Chapter 73
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Betrayal (2)
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Seok Yang-ho, stepping out of the room, sensed the darkened atmosphere hanging over the family estate.
The faces of the passing retainers were all deeply shadowed.
'The entire family is shrouded in dark shadows.'
Entering the warehouse, Seok Yang-ho placed a chair in front of Seok Ja-kyeong, who was bound with ropes, and sat down.
"Is there something you're not telling me? If there is, speak up without hiding it. I'll hear anything you have to say."
Seok Ja-kyeong, who had been hanging his head while tied up, suddenly lifted it.
Tears streamed from his eyes.
"Family Head. I've faithfully followed your teachings since I was young. I've tried not to harm others and cared for those in need. How could I, as a retainer of the Seok Family, do anything to harm the family?"
His voice rang with sincerity, shaking Seok Yang-ho's resolve.
He had been certain this man was the culprit, yet a corner of his mind now harbored doubt—maybe he wasn't.
"Tell me what happened that day."
"Truth be told... I knew that farmer's daughter."
This was news to Seok Yang-ho, who couldn't hide his surprise.
"Knew her? You mean you've met that woman before?"
"Yes. During village patrols, I saw her and fell for her at first sight. But from the family's position, I couldn't just meet any woman freely. Especially not one as lowly as her. I suffered in silence until I finally spoke to her, and she didn't seem to dislike me."
"Continue."
"That night, after drinking with Instructor Seok, I was drunk and thought of her, so I went to her house. I sneaked in and spent a short time with her. I'm sorry, Family Head."
Haa...
Seok Yang-ho let out a long sigh.
A retainer consorting with a village woman was punishable enough.
But compared to massacring a family and killing an elder, it was nothing.
His conviction that Seok Ja-kyeong was the culprit wavered.
"Why did you hide this?"
"There were other family members in the room. How could I say something that would disgrace us?"
"Is there anyone who can corroborate your story?"
Seok Ja-kyeong hesitated before answering reluctantly.
"We met in secret, so no witnesses. But Ja-gong, who patrolled with me often, might have suspected something. I'd send him back to the family early to meet her."
"Very well. I'll look into it. Anything else?"
Seok Ja-kyeong hesitated again.
"She told me a young man from the same village admired her."
Maybe Ja-kyeong really was innocent.
Seok Yang-ho's anxious heart swelled with a thread of hope.
"Hold on just a bit longer."
As Seok Yang-ho left the warehouse, the corner of Seok Ja-kyeong's mouth, who had been bowing his head, curled up slightly.
'As expected, it wasn't my time to die yet. Wait, what was that woman's name again?'
He recalled the villagers' chatter from that morning about the tragedy.
'Good thing I went out in the morning. Uha, I think that's what they said.'
Leaving the warehouse, Seok Yang-ho entered the room where Paeng Cheon-ho waited and summoned Seok Ja-gong.
Suddenly called, Seok Ja-gong eyed the situation warily.
"Be honest. Ja-kyeong says you two often patrolled together. Was there anything unusual?"
Seok Ja-gong had nothing particular to say.
"He says Ja-kyeong sent you back alone sometimes during patrols. Is that true?"
"Yes. It happened a few times."
"I see. You're dismissed."
Seok Yang-ho's expression brightened.
Sending Ja-gong away, he relayed to Paeng Cheon-ho what he'd heard from Ja-kyeong.
Hmm...
Having heard the full story, Paeng Cheon-ho pondered for a moment.
"Then... the real culprit could be that admirer angered by Ja-kyeong meeting her, killing her family and setting the fire. Or maybe he set the fire, and they tragically couldn't escape."
"That's what I think too."
Seok Yang-ho chimed in eagerly.
"However, there's still something to verify, Family Head. If that retainer met her often, he'd know her name. We must confirm that."
He was right.
If they'd met frequently, as Paeng Cheon-ho said, he'd know her name.
Rushing out, Seok Yang-ho flung open the warehouse door again.
"Do you know her name?"
Seok Ja-kyeong smirked inwardly.
'A ten-year lifespan extension. Lucky break.'
Hiding his glee, he lifted his head with a sorrowful face.
"It was 'Uha'."
Hearing the name, Seok Yang-ho summoned retainers to check the deceased woman's name.
"The woman's name was 'Uha', Family Head."
Seok Yang-ho, waiting anxiously in the room, beamed with relief.
"Did you hear that, Hero Paeng?"
"This suggests a real possibility of another culprit."
"Exactly. There must be a true perpetrator. Since commoners are involved, we'll report to the magistrate first and conduct a thorough family investigation."
