Chapter 538: The Beginning of an Upheaval (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 538: The Beginning of an Upheaval (4)
The Tang Clan was in an uproar.
A rumour had begun to circulate, first within the clan itself, and then throughout all of Sichuan. Something monumental had occurred. Whispers spread that the Tang Clan, in its vain pursuit of power, had engaged in human experimentation. The word was that the elders themselves had overseen these horrific acts, a scandal now rippling across the province.
Experiments using demonic beasts.
Countless humans had died to further this goal.
It was said the Tang Clan had secretly abducted all of these people.
As if human experimentation weren't enough… they had resorted to kidnapping to fuel it.
The Unorthodox Faction.
For a prestigious clan of the Orthodox Faction to commit an act worthy of the blood-maddened bastards huddled in the borderlands… it was nothing short of shocking.
Of course, for now, it was merely a rumour. No matter how widely it spread, fewer than half of those who heard it gave it any credence.
But every member of the Tang Clan knew. They knew it was more than just a rumour.
* * *
Night fell, the moon casting its pale light. A single lamp illuminated the residence where Tang Soyeol met with her older brother, Tang Jooyeok.
“What are we going to do…?” Soyeol’s voice was strained.
The Young Lord of the Tang Clan tilted his head, his reaction deceptively carefree. “What do you mean?”
That nonchalance made Soyeol’s eyes redden. “You know what I’m talking about… Brother.”
“Hmm…” Jooyeok let out a sigh at his sister’s miserable expression. He’s found out. He had hoped Soyeol would remain ignorant of the main family’s affairs. But it seemed someone had leaked the information, or perhaps the rumours had simply grown too loud to ignore.
“You wouldn’t believe me even if I said it wasn’t true.”
“I would. But I would resent you later when I found out it was a lie.”
“Mm.” Jooyeok’s eyes gleamed as he watched her. She spoke clearly even as she choked back tears. In the past, she would have whined with a childish petulance. But the Tang Soyeol of today was different. Has she matured? If so, it was a shame. He had always been fond of his little sister’s more childish side.
If she has matured, the cause is… A faint smile touched Jooyeok’s lips as the image of a fierce-looking young man flashed through his mind.
“Brother?”
“My apologies, I was lost in thought for a moment.”
The feeling was new. When he had first met him, the boy was merely a scion of a prestigious family—the Sword Phoenix’s younger brother, nothing more, nothing less. But in just a few short years, that young man had grown to immense proportions. He now influenced not only the sister before him, but the entire Tang Clan. And Jooyeok predicted that with just a little more time… He will influence the entire Central Plains.
This wasn’t a prediction, but a certainty. Otherwise, his father would never have issued that warning.
—Be careful of Young Master Gu.
It wasn’t simply a directive to treat him as dangerous. The words “be careful” also held the hidden meaning of “treat with care.” Furthermore, it meant he was a figure who could not be treated carelessly. The Poison King had decided that Gu Yangcheon was someone who demanded respect. That was why he had warned his heir.
Of course, even without that warning, Tang Jooyeok would have been cautious. How could I not know? The Gu Yangcheon of today exuded an incredible presence. It was strange he hadn’t noticed it before. A storm was brewing around that young man. Jooyeok knew of a few such people—those whose potential was so outstanding that they brought tempests with them wherever they went.
There was a time I wanted to be like that, too.
But Jooyeok knew better than anyone that he could never become such a figure. Moreover, many who initially commanded such typhoons… were swept away by the very winds they created and collapsed. No, most of them did. Objectively, he knew he lacked the capacity to withstand such a storm, even if he could summon one.
So, what about Gu Yangcheon?
That friend…
As Jooyeok thought of him, he observed the winds swirling around the young man. They were red. Gu Yangcheon’s typhoon burned crimson. He would not only remain at the eye of the storm but would paint all the winds with his own colour. That crimson gale would gradually grow until it swept across the entire Central Plains.
How long would it take? Probably not long at all. Tang Jooyeok was certain.
So, it’s a relief. It was a relief that such a person looked favourably upon his sister.
“…Is… is Dad… No. Is Father… all right?” Soyeol’s voice trembled as she interrupted his thoughts. Her concern was not for the clan’s peril, but for the Poison King’s well-being. He would be suffering the most.
