Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: The Variables of Succession
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Dang Bi wasn't thinking for himself, still taking out his frustrations on Dang Sa-un.
“In any case, there's only about a month left until the Family Head’s selection of the successor.”
Dang Sa-un said in a subtle tone.
“For now, I believe it would be best to forget about the Third Young Master and focus on persuading more of the inner court's elders to build up your support.”
“Right… I can deal with that bastard later.”
Dang Bi's eyes flashed.
As the firstborn, Dang Ryeong had the support of the blood relatives, but because he was frail and rarely left his residence, many elders found him unsuitable as a successor.
Dang Bi needed to win them over as quickly as possible to secure the successor's seal of approval in a month.
“Good. Then first, go and try to win over those old geezers from Man-hwa-won again.”
“Understood.”
Bowing his head, Dang Sa-un carefully stepped outside.
*"Hoo."*
A sigh escaped him involuntarily.
Dang Bi was arrogant and despotic, and he wasn't even the official successor yet. If he received the seal of approval, his damn personality would only get worse.
“This is worrying.”
Just as he was shaking his head and leaving the main gate of Su-un-gak,
“Oh?”
A beautiful young woman with a clear voice was blinking at him.
“Young Lady.”
His eyes meeting the beauty's, Dang Sa-un politely clasped his hands.
She was none other than the Family Head's youngest daughter, Dang Cheong.
“Looks like you got another earful from my second brother.”
As Dang Cheong smiled bashfully, Dang Sa-un hurriedly shook his head.
“Not at all.”
Then he quickly changed the subject.
“Where are you headed, by the way?”
“I'm going to see my third brother.”
“The Third Young Master, you mean?”
Dang Sa-un's gaze wavered.
Born a woman, Dang Cheong could not ascend to the position of successor, but she had completely captivated the hearts of the Dang family's old guard.
In terms of support, she surpassed Dang Bi and was nearly on par with Dang Ryeong.
*'This is troublesome.'*
The problem was that Dang Cheong kept showing interest in Dang Gon, the son of a concubine.
*'The Young Lady could act on a whim…'*
The succession battle was already divided between Dang Ryeong and Dang Bi.
But what if Dang Cheong capriciously decided to support Dang Gon? The entire landscape would change drastically.
“What? The youngest is here?”
Just then, the inner door burst open and Dang Bi rushed out.
“Cheong, what brings you here?”
Dang Bi spoke gently to Dang Cheong with an uncharacteristically benevolent expression.
“Did you come to have tea with your dear brother?”
“No. I was just passing by and saw Brother Sa-un, so we started talking.”
“I see.”
Dang Bi said with a look of lingering disappointment.
“Su-un-gak is always open, so come visit whenever you're bored.”
“Okay.”
Smiling brightly, Dang Cheong waved to Dang Bi and Dang Sa-un.
“See you next time.”
Watching Dang Cheong walk away, Dang Sa-un's gaze clouded over.
He had a bad feeling for some reason. But the moment he voiced it, Dang Bi's fiery nagging would begin.
“What are you standing there spacing out for?”
At Dang Bi's words, Dang Sa-un forced a smile and shook his head.
“It's nothing. Well then.”
And with a clasp of his hands, he hastily departed.
***
The office of Dang Pae, the Head of the Dang Family.
The office of the Dang Family Head, whose name resounded throughout the world, was not filled with luxurious furniture but with bookshelves packed tightly with books.
*Scratch.*
Dang Pae sat in his office, reading an old book titled *Chronicles of a Thousand Poisons*.
“I heard that you permitted the order to withdraw the Jeol-dok-dae.”
A middle-aged man standing quietly before him spoke cautiously.
He was Dang Seong, Dang Sa-un's father and Dang Pae's brother.
“Hahaha. Have you come to complain about it?”
“How could that be?”
As Dang Seong's expression changed and he waved his hands, Dang Pae said nonchalantly.
“The firstborn pleaded with me. He asked if brothers really needed to shed blood in front of the family gate.”
“Indeed… there were many eyes watching.”
Though he said that, Dang Seong's expression was not pleasant.
