A Father's Secret and the Uiseon Family's Expectations
“Is your friend’s father the one who was in the family estate back then?”
Back then, Eunhyeon had simply been too reluctant to ask and had felt it best not to pry. But now that the topic had come up, things felt different.
“Dad never really lived in the estate to begin with. Mom would stay there for a month after a long absence, but Dad almost never does. He might spend ten days a year at most, and the rest of the time he’s out and about somewhere.”
“Really? So it makes sense that I never saw him.”
“That’s right.”
Ju Yuryeon nodded and fell silent, but her eyes wandered as if she were thinking of something entirely different.
It was clear that the sudden revelation of a real father weighed heavily on her mind. Seeing that, Yeo U-hui stepped in to speak for her.
“I travel outside the estate a lot too, so I only see my son’s father once or twice a year.”
“What kind of work do you do? Is it the same as Aunt Yeo’s?”
“No… it’s a bit different. To be precise, it has nothing to do with the family estate’s affairs. Your son’s father is a wandering physician who travels the entire world offering medical treatment.”
“A wandering physician?”
“That’s right. There are many places in the world without any physicians at all, and even where they exist, most are no better than street quacks unless it’s a major city.”p>
Ju Yuryeon’s words drew an astonished exclamation from Eunhyeon. Caring for patients like that was no ordinary task, and if it was done with such purpose, it deserved the highest respect.
“An amazing person, then. If that’s the case, you must possess truly extraordinary medical skills.”
“I’m amazing, that’s for sure. In fact, I’m well-regarded among martial artists. The reason the Uiseon Suga has risen to one of the Seven Great Families is largely thanks to the headmaster’s symbolic power and the prestige that has followed.”
Yeo U-hui said as much, but Ju Yuryeon grumbled under her breath.
“Publicly, sure. But as a father he was never good to the family. He cares for patients across the world but barely looks after his own.”
“You’re still holding a grudge, then?”
“Grudge? No, I grew out of that long ago. When I was young I could complain about it, but now I’m old enough to understand. I’ve left my parents’ home and it doesn’t affect me, but it must be hard for Mom.”
“Even grief wears you down. The only thing I could ever blame that man for is that he made you this way. He never cared for his son, always leaving the house empty, and look what happened.”
“No, I’m fine. And the house was empty often enough while Mom was still raising me.”
“I raised you until you were six. Before you turned ten I didn’t take on more than two or three missions a year and spent every day looking after you and teaching you. I thought I’d done enough.”
“That’s true. Mom always said I was too much trouble because I loved too much.”
Ju Yuryeon nodded in understanding of her mother’s words. Then, as if a complaint had been building, Yeo U-hui continued.
“But the reason you turned out like this is because that man never properly looked after you, right?”
“I don’t really mind… If Mom thinks that way, then that’s how it is. But it’s too late now. There’s no need to blame him anymore.”
“If he were just a stranger or an acquaintance, we could let past events be past events. But between husband and wife, fighting over old times is just how it is.”
Ju Yuryeon covered her ears with both hands in clear distaste and shook her head vigorously. Eunhyeon watched the pair for a moment before asking.
“Then… what is his name?”
“Zhu Yuan-gong.”
“Is Uncle Zhu coming here?”
If he had arrived earlier, Eunhyeon would have seen him by now. Thinking he had not, he asked the question. Yeo U-hui nodded.
“That’s right. I already sent word. He should arrive any day now.”
“Will there be any more contact from the Dang Clan before that?”
“I wonder. It depends on how soon that urgent matter can be resolved. The Dang Clan is certainly the one in the greatest hurry, so it probably won’t take long.”
“Then we should wait, at least for now.”
“That’s how I feel too. What about you? What are your plans?”
“Me?”
Eunhyeon was momentarily at a loss by the sudden question. Now that he finally understood the Red Steel Poison Corpse, he wasn’t sure what to say.
“You don’t need to think about it too hard. Even if it’s your maternal grandfather’s family, you shouldn’t let it distract you from what you’re doing for the Uiseon Suga.”
“As long as my maternal grandfather’s family isn’t in any real danger, I have no intention of getting involved in other matters.”
Eunhyeon had always felt a faint sense of belonging, but he would never simply abandon his maternal grandfather’s family if it were truly in peril. He had done it for Su Hwa-seon’s sake more than anything, but family bonds were still bonds all the same.
