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

I Spent a Night With the Martial Arts Alliance Leader's Youngest Daughter. Chapter 62: Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Material Archive "Sir, please wake up." "Ugh..." Namgung Hyuk's mornings always begin with his wife waking him up. Ever since Dang Ah Ryeon became the lady of the Namgung household, she never skipped this ritual. Even though Namgung Hyuk insisted it wasn't necessary, she was adamant about fulfilling her duty as a wife. "Just a bit more..." "Hmm? Are you just going to stay buried under the covers because it's your day off?" "It's my day off after a long time." "Get up already!" Despite his grumbling, Namgung Hyuk finally got out of bed after several more of Dang Ah Ryeon’s persistent attempts. It was a defenseless side of him completely unlike his sharp persona in the Martial Arts Alliance. This was a side of Namgung Hyuk that he only revealed in front of his wife. 'It's hard to even pretend to be asleep.' Truthfully, Namgung Hyuk had been awake for a while. Since before Dang Ah Ryeon started tapping his shoulder. Sleeping in late was a concept foreign to him. He had too much on his shoulders. As the head of his family and the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, the overwhelming amount of responsibilities were only manageable due to Namgung Hyuk's diligence. The reason he pretended to sleep, even at the cost of erasing his presence. It was entirely to preserve his wife’s sense of fulfillment. The phrase usually associated with the name of Sichuan Dang family is "ruthless." Double the grace, tenfold the revenge. Even those unfamiliar with martial arts have heard of the Sichuan Dang family’s ethos. Their proficiency with concealed weapons and poison contributes to such perceptions as well. Namgung Hyuk himself held such prejudices before meeting Dang Ah Ryeon. 'They are ruthless only in their actions.' The fierceness of the Sichuan Dang family was directed outward. Thus, the bonds within the family were tight. The saying about tenfold revenge speaks to how relentless they are in defending their own. Perhaps for this reason. Dang Ah Ryeon’s notion of "wife’s duty" contained some odd traits. It was such a devoted manner of caring for her husband that you couldn’t help but wonder, "Is this necessary?" Namgung Hyuk had to pretend to sleep until his wife woke him up for just that reason. 'I was surprised when she cried.' There was a time her devotion brought Namgung Hyuk both tenderness and guilt, leading him to get up before she could wake him. That time, Dang Ah Ryeon wept as if the world had fallen apart. Namgung Hyuk couldn’t bear to see his wife like that again. Thus, he pretended to sleep to let her feel fulfilled. He was more doting than he let on. "Why so much food so early in the morning?" "You're always busy and eat on the go. At least take care of yourself today." "Haha, I'll eat well." Before he'd even finished his tea, an extravagant spread appeared before him. Nothing he couldn’t delegate to the servants. But she insisted on doing it herself. Namgung Hyuk chose not to point this out and quietly started his meal. It was simply something to be grateful for. "By the way, sir. I heard something interesting." "Hmm? What are you talking about?" Interesting news. Casually tossed out while he ate. However, upon hearing the word, Namgung Hyuk felt as if the food got caught in his throat. 'Did I do something wrong?' Namgung Hyuk's instincts flared. From long experience. Whenever Dang Ah Ryeon started like this, nagging inevitably followed. A dreadfully uninteresting story from Namgung Hyuk's perspective. He racked his brain. He hadn’t done anything wrong, had he? "Your future in-law paid a visit, I hear?" "Ah." In-laws. The moment he heard those words, Namgung Hyuk let out an involuntary hum. He had warned his subordinates to be cautious, yet it had already reached his wife's ears. "About that..." "How could you leave me out of it, sir? They must have made the journey with some difficulty, and I couldn’t even host them properly." "Well... let me explain." Namgung Hyuk spoke with as much sincerity as he could muster, looking at his wife with warm eyes. "As you know, the boy has no family." "Son-in-law." "Right, son-in-law. So it seems his only support is his Master. It just happened that he came nearby and we met briefly to see what kind of person he is." "Hmm..." "He seems busy, and I felt it would be inappropriate to take much of his time, especially when he needs to be with his disciple. Having heard he’s like family to our son-in-law, we decided to invite them properly next time so you can meet." He was glad he woke up when he did. Having a clear mind made an unprepared excuse flow naturally. Although he hadn't made such a promise with Baek Seorin, a person who has left can't object. He’d figure it out later. 