novelraw Chapter 4 : Chapter 4
Chapter 4 : Chapter 4
Chapter 4. His Wicked Nature Remains the Same
Na Hyeon-seung and Lady Jeong took Na Jin-an to ask for permission from Great Master Beom Yo first. However, one could not enter the bamboo forest where the hermitage was located without the Great Master’s permission. Therefore, the two of them sent only Na Jin-an inside.
“You will likely use my name for your own gain soon.”
“Pardon?”
What could he mean by that out of nowhere?
Great Master Beom Yo wore a gentle smile as he looked at the puzzled Na Jin-an.
“You may go now.”
As Na Jin-an emerged from the bamboo forest, Na Hyeon-seung and Lady Jeong approached him.
“What did he say?”
“He told me I could go.”
“That is a relief. I am glad he gave his permission.”
Na Hyeon-seung and Lady Jeong pressed their palms together toward the hermitage with gratitude. When Na Hyeon-seung’s family finally left Seowon Temple and arrived at the Na Manor, it was pitch black outside.
As they stepped out of the carriage, they were greeted by servants who had been waiting with the main gates wide open. Na Hyeon-gwang and his family, who had been notified in advance, were gathered in the main hall of the estate.
“Brother!”
The moment Na Hyeon-gwang saw Na Hyeon-seung, he burst into tears and embraced him.
In truth, Na Jin-an had been wondering how to reconcile the two of them on the way here. But looking at them now, there seemed to be no need for that.
Blood was indeed thicker than water.
“Why have you only come now?”
Na Hyeon-seung, who had harshly severed ties, had not expected his younger brother to welcome him so warmly. When he saw his brother shedding tears and forgetting his dignity in front of his wife and children, Na Hyeon-seung also felt a surge of emotion.
Brothers were brothers, after all. Na Hyeon-seung hugged Na Hyeon-gwang tightly.
“I am sorry. It was because of this foolish older brother....”
As the two of them embraced and wept, the onlookers also felt their eyes redden. Lady Jeong and Lady An could not hold back and wiped away their tears several times.
“Sister-in-law, it has been a long time.”
“Young Master.”
Lady Jeong was so overwhelmed that she could not continue her words. At that, Na Hyeon-gwang nodded and looked at the children.
“The children have grown a lot.”
“Greet him, he is your Uncle.”
Hearing Lady Jeong’s words, Na Jin-mook and Na Yeon greeted him with polite etiquette.
“I am Jin-mook. I am happy to meet you, Uncle.”
“I am Yeon. It is nice to meet you, Uncle.”
Now, everyone's eyes turned to Na Jin-an. Then, Na Jin-an, who was by Lady Jeong’s side, approached Na Hyeon-gwang, grabbed his sleeve, and spoke.
“Uncle. Please do not cry. Father said that you are a great man who rebuilt the family. A person like that should not cry.”
“What? Hahaha! Did your father really say that?”
Na Hyeon-gwang, who felt better after hearing such unexpected praise, lifted Na Jin-an up in his arms. Then, Na Jin-an glanced at his father’s reaction and whispered while covering his mouth with his hand.
“This is a secret. Father said that if I become a great person like Uncle, I can eat as many sweets as I want. So I am going to study hard too.”
“Hahaha!”
As Na Hyeon-gwang burst into a loud laugh, the people there also wore smiles. Na Jin-an whispered while covering his mouth, but his voice was loud enough that everyone heard him.
Only Na Hyeon-seung was bewildered. When had he ever said such a thing?
In fact, Na Hyeon-gwang still had a bit of doubt until that moment. Even though the servant had come and reported what Na Jin-an said, it did not seem like something his older brother would say.
He had sent Butler Im just in case he was being deceived, but seeing his brother after a long time made his emotions surge, and he ended up in tears.
When he saw that his older brother was also crying without regard for his pride, he realized his doubts had been unnecessary. Na Jin-an had driven in the final stake.
Na Hyeon-gwang felt sorry for having misunderstood his brother for so long.
“The children are kind and smart.”
Lady An, Na Hyeon-gwang’s wife, smiled and praised the children. She then gave a jade bracelet to Na Yeon and presented a jade plaque to Na Jin-mook and Na Jin-an each.
“Aunt is like a fairy.”
At Na Jin-an’s comment, the people burst into laughter once more. Do they not say that young children speak exactly what they see?
