The streets of Luoyang were bathed in the dwindling light of the setting sun.
A young girl, perched on her sturdy father’s back, chattered incessantly.
“…and that’s what the Grand Young Master said, looking into my eyes. ‘Law Enforcer, I regret intervening in your judgment. I ask for your forgiveness.’ So, I graciously replied, ‘It’s fine, Grand Young Master. I think it was a wise decision for the sake of the family.'”
Yeom Baekha covered her face with a chuckle.
“Did you hear that? Did you?”
Startled, Baekho, who had been dozing off in her lap, clutched at her sleeve.
“Isn’t it cool? It was so romantic. I felt like I was in a famous love story.”
Elder Yeom wondered what was romantic about it but chose not to ask.
He was not foolish enough to poke a beehive just to check for bees.
“Isn’t it romantic that someone with such a beautiful yet cold exterior has a warm heart towards the commoners? Right? Don’t you agree?”Of course, some bees attack even if you don’t go near the hive.
“…and then, when he looked at me like that…”
However, a part of him felt slightly relieved.
How long had it been since he’d walked down the streets of Luoyang at sunset with his daughter?
With a somewhat eased mind, he found the courage to bring up the unavoidable issue.
“…What do you think?”
She didn’t ask, “About what?”
She was bright enough to pass the difficult Law Enforcer’s exam at her young age.
Though she had not performed her duties outside, not one of her internal judgments had been flawed.
She knew all too well that her father’s lifetime of work could be jeopardized because of her.
Her voice grew softer.
“Father, there’s only one thing I want from you.”
Her voice sounded crystal clear in his ears.
“Don’t use me as an excuse.”
Her tone was resolute.
Much like when she made judgments as a Law Enforcer.
“…Are you referring to me?”
She gently laid her hand on his shoulder.
“I was born as the only daughter under the head of our family. And, embarrassingly, I’m also a Judge. I have enjoyed all the privileges that come with my position.”
Gratitude tinged her voice for the privileges she had enjoyed.
“I am not a disgraceful daughter who enjoys only the rights and ignores the responsibilities.”
Her tone was decisive.
“Father, as the head of the family and as the head of the household, make your judgment solely. Even if it’s lonely, it can’t be helped. Even if it’s painful, it can’t be helped. But saying that it can’t be helped because of your daughter is unnecessary.”
“You are….”
His voice cracked.
“As the grace of the Elder, and as the daughter of my father, I will only follow whatever his will may be.”
“Is that so…”
She felt her father’s shoulders, those broad shoulders, begin to tremble slightly.
However, she gave no sign of noticing.
The two of them walked as if they were just an ordinary father and daughter that one could see on the street.
A moment later, a more composed voice flowed from his lips.
“Understood. So be it.”
She smiled and hugged her father’s neck.
“I’ve come up with a great idea!”
And she began to chatter once more.
“My father will officially announce a severance of ties with me! And then, I’ll become a helpless person with no one to rely on, entering Wongak Pavilion as one of the Grand Young Master’s maidservant! And then, as a maidservant who can’t do a single task properly, I’ll be bullied by my senior sisters! I’ll hide in a storage room and cry while looking at the moon. And then! His Highness will come into the storage room and discover me! Ah, it’s perfect! It’s totally romantic! It’s another perfect love story!”
“….”
He focused solely on his steps.
For a while, it was as if he had to walk as though he was being stung by a million bees.
Could anything be done?
The one babbling such a tale had been his own daughter, who didn’t have a single friend to chat with about such things.
A child who, more than anyone else, knew her place and behaved accordingly.
So could anything be done?
It was the only small role he could play as a disappointing father with an overachieving daughter.
* * *
The moon rose over Wongak Pavilion, casting a silvery glow.
On the wide courtyard covered with gravel, bonfires blazed here and there, lighting up the surroundings.
Beneath them, the agile shadow of a woman clashed with the robust shadow of a man.
The glint of the swords reflected in the bonfires flickered in all directions.
Soon after, cheers erupted.
“Aigoo, how could this happen…”
The warrior serving the 4th Young Master sat on the ground, unable to get up due to the shock.
“I have learned a valuable lesson.”
Extending her hand, slightly out of breath, was none other than Jung-ah, the chief maid of Wongak Pavilion.
“No, rather it is I who… nevermind.”
The warrior acknowledged his opponent as a true warrior.
He gladly took her hand and stood up.
He then cupped his hands respectfully.
“Rather, I am the one who has learned—”
The warriors surrounding the 4th Young Master from a distance approached while clapping.
“Wow! It’s been a while since we’ve seen such a remarkable performance. What an eye-opening experience!”
“Was the martial art you used the famous ‘Fleeting Shadow Moment’? It’s truly amazing that you’ve mastered such a complex martial art to this extent.”
Even though their comrade was defeated by a mere maidservant, there wasn’t a trace of bad feeling among them.
As she had felt all day, the 4th Young Master’s subordinates were fundamentally cheerful and straightforward people.
Jung-ah bowed her head in response to their praise.
“It’s a trivial skill.”
The warrior who had fought against her was buoyed by her humility.