'I nearly got nagged from the start of my day.' Watch out for the timing she chose. Indeed, his wife truly was of the Sichuan Dang family. In his youth. Namgung Hyuk recalled her giving him a hard time without a change in her expression. Thinking of those times, an involuntary chuckle escaped him. "Sir? Why the sudden laughter?" "Oh, just thinking of when we first met. Even your stern looks were lovely then." "Not now?" Flinch. That wasn't what he meant. A word from his memories turned into an arrow straight back at him. "You were and are still beautiful. Your timeless beauty brings smiles to my face, even now. Haha!" A perfected improvisation. Just like the world's best strategist. Before he could even admire his own composure, Dang Ah Ryeon's next attack came. "Those times... They were good. Except for the trouble when Father wouldn't approve of you." "Yes, your father was rather severe about it. What could I do? To think of marrying off such a beautiful and lovely daughter to some stranger. Now, I understand your father's feelings." "Is that why you keep delaying Yeon Hee's engagement?" "What?" The couple reminisced fondly. Suddenly caught off guard by his wife’s sharp remark, Namgung Hyuk was left defenseless. "Do you plan to act just like Father did? All that nonsense about trials and whatnot?" "..." "Don’t you remember? When your father made you eat five different poisons and identify them, or when he demanded you face the full force of the Manchunhwa Storm?" Of course, he remembers. His father-in-law, the Poison King Dang Chul Hyung. Used the pretext of a test to enforce all kinds of craziness. If it hadn’t been Namgung Hyuk, anyone else would likely have fled. "It’s unbelievable that you managed to do it all... What did you say back then?" "Well, I said..." "‘Ah Ryeon, is your father insane?’ and ‘I’m never going near that family again.'" "Haha, did I really say that?" Memories of his youthful days. Indeed, there was a time he didn't even want to go near his in-laws. Except if there was the slightest hint of regret in Dang Ah Ryeon’s demeanor. "I never pushed my opinions on you, only offered advice because I considered it my duty as a wife. But." As if all conversations had led to this declaration. Dang Ah Ryeon proclaimed, "There's no reason for our son-in-law to face the trials we faced." "......" "Why pass down those burdens? There's barely enough time to shower him with love and good things." Before he realized it, Dang Ah Ryeon had moved behind him. She gently patted his shoulder as she spoke. "You understand, right?" "But..." "Sir." "I understand." Though her hands pat his shoulders tenderly, Namgung Hyuk felt an indescribable weight. Our son-in-law. The warmth in those words weighed on him. “Oh, the soup’s going to get cold. Hurry and eat.” She urged him to eat belatedly. Namgung Hyuk, although his appetite waned, couldn’t voice it and picked up his chopsticks as she instructed. * - Stay healthy. Master had gone. Leaving behind merely a letter. Though he'd anticipated it, the fact he left during the early hours without a proper farewell felt somewhat disappointing. His innate shyness. ‘Like when I left for the Martial Arts Alliance.’ When he sent me off to become the gatekeeper. Despite his busy schedule, he hadn’t even come to see me off. Perhaps he’s just not accustomed to farewells. Once you see someone, your resolve weakens. Classic Master. ‘Should I have held on longer?’ Now that he was gone, emptiness lingered. Obligations aside, I should’ve asked him to stay a few more days. Why do we regret only after the fact? "Ah, you’ve arrived early. Have you eaten?" "Not yet." "Great, I'm also on an empty stomach." Summoned by Namgung Hyuk without even having breakfast, these thoughts grew even stronger. A movement that felt as if he’d been waiting for Master to leave. "I learned much from your Master's words." "......" "Is the title ‘Master’ uncomfortable for you? Perhaps calling him 'in-law' would be more appropriate." "However you wish to address him is fine by me." And to call him to the martial arts training field? A revelation. It rang ominously. "I realized I have not taken proper care as your father-in-law. Always used the excuse of being too busy." "You don’t need to worry about that. I know the duties of leading the Martial Arts Alliance leave you quite preoccupied." "No! That won’t do. They say only a father-in-law truly cares for a son-in-law." Except, no one ever says that. The common saying is about mothers-in-law doting on sons-in-law. "Our whole family cherishes you, yet I seem to have contributed nothing." "You recommended me to the White Yangdan." "That was a reward for your accomplishments! I’ve been pondering what else I can offer you." Namgung Hyuk was strangely passionate. His eyes brimmed with enthusiasm. What scheme hides in those depths now...? "I shall personally train you!" "?" "Ten years from now, we cannot leave such talent, capable of shaking the heavens, lying dormant!" After dragging out the conversation, he finally arrives at his point. This man... He still holds onto it.