Chapter 6: Time for a Proper Lesson
Chapter 5 – Time for a Proper Lesson
Clatter!
Yun Cheom-san, the head of the Mount Huang Yun Clan, set down his teacup with a clatter.
At the careless action, Namgung Geom furrowed his brows in discomfort.
Whether he did or not, Yun Cheom-san did not care and spoke as if tossing the words out.
“Head of the Namgung Clan. Isn’t it about time you made a decision?”
“My answer remains the same.”
It was a voice that was not just cold, but truly bleak enough to send a chill.
No matter how many times Yun Cheom-san heard that frigid voice, he could not get used to it.
A voice like a biting wind that made the listener shrink back for no reason.
But when was that Namgung Clan?
No, was the word ‘Clan’ even necessary anymore?
By now, it would be enough to simply call them the Namgung family.
The eldest daughter, who was praised as the number one dragon of the land, had an affair with the Heavenly Great Killing Star and ruined the family, and the grandson, who inherited the dirty blood, could not bear the humiliation and even attempted suicide.
‘It is nothing for a family to be blown to pieces overnight.’
The Namgung Clan, which was once praised as the family of kings, was no more.
All their vast wealth had also vanished like a mirage.
The Namgung Clan’s massive manor had been sold long ago, and they were currently using a small, detached villa as their main residence.
The only reason the Namgung Clan could barely scrape by was because of the business related to the Mount Huang Escort Agency, which they had not yet let go of.
‘As such, it must be hard for them to give it up easily. However…’
“If you keep being stubborn, you will regret it. You must also consider the position of the Mount Huang Escort Agency. Hand over the business to us now. Our family will manage the Mount Huang Escort Agency well.”
“Since it has been a long time since you visited, just drink your tea and go back.”
“Heh, this is no time to be stubborn… Head of the Namgung Clan. We will compensate you handsomely, so once more…”
Yun Cheom-san, who was speaking, hiccuped and froze on the spot.
For Namgung Geom, who was bringing his teacup to his lips, cast an icy gaze at him.
Just like his bleak voice, his eyes were cold and heartless.
It was surprising that a person’s eyes could contain such coldness.
‘Tch! Is it pride even if he dies!’
It was frustrating.
Even if time passed like this, the Namgung Clan would not be able to protect the Mount Huang Escort Agency.
The Mount Huang Escort Agency was on the verge of breaking away from the Namgung Clan on its own.
And yet, he wanted to hold onto it until the end!
Well, he did not think he would be easily persuaded from the start.
Then he had no choice but to use his backup plan.
Yun Cheom-san took a sip of his cold tea and glanced sideways at Namgung Hwa, who was sitting to one side.
Did they say she was thirty-five?
Her beauty was so youthful and lovely that one would believe it even if they were told she was in her early twenties.
She was the woman his eldest son had loved one-sidedly for a long time.
Clatter!
Yun Cheom-san, who set down his teacup rather roughly this time as well, opened his mouth.
“Well, if the Namgung Clan wants to continue managing the Mount Huang Escort Agency, there is also this way.”
“If you intend to speak nonsense, leave now. This old man does not have excessive patience.”
“Please listen. Let’s see… were you Namgung Hwa?”
“Yes, Clan Head. I am Namgung Hwa.”
Namgung Hwa bowed politely and greeted him.
In the past, he would not have dared to refer to her as ‘you.’
Although she was angry, showing her emotions easily in such a place was also foolish.
For now, she maintained her manners.
Yun Cheom-san wore an unpleasant smile and nodded.
“What a fine child.”
To call a thirty-five-year-old woman a ‘fine child.’
She had every reason to feel offended, but Namgung Hwa still did not show it.
Yun Cheom-san continued speaking.
“How about that child marrying the Young Clan Head of our family?”
“……!”
“It seems she has long passed marriageable age, but if we form a bond on this occasion, wouldn’t it be a double blessing for both families? If that happens, we can hand over not only the Mount Huang Escort Agency but also the management of some other businesses to your esteemed family.”
Having finished speaking, Yun Cheom-san quietly observed their reactions.
As expected, Namgung Geom’s expression hardened terrifyingly like a grim reaper, and Namgung Hwa was catching her breath with a slightly dark expression.
