Chapter 29: So Jang-yun (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 29: So Jang-yun (1)
In the northeastern part of Yullang County, there lay a small, tranquil lake.
Beside this lake, known as Soyeong Lake, stood the Fragrant Flower Pavilion, the largest tavern in the county. It was a prime location for enjoying fine spirits while taking in the scenic beauty of the water.
Under normal circumstances, few would be drinking so heavily while the sun was still high in the sky. However, a group of young men had rented out the entire pavilion and were busy draining their cups.
Seated in the place of honor was a young man with a particularly prominent nose. He wasn't just sipping from a cup; he was chugging straight from the bottle.
Thud!
"Phew."
Setting the bottle down, the young man exhaled a heavy, alcohol-laden breath. His flushed cheeks and the stench of booze clinging to him made it clear exactly how much he had consumed.
The young man sitting next to him, dressed in blue silk, spoke up.
"Brother So, cheer up. This isn't your only chance."
"Jo Kang is right. How are you any less than your older brother? This was just a formality to save the eldest son's face, so don't take it to heart."
They were trying to console the man in the seat of honor. In response to their words, the young man simply tilted another bottle back.
This large-nosed man was So Jang-yun, the second son of the Yikyang So Family, the clan that dominated Yikyang City in Hunan Province.
Thud!
Slamming the bottle onto the table, So Jang-yun finally vented his frustration.
"Dammit. What does being born a year earlier matter? How does it make sense for him to be named the family's representative for the younger generation without us even having a duel?"
This was the reason So Jang-yun had been drinking since noon. He had been excluded from the Grand Martial Assembly, a major event hosted by the Martial Alliance in Luoyang.
The family had chosen the eldest son, So Yeong-hyeon, and the eldest daughter, So Yeong-yeong, as their representative successors.
"They're even taking that lowborn wench as a representative..."
Grit!
He ground his teeth in fury.
At his words, two women sitting among the group of men shared a bitter smile. No matter how much they understood his frustration, hearing him disparage his own sister as a "lowborn wench" was unpleasant. Even if they were half-siblings, they shared the same blood.
[Young Master So is being excessive today.]
[It’s because he’s the only one being left behind while everyone else goes to the Grand Martial Assembly.]
The two women whispered to each other via Secret Sound Transmission. They hailed from prestigious martial families within Hunan Province. The three other young men were no different. Having formed bonds through the Hunan Province Branch of the Martial Alliance, the six of them had been close since childhood.
[I’m worried Young Master So might cause trouble if he keeps drinking like this.]
[You think so too, sister?]
[Sigh. If he weren't my fiancé, I’d leave him here and go.]
The woman in the purple military attire was Song Yang-hwa, the eldest daughter of the Johang Song Family, famous for their saber techniques. While her family didn't rule an entire city, they dominated a county and possessed a long martial tradition, which was why she had been betrothed to So Jang-yun long ago.
If it weren't for the Yikyang So Family's name, I wouldn't want to marry a man like this. If only he were half the man his brother is.
Though she didn't show it, she found So Jang-yun utterly distasteful. She had only resigned herself to the match because of his family's prestige.
I’d rather be Young Master Yeong-hyeon’s concubine.
Compared to Jang-yun, the eldest son, So Yeong-hyeon, was like a noble crane. Her family had tried to arrange a match with Yeong-hyeon, but those plans fell through when he became betrothed to the second daughter of the Zhuge Family.
Sigh. Fine, let’s look on the bright side. At least he’s better than my brothers who ran away from home.
She decided it was best to clear her mind. Just then, the young man named Jo Kang, sitting to So Jang-yun's right, spoke.
"Brother So, the Family Head should be arriving with the guests from the Hengshan Sect right about now."
"Wow. Then we’ll get to see the famous Hengshan's First Sword and the Hengshan Lady Hero."
"I’m truly envious."
The Hengshan Sect, based on the Southern Peak of the Five Mountain Sword Sects, was renowned for its swordsmanship. Along with the Yikyang So Family, they had produced the most iconic martial artists of Hunan, namely Hengshan's First Sword and the Hengshan Lady Hero.
The reason these youths had gathered in Yullang County was to build connections with the Hengshan swordsmen. Since none of the youths in this pavilion were participating in the Grand Martial Assembly, they couldn't afford to miss this opportunity.
"Hmph. What’s there to be envious of?"
So Jang-yun grumbled, clearly annoyed. He didn't like the Hengshan Sect. Ever since he lost the chance to become an outer disciple of the sect to So Yeong-yeong five years ago, he had viewed them as fools who couldn't recognize true talent.
