Chapter 45
It was a bright and sunny morning.
Today was the day of one of the most important events in the Sichundang family — the Little Family Head Contest.
Only a small number of candidates, recommended by both direct and branch lines of the family, were allowed to participate.
At the training ground, the remaining candidates stood on stage — those who had not withdrawn. Even those who usually had no interest in family matters had come to watch from the audience seats.
Among them was Tang Pae, a family elder and the head of the Yakwang Hall.
“…So Jinak really isn’t going to participate?”
He muttered the name of the one missing candidate.
He hadn’t officially withdrawn, so where had he gone?
“Third young master is finished now.”
“Ever since Lady Oh passed away, he’s been completely lost.”
“They say he’s living in Chwisonru now, spending his days with women and drinks. How could a noble family’s young master fall to such a state… tsk tsk.”
Whispers mocking Tang Jinak filled the air.
Tang Pae’s chest grew heavy with every word he heard.
“Where has Jinmyeong gone now? Don’t tell me she’s sulking because her brother isn’t competing.”
Just days ago, she had been crying nonstop, saying she missed her brother.
To be honest, Tang Pae had always had a soft spot for Jinak and Jinmyeong. Before Jinak became rebellious, Tang Pae had personally taught him. And after the tragic accident, when the children lost their standing, he had cared for them even more.
While he looked around to find Jinmyeong…
Up on the stage, candidate Tang Jinhyo was standing with a fresh smile, looking every bit like a promising heir.
“What have you done?”
Next to him, the legitimate heir Tang Jingang asked with a sharp gaze.
Jinhyo glanced briefly at his older brother, who was only a few months older, then looked straight ahead again.
“I don’t know what you mean, brother.”
“I’m talking about Jinak.”
Jinhyo’s brow twitched.
“I heard he caused a scene at your residence last night.”
“Well, no wonder I haven’t been sleeping well — must’ve been you squeaking like a rat, brother.”
“And he also made a strange request to the Head. Said Jinmyeong had been kidnapped and asked for help.”
Tang Jingang ignored the sarcasm and continued, narrowing his eyes at Jinhyo.
“If you’re trying to take Jinak down, stop it. There’s nothing to gain from provoking him anymore.”
“You started this, brother.”
Jingang’s expression hardened.
“I never meant for things to go that far.”
“But it’s true your mother did it for your sake.”
“And didn’t you willingly join in, even though it was your mother who started it?”
The carriage accident that killed Lady Oh — mother of Jinak and Jinmyeong — had been caused by Jingang’s mother, the Great Madam.
But Jinhyo had joined forces with her and completely crushed Jinak’s allies and maternal relatives.
“Like it or not, we’re already on the same boat now, brother.”
“…She should never have done that.”
Jingang clicked his tongue, clearly displeased.
“Thanks to the Great Madam, the strongest candidate is now gone.”
“This… wasn’t how it was supposed to be.”
“Let’s be honest. Neither of us can match Jinak’s talent — not even close.”
Jingang fell silent at that.
His tightly clenched mouth said everything he couldn’t.
“…So what did you do with Jinmyeong? Don’t tell me you killed her.”
“Would I really kill my own sister? I just told someone to keep her out of Jinak’s way.”
Jinak hadn’t withdrawn yet. He could still enter the contest if he arrived in time.
But if he doesn’t show up before the opening ceremony ends… then it’s over.
“Once the Head gives his opening speech, it’s all done. He’ll never be able to stand in our way again.”
Even with Jinhyo’s deep smile, Jingang said nothing.
He didn’t want to admit it, but a part of him felt relieved by Jinhyo’s scheme.
At the same time…
High above, seated alone, the Head of the Sichundang Family, Tang Cheonyu, watched the ceremony begin.
With unreadable eyes, he stared at the First and Second young masters who were chatting.
“What the Third Young Master said was true. The Seventh Young Master was kidnapped along with a girl around his age.”
A figure approached silently and reported to the Head.
It was the master of Amdoktang, the secret weapon unit of the family.
“Did you send a pursuit team?”
“Yes, as soon as we understood the situation. Also, we confirmed that the Third Young Master left for Mount Yongmun with someone — possibly the kidnapped girl’s family.”
“…I could accept that my beloved wife died in an accident. But now my son was kidnapped right under my nose?”
Crack—
At that moment, a flower in a nearby vase suddenly dried up and fell apart.
Seeing that, the Amdoktang master dropped flat to the ground and bowed so hard that his forehead bled.
“Forgive me, Head! This is all my foolish failure!”
“Don’t just talk — go find Jinmyeong. If she has even the slightest scratch, I won’t forgive anyone.”
“Yes, sir!”
The man vanished like wind.
Tang Cheonyu closed his eyes in deep fatigue.
…If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have given that order.
He had once believed Jinak was the strongest candidate to succeed him.
He had everything — talent, skill, intelligence.
But after his mother died, he crumbled.
Her death had broken him. And it had broken Tang Cheonyu too.
He was willing to wait for Jinak to recover, no matter how long it took.
But Jinak only continued to fall deeper.
The more Cheonyu had hoped, the greater the disappointment. So he had once given a firm order — No matter what reason he gives, do not let him in.
Never knowing that order would one day bring him this pain.
“Head, it’s time to declare the opening of the contest.”
At the servant’s words, Tang Cheonyu opened his eyes.
Then he walked calmly to the edge of the hall, where everyone could see him.
The candidates stared up at him with hopeful eyes.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak—
He suddenly widened his eyes and turned sharply.
People waiting for his announcement looked around in confusion.
“…Head?”
A servant called out hesitantly.
But all he could see was the Head’s growing expression of shock.
Boom!
The tightly closed doors burst open as if under attack.
Everyone’s eyes turned toward the entrance.
“Grandpa Tangpae! Grandpa! Where are you?!”
Through the shattered doorway, Tang Jinak came running.
Gasps filled the air as everyone stared at the infamous third young master’s sudden, wild entrance.
No one had expected him to participate.
But that wasn’t all.
“Why does he look like that?”
“Did he just come from a fight?”
“Wait… There’s blood on his clothes!”
There was red all over Jinak’s chest.
Panic spread — was he seriously injured?
Tang Cheonyu rushed down to him.
He quickly checked Jinak’s bloodied shirt.
But it wasn’t his blood.
“Is Jinmyeong hurt?!”
Then, everyone noticed what Jinak was holding close.
“…Who’s that?”
In his arms was not Jinmyeong, but a young girl about her age.
Her face was pale, her breathing weak, and her mouth was stained with blood.
