Confession (2)
In the dark room, heavy shadows cloaked Dang Gwan's face as he drank by the light of a single candle.
"...Bitter stuff."
A half-dozen empty bottles already littered the table.
Depending on one's cultivation method, but for a typical peak martial artist, getting drunk was rare. True energy constantly protected the internal organs and purged impurities. And once one broke through to Mujongjibyeok, true energy flowed freely even through the fine meridians, making the inner energy utterly unimpeded. Unless one forcibly blocked its path, intoxication was all but impossible.
Besides, Dang Gwan was a master who had tasted thousands of poisons. Even suppressing his true energy, a few bottles of strong liquor wouldn't faze him.
Yet for some reason, he felt the haze of drunkenness creeping in—the first time in twenty years.
"Don't play the beggar with me."
Dang Gwan twisted his lips into a smirk. The sharp smile cutting across his shadowed face looked as chilling as a dagger's edge.
"I never expected much anyway. The only one I can trust is myself. No need to hope from others, no room for disappointment."
He said it, but deep down, Dang Gwan knew. The man he'd become since joining the White Path Martial Alliance was far removed from the king who had ruled Sichuan.
He just refused to admit it—his own changes, and the reality that he was no longer at the center.
Drip, drip.
Even the aroma from his refilled cup was faint now. Dang Gwan closed his eyes.
"What in the world is wrong with me...?"
A sigh escaped him as he forced a bitter smile—then he sensed a presence.
'...?!'
His eyes snapped open, razor-sharp.
Whoosh.
Circulating his inner energy, he expelled the alcohol haze in an instant. He'd thought he'd absorbed it all, but clearly, that haze had a cause.
'A master.'
An astonishing one, standing beyond the door. Steady, restrained aura. No overwhelming presence since it was concealed, but that was merely a lion sheathing its claws—serene and transcendent.
'When?'
The drunkenness must have dulled his senses. Dang Gwan barked sharply.
"Who goes there?!"
A deep voice came from outside. "It's Yeon Wi, family head."
Dang Gwan's eyes darkened.
'Yeon Wi?!'
Incredible. Though he'd never paid close attention, they'd met multiple times at alliance conferences. Plenty of chances to gauge the man's arts.
But the Yeon Wi he'd sensed at those meetings and the one now? Worlds apart.
'Such growth in the meantime?!'
Or had he been hiding his power all along? Dang Gwan stared at the door, then turned away.
"I'll overlook the rudeness of showing up unannounced. Now leave me..."
He meant to say "go," but faltered.
'I respect you more than enough. In some ways, more than the two others here. Not out of fear, but because I know your temperament.'
Moyong Gun's voice echoed in his ears. Dang Gwan's face twisted viciously.
"...Get out."
Yeon Wi's voice followed. "Craved a drink, so I came. No official business. If you've time, join me for one."
"I said leave."
"Brought some fine-scented liquor."
"..."
"If you truly want to be alone, so be it. I'll come back later."
Dang Gwan gazed out the window and let out a heavy sigh.
"If it's not to my taste, I'll throw you out on the spot."
Moments later, the two sat across the table.
"You tricked me."
"Not to your liking?"
Dang Gwan scowled. "You call that liquor? Even a street butcher wouldn't touch that cheap rotgut, and you claim it has a fine aroma?"
Yeon Wi replied innocently. "Even fine liquor wouldn't register to the Tang family head, tempered by lethal poisons."
"..."
"Picked it with care. Strongest I've ever tasted."
True enough. Dang Gwan's lip curled.
"Good excuse."
"Let me pour you one."
Yeon Wi filled Dang Gwan's cup. Watching him steadily, Dang Gwan growled roughly.
"So, what's the real business?"
"Told you. No official matter. Just wanted a drink."
"That lie for real?"
"No lie."
"No lie? You expect me to buy that?"
"Why not?"
"You show up at this perfect moment for a drink? Too obvious, don't you think?"
Yeon Wi filled his own cup, face impassive. Unlike Dang Gwan, shadows played across the right side of his face, evoking the bold strokes of an ancient masterpiece—timeless and dignified.
"If that's what you think, you've misjudged me badly."
"What?"
"Whatever foes you've dealt with, I'm no honey-mouthed, sword-bellied schemer."
Dang Gwan snorted. "A saint descends. Fine, no official business, not here to sway me—what brings you, then?"
"To keep you company."
"Hah hahaha!"
Dang Gwan burst into mad laughter.
"Company? What do you gain from playing companion to me?"
"I'll know you better."
"...!"