Hearing the question, Jooyeok smiled slightly. “What is there to be all right or not about?”
“How can you give such an irresponsible answer…”
“If I had to say, he actually looked rather relieved.”
It was an incomprehensible story. The shadow that had weighed on the Poison King when the Tang Clan was at the height of its power had vanished, now that it teetered on the brink of ruin. Jooyeok understood his father’s feelings, yet he couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. But he didn’t say a word.
“Brother…”
“If that is the Lord’s choice, we must follow it.”
“…”
“Soyeol, you saw it too, didn’t you? The expression on the Lord’s face.”
Even as he smiled bitterly, even as he looked withered, the smile on the Poison King’s lips seemed… lighter. Since when? No, he probably hadn’t even been aware of it himself. I never knew Father’s smile was so heavy. He could only realise it now because something had changed.
—I am sorry.
The sight of his father apologising as he spoke of his choice was an unfamiliar scene for Tang Jooyeok. He couldn’t question why he had done it. Nor could he deny that choice.
—Even if many things change because of this choice.
—At the very least, shouldn't this be how the Orthodox Faction acts?
One could call it a statement that chased romance while turning its back on reality. But Jooyeok couldn’t refute it. It was a fact he had momentarily forgotten, something he had always taken for granted. The Tang Clan is part of the Orthodox Faction. That self-evident statement felt unusually heavy.
“It’s all right.”
“…Brother.”
“Even if the Tang Clan is shaken by this, it will be my job to hold it together again.” He deliberately didn’t say “our” job. Tang Jooyeok would become the next Lord. Having chosen to respect the Poison King’s decision, he intended to shoulder all the burdens that would follow. “So, Soyeol, you don’t have to worry about a thing.”
“…”
“The Tang Clan will not fall.” If it fell, he would simply raise it up again. “So, don’t hesitate.”
“…!” Soyeol flinched in surprise, understanding the intention behind his words.
“I know what you’re worried about.” What Tang Soyeol feared was probably… “It’s about Young Master Gu, isn’t it?”
“…”
Her worries concerning Gu Yangcheon. Specifically, the dilemma of whether to follow him to Shanxi the next day. Under normal circumstances, she would have gone without a second thought. But with her family in such a state, as a direct descendant, she couldn’t act rashly.
If that was the case, it didn’t matter. “Go with him.”
“But…”
Even with Jooyeok’s encouragement, Soyeol seemed unable to decide.
“It’s better that you go. Being by Young Master Gu’s side might be more helpful to you than being here.”
“…”
“While you’re at it, try to seduce him a little. You may be my sister, but your face isn’t one to be ashamed of anywhere.”
“Brother…!” Soyeol shrieked at the joke.
He didn’t know how she compared to the other women around Gu Yangcheon, but Tang Soyeol was quite pretty. She was simply more on the cute side than the mature women who typically surrounded him.
And. If things go well and their relationship improves, that would be the icing on the cake. No matter how far the Tang Clan fell, if their son-in-law and brother-in-law was the next Strongest Under Heaven, they wouldn’t be looked down upon anywhere. In Tang Jooyeok’s mind, Gu Yangcheon was already the future Strongest Under Heaven.
Soyeol stared at him with disbelief. “You can still joke in a situation like this…?”
“Is it not a situation where I can?”
“Really…”
“Anyway, don’t worry too much.” Leaving behind a gentle smile, Jooyeok rose to his feet. “There doesn’t seem to be anything more to talk about, and it’s late, so your brother will be going now.”
“…Thank you. Brother.” Her gratitude was for his visit so late at night. Soyeol thought that Jooyeok must be the most exhausted of them all. The Tang Clan of today belonged to the Poison King, but the one who would manage it hereafter was Tang Jooyeok. She knew how much he must be worrying as he watched the clan being shaken.
Jooyeok chuckled at the emotion-filled thanks. “Of course.”
Yes, his little sister had definitely matured. That was the most regrettable thing for now.
Click.
The door closed. As soon as her brother’s presence vanished, Tang Soyeol lay down on her bedding.
“…Haaa…” A sigh escaped her lips unbidden.
She was afraid of what was to come, but the bigger reason for her sigh was the dilemma Jooyeok had left her with.
…Young Master.
