The Hwangbo Clan’s Beloved Live-In Son-in-Law - Chapter 7

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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 7

“What do you mean?”

For now, he played dumb and deflected.

In his young heart, he had once thought of returning in glory to break their arrogance.

However, after the blood on his hands exceeded a hundred lives, he stopped dreaming of such things.

What meaning was there in living lavishly with the price of fleeting lives?

At that, the family head clicked his tongue with a “tsk,” and Hwangbo Yeonhwi opened his mouth with a gentle smile.

Since this elder brother had never shown a smile before, his smiling face was rather frightening.

“There was an incident at Taean Gate at dawn yesterday.”

“…Is that so?”

“The sect leader, his son, and all the core members died in one place.”

“Ah… I see.”

Hwangbo Yeonhwi still looked suspicious yet somewhat surprised.

“You don’t seem very surprised.”

“…Ruthless people tend to have many enemies.”

“You little bastard.”

Smack!

As Xie Baowei continued his unconvincing act, another fist flew at him.

For a dying old man, his hands were quite heavy, Xie Baowei thought as he rubbed his forehead.

“Grandfather.”

“Hwi-ya. Didn’t you see it too? This bastard is obviously deflecting! How dare my precious grandson mock his elders!”

Hwangbo Seungjeong said.

Xie Baowei’s mouth fell open in disbelief,

And Hwangbo Yeonhwi looked at him with an expression that said, “Hmm. I won’t deny other things, but is our brother-in-law really a killer?” as he spoke.

“…According to the reports, it burned abnormally clean and fast. It might have been military-grade gunpowder. Suspiciously so.”

Hwangbo Yeonhwi’s eyes moved between Xie Baowei’s missing belongings, his knees, and his minor wounds.

What had his initial appearance been like?

“They said there couldn’t have been much resistance. The first three seemed to have died without even being able to use their hands, and the rest showed traces of dying while clumsily trying to block, dying while fleeing, dying while begging. Only about enough struggle to catch a few fish.”

His expression didn’t change at all.

Nothing was more important for a warrior than an unmoved heart.

His face also had many small wounds. Surely his body hidden by clothes would have many wounds too.

Even Hwangbo Yeonhwi himself, who was called a seasoned warrior, and grandfather Hwangbo Seungjeong, who had achieved mastery, didn’t have so many scars.

While scars might be a measure of weakness, conversely, they could also mean he had survived that many battlefields.

“Even such fish died instantly. Even with a surprise attack, there aren’t many in Jinan who could do that.”

“Is that so?”

With a clink, Xie Baowei’s cup was empty again.

Hwangbo Yeonhwi didn’t refill the empty cup.

He just stared blankly at the husband of his beloved younger sister, whom he had never approved of.

“The weapon the killer left behind wasn’t particularly special either. It was just an ordinary sword you’d find anywhere in the market.”

This time he looked at the sword lying quietly beside him.

It could be called an unusual weapon.

It was too short to be a sword, too large to be a dagger. The tip gradually narrowed, but the point was moderately angled.

The guard—that is, the barrier between the blade and handle—was thin with tassels hanging from its ends.

The handle was short, barely graspable with one hand, and its end also narrowed, making it uncomfortable to hold.

“They said he seemed accustomed to chaotic combat.”

“I see,” Xie Baowei nodded as if it truly wasn’t his concern.

Hwangbo Yeonhwi quietly stared at Xie Baowei’s strange sword, then looked around as if guessing its purpose.

Then suddenly.

“Come to think of it, you brought a horse with you. It had some unusual cargo.”

He pondered with a “hmm.”

Right. Could it really be brother-in-law?

Then Hwangbo Seungjeong, who had been watching this scene intently, suddenly spoke up.

“Ha. So. You’re saying you know nothing about this. Is that it?”

Xie Baowei just smiled broadly.

The information was faster and more detailed than expected. As if seen firsthand.

The Hwangbo Family’s foundation remained.

No, rather than remaining, had it never been lost?

Seeing that smile, Hwangbo Seungjeong snorted and abruptly stood up.

Hwangbo Yeonhwi quickly rose to support his grandfather’s side.

“Fine. If you know nothing about it, it can’t be helped. Let’s go.”

“Grandfather.”

And regardless of what more Xie Baowei might say, he headed toward the door.

Then he stopped abruptly at the entrance.

“I’ve sent a message to Hee-ae.”

Xie Baowei’s body, which had been hurriedly trying to stand, froze in place.

“Wait a little longer. I’ll bring back her reply.”

You should sit face to face and share your feelings, yet you young ones use an old man as a messenger.

Tsk.

Hwangbo Seungjeong opened the door and left.

Xie Baowei became like a stone statue in that awkward position.

The cool morning breeze tickled his nape.

He didn’t seem ready.

Seeing how he stopped again at just one name.

Hwangbo Seungjeong looked back at that figure from outside.

Indeed, that bastard still has feelings left. Of course he does. How could the likes of him dare forget our Hee-ae?

Even compared to all of the Central Plains, there’s no beauty like her.

