Chapter 29: So Jang-yun (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 29: So Jang-yun (2)
[...She really is something else.]
Jo Seong-won sent me a message via Secret Sound Transmission.
Even I hadn't expected Sama Yeong to dump Ung Bu into the latrine. As if that wasn't enough, she looked ready to give him a thrashing with a wooden club, just like she had done to A-Song.
She was still huffing and puffing, clearly not yet satisfied.
-Wow. I like her.
The Sodam Sword chirped excitedly.
I’d felt it from the moment we met, but as the daughter of one of the Four Great Villains, she was certainly free-spirited and incredibly honest with her emotions.
However...
[Well, it’s certainly cathartic, but will this be okay?]
Of course it wouldn't be.
I hadn't even met the Family Head yet. Stirring up trouble like this without the right eyes watching would only make things difficult.
-Given her personality, you should be glad she didn't kill him.
You’re quite generous, Sodam.
I turned my head and spoke to the warriors.
“He won't be able to get out on his own because of the pressure point seal. Pull Ung Bu out of there right now.”
The warriors' faces twisted in disgust. To pull him out of the latrine pit, they would have to dip their hands in or jump in themselves.
“Are you just going to let him drown in filth?!”
At my shout, the warriors finally scrambled toward the latrine. They looked as if they were marching toward their certain deaths.
As soon as they ran off, I hardened my expression and spoke to her via Sound Transmission.
[Did I give you an order to act on your own?]
Her expression immediately turned sullen. It seemed she had been inwardly hoping for praise.
Under normal circumstances, perhaps, but to act on her own without a superior's command during a mission and then expect a compliment?
[...I hated seeing you being ignored, Deputy Unit Leader. And after what he did to your servant, I thought I should teach him a lesson. That way, they won't dare act so recklessly again.]
She replied in a dejected voice.
-She’s right. Give her some credit.
I’m trying to set a tone here, stop interfering.
The Sodam Sword seemed to have taken quite a liking to Sama Yeong. Still, I had to make my point clear.
[That may be so, but...]
[I didn't kill him, at least!]
Ah...
Yes, thank you so much for that.
Every time I looked at Sama Yeong, I grew more afraid of meeting her father. How on earth was I supposed to tame this wild horse?
-It would be stranger if she changed completely in just a month, Un-hwi.
The Namcheon Iron Sword had a point. She hadn't just lived as any villain; she had spent her entire life as the daughter of one of the Four Great Villains. Expecting her to change after only a month of training in the Blood Cult was unrealistic. Moreover, because both Hae Ak-cheon and I knew her true identity, we couldn't scold her too harshly.
I’ll have to change my approach bit by bit.
-How?
From observing her over the past month, I realized one thing. She might not care about others, but she always seemed to try to accommodate me. The problem was that her innate nature often led her to cause trouble first. I decided it would be better to set specific boundaries.
[If this had happened in a more critical situation, even a formal disciplinary action wouldn't have been enough. Do you understand what I’m saying, Young Lady?]
At my transmission, she replied, sounding cowed.
[...I’m sorry.]
At least she didn't make any more excuses. Strangely, she seemed more concerned about the fact that I was displeased.
[From now on, before you do anything, send me a Sound Transmission and ask for permission. Understood?]
[I just have to ask for permission?]
[Yes.]
[I understand. I’ll be sure to ask for your permission. So, please stop being angry. Okay?]
When I gave a slight nod, she beamed. Even though she was wearing a human skin mask, I found myself letting out a small, involuntary chuckle as I recalled her real face. She truly was unique.
Since I had been told to be clear with rewards and punishments...
[Still... it was quite cathartic.]
Her face brightened instantly at my words. Seeing her grinning from ear to ear, Jo Seong-won frowned in confusion. His eyes seemed to ask, 'Didn't you just say you were going to scold her?'
“Ugh!”
“Gah!”
Just then, Ung Bu was dragged out of the latrine. The warriors looked miserable, holding their breath as they gripped his clothes to pull him along.
Ugh. The stench was definitely revolting.
Sama Yeong, despite being the one who caused it, pinched her nose and glared at Ung Bu with eyes full of contempt. On the other hand, Jo Seong-won seemed perfectly fine. He had an expression that suggested this was nothing.
He truly lived up to his background as a beggar.
