Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Moyong Family Discipline
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The journey to Yoneung Province was a long one, but it was far from boring.
Thanks to Moyong Cheon, who was throwing tantrums nonstop without giving me a moment to feel bored.
"You bastard, untie these bindings right now!"
This guy was the real deal.
He was bound with ropes, his acupoints sealed.
Even in a state where he couldn't do a thing, he picked fights at every turn.
"Your body's just itching all over, huh?"
"Kieeeek!"
Every time, I administered some physical therapy to instill some manners.
But Moyong Cheon seemed to suffer from short-term memory loss.
Once midnight passed, he'd come charging at me again, so I had to give him periodic reminders.
"Impressive, truly impressive. You're the first of your kind."
"Great hero! I was wrong! Stop, stop!"
His tenacity was the one thing I'd acknowledge.
If only he'd directed it somewhere useful.
"Just ten more li and we're there, right?"
"For real, this time it's real!"
"That's what you say. Every time you open your mouth, it's nothing but lies."
The guy racked his brains trying to slip away from me somehow.
But what would a young master raised with kid gloves in his family know?
His shallow tricks were transparent.
They just earned him more beatings.
"Just believe me once!"
Thus passed countless days of tormenting Moyong Cheon.
Only when I stepped onto soil chilled with an eerie frost did I realize we'd finally reached Yoneung Province.
'I wonder how the Moyong Family will react.'
Before I set out, I'd sent word from the Namgung Family.
So they'd heard everything about what happened in Anhui Province.
It was unmistakably Moyong Cheon's fault, so normally they'd be groveling.
That was the Namgung Family's standing in the martial world.
'But somehow, I doubt they'll act that way.'
They say if you know one, you know ten.
Moyong Cheon, who rampaged without knowing the world's vastness.
It was obvious what kind of place could raise a scoundrel like that.
When we finally arrived at the Moyong Family's compound.
I was greeted by the Moyong Family members lined up in formation before the main gate.
'A show of force?'
The long line of people numbered well over a hundred at a glance.
It looked like they'd gathered every last family member.
Each one's aura was far from ordinary.
"Father! Mother! Your son has returned!"
Emboldened by the sight, Moyong Cheon bolted toward his family.
His arms bound, he waddled unsteadily, a comical sight struggling for balance, but Moyong Cheon didn't care about appearances as he ran.
"Father! That bastard, that bastard insulted me! He kept beating and tormenting me, the future young lord of the Moyong Family! Punish him swiftly!"
He looked just like a tattling child.
The man I presumed was Moyong Guk raised his right hand upward.
'Giving orders?'
My hand went to the sword at my waist.
At that moment.
"You damned wretch!"
Thwack.
The man swung his hand high and slapped Moyong Cheon across the cheek, sending the guy tumbling like a ball across the ground.
"Gaaack!"
"I can't live because of you, can't live at all! Was it so hard to stay quietly holed up at home?!"
Thud! Thud!
His anger unrelenting, the man began stomping viciously on the fallen Moyong Cheon.
"Agh, Father! Why?!"
"Why?! How the hell did I end up with a worthless good-for-nothing son like you?! I can't show my face anywhere!"
Each word punctuated by rhythmic, stabbing kicks.
Strikes without a shred of waste.
"Let's both die!"
He didn't stop until Moyong Cheon went limp.
"Forgive the unsightly display, young hero."
Hard to believe this was the same man who'd just savagely beaten his son; he smiled refreshingly as he spoke.
"I am Moyong Guk, head of the Moyong Family. You must be tired from the long journey. Come inside and talk."
I wondered if it was a trap, but seeing him still glare disdainfully at Moyong Cheon, I nodded.
*
"My name is Yi Se-woong."
"So you're the one who's to become the Namgung Family's son-in-law?"
"Yes."
In the Moyong Family head's private quarters.
I met alone with Moyong Guk.
The people gathered at the gate had just been there to pay respects, it seemed; the head dismissed them all.
"I've heard everything. Our worthless son caused trouble for you and Yeonhui, did he?"
"......"
Moyong Guk's actions seemed decidedly strategic.
Personally beating his son black and blue.
It felt like a ploy to preempt any reprimands by punishing him first.
We'll handle it, so don't say another word.
"You received the letter—why ask?"
"Half of it was curses; hard to make out."
"Can't blame you."
I had no intention of letting it slide easily.
Who did he think he was playing games with?
"Does the Moyong Family teach manners like that?"
"......"
"How does one grab a strange woman's wrist in broad daylight? Yeonhui's been wasting away, skipping meals ever since."
She'd eaten fine with me before I left, but anyway.
"It's all my failing. With only one son to carry on the line, I spoiled him rotten. On behalf of the Moyong Family, I apologize. I'm sorry!"
An unexpected response.
This was practically an insult to the entire household.
Yet Moyong Guk apologized plainly.
"I know the Moyong Family's proposal was firmly rejected. So why let Moyong Cheon come all the way to Anhui Province on his own?"
