Chapter 40: The Jegal Clan (2)
I set aside my doubts and answered.
"Of course. But there's something you should know first."
"What is it?"
"If you abandon the Jegal name, from that moment on, you will no longer be part of the Jegal Clan."
"......Right."
"Then, who would indulge a spoiled young miss like you? You'd be thrown into the harsh outside world, scrambling just to find food."
"R-Really?"
Honestly, this was an exaggeration.
Even if she discarded the Jegal name, her family wouldn't just abandon her.
Ah, but in my previous life, all the family who would have protected her were dead.
The fact that this brainless, innocent girl standing before me had become the peerless beauty Mu So-ok meant she'd been through hell in the world.
But that was that, and if I didn't push this young miss away right now, I felt like I'd explode first.
"And if you're no longer part of the Jegal Clan, do you think these people here would continue to pamper you? They'd want to smack your butt on the spot."
At my words, the people around us nodded unconsciously.
It meant they deeply agreed.
They'd suffered so much because of this scatterbrained, brainless, pure madwoman of a young miss.
They flinched after realizing it, but it was too late.
Jegal Yua young miss had seen them.
"You're too much!"
You're the one who's too much, young miss.
"Anyway! If you're no longer part of the Jegal Clan, I can spar with you without worry. Even if an arm gets cut off in the process, I can handle it."
"Th-Then the Jegal Clan will—!"
"How paradoxical. You abandon the Jegal name, yet expect the Jegal Clan to protect you? And why would they protect someone who's no longer theirs? They're unrelated, so they'd say nothing."
"Uh......"
"What I just said is much the same as what would happen to you if the clan falls."
"......"
She looked at me silently.
Her gaze was strange, but somehow, I could sense her emotions.
Anger?
Anger at what, exactly?
It didn't feel like anger toward me...... it was too intense for that.
It vanished quickly again, making me wonder if I'd imagined it.
At this point, something was definitely up.
She wasn't really a brainless pure madwoman.
Should I probe a bit more?
"As one who bears the Jegal name, it's only natural to protect the clan, yet you're trying to destroy it instead. Let me ask again."
I clasped my hands in a fist salute and asked.
"Are you truly a member of the Jegal Clan, young miss?"
"......"
She trailed off in apparent panic, but I could tell it wasn't genuine.
This was enough.
I didn't know the full situation, but maybe I should play along a little?
"I don't know why you're crying now, but shouldn't you do something before breaking down?"
"Wh- sniff -what? Are you expecting an apology? I'm not apologizing to you!"
"Why would you think I want an apology?"
"Huh?"
"An apology needs sincerity. One without it just sours the mood. So just step aside."
I didn't want to go this far with her, but dragging it out vaguely could make things weirder.
"......"
"Just take three steps to the left from where you are."
At my words, she unconsciously moved three steps left.
"Thank you for stepping aside. Then, if you'll excuse me."
I said to the maid.
"Please continue guiding us."
"Ah...... Yes!"
As she turned, she said,
"This way...... Ah! Greetings to the Supreme Patriarch!"
The maid hurriedly bowed deeply.
A elderly man in luxurious robes stood before her.
Damn......
The aura emanating from the old man, whose long beard reached his chest, was tremendous.
This must be the one who invited us—the Jegal Clan's Supreme Patriarch!
"Eunhae Merchant Group's Finance Pavilion Leader Yu Mo greets the Supreme Patriarch."
"Eunhae Merchant Group's leader's third son, Eun [Seo-ho], greets the Supreme Patriarch."
"Rise."
"Thank you."
We straightened up.
"I heard you were coming to pay respects but didn't, so I came myself—and what a rare spectacle. Heh heh heh."
So he saw everything?
I didn't do anything rude, right?
And I felt no presence at all......
This is what a true master is like?
At the sight of the Supreme Patriarch, Jegal Yua young miss ran to him.
"Grandfather!"
She hugged his waist and sniffled.
"He refused to spar with me, and then he said all these mean things to me."
"Oh dear, is that so? Our Yua must be upset."
He gave her some candy and soothed her away.
He won't scold me for what I said earlier, will he?
I clasped my fists and apologized politely.