“That’s good. You have your own duties to attend to. Focus on those. Besides, it seems you attract an unusual amount of attention from both righteous and demonic paths, so there are bound to be many things weighing on your mind.”
“That’s true. But what about the Dang Clan? They seemed to be waiting for me specifically. What if I’m not here? Will they be fine?”
“The fact that they waited for you was the idea of Prince Dang Jaseung. He clearly holds you in very high regard.”
Ju Yuryeon, who had been listening quietly until then, snorted and grumbled.
“Hmph. Mom exaggerates just as much. She even spread rumors that I was a ‘mysterious prince.’ You’d think she’d have pity on us.”
“You’re such a brat. Compared to Eunhyeon, I’m quite handsome, but you turn up your nose at everything. That’s why you can’t find a husband.”
“Mom, be honest. Eunhyeon isn’t ugly by any means, but he’s not mysterious either. Hey, Eunhyeon. I’m not talking about you. Don’t get upset.”
Yeo U-hui spoke with warm affection toward her son’s best friend, but Ju Yuryeon was simply stating facts.
That much was certain: both situations were nothing but painful for the man in question himself.
“Are you going to stop now before you actually get upset? Mom, too.”
The mother and daughter exchanged a glance, cleared their throats awkwardly, and then Yeo U-hui continued.
“Heh. Anyway, the Dang Clan must assume I’m with the Uiseon Suga, so they’ll be glad to have your help. Besides, I can’t help but wait for my husband to return.”
When Yeo U-hui said that, Eunhyeon couldn’t hide his awkward expression. It seemed Dang Jaseung had remembered the previous meeting with great clarity.
“I offered to wait too. No matter what, the Cheonma-mun and Qingseong School had set up a lodge and I was alone in the room. I needed somewhere safe to hide. Luckily the Dang Clan invited me. If I’d known Mom was there I would have hidden. Uuu. But it had to happen, I guess.”
“Really? I don’t know much about medicine or poison, so I probably won’t be of much use… What do you plan to do, Yuryeon?”
“Hmm. Officially I’m on vacation right now. Unless it’s an order from a superior, there’s no real reason to help. Right?”
At first Ju Yuryeon had stubbornly refused, but after hearing the situation she looked troubled.
“Even if I had an order, I shouldn’t interfere too much if the family isn’t involved. Leave the final decision to you two.”
When Yeo U-hui said that, Eunhyeon turned back to Ju Yuryeon.
“We can just ignore him, right?”
“I’m not his father, why should I? It’s not like he’s hard to deal with… I saw him once this year too.”
“Hmm, I see. But what else can I do when all I can do right now is wait?”
“The Heavenly Martial Alliance warned me, you know. Is that a problem?”
“I wasn’t planning on helping them anyway. The Heavenly Martial Alliance only told me not to get involved with the Dang Clan in the first place. But I guess the madman from Qingseong School thought I was interfering just by going to the Dang Clan.”
“That’s not entirely wrong. If you’re here, would you really stay still if righteous or demonic forces attacked?”
Ju Yuryeon asked with a cheeky grin, but Eunhyeon simply shook his head without saying anything.
“Of course I wouldn’t stay still. I’d slip away quietly. If I just stand around and get dragged into a fight, it’s trouble.”
“…So that’s what you meant?”
“What else could it mean? Having just one person isn’t going to help. The old lady from the Amim School is scary enough, and the Heavenly Martial Alliance says they’re bringing over more than ten masters. The demonic cult will probably send people just as dangerous. Just thinking about it gives me chills. Hey.”
“Aha, that’s true. Whether you’re here or not, you won’t win or lose the fight. But with your level of skill you could still make a huge difference on the battlefield, right?”
“That’s not going to happen. I’m not going to start a fight if one isn’t started against me.”
Eunhyeon drew a firm line, and both Ju Yuryeon and Yeo U-hui simply nodded in understanding.
“Then should we leave right away?”
“What about Won-jik?”
“We can head to the Cheonma-mun if it becomes necessary.”
“In this situation going toward the demonic side would only make things bigger, especially for me. And for Yuryeon too.”
“Mmm… that’s true. Then what do we do? Give me a clear answer.”
Ju Yuryeon nodded as if agreeing with Eunhyeon’s words, but she still couldn’t make a decision. She looked frustrated, so Eunhyeon smiled lightly and nodded.
“Let’s stay a few more days at least. Waiting for Won-jik, and… most importantly.”
“Most importantly?”
“I’d like to meet him and find out what kind of person my father is.”