Family Ties
That evening, another modest banquet was held to celebrate the Young Sect Leader and his entourage's safe return from their pilgrimage.
It also doubled as a welcoming feast for Ha Yeon-ryeong, who was visiting the Sun and Moon Sect as a guest from the Kunlun Sect.
"Mother, have you been well in my absence?"
"Indeed. I am glad to see you returned in good health."
"Brother! You're back safe and sound!"
"Yes, Hyeon. Have you been well?"
Seeing Baek Hyeon, who seemed to have grown a bit taller since I last saw him, and Jang Su-ryeon, who still wore her usual sullen expression, made it finally sink in that I was home. Nestled in Jang Su-ryeon's arms was our youngest sister, Hwa-rin, who was fast approaching her first birthday.
Looking back, it had been a journey that was short yet long at the same time.
After today, Namgung Eon would return to his original post at the Myeongsin Palace.
I, too, would resume my training, while Baek So-cheong and Yeongho Bin returned to their daily routines.
Wait, then what happens to Ha Yeon-ryeong? It feels like those brief marriage talks we had just fizzled out into nothing.
"Young Sect Leader. Lady Ha will be staying with the Sun and Moon Sect for a while, and surely we cannot keep calling her 'Lady Ha' forever, can we?"
"Hmm..."
Perhaps Baek So-cheong had been thinking about the same thing, as she suggested settling on a proper title for Ha Yeon-ryeong right here at the banquet.
"How about Lady Ha addresses the Young Sect Leader as 'Orabeoni'?"
"Orabeoni?"
In this world, the term orabeoni was, of course, what a girl called her older brother. However, even if they weren't blood-related, it was often used for a close male acquaintance.
And, of course, between lovers.
That was likely why Ha Yeon-ryeong's face flushed bright red the moment she heard the suggestion.
"Do not speak such nonsense."
Baek So-cheong's face fell, but I simply couldn't allow it.
It was true that I had grown emotionally closer to the others during the pilgrimage. But a line had to be drawn.
How hard had I, an extreme introvert, worked to establish the dignity of the Young Sect Leader? If my authority within the Sun and Moon Sect crumbled, my very survival would be in jeopardy.
Though my cold rejection left Baek So-cheong looking rather disappointed.
And then...
The murmuring banquet hall suddenly fell dead silent. Out of nowhere, the Sect Leader strode into the room.
I quickly stood up and bowed to show my respect.
With his usual expressionless face, the Sect Leader walked up to me and stopped. His gaze lingered on me for a brief moment before shifting directly to Ha Yeon-ryeong.
"Lady Ha."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"It seems you did not come all this way merely to deliver your Sect Leader's personal letter."
To my utter astonishment, a rare, playful smirk played on his lips. It was shocking to see such a side to the Sect Leader.
"Speak honestly. Do you wish to marry the Young Sect Leader?"
"Yes! O-of course, only if you and the Young Sect Leader permit it."
Ha Yeon-ryeong answered in a fluster, and the onlookers in the banquet hall turned their gaze back to me, their eyes sparkling with amusement.
Naturally, this sudden surge of attention was suffocating enough to kill me. If not for the sake of maintaining my dignity as the Young Sect Leader, I would have bolted right then and there.
"Is that so. Hmm. I see."
The Sect Leader stared at me with unreadable eyes, nodded a few times, and spoke.
"As the Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Sect, I have no intention of forming a marriage alliance with the Kunlun Sect."
At this unexpectedly sharp rejection, the faces of several people, including Ha Yeon-ryeong, darkened. But the Sect Leader wasn't finished.
"The Sun and Moon Sect stands on the precipice of a grand undertaking. If we were to form an alliance through marriage with the Kunlun Sect, the gossips of the Jianghu would focus solely on the personal ties between our two sects, potentially obscuring the true purpose of our great cause."
Then, his gaze softened as he looked back at me, adding a final remark.
It was a statement so unexpected that everyone in the room gasped in surprise.
"However, as Yeon's father, if the two of you wish to court, I would naturally welcome it. But since you are both still young, I advise you not to rush."
The disappointed faces instantly brightened, and some even let out quiet chuckles at his words.
