Chapter 837: Ilcheonkyo.

“Me?”

I asked back, looking flustered at Dokwang’s words.

Are you saying the reason Tang Soyeol and Dokwang’s relationship turned strange is my fault?

As I wore a blank expression, not understanding what he meant, Dokwang continued, his face etched with complexity.

“No, I misspoke…. To be precise, it’s not your fault.”

“What you mean is…?”

“The last time I saw her. My daughter seemed particularly troubled.”

If it was the last time, was that the year or two ago Tang Soyeol mentioned?

“So, at that time, I naturally thought it was your fault.”

“Huh?”

What kind of absurd statement is this?

To immediately think it was my fault just because Tang Soyeol looked downcast. It was an absurd remark.

But.

“Most of the time, when my daughter was sad, it was because of you, you see.”

“…”

The strangely convincing follow-up was enough to shut me up.

Because I didn’t really have anything to say on this matter either.

Seeing that I had nothing to say, Dokwang looked at me with a subtle expression.

That expression was like, ‘You don’t really have anything to say either, do you?’

Just as he implied, I had nothing to say, so I remained silent.

“So I thought it would be the same this time. However, since she seemed particularly troubled, I made two assumptions.”

“Assumptions, you say…?”

“The first was…. thinking it was about you again.”

My eyebrows twitched slightly at his words. Thinking it was about me meant it wasn’t my fault.

“The second was….”

A brief silence passed. The reason for the silence was Dokwang’s hesitation.

A few seconds passed. Dokwang’s tightly shut mouth thankfully opened again.

“It was the misconception that my daughter was still young.”

“Hmm.”

It was a slightly confusing statement. The misconception that she was young…?

‘I heard that parents tend to see their children that way, regardless of age.’

Someone once said that parents see their children as children, no matter how old they get.

My family is such a mess, it’s beyond compare, so let’s put that aside.

It was obvious that Dokwang cared for Tang Soyeol, so it was natural for him to think that way.

But. Dokwang’s words seemed somewhat different now.

More explanation was needed.

Thinking so, I quietly stared at Dokwang.

“I mentioned it. About the first misconception.”

“You mean thinking it was my fault?”

“That’s right.”

“Yes. I heard you.”

“That was how it was back then. Honestly, I don’t think much has changed now.”

“…”

It was an honest answer. That’s why it didn’t bother me.

“However, the problem was the solution I offered. Do you know what I told my daughter back then?”

“I don’t know.”

He added, speaking as if lamenting.

“If you wish, I can break off your engagement with the Namgung family in Gugyeong and arrange for you to be betrothed to the Tang family.”

“…!\”

“That’s what I said.”

My brow furrowed involuntarily. I forcibly suppressed the rising displeasure.

However, Dokwang seemed to have noticed my mood souring and said with an awkward laugh.

“It seems it wasn’t a good choice from your perspective either.”

“…Putting aside whether it was good or not, it doesn’t seem like a very pleasant topic for me.”

Setting aside that it was for Tang Soyeol, from my perspective, it was closer to unpleasant.

Dokwang surely knew this.

Yet, him bringing this up meant the follow-up was more important.

“Yes, that’s only natural. And. It seems my daughter felt the same way.”

“You mean Miss Dang?”

Tang Soyeol was also upset. That seemed like an important point.

“When my daughter heard that, she immediately got angry and told me not to say ridiculous things.”

“…”

“It was the first time. My daughter had ever gotten that angry.”

Dokwang chuckled as he spoke.

“If you were going to choose that kind of method, you shouldn’t have even started…. What do you think my efforts mean…. And in the end.”

An emotion flickered across Dokwang’s smiling face.

“Using methods like this… doesn’t that mean the Tang family refuses to change?”

“…!\”

“She said that, then left the Tang family, saying she was disappointed.”

“…”

I secretly swallowed.

It seemed around that time that Tang Soyeol left Sichuan during her training and came to Gugyeong for a while.

Then she left for another place with Amwang, so I had simply thought it was for training.

‘So this was the problem.’

I hadn’t known about this.

