Chapter 4
Today was the day that would mark a turning point in my life.
Because tonight, I was meeting Namgung Yeon-hee’s mother.
I had thoroughly prepared for this day.
Unlike her husband, who was renowned as Heavenly Undefeated, there was almost no information available about Namgung Yeon-hee’s mother.
It was as if her existence had been erased.
‘Did the Murim Alliance deliberately conceal her?’
If not, there was no other explanation.
It seemed Namgung Hyuk was far more devoted to his wife than I’d imagined.
Well, it suited my plans even better.
‘Mother likes beautiful and elegant things.’
As a result, I could only rely on the information provided by Namgung Yeon-hee.
Like her daughter, her mother was deeply invested in refined hobbies.
I’d forgotten, given our daily sparring, but Yeon-hee was known as a true jack-of-all-trades.
She had mastered skills befitting a noble maiden, such as poetry, painting, embroidery, and flower arranging.
It appeared her mother’s influence played a major role in cultivating such interests.
‘A very useful piece of information, Namgung Yeon-hee.’
The gift I’d prepared for my prospective mother-in-law was something I’d put a great deal of effort into.
Before heading out, I took out a leather pouch from my chest.
When I opened it, various throwing weapons tumbled out.
Throwing daggers, long needles, mini-swords, darts, coins, a short dagger, and even a claw-like weapon that could be concealed on the wrist.
The ten types of throwing weapons, into which I’d invested three months’ salary, gleamed sharply, befitting their high price.
This was my gift.
I had a single objective.
To have my engagement with Yeon-hee rejected.
For that, I’d put meticulous thought into my choice.
‘Throwing weapons are a common gift among martial families.’
Even though their use could be sinister, it was considered customary.
In Murim, one could never predict what danger might befall them.
That’s why it was essential to have at least one concealed weapon on hand for emergencies.
‘Which makes it a perfect choice.’
No matter how much I wanted to be rejected, I couldn’t present a gift that would be outright offensive.
There’s a difference between being disliked and being hated.
Offering a set of throwing weapons to a lady with interests in fine arts like paintings or embroidery lacked any sense of thoughtfulness.
A gift with the proper justification, yet one that would leave a distasteful impression—this was the precise move I aimed for!
Hence, the throwing weapons.
On top of that, I’d been avoiding Yeon-hee for three days, using busy work as an excuse, and hadn’t even bothered to trim my beard.
Could there be a less suitable candidate for a son-in-law?
I had also arranged to meet Yeon-hee at her own residence, just to add to the impression of being inconsiderate.
A complete checkmate.
All that remained was to visit Yeon-hee’s mother, and it would be over.
But.
‘Where did it all go wrong?’
Perhaps, when Yeon-hee smiled softly upon seeing my unkempt appearance without a trace of surprise?
Should I have taken the hint and run away then?
“Hello, Mother. My name is Lee Se-woong.”
“Yes, I’ve heard a lot about you from Yeon-hee. Nice to meet you.”
Yeon-hee’s mother was a graceful beauty. The way she seemed to defy time’s ravages made it easy to see where Yeon-hee inherited her looks.
“Hm… Young Master, it seems you’ve been quite occupied lately?”
She looked at my beard with wide eyes and said this.
Roughly translated, it meant, ‘Didn’t you have time to even shave?’
If my guess was right.
“Hehe. It reminds me of my husband in his younger days. A true man devotes himself only to his work, paying no mind to trivial matters… To think my daughter ended up with someone like me.”
“Oh, Mother, please.”
Yeon-hee shook her head bashfully, smiling shyly as her mother reminisced with a fond smile.
Their reactions were far from what one would expect upon seeing an unshaven face.
This wasn’t right…?
“Mother, I’ve prepared a small gift for you.”
“Oh, you didn’t have to.”
Though briefly taken aback by the unexpected response, I couldn’t stop now.
The beard was just an extra touch.
This gift was the main course.
“What is this?”
As she opened the pouch I handed over, her cheerful expression hardened instantly.
Just as planned.
“How could you…”
Yeon-hee’s mother’s fingertips trembled as she looked at the throwing weapons.
Her reaction was overly intense.
What?
Did she feel insulted?
That would be problematic.
“How could such an incredible gift…”
“?”
“Yeon-hee praised you so much… I didn’t know you were such a thoughtful person, Young Master.”
With trembling hands, she gently caressed the throwing weapons, tears welling up in her eyes as if she were deeply moved.
“It’s been thirty years since I left my family. Following my husband’s wishes, I stayed away from weapons… But seeing these throwing weapons now brings back so many memories. It truly is the best gift, Young Master.”
“Mother, if you’ll excuse me, may I ask your name…?”
“Yeon-hee didn’t tell you? That girl. I am Tang Ah-ryeon, Yeon-hee’s mother, Young Master.”
Tang Ah-ryeon.
The Tang Family.
Sichuan?
Sichuan Tang Family…!
‘No way.’
A chill ran down my spine.
I looked over at Yeon-hee standing behind Tang Ah-ryeon. Her face was filled with a mischievous smile.
‘You didn’t see this coming, did you?’
Namgung Yeon-hee mouthed silently, without uttering a word.
It was only then that I realized I had lost this game of strategy.
It wasn’t a checkmate. It was a self-inflicted trap.
Such a cunning girl.
***
“Dear, you should relax a little.”
“Hmph, wife. I have not given my permission yet!”
“Dear?”
“Even if you look at me like that, I won’t change my mind!”
That’s why I’m currently standing in front of Namgung Hyuk and Tang Ah-ryeon.
