Rebirth of the Heavenly Demon

In response to Lim Ye-hwa’s words, Byeok Dojun replied:

“But he won’t be able to openly plot revenge over this incident.”

“He’s not someone who cares about righteousness. We need to pay back the debt we owe them first. Otherwise, he’ll use the debt as an excuse to cause trouble.”

Byeok Dojun nodded. He was well aware of Yang Gi-cheol’s true nature. However, he had no way to immediately repay the huge sum of twenty thousand nyang.

Those who once seemed willing to give even their livers for him are now giving their livers to Yang Gi-cheol. He doesn’t blame them. This cold-heartedness ultimately stems from his failure in raising his child properly.

Lim Ye-hwa held out a small jewelry box.

“If we sell this, we should be able to pay off the debt.”

When Byeok Dojun opened it, he found a small blue jade necklace inside.

“This is?”

Shocked, Byeok Dojun shook his head vigorously.

“No! Isn’t this an heirloom passed down through your family? It’s also the thing you cherished most.”

“That’s not true. I was just keeping it. If we sell this…”

“Absolutely not! I won’t allow it as long as I’m alive.”

“It’s just an object.”

“This isn’t just an object, it’s a memento from your father. It’s what you cherish most.”

“What I cherish most is you and Dan.”

For a moment, Byeok Dojun was at a loss for words.

He knows well. How much his wife loves him. How much she has sacrificed for their child. And how much she can sacrifice. That’s why it can’t be done.

Lim Ye-hwa gently persuaded her husband.

“This isn’t a matter to handle emotionally. Objects can always be bought again. We’ll buy it back later.”

Seeing her husband still unmoved, Lim Ye-hwa changed tactics.

“Darling, our Dan has come to his senses. What we need to protect isn’t this object, but our child.”

At the mention of their child, Byeok Dojun indeed reacted.

“Do you trust the boy?”

To Byeok Dojun’s question, Lim Ye-hwa answered without hesitation.

“Yes, I do.”

“Even after being deceived so many times?”

“Because he’s still our son.”

Their son had made mistakes and promised to do better many times. But this time felt different from those previous unkept promises.

Their son was showing it through actions. She had heard that he had been intensely focused on martial arts training for over ten days, and today she heard he had risked danger for Gwang-du.

Byeok Dojun sighed.

“Honestly, I’m not sure.”

Even today’s incident was like that. How did he manage to beat Yang Gi-gang when he had only been training in martial arts for a mere ten days? Wondering if he had learned some dangerous evil technique, he asked Seo Jung, but was told it wasn’t any special martial art, just beating him with his fists. Well, Yang Gi-gang was a good-for-nothing anyway, so that’s that.

It’s not just that. His speech and behavior have changed, and even his eyes have become calmer.

“He must have finally grown up.”

Byeok Dojun eventually nodded at Lim Ye-hwa’s words.

Yes, that’s the right way to understand it. He just hopes this isn’t just a temporary whim.

On the other hand, he was also happy. The fact that his son had changed gave him strength. Something like hope had emerged. A dream-like desire to raise his changed son and the Byeok Sword Clan well again.

“Anyway, I understand your intention.”

Byeok Dojun pocketed the jewelry box.

“Thank you for understanding.”

Byeok Dojun had no intention of selling it. He only took it because he was worried his wife might sell it if he left it with her.

He intends to resolve this matter with his own strength somehow.

“Don’t worry too much, dear.”

Lim Ye-hwa smiled and took her husband’s hand.

“I’m not worried. Since living with you, I’ve never once worried about anything.”

I was listening to their conversation from outside.

It wasn’t that I intended to eavesdrop. I had come to apologize for the earlier incident and happened to overhear their conversation.

This might sound a bit odd, but… I thought Mother was quite adorable.

Though she acts so rough and manly on the outside, when alone with Father, she shows the appearance of a delicate woman.

I looked up at the sky.

At first, I thought I had reincarnated for my own sake, then I wondered if it was for this Byeok Ri-dan fellow, but listening to these two talk today, I wondered if perhaps heaven had me reincarnate for this couple’s sake.

But can I do it? Me, who has lived a lifetime without ever feeling family affection. Me, with such a nasty temperament that I can’t sleep at night unless I take tenfold revenge on anyone who wrongs me.

Click.

Mother opened the door and came out, startled to see me.

“Dan? Why didn’t you come in if you were here?”

As I entered, I started with the conclusion of what I wanted to say.

“Don’t sell that. It won’t help even if you do.”

“Did you hear?”

