Chapter 231
231
Bang!
Baaaaang!
With a sound like the bursting of a drum's leather, Dang Hwa-yeop went tumbling across the floor.
In the face of the one-sided beating that couldn't even be called a sparring match, sighs poured out from all around.
Dang Hwa-yeop, too, seemed unable to believe the reality that he couldn't even resist, his face blank.
Unable to watch any longer, Grandfather leaped up from his seat.
"There's nothing more to see. This old man is leaving."
"I am sorry, Elder."
"Enough. How could this be Bu-gyeong's fault? It's the Patriarch's fault for leaving a fool to run wild like a thunderbolt, not knowing his place. Girl, come slowly."
Grandfather retorted sullenly and left the arena without looking back. He seemed to have difficulty controlling his anger in front of others.
In contrast, Dang Gyeong-won was smiling brightly with a refreshing look on his face.
The other members of the collateral family also seemed to think it served him right, their lips twitching.
A hollow laugh escaped me at the scene that showed how Dang Hwa-yeop had lived.
That guy probably has as little popularity as his father. Not a single person is feeling sorry for him, geez.
The spectacle wasn't pleasing to the eye, so the referee hurriedly made a decision.
"Stop, stop! Yang Gyo-jin of the Yang family wins!"
But Yang Gyo-jin didn't seem to hear, continuing to swing his spear. The referee warned him again and struck the Large Gong.
"Stop it! If you use your hands any further, you will be disqualified!"
Only then did Yang Gyo-jin stop his movements, sheathing his spear with a snort.
I glanced at the sight of Dang Hwa-yeop being carried away, lying sprawled on the floor, and swallowed a sigh, rising to my feet.
I needed to find some good tea to soothe Grandfather's mood.
\ \ \
Dang Hwa-yeop, who had been moved to the Medicine Hall, was greatly shocked and couldn't easily regain his senses.
That's what Dang Gyeong-won said. Even though the injuries weren't that serious, he was acting dramatic, begging for his life, or so he said.
"Later, he opened his eyes, screaming, and when the disciples of the Clear Castle Sect came to visit, he pretended to faint again."
"Puhaha, what? He must have been embarrassed."
"Of course. He'd want to hide in a rat hole. He was so proud, saying the Grand Revival Pill was his, but he got crushed from his first sparring match."
As soon as the cleanup was finished, Dang Gyeong-won came to me and was busy rattling off everything that had happened.
He was spewing words without taking a breath, looking like he was full without even eating.
"It was the first time I saw Third Young Master getting beaten up like that. It was hard to hold back my laughter."
"You didn't hold back, you were laughing gleefully."
"That was me holding back. That little brother from the Yang family, he's your friend, right? Tell him to have a drink or something. Don't tell him I gave it to you."
He even slipped me some silver coins to buy Yang Gyo-jin a drink.
I chuckled and slipped the pouch he handed me into my sleeve.
"Okay. I'll pass it on. You must have had a lot pent up. By the way, why did the Clear Castle Sect disciples come?"
"Because they're close. Ah, you wouldn't know. Third Young Master often interacts with the Rising Stars of the Clear Castle Sect. He's so close that he's even sworn brotherhood with their chief disciple. They're the ones who gave him the nickname Poison Hero."
Oh, I'll never be able to get close to the Clear Castle Sect Martial Artists.
"Thanks for the information. Then go before Grandfather comes. He was incredibly angry, don't get caught in the crossfire while you're gloating."
"I'm not done yet. I have something to tell you about your sparring partner."
Dang Gyeong-won changed his expression, crossed his arms, and opened his mouth.
"Did you hear he's a beggar from the Beggars' Sect?"
That's what was written in the illustrated book Jang Mi-ryeo gave me.
When I nodded, he continued.
"Cheol Myeon Gae (Iron Face Dog). Twenty-six years old. Third Knot, and like his name, his face is dark red and rough. He became a Branch Leader at a fairly young age, and I heard the Alliance is keeping an eye on him. I saw him from afar before, and he pretends to be right-handed, but he's left-handed. He often pretends to attack from the right and then changes direction to the left to exploit weaknesses."
"Hoo."
"And..."
Dang Gyeong-won continued to explain, dissecting Cheol Myeon Gae's martial art move one by one.
It was much more detailed than what was written in Jang Mi-ryeo's illustrated book.
"You're quite something. How did you find out all that?"
"I'm going to be the Chief Steward. Information gathering is essential."
"For someone who's going to be Chief Steward, you don't know much about me."
"You're... an exception. In the first place, no one thought you would rise this far. Everyone just thought the Elder was senile..."
Dang Gyeong-won, who was grumbling, hurriedly covered his mouth.
Tsk. I can guess what kind of stories were going around.
"The future Chief Steward needs to learn how to watch his mouth before becoming Chief Steward. That's Betraying the Teacher and Destroying the Ancestors."
I clicked my tongue and glared at him, and Dang Gyeong-won, looking pale, clasped his hands together and pleaded.
"Pretend you didn't hear that. Anyway, everyone thought a Maid who only did chores couldn't do anything. That's why I didn't even think about finding out."
"I see. An interesting impression."
"It's not 'I see'! You don't seem to understand, but you started too late. Fifteen is the age when the bones and muscles have settled. Creating a Dantian with a body full of impurities? It's no different from trying to cook rice with muddy water. No matter how hard you try to filter it, you'll only get a drop or two of clear water. What can you use that for?"
