Chapter 17
17
My heart clenched.
Now, I had to worry about the impending ambush, not just the Hidden Weapons flying my way. Without even realizing it, I had stepped into a bloody power struggle.
As my expression hardened, Dang Jung tried to soothe me.
"There's no need to be so tense. They won't attack you right away."
Doesn't that mean they will attack me eventually?
A headache surged. I had suspected it when I found out I was a bastard, but the situation was not good.
How many people in the Tang Clan know that I am of their blood?
Dang-un knew that I was his younger brother. I haven't met any other half-siblings, but if Dang-un knows, they must know of my existence as well.
Considering Madam Jin's and the Chief Steward's reactions upon hearing my name, those who have spent many years in the Tang Clan also know about the existence of a bastard.
Dang Bu-kyung also said he had heard my name.
Judging by the Maids' attitudes, it doesn't seem like any of them know that I am a bastard the family is trying to keep quiet, but you never know.
Sim-yang's gang has recently seen me being consistently called to Dang Jung's residence.
If it becomes known that the argument between Dang Mu-hyeok and Dang Jung today was because of me, someone might find the connection.
Even with a rough calculation, the time I can hide in Dang Jung's shadow and avoid the rain is not long. Will it last half a year? At most, a year.
I had to find a way to protect myself during that short time.
As I bit my lip, Dang Jung patted my shoulder.
"I told you not to be afraid. As long as I'm here, no one in the Tang Clan can touch you."
"But..."
That just means I'm prey to be eliminated when you're not around, doesn't it?
Swallowing the unspoken words, I looked at Dang Jung's face. He was smiling, but his eyes were full of worry.
He was lying, even though he knew what kind of situation I was in.
Well, he couldn't easily tell a naive child that they might die at any moment.
He was a kind person, unlike his appearance.
I decided to play along with Dang Jung's white lie.
"Yes. I trust only Grandfather."
Dang Jung's eyes narrowed at my awkward reply. He seemed to have realized that I was lying as well.
Ignoring it, Dang Jung changed the subject.
"You'll be busy from now on. How much of the Thousand Character Classic have you learned?"
I stammered at the sudden question. Honestly, I had skipped it for the past few days.
"Um... about thirty percent now."
"That's slow. Work harder."
Dang Jung frowned as he spoke.
"If you were a direct descendant, there would be many things you would have to learn. First, you need to learn to read before you can do anything."
Things to learn? I thought I was only learning Martial Arts Technique. I hesitated and asked.
"Aren't I learning Poison skill?"
Dang Jung clicked his tongue at my question.
"Do you think Poison comes for free? All streams flow into one sea. It's the same with Poison. To those who know the principles, there is no difference between Poison and medicine. To use Poison properly, shouldn't you know what medicine is first?"
"Uh... yes."
"To do that, you need to know the human body first. Once you learn to read, let's start with medical texts."
I nodded obediently, but it wasn't welcome news. It meant that books written in complicated Chinese characters were waiting for me.
As I showed a displeased expression, Dang Jung admonished me.
"Medical skill comes first. If you give fire to a newborn baby, they won't be able to handle it and will burn themselves, wouldn't they? So-hye, that's what you're like now. Invulnerability to all poisons is not some invincible secret skill. It's just a better physical condition than others. To handle Poison, you need to understand how Poison affects humans. There's no need to rush, so learn medical skill first. It's a process that everyone in the Tang Clan goes through."
Everything he said was right, so I had nothing to say. Resigned, I nodded.
"Yes."
It's not that I'm impatient, it's that I don't want to study. I have to make sure he doesn't find out.
Dang Jung stared at my expression before getting up from the stump. Did I show it too much?
"There's no time to play. Let's go back. You need to learn to read quickly."
"I haven't finished enjoying the flowers yet... Yes."
My skin tingled at his stern gaze. I shut my mouth and followed behind Dang Jung.
It was almost the end of the hour of the pig when we returned to Dang Jung's residence.
Actually, it was difficult for me to tell the time by the position of the sun. I just had to believe Dang Jung when he looked at the sky and said so.
Should I ask him to teach me how to read a sundial? They do beat the drums every two hours, though.
I sighed at my ignorance. With so little knowledge, it was no wonder Dang Jung was suspicious.
He looks normal, but he doesn't know the way, can't tell the time. But he seems to have poison resistance, and he catches the Hidden Weapons that come flying...
Anyone would think I'm a suspicious Maid. It's a miracle I'm still alive.
Scratching my head, I looked up at Dang Jung. He was holding me under his arm and looking around the back garden.
Why isn't he putting me down? Is there something there?
Dangling from one arm, I poked Dang Jung lightly.