It was the first time she had heard such a thing, so Lady An felt very pleased. At this, she looked at Lady Jeong and spoke.
“Sister. Why do we not have the children change their clothes? Our children happened to have some clothes made recently, so it would be good for them to wear those.”
The jade plaques she had just gifted were accessories that young masters wore on their waists. However, Na Jin-mook and Na Jin-an were wearing coarse cotton clothes, so they did not match.
Concerned about that, she asked indirectly so that Lady Jeong would not feel offended.
“I would be grateful then.”
Lady An called a servant and instructed them to prepare clothes for the children to change into.
“Jin-mook is similar in build to Jin-seong, so give him Jin-seong’s clothes. Give the youngest the clothes that Jin-seong did not wear when he was little.”
Na Jin-seong was the son of Na Hyeon-gwang and Lady An. He was one year older than Na Jin-mook. There was also a daughter between the two of them. Her name was Na Eun.
“Eun, give Yeon some of your extra clothes.”
“Yes, Mother. I will pick out the prettiest one for her.”
The good-natured Na Eun took Na Yeon’s hand and led her away.
Watching this from one side, Na Jin-sang gave a snort. He was a son Na Hyeon-gwang had from a concubine.
“Let us go.”
Na Jin-seong led Na Jin-mook and Na Jin-an away. Na Jin-sang, who was left alone, followed them belatedly.
As the children withdrew in a crowd, Na Hyeon-gwang spoke.
“Brother. Let us drink until our noses are crooked today and share our stories.”
“Just make sure you are not the first one to get drunk.”
“Then let us bet on who gets drunk first. Hahaha!”
As the two men left, only Lady Jeong and Lady An remained. Lady An smiled and headed to the rear garden with Lady Jeong.
***
After washing his face thoroughly and changing his clothes, Na Jin-an felt good. Earlier, he felt as though his hands and feet would shrivel up from trying to flatter his uncle's family.
But what would he not do for the sake of his mother?
“You are adorable. When you grow up, Young Master, you will surely be a handsome man who touches the heartstrings of many young ladies.”
Looking at the round and cute Na Jin-an, the maid smiled warmly and praised him. Na Jin-seong also took a liking to the youngest. Seeing him in the main hall earlier, he seemed bright and intelligent.
His personality was also kind, unlike his half-brother, Na Jin-sang. Na Jin-sang was two years younger than Na Jin-seong, but they did not get along because he had a devious nature.
Just then, Na Jin-mook also came out after changing his clothes. Since his appearance was not lacking and he had a good physique thanks to his martial arts training, the clothes suited him well. He looked just like a young nobleman.
“Thank you, Brother.”
“The clothes fit well. I am glad you like them.”
Na Jin-seong lifted the youngest in his arms.
“Father and Great Uncle are sharing their stories, so it will be a distraction if we go there. Let us stay here for a while and then go to the rear garden where Mother and Great Aunt are.”
“Yes, Brother.”
Na Jin-mook replied with a smile. From within his arms, Na Jin-an looked at Na Jin-mook and then up at Na Jin-seong.
In his past life, the first meeting had not been like this. When Na Jin-an arrived here, Na Jin-seong was at an academy studying for his exams. So, he only saw him after six months had passed.
At that time, he was busy taking the civil service exams and had no interest in Na Jin-an.
‘He probably failed twice, did he not?’
Thinking of that, Na Jin-an felt like laughing.
“Jin-mook.”
“Yes, Brother.”
“Did you happen to learn martial arts?”
“I am practicing the Na Family Six Forms that I learned from my father.”
“Is that so? That is good. I have a decent saber, so I will give one to you as a gift.”
“Really?”
His father had told Na Jin-mook that the time was not yet right and only made him swing a wooden saber. Therefore, he did not have a real blade of his own.
“Of course.”
There were several sabers in Na Jin-seong’s room. Showing them all, Na Jin-seong spoke.
“Choose the one you like.”
“Please choose for me, Brother. I have only handled a wooden saber, so I do not know much.”
“Then... how about this one?”
Na Jin-mook received the saber that Na Jin-seong held out. While calming his racing heart, he drew the blade, revealing a sleek saber body.
He swung it lightly a few times; it was slightly heavy, but it felt perfect in his hand, and he liked it very much.
Watching this from the side, Na Jin-sang became angry. When he had asked for one, Na Jin-seong had given all sorts of reasons to say no, yet he did not even hesitate to give one to Na Jin-mook, whom he had just met today.
