Chapter 4
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The air froze.
Dokgo Ak’s mouth hung open, and even Dokgo Chun furrowed his brow.
“What did you just say?”
Dokgo Myung spoke as if it were no big deal.
“It seems you’ve already decided on what you want to hear, so anything I say is pointless, isn’t it?”
“…”
“You’re the one who called for us, aren’t you, head of the family? If you have something to say, please go ahead. I’ll listen.”
At that moment, Dokgo Ak, with a twisted expression, interrupted.
“You insolent fool! How dare you speak like that in front of the family head?”
“Shut your mouth. You’re the one being rude right now.”
Dokgo Myung’s response, filled with mockery, widened Dokgo Ak’s eyes in disbelief.
“Wh-What did you just say?”
“Where did you learn the habit of interrupting when the family head is speaking?”
Dokgo Ak’s eyes trembled for a moment.
Dokgo Chun finally spoke.
“Enough.”
Dokgo Chun’s gaze changed.
The disappointment that had been in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a curious glint.
“Myung, you’ve changed a lot, haven’t you?”
“Thank you.”
“Heh.”
A strange glint appeared in Dokgo Chun’s eyes.
“You ambushed your younger cousin, who’s two years younger, and even injured him. Do you not think you did anything wrong?”
“Not at all.”
A cold smile crept across Dokgo Myung’s face.
“I do regret one thing, though. I should’ve finished the job before anyone could interfere.”
Dokgo Chun’s eyes twitched.
His expression was… strange.
To Dokgo Myung, it seemed less like he was angry and more like he was suppressing a pleased smile.
“Regardless of the circumstances, it’s clear that you’ve caused an issue that the family will gossip about. I called you here today to resolve this matter.”
“Yes, family head.”
“How do you plan to resolve it?”
“I will handle it in the way our family traditionally does.”
“The way our family does?”
“…”
“We’ll settle it with a duel, like true martial artists.”
Silence filled the room. Crack!
Suddenly, the sound of grinding teeth came from where Dokgo Ak was standing.
“That bastard…”
At that moment, Dokgo Chun burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!”
He gave Dokgo Myung a once-over as if seeing him anew, then turned his gaze to Dokgo Ak.
“Ak, remember this: what Myung just said is what you should have said.”
“…”
“A tiger hunts for itself. It doesn’t expect someone to bring its prey. That’s something only mongrels do. Understood?”
It was a rebuke for trying to pass the responsibility to Dokgo Chun.
Dokgo Ak clenched his hands tightly on his knees.
“…Yes, I understand.”
“Hmm.”
Dokgo Chun furrowed his brow.
Though Ak said he understood, his face showed he hadn’t accepted it at all.
‘Still immature,’ thought Dokgo Chun as he shook his head and turned his gaze back to Dokgo Myung.
“Fine. Let’s set the duel for a month from now. Ak, do you have any objections?”
At Dokgo Chun’s words, Dokgo Ak’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“Yes, I agree. Let’s do it.”
Dokgo Ak’s eyes gleamed with the desire to prove himself.
He now had a chance to rectify today’s events. There was no reason to refuse.
‘Heh heh.’
Dokgo Myung glanced at Dokgo Ak with a hidden smile.
‘You’ve fallen right into the trap.’
Why would he avoid a golden opportunity to properly beat him down?
In this new life, there was no way he would allow himself to be pushed around like in the past.
If he was going to do this, he would do it right, starting now.
And beating that brat in the process? That was just a bonus.
‘But settling for just one duel feels like a waste…’
Dokgo Myung glanced at Dokgo Chun.
Dokgo Chun, with a meaningful smile, was looking back at him.
‘Isn’t that right, old man?’
Dokgo Myung’s eyes gleamed.
***
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
With everything settled, Dokgo Ak strutted out of the room with a smug expression.
But Dokgo Myung remained seated.
Dokgo Chun, curious, looked at him.
“Do you still have something to say?”
“Yes, but I figured you also had things you wanted to ask.”
“Hmm.”
A strange smile crept across Dokgo Chun’s face.
“Indeed, I do have a few things left to say. Let’s talk for a while.”
Dokgo Chun smiled while observing Dokgo Myung closely.
‘He’s definitely changed.’
In martial circles, the combination of spirit and grace is called “Qi.” The Qi radiating from Dokgo Myung had transformed completely.
“It seems this old man hasn’t seen you enough recently. My grandson has changed so much, and I only just realized it now… Hmm…”
After a brief pause, Dokgo Chun’s eyes sparkled as he scrutinized Dokgo Myung.
“I’ll ask you just one thing first.”
“Please go ahead.”
“Are you not afraid?”
“Afraid of what?”
“The duel with Ak.”
Dokgo Chun stroked his beard, inspecting every detail of Dokgo Myung’s demeanor.
“Ak is more talented than you think. Even if you managed to get lucky today, if you fight him in an official duel, you must know the outcome will be different, right?”
Dokgo Myung smacked his lips.
‘He’s just a kid, after all.’
Still… he could understand where Dokgo Chun was coming from.
Putting aside his personality, in terms of pure martial talent, Dokgo Ak was undeniably a genius, worthy of being called a member of the direct bloodline.
‘Meanwhile, I’m still not used to this body.’
His muscles were soft, and his internal energy was laughably weak.
Everything about his current body was inconvenient. After living as a fully grown adult, it was frustrating to suddenly inhabit the body of a young man not even in his prime.
And who was Dokgo Myung?
