Chapter 222

Bent and burned trees, torn roads, and collapsed buildings...

The city was destroyed.

In the time that the undead army had spread itself across the Shinra family's city-like property, it had wreaked havoc and caused great damage to the Shinra family’s foundation. Despite this, however, the Shinra family was calm. No one sobbed; rather, everyone smiled confidently and celebrated their victory..

All of this was thanks to Shinra Hyeon. After the battle, Shinra Hyeon hadn’t sat still for more than five minutes. Every time he’d learned of someone injured, he rushed to their side to provide treatment. And during the party, he was much the same:

“Don’t worry about your house. The Shinra family will take care of you.”

“What? You’re injured? Set down your drink. Come show me.”

“... I understand. Worry no further. I’ll contact the finance team right away.”

Despite his exhausted mana and the many trials to come, Shinra Hyeon displayed no sign of struggle or annoyance. He lived up to his position as the family head by taking charge and leading by example. With such a steady leader, it was no surprise that the Shinra family could smile without worry. To many, Shinra Hyeon was a hero. So long as he was at the helm, they had nothing to worry about.

They all adore him. Whereas my father...

Jae-Hyeok sipped his lukewarm fruit tea with dim eyes.

His father was a great National Treasure, someone whose dedication and strength had defended the country and its people time and time again while leading it to new heights. However, protecting a country and leading a family were separate roles, each calling upon different skills. In contrast to his father’s illustrious merits on the battlefield, Jae-Hyeok struggled with doubts about his father’s competence as the Kang family head.

After all, back when his father had collapsed, all of the Kang family’s subordinates had almost immediately packed up and left. It was as if they had just been waiting for the right opportunity to do so. Hundreds of people had simply abandoned their homes overnight.

Glum, Jae-Hyeok thought,

If Father were a truly great family head, wouldn’t they have stayed? At the very least, they shouldn’t have left immediately...

“Why the dark expression?”

Jae-Hyeok was just beginning to confront long-avoided truths when someone pulled him back from his deep thoughts.

It was Shinra Hyeon.

Despite the sweat beading his brow, Shinra Hyeon flicked his sleeve and enveloped Jae-Hyeok in a white glow. The smell of plants and spring rain reached Jae-Hyeok’s nose as a soothing energy nourished and settled his mind.

Shinra Hyeon said, “It’s a day of double celebration for you. You should enjoy it with peace of mind.”

Shinra Hyeog’s words weren’t an exaggeration: becoming a National Treasure candidate, protecting the Shinra family, and rescuing the White Night—in one day, Jae-Hyeok had gone through many crises and overcome them all. For a sixteen-year-old to have achieved so much, Jae-Hyeok’s name would have a place in the annals of Korea’s history.

Nevertheless, Jae-Hyeok’s face remained gloomy. “It’s nothing. Just...” He looked toward the people laughing and chatting and asked, “These people... I can tell they really admire you. If you were to suddenly fall one day, I bet they would still stand by you and Shinra Kyeong...”

“......”

Shinra Hyeon was speechless. From Jae-Hyeok’s words and expression, he could guess what Jae-Hyeok was thinking. Shinra Hyeon opened his mouth, but hesitated.

Should he say it?

Several shooting stars streaked the night sky just as Shinra Hyeon looked up in thought.

He sighed.

Forget it. It’s been several minutes since anyone has come to me for healing, and now even omens in the sky seem to be pushing me. It should be fine to tell him.

There was nothing that went on in the Shinra family that Shinra Hyeon didn’t know about. And after today’s crisis, Shinra Hyeon had a firm understanding of Jae-Hyeok’s character.

The boy had quite literally thrown himself into the fire for the sake of others.

He was not only upright; he was tough.

He should be able to handle it,

Shinra Hyeon thought, and then said, “In fact, the Kang family’s retainers were the same. The Yaksha was a great leader.”

Frowning, Jae-Hyeok retorted, “Is that so? Then why, for the past eight years, has it only been Butler Hwang by my side, supporting and caring for my Kang family?”

As his thoughts wandered to the past, Jae-Hyeok’s eyes reddened. Their depths reflected not just anger but also sorrow.

A look of sadness crossed Shinra Hyeon’s face before he slowly said, “Your family’s retainers didn’t leave your family. They didn’t abandon the Yaksha or you. They merely... failed.”

Jae-Hyeok’s heart sank. From Shinra Hyeon’s words, the seed of a new possibility took shape in Jae-Hyeok’s mind, and his heart chilled. Part of him wanted to cover his ears before Shinra Hyeon could say more, but Jae-Hyeok knew he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he did. He had to face the truth.

“Are you talking about revenge?” Jae-Hyeok asked, his voice more steady than he felt.

Shinra Hyeon nodded.

“The swordsmen of the Kang family are sharp swords. They aren’t merciful enough to forgive those responsible for reducing the Yaksha, their master, teacher, and comrade, to such a state. I believe you know who I mean.”

While Ji Cheon-Myeong and the other influential figures in South Korea had been the ones to encourage and prey upon the downfall of the Kang family, they hadn’t been the ones to harm the Yaksha directly—they hadn’t dared.

As for who had, it was none other than...

“China and Japan.”

At the 67th East Asia Gate Conference, the National Treasures of these two countries were responsible for destroying the Yaksha’s dantian.

“Of course, their revenge failed.”