‘Although I threw it out there, I can’t help but tremble.’
Yun Cheom-san was nervous.
Even if he was a toothless tiger, a tiger was still a tiger.
Just because its teeth were gone didn’t mean a tiger would be eaten by a puppy.
If Namgung Geom could not contain his anger and unleashed a wind of blades in this place, his own neck would be in jeopardy.
But didn’t all gambles carry risk?
Now was the time to bear the risk and be somewhat despicable. Only then could they step on the Namgung Clan to rise up. This was also how the Mount Huang Yun Clan had grown in size.
Some treated the Mount Huang Yun Clan as parvenus, but Yun Cheom-san did not care. In the end, it was just the envious jealousy of those who could not even become parvenus.
Finally, a cold voice with restrained anger flowed from Namgung Geom’s mouth.
“Leave now.”
“I have yet to hear the answer…”
“You lack tact. This is my answer.”
“An order to expel a guest… However, wouldn’t it be right for Namgung Hwa to answer my question directly? What do you think?”
Namgung Geom’s brow twitched slightly.
It was a very subtle change, but that alone was enough to tell how furious he was.
For he was someone who rarely showed any change in expression.
Was he not asking a woman who was not even married as if he were addressing his daughter-in-law?
Even so, Namgung Hwa was calm.
In fact, she was thinking that she could accept Yun Cheom-san’s proposal if it could prevent the family’s decline.
Namgung Hwa replied in a calm tone.
“I, regarding the proposal you mentioned…”
It was then.
Bang!
Namgung Geom slammed his palm down on the tea table.
At that, Namgung Hwa was cut off mid-sentence, and Yun Cheom-san also flinched and looked back.
Namgung Geom narrowed his eyes and glared at Yun Cheom-san.
Yun Cheom-san held his breath and froze in that position.
It felt as if his entire body had been trapped inside a block of ice.
‘W-How can a person’s gaze be…!’
While he was breaking out in a cold sweat, Bok-seong suddenly entered the room.
“Clan Head! I am sorry for the sudden intrusion! I took the liberty of entering because there is something I must report urgently.”
Only then did Namgung Geom avert his gaze from Yun Cheom-san.
Namgung Hwa and Yun Cheom-san also turned their heads to look at Bok-seong.
Namgung Hwa asked gently.
“What is it?”
“T-That is…”
As Bok-seong glanced at Yun Cheom-san, Namgung Hwa coaxed him again in a calm tone.
“Calm down first. Tell me what happened.”
“T-That is… our young master is currently sparring with Young Master Yun.”
“What?”
Namgung Hwa jumped to her feet and asked, narrowing her fine brows.
“A spar? It hasn’t even been a few days since that child recovered his energy, and they are sparring?”
“I-I tried my best to stop him, but the young master wouldn’t listen. So I ran here to report urgently…”
At that, Yun Cheom-san, who had only been listening, curled the corners of his mouth and asked.
“Does the fact that he didn’t listen even though you tried to stop him mean that Young Master Namgung accepted the spar of his own accord?”
“T-That is correct.”
“Haha, then isn’t there no problem? It seems the two met after a long time and decided to practice martial arts together…”
However, Namgung Hwa turned to Yun Cheom-san with a stiff expression.
“No! That child’s memory is not even fully intact right now. If he moves so violently all of a sudden…”
“You protect him quite a bit. Indeed, even if he is the child of the Great Killing Star, is he still your nephew?”
“Clan Head Yun, you are going too far!”
“Did I say anything wrong? Besides, even if he lost his memory, accepting the spar of his own accord must mean he is that confident, is it not?”
“You are too much. What if his body is not well and he gets injured?”
At this point, Yun Cheom-san also stopped smiling and stared blankly at Namgung Hwa.
“What do you mean ‘what if’? Is that something I should take responsibility for?”
“That is…”
“The two children agreed to engage in the spar. As you also heard, it is a spar he engaged in even after the servant tried to stop him, showing his stubbornness. Even if an injury occurs in the process, it is not something anyone should take responsibility for. Is that not so, Clan Head Namgung?”
Yun Cheom-san’s gaze turned to Namgung Geom.
Naturally, the gazes of Namgung Hwa and Bok-seong followed suit.
The two looked at Namgung Geom with earnest hearts.
