Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Part 9: Pathetic People
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Sunset bathed the streets of Luoyang in a gentle glow.
A girl perched on her sturdy father's back chattered endlessly.
"...And so the Eldest Young Master looked right into my eyes and said it. 'House Law Lion, I regret intervening on my own to halt your judgment. Please forgive me.' So I replied with elegant grace. 'It's fine, Young Master. I believe it was a fine decision for the good of the main family.'"
Yeom Baek covered her face with a squeal.
"Did you hear that? Did you hear?"
White Tiger, who had been dozing in her arms, startled and clung to her sleeve, dangling there.
"Wasn't it just too cool? So romantic. I felt like I was in one of those famous love stories!"
Elder Yeom couldn't fathom what was romantic about it, but he didn't ask.
He wasn't the fool who poked a beehive just to confirm the bees were there.
"The romantic part is this: a man with such a beautiful yet cold exterior, harboring a burning heart for the poor inside—doesn't the very fact that he exists make it romantic? Right? Doesn't it?"
Of course, some bees attacked without even approaching the hive.
"...And then he looked at me like this..."
But on the other hand, he felt his heart easing a little.
How long had it been since he'd walked Luoyang's streets at dusk with his daughter?
With his mind finally at ease, he broached the unavoidable topic.
"...What do you think?"
She didn't ask what he meant.
She was sharp enough to pass the grueling House Law Lion exam at a young age.
Though she couldn't carry out her duties outside, not a single judgment she'd rendered from within had a single flaw.
She knew full well that everything her father had built over a lifetime could crumble because of her alone.
Her voice grew somber.
"Father, there's only one thing I ask of you."
Her daughter's voice rang crystal clear in his ears.
"Don't use me as an excuse."
Her tone was utterly resolute.
Just like when she rendered judgment as the House Law Lion.
"...You mean me using you?"
At his question, Yeom Baek placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I was born the only daughter of a main family elder. And shamefully, I'm also the House Law Lion. I've enjoyed everything my position allows."
Gratitude for what she had enjoyed colored her voice.
"I'm no incompetent daughter who takes the privileges and shirks the duties."
She spoke with firm resolve.
"Father, judge as the main family's elder—and as the head of our house—pure and true. Even if it's lonely, there's no helping it. Even if it's painful, there's no choice. But 'because of my daughter'—I don't need those words."
"You..."
His voice cracked.
"As the elder's daughter, as your daughter, I'll follow whatever you decide."
"I see..."
She felt his broad shoulders begin to tremble faintly.
But she showed no sign of it.
The two simply walked like any ordinary father and daughter on the street.
A moment later, a now-calm voice emerged from his lips.
"Understood. So it shall be."
Smiling, she threw her arms around his neck.
"I've got a great idea!"
And she started chattering again.
"You publicly disown me! Then I, with nowhere to turn, enter Won-gak Pavilion as a servant! And as this incompetent me who can't do a single servant's task right, the senior maids bully me! I hide in the storehouse, gazing at the moon and shedding tears. That's when! The Eldest Young Master enters the storehouse and finds me! Ahh, perfect! Utterly romantic! Another flawless love story!"
"..."
He focused only on his steps.
For the time being, he'd have to endure a million bee stings or so.
What choice did he have?
His daughter had no one else to share such tales with.
She knew her place and conducted herself better than anyone.
What choice did he have?
It was one of the few meaningless roles a pathetic father with an undeserving daughter could play.
* * *
The full moon hung high over Won-gak Pavilion.
Bonfires dotted the wide gravel courtyard, illuminating every corner.
Beneath them, a woman's lithe shadow clashed with a man's sturdy one.
Sword light reflected off the flames flashed in all directions.
Soon cheers erupted.
"Whoa, well..."
One of the Fourth Young Master's warriors sat on his backside, too stunned to rise.
"A fine lesson."
With breath somewhat ragged, the hand he extended belonged to none other than Won-gak Pavilion's head maid, Jeong-a.
"No. If anything, I..."
The warrior acknowledged her as a fellow martial artist.
He gladly took her hand and pulled himself up.
He offered her a respectful clasped-hands salute.
"If anything, I learned a move from you."
The Fourth Young Master's warriors, who had gathered at a distance, approached clapping.
"Wow! Haven't seen a real match like that in ages. Feels like my eyes are wide open!"
"Was that famous advanced technique Flash Shadow Instant Sword the head maid used? To master something so esoteric to that degree—impressive!"
Though their comrade had lost to a mere maid, they harbored no ill will.
They felt refreshed today, and the Fourth Young Master's men were fundamentally cheerful, forthright folk.