"I apologize for showing such an unsightly display. Please forgive me."
"Forgive? Everything you said was spot on."
"......?"
The Supreme Patriarch smiled gently and continued.
"Don't scold me for spoiling the child. I've let Yua act so brazenly because it's her burden to bear in the end. In a few months, she'll turn fifteen and set off on her Young Dragon Journey."
Young Dragon Journey?
As if reading my question, the Supreme Patriarch explained.
"It's a tradition of our Jegal Clan. She's given only a weapon and writing tools. She must wander the jianghu for three years, securing her own food, clothing, and shelter while building her reputation. The clan doesn't interfere at all."
"So, gaining worldly experience under the clan's protection."
"You misunderstand."
"Pardon?"
"No interference means no protection either."
"......"
"Only those who return alive after three years of wandering the jianghu can formally take the Jegal name."
Only then did I understand the Supreme Patriarch's words.
So, the more brazenly she acts, the harsher the world will be to her—and that's her share to bear.
"Is that perhaps why the Jegal Clan's members are so brilliant?"
"Indeed."
The Supreme Patriarch nodded.
"Buried in books isn't true wisdom. True wisdom comes only from experiencing the world."
"She could lose her life in the process."
"If they die in a mere three-year Young Dragon Journey, it means they'd tarnish the family name."
Come to think of it, other sects and clans had similar rites......
No wonder the great martial clans and noble houses survive—there's a reason.
It's more ruthless than I thought.
Only then did I realize why no one recognized Jegal Yua as the clan lord's daughter.
The clan fell during her Young Dragon Journey.
She lost her home while still unknown to the world.
I didn't know what connections she made, but somehow she ended up with the Yu River Merchant Group's leader.
Wait, she's turning fifteen soon?
She's fourteen now......
So, just a year younger than me.
The Supreme Patriarch said to me,
"If Yua ever challenges you to spar again, don't refuse."
"Please retract that order. It's too much for me."
"And if you're sparring anyway, cutting somewhere is a bit much, but breaking an arm is fine."
"Pardon?"
"It's time to prepare her for the Young Dragon Journey. She wins every spar, so she's getting arrogant."
The Supreme Patriarch asked me,
"When do you think one must be most vigilant?"
"Naturally...... after winning."
"That's why I'm saying this. And honestly, I like you."
"......?"
The Supreme Patriarch chuckled.
"You have the skill to win in a spar but defeated her with words instead!"
"Ah......"
"Not drawing your sword recklessly and maintaining decorum to the end— that's a virtue rare for your age."
"I don't know where to put myself amid such praise."
I answered politely, but my doubts lingered.
What was that look the Supreme Patriarch gave Jegal Yua earlier?
It wasn't cynical.
Nor was it particularly warm.
It was peculiar.
Like sadness...... or pity......
His voice dispelled my thoughts.
He greeted Yu Chief Steward warmly.
"I've been quite rude."
"No, not at all."
"I was truly impressed by your poetry! How every line is so beautiful!"
"You're too kind. It's just poor scribbling."
"No exaggeration."
He burst into hearty laughter.
"If we talk longer, you'll tire, so let's continue tomorrow. Go rest."
"My apologies."
"No, I'm the one sorry. See you tomorrow."
With that, we returned to our lodgings.
I ate dinner and was about to truly rest.
But,
Why did the young miss come to see me?
.
.
.
At the maid's words that she was waiting, I headed to where Jegal Yua young miss waited.
But,
I flinched involuntarily at the sight of her staring blankly into the distance.
Her face was that of the Mu So-ok I knew.
As I made my presence known, that expression vanished from her in an instant.
What was that just now?
Jegal Yua young miss saw me and immediately said,
"Spar with me!"
"Young miss, as I said earlier......"
"Doesn't matter! Just one round!"
I sighed.
With the Supreme Patriarch's hint, there was no need to back down.
And with my personal curiosity, I nodded readily.
"Very well. But promise that win or lose, you won't bother me again."
"Got it. I promise."
"To the training ground, then."
"Better than the training ground. Grab a wooden sword from over there and follow me."
At her words, I picked a suitably weighted wooden sword from the nearby rack and followed her.
Palgap followed behind me, and I whispered quietly to him.
