Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 12
>Chapter Title: Clan Head (3)
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The lights of the manor visible from the foot of the hill.
Two shadowy figures watched them indifferently from the darkness.
The taller of the two asked the one beside him.
“Is this the place?”
“Yes.”
At that answer, the tall figure drew something the size of a finger from his bosom.
It looked like a seal.
“You said the owner of this was released from the kill order. What was the reason?”
The figure beside him, who had been forming a sword mudra with one hand, curled the corner of his mouth and replied.
“Gujo.”
“What’s that?”
“The Yi Mae Mang Ryang of Mount Nok O.”
“Yi Mae Mang Ryang?”
“I’ve heard there’s a sorcerer in Mongseong, not far from here, who tames the monster Gujo as a food spirit. It seems he’s the one down there.”
At those words, a glint appeared in the tall figure’s eyes.
“So that’s how it was. The sorcerer intervened.”
“We have our answer. What now?”
“We take him.”
With that, the tall figure raised his hand high.
At that moment, the sounds of numerous footsteps approached from behind.
* * *
“I will determine who among the young masters of the main house is qualified to be my successor through a test.”
‘!!!!!’
The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically at the Clan Head’s declaration.
The youngest, Mok Yu-cheon, couldn’t hide his joy, his lips twitching.
And why not? If it was a test, no one had more of an advantage than him.
‘Ah! Father is giving me this chance.’
What was a test in a martial clan?
Naturally, it was a showcase of martial prowess.
The eldest, Mok Young-ho, was only second-rate, the second son Mok Eun-pyeong was first-rate, and the third son Mok Kyung-un beside him was merely third-rate.
No one could beat him.
Whether it was a sparring match or anything else, he held the edge.
Clench!
Mok Eun-pyeong bit his lower lip hard.
He had been thinking much the same as Mok Yu-cheon.
Anyone could see that this declaration from the Clan Head was tailored for the youngest, Mok Yu-cheon, whose martial skill was unmatched.
Who could defeat that monster of a boy, who at just sixteen had reached the early stage of peak?
‘How can he do this?’
If he was going to do it this way, he should have just named Mok Yu-cheon as successor outright.
Feeling it all deeply unfair, Mok Eun-pyeong mustered his courage—something he wouldn’t normally dare—and finally spoke.
“Father, I have something to say.”
“What is it?”
“If it’s a test, what exactly do you mean?”
At the question, Clan Head Mok In-dan stared piercingly at his second son, Mok Eun-pyeong.
Under his father’s oppressive gaze, Mok Eun-pyeong, who had barely gathered his courage, slightly lowered his head and averted his eyes.
Mok In-dan let out a small snort.
To offer an opinion and then not even meet his father’s eyes.
Pathetic.
But having returned from the brink of death, he had resolved to give everyone a fair chance in selecting the Clan Head.
Thus, he said.
“If we simply sparred to compare martial skills, none of you could beat the youngest.”
“......”
Mok Eun-pyeong’s face twisted for a moment.
His pride was wounded.
But before his father, he quickly schooled his expression.
Ignoring it, Clan Head Mok In-dan continued.
“Therefore, I will select one who is qualified to be Clan Head.”
‘Qualified?’
The Mok brothers’ faces filled with confusion at the word.
Even Mok Yu-cheon had assumed that choosing the successor of a martial clan would be decided purely by martial might. Mentioning “qualifications” brought unease to his eyes.
If it wasn’t about martial skill, then he, who excelled there, would be at the greatest disadvantage.
‘Ah!’
Conversely, Mok Eun-pyeong’s expression brightened.
Just moments ago, he’d thought the Clan Head’s intent was set on the youngest, Mok Yu-cheon. But if it was about qualifications, the son of a concubine like Mok Yu-cheon would struggle to gain the vassals’ recognition.
‘Then it’ll be a fight between this guy and me.’
Mok Eun-pyeong glanced sidelong at the eldest, Mok Young-ho, beside him.
Impossible to read what he was thinking.
The Great Madam was desperate to make him successor, yet he had veered so far off course, only disappointing the Clan Head.
‘A chance has opened up.’
Mok Eun-pyeong had been unable to hide his dismay at the news of the Clan Head’s awakening.
But now, a sliver of hope stirred.
If he played it right, he might earn his father’s recognition and become Clan Head officially.
At that moment, Mok Yu-cheon cautiously spoke up.
“Father. May I ask what you mean by testing our qualifications?”
“The position of Clan Head is that of the leader who guides Timber Sword Manor as one unified group. I will test if you are fitting for it.”
‘Fitting for Clan Head?’
It was even harder to guess what kind of test that would entail.
Sweeping his gaze over his sons, Clan Head Mok In-dan continued.
“Though your mothers differ, you are all my sons. Thus, the selection of a successor will give each of you a fair chance. For now, return and ponder what the test might be, and prepare accordingly.”
Having said his piece, he ordered his sons to withdraw.
As they all clasped their hands and bowed to leave,
“I apologize, but I will not take the test.”
All eyes turned to the speaker.
It was Mok Kyung-un.
‘What’s he saying?’
‘He won’t take the test?’
Mok Eun-pyeong and Mok Yu-cheon looked at him with utter incomprehension.
