Chapter 39: The Shangguan Clan (2)
As Yong Hwarin approached, Shangguan Byeokin felt a faint admiration.
“Oh ho, does he already understand the principle of Emptiness at that age?”
Children that age were usually full of ambition, believing the world revolved around them, and thus should’ve seemed arrogant.
Emptiness was a mental state that could only be achieved after completing Fulfillment.
It was a level of mind attainable only through abundant experience and enlightenment, so it was astonishing that someone his age had reached it.
“Hmm. This is the first time since Namgung Soomyung and Paeng Giyok. For such a child to appear from a mere mid-tier sect in Henan...”
Jealousy stirred in him.
For a child not even from a prestigious family to display such depth—it gnawed at him a little. His own child was still only in the stage of Fulfillment and had not reached Emptiness.
“What do you think?”
Shangguan Byeokin asked the young man who had approached him.
It was his son, Shangguan Joyoung, the future heir of the Shangguan Clan.
Among the second-generation heirs of the martial world’s great clans, he was tall, handsome, and known by the nickname “Tyrant Jade Blade.”
Even Namgung Soomyung, praised as the most handsome man in Anhui, could not compare in terms of looks.
It was no wonder—Shangguan Joyoung’s mother was Hayanggyo, famed thirty years ago as the most beautiful woman under the heavens.
At the time, Shangguan Byeokin’s strength in martial arts, wealth, and political power was enough to win her over.
“He doesn’t seem like much. I don’t understand why Seol is showing such interest in him.”
Hearing his son’s indifferent tone, he clicked his tongue.
‘My son still falls short of that boy.’
It stung, but he wasn’t disappointed.
If the Shangguan Clan only valued martial power, he would have scolded his son right then and forced him into closed-door training.
But the Shangguan Clan was a martial family that wielded both financial and political power. Even if one’s martial ability was lacking, if he excelled elsewhere, it was enough.
If they had focused solely on martial prowess, the Shangguan Clan might have easily surpassed the Namgung Clan.
But they had not taken that path.
They understood the world did not run on martial power alone, and the ancestors had left behind the wisdom that combining wealth and influence ensured survival.
His wife, Hayanggyo, was proof of that. He had taken a woman who had once belonged to another by using money, power, and martial strength.
And now, seeing Yong Hwarin bow politely before him, his belief only grew stronger.
‘He looks so much like that mangy pup Yong Biyang.’
The sight of Yong Hwarin brought back memories from twenty-five years ago, when he had fought over the most beautiful woman under the heavens, Hayanggyo.
It was a memory that remained a kind of humiliation for him.
To fight over a future wife with a man from a middling clan that never rose above mediocrity in Henan—despite being the heir of a clan comparable to the Namgung Clan—was a blow to his pride.
Even more so because Hayanggyo had favored Yong Biyang over him.
Just as she was about to go to Yong Biyang, he used money and power to pressure her family.
He had practically snatched her away, and ever since, out of guilt, he granted her every wish.
To the people of the Shangguan Clan, Shangguan Byeokin was an object of fear, but to his wife, he was a submissive husband.
Because he had wronged her.
Seeing Yong Hwarin now brought back the face of Yong Biyang and the disgrace of that time, souring his mood.
And his daughter, chatting away next to Yong Hwarin like a maiden on a spring outing, only made him more displeased. At first, he hadn’t thought much of it, but upon seeing the boy’s face, his mind changed.
Yong Hwarin sensed the hostile gaze and bowed politely.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Yong Hwarin, a junior of the Martial World. It is a privilege to stand before the Head of the Shangguan Clan.”
“Yes, welcome. I’ve heard the young heir of the Heavenly Central Sect was so ill he couldn’t even lift a spoon. Seems that was all nonsense, especially now that you've earned the nickname Flying Dragon Sword Hero.”
His tone wasn’t praise—it was closer to mockery.
But Yong Hwarin replied calmly without flinching.
“Not all rumors in the world can be trusted.”
Surprisingly, it was not Yong Hwarin who seemed uncomfortable—but Shangguan Yuseol.
Just moments ago, her father had smiled and told her to bring Yong Hwarin over.
“Seol tells me you’re here to meet One Who Connects All Lives?”
“Yes. I have personal reasons for needing to see him. But I’ve heard he committed a grave offense against the Shangguan Clan and is imprisoned here.”
“Why do you want to meet that scoundrel?”
Shangguan Byeokin’s tone was stern.
When Yong Hwarin didn’t respond, Shangguan Yuseol spoke up with a pout.
“Father, you said you wouldn’t ask about that. You promised to grant my request. Why are you going back on your word?”
Her direct gaze only annoyed him more.
‘How long has she known that brat, and she’s already speaking up for him in front of her own father?’
“Hmph. You’re not being honest, so I can’t grant your request. There’s plenty to see here at the estate. Enjoy yourself for a few days and then leave.”
Ignoring his sulking daughter, Shangguan Byeokin turned and disappeared.
Shangguan Joyoung tilted his head, puzzled.
It was a side of his father he hadn’t seen before.