Whether he knew this or not, Dang Pae's gaze remained fixed on his book.
“The third son brought a rather formidable ally with him this time.”
Clearing his throat, Dang Seong spoke again.
“He is said to be the winner of the recent Dong-pyo-seo-rang Martial Arts Tournament.”
“Martial Arts Tournament? You mean that competition held in the ronin market, tucked away in Guizhou?”
“It was originally an insignificant tournament, but this time, with the Yeong-sa-sin-geom at stake, the level of competition was quite high.”
“Hm.”
“According to the rumors, his skills are considerable. Though there was some controversy, he defeated Yeong Ji-wi, a Dae-ui-go-su, and Seo-mun Gyeong, known as the Sword Fiend of the Seo-mun family.”
“Yeong Ji-wi and Seo-mun Gyeong…”
Dang Pae, looking up from his book, scoffed.
“Aren't both of them known for being rather half-baked prodigies? Defeating them hardly proves his skills are that great.”
Now that Dang Pae had finally looked away from the book, Dang Seong began to get to the main point.
“Is there any need to postpone it for another month? Wouldn't it be better to decide sooner?”
“What do you mean?”
“I'm saying that the fight for succession seems to be getting too heated.”
“Let it be. It is merely the growing pains of our main family's path to prosperity.”
Dang Seong looked displeased.
No matter how much Dang Ryeong pleaded, if Dang Pae hadn't allowed it, Dang Gon would have certainly been dealt with this time.
But now that Dang Gon had entered the family estate unharmed, he felt anxious.
In Dang Seong's eyes, Dang Gon was a prodigy with far too much potential.
*'It doesn't matter if Dang Bi fails. But that boy, Dang Gon, must not be the one.'*
Dang Ryeong and Dang Bi were successors of the direct bloodline. No matter what, they would prioritize their blood relatives.
Dang Gon, however, did not have fond feelings for the relatives and elders who had ostracized him. And that made Dang Seong deeply uneasy.
“Family Head, it seems you are fond of the third child, that boy.”
Dang Seong finally voiced the question he had been wanting to ask all along.
Unlike in other families, a son of a concubine in the Sa-cheon-dang-ga could never be a candidate for succession in the first place.
Yet Dang Pae had fairly granted Dang Gon a place in the line of succession.
“Favoritism?”
As Dang Pae's eyes sharpened, Dang Seong began to sweat and said,
“I was merely worried that I might be making a mistake.”
“You're talking nonsense.”
His sharp gaze softening, Dang Pae let out a dry laugh.
“It doesn't matter which child you support. Is that not your prerogative?”
“Still… I thought my choice might displease you, Family Head.”
“Did it seem that way?”
Sighing, Dang Pae closed the book on his desk.
“There is only one reason I placed that boy, Dang Gon, on equal footing in the line of succession. Be it talent, intellect, or character… he lacks nothing compared to the others.”
“Is that so? Then that boy is also sufficiently qualified to become the successor.”
At Dang Seong's words, Dang Pae scoffed.
“If he can prove he is worthy of it, that is.”
A fearsome aura rose from Dang Pae's body.
“The position of Family Head requires one to display unshakeable power and ruthlessness. That is the secret to how our main family has survived for generations in the martial world.”
Only then did Dang Seong realize he had misunderstood Dang Pae.
*'The Family Head only wanted an outstanding successor. He wasn't showing favoritism to that boy.'*
As if guessing Dang Seong's inner thoughts, Dang Pae chuckled lowly.
“The firstborn is brilliant and brings people together well… but he has a tendency to rely too much on his intellect.”
“That is true.”
“The second is talented in martial arts, but he is impatient and tends to make enemies easily.”
Dang Pae smiled bitterly.
“In truth, the most suitable successor is that child, Dang Cheong. If only she had been born a boy.”
Dang Cheong was outstanding in both intellect and martial arts, and possessed a temperament that inspired devotion in her subordinates.
But it was a pity that, having been born a woman, she could not receive the position of Family Head.
“The third is a prodigy on par with Cheong, if only his personality were different. That is the only reason I gave him a chance. Is that answer enough for you?”
