Chapter 55
55
His eyes, which had been as dull as a codfish's until just now, were burning with anger towards Deokju.
I had asked Dang Jung if I could beat him if I met him, but I never really thought I would run into Dang Young-ho, so my mind went blank.
Even though Dang Young-ho was known to be a simpleton, I was not at a level to deal with him.
Leaving aside martial prowess, it wouldn't look good for me to attack Dang Young-ho.
But it didn't seem like the guy who had lost his mind would back down easily.
My heart pounded in this touch-and-go situation.
What should I do?
What should I do?
Dang Juyeop seemed embarrassed, as if he hadn't wanted this situation either.
"Big Brother, she's my youngest sister's Bodyguard. Just let her go."
"Don't interfere."
"I heard that Jonghyeonjo personally appointed her as a Bodyguard. Do you want to be scolded?"
"I said don't interfere."
Dang Young-ho, who spat out a curse, flashed his bloodshot eyes.
Despite the aggressive reaction, Deokju's expression didn't change at all. She just sent a calm look, as if she knew it would be like this.
"Young Miss, excuse me for a moment. Please step back."
Deokju, who politely moved me back, blocked my path. Deokju, who put her hand in her sleeve, raised her Qi.
It was an attitude that said, 'Come at me if you dare.'
Ugh! Deokju! Don't provoke him!
I screamed inwardly and tore at my hair.
"Insolent bitch."
Dang Young-ho, who bared his teeth and growled, also put his hand into the sleeve of his long robe.
Judging from his subtle movements, it seemed like he was trying to spread Poison in the room.
This is all Dang Juyeop's fault. I shouldn't have followed him. I regretted it belatedly, but regret is always late.
I bit my lip and shouted sharply.
"Don't touch my Bodyguard!"
At that moment, Deokju launched Hidden Weapons.
Preemptive strike is essential! ...No, Deokju, you can't hit the Young Patriarch first! Even if he's a jerk, he's still the Young Patriarch!
My body moved faster than my eyes at the feathered Poison Needles flying in an arc.
Kicking off the ground, I took out my Bijeob and knocked eight feathered Poison Needles towards one wall. At the same time, I grabbed Dang Young-ho's right hand, who was trying to poison me.
My body moved on its own because I thought I had to stop him.
A cold silence fell on my sudden action.
The first to move was Deokju.
"Ah, Young Miss! Are you alright?"
Deokju rushed over in a panic and checked on me, and Dang Juyeop whistled as if he had seen a good show.
Dang Young-ho's Bodyguard looked at me and his master, not knowing what to do.
Dang Young-ho's expression became terrifying.
"...What did you just do?"
Yeah, what did I just do?
"Can't you see? She subdued Big Brother. Whew, there was a reason why Jonghyeonjo took her as a disciple. Her improvisation is amazing?"
Don't add fuel to the fire, you bastard.
Dang Young-ho's face turned bright red at Dang Juyeop's playful admiration. He looked at me as if he would tear me to death, then gathered his Inner Energy and shook off my hand.
But it wasn't threatening. There were many impurities in his Inner Energy, and the density itself was low, perhaps because he was drunk.
...This might be worth a try?
As the atmosphere became strange, Dang Young-ho's Bodyguard stopped his master.
"Young Patriarch, please calm down. She is a disciple of the Poison King. You can't touch her."
"Are you telling me to leave alone an insolent thing that is climbing over her own brother? I will show her!"
Dang Juyeop grinned and intervened.
"It's not a big problem for an elder to teach a younger one. But if Big Brother uses his hands on the youngest sister who just created her Dantian, would that be teaching? Or would it be bullying?"
"Shut your mouth."
"It would be quite interesting to hear rumors that the Tang Clan's Young Patriarch is using his fists on a skinny fifteen-year-old sister. I'm looking forward to how Father will handle it."
"What, you bastard?"
"Also, don't forget that Jonghyeonjo is a powerful figure in the Council of Elders, Brother. While Father, the Patriarch, is mindful of the Council of Elders, it will be very easy to cut off Big Brother, the Young Patriarch. You should be careful, shouldn't you?"
"This bastard is really...!"
Dang Young-ho, who was excited, grabbed Dang Juyeop by the collar and lifted him up.
Dang Juyeop, who was lifted into the air like a balloon doll, winked at me as if to say not to worry.
It seemed he was trying to prevent things from getting bigger in his own way.
Wow, he's good at attracting aggro. I'm grateful, but not grateful.
At that moment, Dang Young-ho's fist struck Dang Juyeop's left cheek.
Thwack!
With a resounding sound, the corner of Dang Juyeop's mouth tore. He licked the blood that had formed on his lips and sneered.
"Your fist is the best in the Tang Clan. This younger brother will wait for the day when you become the best in other things as well, Brother."
"Insolent bastard. You will suffer because of that mouth of yours."
"Then I will live longer than you, Brother."
"Ha, I'm an idiot for even talking to you."
Dang Young-ho, who gritted his teeth, released the collar he was holding.
Dang Juyeop, who rolled on the floor with a thud, coughed while covering his neck.
