Chapter 24

* * *
Myung was puzzled to see everyone gathered in the pavilion at his grandmother’s invitation. Not only were his parents present, but so were Aunt Euiran and the twins. The boys were covered in sweat and dirt as if they’d rolled around on the ground in the few minutes since he’d last seen them.
Looking surprised to see the empty seat next to Myung’s, his father asked, “Where’s Riri?”
“She didn’t want to come, so I left her.”
“Well, you still should have brought her with you.”
“Father, you know how stubborn she is.”
Euimook sighed and shook his head. “Forgive me, Mother. I’ve spoiled her for far too long.”
The elderly woman replied, “It’s all right. Her mother should go and tend to her.”
“Yes, Mother.” The woman next to her answered quietly and stood to leave.
Euiran couldn’t contain herself any longer and asked, “Mother, why did you gather us here?”
The elderly woman simply raised her teacup leisurely. “I’ve just received some news. The deputy head of the Namgoong clan has come to visit.”
“By deputy head, you mean... Namgoong Wan?”
Everyone was shocked. Euimook’s voice even began to tremble slightly as he spoke. “D-did the clan leader come with him?”
The current head of the Namgoong clan, Namgoong Mucheol, was one of the eleven strongest fighters in the martial world just as Baengri Paehyuk was. He also once led the Martial Alliance—a federation composed of the ten great clans, nine major sects, the beggars’ association, and all the other righteous organizations. Of course, he had since handed over his title as the head of the Martial Alliance to another.
“No. He came alone.”
Everyone looked disappointed at first, then hopeful again, especially Euimook. Though he lagged behind Euigang in terms of reputation, martial prowess, and connections, he had still been able to maintain his title as the Baengri heir thanks to the clan head’s desire not to stir up any internal conflict. But many within the clan believed that Euigang was better suited for the position of clan head. If Euimook could somehow form a friendship with Namgoong Wan and earn his support... He swallowed hard at the thought.
Overwhelmed with delight, Euiran’s words came out in a rush. “Mother! Now is not the time for all this. We need to go to the guest wing and—”
The elderly woman placed down her cup with a clink, silencing her frantic daughter immediately. “I am told he is not in the guest wing.”
“What?”
“He is not here as a guest of the Baengri clan.”
“What? Then why?”
“He is here as Euigang’s guest.”
Euiran, who had already risen halfway out of her seat, asked, “You don’t mean he’ll be staying in Euigang’s quarters the whole time?”
“It’s likely.”
“That’s not fair! That Euigang invited Namgoong Wan over and he’s just hogging him all to himself? Then why even invite him in the first—”
“Euiran.” Euimook interrupted and gently consoled her. “I’m sure there’s a reason Mother brought us here together. Let’s listen to what she has to say.”
Smiling with satisfaction at her son’s prudence, the elderly woman raised her teacup. “You’re right. I’ve sent a messenger to Euigang to invite him and Lord Wan to dinner.”
Euiran was filled with joy yet again. “After all he’s done to disgrace you, if he has a shred of conscience, he’s got to say yes!”
But unlike Euiran, Euimook chose his words carefully. “But, Mother, hasn’t Father told you... not to concern yourself with Euigang’s guests?”
A commotion erupted in front of the door.
The elderly woman nonchalantly said, “Come in.”
As he entered the room, Jang Seokryang scanned the room, taking note of everyone present. Euimook avoided making eye contact with him, looking uncomfortable.
“I see everyone is already here.” Jang Seokryang bowed politely.
The elderly woman’s expression turned to stone. “To think that the busy Aide Jang would come all the way here. What is it?”
“I think you must already know.”
Euimook gulped dryly before hesitantly interjecting. “Aide Jang, Mother is—”
“Euimook, I will be the one speaking.” The elderly woman cut her son off, and Euimook hesitated before withdrawing.
Jang Seokryang continued, “Madam, is there still a chance that you might rescind your invitation? Namgoong Wan is Master Euigang’s guest. Please do not place him in a difficult position.”
“Difficult position? All I did was invite them to dinner.”
“I’m sure you understand what I mean. If Lord Baengri were to find out, he will surely find you at fault.”
Lord Paehyuk was currently away on an expedition with his disciples, fighting against bandits that had been causing trouble for the local authorities.
Euimook looked at Jang Seokryang and then at his mother anxiously. The elderly woman scoffed. “Do you believe a mother caring for her children’s futures would be frightened by such trivial matters?” She was willing to withstand any sort of rebuke from Baengri Paehyuk upon his return if it meant that her children could forge connections with Namgoong Wan. And once that occurred, even Lord Baengri would have no choice but to accept it.
“From the way you speak, one would think you know my own honored husband better than I do.”
He heard the warning in her words—Baengri Paehyuk is my family and husband, and I am a member of the Baengri clan. You are nothing but an aide.
Jang Seokryang sighed and backed away. “It is natural for parents to look out for their children’s best interests, I suppose. I can only hope that this is the right way to do so.”
“That is none of your concern.”
“I understand. Then I shall be attending dinner as well. I will certainly need to report to the master.”
“Do as you wish.”
