Chapter 718: Back to the Cheonmu Alliance
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 718: Back to the Cheonmu Alliance
"Yeon-woo, Daddy has to go. Won't you let go of me?"
Sun-woo spoke as he looked down at Yeon-woo, who was tightly clutching his sleeve.
"Abuuuu... Abu-aaaaa..."
Despite Sun-woo’s plea, Yeon-woo seemed to have no intention of letting go. He simply held on tight, as if trying to prevent his father from leaving.
What should I do...
Sun-woo wore a troubled expression. He had already spent a significant amount of time saying his individual goodbyes to his wives. Now that Yeon-woo was holding him back as well, he couldn't help but feel conflicted.
"Yeon-woo, Daddy will be back soon. I'll buy those sweets you like on my way home. So, won't you let go now?"
Shake, shake.
Upon hearing Sun-woo’s words, Yeon-woo vigorously shook his small head from side to side. His chubby baby cheeks wobbled incessantly with the movement.
'Ah.'
Sun-woo stared blankly. He was momentarily dazed by how unimaginably cute Yeon-woo looked. Even his stubbornness was adorable... How could such an angelic child exist?
It was while Sun-woo was lost in his doting thoughts that Bukgung Yeon, who was holding the child, began to pry Yeon-woo’s hand away.
"Yeon-woo, you have to let your father go so he can work."
"Uguuuu... Waaaaaaaah!"
Yeon-woo burst into tears. The thought of being separated from the father he loved so dearly filled him with sorrow and grief.
"Yeon... Yeon-woo..."
Sun-woo looked flustered. Though Yeon-woo would whine occasionally, he rarely cried. Seeing the boy sob so piteously made Sun-woo feel like a terrible criminal.
"Yeon-woo, stop now... Your father isn't going away to play, you know?"
Bukgung Yeon began to gently soothe the crying child, trying to get him to stop.
"Waaaaaaaah!"
However, Yeon-woo continued to wail, showing no signs of stopping.
"......Yeon-woo.."
Sun-woo felt his heart weakening. In truth, he didn't want to leave the Tang Clan either. Everything he considered happiness was right here.
His wives, who loved and looked only at him; his precious, only son; and a luxurious environment where he could have anything he desired just by speaking—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call this place paradise.
Who would ever want to leave such a place?
But I can't stay here...
He had no choice. The dice had been cast, and the plan to dismantle the Cheonmu Alliance was already in motion. Staying behind in this situation was out of the question.
".......Yeon-woo....... Father is... sorry."
Sun-woo steeled his heart and managed to force the words out. He hated the idea of parting just as much, but he had to leave. He had to go to crush the Cheonmu Alliance and Lee Jae-won.
"Instead, I promise I'll be back soon."
Sun-woo slowly extended his pinky finger. It was his way of making a vow.
"Auuu..."
Seeing the extended pinky, Yeon-woo’s sobbing finally ceased. Then, he reached out with his tiny, fist-like hand.
Grab.
He snatched Sun-woo’s pinky finger.
"Dabyudada..."
Swing, swing.
He began to shake Sun-woo’s hand up and down, as if playing with a toy.
"Kyahaaa..."
Then, he began to beam brightly, as if his sorrowful crying had all been a lie.
Grin.
Seeing this, a warm smile spread across Sun-woo’s lips. One moment the boy was crying his heart out, and the next he was laughing. He was fulfilling his role as a baby more faithfully than anyone. How could Sun-woo not smile?
You fulfill your duty... and I will fulfill mine.
Sun-woo’s eyes began to sparkle with intensity. He slowly withdrew his hand.
"I'll be back soon."
Pat, pat.
He raised his hand and gently stroked Yeon-woo’s small head.
"Kyaaaaa~"
Yeon-woo let out a delighted giggle. He clearly enjoyed his father’s touch. After a moment, Sun-woo finally pulled his hand away.
"I'm counting on you..."
He spoke while looking at Bukgung Yeon, who held Yeon-woo in her arms.
"............Don't make us wait too long."
Bukgung Yeon replied in a calm tone. She had already done enough waiting in her life. She didn't want to wait any longer than necessary.
"It won't take long."
It wouldn't. Joo So-yang would have already set the entire stage.
Peck.
Sun-woo gave her a light kiss on the cheek. Then, he turned around and began to walk toward the exit.
"Abuu.. Ubu-aa.. Uaaa.."
As Sun-woo turned his back, Yeon-woo began to whine again. He had realized it—the fact that his beloved father was leaving.
However, Sun-woo forced himself to ignore the whimpering and kept moving forward. He wanted to comfort the boy, but he knew that if he turned back now, his resolve would crumble.
Creeeeeak.
Thud.
The sound of the hinges meeting echoed as the door closed. Sun-woo’s figure vanished completely.
"Heeeuuu... Heuuu... Waaaaaaaah!"
Yeon-woo finally burst into a full-blown wail. His heart was far too fragile to handle the absence of his father. Soon, the room was filled with the sound of the child's sorrowful cries.
"........Haa."
Sun-woo let out a deep sigh. Even though he was outside, Yeon-woo’s crying rang vividly in his ears.
At times like this, I resent being in the Profound Realm.
Upon reaching the Profound Realm, all his senses had become incredibly acute—from taste and touch to sight, smell, and hearing. Because of that, he could hear Yeon-woo’s heartbroken sobbing all too clearly.
Step, step, step.
Sun-woo began to walk as fast as he could, trying to reach a place where the crying could no longer be heard. After walking for a while, just as he was about to exit the building complex...
