Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Father-in-Law's Resolve
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"My lord, please wake up."
"Mm..."
Namgoong Hyeok's mornings always began with his wife rousing him.
It was a routine Dang Aryeon had never once skipped since becoming the lady of the Namgung Family. Even when he insisted she didn't need to bother, she insisted on fulfilling her duties as his wife.
"Just a little longer..."
"Hmm? Dear. It's a day off. Are you planning to stay buried under the blankets all day?"
"It's a rare holiday."
"Get up already!"
Groan, groan.
Only after Dang Aryeon prodded him several more times did Namgoong Hyeok stagger out of bed, looking utterly defenseless—a far cry from the sharp figure he cut at the Murim Alliance.
It was a vulnerability he showed only to his wife.
'Even pretending to sleep is getting tough.'
In truth, Namgoong Hyeok had been awake for a while. Even before Dang Aryeon started shaking his shoulder.
The concept of sleeping in didn't exist in his life.
He shouldered too much.
As head of the Namgung Family and Leader of the Murim Alliance, the crushing workload was something only his diligence could handle.
Yet this man had feigned sleep, suppressing even his presence.
All to let his wife feel a sense of accomplishment.
When people heard the name Sacheon Dang Clan, the word that usually came to mind was "vicious."
Repay favors twofold, grudges tenfold.
It was a family motto even those unconnected to the martial world had likely heard of. Their ruthless use of hidden weapons and poison only reinforced that image.
Namgoong Hyeok himself had held such prejudices before meeting Dang Aryeon.
'They're merciless only to outsiders.'
The clan's sharpness was directed outward.
Which made their internal bonds all the tighter.
The saying about repaying grudges tenfold meant they showed no mercy to those who harmed their own.
And that was why...
Dang Aryeon's idea of a "wife's duty" had some peculiar quirks. The kind of devotion to her husband that made one wonder if it was truly necessary.
Which explained why Namgoong Hyeok had to be asleep before she came to wake him.
'I was shocked when she burst into tears.'
Once, touched and guilty by her devotion, he'd risen before she arrived.
She'd wailed as if the world had ended.
Namgoong Hyeok had no confidence in facing that again.
So he had no choice but to pretend to sleep, letting her feel fulfilled. He was more of a doting husband in secret than he let on in public.
"What's with this spread first thing in the morning?"
"You always skip proper meals when you're busy, making do with rations. You need to nourish yourself at times like this."
"Heh, I'll enjoy it."
A lavish breakfast laid out before he'd even finished his tea.
She could have ordered the maids to do it.
But she always insisted on doing it herself.
Namgoong Hyeok refrained from commenting on it and quietly began eating. Gratitude was all that was needed.
"By the way, my lord. I heard something interesting."
"Hm? What would that be?"
Interesting news.
A casual remark tossed out by Dang Aryeon as he ate.
But the moment he heard those words, Namgoong Hyeok nearly choked.
'What did I do wrong?'
He sensed it instinctively.
From long experience.
Whenever Dang Aryeon broached a topic like that, a lecture always followed.
Not fun for Namgoong Hyeok.
He racked his brains.
He hadn't done anything scold-worthy.
"Your future in-law stopped by, didn't he?"
"Ah."
In-law.
Hearing that, Namgoong Hyeok let out an involuntary groan.
He'd only warned his subordinates to keep quiet, but it had already reached his wife's ears.
"Well, you see..."
"How could you leave me out, my lord? He came all this way, and you couldn't even entertain him properly."
"No... Hear me out first."
Namgoong Hyeok gazed at his wife with the gentlest eyes he could muster.
"As you know, the boy has no family."
"Son-in-law."
"Yes, son-in-law. Seems he only has his master to rely on. He was in the area, so I met him briefly to see what kind of man he is."
"Hm..."
"He looked busy enough as it is, spending time with his disciple. How could I take more of his time? I heard he's like family to our son-in-law, so we agreed to invite him properly next time so you can meet him too."
Good thing he'd woken up early.
His clear head let him spin an excuse on the spot. He hadn't actually made such a promise with Baek Serin, but the man was gone now. No one to contradict him. He'd deal with it later.
'That was close. Nearly got grilled first thing in the morning.'
She'd timed it perfectly for when he got up.
Truly a woman of the Sacheon Dang Clan.
In his younger days.
