Chapter 210
210
"……Hah."
Dang Jung's eyes, sneering, were bloodshot.
Dang Geunmyeong, intimidated by his chilling gaze, subtly averted his eyes and shrank back.
"You still haven't come to your senses. How long has it been since this old man made a fuss that you dare to chatter like that?"
"The rumors will quickly die down if the child stays at the main compound for a few days. It's not an outwardly visible ailment, after all."
"I'll have to think about it."
"Even if there were no rumors, the child has been away from the main compound for too long, Elder. You must establish a foundation for him here before it's too late."
At the earnest tone, Dang Jung's brow furrowed.
"It seems there's more than one rumor going around. What else are they saying?"
"Actually… the atmosphere isn't good regarding the disposal of Dang Gak's family."
"That was a decision made by the Council of Elders. This old man didn't even interfere."
"Of course, but since they can't dare to blame you, Elder, there's a high possibility the arrows will turn toward the child. It's easier to hate someone who isn't present."
"……."
"Shouldn't he return before he becomes a complete outsider? The child will soon be of marriageable age. If he continues to wander outside, he'll never mingle with the family."
At Dang Geunmyeong's counsel, Dang Jung rubbed his face with both hands.
He was right.
Even if he returned right now, the family would see him as nothing more than a bastard who had been chased out and was now being carried back in on his coattails.
They would either ostracize him completely or refuse to acknowledge him and try to look down on him.
"……You're right. He must return."
"I'll make preparations immediately if you command it."
"There's no need to delay. Let's leave right away. Geun-myeong, you'll have to suffer a bit."
"Yes, Elder."
"It seems there's never a peaceful day. This old man will surely die of frustration."
As Dang Jung grumbled, twitching his cheeks, Dang Geunmyeong, relieved by the softened response, wiped the sweat from his palms.
Dang Jung closed his eyes tightly.
Normally, he wouldn't even consider such a vulgar display of connections, but the situation was unfavorable.
To firmly imprint on the family just what kind of reputation the child had earned in the Jianghu, a performance tailored to their level was necessary.
Slowly lifting his eyelids, Dang Jung quietly asked,
"Where was it that our puppy kept sending tea from? The place that sent the Poison Needles?"
"Are you referring to the Golden Dragon Merchant Group?"
"The name is grandiose. Send a gift in the child's name to that place for the purpose of flaunting our relationship. If the head of the merchant group is a discerning fellow, he'll return it tenfold."
"I will prepare it."
Dang Jung, gazing silently at his respectfully bowing confidant, asked again,
"I heard Taeheo took care of him for a while?"
"Yes. He stayed at Wudang Mountain for a long time."
"Among the fellows So-hye met while coming and going, is there anyone worthwhile?"
"I believe it would be Beopgong Daesa of Shaolin and Head Peng of the Dragon Phoenix Unit. Thanks to their protection, there were no major incidents in the Alliance."
"This old man has been rotting in the Alliance for years; of course, there shouldn't be any incidents. If even a scratch had appeared on the child's body, I would have plucked out all of Wi Ji-gok's beard."
Dang Jung, retorting brusquely, tilted his head as if to say, 'Tell me more.'
"Taeheo Jin-in of Wudang also seemed to like the child. He gave him Hibiscus Golden Needles as a gift……."
"Hibiscus Golden Needles? What is that blockhead thinking, handing over a Sect weapon? How burdensome."
Dang Jung, scratching his head in annoyance, muttered with a troubled expression.
"Well, it's made of Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron, so it would be good for the child to use. Invite all three of them to the Tang Clan. Surely one of them will accept."
"Yes. I know he was close to the young disciples when he stayed at Wudang, would it be alright to invite them as well?"
"It doesn't matter, but it would be difficult for the young ones to come out of the Sect."
"Then I will invite Taeheo Jin-in, but send a letter encouraging his Three Great Disciples to accompany him."
"Alright. Do as you see fit."
Dang Jung, nodding, soon asked as if he had just remembered,
"……By the way, Taeheo had a disciple, didn't he? About the same age as our puppy?"
"Yes. He is four years older than the child."
"Tell him to bring his disciple when he comes. If he mingles with someone his age, the child might feel refreshed."
"He is already acquainted with Taeheo Jin-in's disciple. I believe they have known each other since the Alliance."
"Is that so? That's good. Call them together."
However, Dang Geunmyeong did not answer immediately. After hesitating for a while, he cautiously opened his mouth.
"Um……. Elder, there is something you should know before that. This is just my personal opinion, but Taeheo Jin-in's disciple……."
