Chapter 141
141
My expression hardened, and Dang Geunmyeong spoke soothingly.
"I know. You won't like it. But even if you don't return immediately, it doesn't change the fact that you are a Martial Artist of the Tang Clan."
"......"
"I can't compromise on this either. Sometimes, form is more important than substance. If you must roam the Jianghu, wear the Green Robe. The family name will protect you."
The family name protects me, huh.
Thinking of the family members eager to tear me apart, it was a ridiculous statement, but he was right.
There was no one in the Central Plains who didn't know the Tang Clan's principle of repaying kindness twofold and revenge tenfold. Not many would be reckless enough to provoke a member of the Tang Clan, especially a direct descendant.
The Patriarch's acceptance of the Green Robe also meant that he acknowledged me as a member of the Tang Clan. Now that the situation had changed, the Third Madam wouldn't be able to openly send Assassins.
If I couldn't erase the family's shadow that followed me like a tag, it was better to use it to my advantage.
I stared at the Green Robe with determination in my eyes.
"......I'll wear it."
"Good choice."
At my answer, Dang Geunmyeong slightly raised the corners of his mouth before lowering them.
"Don't live frugally. Don't worry about expenses, eat expensive meals, and stay in expensive places. Charge it all to the Tang Clan. You deserve it."
"Yes."
"Give me the letter to send to Woon. I'll feel less awkward if I have at least a letter to take back."
"I will. When will you return to Sichuan?"
"That's what I want to ask you. When do you plan to leave Mu-Han? I need to see with my own eyes that the Alliance is no longer chasing you before I can return with peace of mind."
"I don't want to stay long. I'll talk to Yeon-ryang."
"Do so. Tell me when you decide on a destination. I'll stay with you until then. Once you decide, I'll prepare a carriage."
"Thank you, Uncle."
"No need for thanks. This is my job. So don't try to solve everything alone, ask me for help. Please."
Dang Geunmyeong, who had replied gruffly, tapped the edge of the porridge bowl.
"Eat before it gets cold. You've lost a lot of weight. Grandfather would be upset if he saw you."
Despite his sharp tone, his gentle eyes warmed my heart.
Suddenly, I had a thought.
Even if all the elders of the family turned their backs on me, who had lost Grandfather's halo, this man might remain and help me.
"Yes, Uncle."
Nodding, I slowly picked up the spoon again.
\ \ \
Ju-ryeong was the most pleased with the returned Green Robe.
He rolled around on the Green Robe, enjoying the smooth texture of the silk, then wrapped the Long Robe sleeves around his body and fell fast asleep.
As expected, he was a sable who knew valuable things like a ghost.
I poked the sleeping Ju-ryeong's cheek and gathered the medicinal herbs before leaving the room. I planned to brew the Dragon Bone that Beopgong Monk had given me in Yeon-ryang's room.
"Brother, can I come in?"
"Yeah, come in."
As I opened the door, thick steam rushed out. The strong scent of medicinal herbs stung my nose.
Slowly entering, I asked towards the partition.
"Did you finish the porridge?"
"Of course, I did. Why did you come over instead of resting? You must be tired."
"I'm going to brew the medicinal herbs I snatched from Beopgong Monk."
"Wow. I'm living the high life thanks to my sister. I think I'm going to eat all the herbal medicine I'll ever eat this year."
Yeon-ryang, who had replied playfully, chuckled. I placed the medicinal herbs on the table and said with a smile.
"Aren't you dizzy? Your True energy is depleted, and your body's balance is greatly disrupted. Brother, you really need to rest well this time."
"It's not like this is the first time. I'll recover quickly."
"You won't recover quickly. What do you think you are, an iron man? You can't push your body like you used to. I'm the one who suffers."
At my stern voice, Yeon-ryang burst into laughter. The sound of water splashing echoed.
"Oops. I can't have my sister suffering. I guess I should lie still. By the way, how long do I have to stay in the bath?"
"The longer you soak, the better the effect. Don't come out until the decoction is finished. Is the water cold? Should I heat it up?"
"No. It's perfect now. It was too hot earlier."
Yeon-ryang waved his hand from behind the partition, declining.
I mixed the medicinal herbs into the Teapot and opened my mouth.
"You really need to be careful. It's true that your recovery is better than others, but that doesn't mean you're completely healed. Unless you undergo Rebirth, cracks will form in your vessel."
"......"
"Your Martial Arts are based on defying the heavens. If the vessel breaks, you'll collapse without a chance to recover."
"Okay. I'll be careful."
"You're always good at answering."
I glared in his direction and placed the Teapot on the brazier. I heard Yeon-ryang chuckle softly.
"Hey, should I send a letter to Madam?"
"To Geumneung? Items entering the Imperial Palace are inspected meticulously. Will it be delivered to Madam safely?"
"I'm worried about that too... But Madam asked me to send her travelogues. I have to send one at least once."
"Okay. Let's send it if you want to, So-hye. Madam will be happy too."
"Yeah. I need to bring paper and ink after this is done. I have to write letters to Woon and our kids too. And I have to thank Cho-hee. She made new Hidden Weapons for me."
As I counted on my fingers, I realized there were quite a few people I needed to check in on.
"My sister is busy. You have a lot of connections."