Namgoong Hyeok recalled her poisoning him without changing expression.
The memory brought a foolish grin to his face.
"My lord? Why the sudden smile?"
"Oh, I was thinking of when we first met. Even your glare was beautiful."
"Not anymore?"
Flinch.
That wasn't what he meant.
His nostalgic words turned into arrows.
"You're as beautiful now as then. Time hasn't touched your looks at all—how could I not smile? Haha!"
A masterful pivot.
Worthy of the World's Strongest.
But before Namgoong Hyeok could admire his own composure, Dang Aryeon's next strike landed.
"Back then... It was nice. Except for Father refusing to let you marry me."
"Haha, your father was overly protective. What could be done? Sending such a beautiful, lovely daughter to a man he'd never met. Now I understand his feelings."
"Is that why you're dragging out Yeonhui's engagement?"
"Uh."
The two had been reminiscing warmly.
Then Namgoong Hyeok was caught off-guard by his wife's sudden dagger.
"Do you plan to be like Father too, my lord? With all that nonsense about trials and ordeals?"
"......"
"Don't you remember? Making you identify five poisons by taste, or take Thousand Flower Rain head-on—Father's unreasonable demands."
How could he forget?
His father-in-law, the Poison Emperor Dang Cheol-hyeong.
Under the guise of tests, he'd forced all sorts of madness.
Anyone but Namgoong Hyeok would have fled.
"It's absurd that you endured it all... But what did you say back then?"
"Well..."
"'Aryeon, is your father insane?' 'I won't even look at the in-laws.'"
"Heh, did I say that?"
Reckless words from his youth.
He had said them.
He'd avoided even going near his in-laws for a while.
If not for Dang Aryeon's disappointment.
"I've only given you advice all this time, never nagging... Because I thought that was a wife's duty. But."
It was all buildup to this one declaration.
Dang Aryeon stated firmly.
"We don't need to make our son-in-law go through the hardships we did."
"......"
"No reason to pass that on. We want to cherish him and leave him only the good."
Before he knew it, Dang Aryeon had moved behind Namgoong Hyeok.
She patted his shoulders gently.
"You understand, right?"
"But..."
"My lord."
"I understand."
Her hands patted softly, but he felt an indescribable weight.
Our son-in-law.
The affection in those words was exasperating.
"Oh dear, the food's getting cold. Eat up."
His wife urged him to eat, belatedly.
Namgoong Hyeok couldn't bring himself to say he'd lost his appetite and picked up his chopsticks as told.
* -Stay well.
Master had left.
Leaving behind just that single note.
I'd half-expected it, but the fact that he'd slipped away at dawn without a proper goodbye left me a bit empty.
Still so shy.
'He was the same when I left for the Murim Alliance.'
When he'd sent me off to become a gatekeeper.
Master hadn't even seen me off, claiming he was busy.
He just wasn't used to farewells.
Something about his resolve weakening if he saw my face.
So like him.
'Should I have held onto him longer?'
Now that he was gone, I felt hollow.
Obligations be damned—I should have insisted he stay a few more days.
Why do people always regret after the fact?
"Hm, you arrived early. Eaten yet?"
"Not yet."
"Good. On an empty stomach."
Having skipped meals to answer Namgoong Hyeok's summons only deepened those thoughts.
As if he'd been waiting for Master to leave.
"Hearing about you from your master gave me much to reflect on."
"......"
"Does 'master' bother you? Maybe 'in-law' is better."
"Call me whatever's comfortable."
And summoning me to the training grounds, no less.
Reflections.
Ominous vibes.
"I've realized I haven't looked after you properly. As your father-in-law, using busyness as an excuse."
"No need to worry. The Alliance work alone must keep you swamped."
"No! I can't have that. Isn't there a saying that only a father-in-law looks after his son-in-law?"
No such saying.
There's one about mothers-in-law doting, though.
"Everyone in the family cherishes you. Can't have me being the only one giving nothing."
"You nominated me for the White Lotus Pill."
"That's a reward you earned! So I pondered what I could do for you."
Namgoong Hyeok was strangely enthusiastic.
Eyes brimming with zeal.
Who knew what scheme lurked within...
"I'll temper you myself!"
"?"
"Can't let talent that could shake the world in a decade go to waste!"
So that's what all the buildup was for.
This guy...
Still holding a grudge after all this time.