Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: A Grandfather's Resolve
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From Namgoong Hwan's youth to the present day.
He had run tirelessly to further prosper the family. All to ensure the hard work of his ancestors, who had established the Namgung Family as the pinnacle among the Seven Great Families, did not go to waste.
Countless years had passed, and now there was nothing left to desire. His eldest son, blessed with talent and passion surpassing his own, was leading the family well. He could simply offer occasional advice and enjoy life as an old man in the back room.
Yi Se-woong.
He was the son-in-law brought by his granddaughter, precious enough to place in his eyes without pain.
Playing Go with him had become the sole joy of his later years.
Huangbo Chung, the wall standing before Namgoong Hwan—a man who believed he had achieved everything he ever wanted in life.
In his younger days, he should have smashed that bastard's head in when they crossed paths by ill fortune. Then he wouldn't have had to endure these agonizing years.
'I thought it was simply heaven's will.'
Namgoong Hwan could not defeat Huangbo Chung.
It felt like the natural order of the world. Like how the earth pulls all things toward it, or the sky embraces everything.
The mandate of heaven, something no human will could defy.
How tirelessly he had strived to overcome Huangbo Chung.
'Our family has gained a lucky charm!'
Only after meeting Yi Se-woong did his long-suffering years finally end.
At first, Namgoong Hwan had been outraged by the young man's provocations.
But he came to realize they were all whips meant to drive his own growth.
'I finally beat Huangbo Chung.'
The victory that came after such waiting was sweet.
A grandson-in-law who had fulfilled his lifelong wish?
How could he not hold him dear? The more time he spent with the young man, the more he thought him a fine fellow.
'You must have had it hard.'
The world was cold.
Living without a single family member was no easy feat. Childhood was a time meant for being loved and basking in warmth, yet he had lacked even that.
Yi Se-woong's life, spent worrying about the next meal.
It must have been harsh indeed.
Pain unimaginable to someone like himself, born into a fine family and raised in luxury.
That was why his heart went out to him all the more.
'I, we, will be your family.'
The treasures he had prepared to give, telling him not to feel downhearted.
The young man had stubbornly refused them all, trembling as if burdened.
He was like a hedgehog.
Never having felt warmth, bristling with spines and shivering.
Yes, that makes sense.
From that day on, Namgoong Hwan's heart gained one more grandson.
'Why keep delaying the engagement ceremony!'
It was the one grievance Namgoong Hwan harbored.
Yi Se-woong had sworn to wait until the entire Namgung Family acknowledged him.
That had more or less been achieved by now, hadn't it?
Was he going to wait until even the collateral branches were fully on his side? It wasn't as if they were electing a Murim Alliance Leader.
'And that son of mine, Hyeok, what's with his pickiness.'
To make matters worse, even his son was dragging his feet. The position of Murim Alliance Leader was weighty, no doubt, leaving little room for idleness.
But Namgoong Hyeok's attitude was excessively lukewarm.
Despite being the one who had brought in the young man as a prospective son-in-law, he seemed oddly evasive on the topic. Citing marriage as a grave matter, he kept postponing it, leaving no set date. Having long retired, Namgoong Hwan couldn't very well interfere with the family head.
His insides burned with impatience.
'And Se-woong too.'
He should push more aggressively. Wasn't it time for even him to chime in?
Seeing him get along harmoniously with the family was heartwarming, but for all that, his appeals for the engagement were too feeble.
What on earth was the reason?
Pondering deeply, Namgoong Hwan at last reached a conclusion.
'Could it be because his family background is lacking?'
The young man had said he didn't even know who his parents were.
His earliest memory was being abandoned in some alley corner.
Far from a modest background—he had none at all.
Perhaps the weight of the Namgung Family name was too much for him.
In a world that judges by lineage before marriage, no matter how welcoming everyone was, he couldn't help but feel intimidated deep down.
'Then just have him adopted into a proper family!'
It was a somewhat radical solution, but clear-cut.
But who would welcome an outsider of unknown origins into their family? Someone not in the direct line, so no threat to succession...
There was one.
Namgoong Hwan went to see Huangbo Chung.
"Wasn't the appointment in a fortnight?"
"Grant me one request."
"You show up unannounced and dive straight into business—what's this about...?"
Huangbo Chung glared at him, visibly displeased by the sudden visit and abrupt demand.
"Have I ever asked you for a favor in all these years?"
"...?"
"We're growing old together—think of it as my final request and hear me out."
Namgoong Hwan's gaze was too earnest to brush off.
Forty-plus years of rivalry between old foes.
Curious to hear what could make him beg so desperately.
"At least meet the young man and see what he's like."
'It's done!'
Securing his agreement was as good as success.
Huangbo Chung was as obsessed with Go as he was.
There was no way he wouldn't take a liking to Yi Se-woong.
Up to that point, the plan had gone smoothly. It should have been perfect...
"What a bold opening move from the start!"
"Your counterattack was beyond even my expectations, young hero!"
He hadn't anticipated they'd hit it off quite this well.
He should have been thrilled.
Just as intended, Yi Se-woong had completely won Huangbo Chung over.
'He never pulled moves like that against me!'
There was a saying about kindred spirits.