“Could it really have been brother-in-law?”

“Don’t you believe it?”

“…He certainly looked like a battle-hardened soldier. But I didn’t sense that level of skill from him.”

“I feel the same.”

“Then wouldn’t it be difficult? We should look for external enemies.”

“That’s unnecessary.”

“What?”

“If it wasn’t that bastard, it doesn’t matter who it was. It was something we had to do anyway. Don’t waste energy on useless things.”

Interrupting Hwangbo Seungjeong’s thoughts, Hwangbo Yeonhwi asked.

Hwangbo Seungjeong firmly cut off the conversation and turned his head.

The corners of his mouth twitched.

So. He’s saying he returned strong enough to slaughter them all single-handedly!

When he heard the news this morning, his heart nearly jumped out of his mouth as he rushed over in shock.

He knew the boy had changed somewhat, but to this degree that this old fool couldn’t fathom!

The damn admirable bastard.

Yet he felt bitter too.

He should have let him live comfortably as an ignorant fool for life.

Instead, he only taught him the ruthlessness of the martial world.

“It’s my sin.”

“Grandfather?”

“It’s my sin.”

Soon, the old man whose wrinkles were etched with regret turned away.

Resolve settled on his back.

“Make sure no one dares touch my grandson-in-law again.”</Human: You are an ELITE PROFESSIONAL TRANSLATOR for Korean web novels (COMMERCIAL QUALITY).

“I will handle it, Family Head.”

Ilcheon Gakju received the order.

***

And two more days passed.

It was an uneventful two days.

Xie Baowei stayed only in his quarters, but he was busier than expected. And uncomfortable.

Paying morning respects to the Family Head had become part of his daily routine.

It wasn’t what he had wanted. When he didn’t go, the Family Head clearly showed his displeasure and summoned him.

The Family Head’s health was still not good.

According to the physician, since he had started eating properly, once he could digest even the medicinal herbs in the warehouse, he would regain his health.

While saying this, he held Baowei’s hand and repeatedly bowed his head in gratitude.

…What on earth.

In the afternoons, guests came to visit. Ilcheon Gakju, Ohaeng Daeju…

Moreover, several brothers who had been away and some who had been handling family affairs returned.

They hadn’t just dropped by in passing. They had rushed over upon hearing news that Xie Baowei had come.

…All of them with apologetic expressions, as if they were criminals.

The food wouldn’t go down his throat.

Today there were no guests.

And so, feeling rather lonely instead, he had stepped out of his quarters.

It was the fourth day since his return.

For some reason, there were more people in the halls.

Had the number of servants increased recently?

It was strange.

-Yaaah!

Of course, when Xie Baowei was still scorned at the Huangbo Family, there had been far more people in the halls.

Some of them included many outside guests, though they weren’t just people seeking connections.

Well. Was it similar?

There was no way there wouldn’t be those seeking teachings from a martial family representing Shandong and Jinan.

Moreover, the Huangbo Family was closely connected to the Imperial Court and military, so not only places wanting to train individual martial arts, but also local influential families sent their children.

They said that after Xie Baowei left, they had sent them all away, yet it seemed there were still people at the martial arts school.

Hearing the children’s chatter and boisterous laughter, Xie Baowei naturally walked toward the sound while reminiscing about old memories as he strolled through the Huangbo Family estate.

Here, he had come to the martial arts school frequently in the early days.

It was to cultivate that damned ‘refinement’ while being mocked by young children.

That’s why his steps had been slower.

“Ah! Master! It hurts!”

“Sparring is supposed to hurt, you fool. If you don’t like it, then block it!”

A familiar voice. It was Yunlei.

The children’s screams mixed with laughter. It seemed to be a martial arts lesson.

If so, the screams made sense.

Chentabeipa.

The basic martial art and training method of the Hwangbo Family Estate.

But the laughter?

The Chentabeipa that Xie Baowei knew was not something that would bring laughter at all.

Even though it had been particularly harsh on him, it wasn’t something playful for others either.

Tap tap tap!

Xie Baowei, who had been looking back at his past self who had wept beyond the high wall and within it, shook his head.

When he gently pushed open the closed door, he saw about ten children wielding sticks as if playing with each other, and Huangbo Lüli moving freely among them, laughing heartily.

“Jeongil! The Heavenly Marquis Great Step should be taken with larger strides! Yeonsu! The Mount Tai Giant Fist should be struck with more force. Oh my. Good! That’s a good first move of the Joyful Three! Suyeong!”

Isn’t the best way to learn martial arts to hit and be hit?

That’s Chentabeipa.

Damn it, when a thick-boned fool gets mixed in among arrogant, outstanding kids and gets beaten terrifyingly, you come to think that way.

Ah. Shit. Is this bullying?

Of course, there was some bullying involved.

The one laughing so clearly now, along with a few others, had really beaten him as if to kill him.

To the extent that the few life-threatening crises he survived thanks to that weren’t very appreciated.

“Hey! Just anyone can’t come here! Master, there’s a stranger over there!”

