Chapter 7 – Namgung Hwa-rin (4)

A short while later, Yu-jin emerged wearing a brown robe embroidered with an ink dragon. The garment was dignified yet subtly magnificent, and with his long black hair flowing, it was more than enough to stir the hearts of the maids.

Yu-jin spoke with a bitter smile.

“Do we really have to go this far?”

“Of course! You look so handsome right now, Young Master! I’m sure no one could resist falling for you!”

Ye’s exclamation was met with nods from Yeon, Rin, and Hwa. On top of that, even Ran, whom Yu-jin hadn’t called, appeared to admire his appearance.

Despite being their master, Yu-jin felt inexplicably overwhelmed as he left the room.

The many maids and female warriors who had been in Yu-jin’s arms blushed at his appearance, and even the warriors and servants, who were usually busy gossiping behind his back, were so awestruck by his presence that they couldn’t utter a word.

“Come to think of it, how long has it been since I last went to a family gathering?”

Though not a single day was quiet in the True Dragon Sword Clan, according to the founder’s tradition, it was mandatory for the family to have dinner with their wives, sons, and daughters once every seven days.

It was for the sake of family unity. Of course, Yu-jin had broken that rule so many times he had lost count.

But today, he had no choice but to go. He couldn’t act as he pleased in front of Namgung Hwa-rin, who might become his betrothed, and her older brother, Namgung Hwi.

“Still, I hate this.”

Yu-jin let out a sigh. In truth, it wasn’t that he didn’t go because it was a hassle, but because he found it awkward to face his father. Yet, he had no choice, so he headed to the room where the family was dining.

The door was wide open anyway, so there was no need to announce his arrival.

However, Yu-jin could see that he was the last to arrive. The head of the True Dragon Sword Clan, Kang Yu-hyeon, was smiling and chatting with his wives and children.

Second son, Kang Yong-hoon (twenty-four), third son, Kang Hyeon-woo (nineteen), fourth son, Kang Cheon-woo (eighteen), fifth son, Kang In-han (sixteen), and sixth son, Kang Woo-jin (fifteen).

And there was the eldest daughter, Kang So-hee (twenty-one), second daughter, Kang Su-jin (twenty), third daughter, Kang Ye-eun (seventeen), and fourth daughter, Kang Ye-jin (fifteen).

Yu-jin sighed at the sight of his many younger siblings. He was reminded of just who he had inherited his womanizing nature from.

With that thought, Yu-jin looked at his father, Kang Yu-hyeon.

He was a man of rather peculiar character; believing all family members were equal, he had them dine at a round table during their gatherings.

The only difference from usual was the presence of Namgung Hwa-rin and Namgung Hwi.

“Oh, my son. It feels like it’s been a truly long time.”

Seeing Yu-jin arrive, Kang Yu-hyeon greeted him with a wide smile.

“I greet you, Father.”

Yu-jin slowly bowed his head in greeting. He didn’t particularly like him, but a father was a father, so Yu-jin showed his respects.

Meanwhile, Ye Un-hyang and the other seven wives, as well as Yu-jin’s brothers and sisters, all stared at him with surprised expressions.

The sight of Yu-jin, who usually lived so carelessly, now dressed up was incredibly striking. His current appearance boasted looks that didn’t fall short of Namgung Hwi or Kang Yong-hoon.

‘Is this child truly my son?’

Even Ye Un-hyang found herself thinking this as she observed him closely. If she, who saw him often, felt this way, the shock Namgung Hwa-rin felt, seeing him for only the second time, was immense.

‘His looks are an absolute pass. Even if he’s not as skilled as So-hee said, if his martial arts are a bit more profound, I think I could accept him.’

Namgung Hwa-rin nodded with a satisfied smile.

“You’re still so formal, my boy. Have a seat.”

Nodding at Kang Yu-hyeon’s words, Yu-jin sat between him and Kang Yong-hoon. Kang Yu-hyeon smiled and looked at Namgung Hwa-rin and Namgung Hwi.

“You must not be used to this kind of atmosphere yet, are you? I hope you don’t find it strange.”

“Not at all. I feel a sense of familial love that makes me envious. I should go and suggest to my father that we do the same.”

At Namgung Hwi’s words, Kang Yu-hyeon laughed heartily and nodded.

“The food the chefs worked so hard to prepare will get cold. Let’s eat first.”

As Kang Yu-hyeon picked up his utensils, everyone else followed suit and began to eat. Yu-jin inwardly scoffed at Namgung Hwi’s words as he ate.

‘Is the family bond so strong that they plot to assassinate a child not their own? How absurd.’

Well, since the mothers had never directly harmed him, Yu-jin didn’t say anything.

Just then, Kang Yu-hyeon looked at Namgung Hwa-rin and spoke.

“Hwa-rin, was it? What do you think of Yu-jin? He’s handsome, understands a woman’s heart well, and is kind. Isn’t he the best husband material?”

At Kang Yu-hyeon’s words, Namgung Hwa-rin blushed and glanced at Yu-jin. She had heard he was a libertine, but seeing him appear far more dignified than she had imagined, she was beginning to feel that the rumors weren’t everything.

However, she was still the cherished daughter of the Namgung Clan. She couldn’t simply let it go at that.

“I think everything the Clan Head mentioned is good. But as the child of a martial artist and the grand young master of a great clan, I believe it is all meaningless if not backed by martial skill.”

