Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: White Sun Unit Recommendation
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Namgoong Hyeok returned home.
Due to Murim Alliance business, it had been quite a long absence. A mountain of piled-up work awaited him upon his long-awaited return.
Without even a moment to catch his breath, Namgoong Hyeok had to review the incoming reports. Among them, the report on supplies sent from the Moyong Family caught his eye.
'Far more than the previously agreed amount.'
Was it because of what happened at Mount Hua?
He had already heard through the Secret Shadow Unit.
Information that the Moyong Family's pursuit team—having misunderstood that Yi Se-woong had kidnapped Moyong Hye—had ambushed him.
It seemed like an intent to prostrate themselves completely before the Namgung Family lodged an official protest.
'The Moyong Family's rats aren't worth worrying about.'
Namgoong Hyeok had a headache. Touching Yi Se-woong wasn't enough justification to make a big fuss, since he still wasn't officially part of the family. He was pondering the "reward" he had promised Yi Se-woong.
He was satisfied with how Yi Se-woong had handled things.
The fact that the very person involved in the clash with the Moyong Family's eldest son had gone there himself. Even that boldness. Yi Se-woong's achievement in smoothly reaching an agreement with the Moyong Family without any issues. It was undoubtedly something deserving proper recompense.
Yet the reason Namgoong Hyeok was agonizing like this...
It was because of the letter from Sima Hyung.
-You sent me a very interesting fellow. A fascinating fate I haven't seen in ages. The guy bears the countenance of myriad women. He will surely come to possess numerous women. (Omitted)... But it's best not to try blocking his connection with Yeonhui just because of that. Follow the natural flow, and fortune will continue for your family.
Namgoong Hyeok had asked him to check if Yi Se-woong was worthy of being accepted as the Namgung Family's son-in-law.
Sima Hyung's response left his heart in turmoil. Normally, Sima Hyung the Immortal merely recited the fates he divined, never issuing directive words like "do this." That made it all the more bewildering.
'Why.'
The countenance of myriad women, destined to possess numerous women. No father could rest easy hearing such words. Even in a world teeming with men who kept multiple wives or concubines... No father anywhere would consent to his daughter living that way.
'Even if it's the words of an immortal...'
Only then did Namgoong Hyeok realize he actually liked Yi Se-woong more than he had thought. Despite making all sorts of excuses to delay the engagement as much as possible, the notion that Yi Se-woong might be a fitting match for Yeonhui only grew stronger. But this was no issue he could easily overlook.
'I can't let Yeonhui suffer.'
He knew Yeonhui loved him deeply. Knew she was practically clinging to him. That was precisely why he couldn't allow the two to unite. It's human nature to wish for the one you love to gaze only at you. He couldn't bear to see his only daughter wander with heartbroken eyes.
After all, it was the fleeting passion of youth.
It blazed as fiercely as it faded quickly. Time would sort it out. Namgoong Hyeok steeled his resolve. Family fortune be damned—he could seize it himself without forcing such a fate upon his daughter.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Family Head's Chambers of the Namgung Family.
This was the third meeting held here, but the atmosphere was still hard to get used to. I felt a bit detached, like an outsider? In a gathering discussing family matters, a prospective son-in-law occupied an awkward position. I felt like a mere spectator. If it weren't for wrapping up the Moyong Family issue, there'd have been no need to come at all.
"Boring, huh?"
"Huh? Nah."
"Don't lie. They're just droning on about stuff unrelated to the families—bound to be dull."
Perhaps seeing me look bored while sidelined from the discussion, Yeonhui came over to chat.
"Just wait a little longer. The family head's the star today!"
"Me?"
"Of course! You went alone to the Moyong Family and held them accountable, so Father must have a big reward prepared."
Hmm.
Would Namgoong Hyeok really hand me something good so readily? What sparked this whole thing to begin with? Couldn't say he had zero intent to test me.
And snagging too generous a reward would spell trouble too. It'd mean getting even more deeply entangled with the Namgung Family.
"We'll wrap the agenda here. Today, I've gathered everyone for a special commendation. Yi Se-woong, step forward."
Seemed about done; Namgoong Hyeok called me. Eyes focused on me in an instant. I walked up to him amid the burdensome stares.
"You pulled off a crucial task this time. Must've been tough traveling such a long way. Hope it wasn't too hard?"
"No trouble at all. Nothing particularly grueling."
"Far too modest. What you've done merits a proper reward."
With that, Namgoong Hyeok rattled off the list of supplies from the Moyong Family. Gold, silks, grains, and more. Even for one of the Seven Great Families, it was a back-breaking quantity.
