Chapter 71

When they arrived at Golden Sword Manor, Seong Hwang was already waiting for them at the front gate. Seong Yeon-hwa immediately stepped in front of Jang Un, tense and wary. She glanced sharply around. Was her father planning to station martial artists nearby to ambush Jang Un? She could trust Eun Baek-gi — but her father? Never. Fortunately, there didn’t seem to be any signs of an ambush. Just then, Seong Hwang started striding toward them with long, confident steps. Seong Yeon-hwa watched him approach with a face stiff with tension. But Seong Hwang didn’t even spare his daughter a glance. He walked straight past her and greeted Jang Un with a beaming smile. "Hahaha! Welcome!" "It’s... It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Jang Un." "I know! I know! Let me apologize first. I was curious about the man my daughter was seeing, so I did a little background check." "It’s fine." "And... about yesterday. I’m sorry. I must’ve been out of my mind. Please, accept my sincere apology." Seong Hwang bowed his head. "Please, raise your head. I’m not offended." "Please, accept my apology." "I accept it. So please, raise your head." "Thank you." "I’m the one who should apologize. I must have made you worry because of my shortcomings." "You’ve done nothing wrong. It was all my fault. By the way, I heard from Captain Pyo. A true man among men, he said! Hahaha! Come, come, let’s head inside. I didn’t know what you might like, so I prepared a few things. I hope they’re to your taste." "Just the thought is more than enough. Thank you." "Hahaha! Let’s go!" Seong Yeon-hwa was thrown off at first by her father’s reaction, but suspicion quickly took its place. What on earth is he doing? If anything, his overly friendly attitude made her even more anxious. Was he trying to lull them into a false sense of security? Or maybe he had poisoned the food? Everything suddenly seemed suspicious. "Father! Am I invisible to you?" As she ran through countless worst-case scenarios in her mind, Seong Hwang finally turned and looked at his daughter. "What’s with all the thinking? Sit down." "What are you doing right now?" "What am I doing? Isn’t it obvious? I’m welcoming a guest." "You hated him! And now you’re acting like this out of nowhere?" "Yes, I did hate him. But people’s hearts can change at any time. I realized it was right to support the man my daughter loves." Then he turned back to Jang Un and smiled brightly again. "Take good care of my daughter. She’s a handful — you’ll have your work cut out for you." "Not at all. She’s been a great help to me." "Really? That’s hard to believe." "It’s the truth." "Well, that’s good then. They say even the smallest creature has its match — looks like you’re my daughter’s match, hahaha!" As Seong Hwang led Jang Un inside, Seong Yeon-hwa turned a baffled look on Eun Baek-gi. "Uncle Eun, what’s gotten into my father? Are you sure this is okay?" "Hahaha. Trust me. Didn’t you see his expression earlier? That’s the smile he only shows when he’s truly happy." "Maybe, but... I don’t get it. Can a person really change like that overnight?" Her father’s sudden friendliness only made Seong Yeon-hwa even more uneasy. **** Inside, the table was so packed with dishes that there wasn’t even a single empty space left. Even on her birthdays, Seong Yeon-hwa had never seen a feast like this. Is Father really welcoming Jang Un sincerely...? She stared at Seong Hwang, trying to read him. He was glued to Jang Un’s side, chatting animatedly. "So, what level have you reached now?" "I’m embarrassed to say." Seong Hwang looked like he was about to frown in disappointment — until Seong Yeon-hwa quickly cut in. "He’s at the Peak Grade, Six Stars." At her words, Seong Hwang turned a wide-eyed stare on Jang Un. "Peak Grade, Six Stars? That’s impressive." "Thank you. But my progress is still lacking." "What are you saying? At your age, reaching Peak Grade, Six Stars is truly outstanding. Even in other regions, there aren’t many who achieve that so young." "I still have a long way to go." "Hmm." Seong Hwang was honestly a little surprised. For someone from the notoriously weak South to be Peak Grade, Six Stars... Still, something didn’t quite sit right. To be blunt, in other regions, there were many youths at a similar level. In fact, in the North, there