Seok Yang-ho valued this slim chance far higher than it warranted.
No—he wanted to.
Yet linking it to the Pang Merchant Group's incident made even that possibility near zero.
'The virtuous Seok Family Head is changing like this.'
Paeng Cheon-ho pitied the sight.
If he were Family Head, he'd have executed Ja-kyeong already.
And silenced rumors to prevent spread.
If it leaked anyway, he'd admit fault.
Huanin Seok Family's reputation was rising.
Mid-to-small martial clans and sects lagged behind; the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families heard Seok Yang-ho's name first.
From days of observation, he deserved the "gentleman" title.
His obscurity until now was the real mystery.
He sent retainers to aid village troubles and gave silver to the needy.
Even this near-saintly gentleman overprioritized protecting his family.
'What a shame. With this potential, he could've stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families...'
A martial family head couldn't lead on boldness alone.
Paeng Cheon-ho, as a Five Great Families head, saw clearly.
Kuhahaha!
Receiving Gwi Jong's report, I couldn't hold back my laughter.
It wasn't joyful.
It was pained laughter from a breaking heart.
"No way... No way... Seok Family Head made that choice? I can't believe it."
Kuhahaha!
The junior disciples eyed my mad cackling with concern.
Shocked by Seok Yang-ho's change, they hesitated to speak.
"They arrested three village youths who seemed suspicious?"
"Yes. The magistrate's men took them. Under harsh torture, they'll confess to crimes they didn't commit."
"The officials defer to the Seok Family, so they'll fabricate a culprit. Gwi Jong, stay here longer and report developments. Don't miss that Seok Ja-kyeong's movements."
"Father instructed me thoroughly on the way here. No worries."
Gwi Jong answered and vanished over the wall.
"Tonight calls for drink."
In the end, things unfolded as the Great Heavenly Demon predicted.
He foresaw the future like a prophet, never wrong.
Entering the kitchen and sitting, the other juniors followed suit.
Myeong-gak brought out leftover soup from dinner as anju with the liquor.
"Master must be deeply disappointed too."
As Myeong-gak sat, Cheongpung, Zhuge Ji, and Namgung Hye nodded in agreement.
My gut burned.
After downing three or four cups as my glass refilled, Gwang-u burst into the house.
"Brother!"
Crossing the courtyard with a beaming face, Gwang-u entered the kitchen.
"Seok Ja-kyeong isn't the culprit!"
Right on time, as expected—my hunch was spot on.
And I already knew what this fool would say next.
"See? What did I tell you? Hero Ja-kyeong isn't the culprit. Myeong-gak hyung, you messed up big this time. Nearly killed an innocent man."
Strutting triumphantly, Gwang-u grabbed a glass, sat, and poured himself a hearty drink.
Kuh.
"Good stuff. Brother, tomorrow or the day after, go apologize to the Family Head. Say you misjudged him."
Stifling inner flames with liquor, I stared at blissfully drinking Gwang-u.
"Master liked you a lot while alive. Know why?"
"Why bring up Master suddenly? Sure, he scolded you more, but it wasn't that bad."
I smirked.
"Master liked you because you were a fool."
Gwang-u's cup paused mid-drink; the juniors gaped at me in shock.
"Brother, that's too harsh a joke."
Gwang-u's face and voice grew heavy.
But I didn't care.
"Listen well. You're unmatched in martial arts. But you're blind to surroundings and foresight. Master saw you as the sole disciple to inherit his will in the mountains. Namgung Hu had his family to return to, and I was never staying. But you followed me down."
Pausing, I emptied my glass and refilled it.
"That's when I realized—you're foolish, but not hopeless. Gwang-u, you vaguely suspected Seok Ja-kyeong was guilty, didn't you?"
Gwang-u's eyes shook violently.
His head drooped.
I watched silently, then drained my cup.
"Live well. You're Seok Family now—be loyal there. It's your home; don't visit often."
Pour...
Filling Gwang-u's empty glass, I stood and left the kitchen.
"Tonight, no one spy on me."
"It must have hit you hard."
The Great Heavenly Demon spoke impassively.
"Even you would've felt the same."
Looking down at me with my head bowed, he suddenly bellowed.
"A man moping over such trifles—how will you endure the trials ahead?!"
Haa...
"He was the first person in this world I truly trusted."
"Fool! Stop sighing and draw your sword!"
The Great Heavenly Demon shouted and prodded, but I didn't move.
"Kill me now. As many times as you want. Cut off limbs, torture me."
With me like this, even he had no counter, silently watching.
"I hoped you'd win our bet too."