Chapter 04
I Became the Daughter-in-Law of a Prestigious Murim Family
Hwangbo Ryung, the head of the Hwangbo Family, stared at the small woman kneeling before him with a pale face.
The woman continued speaking firmly despite her exhausted face, as if she might collapse at any moment.
“I know that my very existence is a burden to him. I will forget him completely. I will not even breathe in the same place where he is.”
Her words were filled with such sorrow and desperation that everyone around her became solemn.
“Not only in this life, but even in the next, I will never get involved with him again.”
Hwangbo Ryung stared silently at the young woman, who looked almost like a girl.
When he had first received the report, he had been half doubtful.
He had called her here today to find a clue about his son’s whereabouts, not to acknowledge her existence.
But now, he thought he could understand why his difficult son had given her the family heirloom.
“I will not cause any harm to the reputation of the Hwangbo Family or to his reputation. I will even let go of the memories I still have.”
Gye Nari repeatedly promised this in a trembling voice, tears filling her eyes.
At her appearance, the Second Elder cleared his throat uncomfortably.
He had been the person who had opposed her most fiercely.
‘She must have obtained the family heirloom by chance and lied because she wanted the item. Perhaps she is even plotting to damage the reputation of the Hwangbo Family!’
Only a few hours ago, he had been shouting those words at the top of his lungs.
Now, he looked at Gye Nari with complicated eyes before finally turning his head away.
“Well… first, you should calm down.”
The Pavilion Master of Cheongpyeong, who was famous for being a kind-hearted man, spoke soothingly.
“Looking at your terrible complexion, you must have been shocked by the news as well.”
“The elders of the family must have been far more worried than I was. Although I lost both my parents when I was young and have wandered around without a family, I know how serious it is when the eldest son of a family goes missing.”
What a polite and understanding child she was.
Although she had never learned proper etiquette, her natural kindness and humility moved the hearts of the family members present.
Dan Ji-eum looked at Hwangbo Ryung and silently conveyed her intentions.
Hwangbo Ryung nodded as if giving permission.
He patted Gye Nari’s slender shoulder and gave her some good news that might comfort her.
“When that child disappeared, the scene was so terrible that no one was optimistic about Woon-gyu’s chances of returning. However, not long after the family heirloom returned, a mark left by that child was discovered somewhere else. He may even return soon.”
“……!”
Dan Ji-eum gently patted Gye Nari’s shoulder as her eyes widened in shock.
“Woon-gyu did not tell you his family name or identity because he did not want you to get involved in unnecessary danger. So do not say things like your relationship was merely a passing connection from your immature days.”
“No, wait.”
“Child. You were loved enough. The matter between you and that child can be discussed after Woon-gyu returns. How could I face Woon-gyu after making you suffer like this?”
Gye Nari slowly stepped backward with her face turning pale.
Was she blaming herself for not knowing that Hwangbo Woon-gyu had been in such a dangerous situation?
She could not continue speaking, her face filled with shock and pain.
The Second Elder bluntly snapped at her.
“Are you out of your mind? Haven’t you gained hope that you can meet that child again?! Why are you crying when this is something you should be happy about!”
“M, m, meet him again?!”
Gye Nari covered her mouth with both hands and breathed heavily.
Then she collapsed right there.
Her body went limp, and cold sweat covered her face.
She seemed to have become overwhelmed by her emotions.
“Second Elder.”
Dan Ji-eum glared at the old man as if she could not believe him.
He awkwardly turned his head away and grumbled.
“Just what happened to this child? Why does she look like this?”
Bang Jin-woo quietly answered.
“They said she was already in terrible condition when she entered the village. Apparently, she had not eaten properly for about a week. Everyone was amazed that she had endured without selling that item despite possessing something so valuable.”
“……!”
She had actually held onto the family heirloom even while being on the verge of starving to death.
The hostile gazes directed toward her gradually softened.
“To be honest, it is difficult to say that this woman is at fault.”
“Indeed. Why did Woon-gyu casually give her the family heirloom in the first place? If he had no intention of making any promise, he should not have given her the item. Tsk.”
“He left without even telling her his name or family name. I wonder what she must have felt like being left behind.”
“She finally sold the item to put her feelings in order, only to suddenly hear that Woon-gyu had gone missing…”
The family head, Hwangbo Ryung, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, finally spoke.
“Everyone, please leave for now. We will discuss this matter later.”
Along with the order to dismiss everyone, he had Gye Nari moved to the Medical Hall.
