Chapter 54: Summer Break and the Meetings (5)

The Muhan Branch’s Bougidang.

The place that had been half-destroyed just a while ago was now perfectly restored.

As Cho Un-hwi sat at the table prepared for him, Baek Ri-seol snuggled up beside him.

“Hehe, try some of this,” she said, offering him a dish.

“Oh, that’s right. You said you liked expensive food, right? This is energy soup made with ginseng from Goryeo.”

“Come on, open wide. Aaaah.”

She held out a spoonful of soup, her eyes sparkling with a strange intensity.

“Aaaah~”

He felt like he was being fed by a child who was giving a deer its first meal. Her gaze was intense, almost predatory.

“What are you waiting for? Aaaah~”

Ignoring the pressure of her chopsticks against his cheek, he asked quietly, “What’s with this atmosphere?”

“What do you mean?”

He looked around and saw several pairs of eyes staring at him.

They were motionless, their food growing cold, their gazes fixed on him.

Even he, who was usually oblivious to such things, felt uncomfortable.

“Don’t mind them. Come on, aaaah~”

“Your aunt and uncle are watching.”

“So what? I’m just being hospitable.”

“Your parents haven’t even touched their food yet.”

“They can eat when they’re hungry.”

So that was it.

She was a wild beast that couldn’t be tamed. He was reminded of the saying, “Raising a daughter is like raising a stranger.”

“I can hear your brother’s stomach growling from here… Mmmph!”

“Hehe, success!”

Baek Ri-seol beamed, then scooped up a large ladleful of soup.

“Which one would you like next? Snake soup or turtle soup?”

She showed no signs of stopping.

***

Baek Ri Seon-ho watched Baek Ri-seol with a bewildered expression.

‘Is that really the same girl as yesterday?’

She was smiling sweetly, feeding Cho Un-hwi bite after bite.

She looked like the embodiment of kindness.

He recalled the events of the previous day.

“You’re shameless,” Baek Ri-seol had said, her voice cold.

Baek Ri Jeong-sun, the Muhan Branch leader, had hastily apologized.

“I’m sorry, Seol-ah. But I didn’t mean it. You know I was being controlled by the demonic practitioner.”

“Yes, Seol-ah, we’re truly sorry. Please forgive your brother.”

But Baek Ri-seol was unmoved by her parents’ apologies.

She had looked at them with an icy expression, her voice dripping with venom.

“How convenient. You think you can erase years of pain with a few words?”

“I’m telling you…”

“Enough.”

Her voice was devoid of emotion.

“Did you know that the Soul Control Technique you were subjected to amplifies your desires?”

“If you hadn’t been so greedy, none of this would have happened.”

“Did you think I wouldn’t find out about the Soul Control Technique?”

“…”

Her parents were speechless.

Even Baek Ri Seon-ho had been impressed.

‘Tsk, they should have kept it a secret.’

He understood why they had tried to hide the truth about the Soul Control Technique.

The problem was that Baek Ri-seol had discovered the truth by searching the Muhan Branch’s library, and she had also found their secret stash of funds.

“I won’t accept your empty apologies. And why are you trying to give the Muhan Branch’s assets to that incompetent fool?”

“Well…”

“I won’t let you give him a single brick from this manor.”

“Seol-ah, Man-ho is your brother.”

Baek Ri Jeong-sun pleaded, but Baek Ri-seol was unmoved.

“I’m only letting him stay here because he’s my brother. Otherwise, I would have kicked him out and left him to starve on the streets.”

“Seol-ah!”

Her words were harsh, but Baek Ri Seon-ho couldn’t take his nephew’s side.

‘Tsk, he’s such a fool.’

He understood why Baek Ri Jeong-sun, a traditionalist, would defend his eldest son.

But Baek Ri Man-ho’s personality was a problem.

‘He needs to know when to stop.’

Not only was he talentless…

“Mother! Father! How can you let Seol-i take over the Muhan Branch? I’m the eldest son! The Muhan Branch is rightfully mine! How long are you going to let that bitch run wild?!”

He was immature and completely oblivious to the situation.

Baek Ri Seon-ho shook his head as he watched his nephew throw a tantrum.

‘If I give the Muhan Branch to that idiot, he’ll bankrupt us.’

Baek Ri-seol, on the other hand, had taken control of the Muhan Branch in an instant and had earned the complete trust of the clan members.

And that wasn’t all.

“Seol-ah, we were wrong. Please forgive us.”

“Your mother is right. We admit that we were wrong. Please come back to us.”

“Hehe, come back to you?”

Baek Ri-seol’s expression was icy.

“The obedient and loving Baek Ri-seol you knew is dead. She died along with that cursed painting, the Soul Stealing Flower Technique.”

“You… how dare you speak to your parents like that… Gah!”

Baek Ri Man-ho, who had been about to yell at her, suddenly clutched his throat and screamed.

Everyone was stunned.

‘Oh my god, she subdued him with her aura alone?’

Baek Ri-seol’s power was unbelievable. It was hard to believe that she had achieved this in just a few months.

“You’ll regret it if you continue to bark like a dog,” she said.

She had taken control of the situation in an instant.

She turned to Baek Ri Seon-ho.

“Uncle, you must have a reason for arranging this meeting.”

She was not only talented in martial arts, but she was also sharp and decisive.

Baek Ri Seon-ho was impressed, but he feigned ignorance.

“A reason?”

“Let’s make a deal.”

“What kind of deal can we make between family?”

“If you don’t want a deal, I can always burn the White Crane Sword Technique manual.”

Baek Ri Seon-ho was speechless.

‘She’s ruthless.’

She had seen through him.

He had no choice but to accept her offer.

“How did you know I wanted the White Crane Sword Technique?”

