Here is the complete English translation of Chapter 4: Presence Born from Experience (Part 1) — 제4장 짬에서 나오는 존재감 (1):
After finally shaking off the two leeches clinging to him, Seok Jin-ho immediately walked toward the place where the gift-giving ceremony was taking place.
He stood at the very end of the long line.
Although his relationship with his grandfather was so thin it wouldn’t have been strange if it were cut off at any moment, they were still blood relatives.
Even if his grandfather didn’t recognize him, Seok Jin-ho figured it was best to at least show his face as a grandson—just in case he needed something to say later. So he stood in line with Tak-yoon.
“What are you doing there?”
“…Uncle.”
“Why are you standing in that line?”
Seok Myung-woo, who had been greeting guests, looked at Seok Jin-ho with a baffled expression.
Though Jin-ho was an illegitimate child, he was still of Seok family blood. To see him standing in line with the guests was absurd.
“I’m waiting for my turn.”
“Are we strangers now? Why are you in the guest line?”
Seok Jin-ho gave a wry smile.
Strictly speaking, he and his grandfather were worse than strangers.
He had never benefited from being the Taesang Jangju’s grandson. In fact, Seok Myung-woo had often ignored him entirely when they passed each other within the manor.
Even when they made eye contact and Jin-ho greeted him.
‘So now he thinks I’m worth talking to?’
Jin-ho smirked.
He could see right through Seok Myung-woo’s shallow intentions.
If Song Il-gang or Go Cheok hadn’t shown interest in him, Seok Myung-woo wouldn’t have even bothered approaching or speaking to him.
“Can I see him right away?”
“Of course. You know I’m from a branch family too, right?”
“Yes.”
Responding politely to Seok Myung-woo’s attempt at camaraderie, Jin-ho followed him.
It wasn’t a bad thing to use Myung-woo in this situation.
Saving time was a benefit to him.
‘It’s not like I want to stay here long anyway.’
Though the banquet hall had been lavishly decorated by Seok family standards, it didn’t impress Jin-ho.
He had seen and enjoyed far grander and more extravagant banquets countless times.
With a disinterested expression, Jin-ho followed Seok Myung-woo into the main hall where the Taesang Jangju (Grand Elder) awaited.
“So, you’re Jin-ho.”
“It’s been a long time, Taesang Jangju-nim.”
Holding the long robe crafted by So Hajung, Jin-ho gave a polite bow to the seated elder.
His greeting was more like one given to a superior than to a grandfather, which made the Taesang Jangju raise an odd brow.
“That’s quite a cold greeting for one’s grandfather.”
“Is that so?”
Despite being seventy, the Taesang Jangju’s eyes and voice were still full of strength.
Though he had lost some muscle and weight, his physique remained solid for someone his age.
Even his white hair shimmered with health.
“Someone might not even realize we’re grandfather and grandson. I suppose we resemble each other just enough in the face.”
Despite the elder’s jest, Jin-ho showed no reaction.
He maintained a calm and neutral expression.
He was, after all, facing the man once called the Merchant King of the Central Plains.
The Taesang Jangju found this curious.
‘Even my eldest struggles to meet my eyes.’
Even Seok Jin-ryong, the current head of the Seok family and Jin-ho’s eldest uncle, could not hide his discomfort when facing him.
As a merchant, hiding one’s emotions was basic training—but none of his grandchildren had yet mastered this.
Seeing Jin-ho, the elder wondered if he had given up on them too quickly.
“Happy birthday. This is a gift we prepared.”
“We?”
“Tak-yoon, my nanny, and I prepared it together.”
“Oh?”
The elder looked surprised.
Most would claim they prepared the gift themselves, but Jin-ho was different.
And he didn’t seem to be trying to impress the elder either, which was notable.
All his children and grandchildren were constantly trying to gain something from him—but Jin-ho wasn’t.
Swish.
The elder’s curiosity grew.
He wanted to know what Jin-ho had brought.
Soon, the silk wrapping was removed to reveal the long robe.
“It’s nothing extravagant.”
“Effort itself is more valuable than anything else. It’s often the unseen that holds the most worth.”
Recognizing at a glance that the robe was handcrafted with care, the Taesang Jangju nodded in approval.
It was clearly tailored to his physique.
“This is excellent.”
Unlike the other unopened, stacked gifts, the elder stood and tried the robe on himself.
It was a pure white robe, and as expected, it fit him perfectly.
“It suits you well, Father!”
“I told you not to call me that in public.”
“S-sorry!”
With a soft but commanding tone, the elder reprimanded Seok Myung-woo, who quickly bowed his head in apology.
He didn’t dare meet his father’s eyes.
The elder clicked his tongue quietly.
Even at well over forty, Myung-woo still lacked dignity.
‘Yet this boy—he’s not even eighteen and he meets my eyes.’
