The Eldest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan Protects Her Family

Chapter 26: The Namgung Clan Head

 
Namgung Jin remained silent. Though his father had given him the perfect opportunity to shift blame, he simply closed his lips, his face a mask of innocence.

Namgung An, after a long silence, chuckled softly. ‘Very well. If that is your choice…’ He placed the letter on the windowsill and continued. “I know you’re not arrogant, nor are you reckless. If you suspected the Tang Clan, you must have had your reasons. However…” He paused, his voice hardening. “You lost.”
His dark eyes, shadowed by the backlight, held a hint of reproach. “Your failure to protect the Namgung Clan’s interests, its honor, wasn’t due to a miscalculation, a simple mistake. It was because you entered a battle you couldn’t win.” His voice grew colder. “There are countless sects and clans in the world, but none would dare challenge the Namgung Clan alone. Our position as one of the most powerful clans in the central plains is undeniable. But that doesn't make you the strongest.”
“…”

“You are the heir to the Namgung Clan, not the strongest warrior in the world.” He chuckled suddenly. “Jegal Cheon-hwi of the Jegal Clan… no, there’s no need to go that far. Tang Hak of the Tang Clan, Peng Yiran of the Peng Clan, Hwangbo Rim of the Hwangbo Clan…” He listed the heirs of the Five Great Clans. “I’m not saying this simply because you’re my son, but you are undoubtedly their equal, if not their superior. However, the affairs of the Alliance are different from a simple duel. It's not even a life-or-death battle. It's more like a chaotic free-for-all. There’s more than one enemy.”
His father was unusually talkative today, his thoughts expressed with surprising directness, even offering explanations as if fearing his son's lack of comprehension.
“Even if you defeat Jegal Cheon-hwi, Peng Yiran might appear unexpectedly. And just as you think you’ve subdued Tang Hak, Hwangbo Rim might attack from behind. It’s a chaotic battle. You can’t anticipate every move, and while defending against feigned attacks, you might fall victim to a genuine one. Even your own allies, those protecting your back, might betray you. So, what should you do?”

Namgung Jin waited for his father’s answer.
But his father’s words were unexpected. “Do nothing.”
Namgung Jin frowned, confused. His father continued, “If someone has orchestrated a situation, it’s wise to stay out of it. Observe the fools battling amongst themselves, and victory will come to you naturally.”

“…”
“But you entered the Tang Clan’s game and lost decisively. Look. The Tang Clan, whom you suspected, has gained the most, while those who remained on the sidelines also benefited.” He looked at his son, his head bowed in shame. “The Tang Clan did nothing. They simply pushed you into a chaotic battle.” A hint of pity colored his voice. “I know you acted with good intentions. But, Jin-ah, what did you gain from risking your life? Did you avenge Cheong-hae? Did you uncover the Blood Cult’s secrets? Did you gain recognition and honor?”
Namgung Jin silently endured his father’s sharp words.

Sighing, his father asked again, “Do you know why I summoned you here?”
Though his tone was stern, it didn't seem like a simple reprimand.
Namgung Jin, after careful consideration, admitted his ignorance. “I apologize, Father, but I don't understand your intentions.”

Namgung An chuckled softly. “To remind you of your first defeat, the one that endangered the entire clan.”
Namgung Jin slowly raised his head, meeting his father’s gaze. A hint of sadness flickered in his eyes.
His father’s voice was heavy, almost a sigh. “You will face countless choices in the future, decisions that will determine the fate of the Namgung Clan. And the memory of this day will haunt you every step of the way.” He was smiling, but it wasn't a happy smile. It was a sad smile, like a parent comforting a child. “One day, you will have to decide what to sacrifice to protect the Namgung Clan. It will be a difficult choice, one that will make you wish for death. But you will have no choice but to choose. Even if it means sacrificing everything you hold dear for the sake of the clan.”

“…”
“You might even have to sacrifice those you love most. And you will gain nothing in return.” His voice was calm, yet his words were heavy with unspoken burdens. “You’ve made the worst possible choice. Your actions have turned the Tang, Emei, Jegal, Wudang, Hwasan, and Jongnam Clans against us. Though not a matter of life or death, you’ve put us in a precarious position, forcing us to beg for forgiveness and pay a heavy price. And you’ve insulted a loyal clan member who has dedicated his life to the Namgung Clan.”
His words, devoid of anger, were even more terrifying.
“If anyone else had caused such harm to the Namgung Clan, they would have paid with their lives. The Martial Alliance would be demanding your head, eager to punish you themselves. Yet, you’ve escaped any punishment from the Alliance, your transgression atoned for with a simple financial settlement. No one within the Namgung Clan would dare ask for your punishment, and I, as your father and Clan Head, won't undermine your authority by punishing you. Effectively, you’ve suffered no consequences for your mistakes.”

No consequences.
The words weighed heavily on Namgung Jin’s heart.
His father’s voice, even heavier now, echoed in his ears. “Remember this day, Jin-ah.”

“…”
“As long as you bear the name Namgung, even the most disastrous mistakes, the ones that cost lives, will be met with a second chance.” He repeated himself, as if to emphasize the point. “You will always have another opportunity.”
Could the word “opportunity” sound so terrifying? Neither the speaker nor the listener found any solace in it.

Namgung An opened and closed his eyes slowly, the emotions that had flickered within them now replaced by a chilling emptiness.
“So, don’t dwell on your mistakes. Prepare for your next opportunity. The reason the Namgung Clan protects you is so that you can continue to make these difficult choices, to lead the clan into the future.”
He finally understood why his father had summoned him here. This wasn’t a reprimand, not a father chastising his son. It was advice from a leader, a warning about the burden of leadership. And a cowardly suggestion to avoid such situations whenever possible, an unthinkable suggestion for the leader of the Namgung Clan.

