**Chapter 115**
As Yerin was surrounded by the martial artists, Yejun felt a surge of emotion rising from deep within him.
‘I’m the head of their sect!’
The name of that emotion was self-loathing, and also…
Jealousy.
‘Damn it!’
He couldn’t stand feeling so insignificant.
Yejun quickly fled the scene.
“…”
Yerin, watching his retreating figure, turned her attention to the martial artist beside her.
“How is the injured warrior?”
“The doctor has treated him quickly, so there’s no danger to his life.”
“That’s a relief.”
Yerin sighed in relief.
“It’s thanks to you that everyone went to the doctor immediately.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s only natural that if someone is injured, they should go to the doctor.”
Yerin clicked her tongue briefly and continued.
“Still, I should check on him myself.”
“You’re going to…?”
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I just want to make sure for my own peace of mind.”
Yerin retorted sharply.
“I need to see with my own eyes to ensure I can sleep well tonight.”
The martial artist looked slightly moved by her curt response.
“…Understood. I’ll take you to the medical hall.”
As Yerin was about to head to the medical hall, she glanced back briefly.
There was a pair of eyes watching her.
‘The Chief Overseer.’
He was the one in charge of all matters concerning the sect.
He was also the closest aide to the sect lord.
Since the Chief Overseer had witnessed it directly, everything that had happened would undoubtedly reach the sect lord’s ears.
‘Well, let them say what they want.’
Yerin shrugged and took a light step forward.
* * *
The sect lord, who had been deeply engrossed in training, received unexpected news.
It was about the duel between Yerin and Yejun earlier that day.
“Oh.”
The sect lord’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“So, Yerin and Yejun fought? And the result?”
“It was a draw.”
The Chief Overseer, bowing respectfully in front of the sect lord, received a raised eyebrow from the sect lord.
“A draw?”
“Yes.”
“That’s strange, it shouldn’t have been like that.”
The sect lord stroked his beard thoughtfully.
The Chief Overseer then added nervously.
“They were perfectly evenly matched. And…”
The Chief Overseer hesitated for a moment, then continued with a tense voice.
“Though this is my personal opinion, I believe that this duel was essentially a victory for Miss Yerin.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, as you are aware…”
The Chief Overseer swallowed hard.
“It’s easy to win overwhelmingly when there is a clear skill difference. It’s not difficult to lose visibly either.”
“That’s true.”
“But winning with just a paper-thin margin when the levels are nearly equal…”
“It requires a difference of several moves.”
The sect lord smiled with satisfaction.
“This child is amusing me.”
He recalled how Yerin had once fought with Seo Pyeong-oh, making it seem like their skills were evenly matched, and then barely won.
‘She openly said it was because she was wary of me. Audacious.’
The sect lord, lost in thought, asked another question.
“Did she use the Ice Art?”
“No.”
“As expected.”
The sect lord was not surprised, as he had expected this from the start.
The Chief Overseer cautiously continued.
“Miss Yerin likely had a purpose in ending the match as a draw.”
“A purpose? What is it?”
“…To preserve the pride of the young lord.”
“Yejun’s?”
The unexpected answer made the sect lord widen his eyes in surprise.
“Yes. In fact…”
The Chief Overseer detailed everything about why the duel occurred—how the martial artists had lost trust in Yejun and spoke ill of him, how Yejun, unable to control his anger, had severely injured one of the martial artists, and how Yerin had stepped in to resolve the situation.
Yejun had not even checked on the injured warrior, but Yerin had taken it upon herself to verify the warrior’s condition.
“If Miss Yerin had won publicly, it would have further diminished the martial artists’ trust in Yejun.”
“That makes sense.”
“I believe she intentionally ended it as a draw to avoid that.”
Nodding, the sect lord gestured to the Chief Overseer.
“Alright. You may leave now.”
“Yes, Sect Lord.”
After the Chief Overseer left the training hall, the sect lord, now alone, smiled wider.
