Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: The One Who Discards All Pretense
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Those who work hard cannot defeat those who enjoy it.
I like that saying.
Working diligently is important, of course, but true success comes only when it's paired with genuine sincerity from the heart.
Lately, though, I've discovered a realm that surpasses even those who enjoy it.
The one who has cast everything aside.
The type who disregards face, pride, or anything else and charges forward toward their goal without regard for anything.
I've come to realize that such people are the most terrifying.
How did I figure it out?
By watching Moyong Hye, who keeps coming at me relentlessly.
"Young master. How do I look today?"
"Do I have to answer?"
"Of course!"
"......"
Moyong Hye, dressed in a fluttering blue palace robe.
She spun around once, as if showing off to me. Her eyes, staring straight at me, sparkled as if demanding an answer.
A familiar pattern.
It was obvious she'd torment me until I responded.
"It suits you well, Miss."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Worth all the trouble tracking it down. I wandered the estate for ages looking for this!"
Moyong Hye lit up like she might bounce around any second.
"So, what do you think? Seeing me dressed up like this... does your heart race even a little?"
"No."
"That's too much!"
This scene had become routine.
Ever since she declared war, Moyong Hye had been charging at me with seduction attempts. Since I had no intention of accepting, I'd rejected her sharply every time.
But like a ball rebounding harder from being struck away, she showed no signs of stopping.
"How was breakfast this morning?"
"It was decent."
"Truth be told, I made it. Doesn't that make me a fine marriage prospect?"
This had reached the level of instinct.
No matter where or what she was doing, Moyong Hye forced 'excitement' on me as naturally as breathing. Not that it worked.
'Why is she going this far?'
Moyong Hye was a woman who lacked for nothing. Beautiful, intelligent, and from a wealthy family. I couldn't fathom why she'd cling to me of all people.
'Love at first sight?'
Possible. Since it was her first time. If I truly was the first person she'd ever felt rational attraction to, it made sense.
First love is like that, after all.
No reason needed.
Even the sharpest minds struggle to defy the ripples spreading from the heart.
They call it being lovesick.
First love is the pinnacle of that delusion.
Projecting a fantasy onto the other person without regard for who they really are, built purely on one's own assumptions... That's why it never works out, and even if it does, it leaves you unsatisfied—a true disaster.
Think about crushing on the older sister you worked part-time shifts with, only to find out she's a total night owl party girl. Not that it's from experience. Really.
'Like the measles.'
A fever that passes once or twice. Time would sort it out. So all I had to do was not reciprocate. These days, it just felt like watching a familiar little sister put on a show.
'I hope word from the Namgung Family comes soon.'
The minor downside was that the Moyong Family folks' gazes toward me had grown a bit colder.
"Strutting around like you're some honored guest?"
"All those Namgung Family types are like that."
Every time they saw my curt responses, they seemed to gripe among themselves about my rudeness.
Something about treating the family heir like dirt.
Whatever.
No need to clear up the misunderstanding.
Once word from the Namgung Family arrived, I'd never have to come back here.
We could part quietly without friction.
"You! What gives you the face to wander our estate?!"
Until Moyong Cheon—who should have been holed up in the training hall—showed up.
"Have you gone mad?"
Moyong Hye's words as she blocked Moyong Cheon's path.
I'd never heard her speak like that.
Not in such a low, icy tone.
"Moyong Hye! How dare you speak to the young master like that?"
"Delusions have their limits. How did you crawl out of the training hall?"
"Hmph. Don't you know the entire family is on my side?"
Defying the family head's orders to escape? Even after all this time, what a guy.
"Begged Mother again, huh? Pathetic, clinging to her skirts at your age."
"What did you say?"
"This isn't the time for you to be yelling. Haven't you grasped the situation?"
Moyong Hye wasn't angry so much as laughing in disbelief.
"Frankly, thank you. Now the old fogeys protecting you have lost their excuse."
"You're laughing?"
"At myself for bothering to check a fool like you. If you can't even grasp this much, why not drown in a ditch?"
Uncharacteristically venomous barbs.
A side I'd never seen because she was always smiling.
Maybe this was the real heir of the Moyong Family all along.
"No need to listen to more, young master. Shall we go eat?"
Moyong Hye bowed her head as if embarrassed to let me see this.
Moyong Cheon yelled, grabbing at us as we tried to leave.
"This time it's Moyong Hye you're after?"
"?"
Why me all of a sudden?
"I knew it when you pawed at Lady Yeonhui. Trying to cozy up to a prestigious family somehow."
"......"
"As a scion of the Moyong Family, I can't let scum like you be!"
