The Hwangbo Clan’s Beloved Live-In Son-in-Law - Chapter 16
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 16
“…that’s how it is. Well. I’m getting thoroughly beaten up by Brother Yeontak because of you. He comes to beat me up every other day, so my senses are quickly returning.”
It was the truth, but something felt strange about it.
Xie Baowei just decided to let it be.
There was nothing that would particularly change anyway.
As much as the changed people felt awkward, Xie Baowei still couldn’t bring himself to grow attached.
The reason for stepping forward in the Biwuyan or whatever was simply to repay the insult she had received, not for the family.
So regardless of the Taigao Assembly’s results, what he had to do was clear.
“Oh my. I knew it would be like this. You rascal Yeon-gung! Can’t you speak properly!”
It was Hwangbo Yeontak, the eldest brother among Yeon-gung’s siblings from the same mother.
The leader of the family’s premier military force, the Bielian, known as Biekdo Cheonroe , the Thunder Blade.
Even during the family’s isolation, he alone had led the military force around Shandong solving numerous problems.
Rather, thanks to that, his reputation had grown even higher.
He was truly known as the family’s greatest martial force at present.
“You have arrived, Leader.”
Xie Baowei bowed respectfully.
Hwangbo Yeontak looked down at Xie Baowei with eyes full of dissatisfaction.
Even in a family famous for their impressive builds, Hwangbo Yeontak was particularly well-built.
The children of the main wife were notably large.
“Hmph. What leader. I told you to call me brother.”
“Yes. I will keep that in mind, Leader.”
It was just something to say.
Both knew this as they answered.
Hwangbo Yeon-gung fidgeted nervously between them.
“Brother. Haha. Young Master Jin has been quite busy lately…”
“Hmph. Enough.”
Hwangbo Yeontak strode in boldly as if it were his own home, with an air that said none of that mattered. He was indeed an unchanging person.
“Forget all that nonsense. Baowei. You don’t need to participate in the Biwuyan.”
“What are you saying?”
Xie Baowei frowned slightly and looked at Hwangbo Yeon-gung.
Yeon-gung kept shaking his head from behind Yeontak.
“You bastard… No. I’m saying you don’t need to step forward. There’s no need to unnecessarily tarnish the family’s name.”
Hwangbo Yeontak spoke in his booming voice.
Xie Baowei’s eyebrows twitched.
Really now.
“You just need to stay quietly at home.”
Hwangbo Yeontak seemed displeased with Xie Baowei’s defiant gaze.
However, his words were softer than expected.
Ah. No. It wasn’t soft, he just spoke quietly.
It was so unlike him that he must have been mistaken.
Because it was a bit awkward, Xie Baowei’s expression became strangely distorted.
Hwangbo Yeontak hesitated for a moment.
Xie Baowei’s face became even more distorted.
Hwangbo Yeontak spoke without even looking at Xie Baowei.
“Hmm. Y-you’ve done well enough just by creating an excuse for us to participate.”
Hwangbo Yeontak’s large hand rested on Xie Baowei’s shoulder.
…Xie Baowei felt goosebumps and unconsciously shrugged his shoulder.
At the gesture that seemed to be due to the weight, Hwangbo Yeontak said “Ah” and carefully withdrew his hand.
At that sight, Xie Baowei was also surprised and looked up at Hwangbo Yeontak.
Hwangbo Yeontak scratched his head with an embarrassed expression.
It wasn’t just a little. It was far too awkward.
“Please, I beg you, just act as you normally do.”
“…Mm. In any case. It means you don’t need to participate.”
“Is this the family’s will?”
“…I’m in the process of persuading them. It will be so.”
It was a firm tone.
So it meant that Hwangbo Yeontak thought so.
It wasn’t decided yet.
“So, when you enter the Sashaheon, just do as I say.”
Sashaheon was the name of the meeting room where the Taigao Assembly was held.
At that, Xie Baowei said “Ah” and opened his mouth.
The Taigao Assembly had been held repeatedly and was being held again, so this must have been the problem.
So they would even ask for his opinion?
Calling him specifically to that family meeting?
Just for that, the Taigao Assembly was held three times in a month, and for the third time, they called him directly?
