Chapter 47: I’ve Been Waiting

Now was the time to ask. In fact, if not now, there would never be another chance. There was no opportunity better than this for us.

Gwak Jindo’s eyes wavered. The agitation of my siblings was only natural. It had been over ten years since our father went missing. All this time, we had never spoken of him. That was an unspoken rule among us.

And today, I was the one to break it. Gwak Jindo asked,

“Why are you asking about that now?”

I answered boldly, without a hint of hesitation.

“I want to become the Gaju.”

As I said this, I looked around at everyone. All of them wore expressions of shock. The reason for their surprise was something all members of the family knew.

It wasn’t just us—even the people of Jeon Jungwon were aware.

“You know that’s impossible. The Gaju disappeared along with the Geum In (Seal 60).”

Gwak Jindo pointed it out.

Even after our Hwanggeum Family had been eroded to this extent, the reason we didn’t collapse was precisely because the Gaju’s seal, the Geum In, had vanished.

The Geum In was always used when making crucial decisions for the family. It couldn’t be forged at will, nor could one be made arbitrarily.

By the rules, if both the Geum In and Gaju disappeared, a new one could not be made for twenty years. The factions couldn’t move carelessly. If someone tried to handle things alone, they’d lack the legitimacy to meddle in family affairs.

After all, in the righteous factions, nothing was as important as legitimacy.

“That’s why I want to find Father. He must know where the Geum In is.”

“…That’s all well and good, but why are you asking me?”

“I thought you might know. At least a clue.”

Over the past few months living with Gwak Jindo, I realized he had a strong affection for the Hwanggeum Family and the direct descendants of the Hwanggeum Family.

Despite the peculiar rule of our family forbidding us from learning martial arts, he still taught us the Igungcheonroe Sword Technique and Simbeop. Even after being persuaded by me to come here, he continued to care.

So why had a man like that never once set foot in the family during my previous life, always wandering outside? I could only think it was related to the Gaju—Father.

And Gwak Jindo’s expression was telling me my guess was correct.

“Wait. I think we need to talk about this. How do you intend to become the Gaju? There are three people above you.”

It was not Gwak Jindo, but Geumwolsang who spoke up. I chuckled and asked,

“Brother, do you want to become the Gaju?”

“Until a year ago, yes. As you know, that’s why things were so cold between us, wasn’t it?”

Geumwolsang said.

“As you know, I only wanted to be Gaju for your sakes. I tried on my own, but I couldn’t match you. I couldn’t even lighten your burden. If you become Gaju on top of everything, wouldn’t that be too much for you?”

I considered it. I needed to see if Geumwolsang truly felt this way. So I spoke my mind.

“The meaning of the Gaju’s position has changed since we were pushed to the edge. Now that the family faces external enemies, the Gaju is the most dangerous position.”

At that moment, even Gwak Jindo only watched us in silence. This was a conversation only we siblings could have.

“There’s one other thing that’s changed since then.”

Everyone listened as Geumwolsang calmly spoke.

“I mean the relationship you changed among us.”

Geumsurin and Geumhwacheong bowed their heads. It seemed they already knew what Geumwolsang was about to say.

“While you were rushing around, the rest of us spent a lot of time talking together. We learned about each other. It was a fun time. Surin said she used to think I was driven by a childish desire to lead others.”

Geumwolsang continued.

“It was none other than Mok Hwan—you—who restored our relationships. You made great contributions in this war. At the very least, I felt embarrassed. I, who should have protected you, was the one being protected.”

“You don’t have to feel that way.”

“No, I do. For your sake—and for mine.”

Geumwolsang suddenly stood and drew his sword. We quietly watched him. From his sword, a powerful, tangible aura surged forth. It was the mark of a first-rate expert.

Even Gwak Jindo seemed to notice the remarkable achievement.

When I looked at Geumhwacheong and Geumsurin, it seemed they felt the same way.