However, from the mouth of Namgung Geom, who maintained a freezing expression throughout, came an unexpected answer.
“He is right.”
“Father!”
“Did you not also hear that the child accepted it of his own accord?”
“But he regained consciousness just a few days ago!”
“If he cannot even take care of his own body, he should have realized that himself.”
At Namgung Geom’s knife-like reply, Yun Cheom-san smiled inwardly.
‘This is why rigid people are exhausting. Well, it worked out well for me this time, though.’
Who would have thought that unbending personality would be of help.
Yun Cheom-san smiled thinly and continued speaking.
“If you are so worried, why don’t we go together? Hearing the story makes me somewhat concerned as well.”
Yun Cheom-san and Namgung Hwa turned to look at Namgung Geom again.
Namgung Geom, who had his eyes narrowed, let out a soft sigh and nodded.
“Let us go.”
At this, Yun Cheom-san stood up and drove the point home.
“I will say this again: it is a spar held by the agreement of both children. I hope there won’t be any foolish talk of holding someone responsible just because someone got injured.”
Although he was speaking to Namgung Hwa, the words were intended for Namgung Geom to hear.
Of course, even up to this moment, he could not have imagined that he would deeply regret these words he had uttered.
* * *
“Ugh…!”
It was so painful that not even a groan came out.
If he had the energy to even utter a groan, he felt like pouring all of it into enduring the pain.
It felt as if his internal organs were tearing apart, and his left wrist and ankle were twisted abnormally, completely turned around.
It was at a level where it would be difficult to stand even with a cane.
His entire body was covered in blood and bruised.
Yun Jong-seung could not understand it at all.
Why? How could this be?
He raised his head with eyes filled with fear.
‘Gasp!’
Namgung Cheon, standing tall right in front of him, was looking down with an incredibly despicable smile.
Like a child playing with a bug.
As Namgung Cheon slightly raised his wooden sword, Yun Jong-seung closed his eyes tightly and cried out desperately.
“I, I lost! Please stop now! I-I’m sorry! I’m really sorry!”
“Huh? For what?”
Namgung Cheon asked, tilting his head.
Even that sight somehow sent shivers down his spine.
What on earth was that gaze filled with madness?
The one that turned him into an existence far below in an instant.
“I-I was wrong! I, I just wanted to play a prank.”
“A prank?”
“Y-Yes. It was a prank. I don’t know if you remember it or heard about it, but please forgive me now. I, I really feel like I’m going to die.”
“Endure it a bit more. Since I’m also just playing a prank.”
“Huh?”
Thwack!
“Aaargh!”
Struck squarely on the cheek by the wooden sword, Yun Jong-seung flew back quite a distance and rolled on the ground.
“Groaaan…!”
While Yun Jong-seung squirmed, trembling all over, Namgung Cheon approached, brought his smiling face close, and whispered.
“You find it fun too, right?”
“P-Please, stop now…”
“Hey, why are you like that? What did you do when I begged you?”
“I-I’m sorry. Cheon, it’s all in the past. Let’s forget it. P-People make mistakes in life, don’t they? L-Let’s just wipe away the past now. Huh? Holding a grudge will only make things hard for you too, right?”
Look at this.
He tormented my son like that, and now he wants to forget? Wipe away the grudge?
That won’t do.
In the past, he might have followed those words.
But having gone through all kinds of hardships in the Jianghu, he would never fall for such nonsense.
Those bastards who want to cover up their sins and cast their emotions away to the passage of time.
They claimed they would definitely remember and never forget at that moment, but in the end, they were garbage who would yell that they were sick of it, asking why someone was bringing up such old news.
Namgung Cheon grinned.
That expression was so eerie that goosebumps broke out all over Yun Jong-seung’s body.
“Sure, let’s forget it. But let’s get beaten up a bit more today. In return, you should completely forget about being beaten up today and cleanly wipe away any grudges. Huh?”
“Uh-uh? W-Wait… Aaaagh!”
Thwack!
“Keuack!”
At the wooden sword that flew at him again, Yun Jong-seung was thrown far and rolled over and over on the ground.
Almost the time he was about to lose consciousness, a familiar sound reached his ears.
“Jong-seung!”
It was the voice of his father, Yun Cheom-san, crying out in shock.