Chapter 37: The Difference in Class (3)
“Are you leaving?”
“Yes.”
“……Alright. See you later.”
The Zhuge siblings bowed their heads and turned away.
Namgung Hyun’s face hardened as he watched them depart. He had seen the icy glare Zhuge Ayeon directed at him.
‘Damn it.’
This was all Yeon Hojeong’s fault. If he hadn’t been humiliated in front of Yeon Hojeong, Zhuge Ayeon wouldn’t have looked at him that way.
The gathering had left him with nothing but wounds. The cuts ran so deep he felt his rationality slipping away.
Recalling Zhuge Ayeon’s piercing gaze, Namgung Hyun gritted his teeth.
‘I wanted to kill him with my own hands.’
Though regrettable, he felt a twisted satisfaction.
The Tang family’s poisons surpassed imagination in their diversity—from agents that killed before detection to those inducing paralysis, excruciating pain, or permanent disabilities. Their arsenal was endless.
Namgung Hyun had witnessed Yeon Hojeong’s skills firsthand.
Though infuriating, he had to acknowledge Yeon Hojeong’s martial prowess. Even he would struggle to overpower Chuseong so effortlessly.
‘That bastard! He must’ve cheated.’
Chuseong’s movements during the initial exchanges had been uncharacteristically clumsy. Likely, he’d underestimated his opponent and panicked when confronted with unexpected skill.
Once Chuseong awoke, Namgung Hyun would demand answers. Why had he been so careless?
‘Now that I think of it, even subduing Dang Yangseon wasn’t a fair fight.’
Listing each incident, Yeon Hojeong appeared utterly dishonorable. But people only saw results, not methods. That’s why they praised him.
“Trash... How dare he flaunt such meager skills...”
In extreme situations, people see only what they wish to see.
For the first time, his pride had been wounded deeply enough to cloud his sharp mind.
“Where is Brother Myeong?”
“He departed earlier.”
“Without bidding farewell?”
Namgung Hyun’s face twisted.
‘These insects.’
Nothing pleased him anymore. Absolutely nothing.
“Is everything packed?”
“Not yet. It should be finished shortly.”
Namgung Hyun roared.
“The sun will set soon! Finish this now!”
“Yes, yes!”
Servants scrambled frantically.
After hastily concluding matters, Namgung Hyun exited the estate.
The journey from Hefei to the Huangshan region, where the Namgung Clan resided, was lengthy.
People often questioned why Anhui’s foremost power had settled near Huangshan rather than the provincial capital.
But this was hindsight. When the clan first established itself, its influence hadn’t been this vast.
Now, their reach extended throughout Anhui—Hefei included.
“Your carriage awaits. Please board.”
Namgung members received the finest transportation within Anhui. Every merchant and laborer there lived under the clan’s watchful eye.
Their privileges rivaled those of minor royalty.
Five days later, after crossing rivers and mountains, Namgung Hyun entered the clan’s territory near Huangshan.
‘What’s this?’
Walking the main road, he sensed something amiss.
Countless eyes flickered toward him.
Normally unremarkable—his guards carried banners boldly displaying “Namgung (南宮)”. But today felt different. The whispers and sidelong glances carried hostility.
His face gradually contorted with displeasure.
As they reached the clan compound:
“Hyun?”
“Ah, Uncle.”
Namgung Daesan, the clan’s external affairs director, approached urgently.
Namgung Hyun’s unease grew.
“What’s happened?”
Namgung Daesan cut straight to the point.
“What in heaven’s name have you done?”
“Pardon?”
Namgung Daesan thumped his chest in frustration.
“They say you manipulated the Sichuan Tang Sect’s heir into killing the Yeon family’s eldest son—a ‘borrowed blade’ scheme!”
Namgung Hyun’s face paled instantly.
Stunned, he blurted out:
“H-how did...?!”
Namgung Daesan’s eyes narrowed.
“You... It’s true then.”
Only then did Namgung Hyun realize his blunder, clamping his mouth shut.
But the damage was done. Even denial couldn’t undo what had spread.
“Rumors have spread beyond Anhui. The sources are credible, witnesses confirmed.”
“Preposterous!”
“Go to the family head’s chamber. Now!”
Swish. Swish.
Brushstrokes moved deliberately across rice paper.
Namgung In painted orchids with masterful precision, balancing ink tones perfectly. His craftsmanship bordered on perfection.
Namgung Hyun’s mouth went dry.
His father had been painting orchids for an hour already. Over twenty discarded sheets littered the floor.
“Hmm. This one finally passes.”
Namgung In nodded approvingly at his latest work, gently fanning the ink dry.
