187 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

**EP.187 Chapter 19 - Cheonghae, Father and Son (7)** * * * It was excessive greed. Even though he knew how it would inevitably end, not being able to let her go was excessive greed, and trying to take her as his spouse by flaunting his achievements from the Blood Heaven Sect was nothing but greed. "Is that truly necessary?" "Yes." "Byeok-ah." "As a reward for my contributions, I wish for nothing else but that." Zhuge Byeok spoke to his father about marrying Go Seoyeon. Two years had passed since the ongoing bloodshed, and at the age of twenty-two, Zhuge Byeok had reached the Transcendent Peak Realm. He had an instinct that if not now, he could never be with Go Seoyeon, which pushed him to make a risky move. Unfortunately, it worked. “…If that is your true desire.” The former family head granted Zhuge Byeok permission to marry. There was some opposition from the elders, but it wasn't strong. True King Zhuge Byeok, at the tender age of twenty-two, demonstrated extraordinary genius by proposing a new direction for the concept of formations, and his contributions on the battlefield nullified the objections regarding the background of his betrothed. Even amidst the ongoing war, Zhuge Byeok visited the inn. "Customer?" "Marry me." It was impatience. That was undoubtedly what it was. Not being able to propose in a grand manner must have been because of that urgency, and also because of desperation. Go Seoyeon looked at Zhuge Byeok for a long time that day without giving an answer. As always, she tried to peer into Zhuge Byeok's heart. Only then did she speak. "The customer’s proposal is truly lacking in splendor." Zhuge Byeok felt his heart tighten again at her smile. "But are you sure you want to? Young Lord of the Zhuge family, are you truly willing to marry someone like me?" He wasn't surprised to learn that Go Seoyeon already knew his identity. She was incredibly perceptive and had a knack for reading people; therefore, the only reaction Zhuge Byeok could show at that moment was joy. Of course, even knowing his identity thus far, she hadn't shaken him off. "It has to be you." For the first time that day, Zhuge Byeok smiled. Go Seoyeon was startled, and soon her cheeks reddened. "When you make such an expression, you look truly beautiful." "…I am not someone to be called beautiful." "But you are. To me, more than anyone in the world." The wedding was held quietly. Even as the bloodshed continued, a grand festival could not be arranged, so they invited only those they were acquainted with to conclude the ceremony. On that day, Zhuge Byeok feared nothing. He had found love that truly saw him and had secured a place to be with her. And the following year, they had a son. “San, let's name the child San.” “Yes.” Even in times of war, love blossoms. Zhuge Byeok found himself full of things to rejoice over, giving him more reason to end the war. Except for one bad news. "He was born under a star." Sword Saint Mok Seon-oh said. "True King, your son was born under a star. A truly lonely star." Zhuge Byeok had no words to refute what was spoken to him in secret. Mok Seon-oh was a man who, aside from his unrivaled martial prowess, displayed numerous mystical skills. He called it a solitary star and Zhuge Byeok felt a deep sorrow. He was at a loss for how to convey this to Go Seoyeon. Perhaps he should hide it, he thought, but that was impossible. “Something is wrong with the child, isn’t it?” “…” “I can tell by your face. And I know because he is the child I bore myself.” He felt guilty. It seemed the child's affliction was solely due to his own failings, filling him with nothing but guilt. He wanted to bow his head. But Go Seoyeon simply hugged Zhuge Byeok tightly and spoke those words. "It will be alright. Isn’t he your child?" In front of her, he always felt like such an inadequate person. "So don't cry. They say there's nothing more hideous than a grown man crying." Zhuge Byeok cried for the first time in his life in her embrace. * The bloodshed ended. Zhuge Byeok returned to the Jianghu as one of the most renowned heroes, adorned in glory. During this period, Mok Seon-oh left Murim, but it did not greatly impact Zhuge Byeok. Finally able to live the life he dreamed of with Go Seoyeon, he had no room for other thoughts. “I have returned.” “Welcome back.” Young Zhuge San, cradled in Go Seoyeon's arms, filled Zhuge Byeok's vision. What surged within was paternal love. Zhuge Byeok smiled once again that day. * Zhuge Byeok was still the type who could not properly react to the emotions of others if they were not Go Seoyeon. The same was true with his son Zhuge San. While he tried to fulfill his role as a father, emotions, particularly a child's emotions, were too difficult for Zhuge Byeok, so his tone toward Zhuge San was always cold. “Observe etiquette at the dining table.” He would say only things like that. “This will improve over time.” Go Seoyeon reassured him. “For now, you must start with what you can do, mustn't you?” What he could do as a father. Zhuge Byeok pondered long and hard over this. Finally, he found an answer: to make the family he would pass on to his son great. From that day, Zhuge Byeok threw himself into work. He accepted the elders' opinions appropriately and focused on expanding the family’s influence. It was solely because he wished for the family he would pass on to Zhuge San to be greater than it was now. Thus, the year Zhuge San turned seven came. "Headmaster, do you remember the daughter of the Golden Flower Chamber?" “…The former fiancée, you mean.” "They have expressed a desire to arrange the marriage again." As if a dream was just a dream, the sweet moment began to draw to a close. * Long before the Celestial Merchant Guild rose to power, there were many merchant groups in the Central Plains vying for influence. The Golden Flower Chamber was perhaps the most influential of these groups in Hubei. Naturally, there could be no better marriage candidate for the Zhuge family. Hence, from a very young age, Zhuge Byeok's fiancée had been designated as the daughter of the Golden Flower Chamber. Zhuge Byeok knew why they were pushing for marriage once again at this time. --- ### New Terms and