Chapter 245
245th Episode
"Uh… Okay." I’ll go out.”
Why is Namgung Hwi looking for me?
As I wondered and got up, Dang-un, with a strange smile, grabbed my sleeve.
“Why would you need to go out? Tell him to come in. We should serve tea since we have a guest.”
Grandfather also chimed in, looking displeased.
“That’s right. Tell him to come in and say what he needs to say directly.”
Seeing their firm reactions, I glanced at them and sat back down. Dang Geunmyeong looked at Grandfather and replied respectfully.
“Yes. I will tell him that.”
A moment later, Namgung Hwi, who came in following Uncle Geun-myeong, was dressed up more than usual.
Judging by the precious ornaments he was wearing, it seemed he had been to some important event.
He respectfully greeted Grandfather with a fist salute, bowed to Dang-un, and then smiled at me.
I returned the eye greeting, swallowed hard, and looked at Grandfather.
Fortunately, he didn’t look as disgusted as when he was grinding his teeth at Gwisu-sin.
As Namgung Hwi stood politely with a face asking for permission, Grandfather gestured to a chair.
“Sit there.”
“Yes, Elder. Ah, I heard you enjoy tea, so I prepared some tea leaves as a small token. It may not be as good as Mengding Tea, but it’s from Mount Huang, so it should suit your taste.”
As Namgung Hwi presented a wooden box wrapped in luxurious silk, Grandfather slowly unwrapped the silk, checked the tea leaves, and muttered.
“…Cloud Mist Tea. The young man has an eye for tea. I will enjoy it. Geun-myeong.”
“Yes.”
While Uncle Geun-myeong, who had approached, was clearing away the wooden box, Namgung Hwi sat down without hesitation. Dang-un, who was looking at him, spoke first.
“It’s been a while, Young Patriarch. It’s good to see you grown up.”
“Have you been well? I am grateful that you remember me, Brother.”
Dang-un’s eyes narrowed at the polite reply.
“Brother, you say. That’s not an appropriate title to hear from a guest.”
“Since you are a brother of a family that shares the same goals, wouldn’t you naturally be a brother to me as well?”
At the glib retort, Dang-un gave a ‘look at this guy?’ expression, then smiled with his fingers interlaced.
“Your eloquence has improved. I still remember you being shy in unfamiliar environments.”
“Time flows like water. It’s already been five years, so I should have developed as well.”
Wow. He’s not intimidated and parries smoothly.
I looked over Namgung Hwi with fresh eyes.
I knew he had grown so much that I wouldn’t recognize him on the street, but his appearance was unfamiliar compared to his childhood, when he would turn pale and not know what to do whenever Dang-un said something.
Now that I see it, he’s bigger than I thought. Is he similar to Jinseong disciple? If his arms are long, it’ll be difficult to deal with.
Noticing my gaze that was carefully examining his frame, Namgung Hwi raised the corner of his mouth, met my eyes, and spoke to me.
“I was impressed by your match today, Young lady.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Even with my perfunctory reply, he didn’t lose his smile and continued with his impressions of my match.
He packaged the match that made a fifteen-year-old cry so wonderfully that I was too embarrassed to lift my head.
However, Grandfather seemed to like Namgung Hwi’s praise and his face gradually softened.
Why did he loosen up? Did he like the gift?
I was curious, but it was better to have a conversation, even if it was a bit awkward, than to have a tense atmosphere.
I nodded appropriately and responded to Namgung Hwi’s words.
Meanwhile, Dang-un, who had brewed new tea, placed a teacup in front of Namgung Hwi.
“I don’t know if the tea will suit your taste. The taste may have changed from traveling a long distance, so please understand.”
Unlike his gentle voice, the liquid he presented was not gentle.
My eyes widened at the ominously dark brown color of the tea.
…Brother. This isn’t tea, it’s poison. Did he put Poison in it? Why is he doing this?
“Uh, Namgung Heir Apparent. Just a moment…!”
I was embarrassed by the blatant attempt to screw over the other person and reached out, but Namgung Hwi emptied the teacup before I could stop him and smiled nonchalantly.
“It is said, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do.’ How can a guest discuss the taste of tea? It is right to follow as you give.”
Dang-un’s smile became even brighter at the answer that he would quietly follow if screwing over guests was their way.
The moment Dang-un, who was twitching his lips, slowly opened his mouth, Grandfather, who had been watching with his chin propped up, stopped him.
“That’s enough. Leave it at that.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
Dang-un, who answered obediently, calmly straightened his clothes and folded his hands together.
Grandfather snorted and grumbled.
“What a temper. He never loses an argument.”
“I apologize. If I have been rude, I offer my apologies.”
“Receiving a bow after already pushing things too far. So, what is your business?”
Then Namgung Hwi replied calmly.
“I would like to go out with Dang Sojeo.”
“Huh?”
“I came to ask to go out with Dang Sojeo.”
“Cough!”
A dry cough burst out at the unexpected answer.
As I covered my mouth with my sleeve and coughed, Namgung Hwi, who handed me a handkerchief, said softly.
“If it’s alright with Dang Sojeo, I would like to ask you to take a stroll through the Market street.”
“Cough, what?”