His father had clearly promised to grant Yuseol’s request and told her to bring Yong Hwarin.
He was a man who stood by his word, especially with Yuseol, whom he cherished most for taking after their mother.
Why would he refuse her now, over something as trivial as meeting a lowly criminal like One Who Connects All Lives?
He couldn’t understand why his father would risk disappointing his daughter for that.
Yong Hwarin looked at Shangguan Joyoung, who was staring at him, and smiled softly.
It was a smile born of knowing just how many women that face had enchanted in his previous life.
“I’m Yong Hwarin.”
He greeted him, but Shangguan Joyoung simply stared without replying.
It was incredibly rude, but Yong Hwarin didn’t mind.
“Well then.”
He turned away.
Shangguan Joyoung was forced to reassess.
‘In most cases, someone would get angry or at least call me rude. But he looked at me like he had no interest at all. Either he’s underestimating me—or I’m beneath his notice.’
A faint smile crept onto Shangguan Joyoung’s face.
‘I’ll soon see just how impressive your composure really is.’
As his smile deepened, his face took on a beauty almost like a woman’s.
*
Yong Hwarin had hoped to meet One Who Connects All Lives, but it all fell apart, and he was left disappointed.
He didn’t even know where the Shangguan Clan’s prison was, and he wasn’t strong enough yet to sneak in undetected.
‘I even got close to Shangguan Yuseol just to make this happen. I don’t understand why the Clan Head looked at me with such hostility.’
The first person to greet Yong Hwarin upon returning to his quarters was not a servant—but Jaegal Yohye.
Standing outside his residence, she spoke as soon as he arrived.
“From the look on your face, things didn’t go well.”
Yong Hwarin let out a soft laugh.
“Hahaha, I didn’t know Lady Jaegal was so interested in my affairs.”
Most women would’ve flared up or avoided the situation after such a remark, but Jaegal Yohye did not fall under the category of “most women.”
She fired back instead.
“You didn’t know? I wouldn’t bother if I weren’t interested.”
“Hahaha.”
Yong Hwarin chuckled awkwardly, backed into a corner.
“What’s with that ‘hahaha’? Are you some old man now?”
It was just the way he used to laugh in his previous life, but even that became something Jaegal Yohye pointed out.
“It didn’t go well. The Clan Head was unexpectedly opposed.”
Jaegal Yohye nodded as if she had expected that.
“What would you do if I said I had a way?”
“What do you mean? That you’d want something in exchange for telling me?”
“As expected, it’s nice talking to someone smart—I don’t have to spell everything out. Lately, the only person worth conversing with is you, Young Master Yong.”
Indeed, there weren’t many people who could keep up with the sharp and cunning mind of Jaegal Yohye.
“I’ll decide after I hear your method.”
“Hoh hoh hoh! How fun. Come now, don’t pretend. We both know the game.”
To the confident Jaegal Yohye, Yong Hwarin replied,
“So you have a way to sway the Shangguan Clan Head. If that’s true, I’ll grant your request, Lady Jaegal.”
“Alright. Don’t worry—it’s not an outrageous demand.”
Yong Hwarin knew Jaegal Yohye was considered the third most brilliant mind in the Jaegal Clan, but even then, he doubted a true solution existed in a situation like this.
“Young Master Yong, instead of targeting the Clan Head, you should go through his wife.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“So you really didn’t know? Well, not many do.”
Jaegal Yohye was the current head of the Jaegal Clan’s intelligence division, despite her young age. Her outstanding analytical and perceptive skills earned her the position.
Because of this, she was well-informed on the movements and secrets of major figures in sects and noble clans alike.
Having already investigated the Shangguan Clan, she knew that the Clan Head’s wife had once been in love with Yong Biyang, the former Sect Leader of the Heavenly Central Sect.
After she said that, several expressions passed across Yong Hwarin’s face in quick succession.
‘You idiot, how did you only now remember that after hearing it from Jaegal Yohye?’
“Oh, seems you do know what I’m talking about.”
Yong Hwarin nodded.
“If I hadn’t told you, you’d never have thought of it, right?”
“Even so, would the Clan Head really change his mind?”
“Of course. The one person Shangguan Byeokin fears most in the world is his wife.”
“Even so, how can we move her?”
“I can take care of that. Once I announce within the clan that the rumored heir of the Heavenly Central Sect is here, everything will begin to move on its own. Lady Ha will want to meet you. And both Yuseol and I will help make that happen, so my role won’t be small.”
“Indeed.”
Yong Hwarin quickly followed up.
“I’ll agree to your request. What is it?”
Their conversation flowed naturally.
They both clearly understood what the other wanted.
“Such a decisive move—worthy of the Flying Dragon Sword Hero. Your choice was like a flying dragon.”
“What is it you want?”
Yong Hwarin’s voice softened suddenly.
Watching him shift from the sharpness of a cat moments ago to a gentle, well-mannered tone now that he was at a disadvantage, Jaegal Yohye couldn’t help but feel intrigued.
In fact, it was that very quality that kept her watching him.
That was what set him apart from the other second-generation elites.