Was he really forfeiting the official chance to become successor?
As they puzzled, Clan Head Mok In-dan countered.
“You won’t take the test?”
“That’s right.”
“And why not?”
“I am lacking in many ways compared to my brothers beside me, and even more so than my youngest brother. I believe I lack the qualifications for successor. Thus, I will not take the test.”
At this, Mok Eun-pyeong let out a small scoff.
He didn’t know the scheme, but if he was stepping aside of his own accord, it wasn’t bad.
It made the competition that much easier.
‘Was it true after all?’
Mok Yu-cheon found it surprising.
Unlike when the Clan Head’s fate was unknown, to refuse an official chance at succession meant those words he’d spoken were genuine.
He hadn’t expected him to truly not want the Clan Head position.
What was he thinking?
‘Perfect.’
Mok Kyung-un, on the other hand, welcomed the situation.
If he officially withdrew from the successor struggle, they wouldn’t bother him anymore.
His goal was martial arts, after all.
Once he had a proper foundation, he’d leave Timber Sword Manor.
No need to be tied down.
However,
“Why do you think yourself lacking?”
The Clan Head’s question followed.
Mok Kyung-un found the query odd.
From what he knew, the Clan Head had viewed the eldest Mok Young-ho and the dead Mok Kyung-un as pitiful.
So there should be no regret if he opted out of the successor test.
‘Such a hassle.’
It should end with a simple “Understood.”
But antagonizing the Clan Head here wouldn’t help.
So he’d provide a suitable justification.
“It is said that a successor should first prioritize the eldest son, and if not, one of outstanding ability and merit. That is my understanding.”
“......”
“Moreover, my mother’s family is not what it once was, unable to lend strength to Timber Sword Manor, so I lack even more the qualifications for successor.”
He explained the reasons fluidly.
Mok Eun-pyeong nodded in approval.
‘He knows his place.’
Satisfied.
Surely the Clan Head wouldn’t object further to Mok Kyung-un skipping the test.
‘Hm?’
But something felt off.
The Clan Head’s expression as he looked at Mok Kyung-un wasn’t bad.
If anything, it was like he was seeing him anew.
‘What?’
And that guess was correct.
What Mok Kyung-un said demeaned himself, so it wasn’t particularly exceptional.
But as Clan Head, seeing Mok Kyung-un clearly assess himself and voice his opinion straightforwardly was utterly different from before.
The weakness and pitifulness were gone.
What had happened while he’d lain bedridden with eyes closed for so long?
‘He’s changed.’
What had transformed this boy?
Or had he changed over the years he’d paid no attention?
The Clan Head grew curious about Mok Kyung-un.
Swish!
Suddenly, the Clan Head shrugged off his upper garment.
Revealing his torso, scarred here and there.
Among them, what seized everyone’s attention was,
‘.......Ah.’
The arm clearly severed, though bandaged.
Everyone knew he’d met with an accident from some assailant a few days ago.
But they hadn’t known it was the loss of an arm.
Clan Head Mok In-dan was a swordsman.
A right-handed swordsman losing his arm was tantamount to losing his prime—a grave misfortune.
Yet he seemed utterly unconcerned as he spoke.
“You said it yourself.”
“Pardon?”
“That successors should be the eldest, or one of outstanding ability and merit.”
“......Yes. But I am none of those.”
“I heard you blocked the one who cut off this father’s arm and died in the process.”
‘What?’
At those words, all eyes turned to Mok Kyung-un.
They’d heard he’d visited the main hall, gotten injured, and stayed in the herb hall for a while.
But they hadn’t known such an incident occurred.
Of course, this was an embellished version from Mok Kyung-un himself.
‘Ah......’
Mok Kyung-un hadn’t anticipated his moderately altered tale leading to this hassle.
Showing his severed arm, the Clan Head said.
“As you said, one who achieves merit also has full qualifications as successor. So that reason won’t suffice to refuse the test.”
“......”
Mok Kyung-un’s face went blank at the Clan Head’s words.
He’d volunteered to skip the test, yet they were dragging him in—highly annoying.
Thus, he judged it better to flatly refuse outright.
But then, something caught Mok Kyung-un’s eye.
‘!?’
It was the wound on the Clan Head’s side.
Healed but starkly visible, it looked caused by something like a sharp sword. At the sight, Mok Kyung-un’s eyes narrowed.
‘That wound......’
It was strikingly similar.
To the mark he’d been seeking.
Because of this, nothing else—successor or whatever—entered his mind.
Only how the Clan Head had gotten that wound......
Flinch!
In that instant, Mok Kyung-un frowned and slightly turned his head.
The Clan Head asked with a puzzled look.
“What is it? What......”
Before he could finish.
Clan Head Mok In-dan’s eyes sharpened as he abruptly stood.
“Father?”
The other Mok brothers looked baffled.
No sooner had they than chaotic noises erupted from outside.
-Enemy attack! Intruders!
-Clan Head! Inform the Clan Head!
‘!!!!!!’
The sudden emergency.
No one could hide their shock.
Meanwhile, Mok Yu-cheon, who had sensed the presences almost simultaneously with the commotion, stared at Mok Kyung-un in astonishment.
‘What the hell is this guy?’
A mere third-rate had noticed it before even his father or himself.
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