“How about getting some fresh air with me for a while? Could you spare half an hour?”
“No, why me…”
Unable to continue, I rolled my eyes. Dang-un shook his head slightly, as if telling me not to go.
Grandfather also chuckled and muttered.
“A sly fox.”
Is there something this guy can gain by going with me?
No. There shouldn’t be.
I tried not to show my emotions and looked at Namgung Hwi’s face.
But I couldn’t read anything from his expression. All I could read was pure enjoyment.
…What is it?
It seems like he has some ulterior motive, but it also seems like he doesn’t…
I fiddled with the handkerchief and slowly opened my mouth.
“I’m sorry, but I’m a bit tired today. As you know, I just finished a match.”
Even with my refusal, Namgung Hwi’s expression didn’t change as he asked again.
“Then, would tomorrow be alright?”
“Namgung Heir Apparent has a match tomorrow.”
“I don’t mind, but if Young lady is concerned, the day after tomorrow is fine too.”
“…The day after tomorrow?”
“I am fine with seven days and nights later as well. I will adjust to whatever time is convenient for the young lady.”
Listening to him, it seems like he’ll keep asking until I say it’s okay.
I thought he had grown up a lot, but he’s just become more polite. He’s still as stubborn as he was when he was young.
Seeing him acting like a sly fox to get the answer he wants, I couldn’t help but smile.
‘Show me the Market street.’
‘Yes?’
‘Market street, I mean. I’m curious about the Market street in Sichuan. Let’s go.’
It was because I was reminded of the reckless little kid from a while ago.
The core is still the same little kid who wanted to sneak over the wall.
For some reason, my heart softened and I nodded.
“Okay. Let’s go now. Grandfather, I’ll be back after dinner.”
“…Alright. Come back early.”
Only then did a sense of relief appear on Namgung Hwi’s face.
\ \ *
Namgung Hwi roamed through the Market street without hesitation.
He took me to a noodle shop, saying I must be hungry, and as soon as I finished eating, he handed me freshly baked rice cakes.
I tilted my head at the strange sense of déjà vu, and then I realized that the places he was taking me were similar to the places we had gone together in Sichuan a long time ago.
I was amazed by his incredible memory and praised his intelligence, but soon I began to feel genuinely sorry for Namgung Hwi.
…What should I do? Does he really not have any friends?
How good was it for him to have played together for a short time when we were young that he wants to do it again?
Is his family strict? I think he seemed burdened by having a lot to study.
Surely, this isn’t the first time he’s bought snacks outside of his house, is it?
As I looked at his profile with pitiful eyes, Namgung Hwi, who had misinterpreted my gaze, asked carefully.
“Dang Sojeo. Would you perhaps like some Tanghulu?”
“Yes?”
“Please wait here for a moment.”
Tanghulu? What Tanghulu?
But before I could ask, Namgung Hwi was already striding away.
As I blinked blankly, I belatedly realized that there was a Tanghulu stall at the end of my gaze.
It was awkward to tell someone who had already gone to buy something that it wasn’t that, so I waited awkwardly, when someone spoke to me.
“Dang Sojeo, are you out for a stroll?”
Turning my head at the familiar voice, I saw a welcome face.
“Dojang Songhwa? You’re alive!”
“Ahaha, of course. Fortunately, I didn’t die.”
Songhwa, who was smiling and waving his hand, looked perfectly fine without a single scratch. I breathed a sigh of relief and retorted primly.
“Do you know how surprised I was when I heard you were trapped, Do-jang? Don’t ask me for such favors again.”
“Haha, yes. I’m sorry about that day. I received the food you sent through Yang Sojeo. If it weren’t for the two of you, my stomach would have been stuck to my back. Thank you so much, Young lady.”
Songhwa, who winked and smiled, soon whispered in my ear.
“I heard you received a marriage proposal?”
“Ugh, I’m going crazy. The rumors have already spread that far? Everyone in Wuhan will know by tomorrow. What are they saying?”
As I jumped and tore at my hair, Songhwa replied in a voice full of laughter.
“I only heard that someone proposed to Poison Butterfly. Who proposed to you?”
“Ugh. It’s a secret.”
It seems like who proposed hasn’t spread yet. That’s a relief.
Songhwa, who was watching my expression, asked quietly.
“You didn’t perhaps accept it… did you?”
“Of course not. I can barely take care of myself.”
As I shook my head, Songhwa, looking relieved, said playfully.
“Still, how about leaving the possibility open just in case? There are many cases of people falling in love during the competition.”
“What? Is a Taoist allowed to say such things?”
As I scolded him for saying ridiculous things, Namgung Hwi, who was returning with Tanghulu, stopped when he saw us.
“Ah… Do-jang is a Wudang…”
“Songhwa, Three Great Disciples. It’s nice to see you again, Divine Dragon.”
Namgung Hwi, who greeted Songhwa with a fist salute, handed me the Tanghulu and said worriedly.
“It’s not the season for hawthorn berries, so I don’t know if the taste will be good.”
“It’s okay. It looks delicious. Thank you, Namgung Heir Apparent.”
As I popped a Tanghulu into my mouth, Songhwa’s pupils trembled.
“Th, th, th…!”
“What’s wrong, Do-jang?”