“What do you mean trivial? What does that make me then?”
“What else? It’s only natural for the one with lesser skill to lose. Stop dilly-dallying and step aside.”
“Right, right. We have to discuss martial arts and ‘theories’ with young lady Jung-ah.”
“We should rather seek guidance.”
Pushed aside by the thronging crowd of his comrades, the warrior gave a wistful smile.
“…Hey, I haven’t even had time to review the techniques yet.”
No one was listening to him anymore.
The beautiful maidservant Jung-ah, who had mastered the most difficult martial art in swordsmanship, was immensely popular among them.
“What a shame.”
Slightly shaking his head, he picked up his fallen sword and short sword.
And that wasn’t all.
On the ground were also the iron caltrops, needles, and throwing knives he had scattered.
Except for the poison that couldn’t be used in the duel, he had employed every special technique he knew.
“…And none of it worked?”
He sat down, crouching in his place.
Looking at the mess that had become the yard, all he could do was hang his head.
***
A cacophony of loud cheers and chatter could be heard from outside.
The 4th Young Master smiled.
“Little sister, we thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Indeed, the ingredients from Wongak Pavilion are the best in Luoyang.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
The table was cleared, and a plump maid appeared.
It was the same woman who had been with 4th Young Master all day.
She politely bowed and placed some after-meal tea on the table for dessert.
“Thank you.”
In response to the 4th Young Master’s gratitude, she showed a playful smile and left the room.
“I apologize that Wongak Pavilion is understaffed at the moment.”
“Not at all, Eldest Brother. Times like these call for mutual assistance. What could be better than brotherhood?”
The door closed, and the sounds of activity faded.
Now was the time for the brothers to have a real conversation.
“This business is more important to me than it appears.”
The 4th Young Master bowed his head in a respectful manner.
His tone also changed.
“I will never forget the teachings and favors you have bestowed upon me today, Eldest Brother.”
Yeon So-Hyeon waved his hand.
“…It seems the actions of the other two are unsettling your position.”
The 4th Young Master sighed softly.
“Yes. The size of this business is one thing, but in reality, the most crucial aspect is not to fall behind in the succession struggle.”
“Do you desire to become the Family Head?”
“…”
Yeon So-Hyeon leisurely enjoyed the aroma and placed his teacup back down.
However, the question he posed was far from trivial.
The 4th Young Master opened his mouth with more caution than ever.
“…I cannot let the Sword House go to 2nd Young Master and 3rd Young Master, can I?”
“True.”
Yeon So-Hyeon lightly nodded in agreement.
“Eldest Brother.”
The 4th Young Master looked up at him.
“Is it too late now if you…?”
Yeon So-Hyeon cut him off. “The investors from Sichuan are coming.”
The 4th Young Master immediately bowed his head.
“Yes, Eldest Brother.”
“I’ve heard there are some people causing you trouble. Is that correct?”
The 4th Young Master slightly lowered his head.
“I can’t even begin to explain. No matter how much I try to persuade them, they insist on touring Luoyang separately from the rest of the business entourage…”
He leaned his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his hands.
“Well, what can we do? It’s my responsibility, so I’ll have to figure it out.”
Moreover, they were important figures who would significantly influence the medium to long-term success of the project, regardless of the immediate investment amount.
Upon hearing the 4th Young Master’s explanation about them, Yeon So-Hyeon nodded his head.
“Then let me take care of them.”
The 4th Young Master paused at his words.
“…Eldest Brother.”
“Why?”
The 4th Young Master’s pupils wavered.
“‘Going that far‘ would be an entirely different story.”
The 4th Young Master licked his dry lips.
“The relocation of the poor is merely a temporary aid you provided for my younger sworn brother. The stake I intend to give you is more like a consultation fee.”
“Indeed.”
The 4th Young Master sipped the cooling tea.
“However, saying you’ll do more than that means you intend to be involved in this business with me.”
“It will be a business carried out jointly by the eldest heir of the Sword House family and 4th Young Master.”
Yeon So-Hyeon smiled an enigmatic smile.
“That’s why I’m proposing new terms.”
The 4th Young Master felt his head starting to spin.
“…Eldest Brother.”
The boy looked at the person he loved and respected the most.
“Are you planning to end the business now? The second and third followers, as well as those who dislike Eldest Brother, will rise like a swarm of bees to block you.”
Yeon So-hyeon questioned in return.
“Do you have the ambition to become the head of the family?”
The 4th Young Master abruptly stood up.
The chair was flung backward.
“No!”
The boy slammed the table.
“Absolutely not!”
He shouted.
“Only Eldest Brother is qualified to assume the position of the family head!”
Yeon So-hyeon smiled broadly.
He knew he couldn’t afford to lose any more of the family he loved.
Therefore, he had to make this ‘sure-to-fail venture’ a success.
He knew about the ‘future’ full of hardships that this adorable younger brother had undergone for his unworthy older brother.
“I am now planning to officially end the business.”
That’s why up until now, this unworthy older brother had been, and would continue to be, the older brother his youngest brother was most proud of in the future.
“Will you join me?”
It was a rhetorical question.
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