After a long silence, he spoke.
“Is it true?”
The blunt question hung heavy.
Namgung Hyun swallowed. Beneath his father’s calm tone simmered quiet fury.
He’d often seen this demeanor—just never directed at himself.
Facing paternal wrath for the first time, Namgung Hyun felt himself shrink.
“Yes.”
Lies were pointless now.
Namgung In’s gaze deepened.
Disappointment radiated from him.
“I didn’t send you to Houqijishu Gathering because we lacked hands. Many here surpass you in talent.”
The words stabbed at Namgung Hyun’s heart. His face turned ashen.
“Yet I sent you. Because you wished it. And because I believed in you.”
“......”
“Earning recognition is hard. Losing it takes but a moment. You know this.”
Finally, Namgung In looked at his son.
“Your intent to resolve matters with the Yeon family was admirable. I trusted you not to overreach. Yet you drew steel.”
“......”
“Using others skillfully earns praise as statecraft. Failing makes one a schemer. I thought you capable of at least preserving our name. Was I wrong?”
Drip.
Blood seeped from Namgung Hyun’s bitten lip.
Namgung In’s eyes flashed.
“I trust my judgment. My blood wouldn’t make such absurd errors. So why this outcome?”
“......”
“Three possibilities: something unsettled your composure, Yeon Hojeong’s schemes overwhelmed you, or both.”
“...!”
Veins bulged in Namgung Hyun’s eyes.
Even if tricks were involved, admitting Yeon Hojeong’s superiority was unbearable.
Namgung In observed his son’s turmoil. Behind the anger and disappointment lingered paternal concern.
“Was it the Zhuge family’s eldest daughter?”
Namgung Hyun started.
His father continued.
“I inquired about recent events.”
“......”
“Does that girl mean so much?”
“I... I merely...”
“...As I thought.”
Severity hardened Namgung In’s expression.
“Men must guard against lust above all. A lifetime of vigilance—yet you let base desires ruin everything?”
“...Forgive me.”
Namgung In clicked his tongue.
“I’ve sent matchmakers to the Zhuge family.”
“What?!”
“Though not the heir, you’re no mediocre talent. Their eldest daughter will suffice since their son inherits the house.”
“Father...”
Emotion clogged Namgung Hyun’s throat.
The stern rebuke carried hidden paternal care.
“I am clan head before being your father. Considering your past contributions, I’ll overlook this failure.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t expect more. That girl is but a whetstone for your edge. She’ll be your wife, not my daughter-in-law.”
The cold declaration held no room for affection. Yet for Namgung Hyun, this was enough.
Seeing his son’s flushed face, Namgung In tsked again.
“Leave me.”
Namgung Hyun raised his head.
Behind the emotional facade, his eyes regained their steely clarity.
Internally, Namgung In nodded. This was the gaze he’d wanted to see.
“How will you handle this matter?”
“Why? Will you intervene?”
“......”
“Stay out of it. Clinging to failed ventures is pathetic.”
“But Father—”
“Moreover.”
Namgung In’s face became impassive.
“Yeon Hojeong’s talents in both letters and martial arts are extraordinary. From what I’ve heard, he’s beyond your reach.”
Namgung Hyun’s cheek twitched. Wounded pride flared anew.
Yet he schooled his features immediately. He couldn’t appear weak before his father.
Satisfaction finally colored Namgung In’s expression.
“True growth begins with acknowledging reality. You’ve just taken the first step.”
“I lost once. I won’t lose again.”
“Understood. Still, withdraw from this affair. Hone your mind and body.”
Grateful for even this much, Namgung Hyun bowed deeply.
“I obey. With your leave, I’ll retire.”
“Rest well after your long journey.”
After his son departed, Namgung In sank into his chair.
“Barely past twenty—youthful fervor is unavoidable.”
Truly, no younger brother matched the eldest. At that age, his first son hadn’t been so rash.
Moreover, the eldest’s martial talent matched his temperament. He’d achieved by twenty what took Namgung In until thirty. The world would marvel when he emerged from seclusion.
Namgung In called out.
“Chun Commander.”
Soon, a sturdy middle-aged man entered.
“You summoned me, Family Head?”
Namgung In gazed at the window.
The sunset burned particularly vivid.
“The cauldron simmers sufficiently.”
“......”
“Ensure Sanghwa’s deeds become widely known.”
“Is that wise?”
“We must mend appearances. Compared to that reckless girl, a son showing some maturity is preferable.”
“...As you command.”
Crimson light dyed Namgung In’s eyes.
“The Yeon family of Byeoksan... I thought them merely skilled martial artists. But neither their family head nor his son are ordinary, it seems.”