were youths Jang Un’s age who had already reached Peak Grade, Eight Stars. Had he gotten his hopes up too much? Standing at the side, Seong Yeon-hwa noticed the slight hint of disappointment in her father’s face and hurried to add, "He rose to Peak Grade, Six Stars in just half a year." At that, Seong Hwang’s expression shifted from mild disappointment to sheer shock. "What? H-half a year?" "Yes. At the beginning of this year, he was only at Entry Grade." "E-entry Grade to Peak Grade, Six Stars... in just half a year? Is... is that true?" "It just happened that way," Jang Un said modestly. Just happened? That was nonsense. No one simply "happened" to climb from Entry Grade to Peak Grade in half a year. Even the greatest genius of Central Heaven would struggle to match that speed. Unbelievable! Seong Hwang’s jaw dropped — and then he smiled from ear to ear. If Jang Un kept growing at that speed... It wouldn’t be long before he surpassed even the Haegyeong level. And on top of that, he was the trusted closest aide of the young master destined to become the next Lord of the Martial God Sect. "Kuhahaha! They say a son-in-law is worth a hundred guests, but this is still not enough! Servants! Bring out more delicacies! Pile them high!" Watching her father roaring with laughter, Seong Yeon-hwa let out a small chuckle. For the first time, she could truly feel it — her father had genuinely accepted Jang Un. **** Meanwhile, A letter from Golden Sword Manor arrived at the Vice Master of the Inner Cabinet Hall in the Martial God Sect. Feng So-un, the Vice Master, smiled as he slit open the letter. "Hahaha. That man, really... Taking his sweet time to send a reply. Well, I suppose it’s understandable. It’s not easy to marry off one’s daughter." Feng So-un assumed, naturally, that the letter would contain approval for his son’s engagement. He began reading leisurely. —Crack. The letter crumpled in his hand. "Refused (不可)? Refused? He rejected my son?" He couldn’t believe it. A merchant family, turning down his proposal? It seemed they didn’t value their connection to the Martial God Sect's supply network. "Have they gone insane?" That was the only explanation he could find. Still reeling from this absurd situation, he unfolded the crumpled letter again, hoping he had misread it. But even on a second reading, the content was the same. The Golden Sword Manor had refused, saying their daughter already loved someone and they could not force an arranged marriage. "Love? Ha... To refuse me over childish emotions?" Furious, Feng So-un barked, "Someone come here!" One of his subordinates immediately entered. "You summoned me, my lord?" "Investigate immediately. Find out everything about the man that Golden Sword Manor’s daughter has given her heart to." "Understood." The subordinate left, and Feng So-un glared venomously at the letter. "If that boy isn't from a family worthy of my acknowledgment... They better be prepared." **** That evening, Feng So-un rushed home faster than usual. He pondered how to break the terrible news to his son. His son, Feng Jeokho, had «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» just come of age this year. He had been preparing diligently to officially join the Martial God Sect. Handsome, well-mannered — he lacked for nothing. Except for one fatal flaw: Once he became obsessed with something, he had to have it. If it were a mere item, Feng So-un could simply buy it for him. But this time, it was a person: the Golden Sword Manor’s daughter, Seong Yeon-hwa. Still, Feng So-un hadn’t worried too much. Golden Sword Manor was a merchant family. And he, Feng So-un, was the Vice Master of the Inner Cabinet Hall — someone who could make or break merchant clans. Naturally, they should have jumped at the chance to ally with him through marriage. There was no question about it. He had even told his son it was a sure thing. And yet, it had gone awry. Cautiously, Feng So-un asked his son, "Does it have to be Seong Yeon-hwa?" "...What?" "I asked if it absolutely has to be the daughter of the Golden Sword Manor." "Yes! If it’s not her, I want no one else." The look in his son’s eyes was unwavering. Feng So-un felt like losing his mind. That kind of gaze meant he would never back down. In the worst case, his son might truly lose all purpose in life and live like