Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: The First Son's Invitation
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The Poison Spirit Assimilation Art was not a poison art; rather, it was a martial art for absorbing all the deadliest poisons of the Dang Family, making it the polar opposite of Dang Bi’s Five Poison Silk Transformation Art.
Dang Bi’s eyes became bloodshot as Dang Gon spoke with such casual mockery.
“You bastard…”
“How noisy. If we're done here, let's go.”
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol pointed at Dang Bi while cleaning out his ear.
“All that squawking is making my ears hurt.”
“You… you son of a…”
“My apologies. My second brother has always been a bit loud.”
Dang Gon ignored Dang Bi and gave Bu Eun-seol a faint smile. Then, he clasped his hands together toward Dang Ryeong and Gam-gok.
“Well then, we'll be on our way.”
“Dang Gon! Have you finally lost your mind?!”
Enraged, Dang Bi reached for the pouch of hidden weapons at his waist.
“You'd better be prepared for the consequences!”
“Second Elder Brother… no. Just Second Brother.”
In that instant, a cold, electric glint flashed in Dang Gon’s eyes.
“I am entering the secret cavern under the Patriarch's orders. Do you understand what that means?”
“What? ‘Understand’? Who do you think you're talking to—”
“One more word, and instead of going to the secret cavern, I will report this situation directly to the Patriarch. That you, Second Brother, are obstructing me in defiance of his strict command.”
“Hmph, huhuhuhu!”
After a moment of stunned silence, Dang Bi burst into laughter as if he'd heard the most ridiculous thing.
“Is that all you can do? Lower your voice and threaten to tattle to Father? A whelp like you…”
“Elder Brother, Lord Dong. We shall take our leave now.”
Dang Gon cleanly ignored Dang Bi's provocation and clasped his hands toward Dang Ryeong and Gam-gok.
Then, he walked away, shoulder to shoulder with Bu Eun-seol.
“I'll be back within four days. When I get out, let's drink until we can't see straight.”
“Sounds good.”
“Hahaha! I'll have to break out all the Geomnamchun from the Cheong-yang-so-chuk cellar, brewed with the family's secret recipe.”
Watching Dang Gon walk away laughing with Bu Eun-seol, Dang Bi trembled with rage.
“That… damn bastard, how dare he!”
Then, as if a thought occurred to him, a vicious smile spread across his face, and he nodded.
“Hehehe. Yes. We'll see about this.”
Without a backward glance, he spun around and vanished in the opposite direction.
Once Dang Bi was gone, the murderous atmosphere completely dissipated.
Gam-gok, who had been standing with Dang Ryeong, watched Dang Gon depart and let out a hearty laugh.
“Hahaha. The Third Young Master seems to have changed a great deal after weathering the storms of the martial world.”
In the past, Dang Gon had always been gentle and mild-mannered, known to all as a good man.
But to ignore that foul-tempered Dang Bi of all people? It was something the old Dang Gon would never have dreamed of doing.
“Indeed.”
Dang Ryeong nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“He's changed completely.”
Gazing after Dang Gon's departing figure, Dang Ryeong let out a deep sigh.
He had only hoped Dang Gon would grow strong enough to keep Dang Bi in check. But now, had a mere serpent suddenly become a hidden dragon, threatening his own position?
*'He changed because of that man.'*
A sharp glint flared in Dang Ryeong's eyes as he stared at the back of Bu Eun-seol, walking beside Dang Gon.
The dead of night, under a brilliant full moon.
Dang Ryeong stood by the window, admiring the moonlight that embroidered the dark night sky.
Beside him stood a woman in rugged martial arts attire, her hair tied up.
She was Dang Seo-rin, the captain of Dang Ryeong’s personal guard, the Poison Wind Brigade.
“It seems the time has come to make a choice.”
Dang Ryeong took a sip of the tea on the table.
He had been born with asthma, and as he grew older, he developed a severe cough.
For a martial artist who required outstanding stamina and endurance, it was a fatal limitation.
To compensate for his weak body, he was exceptionally intelligent and clever. Thus, since childhood, Dang Ryeong had preferred reading books to practicing martial arts.
Around the age of ten, even a Grand Scholar of the Munyeongak Pavilion, an acquaintance of Dang Pae, had praised his scholarly pursuits...
As the first son of the Sichuan Dang Family, Dang Ryeong had made a name for himself through academics rather than martial prowess.
