The Second Son's True Face
Ju Sang-jin.
Ju Sang-jin.
What kind of person was he?
He was the son of Namgung I-hwa, the cherished daughter of the Namgung Family Head, and Ju Tae-sung, the Lord of the Ju Family. Born with a silver spoon firmly planted in his mouth, he was a precious child of two prestigious houses.
He monopolized all the affection in the Namgung Family.
And within the Ju Family, he enjoyed the support of the elders and the great lords, so his arrogance soared straight into the heavens without limit.
From a young age, Ju Sang-jin had been pampered with all sorts of spiritual medicines and exceptional martial arts manuals. He grew up spoiled and adored.
Like his mother Namgung I-hwa, he was arrogant, haughty, and a complete rascal who acted without any sense of restraint… or so one might think.
Surprisingly, the bastard was clever.
He never did anything that would draw attention. On the surface, he appeared to be a very good second son—respectful to his elders and older brother while looking after his younger siblings…
But in reality, the moment he turned away, he became an absolute son of a bitch. A vicious piece of work.
“Do you really want to die?”
Just look at him now.
Was that horribly twisted face something a younger brother should ever show to his sibling?
The legendary son of a bitch who would torment me like a madman whenever the adults weren’t around—that was Ju Sang-jin.
Of course, I had zero intention of avoiding him.
I had far too many things to do. There was no way I could let myself get dragged around by a child’s tantrum.
But before I could even step forward, Ju Yu-ran grabbed Ju Sang-jin by the shoulder and forcibly dragged him away.
“Let’s go inside, Sang-jin. Before this big sister gets angry?”
“……”
Yu-ran and Sang-jin were close.
Well, unlike me, who had spent my days drowning in alcohol, the two of them had plenty of opportunities to interact.
She was also the only person who truly understood just how rotten Sang-jin’s personality was.
Yu-ran winked at me with one eye, then dragged Sang-jin inside without another word.
I thought I heard her voice in the middle of it, threatening him: “Are you going to keep acting like this? Should I tell the adults?”
“In truth, that bastard is an even bigger rascal, isn’t he?”
I asked Muyoung.
He looked flustered and stammered.
“I… um, all the young masters are equally…”
“Fair enough. Who am I to criticize anyone? It’s not like the guy who used to drink all day and chase women has any right to talk.”
“N-no, Young Master.”
Muyoung grew even more flustered and hurried to comfort me.
I simply shook my head, telling him it was fine.
“Anyway, I’ve made it back.”
This was the Ju Family.
A little over a month had passed.
Carrying the Thousand-Year Dragon Saliva Essence, the legacy of Kunlun, I had finally returned home.
“Did you have a safe trip?”
The training grounds of my residence.
The moment I stepped out after unpacking, someone was already waiting for me.
My eldest sister, Ju Seung-gyeong.
It was her.
“It’s been a while, Sister.”
“Yeah. I’m well aware the entire family has been in an uproar because of you.”
“…Isn’t the family in an uproar right now because of the Heavenly Demon Competition?”
“Ugh, not right now! I mean before! The elders and even Father gathered in the Sword Soul Hall several times because of you.”
Hmm…?
Weren’t those gatherings also because of the Heavenly Demon Competition…?
“Ahem. Anyway. I heard you were injured, but you look fine?”
“Ah, the Tang Family took great care of me.”
“Still, you really are something else. How could you even think of going to Qinghai Province without reporting to Father?”
“……”
Ah, I had forgotten.
I had just been about to report to my father…
This might earn the Red Dragon Unit Leader a severe scolding as well.
“Hurry up and go to the Sword Soul Hall. And… stop by to see your older brother.”
“Eldest Brother…? Why?”
Ju Seung-hyeok, my eldest brother.
The one who had earned the title of Sword Dragon at the tender age of twenty.
The most promising talent in the Ju Family and the person closest to becoming the next young clan lord.
“After the Heavenly Demon Competition ends, Father and he are heading to the Zhushan Archipelago. He was very worried about you. So go show your face, you worthless little brother.”
“…Ugh. Understood.”
I answered reluctantly.
My eldest brother was someone who made me uncomfortable in a completely different way.
Unlike me, he was extremely diligent, benevolent, and broad-minded.