Moyong Guk suddenly seemed pitiful.
How much hardship raising a kid like that until now?
"Not beaten enough yet?"
"Wh-what?!"
As I raised my fist, Moyong Cheon flinched and stepped back. The memory etched in his body was still fresh.
"Young master, ignore the barking dog. I'll handle it."
Moyong Hye wanted to defuse the situation. Makes sense—if he could act this bold, he had some standing in the family. Her dealing with him directly could cause issues.
"Don't worry. I'll take full responsibility."
I usually let things slide, but mentioning Yeonhui pushed me over the edge.
Might as well collect on that liquor tab from Moyong Guk.
Time to correct his manners.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Moyong Cheon. I formally challenge you to a spar."
"Ha, saw something somewhere, did you? Fine. I accept. If you lose, admit your crimes cleanly!"
"Sure, sure. So you'll do it?"
"Of course!"
Moyong Cheon was brimming with confidence.
Back in Anhui Province, it had just been a sneak attack.
'He attacked me while I was greeting Lady Yeonhui!'
A coward.
He'd already erased from his mind how he'd struck first.
'I'll show him the fruits of my training!'
A seclusion of barely over a week.
Having sweated for the first time in ages, Moyong Cheon was certain of victory.
Thwack!
Until Yi Se-woong's fist slammed into his temple.
'This isn't right...?'
Moyong Cheon, knocked out in one hit, felt a floating sensation as if body and mind separated. Through his dazed senses, he saw Yi Se-woong's fists raining down like hail.
Thud thud thud!
Pummeled evenly across his whole body, Moyong Cheon slowly lost consciousness.
'I should have stopped him.'
Moyong Hye, watching from afar.
She regretted not intervening.
Sure, thrashing the immature Moyong Cheon felt refreshing.
But this was family business.
An outsider getting involved could complicate things.
-Don't worry. I'll take full responsibility.
But those words whispered in her ear.
Hearing Yi Se-woong's low voice made her body go limp; all she could do was nod.
Slap!
"Don't utter Yeonhui's name from that mouth again."
"Urgh..."
"Answer me."
"I-I understand."
Yi Se-woong slapped the unconscious Moyong Cheon awake.
He grabbed his collar and barked at him.
This was the first time seeing him so emotional.
The yell when she'd snuck into his bedroom was mere child's play compared to this. Even the ever-calm man had this side.
And hating that it was for someone else.
'Namgoong Yeonhui...'
Repeating the name inwardly.
Right, it started with petty jealousy.
Yi Se-woong, who wouldn't even glance her way.
How great could Namgoong Yeonhui be? Curiosity had sparked it.
But she soon realized.
It was a lie to deceive herself, already fallen for him.
His place in her heart was already taken by him.
'Not for me, right?'
How nice it would be if he got angry like that for her sake.
An impossible wish.
'Because he met her first?'
Moyong Hye's chest tightened. A sticky emotion like mud, dyeing her heart black. A feeling she'd never imagined in her life. Jealousy.
'Namgoong Yeonhui.'
What makes you so special?
For the first time, she'd asked her maids for makeup advice and paid attention to her usual formal attire. She'd even cooked with hands never dirtied by water. All to win his favor.
None of it worked.
Because of Namgoong Yeonhui.
'If I can keep him here...'
Entirely possible.
No matter how much Moyong Cheon provoked, this was Moyong Family land. Framing Yi Se-woong would be easy.
As long as she kept quiet.
'They say familiarity breeds affection.'
She imagined it.
Yi Se-woong unjustly detained in the Moyong Family.
Only she by his side, comforting his rage at the unfairness.
Someday, wouldn't he turn to her?
"Young master, stop hitting him! That's enough; I can cover for it!"
But how could she?
Sister.
You said whoever falls first loses?
First time you've been right.
"Aigoo, really. Forgot this is our estate?"
"Got heated, sorry."
"Those stubborn old coots will hassle you even if you're innocent!"
"Puts you in a tough spot, Miss. My apologies."
"It's done. What's past is past."
Yi Se-woong grinned sheepishly.
Feeling her own lips curve naturally in response, Moyong Hye thought.
'Will he think of me sometimes?'
A small hope.
If his heart was full of Namgoong Yeonhui, she wished for just a corner for herself.
"Might as well lock him in the training hall for five years. Stop embarrassing the family."
"Will the family head allow it?"
"I'll make him!"
Moyong Hye answered him briskly, feigning resolve.
'At least we can stay together a bit longer.'
Cruelly, the letter from the Namgung Family arrived the next day.