**Chapter 110**
A heavy silence fell.
“…”
“…”
The phrase “the greatest family under the heavens” carried a significant weight.
The Dang Clan Lord’s eyes gleamed with a certain madness.
“Our Sichuan Dang Clan has always aimed to be the greatest under the heavens.”
“Father.”
“But there have always been obstacles trying to hinder our clan.”
The clan lord glanced at Doyul.
“Forgive me for speaking frankly, but the Northern Sea Ice Palace has been one such obstacle.”
“…”
Though the remark was somewhat provocative, Doyul remained silent.
“But listen,” the clan lord’s smile deepened.
“There has never been a better time for the Dang Clan to dominate the world.”
The clan lord continued as if singing a song.
“The martial alliance’s cohesion is weakening, and our clan has finally revived our long-cherished family vision.”
Facing the clan lord, Yerin couldn’t help but be impressed by one thing.
‘I heard he was furious about losing land during the trade with the Ice Palace.’
But there was no sign of that anger in the clan lord.
It was a stark contrast to Dang Yejun’s rage when he met Yerin, where he fumed and jumped up and down.
However…
‘…The more dangerous one is likely the clan lord rather than Dang Yejun.’
Even the way his eyes were fixated on her, filled with a strange desire, indicated as much.
His gaze, shining with a bizarre obsession, made her uncomfortable.
“Although Yejun is lacking as the young clan lord…”
The clan lord trailed off and then smiled, showing his white teeth.
“That’s why we have you.”
It was a chilling smile.
“The one acknowledged by the Wugong Master and even by me, the clan lord.”
“What?”
“You are the daughter of the Dang Clan, and more importantly, much stronger than Yejun.”
What is he saying?
Yerin couldn’t believe her ears.
Bringing up Yejun in this context meant…
“There have been cases where a woman led the family before, even if it required bringing in a son-in-law.”
This crazy…
Yerin bit her tongue to hold back the curse that almost slipped out.
“But I won’t ask that much of you.”
The clan lord spoke as if he was granting her a great favor.
“It seems you’re quite content as the mistress of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, and there would be significant backlash from the Ice Palace.”
“Father.”
“I just want you to act as the young clan lord until we achieve the grand enterprise.”
Yerin’s expression turned cold.
After dismissing her as a concubine’s daughter without hesitation, he now coveted her talent for his clan?
The greed and the assumption that everything should be sacrificed for the family’s sake were repulsive.
‘Disgusting.’
As Yerin shuddered with revulsion, the clan lord turned to Doyul with a pleasant smile.
“This proposal is not just from a father to his daughter but also from me to the Lord.”
“…To me?”
“Yes. I’ve heard you and my daughter are quite close.”
The clan lord nodded broadly.
“So, this conversation can’t proceed without you.”
“…”
“It might not be a bad proposal for the Northern Sea Ice Palace either.”
The clan lord continued, trying to coax Doyul.
“Our Sichuan Dang Clan could be an excellent bridge for the Northern Sea Ice Palace to enter the central region.”
For a moment, Yerin’s eyes sharpened.
‘There’s some truth in that.’
In the original story, the Northern Sea Ice Palace had received help from the Ha-seong Clan when establishing itself in the central region.
But now, with Doyul and Youngju not being lovers, it would be difficult to form such a close relationship as in the original story.
‘Of course, lord Jo Ha-seong might help us as a friend…’
But friendship can’t compare to the bonds formed through marriage between families.
“Is this grand enterprise even achievable?”
Yerin tested the waters with the clan lord.
“How exactly do you plan to make the Dang Clan the greatest under the heavens? You haven’t explained that clearly.”
“It’s hard to explain that part just yet.”
The clan lord shook his head but spoke with confidence.
“But I give you my word.”
“Your word?”
“Yes. Our Sichuan Dang Clan will never disappoint you or the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
The clan lord clenched his fist.
“When that time comes, the Dang Clan will dominate the world.”
Excitement was evident on the clan lord’s wrinkled face.
