Chapter Title: What Takes Priority Over Family Law (1)
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"..."
The air in the room was suffocatingly heavy.
It was an atmosphere where even breathing felt reckless. Yeon Ji-pyeong glanced anxiously at his father and brother.
"Gulp."
The sound of swallowing shook the air.
After a full two hours had passed like that, Yeon Wi finally spoke.
"Explain."
It was a curt command, stripped of any preamble.
Yeon Ho-jeong replied calmly.
"Servants started it, and we fought."
"I didn't ask for a summary."
His voice was hard to read.
And Yeon Ho-jeong's was the same.
"The South Palace Family wench picked the fight first. She demanded we kneel. She even exuded killing intent, so I couldn't just let it slide. I beat them both down."
"I heard the Yi Family brat's face is smashed in, and the South Palace girl has broken limbs."
"That's right."
"Especially the South Palace girl—she still hasn't regained her senses. Severe internal and external injuries. They'll need at least half a year of recovery."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"She won't dare touch us again."
Yeon Wi's eyebrow twitched.
It was a subtle shift in expression. Yeon Ji-pyeong tensed even more, unable to grasp its meaning.
Yeon Wi spoke again.
"No matter who started it, two men ganging up on one woman is a serious issue."
"Two?"
"Hm?"
"I did it alone. Ji-pyeong didn't step in."
Yeon Wi looked at Yeon Ji-pyeong.
"Is that true?"
"...Yes."
He looked extremely tense, but at least it didn't seem like a lie.
Yeon Wi was inwardly taken aback.
'He took on two by himself?'
He knew his eldest son's skills well. Talented, yes, but not yet at a first-rate level.
The Yi Family heir from Anhui might be manageable, but the South Palace Family head's daughter was different. Overwhelming her without a scratch seemed unlikely unless it was a straight brawl.
"You truly handled both alone?"
"To be precise, the Yi bastard came at me first, so I put him down. Then I dealt with the South Palace wench."
"Dealt with..."
Yeon Wi's voice grew heavier.
"I don't expect you to be gentlemen. But mind your words and deeds more carefully. A rough heart spits rough words, and rough speech dictates your actions."
"I see."
"Losing your cool over a few words is the greatest loss."
Yeon Ho-jeong fell silent.
This wasn't a place for debate or indoctrination. He was the Yeon Family's eldest son, but also the Black Emperor Castle Lord, the top of the Black Path. Naturally, he strayed from the warrior ideal his family pursued.
Above all, he didn't want to clash with his father. That was why Yeon Ho-jeong held his tongue.
Looking at his silent eldest son, Yeon Wi said,
"Whatever the reason, the South Palace Family is one of the Seven Great Families, alongside ours—a famed house of the martial world. For heirs of two such families to draw blood is no small matter. You know that much."
It was a veiled rebuke. No matter what, they shouldn't have fought—even if it meant avoiding the confrontation.
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
"Is the main family truly one of the Seven Great Families?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"That wench didn't seem to think so."
Yeon Wi's gaze sharpened.
But his voice remained unchanged.
"Foolish words from an immature child. Judging the entire South Palace Family by that is no different from smugly claiming to know all from one glimpse."
"I have no grudge against the South Palace Family."
"Then?"
"What matters is the situation—and who was at fault."
"You want me to focus on the essence?"
"Yes."
"Essence is always key. So is discerning right from wrong, and the punishments that follow. But the world isn't so simple. Especially when the opponent is powerful—you must be cautious."
"I know."
"If you know, you shouldn't have acted that way."
Yeon Ho-jeong closed his mouth again.
He had plenty to say. Living in the back alleys, he'd seen the vileness and horror of the Black Path countless times—and the hypocrisy and stifling nature of the White Path too.
But if this was the Yeon Family's way and his father's belief, there was nothing more to say.
Yeon Wi, gazing impassively at his two sons, spoke.
"Whether reward or punishment, I'll decide after seeing how this unfolds."
"..."
"Return to your quarters and reflect."
Those ominous words drained the color from Yeon Ji-pyeong's face.
His father had never ordered them to reflect before. His eyes were always clear as a judge's, his choices and judgments sharp as a blade.
For such a man to order reflection now... Yeon Ji-pyeong sensed the situation was graver than he thought.
"Father."
"Speak."
"Th-that fight might have happened because of me. If I'd stopped it beforehand..."
"It happened. People got hurt. And the one who hurt them wasn't you—it was your brother."
"F-Father!"
"Return and reflect."
"Just hear me out a little more...!"
Yeon Wi's eyebrow twitched. Yeon Ji-pyeong's mouth snapped shut.
At that moment, Yeon Ho-jeong stood.
"Then we'll take our leave. Ji-pyeong, let's go."
In the end, Yeon Ji-pyeong had no choice but to follow.
On the way back from the family head's chamber to their quarters.
Yeon Ji-pyeong hung his head low.
"I'm sorry, brother."
"Hm?"
"This happened because of me. If we'd just eaten at your quarters..."
"Ji-pyeong."