Like fish in water, the two began to immerse themselves deeper and deeper.
'So you've been holding back against me!'
Only Huangbo Chung could draw out Yi Se-woong's full strength.
The fact was unbearable for Namgoong Hwan.
Fuming, he tried to interfere with their game, but the pair ignored him as if an invisible wall stood between them.
"Not content with reaching the mountain peak, you're preparing to stroll above the clouds. Truly worthy of becoming the World's Strongest!"
It was utter chaos.
Namgoong Hwan's mind reeled in a whirlwind of contradictory emotions.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "...And that's how it happened."
The old gentleman's explanation came in a strangely sulky tone.
Only after hearing it all did I understand the situation.
So, he thought I was hesitating because of my lack of family background and tried to help?
'To this extent?'
I was grateful.
Sincere gratitude, without a shred of falsehood.
In this steep and harsh world, I had met adults who showed me kindness in their own ways.
But no one had ever gone this far for me.
Aside from my master, that is.
Something tickled at my chest.
'I'm grateful, but...'
The reason I'm avoiding the engagement is your son.
I'm still anxious wondering what schemes he's plotting behind the scenes. Memories of heading to the Moyong Family—thinking it a death trap because Namgoong Hyeok ordered it—still vividly resurface.
"Grandfather. I truly appreciate your feelings. But this matter..."
"Now, now! When an elder gives something, you receive it quietly. I'll handle everything, so don't worry!"
Namgoong Hwan was resolute.
At that moment.
The very "gift" from the elder(?) spoke up.
"A moment. There's one thing I'd like to correct."
A single remark from the hitherto silent Huangbo Chung.
"It's true that I took a liking to the young hero. But because of that... I've changed my mind about adopting him."
"You bastard! What nonsense is that? You're not backing out now, are you?"
"You're all well and good, but your impatience is your flaw. Why not hear me out to the end?"
"Fine, let's hear your drivel."
Ignoring Namgoong Hwan's spluttering, Huangbo Chung looked straight at me and said,
"I wish to take you as a son-in-law of the Hwangbo Family."
"?"
"Though not direct kin, I've served the family for ages as its strategist. Arranging that much is no trouble. What say you?"
"???"
"Just meet her first. We have a girl in the family around your age. Her name is Hwangbo Seyul—in the martial world, they call her one of the Seven Beauties. Have you heard of her?"
Was it because so many unexpected things were piling up?
My mind wasn't working straight.
"What utter bullshit is that!"
"Why so worked up?"
"Why? You ask why coming from that mouth? I said adopt him, and now you're playing matchmaker, you damned monk!"
"They haven't even held the engagement ceremony yet—they're still strangers, aren't they?"
"Has this old coot already lost his marbles!"
It was the first time I'd seen the old man's face flush that red.
Even after fifteen straight losses to me at Go, it hadn't been this bad.
"Think about it. If the blood of such a brilliant young man mixes with ours, what genius strategist might be born? Unprecedented in history."
"You're the only one in that dump who uses his brain! The rest solve everything with fists!"
"Oh? Insulting our family, are you?"
"Yes, you bastard! Ask around the world— is there a finer house than the Namgung Family?"
"If you're coming at it that way, I have words too. That's precisely why you should yield. Line up those who want to be Namgung sons-in-law, and they'd form a Great Wall."
"What?"
"Some among them must be exceptional. So show a scrap of mercy to our humble Hwangbo Family."
A fierce debate.
The atmosphere was so tense it could ignite at any second.
The two gritted their teeth in argument, leaving the actual party out of it.
I had to mediate.
"Elders?"
"Yes, you speak up!"
"Young hero, don't mind us—say your piece."
Where to even begin sorting this out.
"I am truly grateful that Senior Huangbo Chung thinks well of me."
"Oh? And?"
"However, it would be difficult to accept your proposal. I already have a woman to whom I've pledged myself. It wouldn't be right to look elsewhere."
"Mm..."
Huangbo Chung let out a low hum.
But he had to say something reasonable for them to back off.
I already had headaches from Moyong Hye and Jegal Yeong.
One more here?
Yi Se-woong wouldn't be divided by family units—he'd be splintered into individual letters.
'Sama-hyung!'
Is this fate meddling too?
And on top of that, what now?
Just hearing the 'Chil' of Seven Beauties made my head ache.
"And Grandfather. I never knew you cherished me this much. I gratefully accept your feelings."
"Mm."
"However, being adopted into a family—even as collateral—is a weighty matter. There's no need for you to go that far."
"But..."
"I have a master. Someone who has treated me like family in this harsh world."
Huangbo Chung nodded as if convinced, but the old man was not.
"Then why haven't you brought him sooner?"
"My master is like the wind— it takes much searching to find him. I've been trying to contact him since last time, but haven't reached him yet."
"Hmmm."
My master, wandering some distant place.
Please keep enjoying your travels from now on.
I felt a bit like an undutiful disciple, but it was true I'd been attempting to reach him.
"If you put it that way, fine for now. We'll talk details later."
Whew, one hurdle cleared.
"Young hero. If you change your mind, tell me anytime. Let's play a game next time and discuss in depth."
"Out with you! I have no further business with you—be off!"
I cleared it, right...?