!
“What happened? Why our Hyun!”
“…….”
Before the word ended, Yu Seong-hwan burst out, nearly splintering the door.
At just the syllable “Do.”
Porcelain? What if it’s porcelain? More importantly, how was a seventy-year-old so fast?
Anyone would think him a peerless master.
Dam Cheon-u, looking exasperated, asked.
“Did something happen to your brother-in-law? Another bedsore?”
“No... He suddenly collapsed while walking...”
At the wary report, Yu Seong-hwan’s eyes bulged like saucers.
“What! Collapsed? That healthy boy—why? No time for this. Let’s hurry!”
Healthy, my foot. Laden with comorbidities.
But before he could grumble inwardly, the pair had vanished.
Dam Cheon-u shook his head, grabbing Yu Seong-hwan’s shoes.
Not even far to Hwiam Hall, yet wear shoes, for heaven’s sake...
The Vice Steward wouldn’t lie; something had happened.
But walking? That boy? Absurd.
He’d sooner believe a dragon in the sky. Ridiculous nonsense...
Grumbling inwardly, Dam Cheon-u’s eyes suddenly flashed.
“Wait, whatever it is, collapsing now... isn’t it actually good?”
With his father-in-law’s temperament, a son’s collapse would sideline the Nangong matter, naturally halting the betrothal push...
A chilling smile crept onto Dam Cheon-u’s lips.
“Since it’s come to this, stay bedridden a year or two, brother-in-law.”
* * *
“Why isn’t the Imperial Physician here?”
“We’ve sent for him.”
“Hurry and fetch him! What are you doing? Move! He must regain consciousness! Our entire medical staff’s heads are on the line!”
“Yes!”
All in Hwiam Hall knew Yu Seong-hwan’s near-mad devotion to his son.
Even a minor cold brought three days and nights of relentless visits.
And if they botched this?
Endless research funds, comfortable quarters, respect as Yu Clan physicians—all gone.
Panic lasted briefly.
Facing a once-in-a-lifetime crisis, the physicians speed-read volumes, pinpointed remedies, became peerless acupuncturists jabbing multiple points in a flash.
The bed, fit for three, brimmed with flesh from the man sprawled like the dead.
All for history’s mightiest tub of lard, Yu Hyun.