His father was telling him that the cost of his choices wouldn't be his own life, but the sacrifices of others. To prioritize compromise meant risking the lives of those who protected him. It was a warning against prioritizing compromise, against putting the clan’s well-being above his own.
A hint of amusement suddenly colored his father’s voice. “Fortunately, you’re not the Clan Head yet. You’re still just my son, hiding under my protection.”
Namgung An straightened, placing his hands on the windowsill, his gaze fixed on his son.

“I won't punish you for this. But when you become the Clan Head, there will be no one to punish you for your mistakes. That is what I want you to understand today.”
His words were heavier than any reprimand, any punishment. Responsibility. He hadn't even fully assumed the mantle of leadership, yet the weight of it, the mere thought of it, was suffocating.
Looking up at his father, he realized how far he still had to go. He had believed himself ready, but he wasn’t. He was still far from ready to assume leadership. And he needed to be.

He spoke, his voice quiet but firm. “With all due respect, Father, I wish to be punished.”
His father’s brow furrowed in surprise.
Namgung Jin straightened his posture. The sunlight, streaming through the window, cast a sharp shadow across his face, highlighting his sharp features, his gaze unwavering.

“I’m not ready for this responsibility. I don’t understand the burdens you carry. I am still… far from ready. Very far.” Despite his dry tone, his words were laced with a quiet desperation.
He continued, his father’s silence a tacit permission to speak his mind. “I’m not strong enough to think about the next opportunity.”
“Then?”

He bowed his head. “If you permit it, I wish to enter seclusion. I will dedicate myself to training, to understanding your teachings.”
Though he couldn't see his father’s face, he knew he was smiling. However, his voice was cold, his tone disapproving. “Seclusion?”
“Yes. With your permission, I wish to enter seclusion for one year, to reflect on my mistakes.”

“Do you think one year is enough?”
Sensing a shift in his father’s demeanor, he looked up. His father quickly schooled his features, his smile replaced by a frown.
“If you weren’t the Namgung heir, you would be facing the wrath of the entire Martial Alliance. Concealing the Blood Cult’s presence, falsely accusing an allied clan of collusion, causing significant financial damage to the Namgung Clan, tarnishing the honor of a loyal clan member… and you think a mere year of seclusion is sufficient atonement for such transgressions?”

At his father's outburst, Namgung Jin immediately revised his request. “Three years.”
“Three years is too long. You have numerous responsibilities. Do you intend to burden others with your duties for three years? The Chief Administrator and the Treasurer will have to revise all their plans for the next decade because of your mistakes. How can you be so irresponsible, so quick to abandon your duties after acknowledging the sacrifices made by the clan?”
Namgung Jin didn't answer immediately. But his silence was brief.

Having made his decision, he spoke again. “Two years. I will thoroughly prepare for my absence, ensuring that my seclusion won't disrupt the clan’s operations. And I will personally visit the Tang, Emei, Jegal, Wudang, Hwasan, and Jongnam Clans to apologize and offer reparations.”
His father, seemingly satisfied with his answer, smiled faintly. “Indeed, every crisis presents both danger and opportunity. It is one’s perspective that determines the outcome. Very well. If that is your wish, then use this as an opportunity to grow.”
“Yes, Father.”

“You may leave.”
Namgung Jin stood up and bowed respectfully, then quietly left the room, careful not to make a sound.
His expression was thoughtful as he descended the stairs. He had never considered himself arrogant, yet he realized he had been. He had been blinded by the respect shown to him, not only by his father but by the entire clan, believing himself their equal.

‘Such naive arrogance…’
He recalled his conversation with Jegal In-hwi. The leader of the Blood Cult, the one who had survived Black Heaven Dark Ghost’s attack, was considered dangerous even by the Four Seasons Lord. The Blood Cult assassins he had faced on Mount Emei weren’t weak. And yet, there was someone even stronger. Though he didn’t know the extent of the Blood Cult’s network, their acquisition of Tang Clan poison and their infiltration of the Martial Alliance suggested a significant organization.
And there were likely others even stronger than their leader.

His eyes darkened. ‘I have to become stronger.’
Fortunately, he still had time, protected by his clan. As long as the Namgung Clan stood strong, he had time to prepare. He had to become stronger. He didn’t want to be forced to make a choice that would endanger his family because of his own weakness.
This wasn't just a humble study. It was the place where the most important decisions were made. Having learned the true meaning of this space, his steps grew heavier, yet his heart felt lighter, knowing he still had time, protected by the strength of his clan.

* * *
 

Namgung An listened to his son’s retreating footsteps, his mind drifting back to his own past.
As the young clan heir, he had left this room quickly, relieved to have escaped punishment.
Years later, as Clan Head, he had returned to this room countless times, wrestling with difficult choices.

And like most of his decisions, that youthful choice, that escape from responsibility, was now a source of regret. He had realized too late that even punishment was a privilege. He should have made more mistakes while he still had the safety net of his clan, learned from them, grown stronger. Perhaps then, the choices he faced now wouldn’t be so difficult. He regretted wasting his youth, paralyzed by the fear of failure.
He chuckled softly, his gaze shifting towards the window. He saw his son, the heir apparent, leaving the Clan Head’s quarters, his back straight and proud. The sight of his retreating figure filled him with a strange sense of hope.
His successor had made a different choice today.

Watching him walk away, choosing a different path, Namgung An contemplated the future of the Namgung Clan.
And he offered a silent prayer, a plea to the heavens for his son’s safety.