To put it kindly, he had always been called a slow learner. To be less kind, he was a fool.
“Do you think I’ll lose?”
“Yes, you will lose.”
Dokgo Chun’s tone was sharp and decisive.
He spat out his words and stared deeply at Dokgo Myung.
Heh.
Dokgo Myung let out a soft chuckle.
“But you want me to win, don’t you?”
“What makes you think that?”
“The people of the main house will surely find it quite stimulating.”
“…”
Dokgo Chun’s wrinkled eyelids lifted.
“Heh… you’ve really changed. Truly, you’ve changed a great deal.”
Dokgo Chun muttered as if speaking to himself, gazing intently at Dokgo Myung. Soon, a faint smile curled at the corner of his lips.
“Alright, I’ve heard all I need to hear. Now, let’s hear what you have to say.”
“I have a request.”
“A request?”
“In exchange, I’ll win just as you wish.”
At Dokgo Myung’s audacious words, Dokgo Chun’s smile deepened.
***
After Dokgo Myung had left.
Dokgo Chun sat quietly in his chair, tapping the armrest. Deep in thought, he murmured to himself.
“He’s not just grown; it’s like he’s become a completely different person.”
As he thought about Dokgo Myung, he couldn’t help but let his lips relax.
Until now, Dokgo Myung had been nothing but a confirmed dunce.
And it wasn’t just his martial abilities that were lacking. As a person, he was slow to learn, with a soft and timid personality.
With repeated disappointment, Dokgo Chun’s interest in him had gradually waned.
But now… wasn’t that all different?
‘Is this just a fleeting change? Or has he truly grown?’
No.
‘It doesn’t matter.’
Dokgo Chun’s thoughts deepened.
The sound of his fingers tapping the armrest continued until—
“Master, the Lord of Saheon Pavilion is arriving shortly.”
Hearing the voice of the Black Dragon Guard beyond the screen, Dokgo Chun stopped tapping the armrest.
“Understood. Dismiss all the nearby servants and guards.”
“Yes, Master.”
The voice disappeared, and soon, the surrounding sounds of breathing faded as well.
After some time had passed.
“I greet the family head.”
Dokgo Chun’s third son, Dokgo Wi-Hak, entered the main hall.
“…Very well. Come and sit.”
Dokgo Chun silently observed him for a moment before gesturing to the seat in front of him with his chin. A heavy silence filled the air. The atmosphere between the two was cold, to the point where it was hard to believe they were father and son.
Clicking his tongue, Dokgo Chun was the first to speak.
“How have you been?”
“I’ve been handling the affairs of Saheon Pavilion. I believe you’re already aware through the reports.”
“This is an informal occasion. Speak freely.”
“…”
He still refused to call him ‘Father.’
Dokgo Chun frowned, displeased.
“Isn’t it time you gave up your stubbornness? Are you planning to spend your life stuck with menial tasks at Saheon Pavilion?”
“…”
“Tch, never mind. Do as you please.”
Dokgo Wi-Hak remained silent.
Dokgo Chun, absently rubbing the surface of his tea cup, suddenly spoke.
“Myung has changed a great deal. It’s good to see how much he’s grown.”
At those words, Dokgo Wi-Hak’s eyes sharpened.
‘What did that boy say to him…’
Not too long ago, this man had barely paid any attention to his son or him.
Dokgo Chun snorted.
“Even someone like you gets curious about their child’s affairs, huh?”
“…”
“Myung requested a duel with Ak. That brazen boy even had the nerve to make a wager with me.”
“…!”
“Anyway, I’ve decided to show a little more interest in him.”
Dokgo Wi-Hak’s expression turned icy.
“Interest, you say.”
“Yes. Whether this is just a passing change or if he’s truly broken out of his shell… I can’t leave it to you anymore. I’ll have to see for myself.”
Dokgo Chun spoke as if declaring a fact, sipping his tea.
“It will be better for him in the long run.”
A brief silence followed.
Dokgo Wi-Hak finally opened his tightly shut mouth.
“I can’t stop you from taking an interest in your grandson.”
“Then…”
“But if it’s as the family head, I’ll have to refuse.”
The atmosphere instantly became heavy.
“What did you just say?”
“Myeong is not some accessory to the family. He’s my son, a person in his own right. Please, let him live his life as he wishes.”
Woooong!
The atmosphere in the room changed.
“How dare you.”
It was the aura of a Sword Master who once ruled over the martial world.
A sharp, terrifying energy filled the large office, as if it would tear the place apart.
“You, who threw it all away and holed yourself up, now think you can command me?”
“If you intend to meddle with my son, you’ll have to be prepared.”
“And what exactly can you do as you are now?”
“I can still be a proper father to him.”
The cold eyes of father and son clashed in the air.
In that tense atmosphere, Dokgo Chun suddenly smiled.
“You’re just like me. Pretending to care about your son, yet unable to truly see him.”
“I’m not like you.”
“You speak as though you’re different, yet you abandoned your son by failing to control your own emotions. It’s laughable.”
For the first time, Dokgo Wi-Hak’s previously unshaken eyes wavered.
Dokgo Chun sneered.
“Enough. You may leave now.”
He waved his hand dismissively as if shooing away a fly, turning his head away. It was a clear order for him to leave.
With a stiff expression, Dokgo Wi-Hak stood and moved toward the door.
Just as he was about to leave, Dokgo Chun’s voice reached him from behind.
“Let him live as he wishes?”
And then, almost as if laughing to himself, Dokgo Chun muttered quietly.
“That will be enough.”
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