Chapter 25
Episode 25
It was a jade pendant carved with a tiger.
I respectfully received the jade pendant he offered. Peng Rak chuckled as I stared blankly at the unfamiliar object.
"That's my name written on it. Keep it safe, and if you ever need my help, bring this pendant to the Peng Family. Even if you don't come all the way to Hebei, showing it to anyone with the Peng surname will ensure you're well taken care of."
I fiddled with the smooth jade pendant. The vividly carved tiger, seemingly ready to leap out, was palpable at my fingertips.
Dang Jung, who had been watching us, said with a somewhat disgruntled expression, "I won't stop you from giving it, but wasn't it unnecessary to give away even the Silver Pendant?"
"What's wrong with it? I almost made the grandson you cherish cry, so I can give this much."
"I wouldn't give it away even if I made your grandson cry."
"...Suit yourself."
Peng Rak's nostrils flared as he wore a sulky expression. Regardless, Dang Jung opened his mouth, unfazed.
"So-hye. What you received is called a Token of Gratitude. It's also called the Silver Pendant."
"A Token of Gratitude?"
"That fellow gave it to you without much thought, but it's precious. It's an item given as a token of great gratitude, a symbol that you will repay the favor in the future. Even if that guy dies, the promise is still valid. Even if ten years pass, even if fifty years pass, if you show that pendant, the Peng Family will have to grant your request."
"That's right, that's right. If you show it, our family members will always treat you as my benefactor. You can only use it once, so take it out and use it when the time is right. Hahaha!"
It's like a wish ticket. Is it okay to just give something like that away?
But there was no harm in accepting it. I quickly put the jade pendant into my bosom.
"Thank you, Elder."
"Thanks for what? But don't you have a few more bottles of Noju Nogyo? It sticks to the mouth so well."
A hint of regret appeared on Peng Rak's face as he subtly asked. The burly man was smacking his lips while looking at the bottle smaller than his palm.
"I'll bring it to you."
I suppressed a smile and stood up. Perhaps because I had received a good gift, my steps were lighter than ever as I went to run the errand.
However, the moment I returned to the reception room with the bottle of liquor, something strange happened. An unknown force snatched the bottle from me.
As if drawn by something, the bottle of liquor flew into the air and landed gently in Peng Rak's hand, which was as big as a pot lid.
What the.
Peng Rak laughed heartily as I widened my eyes.
"Is this your first time seeing Telekinesis?"
I've heard of it, but this is the first time I've seen it used to grab a bottle of liquor.
Do the old masters have too much Internal Martial Arts power to spare? Dang Jung used it to freeze and melt water, and Peng Rak uses it to drink liquor.
Peng Rak seemed pleased with my reaction and grinned incessantly.
"Hahaha, what else should I show you? Have you ever seen this?"
As he flicked his finger, the liquor in the bottle floated out in droplets.
Peng Rak swallowed the sparkling droplets of liquor and puffed out his chest as if to show off.
"How is it?"
"Ooh. Can you put it back in?"
"Of course, I can."
"Oooooh."
As I clapped my hands in admiration, Peng Rak showed off his skill by drawing pictures in the air with the droplets of liquor.
Dang Jung let out a hollow laugh at our excited appearance.
"Is it fun?"
"To be surprised by Telekinesis, how adorable. Our family doesn't have anyone as cute as So-hye. They're all as big as doors and reek of sweat, it's unpleasant to look at. Ugh."
Peng Rak grumbled.
Isn't that genetics? The biggest person in the Peng Family is you, Elder.
Peng Rak's nose soon turned red as he played with me and sipped his drink. It was the face of a friendly drunkard.
I stared intently at his bandit-like face and asked, "Elder, can I ask you something?"
"Yes, what are you curious about?"
"Why is there a tiger carved on the jade pendant?"
Dang Jung mentioning tigers to Peng Rak, and I was curious about what connection the Peng Family had with tigers. Is it like a family symbol?
Peng Rak blinked blankly, as if my question was unexpected, and glared at Dang Jung.
"Huh? Hahaha! You don't know the Peng Family well, do you? Brother, why don't you tell your granddaughter about our family?"
"What is there to tell? The Pengs are just ignorant fools who use knives."
"Tsk, tsk. Who's calling who ignorant? There's no special reason. Our Peng Family is called the Tiger of Hebei. Those who care about formalities must have carved it in to look cool."
...The Tiger of Hebei? Like the Azure Dragon Sect, the Seal Sect. Is that the feeling?
"I, I see."
I awkwardly raised the corners of my mouth, pretending to understand, and Dang Jung chuckled. He seemed to see right through what I was thinking.
"It's because of the Peng Family's heirloom Martial Arts Technique. There are many moves that mimic the movements of a fierce tiger, so it has been called that since ancient times. That fellow's nickname is also Ferocious Tiger Blade Emperor."
Now that I hear it, I think I've heard something similar before.
Martial arts that mimic the movements of animals are called Imitation Fist, and the Peng Family's Martial Arts Technique seemed to be in the same vein.
"That's a cool nickname."
"Ahem, ahem. I was quite something in my younger days."
Peng Rak rubbed his nose at my compliment. This Elder is also weak to praise, it seems.