"Are you leaving now?"
An incredibly elegant voice drifted toward him. Sun-woo turned his head toward the source. A woman as noble and beautiful as a white crane entered his vision.
It was Ok-ryeong.
"....Yes."
Sun-woo nodded, maintaining a composed expression.
"How is it that my husband is always wandering about? I was so happy to finally spend some time together..."
Ok-ryeong spoke with a face full of regret. She was voicing a small grievance about Sun-woo’s frequent absences.
"........I'm sorry."
Sun-woo lowered his head and apologized. Even if it was unavoidable, he felt guilty for always being away.
Stroke, stroke.
"Lift your head. Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault."
Ok-ryeong caressed Sun-woo’s cheek as she spoke.
"It's all unavoidable. If a man intends to do great things, how can a woman hold him back?"
".......But....."
"I didn't say that to get an apology... I was just grumbling a little. I fully understand that it can't be helped."
Ok-ryeong spoke in a soothing voice.
"Thank you... for understanding."
Sun-woo looked up at Ok-ryeong. Her dazzlingly beautiful face came into view.
"How could I not understand? You are the husband I love and cherish most."
Ok-ryeong gave him a pure, radiant smile. Hearing those words, Sun-woo felt his heart grow warm. He could feel her absolute trust and deep affection for him.
".........I'm leaving the Tang Clan in your hands."
Sun-woo spoke with a serious expression. The moment he left, the presence of the Tang Clan Head would vanish from the estate. He was worried, especially since a time bomb like Tang Jin-seol was currently staying there.
"Isn't Seo-yoon the one running things?"
Ok-ryeong asked back, looking puzzled. It was no exaggeration to say that Tang Seo-yoon handled the day-to-day operations of the Tang Clan. She oversaw everything from start to finish. It was strange that he was entrusting the clan to her, who was essentially just a guest.
"I trust Seo-yoon, but... when it comes to matters involving her older sister, Tang Jin-seol, she might not be able to think rationally. That's why... I want you to be the one to keep things balanced."
Blood ties were a terrifying thing. No matter how much people might hate each other, the mere fact that they shared blood could lead to sympathy and pity. While Tang Seo-yoon was rational enough to ease his worries, there was no telling what kind of games the cunning Tang Jin-seol might play using their familial bond.
That was why he was asking Ok-ryeong—the wisest woman he knew.
"I will keep a close watch at all times."
Ok-ryeong nodded, agreeing that his concern was valid.
"Thank you."
"For what? It's only natural among family."
Ok-ryeong spoke softly.
Thump.
Sun-woo felt a lump in his throat. The word 'family' and its resonance pierced deep into his heart. Having fallen into the world of a Wuxia novel, Sun-woo had always carried a sense of nostalgia and longing for family. Ok-ryeong’s words gave him an indescribable sense of comfort.
"I'll be back... really... very soon."
Sun-woo made a vow as he looked at Ok-ryeong. He would return as quickly as possible to this place where his family waited.
"You can take your time. Just don't get hurt."
Ok-ryeong gave him a gentle smile. It didn't matter if he was late, as long as he returned unharmed.
Grab.
Sun-woo pulled her into a tight embrace. Her consideration for him until the very end stirred a bottomless depth of affection within him.
I'll be back as fast as I can.
Holding her in his arms, Sun-woo resolved to return to the Tang Clan with all possible haste.
*
"What? The Tang Clan Head has entered closed-door meditation?"
Tang Jin-seol asked with a shocked expression. The news she had just received was hard to believe.
"Yes. It seems they have made a formal announcement to that effect."
Honju replied, bowing low before her.
"At a time like this?"
Tang Jin-seol asked, her face full of doubt. It made no sense. The Great War of Righteousness and Demons was right around the corner. Furthermore, the alliance with the Cheonmu Alliance had soured significantly. To enter closed-door meditation at such a sensitive time was incomprehensible.
"Yes. He stated that he wishes to refine his martial arts before the Great War of Righteousness and Demons begins."
Honju spoke in a flat tone. The Tang Clan Head had declared his intention to polish his techniques in preparation for the coming conflict.
"Did he suddenly achieve some kind of enlightenment?"
"....Nothing further has been disclosed."
"....Is that so?"
Hearing this, a flicker of unease crossed Tang Jin-seol’s face. Tang Jin-cheol was already incredibly powerful. If he became even stronger, he might truly reach a position Above Ten Thousand People.
"Wait, then who is running the Tang Clan?"
Tang Jin-seol spoke up as the thought occurred to her.
"It appears Dok Seo-si will be managing things as the Acting Clan Head."
"Seo-yoon?"
"Since she is the only direct bloodline descendant remaining, it seems it was unavoidable."
"I see?......... Is that how it is..."
Tang Jin-seol spoke with a meaningful expression. An interesting idea had occurred to her.
"It looks like I'll have to arrange a meeting with Seo-yoon soon."
Tang Jin-seol spoke with a seductive smile.
".....Do you have something to say to her?"
Honju asked, sounding curious. Ever since the Tang Clan Head had declared her an outsider, Tang Jin-seol hadn't met with anyone. It was strange that she suddenly wanted to see Tang Seo-yoon.
"I'm just thinking of sharing some sisterly affection after all this time."
Tang Jin-seol let out an alluring laugh.
"..........."
Watching her, Honju thought to himself: behind that captivating smile, a truly wicked scheme must be hiding.
I look forward to seeing what she does.
A thick smile spread across Honju’s lips. He was genuinely curious to see what kind of vile trickery this viper of a woman would pull next.