Jeong-a bowed her head in thanks for their praise.
"Just a minor skill."
The warrior she'd sparred with jumped at her modesty.
"Hey, if you call it that, what does that make me?"
"What else? The weaker one loses—it's natural. Loser, quit loafing around and step aside."
"Yeah, yeah. We've got to talk advanced martial arts with this head maid lady."
"Talk? More like receive instruction."
Pushed aside by the surging comrades, the warrior gave a hollow smile.
"...Hey, I haven't even reviewed the match yet."
His comrades were already ignoring him.
The beautiful head maid, who had mastered the Sword Clan's most notoriously difficult advanced technique, was wildly popular among them.
"Man."
Shaking his head, he picked up his sword and shortsword from the ground.
And that wasn't all.
The courtyard was littered with his iron caltrops, needles, and throwing knives.
He had unleashed every signature technique he knew, save for the poisons barred in sparring.
"...None of it worked?"
He squatted right there.
Gazing at the mess, he just shook his head.
* * *
Raucous cheers and lively chatter drifted in from outside.
The Fourth Young Master smiled.
"Little brother, I enjoyed a splendid meal. Won-gak Pavilion's ingredients are truly Luoyang's finest, no doubt."
"I'm glad."
As the table was cleared, a plump maid appeared.
She had stuck by the Fourth Young Master all day.
After a polite bow, she placed the after-dinner tea on the table.
"Thank you."
At his thanks, she flashed a cute smile and left the room.
"Won-gak Pavilion is still short-staffed, so I apologize."
"No need, big brother. We help each other at times like this. What are brothers for?"
The door closed, footsteps faded.
Now the brothers could talk properly.
"This venture matters more to me than it appears, little brother."
The Fourth Young Master bowed solemnly.
His speech had changed too.
"I will never forget the guidance you gave me today, big brother, nor what you've done for me."
Yeon So-hyeon waved it off.
"...It seems the other two charging ahead is shaking your position."
The Fourth Young Master let out a small sigh.
"Yes. The venture's scale is one thing, but really, it's a desperate bid not to fall behind in the succession struggle."
"Do you crave the Acting Family Head seat?"
"..."
Yeon So-hyeon lightly savored the incense and set down his teacup.
But his question was anything but light.
The Fourth Young Master opened his mouth with utmost caution.
"...We can't hand the Sword Clan to the Second or Third Young Master."
"True."
Yeon So-hyeon nodded lightly in agreement.
"Big brother."
The Fourth Young Master looked up at him.
"What if now, at last...?"
Yeon So-hyeon cut him off.
"Those investors coming from Sichuan."
The Fourth Young Master bowed at once.
"Yes, big brother."
"I've heard they're giving you trouble. True?"
The Fourth Young Master shook his head.
"You can't imagine. No matter how I persuade them, they insist on touring Luoyang separately from the main group..."
He propped his elbow on the table and rested his chin.
"Well, what can you do? I'm the desperate one, so I'll have to manage."
Moreover, regardless of their immediate investment, they were key figures who could sway the venture's long-term success.
Yeon So-hyeon nodded as the Fourth Young Master explained.
"Then leave them to me."
The Fourth Young Master's movements froze.
"...Big brother."
"What?"
His eyes wavered.
"That would be a whole different story."
The boy licked his parched lips.
"Relocating the slums is just you helping your little brother temporarily. The shares I'm offering are like consultant fees."
"True."
The Fourth Young Master gulped the cooling tea.
"But going further means you're joining this venture with me."
"A business run jointly by the Sword Clan's Eldest and Fourth Young Masters."
Yeon So-hyeon smiled enigmatically.
"That's why I'm proposing new terms."
The Fourth Young Master felt dizzy.
"...Big brother."
The boy gazed at the man he loved and respected most.
"Are you finally ending your seclusion? The Second and Third Young Masters—and all who hate you—will swarm like bees to block you."
Yeon So-hyeon countered.
"Do you crave the Acting Family Head seat?"
The Fourth Young Master shot to his feet.
His chair toppled backward.
"No!"
The boy slammed the table.
"Absolutely not!"
He shouted.
"The Acting Family Head of the main house is a seat only you qualify for, big brother!"
Yeon So-hyeon grinned broadly.
He could not lose any more of his precious remaining family.
That was why he had to make this "doomed-to-fail" venture succeed.
He knew the "future" where this adorable brother had suffered so much for his pathetic big brother self.
"I'm ending this seclusion 'officially' now."
Thus, this pathetic big brother would become, from here on, the big brother anyone would envy.
"Will you join me?"
It was a question that went without saying.