Chapter 6
Episode 6
- The effort of the half-returning old man
When I blankly asked again, he smiled.
“I’m talking about Martial Arts Technique. I’ll teach you.”
I couldn’t figure out his intentions. Just a moment ago, he was suspecting me as a spy and trying to suppress me, wasn't he?
Is he testing my reaction? Or is it just youthful folly?
The Sichuan Tang Clan wasn't so easygoing as to allow a mere Maid to be taught the family's Martial Arts Technique. It was absurd to take a disciple at such a young age, not even twenty.
As I was racking my brain, wondering if I was misunderstanding something, the voice of my Martial Arts Technique Chief echoed in my ears.
‘One should only take a disciple after thirty and after having two disciples already. How can a kid with no beard teach anyone? It's Betraying the Teacher and Destroying the Ancestors. Betraying the Teacher and Destroying the Ancestors.’
Right?
Does he mean he'll teach me how to throw throwing knives as a pastime? Maybe I'm just overreacting to a casual remark.
When I didn't answer, the Young Master let out a dry laugh.
“You have a lot on your mind.”
“Well, that’s….”
I opened my mouth and then closed it. What should I say to avoid offending him? I felt a sense of crisis and my throat was parched.
I experienced it clearly a moment ago. His essence is that of a Martial Artist. Unlike his cute appearance, the person in front of me could kill me at any moment.
As easily as crushing an ant with his thumb.
My breathing became rough with the taut tension. Just as I was struggling to open my mouth, someone intervened between us.
“By any chance, did a throwing knife come this way…? What brings you here?”
It was a Martial Artist wearing green robes. He politely clasped his hands, seemingly acquainted with the Young Master.
From the deep voice I heard over the fence, I guessed he was the one called ‘Deputy Leader.’
“Why? Are you displeased with an old man wandering around?”
“A, absolutely not. How could I ever be? Greetings, Elder.”
“Your neck has gotten stiff since I last saw you, Bu-kyung.”
“I apologize, Elder. I didn't mean to interrupt.”
But the conversation was strange.
A man who easily looked over 180cm was calling the Young Master, who was a head shorter than him, ‘Elder’ and was completely flustered.
…Elder?
What Elder?
“How old are you this year?”
“I’ve passed forty.”
“Already? Children really do grow up fast. Is Suk-kyung doing well? I haven’t seen him lately.”
“Is that so? My brother must be busy with his duties as Chief Steward. I’ll be sure to visit you with him soon. Please don’t be angry.”
It was like a family elder and nephew catching up during a holiday.
At this point, unless I had pawned my sense of awareness, I couldn't possibly not know. The Young Master wasn't just some naive Young Master. He was older than me. At least five times as old.
The days when I treated him like a kid and found him cute flashed before my eyes. I felt the blood drain from my entire body.
How do I salvage this situation? I bit the tender flesh inside my cheek and lowered my head.
“Alright. No need to come all the way here, just do your job. I hate noise.”
“Yes, Dang Jung Elder.”
…Dang Jung?
The Dang Jung I know?
The Grand Elder Dang Jung of the Sichuan Tang Clan? The Poison King Dang Jung who favored Namgung Hwi and gifted him a precious Elixir Pill?
The familiar name snapped me out of it. I stared at Dang Jung with a dumbfounded expression.
Now I know where I am.
<Namgung's World>.
I had possessed the first Martial Arts Technique novel my Chief had recommended to me.
* * *
I was speechless with absurdity.
It was absurd that I had been dropped in the opposite side of the Central Plains, unrelated to the protagonist, in a novel where the Young Patriarch of the Namgung Family was the main character, and Dang Jung's identity was also absurd.
Because in the novel, Dang Jung's age easily exceeded 150 years.
They say the three things to be wary of in Jianghu are women, the elderly, and children, and it was true.
I had only heard of Rebirth and Reverting to Childhood, but I never knew it would be to this extent. I didn't know that Reverting to Childhood meant reverting so much that one turns into a child.
Is this how Jianghu is? If so, do I have to distinguish whether the child in front of me is a 150-year-old man or a 15-year-old kid to survive? I think I should just go home.
While reflecting on my complacent attitude, I also felt wronged.
How many people could imagine that a child watching a Maid doing laundry is the family's ultimate master?
No one would think that a boy taking out snacks from his long-sleeved robe is the Grand Elder.
As I turned pale and gaped, Dang Jung looked at me with a playful smile. He seemed to find my reaction amusing.
How funny it must have been that a greenhorn like me tried to act familiar, calling him Young Master. Damn it.
When I lost my words, Dang Jung said gently.
“Child, there’s no need to be so surprised. I didn’t hide it to trick you.”
“Ah… Yes, Elder.”
Dang Jung's lips curled up as if amused by my changed title. Dang Bu-kyung, who was looking back and forth between me and Dang Jung, trailed off.
“Elder. But this Maid is….”
“I’m thinking of taking her as my adopted daughter.”
“Yes?”
“Well, considering my age, she’d be more like a great-granddaughter. A granddaughter would be better.”
“Yes?”
Dang Bu-kyung asked back in a shocked voice. I felt similarly.
Yes?
Me?
“Why? Is an old man being foolish?”
“It’s, it’s just that it’s sudden. That child is not of the Tang Clan bloodline, and is merely a common Maid.”
“If she were of the Tang Clan bloodline, there would be no need to adopt her.”
“That’s true, but….”
As Dang Bu-kyung stammered, Dang Jung waved his hand as if it were nothing.
