Dang Sohye (1)
Zhejiang Province's castle town, Hangzhou.
Just changing locations like this naturally lifted his spirits and put him in a good mood. Was it because it was a familiar place?
"You idiot blockhead!"
...But returning to a welcoming spot didn't change much.
"Gah!"
Thud crash.
This time, what made Hyejin lose her reason was a single sheet of paper that had flown into the Zhejiang provincial office—a bill for repairs to private residences near the Nanjing Governor Jo Unhyeon's mansion.
Damage to property under Jo Unhyeon's jurisdiction, meaning government assets, could simply be handled by the government itself.
But losses to private citizens, especially expensive ones in central Nanjing belonging to local notables, had to be compensated by the perpetrators.
"Why the hell! What kind of lunatic thinks of smashing entire private homes!"
"There, there were reasons, our own reasons for it!"
Sure, from Yujin's perspective, it had been unavoidable to avoid being late, but to a third party, it all just looked like madness.
"Then at least do it without leaving traces!"
Especially since most damages during riots like civil unrest couldn't pinpoint culprits, leaving victims to eat the loss—but his traces screamed, I did it, making identification easy.
Still, he had his own defense.
"No, but you said you'd take responsibility even if shit hit the fan!"
"Yeah, but there's a limit! Material costs are sky-high these days— you trying to bankrupt my wallet??"
"This sounds exactly like those guys who go 'trust your big bro?' then bail after pretending to own up, right?"
"What kinda metaphor even is that..."
Aigoo, Hyejin felt a twinge at the nape of her neck.
She remembered her mother clutching hers like this as a kid—this must be what it felt like.
Though she'd heard it came with age, and she was barely past adulthood— was this normal?
Tact...
Yujin knelt before her, shooting her sidelong glances with that expression.
Sigh.
"...Guess we'll have to cut spending for a while."
She couldn't just ignore the compensation either—the gains from this incident would shrink if she did. No choice but to approve it.
The buildings Yujin had obliterated included the Nanjing Merchant Association head's mansion and other VIP properties.
Finally a chance to gain support from Donglin elders—letting issues fester could sour things.
"Sigh, my fate."
"Hang in there."
"It's your fault!"
The beggared princess and idiot blockhead—the office staff watched, thinking how peaceful it was today.
*
Saying something "big" happened in Jiangsu Province felt off since he was at the center, but it seemed resolved somehow.
The commander got swamped wrapping up Jiangsu affairs, so seeing her grew tough.
Sure, he'd fucked up, but this was a save, right?
Compared to his worst-case scenario, things turned out better than expected...
He wavered on judging it, but whatever— it'll be fine. Positivity it is.
If problems arose, she'd come chew him out. Until then, all good.
"Doc! You in?"
Back in Hangzhou, his first stop was the clinic.
"Young master, back already?"
"Can I get a session now?"
"That usual one?"
He nodded, and the old man led him to a screened-off room.
Lying face-down on the wooden table, the elder, who'd been loosening up, suddenly hammered his muscles and joints with swift hands.
Tatata tak.
"Ughhh."
Yeah, this. The right pressure hit muscles and meridians, releasing with a pop.
"Ahh, feels so good."
It started as idle curiosity about the office clinic, but now it was routine. It wasn't just "refreshing."
He'd tried a local one in Suzhou on Gwakssi's word, but inexperienced hands or poor skill made every touch awkward—no match for this.
Relishing the recovery rippling through his body,
—Bang.
Step step.
The screen door flew open; footsteps entered behind him.
What? Familiar scene. Commander again?
...Did I give more reason to get chewed out?
He racked his brain—nothing came up.
Repeat the last mistake, and who knew when the doc would seal his acupoints mid-session? Tense, he perked his ears.
"Gramps, you gone blind from poison while I was away? I walk in and you don't even acknowledge me."
Huh? Not the commander.
Soft drawl with dialect twang—nothing like the commander's crisp standard speech and high, delicate tone.
And this room was mid-treatment—why did people keep barging in? Great otherwise, but this irked him.
Hey, screw up my meridians mid-session and turn me into an idiot— you compensating?
Ignoring his gripe, or maybe not noticing the prior customer (him), the bold woman barreled on.