Dang Young-ho glared at me, kicked the door as if to show off, and stomped down the stairs.
Dang Young-ho's Bodyguard, who was left in the room with a blank face, hurriedly greeted us.
"I, I'm sorry. I'll be going now."
I watched his back as he ran away and looked around the ruined room.
The overturned table of snacks and drinks. Pieces of porcelain scattered everywhere. Dang Juyeop, who was rolling on the floor with a torn lip.
"Cough, you don't have to thank me. Instead, please listen to my performance for another half an hour."
"No, thank you."
Still, I stopped things from getting bigger... I stopped them...?
* * *
When the guy who said he was going to the bathroom came back with a torn lip, the courtesans made a fuss as if the world had collapsed.
"Young Master Dang..."
"Oh my, what should we do? This Jagyun's heart is breaking."
"Are there any other places that are hurt? Gokah will apply medicine."
Applying medicine to his torn lip and wetting her eyes was a performance that even an Academy Award winner would cry at.
"My injury is nothing. I'm just not feeling well because it seems like my brother is upset. I hope he doesn't hold it in for too long."
You're the one who scratched that inside.
"Oh my, you speak so kindly..."
"You're so generous. Young Miss is so lucky to have such a kind older brother."
One of the courtesans said enviously.
I don't need it. I'll give him to you.
When I smiled blankly, Gokah asked with a worried face.
"By the way, doesn't the food suit your taste? You haven't even picked up your chopsticks, so I'm worried... If there's any food you want, please tell me. I'll tell the kitchen to prepare it."
"Ah, it's okay. I'm not hungry."
Actually, I was a little hungry. But I didn't want to eat at the same table as Dang Juyeop.
There was the previous incident, and if I put food from an unfamiliar place in my mouth after being scolded by my grandfather, I would really be treated like an idiot.
Dang Juyeop shrugged as if it was an exaggeration.
"Why are you so wary? My sister will be fine even if she eats the Eight Deadly Poisons."
"Let's just say it's because seeing my brother's face makes me lose my appetite."
"......"
Then the smile disappeared from Dang Juyeop's face.
"...I'm really hurt right now, Sister."
"Ah. Yes."
"I'm serious. It's not like I wanted to be born like this."
Dang Juyeop, who mumbled, curled up pitifully.
Seeing him get hurt by the talk about his appearance, it seemed like he was really a teenage boy.
The guy, who calmed himself down for a moment, swept back his hair and said.
"Then how about having a cup of tea with the Pavilion Lord? You must have a lot of questions. The Pavilion Lord also seemed to have a lot to say to you."
"I will guide you. Young Miss."
Jagyun smiled brightly and looked at me.
When I nodded and got up, Dang Juyeop asked.
"You can't go back after the tea is over. It hasn't been half an hour yet."
"I know."
"You know, right? You have to come back. If you don't come back, I'll put Gyeonhonsu in your rice."
"I said I know."
Don't talk about putting in the Eight Deadly Poisons so casually. I don't know why he's telling me to go drink tea while worrying that I'll run away.
When I turned around with a disgusted face, Jagyun followed me.
"The Pavilion Lord has been waiting since earlier. She was just waiting for Young Miss to find her."
Unlike when he was dealing with Dang Juyeop, his tone was plain.
For someone with this kind of tone to make such a refreshing and cute voice. He was a person with a strong sense of professionalism.
Jagyun took me to a secluded garden.
As I entered the quiet garden, where even the songs of the brothel could not be heard, Hwahong was seen sitting alone in front of a tea table.
Hwahong, who raised her head at the sound of people, welcomed me.
"Welcome, Young Miss. Jagyun, you can go now. Thank you for your hard work."
"Yes, Pavilion Lord."
He sent Jagyun back and gestured to me.
"Sit here. The Bodyguard can sit here too."
"I'm fine."
Deokju, who refused, stood upright behind me.
"Young Miss, do you have a favorite tea? This Hwahong has prepared several types of Oolong tea."
Hwahong, who opened several tea containers and showed them to me, seemed somewhat happy.
Looking at the tea leaves, they were all Wuyi Rock Tea. I pointed to the leftmost tea container.
"Yukgye would be good."
"Young Miss also likes Yukgye? It's a good thing that we have the same taste. The sweet cinnamon fragrance is excellent."
That was all, but I felt like I knew what Hwahong wanted to say. It seemed that Choryeon also enjoyed drinking Yukgye when she was alive.
The moment Hwahong reached out to the tea container, a translucent barrier surrounded the tea table.
An alien Qi made me put strength into my toes.
What Hwahong unfolded was an Energy Barrier. A large Energy Barrier that was big enough to surround me and Hwahong.
Goosebumps rose.
If I didn't know anything, I might have taken it lightly. But I had seen Dang Jung unfold an Energy Barrier before.
An Energy Barrier was not a trick that an ordinary courtesan could perform. It was a secret technique that only a master who could freely transform Inner Energy could perform.
He must be an unknown master.
"Now we can have a sincere conversation."
Hwahong, who put tea leaves in the teapot, smiled as fresh as a flower.
