Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Master's Rebuke and Rival Sparks
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"Master. Did you really have to order me around in front of everyone just to feel better?"
"Hmph. How could you possibly fathom your master's profound intentions? There's a reason for everything."
After Yeonhui left.
The conversation with my master began with a light scolding.
I had more to say, but I held back.
I knew exactly how she'd react to the story I was about to tell.
"Anyway, explain yourself quickly. Why did talk of an engagement come up without even telling me?"
Master spoke with a stern expression.
Here it comes.
I had to wrap it up as nicely as possible.
Starting from my days as a gatekeeper, when I first met Yeonhui and got into that scuffle with her servant.
Then the spar to settle things, followed by the days she kept coming to see me, and how we gradually grew close.
The more I explained, the more master cleared her throat as if bursting with things to say, but she listened quietly for now.
Until I brought up that night we drank alone together.
"You little brat!"
"Ow! Master, that hurts!"
"It's supposed to hurt!"
Master pummeled me with her cute little fists.
The destructive power was nothing like her appearance.
Did she just infuse that with internal energy?
"So you decided to take responsibility and accept the Murim Alliance Leader's test?"
"Yes. Honestly, I planned to just go through the motions and lose. But..."
"You couldn't hold back your competitive spirit, right? I can tell."
That's right.
No one could read my inner thoughts like she did.
Master sighed as if she knew without me saying.
I continued my explanation.
"Until I earned the recognition of everyone in the family, we agreed not to get engaged—to put it off."
"......"
"But things don't always go as planned, do they?"
My days of struggling against it.
But no results came.
It felt like the flow of the world was pushing me to become the Namgung Family's son-in-law!
Having heard up to that point, master clutched her forehead.
"My disciple."
"Yes, I'm listening."
"You struggled not to become their son-in-law?"
"That's right."
"How dare you lie to me!"
"?"
I felt wronged.
I really tried hard, you know?
"That doesn't make sense. Weren't all those actions just to win over the Namgung Family? Who could resist falling for that?!"
"Pardon?"
"I'd sooner believe you fell head over heels for Namgoong Yeonhui's beauty! Ah, and the way you held her hand so tenderly earlier!"
Good grief.
Even master wouldn't believe me.
"W-well, Yeonhui is pretty, but that's not..."
"You rascal!"
Master suddenly grabbed my collar.
Due to our height difference, it looked like she was hanging onto me.
"I warned you so many times not to fall for a woman's charms!"
"No, it's not like that!"
"You admit it with your own mouth and still make excuses!"
An irresistible force overwhelmed me.
I could only shake this way and that as master swung me around.
After a brief tussle like that, master seemed a bit relieved and spoke.
"So, what do you want to do?"
"Are you over your anger now?"
"No! But I should at least hear you out."
"I don't know."
"You don't?"
She's still mad.
I grabbed master's hand as she reached for me again.
"Now that things have come to this, I have to take responsibility. But I don't even know my own heart."
"......"
"This is the first time I've formed such a deep bond with anyone besides you, master. It's strange. To think there's someone in this world besides you who cares for me."
It felt unfamiliar.
Yeonhui, who looked only at me unwaveringly.
The Namgung Family members who treated my affairs like their own with such warmth.
For the first time, I felt people other than master like family.
"Do you know Sima Hyung Jin-in?"
"What did that guy tell you?"
"He said I'd face hardships my whole life. You know it too, master. How cruel predetermined fate can be."
Master didn't answer.
She just let out a low groan.
After pondering for a moment, she patted my shoulder and said.
"Is that why you were worried?"
"But..."
"Sometimes, you're more stubborn than I am."
"Me?"
"Did you think you could live without any storms with that face? If fate decrees it, just enjoy it."
At least I'm not as stubborn as master.
"Don't block those who come, don't cling to those who leave."
"......"
"If all things were as easy as they sound, the word 'torment' wouldn't exist. But somehow, things work out in the end."
What can I say.
Master was always like this.
She spoke casually, easily.
But profound wisdom dwelled within.
"To think my disciple would try to start a family behind my back. These are the end times!"
"I did it so you wouldn't worry. I was going to tell you everything when you came."
"By the way, that Murim Alliance Leader looks down on you?"
Master lightened the mood playfully.
I was grateful.
I thought she'd be upset.
Master was still master.
"I'll handle that part for you."
"How?"
"There are ways."
Master's tone was mysteriously confident.
Unsettlingly so.
Whenever she was like this, something always happened. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ My dear disciple.
But I can't keep him locked in the nest forever.
I knew it.
That this day would come.