During their meal that day, Gu Yangcheon had announced his intention to return to Shanxi tomorrow. It was only natural. He was a guest, and with the Tang Clan’s incident, he couldn’t stay for long. The expressions of the others in his party were calm. That, too, was natural; they seemed intent on following him wherever he went.
If that was the case.
What about me?
What should she do? Soyeol still hadn’t found an answer. Normally, she would have followed without hesitation. But with her family in such a state, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Even if Tang Jooyeok said it was okay. Knowing that all too well, Soyeol’s night was troubled.
As her worries cycled endlessly, Gu Yangcheon’s voice brushed past her ears.
—I think I could die for you.
“…”
A voice that had just passed through puberty, still holding a hint of youthfulness. The gentle tone, seemingly nonchalant, contained within it made Soyeol’s ears burn.
“…Nnggghh…” He was truly a bad person. To shake her heart like this without even doing anything properly. Of course, she, who followed him around bewitched by his face, had no right to say that.
…If you’re going to be like that, you could at least not look so far away.
If she had one complaint about Gu Yangcheon, it was that he shook the hearts of everyone around him, yet he himself never looked at them.
Always…
He always looked at a place much farther away. His eyes were like that. Though his body was here, his gaze was fixed on some distant horizon. Eyes that seemed ready to leave their side at any moment, as if his true place wasn’t here. That was what Soyeol always feared.
Lately, it seemed he was finally looking their way. But the Gu Yangcheon who occasionally stared into the distance was deeply unsettling. His eyes, fixed on that unknown place, were cold enough to send a chill down her spine.
That was why Soyeol didn’t want to leave.
While I’m gone.
She was afraid he would disappear. This feeling wasn’t just hers; the others must feel the same. The reason they never spoke of it… was because they didn’t want Gu Yangcheon to know they felt that way. They knew he saw them as a burden, and they didn’t want to weigh him down any further.
“…It’s hard…” Thinking that, she hated her incompetent self.
I have to be helpful. If he looks to a distant place, if he wants to go there, I must build my strength so I can go with him. That’s what I should have done…
…What do I do?
Now, with the Tang Clan’s future uncertain, what value did she have left? She thought she had at least the value of being a daughter of the Tang Clan. But now, even that was fading.
“…Ugh…” She wiped her eyes. Tears fell on their own. She found her own thoughts ugly and disgusting.
…Even in this situation. You’re thinking about that? With her father and brother in such trouble, to be worrying about her own diminished value… How pathetic.
“Huu…” Should she have taken his hand back then? If she had accepted his offer to make her stronger, would she be in this much pain now?
Regret surfaced faintly in Soyeol’s heart, mingled with anger at her own patheticness.
I want to be buried in this darkness. Right now, that was her only thought.
Just like that.
Drip—
The moment her emotions began to twist.
Whoosh.
“…!” Soyeol, who had been wiping her tears, shot upright. She threw off the blanket and pressed her back against the wall in one fluid motion.
“…”
Wuuuung. She infused her qi, spreading her senses outward.
“…Haaa…” She forcibly suppressed her quickening breath. Goosebumps rose along her spine.
What is this?
The area around her room was quiet. Given the hour, that was natural, but…
…It’s too… quiet.
The silence was unnaturally thick. The moment she felt it, Soyeol’s instincts screamed.
Danger.
Srrk. A dagger was already in her hand, something she always carried. Sweat trickled down her temple. She wished this feeling was a mistake, but she was certain it wasn’t.
“…Who’s there…?” she whispered into the empty air.
The moment the words left her lips.
Fwoosh-!
The lamp on the desk was extinguished.
“One shijin.”
“…!” The voice came not from the front, but from directly to her left.
Shiik-! She immediately swung the dagger toward the sound, but.
Thwack-!
Her wrist was caught by a firm grip before her attack could land. And right after that.
Grasp-!
“Mmph!” A hand clamped over her mouth.
“Mmph… Mmmph!” She struggled with all her might, but the grip didn’t loosen in the slightest.
Who was in front of her? She couldn’t see well, barely making out the figure’s shape. The person, presumed to be a man, wore a half-mask. Perhaps because of that, his presence was indistinct.
“Exactly one shijin. The time it took for you to perceive my presence.”
“…Mmph…”
“Fortunately, your senses don’t seem to be bad. I thought it would take you at least two shijin.”