Since he was glaring at that clear and bright scene with fire in his eyes, some of the children noticed him.

Of course, that bastard. Ah, no, Brother Yunlei would have already known.

“…Alright. Let’s stop here. Everyone, don’t forget what you heard today! Don’t be late for tomorrow morning’s academic lesson. Anyone who’s late tomorrow will be excluded from the afternoon martial arts lesson.”

“Aww.”

“Quiet. Hurry up and go!”

“Yes! Master!”

Was it because Xie Baowei’s expression was unpleasant? The children glared at Xie Baowei as if looking at an unwelcome guest and disappeared one by one.

They were familiar gazes. Though it wasn’t the same contempt as before…

“…The scale of the Five Elements Martial Arts Stage has gotten much smaller, hasn’t it?”

Yunlei Huangbo Lüli cautiously approached and spoke while watching Xie Baowei’s mood.

He didn’t even dare make eye contact, looking only at the ground while kicking the floor with his foot.

“The children… are young. It doesn’t feel like before.”

Xie Baowei deliberately smiled as if brushing it off.

Yunlei observed his expression and spoke.

“…Brother. Um. Ahem. Hmm. After Master Jin left, the Family Head sent them all away. Well. It was practically the same as driving them out. We received protests, but well… Has our Huangbo Family ever been a place that bows to such petty people! Ahem. He kicked all their asses out.”

Since the Family Head had personally moved to kick all their asses out, Huangbo Lüli had also been kicked so hard he couldn’t walk for a while.

“Then, well. About a year later, the Family Head reopened the Five Elements Martial Arts Stage, with this worthless fool as the head.”

Perhaps remembering the pain from that time, he rubbed his buttocks while speaking, and Xie Baowei looked at him with surprise.

Those petty people weren’t just one or two. They were all people who wielded considerable power in Shandong, no, even in the Central Plains.

Not only the wealth gained from them, but also the connections and benefits obtained from the Imperial Court and the martial arts world – how much would all that amount to? He had cut off all of that at once?

“Those children… are also connected to you. They’re children from the slums of northern Jinan. You know about that, don’t you? You wouldn’t say you don’t know.”

Saying this, Huangbo Lüli looked at Xie Baowei with a gentle smile.

Xie Baowei avoided his gaze and lowered his head.

That gaze was truly painful for him.

Jinan is a livable place.

It’s because it’s located where the marine products of the East Sea, the plains of western Shandong, and the currents of the Yellow River intersect, allowing logistics to flow between them.

Moreover, being close to the Imperial Court, various prestigious families had established themselves there.

However, due to treacherous officials who had blinded His Majesty the Emperor, the country was overrun with bandits, leading to rebellions.

Even though His Wise Highness the Crown Prince had executed the traitors, the Central Plains was no longer a livable place.

Xie Baowei had seen this with his own eyes.

“I didn’t know there were so many poor people in Jinan… I truly didn’t know. Baowei. It was only after you left that we opened the warehouse. Since you did the work you couldn’t finish, don’t make such an expression.”

It wasn’t possible to take in everyone. What even His Majesty couldn’t do, a single family couldn’t accomplish.

But they had made an effort.

Naturally, those children weren’t all of them.

Since the level and process of lessons differed by age group, the time slots were different too.

To the extent that Yunlei had lost weight.

“The Family Head said that as the family grew without knowing our place, our greed increased and we failed to look after those below us. Therefore, wanting to return to our original intentions, he told the family members to look after those below.”

Xie Baowei looked at the empty training ground where the children had left with surprised eyes.

Yunlei continued speaking.

“It’s thanks to you, Master Jin.”

What could he say in front of him?

The family’s prosperity had plummeted to the ground.

He had just seen this with his own eyes.

The buildings that had been maintained to shine brightly were now covered with spider webs, and the people who had worn down the doors with their frequent visits had decreased.

The guest rooms that had never ceased echoing with coquettish laughter were now empty without even a caretaker, and the guests who had insisted on offering gifts to help the family had stopped coming.

Even so, Yunlei’s eyes were filled with sincerity.

They say even a rich man’s wealth lasts three years after ruin, and the virtue of the Huangbo Family continues endlessly. Xie Baowei thought to himself.

Why do such people treat me like this.

His complaints were brief.

Yes. This is what a prestigious family is.

Even if they fix the warehouse only after losing their treasures, doing so thoroughly was the true strength of a prestigious family.

Because of this, no matter how much he had hated leaving this place, the Huangbo Family of Jinan in Shandong sometimes filled Xie Baowei with pride.

Xie Baowei felt relieved that this pride and confidence had not turned into betrayal.

“…You only treat me well when I’m here.”

Well. He didn’t say he held no resentment.

At those words, Huangbo Lüli chuckled audibly.

Whoosh.

A staff suddenly flew through the air.

Xie Baowei instinctively caught it, and Huangbo Lüli had already taken his stance in the center of the training ground.

In his hands was a large wooden sword shaped like a Heavy Sword.

“It’s been a while, shall we have a bout?”

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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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