Translator: Nox

Chapter 57

57

14. Poison King Clan? Medicine Hall?

It was late at night when I returned to the Tang Clan after seeing the paintings of Choryeon that Hwahong had collected and listening to Dang Juyeop's performance.

As I quietly opened the door to my detached residence, I saw Dang Jung sitting there with a sulky face.

"You're back?"

"H-grandfather. You were in the detached residence?"

"I heard from Geun-myeong. That you went to Moon Scent Pavilion?"

"Uh... yes..."

I smiled awkwardly and rolled my eyes. Was he going to scold me for going out without permission?

Dang Jung, who had come closer and examined me up and down, stroked my head nonchalantly.

"It seemed too fussy to go pick you up. I waited to see you come in before leaving."

I, who had fully expected to be scolded, widened my eyes.

He was worried and waited for me.

"Were you worried about me?"

"Juyeop that rascal isn't stupid enough to harm you in the middle of the capital."

"Hehe, then did you miss me?"

As I asked with a grin, Dang Jung grabbed my nose and shook it.

"This one is trying to tease her grandfather now."

"Ouch, it hurts."

"Did you have fun?"

"Yes. It was fun."

"Then that's good."

It was an outing full of incidents, but I nodded as if I had a good time.

It seemed better not to mention the story of the Lowborn Sect.

'If you need help, please send a letter anytime, Young Miss. It would be my pleasure.'

The image of Hwahong seeing me off with an enchanting smile flickered before my eyes.

What was his relationship with Choryeon that he would help me, the daughter of Choryeon, without asking any questions?

I need to look into my mother's story as well.

...Wait a minute. Come to think of it, I didn't even find out what Dang Juyeop was doing at the Moon Scent Pavilion?

It seemed I would have to visit Moon Scent Pavilion again soon.

* * *

The incident at Moon Scent Pavilion spread quickly.

Dang Jung, after hearing the whole story, dismissed it, saying it was enough that Dang Young-ho wasn't beaten up.

Dang-un chided me, telling me to treat him with respect as my older brother.

And Dang Ju-hee...

"Little one! I heard you had a fight with that simpleton?"

"Who said that? It's a misunderstanding. How could I ever cross hands with my brother, who is like the sky to me?"

"You're so brazen. The whole capital is buzzing with rumors. Anyway, why won't you spar with me? Spar with me too!"

She kept pestering me to spar all day long.

Damn it. I should have made sure it didn't reach Dang Ju-hee's ears.

As I ignored her and worked on my throwing knives, she started whining and hugged my neck. She was so strong that I could barely breathe.

"Just one move. Huh? Just one move."

"Deokju."

"Yes, Young Miss. Excuse me, Young Miss Ju-hee."

Deokju, who had been standing quietly at my call, lifted Dang Ju-hee up and pulled her away. Dang Ju-hee made a pouty face.

"Are you going to use your Bodyguard again? When are you going to spar with me?"

"I'll die if I get hit by your fist, sister. Wait about ten years."

"I'll go easy on you. Don't you trust me?"

No. I don't trust you.

As I plopped down on the floor to show my refusal, Deokju, instead of me, went up to the training ground and respectfully clasped his fist.

"Please be satisfied with me."

"Tch."

Dang Ju-hee, grumbling, retied her hair and beckoned Deokju. Deokju, with a blank face, lowered his body and leaped off the ground.

Clang!

The sound of thunder seemed to strike as the two people's fists collided. I hugged my knees and rubbed my goosebump-covered arms.

As the dust settled, I saw Dang Ju-hee grinning, revealing her teeth. It was a mad laugh befitting her nickname, 'Mad Dog'.

How can I spar with someone like that? I'm afraid she'll appear in my dreams.

She did a backflip as if performing a stunt, then rushed at Deokju with crazy eyes.

Dang Ju-hee, fluttering her fancy Long robe and throwing punches, used her body incredibly well.

Watching each joint of her body move, it was amazing how a person could move like that.

Dang Ju-hee would have done well as an idol or a dance singer. She would have been good at gymnastics too. No matter how I looked at it, she was a talent who was born in the wrong era.

I watched the sparring while having useless thoughts. The two were moving so fast that it felt like watching a video sped up three times.

As I rolled my eyes, chasing the blurry movements, someone quietly came and stood next to me.

"Grandfather, you're here?"

"I wondered why you weren't coming, but it was because there was an uninvited guest. Why is Ju-hee in your detached residence every day? I'd think she lived here."

I know, right? Why does she come every day?

Dang Jung, who naturally took a seat, crossed his arms. He scrutinized Dang Ju-hee with displeased eyes.

"Moving around so much like that. She's just asking to get beaten up somewhere. I wonder who taught her, really."

"That? I can't even see it properly."

"Oh dear, I'll have to train her in eye techniques too."

Oops. I shouldn't have said that.

Dang Jung, who nonchalantly increased my training, rummaged through his sleeves with a sulky face.

"Want some Candied fruit?"

"Just one."

"Say 'ah'."

