Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: I Spent the Night with the Murim Alliance Leader's Youngest Daughter
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Namgoong Jun.
He had lived his entire life watching his step ever since he was old enough to understand the world.
It was because he was born as the family head's nephew.
For someone like him who craved advancement, not being a direct descendant of Namgoong Hyeok was a major weakness.
So he had to stay alert, read the room, and go with the flow.
'Not a single flaw anywhere.'
His cousins were all too capable.
No matter how fairly Namgoong Hyeok tried to treat the family, he would naturally favor his own children more.
Especially when those children all displayed exceptional talents. It was only natural.
That was why Namgoong Jun had worked tirelessly to catch the family head's eye.
He was cautious about every single action and word.
He took pains not to incur Namgoong Hyeok's wrath.
'The family head is reluctant about Yeonhui's engagement!'
A while back, when he had been caught badmouthing Yi Se-woong.
The family head had stood by and watched him and his cousins.
Even though they were slandering the prospective son-in-law he had personally announced.
The implication was clear.
'Perfect timing.'
Negative opinions had already been forming among the branch families about whether Yi Se-woong was fit to become a son-in-law of the Namgoong Family.
He had gathered evidence of his movements that could serve as weaknesses.
With the family head's tacit approval, showing opposition to the engagement between Yi Se-woong and Yeonhui would surely win his favor.
'I can't stop the engagement outright.'
It hadn't been formally announced to the public, but it was already known to those with quick ears.
Backing out now? Ridiculous.
Namgoong Hyeok surely knew that too.
But the mind and the heart often pulled in different directions.
Namgoong Jun planned to soothe the family head's heart.
'Just make the right gestures.'
It wouldn't even cost money.
Just chime in with opposition to Yi Se-woong, and that would be enough.
Once the engagement was official, he could clap along saying there was nothing to be done.
'First, I'll convince Grandfather!'
Yi Se-woong.
Apparently skilled at Go.
Thanks to that, he had won Grandfather's heart.
But it was just a hobby.
No matter how much he charmed Grandfather with Go, he couldn't be more cherished than his own flesh-and-blood grandson.
Blood is thicker than water!
"Grandfather. You're coughing early in the morning."
"Is that you, Jun? You've been too busy to even show your face. What's brought you here?"
"Haha, Grandfather."
Seeing Namgoong Hwan welcome him warmly, Namgoong Jun felt certain.
This would be easy.
Grandfather was someone even the family head couldn't easily defy.
He could be the biggest ally.
"I hear you've been spending a lot of time lately with Yeonhui's fiancé."
"You mean Se-woong? These days, watching that kid is my greatest pleasure in life!"
Namgoong Hwan's face lit up the moment Yi Se-woong was mentioned.
Seeing that ear-to-ear grin, Namgoong Jun felt a bad premonition.
"Grandfather, the rumors surrounding him aren't good."
"Rumors?"
"Yes. Isn't it a huge privilege to give the recommendation for the White Lotus Pill to someone who hasn't even held the wedding yet?"
"And?"
"Yet he shows no gratitude... From the first day, he beat up his seniors, and now the Murim Alliance is rife with complaints."
Namgoong Jun spoke with a grave expression, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
"They're hushing it up now because of his contributions, but plenty are biding their time. Even in the Namgoong Family, people are asking why we recommended such a guy. Eventually, this will tarnish our family's honor..."
"Who's spreading such nonsense?"
Namgoong Hwan's voice turned icy.
In that moment, Namgoong Jun's instincts screamed.
This isn't working.
"Jun. Do you really think I'm some doddering old fool wasting away in the back room? I already know. It's just the grumblings of idiots who got beaten by a newbie."
"I-I'm sorry!"
"If a guy who wants into the White Lotus Pill can't even grasp that... Don't worry about it. If you hear anyone spreading such drivel, bring them to me. I'll give them a proper warning."
That's exactly what I was doing...
Namgoong Jun couldn't say it outright.
He silently nodded to Namgoong Hwan.
Pushing further here might cost him everything, grandson or not.
'If Grandfather won't work, I'll go to Brother Jin!'
He had drawn his sword; now he had to swing it.
The first attempt had failed, but Namgoong Jun didn't give up and sought out Namgoong Jin. If anyone cherished the family members more than him, who could it be? He must harbor wariness toward Yi Se-woong!
"What about my brother-in-law?"
"Well... He frequents brothels! Even with Yeonhui!"
"Hmm."
"We must expel him before our family is disgraced!"
Namgoong Jin didn't budge.
He never had.
That was why it had always been hard to approach his cousin, who wasn't much older.
His characteristically emotionless face made it difficult to read his feelings.
A while back, rumors said he had been wailing about his love for his wife, so maybe age had softened him up a bit.
But Namgoong Jin's stern expression remained as rigid as ever.
"I'm curious which fool is spreading such baseless rumors."
"Right? How dare a prospective son-in-law of the Namgoong Family... Wait, what?"
"Twisting a visit to a brothel for a mission into something sordid—it's surely someone trying to sow discord in the family."
It was a solemn declaration.
