Chapter 46
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Seductive Demoness (1)
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‘Father was probably killed at the hands of the Seok Family. He must have run into Seok Yang-ho while searching for my brother's body.’
The death of his father, Si Ju-pyeong, didn't feel all that tragic.
Father had always compared him to his older brother and treated him like an unwanted child.
"Young Master. This way leads to the Seok Family."
The retainers' faces were filled with unease.
The Seok Family of today was no longer the Seok Family of old.
It had started making a name for itself after slaying the Life-Escaping Sword, and then it had even repelled an assault from the Henan Jo Clan, spreading its fame across the martial world of Hubei beyond Huanin County.
Moreover, even before killing the Life-Escaping Sword, the Seok Family had more retainers than the Si Family and stronger martial arts.
"If our Si Family is to survive, this is the only way. Enough talk—follow me."
A strange resolve flickered across Si Wang-yu's face.
But the retainers had no reason to trust a man who had lived like a wastrel until now.
As the Seok Family estate drew nearer, the retainers' steps grew heavier.
"Young Master, we should turn back now. Seok Yang-ho won't let you or the two of us leave in one piece."
"Nonsense. Do you think Seok Yang-ho, the man called a gentleman, would dare kill us outright? He won't lay a finger on me or you lot."
"Young Master…."
Trembling in fear, the retainers followed Si Wang-yu toward the Seok Family estate.
The moment the Seok Family retainers spotted Si Wang-yu and his men, they drew their swords.
"What brings the Si Family wastrel here?"
Clang!
The Si Family retainers drew their swords in response, stealing glances at their master.
Si Wang-yu was tense inside as well.
Truth be told, he hadn't wanted to come here.
But with his father and brother dead or missing, if the Seok Family attacked, the family would be wiped out, and even his life would be in jeopardy.
He had considered asking the Yangyang Ma Clan for help, but after they had failed to even launch an assault on the Jo Clan, they weren't likely to come running.
Besides, the Seok Family was in the same village—they could strike today if they wanted.
"P-put away your swords. I've taken over leading the Si Family in my father's stead, so I've come to pay my respects to Patriarch Seok Yang-ho."
Si Wang-yu straightened his shoulders as best he could, trying to project the dignity of a family head.
The Seok retainers couldn't treat him lightly and stepped back, flinging open the gates.
"The Si Family's acting patriarch has arrived!"
At their shout, Seok Family retainers poured out from inside.
They eyed Si Wang-yu and his men briefly before parting to clear a path.
"Enter."
Ahem… ahem….
Si Wang-yu masked his sweat-drenched tension with an awkward cough.
He walked in with measured steps, looking around the Seok estate.
About twenty retainers were practicing martial arts in the training yard, and in one corner sat a hulking young man hunched over.
‘Who's that?’
He was a man Si Wang-yu had seen once before.
One night, stumbling out of a brothel, he'd spotted this giant of a stranger and grabbed a passerby old man to ask. The reply: a new hunter in the village.
‘Why is he here?’
He'd heard rumors that the Seok retainers treated two young hunters with utmost respect, but he'd dismissed it.
Apparently, they'd lent their house to the Seok household during the Jo Clan's attack.
But now, it seemed there was more to this big hunter and the Seok Family.
"The patriarch bids you enter."
Snapping to attention, Si Wang-yu straightened his clothes and went inside.
"Th-the new young master of the Si Family pays respects to the head of the Seok Family."
Upon entering the room, Si Wang-yu dropped to his knees and bowed his head without preamble.
Seok Yang-ho looked down at him with cold eyes.
Even a man hailed as a gentleman couldn't receive the bow with good grace, knowing the Si Family had sparked all this trouble.
No, if he could, he'd sever the man's head right then.
"I… I had heard your father went missing. Regardless, you've taken responsibility for the family now—lead it well from here on."
"Th-thank you, Patriarch."
"You may go."
Dismissed, Si Wang-yu didn't rise immediately.
Seok Yang-ho asked,
"Is there more you wish to say?"
"Y-yes. Until now, our Si Family failed to recognize Huanin County's true master and committed grave discourtesies. Thus, I borrow this moment to beg forgiveness for all that has passed."
Seok Yang-ho continued to gaze down with impassive eyes.
What a cunning bastard.
His father had been that way, his brother too—and this one was no different.
"…Very well."
Even so, he forgave the Si Family.
"Thank you. Truly, thank you. We shall never challenge the Seok Family's dignity again."
"Leave."
Once more, Si Wang-yu didn't rise.
"What else?"
"Yes. Patriarch, for the sake of lasting peace between Seok and Si, I have one request."
"Speak."
"…Yes. That is… No, that the Seok Patriarch and our Si Family… be joined by… b-blood ties."
Flames sparked in Seok Yang-ho's eyes.