As I obediently opened my mouth, Dang Jung took the stem off the Candied fruit and popped it into my mouth.

As I bit into the bright red Candied fruit covered with fine powder, the soft flesh melted in my mouth. It's sweet and delicious.

Dang Jung, who had been waiting for me to finish eating, now held out Tangwa.

"Ah."

"Nom."

"Ah."

"Nyom."

I accepted the snacks Dang Jung gave me and observed the movements of the two.

Unlike Dang Ju-hee's erratic movements, Deokju's movements were honest. But just because they were honest didn't mean they were weak.

When Dang Ju-hee hastily poured out fierce moves, Deokju calmly and accurately blocked every move.

It was amazing that one's personality could be seen even in their martial arts.

As all her attacks were blocked, Dang Ju-hee, frustrated, increased her speed. But whether Dang Ju-hee was slow or Deokju was fast, it didn't work at all.

As Deokju dodged the incoming kicks and subtly tried to move out of the training ground, Dang Ju-hee shouted.

"Where are you going? It's not over yet!"

Dang Jung, watching Dang Ju-hee seething with anger, pointed his finger.

"You can't fight like that. Just like a wild boar startled by an arrow, you'll only waste your energy by running around. Take note of it as a bad example."

I am watching, but I can't see it well, Grandfather. Dang Ju-hee is much faster than Dang Young-ho.

"Gather your Inner Energy and focus it on your eyes. Then you'll be able to see a little."

...Did I say that out loud? I didn't.

I blinked and asked.

"Grandfather. I've been wondering for a while now. Do you perhaps read minds?"

At my question, Dang Jung pressed his temples as if he was frustrated.

"...This old man is worried. If she meets someone with a deep mind, she'll have her insides read and be eaten up whole. How can I let her out into the world?"

"Then I won't go out. I'll live with Grandfather forever."

"Nonsense. At your age, a Martial Artist should dream of becoming the Greatest Under Heaven or unifying the Martial Arts World. What good will it do to live with an old man? Eat this."

Dang Jung, scolding me, pulled my cheek.

Even so, he smiled and put a plum pickled in sugar into my mouth, as if he didn't dislike it.

The Greatest Under Heaven of this era has already been decided. I'll be satisfied with just not getting beaten up wherever I go.

Come to think of it, how strong is Namgung Hwi? Judging by how he knocked down the thugs in the night market in one go, he seems to be at a considerable level even now. Is he stronger than Deokju? Or is he still weaker than Deokju?

As I recalled his swordsmanship and chewed on the sweet plum, Deokju, who had been kicked, flew out of the training ground in the blink of an eye.

Thump!

Dang Ju-hee, who had climbed on top of Deokju as he was, brought down her gauntlet laced with Poison.

As Deokju twisted his shoulder to avoid the gauntlet, Dang Ju-hee, with a sinister smile, punched Deokju in the face.

"Deokju!"

Surprised, I screamed and ran towards the two.

"No, sister! How can you hit his face! Deokju. Are you okay?"

I hurriedly pulled the two apart, and Dang Ju-hee grumbled.

"Tch. No fun."

Still, judging by the fact that she was being dragged away as I pulled her, it seemed she had no intention of hitting Deokju any more.

Deokju, who stood up on his own, wiped the blood from his mouth with a calm face. A blue bruise was starting to appear around his eyes.

Dang Jung clicked his tongue.

"Why did you foolishly offer your face? It could have been your arm or leg."

...He deliberately took the hit to end the sparring. I'm sorry, Deokju.

"Oh my, Ancestor Jonghyun is here? Ju-hee greets the clan's Ancestor Jonghyun."

Dang Ju-hee, who had suddenly become docile, greeted him politely. It was a very polite greeting, considering she had just made a fist-sized bruise on someone's face.

"Yeah."

Dang Jung, who received the greeting curtly, raised his chin.

Watching the scene, I had to hold back my laughter. It was because Dang Ju-hee, who was bowing her head, was a head taller than Grandfather.

Dang Jung, who had been staring at Deokju, opened his mouth.

"So-hye. How much of the medical texts have you and Dang-un read?"

"Uh... I've just finished Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica."

"Then it's time to try handling medicinal herbs. Take Deokju to the Medicine Hall. Since he's been beaten so badly, brew him some herbal medicine and help out with the work at the Medicine Hall."

"Work at the Medicine Hall?"

Is there anything I can help with? I don't know anything.

Unlike me, who was puzzled, Dang Ju-hee looked excited.

"Oh my, really? I can play with the little one? That's great. There are a lot of herbs to trim!"

"Send her back before Shinshi."

"Yes. I'll keep that in mind. Little one. Let's go quickly."

Dang Ju-hee grabbed my hand with an excited face.

"Huh? Uh? Sister, I haven't even washed up. My Martial Arts uniform is all sweaty. Let me change my clothes! Hey! Let me wash up!"

Despite my struggles, Dang Jung simply waved his hand as if to say, 'Have a good time'.

Why is she so strong?

I was dragged out of the detached residence by Dang Ju-hee's strong hand.