"No one cherishes Yeonhui more than my brother-in-law... Find the source of these rumors and tell me. For the family's discipline, I'll punish them without fail."
Namgoong Jin's sharp warning carried a chilling edge.
It felt aimed straight at him, leaving Namgoong Jun no choice but to retreat without adding more.
'Did the bastard use some sorcery?!'
It was bizarre.
What method had he used to so thoroughly bewitch the family head's direct line?
He gathered with cousins who shared his views.
Their stories were much the same.
"It doesn't get through at all."
"They even accused me of being the one spreading the rumors."
"Brother, I think we should stop here."
The guy had already put down roots in the family.
The atmosphere suggested ordinary agitation wouldn't work.
Should they give up?
At least they hadn't drawn the family head's ire completely.
That was when it happened.
"You're all gathered here!"
An uninvited guest crashed their secret meeting.
It was Namgoong Hyu, flaunting arms as thick as a child's head.
"B-Brother. What brings you here?"
"I heard a very amusing story."
"What story...?"
"That some guys have been scurrying around badmouthing my brother-in-law."
Namgoong Hyu spoke with a beaming smile.
But the muscles rippling in time with his breath gleamed ominously.
"Brother, that's not what we..."
"It's all my fault!"
"Pardon?"
"I was so absorbed in my own training that I didn't even notice my cousins straying down the wrong path!"
What could one say?
Ever since he'd shed his mountain of fat and bulked up with muscle.
There had been talk that Namgoong Hyu seemed perpetually hyped up.
Probably from the confidence boost.
But the aura he exuded now...
It felt somehow ferocious.
"Neglecting the body leads to idle thoughts filling the mind."
"?"
"Don't worry. I'll take responsibility and guide you all to enlightenment. I'll awaken you to the joys of training!"
"Brother?"
He couldn't follow the logic at all.
Namgoong Jun, who had spent his life reading the room.
Couldn't grasp Namgoong Hyu's intentions.
"Do you like chicken breast?"
"What? No way!"
"Come on, let's go!"
Namgoong Hyu's rough grip seized his cousins.
Struggling to break free was futile against muscles honed on chicken breast.
"We were wrong, Brother. Please, anything but that..."
"Hahaha! I was the same at first. You'll fall for it soon enough! The infinite allure of chicken breast!"
The group led by Namgoong Jun was dragged off to the training grounds by Namgoong Hyu.
They had long known of his bizarre eating habits.
Thus, their eyes flickered like candle flames in the wind.
And so, the faction plotting against Yi Se-woong disintegrated in an instant, without even properly stirring.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'This is Anhui Province!'
It had been a grueling journey.
She had wandered to the wrong places searching for her disciple.
Finally, she had arrived in Anhui Province.
'Thank goodness I met that merchant caravan.'
It started when she saved them from bandits.
When they asked what reward she wanted, she said directions. Luckily, their route overlapped, making the trip easier.
The silver they pressed on her as they left was a bonus.
"Yi Se-woong? He quit being a gatekeeper ages ago."
"What did you say?"
The answer from the gatekeeper at the Murim Alliance's east gate, found after asking around, was shocking.
'Did rebellion hit him or something?'
Her dear disciple.
An outstanding pupil who pleased her in every way.
His only flaw was a slightly hot temper.
To temper his mind, she had ordered him to work as a gatekeeper.
So he should be here.
He was a disciple who never defied her commands.
Could this be that stormy rebellious phase she'd only heard of?
She was bewildered.
"You can meet him if you go to the Namgoong Family."
"Namgoong Family? I heard he was staying with them... but to think he's become a guest retainer."
"Guest retainer? Well, not wrong. He's going to be the Alliance Leader's son-in-law."
"?"
But a greater shock awaited.
The gatekeeper's following words.
They rippled through her heart like a stone thrown into a lake.
"Son-in-law?!"
No way.
Marriage without telling me?
Wait, marriage?
'Impossible!'
He was the disciple she had raised with love.
That boy who had glared at her with wounded eyes like a stray dog, howling in pain.
The moment their gazes met, she had felt it.
I want to protect him.
His precarious form stirred an irresistible urge to care for him.
An intense first encounter.
From that day, she had doted on him endlessly, and he had grown into a fine young man who could smile with composure.
She felt proud just watching him.
She had planned to build memories with him and someday...
'What thieving stray cat snatched him away!'
This was absolutely intolerable.
Quick decision.
She circulated her inner energy, expanding her senses.
In an instant, her energy enveloped Anhui Province like spiderwebs undulating.
Pluck.
At the end, she detected a familiar energy.
'There!'
She unleashed her movement technique at full speed and dashed off.
Soon, she arrived at the marketplace.
She spotted her disciple at a stall on the outskirts.
'He's filled out even more since I last saw him.'
Her disciple wore a gentle expression.
It had been so long; she was delighted.
But his gaze was to the side.
Toward the woman holding his hand as if it were precious.
'Such insolence!'
The face looking up at Yi Se-woong was flushed with happiness.
That woman had to be her.
She strode forward.
Barely suppressing the rage boiling in her chest.