The seat of Gaju. In truth, that position was all about legitimacy.

I hadn’t realized my siblings thought this way. I’d never even had time to think about it. My eyes had always been turned outward and toward the future, never inward or toward the past.

It had been a long time since I’d faced a problem I found so difficult to answer. I brushed my finger under my nose. It was a sensation I’d never experienced before, but it didn’t feel bad.

“Let’s discuss that later, then.”

“All right.”

Now, we all turned to Gwak Jindo. His eyes were much more composed than before.

Gwak Jindo looked at me.

“I have a question, Mok Hwan. Is it that you want to find your father, or is it the Geum In you’re after?”

“Of course, it’s the Geum In. The man abandoned us and ran away. He was one of those who contributed most to our family’s current state. At least when we had a Gaju, even our bodyguards were strong, but after he disappeared, everything fell apart.”

The one who answered, surprisingly, was Geumhwacheong. There was a hint of youthful resentment in his eyes.

Gwak Jindo spoke somberly.

“As your father’s friend, I can say this. The Gaju did not run away. Of course, you could say he is responsible for the family ending up like this.”

I had nothing to say. I had no memory of my father. Even in my previous life, he never appeared, not even until the day I died.

My father went missing when I was two. Unlike me, Geumwolsang, Geumhwacheong, and Geumsurin probably had some memories of him. As soon as his name came up, their faces twisted with emotion.

Sensing things were about to get heated, I cut in.

“For now, do you know where my father is?”

“…Must you know?”

Gwak Jindo looked at me with earnest eyes. That was practically an admission that he knew.

“No matter the problem, this is about our father. To inherit the position of Gaju, finding his whereabouts is of utmost importance.”

“I see.”

Gwak Jindo seemed convinced. Maybe in my previous life, I wouldn’t have been able to convince him, but now that I was older, I had persuaded him. Finally, Gwak Jindo opened his mouth.

“I don’t know where the Gaju is.”

My siblings seemed a bit dispirited by his words. But I knew that wasn’t the end.

Otherwise, there’d be no explanation for why Gwak Jindo spent his previous life wandering about.

As I expected, Gwak Jindo continued.

“But I know someone who might. The Murim Alliance Leader should know.”

I was a little surprised. Naturally, so were my siblings. The name had come out so suddenly.

This was something I hadn’t known in my previous life. Could it be that the Murim Alliance had ties to our family much earlier than I thought? Was my interaction with them not the beginning of an alliance, but merely the continuation of a long-standing connection?

That was only my speculation for now. I needed to ask.

“Have you been in contact with the Murim Alliance Leader all this time?”

“That’s not it. I was only informed of the situation when he went missing. At that time, your father was poisoned by Mujeongji, and his condition kept worsening. With his life in danger, he asked the Murim Alliance for help in secret, and they hid the Gaju in a safe house. I don’t know where that safe house is, either.”

My siblings seemed unable to understand Gwak Jindo’s words right away. But I quickly understood—because I knew about my previous life.

Now I knew why Gwak Jindo wandered outside all his life. To confirm it, I asked,

“So the reason you never returned to the family wasn’t because of Geonjeongwon, but because you were searching for a way to cure that poison.”

“That’s right.”

Mujeongji. The most fiendish poison, called the King of Poisons, was put into my father’s body. That was ten years ago. If he’s in a safe house, that doesn’t mean he’s dead. Of course, he’s not truly alive and well, either.

Now I understood why Gwak Jindo never told us. Even if we knew, there was nothing we could do.

The Murim Alliance had hidden our father for the sake of Zhongyuan’s military power, and they were concealing him as much as possible.

“Of course, we’re in an alliance with the Murim Alliance, but that’s an extension of their purpose to protect the Gaju. They probably didn’t expect you, Mok Hwan, to break out of Cheonjuseong, so they hurriedly offered an alliance. But telling you about the Gaju is a separate issue. Even if you go, there’s nothing you can do, and it could just give them a reason to be secretive.”