"Yes?"
"I'm not one to talk after causing trouble, but there's something I want you to remember."
"What is it?"
"There are no 'what ifs' in this world."
Yeon Ji-pyeong's eyes wavered.
"Everything that happens has causes and effects. But people create those causes. You suggested going to High Cloud Pavilion, but I was the one who acted."
"..."
"In the end, results are what matter."
"But."
"Let me ask you this. If I hadn't acted, would you have?"
After a brief, serious ponder, Yeon Ji-pyeong nodded.
"Yes, I think I would have."
It was a short but earnest answer. Yeon Ho-jeong knew it was sincere.
"But reality differed. Before you could act, I'd already smashed those two."
"..."
"If we're blaming 'what ifs,' then even our ancestors who brought the Yeon Family into the world deserve scorn. Is that what you want?"
"N-No! Of course not!"
"I know. That's why 'what ifs' are meaningless."
"Still..."
Biting his lip hard, Yeon Ji-pyeong clenched his fist and shouted.
"If you get punished, I'll share it! I'll tell Father that much!"
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled and ruffled his hair.
Yeon Ji-pyeong freaked out.
"Waaah! M-My hair's messed up!"
"You idiot—do parents anywhere punish innocent kids?"
"Sniff. But."
"Enough useless thoughts. Head back and rest. You've been through a lot today."
Yeon Ji-pyeong tugged at Yeon Ho-jeong's sleeve.
"You too, brother. Promise?"
"Don't worry about it."
Yeon Ji-pyeong hesitated several times, as if his feet wouldn't move, before finally hanging his head and heading to his quarters.
Standing there, watching his brother's back, Yeon Ho-jeong murmured softly.
"Maybe it's natural for him to worry like that. I was the same."
No matter how deep the love, if it's not shown, it's unknown.
It was a shame, but his father wasn't one to wear emotions openly. If anything, he was stricter with blood kin, emphasizing family rules above all.
It didn't matter to him, but he wished his father would be gentler with Ji-pyeong.
Yeon Ho-jeong grumbled quietly.
"Still, what about the Azure Net True Formula? Should I practice it now? Feels like I'll get an earful."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
It was past midnight.
A fierce aura erupted outside the Yeon Family's main gate.
"Family Head!"
The booming voice pierced the gate, shaking the entire outer compound.
"You bastards! Open the gate! Summon the family head now!"
"Who are you?"
"What? You dare ask who I am? Fine! I'll tell you!"
Boom!
A thunderous impact rocked the outer compound's south gate.
Crack! Thud!
One side of the gate collapsed entirely.
The massive door—over ten feet high and half a foot thick—shattered in a single blow. At its center was the deep imprint of a human palm.
"What is the meaning of this?!"
"Shut your mouth! I am Namgung Dae-san of the South Palace Family! Summon the family head at once!"
"Even the South Palace Family can't act this outrageously!"
"Outrageous? Ha! You talk big! Then what does it make this family, shielding such scoundrels? No better than a gang of rogues!"
"What insult is this?!"
Thud thud thud!
At that moment, dozens of warriors rushed in through the broken south gate.
They were the Iron Wall Hands, guardians of the Yeon Family's outer compound. Tasked mainly with escort and patrol duties, each one's martial arts were first-rate without question.
"So you're coming at us for real now?!"
"We won't tolerate—"
"Out of my way!"
Thwack!
The man who shoved past the south gate warden was a mountain of a middle-aged warrior.
Nearly seven feet tall, he carried a greatsword on his back—four times the size of an ordinary longsword.
The Iron Wall Hands' eyes gleamed.
The massive swordsman's presence was rare and intimidating. His naturally robust energy surged like waves in his rage.
He was Namgung Dae-san. The very man who'd sent word of a noon visit—now smashing through the gate unannounced.
"Family Head! Come out now! I am Namgung—"
"I'm already here."
Namgung Dae-san turned toward the warehouse on the left.
A middle-aged man approached through a side path beside it. He looked like a stubborn scholar at first glance—Yeon Wi himself.
Namgung Dae-san's face twisted.
"Family Head! How could this happen?!"
"That's exactly what I want to say."
"What?!"
Yeon Wi's eyes flashed coldly.
Namgung Dae-san flinched involuntarily.
"We welcome guests, not ruffians. What's this from the South Palace Family's outer hall leader, the top dog of Anhui?"
Calm and icy. Yeon Wi's tone starkly contrasted Namgung Dae-san's fiery rage.
Namgung Dae-san ground his teeth.
Even he, the most hot-tempered in the South Palace Family, couldn't hurl abuse freely before Yeon Wi.
"No more words! You must have heard everything by now!"
"Heard what?"
"Playing dumb? Your sons... to our family head's daughter...!"
"You mean how your family's worthless wench mocked our house and even tried to kill my sons?"
Namgung Dae-san's jaw dropped.
"Wh-What?!"
Like frost settling on a thousand-year boulder.
Yeon Wi spoke in clipped tones.
"I've been wanting to address that properly myself."