Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: I Spent a Night with the Murim Alliance Leader's Youngest Daughter
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Master had a plan all along.
When Master suddenly brought up opposing the engagement, I was terrified. And it only got worse once she started disparaging Yeonhui, saying I deserved better.
But it was all just bait to draw out Namgoong Hyeok's reaction.
Namgoong Hyeok's face grew increasingly fierce.
It was so tense I half-expected him to charge in demanding a duel to the death.
Of course, a bout between the two would be thrilling to watch...
But not here, not at a discussion about an engagement.
'This guy's got some real grit.'
Given his temperament, it wouldn't have been strange if he'd drawn his sword right then. Yet he gritted his teeth and endured Master's relentless prodding, as if she were testing, "Can you even hold back?"
I was wondering if he'd really let the engagement fall through like this.
Finally, Namgoong Hyeok snapped.
"What? Inadequate? Inad-equate? What's wrong with our Yeonhui! You think you can find a better bride anywhere else?!"
Namgoong Hyeok's praise for Yeonhui was so embarrassing—even as an outsider, I cringed.
Stars here, inner energy there, demonic energy this... He rattled it all off with a straight face, utterly shameless.
Namgoong Hyeok was the real deal.
Well, it was entertaining to watch Yeonhui squirm because of it.
She fidgeted for a different reason than before.
Clenching and unclenching her fists, as if debating whether to sock her father in the jaw—a filial impiety.
Her face flushed red as a persimmon, trembling with indignation.
Honestly, it was a little cute.
"And you dare call this neglect? Huh? You dare oppose? Answer me!"
By now, he'd moved on to how much his family adored me.
Even I felt secondhand embarrassment.
I'd sensed the Namgung Family's warmth toward me, but hearing it spelled out like this was another matter entirely.
"Keep striving like this. Who knows? I might just give my blessing."
Master wrapped it up with a playful smirk.
Namgoong Hyeok stood there, dumbfounded and dazed.
Tsk tsk.
He couldn't suppress his rising anger and exploded on impulse.
A little more patience, and he'd have gotten his way.
I understood his love for Yeonhui, but Namgoong Hyeok was an amateur.
Hmm.
Why did this whole sequence...
Feel like déjà vu from somewhere?
Wait.
Why are my eyes tearing up...?
"Well played, Master. I've learned another lesson today."
"Heh... When I get serious, this is nothing."
Namgoong Hyeok had already left by then.
Apparently, shame from spilling his guts without restraint—provoked by Master's taunts—had caught up to him.
His soul seemed to have fled his vacant expression as he muttered a curt farewell and bolted like he was fleeing.
Yeonhui, who'd heard it all right beside him, followed suit with a quick "See you later."
"Looks like even that Namgoong Hyeok fellow is quite taken with you."
"Is that so?"
"Didn't you notice? He was clearly torn."
"Hmm..."
"He was just fooling himself because he treasures his daughter so much. People are like that. When it involves someone dear, judgment clouds."
"Has that happened to you too, Master?"
"Impudent question."
Master raised her fist as she spoke.
"It's been a while, so your discipline's slipped, eh?"
"No way. This disciple reveres you awake or asleep. My morning routine is bowing toward wherever you are."
"And yet you didn't know where I was, making me come find you?"
"It's the thought that counts. Why make such a fuss when you know better?"
"If you can't even speak properly..."
Master grumbled softly, but her lips curved in a smile.
Sometimes, this works better.
Open flattery.
The bolder, the better.
"Anyway, contact me once the engagement date is set."
"Leaving already?"
"I've wasted too much time tracking you down. You mentioned clashing with the Sun-Moon Divine Cult recently?"
"Yes. The Blood Demon Corps was spreading blood-seeking curses. Witnesses mentioned a woman with a scorpion tattoo on her cheek."
"...That wench still hasn't learned. Next time we meet, off with her head."
Master said it flatly.
I silently wished the Blood Demon Corps good fortune.
"Stay a few more days."
"Hm?"
"How about an outing first?"
"An outing?"
"Yes. It's been so long since we went out together, I can barely remember. You'll be busy again soon—take a break."
