The Duke's Son :Re-Chapter 209

“Fellow citizens, did you see it? This young boy is the new National Treasure candidate of South Korea!”

“Even globally, it’s rare for a minor to claim candidate status via a formal exam. Not to mention, the difficulty of this exam was preposterously high...”

There were two ways to become a National Treasure candidate: One was to pass a National Treasure candidate exam. The other was to awaken the Bloodline Skill of a ducal family.

Shinra Kyeong and Loren belonged to the latter. The power of their bloodlines all but guaranteed transcending in the future. Thus, their respective countries bestowed candidacy without the need for an exam; the gesture was a show of deference to ducal families. After all, no matter where in the world, ducal families were those revered by the people and relied on by the government. And one thing was for sure: the countries that survived to the present day hadn’t done so by putting on airs before the aristocracy—the Kang family was a rare exception, and even then, the final price paid was yet to be seen.

In any case, the National Treasure candidate examination was the path for those without a ducal family’s Bloodline Skill.

Those who took the exam had to prove themselves with their own hands and feet before the nation. Naturally, the exam’s conditions were stringent, pinning young applicants against an S-class examiner.

Few people succeeded—and yet Jae-Hyeok had not only succeeded but achieved overwhelming victories one after another. He’d fought Ji Cheon-Myeong and even contested Ji Cheon-Myeong’s tribulation, killing the former and conquering the latter with a grace deserving of the title young transcendent.

Currently, Jae-Hyeok made his way off stage, directly ignoring the Association’s formal appointment procedures.

Technically, the Association could kick up a fuss and withhold Jae-Hyeok’s official candidate status. But in the hearts of Koreans watching across the nation, Jae-Hyeok was already a National Treasure candidate—and they would protest with united fury if some dusty rule said otherwise.

So just like that, a sixteen-year-old boy created history.

“Wow. The more I look, the more beautiful his face is.”

“Haha, Indeed. I’m thrilled just imagining Kang Jae-Hyeok becoming the face of South Korea in the future...”

From skills to appearance to talent—the news reporters praised Jae-Hyeok to no end as they and their crews followed Jae-Hyeok outside the stadium.

It wasn’t just them.

Waaaaahhhhh!

The live crowd was also streaming out of the stadium, following Jae-Hyeok outside and forming a massive procession behind him.

More and more cars arrived at the scene, crowding the parking lot and lining the eight-lane road. People rushed out of their vehicles while cheering Jae-Hyeok’s name.

“Quickly!”

Worried about public safety, a detail of police blocked off the road. But the new arrivals were undeterred, parking to the side and running past the police cars to join the crowd.

The display of national support was completely beyond the humble award ceremony prepared by the Association.

At that moment, the whole nation seemed to stand with Jae-Hyeok.

It was a perfect finale.

Of course, in reality, some viewed the day’s events as a terrible disaster and, moving forward, would continue to criticize Jae-Hyeok as a murderer. Those people had been sharing a boat with Ji Cheon-Myeong up until this morning—all big names who’d been manipulating public opinion behind the scenes for years. They took issue with Jae-Hyeok’s origin. But news reflecting their dissatisfaction would be conspicuously absent. Emboldened by public sentiment, Reporters and news stations would pretend to be deaf and blind to their phone calls.

And that was the least of it.

Much would change in the days to come.

At first, the president of Korea would linger with his response, observing and deliberating. But eventually, there would come an announcement:

As a fellow Korean, I am thrilled by Young Master Kang's achievements. I hope his appointment as a National Treasure candidate will serve as a catalyst for significant progress in South Korea. This is an opportunity to dispel the stigma surrounding the Kang family.

Following the president’s response, many shocking revelations would then emerge one after another:

Breaking: The prosecution moves to investigate Ji Cheon-Myeong’s activities during his tenure as president of the Association. A special prosecutor will be assigned to arbitrate and strictly punish those involved... 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Breaking: Initial sources point to Ji Cheon-Myeong’s involvement with multiple “anti-Kang” civic groups. Viewers may not know, but these groups have been blocking the Kang estate's front gate for years, demanding the abolition of the Kang family’s ducal status.

Breaking: Police chief confirms ongoing investigation into possible defamation campaigns targeting the Kang family online.

Breaking: The thirty-nine achievements of Duke Kang Dae-Guk, previously censored from textbooks, are now being revisited. To ensure an accurate recounting, history experts urge the Association to disclose internal reports on the relevant gate incidents.

Breaking: China and Japan have requested an emergency meeting. According to the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the two countries are likely seeking to prob the relationship between South Korea and the Thunder Emperor.

Meanwhile, with Ji Cheon-Myeong dead and his associates scattered, the various organizations relying on his support would cease activity. Opposition and criticism toward Jae-Hyeok or the Yaksha would vanish like footprints in sand.

Also during this time, people would begin stepping forward. An entire generation had witnessed the Yaksha’s reign firsthand; they would share their stories online. Through communal effort, a new history of events would spread across the internet and Community. And following the foreigners’ reactions, the younger generations of Koreans would learn that this “new” history seemed to be the truest account.