"Going alone to the Moyong Family to sort out the rights and wrongs—an act beyond ordinary courage. You can safely say you've contributed greatly to the family."
"......"
"Want something specific?"
"Nothing."
Best to stay quiet in a spot like this.
"Then I'll decide. To become our family's son-in-law, you'll need a position befitting it. Conveniently, my role as Alliance Leader smooths the way."
"......?"
"I'll grant you a spot in the White Sun Unit. I believe this suffices as recompense."
Namgoong Hyeok's abrupt declaration.
The chambers erupted in clamor at once. Reactions of utter disbelief. The whispers carried all the way here.
'Can't just grab something like this rashly—trouble's bound to follow.'
White Sun Unit.
A group wielding immense influence within the Murim Alliance.
Nominally tasked with mediating disputes.
But in truth, the blade of the Murim Alliance.
They handled or captured criminals designated by the Alliance. With legal authority to wield force, their power was vast. Even touching foot there required exceptional skill and connections.
"Family Head, that's absurd!"
Opposition arose as expected.
"The White Sun Unit recommendation is a single precious slot. Using it on an outsider? We have plenty of young family members without positions yet!"
A middle-aged man glaring at me in disbelief. Probably Namgoong Hyeok's younger brother. Namgoong Jo or Namgoong Jong or something like that.
"Please reconsider!"
"No, Uncle—what on earth?"
Namgoong Hyeok's eyes twitched at the plea. He looked ready to explode. That's when Namgoong Hyu, who had been watching, stepped forward.
"Brother-in-law is already as good as family."
"Not even married yet—what family?!"
"Brother-in-law traveled alone to the distant north, enduring hardships to uphold our family honor. In a situation where retaliation could've come if they'd harbored ill will."
Gone was his usual laid-back air; Namgoong Hyu spoke with firm resolve.
"I see this as Father testing brother-in-law. Whether he'd devote himself to our family. Whether he possessed such courage."
"Even so!"
"Brother-in-law proved himself more than enough. If we can't accept such a brother-in-law as family... Then I, Hyu, cannot yield—even to Uncle's words."
Namgoong Hyu was gearing up for a fight. ...Appreciate him raising his voice for me and all, but no need to go that hard, brother-in-law.
"Aigoo~ When did our house turn into this?"
"F-Father?"
"When the Family Head speaks, you say 'Yes, understood.' Who dares stand on ceremony?! Third son. No matter how badly you covet the seat, you must mind your actions."
When the heck did the old man show up? He hadn't been in sight when the meeting started.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Namgoong Hyeok was flustered.
The White Sun Unit recommendation was an excessively grand reward. Considering their standing in the Murim Alliance, it was only natural. Joining them was an honor in itself, with no shortage of family members gunning for it. That was why he planned to give it to Yi Se-woong.
'There must be guys jealous of him.'
Yi Se-woong was adapting far too seamlessly to the Namgung Family.
Not just his direct kin, but even most relatives were favorable toward him. To shatter that and sow discord—this was Namgoong Hyeok's cunning scheme. He anticipated endless friction just from debating the reward's appropriateness.
'Father's one thing, but why the second son too?'
He had deliberately let his younger brother speak unchecked. Stay quiet, and Namgoong Jong would undermine Yi Se-woong on his own. But the brother who boldly stepped up had his momentum crushed in an instant.
By Namgoong Hyu's logical rebuttal.
And by Namgoong Hwan, who had appeared unnoticed.
'Tch, already won over by him!'
They had clearly backed his proposal earlier, yet Namgoong Hyeok felt inexplicably resentful. The situation wasn't unfolding as he wished. Yi Se-woong—who had seduced Yeonhui and now swiftly won over his father and second brother in the blink of an eye—was unwelcome. Even his silent, unflappable stance irked him!
'Right, you can't fill up on the first sip.'
It wrapped up more anticlimactically than expected, but that was fine.
This was merely sowing seeds.
Be content with scattering the seeds of discord. It was only the beginning.
"Congratulations, family head!"
"Don't slack on family duties just because you're busy!"
"Congrats, brother-in-law. You'll do great."
The family clustered around, congratulating Yi Se-woong. Namgoong Hyeok couldn't shake an odd sense of alienation. Yi Se-woong, calmly surrounded amid it all, was infuriating.
'Ah, feels like I've been had.'
Whether Namgoong Hyeok felt that way or not.
Yi Se-woong was simply perplexed at having missed his chance to refuse.