“I’m just lonely. Tell Mu-hyuk to keep that in mind as well.”
“Yes. I’ll pass on the message. But what is that child’s name….”
Dang Bu-kyung looked at me with strange eyes. I quickly answered.
“It’s So-hye.”
“…Your name is So-hye?”
Dang Jung frowned. Dang Bu-kyung also tilted his head, as if he remembered hearing it somewhere.
“I’ve heard it somewhere. Are you perhaps from a collateral line?”
“No, I’m not.”
I don’t think so. If I were from a collateral line, the Sim-yang gang wouldn’t have been able to lay a hand on me. Dang Jung, who was deep in thought, stroking his chin, asked.
“Do you use the characters ‘bright So’ and ‘wise hye’?”
“Elder, that child is already….”
“Are you perhaps Mu-hyuk’s youngest?”
Dang Jung’s voice rose. I was flustered. First of all, I didn’t know who Mu-hyuk was, and I didn’t know who my parents were either.
“Who is that person? I don’t know my parents.”
“…No. I must have been mistaken. If that were the case, she wouldn’t be left like this.”
Dang Jung, who seemed relieved, composed his expression and his voice became sullen.
“To be in the Tang Clan and not know the Patriarch’s name. What an impudent fellow. Did you just start working here?”
“Yes.”
I’ve only been here for a week.
Mu-hyuk must be the name of the Tang Clan Patriarch. If you call the Tang Clan Patriarch ‘Mu-hyuk this’ and ‘Mu-hyuk that’ as if he were a kid next door, no one would think he’s the Tang Clan Patriarch, Elder.
Dang Jung, who lightly pinched my spaced-out cheek, curved his eyes.
“Alright. I understand. Let’s go back to my residence and have some Mengding Tea.”
“I still have to clean the training grounds.”
“Bu-kyung will do it.”
“Yes? I… I understand. Elder.”
Dang Bu-kyung, who was about to refuse without thinking, shut his mouth at Dang Jung’s fierce gaze. He had come to retrieve the throwing knife, but ended up being in charge of cleaning.
“Give the broom to Bu-kyung.”
“Yes, sir.”
Dang Bu-kyung’s face became pitiful as he received my broom.
I’m sorry, Mister.
I tried to make the most apologetic expression I could and left the scene.
* * *
Dang Jung’s residence was chaotic.
Dust had accumulated in places as if it hadn’t been cleaned in a long time, and things were scattered haphazardly. It even smelled musty.
As I scanned the messy reception room, Dang Jung scratched his head awkwardly.
“Even though it looks like this, there’s a certain order to it.”
I didn’t say anything, Elder.
Judging by the fact that he was making excuses first, Dang Jung himself seemed to be aware that his residence was dirty.
Dang Jung, who made a path by kicking the clutter on the floor, opened the paper door.
Unlike the reception room, the hallway was relatively clean. Sunlight streamed through the windows on both sides of the long hallway, and the sound of birds could be heard. Opening the door at the end of the hallway revealed a tea room.
It was a beautiful space. Furniture made of Zitan wood was harmoniously arranged, and the scenery of the backyard came into view like a painting through the round window.
I blankly stared at the red plum blossoms that were blooming so profusely that they seemed to touch the pond.
Seeing the patches of thin ice here and there, I thought I would have been sick for days if I had fallen in there.
Dang Jung, who followed my gaze to the pond, said.
“Why? Do you want to go into the water? I should have let you fall in.”
“No.”
Oops. I inadvertently became serious. As I covered my mouth in embarrassment, Dang Jung chuckled.
“You’re a child with a temper, unlike your appearance. Well, it’s alright. Sit down.”
“Yes.”
I obediently sat on the cushion that Dang Jung pointed to.
A gentle breeze blew in through the half-open window. The winter air that touched my cheek was cold, but it wasn’t freezing.
Dang Jung, who had seated me, took out the tea set and began to arrange it on the table. Dang Jung, who was putting the kettle on the brazier, asked.
“Do you know how to brew tea?”
“No, I don’t.”
“That’s understandable. It would be good to learn one thing. I’ll give you some tea leaves.”
He moved his hands slowly, as if telling me to watch and learn.
Why is he telling me to learn how to brew tea? As I pondered, I remembered that tea is a luxury item.
Because it’s expensive, it’s hard for the poor and those of low status to come into contact with it, so he seemed to be telling me to learn when I have the chance.
I quietly watched Dang Jung gracefully pour the tea.
“Drink.”
“Thank you, Elder.”
I bowed and received the steaming teacup. As I sipped the clear tea, a savory aroma filled my mouth.
“It’s Mengding Tea.”
“I see.”
“If you save up your salary for ten years, you might be able to buy a handful.”
Cough. Is it coated with gold powder? As I hurriedly put down the cup, Dang Jung chuckled.
“Become my disciple. If you do, I’ll let you drink a pound of this tea every month.”
“Yes? That’s a bit….”
I don’t like tea, Elder.
“You’ll be able to eat properly too. I’ll let you eat plenty of meat. You won’t have to fight with the Maids. I’ll also give you a generous allowance. How about it?”
Dang Jung asked kindly, as if coaxing a child. But I hesitated to readily say I would learn.
Because the moment I learn Martial Arts Technique, my fate would be inextricably linked to the Sichuan Tang Clan. I answered vaguely.
“I’m grateful that you think so highly of me, Elder. But I’m just a mere Maid.”
“Is that a refusal?”
Dang Jung’s smile deepened. Unlike his mouth, his eyes, which weren’t smiling, had a chilling aspect.