Jang Seokryang was forced to leave empty-handed. Lord Baengri had instructed him to stop anyone from stepping out of line while he was away, especially the twins, with whom he’d grown markedly dissatisfied in recent days. This change in his attitude had occurred entirely after Yeon had knelt beside her father.
Since the matter at hand seemed to have nothing to do with the twins, Aide Jang had left without putting up much of a fight. But he felt as though he had missed something crucial, as though this would not end so easily...
* * *
The garden was filled with flowering pear blossom trees and white peonies, looking as if it were covered in a layer of shimmering snow. The lamps placed here and there deepened the effect, giving the place a celestial glow. The pavilion, open on all sides to provide a perfect view of the garden, was filled with people.
“Namgoong Wan, of the Namgoong clan.” He raised his hands and placed them together in an elegant martial salute.
“Welcome.” Baengri Euimook was the first to greet him. The party was being held in the garden’s pavilion rather than inside the manor, and the elderly madam had set the stage then excused herself, citing poor health. This was, of course, orchestrated to grant Euimook the position and power of the event’s host.
Euimook, Euiran, and even Jang Seokryang, who’d been standing deferentially in a corner of the pavilion, exchanged greetings with one another.
Aide Jang smiled at the guest. “How fares the leader of the Namgoong clan?” He had met Lord Namgoong several times when he’d accompanied Lord Baengri on his visits to his fellow clan head.
“He’s doing well. I’ll be sure to send my father your regards when I return,” Wan answered evenly.
The servants soon came in with trays of food. Various delicacies soon filled the tables, and the scent of flowers was soon replaced by the smell of mouth-watering dishes.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t prepare much. Given more time, we’d have prepared a much greater meal for you.”
“It’s fine,” Lord Wan said.
“I heard there was an incident with the gatekeepers. I understand they gave offense?”
Lord Wan said nothing. It was clear from his expression that he was quite displeased.
Euimook chuckled and said, “I think there must have been a misunderstanding. When I heard, I made sure to punish the gatekeepers quite sternly, so please set your mind at ease.”
“Yes, well, I already heard about it some from Euigang.”
Euimook glanced at his younger brother standing next to Wan and said with a smile, “I’m sure you haven’t heard everything. I’ve banished those gatekeepers. They will never set foot in the Baengri family residence ever again.”
“You... dismissed them?” Euigang asked in surprise.
Wan seemed to share in his surprise. He stared at Euimook.
“Of course. What if they were to cause more trouble down the road?” Euimook replied.
Lord Wan smiled dryly. “Wonderful. Looks like you and I handle business pretty similarly. Surely now I would never come across them again?”
The subtext of his question was clear: Won’t you just be hiring them back after a short production of punishment? Wan’s sharp eyes examined him intensely. Euimook, who had of course been intending to do exactly that, tried his best to calm his spiraling inner thoughts. Reminding himself that the Namgoongs were not to be dealt with lightly, Euimook realized that at this point, it would be impossible to rehire the gatekeepers. If Namgoong Wan were to catch wind of it, he would have no excuse.
Disappointingly, Euimook realized that he would have to cut loose the men he had invested quite heavily in. But perhaps this way it would be easier to make excuses to his father once he returned. He chuckled with false cheer. “Why, of course not! There is no chance of such a thing.”
“Good.” Lord Wan finally relaxed and continued to converse with those around him, although the tense atmosphere did not completely dissipate.
Euiran, who had remained quiet until now, glanced at the handmaid behind her. At her silent bidding, the maid left the pavilion.
Euimook was speaking again. “It’s a shame you won’t stay here for long. When do you intend to leave?”
“Unsure. I don’t travel on a set schedule.”
“I see. Then, wouldn’t it be better if you were to stay in a much more comfortable place? I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with Euigang’s quarters, but I can prepare a much larger room for you in the guest wing.
“It’s fine. I’m actually here because there’s something I wanted to say.” Lord Wan put his chopsticks down as he spoke. Both Euimook and Euiran looked perplexed.
“A friend of my brother’s is my brother as well. Consider me your older brother and please, tell me anything,” Euimook said, chortling jovially.
Wan remained silent for a bit before speaking, his face set with determination. “It’s about your sons—”
“The young masters and the young miss have arrived.” Four children appeared as the handmaid’s voice interrupted Wan.
Euiran was too busy looking over the children to notice that Wan’s face had turned cold. “Oh my, the children were so looking forward to meeting you, and now here they are! Children, this is the great Namgoong Wan of the Namgoong clan. Go on, say hello.”
Euimook was also too occupied by the children’s arrival to notice the change in Wan’s face. He introduced his children first. “On the far left is my eldest, Baengri Myung. The little girl on his right is my daughter, Baengri Ri. She hasn’t seen much of the world and is quite shy.”
Euiran jumped in after. “The twins next to her are my sons, Soh Wuak on the left and Baengri Pyo on the right.”
Slightly flushed with excitement, Myung was the first to greet Wan. “Greetings to my martial senior. I am Baengri Myung.”
The twins and even Riri, who was holding tightly onto the boys’ sleeves, bowed as well.
But there was no reply.

Chapter end