Dalgeurak!
The Hwangsan Yun Family Head, Yun Cheomsan, set his teacup down with a loud clack.
Namgung Geom frowned, displeased by the careless action.
Regardless, Yun Cheomsan paid it no mind and spoke as if tossing his words out.
"Namgung Family Head. Isn't it time for you to decide?"
"My answer remains the same."
It was a voice so desolate it was chilling.
No matter how many times Yun Cheomsan heard that frigid voice, he couldn't get used to it.
A voice like a blade-wind, making the listener shrink back.
But are they still the Namgung Family of old?
No, do they even need the word "Family" (Sega)?
It's fine to just call them the Namgung household now.
Their eldest daughter, once praised as the Cheonhajeillyong, had an affair with the Great Killing Star and ruined the family. The grandson who inherited that filthy blood couldn't bear the insults and even attempted suicide.
'It's nothing for a household to be shattered overnight.'
The Namgung Family, once lauded as the family of emperors, was no more.
Their vast wealth had vanished like a mirage.
The Namgung Family's massive manor had been sold long ago, and they were now using a small, separate Byeolwon (annex) as their Bonwon (main house).
The only reason the Namgung Family was barely holding on was because of the Hwangsan Pyoguk (Hwangsan Escort Agency) business, which they had not yet let go of.
'It must be hard for them to give it up easily. But...'
"You will regret it if you continue to be stubborn. You must also consider the position of the Hwangsan Escort Agency. Just hand over the business to us. My family will manage the Escort Agency well."
"You've come a long way. Have some tea and return."
"Hmph, this is no time to be stubborn... Namgung Family Head. I will ensure the compensation is not disappointing, so once again..."
Yun Cheomsan, who had been speaking, hiccupped and froze.
Namgung Geom, who had been raising his teacup to his lips, had cast an ice-cold gaze on him.
His gaze was as cold and heartless as his desolate voice.
It was astonishing that a person's eyes could hold such a chill.
'Tsk! Pride, even when he's about to die!'
It was frustrating.
If time just passed like this, the Namgung Family wouldn't be able to protect the Hwangsan Escort Agency.
The Escort Agency itself was on the verge of kicking the Namgung Family to the curb.
And still, he was trying to hold on to it!
Well, he hadn't expected to persuade him easily from the start.
In that case, he had no choice but to use his second-best plan.
Yun Cheomsan took a sip of his cold tea and slid his gaze to Namgung Hwa, who sat to one side.
Was she thirty-five?
She was beautiful and fresh-faced enough to be believable as someone in her early twenties.
The woman his first son had loved unrequitedly for so long.
Dalgeurak!
Once again setting his teacup down rather roughly, Yun Cheomsan spoke.
"Well, if the Namgung Family wishes to continue managing the Hwangsan Escort Agency, there is this method."
"If you plan to spout nonsense, just leave. My patience is not extensive."
"Hear me out. Let's see... You were Namgung Hwa, correct?"
"Yes, Family Head. I am Namgung Hwa."
Namgung Hwa bowed respectfully.
In the past, he would never have dared to call her "you" (neo) so informally.
It was humiliating, but it was foolish to show one's emotions easily in a place like this.
For now, she would be polite.
Yun Cheomsan gave a nasty smile and nodded.
"What a nice child."
Calling a thirty-five-year-old woman a "nice child."
It was insulting, but Namgung Hwa still showed no sign of it.
Yun Cheomsan continued.
"How about that child marries my family's Sogaju (Young Family Head/Heir)?"
"...!"
"From what I see, she is well past the age of marriage. If we form a bond on this occasion, wouldn't it be a double blessing for both families? If that happens, we could hand over not only the Hwangsan Escort Agency but also the management of other businesses to your esteemed household."
Having finished, Yun Cheomsan quietly observed their reactions.
As expected, Namgung Geom's expression hardened dreadfully, like that of a death god. Namgung Hwa was composing her breathing, her expression slightly dark.
'I said it, but I can't help being nervous.'
Yun Cheomsan was tense.
He might be a tiger with his fangs pulled, but a tiger was still a tiger.
