Chapter 8 : Chapter 8

Chapter 8. The People of the Namgung Clan

No one in this world is as honest as a young child. The more loved a child is, the more honest they tend to be.

In that sense, Namgung Hye's declaration could be taken as an indisputable truth with zero possibility of falsehood.

'I am rather handsome, after all.'

How else could I have worked as a shaman-practice salesman in my past life? A likable appearance was an absolute necessity for any salesman.

"Hye, come here."

When Baekri Ran spoke in a voice gone cold, Namgung Hye waved goodbye to me and scurried back to grab her mother's hand.

The fact that she obeyed even such a chilly command told me her mother was strict but good to her normally.

"You must be tired from the long journey. Get some rest today. And you–we need to talk."

Baekri Ran shot Namgung Gwang a sharp look, and he cleared his throat.

"Ahem."

Guilt-ridden as he was, Namgung Gwang pointedly avoided her gaze. Even the great Sword King was helpless at home, it seemed.

Baekri Ran handed Namgung Hye to an attendant and disappeared with Namgung Gwang.

Once the two adults were gone, the eldest boy, Namgung Hwi, approached me with a smile.

"So you're my new brother. Nice to meet you. I'm Namgung Hwi."

"Yes, Brother. Hello. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Namgung Yul."

"I'm used to getting new siblings, but getting a full-grown one is a first. Rather refreshing."

Namgung Hwi spoke with a bright grin. Young as he was, there was the air of a dashing man about him. Give him a few more years and girls would be lining up.

Judging by his expression alone, he didn't seem to bear any ill will toward me.

On the other hand.

"……Namgung Myeong."

His younger brother, Namgung Myeong, managed only a grudging show of courtesy.

"I'm tired, so I'll take my leave."

He gave a curt greeting and left. He was openly uncomfortable with my presence. Well, I understood. I did.

Namgung Hwi scratched his cheek awkwardly at the sight.

"Um…… I hope you'll understand. He must be feeling complicated."

"If I suddenly got a new brother out of nowhere, I'd feel unsettled too. He probably needs time."

"I appreciate you saying that. As the eldest, it puts my mind at ease to have such a level-headed new brother."

"Haha, you're too kind."

Who'd be happy about a brother appearing out of thin air?

The fact that he hadn't outright protested–demanding to know why he should accept some stranger as his older brother–showed his upbringing had been solid.

"I'm Namgung Hye!"

"Hye, you should use formal speech with your new big brother."

"I'm Namgung Hye!"

"So you're Hye. Nice to meet you. I'm Namgung Yul. Let's be good friends."

"Heheh. Let's be good friends!"

Namgung Hye answered with the slight lisp of a young child and squeezed my hand tightly.

'What is this adorable creature?'

I mentioned this before, but in my past life, I had a younger sister.

Yet this Namgung Hye's loveliness was a far cry from the fiendish creature who would walk in the door, shed her clothes like a snake shedding skin, casually tear open the W*rld Cone I'd bought from the freezer, take one bite, and then say, "Buy S*per Cone next time."

Surely Hye would never undergo such a dark evolution, no matter how much time passed.

"Hye, it's getting late. Time for bed."

"Okaaay."

At Namgung Hwi's gesture, an attendant led Namgung Hye away.

Even her retreating figure was adorable–the corners of my mouth lifted on their own.

'Well, at least I've got three people on my side. That's something.'

Namgung Gwang was on my side, and the eldest son, Namgung Hwi, if not exactly fond of me yet, didn't seem to have any complaints.

And the beloved youngest, Namgung Hye, was practically my ally too. Good looks really do pay off.

[As if.]

'Hmm, Father and Mother will probably be up talking all night…… Well, they'll work it out.'

The ball had been passed to the couple's private time. Sure, Namgung Gwang was under pressure, but my adoption wasn't going to be called off.

It was the Clan Head's official act. Even if his wife voiced her objections, she couldn't undo it. He'd get an earful, but that was about it.

Just then, Namgung Hwi leaned in close and whispered.