The comparison between the two was stark as they stood side by side.
“I heard the elders of the Hwasan and Jongnam sects showed interest in you.”
“That’s correct.”
“Are you planning to join one of them? I believe you’re turning eighteen this year.”
“I have no interest in either.”
“No interest?”
The elder tilted his head.
It was a completely unexpected answer.
Those sects were prestigious. And Jin-ho, though technically from the main line, was still an illegitimate son.
“Yes. I’ve even declined Shaolin and Wudang.”
“Kuhahaha!”
The elder burst into laughter.
Meanwhile, Seok Myung-woo stared in disbelief—as if looking at a madman.
But the elder looked at Jin-ho with growing amusement.
“Well, that’s where I stand for now.”
“Ah, forgive me. I wasn’t mocking you. I was just so surprised. Still, it seems your path lies not in business, but in the martial world.”
“For now.”
“For now?”
The elder’s eyes sparkled.
Judging from his words, it sounded like Jin-ho had only just begun martial training.
“I’m still thinking. Life rarely goes as planned—but it’s important to have a plan.”
“Is there anything your grandfather can help you with?”
Seok Myung-woo’s pupils twitched.
Countless relatives had tried everything to hear those very words from the elder—and none had succeeded.
And yet now, the invisible, disregarded Jin-ho was being offered support.
‘Father didn’t even know who Jin-ho was until yesterday.’
Everyone might think this was a warm family moment, but Seok Myung-woo knew the truth.
Jin-ho had been scorned by relatives and even ignored by the household staff.
Now, he had completely transformed.
“No, there’s nothing.”
“Truly?”
“Yes.”
“You’re a bit old to be starting martial arts. Most would say it’s too late. And yet, you say you need nothing?”
The elder gazed at him intently, trying to discern if Jin-ho was being honest or just slyly angling for more.
But shockingly, all he saw in Jin-ho’s eyes was disinterest.
Unbelievably, Jin-ho truly didn’t want anything.
“Yes.”
“Hoh hoh hoh!”
Seeing Jin-ho just wanting to leave quickly, the elder couldn’t help but chuckle.
And in that moment, he realized—
Among all his legitimate and illegitimate descendants, someone worthwhile had finally appeared.
And he saw one more truth.
‘He doesn’t want to be tied down to the family.’
Seventy years of experience hadn’t dulled his instincts.
Though his body had aged, his mind was sharp.
He immediately saw through Jin-ho’s thoughts.
‘But with Seok blood in his veins, he can never fully escape.’
Among all the disappointing descendants, Jin-ho was the only one who pleased him.
Even if Jin-ho was illegitimate, it didn’t matter.
Whether he had business talent or not was secondary—he could always surround him with the right people.
‘Or he could become one of those people.’
What mattered was that Jin-ho had the potential to support the Seok family.
That was enough for the elder.
“Excuse me, Taesang Jangju-nim…”
“Oh, it’s gotten so late already. Jin-ho.”
Apparently worried that the conversation was going too long, Seok Myung-woo cautiously interrupted.
After all, many people were still waiting to see the elder today.
“Yes, Taesang Jangju-nim.”
“Let’s meet again after the banquet.”
“…Understood.”
“You know, I am your grandfather. You could hide your distaste a little better.”
The elder chuckled softly.
If he called, people would flock to him—main line, branch family, it didn’t matter.
But Jin-ho was different.
“You’re mistaken.”
“Heh, you can’t fool my eyes.”
“Would I dare?”
“You’re slick enough to be a merchant.”
“I’m not interested in commerce.”
Jin-ho answered firmly.
He might have talent in business. He might even pursue it someday. But not now.
Right now, his priority was regaining his martial strength.
Money was certainly a great power in this world—but in the final moment, what protected oneself and loved ones was martial skill.
“That’s a bit harsh. I am the Taesang Jangju, you know.”
“Not for now.”
“All right. We can talk about that another time. We’ve still got time, after all.”
Seeing Myung-woo fidgeting anxiously, the elder’s face showed regret.
He’d finally had a worthwhile conversation—but now time was running out.
He wanted to sit down with tea and talk more, but there were many people still to meet.
Some real players were still waiting.
“I’ll take my leave.”
“I’ll send someone soon.”
“Understood.”
Unlike the regretful elder, Jin-ho turned quickly without hesitation.
The elder felt oddly disappointed.
Clearly, Jin-ho should’ve been the one clinging—but it was the opposite.
It left the elder with a complicated feeling.
“Ahem.”
In the end, all he could do was sigh.
And his curiosity about Jin-ho only grew.
“I’ll bring in the next guest.”
“Yes.”
Though Seok Myung-woo left, the elder no longer heard his voice.
His mind was filled only with thoughts of Seok Jin-ho—like a brand burned into him.