“Should I have a drink with my second brother? Or should I have a drink with that man, Bu Eun-seol?”
As Dang Ryeong murmured under his breath, Dang Seo-rin, who stood respectfully behind him, spoke cautiously.
“Surely you should meet with the Second Young Master and share a drink.”
“Why is that?”
“The Second Young Master is already grinding his teeth over this Bu Eun-seol. If you meet with him and provoke him just enough, they will both destroy each other.”
“You suggest I use the tactic of killing with a borrowed knife? Hahaha. That's not a bad idea.”
Swallowing the tea in his mouth, Dang Ryeong smiled faintly.
“But there is a better strategy than borrowing another's sword to kill someone.”
“What is that?”
“To take the enemy's sharp sword and make it my own.”
A serene smile played on Dang Ryeong's lips as he looked at Dang Seo-rin.
It was a pure smile, yet at the same time, it resembled the wicked grin of a child who cannot distinguish right from wrong.
***
*Step, step.*
Guided by a young warrior, Bu Eun-seol headed toward the large gate leading into the Dang Family's inner court.
*Creeeak.*
As the red-lacquered gate slowly opened, the young warrior gestured politely.
“This way, please.”
Following the warrior's lead through the gate, a scene entirely different from the outer court unfolded before his eyes.
*'It's different.'*
Bu Eun-seol's eyes gleamed as he looked around.
The pavilions in the outer court, where Bu Eun-seol was staying, were built in a grand and majestic style, like the famous landmarks of Chengdu.
The buildings of the inner court, however, were constructed in a splendid and luxurious style, as if meant for kings and nobles.
“Please, come up here.”
The warrior finally stopped at a pavilion with an open view on all sides.
When Bu Eun-seol ascended the pavilion, he found a table set with drinks.
In front of a large table laden with all manner of delicacies sat a man with eyes like a phoenix. It was Dang Ryeong.
“Thank you for so readily accepting my sudden invitation.”
Dang Ryeong rose from his seat and clasped his hands respectfully, and Bu Eun-seol returned the gesture with a slight bow.
“Don't mention it.”
Although Bu Eun-seol had been in the Sichuan Dang Family estate, he had never even had a glimpse of the inner court.
Moreover, Dang Ryeong was a central figure in the succession battle.
For him, having decided to help Dang Gon, a drinking session with Dang Ryeong was, as the saying goes, something he wouldn't dare ask for but had secretly hoped for.
He hadn't dared to request it, but it was exactly what he had wanted.
“Please, have a seat.”
The wine Dang Ryeong had prepared was not the famed Geomnamchun of Sichuan, but pear blossom wine personally brewed by the Dang Family's own artisans.
What was unusual was that the cups on the table were not ordinary vessels, but were carved from large, whole pieces of jade.
*'Extravagant cups.'*
Noticing Bu Eun-seol's gaze fixed on the jade cups, Dang Ryeong smiled softly.
“The green of the jade enhances the fragrance of the pear blossom wine.”
As Bu Eun-seol took his seat, Dang Ryeong filled the jade cup before him to the brim with the wine.
“Here, have a drink.”
*Gulp, gulp.*
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened as he downed the pear blossom wine in one go.
In his travels through the martial world, he had tasted quite a few famous wines. But the pear blossom wine prepared by Dang Ryeong was, without a doubt, the best he had ever had.
“Hahaha. Seeing such a surprised look on your face, Young Warrior Bu, I feel it was a good decision to bring out this wine.”
Dang Ryeong smiled with satisfaction upon seeing Bu Eun-seol's surprised expression.
“This is a hundred-year-old pear blossom wine I had been saving to drink when I am confirmed as the successor.”
“A hundred-year-old pear blossom wine, you say.”
Bu Eun-seol set down his cup with a strange smile.
“Why would you serve such a precious wine to someone like me?”
“Hahaha. To share a drink with a man as outstanding as you, Young Warrior Bu, would even a thousand-year-old wine be too precious?”
Dang Ryeong laughed heartily and refilled the cup.
“Come, come, drink up. Let's talk after we've had three more cups.”
The hundred-year-old pear blossom wine was as potent as it was fragrant.
Bu Eun-seol, with his profound internal energy, showed no change, but Dang Ryeong, with his weak constitution, flushed slightly after drinking several cups in a row.
“Young Warrior Bu. I understand that men of your character greatly dislike beating around the bush. Is that correct?”