With Namgung Yeon-hee, sporting a strangely calm expression, standing next to them.
“You there.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Ahem! Even though your aura is indeed exceptional, I still cannot give you my approval!”
“May I ask for the reason, sir?”
I couldn’t suddenly change the stance I had set.
I was someone desperate to marry Yeon-hee.
I had to keep telling myself that.
‘Just a little more, please oppose me a little more, Lord!’
“Long ago, I made a vow. Any man who wishes to become Yeon-hee’s husband must be able to defeat me!”
“Sir, that’s impossible!”
Maybe running away at night was the answer after all.
Murim Alliance Leader Namgung Hyuk was crazier than I’d thought.
Who in the world is stronger than Heavenly Undefeated?
“However, since this is only an engagement… If you can endure for ten seconds, I will give my permission.”
“Are you saying that you’ll personally spar with me?”
“Exactly. You may use your internal energy.”
Which meant that he wouldn’t be using his internal energy.
And then, Namgung Hyuk took it a step further.
He allowed me to use a real sword, while he picked up a wooden one.
‘In a way, it’s expected.’
It’s Namgung Hyuk, after all.
Even if he held back, it was still like hitting a rock with an egg.
And yet, a slight sense of something began to simmer within me.
‘Can my sword reach the pinnacle?’
From the moment I became aware of Namgung Hyuk’s presence.
When I faced his overwhelming aura.
The overwhelming sense of helplessness that made me faint.
Perhaps I’d been waiting for this very moment ever since.
‘It’s a golden opportunity.’
It was an experience of immeasurable value as a martial artist.
Things like engagement and whatnot didn’t matter at all.
Not even Namgung Yeon-hee, who was watching me with an unreadable gaze.
“Come at me first.”
Namgung Hyuk stood there with his wooden sword drooping to the ground.
In a stance that seemed completely defenseless.
But I felt as if I was facing a steep mountain range.
‘The gap is too vast.’
My hands and feet stiffened. I forcibly activated my body by drawing up internal energy from my dantian. After two rotations, I managed to take my first step.
“Arghhh!”
I had to shout to avoid being overwhelmed. I started with a light strike aimed at his waist.
Clang!
Steel clashed against wood, yet the sound that reverberated was metallic. I resisted the jarring recoil that shot up my wrist and swung my sword again.
Chaeng!
Two strikes in succession. Namgung Hyuk effortlessly deflected my attacks, brushing them aside like dust.
“Now, it’s my turn!”
Namgung Hyuk, without breaking a sweat, lunged forward. The tip of his sword, though carelessly extended, bore the aura of a mountain-shattering force. I hastily summoned a sword aura to defend myself.
Pazik!
His unenhanced wooden sword shredded my aura like paper.
‘Truly a monster worthy of the name Sky Beyond the Sky.’
Barely holding onto my collapsing aura, I managed to fend off Namgung Hyuk’s attacks. Another two exchanges followed.
Chung!
My sword, unable to withstand his assault, split in half.
“There are still three seconds left. Will you surrender?”
I silently shook my head. I had to summon every last bit of strength just to lift a finger. Upon seeing my response, Namgung Hyuk raised his wooden sword high.
‘Is he giving me time to prepare?’
A surge of pride flared up. Was it blood coursing hotly near my heart, or was it my own desire?
Namgung Hyuk, the Lord of the Murim Alliance.
I fully acknowledge your status as the strongest. But would you stop treating me like a child?
Woong!
The shattered tip of my sword radiated a sword aura. Its density increased rapidly, forming a web that soon condensed into a pillar of light.
[Sword Force]
It was the best I could muster. From below to above, I collided head-on with Namgung Hyuk’s sword.
Thud!
Was that wooden sword made of some legendary divine wood? Despite clashing with my Sword Force, it merely emitted a dull sound.
Thud!
The second impact followed. I was greatly disadvantaged. I was pushed back five steps by Namgung Hyuk’s sword.
‘Damn it, whatever happens!’
Though incomplete, I had no choice. I expanded my Sword Force even further. Like a reptile inflating its belly to intimidate a predator, my Sword Force swelled.
It then condensed into a single line.
A thread-thin, piercing spike.
I thrust it at Namgung Hyuk.
Tik!
With a sound like flint striking stone, the sword in my hand shattered into pieces.
‘You said you wouldn’t use internal energy….’
The last desperate move I eked out crumbled with a mere flick of Namgung Hyuk’s wrist.
I lost consciousness right then and there.
‘I’ll have to discipline the Secret Shadow Squad soon.’
***
Had I been too lenient with them? The latest report I received from the squad indicated that the Fighting Ghost was only at the initial stage of Sword Force mastery.
But what was this?
The Lee Se-woong I just faced was knocking on the door of a Realm beyond Sword Force.
‘I subconsciously drew upon my internal energy.’
A wry smile spread across his face. No parent could best their child. Namgung Hyuk had intended to take it easy on Lee Se-woong, but the fierce spirit of this younger generation had reignited his own fighting spirit.
“Father, will you finally give your permission now?”
He felt a pang in his heart seeing his daughter’s slightly reproachful gaze.
“Yes. As expected, a man chosen by my daughter. He is worthy.”
“Really?”
Seeing his daughter leap with joy, Namgung Hyuk’s emotions were mixed.
That’s right.
Lee Se-woong had become so engrossed in the duel that he had forgotten his original goal.
Fighting Ghost Lee Se-woong.
The youngest son-in-law of the Namgung Family, Confirmed.
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