"Hana." Jong-cha was looking at his daughter with narrowed eyes. His displeasure was clearly visible; he didn't try to hide it.
He glanced towards Jubok, who was standing next to Hana and respectfully bowing to him. Ignoring his polite greeting, Jong-cha turned around without saying anything. Hana and Jubok faced each other for a second before following him inside the study.
Inside, the desk was full of documents and half-opened account books, showing how busy Jong-cha must have been the whole time. Seeing this, Hana felt somewhat guilty and avoided his gaze.
"Father. I'm sorry."
She abruptly kneeled down, palms spread on her thighs, back straight. She looked every bit like a righteous hero from the Jianghu.
"What are you doing?! No one asked you to kneel down! Quickly get up!" Jong-cha's brows jumped up.
Ignoring his words, Hana continued speaking.
"I know that I have disappointed you. And I know I have brought shame upon our family name, yet what is done is done. Jubok and I love each other dearly." Her eyes burned with passion.
"So please accept Jubok!" She tugged at his sleeve, making him slump down right next to her. "Allow him to enter the household!"
Silence stretched inside the room. No one said anything, staring blankly.
'Those kids drive me insane!' Jong-cha thought.
Ever since returning on short term from his vacation, he had been confronted with the chaos of his troublemaking children each of them doing something that made him want to cough up blood.
'Just where did things go wrong when raising them?'He shook his head.
"...As you said, what's done is done. The damage cannot be reversed. Also, you two had already been promised to each other since childhood, so it's not too strange for you to be passionate. But still, from now on, I don't want you to make such reckless decisions without family approval!"
Broad smiles appeared on their faces.
"Yes, Father!"
"Thank you, Father-in-law."
Jong-cha helplessly shook his head. He cleared his throat and then approached them, helping them up from the ground.
"...Oh, but don't be too happy yet. Your mother is going to return today. So you had better explain things properly to her, or there's nothing I can do for you."
Hana's legs almost gave in.
"Mother's returning... so soon? But what about your vacation!?"
"With all these things happening, it's best to stay home. You never know what new trouble might arise while we're not here."
Hana wanted to turn back time and undo her reckless decision. She had only dared to be so bold because her parents had been away. Now, with her mother returning, she could already see her bleak future,kneeling in front of their ancestors, pleading for forgiveness.
She looked at Jubok, who smiled reassuringly at her, and felt a little calmer.
'Worrying too much won't get me anywhere. What's done is done,' she thought.
Then Hana made eye contact with her father, and something flashed through her mind.
'Wait...'
"Father!"
"What?" Seeing Hana's strangely bright eyes, he felt uneasy. He knew no matter what she said, it wouldn't be anything good.
"Does Mother know that Hyung is leaving together with the Crown Prince for the capital in a few days?"
'She definitely doesn't know,' she thought happily.
Jong-cha fell silent. He realized what his daughter's words implied. She wasn't the only one in trouble—he himself would be in much greater trouble once his wife arrived. Jong-cha felt like shedding tears of sorrow.
'Aren't I too powerless for a patriarch? Even my children don't fear me. It's my wife who has the final say '
Jubok looked at their dramatically changing expressions in confusion. He knew Madam Baek, but in his memories she was always gentle and elegant.
He couldn't possibly know why the two of them were reacting like this,but he would soon learn why and wish he had returned home earlier.
"Ahem." Jong-cha cleared his throat.
Hana raised her brow.
"Father?"
"Your brother... is he..."
"Hwi? What about him?"
Jong-cha looked unsure, as if the thing he wanted to ask was difficult to say.
"I heard some rumours about your brother and... His Highness."
Jubok was the first to react, letting out a knowing grunt. "Father-in-law, it's true."
"...I knew it must have been nonsen—... what?" Jong-cha realized what Jubok had just said and turned toward him.
Jubok simply nodded.
"Im... possible... t-that's..." Jong-cha froze. He felt as though all the bad karma he had accumulated over his life was catching up to him.
Meanwhile, Hana and Jubok used his distracted state to quietly sneak away. They didn't want to receive any more of his foul mood.
***
"Your Highness."
A shadow-like presence was kneeling in front of Jongmu. One could not tell whether it was a man or a woman. Their whole body was clad in black, and their voice was ambiguous enough to make one doubt their gender.
"Hayeon? What is it?"
"I have news."
Silence.
The person named Hayeon spoke in short, cryptic sentences that felt no longer than a single word. Jongmu rolled his eyes. It perplexed him why Hayeon wouldn't simply speak in full sentences,everything would be done sooner. Instead, she always spoke this way, unnecessarily wasting time.
"Which news?" Jongmu held back a tired sigh and moved his hand, signaling for her to continue.
"Madam Baek."
Jongmu felt as if an artery might burst at any moment from annoyance. Hayeon always knew how to irritate him with the simplest things.
"By the gods! Speak in full sentences!" he finally snapped.
After a few seconds, Hayeon let out a small 'tsk' and nodded.
"Madam Baek is returning today. She should arrive in the evening. Also..."
Hayeon took a letter from her sleeve. "My brother sent this. It arrived just an hour ago."
Jongmu nodded and took the letter. It was from Hwang Cheom, his maternal cousin and a strong supporter of his faction.
[Letter]
Hyung, this dog piece of shit Sochan is a useless fool! Short and frail—more so than any young noble lady. I ask you to reconsider recruiting him to our faction. He won't be of any help...
Jongmu rubbed his temple.
"Didn't I already tell your brother that he should only use the phoenix transmission if it's important?"
"That idiot knows, but that won't stop him from ranting anyway."
Hwang Hayeon, the older sister of Hwang Cheom and also Jongmu's maternal cousin, was stern when it came to missions, strictly following protocols and orders, the complete opposite of her brother, who, no matter the task, would somehow cause trouble due to his explosive temper.
Still, together the siblings were well known as the Flame Saints in the Jianghu, wielding their powerful techniques with precision and overwhelming strength.
Hwang Hayeon often acted as Jongmu's informant, disguising herself as one of his shadow guards. It was safer having her nearby. She was a martial artist at the peak of the Golden Core Stage and would soon break through to the Perfected Core. Her assistance in dangerous situations could prove crucial.
Jongmu continued reading the densely written letter. Skipping over the irrelevant ranting, his expression gradually turned serious again.
[Letter continued]
We received news of disciples from the unorthodox sects being sent to the Demonic Realm. The reason is still unclear. Rumours say they are being sent there for training...
'A pact between the two factions...' Jongmu furrowed his brows.
"Hayeon. Prepare for departure. We're leaving tomorrow."
"Understood."
"Also, tell your brother to hurry. I want the recruitment of Young Master Jin to succeed. He has until my return." Jongmu clenched his fists.
'They're moving too quickly,' he thought.
Hayeon nodded and immediately vanished from where she stood, a technique she had learned during her time among the shadow guards.
***
Knock.
Hwi turned toward the door.
'Has Mother already arrived?'
"Young Master," a servant called from outside.
"I was sent by His Highness to inform you of the departure date."
Hwi nodded to Saha, who stood beside him, grinding ink.
"You may enter."
The servant stepped in and bowed slightly.
"Young Master, His Highness has urgent matters to attend to in the capital. You will have to depart tomorrow."
Hwi furrowed his brows but nodded and dismissed the servant.
It was strange. He felt an ominous sense of unease at the sudden change in plans.
'Something bad is about to happen.'
"Saha, prepare my luggage. Also... write a letter to Yo-rim. Inform her that I will arrive in the capital soon, and arrange a meeting date."
Saha bowed.
"Yes, Young Master."