Chapter : 30
“I’ll send a letter saying that I refuse.”
“Of course. How dare they, not even knowing their place!”
Displaying his doting, obsessive side without restraint, Paeng Jin-geuk burned the letter in a trance-like state.
It was clearly a letter written with care, but to Paeng Jin-geuk, it was nothing but trash.
“Ah, and we received a message from Magistrate Baek.”
“From Sang-geon?”
“Yes. It’s regarding Heuk-o-chae.”
“Let me see.”
He had been waiting for the correspondence anyway. Since he wasn’t in regular contact with the Seok family head, there was no dedicated messenger, so he always had to rely on hand delivery, which took extra time.
Paeng Jin-geuk immediately reached out when it arrived.
“Here it is.”
“Recite something about Seok Jin-ho as well.”
“He’s seventeen, the same age as the young lady. But what’s unusual is that he suddenly stood out after his birthday last year. Until then, he lived the typical life of an illegitimate child, abandoned and unnoticed. He hadn’t shown any remarkable talent, nor had he been active externally.”
“Suddenly stood out… So he wasn’t just waiting quietly for the right moment?”
“They say he was on the brink of death from depression.”
Paeng Jin-geuk snorted.
Even from just the description, one could tell how weak and fragile his character was.
However, the evaluation from Baek Sang-geon, which he held in his hand, was completely different from the Chief’s explanation.
“Hooh.”
Reading the letter, which was almost full of praise, Paeng Jin-geuk’s eyes widened.
If what Baek Sang-geon said was true, Seok Jin-ho was a genius that appeared perhaps once in a century.
The part that caught his attention was the explanation of how Heuk-o-chae had been destroyed.
‘He defeated the powerful clan head in just two moves.’
Even though Heuk-o-chae was notorious in Shansha Province, to someone leading a vast force like the Hebei Paeng Clan, they were nothing more than petty bandits.
That said, it didn’t mean he underestimated the clan head. Surviving ten years while gaining infamy implied a skill in either martial arts or tactics sufficient to survive.
Yet Seok Jin-ho had almost single-handedly crushed Heuk-o-chae.
‘By persuading Sang-geon, no less.’
The proposal from Seok Pungpyo-guk wasn’t bad, even from the Hebei Paeng Clan’s perspective.
Though the letter was filled with details, the key point was that he would supply goods at lower than the usual price and, for the next three years, would waive delivery fees for the Hebei Paeng Clan specifically.
It wasn’t a huge amount for the clan, but it wasn’t negligible either. In fact, for just two personnel, it was a highly profitable arrangement.
‘But Sang-geon didn’t actually do anything. Nayun would have gained the experience instead.’
Paeng Jin-geuk stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Although the decision was Sang-geon’s, it was Seok Jin-ho who had persuaded him. That was where his focus lay.
Simple and straightforward as he seemed, Sang-geon was never foolish.
“They say that because of this Heuk-o-chae incident, his evaluation within the Seok family has completely changed.”
“Of course. The kind of work done here isn’t something the Late Stage Index alone could accomplish. At least a Six Dragon-level would have to step in to destroy them so cleanly.”
“Although Seok Pungpyo-guk went all out, he still fulfilled his role as the vanguard. Bringing in Magistrate Baek was also Sa-gong-ja’s doing.”
“And he persuaded Nayun as well.”
Paeng Jin-geuk’s expression twisted slightly.
If this were the old Seok Jin-ho, he would have barely given him a glance.
But now was different.
Not only had he received immense help worthy of gratitude, but Seok Jin-ho now possessed potential comparable to the Six Dragons, the highest level of the Late Stage Index.
“By the way, I have something to report regarding that. It’s time for him to return. Rumors are starting to spread.”
“Hm, that makes sense.”
“Such rumors are more fatal to women than men. And since the reason cannot be disclosed, wild speculation is inevitable.”
Paeng Jin-geuk nodded. He, too, had been pondering the same issue.
The problem, however, was that it was unlikely Paeng Nayun would come willingly just because he called.
“Send someone. Tell her to finish up and return. If she refuses, bring Sa-gong-ja.”
“Seok Jin-ho?”
“Yes. I want to see him once. I’m curious—just how exceptional is he that Sang-geon would praise him so highly?”
“Understood.”
After Paeng Jin-geuk’s instruction, the Chief bowed and left the office.
Paeng Jin-geuk, instead of watching him leave, carefully reread the letter from Baek Sang-geon.
“No matter how much of a genius, this is incredible… But, as expected of my daughter, she knows how to judge people, haha!”
His curiosity quickly turned to pride in his daughter, and Paeng Jin-geuk beamed widely. Just thinking of Paeng Nayun lifted his mood. At the same time, he missed his youngest daughter deeply.
After lunch, while enjoying a relatively peaceful afternoon, Seok Jin-ho was summoned.
It was none other than a call from the Seok family head.
A servant politely came to escort him, and Seok Jin-ho silently followed, heading toward the reception room.
“I’ve brought Sa-gong-ja.”
“Let them in.”