-His immunity to filth is at the Supreme Peak Realm.
Good for him.
I sent a Sound Transmission to Jo Seong-won, telling him to release the pressure point seal. Jo Seong-won looked at me with a troubled expression. Was he saying he was fine with the smell but hated the touch? What a peculiar beggar.
When I glared at him, he winced and finally released the seal on the filth-covered Ung Bu.
Once the seal was released, Sama Yeong spoke coldly to Jo Seong-won.
“Stay at least six paces away from me.”
Jo Seong-won looked wronged, but regardless, I covered my nose slightly with my sleeve and approached Ung Bu.
“Sorry. My junior brother has a bit of a short fuse when it comes to injustice.”
“.........”
Ung Bu couldn't find the words to respond. He was in the wrong, and he had nearly drowned in a latrine—what could he possibly say?
I asked the terrified man.
“Fine. Since you kicked him out, do you happen to know where A-Song went?”
“I-I don't know.”
“What about the village?”
“He hasn't been seen since then.”
Right. You beat him without even listening to his side of the story; there was no way you’d know. I was glad he was alive, but where could he have disappeared to?
-Are you going to look for him?
I have to.
I’d have to put out a request to an information guild or somewhere similar. Now for the next question.
“If you tore down the annex, what did you do with my mother’s memorial tablet?”
The tablet had been enshrined in the annex. He’d better answer this carefully. Even if I could tolerate the matter with A-Song, if they had destroyed my mother’s memorial tablet, I wouldn't be satisfied until I had leveled the Yikyang So Family estate.
Sensing the danger from my cold expression, Ung Bu spoke hurriedly.
“Lady Ha’s tablet... Young Lady Yeong-yeong took it with her to the Hengshan Sect.”
“To the Hengshan Sect?”
So Yeong-yeong was my younger sister. If she had taken it, it meant she was likely performing the ancestral rites for our mother at the Hengshan Sect. That was a relief. I would have been upset whether the tablet was in the family shrine or not, so knowing it was under the care of the Hengshan Sect put my mind at ease.
-Your younger sister is at the Hengshan Sect?
Yes.
Unlike me, whose dantian was damaged by Qi Deviation, Yeong-yeong was perfectly fine. She even possessed exceptional martial talent and had been accepted as a secular disciple of the Hengshan Lady Hero, one of the two eccentrics of the Hengshan Sect. Originally, the invitation had been for So Jang-yun, but Yeong-yeong was the one chosen instead.
-How satisfying.
Indeed.
It had been a very long time since I’d seen my sister. I missed her, but she likely didn't feel the same. She had despised seeing me treated like trash by the family after my dantian was ruined.
“When will the Family Head return?”
I had only heard that he was out. I might as well ask when he’d be back. He wasn't the type to leave the estate unless it was for something significant.
“...He should be back within one or two shijin at the latest.”
He hadn't gone far, then. That meant a distinguished guest was likely arriving. If the guest was important enough for the Family Head to go out and greet them, they must be quite famous in the martial world.
-Isn't that a good thing?
I suppose so.
It’s even better if there’s someone present who can serve as a witness.
-..........
Just then, a ringing sound reached my ears. Only three of them were carrying swords, but they were approaching this way. They had already passed through the main gate, so they should be visible soon.
Sama Yeong also sensed the presence and turned her head in the opposite direction. Six young men and women came into view.
“Ah!”
The warriors who spotted them ran over to greet them as if their saviors had arrived.
“You’ve returned, Young Master!”
It was a sight I hadn't seen in a long time. The clique that had stuck together since childhood was still together. They were members of the so-called Hunan Province Branch of the Martial Alliance, and along with So Jang-yun, they had tormented me relentlessly since we were young.
Jo Kang, Woo Junak, Do Il-chan, Kang Hyeso, Song Yang-hwa. And the second son of the Yikyang So Family, So Jang-yun.
Actually, there were two others who were halfway part of that group.
-Don't tell me...
Yeah, the twins.
The twin brothers, Song Jwa-baek and Song Woo-hyeon, had also been part of it. Who would have thought that those who had been so cruel to me would end up becoming my fellow disciples? They should have arrived at the Johang Song Family estate by now. But their younger sister was here.
“Is it them?”