"That reminds me, Brother. Why don't we go to Yueyang?"
"Yueyang?"
"Yeah. It's close from here. I'm curious about Dongting Lake too. I want to tell Madam what Dongting Lake looks like."
"Hmm... It'll be chaotic because of the bandit suppression..."
After hesitating for a moment, Yeon-ryang replied cheerfully.
"Well, that might actually make it safer. We can go by land. If the Orthodox Faction morons, no, the Martial Artists of the Alliance, gather, the riffraff won't be able to get close. Let's go."
I think he just called them morons.
He must not have good feelings towards the Orthodox Faction after suffering so much. I pretended not to hear and replied.
"Yeah. Oh, Uncle told me to tell him when we decide on a destination. He said he'd get us a carriage. Should I tell him we're going to Yueyang?"
"That's kind of him. Let's do that."
"And Uncle said we can charge the travel expenses to the Tang Clan. I'm going to get money from the family and spend it lavishly. I'm going to suck my father dry."
Yeon-ryang seemed to be holding back laughter at my determination.
"Okay, okay. I won't stop you. Do whatever you want, Sister."
"Do you seem to be teasing me? Come out and take your medicine now, Brother. It's all brewed."
"......Ugh."
Yeon-ryang's laughter stopped abruptly at the mention of the medicine.
"What are you doing? I told you to come out."
"......Okay."
I shook my head and began to clean up the Teapot.
\ \ \
Dang Geunmyeong moved quickly once the destination was decided.
The next day at dawn, before the sun had even risen, he had procured a splendid carriage and prepared it in front of the inn. It was so eye-catching in size that I wondered who was inside.
I smiled awkwardly and turned to look at Dang Geunmyeong.
"Uncle, isn't a four-horse carriage a bit much for just the two of us? A two-horse carriage would be enough."
"It's too conspicuous, Elder."
Yeon-ryang also chimed in, and Dang Geunmyeong, looking embarrassed as he examined the carriage, replied bluntly.
"......I was a bit excessive. I'll go exchange it."
"I don't think we need a coachman either, Uncle. I don't want to have to watch my words. We'll drive it ourselves."
"Alright."
A while later, Dang Geunmyeong, who had exchanged the carriage, loaded the luggage directly into the cargo hold. I chuckled at the sight of the dried provisions being loaded in sacks.
Dang Geunmyeong must have taken note of Yeon-ryang's enormous appetite.
He really was a meticulous person.
Impressed, I wrapped the warm Ju-ryeong around my neck and looked up. The sky was cloudy, as if it would snow.
"Beopgong Monk said he'd be here soon, but he's not coming. Should we wait? Shouldn't we leave before it snows?"
"He's coming over there."
At my question, Yeon-ryang pointed to a figure staggering towards us in the distance. Beopgong was approaching, reeking of alcohol.
"Drunken Monk. Did you drink a lot?"
"Ugh, I almost died."
Beopgong, looking disgusted as if to say, 'Don't even mention it,' scratched his head vigorously.
He made eye contact with Dang Geunmyeong, cleared his throat, and respectfully put his palms together. Then, looking at me in the Green Robe, he chuckled.
"Ooh, Brat. You finally look like a young lady from a prestigious family. Green suits you well. Is clothing really the finishing touch?"
"Right? She looks noble, unlike me."
"Don't tease me, Brother."
"Teasing? I'm being sincere. I'm saying it because it really suits you."
Yeon-ryang, shrugging his shoulders, smiled contentedly. He patted Beopgong's shoulder and said goodbye.
"I've seen your face, so I'm leaving. Drunken Monk. Let's meet again if we're still alive."
"Yeah. Live long for your sister's sake. You, don't think I forgot you didn't buy me alcohol, even though you said you would? Next time, you better buy me real alcohol."
"Alright."
"Take care too, Brat. I think we'll be seeing each other a lot in the future."
"I don't want to see you, Monk."
"I'll give you a Summoning Pill next time."
"Really? You promised. When will we meet? When will the bandit suppression end? Should I go to Shaolin?"
"Hahaha! Look at this kid. He has more than half a Jiazi of Inner Energy, but he's crazy about Elixirs."
Beopgong, bursting into laughter, grinned.
"I said next time, not when? Anyway, you should go now. If the snow piles up, the horses will have a hard time and won't be able to go far."
"Okay. I'm leaving."
Yeon-ryang, nodding, climbed onto the driver's seat. I sat next to Yeon-ryang without much thought.
Dang Geunmyeong, who had been watching quietly, frowned and asked.
"......I went to the trouble of preparing a carriage, so why are you sitting in the driver's seat?"
"I can't ride inside alone while Brother drives the carriage."
"Haa...... I'll drive you to the entrance of Mu-Han. Go inside the carriage."
Dang Geunmyeong, pressing his temples, approached the driver's seat and snatched the reins.
We exchanged glances and climbed into the carriage. As the door of the carriage closed, we heard the sound of Dang Geunmyeong lightly kicking the horse's flank.
"Hya!"
At the same time, the carriage began to move.
The figure of Beopgong, waving his hand from beyond the window, disappeared in a flash.
Soon, snowflakes fluttered down, and the world gradually darkened.
I, who had been looking out the window, slowly closed my eyes.
Again, it was winter.