“When I heard those words, it felt like a spear had pierced my heart. And quite deeply, too.”

As if to prove his words, Dokwang gently touched his chest.

“She was right. After all, when I vowed to bear the family’s sins and set things right, the method I chose for my daughter was incredibly narrow-minded.”

His voice, speaking self-deprecatingly, seemed to lose strength. It showed more regret than disappointment.

He felt sorry for saying such things to his daughter and for making her hear them.

Wasn’t that Dokwang’s true feeling?

“Therefore, I understand why my daughter came to resent me. It was entirely possible.”

Was he resigned? His reaction suggested so.

Looking at Dokwang, I recalled.

I understood the reason Tang Soyeol grew distant from Dokwang. I understood that Dokwang was somewhat at fault.

I understood that Tang Soyeol had gotten angry because of it, but.

‘What should I say.’

Was that really all there was to it?

Did the current situation truly end with Tang Soyeol’s anger? As that question arose, the answer dawned on me.

‘No.’

From my perspective, that wasn’t the whole story.

Even though Tang Soyeol had clearly gotten angry. If you asked whether that was the entirety of it, I didn’t think so.

Mulling this over, I spoke to Dokwang.

“Family Head Dang.”

At my call, Dokwang looked at me. His gaze was still somewhat somber.

“It’s just me meddling, but from what I see, I don’t think Miss Tang solely hates you.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Meaning or whatever…”

I stopped mid-sentence and focused my gaze on Dokwang, adding more intensity. How could I say this comfortably? How could I say this without making it difficult? After a moment’s thought.

“…Miss Tang resembles you, Family Head.”

I uttered the most convenient words I could. This was sincere.

However, Dokwang merely wore a puzzled expression upon hearing this.

He didn’t seem to understand at all.

“What does that….”

“You don’t need to understand. It’s just how it is…. Also, I think you can worry a reasonable amount.”

“…”

I knew well what Dokwang was worried about, but to me, it didn’t seem like a major issue.

“As you yourself said, Family Head. Miss Tang is neither young nor weak.”

“…”

Tang Soyeol was neither young nor weak.

Rather, she possessed strength and perseverance. I remember how she stood tall, never collapsing, no matter the situation.

Since Dokbi was like that, Tang Soyeol must be the same.

“If you are still worried, you should meet her separately.”

“…That’s because my child….”

“You haven’t actually tried to meet her, have you?”

“…”

At my pointed remark, Dokwang’s mouth snapped shut.

It was obvious. He was probably too scared to even try meeting her.

“Right?”

Silence was affirmation.

Dokwang didn’t utter a word, and that was answer enough.

Seeing his reaction, I said sheepishly.

“At least try to have a conversation. Don’t just stay put like this.”

I wanted to say it as nonchalantly as possible, but I couldn’t.

Here I was, offering advice…. when I had absolutely no memory of ever having a conversation with my own father.

‘A conversation.’

Don’t just stay put, try to have a conversation.

The words I uttered turned back around and dug into me, posing a question.

‘I should try.’

It was something I should have done someday. If only I could have done it in my past life.

Since I couldn’t, I had to do it this time.

With a nagging feeling, I gently bit my tongue and added to Dokwang.

“Anyway…. I think I roughly understand the situation. It’s your choice to make, Family Head, and I’ve unnecessarily stuck my nose in. I apologize for that.”

“…Your words were helpful, so don’t worry about it. And. I am also sorry.”

Regarding mentioning the engagement with the Namgung family. And the statement about intervening, Family Head Tang offered his apologies.

“Yes.”

I accepted it without much reaction. Honestly, I could have dwelled on it, but I saw no need to.

Considering my relationship with Dokwang, there was no need. Besides, for Tang Soyeol’s sake, it was better to endure it.

Just as the conversation seemed to be concluding.

“…Next.”

I added, pulling a letter from my pocket.

“Since I don’t have time to stay right now, I’ve just organized the schedule and brought it.”

“Organized? You shouldn’t have had time for that.”

“No. I managed to make some time, thankfully.”