Sigh.
Song Yang-hwa looked at Jo Kang and shook her head. She couldn't understand why he would bring up a topic that would obviously sour So Jang-yun's mood, knowing full well that So Yeong-yeong had been accepted as the Hengshan Lady Hero's disciple.
This is why none of them were chosen as representatives.
The thought made her feel gloomy, realizing she was no different from them.
At that moment, someone leaped up onto the pavilion.
"Hmm?"
Judging by his attire, he was a warrior of the Yikyang So Family. At his appearance, So Jang-yun stopped mid-reach for his bottle and asked, "What is it?"
Snap!
The warrior gave a Fist-and-Palm Salute to the group and approached So Jang-yun to report.
"Young Master. Young Master So Un-hwi has just arrived at the main estate."
"What?"
At the mention of the name So Un-hwi, the laughing and chatting youths all turned their attention toward the messenger. Who among them didn't know the third son of the Yikyang So Family?
"The Colt of Yullang County?"
"Isn't that your younger brother, Brother So?"
"I thought he was kicked out of the house?"
The youths spoke with voices laced with mockery. Song Yang-hwa suddenly stood up from her seat.
"Young Master So Un-hwi has returned?"
She had a reason for her interest. A little over a year ago, the "Colt of Yullang County," So Un-hwi, had been cast out by his family and gone missing. Coincidentally, her twin brothers had disappeared around the same time.
Maybe that brat knows something?
She felt she had to meet him.
"Young Master So."
Gulp, gulp! Thud!
She tried to speak to him, but So Jang-yun drained the rest of his bottle in one go and let out a twisted smirk.
"I’ve been in a foul mood lately. This is perfect."
"Brother So, what do you mean by that?"
"I’ll give you all a good show today. Let’s head to my house."
With that, So Jang-yun stood up and strode down from the pavilion. The other youths chuckled and followed suit. They could guess exactly what was about to happen.
"Sister?"
"Sigh."
Song Yang-hwa let out a deep sigh. Her urge to break the engagement was growing stronger by the day.
*
The Yikyang So Family of Yullang County.
My hometown and my house.
It had been a long time. While the word "hometown" usually evoked nostalgia, for me, it was a place of love and hate. If it weren't for my mother, only hatred would remain.
The Lesser Conversation Sword asked.
– Since you were kidnapped by the Blood Cult before the regression too, it’s been quite a while since you were last here, hasn't it?
Not exactly. Even before the regression, I had returned to the Yikyang So Family once because my status as the third son was useful for my role as a spy for the Martial Alliance. It had been about ten years in total. But back then, I was practically kicked out after only a day.
– Is the same thing going to happen this time?
The atmosphere might turn out that way. However, the situation was a bit different now. When I returned to the family before the regression, I still couldn't cultivate internal energy and was nothing more than a third-rate martial artist. That was the biggest reason I was called trash.
– Still, you’re the same blood. They’re too much.
'A child of a martial family who couldn't even learn internal energy... they must have seen me as a disgrace.'
Of course, my mother's background played a part as well. Treated like garbage every day and living in sorrow, I had turned to alcohol at a young age after my mother passed away. Because of that, people eventually started calling me the "Colt of Yullang County."
'Maybe I should have lived with more spite.'
Being here made me think that. But I had been too immature back then, and the fact that my dantian was damaged was too great a hurdle.
"Wow. Senior Brother, the manor is huge."
Sama Yeong, who was following behind me, spoke up. She was intentionally deepening her voice, disguised as a man with a Human Skin Mask. She was playing the role of my junior brother.
"It certainly is large. My Lo... I mean, Brother So."
Jo Seong-won was also unable to hide his admiration for the size of the estate. He was playing the role of a young martial artist I had befriended. Since his background in the Beggar's Sect couldn't be revealed yet, he was also wearing a Human Skin Mask.
[But Deputy Unit Leader, why are they so unfriendly?]
Sama Yeong asked me via Secret Sound Transmission. The people she was offended by were the warriors of the main house—the Yikyang So Family. The outer hall warriors were guiding us, but their attitude was far from welcoming. Unlike Jo Seong-won, who knew my history well through the Beggar's Sect's information network, she only knew the basics, so she was clearly annoyed.
[Don't mind them, Young Lady.]
At my words, she pouted.
[You’re my superior, Deputy Unit Leader. How long are you going to keep talking to me like that?]
[This is more comfortable for me.]
[Hmph.]
Sama Yeong’s current rank was Great Leader. Since I was her superior, I could have spoken informally, but I didn't. It wasn't about keeping distance; I had a reason to treat her with utmost courtesy.