Yet, the ones celebrating more than anyone else were Baek So-cheong and Namgung Eon.
I have no idea why they're making a bigger fuss than the actual parties involved, though.
The Sect Leader then turned his head to address me.
"Do you understand my meaning?"
"Yes, Father."
What he was trying to tell me was crystal clear. It was a declaration that he would not use my marriage as a political weapon, and that he would fully respect my wishes in this matter.
For me, this was undoubtedly a massive relief.
But at the same time, it was incredibly unexpected. In this era, a child's marriage was a powerful political tool with immense utility, yet the Sect Leader was choosing to forfeit it. Why would a man who seemed willing to sacrifice anything for his grand ambition of dominating the Jianghu do such a thing?
"Lady Ha. I shall have quarters prepared for you in the Red Moon Palace, so make yourself at home for as long as you wish."
"Sect Leader... I do not know how to express my gratitude."
"So-cheong, and Hyeon!"
"Yes, Father."
"Huh?"
"Lady Ha is as good as your sister now. Address her as your junior or senior sister."
"Yes, I understand."
This meant that even if he wasn't formally inducting Ha Yeon-ryeong into the sect, he was recognizing her as something akin to an honorary disciple. Baek So-cheong and Baek Hyeon seemed delighted to have a new sibling in the martial arts.
However, Jang Su-ryeon's face remained sour, clearly displeased with Ha Yeon-ryeong's presence.
"Then, enjoy the rest of your evening."
Having delivered his brief message, the Sect Leader turned and walked back toward the Sect Leader's Palace. Watching his retreating figure, followed by Jang Su-ryeon, who glared at his back with discontent, a sudden thought struck me.
Come to think of it... the Sect Leader's marriage to Jang Su-ryeon...
I had never heard the exact details of how the Sect Leader came to marry his second wife, Jang Su-ryeon. However, I did know that her family owned the Cheonun Merchant Alliance, one of the wealthiest and most prominent merchant groups in the southwestern region of the Jianghu.
Naturally, running and expanding a massive sect required an astronomical amount of funds. And for the Cheonun Merchant Alliance, having the Sun and Moon Sect—one of the greatest powers in the land—as their backer was the ultimate prize.
Thus, the marriage between the Sect Leader and the daughter of the Cheonun Merchant Alliance's leader was undoubtedly a calculated political transaction.
Could the words the Sect Leader spoke to me today have stemmed from his own regrets over his arranged marriage?
As I pondered this, my gaze drifted toward Baek So-cheong without me even realizing it.
"Young Sect Leader, what is it? Do you have something to say?"
"No, it is nothing."
Before marrying his first wife, who was Baek Yeon's biological mother, the Sect Leader had fathered Baek So-cheong with a woman whose identity remained a complete mystery to everyone.
I hadn't thought much of it before, but...
The fact that the Sect Leader kept the identity of So-cheong's biological mother a strict secret...
And the way he cherished So-cheong more than anyone else, even if he didn't show it openly...?
Did it mean his love for the woman he met before his political marriage ran that deep?
As the puzzle pieces suddenly clicked into place, a shiver ran down my spine. I had never imagined that the seemingly cold-blooded Sect Leader could possess such a romantic side.
And then...
Not long after the Sect Leader departed, a man approached me as I sat at the head table. He was in his forties, with a neat appearance and dressed in the refined robes of a scholar—the very same unfamiliar man I had seen meeting with the Sect Leader earlier.
"I pay my respects to the Young Sect Leader."
I stared blankly at the man who had approached me out of the blue.
Given that he was granted a private audience with the Sect Leader and was allowed to roam the headquarters freely, he was undoubtedly a member of the Sun and Moon Sect, and a high-ranking one at that.
Yet, no matter how hard I racked my brain, I couldn't place him.
Then again, considering the sheer number of disciples scattered across the Jianghu, it wasn't surprising that there were high-ranking members whose faces I didn't recognize.
"I welcome your visit to our headquarters. However, my knowledge must be lacking, as this is the first time I have had the pleasure of meeting you."
It was a polite way of demanding his identity, and the man smiled warmly, as if he understood my intent.
"How cold, Young Sect Leader. Are you still going to pretend you do not know me?"
Ah...!
