Chapter 16: The Treasure of the Baek Ri Clan (1)

The air was thick with tension, a suffocating silence that pressed down on Baek Ri-seol’s shoulders.

Her feet fidgeted, and her palms sweated. She wanted to shift in her seat, but the piercing gaze that followed her every move kept her frozen in place.

‘Deep breaths. Deep breaths.’

She took a deep breath and cautiously raised her head, her eyes scanning the lavishly decorated office.

The walls were adorned with intricate murals, and every corner was filled with exquisite porcelain and ornaments, each piece meticulously polished and gleaming.

It was the epitome of opulence.

But all Baek Ri-seol felt was a suffocating sense of dread.

The room’s impeccable decor was only part of the reason. The main source of her unease was…

“Hmm.”

The owner of the hand that was slowly turning the pages of a manual.

Thud.

The hand, calloused and strong, tossed the manual onto the table.

“It’s better than I expected.”

It was the first time she had heard his voice since entering the room an hour ago.

“You’re actually useful for something.”

His voice was cold and dismissive, as if he had just discovered a surprising fact.

Rustle.

The hand that had been holding the manual moved.

Baek Ri-seol flinched.

“Tsk, tsk. You’re so timid.”

She looked up to see a young man with sharp eyes glaring at her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

“Man-ho, show some respect. your father is here.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Baek Ri Man-ho, her older brother, clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Baek Ri-seol shrank back in her seat, her shoulders slumping.

‘This is suffocating.’

She cautiously raised her head again, her gaze fixed on the owner of the hand.

Baek Ri Jeong-sun, the White Dragon Swordsman.

Her father.

The master of the Muhan Branch.

She quickly averted her gaze as his eyes met hers.

She had always found his cold, piercing gaze intimidating.

After a long silence, Baek Ri Jeong-sun finally spoke.

“I never thought you’d be capable of mastering a martial arts technique.”

“Indeed. It’s quite surprising, isn’t it?”

Baek Ri Man-yong, her other older brother, smirked at her.

“She’s small, talentless… I never thought she’d amount to anything. I guess even a worm can turn.”

“Seol-ah, you’ve done well. Haven’t you?” her mother said, her voice laced with a hint of condescension.

“…Yes.”

Baek Ri Jeong-sun nodded in satisfaction.

“Now I can fulfill my promise.”

“Haha, Master So will be pleased. He’s a generous man.”

Master So Yong-dae.

Baek Ri-seol had never met him, but she knew that he was a wealthy merchant who was close to her father.

She remembered his name because he was the one who had requested her to master the incomplete sword technique.

“Master So’s reward will be a great help to our clan. Even those who doubt your abilities will have to acknowledge your contribution.”

“Ho ho ho, it seems you’ll be assisting your father in managing the clan soon.”

“Hahaha, not bad. Not bad at all.”

Baek Ri-seol felt a pang of shame as she listened to their cheerful conversation.

‘What promise did they make to Master So?’

‘What are they going to give him?’

‘And what’s this about the main clan?’

She was completely in the dark. They were discussing matters that didn’t concern her.

“Once Father is in a position of power, I’ll finally have a proper role in the clan. Everyone will be envious.”

“It’s good that you’re so dedicated to the clan, but save some of that ambition for yourself. You should treat yourself to some new clothes and jewelry. Once we move to the main clan, you won’t be satisfied with the cheap trinkets you find in this backwater town.”

Baek Ri-seol fidgeted with her feet, her gaze fixed on the floor.

Her father’s eyes finally met hers.

“I’ll keep the manual. You can go now.”

“Father…”

She spoke up for the first time.

“What are you waiting for? Leave.”

His cold gaze made her clench her fists.

Her palms were sweating.

But she had to say something.

“You… you promised me…” she stammered.

“Promised you what?”

“You said… if I mastered the technique… you would grant me any wish…”

“Ah, yes.”

Baek Ri Jeong-sun nodded, as if he had just remembered.

“I believe I did say that.”

Her brothers and her mother glared at her.

“You’ve done your duty for the clan. Be proud of yourself. What more could you possibly want?”

“Don’t be greedy, dear. No one likes a greedy woman.”

As always, they tried to silence her.

But she wouldn’t back down.

‘This is my only chance.’

She didn’t know when her father would summon her again.

After a moment of silence, Baek Ri Jeong-sun spoke.

“A promise is a promise.”

“R-really?!”

Her eyes widened in hope.

“After you get married.”

…What?

He looked at her, his expression impassive.

“It’s only natural. You’re fifteen years old. You’re already late.”

Her mother and brothers chimed in.

“That’s right. Some girls get married at ten.”

“You need to find a good husband while you’re still young.”

But Baek Ri-seol couldn’t hear them.

‘What is he talking about?’

Marriage?

He wanted her to get married?

“Master So seems to be quite taken with you. He said you remind him of his late wife.”

