Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Translator: Penny
Chapter 10
Yang Association (4)
"The Yang Association Leader is a petty man," Im Yehwa said. "He won't let this go easily."
Byeok Dojun replied, "He won't dare seek open retaliation after this incident."
"He doesn't care about righteous causes," Im Yehwa continued. "We need to settle our debt with them first. Otherwise, he'll use it as leverage to scheme against us."
Byeok Dojun nodded. He knew Yang Gicheol's true nature all too well. But there was no way to immediately repay the staggering sum of twenty thousand taels.
Those who had seemed ready to offer him their livers when times were good were now handing them over to Yang Gicheol instead. He didn't resent them. Their stinginess likely stemmed from the moral failings of their upbringing—the consequences of neglecting their children's education.
Im Yehwa held out a small jewelry box. "If we sell this, we should be able to pay off most of our debt."
Byeok Dojun opened it to find a delicate blue jade necklace inside.
"This?" he exclaimed, startled. He shook his head vehemently. "Absolutely not! This has been passed down through your family for generations. It's one of the things you cherish most."
"That's not true," Im Yehwa replied. "I was merely keeping it safe. If we sell it..."
"Absolutely not! Over my dead body!"
"It's just an object."
"It's not just an object. It's a memento of your late father-in-law, something you hold dear."
"The people I cherish most are you and Dan."
Byeok Dojun fell silent, momentarily speechless.
He knew all too well how deeply his wife loved him, how much she had sacrificed for their son, and how much more she was willing to give. That was precisely why he couldn't let her do it.
Im Yehwa gently tried to persuade her husband. "This isn't something to decide emotionally. We can always buy another one later. You can get it for me again."
When her husband remained unmoved, Im Yehwa changed her approach. "Honey, Dan has come to his senses. What we need to protect isn't some trinket, but our son."
The mention of their son finally elicited a reaction from Byeok Dojun. "Do you trust him?"
Im Yehwa answered without hesitation, "Yes, I do."
"Even after he deceived you like that?"
"Still, he's our son."
Dan had made promises to improve countless times after making mistakes. But this time, the feeling was different from those past, hollow pledges.
His son was showing his changed character through his actions. Byeok Dojun had heard that he had been diligently practicing martial arts for over ten days straight, and today, he had even risked himself for Gwangdu.
Byeok Dojun sighed. "To be honest, I don't understand it myself."
Take today's incident, for example. How could someone who had only been frantically practicing martial arts for a mere ten days knock down Yang Gikang? He had even asked Seo Jung if his son had learned some dangerous heretical art, but Seo Jung insisted it was just a simple punch that did the trick. Well, Yang Gikang was no better than a thug like Pakrakho anyway, so he supposed that could be overlooked.
But that wasn't all. His son's words and actions had changed, and even his gaze had become calmer.
"He's finally grown up," Im Yehwa said.
Byeok Dojun eventually nodded in agreement.
Yes, that's probably the best way to understand it. He could only hope this transformation wasn't just a passing whim.
On the other hand, he felt a surge of joy. The fact that his son had changed filled him with renewed strength, and a flicker of hope ignited within him—a dreamlike vision of nurturing his revitalized son and rebuilding the Byeok Clan Sword School to its former glory.
"In any case, I understand your intentions perfectly," Byeok Dojun said, securing the jewelry box.
"Thank you for understanding," he added.
He had no intention of selling it. He had only taken custody of it because he feared his wife might sell it if left in her care. He was determined to resolve this matter through his own efforts.
"Don't worry too much, my dear," Im Yehwa said with a smile, taking her husband's hand. "I'm not worried at all. Since marrying you, I haven't had a single reason to worry, have I?"
I stood outside, listening to their conversation.
I hadn't meant to eavesdrop. I'd come to apologize for what had happened earlier and happened to overhear their conversation.
It might sound odd, but I found my mother quite endearing.
Though she usually acted so bold and fearless, like a seasoned warrior, she revealed a fragile, feminine side when she was alone with my father.
I looked up at the sky.
At first, I thought my reincarnation had been for my sake. Then, I wondered if it was for that wretch Byeok Ridan. But listening to them today, I realized the heavens might have brought me back for the sake of this couple.
But could I truly fit in? I had lived my entire life without ever experiencing familial affection. I was the kind of person who couldn't sleep at night unless I avenged any wrongdoing tenfold. I had a foul temper, unable to rest until I'd retaliated against anyone who harmed my loved ones.
Click.
My mother opened the door and stepped outside, startled to see me.
"Dan? You're here? Why didn't you come in?"
I entered the house and immediately stated my conclusion:
"Don't sell it. It won't do any good."
"Did you overhear us?"