"Grandfather?"
Dang Jung frowned as he put me down.
"Go inside first."
"Yes?"
"I'll take a walk and then go in."
Then he disappeared. Shrugging, I entered the pavilion first.
I had to prepare a late lunch, whether Dang Jung ate it or not.
Dang Jung, who said he was going for a walk, didn't return until the food was cold.
When he finally came back after I reheated the food, he was holding a blue silk pouch in his hand.
"Is this yours, So-hye?"
I shook my head at Dang Jung's question. It was the first time I had seen it.
"There was a letter next to the pouch."
"What does it say?"
"Wait and see."
Dang Jung unfolded the letter. I stood beside him and glanced at the letter.
Of course, there were only a few characters I could read. Water, and that's the character for joy. Is that the character for fate?
White is paper, black is writing. Is this what it feels like to be illiterate?
I didn't know the contents, but I could tell that the handwriting on the pure white paper was neat.
Curiosity bubbled up. Who wrote it?
"Grandfather, what does it say..."
I hurriedly shut my mouth as I asked without thinking. Dang Jung's expression was not good.
As he read the letter, his face gradually contorted, and he eventually tore the paper in half.
"Grandfather?"
"Don't read it. It'll only ruin your eyes."
I can't read it even if I look at it.
He said firmly and burned the letter without any hesitation. The letter blazed and scattered into ashes in the air.
I couldn't help but admire his clean disposal. Wow. This is the real Samadhi Fire.
Firepower 50 points, agility 25 points, artistic score 25 points. A total of 100 points.
I followed the ashes flying in the wind with my eyes. I was curious about the contents, but I figured there was a reason why he told me not to read it.
Dang Jung said gruffly.
"Tell the Namgung Clan brat not to cross the wall recklessly. He has no fear in someone else's Martial Sect. Who knows where the traps are."
"Yes. If I see the Young Patriarch, I'll tell him."
Did Namgung Hwi leave the letter?
Come to think of it, he said he would come today. I was so distracted that I forgot.
Was Dang Jung's visit to the back garden because there were traces of an outsider entering?
I don't know if he wrote about crossing the wall in the letter, or if this guy crossed the wall again.
But after answering, a strange word caught my attention. I widened my eyes.
...Traps? Like in Indiana Jones, where Hidden Weapons come flying if you touch them wrong? There's something like that installed here?
Now that I think about it, it would be stranger if a family of Poison and Hidden Weapons didn't have a device to prevent intruders.
Then why did Dang Jung cross the wall?
Dang Jung chuckled at my subtle expression.
"I've lived in the Tang Clan all my life. Do you think I wouldn't know the location of those traps?"
How did you know? Elder. You could open a fortune-telling shop.
"Hey. Are you treating your grandfather like a fortune teller? I can tell what you're thinking just by looking at your face!"
Dang Jung gave me a pathetic look.
Is it that obvious?
I quickly covered my mouth, trying to smooth things over with a smile.
So Dang Jung had been flying over the walls, avoiding the traps all this time.
It was a feat possible because he knew the structure of the Tang Clan inside and out.
The more I know this Elder, the weirder he gets.
Dang Jung sighed, looking at me as if he was frustrated, and held out the silk pouch.
"This is yours. He said it's a bonus."
"A bonus?"
"He said you lent him a bonus, right?"
"W-well, yes?"
It wasn't wrong, but it sounded strange when he said it was a bonus. It sounded like a bribe.
I didn't give it with the intention of getting it back, but if he was going to pay me back, I wasn't going to refuse. I opened the silk pouch with a happy heart.
Inside the pouch were ten clean yeopjeon coins.
He really paid me back exactly twice as much.
A chuckle escaped at his cute behavior. Dang Jung frowned as I laughed.
"So-hye, do you like the Namgung Clan brat?"
"Yes? What are you talking about? Who would like such a snot-nosed kid...!"
Ah. A slip of the tongue.
I hurriedly covered my mouth, but the word "snot-nosed" had already escaped my lips.
I glanced at Dang Jung and lightly slapped my lips.
This mouth. You can't speak carelessly to noble Young Masters. I'm going to get into trouble one of these days.
But Dang Jung's expression softened when he heard my words.
"You don't like young ones?"
"I prefer older men? If they're too young, it's a bit..."
If I had to choose, that's how it is. Even if they're older, it's no different from being younger unless they're more than ten years older.
"I see. I understand. Let's eat."
Then Dang Jung started eating with a satisfied look on his face. He seemed pleased with my answer.
What did he like about it? I have no idea what he's thinking.
I glanced at Dang Jung and picked up my chopsticks.