"How dare you…."
Joined by blood ties—didn't that mean taking in Su-ah as a wife?
Even if not Su-ah, he had no intention of sending any Seok woman to the Si Family.
It would only turn her into a hostage.
‘With a man like this leading the Si Family, they won't even preserve their lineage.’
He must have thought it a clever scheme.
But who would fall for such a transparent trick?
"Get out of my sight!"
At Seok Yang-ho's thunderous command, Si Wang-yu fled the room without a word.
Even after he vanished, Seok Yang-ho's anger lingered.
Bam!
In his fury, he slammed his palm on the table, then took deep breaths to calm himself.
Hoo….
Then the door opened, and Gwang-u entered.
Seok Yang-ho quickly softened his expression into a gentle smile.
"Come in, Instructor Seok."
Gwang-u sat with an embarrassed smile.
His innocent look instantly dispersed the remaining anger in Seok Yang-ho's chest.
‘What a fine young man.’
It had only been ten days since this young expert joined the family, but enough time to gauge his character.
Valiant, pure, never striking first.
His only flaw was eating too much, but even that charmed Seok Yang-ho.
In a soft voice, Seok Yang-ho asked,
"What brings you here?"
"Ah… yes. I heard from the retainers that the visitor just now was Si Wang-yu of the Si Family. As you know, Patriarch, the rumor that I'm staying here teaching martial arts must never spread. If it does, my brother… he'll try to beat me to death."
Gwang-u mumbled with a frightened face.
"No need to worry, Instructor Seok. I've strictly ordered the retainers and household to keep silent."
"Th-thank you."
Having finished his business, Gwang-u rose to leave.
"Instructor Seok, care to chat a moment?"
Gwang-u, halfway out of his seat, sat back down.
"What about…?"
Hahaha….
"Speak freely, Instructor Seok. I consider you blood kin. And with the same surname, surely our ancestors were one and the same."
Gwang-u flushed and fidgeted, at a loss.
The father of the woman he secretly adored saw him as family.
Didn't that mean marriage was half-approved?
"I… I see you as a father-in-la… Ah… as a father figure…."
He couldn't call the patriarch "father-in-law" yet.
It might spark suspicions of impure motives for joining the family.
‘I should consult brother. This is driving me crazy.’
Seok Yang-ho eyed Gwang-u meaningfully before speaking.
"Might you tell me of your sect, Instructor?"
Lost in his thoughts, Gwang-u snapped alert.
‘Brother said never mention the sect… that it'd cause huge trouble….’
Mountains of worry.
If he revealed it honestly, brother would beat him senseless. If not, his future father-in-law would be offended.
Racking his brain in panic, Gwang-u came up with a lame excuse.
"No real sect. Just master, brother, and me living in the mountains."
"Then you don't even know your master's name?"
His forced answer only led to a tougher question.
Gwang-u felt like mice were gnawing his head.
‘What do I say? What now? Brother.’
A flash of insight struck Gwang-u's mind.
It was something his brother had said in jest before.
—If anyone asks about master, just say Gwak Old Teacher. Master's name is Gwak I-won, so it's not a lie.
Recalling it, Gwang-u steadied himself.
"I don't know his pen name, but he was called Gwak Old Teacher."
"Gwak Old Teacher…."
Seok Yang-ho shook his head with a wry smile.
Gwak was a common surname—plenty of old men bore it.
He'd hoped to learn of the instructor's sect and master, but now he was deeper in mystery.
"I look forward to your continued service, Instructor Seok."
"I'll… do my best, Patriarch."
The dinner Myeong-gak prepared was delicious.
Not just the meat dishes—the vegetables and wild greens were flavors I'd never tasted before.
"Where'd you learn to cook?"
"In the Shaolin kitchens."
"You gonna keep lying? Never heard of Shaolin kitchens using meat, you bald bastard."
Puhahaha….
Myeong-gak laughed frivolously, waving his chopsticks side to side.
It was infuriatingly cheeky.
"That's because you don't know Shaolin, donor. There are meat-eaters there. Especially master—he loves meat and liquor."
"Who's your master?"
"Dharma name 'Cho-am.'"
"You little… really…."
Crack….
I was so angry I snapped the chopsticks in my hand.
I didn't know the martial world well, but I knew who Cho-am was.
Cho-am was the Dharma name of the Divine Monk.
"Amitabha. Even if you doubt a monk's words, donor, it changes not that I am master's disciple."
"Swallow your meat and find Buddha. You monk bastard."
"Donor, they say even dogs aren't bothered at mealtime."
Hoo….
I sighed deeply and resumed eating.
Once finished, Myeong-gak cleared the bowls and started washing up.
I sat on the hill, silently watching him scrub by the river.
‘Is that guy really the Divine Monk's disciple? If so, then the Divine Monk knows of me….’