I nodded at Sama Yeong’s question. She licked her lips with a look of regret. It was a good thing I had warned her beforehand, or things might have gotten out of hand.
Leading the group like a leader at the front, So Jang-yun shouted at the top of his lungs before even reaching us.
“Who gave a piece of trash like you permission to set foot on family land?”
He really hadn't changed. Even before my regression, he had been the first to come running and cause a scene. He was the type who wasn't satisfied until he’d thrown a punch the moment he saw me.
-Wow. How did you ever put up with him?
The Sodam Sword clicked its tongue. It seemed even the sword found him annoying.
Swish!
I performed a polite fist-and-palm salute toward him.
“It has been a long time, Brother.”
At my polite greeting, Jo Kang and Do Il-chan, who were standing behind So Jang-yun, spoke mockingly.
“Oh my. The famous brat of Yul Rang-hyeon has returned alive.”
“I heard he was kicked out of the family, but he looks quite polished now, doesn't he?”
Speaking that way in front of others was clearly intentional. Sama Yeong’s eyes turned cold at their attitude. Her fingers were twitching; she looked itching to strike right then and there. I shook my head slightly, signaling that it wasn't time yet.
“Tch.”
Her face flushed slightly. She seemed frustrated. Well, I told her not to touch them; I never said I would just take it.
“You gentlemen haven't changed either. It seems you’ve been enjoying some midday drinks with my brother again. I truly envy how you always seem to have so much leisure time.”
“What?”
Do Il-chan looked ready to snap in anger. Someone stepped in to stop him.
“Young Master Do, please endure it.”
“Lady Song.”
The one who stopped him was Song Yang-hwa, the twins' younger sister. I remembered her being quite mischievous in the past, so why did she stop him now?
“Young Master So, it’s been a long time. During that time...”
So Jang-yun cut her off and shouted at me.
“A piece of trash like you wanders around outside and brings back two nobodies, and now you’ve forgotten your place!”
Hmm.
He didn't feel this way in the past, but seeing him now, he felt exactly like Song Jwa-baek and Song Woo-hyeon did when I first met them. Just immature brats, I suppose.
Without getting agitated, I spoke in a calm, measured voice.
“Your words are a bit excessive, perhaps because of the alcohol. It would be best if you circulated your energy to clear the intoxication before we speak again, Brother.”
He looked dumbfounded by my words.
“Ha!”
In the past, he would have been cowed into silence by a single word from him, so seeing me talk back must have made his blood boil. His bulbous nose, already red from the alcohol, became even more prominent.
“Whew...”
He took a long, deep breath. He really was consistent. The moment he exhaled, he lunged at me. He was trying to smash my face with his fist.
Thud!
I stood my ground and caught his fist in my hand. So Jang-yun’s eyes widened. He clearly hadn't expected me to catch a punch backed by his internal power.
“You? How?”
“Let’s talk later. I don't want to cause a scene before meeting the Family Head, Brother.”
His face twisted at my words. He didn't even care that I possessed internal energy.
“You filthy low-born brat, who are you calling brother?! I’ve never had a piece of shit like you as a brother!”
As soon as he finished speaking, he tried to headbutt me. I let go of his hand and quickly stepped back. My evasion left him looking puzzled. He must be confused about whether I had internal energy or not.
“Brother So, are you going easy on him because you share the same blood? Why all the fuss against such a weakling?”
“You said you’d show us something good, but you’re just playing around.”
Thankfully, Jo Kang and Do Il-chan fanned the flames. Shamed by the thought of being pushed back by someone he considered less than trash, his expression crumpled completely.
He was ripe. I just needed to make him burst.
“A low-born brat, you say... You still live with a gutter for a mouth.”
His expression flipped again at my sudden drop of politeness.
“What? This bastard just said to me...”
“It seems you’re right about never having a brother. Since I was born three months earlier, shouldn't you be the one calling me 'Brother'?”
Though we were half-brothers, I was born much earlier. However, because of the pride of the legitimate line, I had been forced to call him "Brother" since childhood.
Grit!
So Jang-yun ground his teeth. His anger reaching its peak, he drew his sword.
Shring!
“Call you 'Brother'? You filthy bastard, you must be tired of living.”
He drew his sword and aimed it at me. He looked ready to run me through right then and there. By now, even the warriors patrolling the Yikyang So estate had gathered around.