"......"
I recalled Namgoong Hyeok threatening Jegal Sang.
Talk of exterminating three generations—pretty brutal stuff.
Even after that ultimatum, letting Moyong Cheon harass Yeonhui was tantamount to defying Namgoong Hyeok.
"Would you believe me if I said it was all that fool's doing alone?"
"Does that even make sense? Marriage isn't child's play. Putting in a proposal without the elders' permission? Are you toying with me?"
"......"
"Not some street thug—this is the son of the Moyong Family, pillar of the Seven Great Families. He'd have to be insane to pull that off. Be honest!"
Hearing me out, Moyong Guk just sighed with an awkward expression.
He looked somehow pathetic.
"Elder?"
"I have no face to show."
Was this for real?
Moyong Cheon was like an onion.
Peel after peel, nothing but rotten layers.
*
Here's what Moyong Guk told me about the whole affair.
Moyong Cheon fell for Yeonhui at first sight.
Unable to refuse his whining son, Moyong Guk had proposed marriage, but as we know, it was met with cold rejection.
Every attempt failed, and after Namgoong Hyeok's final warning of no more tolerance...
-Lady Yeonhui clearly has feelings for me too!
He kept reining in his son, but Moyong Cheon was mad.
He secretly sent a marriage proposal letter to the Namgung Family behind the family head's back.
Scoldings and beatings followed, but Moyong Cheon was steadfast.
In the end, he ran away and caused havoc right there in Anhui Province.
'No bad child under a good parent, they say.'
All wrong.
Moyong Guk didn't flinch even when I prodded him provocatively to test.
"If he pulls any more stunts, I'll break his limbs to stop him. Please forgive him generously, young hero."
He calmly acknowledged his son's wrongs and apologized.
Along with promises of silk, gold, and all sorts of treasures as compensation to the Namgung Family.
"Feel free to give him a few more whacks if you like. Seems like he won't learn otherwise."
Unlike his son, Moyong Guk was straightforward.
He kept showing remorse but never groveled.
This was the first person I'd seen apologize so boldly.
"If you're agreeable, I'd like to host a banquet in your honor. Can you spare the time?"
I couldn't very well say no.
It was a necessary closing step.
No matter Moyong Cheon's guilt, the fact I'd beaten him remained.
The family's face was at stake.
Poor handling could spark conflict between families.
So we needed to publicly show reconciliation.
"Do you drink?"
"I can't drink enough."
"Good. Ever heard of Seoljungmae? It's liquor aged in the snowfields—absolutely divine."
"Only by rumor."
"Perfect. I'll open the cellar tonight; let's drink till dawn!"
It wasn't to taste some legendary liquor I'd only heard of.
If I refused, it'd wound Moyong Guk's pride, so no choice.
'The Moyong Family's pretty frugal.'
Growing bored waiting in the room, I decided to tour the compound.
Most Seven Great Families' estates are lavishly decorated, but this one was modest.
Filled only with necessities.
'Except the training grounds.'
No matter how they lagged behind Namgung or Tang, the Moyong Family was a martial house.
The training grounds were grand enough to rival any family's.
My body was itching anyway.
I'd halted training these past days, condensing my internal energy.
In preparation for arriving at the Moyong Family.
'Might as well loosen up.'
The training ground's earth was firm.
Even stomping hard, it didn't crack easily.
Moving after so long, a subtle warmth flowed through my body.
That was when.
Clap, clap. Accompanied by applause, someone spoke up.
"Impressive."
"?"
Turning around, I felt blinded for a moment.
Bluish hair like it held northern frost.
A woman stood there, her voluptuous figure peeking through lush robes that couldn't quite conceal it.
"Was that rude of me?"
The woman smiled with her eyes.
"It's our family's training ground, so surely you'll forgive this much?"
This must be what they call a deadly beauty.
Her slender eyes exuded a dangerous allure.
"No rudeness at all. Just basic warm-up moves."
"Oh, how generous."
Her sauntering approach, every step and gesture precarious, as if she'd collapse any second.
Like she needed catching right then.
"Young Master Yi Se-woong, right?"
"And you?"
"Moyong Hye."
The woman who'd approached so boldly was Moyong Hye.
One of the Seven Beauties.
The seven most stunning young experts in the martial world, as picked by enthusiasts.
"What do you want?"
"Oh? Do I need a reason to talk?"
"......"
"Don't be so guarded. Is it because I'm from the Moyong Family?"
"Hard to deny."
A curt reply slipped out unbidden.
Some inexplicable instinct.
This woman felt off.
"If it's about that idiot Moyong Cheon, don't worry. We're practically strangers."
Moyong Hye grimaced slightly before continuing.
"I'm grateful, actually. Father's always taken that fool's side, and it's grated on me."
"......"
"I'd like to show a little sincerity. What do you say?"
"First time hearing of beating family and getting thanks in return."
A faint rose scent wafted from her as she whispered.