“The Martial Alliance, the Five Great Families, and the Nine Major Sects will all kneel before us.”
He spoke as if that future was already assured.
‘Does he have some kind of secret trump card?’
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so confident.
The position of the Sichuan Dang Clan’s Lord wasn’t something a fool could occupy.
In other words, though the clan lord was undeniably greedy, he wasn’t so foolish as to assert something entirely impossible.
Therefore…
“There is one more problem.”
“What is it?”
“The young clan lord won’t accept me.”
At Yerin’s calm words, the clan lord paused for the first time.
“The young clan lord… You mean Yejun?”
“Yes.”
The clan lord had already suggested that Yerin act as the young clan lord until the grand enterprise was achieved.
So, he likely already had a solution in mind for the problem she raised.
And indeed…
“We don’t know how long that child will remain the young clan lord.”
The clan lord declared without hesitation.
“The martial world is fundamentally a place where only the strong survive. Our Dang Clan, as one of the Five Great Families, follows this tradition as closely as possible.”
“You mean…”
“If you truly intend to accept my proposal, you needn’t worry about Yejun.”
The clan lord lifted the corner of his lips in a sinister smile.
“This father will handle everything.”
Handle.
The word sent a chill through Yerin’s heart, like swallowing a large piece of ice.
So the clan lord was saying…
“We just need to manage the interim period until a new heir is born and raised.”
Upon hearing this, Yerin realized the truth.
‘I see.’
To the clan lord, children were merely parts to be used and replaced.
Yerin, as an illegitimate daughter, was initially a piece to be used in a political marriage, while Dang Yejun, as the legitimate son, was needed to inherit the clan.
Now, their roles had been reversed.
Since Yejun couldn’t fulfill his role as a “part,” the plan was to replace him with a new child.
‘Disgusting.’
She wanted to refuse immediately.
But…
‘I need to find out why the clan lord is so confident.’
With this thought, Yerin stepped back.
“I need some time to think.”
“Yes, it would be hard to decide immediately. I’ll wait.”
The clan lord nodded, albeit with a hint of disappointment.
“But I hope you decide as soon as possible.”
His voice was full of a palpable greed for the “necessary part.”
Yerin felt nauseous throughout.
* * *
After the uncomfortable meal ended, as Yerin was leaving, she ran into someone she didn’t particularly want to see.
“What is going on here?”
It was Dang Yejun, his face sharp with anger.
“Why is this woman leaving the banquet hall with Father?”
He asked, glaring disapprovingly at Yerin.
However, the clan lord dismissed Dang Yejun’s complaint with a single sentence.
“We just had dinner as a family.”
“Father!”
Dang Yejun raised his voice, shocked.
He had returned right after encountering Yerin at the inn.
Yet, the clan lord had not called him to the banquet hall.
Dang Yejun knew what that meant.
“Father, this woman is just a lowly illegitimate daughter! There’s no need to waste your time with her!”
Dang Yejun’s voice grew shrill with rage.
“Moreover, doesn’t she herself deny being a daughter of the Dang Clan? She calls herself the mistress of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, so why…”
“Enough!”
The clan lord’s sudden shout silenced Dang Yejun.
“F-Father?”
“I will decide who I meet, whom I favor, and with whom I build relationships!”
The clan lord glared at his son with a deadly look.
Seeing Dang Yejun standing there, bewildered, made the clan lord’s anger flare up even more.
There wasn’t a single thing about his son that pleased him.
As the young lord of the Sichuan Dang Clan, he had shown less promise than an illegitimate daughter. Rather than improving himself, he spent his time drinking and acting like a hooligan.
‘He lacks not only talent but also persistence and determination.’
Even if Dang Yejun had displayed qualities befitting the young clan lord, the clan lord would have still preferred his daughter.
Her talent was far superior.
However, if Yejun had shown at least some competence, the clan lord wouldn’t have considered him a complete waste.
He might have found some minor role for him within the clan…
‘But as he is now, he’s completely useless. What a disappointment.’
The clan lord clicked his tongue and raised his voice again.
“Leave!”