“Young Master So, stop this.”
“Sister is right. You said the Family Head would be back soon.”
Song Yang-hwa and Kang Hyeso tried to dissuade him simultaneously. Seeing him drawing his sword and radiating killing intent, they seemed worried that things would end badly.
But human psychology is a strange thing. Often, when others tell someone to stop, they only become more emboldened.
“Hmph. Fine. I might as well take this opportunity to clean up this filth that brings shame to the family. No one will miss a guy like him if something happens to him.”
“I would.”
“Huh?”
Sama Yeong spoke up against his words. She had managed to hold back from using her hands, but she couldn't stand hearing me insulted. So Jang-yun looked at her and sneered.
“A man who looks as slender as a girl—what use are you for stepping up? If you don't want to get hurt by meddling, keep your mouth shut.”
I felt like laughing. I wondered how he would react if he knew Sama Yeong’s true identity. Sensing the subtle killing intent radiating from her, I sent a Sound Transmission.
[Endure it.]
[...I want to kill him.]
It was a good thing I sent the transmission early. To think she was already considering killing him. I looked at the clique behind So Jang-yun, performed a fist-and-palm salute, and spoke as if I were regretful.
“I apologize. It seems I’ve caused you all trouble with our family matters.”
Then, I spoke to him as if I were advising him.
“If you put your sword away now, I’ll act as if this never happened. Please, calm yourself.”
The moment those words left my mouth, his expression went blank, and he lunged at me.
“You son of a bitch!”
“Young Master!”
Thud!
A startled Song Yang-hwa grabbed his arm, but it was no use. Shaking her off, So Jang-yun lunged forward and swung his sword with the clear intent of cutting my throat.
In that instant, I tilted my head back slightly and evaded his blade.
“Huh?”
In that position, I reached out and grabbed his face like a bolt of lightning.
Grip!
“Ugh!”
And then, just as Sama Yeong had done, I lifted his body into the air. Panicked at being lifted, So Jang-yun hurriedly swung his sword to cut my arm.
But before he could, I grabbed his wrist. He circulated his internal power to break free.
But what could he do? That level of power didn't even register to me.
'!!!'
His eyes widened as if they were about to burst from shock.
Crack!
“Aaaagh!”
I snapped his wrist right then and there. As his wrist broke in the opposite direction, he dropped his sword to the ground.
Clang!
The members of So Jang-yun’s clique watching the scene were all unable to hide their shock.
“H-How?”
“He learned martial arts?”
They really were fools. They hadn't even considered that my energy sense was higher than theirs. Well, they firmly believed my dantian was ruined and only remembered me as the trash I used to be, so it wouldn't be easy for them to accept.
“Young Master So, stop!”
This time, Song Yang-hwa tried to stop me instead. She was the only one with an accurate grasp of the situation. I circulated my Innate True Qi, focused my eye power, and stared at So Jang-yun.
His eyes turned dull and vacant.
Swish!
I let go of his face. Then, I spoke to him.
“Fine. Let’s leave it at this.”
The dazed So Jang-yun spoke to me.
“I lost. I apologize for everything—for speaking recklessly to you and for aiming for your life.”
At those words, the expressions of Song Yang-hwa and the rest of the clique turned bewildered. They hadn't expected So Jang-yun to not only admit defeat but also apologize to me.
I also bowed my head and performed a fist-and-palm salute to him.
“I accept your apology, Brother. And I am also sorry for causing you discomfort.”
Seeing my polite demeanor, the expressions of the surrounding warriors became strange. They must have been surprised to see me acting so magnanimously toward the man who had caused such a scene.
Just then, the light returned to So Jang-yun’s eyes. Finding me performing a salute and not knowing why, his rage at his broken wrist reached its peak, and he let out a roar.
“You son of a bitch! Die!”
Taking advantage of the moment I was saluting, he tried to strike my Spirit Command Point in a surprise attack.
In that instant, Sama Yeong appeared like a flash of lightning and caught his wrist.
Thud!
“Huh?”
She glanced at me. I gave a slight nod.
Crr-ack!
With my permission granted, Sama Yeong smiled brightly and snapped his wrist completely. She did it with such force that the bone even protruded through the skin.
“AAAAAAAAGH!”