Just because its fangs were gone didn't mean a tiger would be preyed upon by a dog.
If Namgung Geom couldn't overcome his anger and unleashed his blade-wind here, his own neck would be in danger.
But doesn't all gambling carry risk?
Now was the time to take that risk and be a little despicable. That was the only way to step on the Namgung Family and rise. It was the same method the Hwangsan Yun Family had used to grow its influence.
Some people treated the Hwangsan Yun Family as jolbu (nouveau riche), but Yun Cheomsan didn't care. In the end, it was just the jealous whining of those who couldn't even become jolbu.
Finally, a cold, restrained voice flowed from Namgung Geom's lips.
"Leave."
"I haven't heard an answer..."
"You lack tact. This is my answer."
"An order to leave... But, shouldn't Namgung Hwa be the one to answer my question? What do you think?"
Namgung Geom's brow furrowed slightly.
It was a miniscule change, but that alone showed how enraged he was.
He was a man whose expression rarely changed.
Wasn't he asking an unmarried woman a question as if she were already his daughter-in-law?
Despite this, Namgung Hwa was calm.
In truth, if she could stop the family's decline, she was thinking she could accept Yun Cheomsan's proposal.
Namgung Hwa replied in a calm tone.
"I... the proposal you mentioned..."
It was then.
Kwaang!
Namgung Geom slammed his palm on the tea table.
Because of this, Namgung Hwa couldn't continue her words, and Yun Cheomsan also flinched and looked back.
Namgung Geom narrowed his eyes and glared at Yun Cheomsan.
Yun Cheomsan stopped breathing and froze in that position.
It was as if his entire body was trapped in a block of ice.
'Wh-what kind of gaze...!'
As he was dripping with cold sweat, Bokseong burst into the room.
"Family Head! My apologies for the sudden intrusion! I have committed this rudeness because I have an urgent matter to report."
Only then did Namgung Geom remove his gaze from Yun Cheomsan.
Namgung Hwa and Yun Cheomsan also turned to look at Bokseong.
Namgung Hwa asked gently.
"What is it?"
"Th-that is..."
Bokseong peeked at Yun Cheomsan, and Namgung Hwa placated him in a calm tone.
"First, calm down. And tell me what happened."
"Th-that is... Our Gongja-nim is currently in a spar with Young Master Yun!"
"What?"
Namgung Hwa shot up, her fine brow narrowing as she asked.
"A spar? It's only been a few days since that child regained his energy, a spar?"
"I-I tried desperately to stop him, but the Gongja-nim wouldn't listen. That's why I rushed here to report..."
At this, Yun Cheomsan, who had been listening, raised the corners of his mouth and asked.
"He didn't listen even when you tried to stop him? Does that mean Namgung Gongja accepted the spar himself?"
"Th-that's right."
"Hoho, then there's no problem, is there? It seems the two of them met after a long time and decided to train their martial arts..."
But Namgung Hwa turned to Yun Cheomsan with a stiff expression.
"You can't! That child's memory isn't even stable right now. If he suddenly moves so rigorously..."
"You're quite protective. Is it because he's your nephew, even if he's the Great Killing Star's son?"
"Yun Family Head, your words are excessive!"
"I didn't say anything incorrect, did I? In any case, he may have lost his memory, but the fact he accepted the spar himself must mean he is that confident, no?"
"You are too much. What will you do if he is not well and gets injured?"
At this point, Yun Cheomsan also dropped his smile and stared at Namgung Hwa.
"What do you mean, what will I do? Is that something I need to take responsibility for?"
"That is..."
"The two boys agreed to the spar. As you heard, it's a spar he insisted on, even when his servant tried to stop him. Even if an injury occurs in the process, it's not a matter for anyone to take responsibility for. Isn't that right, Namgung Family Head?"
Yun Cheomsan's gaze turned to Namgung Geom.
Naturally, Namgung Hwa's and Bokseong's gazes followed.
The two of them looked at Namgung Geom with desperate hearts.
But from Namgung Geom, whose expression remained cold, came an unexpected answer.