‘In truth, if anyone has the right to hold a grudge, it should be him the most.’
He was the son of Jin Seo-hwa, Father’s second wife and my second mother.
But after Second Mother passed away, Eldest Brother’s ties to her maternal family had also been severed.
His situation was vastly different from Ju Sang-jin, who was still cherished as a grandson by the Namgung Family.
Even so, Eldest Brother had grown up straight and true, without a single crooked edge.
“Hurry up and go.”
While I was lost in thought, Seung-gyeong’s sharp glare made me turn around and head straight for the Sword Soul Hall.
The main hall of the Ju Family, the Sword Soul Hall.
“……”
“……”
The atmosphere was icy.
It felt like a dagger was flying straight into my heart…
“So you went to Qinghai Province.”
“Yes, that is what happened.”
“And you didn’t say a single word to me about it?”
“……”
“It seems you find this Lord’s authority quite amusing.”
“That was not my intention. I apologize.”
“Speak. Why did you hide it?”
I took a moment to steady my breathing.
Father’s sharp gaze seemed to pierce through my entire body.
It was so keen it felt as if he could see straight into my heart.
“I believed you would not allow me to go if you knew it was dangerous.”
“Knowing that, you still went so far as to hide it? And you even manipulated the Red Dragon Unit Leader into helping you?”
“The Red Dragon Unit Leader bears no fault. It was all my stubbornness. If you must punish someone, punish only me.”
My businesslike tone made Ju Tae-sung’s eyes twitch.
Was this truly a conversation between father and son?
It felt more like an exchange between superior and subordinate.
A brief silence followed.
In the end, it was Ju Tae-sung who sighed first and spoke.
“Fine. Since you’ve returned safely, that’s enough. You will participate in the martial tournament, yes?”
“Pardon? Me, sir?”
I frowned and shook my head.
“All direct descendants must participate in this tournament. Prepare yourself accordingly.”
Father’s tone left no room for argument.
“What would I accomplish by going out there? I would only become a laughingstock.”
“……”
Ju Tae-sung, who had been about to say something, closed his mouth as if at a loss for words.
“Am I asking about the enormous energy flowing within your body right now?”
“……”
“If I did ask, would you honestly tell me everything?”
It felt as if my heart had dropped into my stomach.
The dignity of the Lord who saw through everything.
“Since I will not ask, you will also refrain from raising any objections and simply participate in the martial tournament.”
“…Yes, Father.”
I had no choice but to obey.
Father would never be fooled by any excuse.
“You may leave.”
With those words, Father turned his back and gazed out the window.
I quietly exited the Sword Soul Hall.
“Hoo…”
It had been like walking on thin ice.
Still, the fact that he let it slide so easily—was that fortunate?
“The martial tournament, huh…”
It seemed I wouldn’t be able to avoid it this time either.
I remembered participating in the tournament around this time in my previous life as well.
At the time, Father had been furious for some reason and forced me to participate… but I couldn’t quite recall the exact reason.
“Hmm.”
Regardless, my memories of the martial tournament weren’t particularly good.
That was because I had suffered a complete and utter humiliation after being thoroughly defeated by my second brother, Ju Sang-jin.
“Ha, I really don’t want to go through that again.”
Since avoiding the tournament was no longer an option, I would have to face it in a way that minimized embarrassment.
“Ah, right.”
Suddenly, I remembered what Eldest Sister Seung-gyeong had said earlier.
After seeing Father, I should stop by to see Eldest Brother.
“Right. He said he was going to the archipelago, didn’t he?”
The Zhushan Archipelago.
The moment that thought crossed my mind, a memory flashed through my head.
“Brother… gets injured there.”
It wasn’t a severe injury, but…
After returning from the archipelago, my brother had changed somewhat.
And after that, the one who drew closer to the position of young clan lord was none other than my second brother, Ju Sang-jin.
I couldn’t stand to see that happen again.
“This won’t do.”
It seemed I should at least greet him in advance.
Though the greeting I had in mind carried a slightly different meaning.
The eastern side of the inner court, where the sun rose, was where Eldest Brother’s residence stood.
Eunhyeonjeon
It was the pavilion where the eldest son of the Ju Family resided, along with his household.