I had already foreseen the fateful hardships surrounding my disciple.
That's why I prepared in advance.
To build his mental fortitude as well.
That was the reason I sent him to be a gatekeeper.
'An engagement, just like that.'
Faster than expected.
But it was bound to happen someday.
'He looked happy.'
Yi Se-woong's gaze toward Namgoong Yeonhui.
His relaxed expression while talking about the Namgung Family.
I was pleased, and angry.
Two opposing emotions.
Because she was both his master and the woman who loved him.
I was glad.
That he now had a family to rely on.
What master would not wish for their disciple's happiness?
A proper household—he'd live prosperously.
I was angry.
That she wasn't the first one he chose.
No matter how much I hinted, the disciple who never understood her heart.
She was grateful for being seen as family, but she wanted him to see her as a wife.
'There's plenty of time anyway.'
No need to rush.
The rice is cooked—whoever picks up the spoon first wins.
It hurt, but.
At least no ashes were sprinkled on it.
She knew his talents better than anyone.
On par with her own.
Someday.
He would reach it.
The transcendent vista she beheld.
So, just wait.
Human lifespans are fleeting.
As those around him leave one by one, he'd realize.
In this vast world.
That she alone truly understood him.
Enjoy your brief dalliance.
Entangling with many women might even be good.
Then he'd realize the one who stays till the end is me.
'Only I...'
Thus, she prayed for her disciple's happiness.
Forcing down the bitterness she couldn't hide.
'Built the house like a palace.'
Doesn't this place even have proper heating?
The night breeze slipping through the window felt chilling. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day.
Yeonhui sought out Yi Se-woong's master early in the morning.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"D-did they even light a fire in here? My mouth nearly froze."
"Maybe because the room's been empty for so long...? I'll make sure they pay attention starting tomorrow."
"It wasn't on purpose?"
"Oh my. As if."
The air between the two was tense.
As if they already knew each other's feelings, it was icy from the start.
"Did you have a good talk with my disciple? About our engagement."
"Hmmm. You think I'd accept that?"
"Of course. He'd have told you how much we love each other."
"I oppose it!"
A loud declaration.
She had already decided not to stand in her disciple's way.
But a little pettiness was another matter.
"Oh... you oppose it?"
"Yes. How could anyone accept an engagement out of the blue?"
"My goodness."
Yeonhui covered her mouth as she laughed.
"Even if you oppose it, what can you do?"
"?"
"I know you cherish each other like family... But you're not really family, are you?"
"What did you say?"
She had meant to jab lightly and move on.
But as she tried to retort to Yeonhui.
"And it would be best if you accepted it."
"Me? Why?"
"Because you love my disciple. Not as family, but as a woman."
Those following words froze her.
"W-what are you talking about?!"
"No use pretending."
"I'm not!"
"Your eyes are honest, though."
Yeonhui was persistent.
Of course.
A woman in love has sharp instincts.
Just like her.
"Sigh. He acts like a lamb in front of you, but I didn't know he had such a sly side. Fine, you're right."
"Sly...? Isn't unrequited love for someone closer than family sly enough?"
"Ha."
Neither was willing to yield an inch.
"Must be troubling for you."
"?"
"Since my disciple doesn't see you as a woman at all."
Yeonhui pressed her advantage.
"It must be hard. Being closer than family but not family. How could he see you as a woman?"
"The more I hear, the more outrageous."
"I could help you a little."
Whispering.
As if murmuring into her ear.
Yeonhui confided to her rival.
"You're naive."
"?"
"Even in realizing your mistake."
Smooth sailing, she thought.
But Yeonhui faced an unexpected counter.
"Negotiations only happen when the items on the scale are of equal weight."
"......"
"I can just wait patiently. But you? What if I oppose it to the death? What then?"
The winds shifted against her.
"You know too, right? My disciple would jump into fire for my command."
My disciple.
Those words grated.
"I was planning to meet the Murim Alliance Leader today anyway. Curious what I'll say?"
"Ah, Father is busy with work..."
"I can make him come. Want me to tell you how?"
Her relaxed demeanor.
Yeonhui felt uneasy, unable to fathom the source of that confidence.
She couldn't even point out the form of address.
"What now? You love him so much, but it can't happen."
"That's cowardly!"
"Cowardly? That's the loser's excuse."
She stepped forward toward Yeonhui.
Swish.
A hand brushing her cheek.
But Yeonhui couldn't brush it off.
"Since this is fate, let me leave you a lesson."
"......?"
"If you want something, show respect first."
Tap.
Poise.
Or perhaps experience.
This exchange was Yeonhui's defeat.