“That’s not the promise! You said I could do anything I wanted if I mastered the technique!”

“Get married. Have children. Our family needs heirs. The more children you have, the more Master So will reward us.”

This was absurd.

She felt dizzy.

Her mother patted her hand.

“It’s for the best, dear. You’ll have everything you could ever want. You’ll forget all about your silly dreams of becoming a martial artist.”

“Master So is a wealthy man. You’re lucky he’s even considering you. Don’t throw away this opportunity to help our family.”

What were they talking about?

‘Why are they deciding my future without even asking me?’

He had promised her.

He had said she could do anything she wanted if she mastered the technique within three years.

She had pushed herself to her limits, sacrificing her health and her future, all for this moment.

And now…

“This isn’t fair!”

Her father approached her, his eyes blazing with anger.

Slap!

Her vision blurred.

“Are you defying me?”

“I… I…”

She touched her cheek, which was already starting to swell.

“Tsk.”

He turned away, his voice cold and dismissive.

“Now that you’ve mastered the technique, there’s no need for you to stay at the academy. Withdraw tomorrow and come home.”

I… I…

She couldn’t speak.

As always, her opinion didn’t matter.

‘The treasured jewel of the Muhan Branch.’

A jewel was meant to be admired, not heard.

That was her place in the Muhan Branch.

***

“Instructor Cho! What have you done?!”

Yeo Mae-hong returned to the instructors’ office after her morning classes.

“Hello!”

The door burst open, and Baek Ri-seol walked in, a cheerful smile on her face.

Yeo Mae-hong was stunned.

“Student Baek!”

“Hehe.”

Baek Ri-seol scratched her head sheepishly.

“How have you been?”

“I’ve been well.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Baek Ri-seol asked, “Where’s Instructor Cho?”

“He’s… um…”

He usually disappeared after lunch.

He would wander around the academy, doing who knows what, and only reappear when it was time to eat.

‘I can’t tell her that.’

She told Baek Ri-seol that he was away on business.

Baek Ri-seol’s face fell.

‘She’s actually grown attached to him.’

It was obvious from her expression.

But what she said next shocked Yeo Mae-hong to her core.

“You’re withdrawing from the academy?!”

“Hehe, yes.”

“So suddenly? What happened?”

“Nothing happened.”

She shook her head, but Yeo Mae-hong’s intuition told her that something was wrong.

‘She’s hiding something…’

She tried to pry the truth out of her, but Baek Ri-seol refused to budge.

After a brief conversation, Baek Ri-seol called her maid over.

“Here, take this.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a farewell gift.”

She handed Yeo Mae-hong a beautifully wrapped package.

It contained a silk tassel, crafted by a skilled artisan.

“I thought it would look nice on your sword hilt.”

“I can’t accept such a valuable gift.”

It was clearly an expensive item.

Yeo Mae-hong tried to refuse, but Baek Ri-seol insisted, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly.

“Please, take it.”

“Student Baek…”

Baek Ri-seol looked down, her voice trembling slightly.

Then, she looked up and smiled brightly.

“It’s nothing to me! I’m the treasured jewel of the Muhan Branch!”

“…”

“Please, don’t refuse my humble gift.”

She pressed the gift into Yeo Mae-hong’s hands, then gestured to her maid.

“Where to next?”

“We need to see the Head Instructor.”

“Lead the way.”

She strutted away, her chin held high.

Yeo Mae-hong watched her go, her eyes filled with concern.

***

“Instructor Cho! What have you done?!”

Chung-hyeon’s voice boomed through the instructors’ office as Cho Un-hwi strolled in.

He found himself facing a furious Chung-hyeon, a smug Yeom-gwang, and a group of curious instructors.

Cho Un-hwi yawned and scratched his ear.

“What’s all the yelling about?”

“What’s all the yelling about?! You have the nerve to ask?!”

Chung-hyeon clutched his chest dramatically.

Yeom-gwang smirked.

“Student Baek Ri-seol came to see us.”

“And?”

“She said she’s withdrawing from the academy.”

“Oh? Why?”

Chung-hyeon took a deep breath and clutched the back of his neck.

“She’s your student! You should have known about this!”

“The daughter of the Baek Ri Clan is leaving without a word, and you, her instructor, have no idea why?!”

“She’s withdrawing after only ten days under your care! Did you do something to upset her?!”

A stack of papers flew towards Cho Un-hwi.

“Not only do you not know why she’s leaving, but you didn’t even say goodbye! You have no heart!”

“The Murim world is a cruel place…”

“Get out! You’re fired!”

Chung-hyeon threw another stack of papers at him.

Cho Un-hwi dodged them effortlessly.

“Actually, I have a request.”

“A request? What is it now?”

“Can I make a house call?”

“A house call?”

“I’ll grovel at their feet and beg for forgiveness. Just give me a pass to visit the Baek Ri Clan.”