“Kyaaaruruk!”
The moment I crossed the threshold of Eunhyeonjeon, the bright laughter of a young girl reached my ears.
It was a sound of pure happiness that warmed the heart just to hear it.
‘That must be Seol-ah.’
Ju Seol-ah.
Eldest Brother’s daughter, a little girl who had just turned five this year.
As I climbed the stone steps, I saw Seol-ah in the distance, holding hands with Eldest Brother and running around playfully.
“……”
The sight looked incredibly happy.
What did it feel like to become a father? To become a mother?
These were things I had never even considered in my previous life—or even in this one.
“It’s Woo-jin.”
At that moment, Eldest Brother turned around, sensing my presence.
His tall, imposing frame and broad shoulders.
Flawless skin and a face that always wore a gentle smile—features that had once stirred the hearts of countless women.
He was kind and benevolent. In truth, he was the man most suited to become the young lord of the Ju Family.
“It has been a long time, Brother. I greet you.”
“Haha, indeed. We live in the same house, yet it’s surprisingly difficult to see each other’s faces. Isn’t that right?”
At his words, I forced a smile and nodded.
At that moment, Seol-ah came running over and bowed politely to me.
“Hello, Uncle. My name is Ju Seol-ah.”
“Ah, yes. We’ve met before, haven’t we? It’s been a while, Seol-ah.”
I lowered myself to her eye level and greeted her warmly.
She resembled both Brother and Sister-in-law equally. She would likely grow up to be quite beautiful.
“……”
Eldest Brother, Seung-hyeok, watched me closely.
“So there are times when you smile so brightly.”
“…Haha.”
I laughed awkwardly.
“I heard you were injured. Are you alright?”
“Yes, Brother. The Tang Family Head showed me great consideration, which is why I was able to return unharmed.”
“I see. That’s a relief.”
Brother soon lifted Seol-ah high into the air and placed her on his shoulders.
Then he headed toward his residence.
“Come. Let’s have some tea together.”
“Yes.”
I naturally followed after him.
The interior was modest.
The room perfectly reflected Brother’s character—he indulged in no luxuries beyond what was absolutely necessary.
“Have you given up drinking entirely?”
Seung-hyeok spoke first, his tone teasing.
“Not completely, but… let’s just say I’ve come to my senses a little.”
“Hahaha, I see. I always believed the day would come when my little brother would finally grow up.”
It was probably true.
Brother had never been good at lying.
When I wasn’t around, he would often visit Mother in the rear garden and serve her with utmost devotion.
Mother had genuinely loved him for it.
“What brings you to see your older brother? Do you need help with something?”
“No. I just wanted to check in… I heard you’re heading to the Zhushan Archipelago after the Heavenly Demon Competition?”
“Mm, that’s right. It is something Father has decided. How could I refuse?”
As he spoke, Brother took a sip of tea.
Beside him, Seol-ah sat quietly, taking a small bite of the sweets that had been served with the tea.
‘What an upright man.’
If someone asked me who I respected the most, I would name my eldest brother without hesitation.
Both in character and in innate nature.
However, even someone like him had worries he could not speak of.
‘I suppose I need to make him realize it.’
This pure man who harbored no ambition at all.
It seemed I needed to wake him up to reality.
“Brother.”
“Yes?”
At my question, Seung-hyeok set down his teacup and looked at me.
“You must become the young clan lord.”
“……”
At those words, Seung-hyeok’s expression hardened for the first time.
Then, just as quickly, he relaxed his face, smiled, and shook his head.
“Haha, how could that possibly be up to me? It is something Father and the elders will decide…”
“If you remain passive like this, do you truly believe that opportunity will ever come?”
“Hmm, you’re acting strange today. Did you come to see me just to talk about this?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
Brother’s expression darkened.
“Let’s talk about this another time. Today is not really…”
“Are you still afraid of seeing blood?”
“…!”
His eyes widened at my words.
As if asking how I could possibly know that.
“If you do not shake off those memories, Brother, you will suffer a serious injury. And you will never get another chance like this again.”
It was a desperate struggle to change the future that was to come.
I no longer wanted to see the people I cared about rolling miserably in the dirt.