Chapter 30
30
"Now. Tell me. Where did Grandpa say the paralyzing acupoints are?"
"The shoulder is the Giant Bone Point, the back of the neck is the Heavenly Pillar Point, and the arm is the Upper Arm Point."
"Good. And?"
"The palm is the Tiger's Mouth Point, the back of the knee is the Governing Point. Um... the foot is the Gongsun Point, right?"
"That's right. It'll be hard for you to pinpoint the acupoints yet, so if someone bothers you, kick the paralyzing acupoints with all your might. Then Grandpa will take care of it."
If I kick with all my might, wouldn't the average person be in big trouble? Today, I crushed someone's wrist.
Dang Jung, who said such outrageous things so casually, patted me with a much softer expression. It seemed his nagging had eased his mind.
"That's enough. You must be surprised, so don't go to the evening banquet. Geun-myeong will take care of it."
"Aren't you going, Grandfather?"
"What's the point of an old man constantly going to banquets? Showing my face for a few days is enough. It's annoying now."
Dang Jung frowned as he spoke. Indeed, it was unusual for a Grand Elder who had retired from the front lines, not even a current Elder, to greet guests.
Seeing as no other family besides Pang Lak had a visit from the Supreme Patriarch or Grand Elder, I figured other clans were the same.
When you look at it, he diligently does everything he needs to do and then pretends not to care.
Dang Jung, who was looking at me with a sulky face, muttered.
"Come to think of it, it should be around here somewhere."
"It?"
"Yes. It."
What is 'it'?
"With 'it,' you won't be getting beat up."
I told you I beat them up, so stop saying that.
Dang Jung, who was talking nonsense, left without a word of explanation. I could hear rustling from the next room, so it seemed he was looking for something.
After a while, Dang Jung returned and held out his palm.
"Hand."
I'm not a dog.
I chuckled at the tone as if he were training a dog. I obediently placed my hand on Dang Jung's palm, and he slipped something onto my wrist.
It was a milky white jade bracelet.
"Grandfather? What is this?"
"You can see what it is."
Dang Jung replied, grabbed my arm, and twisted the bracelet. Then, a dart shot out from the bracelet and flew into the air.
"This is how you use it. What do you think?"
Dang Jung, who retrieved the dart from the air and reinserted it into the bracelet, looked at me with an expectant expression. He was definitely waiting for my reaction.
But I didn't know how to react. I blinked awkwardly.
Dang Jung had given me snacks or writing materials before. But giving me such a precious item was a first.
A white jade bracelet with hidden Hidden Weapons. I wouldn't be surprised if it cost as much as a small house.
When I didn't say anything, Dang Jung scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"...Hmm. You don't like it? It's Yangji white jade."
"Um... well..."
"Even so, take it. Grandpa will look for an even prettier one."
Dang Jung, who stroked my dazed head, comforted me in a gentle voice.
Something had changed. Dang Jung, who would have acted as if I should be grateful for his favor, was concerned about my feelings today.
Just like my guardian.
Only then did it hit me. We had gotten a little closer. We were now starting to see each other properly.
I took a deep breath and barely managed to squeeze out a voice.
"No, I like it. I'm just... just a little surprised. Thank you, Grandfather."
Only then did Dang Jung, relieved, clear his throat and say primly.
"Ahem, then that's good. It's a light Poison, so it won't kill you, but it will serve as a warning not to act rashly. Always wear it."
It feels like it'll be a direct train to the afterlife, not a warning. The performance must be certain.
I wondered if a mere Maid was allowed to wear a white jade bracelet, but I didn't want to say anything unnecessary in front of Dang Jung, who looked so proud.
I'll have to take it off later.
"Want to have dinner before you go?"
"Sure. I'm hungry. Grandfather."
Dang Jung, who chuckled at my cuteness, gestured outside with his chin.
"Shall I call the kid outside too? He's been loitering around since earlier."
"Kid?"
"The Namgung Clan kid. Tell him to come in if he's coming in. It's annoying."
"Yes? Just a moment. I'll go out."
Why is Namgung Hwi here?
Startled, I went outside the building and saw the little Young Master standing in front of the gate. Namgung Hwi, who found me, raised his voice.
"So-hye!"
"Young Patriarch? Why are you here?"
"I thought you might be here if I came here. You said you'd be here soon, but you didn't come. I was worried something happened..."
Namgung Hwi, who blurted out everything, widened his eyes.
"You, are you okay? You have a wound on your face!"
"It's nothing. Grandfather, ah, Dang Jung Elder told me to come in. Would you like to have dinner with us?"
"I, I'm okay."
Namgung Hwi hurriedly shook his head. His face turning pale, it seemed he didn't want to dine with Dang Jung.
"Then go. I'll take you to the Guest quarters."