"His words are correct."
"Father!"
"Did you not hear that the child accepted it himself?"
"But it's only been a few days since he regained consciousness!"
"If he was in no condition to look after his own body, he should have been self-aware enough to know."
At Namgung Geom's blade-like answer, Yun Cheomsan smiled inwardly.
'This is why such rigid humans are tiring. Well, it worked out for me this time.'
To think that unbending personality would be of help.
Yun Cheomsan gave a vile smile and continued.
"If you are so worried, why don't we go see? Now that I hear about it, I'm getting a little concerned myself."
Yun Cheomsan and Namgung Hwa looked back at Namgung Geom.
Namgung Geom, who had been narrowing his eyes, let out a light sigh and nodded.
"Let's go."
At this, Yun Cheomsan rose from his seat and drove the nail in.
"I'll say it again, this is a spar the two boys agreed to. I hope no one will say foolish things about 'responsibility' just because someone got hurt."
He was speaking to Namgung Hwa, but the words were meant for Namgung Geom.
Of course, at this moment, he had no idea that he would come to regret these words he'd just spat out, regret them bitterly.
"Kkeueueuk...!"
The pain was so great, a groan wouldn't even come out.
If he had the energy to groan, he wanted to pour all of it into enduring the pain.
It felt like his Ojangyukbu (internal organs) were being torn apart, and his left wrist and ankle were twisted at bizarre angles, completely mangled.
It was a state where he'd struggle to stand even with a cane.
His entire body was covered in blood and bruises.
Yun Jongseung just couldn't understand.
Why? How?
He raised his head, his eyes full of terror.
"Heok!"
Namgung Cheon, standing tall right in front of him, was looking down with the world's most vicious smile.
Like a child playing with an insect.
As Namgung Cheon slightly raised his wooden sword, Yun Jongseung squeezed his eyes shut and screamed desperately.
"I-I lost! Please, stop! I'm, I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!"
"Hm? About what?"
Namgung Cheon tilted his head and asked.
Even that gesture was somehow terrifying.
What was with that crazed look in his eyes?
It instantly made him feel like a much lesser being.
"I-I was wrong! I... I just wanted to play a prank, that's why..."
"A prank?"
"Y-yeah. It was a prank. I don't know if you remember or just heard about it, but please forgive me now. I, I really think I'm going to die."
"Endure it a bit more. I'm just 'playing' too."
"Uh...?"
Peo-eok!
"Kuaaaak!"
Smashed in the cheek by the wooden sword, Yun Jongseung was sent flying and rolled on the ground.
"Kkeueueu..."
As Yun Jongseung trembled and twitched, Namgung Cheon approached, brought his smiling face close, and whispered.
"You're having fun too, right? Right?"
"P-please, just stop..."
"Aigoo, why be like that? When I begged, what did you do?"
"I-I'm sorry. Cheon-ah, it's all in the past. Let's forget it. L-life is like that sometimes, right? L-let's just erase the past. Hm? Holding a grudge will just be hard for you too, right?"
Look at this.
He tormented my son like that, and now he wants to forget? Erase the grudge?
That won't do.
In the past, he might have followed those words.
But now, having experienced all sorts of hardships in the Jianghu, he would never fall for such words.
Bastards who cover up their sins and want to toss their emotions into the flow of time.
Trash who, in the moment, swear they will remember and never forget, but after time passes, will just shout "why are you bringing that old thing up again," and call it tiring.
Namgung Cheon grinned.
The expression was so ghastly it made Yun Jongseung's whole body break out in goosebumps.
"Right, let's forget. But let's get hit a little more today. In exchange, you can also completely forget the beating you got today and cleanly erase any grudges. Okay?"
"Uh, uh? W-wait... Uwaaa!"
Peo-eok!
"Keu-ak!"
Hit again by the wooden sword, Yun Jongseung was sent flying, rolling on the ground.
Just as his consciousness was about to snap, he heard a familiar voice.
"Seung-ah!"
It was the horrified scream of his father, Yun Cheomsan.
read more on brightnovels.com