Chapter 172
Park Chang-Cheon was a capable man. He gave only the necessary instructions to his subordinates, and they quickly cleared the scene.
Sometime later, a guild member returned to report that Jeong Ru-Han was secure. Only then did Jeong Ru-Han’s brows loosen. He turned his interest to the crowd in the distance.
“By the way, who are those people?”
There were people of all ages, genders, and shapes. Judging by their indifferent attitudes, they didn’t know each other. But strangely, they all donned black suits.
“They’re people I hired from a recruitment agency,” Jae-Hyeok said.
“Recruitment agency? Why... Ah, I see”
When he’d first arrived, his guild had been facing off with these people. Park Chang-Cheon nodded with a twinkle in his eye.
“Did you use them to distract my guild so you could sneak in to assassinate Jeong Jae-Uk?”
“Well... that’s roughly right.”
“What a brilliant boy! You are surely the talent of an era—Cough, cough!” Park Chang-Cheon hawked up dark blood before wiping his lips. He registered Jae-Hyeok’s and his guild members’ concerned looks and said, “Don’t mind it. It’s just the dead blood being expelled from my body.”
Park Chang-Cheon waved a hand. “In any case, Hae-Rin really made a good friend. Please continue to get along with my daughter.”
Jae-Hyeok nodded excitedly. “Of course, of course.”
At last, somebody recognizes my relationships for the perfectly healthy friendships they are. Hae-Rin’s father really is a great man; his insight surpasses Butler Hwang, Elder Song, Professor Lee, and that elderly health-store pharmacist’s vision combined.
Jae-Hyeok was inwardly rejoicing when Park Chang-Cheon asked him a question.
“So... Can I ask about your parents’ names? They must be remarkable if they can raise a young man like you.”
“My mother passed away when I was young. My father’s surname is Kang, and his name is Dae-Guk.”
“You lost your mother early? Then you carry the same wound as my daughter... Huh?”
Park Chang-Cheon was squeezing Jae-Hyeok’s hand in comfort when he abruptly froze. His lips barely moved. “Kang Dae Guk... Is your father an aristocrat?”
Jae-Hyeok raised his chin. “Yes, my dad is Duke Kang.”
“Hah...”
Park Chang-Cheon dropped Jae-Hyeok’s hands and stepped back.
So even Guardian isn’t much different.
Jae-Hyeok clicked his tongue. Unlike the other major guilds, which rose rapidly after the downfall of the Kang family, Guardian had a long history and tradition, and its influence had neither risen nor fallen with the fall of his family.
Jae-Hyeok didn’t think Guardian had been involved eight years ago. Truth be told, Jae-Hyeok had hoped to bring them in as an ally. But seeing Park Chang-Cheon’s reaction, Jae-Hyeok felt foolish. Right. Just because Guardian didn’t side against my family doesn’t mean they’re friendly.
Park Chang-Cheon watched him with a subtle expression before slowly opening his mouth.
“The weather is getting worse. Let’s go inside for now, Young Master Kang.”
***
Standing in the center of the ruined guild master’s office.
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”
The first thing Park Chang-Cheon did after sending the guild members away was to pull Hae-Rin into a hug. Tears streaked his cheeks.
“I had no idea how much suffering that wicked Jeong Jae-Uk caused you. I will watch over you better and take care of you so that it doesn’t happen again. But Hae-Rin, I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”
After opening his eyes to the truth, the first thing Park Chang-Cheon had wanted to do was apologize to Hae-Rin. But he’d delayed it, knowing he would break into tears. Before he was a father, he was the master of Guardian. Others looked to him for assurance and security in times of turmoil. They needed their guild master, not a father. So, he could only restrain his emotions until now.
“All these years, I was never able to respect your class. I only saw it for what it wasn’t. But it was your sword that saved me in the end. I’m sorry... Come to think of it, I didn’t even go to your school entrance ceremony... Hah, Hae-Rin, I only remember treating you wrongly these years.”
Park Chang-Cheon couldn’t bring himself to meet his daughter's big eyes. What South Korea’s Greatest Shield? He felt crushed under the weight of his guilt.
“Father... I’m fine. Really. So don’t worry too much. I just hope you’ll get better soon,” Hae-Rin said with a serious face.
In fact, she had resented her father many times. If he hadn’t left her in the care of that monster for these years... Hae-Rin could only wonder what her life would have been like.
But looking at her father now—his frosted hair and sunken eyes, his rail-thin arms, his gaunt chest...
Hae-Rin couldn’t bear to voice her feelings.
That was even more true with Jae-Hyeok right beside her. He, of all people, would be envious of her luck; her father had returned, while his father might never.
“You need to get well soon to repay Jae-Hyeok for finding the elixir,” Hae-Rin eventually said.
“Elixir?”
Park Chang-Cheon was stunned.
Jae-Hyeok had even healed him? At this point, the word ‘benefactor’ seemed insufficient.
Is he actually an angel sent from heaven? No, no, that’s impossible. Angel? He’s the son of the Yaksha.
Park Chang-Cheon tensed, but he turned to Jae-Hyeok and cleared his throat. “Well, I am far more indebted to you than I realized. How can I repay this debt?”
“From my perspective, I was just helping my friend.” Jae-Hyeok smiled politely. “If you must repay me, then I hope you’ll take care of yourself; if Hae-Rin is happy, then that’s enough for me.”
“Jae-Hyeok!”
Hae-Rin blinked back tears.
