Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Namgung Family Assembly
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"Se-woong, are you coming to?"
As soon as I regained consciousness, the first thing I saw was Namgoong Yeonhui gazing down at me with a worried expression.
"How long was I out?"
"Half a day. Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?"
I felt a slight sense of exhaustion from forcibly drawing up my internal energy, but fortunately, my qi meridians seemed undamaged.
"I think I'm okay."
"Father was too much. He said he wouldn't use his internal arts, and then..."
Ah, right. Now I remembered.
That Namgoong Hyeok bastard broke his promise at the very end.
Because of that, my trump card went up in smoke...
"Doesn't that mean your skills were that impressive?"
"Well, I crumbled after one gesture."
"Exchanging blows with Father to that extent is already remarkable. He tried not to show it, but I could tell he was satisfied with you."
Namgoong Hyeok.
Truly invincible under heaven.
Clashing swords with him directly let me feel his might.
There wasn't a single gap to exploit.
The mere fact that I could block his sword was unbelievable.
'At least I brushed his toes.'
Even if he was holding back, the fact that Namgoong Hyeok had to draw up his internal energy made me a little happy.
"By the way, what happened with the test?"
"You passed, of course!"
"I passed out, though?"
"Father acknowledged it. He said he'd allow the betrothal for a powerhouse of your level."
It was just as I expected.
I could tell from Namgoong Yeonhui's attitude alone.
Even so, the reason I asked was probably because I wanted to deny reality.
'I couldn't control my momentary competitive spirit.'
Maybe my mental discipline was still lacking, as my master said.
But it was an opportunity no martial artist could pass up.
To cross swords with Murim Alliance Leader Namgoong Hyeok.
I couldn't suppress the passion blazing like wildfire.
That made me forget my original goal of getting the betrothal rejected.
"To go that far just to get engaged to me..."
"I decided to take responsibility."
"Is that so? I didn't expect you to prepare such a gift for Mother. I suppose I should say I'm impressed by your insight."
Namgoong Yeonhui's eyes held a subtle glint as she said that.
A gaze that seemed to probe, as if asking if I wasn't in a bind now that my escape route was blocked.
"Right? I'm pretty perceptive."
"......"
When I responded with a straight face, Namgoong Yeonhui didn't press further.
"Our betrothal will be announced at the family meeting tomorrow."
"That soon?"
"Isn't it better to hurry with good news?"
It was astonishing efficiency.
Mother-in-law Dang Aryeon's influence seemed to play a big role.
The more I struggled, the deeper I sank into the quagmire.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day, in the Namgung Family's main hall.
All the family members had gathered at Namgoong Hyeok's summons.
"I've called this meeting to announce some good news."
Namgoong Hyeok pointed at me standing before him.
"Yeonhui's fiancé has been decided. We will hold the ceremony as soon as an auspicious date is set. Let everyone know."
"Greetings. I'm Yi Se-woong. I look forward to your kind support."
I bowed in greeting at Namgoong Hyeok's urging gesture.
Countless gazes turned toward me.
Gazes filled with sullen discontent.
"Yeonhui's fiancé? That pretty boy who looks like a gisaeng's companion?"
"Yi Se-woong? Who's that?"
Murmurs spread.
Everyone seemed displeased by my sudden appearance.
Hostility erupted the moment they heard "fiancé."
At that moment, as if waiting, Namgoong Hyeok's eldest son, Namgoong Seon, stepped forward.
"Where did a bum like you crawl out from?"
Namgoong Seon glared at me with utter contempt.
His words held not a shred of goodwill.
"Do you know me?"
"Do you think I'm so idle that I remember the name of an unknown peon like you?"
"You sure took a long way to say you don't."
Namgoong Seon.
The eldest son of the Namgung Family, famed for his diligence and kindness even to inferiors.
Was it all just rumors?
"I'm in charge of guarding the Murim Alliance's east gate."
"What?"
"It means gatekeeper."
"Ha, a gatekeeper?"
Namgoong Seon let out an exasperated sigh.
"We've rejected proposals from all the prestigious young masters until now. And now a mere gatekeeper wants to become our family's son-in-law?"
"......"
He looked around at the family members, speaking loudly for all to hear.
People nodding in silent agreement.
It flowed uniformly, as if they'd rehearsed it.
'A scripted play.'
Something was off.
This betrothal announced by Namgoong Hyeok himself.
Opposing me went against his will.
To raise their voice in front of Namgoong Hyeok?
Absolutely impossible.
'Unless Namgoong Hyeok ordered it.'
The scheme was plain as day.
