59 - I Spent the Night with the Youngest Daughter of the Martial Arts Leader

I Spent a Night with the Martial Arts Leader's Youngest Daughter. Chapter 59 > Booktoki - Web Novel Archive 'It was unmistakable.' A barely perceptible sensation. The flow of energy that passed by, tickling slightly. But Namgoong Hyuk could feel it. A fragment of immense internal power, the depth of which couldn't easily be fathomed. A domain that could instantly engulf the whole Anhui Province. 'Where did such a strong person come from...?' Namgoong Hyuk also started tracing it back, attempting to pull up his own power to find the source, but the flow of energy disappeared as if it had never been there. It was a fleeting moment. The fact that it vanished instantly intensified his vigilance. To withdraw such profound internal power that could cover the vast Anhui Province so quickly. He had to find them at all costs. According to reports, no suspicious individuals had been found. However, regardless of the current calm, this was someone akin to a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment. Staying alert at the Martial Arts Alliance without even returning home, Namgoong Hyuk finally sensed it again. The same flow of internal power he felt the previous day. Could the other person have detected Namgoong Hyuk's presence as well? His internal power became even more distinct, almost provocatively aimed at him. For the first time in ages, Namgoong Hyuk felt his heart race. 'How long has it been?' Though it wasn't outright hostility, the opponent did not cower even after sensing his energy. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced even once since becoming the World's Greatest. As he sprinted towards the source of the internal power, he noticed increasingly familiar sights. A vast estate beneath the hill shaded by centuries-old pine trees. Namgoong's Household. The other party was in his own home! 'What is this?' Feeling the energy grow stronger as he approached the estate, Namgoong Hyuk quickened his pace. * "Really, I never anticipated you'd come, Father." My room. I've just set cups on the table for tea. It looked like the conversation might be a long one. "Father, why don't you catch your breath with a cup of tea first?" "..." Namgoong Hyuk didn't respond. Standing at the door as if he had no intention of sitting, Namgoong Hyuk was observing the Master, scrutinizing. Indeed. Sending a messenger or personally bringing him along would have been better. Perhaps it was my fault for not overcoming the Master's stubbornness. "Oh, you're here! Are you Namgoong Hyuk, the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance?" "And who might you be?" "Nice to meet you. My name is Baek Seorin. I don't have a grand title like yours, so calling me by my name would suffice." The Master, as if greeting an old friend, smilingly approached Namgoong Hyuk with words. A feeling akin to a host welcoming a guest. Despite being the actual guest himself. "What was the reason for sending your internal power since earlier?" "I heard my disciple was indebted to this household, so I summoned with the intention of expressing my gratitude." "Disciple?" Namgoong Hyuk widened his eyes, looking at me. He seemed to have many questions. But before that, the Master spoke first. "Was my greeting too blunt? Have a seat first. We have quite a lot to discuss, don't we?" The Master gestured towards an empty chair. Swiik. At the same time, he tossed a teacup towards Namgoong Hyuk. The teacup flew in an arc towards Namgoong Hyuk. But no water spilled from it. Tak! Namgoong Hyuk caught the teacup nonchalantly. The Master watching this exclaimed in admiration. "Truly worthy of being called the World's Greatest." "Your kindness is excessive." "Oh, it's nothing. Just offering a drink to quench your thirst. There's no need for thanks." I watched the scene, eyes wide open. Something I could only guess due to the remnant energy. In that split second, several exchanges had taken place between the Master and Namgoong Hyuk. Its speed eluded even my observation. Namgoong Hyuk's momentum significantly waned. It seemed that individuals at such formidable levels had a way of understanding one another. "The Master is like family to me. I thought I should introduce you." "So, that's the reason for your extraordinary skills beyond your age." "Hahaha, thank you for recognizing my disciple!" Common courtesies were exchanged. When I first heard the Master's plan, I thought it was madness, but the atmosphere wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Looking to the side, Yeon Hee seemed somewhat anxious. Maybe it's the tense air akin to a meeting between families. "So why have you come all the way to our house?" "Ah, indeed. I figured you wouldn't like to drag things on. I heard that my disciple recklessly went ahead with an engagement without informing me." "And so?" "To get straight to the point. I am against it!" Bang! The Master, slapping both hands on the table, shouted. What changed suddenly? It was going so well. You said you supported it. * Indeed, the world is vast. Baek Seorin. A name I'd never heard of. Reaching such a high level. I can only guess that he kept his moniker hidden. The brief tactical exchange confirmed it. There was no hostility whatsoever. A clear energy one might feel from a Taoist sect elder. Were it not for Yeon Hee, I would have wanted to challenge him. And soon after. Namgoong Hyuk genuinely wanted to spar with Baek Seorin. 