"That's a tempting proposal."
It would be nice.
Master nodded.
She'd have to roam the Central Plains again soon.
As her disciple, I wanted to give her a brief respite.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Back in her room, preparing to head out, Baek Serin.
She hummed a tune, not bothering to hide her excitement.
Knock knock.
Thinking it was a maid, she said come in—only for Namgoong Yeonhui to enter.
"What's this?"
Yeonhui carried a bundle of silk garments. Clearly high-end fabric.
Of course, Baek Serin knew exactly what they were.
"I heard you're going out with Father-in-Law."
"And?"
"It's been ages since you've spent time together. Wouldn't it be better to wear something pretty...?"
"My clothes are like sackcloth, is that it?"
"That's not what I meant!"
After all the effort to bring them.
Yeonhui grumbled as she handed the clothes to Baek Serin.
Teasing her was fun.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"I thought you'd outright oppose."
"When you came at me fangs bared."
"That was!"
"You're cute."
So this was it.
Bribing her, huh?
"Is this your way of repaying me?"
"You said if I had expectations, show manners first!"
She'd taken it to heart.
I'd only said it to tease.
That fierce glare earlier—I hadn't realized how sensitive she was.
"I didn't expect you'd go this far. I thought you hated me."
"No master hates a disciple who outshines."
"..."
"If he likes you, would I stand in the way? That's for immature fools."
No master hates a disciple who outshines.
Or was it the one who falls first loses?
Yeonhui didn't voice it.
"You're no different."
"Pardon?"
"You know what I mean."
Baek Serin gazed steadily at Yeonhui.
A piercing stare, as if seeing right through her.
Feeling exposed, Yeonhui huffed unnecessarily.
"Experience can't be ignored, huh."
"You little brat?"
"It was a compliment!"
"Heh, in that case, I've got ideas of my own."
Baek Serin crossed her arms.
Her casual poise felt oddly ominous.
"It's too early to thank me just yet."
"Huh?"
"I haven't given permission, have I?"
"?"
"I just gave the Murim Alliance Leader a nudge... Never said I approved the engagement."
Wordplay.
Baek Serin had maneuvered Namgoong Hyeok's outburst.
It was as good as approval.
She knew.
It was just to tease her.
But Yeonhui couldn't hold back her trembling emotions.
"And one more misconception. What I told the Murim Alliance Leader? Pure truth, every word."
"Wh-what?!"
"My disciple has to be exceptional. Want my blessing? Earn it."
"How's that fair?!"
"It is. Don't forget—I hold the hilt!"
Baek Serin's declaration.
Yeonhui couldn't retort.
The hierarchy was set in that moment.
"Remember: one word from me, and this engagement crumbles. Heh."
"Ugh..."
"But your thoughtfulness with the clothes touches me. Want to come along?"
She had to refuse.
To avoid falling for Baek Serin's tricks.
But better than her alone with Father-in-Law...
Together was the lesser evil.
"...I'll help you dress first. It's trickier than it looks."
"Mm, thanks!"
Just you wait!
I'll get revenge someday.
Yeonhui vowed as she helped with the clothes.
Forcing down the thought that she'd been played.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "How do I look?"
"Beautiful."
"That's all?"
"A tiger with wings. Silk adorns your beauty to perfection— the final touch of a dragon."
"Disciple?"
"I said beautiful. So, could you lower that fist?"
She truly was stunning.
Master usually stuck to plain clothes.
Vibrant hues.
The red silk contrasted gorgeously with her blue hair.
The colors popped.
"It suits you. Sincerely."
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
"Good. First time with something like this. Without that girl, it'd have taken an hour just to put on."
No wonder.
It felt like Yeonhui's taste.
"Yeonhui picked it?"
"Yeah."
No matter that it was Master's scheme.
Trashing her to her face was basically the same.
Yeonhui must understand the flow, but hearts don't flow logically.
That's why I'd worried.
"Thank you, Yeonhui."
"No big deal. It's what I should do."
"Heh. So composed—looks good on you."
"..."
Their eyes met.
Some womanly understanding?
Relief—they seemed harmonious.