“Indeed, it’s fascinating.”
Her remarkable martial skills and the respect she commands from the martial artists. Her strategy to shift Yejun’s focus to the duel and avoid completely crushing his pride.
Everything about it was impressive.
“But my daughter still seems unprepared in her heart…”
The sect lord’s smile grew a bit more intense.
“I should help her make a decision quickly.”
Just then, a commotion erupted outside.
“Young Lord, please wait a moment!”
“The Sect Lord has ordered that no one be allowed in!”
Annoyed by the noisy disturbance, the sect lord furrowed his brows and rose from his seat.
He strode out of the training hall.
“What’s all this commotion about?”
“Ah, Father!”
Yejun, who had been arguing with the martial artists guarding the training hall, hurriedly ran to the sect lord.
A faint smile was etched on Yejun’s face.
“Father, I—”
Before Yejun could say anything, the sect lord spoke first.
“I heard you fought Yerin. It ended in a draw, correct?”
“Yes? That, that’s right. I—”
“You fool.”
The sect lord immediately cut off his son’s words.
Staring sternly at his frozen son, the sect lord continued harshly.
“Is it true that the future head of the Dang Clan couldn’t even defeat his own sister?”
“Father, that’s—”
Yejun’s face lost its color.
The reason he had come to his father today was to talk about the achievements he had made.
‘It’s frustrating, but it’s true that her skills are outstanding.’
He wanted to assert that, even though he ended up with a draw against such a talented Yerin, he wasn’t entirely worthless.
He knew well that Yerin had intentionally drawn the match. But still…
‘I wanted to catch my father’s attention.’
But his father remained as cold as ever.
Facing his father, the sorrow he had been suppressing deep within surged up uncontrollably.
“Why are you always so harsh with me?”
The sect lord raised an eyebrow at Yejun’s sharp voice.
“What are you talking about?”
“Just like before. You didn’t even include me in the family meals!”
Yejun shouted as if he were spitting blood.
“You always favor Yerin, and always stand by her! What exactly did I do to deserve this…”
“Because you act this way.”
The cold words caused Yejun to freeze in place.
The sect lord looked at his son with a cold gaze.
“Do you know how many times Yerin has refused requests for duels from the martial artists since joining the sect?”
“T-that’s—”
“Not even once.”
Yejun looked desperately at his father, his wide eyes trembling.
But the sect lord was relentless.
“Unlike you, she had enough confidence in her skills.”
Unable to endure the insult, Yejun clenched his fists tightly.
“On the other hand, for the past five years, you have never shown any sign of practicing on your own.”
“…”
“After I cajoled and scolded you, only then would you make a half-hearted attempt at training.”
The sect lord looked at Yejun with a disdainful gaze.
“You made me give up on you, so why are you blaming me now?”
“…”
Yejun hunched his shoulders as if whipped.
“Instead of clinging to me, you should spend that time improving your martial arts. Well…”
The sect lord clicked his tongue as if to make sure Yejun heard.
“Though I’ve long since given up expecting anything from you.”
“F-Father.”
“Do you know what?”
The sect lord twisted his lips into a scornful smile.
It was a clear sneer.
“Of all the decisions I have made in my life, the worst decision was.”
His voice grew severe.
“Naming you as the heir of the sect.”
“…”
Yejun stood frozen as if he had received a death sentence.
“Useless.”
After giving Yejun one last glance, the sect lord left the room.
Yejun remained rooted to the spot for a long time.
How much time had passed?
“…Then.”
His voice, dry and harsh, finally spoke.
“If I am to be treated as worthless for the rest of my life.”
The vacant look in his eyes slowly began to shine.
“I must meet those expectations somehow, don’t you think, Father?”
Yejun began to laugh maniacally.
He laughed for a long time.
Eventually, the laughter ceased, and an eerie silence fell.
“…”
Yejun turned away.
His pale face now bore no expression at all.
