CH 225

Pyo-wol was awakened by a loud noise early in the morning.

When he opened the window, he saw Jin Siwoo welcoming guests. 

“Welcome. Thank you for coming all the way here.”

“I heard that the Jin family is in trouble so how can I just watch? Even though I moved away a long time ago, in the end, I’m also a Jin.”’

“Don’t worry, we’re here.”

“How dare the Snow Sword Manor aim for our Jin family.”

Those who visited Jin’s house either expressed their support towards Jin Siwoo or showed their anger towards the Snow Sword Manor.

They were all from the branch side of the Jin family. After living scattered all over the world, they came running after hearing rumors that the Jin family was in danger.

When the branch side arrived, the atmosphere of the Jin main family, which had been stagnant, revived a little.

The number of warriors belonging to the Jin family branch was about 300, far more than the Jin main family residing in Tianzhongshan.

In an instant, more than 500 people crowded into the Jin manor.

The faces of the people from the Jin family’s main house lit up.

“I guess it’s worth trying now.”

“Whoa! Welcome back!”

Although they separated a long time ago, they still welcomed each other with open arms. After all, they were still blood relatives sharing the same surname.

Jin Siwoo also had a slightly relieved expression on his face as he welcomed the arrival of the Jin branch family.

Since his grandfather, Jin Wol-myeong, was the one who had been heavily supporting the Jin manor alone, the emotional burden he felt was indescribable.

A faint smile appeared on his lips. He thought that the burden in his heart was a little relieved now.

‘So the Jin family still hasn’t lost its people.’

There were also those who Jin Siwoo personally asked for help. He met them in Jianghu and shared a deep friendship.

Jin Siwoo had no doubt that they would definitely come. If they joined in, he could breathe a little more comfortably. 

Jin Siwoo’s gaze suddenly headed to the place where Jin Geum-woo lived. 

Pyo-wol was staying there.

Pyo-wol, who opened the window and was looking his way, met his gaze.

Jin Siwoo slightly lowered his head and pretended not to see him.

Pyo-wol was someone who would look at Jin Siwoo with an indifferent gaze.

Jin Siwoo was honestly confused.

He accepted Pyo-wol’s presence because he was a friend of Jin Geum-woo, but he couldn’t read his intentions at all.

Jin Geum-woo said that Pyo-wol was a friend worth having. 

However, Jin Siwoo has not yet found the reason why Jin Geum-woo said that. He just accepted him because Pyo-wol was a friend that his brother deeply wanted to be with.

“Hoo!”

Thinking of his older brother, Jin Siwoo sighed once more.

He had complicated feelings towards his brother. Half of him longs for him while the other half resents him. 

A voice coming from one of his relatives snapped him out of his reverie. 

“What should we do now?”

“Just give me orders, young leader!”

Jin Siwoo was well-aware of his position.

Now that Jin Geum-woo is dead, he became the young leader or successor of the Jin family. As the young leader, he is responsible for dealing with the family’s major affairs.

He couldn’t even afford to be leisurely immersed in his emotions.

“Ah, yes! You two follow me, while the others go over there. The other disciples will guide you on what to do.”

Jin Siwoo diligently moved with the branch family. 

It was also his job to put them in the right places.

After working all day long, he didn’t even have time to eat. He was busy with his relatives until late at night, discussing countermeasures.

The day passed so quickly, and Jin Siwoo almost reached the point of exhaustion.

“Hoo!”

Jin Siwoo sighed and looked up at the sky.

The stars spread out dazzlingly like the sea in the night sky, but he did not even have enough time to enjoy it. 

He might have only taken a glance at the sky, but he strangely couldn’t take his eyes off it.

“Hahaha! And then?”

Then a girl’s laughter reached his ears.

He turned around casually and then saw a girl sitting next to a guy, smiling.

The girl was Jin Seol-ah, his younger sister.

Jin Seol-ah had stopped smiling ever since Jin Geum-woo died.

It had been a long time since he had seen her smile.

“Hm?”