"Yes. Please forgive me—I didn't mean to eavesdrop."
"It's alright. But what do you mean it won't do any good to sell it?"
"I mean even if you repay the debt, it won't solve anything."
"What are you talking about?"
"He's not the kind of person who will let this go just because you pay him back."
I turned to my father and asked, "Am I wrong? Did I misjudge Yang Association Leader?"
Before leaving, I had seen the venom in Yang Gicheol's eyes—a murderous intent to destroy his opponent at all costs, a sight I had witnessed countless times in my past life while dealing with villains.
The silence that followed spoke volumes.
"This matter is for me to handle," Father said. "Take your mother to your maternal uncle's place for a while."
As far as I knew, Mother's younger brother lived far away in Anhui. He must be trying to protect us, I thought. Even if Father managed to scrape together the money to repay them, he likely anticipated that the thugs would still seek revenge.
"Do you intend to fight them?"
"That's none of your concern."
"Of course it concerns me. It's something I need to know."
Coming from Byeok Ridan, given his past behavior, these words sounded utterly hypocritical.
"Isn't this a family matter?"
Mother's face lit up at my words. If parents can be so easily pleased by a single sentence, what exactly was Byeok Ridan so discontented about?
"This father will handle it," he declared.
I knew my father was a strong man, but entrusting this matter to his kind and principled nature would be like throwing a lamb to the wolves. The other party's character was far too depraved.
"Please let me help resolve this."
"How can you only think of yourself? Doesn't your mother's safety matter to you?"
"If something happens to you, Mother will be miserable anyway."
"What insolent nonsense!" Father roared.
But Mother smiled. "That's not right. She wouldn't just be miserable—she'd be a hundred, a thousand times more wretched than if our entire family died together."
She turned to Father. "After all these years, do you still not understand me?"
Father sighed softly.
How could he not understand? He knew better than anyone that Mother would never abandon us in a situation like this.
If things had gone according to plan, he probably would have tried to persuade her that saving my life was paramount. But my unexpected and proactive involvement had thwarted his efforts.
"This could get dangerous," Father warned.
Mother rolled up her sleeves. "It's been a while since things got this exciting."
An involuntary smile crept onto my face. Earlier, she had seemed the epitome of a devoted wife, but in moments like these, she was as bold and decisive as any seasoned warrior.
Mother turned to me. "What about you?"
"I find it exciting too."
"Right?"
I felt a pang of guilt toward my mother, but I knew nothing truly exciting would happen.
Because I would resolve this matter before anything could escalate. I had no intention of letting such trash infiltrate the space where my parents lived.
"I'll be heading up the mountain for a few days to train. I'll take Gwangdu with me, so don't worry."
"Alright, be careful," my parents readily agreed. Given the circumstances, they probably wanted to push me out the door themselves.
Leaving my room, I immediately sought out Gwangdu.
"H-huh?! What did you just say?!"
It was strangely satisfying to deliver this news to Gwangdu, whose eyes widened in disbelief.
"You're coming with me to the Yang Association."
His reaction was instantaneous.
"Do you hate me that much? Why would you drag me to such a dangerous place?"
"There are two answers: one you'll like, and one you won't. Which do you want to hear first?"
"Better to get the bad news over with. Tell me the unpleasant truth first."
"This is all your fault."
Gwangdu hung his head, unable to deny it.
"Now, tell me the answer I want to hear."
"Because you're the only one I can trust."
Gwangdu sighed heavily.
"How unfortunate, Young Master, that your social circle is so narrow and barren."
Despite his words, a faint smile played on his lips. He seemed pleased by the fact that he was the only one Young Master trusted. Such a simple-minded fool.
"But why are you leaving? On an errand for the Patriarch? Right? Just delivering a letter or something, right? That's all, isn't it?"
"If believing that puts your mind at ease, then believe it."
"You don't mean...?"
"We made this mess, so we'll clean it up."
"Good heavens! Do you have a plan?"
"We'll figure it out on the way."
"What kind of injury makes someone so optimistic?"
"You could end up the same way. Once we get there, you'll be swarmed by guys trying to beat you up."
Was it because my body had grown younger? Or perhaps it was a reaction to the stifling formality of my previous life? Jokes and playful remarks that would never have crossed my mind before now came naturally.
Or maybe it was Gwangdu's influence. Talking to him always put me in a good mood. Either way, my heart had grown younger too.
"Hurry up and get ready. Let's go."
I had a reason for taking Gwangdu with me.
I intended to make a decision this time: whether to leave him sweeping the courtyard forever, or to invest in him and see him through to the end.
I didn't know which path was right for him.
I planned to simply follow where fate led.