"Look at you. You're cursing me, saying I can't achieve greatness."
"That's not what I mean...! If you start at your age, the most you can do is get a little stronger and imitate the footwork to make your steps faster. But you...!"
Dang Gyeong-won groaned and clutched his chest as if frustrated. He seemed to have swallowed the rest of his words because saying more would be insulting to me.
"Okay, okay. I understand what you're saying. Let's just say I'm a genius."
"No. You are a genius."
"What's this? Why are you suddenly like this?"
"We were foolish to doubt the Elder's eyes. From following the teachings of the Poison King, it's clear you're not an ordinary person."
I felt awkward at his actions, as he nodded in such a serious voice, and I slowly backed away.
"Um, please don't give me compliments you don't mean, it's creeping me out."
"I mean it. Did you think the Elder didn't try to teach the children of the family? They all ran away before even a day was up. I did too."
"What's wrong with Grandfather? He still teaches step by step..."
He never taught me. He just threw coins at me and made me climb cliffs.
When I couldn't continue, Dang Gyeong-won tilted his head and asked.
"You couldn't do it again from the beginning, could you?"
"...No."
"Anyway, I repaid you."
"Okay. I received it well."
Only then did Dang Gyeong-won, with a relieved expression, turn his back.
I watched his retreating figure and raised the corners of my lips, asking.
"Dang Gyeong-won. How old are you?"
"Twenty-five."
"Ooh, you look young. You're old. Should I call you Older Brother?"
"What? Stop saying creepy things."
"Why? Dang Seho throws a fit if you don't call him Older Brother even if it's only a few months difference."
"I refuse to be treated the same as a guy who has to divide people into superiors and inferiors even if it's only a day's difference. That's it, I'm leaving."
He truly looked disgusted, rubbing his ears as if he had heard something he shouldn't have, and walked away.
I chuckled and crossed my arms.
He may speak rudely, but he's not a bad guy, seeing as he makes a point of returning the favors he receives.
I had a feeling that I would be seeing Dang Gyeong-won often.
\ \ \
The next morning, Yang Gyo-jin came to my quarters as if nothing had happened.
"So-hye! Are you awake? Did you train? Want to spar?"
I ran out at the sound of him cheerfully shouting in front of the tightly closed gate and cautiously asked.
"Gyo Jin. Are you okay? About yesterday..."
"Huh? I'm fine. That was yesterday's business."
I couldn't find any resentment in his face as he tilted his head, looking like he didn't know what the problem was.
Okay. I'm glad you're okay.
Relieved, I patted Yang Gyo-jin's shoulder and led him into the quarters.
Grandfather, who was quietly drinking tea inside, also opened the window and spoke.
"Are you from the Yang family?"
"Good morning, Grandfather. Can I eat breakfast with So-hye?"
"Yes. Come in."
Weariness was evident on Grandfather's face as he gestured to us.
As Yang Gyo-jin sat down on the chair, Grandfather sighed and clasped his hands together, apologizing.
"Yesterday... a member of our family committed a great discourtesy to the Yang family. This old man apologizes on his behalf. I'm sorry."
"Aww. It's okay."
"It's not okay. This isn't something that can be brushed off as okay by you. Is there an elder from your Sect with you? Or should this old man formally send a letter and visit the Yang family..."
"It's really okay. I beat him up, so my mother won't care. More importantly, can I eat this?"
"...Yes. Eat comfortably. Then, this old man will write a letter for you to deliver to the Sect Leader."
"Yes."
As Grandfather pushed the plate of refreshments towards him, Yang Gyo-jin picked up the snacks with a docile expression.
He warmed up with me with a light sparring match, and only after eating breakfast together did he leave, saying he was going to watch the seventh group's match.
"Whose match are you going to see?"
"Jegal Gyu. I'm meeting Sama Hoseon. See you later!"
The next one is Namgung Hwi's match. If I leave soon, I should be on time.
As I leisurely prepared to leave, Grandfather stroked his chin and asked.
"Was the eighth group a Namgung family child?"
"Yes. I'm going to go see it."
"Let's go together. This old man is curious about that guy's sword."
He got up, put his hands behind his back, and started walking ahead.
I scratched my cheek and followed behind Grandfather.
Come to think of it, he's subtly concerned about Namgung Hwi.
Puzzled, I sat down in the audience seats and widened my eyes at a familiar figure.
Gwisu-sin was sitting across from me.
"What is Im Ga up to again? Tsk."
While I was flustered and rolling my eyes, Grandfather clicked his tongue and crossed his legs with a sullen face.
He really came to see Namgung Hwi's match? How do they know each other? Did Namgung Hwi also find Gwisu-sin's Secret cave?
Seeing him receive the attention of two old masters, I thought that the protagonist is indeed the protagonist.
Soon, the Large Gong rang, signaling the start of the match.
Namgung Hwi, who had politely clasped his hands to his opponent, drew his sword.
I licked my lips and focused my eyes. I intended to engrave Namgung Hwi's Sword path into my eyes without missing a single detail.
But the moment he struck down his first martial art move, a roar erupted from Grandfather's mouth.
"That, that crazy old hag! Did she teach Namgung?"