"Stay hidden as much as possible, without giving off presence. Got it?"
"Yes, sir."
The place she led me to was quite a remote corner even within the Jegal Clan.
Truly no one around.
Jegal Yua young miss aimed her wooden sword at me and said,
"Here we go!"
With that, I gripped my sword and assumed a stance. In that instant, she charged at me like an arrow.
Clack!
I blocked her sword and thrust at her shoulder simultaneously.
She twisted her body to dodge my blade while slashing at my upper body.
I evaded the incoming strike with Iron Plate Bridge technique.
Master's daily basic training is shining here.
I immediately swung at her legs.
But the attack was a bit shallow; my sword seemed unlikely to reach her.
Yet her leg slid right into my attack range.
What?
Anyone else might call it luck, but not me.
Something felt off.
I decided to test it once more.
I retracted the strike at her leg and aimed for her shoulder.
A speed she could easily dodge.
But she didn't. Instead, she thrust her shoulder toward my blade.
Confirmed.
She's deliberately creating openings to get hurt.
And I noticed her eyes were different from when she'd rattled me earlier.
They weren't the eyes of that brainless pure madwoman.
They were sharp, probing for weaknesses.
A few clashes later, I knew.
She was hiding her true skill right now.
If I lacked experience or skill, I wouldn't have noticed her real power.
But I'm no novice.
So I stepped back, sighed, and lowered my sword.
I'd played along a bit, but I had no interest in blindly joining this farce.
"What? Why stop suddenly?"
"Why don't you stop, young miss?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You want to spar with me, right? Or rather, where does the act end and the real you begin?"
"A-Act? What makes you think I'm acting?"
"Honestly, I was on the fence earlier. But now I see it. You're acting right now."
"N-No, I'm not!"
She said that and charged at me.
Her eyes wavered.
She was considerably rattled.
Why go this far? What for?
I was truly curious now.
I lightly sidestepped and parried her attack.
"I'm an outsider anyway. And I have no desire to tell anyone, so why not stop?"
"......"
She bit her lip at my suggestion but kept attacking relentlessly.
I blocked or dodged while sifting through memories.
Come to think of it......
Two years from now.
When I'm seventeen, the Jegal Clan's Supreme Patriarch dies.
The official cause from the clan: old age.
But some questioned it.
The Supreme Patriarch was a Super First-rate master.
That meant his physical age differed from a normal person's, and his lifespan was longer.
Yet dying of old age at around seventy? Highly suspicious.
And that was the signal for the Jegal Clan's downfall.
Soon after, the clan lord, in secluded training, fell to qi deviation, went mad, and killed a third of the clan.
Half the clan died caught in secret experimental formations.
Then fire engulfed the declining clan.
That was the end of the Jegal Clan.
No survivors from within, and being a highly insular place, the truth was buried.
A few claiming to be Jegal descendants appeared later but didn't last long.
All murdered.
All within three years of the Supreme Patriarch's death.
Even with that major event, for a long-standing noble house and one of the Eight Great Clans to collapse in three years?
Impossible.
Which means someone meticulously planned the Jegal Clan's destruction.
In the future I lived, Mu So-ok Yua rose as one of the world's top hundred masters because she excelled in outnumbered fights.
Was that from what she'd learned over time?
No.
Only after completing the Young Dragon Journey and returning alive is one recognized as Jegal Clan.
Before that, no access to clan secrets.
She couldn't have reached them.
There's an old saying about the Jegal Clan.
Divine Machine Jegal.
It means they're born as dragons before even setting out on the Young Dragon Journey.
The Jegal Yua young miss before me must be the same.
So, she was a genius from birth.
And sensing something ominous brewing in the clan, she started acting like a reckless tomboy.
Having thought this far, I stopped dodging her attacks.
I raised my sword and struck hers from her hand.
Claaack!
"Eek!"
She clutched her stinging hand and glared at me.
I asked seriously.
"What are you doing this for, young miss?"
"......"
Jegal Yua bit her lip.
"Something's happening in the clan right now, isn't it? That's why you're acting."
As if she could no longer stay silent, she sighed and asked,
"......How did you know?"
Her speech changed in an instant.