What was he talking about? Soyeol couldn’t understand. An assassin? If so, who sent him?
“If there is one slight disappointment, it’s that what you should have done was not retreat to a dead end, but break through toward the entrance.”
As he spoke, the grip on her wrist loosened slightly, just enough for her to speak.
“…Who are you.” Her voice trembled heavily.
With Tang Clan guards stationed all around, he had entered her room as if it were nothing. From that alone, she could gauge her opponent’s level. She couldn’t win. It was a hopeless situation.
The man continued, unmoved. “Your eyes haven’t died even while asking. That too, is a passing mark.”
His words were incomprehensible. A passing mark?
While listening, Soyeol’s eyes scanned her surroundings. How could she escape? There was no way as long as she was caught. Still, she had to find a breakthrough.
Ssk. Was it a coincidence? The grip on the hand holding the dagger seemed to have loosened slightly. Should she pull her hand out and counterattack? The thought crossed her mind, but she held back. A chilling sensation warned her. She needed to test the waters first.
Hiding her intention, Soyeol stalled for time. “…Do you want something from me?”
“I do…”
The moment he began to speak, Soyeol put strength into her hand.
Tuk-! A wave of relief. Her hand slipped out easily. She had to counterattack now. Where? The neck, or the hand covering her mouth? A moment’s hesitation flashed through her mind.
That hesitation was her undoing.
Fwoosh-!
“…!” Her own arm moved against her will. The tip of the dagger she held was now, inexplicably, pressed against her own neck.
“Finalize your plan before you execute it. Because of your hesitation just now, you died.”
“Heuk… heuk…” Facing death, Soyeol could only let out shallow, ragged breaths. Was that also a feint? Another way? Was there no other way? I have to live. She couldn’t die like this. She had to find a way.
Watching her, the man’s eyes narrowed. “Not bad.”
Saying that, he suddenly released her and stepped back.
Thud-! Freed from his restraints, Soyeol collapsed to the floor, gasping for air.
“Heok… heok… keoheuk…” Panting raggedly, she raised her head. The man was now perched casually on the desk, looking down at her.
“Who… who are… you.” Who was he? Who could appear like this and corner her so completely? Her mind reeled from the suddenness of it all.
Facing her, the man spoke. “I am the darkness.”
At his words, a drop of cold sweat trickled down Soyeol’s face.
“And you, too, must become the darkness.”
“…What does that…” Soyeol’s eyes wavered, unable to comprehend his meaning. The darkness?
As she was about to ask again.
“…!!” She froze.
A smile now played on the lips of the man who had been expressionless until a moment ago. Though the corners of his mouth were raised in amusement, his eyes remained ice-cold. At that chilling sight, Soyeol found herself unable to speak.
“Exactly three years.” Tang Soyeol probably didn’t know. “In three years, I will make you into a monster.”
That this meeting… would one day lead to Tang Soyeol being called the Dark Queen (暗后).
* * *
A day passed, and the sun began to rise. Leaving the morning mist behind, its light gradually illuminated the Tang Clan estate. It was still too early for most to be awake.
Yet, in the quiet, several people were already moving busily.
—Where should I put this?
—Ask Young Lady Moyong about that!
Several carriages of different colours stood ready. Countless people could be seen loading luggage into them. The reason for the early activity was the preparation to depart the Tang Clan at dawn. They had to start now to leave by noon. The distance was considerable, requiring an early start.
Yes, that’s why I was busy as hell, and yet.
“…What did you say?” I couldn’t help but scowl at the words I heard. “What did you just… what did you just say?”
The Immortal Healer stood before me. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was the old man standing next to him.
He was neatly dressed in blue martial robes, his white hair tied back tightly. He was tall, and between his fine wrinkles, striking blue eyes gleamed. A figure who must have been quite handsome in his youth. I knew this old man well. Of course, I knew him. He was the old man who had been beaten to a pulp by my father just a few days ago.
His identity was one of the Three Venerables, known as Heaven Beyond Heaven in the Central Plains. The true master of the Namgung Clan. The Heavenly Venerable, Namgung Jeolcheon.
Appearing out of nowhere after several days, he had simply said, “I wish to entrust myself to the Gu Clan.”
“…”
At the Heavenly Venerable’s words, I just pressed my fingers to my brow. Haaa— It seems this is just my year for misfortune.