"Get some rest today, like Mother said. I told the attendants to show you to your room, so just follow them. It was put together in a rush, but I tried to make it nice–I hope you like it."

"Thank you for the consideration, Brother."

"Sure. Let's talk more tomorrow."

Namgung Hwi took his leave first.

Honestly, I hadn't expected him to accept me as family this quickly. Had Namgung Gwang perhaps explained separately why he'd brought me home? Even so, accepting it couldn't have been easy. Should I call him magnanimous?

In any case, thanks to Namgung Hwi at least, adapting to the Namgung Clan didn't seem like it would be all that difficult.

As for Namgung Myeong…… hmm, I wasn't sure. Would time make things better? I'd have to put in the effort.

[If he irks you, just kill–]

Just then, Namgung Hwi, who'd been walking away, turned back and approached me again.

"Oh, right–eating breakfast together is a Namgung Clan rule. Don't stay up too late. Now I'm really going."

"Yes, Brother. Thank you."

He was incredibly considerate. Not just Namgung Hye–Namgung Hwi had clearly been raised with plenty of love too. I was liking the Namgung Clan more and more.

'Eating breakfast together, huh.'

It was a family custom I'd never experienced, so it felt unfamiliar, but it didn't seem like a bad one. That is, once the awkwardness wore off.

After Namgung Hwi left, an attendant approached me with a respectful bow. Hmm, ordinarily you'd expect them to look down on a waiter who'd been adopted, but even the staff here were well-trained. As expected of a prestigious house. Even the employees were first-rate.

"Hello. My name is Seola, and I've been assigned to attend to you, young master. It's a pleasure to serve you."

Seola bowed courteously, avoiding eye contact with me.

That might have been the Namgung Clan maidservants' standard etiquette, but…… could it be because I'm handsome?

[You're deluding yourself.]

Well, Hye did say I was handsome.

[Your self-regard is that inflated, yet you refuse to become the greatest under heaven?]

Fair point. My mistake.

"Pleased to meet you."

When I used polite speech, Seola startled.

"Young master, please speak casually to me."

"I will once I get used to it."

"……Very well. Please follow me."

Seola seemed to find my politeness somewhat odd, but not unwelcome.

I mean, it would be strange to completely change my attitude overnight just because I'd become a Namgung young master, wouldn't it? I'd look like some petty social climber. Better to ease into this slowly.

A person who's come into good fortune can't stay exactly the same, but they shouldn't forget who they were, either.

At any rate, my room, contrary to what Namgung Hwi had modestly described, was very spacious and lovely.

Moonlight streamed softly through the window, and the bed was plush and comfortable. The desk and decorations were elegant–rather impressive for a room thrown together in a hurry.

"If anything is uncomfortable, please ring for me."

"How?"

"There's a bell in your room. If you ring it, I'll come, or if I'm not available, another maidservant will."

"Isn't it uncomfortable for you, standing by like that?"

"Not at all."

Ah, I'd asked the wrong question. Of course a maidservant couldn't say she found it uncomfortable. Especially when she didn't even know me yet.

"Um, then could you draw me a bath? I'd like to wash before bed."

"The bathwater is already prepared. We received word in advance that Young Master Yul enjoys bathing."

"Really?"

Oh, my new father was more thoughtful than he looked.

And the fact that Seola had prepared the bathwater upon hearing that showed her sharp instincts and diligence.

Had they deliberately assigned this capable maidservant to me?

"Then I'll trouble you right away."

"Yes."

And once again, I had to fight tooth and nail to avoid having someone attend my bath.

Thankfully, my request was honored, and I was able to enjoy a leisurely soak. Ahh, the warm water was divine.

[Blurble, blurble!]

And I didn't forget to deliver a lesson to the Blood Demon Sword, which had spent the entire journey proudly boasting about Blood Calamities. It seemed I'd need to enforce discipline like this on a regular basis.

***

At breakfast the next morning, I observed Namgung Gwang's haggard face and Baekri Ran's radiant complexion.

Hmm, I might be welcoming a new sibling before long.

In any case, just as yesterday, this morning confirmed that Namgung Gwang had a firm grip on the household.