An unexpected answer. Dang Gwan glared coldly and drained his cup.
"No more to say? Then get out."
"Your daughter was quite disappointed."
"...What?"
Yeon Wi's tone was utterly flat. "Acts tough, but she worries for you deeply."
"..."
"As you know, your daughter and my son are close. We even dined together yesterday thanks to that."
Bam!
The table shook. Terrifying killing intent poured from Dang Gwan's eyes.
"Out. Now."
"Planning to stay prickly forever?"
"I said out!"
"That eager to lose your daughter?"
"Shut it! Mind your own business! Outsiders don't meddle in family matters!"
"Meddling with strangers gets you fingers pointed. Don't play tough with your own child."
"Urk!"
"And you call it meddling just now?"
Yeon Wi's eyes chilled. "It is meddling—and advice. But you shouldn't rage at me for it."
"What?!"
"When it concerns your child, heed even a butcher's words. Open your ears wide to the lowliest soul."
"...!"
"Even then, child-rearing feels precarious. Close your ears and just yell like you? You might never see your child's face again."
Dang Gwan's cheeks trembled. Astonishingly, he didn't shout back at Yeon Wi. By his nature, he'd have struck already, yet he didn't unleash his poison arts recklessly.
Watching him, Yeon Wi finally understood.
'This man's colder than he seems.'
A man who could erupt more ferociously than anyone. But the line before explosion ran far deeper than expected. Seemingly reckless, he instinctively discerned the lesser evil between worst and second-worst.
'And.'
Yeon Wi's eyes deepened.
'He loves his daughter, in his own way.'
Twisted and arrogant, sure. But he saw her as his child. That was key.
Valuing someone truly. If genuine, even a rocky path could mend ties.
"I've wronged my sons plenty too."
"..."
"Raised them too harshly. Until a few years ago, the younger wouldn't speak to me, and the elder drowned in drink, gone astray."
"..."
"Their fault? No. Parents ruin children. Fail to embrace them properly, and they break."
Dang Gwan's brow twitched. Yeon Wi drained his cup and continued.
"I got lucky. My boys grew fine without my help. Thought I had the world's best child-luck. Guilt aside."
"..."
"But seeing you, you're pretty lucky too."
Yeon Wi leaned forward. Dang Gwan unconsciously leaned back.
"Tang family head."
"..."
"I didn't come because of your rift with Moyong Gun, or to sway you."
"..."
"I went too far to fix things, but my sons pulled me back. So I see it—you're heading the same way soon."
Dang Gwan's lips quivered.
"Expecting senior treatment?"
Yeon Wi shook his head. "Your daughter is my son's friend. As a father, I worry."
"Don't play the good guy."
"Never thought myself good."
"Here for me and Sang-a? Don't make me laugh. Telling an enemy to watch his kid? Who'd believe—"
"What needs watching is your pride, wasted on irrelevancies."
"...!"
Yeon Wi stood. "Not enemies anymore, are we?"
"Wishful thinking."
"Can't even be enemies, you."
Words stabbing at pride. Dang Gwan glared up with bloodshot eyes.
Yeon Wi met his gaze, then smiled faintly.
"One question."
"..."
"Asked Moyong Gun about the Cheongeumdok poison's source?"
Dang Gwan stayed silent. Yeon Wi nodded.
"Knew it. The source didn't matter to you. Or rather, you guessed who made the poison on that handkerchief."
"...Out."
"So you went along with our eldest's persuasion to cut ties with Moyong Gun?"
"..."
Dang Gwan turned to his cup. Yeon Wi watched, then clasped his fists in salute.
"I get wanting solitude. My words were harsh, but I had to say them. Forgive the offense."
"Knew it? Then go."
"Today's rudeness, I'll repay with fine liquor. Give word, I'll make time."
Yeon Wi left. Dang Gwan stared endlessly at his cup, then poured baekju.
Downing the full measure scorched his throat anew.
"Father and daughter, both with daggers on their tongues."
Dang Gwan swigged straight from the bottle. Heat rose from his gut, flushing his face.
"...Bitter."
* * *
"What're you doing?"
"Hm?"
Yeon Hojeong, sitting alone gazing out the window, turned to Mok Bi.
"What? When'd you get here?"
"Just now. Coming back from training. Saw the light on."
"Just thinking."
Yeon Hojeong nodded. "You worked hard today."
Mok Bi dipped her head. "You too. Rest up."
"Yeah."
As Mok Bi left, Yeon Hojeong looked back to the starry sky.
The twinkling lights were beautiful.
"...It's time."