– I guess her dad really is scary.
You can say that again. I have no idea when Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak might show up, so I have to treat her well. That’s the only way to ensure no trouble arises.
'Hmm?'
As I followed them, my brow furrowed. I had assumed they would lead me to the annex where my mother used to live. Unlike the others, I hadn't been given my own quarters, so I had lived in my mother's annex.
"This looks like the guest quarters."
At my question, the man leading the group turned around. He was a senior warrior named Ung Bu, formerly an outer hall master of the So family.
Ung Bu said to me, "The annex was demolished, and a new building was constructed in its place."
"What?"
I was momentarily speechless. My mother's memorial tablet had been kept in that annex. And they had demolished it and built something else without a second thought?
"You are someone who left the house, Young Master. Since the Family Head is away, we have allowed you into the main estate, but you have no right to interfere with such matters."
– Hey. Was it really this bad?
The Lesser Conversation Sword clicked its tongue.
Yes. This was the kind of treatment I received in this house. The only reason they showed even a modicum of courtesy was because I had the blood of the Yikyang So Family.
– You call this 'courtesy'?
Just stay quiet for a moment.
My mood sank, and I stopped walking. When I didn't follow, Ung Bu, who had been talking while walking, looked back with a slightly flustered expression. The reason these guys had let me back into the estate so easily was likely because they suspected I might have learned martial arts. Since my standing might have changed, they had to at least humor me to some extent.
"Young Master?"
"Fine. Setting aside the demolition of the annex, let me ask you two things."
Perhaps sensing the coldness in my voice, he finally replied with a more serious tone.
"......Ask away."
"I was going to ask anyway. Did A-Song come here?"
A-Song was my servant. A little over a year ago, before I was taken to the Blood Cult, I had pushed him into a latrine to save him from being killed. A-Song was one of the two people whose safety I worried about most. He had followed me to serve me, but originally, he had managed the annex and served my late mother.
"Are you referring to the servant from the annex?"
"Yes."
I desperately hoped he was alive. If he had died, my sacrifice of the latrine would have been for nothing.
"He came to the main estate over a year ago."
"He did?"
My heart leaped. He had survived that situation and returned. I had been anxious that he might have been killed, but it seemed he had made a narrow escape.
"Then where is he?"
Given his personality, he would have come to the family and begged them to save me, saying I had been kidnapped. If he was alive, I wanted to take him with me.
However, Ung Bu’s expression was grim. As someone from the outer hall, he should have been aware of all visitors.
".....We kicked him out."
"You kicked him out?"
I was dumbfounded. Ung Bu spoke in a cautious voice.
"He showed up at the main estate reeking of powder and making a scene about needing to see the Family Head..."
"And what did you do?"
".......We beat him and threw him out."
Ha. This is just great. You beat and chased away a kid who was begging for help?
".......Was that something to kick him out over?"
"At the time, he appeared with his whole body covered in disgusting powder, screaming that he had to save the Young Master. No one was willing to listen to him."
"Ah...... So, he said he had to save me and wanted to see the Family Head, but because he smelled of powder, you beat him and kicked him out?"
"T-That is, Young Master..."
"If he was covered in powder, how did you even think to hit him?"
Ung Bu broke into a cold sweat from panic. The other warriors were also at a loss as to what to do.
"Ah...... Did you use clubs instead of your hands?"
At my words, Ung Bu waved his hands dismissively, trying to make an excuse.
"Young Master, the situation back then was..."
Grab!
Suddenly, someone grabbed Ung Bu by the collar and lifted him into the air. It was Sama Yeong. When she, with her slender and small frame, lifted his hulking body, he panicked and tried to pry her hand off.
"Stay still."
Tap-tap-tap-tap!
Sama Yeong struck his pressure points with lightning speed.
"Huh?"
"W-What do you think you're doing?"
The other warriors shouted at her. With a face cold as ice, Sama Yeong asked the warriors, "Where is the latrine?"
At the sudden question, the warriors instinctively looked toward the direction of the latrines. Since the manor was so large, latrines were installed near every building.
"Sama..."
Before I could even call her name, Sama Yeong strode toward the latrine while holding him by the collar. She kicked the door open and shouted, "Go eat some shit!"
"Mmph! Mmph!!"
She tossed Ung Bu straight into the latrine pit.
The warriors stood there, eyes wide and mouths agape, stunned by the completely unexpected turn of events. Sama Yeong huffed like an angry bull, then picked up a piece of firewood from beside the building and looked at me.
"Should I do it? Or do you want to, Senior Brother?"