"No. I can go alone. I know the way now. More than that... won't you go to the night market with me tomorrow?"
"Yes? Night market?"
"I heard the biggest night market in Sichuan is being held in Chengdu. I want to see it before I go back to Anhui."
Namgung Hwi, who explained hesitantly, swallowed hard.
Is that why he asked what I was doing tomorrow?
But I couldn't readily say I would go. I should be careful because of the accident today.
I mumbled my answer.
"Um. I have to get permission..."
"Go and come back."
Ugh. You scared me.
Surprised by the answer that came from right next to me, I turned my head and saw Dang Jung standing there silently.
Namgung Hwi also didn't know Dang Jung was approaching, and gasped.
"Grandfather?"
"Go and come back. You need time to breathe too. You can play tomorrow."
Then, he naturally stepped in and separated me and Namgung Hwi. He glared at Namgung Hwi and issued an eviction order.
"If you're done, go quickly. I have to feed So-hye."
"Yes? Yes, I understand. Elder."
Namgung Hwi, flustered, retreated step by step while sweating.
Wait a minute. Elder. We have to set a time.
I grabbed the hem of Namgung Hwi's clothes as he moved away.
"Seven o'clock! Shall we meet in front of the outer walls at seven o'clock tomorrow?"
"Okay. Then let's meet at seven o'clock tomorrow. What are you going to wear tomorrow? I'm..."
"Ahem!"
Namgung Hwi shut his mouth at Dang Jung's glare.
"...No. I was just saying. Go and have dinner quickly. I'll be going now. Elder."
"Okay."
"Yes. Then tomorrow..."
"The food is getting cold. Come in quickly."
Dang Jung, who cut off his words, pushed me into the building. He slammed the door right in front of Namgung Hwi and grumbled.
"Look at those eyes, those eyes. A young one already knows how precious someone else's granddaughter is..."
Um, Elder. I don't think that's it.
I ignored Dang Jung's muttering and wondered what Namgung Hwi was going to say.
Does he mean I should wear something other than Maid clothes because he's embarrassed to be seen with me? But I don't have any other clothes.
I should probably ask Songji if I can borrow her clothes tomorrow.
* * *
A bluish dawn was breaking. Dang Jung, who raised his head at the chirping of birds, stared at the lamp with an expressionless face.
The wick of the lamp, which had been burning all night, had become short.
Dang Jung, who turned off the lamp with a light gesture, shifted his gaze to the book he was reading.
About an hour passed like that. Someone made a sound.
"Elder. May I come in?"
"Okay."
Dang Jung, who answered, didn't even raise his head and turned the page.
Dang Geun-myeong, who opened the door silently and approached, respectfully clasped his hands.
"I have finished everything you ordered."
"Yes. Did you clean up the mess neatly?"
"Yes."
"As I have said repeatedly, there is no mercy for those who challenge the authority of the Tang Clan. Make sure they are not comfortable even in death."
Dang Geun-myeong lowered his body at the sharp voice.
"Yes. I have taken care of the Maid Sim-yang and her entire family. Her parents were not of good quality either. They were using the Tang Clan's name to fill their own selfish desires."
"Using the Tang Clan's name? How dare they?"
Anger arose in Dang Jung's voice. He took his eyes off the book and looked at Dang Geun-myeong as if to say, tell me more.
"Her mother took more than two hundred silver coins in bribes from the servants, saying she would get them a job in the Tang Clan. They are said to be distant relatives."
"Tsk. The Patriarch is doing nonsense, so the discipline of the servants is also disrupted. That family should be made an example of..."
Dang Jung, who frowned, shook his head.
"No. Make it look like they ran away in the night out of fear. Be careful not to let So-hye hear about it. The child will be surprised. How can the Tang Clan's blood be so weak?"
Dang Jung, who muttered, clicked his tongue as if worried. However, his eyes softened as he mentioned So-hye.
Dang Geun-myeong's eyebrows shot up.
He had served Dang Jung for over twenty years, but this was the first time he had seen him care about someone like this.
Dang Geun-myeong thought of the small Maid who didn't even reach his chest. The Maid, who was belatedly revealed to be the Patriarch's illegitimate child, was Dang Jung's biggest concern these days.
Is that child so special?
Dang Geun-myeong found it difficult to understand Dang Jung's favoritism. Of course, it was not a matter that Dang Geun-myeong dared to interfere with. He lowered his back without showing it.
"Yes. Elder."
"You may return. Go and rest too. Ah, and on your way, tell the Council of Elders to get their heavy butts moving."
"Yes? What do you mean..."
"Hiding is not always the answer."
"Are you saying you will reveal that child?"
"Yes. I'm going to create a new game. This old man will have to step in himself."
He answered in a monotonous voice and crossed his legs.
Dang Jung's narrowed eyes shone eerily like a beast.