Translations - **고서연 (Go Seoyeon)**: This is a female character in the narrative who is deeply involved with Zhuge Byeok. Her relationship with Zhuge Byeok is central to the story, providing emotional depth and context to his actions and decisions. - **금화장 (Golden Flower Chamber)**: A prominent merchant group in the world, particularly influential in Hubei. This term reflects the importance of commerce and alliances in the overall power dynamics within the story. - **천하상단 (Celestial Merchant Guild)**: An influential organization that showcases the power of commerce in the narrative, rivaling other groups such as the Golden Flower Chamber. - **전쟁통 (war times)**: This term implies not just the physical battle but also the societal and emotional war being faced by individuals. It reflects the broader context of the characters' world. ### Explanations and Word Plays - **Son Naming "San"**: The name "San" (산) could imply various meanings, such as mountain or endurance, which provides symbolic meaning regarding resilience and legacy, especially when bearing the weight of a solitary star. - **"별을 타고났소" (born under a star)**: This phrase indicates a destiny or fate, suggesting a unique journey marked by solitude, spirituality, or destined greatness. ### Additional Context - **Zhuge San's Solitude**: The indication of Zhuge San being born under a "lonely star" foreshadows a destined path marked by isolation or uniqueness, adding layers to his character development and possible future narrative arcs. - **Family Dynamics**: The dynamics between Zhuge Byeok, his partner Go Seoyeon, and their son illustrate the emotional and relational aspects central to the story, beyond martial prowess and fame. This humanizes Zhuge Byeok and provides depth to his character's personal journey. **The growth of the Celestial Merchant Guild was swift, and their influence began swallowing the Central Plains at an alarming rate. As a result, the stability of the Golden Flower Chamber was beginning to waver.** The Golden Flower Chamber required a shield—a strong shield that possessed both honor and might. "Refuse them." "This is a difficult situation." "Why?" "The Golden Flower Chamber presented their ledger." There's nothing more dangerous than a beast cornered. In an effort to survive against the Celestial Merchant Guild, the Golden Flower Chamber made an extreme move. That was the secret ledger that had long been kept between the Zhuge family and the Golden Flower Chamber. Even if they aspired to integrity, they were ultimately an interest group. No family could be without its dark side. If the ledger were exposed to the world, the family would be shattered. Even if it wouldn't lead to complete ruin, much of what they had built would be lost. The family that Zhuge San was to inherit would collapse. This fact pained Zhuge Byeok. "You must marry." "Yeon-ah." There was nothing he could do but watch as the woman who always offered support and encouragement proposed to sacrifice herself once again. It was something he was both grateful and guilty for. Zhuge Byeok became a sinner. He had caused bitterness to taint her smile, declaring himself a sinner was the only way he could express it. "Are you okay with this?" "I am." Go Seoyeon said. "I know you love me, so it's okay." It was a choice. Zhuge Byeok weighed the family against Go Seoyeon. The scale that should have tipped immediately towards Go Seoyeon was unable to distinguish between the two. The weight of the family was compounded by the weight of Zhuge San. "I..." Zhuge Byeok had to decide. "...I am a sinner." It was an excruciating choice he had to make. * He was aware that the family's elders did not favor Go Seoyeon. Yet, unable to silence them, Zhuge Byeok felt their words' pain alongside her. Still, he believed it was okay. He thought it would be alright. He was confident that one day, when Zhuge San grew up beautifully, this judgement would change. “…Family Head, the elders support the second wife.” How twisted can fate be? "The position of the first wife..." "I'm okay, just look after Sani." "...Sister." "Mu-Yeon-ah, promise me just one thing. You must stand by San." The second wife from the Golden Flower Chamber was malicious. Seeking to save the Golden Flower Chamber, she aimed to take control of the family, leaving no word to describe it but malice. If not for the existence of the ledger, Zhuge Byeok would never have forgiven her. "Headmaster, are you planning to forsake this wife?" Everything was distressing. Nights with her were torture, her whispers were curses, and her touch was chilling. Yet, he couldn’t shake her off. That was the issue. "I'm fine. I'm alright, take care of your health first." His relying solely on Go Seoyeon's consolation must have been the problem. For a long time, he wished only for Zhuge San to live righteously, unaffected by the star. He imagined that when Zhuge San grew up and took over the family, he and Go Seoyeon would retreat to a quiet place to atone for a lifetime of sins. He envisioned a future that was too distant. Failing to see the present was his downfall. "...The lady has passed away." The greed of merchants was overwhelming. --- ### New Terms and Translations - **장부 (ledger)**: Represents the records kept secret between the Zhuge family and the Golden Flower Chamber, containing potentially damaging information. - **연아 (Yeon-ah)**: A familiar term of endearment used by Zhuge Byeok for Go Seoyeon, showing their close relationship. - **무연아 (Mu-Yeon-ah)**: A specific character who seems to have a personal relationship with the family, possibly another member of the Zhuge family or a trusted ally. ### Explanations - **Merchant Greed and Family Politics**: This part of the story illustrates the intricate power dynamics and relationships within the family and external forces, accentuating the challenges faced by Zhuge Byeok in balancing personal and familial duties. ### Additional Context - **Family and Legacy**: Zhuge Byeok's struggles highlight the burden of legacy and the sacrifices made in the name of family preservation. - **The Weight of a Sinner**: The narrative delves into Zhuge Byeok’s internal strife and the recognition of his moral dilemmas, creating a more complex and relatable character journey.