"Yes. Now that we're on the subject, shall I tell you about your grandfather's younger days? It was 120 years ago, and your grandfather..."
Peng Rak, stroking his beard, opened his mouth with a nostalgic look, as if lost in memories.
It was the moment when the Martial Artist version of 'Back in my day' or rather, 'Back in our day' was about to begin.
Oh dear, I've been caught.
In exchange for receiving the Silver Pendant, I had to listen to the stories of the two men's early days all afternoon.
* * *
The banquet for the Five Great Families continued the next day as well.
Madam Jin was anxious to keep me at the banquet hall, and it seemed that she was trying to find me a husband, as Songji had said.
That's because she only sent me to places where there were Young Masters of my age to serve them.
Madam Jin. Logically speaking, what prestigious family would take a Maid from another family as their bride? And I'm only fifteen years old.
I was dumbfounded, but Madam Jin seemed to believe that her actions were for my sake. She gave me a subtle smile, as if telling me to do well.
Slightly avoiding the burdensome gaze, I stared blankly at Namgung Hwi, who was offering me a teacup. He smiled brightly and raised the corners of his mouth when our eyes met.
Are you happy?
"Ahem, ahem. Hurry up and pour."
Namgung Hwi, who was urging me and pulling on my sleeve, seemed excited. That was because a rare spectacle was before his eyes.
"Grand Elder. Marry me."
"...Child. I have no intention of marrying."
"Why? There are many good things about marrying me. First of all, you can strengthen the bond with the Moyong Family. In case of emergency, you can receive Moyong's help."
"Well, I said I have no intention."
"And. I'm young. I'm pretty. Um, they said I'll become even prettier in the future. Are you confident that you won't regret it after I become a beauty?"
Moyong So-ye's eyes sparkled as she recited the reasons why it would be good to marry her.
The child seemed to have decided to persuade Dang Jung first, instead of the family elders who were against it.
Do you even understand what you're saying?
They say you can't even drink cold water in front of children, and that was exactly right. She wants to marry a handsome older brother and is just repeating what the adults say.
What have you been saying in front of the child? This is all the adults' fault.
Dang Jung, who was holding his forehead at the audacious little Young Miss's claim, asked, "Child. How old are you this year?"
"Eight years old."
"Then do you know how old I am?"
"Age doesn't matter in love!"
Moyong-gi, who was watching the scene, looked like he was about to collapse and wail.
His only daughter, whom he had raised with utmost care, was rushing to marry a man older than her grandfather, so his world must be collapsing. It was a pitiful sight.
Dang Jung, who let out a deep sigh, approached and patted Moyong-gi's shoulder.
"Just leave her be. She'll forget about it in a few years."
"Sob, Elder. What if she insists on marrying even then?"
"...Well, I might go into secluded training."
"Grand Elder. I'm telling you to marry me."
What a mess.
I averted my gaze from the three and looked around.
Dang-un didn't seem to have come, and Dang Ju-hee was resting her chin on her hand and sipping tea, looking bored.
Next to her sat a boy who resembled Dang Ju-hee. I guessed it was Dang Se-ho, Dang Mu-hyeok's youngest son.
I think they said that guy is the same age as me?
They're both children of the Dang Clan Patriarch, but one is recognized as a direct descendant and called Young Master, while the other isn't even allowed to use the Dang surname and is working as a Maid. The world is so unfair.
I shrugged my shoulders and turned my head again.
The banquet seemed to have a free-participation atmosphere, as there were many empty seats here and there. Peng Rak also didn't seem to be around, as he was nowhere to be seen.
I hope this ends quickly. My legs hurt from standing for so long.
As I lightly tapped my tingling legs, Namgung Hwi, who had been watching me intently, asked, "Do your legs hurt? Do you want to sit here?"
"Yes? No, it's okay."
You're saying something that could cause a big problem. Pretend you didn't hear it. If I sit next to the Young Patriarch of the Namgung Family, I'll be in big trouble.
Then Namgung Hwi's expression turned sullen. Did he get upset because he was rejected? He was an unpredictable guy.
I pretended not to see him and bustled about. I filled the empty teacups with tea, replaced the empty snack plates with new ones, and checked the tables of other guests.
The moment I handed the empty dishes to a Maid who had come to help with the cleaning, I heard the sound of a table being overturned from afar.
Clang!
Surprised, I raised my head and saw a man in green robes grabbing someone by the collar and shaking them.
"What, you bastard? Say that again."
"It seems you have misunderstood me, Young Patriarch. I was merely conveying the words of the sages, 'Knowing contentment avoids disgrace, knowing when to stop avoids danger,' so why are you angry?"
"Ha? Do I look so stupid that I can't even understand that much? You're saying that I'm not fit for the position of Young Patriarch, so I should give it up!"
"That's not true."
"Don't be ridiculous! Do you think I don't know you're looking down on me? You did it last time too! You keep treating people like idiots...!"
"Dang Young-ho! Can't you let go of that hand right now!"
Dang Mu-hyeok shouted with a face full of anger. However, Dang Young-ho ignored Dang Mu-hyeok's words and pushed the man against the wall.
People gasped, startled by the scuffle that seemed to have come straight out of a third-rate gangster movie.
Wow. Could that vulgar and ignorant guy really be my older cousin?