"Gramps, you run off all fierce-like, and whaddya do? Open a butcher shop?"
Butcher shop? Metaphor for me? Treating people like meat soured his mood.
How hotshot was she to talk like that?
Glancing back grumpily, there she was—a gal, straight-up.
Mixed with Central Plains flair, that vibe incarnate.
At first, her hearty dialect suggested a warm face, but seeing her? Nothing else fit.
"...Huh?"
She'd caught him staring.
"Ain't naked or nothin', why keep glarin'? Got business, stare proper-like."
"N-no, nothing."
But voicing it? She seemed intense from the jump— he shrank.
"Quit wigglin' your toes and spit it out if ya got somethin'. Creepin' like that wastes your build."
—Ahh, the gyaru rude to otakus.
...Ain't that just a delinquent?
Some new trauma bubbled up, different from Namgung Yeona's.
Whatever—the doc and gal girl bantered on.
"I'm busy now—come back later."
"Sheesh, I got tons to do."
"So busy, why not come yesterday."
"Office kept summonin' ya—thought you had no kin left nearby. Figured you kicked it."
"Dropped the jianghu life."
Sharp words, but eyes and tones brimmed with warmth.
...But I'm the customer.
Prone, eavesdropping via nape—felt excluded here.
Pouty, but he stayed quiet, peeking. The doc noticed, explaining.
"Sorry during treatment, young master. Her mouth's rough, but heart's kind. Bear with it."
Kind kid, huh. Scariest words right now.
This phrase was... um.
"Lunch not sit right? Why that face?"
"Nothing."
Manage expressions better.
Like a frog before a snake—body and mind shrunk.
Wanna go home.
In this weird vibe, doll-like poise, he just waited for it to end.
"Heard someone from the Tang Clan— you here?"
Now the gal, and the commander invaded the treatment room.
Was he the only one thinking modern? Hated these privacy breaches.
...Huh? Tang Clan just now? The Five Great Clans, poison and hidden weapons experts?
Misheard? Her words with the commander's arrival flooded his brain.
"Lady Dang Sohye greets the Zhejiang Commander."
"?"
Where'd the horrific dialect gyaru go? Before him, a demure scion of a prestigious clan.
"Oh, so you're the famed young lady. Heard much by rumor— truly beautiful and refined."
"?"
Commander, no. You're being fooled.
But not his place to butt in— he lay observing silently.
"Showed talent blending poisons with materials since young."
"Mere trifle— your praise is too much."
"Nonsense! From Lak Su On Do Rak in inland Sichuan to Qinghai, Jiangnan, even Hebei— chaos across the Central Plains from that liquor you invented! If that's trifle, what's not?"
"I am humbled."
Wha— she invented that liquor?
Good memory from Suzhou tasting— shocking info.
"So young, yet so skilled."
"Excessive humility borders negativity. I gratefully accept your praise."
With demure bow to the commander.
...Commander? Stingy with me, lavish on a stranger?
Grumpy observing, he caught it.
—Hee hee smirk.
Aah, head bowed to commander, she couldn't see—but from here, clear.
This angle showed her face blooming smugly, vilely.
Buddy, we're the same breed.
Weak to praise, craving it, puffing up on a hit.
Difference? Her achievements dwarfed his.
Lak Su On Do Rak—tried in Jiangsu. As Gwakssi said, situational delight.
She made that.
Even a layman like him knew it— no small feat.
Seeing a kindred spirit soured his mood.
Unpleasant gut feel.
"Long journey— my apologies for delay due to duties."
"No, sir. Your state affairs take precedence; it is right I respect your time. And timely to greet the family elder."
...Tang Clan elder?
The doc gramps...?
Finally, proof of the hidden master theory lurking everywhere.
"Young master, session's done."
"Uh, right— th-thanks, er, honored?"
See? Told you this doc was no ordinary.
His ruthless acupoint and joint strikes lingered in memory. A week of soreness after.
Why a Tang elder moonlighted as office doc? Mystery, but knowing now, casual vibes were over.
"Details at the office."
"Yes, ma'am."
Then they left him alone.
...Excuse me?
Peak natural exclusion. Yujin couldn't help feeling miffed.