Chapter 205
205
Dang Geunmyeong bowed lightly to Gwisu-sin, then looked at me and asked worriedly.
"My child. Are you alright?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
However, Dang Geunmyeong rolled his eyes for a while as if he didn't know what to say, then subtly avoided my gaze.
My appearance must have been so unsightly that he couldn't bear to look at me.
...I have to shake it off and get up quickly. I need to reassure Grandfather so I can go find Yeon-ryang.
Pulling myself together, I bit my lip and smiled at him.
Perhaps my smile looked unnatural, as Dang Geunmyeong's expression stiffened.
But he didn't bother to add anything else.
He waited quietly until I finished bathing and came out of Gwisu-sin's place, then respectfully clasped his hands towards Gwisu-sin and asked.
"Elder. May I have a word with the child for a moment?"
"You ask about everything. Do you think this old one will eat her? Take her."
"Thank you, Elder. My child. Would you like a cup of tea?"
"No. No tea. Don't think about feeding the child anything and send her back as she is."
"Yes, Elder."
Gwisu-sin, who spoke sharply and gestured with his chin, was answered politely by Dang Geunmyeong, who came over and supported me.
When I glanced back, Gwisu-sin had already disappeared.
After sitting me down on the flat bench, Dang Geunmyeong lowered himself to meet my gaze, his face troubled, and whispered softly.
"My child. I don't want to burden you after what you've been through, but I think you should know."
It was something that Grandfather and Gwisu-sin wouldn't tell me, something I needed to know.
I asked calmly.
"What happened?"
"While you were lying down, a lot of things happened. Don't be surprised when you hear this. That... Tangak Supreme Elder is dead."
"...Yes?"
Tangak? How?
As my eyes widened, Dang Geunmyeong continued quickly.
"The Elder was greatly angered by what happened to you... and that's how it happened. The Patriarch was also seriously injured and recuperated for a long time, only showing his face since last month."
"So, you're saying Grandfather took action himself?"
"Yes. No matter how angry he was, he had never laid a hand on a blood relative... Everyone was surprised, and the atmosphere in the main family is chaotic."
I couldn't believe the news, and my mouth felt parched. But I didn't feel sorry for Tangak's death.
He also wanted my death and drove me into a death trap, didn't he?
It was a matter of gratitude that Grandfather had personally taken care of the enemy who threatened me.
As I nodded to show that I understood, Dang Geunmyeong carefully added.
"They won't show it openly because they're watching the Elder's mood, but there will definitely be people who resent you. It's not your fault, but people's hearts are like that."
Then, he hesitated for a long time as if choosing his words, before burying his face in his palm and sighing.
"So, what I mean is... don't be upset no matter what happens when you return to Sichuan."
Hearing his worried tone, I smiled and replied.
"Yes. Thank you for telling me, Uncle Geun-myeong. I won't mind it."
"But your brother... No. I won't ask. Focus on recovering first. The Elder has suffered a lot."
As my smile faltered, Dang Geunmyeong quickly changed the subject, swallowing the words he had spoken.
His words made my heart ache as if someone was stabbing me with thorns.
Gwisu-sin and Dang Geunmyeong were saying the same thing, so Grandfather must have been suffering a lot.
I looked down at my trembling left arm.
...I have to get better quickly. I can't make Grandfather suffer any more.
And, and Yeon-ryang...
Remembering the fool who smiled until the end while covered in blood, bitter water rose in my throat.
As I hurriedly covered my mouth, Gwisu-sin, who had appeared from somewhere, held a bowl to my mouth.
"Don't swallow it, throw it up. There's no point in forcing it down."
My vision blurred and tears and snot streamed down my face.
I grabbed an arm, not knowing if it was Gwisu-sin's or Dang Geunmyeong's, and retched for a long time. The nausea wouldn't stop.
When I finally managed to lift my head, I saw the two men looking at me with pitiful faces.
The look of pity made me clench my teeth.
I couldn't even imagine how Grandfather would feel if he saw me in such a terrible state that even those two felt sorry for me.
No matter how hard it is, I must not show Grandfather this side of me.
So I have to be okay.
No, I had to be okay.
I wiped the wetness from my eyes with the back of my hand and focused my gaze.
"Ghost Hand Divine Doctor, from when can I start training..."