Jin Siwoo shifted his gaze to the person making his younger sister laugh. 

The moment his eyes confirmed the identity of the other person, he became surprised.

It was Pyo-wol who was talking to Jin Seol-ah.

Pyo-wol was the type of person who would say a word every once in a while. However, Jin Seol-ah continuously smiles at every word Pyo-wol says.

Jin Siwoo unknowingly headed to where the two were.

“Ah, brother!”

Jin Seol-ah became delighted when she saw Jin Siwoo.

“What are you talking about for you to laugh so much?”

“Stories about that idiot.”

“Brother Geum-woo?”

“Yes!”

Jin Seol-ah nodded.

Only then did Jin Siwoo remember that he hadn’t heard anything about Jin Geum-woo from Pyo-wol.

“Can I hear your story too?”

He cautiously asked Pyo-wol to tell him his story together with Jin Geum-woo once more.

Pyo-wol nodded his head without a hint of disapproval. 

Pyo-wol repeated his story last night, with both siblings listening to him.

* * *

“Brother, did you sleep well?”

After their conversation last night, Jin Siwoo became more friendly towards Pyo-wol.

“Yes!”

Pyo-wol also treated Jin Siwoo without hesitation.

They became close enough to talk comfortably even without Jin Geum-woo as their medium. Perhaps that’s also the reason why Jin Siwoo’s expression looked a little brighter.

Jin Siwoo also talked a lot last night.

Thanks to this, Pyo-wol also learned more about the Jin family’s circumstances.

Not long after Jin Geum-woo lost his life, Jin Wol-myeong suddenly collapsed. They haven’t found the reason why nor any cure for his state. 

His condition deteriorated day by day, and up to now, he remained in vegetative state. 

Jin Wol-myeong’s condition was a situation like no other. 

When Jin Wol-myeong, the main support of Jin manor, collapsed, the Jin family was shaken.

For that reason, Jin Siwoo couldn’t find the time to investigate Jin Geum-woo’s death, since he had no choice but to concentrate on managing and defending the Jin family.”

Pyo-wol asked,

“How about the doctor?”

“He couldn’t find anything. He is a well-known doctor in the area, but he said he had never seen such a case.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“To be honest, there is no way right now.”

Jin Siwoo sighed.

He had already invited several doctors, but they all shook their heads.

The physicians need a clear cause for them to prepare a treatment method, but since Jin Wol-myeong’s symptoms are so unique, they couldn’t even give a proper diagnosis.

Jin Wol-myeong is the spiritual supporter of the Jin family.

The absence of the giant, who seemed unlikely to collapse, caused the Jin family to struggle.

“Well, the situation is getting better little by little. Thanks to the return of the branch family yesterday, our power has stabilized a lot.”

“Will they be able to stop the Snow Sword Manor?”

“I have also invited my personal acquaintances as well. You’ll see. The manor may look a little empty now, but in a few days people will gather and have nowhere to set foot in this wide area.”

Jin Siwoo boasted.

It was an attitude that could be seen as reckless, but Pyo-wol thought it was better than being depressed.

Then someone ran to Jin Siwoo.

“Young lord!”

“What is it?”

He was a warrior of the Jin family.

“Guests from the Golden Heavenly Hall have arrived.”

“The Golden Heavenly Hall?”

Instantly, Jin Siwoo’s eyes shook.

After Jin Geum-woo and the others died, Golden Heavenly Hall collapsed like a sand castle. Members who used to come to visit Jin Geum-woo so frequently when he was still alive stopped visiting after his death.

Because of that, Jin Siwoo’s feelings towards Golden Heavenly Hall were not that good. He had actually given up asking help from them altogether.

“Are they really from the Golden Heavenly Hall?”

“There are three people in all.”

“Bring them here right now.”

“Yes!”

The warrior disappeared with the answer.

After a while, he reappeared with three men beside him.

All of them were proud of their excellent prayers.

Jin Siwoo recognized the identity of the man at the forefront and was delighted.

“Brother Wol!”