Only then did I recognize his eyes—hollow, empty pupils that seemed to pierce right through a person while simultaneously looking at absolutely nothing.
His neatly trimmed eyebrows, short beard, pale skin, and even his build and gait were completely different from when I had last seen him, but those eyes were unmistakable.
In this world, there were those skilled in the art of disguise, using human-skin masks to impersonate others. True masters of the craft could juggle multiple identities with ease.
Yu Gwan-ji, one of the Four Dharma Kings, who had cornered me back at Mount Kunlun, was one of those masters. He had even infiltrated the Kunlun Sect under a false guise.
"So, it was you after all."
The moment I recognized him, I subtly shifted my gaze toward Ha Yeon-ryeong.
Yu Gwan-ji was the very man who had kidnapped her and tried to take her life. Since I had previously claimed that the culprit was not a member of our sect, it would be highly problematic if his identity were exposed here.
Yet, the fact that he dared to show his face so boldly proved that he was, without a doubt, completely unhinged.
"Do not worry, Young Sect Leader. I have already spoken with the Sect Leader about that day, and I have finally come to understand your deep intentions."
Yu Gwan-ji maintained his gentle smile as he spoke softly.
"My thinking was shallow back then. I have truly learned a lesson from you, Young Sect Leader. Please forgive my past transgressions."
With that, Yu Gwan-ji clasped his hands respectfully and bowed deeply before me.
Is that how it is?
I couldn't know for sure what the Sect Leader and Yu Gwan-ji had discussed. But judging by the Sect Leader's earlier reaction and Yu Gwan-ji's current attitude, they had clearly interpreted my actions in a highly positive light.
While it was hard to believe Yu Gwan-ji had completely cast aside his suspicions, it seemed I wouldn't have to worry about him for the time being. Which was a relief...
Except, thinking back to how this bastard played me still makes my blood boil.
"Fufu."
I let out a soft chuckle, quiet enough that only Yu Gwan-ji could hear.
Yu Gwan-ji smiled back, but the meaning behind my laughter was likely far different from what he imagined.
"Yeongho Bin."
"Yes, my Lord."
I called out to Yeongho Bin, who had been standing by my side, quietly listening to our conversation.
"The security of our headquarters is utterly disappointing. Discipline has grown far too lax."
"My Lord, what do you mean...?"
"Is it now permitted for random peddlers to wander freely into a place where the Young Sect Leader, the Sect Leader's wife, and our esteemed guests are gathered?"
The smile instantly vanished from Yu Gwan-ji's face.
Yeongho Bin looked puzzled for a moment before nodding in understanding.
"Indeed. Allowing unauthorized individuals to wander in and out at will would surely disrupt the discipline of our headquarters."
"Precisely... Yeongho Bin."
"Command me, my Lord."
"You must take action. Throw this peddler out immediately."
"Understood."
Yu Gwan-ji stared at me in sheer disbelief.
"Young Sect Leader, what in the... A peddler?"
"Listen well, peddler," Yeongho Bin boomed. "No one may enter this place without the express permission of the Young Sect Leader."
"Warrior Yeongho! What is the meaning of this? I, too, am a disciple serving under the Sect Leader's command—"
"Our sect has no such member. It seems your mind is addled."
"What do you think you are doing... Let go of me!"
Yeongho Bin grabbed Yu Gwan-ji by the arm and dragged him out of the banquet hall. Yu Gwan-ji's face turned beet red with fury, thrashing wildly in protest, but...
If you're so aggrieved, why don't you go ahead and announce to everyone that you're the Dharma King, Yu Gwan-ji?
In the end, other guards rushed over at the commotion, joining forces to seize Yu Gwan-ji, scolding him thoroughly as they threw him out of the hall.
"Peddlers these days are incredibly persistent. Our disciples could certainly learn a thing or two from such tenacity."
With my quiet remark, the briefly disrupted banquet hall returned to its peaceful atmosphere as if nothing had happened.
The night deepened, and music echoed under the glittering stars.
I sat at the head table until the very end of the banquet without saying much of anything, but no one dared to disturb the Young Sect Leader after his long, exhausting mission.
It was, without a doubt, the perfect banquet for an introvert.