At Namgung Hwa-rin’s words, everyone except Kang Yu-hyeon looked at her with varied expressions. Yu-jin did possess the martial prowess required of the grand young master of the True Dragon Sword Clan.

However, due to his character and dissolute behavior, he had not received the title of ‘Dragon’ and was looked down upon by most people. Of course, no one did so openly.

Therefore, his younger brothers and sisters, who knew a little about him, looked at him with complicated expressions.

“Hahaha! Rumors are not to be trusted. Yu-jin, in that spirit, why don’t you show us a move? You should show your best side to the girl who will be your partner for life.”

At those words, Yu-jin let out a small sigh and looked at Kang Yu-hyeon.

“I apologize, Father. This son has not brought his sword.”

For a warrior to come without his weapon, which was like his very life, was an act deserving of scorn. The smirks on the other wives, excluding Ye Un-hyang, grew deeper.

Of course, the others weren’t wearing their swords in front of Kang Yu-hyeon either, but they had left them with the warriors outside. However, Kang Yu-hyeon was a magnanimous man who didn’t care for such minor formalities.

“That can happen. How would you have known a sword would be needed at a family gathering? I’ll lend you mine.”

Before the wives could say anything, Kang Yu-hyeon waved his hand. The sword hanging on the wall floated into the air and then came to his hand.

Namgung Hwi couldn’t hide his admiration at the sight of him drawing the sword so naturally.

‘That’s not mere telekinesis. It’s Sword Control. To maintain Sword Control so effortlessly… truly befitting of someone my father considers a friend in the sword.’

“Haha, it’s embarrassing to show my meager skills in front of guests.”

If Kang Yu-hyeon, the head of the True Dragon Sword Clan and one of the top five sword masters in the Orthodox Faction, considered his skills meager, then everyone else might as well break their swords and commit suicide.

Kang Yu-hyeon paid it no mind and offered the sword to Yu-jin. But Yu-jin did not take it.

“Isn’t this not only your sword, Father, but also the Sky Sword, the sacred treasure of the clan head? I do not believe I am worthy of using it.”

His younger brothers felt a sense of relief at Yu-jin’s refusal. They wanted to step in and stop this, but they didn’t want to appear as sons without magnanimity in front of their father. So, they suppressed the boiling feeling inside and watched Kang Yu-hyeon.

“Hahaha, you’re placing too much meaning on just borrowing it. It seems you’ll have to wait a little longer to inherit this sword.”

The emphasis on the word ‘little’ caused the faces of Kang Yong-hoon and the other brothers to darken. Their father still favored Yu-jin the most.

It wasn’t just the brothers whose faces darkened. The faces of all the wives, except for Ye Un-hyang, also grew grim. But they couldn’t let it show.

‘Haa, he’s really being a pain.’

Yu-jin unknowingly glanced at Ye Un-hyang.

She was smiling coldly, giving him a look that said, ‘Choose wisely.’

Yu-jin sighed again and took the sword Kang Yu-hyeon offered.

“May I join as well? I would like to see the skill of my future brother-in-law.”

“Oh, is that so? That sounds entertaining.”

Clap!

At Kang Yu-hyeon’s clap, warriors quickly rushed in and cleared the dining table. The room instantly became spacious. In the center stood Yu-jin and Namgung Hwi.

‘What is this, am I a clown?’

“I am the Azure Sky Dragon, Namgung Hwi. I look forward to our match, brother-in-law.”

“We’re not even married yet, but thank you for the acknowledgment. I, too, look forward to it, brother-in-law.”

“I haven’t agreed to the marriage yet!”

Namgung Hwa-rin, furious that the two were making plans all by themselves without her input, shouted loudly. Then, realizing she had done something embarrassing, she blushed.

“Hahaha. Her spirited display is good to see. Well then, you two may begin.”

At Kang Yu-hyeon’s words, Namgung Hwi began to unleash his aura. Seeing this, Yu-jin’s face soured. He realized Namgung Hwi was taking this quite seriously.

‘What’s this? Should I crush him? Or not?’

His deliberation, however, was brief.

‘Let’s just play around and get this over with.’

With that thought, Yu-jin gripped the Sky Sword.

Yu-jin and Namgung Hwi faced each other, swords in hand. As Namgung Hwi looked at Yu-jin, he was bewildered to realize the blood in his veins was racing and his heart was beating faster.

‘Am I nervous?’

His opponent was a man looked down upon, secretly called the ‘Lecherous Sword.’ It was unthinkable to be nervous just by facing such an opponent.

Moreover, Namgung Hwi rarely ever got nervous when facing an enemy. His way was to calmly analyze his opponent and respond accordingly.

As Namgung Hwi was engulfed in his bewilderment, Kang Yong-hoon sent him a telepathic message.

[Don’t be careless.]

That message bewildered Namgung Hwi even more. A man whom his close friend and rival, the Flying Sword Dragon Kang Yong-hoon, warned him not to be careless about.

‘Have you let go of your sword for a life of debauchery? Or are you a true hidden dragon? Show me the answer, Grand Young Master.’

Namgung Hwi imagined his opponent as his equal and raised his aura even higher. Yu-jin looked at Namgung Hwi, who was suddenly amplifying his energy, with an annoyed gaze.

Not that it would change the fact that he was just going to mess around, but a hassle was still a hassle.

Just then, Namgung Hwi finally charged toward Yu-jin, swinging his sword.

“Haaah! Azure Sky Thunder Strike!”