STVS 29

Chapter 29

Wang Jugun was the second son of Wang Gwancheon of the Byeokryeok Samdo family.

Wang Gwancheon had three sons, but being extremely strict and particular, he hadn’t chosen an heir in advance.

Among the brothers, Wang Jugun was the least talented.

The eldest was intelligent and had passed the government examination early, while the youngest excelled in martial arts and was highly regarded as a talent of the Byeokdo Sect. But Wang Jugun had no outstanding skills in any area.

The only thing Wang Jugun could claim as an advantage was his appearance—but even that was merely decent, inherited from his mother, not remarkable.

However, having looked handsome as a child, he received much affection from his mother, and gradually, he grew increasingly arrogant. Before long, he considered himself the most outstanding person in the world.

“Hmph, no matter how talented my elder brother and younger brother are, that’s only temporary. If I get proper support from Father and really put in the effort, I could easily catch up to at least one of them!”

But no matter how much support he received from his father, or how earnestly he tried, Wang Jugun could barely reach the level of the bottom tier, let alone second-rate.

“I just haven’t tried properly. If I really, seriously tried…!”

Even then, it didn’t work.

“Why?”

Wang Jugun couldn’t believe it.

He, who should have been the most outstanding, was actually the least capable.

Yet, having lived off his own arrogance until now, Wang Jugun refused to accept reality. He consoled himself by claiming that at least he had potential unmatched in the world and forgot reality while wrapped in women’s skirts.

One day, as usual, while indulging in frivolity with women at a tavern—

“Wang Jugun, you brat—!”

Wang Gwancheon finally exploded.

“You expect to be as clever as your elder brother? Or as talented in martial arts as your younger brother? If you aren’t naturally gifted in anything, you should at least work consistently. But you don’t even do that and just play—do you even have a brain?”

“Father, if I just set my mind to it—”

“When will you ever set your mind? That’s enough. From now on, I’m cutting off all support to you. Live as you see fit!”

“Father! Father!”

Wang Jugun pleaded in front of his father, but Wang Gwancheon didn’t budge. He ran to his mother to ask for help, but she couldn’t do anything either.

Wang Jugun became desperate.

“Father is too harsh. Just because I spent a little money, he pushes his precious son to the edge! Fine, I’ll show him something. If I achieve something extraordinary, Father will regret it and apologize to me!”

But when it came to showing “something,” he didn’t know what to do—and he didn’t want to do anything trivial.

Moreover, rumors were circulating that Wang Gwancheon was finally going to select the family heir.

He seemed to be torn between the clever eldest and the talented youngest, and naturally, Wang Jugun wasn’t even a candidate.

Wang Jugun’s pride was deeply wounded.

“The old man’s gone senile. How could he not recognize someone like me? But if I stay idle, the heir position will be taken by someone else. What should I do? I need to make a meritorious achievement quickly…”

At that moment, Wang Gwancheon had heard that the daughter of the So family head was recovering from her illness and was about to send a congratulatory gift.

Upon learning this, Wang Jugun hatched a scheme.

“The So family isn’t as prestigious as Byeokdo, but they’re well-known. Their trading company is sizable, bringing in good money, and the head has a good reputation. If I become their son-in-law…?”

Moreover, the So family head had no sons, only a sick daughter. Naturally, all his property would go to her, and if she were to die…

“All that wealth would be mine!”

Wang Jugun immediately went to his father, declaring his intention to visit the So family.

But Wang Gwancheon, knowing his son’s character, refused. Wang Jugun, ever opportunistic, threatened the person his father intended to send and took the position for himself.

If his father later found out, he would be furious—but as long as Wang Jugun became the So family’s son-in-law, it would be a minor disturbance at worst.

Wang Jugun was confident.

“Charming a woman is no big deal. There hasn’t been a woman I couldn’t win over. Even those who resisted quickly gave in to my touch. How different could the So daughter be?”

Although the So daughter was still too young to marry, showing a composed, mature demeanor would win her over quickly.

Wang Jugun genuinely believed this.

But upon arrival, the So daughter didn’t welcome him, didn’t even show her face, and even blocked his entry—but he believed it was just a brief resistance and she would soon fall for him.

However, no matter how many gifts he sent or how much he called from outside, there was no response, and being treated like he didn’t exist made Wang Jugun anxious.

“First, I need to get inside. Whether by lying or threatening, if I can get in and show my handsome face and eloquence, it’s only a matter of time before she falls.”

He believed that and only grabbed a servant to help—then—

“How dare you humiliate me over that worthless brat!”

Bang!

Wang Jugun slammed his fist on the table.

He had tried to treat the daughter of a noble family with proper courtesy, yet this was the response.

As he pondered how to “educate” her—

“Perhaps you should give up? She seems firmly opposed already…”

“Hah, what could happen if a woman dislikes me? At most, she’ll run to her father and tattle.”

“Wouldn’t that be a problem? Everyone knows how dearly the So family head cherishes his daughter…”

“What wrong have I done? A man may make mistakes trying to impress the woman he loves! The So family head wouldn’t be petty like that!”

“Oh, young master…”

As Wang Jugun’s voice grew louder, the servant became at a loss. But Wang Jugun didn’t care and kept drinking heavily.

Finally, with a drunken mutter, Wang Jugun said,

“It can’t be helped. I wasn’t going to use this method, but…”

“Excuse me? Is there some good idea?”

“Come here.”

The servant leaned close, and soon shouted,

“Are you serious, young master?!”

Meanwhile…

‘What do you mean by “serious”?!’

And I had been listening to all of it from behind.

It had been several days since the family heir had disappeared after being slapped by the young lady.

Since it had been quiet, I thought he had truly given up—but who would have thought he was sitting in a tavern, drinking and plotting?

‘He’s even conspiring?’

I had been out running errands.

Even when serving the young lady, she preferred being alone most of the time, so I often helped with small chores around the estate during her absence.

This time, on my way back from an errand, I saw the family heir through the window of a tavern.

Cautiously, I entered and sat in a corner. Sure enough, I could hear them talking about our young lady—and both of them were being insulted…

‘I need to report everything.’

The last comment particularly worried me.

I didn’t know what vile plan he had in mind, but it wouldn’t hurt to find out.

Pretending to eat noodles, I tried to listen closely. But they seemed embarrassed too, whispering to each other, so I couldn’t hear anything useful.

“Ugh.”

I clicked my tongue in frustration.

The two had already switched topics, yet the family heir kept glancing somewhere.

Following his gaze, I paused. A female server carrying food came into view.

‘No way…’

A bad feeling ran down my spine.

“Hmm, drinking alone without a woman is lonely. It would be nice to have someone to hold….”

“Young master, shall I bring Giru?”

“Hah, have you forgotten I’m still courting? Coming and going with Giru would be awkward. I’ll just have a little fun tonight… Perfect!”

Suddenly, Wang Jugun shouted loudly.

“Hey, you there!”

The woman turned toward him.

“Yes, did you call?”

“Your face is far too pretty to work in this old tavern. What’s your name?”

“You flatter me. I’m Gyogyo (Jade Bright).”

“Gyogyo, like moonlight. Your white, round face suits the name. Tonight, I want to hold the moonlight in my arms. Will you serve my drinks?”

“Eh?” The woman stammered.

“I—I’m not that kind of woman. You have the wrong person.”

“What do you mean the wrong person? Your slim waist and ample hips clearly exist to please a man. Come now, don’t refuse, come here.”

“No… Aah!”

Suddenly, a loud scream drew everyone’s attention to the scene—specifically to the family heir forcibly embracing the woman.

I was shocked.

‘Is he out of his mind?!’