At the Clan Lord’s words, I cupped my fists.
“Thank you.”
“No need for thanks. That’s the least I can do to repay the favor of saving my son.”
Frankly, this was something that would be a heavy burden for any clan.
I hadn’t expected him to accept my request so easily.
But… this wasn’t my real purpose.
“Forgive me, but I have one more request.”
At my words, the Clan Lord asked,
“What is it?”
“I’ve heard a lot about the Tang Clan of Sichuan over the years. But I’ve never interacted with the clan directly, so I don’t know whether those rumors are true.”
“Rumors, huh…”
“For example… that the Tang Clan captures farmers and forces them to consume poison…”
“What?! Who the hell is spreading such nonsense?!”
For a moment, the pressure emanating from the Clan Lord was so intense that everyone’s faces turned pale.
I quickly waved my hands.
“It’s just a rumor. Please calm down. You’re scaring everyone.”
“Ah… I got a little worked up hearing that. Ahem.”
“I suddenly realized I didn’t truly know what kind of place the Tang Clan was. That’s why I’m making this request.”
I cupped my fists and said,
“Please allow me to tour the Tang Clan.”
This was the real reason I came to the Tang Clan.
The plague at the Thorn Gate Sect.
The Mountain Air Poison that almost ruined Jin-ho’s Deputy Merchant Lord inauguration.
If I walked through the Tang Clan and observed its inner workings… I could figure out whether these things were made by someone from the Tang Clan or not.
If it turns out they were made here…
Then I must determine whether it was the act of an individual or the entire Tang Clan as an organization.
Naturally, the countermeasures would be entirely different depending on that.
This tour… was the starting point for all of that. An incredibly important task.
“Hm…”
The Clan Lord paused in thought.
It made sense.
The Tang Clan was famous for their hidden weapons.
But even more famous… for their poison.
Poisons are valuable not just for their effects but for their formulas and antidotes. If that information leaks… it’s disastrous.
That’s why the Tang Clan maintained a highly closed system.
So much so… they only accepted sons-in-law by marrying daughters into the clan, rather than sending daughters out.
Now that I was asking to tour the clan, it was obvious they’d wonder what my real intentions were.
If it were anyone else, the answer would’ve been a flat refusal.
But the Clan Lord had declared he’d treat me as a benefactor.
Then… the Clan Lord opened his mouth.
“Tell me… Do you know anything about poison?”
I nodded without hesitation.
“I do.”
There was no point in lying to someone of the Clan Lord’s caliber. He’d see through it immediately.
“I am, after all, the Deputy Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group. We mainly deal in medicinal herbs. It would be strange if I didn’t know about poison.”
“Is that so?”
“And… I’m a merchant. Among ordinary people, merchants are probably the ones who know the most about poison.”
“Why is that?”
“There are merchants who profit through fair trade. But there are also those who use unfair means to gain profit.”
I continued.
“Some merchants use poison to threaten or kill others. To avoid falling victim, one has no choice but to study poison.”
“What?”
“I’ve never personally encountered such merchants… but my father has, several times.”
“How is your father? Is he alright?”
“Fortunately, he survived. Either by detoxifying in time or by recognizing the poison beforehand.”
“That’s a relief.”
Suddenly… memories of my past life resurfaced.
God… poison was everywhere back then.
Especially those cowards who pretended to be righteous but used poison behind the scenes.
Of course… I was never the type to let such people get away with it.
The Clan Lord asked again.
“So, is your desire to tour the Tang Clan purely for personal knowledge about poison?”
“That’s not it.”
“It’s not?”
“As long as the Tang Clan’s poisons don’t leak into the world… why would I need knowledge of them?”
“Hmm… true.”
The Clan Lord nodded.
“If our clan’s poison ever leaked… it would be a catastrophe.”
That was precisely why the Tang Clan maintained its closed traditions.
Their poisons were devastatingly powerful.
If they ever spread into the world, countless innocent people would die.
That wouldn’t just ruin the Tang Clan’s honor… it would threaten the clan’s very existence.
They’d be branded enemies of the martial world… or worse, labeled Unorthodox Sect…
Wait. Hold on.
If the Tang Clan were ever treated as enemies of the martial world… and the Murim Alliance reached out to them… who wouldn’t grab that hand?
I think… I’m starting to understand how the Murim Alliance intends to pull the Tang Clan into its grasp.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just a little tired.”
“My, my… You must be working too hard if someone with your martial skills says that. I hope dragging you here didn’t overwork you.”
“Not at all. I’m grateful for the chance to rest. Anyway, like I said… I’m a merchant. Falling for baseless rumors doesn’t profit me.”
I continued.
“But my experience isn’t enough to tell whether the rumors about the Tang Clan are true or not. That’s why I’m making this request.”
The Clan Lord nodded.
“I understand. You’re not just anyone. You’re a benefactor of the Tang Clan. There’s no way we wouldn’t honor a request like this.”
“Thank you.”
“Considering how much damage those who tried to kidnap Jo-ung could’ve caused us… If I didn’t grant this, I’d be utterly shameless.”
With that… I realized why the Clan Lord so easily agreed to the written guarantee earlier.
He must’ve figured out… that those kidnappers intended to extort the Tang Clan.
And their demands… were likely devastating for the Tang Clan.
Ah… what a shame.
Had I realized that earlier… I might’ve asked for something even bigger.
But… greed should have its limits.
“Thank you for granting me such an unreasonable request.”
“Then I’ll send my deputy to guide you tomorrow morning.”
“I’m fine with starting the tour today.”
“The main estate is massive. Even if you start now, the tour won’t finish until tomorrow. Are you sure?”
“Ah…”
I quickly corrected myself.
“I look forward to it tomorrow morning.”
.
.
.