It had been eight years since the swordsmen of the Kang family embarked on their journey of revenge, but China and Japan still stood firm, maintaining their shared dominance over East Asia.

“Some of them might be wandering around the world like your older brother and sister, or they might be imprisoned like your eldest sister.”

Or perhaps they’re dead.

Shinra Hyeon swallowed those last words and tightly held Jae-Hyeok’s hand.

"If you aspire to be a good leader like your father, then consider saving them instead of harboring resentment. Their well-being is closely linked to the future of your Kang family. The swordsmen that served your Kang family, especially those bearing the Red Thread, are extraordinary."

After Shinra Hyeing finished speaking, Jae-Hyeok remained silent. On one hand, he naturally sought to revive his family. But on the other hand, the retainers who’d followed his father had abandoned him, just like his siblings. Jae-Hyeok couldn’t easily forget it—after all, he had been eight at the time.

Regardless of their reasons for leaving, knowing them couldn’t cleanly wash away the resentment and mistrust that Jae-Hyeok felt toward them.

Besides, he was always meeting more people and making new friends—he wanted to build his own family with his own people, people like Do-Jin, whom he could count on unconditionally.

Again, Jae-Hyeok hesitated.

But maybe I’m being too inflexible...

Shinra Hyeon said, "I can understand your feelings, but how can you support the Kang family if you continue to be selective about the people you choose? In particular, those with the Red Thread are extraordinary geniuses. Talents of their caliber are rare, and developing them physically takes significant time.” With a softer tone, he continued, “My Shinra family can help you find them. We will actively support you with both people and funds; all you need to do is open your heart to the idea.”

“... What exactly do you mean by offering so much?”

Shinra Hyeon smiled. “Naturally, I do seek something in return. I hope for our families to become allies.”

A thrill coursed through Jae-Hyeok, his eyes alit.

A proposal for an alliance from Korea's number one family! Heheh. With the Guardian Guild already on my side, a powerful coalition is about to take shape.

Just as Jae-Hyeok was about to reply, someone interrupted.

“Do you really mean it? After all, we stood idly by when the Yaksha fell and his family declined.”

Surprisingly, it was Shinra Kyeong who spoke. His slender fingers were still toying with the stem of his wine glass, aerating the red liquid. But he looked up then, and continued with an indifferent tone, “I can’t help but wonder why? If we’re going to help with the Kang family’s revival, why didn’t we prevent its downfall in the first place?”

At Shinra Kyeong’s words, a sudden hush overtook the guest hall, which moments before had been filled with celebration and laughter.

In that silence, Shinra Kyeong dropped another bombshell:

“Do you really covet Kang Jae-Hyeok’s talent so much? I rarely see the family head talk so much with anyone.”

“Young Master! How dare you say such things to the master?”

The elders were unable to endure it any longer and stood up while raising their voices.

Shinra Kyeong’s young retainers stepped forward with icy expressions, but that only provoked snorts and tongue-clicking from the elders.

“Young Master, your people! This is no way to behave in front of guests.”

“Put that finger away first! How dare you point at Young Master?”

The elder’s dismissive attitudes only riled up Shinra Kyeong’s retainers even more. The twins, and even the glasses-wearing girl—whose expression was normally icy—started pointing and shouting.

Jae-Hyeok awkwardly sipped his tea and reflected on Butler Hwang’s teachings—

“Politics is more difficult than wielding a sword...”

Then, Shinra Hyeon’s calm voice cut through the clamor, “Back then, I turned away from the Kang family because everything had already happened. By the time I returned from the gate, the Yaksha was already unable to open his eyes. And the only ones left by his side were an eight-year-old boy and an old butler...”

At the time, Shinra Hyeon hadn’t been able to explain it to his young son... No, it wasn’t that he couldn’t. Rather, he hadn’t wanted to explain the situation; the Kang family’s swordsmen had just departed the country, and the Yaksha’s children were causing chaos left and right... There were more fires than he could put out. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t; so he dared not fight it.

“Back then, all I could do was wait. I needed at least one retainer of the Kang family to stand with me and discuss the way forward. However, in the end, no one came back.”

Shinra Hyeon’s deep eyes looked between his son and Jae-Hyeok.

“The Kang family consisted of an ordinary butler and a child the same age as my son, whose head barely reached my waist. As an outsider, I alone couldn’t clear the Kang family of all charges, and what protection I could’ve given wouldn’t have lasted before the joint efforts of the Association and the Korean military. Rather, it might have provoked them into taking even harsher actions...”

Shinra Hyeon sighed. “So, I decided the best option was to turn a blind eye and await future opportunities.”

At that time, White Night’s thoughts had been the same as Shinra Hyeon’s. It meant that even the Yaksha’s most devoted follower had chosen to turn away from the Kang family.

“That choice must’ve hurt you both quite a lot. I’m not proud of it.”

Shinra Hyeon sank to one knee and gathered both Jae-Hyeok and Shinra Kyeong in his arms.

His behavior was unbefitting of his status, both as a National Treasure and as a duke. But in that moment, he was neither of those.

“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry.”

In that moment, he was a father.

“I will make up for it in the future.”

A father leads by example. And the duty of a National Treasure is to protect. Eight years ago, he had failed in these most fundamental roles—both failing to protect his peer’s family and letting down his son’s expectations.

“This time, I will support the new pillar of the Kang family.”

He would not—no,

could

not fail again.