“It’s been a while, Siwoo.”

“How have you been?”

“We only arrived now since we heard the news about the Jin family a little bit late.”

“Thank you, brother!”

“However, I volunteered to come here on my own. So keep in mind that you won’t be able to get help from the rest of the group.”

“It doesn’t matter. At least you’re here.”

Jin Siwoo held the man’s hand as if he was about to cry.

The man in front of him was a person who deserved this kind of treatment.

Namgung Wol.

He belongs to one of the three clans, Heavenly Guardian Association. 

He is the third son of Namgung Yugeom, the sect leader of the Heavenly Guardian Association. Although he is third in line, his influence in the Heavenly Guardian Association was by no means small.

Namgung Wol introduced the people next to him one after another,

“This is Oh Jugang. He used to be very close with Geum-woo.”

“Thank you for coming.”

Oh Jugang had an apologetic expression on his face at Jin Siwoo’s greeting.

“To me, Geum-woo was like the light. I’m so sorry that things have gone to this point.”

“No, don’t.”

“Even though my strength is insufficient, I will do my best to help you.”

Oh Jugang’s voice contained his desperate feelings.

Jin Siwoo expressed his gratitude towards Oh Jugang, 

“Thank you. Your presence is of great help.”

“Cheer up!”

“Yes!”

After the two people’s greetings and introduction, Namgung Wol introduced the other person.

“This is Yuk Sa-myeong, another member of the Golden Heavenly Hall.”

At his introduction, Yuk Sa-myeong stepped forward.

“Yuk Sa-myeong.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“I’ve heard that Jin’s family is having a hard time, but things seem pretty good.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s good to see that you’re healthy.”

“Oh yes!”

“If I had known this would happen, I would have never had to come all the way here. Tsk!”

Jin Siwoo’s expression hardened at the sight of Yuk Sa-myeong clicking his tongue.

No matter how he looked at him, it looked like he had come in their manor to pick a fight and not to help.

Perhaps feeling the same emotions as Jin Siwoo, Namgung Wol said coldly,

“Be careful with your words.”

“What do you mean?”

“I told you to come to help with a good heart and don’t waste your time.”

For a moment,  Yuk Sa-myeong’s face seemed to harden slightly, but then he smiled.

“What are you so serious about? I just said it out of concern. Of course I’ll also help to the best of my abilities.”

“Hmm!”

“If I hadn’t had the heart to help the Jin family, I would never have come all the way here.”

“I see, I must have reacted too sensitively then.”

Yuk Sa-myeong grinned at Namgung Wol’s apology. His appearance resembled that of a weasel.

Jin Siwoo tried to hide his discomfort and said,

“I look forward to your kind cooperation in the future.”

“Hmm! But, who is that person next to you?”

Yuk Sa-myeon’s eyes turned to Pyo-wol, who was next to Jin Siwoo.

Pyo-wol didn’t say a single word all throughout their conversation, so no one paid him any attention in the beginning. 

Seeing Pyo-wol’s face, Namgung Wol’s eyes lit up.

‘What kind of face ….’

He was also said to be quite handsome in Jianghu, but he couldn’t even compare to the man in front of him.

It was clear that he was a man, but his face, which was more beautiful than that of a woman, was so out of the norm.

Something stirred in his head.

Something seemed to come into his mind, but he couldn’t place his finger on it.

Yuk Sa-myeong approached Pyo-wol,

“Are you also acquainted with Geum-woo?”

“That’s right!”

Yuk Sa-myeong looked at Pyo-wol from head to toe with a displeased expression and said, 

“How did you get to know him? I’ve never heard of Geum-woo having a friend like you.”

“Yuk Sa-myeong! Be polite.”

Namgung Wol shouted loudly, but Yuk Sa-myeong continued talking without caring,

“Since Geum-woo died, dogs and cows are all talking about being one of his close friends. I know most of his friends, but I never heard he had a friend like you.”

“It’s the same for me.”

“What?”

“I haven’t heard of him having a friend like you either.”