The banquet ended.
I followed the deputy back to the annex where I was staying.
Then I sat down at the tea table.
I had a few things to think about.
And that was when…
A voice suddenly echoed.
“So… it really is you. You’ve come back. What now? What’s the plan? You’re shameless as ever.”
Huh? What was that?
I stepped outside.
In the courtyard stood Escort Guard Lee Pil and a young man I’d never seen before. He looked to be about the same age as Lee Pil.
“So you stormed out of the Tang Clan because you hated it…”
At the commotion, I and the other escorts came out as well. Lee Pil wore an awkward expression.
The young man, clearly misunderstanding something, shouted triumphantly,
“Looks like I hit a nerve. I bet even rescuing Jo-ung was just part of some scheme…”
“And who might you be?”
At my question, the young man turned to look at me.
“Who are you to scold my escort guard?”
“Escort guard…?”
I replied calmly.
“Since you walked in here without being stopped, you must know who I am.”
This annex had two security escorts stationed at the entrance.
If they hadn’t stopped him, it meant this young man held quite a high position.
“Ah… my apologies. My name is Tang Jun-ryeong, Squad Leader of the Flying Blade Division (飛金隊) of the Tang Clan.”
“I’m Eun Seo-ho.”
I only offered my name.
I had no desire to introduce myself fully to someone who just berated my escort.
“Though unintentionally, I overheard your words, Squad Leader Tang. We rescued Young Master Jo-ung purely by coincidence. Escort Guard Lee Pil was simply following my orders.”
“…”
“That’s something even the Clan Lord himself has clearly acknowledged. It’s rather disappointing to encounter someone here who harbors such misunderstandings.”
My words left Tang Jun-ryeong visibly flustered.
“T-That’s…”
But he quickly composed himself and cupped his fists.
“I spoke out of turn.”
“Apology accepted.”
I pressed on.
“Then… would you mind explaining why you were raising your voice at my escort?”
“Before that, let me ask first. Did you say… escort?”
“Escort Guard Lee Pil is my escort.”
At my words, his expression contorted in disbelief.
“A member of the Tang Clan, reduced to the escort of a mere merchant… Just how far have you fallen, Tang Lee Pil!”
Tang Lee Pil?
So… does that mean Lee Pil was originally of the Tang Clan?
No wonder…
I always thought he was unusually skilled with hidden weapons for someone from Sichuan, but I never imagined he was Tang Clan-born.
But so what?
Regardless of his past, Lee Pil was now my escort.
“‘Mere merchant’…? Don’t you dare insult my lord.”
Escort Guard Lee Pil was clearly angered by the comment.
A man like this… How could I possibly pretend I didn’t hear that?
“Escort Guard Lee Pil.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Do you know him?”
At my question, he nodded.
“Yes. He’s my half-brother. Well… used to be. I abandoned the Tang name and left the family.”
“I see.”
I turned to Tang Jun-ryeong.
“And it seems you’ve misunderstood why my escort is here. Escort Guard Lee Pil had no desire to come. He wasn’t pleased about visiting.”
That was true.
When I mentioned we were heading to the Tang Clan, I’d sensed his reluctance.
“But the Clan Lord himself insisted that everyone involved in saving Young Master Jo-ung had to come. That’s why he’s here.”
I continued.
“Besides, we won’t be staying long. I may be a mere merchant, but as someone acting under the Emperor’s direct order, I am rather busy.”
“Ahem.”
My composed explanation clearly left him feeling awkward. He coughed to cover it up.
But still… he stubbornly refused to lower his pride.
“Still… a member of the Tang Clan serving as a merchant’s escort… It’s unacceptable.”
“Then… if the Clan Lord knew one of his own was serving as my escort, do you think he’d allow it?”
“Of course not.”
“Well… the Clan Lord has known for quite some time. And yet, he hasn’t said a word about it.”
“…”
“No objection from the Clan Lord means he’s approved it. So… are you suggesting the Clan Lord is wrong?”
“Kh…”
Tang Jun-ryeong’s face twisted at my words.
Pushing him further wouldn’t be wise.
Even a rat bites when cornered.
It was time to offer him a way out.
I smiled.
“I understand. You were worried about your estranged brother. But he’s doing fine, so there’s no need to worry.”
I continued politely.
“So please, don’t trouble yourself and return.”
“Hmph… Well… since you put it like that, I’ll trust you and leave. I hope… there’ll be no further disgrace brought upon the Tang Clan.”
With that, Tang Jun-ryeong turned and left the annex.
Phew. Finally gone.
Escort Guard Lee Pil let out a quiet sigh.
“I expected someone to show up… but I didn’t think it’d be my brother. That… was troublesome. Thank you for helping me.”
“Come now. How could I not intervene when my escort is in trouble?”
“But… you won’t ask me about my circumstances?”
“If life here was good… you wouldn’t have left. You must’ve hated it enough to walk away.”
“…”
“I have no intention of forcing you to dig up painful memories.”
At my words, he smiled.
“You really are a good man, my lord.”
“Took you this long to realize?”
Escort Guard Seo Wu jumped in with a grin.
“I knew it from the very beginning.”
Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am chuckled as well.
“Same here. Bit disappointed you only just figured it out.”
The playful banter brought a soft smile to Lee Pil’s face.
“You’re all such good people… If you were my brothers… I wouldn’t have run away from this place.”
“Then you’d better stick close from now on.”
At Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am’s words, Lee Pil chuckled.
“Actually… my mother was a poor farmer.”
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavier, but Lee Pil spoke with surprising calm.
“She saved my father… after finding him wounded and collapsed in the forest. And… somehow… I was born.”
His face… didn’t look like someone telling his own story.
It felt… like the weight of it had carved itself deep into his soul.
–TL Notes–
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