Chapter 212
Chapter 212
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 212
Chapter Title: Taiji Yin-Yang Body (15)
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There had been a minor mishap with Wi Ji-eun, but a mishap was just that—a mishap... Thanks to Wi Ji-hye's mediation, we made it safely to the Wi Clan, where we received a warm welcome from many of the clan members.
And...
We were finally able to hold the long-awaited formal meeting.
"......That's how it happened, Father."
"Ahem..."
A very tense and uncomfortable time with my father-in-law, that is.
A stern face that looked impassive, movements straight and disciplined, scars of glory visible here and there... The Wi Clan Patriarch, who had surpassed the pinnacle realm, truly lived up to the rumors with his overwhelming presence.
That level had to be well beyond A-rank Hunter, right? I couldn't appraise him, but just looking at him made it clear I shouldn't mess with this man.
"Hmm."
But... why was he glaring like that? As Wi Ji-hye finished her long explanation, an immense pressure emanated from the patriarch.
"Ugh..."
I kept up a calm facade with my Poker Face skill, but honestly, I felt like I was going insane. It was like the tips of blades were pressing against my skin everywhere. If I so much as twitched here, it felt like I'd be shredded by countless swords on the spot.
Was he... testing me or something?
If so, I'd have to prove myself.
"Hahaha... That's how it happened, Father-in-law."
To leave a good impression, I forced a bright smile and responded to the patriarch's test. All to come across as a refreshing, upbeat young man.
-Crunch
But... it seemed I'd done something to offend him.
"You filthy lecher, daring to call me Father-in-law?!"
Right from the start, the patriarch hurled curses at me and branded me a public enemy of the martial world.
"So in conclusion, you're the lecher who violated my daughter. And instead of begging forgiveness, you call me Father-in-law? You must be itching to die!"
No... how did it come to that conclusion? Sure, I took her virginity, but it was purely an 'accident.' Right? It was a noble act to save each other's lives. So please take back the lecher label.
...That's what I wanted to say, but the raging patriarch's shouts left no room for a word from me. Look at him—his eyes were completely bloodshot. Silence was the only answer here.
-Clang
"Eeeek! I'm already furious enough—what? Father-in-law? Hah! You dare!"
No, even silence wasn't the answer? This was bad; my head was about to roll from that sword he'd drawn. Was now the time to use Load? Looked like I'd need to choose my words more carefully next time.
"Father, your words are too harsh. Please calm down."
...As I was thinking that, Wi Ji-hye stepped in front of the patriarch and confronted him in an icy voice.
"Wh-what?"
"And strictly speaking, it wasn't Baek Rang who violated me—it was I who violated Baek Rang. Because I chose that moment. So... does that make me the lecher?"
"...What did you... say?"
"I asked if that makes me the lecher."
"No, that's not..."
Wi Ji-mom...! Were you defending me right now? How touching...!
In this do-or-die moment, Wi Ji-hye's help saved my skin. Conquering her before we arrived had been a stroke of genius. Thanks to that, I'd earned one more coin, and in the patriarch's flustered moment, I finally got to speak.
"Hahaha... Must've been a misunderstanding, Father-in-law."
"Y-you lech, you bastard... still calling me Father-in-law!"
Oh no, again...
Inadvertently repeating "Father-in-law," the patriarch flared up once more. But this time, unlike before, he'd cleaned up his language—seems he went soft on his daughter.
"Know your place! I'm grateful you saved Hye-ah's life, but wanting to marry her crosses the line! If you truly care for Hye-ah, you should leave her on your own. That's what a real man does. How dare you ruin Hye-ah's life with your petty greed!"
Hmm, that was sharp.
He wasn't wrong, for sure.
If a woman engaged to a chaebol heir broke it off to marry some poor stranger she'd just met, could she really be happy? She might feel a spark of joy at first, but a hundred out of a hundred would regret it later.
But that was for ordinary folks.
I was different.
If I proved I could grow to match that Nangong Clan punk, wouldn't the patriarch change his mind? As I geared up for some self-promotion, Wi Ji-hye stepped up for me again.
"It's the opposite! I was the greedy one. Because I truly love Baek Rang... I was the one who greedily wanted to marry him! Is that really so wrong?
...Were all your words about always putting my own happiness first just lies, Father? Tell me the truth!"
"Ahem..."
Whoa, this was getting... intriguing?
Faced with Wi Ji-hye's heartfelt defense, the patriarch averted his eyes and coughed awkwardly. He clearly hadn't imagined she'd rebel this hard. And neither had I expected this much backup.
This wasn't looking good for his pride.
At the formal meeting, with me sitting silent, it was getting awkward. To score some points, I shouted out my own sincere plea to the patriarch.
"Patriarch—no, Father-in-law! My status may be low and my past dirty, but no one loves Hye-ah more than I do. I guarantee it—no one in this world cherishes her like I do.
Father-in-law! Please bless our relationship, our marriage. In ten years—no, five years—you'll look back on this permission and nod, thinking you did right. I'll prove myself worthy of your recognition!"
"Baek Rang..."
"...Hmph, talk is cheap... I'll give you a room, so get lost."
Hmm, passed for now? At least he wasn't kicking me out of the clan. Still fuming with a fierce scowl, but it seemed like provisional approval. Now I just had to demonstrate my abilities here.
Phew... This way, I could probably scrape past the second major hurdle.
"...Such a thing happened?"
"Yeah, isn't it ridiculous? She's not the sister I knew."
"I see..."
Peng Si-un, the youngest son of the Hebei Peng Clan, let Wi Ji-eun's story go in one ear and out the other. With his crush sitting right beside him, his brain had frozen up.
"Hey, are you even listening properly?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah! I am. So that guy's the problem, right?"
"Exactly! That guy's a total pervert!"
Just a few months ago, Wi Ji-eun had been nothing but a cute childhood friend, but now she was a captivating woman who shook his heart.
"Sigh... We need to snap my sister out of it soon—what should we do..."
"Yeah... what to do..."
"Haah, isn't there some good way?"
"Yeah... any good way..."
"Hey, damn it. Are you messing with me right now?"
Peng Si-un, newly awakened to love, found everything about her adorable. Her tomboyish straightforwardness, the faint dimples that appeared only when she grinned wide, her face maturing day by day, and even her unfeminine small chest.
But... uncharacteristically timid for a Peng clansman, Peng Si-un couldn't bring himself to confess. He was terrified of rejection driving a wedge between them.
So today, once again, he buried his feelings and savored the moment at her side. Convincing himself that someone as boyish as Wi Ji-eun would never get a boyfriend.
"But you know... Do all guys really like girls' boobs that much?"
"...Wh-wha?"
"No, just curious..."
"Ab-absolutely not! That's just that guy being a pervert! Guys like me aren't like that. We don't do creepy stuff like that!"
But in his extreme nervousness, he missed her faintly disappointed look—and her mutter of, 'Sis seemed to like it... Is getting touched really that good...?'
Instead, he patted himself on the back for what he figured was a favorability-boosting line.