'They'll probably talk about the engagement.' Strictly speaking, this is similar to a preliminary meeting between families. After exchanging a few words, it became clear. They're planning to pursue the engagement. I wasn't inclined to permit the engagement. How should I bring it up? Baek Seorin eliminated Namgoong Hyuk's hesitation in one go. "To get straight to the point. I am against it!" A forthright declaration from Baek Seorin. The moment he heard those words, Namgoong Hyuk doubted his own ears. "Against it?" "Yes. I'm indeed upset with my disciple for proceeding without informing me, but putting that aside... I cannot consent to this engagement!" Why? A simple question arose. Just plain curiosity. Why oppose the engagement? "What is the reason?" "My disciple is too precious!" "? What kind of nonsense is this? 'Too precious a disciple,' is it? What? Does that mean our Yeon Hee is lacking? "These are not words to be taken lightly. Would you care to clarify exactly what you mean?" "Quite simply. Your daughter isn't worthy to be my disciple's partner. Hence, I oppose this engagement!" Crack. Blood rushed to his head. Namgoong Hyuk's temple throbbed, veins protruding as he barely restrained his rising emotions. 'I must restrain myself.' This could actually be favorable. The other side is opposing the engagement? It was what he wanted all along. He just had to endure the woman's spiel. Hold back. Then unleash his anger at the critical moment. That would surely end this engagement. "You've seen it yourself, haven't you? How exceptional my disciple’s talents are. His constitution makes accumulating internal energy easy, and his physical attributes are beyond compare. In less than ten years, he'll shake the heavens." "..." "And your daughter, by comparison... Yes, she's beautiful. Extremely beautiful. But what else is there?" Patience. Namgoong Hyuk summoned his internal power to calm his heart. "Marriage isn't just about looks, after all. And my disciple is no slouch in the appearance department either." "Master?" "Tsk. Aren't adults having a conversation? Stay quiet." "..." "Moreover, he's not really a son-in-law yet, is he? Yet you have him confined in what's essentially a guest room, tsk tsk." That's because your disciple said he was comfortable there! Namgoong Hyuk swallowed the words that rose to his throat. "Even a live-in son-in-law at an ordinary household would receive better treatment. How can I send my disciple into a family that disrespects him before the engagement? And as I heard from him, you've been finding excuses to delay it despite saying you approve? Looks like we're on the same page." He said that? Namgoong Hyuk turned, glaring intensely at Lee Se Woong. His eyes practically shot daggers. "Look how you're eyeing my disciple. Who would see that gaze as that of a father-in-law? It's as if you're facing an enemy." Ah. That's it. I can't endure anymore. "I can't listen to this a moment longer!" Namgoong Hyuk roared. It was a shout beyond his control, laden with internal energy. The table shook as if during an earthquake. "What? Unworthy? Unworrthhyyy? What is wrong with our Yeon Hee! Do you think you could find such an exemplary bride elsewhere?" "Hmm?" "You call her beautiful? Yeon Hee's beauty can't be summed up in a single, simple word! Even with a metamorphosed body, perhaps your eyes were an exception?" His voice was steeped in uncontrollable anger. "When you see her bright, sparkling eyes, they remind you of stars! And her prominent high nose, those full lips? I often have to draw upon my inner strength just to keep my heart from skipping a beat every time she smiles. How did you not realize what a lovely child she is?!" "Father..." Yeon Hee's face turned as red as twilight. The overflowing doting nature of Namgoong Hyuk was clearly overwhelming her. But he had no intention of stopping. "The word 'lovely' must have been invented to describe our Yeon Hee! And what do you mean, aside from her beauty? There’s no one as multitalented as her. Poetry, painting, embroidery, she’s mastered them all, befitting her noble status. Not to mention, she's inherited my talents. Surely, you've noticed but pretended otherwise out of curiosity!" "Father, please stop..." But Namgoong Hyuk continued on his rampage. "And the notion of mistreatment! Have you even seen how our family treats a son-in-law? My wife pesters me every night before bed, asking when we’ll hold the wedding. Father’s even prepared land and a house for him." "Oh." "And what about the second child? He constantly tries to shower him with care, addressing him as brother-in-law repeatedly! The number of meals the second child has fed him could buy a house. Even the silent third child can't stop singing his praises. To say he’s mistreated is preposterous!" So he observed everything. Lee Se Woong suddenly realized that Namgoong Hyuk had actually been pretending indifference. "I thought it a waste to let martial talents go to rot, so I even recommended him to the White Yang School. Didn’t I also find him a respectable job to preserve his dignity? And yet you claim he’s mistreated? Huh? Talk of opposing the engagement now? Answer me!" It was like a speech. To the point where one would wonder if he was even breathing, Namgoong Hyuk's tirade continued. Putting in the occasional interjection, Baek Seorin listened, a bright smile on his face. "Remarkable. I didn't realize it was to this extent." "Yes! Now do you see?" "Then getting the wedding on track should be the next step." Namgoong Hyuk's fervor, blazing like it was about to ignite, was extinguished instantly by Baek Seorin’s offhand comment. Wait. This wasn't right. "I must have misunderstood. Hearing how passionately you care for my disciple changes things. Your words carry weight worth reconsidering." "What?" "Keep up the efforts. Who knows? I might end up granting permission." Hm, hm. Baek Seorin nodded lightly, and with a playful glint in his smile, Namgoong Hyuk finally realized. He'd fallen into a trap.