“Yes, sir.”
Seok Jin-ho entered with an expression of natural composure, while Seok Myung-il carefully observed him.
This was completely different from the Seok Jin-ho he remembered.
Even his older brothers would naturally tense up when facing him, yet Seok Jin-ho displayed no such reaction.
‘Does he feel he has nothing left to expect or lose? No… that’s not it.’
Seok Myung-il furrowed his brows, then realized upon meeting Seok Jin-ho’s eyes:
The youngest son simply had no interest in him.
‘So he doesn’t even consider me his father.’
They say the eyes are the window to the soul. By observing them, one can guess a person’s temperament and thoughts. Experienced individuals, especially, could read people even better.
Thus, Seok Myung-il could see that Seok Jin-ho had no interest whatsoever in him.
“How have you been?”
“Your words seem to carry a sting.”
“I mean exactly what I say. Saying it’s been a while felt strange.”
“That’s true.”
Neither way was a suitable greeting for a father and son. Seok Myung-il nodded in acknowledgment and gestured for him to sit.
Knock, knock.
As Seok Jin-ho was about to sit, a servant brought in a tea set and snacks.
The variety and amount of refreshments were astonishing—enough to serve almost a full table, far more than two people could reasonably eat—leaving Seok Jin-ho slightly surprised.
“You don’t have to eat it all.”
“Even if I tried, I couldn’t finish it.”
“Depending on your decisions, this kind of treatment may become the norm.”
With a fragrant aroma, Seok Myung-il poured tea. Seok Jin-ho remained silent, understanding the meaning of his words.
Seok Myung-il didn’t rush him. Instead, he calmly observed Seok Jin-ho as he sipped his tea. Polite, yet relaxed. Even though it was his first time here, Seok Jin-ho appeared completely at ease.
‘He’s the kind of person my father would approve of.’
In all matters, ability was crucial—especially for someone in a leadership position. In that sense, Seok Jin-ho had a rare virtue: courage.
‘He might lack formal education, but courage is essential in any field. And he gained it through experience.’
It seemed unbelievable, yet considering the circumstances, it made sense. Those who haven’t faced death cannot truly understand it. And people can change depending on life’s turning points.
‘And he even has patience.’
Seok Myung-il smiled wryly at Seok Jin-ho’s relaxed demeanor. He knew exactly why Seok Jin-ho appeared so composed.
Finally, Seok Myung-il spoke.
“I know your heart is drawn outward. You must have felt disappointed.”
“Many assume that, but it’s not true. I feel no disappointment at all.”
“…So you have no interest at all?”
Seok Myung-il’s face hardened, confirming his suspicion.
“Yes.”
“Yet this is where you were born. Where your mother took her last breath.”
“Exactly that, and nothing more.”
“If I ask you to stay?”
Seok Myung-il asked directly, without force. Seok Jin-ho’s current nature would resist commands. If anyone had to plead, it would be him.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t even hesitate?”
“I’ve already made my decision.”
“Even if your father asks?”
Seok Jin-ho chuckled, as if hearing something foreign.
“Strange. You’ve never expressed yourself this way before.”
“The Seok family needs you. You know what we lack most, don’t you?”
“That’s for the Seok family, not for me.”
“What do you want? What must I do for you to stay?”
Seok Myung-il stared intently. When familial bonds fail, there’s only one method left—his strongest skill.
“Nothing.”
“…Nothing?”
Seok Myung-il had overlooked one fact: not everyone is like him. A crack appeared in his expression.
“Yes.”
“Nothing at all?”
“Yes.”
“No ambition?”
Seok Myung-il looked baffled. Despite the change, Seok Jin-ho was still human. Knowing the limitations of illegitimacy, he assumed Seok Jin-ho must have desires. But his answer was completely unexpected.
“I do, but they can’t be achieved in the Seok family.”
“You can achieve them here.”
“Let me be precise. I don’t want to stay here.”
For the first time, Seok Jin-ho met Seok Myung-il’s eyes squarely. Not probing, not negotiating—just resolute. Seok Myung-il’s pupils shifted. No words could sway him.
“Even if I ask you to stay, you’ll leave.”
“Even if ordered, I’ll leave. I’m staying only for the family rules.”
Regardless of legitimacy, the rule that one must remain in the Seok family until their eighteenth birthday was clear: responsibility must be assumed if one has children. This principle of the first family head became codified as family law.
“Huh.”
Faced with Seok Jin-ho’s unwavering answer, Seok Myung-il closed his eyes. Nothing he could say would matter now. Besides, Seok Jin-ho had the Hebei Paeng Clan backing him, and his own skill was extraordinary.
‘And there’s Seok Pungpyo-guk too.’
Seok Jin-ho had multiple options, leaving Seok Myung-il’s mind in turmoil. He wanted to hold him back but couldn’t think of a way.
“You must be busy. I’ll take my leave.”
Seok Jin-ho stood.
Seeing him rise, Seok Myung-il assumed he had nothing more to say. Seok Jin-ho left the reception room without looking back.