Hwangbo Sung, the head of the Medical Hall and Hwangbo Ryung’s younger brother, examined her pulse and clicked his tongue.
“She may naturally have a weak constitution, but I think years of hardship had a greater effect. From the looks of it, it is clear that she did not grow up in a good environment. Her body seems to have been damaged for quite some time due to an unbalanced diet and an unstable lifestyle. And…”
He stopped for a moment and glanced at his older brother before letting out a deep sigh.
“It seems she has recently developed blood stagnation in her chest.”
“……”
“She is such a young woman. What could she possibly have weighing on her heart already? Her worries have become severe enough to make her sick. This is all because of that useless nephew of ours.”
Hwangbo Ryung stared at Gye Nari with sunken eyes.
Standing behind him, Bang Jin-woo quietly continued his report.
“No one in the village knew about Miss Gye’s origins or circumstances. Just as she claimed, she lost her parents long ago and wandered from place to place working wherever she could. It seems she happened to meet the Young Master by chance. Her statement that she did not know his identity is likely true.”
“……”
“If she had known, she would not have sold the family heirloom for only seventy nyang of silver and then worked at an inn to make money.”
At that moment.
Gye Nari, who was covered in cold sweat, began mumbling as if she were talking in her sleep.
“I will give up. I will give up. I will never, ever get involved with him again in this life.”
Bang Jin-woo hesitated for a moment at her almost desperate words before adding,
“And on the way here, we came into contact with Great Master Gongjin of Shaolin.”
“With Great Master Gongjin?”
Hwangbo Ryung’s eyes narrowed.
He was the strategist of the Murim Alliance and a great monk of Shaolin.
Why had he come all the way to Shandong?
“It was an accidental encounter.”
“Are you certain?”
“I sent people to confirm it. Apparently, the Peng Family and the government have frequently clashed in Hebei recently. It seems they sent him after arranging for a suitable person from the Murim world to mediate between them.”
It was unsettling, but since they had already confirmed it, there was nothing they could do but let it go.
“He discovered Miss Gye’s existence. I tried to cover it up as much as possible, but he did not seem convinced.”
“This has become troublesome.”
“Even when he questioned her, Miss Gye kept silent about everything related to him.”
“……”
“She was also the one who sent him away by drawing a clear line, saying that it was merely a personal matter and not something the Murim Alliance needed to be interested in.”
Hwangbo Sung shook his head.
“What incredible devotion. Even while her heart is rotting away from worry, she kept her mouth shut so that the family of the man she loves would not get into trouble.”
If what he said was true, the Hwangbo Family owed her a debt.
An unimaginably great debt.
When I woke up after fainting from the terrifying news that I might soon meet Hwangbo Woon-gyu again, I found myself in a dark room.
After blinking several times and getting used to the darkness, I realized someone was sitting beside me.
“You are awake.”
A voice as cold as ice sent chills down my spine.
I barely managed to hold back the scream that almost escaped me and sat up.
The other person quietly stopped me.
“Lie down. Your complexion is still not very good.”
“Th, thank you for your consideration.”
“I have sent everyone away, so from now on, answer my questions honestly.”
“……”
“Where are you from?”
“I am ashamed to say that I have no place I can call my hometown. I wandered from place to place, and whenever I ran out of travel money, I moved somewhere else to find work.”
“You had neither parents nor relatives you could rely on?”
“I have never lived under anyone’s protection.”
“I see.”
No matter how I looked at it, I was completely unsuited to become the eldest daughter-in-law of such a prestigious family.
Could you please just let me leave before your son comes back?
I desperately hoped he would understand the meaning behind my pleading eyes, but the head of the Hwangbo Family was lost in thought and did not even look at me.
After a long silence, he suddenly spoke.
“The recovered family heirloom was completely clean, without a single flaw. It was obvious that you had treasured it dearly the entire time you possessed it.”
That was only because it was buried deep inside a cave.
Of course, I could not say that.
So I simply forced the corners of my lips upward and answered,
“It was a precious item to me.”
“Even though you did not know Woon-gyu’s identity, you cared for him that much.”
I knew that I would be screwed if I denied it here, but I really wanted to deny it.
“A serious-minded child like Woon-gyu would only have given you the family heirloom if he intended to come back for you. He must have wanted to bring you into the family openly.”
The seriousness in his voice made my heart sink.
His hand, as solid as a cast-iron lid, gently grasped my shoulder.
“I wish to accept you.”
“Nyeeeeeeeee?!”
What the hell are you saying, Head of the Family?!