A stern rebuke should have come immediately, but Namgoong Hyeok watched from afar like a bystander.
'Playing it like this, huh?'
This was Namgoong Hyeok's final struggle.
With even Dang Aryeon on my side and the bet passed.
The only excuse left was "couldn't overcome the family's opposition."
'Might work out fine.'
It wasn't bad for me at all.
If I just tucked tail and went along with Namgoong Seon's flow, I could easily draw out opposition to the betrothal.
But...
'I don't like it.'
Namgoong Seon's arrogance, Namgoong Hyeok's scheming to avoid keeping his promise.
You know that feeling?
A girl you had zero interest in suddenly pulls the "I don't see you that way romantically. Let's just stay friends forever" after getting a bit close.
Zero confessions, first rejection.
Even if you were going to reject her, it feels bad when she rejects you first.
That's what this was.
Not wanting to be son-in-law is my choice; you rejecting me is a different matter!
'Time to wreck the place.'
Namgoong Hyeok, you started this?
I'll play your game, so don't blame me.
"A mere gatekeeper? Is that the Namgung Family's official stance?"
"What nonsense is that?"
"The Murim Alliance gatekeepers guard the entrances day and night without rest. Are we to take that as belittling their hard work?"
"I didn't mean it like that!"
"I thought the Namgung Family was a clan with the dignity to respect its inferiors. But to discriminate against someone just for being a gatekeeper!"
"No, young man. Calm down for a moment."
Namgoong Seon was clearly flustered; his address shifted from "you scum" to "young man."
Of course he was rattled.
He'd gone from insulting me to villainizing all gatekeepers.
"The Namgung Family doesn't even treat gatekeepers as people. I'll spread the word to everyone. To think you'd view those who work with pride in protecting the Murim Alliance that way... I can't stand it!"
If this got out, the gatekeepers' morale would plummet.
Gossips would condemn the Namgung Family's elitism!
"I lack the confidence to live as a son-in-law under such treatment. If it's the will of the entire family..."
"Se-woong, what are you saying?"
Just a few more words, and I could leave without regrets.
That was when Yeonhui, who had been silent, stepped in.
"Are you saying you want to break off the betrothal?"
Chill seeped from her icy tone.
Just like the day we first met.
'Stepping in at this timing.'
"Yeonhui."
"Se-woong, have you forgotten the promise you made me that night?"
"That's not..."
"You said you'd take responsibility for me!"
That night.
Responsibility.
Words that stirred the imagination.
"Responsibility? What exactly did he do to you?"
"What did this punk do to Yeonhui?"
The family began murmuring at Yeonhui's words.
A man and woman, night, and responsibility.
It pointed to only one thing.
"Ho, quite an intriguing story."
Shit.
Namgoong Hyeok, who had been spectating, spoke up.
"I'd like to hear what you need to take responsibility for with Yeonhui."
"......"
"You don't mean you did something improper to her before even holding the wedding, do you?"
"It's a misunderstanding!"
"Hmm, a misunderstanding."
Namgoong Hyeok was slowly building up his killing intent.
A powder keg ready to blow!
Only one way to defuse this came to mind.
"Frankly, I'm hurt!"
"?"
Namgoong Hyeok looked baffled as the man being interrogated suddenly raised his voice.
"I didn't expect everyone's blessings, but treating me like a criminal and interrogating me leaves me feeling wronged. Is this why I passed your test, sir?"
"Young man, that's..."
I shut down Namgoong Hyeok first.
Time to play shameless.
"If I have any sin, it's stealing Yeonhui's heart. To think you'd misconstrue my vow to take responsibility for that!"
The women of the family murmured "Oh my, oh my."
An embarrassing line that made my limbs curl.
Yeonhui was blushing furiously, at a loss.
Is this working?
"Yeonhui, I swear again here and now. No matter who opposes us, no one can stop our love!"
"Se-woong..."
"I'll wait. Even through several springs, until the entire Namgung Family acknowledges me!"
Now I had no idea what I was doing.
Trying to smooth over the night story, I went off the rails without realizing.
Should've just backed off quietly when Namgoong Seon barked.
"Heh, what fine spirit."
At that moment, the hall's doors opened, and an elderly man with a long beard entered.
Who the hell is this old coot?
"We greet the Retired Family Head!"
Greetings rang out in unison.
"Hearing your words makes even me feel young again."
The Retired Family Head looked at me with kindly eyes.
He seemed charmed by youthful passion.
"Son, why not give him a room at least."
'How did it come to this?'
The sin of failing to hold back my surging anger.
I ended up staying as a guest in the Namgung Family's outer quarters.