“XX. Why was that bastard Ji Cheon-Myeong so obsessed with tearing down the Kang family and the Yaksha? Thanks to him, I never knew there was a great man in South Korea just a generation ago. It’s so unfair.”

“Yeah. I nearly spent my entire life without experiencing the pride that Korean citizens ought to feel.”

“By the way, is it true that the Yaksha was the strongest in Asia? If that’s true, he must’ve made South Korea quite prosperous in his prime. Ugh. I want to believe, but it’s hard, looking at South Korea’s current miserable condition...”

“That’s all because of Ji Cheon-Myeong...”

A large reason people would so readily believe in the Yaksha’s past glory was simple: they had witnessed Ji Cheon-Myeong’s vile character on the day of Jae-Hyepl’s National Treasure candidate exam. He was certainly the sort to play dirty tricks behind the scenes.

“... Also, what’s there to doubt? The Yaksha’s time must’ve been a golden age. Just look at Young Master Kang.”

Above all, Jae-Hyeok’s existence would play the biggest role in convincing others of Korea’s past glory.

A sixteen-year-old boy who’d defeated South Korea’s best players with a single sword technique—that talent definitely came from the Yaksha. So the chances of the Yaksha’s past achievements and skills being exaggerated were close to zero.

But all of this was yet to come.

For now, Jae-Hyeok arrived near the end of the road, turned, and made eye contact with the nearest camera.

At home, at work, in cafes, or out on the streets—the people watching the procession of the new National Treasure candidate all fell silent.

Jae-Hyeok’s black eyes pulled them in. Carrying a raw mix of sadness and warmth—his eyes gave people the urge to hug him. But strangely, that flicker of softness only strengthened the sense of reliability and trust they felt when looking at Jae-Hyeok.

Silence lingered. Then Jae-Hyeok spoke.

“Thank you.”

The plain sincerity in Jae-Hyeok's expression struck the nation. Compared to the malevolence he’d shown when dealing with Ji Cheon-Myeong, the difference was like night and day. It was as if, having claimed revenge, the darkness lurking behind his eyes had fallen quiet, sated in some small way.

Even so...

Ji Cheon-Myeong’s downfall is just the beginning, Jae-Hyeok thought. There are still people all over South Korea who clung to Ji Cheon-Myeong’s thighs and took part in my family’s downfall.

He would punish them all, and he would build a new Kang family that would stand forever. But he couldn’t do it alone. He needed the people’s support.

“I will repay your trust. So this time—” Jae-Hyeok bowed.

“Please believe in me until the end.”

The whole nation flinched at the quiet resolve in Jae-Hyeok’s words. Looking at the boy who was young enough to be their child or grandchild, guilt swelled in people’s hearts.

Many people made small vows then, moved by Jae-Hyeok’s humility. It wasn’t long ago that Jae-Hyeok had achieved legendary feats, yet his attitude betrayed not a trace of that.

“This time...”

“... Definitely.”

Just in time, a hearse arrived.

“Rest in peace,” Jae-Hyeok whispered. He rested the body of the sword demon, Kwae Myeong-Su, inside.

A peaceful smile touched the corners of Kwae Myeong-Su’s lips, and the people watching sighed. Only then could most people guess how he must’ve felt sacrificing himself for Jae-Hyeok.

Butler Hwang had found out Kwae Myeong-Su’s information while arranging for the hearse, and now he reported it to Jae-Hyeok.

“He had no family.”

It wasn’t a surprise. A man obsessed with the sword would have little time for a family.

“Then we can go back together.”

Jae-Hyeok nodded toward the police officers stationed on the road. The faces of the police officers shone with relief, and they started dispersing the crowd.

The charisma to direct others came naturally to Jae-Hyeok.

***

“A new member has joined the Sword Grave.”

Jae-Hyeok’s life had changed, but the Kang mansion remained the same.

It was still quiet and lonely.

The faint sound of his father’s breathing on the bed was one of the few signs of life in this place.

“Of course, I know it isn’t good news.”

The Sword Grave—it was the burial site for those who died serving the Kang family. Not long ago, Jae-Hyeok had taken Kwae Myeong-Su to rest there.

“I will grow stronger so that none of my future family members will be buried here.”

Jae-Hyeok vowed while clutching his father’s frail, withered hand. Then he stood up.

The outside of the mansion was bustling, with the students and members of Guardian chatting and grilling meat.

It was too shabby for a party held at a ducal mansion, but it was a lovely scene, and it touched Jae-Hyeok’s heart.

“Why can’t I cook! I’m the butler of this mansion!”

There was only one person who didn’t enjoy the party.

You brought this on yourself... Butler Hwang’s screams made Jae-Hyeok smile. It’d been a while since he’d last smiled with such a relaxed heart.

Jae-Hyeok was about to leave the room when he paused.

“Did you finally notice?”

There happened to be a strange man inside the room, sitting in a corner of his father’s bedroom.

“Well, you’re the National Treasure candidate of a weak country, so your level is only this much.” The man slowly stood up. There was a green skull-shaped brooch shining on the collar of his clothing.

A green skull...

It was the emblem of the Baus family.

“Pay the price for daring to humiliate my master and the Baus family.”