Gwak Jindo looked at me, speaking as if concerned.

“Then you’ll have to persuade them. For the Hwanggeum Family’s stability, the position of Gaju must be made clear.”

“It won’t be easy. Meeting the Alliance Leader is hard enough, but persuading him is even harder. That man is so stubborn he even ignores half of Jegalheon of Shinsan’s advice.”

That was unexpected. Now that I thought about it, Gwak Jindo probably had no idea how I’d come to wield command. He certainly didn’t know the Murim Alliance Leader had visited Namchang. He’d only know that I’d made a suggestion and the Cheongmu Commander accepted.

So he didn’t know—I’d already persuaded the Murim Alliance Leader once.

“Don’t worry about that.”

I rummaged in my robe and pulled out a letter. My siblings didn’t recognize it, but Gwak Jindo’s eyes widened. He knew.

The seal on the letter was none other than the Murim Alliance Leader’s official mark. It was the reply I received this morning. I had thought the contents vague, but now, after this conversation, its meaning was clear.

I unfolded it and showed them.

—I will be able to help settle matters of the family.

Upon reading the letter, my siblings—and even Gwak Jindo—were left speechless.

***

I set out immediately for Wuhan. Wuhan was close to Namchang, so it wasn’t a burdensome distance.

Gwak Jindo asked if I needed an escort, but there was no need. The only one in our family capable of escorting me was Gwak Jindo himself, and right now, he was someone the family absolutely needed to remain at home.

If Gwak Jindo was handling internal affairs, it was up to me to handle external matters. I was going out to do just that. So, for now, Myung Jaehee was my only companion.

“There’s really no need for you to come. It’s close, anyway.”

“My duty is to stick by your side.”

That was Myung Jaehee’s response. I didn’t have anything to say to that. If it was so important to keep track of when I woke, when I slept, and how much I practiced martial arts. She’d only been diligent about it at first; now, she hardly did it at all. It had just become a habit to follow me.

Still, there was one benefit to having Myung Jaehee along. It was my first time leaving Gangseo, and I’d intended to follow only the main roads, relying on the map in my memory. But Myung Jaehee knew every shortcut to Wuhan.

“You’re surprisingly useful.”

“I have to earn my pay, after all.”

We followed the Janggang basin out of Gangseo. Along the route, we could see the main stream of the Janggang.

It was an open expanse rarely seen in places like Namchang, where mountains and fields were traversed by the river. There were the occasional ferries and merchant ships connecting one bank to another.

Following the course of the Janggang upstream, we reached Dongho. That meant we had arrived at Wuhan.

“So this is Wuhan.”

Using shortcuts and, at times, lightness techniques, we arrived much faster than I’d expected. It seemed our travel time had been cut in half.

Near Dongho, there were many pavilions and inns, bustling with merchants, travelers, and crowds. People around my age were out and about, too.

The Murim Alliance building wasn’t far from the city center of Wuhan. At first, I didn’t even realize that dilapidated structure was the Murim Alliance’s main office.

It took some concentration to notice the small signboard. The exterior walls were worn and the paint faded—so much so, even I didn’t think it could be the headquarters. It was the complete opposite of the Hwanggeum Family’s meticulously maintained estate.

It spoke volumes about the current state of the Murim Alliance. The Murim Alliance was a place that moved for causes. That meant it would do things that brought no profit if they were just. But, in the end, this is what happens when there’s no money.

At the Murim Alliance’s main gate stood guards holding spears on either side.

I wondered whether I should show the Byeon Gyeokpae from Yeo Sangwoo, or the letter from the Alliance Leader. But there was no need for such deliberation.

As soon as they saw me, the guards bowed deeply.

“You must be Young Master Mok Hwan of the Hwanggeum Family. We’ve been waiting for you.”

It seemed the Alliance Leader was more eager to meet me than I’d expected.