Chapter 30
Namgung Hyuk returned home.
Due to matters of the Murim Alliance, his absence had been quite long.
Upon his return, a mountain of work awaited him.
Namgung Hyuk, who had to review reports immediately without a moment to rest, noticed the report concerning the supplies sent from the Moyong Family.
‘It’s much more than what was agreed upon.’
Was it because of the incident at Mount Hua?
He had already heard about it through the Secret Shadow Squad.
The information that the Moyong Family’s pursuit team attacked Lee Se-woong, mistakenly believing he had kidnapped Moyong Hye.
It was clear that they intended to lie low before the Namgung Family made any official complaints.
‘There’s no need to pay attention to those rats from the Moyong Family.’
Namgung Hyuk felt troubled.
The fact that they meddled with Lee Se-woong wasn’t a big enough matter to hold against them since he wasn’t yet officially a member of the family.
He was pondering over the ‘reward’ he had promised to Lee Se-woong.
He was satisfied with how Lee Se-woong handled things.
Going directly to the Moyong Family to confront them over the conflict with their eldest son.
Even the boldness of it.
The credit for achieving a resolution with the Moyong Family without further issues.
It was certainly deserving of a proper reward.
Nevertheless, the reason Namgung Hyuk was struggling with this decision was due to the letter he had received from Samahyeong.
[“You sent a very interesting fellow. It’s been a while since I saw such a fascinating fate. The lad is destined to have a fortune with women. He will undoubtedly attract many women. (omitted)… But there is no need to try to prevent him from being with Yeon-hee because of that. If you follow the natural course, your family will continue to prosper.”]
Namgung Hyuk had asked him to see if Lee Se-woong was someone who could be accepted as the son-in-law of the Namgung Family.
Samahyeong’s response left him feeling conflicted.
Typically, Samahyeong Jin-in would simply recite the fate he read, but this time, he gave what was almost a directive—“do this.”
This made it all the more perplexing.
‘Why?’
The fate of having fortune with women, and the claim that he would be surrounded by many women.
He couldn’t possibly feel at ease hearing that.
Even in a world where it was common for men to have multiple wives or concubines…
There wasn’t a single father in this world who would want his daughter to live that way.
‘Even if it’s the words of Jin-in…’
It was then that Namgung Hyuk realized he had become more fond of Lee Se-woong than he thought.
Although he had found various excuses to delay the engagement, the more he did so, the more he thought that Lee Se-woong might indeed be a suitable match for Yeon-hee.
However, this was not an easy matter to accept.
‘I cannot let Yeon-hee be hurt.’
He knew well that Yeon-hee loved him deeply.
She was almost clinging to him.
Therefore, he couldn’t just let the two of them be together.
People want the ones they love to look only at them.
He couldn’t allow his only daughter to endure a cold, lonely path.
After all, young love—
It burns as quickly as it fades.
Time would take care of it.
Namgung Hyuk made up his mind.
He decided that he would win prosperity for his family with his own hands rather than forcing such a fate upon his daughter.
***
At the Head Hall of the Namgung Family.
The meetings held here had already been three, but it was still difficult to get used to the atmosphere.
It felt like he was a bit out of place on his own.
As a prospective son-in-law, being present in discussions about family matters put him in an awkward position.
It felt like being a spectator.
If it wasn’t for the need to wrap up matters with the Moyong Family, there would have been no need for him to be here.
“Boring, isn’t it?”
“Huh? No.”
“Come on, it is. They’re only talking about things unrelated to you, so of course, it’s boring.”
Seeing that he looked bored for not being involved in the meeting, Yeon-hee started a conversation with him.
“Just wait a little longer. You’re the star of the day!”
“Me?”
“Of course. Since you went all the way to confront the Moyong Family alone, surely Father has prepared a great reward for you.”
Well…
Would Namgung Hyuk really want to do something good for me?
What was the origin of all this?
Namgung Hyuk couldn’t say he had absolutely no intention of testing me either.
And besides, receiving an excessively good reward would be problematic.
That would mean becoming more deeply entangled with the Namgung Family.
***
“Let’s wrap up today’s discussion with this. Today, I have called you all for a special recognition. Lee Se-woong, step forward.”
It seemed that the discussion had come to an end, as Namgung Hyuk called for me.
All eyes quickly focused on me.
Feeling the burden of those stares, I walked forward to face Namgung Hyuk.
“You accomplished a very important task this time. You must have had a hard time traveling such a long distance. Was it tough?”
“How could it be considered tough? There wasn’t anything particularly difficult.”
“Your humility is excessive. What you did deserves to be rewarded.”
As he said this, Namgung Hyuk listed the supplies sent from the Moyong Family.
Gold, silk, grains, and so on.