"Don't talk nonsense. You can't even walk properly, what training? Energy circulation is also forbidden until your master returns, so keep that in mind."
"But..."
"Don't talk back. You know that there's no one more annoying than a patient who talks back to their doctor, right? If I tell you not to do it, don't do it."
Gwisu-sin, who snapped at me with a mix of annoyance, muttered something and took out a small wooden bead and placed it in my hand.
"If you're feeling restless, sit down and roll the beads. Your small muscles need to come back to life before you can handle Hidden Weapons."
"...Yes."
"Haa, I just washed you and you're a mess again? Anyway, you're always a handful."
Gwisu-sin, who grumbled for a long time, gently picked me up. Unlike his grumpy tone, his touch was gentle.
But the place he took me was not my room.
"Um, Ghost Hand Divine Doctor? Why are we back here..."
"Well, did you think you could lie down on the bed in that state?"
I didn't even dare to resist his fierce reply.
As I obediently shut my mouth, Gwisu-sin snorted and began to undress me.
I had no choice but to soak in the bath twice.
\ \ *
It was exactly three days later that Grandfather returned to the residence.
Grandfather, who jumped over the wall with a blank expression, stopped abruptly when he saw me sitting on the flat bench rolling wooden beads.
"...Baby?"
"Welcome back?"
As I smiled and stood up from the flat bench, Grandfather, his face contorted, rushed over and hugged me tightly.
But he couldn't speak easily, as if he was choked up.
After listening to my heartbeat silently, Grandfather finally let me go after more than a quarter of an hour.
Meeting my gaze, he opened his mouth with difficulty in a choked voice.
"Baby... The wind is cold, why are you outside..."
Countless emotions flickered in Grandfather's eyes as he gently stroked my cheek.
"Let's see, my puppy. Have you been eating well? Have you been sleeping well?"
"Of course. I've been eating well and sleeping well."
"Is there anything particularly painful? Your left arm."
"My arm is fine too. It moves well."
Even with my answer, Grandfather didn't seem relieved and carefully examined my left arm.
"You've lost a lot of muscle. You've lost so much weight in the meantime, this is a big problem. I hope you gain weight soon."
"What kind of way is that to talk? As if this old one would starve the child? I've been taking care of her on my own."
Gwisu-sin, who had appeared unnoticed, snorted and glared at Grandfather.
Regardless, Grandfather was busy checking my condition.
"Stop pawing her. She's a grown woman."
"Grown? My puppy still has a long way to go before she's grown. What are you saying to a child who isn't even of marriageable age?"
"...I don't know if it's a mental illness or syphilis. Or both."
Gwisu-sin, who rubbed his forehead as if he was dumbfounded, waved his hand and turned his back.
"Bring the Inner Core when you're done."
He disappeared before Grandfather could even answer.
Inner Core? What Inner Core?
Was that why he left to find the Inner Core?
As I blinked, bothered by the strange word, Grandfather told me not to worry.
"It's nothing. This old man was just going to make a tonic for our puppy. Let's go inside."
Then, he gently picked me up.
Unlike the days when he carried me around like a bundle on his side, I couldn't help but laugh at Grandfather's delicate handling of me as if I were precious porcelain.
"Ahaha, I can walk. Grandfather."
"You little rascal, your body is trembling, who are you trying to fool? You don't have to overdo it in front of this old man. Stay still."
Grandfather, who pinched my cheek as if to say don't even think about it, carefully entered the room.
He put me down on the bed and asked.
"Are you hungry? Would you like some rice porridge?"
I wasn't hungry, but I thought Grandfather would be relieved if I pretended to eat even a little.
As I slowly nodded, Grandfather said to the outside.
"Geun-myeong, bring a bowl of rice porridge."
"Yes, Elder."
Uncle Geun-myeong, who answered, hurriedly ran to the kitchen and soon returned with a bowl of rice porridge.
Grandfather, who received the bowl, personally took a spoonful of rice porridge, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to my mouth.
"Here. Open your mouth."
"Yes? Grandfather. Give me the spoon. I'll eat it myself."
"Ahem. I said open your mouth."
Grandfather's eyes, feigning a stern voice and tapping the bowl, were full of affection.
I held back my laughter and slowly opened my mouth.