“Thank you, Brother.”
“While we are at it, would you like to spar together?”
“I would love to.”
The two went straight to the front yard. After showing respect to each other, they began to spar.
It was the first time Na Jin-mook was swinging a real saber. He was careful, fearing that Na Jin-seong might get hurt.
Na Jin-seong also did not want to hurt the cousin he had met for the first time today. So, he matched his movements and dealt with him moderately.
Even though they were sparring while being considerate of each other, the sharpness was considerable because they were using real blades.
However, Na Jin-an gave a slight snort.
To think they call that sparring.
The road ahead is long, very long.
“Brother. I also want to spar with Brother Jin-mook.”
Na Jin-sang was holding one of the sabers that Na Jin-seong had told Na Jin-mook to choose from earlier.
Na Jin-an looked at him with a sunken gaze. In his past life, when Na Jin-an came here, only Na Jin-sang had been kind to him.
But that was complete hypocrisy. At that time, Na Jin-an had no idea that Na Jin-sang was driving a wedge between them from the middle.
Because he believed Na Jin-sang's words exactly, his relationship with his uncle's family grew worse, and he eventually cut ties and ran away, just as his father had done.
Afterward, Na Jin-seong died of a disease in a foreign land. His aunt, Lady An, could not overcome the shock; she grew progressively ill and eventually never stood up again.
In the end, Na Jin-sang inherited the family line. And Na Eun was married off to a place very far away, to a family of much lower status.
Naturally, Na Jin-sang and his mother, Lady Hwa, were behind all of those events.
“It is too dangerous, so no.”
Na Jin-seong spoke firmly, but Na Jin-sang did not give up easily.
“You did it, Brother. I am just curious about Brother Jin-mook’s skills, so why are you so tense? Are you afraid I might hurt Brother Jin-mook?”
As Na Jin-sang subtly ignored and provoked Na Jin-mook, Na Jin-seong frowned slightly.
However, far from being angry, Na Jin-mook actually wanted to accept with sparkling eyes. He was slightly excited due to the lingering effects of sparring with a real saber for the first time.
Knowing that Na Jin-mook’s nature was upright and honest, Na Jin-seong liked him even more.
“Brother, we will be careful with each other.”
“Brother Jin-mook says he will do it, so do not stop us.”
“Fine, then try it. But be careful.”
Na Jin-mook and Na Jin-sang pointed their sabers at each other. Once the sparring began, Na Jin-mook was driven into a defensive position after only a few exchanges.
The first three forms of the Na Family Six Forms were techniques that overwhelmed the opponent with strength. And the latter three forms were fast and sharp.
However, Na Jin-mook had only mastered the first three forms of the Na Family Six Forms. In contrast, Na Jin-sang had learned all the way through the latter three forms.
Strength was naturally on Na Jin-mook’s side. He was also one year older than Na Jin-sang, and because he had never skipped training, his execution of the forms was decent in its own way. However, when Na Jin-sang performed the latter three forms, that advantage disappeared, so he continued to only defend.
Of course, it was the same during the earlier sparring, but Na Jin-seong had adjusted to Na Jin-mook as much as possible. On the other hand, Na Jin-sang pushed Na Jin-mook to a dangerous point.
‘Ho?’
Na Jin-an’s eyes sparkled. He did not like Na Jin-sang because of what he had done in his past life, but such sparring was helpful to Na Jin-mook.
Of course, Na Jin-sang was not doing it for Na Jin-mook’s sake. He was doing it solely to humiliate him.
In an instant, Na Jin-sang’s saber pushed in right in front of Na Jin-mook’s face. At that, Na Jin-seong stepped in, startled.
CLANG!
The sabers of the three men collided right in front of Na Jin-mook. Na Jin-sang hurriedly retreated, withdrew his saber, and apologized.
“I am sorry, Brother. I got excited and went too far.”
Na Jin-seong glared at Na Jin-sang with a frown. That was definitely not a mistake just now. It was intentional.
Na Jin-an, who was watching, also knew that. If Na Jin-seong had not stepped in just now, Na Jin-mook would have been hurt or fallen backward on his backside.
His wicked nature remained the same.
However, Na Jin-mook, unaware of that, spoke with a smile.
“No. It is because my skills are lacking.”
Oh, that softy.
His head is truly a flower garden. It is plain to see that Na Jin-sang harbored ill intentions.