Chapter 7: What Takes Precedence Over Family Rules (1)
“……”
The air in the room was heavy, suffocating.
The atmosphere was so tense, it felt like one shouldn't even breathe too loudly. Yeon Ji-pyeong glanced anxiously between his father and older brother.
“Gulp.”
The sound of him swallowing echoed through the room.
After what felt like a good fifteen minutes, finally, Yeon-wi opened his mouth.
“Explain.”
It was a simple, blunt statement.
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke calmly.
“We got into an argument, and it turned into a fight.”
“I didn’t ask for a summary.”
His voice was devoid of emotion.
And Yeon Ho-jeong’s was the same.
“That girl from the Namgung family started it. She told us to kneel. She was even radiating killing intent, so I figured it wasn't something I could just let slide and beat them all up.”
“I heard the Yi family kid's face was smashed in, and the Namgung family girl's arms and legs were broken.”
“That’s correct.”
“Especially the Namgung family’s girl, I hear she’s still not in her right mind. Due to severe internal and external injuries, they say she’ll need at least six months to recover.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“I doubt she'll even think about messing with us again.”
Yeon-wi’s eyebrow twitched.
It was a subtle change in expression. Yeon Ji-pyeong became even more nervous, unable to discern its meaning.
Yeon-wi spoke again.
“No matter who started it, two men ganging up on one woman is a serious problem.”
“Two men?”
“Hmm?”
“I did it alone. Pyeong-i didn't get involved.”
Yeon-wi looked at Yeon Ji-pyeong.
“Is that true?”
“……Yes.”
He looked extremely nervous, but at least he didn’t seem to be lying.
Yeon-wi was inwardly taken aback.
‘He took on both of them alone?’
He knew his eldest son’s skills well. He wasn’t without talent, but he wasn’t yet skilled enough to be called first-rate.
I might believe it with the kid from the Anhui Yi family, but the Namgung family head's daughter is a different story. If they'd traded blows, maybe, but I find it hard to believe he could overpower her without getting a single scratch on himself.
“You’re telling me you faced both of them alone, really?”
“To be precise, the Yi family kid made the first move, so I took him down. Then I taught that Namgung family girl a lesson.”
“Taught...a lesson...”
Yeon-wi said in an even heavier voice.
“I don't expect you to be saints. But watch your words and actions. A harsh heart leads to harsh words, and harsh words dictate your actions.”
“Indeed.”
“There's nothing to be gained from losing your cool over a few words.”
Yeon Ho-jeong said nothing more.
This was neither a place for debate nor for instilling ideology. He was the eldest son of the Yeon family, but at the same time, he was the Black Demon Star Lord, the greatest of the Unorthodox Sect. Naturally, he was bound to be different from the ideal warrior the family envisioned.
More importantly, he didn’t want to argue with his father. That was why Yeon Ho-jeong kept his words to a minimum.
Looking at his silent eldest son, Yeon-wi said,
“Whatever the reason, the Namgung family, along with our own, is considered one of the Seven Great Families of the Murim. It's a serious issue that the young masters of two such families fought to the point of drawing blood. I trust you understand that.”
It was a subtle reprimand. It meant that even if it required avoiding the situation, they should not have engaged in a fight.
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“Are we really one of the Seven Great Families?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“That girl didn't seem to think we were one of the Seven Great Families.”
Yeon-wi’s eyes changed.
However, his voice remained unchanged.
“That's just the foolish talk of an immature child. Judging the entire Namgung family based on that is no different from someone who claims to know everything after seeing only one small thing.”
“I have no complaints against the Namgung family.”
“Then?”
“What’s important is the situation and who is at fault.”
“Are you saying we should focus on the core issue?”
“Yes.”
“The essence is always important. Similarly, determining right and wrong, and the appropriate rewards and punishments, are important. But the world isn't that simple. You need to be especially careful when dealing with someone powerful.”
“I know.”
“If you knew, you shouldn’t have acted like that.”
Again, Yeon Ho-jeong kept his mouth shut.
There was much he could say. He had faced the baseness and horror of the underworld countless times while living in the back alleys, but he had also witnessed the hypocrisy and frustration of the orthodox faction.
However, if this was the Yeon family’s law and his father’s thinking, there was nothing more to say.
Yeon-wi, who had been looking at his two sons with indifferent eyes, opened his mouth.
“Whether I give out rewards or punishments will be decided after I see how this situation plays out.”
“…….”
“Return to your quarters and stay there.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s face turned pale at the ominous words.
His father had never ordered them to confine themselves to their quarters before. His father's judgment was always as clear as a judge's, and his decisions were as sharp and decisive as a blade.
For such a person to order reflection… Yeon Ji-pyeong felt that the situation was more serious than he had thought.
“Father.”
“Speak.”
“Th-that is… maybe this fight happened because of me. If I had stopped it beforehand….”
“The deed is done, and people are hurt. And the one who hurt them is not you, but your brother.”
“Ah, Father!”
“Return to your quarters and stay there.”
“Just a moment, please let me say a little more…!”
Yeon-wi’s eyebrow twitched. Yeon Ji-pyeong’s mouth snapped shut involuntarily.
At that moment, Yeon Ho-jeong stood up.
“Then, we’ll be going. Pyeong-ah, let’s go.”
In the end, Yeon Ji-pyeong had no choice but to stand up as well.
On the way back to their quarters from the Family Head's room.
Yeon Ji-pyeong hung his head low.
“I’m sorry, Brother.”
“Hmm?”
“This all happened because of me. If only I had just eaten with you in our quarters...”
“Ji-pyeong.”
“Yes?”
“I know I'm the last person who should be saying this, considering I'm the one who messed up, but there's something I really want you to remember.”