When Bu Eun-seol nodded impassively, Dang Ryeong's eyes crinkled.
“In that case, I will be frank.”
Taking a light sip of wine, Dang Ryeong looked Bu Eun-seol straight in the eye.
“I, too, wish to be your friend.”
Hearing this, Bu Eun-seol unknowingly furrowed his brow.
Dang Ryeong's wish to be his friend. It was not a simple desire to share companionship.
It was a proposal to betray Dang Gon and side with him.
“I believe our ages are too far apart to be friends.”
“Hahaha. In the martial world, it is not uncommon for men to form friendships that transcend age. Is there not a saying for such a bond?”
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the clear pear blossom wine in his jade cup and said flatly.
“I am but a wanderer of the martial world.”
“You are a dragon among men, a rarity in this age. Though I may only be the first son of the Dang Family, I should not be an unworthy companion for you.”
“Hmph.”
Bu Eun-seol loathed beating around the bush.
Yet, by speaking indirectly, he had, in his own way, saved Dang Ryeong's face.
But since the man was shamelessly persistent, he could no longer afford to be polite.
“I do not associate with those who hide their true selves.”
Despite the cold rejection, Dang Ryeong simply smiled.
“A beast of prey always hides its claws.”
And he stared intently into Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
“Just like you.”
*—You and I are the same.*
Dang Ryeong's eyes seemed to be saying this.
But Bu Eun-seol once again cut him off coldly.
“I refuse.”
“…”
Dang Ryeong shifted his gaze from Bu Eun-seol to his own wine cup.
He still wore an amiable smile.
“Do you think the third brother will become the Young Lord?”
After a long silence, Dang Ryeong spoke again.
“Frankly, his chances of becoming the Young Lord are even lower than Dang Bi's.”
Dang Ryeong said with a confident expression.
“You are an intelligent man, so I trust you understand what it means to be acquainted with the future Young Lord.”
*—I will become the Young Lord of the Dang Family. And if you associate with me, you too will gain much.*
This is what Dang Ryeong was implying.
“You seem to be mistaken about something.”
Bu Eun-seol, uncharacteristically, wore a faint smile.
“Do you think I associate with Dang Gon because I believe he will become the Young Lord?”
Meeting Bu Eun-seol's faint smile, Dang Ryeong's own smile vanished from his lips without him realizing it.
“Very well. Then let me make you a different offer.”
His smile gone, Dang Ryeong spoke with a serious expression.
“After today, please leave the main family estate. If you leave quietly, I will provide you with a corresponding reward.”
“A reward?”
“If you ask for money, you shall have it. If you desire a divine weapon, I will open the family's grand armory for you.”
He would give him whatever he wanted, just for leaving the Dang Family.
From Bu Eun-seol's perspective, it was an extraordinary offer with no downside. Yet, his expression remained unchanged.
“Do you not believe me?”
“I believe you.”
Dang Ryeong was Dang Pae's eldest son, and he had many followers.
He could surely take or use any weapons or funds within the Dang Family as he pleased.
“Then will you leave?”
“I'm afraid I must refuse.”
There was nothing more to hear, no reason to stay seated.
Setting down his cup, Bu Eun-seol slowly rose to his feet.
“Thank you for the drink.”
And without hesitation, he turned to leave.
“Hah.”
Just then, Dang Ryeong let out a low, deep sigh.
“I truly did not wish to become your enemy.”
Dang Ryeong clicked his tongue with a look of regret, as if he had just broken a valuable piece of pottery.
“In one month, Father will decide on the Young Lord.”
*Halt.*
As Bu Eun-seol, who had been turning away, stopped in his tracks, Dang Ryeong spoke in a playful voice.
“But Dang Bi is not the type to wait patiently for that time to come. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Huhuhu.”
Turning his head, Bu Eun-seol revealed his white teeth in a bright smile, unlike any he had shown before.
“That sounds interesting.”
Then he turned back again and slowly descended from the pavilion.
*Crack.*
As soon as Bu Eun-seol was completely out of sight, the jade cup in the smiling Dang Ryeong's hand shattered.
“What an incredibly confident man.”
Staring at the powdered jade, the corners of Dang Ryeong's eyes grew as sharp as the tip of a blade.
“But this family is not a place a wanderer like you can handle.”
A chilling killing intent, unseen until now, surged in Dang Ryeong's eyes as he muttered under his breath.
“Bu Eun-seol, in the end, you will die here.”