an empty shell. And for Feng So-un, who loved his son more than anything, watching him fall into such despair would be nothing short of torture. "Why are you suddenly asking me this? Did something happen to Lady Seong?" "Ah... no. I just wanted to confirm your feelings." "Oh! I see. Well, you don’t need to worry. If it’s not her, I will never marry anyone else!" "I understand." He needed a plan. And for that, he needed information first — information about the man Seong Yeon-hwa had given her heart to. **** "Jang Un? This bastard?" "Yes, sir." "So they refused my son... for this?" Irritation surged within Feng So-un. If he put his mind to it, he could have this kind of insignificant family exiled to the backwaters. The investigation file showed that Jang Un’s father, Jang Gong, was still listed as a member of the Public Security Patrol’s Eighth Division. The newly established Guardian Eighth Division had yet to formally debut, so they hadn't been officially reassigned. Thus, other organizations, including the Inner Cabinet Hall, hadn't caught wind of the change yet. Feng So-un had no idea. "Send a message to the Vice Master of the Guardian Corps. Tell him I’d like to meet." "Yes, sir." There was no need to make things complicated. Just send them far away. When the body drifts, so does the heart. And with a bit of extra pressure... it would be perfect. Feeling that the situation would be easier than expected, Feng So-un's mood brightened. **** "So, you asked to meet with me?" "I have a favor to ask." "A favor?" "Yes. What’s friendship for, if not favors? Please, hear me out." "Haha, you’re being so serious — what kind of favor is this?" "I need you to send someone from the Guardian Corps far away." "Why? Did someone offend you?" "You could say that." "Who is it?" The Vice Master of the Guardian Corps asked, and Feng So-un handed over the file on Jang Un. After glancing through it, the Vice Master chuckled. "What, just a squad leader in the Public Security Patrol? That’s nothing. Where do you want him sent? North Sea? South Sea?" "As far as possible." "Got it. I’ll send him to the Xinjiang Branch." "Thank you. I'll treat you to a proper feast later." "I’ll be looking forward to it." **** At the same time as arranging things with the Guardian Corps, Feng So-un also sent a man directly to Jang Un’s home. Jang Gong sat stiffly, his face grim as he faced the messenger. "So... You’re saying the Inner Cabinet Hall’s Vice Master’s son has taken a liking to the woman my son loves?" "Exactly. So it would be best if your family left the area quietly." Jang Gong clenched his teeth tightly. "It won’t be for long. Once our young master’s marriage is safely secured, you’ll be summoned back." "And if we refuse?" "Haha. You say amusing things. You’re dealing with the Inner Cabinet Hall’s Vice Master here. Think carefully. Don’t ruin your whole family over stubborn pride. The world is full of women. Your son is still young — he’ll find someone else." The man snapped his fingers. Snap. At that signal, martial artists standing outside carried in a heavy chest. Creak. Inside, it was overflowing with silver. "Take this and settle down somewhere far away. With this much, you could live quite comfortably." "...Could I at least discuss this with my son first before giving an answer?" Hearing that, the man chuckled and nodded. "Do as you wish. But remember — there’s only one way for your family to survive." As he stood to leave, he added, "I’ll leave this here. When your resolve wavers, look at it and remember." Then he paused again at the door and said, "Oh, one more thing. The Vice Master promised that if you leave obediently and later return, he’ll secure a good post for you. Of course, you’ll be compensated handsomely for your ‘hardship,’ too. Keep that in mind." After the man finally left, Jang Gong sat alone, staring at the chest. His face was a storm of conflicting emotions. He had only just recently climbed to the rank of squad captain. He had felt that, for once, things were starting to go well for his family. What should I do...? But deep down, he already knew the answer. There was no one to turn to for help. There was no miracle solution. All that remained was the bitter duty of telling his son the brutal truth — that sometimes, in this world, all you can do... is surrender.