Chapter : 73
About forty people had gathered at the Hall of Council upon receiving the emergency summons issued by Yeonhwa.
More than half of them were new senior members recently brought in during the current reshuffle.
Yeonhwa sat alone at the innermost part of the hall, meeting the eyes of those taking their seats at the long tables arranged horizontally in layers, facing her.
Once everyone had entered and sat down, the doors closed, and the meeting began.
“Miss, are you really allowed to issue a summons like this?”
“That’s right. Originally, wasn’t it supposed to be issued with the head elder’s, or rather, the half-elder’s, personal handwritten decree? Can a young lady just issue it on her own…?”
Most of those present were either Yeonhwa’s supporters or people who had joined as senior members and pledged their allegiance. They weren’t trying to nitpick.
Rather, it was more out of concern—wondering if there might be a problem.
Yeonhwa waited for the murmuring to subside.
When she remained silent, even the chatterers fell quiet, and a deep stillness settled over the hall.
Once it seemed everyone was ready to focus, Yeonhwa spoke.
“I know there’s been a lot of talk about today’s summons. So, let’s start with that. The summons I issued today did not use the Head of the Household’s personal handwritten decree. After all, that was never given to me by the Head, so I have no authority over it in the first place.”
She spoke as if it were the most natural thing.
Hearing this, the audience felt relieved; even if there had been a potential issue, they could let it pass.
Even if a mistake had been made, as long as it was acknowledged and explained with a promise never to happen again… that alone was enough to earn recognition as a superior.
Yet, Yeonhwa went beyond that.
“I have summoned you today not only to preserve the existence of the great Namgung Clan, but also to protect a more fundamental root.”
The sudden change in topic left everyone puzzled, so Yeonhwa immediately continued.
“The summons I issued was not an emergency order under the Head’s authority. It stems from the clan law established when the Namgung family first prospered as a lineage and formed its group.”
Everyone wore expressions of surprise, as if wondering if such a law existed.
Seong Yeontak, the one with the most speaking authority, spoke to clarify their curiosity.
“C… clan law? You mean the rules applied only to the Namgung bloodline, not the entire Namgung Clan? Which provision are you referring to?”
“I acted in accordance with Article Three of the Namgung clan law. When the clan’s head or the patriarch is seriously ill or missing and cannot express their intentions, a direct descendant may convene the clan in their place to select the next main or subsidiary head.”
Yeonhwa added further explanation.
“If you want to verify, you can go to the Bojeopgak, which preserves only the genealogical records and household codes of the Namgung family.”
She calmly added that entry was restricted to the Namgung family, regardless of position, so they should go with someone appropriate. Everyone nodded in agreement.
Relieved, they felt assured as Yeonhwa continued.
“I’ve also heard complaints regarding my exposure of the former Head Elders in the Alliance. I don’t understand it. I was a member of the inspection corps, and they were criminals. Do people expect me to turn a blind eye just because we are from the same bloodline?”
She had done her duty, and they were simply paying for their crimes.
“Moreover, they fled here with the Head’s personal handwritten decree, which they obtained by deceiving him, without having properly paid their dues.”
Her frown suggested she didn’t even want to imagine what would have happened to the clan if she hadn’t arrived in time due to the Alliance affairs. The clan’s representatives across from her must have felt guilty for not noticing and stopping it sooner.
Yet, Yeonhwa didn’t blame them; instead, she defined her own actions.
“I’ve also heard that many are worried whether my actions upon arriving at the clan were driven more by pride as an inspection corps member or by duty as a direct descendant of the clan.”
Nods of agreement spread across the room. Yeonhwa shrugged.
“Of course, internal matters of the clan required me to act first as a direct descendant. My duties as an inspection corps member will be carried out once the clan is stabilized. But that is not a matter of importance—it’s a matter of sequence.”
After all, a person with pride fulfills their duties diligently.
Acting properly as an inspection corps member was proof that she was on the correct path as a direct descendant of the clan, deserving praise.
“Even as our clan declines, we are still counted among the great powers of the world because we belong to the Martial Arts Alliance. There’s nothing wrong with fundamentalist or independent behavior within the clan. But if we remain too insular, we cannot survive in this harsh era.”
As the audience tensed under her intense focus, Yeonhwa lightly struck the table with her palm.
Bang, bang!
The sudden sound startled everyone. Yeonhwa didn’t waste time and spoke about the most important matter of the day.
“I will become the Sub-Head of the Clan.”
She rose from her chair and approached the senior members sitting across from her.
Standing before them, she continued.
“According to Article Two of the clan law, and also Article Five of the household rules, if a successor is chosen without the direct appointment of the Head, they must receive the approval of more than 80% of the senior members summoned by emergency order.”
She slowly scanned them with her eyes and asked:
“Will you recognize me as Sub-Head of the Clan?”
“…….”
“It won’t be easy if I become Sub-Head. I’ll have to act more and bear more responsibility than before. But one principle will remain clear.”
“What principle is that?” asked Seong Yeontak.
Yeonhwa answered:
“I want the Namgung Clan to be a clan we are not ashamed of. I will protect the weak and never yield to unjust power. I will record merit and hold crimes accountable. I will fulfill my responsibilities.”
Encouraged to rise with her toward greater heights, someone stood and shouted:
“Yes! Sub-Head! I will follow you!”
“I also agree with Miss’s appointment as Sub-Head!”
“…Me too!”
“I agree as well!”
The hall erupted in excitement rather than chaos.
With more than 80% approval, Yeonhwa’s proclamation as Sub-Head shook not only the hall but the entire clan.
Even those who had quietly anticipated such a day were caught off guard when it arrived.
A celebration was held, scaled down at Yeonhwa’s request, and everyone shared good food and drinks.
“Phew.”
After a long day, Yeonhwa finally breathed a sigh of relief upon returning to the Head’s Hall.
She was not merely tired, but exhausted from speaking at length in front of so many people.
Creak.
The office door opened, revealing it empty and quiet. Yeonhwa tilted her head.
Then she noticed movement behind her.
Yu Geonmyeong emerged from another room in the hall, spotted her, and approached with a bright smile.
“Have you returned?”
Yeonhwa looked at him, and he, noticing her lips, seemed puzzled.
Her philtrum jutted out slightly, like a bird’s beak—it gave him pause.
“Was something troubling you?”
It was a habit Yu Geonmyeong had rarely seen.
He smiled at her adorably, and her inexplicable frustration seemed to ease.
“All matters outside have been resolved,” Yeonhwa said.
Yu Geonmyeong hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
“Then why did you do that? Ah, did you look for me because I wasn’t in the office?”
Yeonhwa considered it, and seeing that she didn’t immediately deny it, he smiled faintly.
“I’ve cleared the other parts of the Head’s Hall. You can use other spaces besides the office.”
“Really? Thank you for your effort.”
“Let’s explore later. First, wash up and eat. You didn’t have a proper meal again, did you? You look pale.”
His scolding somehow eased the tension in her and lifted her exhaustion.
Hmm…
What exactly had he hit on? Bath and meal? Cleaning and organizing? Or…
Yu Geonmyeong, who had been walking ahead, returned and gently led her along.
Yeonhwa stopped thinking and followed him.
Being with him, she realized, was enough to let her trust that she would figure things out in time.
And she truly believed that.