To be precise, it was because I stayed up all night throwing a fit about not being able to produce flames, and used the leftover time.

“First, regarding the Dokcheondan, there seems to be more to investigate. For research purposes, you should discuss this matter separately with the merchant guild.”

“The merchant guild, you say?”

“The Baekhwadang Merchant Guild.”

“…I see.”

As expected, the Baekhwadang Merchant Guild. Hearing the name, Dokwang nodded in understanding.

It couldn’t be helped. That guild was the only connection I had…. And coincidentally.

“The head of the Sichuan branch is someone I know well, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”

The branch head, Daemokri, is an easy person to handle, so he’s useful here too.

If there’s one concern here.

‘If possible, using another place would be better for Madam Mi too.’

The Tang family currently has a certain reputation in the Central Plains. Simply establishing a trade with them could potentially harm the Baekhwadang Merchant Guild.

Considering that. It was truly regrettable for Madam Mi.

‘…There’s no other way.’

Regarding this matter, I didn’t have many cards to play.

If I were to consider other methods.

‘The First Merchant Guild.’

That place, the foremost merchant guild in the Central Plains, which has its own agenda concerning me.

Using them is an option, but.

‘The risk is too high.’

Using a place I don’t know well would surely become shackles on my ankles.

This means that ultimately, establishing a trade with the Baekhwadang Merchant Guild is the best course of action.

“…Will that be alright?”

Dokwang asked.

He surely knew that this matter carried some burden.

However, upon reconsideration, this is the best option.

There’s no guarantee the Tang family can procure materials without outside help indefinitely.

For example, Shaolin and Mount Hua have contracts with several merchant guilds for material procurement.

“It’s fine.”

I had already made up my mind. Therefore, I had to endure whatever came with it.

“…If you say so, I won’t refuse.”

“This is for my own benefit too, after all.”

The Tang family regains their lost achievements, and I gain what I desire by utilizing it.

It is strictly for a transaction. After handing over the letter, I said to Dokwang.

“Actually, I’d like to check a bit more directly…. but I should be going soon.”

“Are you thinking of returning right away?”

“Yes. It seems like something’s about to happen. Ah, but I will stop by once before I leave.”

“Understood.”

“Then.”

After giving a short bow, I turned and immediately grabbed the doorknob.

*******************

Thump.

Right after Gu Yangcheon left the room.

Dokwang stared at the door, lost in thought.

-You haven’t actually tried to meet her, have you?

It was a remark that pierced straight to the heart.

It was something he couldn’t bring himself to do, fearing his daughter’s hatred.

‘…Damn.’

He had been correctly pointed out for what he was avoiding. The remark was so sharp, he couldn’t even argue.

Why hadn’t he thought about this more deeply?

Why had he avoided this?

‘Did Bongmun have some kind of influence on me?’

To bear the sins of the ancestors. That was the initial vow, but was it different when experienced firsthand?

His vision, blurred by the burden, seemed to have prevented him from realizing even this simple fact.

“Hoo…”

Dokwang sighed, wiping his face as if exhausted.

“I was foolish.”

His voice was filled with self-reproach.

And a faint resolve seeped into it. He rose to his feet simultaneously.

It seemed there was somewhere he needed to go immediately, before it was too late.

‘…I’ll have to thank him separately later.’

Dokwang decided to convey this to Gu Yangcheon later when they met again, and just as he was about to move.

“…”

Dokwang froze as something crossed his mind.

As he thought of Gu Yangcheon, he belatedly realized something he had forgotten.

“Huh.”

Dokwang let out a breath.

The reason being.

“…I’ve been had.”

He couldn’t ask what he intended. He only talked about himself until the end, and Gu Yangcheon just disappeared after listening.

Dokwang knew this absurd situation was no accident.

It was all Gu Yangcheon’s intention. He must have distracted him with talk, leaving out the main point before disappearing.

“Haha.”

Realizing this, Dokwang laughed.

“As expected…. I can’t give my daughter away.”

He couldn’t give his most precious daughter to such a sly fellow.

Dokwang resolved himself to that, but.

In reality, it was a statement he didn’t mean.