Dang Seong bowed his head deeply and clasped his hands.
“I failed to grasp your profound intentions, Family Head. Please forgive me.”
“Don't worry about it. However… the regrettable thing is that one's character does not change so easily.”
Dang Seong nodded slowly.
Character does not change easily.
Dang Gon possessed outstanding qualities, but unfortunately, his character was too loyal and honest, and he tended to trust others too easily.
He could be called a good man or a great hero, but it was a character unsuited for the position of Family Head.
“Then I will leave the children to their own devices, whatever they may be plotting.”
Dang Pae nodded.
“A wise decision. It is, after all, something they must resolve amongst themselves.”
“Understood.”
Dang Seong swallowed hard.
A storm of blood was finally about to brew within the Dang family.
***
*"Hm-hm. Hm-hm."*
Dang Cheong walked along, humming a tune.
Leaving the inner court, she went to the outer court where the family's retainers and external masters resided, heading for a small building on the western edge.
That place was Cheong-yang-so-chuk, where Dang Gon was staying.
Inside Cheong-yang-so-chuk was a beautiful garden planted with rare and exotic flowers. This had originally been the residence of Dang Gon's birth mother, and Dang Pae had created the garden for her.
“Hm.”
And in that garden stood a young man with the Muk-geom on his back, admiring the flowers with his arms crossed. It was Bu Eun-seol.
“Oh?”
Arriving at Cheong-yang-so-chuk, Dang Cheong let out a small gasp upon spotting Bu Eun-seol standing alone in the flower garden.
“Is my third brother not here?”
Bu Eun-seol, who had been lost in thought while looking at the garden, finally turned his head.
Her face was as pure and vibrant as a blooming lotus flower.
Bu Eun-seol glanced at Dang Cheong, who was staring at him, and gave a slight nod.
“So you're Dang Cheong.”
Not only was her appearance outstanding, but the aura emanating from her body surpassed even Dang Gon's.
Above all, from her use of "third brother," Bu Eun-seol could guess that she was the Family Head's youngest daughter, the Dang family's 'jewel in the palm,' Dang Cheong.
“And you must be the winner of the Martial Arts Tournament that my third brother brought with him. Bu Eun-seol, Young Master Bu?”
At Dang Cheong's familiar tone, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
“He went to the Mu-won.”
“Aha, he must have gone to give a gift to the young attendant who traveled with you, Young Master Bu.”
Dang Gon had taken Heuk-pyo to the Mu-won, saying he would give him a gift of hidden weapons for all his hard work during their journey.
But surprisingly, Dang Cheong seemed to have a detailed grasp of Dang Gon's every move.
“How did you know?”
“Gam Gok, the Cave Master in charge of the armory, mentioned that my third brother was taking out some hidden weapons. So I asked why.”
Bu Eun-seol's eyes gleamed.
*'The one in charge of the armory reports to her…'*
Just as the rumors said, Dang Cheong was not only talented in intellect and martial arts, but she also seemed to hold a very high position among the masters of the inner and outer courts.
*"Sigh."*
Dang Cheong suddenly sighed and muttered under her breath.
“Seeing as he took the boy to the Mu-won, a place for martial arts training, just to give him hidden weapons… he's clearly planning to teach him some techniques as well.”
Just as she deduced, Dang Gon was in the middle of teaching Heuk-pyo a few hidden weapon techniques.
Although he was Bu Eun-seol's attendant, Dang Gon was very fond of the bright and friendly Heuk-pyo.
“My third brother always wanted a younger brother, even when we were little. He must have taken a liking to the boy you brought, Young Master Bu.”
Dang Cheong rambled on, sharing things he hadn't asked about.
Finding her bothersome, Bu Eun-seol silently left the flower garden.
“Wait a moment.”
She trotted after Bu Eun-seol and asked,
“Where are you going?”
“Do you have business with me?”
“Originally, I came to see my third brother. I thought he might reconsider his position now that he's back in the main family. But…”
Dang Cheong stared intently into Bu Eun-seol's still eyes and smiled bashfully.
“I think I'd rather talk to you after all.”