“Yes. I didn’t intentionally eavesdrop, so please forgive me.”

“It’s alright. But what do you mean it won’t help even if we sell it?”

“I mean it won’t help even if we pay back the money.”

“What do you mean?”

“Because he’s not the kind of person who will let this go just because we pay back the money.”

I looked at Father and asked:

“Am I wrong? Have I misjudged Faction Leader Yang?”

I saw the resentment in Yang Gi-cheol’s eyes before he left. That murderous intent, full of desire to kill the opponent, is something I’ve seen countless times when dealing with villains in my previous life.

The brief silence that followed was already answering for them.

“This father will resolve this matter, so you take your mother and stay with your uncle for a while.”

As far as I know, Mother’s younger brother lived in Anhui, far from here. Is this to protect Mother and me?

Even Father sensed that he might seek revenge even if we pay back the money.

“Do you intend to fight them?”

“You don’t need to know.”

“Of course I need to know.”

Given Byeok Ri-dan’s past behavior, these words might sound truly detestable, but.

“Isn’t this our family matter?”

At my words, Mother’s face brightened. If parents are this happy over a single word, what was Byeok Ri-dan so dissatisfied with?

“I said this father will handle it.”

Though I confirmed that Father was a strong person, leaving it to this good-natured and upright father seemed too risky given how rotten the other side’s character was.

“Please let me help resolve this too.”

“How can you only think of yourself? Is your mother’s safety not important?”

“If something happens to Father, Mother will be unhappy anyway.”

“What insolent words!”

Father was angry, but Mother smiled.

“You’re wrong. It won’t just be unhappiness, it would be a hundred, a thousand times more miserable than dying with family.”

Mother looked at Father and said:

“After living with me for so long, you still don’t know me?”

Father let out a light sigh.

Why wouldn’t he know? Father probably knew better than anyone that Mother wouldn’t leave in this situation.

Perhaps originally, he would have tried to persuade Mother that she needed to save my life. But because I unexpectedly took an active stance, he couldn’t persuade Mother to leave.

“A dangerous situation could arise.”

Mother rolled up her sleeves.

“It’s been a while since things were this exciting.”

A smile formed on my lips without realizing. Earlier in their conversation she was the image of a devoted wife, but at times like this, she’s as bold as any man.

Mother turned to me and said:

“What about you?”

“I’m excited too.”

“Right?”

It’s a shame to say this to Mother, but no exciting events will happen.

Because I’ll resolve this matter before that. I have no intention of letting such trash run wild in this space where these two are.

“I’ll go up to the mountains for a few days to train. I’ll take Gwang-du with me, so don’t worry.”

“Alright, be careful.”

Father and Mother readily agreed. In the current situation, they should have been pushing me out the door to send me far away.

After leaving the room, I immediately went to find Gwang-du.

“What? What did you just say?”

It’s somehow enjoyable to say these things to Gwang-du with his eyes wide open.

“I said you have to come with me to the Yang Minor Faction.”

This is why I get responses like this right away.

“Do you hate me that much? Why are you trying to take me to such a dangerous place?”

“I have two answers. One you’ll like to hear and one you won’t. Which do you want to hear first?”

“The beating comes first, right? Tell me the one I won’t like first.”

“Because this happened because of you.”

Gwang-du hung his head. He seems unable to deny it.

“Now tell me the one I’ll like.”

“Because you’re the only person I can trust.”

Gwang-du let out a deep sigh.

“How sad. Your narrow and barren human relationships.”

Contrary to his words, a smile formed on his lips. He seems pleased to hear that he’s the only person I can trust. What a simple fellow.

“But why are we going? An errand for the clan head? Right? We’re just going to deliver a letter or something, right? Right?”

“If it makes you feel better to think that way, go ahead.”

“Does that mean…?”

“We caused this, so we should resolve it.”

“Good heavens! Do you have a plan?”

“We’ll make one as we go.”

“Just where and how does one have to get hurt to become this positive?”

“You can become like that too. There will be plenty of guys wanting to beat you up when we get there.”

Is it because my body is young? Or is it a reaction against the suffocating formalities I lived with in my previous life? Jokes and pranks I never used to make come out naturally.

Or it might be because of this Gwang-du. I felt good when talking with him. Anyway, my heart has become young too.

“Hurry and get ready. Let’s go.”

There’s a reason I’m taking Gwang-du.

I’m going to make a decision this time. Whether to just let him sweep the courtyard, or to invest in him and take him all the way.

I don’t know which life would be better for him.

I’m just going to follow where fate leads.