And that was to ask his intentions?
Really now.
If they asked his intentions, what then.
Would they actually follow them?
“There’s no need for that.”
“Hm? You don’t need to feel burdened. Just go there and say, ‘I will refrain. I will follow your will.’ That’s all.”
“No.”
Xie Baowei raised his head straight.
He met Hwangbo Yeontak’s fierce eyes.
He caught a glimpse of Yulhui in those eyes, which made him feel bad.
“Because I intend to step forward.”
“You bastard!”
A roar immediately burst forth.
Finally, Xie Baowei’s mind was at ease.
Xie Baowei smiled broadly.
Ah yes. That’s right. Of course.
It was something he had already decided anyway.
Regardless of the family’s will, it was his own decision.
“It’s already been decided.”
And he affirmed it once again.
Then Hwangbo Yeon-gung’s anger exploded.
“Why! I’ve already heard from Yeon-gung several times. I’ve heard enough about you stepping forward for this lacking fool and the family! But why must you!”
Hwangbo Yeon-gung, who was standing nearby and got caught in the crossfire, clenched his fists.
His ears hurt from the shouting that sounded like he had boiled and eaten a fire pot.
But more than that anger, it was the tone that made Xie Baowei finally take a step back.
Goosebumps rose on his back.
He wanted to run away like this.
“…Go. Go. Go. Go”
No. Please. No.
Hwangbo Yeontak finally couldn’t hold back and shouted.
Fortunately, it wasn’t the words he had expected, but that didn’t make them welcome words either.
“If that’s enough to show your feelings, then don’t step forward and get hurt somewhere, just stay put! Even though we’ll take care of everything for you! I’ll crush those damn bastards who insulted the family and you with my own hands!”
“…What?”
No. I mean.
Really now.
Why is this gentleman here too!
Did they all take some kind of medicine together?
Xie Baowei felt utterly bewildered and stared blankly at Hwangbo Yeontak.
When he glanced at Hwangbo Yeon-gung, he too had a strange expression as if hearing such words for the first time.
When he looked back at Hwangbo Yeontak, the man quietly averted his eyes.
Anyone could see he was embarrassed.
Seeing this, Hwangbo Yeon-gung’s eyes curved into circles.
That was definitely the expression of a mischievous child who had found something to tease about.
He wasn’t sure which of the two felt worse, but either way, it was unpleasant.
“…This is my affair.”
“That is the family’s affair.”
“…Good heavens.”
With a deep sigh, Xie Baowei opened his mouth.
His intention was conveyed through words.
At those words, Hwangbo Yeontak seemed to flare up and opened his mouth, but couldn’t answer further.
Then he spun around and disappeared.
As he passed Hwangbo Yeon-gung, he gave that grinning face a huge flick on the forehead.
Hwangbo Yeon-gung clutched his head while grinning and chased after his older brother.
Xie Baowei let out another big sigh and shook his head from side to side.
It was like a storm had passed.
It was completely incomprehensible.
Thinking this, he looked toward where the two had disappeared, then soon turned around.
Behind him as he turned, the words Xie Baowei had left settled and rippled over the waterways of Yuseoji.
These words would soon be reported to Taigao Assembly as well.
And no one could answer those words.
Xie Baowei, no, Master Xie had said:
-I made a resolution after leaving in the past.
From today onward, never again will I abandon my duty.
And this will be
my last act of cowardice.
So he said.
The family accepted the man’s will as the family’s will.
Shortly after, the Taishan Alliance was convened.
***
Jinan is famous for its many clear and beautiful springs.
Thanks to this, lotus flowers always bloomed beautifully, and Cheongnyeonggye in eastern Jinan was named to commemorate such lotus flowers.
About a year ago, a huge manor was built on that Cheongnyeonggye.
It was an old manor where some high official once stayed, which was acquired and renovated, and when a nameplate reading “Pahosam Gate Jinan Branch” was hung, everyone looked toward Daming Street without exception.
For the Hwangbo Family Estate was there.
However, the Hwangbo Family remained quiet as always.
After that, Taean Gate came in earnest with the main sect directly entering, and trading companies and escort agencies began sprouting up like bamboo shoots after rain.