“What is it?”
“There’s no such thing as ‘if’ in this world.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s eyes wavered.
“Everything that happens in this world has cause and effect. But ultimately, people create that cause and effect. You were the one who suggested going to Goyang Pavilion, but I was the one who resorted to violence.”
“…….”
“In the end, the result is what matters.”
“But still.”
“Let me ask you something. If I hadn't stepped in, would you have used force?”
After thinking for a moment, Yeon Ji-pyeong nodded.
“Yes, I think I would have.”
It was a short but sincere answer after careful consideration. Yeon Ho-jeong understood Yeon Ji-pyeong’s sincerity.
“But that's not what happened. Before you could do anything, I'd already taken those two kids down.”
“…….”
“If we're going to play the 'what if' game and blame you, then we might as well blame our ancestors for founding the Yeon family. Is that what you want?”
“Ah, no! Of course not!”
“I know. That’s why the assumption of ‘if’ is meaningless.”
“Still….”
Yeon Ji-pyeong bit his lip and clenched his fist, shouting.
“If Brother gets punished, I’ll take it with you! I will definitely tell Father that!”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and patted his head.
Yeon Ji-pyeong was horrified.
“Whoa! Hey, you're messing up my hair!”
“You idiot, what kind of parent punishes a child who's done nothing wrong?”
“Sniff. But still.”
“Don’t dwell on useless thoughts and just go back to your quarters. You must be shaken up, so get some rest.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong tugged at Yeon Ho-jeong’s sleeve.
“You too, Brother. Okay?”
“Don’t worry, you little rascal.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong hesitated a few times as if his feet wouldn’t move, but eventually bowed his head deeply and headed to his quarters.
Standing there, watching Yeon Ji-pyeong’s retreating figure, Yeon Ho-jeong muttered to himself.
“It's only natural for him to be so worried. I was the same way.”
No matter how deep the love, if it’s not expressed, it’s impossible to know.
Unfortunately, his father was not the type to outwardly express his emotions. Rather, he prioritized stricter family laws for his own blood and taught them to value family rules.
It didn’t matter to him, but he wished his father would be a little softer on Pyeong-i.
Yeon Ho-jeong grumbled quietly.
“Anyway, what am I going to do about the Azure Jade Technique? Should I even try to learn it now? I have a feeling I'm going to get reprimanded.”
Past midnight.
An intense aura erupted outside the Yeon family’s main gate.
“Family Head!”
A thunderous voice pierced through the main gate and vibrated throughout the outer compound.
“You bastards! Open this gate! Get the Family Head out here now!”
“Who are you?”
“What?! Are you guys seriously asking who I am? Fine! I'll tell you!”
Kwaang!
An impact accompanied by a deafening roar shook the south gate of the outer compound.
Crack! Thud!
One side of the gate collapsed completely.
The large gate, over ten feet tall and more than half a foot thick, was destroyed in a single blow. In the center of the broken gate, a large human palm print was deeply embedded.
“What is the meaning of this?!”
“Shut your mouth! I am Namgung Daesan of the Namgung family! Bring out the Family Head immediately!”
“Even if you are from the Namgung family, how dare you act so outrageously!”
“Outrageous? Ha! You've got a lot of nerve! How dare this family protect a truly outrageous brat like he's some kind of prize? You're nothing but a bunch of thugs!”
“What kind of insult is that?!”
Clatter!
At that moment, dozens of martial artists rushed out through the broken south gate.
They were the Iron Wall Guardians who protected the Yeon family’s outer compound. Their martial arts, mainly focused on escort and guard duties, were each worthy of being called first-rate.
“Are these guys finally coming out in full force?!”
“We will no longer tolerate…!”
“Get out of the way!”
Thwack!
The man who pushed past the gatekeeper of the south gate and entered was a middle-aged man with a massive build.
He was nearly seven feet tall, and on his back, he carried a greatsword (大劍) that was more than three or four times the size of an ordinary longsword.
The eyes of the Iron Wall Guardians narrowed.
The large swordsman exuded a truly extraordinary aura. His already powerful aura was surging like a tidal wave because of his rage.
He was none other than Namgung Daesan (南宮大山). The person who had sent word that he would visit at noon today had, without warning, broken down the gate and stormed in.
“Family Head! Family Head, get out here! I am Namgung…!”
“I’m already here.”
Namgung Daesan looked towards the warehouse on the left side of the compound.
A middle-aged man was walking along a narrow path beside the warehouse. A man who looked like a stubborn scholar at first glance—it was Yeon-wi.
Namgung Daesan’s face contorted.
“Family Head! How could you do this?!”
“I was about to say the same thing.”
“What?!”
Yeon-wi glared with chilling eyes.
At that gaze, Namgung Daesan flinched involuntarily.
“Our family welcomes guests, but we do not receive barbarians. As the Outer Hall Master of the prestigious Namgung Family of Anhui, what is the meaning of this behavior?”
Calm and cold. Yeon-wi’s voice and tone were in stark contrast to Namgung Daesan’s fiery atmosphere.
Namgung Daesan gritted his teeth.
Even he, known as the most hot-blooded in the Namgung family, couldn’t dare to utter harsh words in front of Yeon-wi.
“I won't waste words! I trust you've already heard what happened, Family Head!”
“What circumstances are you referring to?”
“Are you pretending not to know? Your sons did something to my daughter…!”
“You mean the incident where that ill-mannered girl from your family not only insulted ours, but also tried to kill my sons?”
Namgung Daesan’s mouth fell open.
“Wh-what did you say?!”
It was as if frost had settled on a thousand-year-old boulder.
Yeon-wi spoke in a clipped tone.
“As a matter of fact, I was planning on getting to the bottom of this myself.”