The attendants had come to wake me on time and had me dressed to the nines. That meant no one was petty enough to try to spite me or play tricks–which in turn meant no one dared cross Namgung Gwang's arrangements.

There were surely people who disliked me, but the fact that nothing had happened meant they wouldn't dream of defying the Clan Head's initiative.

"Hye, chew your food properly."

"Yesh."

"Eat your vegetables too."

"Yesss……"

Baekri Ran supervised Namgung Hye's eating as well–strict, but the overall atmosphere at the table wasn't oppressive.

Namgung Hye whined but, apparently frightened of her mother, scrunched up her face and ate the vegetables.

It was so adorable that I secretly ate the vegetables off Namgung Hye's plate for her. She looked at me in surprise, broke into a bashful smile, and whispered.

'Thank you.'

'Don't mention it.'

Our eyes met in the middle of it–mine and Namgung Gwang's–but he pretended not to notice my little transgression.

'He's such a pushover for his daughter that he can't help it.'

During the meal, Namgung Gwang casually spoke to me.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Thanks to everyone's kindness."

"How's the food? I had them make Kung Pao Chicken since it's your favorite."

"You were right when you said the cooks here are better than the Murim Alliance's."

"Hahaha! I'm glad to hear it."

Seeing that I'd more or less settled in, Namgung Gwang wore a satisfied expression.

Namgung Hwi ate quietly beside us.

The only one at the table who seemed displeased was Namgung Myeong.

"……Excuse me. I'll be going."

Namgung Myeong picked at his food and stood up first.

[He seems to hold a grudge against you. Kill him.]

The Blood Demon Sword spouted its usual nonsense. And yes, naturally, I had to bring this Cursed Sword even to the breakfast table. When I first walked in carrying a blade, everyone flinched, but since Namgung Gwang had apparently explained the situation beforehand, no one objected.

"Myeong seems to have quite a few complaints."

Namgung Gwang's expression was conflicted. Namgung Myeong's attitude clearly bothered him, but the situation was too delicate to address directly. Or perhaps he felt guilty about it.

"Hwi, try having a word with Myeong."

"Yes, Father. But I don't think my words alone will get through to him."

Namgung Hwi slid a sidelong glance at me. The message was clear: this was something I had to handle myself.

I took his look to mean one of two things. Either earn Namgung Myeong's acceptance as family…… or establish dominance. One or the other.

'I'm actually getting a bit motivated.'

In my past life, I'd failed to keep my sister in line. She'd devolved into the creature that ate my W*rld Cone and demanded S*per Cone. I couldn't let that happen again.

Yesterday I'd been planning to let it slide, but after seeing his behavior at the breakfast table, I couldn't just ignore it anymore.

Left unchecked, the family dynamic would deteriorate, and that would likely be blamed on me. A stone that rolls in must fit in among the other stones to be accepted.

"Mother's" mood, in particular, looked deeply sour. Seeing that barely concealed glare, I was keenly aware that I had to resolve this somehow.

"After you've finished eating, Yul, stay behind for a moment. You should greet the family elders. And let me give you the tour of the estate we didn't get to yesterday."

"Yes, Father."

He could have sent someone else, but Namgung Gwang was handling it personally. That was how much he valued me. With the Clan Head himself making the introductions, no one would dare harbor idle thoughts.

After the meal, I set out with Namgung Gwang to tour the Namgung estate.

"Our first stop is the Elder Council. As the family's senior members, you should pay your respects to them first."

"Absolutely. You have to greet your elders properly."

On the way to the Elder Council, I sensed an unsettling energy emanating from a certain building.

'Lingering Resentment?'

It was unmistakably the Lingering Resentment of a ghost.

Lingering Resentment here, in the Namgung Clan?

"Um, Father? What is that building over there?"

"That is the Family Head's Hall. Where I reside."

"The Family Head's Hall?"

My suspicions only deepened from there.

Why on earth was Lingering Resentment clinging to the Family Head's Hall?

'The reason I was adopted into the Namgung Clan might have everything to do with that.'