“It’s the only thing you can take from me.”

“You little… even if the clan wants the White Crane Sword Technique, you don’t have to be so cruel.”

He was genuinely angry.

He did want the White Crane Sword Technique, but he hadn’t expected to be insulted like this.

‘The sword technique is important, but Seol-i’s potential is even more important.’

He couldn’t let her become an enemy of the clan. He had to nurture her talent within the Baek Ri Clan.

Baek Ri-seol’s eyes softened slightly as she sensed his sincerity.

“Alright, I’ll give you the White Crane Sword Technique. But I have three conditions.”

“Let’s hear them.”

“I’ll choose my own destiny. I’m tired of having my life decided for me.”

It was a reasonable request.

Baek Ri Seon-ho nodded without hesitation.

“Agreed. A martial artist should forge their own path.”

“Second, I want to be treated with the respect I deserve as a treasure of the Baek Ri Clan.”

That was also a reasonable request.

“Who would object to you receiving what you deserve? Agreed.”

“And the third condition is the most important.”

For the first time, a flicker of emotion crossed Baek Ri-seol’s face.

And then, she said something that shocked Baek Ri Seon-ho.

***

Cho Un-hwi’s head was resting on the table, his face flushed.

“I… I can’t eat anymore.”

“You’ve only had half a cow, two turtles, and half a pig.”

“I’m going to die. I’m going to die.”

“I think you can fit more…”

She poked him in the ribs, and he gagged.

Baek Ri-seol grinned and gave her uncle a thumbs-up.

Baek Ri Seon-ho realized it was time for him to intervene.

“Haha, what’s a feast without some wine?”

He clapped his hands, and servants rushed in, carrying jars of wine.

“Wine?”

Cho Un-hwi’s head shot up, like a desert fox sensing the presence of its prey.

Baek Ri Seon-ho chuckled.

“Would you like a drink?”

“Maybe just a little…”

“Bring him a cup.”

Cho Un-hwi stared at the cup in disbelief.

“Does the Baek Ri Clan drink from buckets?”

Baek Ri Seon-ho, who was holding a normal-sized cup, pretended not to understand.

“It’s our way of showing hospitality to esteemed guests.”

“It’s fine… I’m full…”

“Seol-ah, what are you waiting for? Pour him a drink.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

Baek Ri-seol smiled sweetly and opened a jar.

Cho Un-hwi’s eyes widened in horror.

“What the… there are more snakes than wine in here!”

“Hehe, it’s precious White Snake Wine.”

“This isn’t wine! It’s a snake graveyard!”

“We also have Turtle Wine, made with turtles stewed in wine. And Hornet Nest Wine, which is good for your stamina.”

One by one, she opened the jars, revealing their horrifying contents.

Baek Ri Seon-ho, who had lost his appetite, averted his gaze and filled Cho Un-hwi’s cup.

“Drink up.”

“Wait, wait.”

“Bottoms up!”

Baek Ri-seol forced the cup to Cho Un-hwi’s lips.

“Ugh!”

He choked down the wine, and the clan members raised their cups.

“Instructor Cho, I, Baek Ri Jeong-sun, would like to offer you a toast of apology.”

“I can’t let this auspicious occasion pass without a toast. Please accept my cup.”

“We’ve met before, haven’t we? I’m the Branch Leader’s bodyguard…”

Baek Ri Seon-ho watched as Cho Un-hwi was surrounded by the clan members, then glanced at Baek Ri-seol.

The girl who had been so fierce and intimidating just yesterday was now giggling and saying, “Yes, make him drink until he passes out!”

He remembered her last condition.

*- Third, I’ll choose my own partner.*

He had thought she was traumatized by her arranged marriage to So Yong-dae.

It was understandable for a young girl to be horrified at the prospect of marrying an old and unattractive man.

But it seemed he had been mistaken.

“Have you already found someone?”

She was full of surprises.

He sighed and took a sip of wine.

***

“Ugh…”

His face was burning.

The world was spinning.

And worst of all, the food he had forced down was threatening to reappear.

“Ugh…”

He gagged, his hands on the floor.

He heard a weak voice.

“What’s wrong with you?”

He looked up and saw Jegal Tan staring at him, his mouth agape.

“Oh, Jegal.”

“…Could you at least call me by my name?”

“Right, everyone here is named Jegal.”

“…Well, this is the Jegal Clan’s villa, so…”

“Ugh…”

Cho Un-hwi gagged again, then managed to say, “I went to the Baek Ri Clan yesterday.”

“Ah, I can imagine.”

“It was a dangerous place. For some reason, they were all smiling as they tortured me.”

“I’m glad you made it back in one piece.”

Cho Un-hwi’s face hardened.

“Is the Jegal Clan going to be the same?”

Hey, if I did something wrong, just tell me.

Don’t gang up on me.

Jegal Tan reassured him.

“Haha, don’t worry. My uncle doesn’t drink.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“There are a few heavy drinkers in the clan, but the Jegal Clan prefers tea over wine.”

It was unusual for martial artists.

Most martial artists were proud of their drinking capacity.

But he wasn’t going to let his guard down.

‘Never trust a righteous martial artist.’

He had been betrayed too many times in the past.

But it seemed that Jegal Tan’s reassurance wasn’t entirely unfounded.

“Haha, thank you for accepting my invitation, Instructor Cho. I’m Jegal Yang-so.”

The middle-aged man in the scholar’s robe and black hat was as refined as his appearance.

“My nephew’s rebellious phase has been my biggest concern lately, but thanks to you, I can finally rest easy. Come, let’s have a chat.”

Cho Un-hwi felt a sense of relief as Jegal Yang-so led him away, his hand on his arm.