"What about that fellow's disciple?"
"In my opinion, he probably……."
As Dang Geunmyeong trailed off, Dang Jung's face twisted, realizing his meaning.
"What? That Taoist who only eats pine needles dares to covet someone?"
He roared, waving his hand in disgust.
"Get rid of it. There's no need to call any young men. The same goes for the Namgung family child. Flies will swarm."
"Still, wouldn't it be better to at least exchange letters? When he returns, there will be talk of the child's marriage……."
"There's no need. If there's anyone who dares to discuss marriage, bring them to this old man. I'll crush their heads on the spot, Patriarch or not."
Dang Jung's eyes, baring his fangs and growling, blazed fiercely.
At the angry tone, Dang Geunmyeong hurriedly changed the subject.
"I understand. Then I will go and prepare for our return, Elder."
"……Alright."
Dang Jung, replying, pressed his temples with a troubled expression.
Then, he bent down and picked up the shattered remains of his broken pipe.
Looking at the fragments that showed no possibility of recovery, he muttered weakly.
"It was quite a cherished item……. I'll have to get a new one."
44. Return
Uncle Geun-myeong had been busy these past few days, and there was a reason for it.
"So-hye, let's pack."
"Yes?"
"We have to go home."
"……Yes?"
"We'll be returning to the Tang Clan tomorrow."
"To, tomorrow?"
He had been hastily preparing to return to the Tang Clan.
Blinking in bewilderment at the sudden announcement, I was lectured by Grandfather.
"I know you don't want to, but So-hye, you are a Martial Artist of the Tang Clan. How can you turn your back on your Sect?"
"……That's right."
Answering, I slowly nodded.
Whether I liked it or not, I couldn't deny my roots. My starting point was there.
Perhaps my expression of agreement wasn't very good, as Grandfather asked with a gentle smile.
"Is there anything else you want? Shall Grandfather make you a pretty new dress on the way?"
However, even Grandfather, changing the subject of the conversation, didn't seem to be in a good mood.
Sensing that subtle attitude, I guessed that something had happened that required Grandfather to return to the Tang Clan.
Right. I had thought that we would return someday when Grandfather came.
Calming my restless heart, I began to pack my meager belongings.
Grandfather was listless throughout the journey back to the Tang Clan.
He seemed angry, and he seemed upset.
Did something really happen at the main compound?
As I continued to watch him, Grandfather chuckled and said,
"It's alright, child. Don't worry about it. Aren't you tired from riding in the carriage? Why don't you get some sleep?"
Then, he laid me down on his lap and gently stroked my hair.
I wasn't sleepy at all, but I couldn't say it was alright at Grandfather's bitter smile.
I obediently closed my eyes and pretended to sleep.
The road back to the land of Sichuan was treacherous.
The land route was blocked by towering cliffs, and the waterways had many rapids and fast currents, causing the water flow to change frequently.
It was such a rough road that I wondered how we had managed to escape from here in the first place.
After riding a boat, then a carriage, then back on a boat, and then back on a carriage, we finally faced an open basin.
It was Seongdo.
\ \ *
The Tang Clan, which I had returned to after several years, was not much different from what I remembered.
The towering high walls, the elegant pavilions, and the well-maintained gardens were all the same.
However, Grandfather seemed displeased.
"Tsk tsk, what is this household looking like……. Geun-myeong will take care of the luggage, so go and greet your father. Grandfather will go to the Council of Elders."
"Aren't you coming with me?"
"If I see that scoundrel's face, I'm afraid I won't be able to resist twisting his neck."
Oh dear, he's serious.
"……I'll go alone. See you later."
After seeing off Grandfather, who jumped over the wall as always, I headed to the Clan Head Hall.
It wasn't that I was happy to see Dang Mu-hyeok, but as long as he was the Patriarch, it was right to show at least minimal courtesy.
That's what Brother Woon would have said too.
Trying to erase my personal feelings, I moved my feet, but I felt someone following me.
Pretending not to notice, I slowed my pace, and he soon called out to me in a boisterous voice.
"Hey."
Only then, pretending to notice the person's presence, I turned around, and a man wearing a Green Robe waved his hand, acting like he knew me.
"You're here?"
However, it was a face I had never seen before. Puzzled, I asked.
"Excuse me, but who are you?"
"……What? Hey! Have you already forgotten your brother's face?"
The man, jumping up and down as if to say, 'What are you talking about?', had a way of speaking that I remembered hearing somewhere.
After thinking for a moment, I tilted my head.
Could it be this guy…….
"Dang Seho?"