Even for one of the Seven Great Families, the quantity was enough to break their backs.
“Going to the Moyong Family alone to argue your case. It’s something only someone with great courage could dream of. It can be said that you have significantly contributed to the family.”
“……”
“Do you have any particular requests?”
“No, I do not.”
In such situations, it was best to remain quiet.
“In that case, I will decide. If you are to become the son-in-law of our family, you need a position that matches that status. It just so happens that being the Alliance Leader makes things easier for me.”
“……?”
“I appoint you as a member of the White Sun Squad. I believe this should be a sufficient reward.”
Namgung Hyuk’s sudden declaration.
‘It’s always trouble when you accept things like this too hastily.’
White Sun Squad.
It was a very influential group even within the Murim Alliance.
Their official role was to mediate disputes.
But in reality, they were the Murim Alliance’s sword.
Their role was to handle or capture criminals designated by the Murim Alliance.
As a group with the authority to exercise force legally, they wielded considerable power.
It was not a place one could enter without a certain level of skill and connections.
“Patriarch, that’s absurd!”
Naturally, objections arose.
“There is only one recommendation for the White Sun Squad. How can you use that precious right on an outsider? There are many young members in the family who haven’t yet been given a position!”
The middle-aged man glaring at me in disbelief was probably Namgung Hyuk’s younger brother. Namgung Jo, or was it Namgung Jong—something like that.
“Please reconsider!”
“No, uncle. What are you talking about?”
Namgung Hyuk’s eyes twitched at his request, as if ready to explode at any moment. At that moment, Namgung Hyeo, who had been watching the situation, stepped forward and spoke.
“He is already like family to us.”
“How can he be family when the wedding hasn’t even taken place?”
“He travelled all the way to the northern regions on his own and worked hard for the family’s honor. It was a situation where he could have faced retaliation if they harboured any malice.”
Gone was his usual easy-going demeanour; Namgung Hyeo spoke in a firm tone.
“I believe this was Father testing him—to see if he could dedicate himself to our family and if he had the courage to do so.”
“Even so!”
“He has proven himself enough. If you refuse to recognize him as family… I, Hyeo, cannot back down, even if it is you, Uncle.”
Namgung Hyeo seemed ready to fight. Well… I appreciate him raising his voice for my sake, but there’s no need to go that far, brother.
“Oh dear, when did our family come to this state?”
“Huh, Father?”
“When the patriarch speaks, you should simply say ‘Yes, understood.’ Who dares to raise their voice like that? You, third son, no matter how much you covet that position, you should watch your behaviour!”
When did the old man arrive? He had not been seen at all until the meeting started, yet he suddenly appeared.
***
Namgung Hyuk was flustered.
The recommendation for the White Sun Squad was too great a reward. Considering the position the White Sun Squad held within the Murim Alliance, it was only natural. Simply being part of it was an honour, so there were many within the family vying for it. That was why he intended to give it to Lee Se-woong.
‘Surely, there will be those who are envious.’
Lee Se-woong had adjusted too well to the Namgung Family.
Not only his direct family but even most of his relatives were favourable towards him. Namgung Hyuk’s plan had been a clever one to disrupt this harmony and stir up discord. He expected that just the discussion over whether this reward was appropriate would cause much friction.
‘Fine, Father is one thing, but why even the second son?’
Namgung Hyuk had intentionally listened quietly to his younger brother’s words. He thought that if he just stayed silent, Namgung Jong would criticize Lee Se-woong on his own. But his brother, who had boldly stepped forward, was quickly subdued.
With Namgung Hyeo’s reasonable arguments and the unexpected appearance of Namgung Hwan.
‘Damn it, they’ve already fallen for him!’
Namgung Hyuk felt aggrieved, even though the two had been supporting his proposal. The situation wasn’t unfolding as he had intended. He couldn’t help but resent how quickly Lee Se-woong had won over both his father and his younger brother, much like how he had charmed Yeon-hee. And all while he stood there silently, without a word of rebuttal!
‘Well, it’s not like you can expect everything to go your way right from the start.’
Though things had ended more blandly than he had expected, it was still fine.
After all, this was just sowing the seeds.
He could be satisfied with planting the seeds of discord. This was only the beginning, after all.
“Congratulations, Brother!”
“Even if you’re busy, you mustn’t neglect the family’s matters (Go)!”
“Congratulations, Brother-in-law. I believe you’ll do well.”
Family members gathered around to congratulate Lee Se-woong. Namgung Hyuk couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of alienation. He found himself irritated by the sight of Lee Se-woong standing among them with a calm expression.
‘Ah, I think I’m stuck with this.’
Whether Namgung Hyuk felt that way or not—
Lee Se-woong was simply flustered, having missed the chance to decline.
—
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