So the common assessment that Jinan, no, Shandong had opened a new era, was not false.
Today, the main gate of that Pahosam Gate Jinan Branch opened wide.
“Welcome.”
“It’s a pleasure.”
Jang Sahyeon, the branch leader of the Jinan Branch, cupped his fists and bowed.
This was because the notable figures of Shandong were entering his branch.
His heart swelled with pride at the names that had been filling up for several days already.
For he had become the first host to oversee this grand event.
Originally, an elder from the main sect was supposed to proceed, but it had suddenly changed to him a while ago.
“Hmm. Are they not coming?”
Elder Jeon, who stood behind him, grumbled with an anxious face.
He was the head of Jibbeop Hall, who was originally supposed to play the host role.
At this, Jang Sahyeon inwardly smiled.
Wasn’t this all thanks to the old fools who feared a toothless tiger, and that fool Xie Baowei?
What was there to regret when they had hastily withdrawn their feet, afraid of grass moving?
It didn’t matter if they didn’t come, and it was fine if they did.
He had already seen enough of the Hwangbo Family’s power. But he was the one who had made that Yunlei retreat.
In just one month, he too had gained more than one or two things to worry about remarkable progress.
Hwangbo Yeonhwi? Hwangbo Yeontak?
Whoever came, there were enough on this side to step forward.
The notable figures who had already coordinated would each be steeling their resolve.
Thus, if this gathering concluded successfully, no one in the main sect, no, in all of Shandong, would be able to ignore him.
“You’ve worked hard, Branch Leader Jang.”
“Oh my! Yan Zhangjun! To grace this place with your presence!”
“Of course I had to come.”
It was a common occurrence for trading companies to join hands with martial families.
Large boxes they had each brought were piled up in the warehouse.
Inside those boxes would be silver and gold, and that silver and gold would become military power going to the trading companies.
What was born from the alliance of five martial families and three trading companies of Shandong was this Taishan Alliance.
They would pay membership fees to join and share each other’s intentions through annual gatherings, and those intentions would become the meeting’s interests.
Now families not belonging to the alliance would wither away.
Look, even now people were constantly flocking to establish connections.
Most of those coming were uninvited.
“The end is roughly in sight.”
Such had been the guests received for several days.
Even though they couldn’t accommodate everyone in the hall and had rented all the surrounding private homes, inns, and lodges, it was almost full.
The major families had already arrived, so tomorrow they could proceed with the historic first gathering.
One thing remained.
The Hwangbo Family.
The line that had stretched since dawn diminished around lunchtime, then disappeared in the afternoon.
The elders from the main sect had already left, and Jang Sahyeon remained to wait for more guests.
His heart beat rapidly.
It was not long ago that everyone was stirred with anxiety at the Hwangbo Family’s reopening.
They had all sent urgent messages making a fuss.
Though they had roughly prepared responses, everyone would be tense inside even if they didn’t say so.
But night was deepening and there seemed to be no more guests coming.
Only then did Jang Sahyeon relax and smile.
“Close the gates.”
That’s what he thought.
Yes, the pride of Geomun wouldn’t allow them to barge in using someone like Xie Baowei as an excuse.
They would die from that very pride.
So Jang Sahyeon nodded.
There was no way someone like Xie Baowei would come alone.
He hadn’t even considered such a thing.
That bastard. What could he do.
That’s when it happened.
Someone came running in from outside. It was before the gate was fully closed.
“They’re here! They’ve come! The Hwangbo Family!”
The Hwangbo Family?
Jang Sahyeon’s face hardened.
The servants around him also grew extremely tense.
Servants from various sects who had been pretending to casually loiter outside came rushing inside in a hurry.
Jang Sahyeon tensed his stomach and opened his mouth.
“If guests have come, we should let them in. Why are you all so flustered!”
As soon as his scolding ended, a servant bowed his head low.
“B-but. The people.”
“What about the people!”
These bastards!
They’ve made up their minds!
Jang Sahyeon gritted his teeth.
How many have come!
It was strange. There didn’t seem to be that many signs of people.
“T-two.”
“What?”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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