Sweat glistened on Park Chang-Cheon’s twitching brow. He clasped one wrist behind his back, clenching and unclenching his other hand. Damn. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
“No need to say anymore. I understand. From now on, Guardian will side with the Kang family.”
“......?”
“Kang Dae-Guk... Young Master’s father was one year my junior. I’m familiar with the way the Kang family speaks. I understand your intentions, so there’s no need for you to use my daughter as leverage.”
“......”
Hae-Rin as leverage?
Ordinarily, Jae-Hyeok would’ve been offended, but somehow, he wasn’t surprised. So Hae-Rin’s father knows mine... He recalled the old pharmacist’s twisted expression when recounting stories of his father.
Is this a good or bad thing? Well, he said he’d support my family. And... even if I’m inheriting Father’s bad karma, how bad could it be? Hae-Rin’s father seems reasonable. I’ll convince him of my goodness first. Then I’ll help Father patch things up.
Jae-Hyeok gave a slight bow. “Thank you. One day, when Father opens his eyes and sees you standing by my side, he will surely regret the past, reflect on his actions, and be grateful for today’s kindness.”
“Ah... ”
Park Chang-Cheon’s brows jumped, and he coughed into his fist, mostly to cover for the flush heating his cheeks.
Jae-Hyeok’s words had brought him to his senses.
The boy clearly wished to rectify his father's past, yet here he was, treating him as if he were another Yaksha. I’m still too narrow-minded. Even with all that happened with Hae-Rin, I nearly made the same mistake.
Park Change-Cheon’s eyes softened. This boy is wise, and he’s been nothing but well-intentioned since I’ve laid eyes on him.
“Yes,” Park Change-Cheon said. “Even relationships can change with effort. Young Master, thank you for the enlightenment. Let’s get along in the future.”
“Ah yes... Um, by the way, can you speak more casually? It feels strange for a friend’s father to speak so politely to me.”
“Haha, yes.”
Park Chang-Cheon laughed and was patting Jae-Hyeok on the shoulder when he suddenly fell back on the sofa.
Park Chang-Cheon had been bedridden an hour ago, and after awakening, the first thing he’d done was battle. Park Chang-Cheon was tired, too tired.
After checking his breathing and reassuring Hae-Rin, Jae-Hyeok picked up his phone.
“Elder, can you come to the Guardian Guild right away?”
***
“You rascal. Isn’t it impolite to make an old man run around the city after midnight?”
The old man grumbled. He was the prestigious owner of the Longevity Dream Health Store[1], the creator of the Burning Evil elixer, and the best pharmacist in South Korea. Yet Jae-Hyeok was summoning him like a random subordinate.
Jae-Hyeok said lightly, “Oh, don’t mind me, then. I wanted to give you a chance to make a deal with Guardian. But if you aren’t interested, you can leave.”
“Hoho. Jae-Hyeok, my boy, I was just grumbling because my body aches. This guild building is so tall; it even takes so long for the elevator to reach the top. The Guardian’s guildmaster must’ve conquered countless gates to become so filthy rich haha... ”
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open.
Hae-Rin greeted them.
“Oh my, if it isn’t Hae-Rin. How are you?”
“Elder, thank you for making the trip. And... thank you for your elixir; it’s all thanks to you that my father has opened his eyes once again.”
“Raise your head. Didn’t I once tell you that there’s nothing free in the world? It wasn’t a gift, but a favor. Now I’ll be taking my returns.”
“Certainly, Elder. Thanks to your favor, you have become the benefactor of Guardian. I hope you will receive good compensation.”
“Hoho. I like you more and more. Don’t worry. I’ll drain them.”
The old pharmacist exchanged warm words with Hae-Rin as he headed to Park Chang-Cheon’s bedroom. Then he smiled meaningfully when he saw the messy office.
“Come to think of it, I don’t see the sub-master. I didn’t get a chance to see your father the last time because of that shifty guy. Did someone deal with him?”
The old man looked at Jae-Hyeok. He had high hopes for this boy who’d fought on equal footing with a Lion’s Castle professor, but...
No, he’s still young. That would be ridiculous.
Jeong Jae-Uk might be weaker than the sub-masters of the other major guilds, but he was still an S-class powerhouse. He wasn’t at a level that a kid could handle.
Someone else must have stepped in...
The old man had just come to this conclusion when Hae-Rin innocently blurted, “Yeah, Jae-Hyeok got rid of him.”
“Cough, cough!”
“Are you okay?”
“I-I’m okay.”
The old pharmacist clutched his thumping chest. The Yaksha’s son... He might be someone who far exceeds expectations.
He’ll be my golden goose. I definitely need to invest aggressively, the old man thought. Then he laughed and threw his arms over Jae-Hyeok’s and Hae-Rin’s shoulders.
“Today is a happy day. Let’s have a toast before examining your father!”
“Why are you toasting with kids?”
“Haha! Jae-Hyeok, my boy, what does age matter to a hero? On days like this, you should drink a lot and have fun! You have to set an example for the guild members to celebrate. Don’t you think, Hae-Rin?”
“That might not be a bad idea... ”
“What nonsense are you saying? I have to go home...” Jae-Hyeok protested.
“Ah? How can the main character leave? If you want to sell me potions, just wait quietly.”
“......”
The Guardian Guild, which had been suppressed and controlled by Jeong Jae-Uk, became noisy for the first time in a long time.
Unbeknownst to Jae-Hyeok, people had started to gather under him.
1. Editor’s note: Originally, the name of the pharmacist’s store was Health Management Dream Health Store. I’ve changed it to Longevity Dream Health Store. ☜